Heart Rag Rug Crochet

Here we have it my newest crochet rag rug. I started and completed this yesterday and think it’s exceptionally pretty and so I’ve named it ‘Pretty in Pink.

As you will see I’ve been experimenting with photographs and making mosaics. I think I’ve been avoiding doing Isaac’s blanket – which needs to be finito by Friday, yikes. I was working on his blanket before 7am this morning in an effort to gain some ground.
Much as I love this pretty in pink heart rug I have decided to sell it. If you are interested in purchasing this rug please email me for details.

 Available to purchase SOLD

This rug would be perfect for a little girl, teen girl or a big girls boudoir, I really do love this one off and the colours are sublime.

I will be blogging a ‘crochet rag rug tutorial’ next week so get cutting your fabric and check back soon.

Rug Pattern Inspirations - Vintage

                 

Knitted Octagon Pattern

Do you all remember my ‘Octagon’ blanket project? The Octagon Blanket Project
Well today I had a lady called Linda contact me from Texas, for a knitting pattern for an Octagon and so here is a basic pattern. I will need to get out all my octagons and make some progress on them real soon.

Worked in 4-ply yarn
OCTAGONAL PATTERN:
Using No. 11 needles cast on 12 sts.
Work in pattern of your choice,(here I have used garter stitch) inc. 1 st at both ends of next and every alternate row until there are 26sts on needle.
Work 14 rows straight.
Dec. 1 sts at both ends of next and every alternate row until 12 sts remain. Cast off

Under Pressure

Well it’s Monday which means I have heaps and heaps of ideas and what seems like a limited amount of time to achieve even a small percentage of these ideas.
I’m very stretched working on the above crochet wave blanket. I’m making this for my first born who has gone off to university. I’m going to visit him on Saturday so this project now has a finite deadline. I would much rather work on a project because I’m loving the process not because it needs to be done, then it becomes a chore :-(
Thanks to all the recent postal disruption I have been waiting on a few deliveries and one of them finally arrived today. The kitchen has now become a Chinese laundry as I’ve been dying a variety of fabrics today. My washing line looks like multicoloured mayhem – but pleasing to my eye.
Lots of newly coloured fabrics to create with. I am about to start a prodded rag rug this week which will be interesting. I’m also going to be crocheting a new rag rag and writing up the pattern. Seeing all these colourful fabrics has given me the urge to create some wall hangings etc.
I’ve been working on this loveheart today and feel it has the potential to become something more. A wall hanging maybe. Or using some applique and machine embroidery a cushion cover. I’m not decided on this one yet but mulling it over.
Last week I had a week in cowls and still need to write up the patterns for these little crocheted numbers. Looking at my diary for last week I think I achieved about 60% of what I was aiming for. That wasn’t too bad given that I had little folks who were off school with the cold/flu. I also managed to get a few other things done that hadn’t been on the list. It’s good to at least to aim to be organised. I normally write everything up on a Sunday that I hope to achieve in the coming week. This week I’ve failed so had better go and do it now.
Then I will need to get on with the blanket……… I do know that many of you will understand my reticence to rush this through hastily. But you will all understand the necessity of a deadline self imposed or otherwise.

