2012 - The Year of the Sock! February 2012

All right!  My second pair of socks completed!  I'm excited!  I found the pattern for these socks in a book at our local yarn shop: Crocheted Socks!: 16 Fun-to-Stitch Patterns by Janet Rehfeldt and Mary Jane Wood.  I used On Line brand super sock yarn in "comic-color" and it took a little more than one skein to finish this pair.  I'm sure I could have made them both with one skein if I had used a smaller pattern option.  The good news is I have almost two full skeins of this color left! 

I hope you enjoyed the new project!  Blessings and Peace!

-Tabi

An Experiment in Pattern Writing - Jan 2012

Since I have been inspired to create and open this new business I have written a few patterns.  This particular pattern, a crocheted oven mitt, is an experiment to help me write the pattern (which I finally finished today).  I took the idea for an oven mitt (since I had wanted one forever and just haven't ever bought one) and began crocheting.  My first oven mitt was blue (a previous post), but I didn't take any notes off of the project, so I had to start fresh on this one... but I learned a few tricks to help make this one easier!  It didn't come out quite like I wanted, so I made a few tweaks to the pattern after I finished crocheting in hopes of fixing the minor things I didn't like.  Other than that, it's really cute!  As usual, I wasn't expecting the colors to go together so well.  

Also, as of today I am looking for a test crocheter.  This is a beginner/easy project, so most anyone who has held a crochet hook should be able to finish it!  E-mail me if you are interested: tabiscreatingadventures@gmail.com.

Peace and Blessings!

A Random Little Hat. - Jan 2012

Again, I go back to my sister.  She brought me a book that has 6 crochet hat patterns.  Needless to say, this is out of that book.  Since it turned out so well I decided to place a tag on it and reserve it for the vendor show this spring!  

As an update, since I haven't been blogging much recently, I would like to let you know that I have officially started my own business (as of January 15, 2012) called, you guessed it, Tabi's Creating Adventures.  I am writing patterns and creating projects to sell in the local community as well as offering to teach lessons in knitting and crocheting.  My business e-mail is tabiscreatingadventures@gmail.com. 

Peace and Blessings!

Coasters for My Sister! Jan 2012

So my sister requested the hat and scarf from the last post and while I was working on that she saw my Japanese flower coasters and some balls of yarn I had laying out... the next thing I know she's asking me to make coasters to match her furniture!  Completely her idea!  So, here are the coasters I made for her:

I think it's funny how some random yarn that doesn't even look like it goes together comes out looking so CUTE after it's all worked up!  It kind of reminds me us as humans and how God puts us together in ways that simply don't make sense, but it works out so beautifully!  I really like the fact that no two coasters are the same, too!  Again, a sister idea.  I made them for her and she took them so I barely even had a chance to take a picture before she stuffed them in her suitcase!  It's okay, though, because I know she likes them!  Gotta love my sister!

Blessings and Peace!

Hat and Scarf for My Sis! January 2012

My sister decided she wanted me to make her a hat and scarf, so she found me a pattern and brought it to me!  We found the yarn here in Washington state at a local yarn shop.  I had fun making these two special request items!  The pattern came from a book called *In All Caps: 6 Crochet Designs* from Drew Emborsky (www.thecrochetdude.com) she bought at Hobby Lobby, pattern "slouchy beret."  The pattern is only for the hat, but I was able to alter the hat pattern to make the scarf.  I made it a little long since I kept it rolled up and bound by a short, double-pointed knitting needle... didn't feel like unrolling, checking the length, and re-rolling.

Above is the hat and scarf in Kertzer Norther Worsted yarn, color 222 purple lotus (it's 100% acrylic yarn).  Below are two pictures of my pretty sister modeling her new hat and scarf!

I hope y'all enjoyed this little post!  Blessings!

Beginning of a Business! Coasters! January 2012

I'm super excited to announce the beginning of my new business, Tabi's Creating Adventures, as of January 15th, 2012!  To celebrate this new beginning in my life, I made a set of coasters (a quick, easy, cute project) in my favorite colors!  Then I showed them to some people and have my very first special order!  So, here are my first official projects for the business!

The coasters above, Japanese flower coasters in blue, will be for sale as of January 16th in a local shop that has agreed to showcase my works for sale!  I'm so excited!  Since I do not have any of this yarn left, I cannot make more of the exact colors, but I can make similar coasters for anyone who is interested!  Leave a comment and I'll get back to you!  

Below are the coasters I made as a special order.  

As for now, I am working on setting up a business email and website.  I will post these as I have them available!

Blessings!!

Christmas 2011 - The Year of the Scarf! Celtic Hearts Scarf!! Nov 2011

A few weeks ago I learned the Celtic Hearts pattern in a class and decided I would use it in a scarf pattern.  Unfortunately I cannot share the Celtic heart pattern because it is not my own pattern.  But the scarf itself is a different story.  I found the neatest green variegated yarn (light worsted weight, 100% cotton) and thought of a particular person.  When the Celtic heart class came I knew it was all meant to be.  I could imagine a better scarf for this wonderful person!

As I said before, I cannot share the Celtic Hearts pattern.

The scarf itself is 20 stitches wide alternating 2 single crochet rows with 1 double crochet row.  This combination allows the variegation of the yarn to change position and create a digital camo effect with this yarn.

Blessings and Peace in this Christmas Season!!

Christmas 2011 - The Year of the Scarf! Grannie Stitch Scarf!!!! Nov 2011

A simple and quick project, this scarf was the ideal direction for someone who doesn't have a favorite color.  By be able to mix all the different colors I had been using thus far, I was able to give a fun and colorful gift to a very special person!

The "Grannie Stitch" is simply the combination of stitches used in the traditional Grannie Square (dc3, ch3, repeat).  I started out trying to Ripple the Grannie Stitch, but it shortens by about 2/3... by the time I had the second row on it was WAAAAAY too short for a scarf!  I figured this would be a better alternative.  I think this looks better, too!

Grannie Stitch Scarf:

Using a variety of yarns, make 10 to 15 4-round Grannie Squares, attach them together end to end until it's long enough for a scarf.  Then use the Grannie Stitch (dc3, ch3, repeat) to border the Grannie Squares attached together.  It's okay if you run out of yarn, it's supposed to be multi-colorful, attach another yarn!

Grannie Square (4-round):

ch 4, connect with sl st.

Round 1: ch 3, in center of circle created by first step dc 2 st, ch3, dc3, ch3, dc3, ch3, dc3, ch3, connect with sl st, turn.

Round 2: ch 3, in space created by ch3 in previous round dc2, ch 3, dc3, ch3, dc3, ch3, dc3, ch3, connect with sl st, turn.

Round 3-4: repeat round 2.  Cut yarn, tie off.  Weave in ends (if tail is not needed).

To attach Grannie Squares:

Option 1: "Sew Me Together"

Make all grannie squares desired leaving tail of yarn 3 to 4 times the width of the square for sewing together.  Using a yarn or darning needle, sew square together at the top of each stitch, tie off, weave in ends.

Option 2: "As You Go" 

On last round of joining Grannie Square have previous Grannie Square in hand.  Weave crochet hook in top stitches of previous Grannie Square at top of stitches in joining Grannie Square.  (It may take some playing to get the yarn to join smoothly, but keep trying and don't give up!)  Cut yarn, tie off, weave in ends.

Alternative for variation:

Instead of connecting the Grannie Squares together, use a slip stitch or single crochet to go around the border of the scarf and leave the edges between the Grannie Squares free.  Then go around to border with the Grannie Stitch.

Merry Christmas, Blessings, and Peace too all of you!!

Christmas 2011 - The Year of the Scarf! The Spiny Scarf!! Nov 2011

I will not lie.  This scarf is more challenging than the others.  But it still looks really cool and it's fun to make!  I really like the two colors in this scarf.  I'm not sure what inspired this scarf, I think it was a thought followed by a complete experiment, but it really worked out!  The pattern may be hard to follow, but remember, there are three mini-rows between each of the spines before moving on to the next section.  I hope you enjoy!

Spiny Scarf:

Spine:
chain 130
Row 1: ch 1, sc 10, chain 4, sc in second chain from hook, sc 2 (makes "rib"), sc2tog (joining back to main chain), repeat until end, turn.
Row 2: repeat row 1, cut yarn and tie off.

"Meat":
join second color at one end as if beginning a new row from the spine.
Round 1: ch 1, sc 9, sc2tog, sc up "rib" to top, make 3 st from one, sc down "rib" to bottom, sc2tog, repeat until end of spine and "ribs", make 3 st from one and continue repeating from previous side to beginning, make 3 st from one, join to beginning of round, do not turn.
Round 2: ch 1, sc to first "rib", join with sl st, ch 1, join to "rib" with sl st, turn, sc to beg st, turn, sc to "rib" (three mini-rows between beginning and rib), sc over and down "rib", continue making 3 mini-rows between each set of two "ribs" to end of first side, ch 1, sc across end, make 2 st from 1, repeat on second side.
Round 3: ch 1, sc around making 2 st from 1 at each of the 4 corners. Cut yarn and tie off.

Border:
join original color. Sc around scarf making 2 st from 1 at each of the 4 corners.  Cut yarn and tie off.  Weave in ends.

Merry Christmas!!
Peace and Blessings!!

Christmas 2011 - The Year of the Scarf! Ripples and Chevrons! Nov 2011

These are the first three crochet projects I have made with the Chevron/Ripple effect.  It's exciting for me to expand my pattern abilities!  Inspired by a project and conversation with Ms. Carol (in SC) I began to understand the workings of Ripple (and Chevron) stitches.  By making two stitches from one and one stitch from two alternately with a consistent number of regular stitches in between a Ripple is made.  The Chevrons are simply making two stitches from one in the middle to make a peak.  Try it for yourself!  Patterns below.

I used bulky yarn and size J hook for all three of these projects.  Each project used 2 to 5 skeins of yarn, check your yards!  (The wider the scarf, the more yarn is needed.  200 yards is a good start!)

Ripple Scarf:

chain 130 to 150 (the scarf will shrink by about 1/3 because of the Ripple)

Row 1: sc 10, make two stitches from one, sc 10, make one stitch from two (crochet 2 together [sc2tog]), continue until end, turn.

Row 2-end: continue pattern, sc 10 between hills and valleys, in valleys c2tog, on hills make two stitches from one, turn after each row.  Cut yarn and tie in ends.

Chevron Scarf (pictured above and below):

Beginning square: 

chain 12, turn, sc across until there are 12 rows.

First half:

Row 1a: sc2tog, sc 10 along one side of square, make 2 stitches from one, sc 12 along second side of square, turn. 

Row 2a: sc2tog, sc 10, make 2 stitches from one, sc 11, turn.

Repeat row 2a until approximately 36" long.

Second half:

join new yarn to side three or four of square so it can be sc across like the other side.

Row 1b: sc2tog, sc 10 along third side of square, make 2 stitches from one, sc 12 along fourth side of square, turn.

Row 2b: sc2tog, sc 10, make 2 stitches from one, sc 11, turn.

Repeat row 2a until approximately 58 to 60" long.

I hope everyone was inspired by this post!  Merry Christmas!!!!

Blessings and Peace!