Autumn Comfort Prayer Shawl Knitted - Easy

I designed this pattern to be quick, easy and cosy. It only took a couple of hours to knit up and only uses knit & purl stitches so no expertise is required. To keep the autumnal feel pick a yarn in autumn shades. Don’t forget if you want to convert any yarn go to Yarndex  
The shawl is reversible so can be worn either way. I designed the shaping so that it fits snugly around the shoulders without being a long triangle.
Autumn Comfort Prayer Shawl Easy
Yarn – Mohair and acrylic blend. I used Paton’s Spirit, 200gms or approx 360m – shade ‘Bracken
Needles: 10mm circular needles used for length only. Tapestry needle for sewing ends in.
c/o 80 sts. Increase Section
Row 1, Knit
Row 2, Purl
Row 3, Knit
Row 4 - Purl
Row 5 - Knit, increase 1 st after every 4th st  (99sts)
Row 6 - Purl
Row7 - Knit
Row 8 - Purl
Row 9 - Knit, increase 1 st after every 5th st (119sts)
Rows 10 - Purl
Row,11 - Knit
Row 12 - Purl
Row 13 - Knit, increase 1 st after every 6th st ( 138)
Row 14 - Purl
Row 15 - Knit
Row 16  - Purl
Row 17 - Knit, increase 1 st after every 7th st  (159sts)
Row 18, Purl
Decrease Section
Row 19 - Knit, decrease 1 st each end
Continue working all rows knit then purl alternatively.
Decrease 1 st each end of every knit row until 100sts remain.
Now decrease 1 st each end of every row (knit & Purl) until 1 st remains then cast off.

For further knitting instruction, guidance and patterns please visit Knitting Pattern Central

Zig Zag Crochet Pattern

Zig Zag Stitch
Note: This pattern is worked on multiples o6 + 2
Chain desired length.
1st Row: 1sc into 2nd  ch, 1sc in each ch to end, turn.
2nd Row: 1ch, work 1 st into each sc to end, turn.
3rd Row: 5ch, skip 1st 3sc, work 1 Dtr group into next sc, 5 ch, *1 double Dtr group, 5ch*, repeat to last 3 sc, into the same sc as the last group, work 3tr until 1 loop of each remains on hook (4 loops on hook), 1 Dtr into last sc until (5 loops on hook), yo and through all 5 loops.
4th Row: 1ch, work 1 st into each sc to end, turn.
5th Row: 1ch, work 1 st into each sc to end, turn.
Repeat these 5 rows until desired measurement is achieved.
Abbreviations:
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
Tr - treble
Dtr group - double treble group
Yo - yarn over
Dtr Group
Work 3 dtr into same st, until 1 loop remain from each tr, 4 loops on hook yo and through all 4 loops.
Double Dtr Group
Work 3dtr into same sc as previous group until 1 loop remains on hook (1 loops on hook), skip 5 sc, work 3 dtr into next sc until 1 loop of each remains on hook, yo and through all 7 loops.

Unisex Cowl – ‘Neckie’ Crochet

This is a very easy and fast pattern to complete. Use any yarn you wish but the thicker/heavier the warmer the cowl. I used just 50gm.
Hook 10mm, Use any multiple of 2 to create the desired length. This cowl is worked in the round.
Chain 60,
Join with a sl st and work continuous rounds until the cowl is the desired size. Here I used double crochet stitch to add to the thermal properties of the cowl.
1st Rnd – sc all the way around.
2nd and all subsequent rnds *dc, ch1* until complete.

Standards for Knitting & Crochet Patterns

STANDARDS & GUIDELINES FOR CROCHET AND KNITTING

Skill Levels

Downloadable Symbols
Skill levels for knitting
1

Beginner
Projects for first-time knitters using basic knit and purl stitches.
Minimal shaping.
2

Easy
Projects using basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple color changes, and simple shaping and finishing.
3

Intermediate
Projects with a variety of stitches, such as basic cables and lace, simple intarsia, double-pointed needles and knitting in the round needle techniques, mid-level shaping and finishing.
4

Experienced
Projects using advanced techniques and stitches, such as short rows, fair isle, more intricate intarsia, cables, lace patterns, and numerous color changes.
Skill levels for crochet
1

Beginner
Projects for first-time crocheters using basic stitches.
Minimal shaping.
2

Easy
Projects using yarn with basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple color changes, and simple shaping and finishing.
3

Intermediate
Projects using a variety of techniques, such as basic lace patterns or color patterns, mid-level shaping and finishing.
4

Experienced
Projects with intricate stitch patterns, techniques and dimension, such as
non-repeating patterns, multi-color techniques, fine threads, small hooks, detailed shaping and refined finishing.
http://www.yarnstandards.com/skill.html