Ethical Mirasol Blanket Project

Look at the absolutely exquisite colours in this embryonic blanket project. I think I could be in heaven and given this wool comes from such an ethical project makes me feel good too. I don’t want to lecture anyone about social responsibility and ethical consumerism as I think this yarn could make the argument for me. I have just received a variety of skiens of Mirasol Hacho and I’ve decided to be very selfish and make myself a huge blanket, throw, afghan.

Here are some sneak preview shots of what I hope will become a magnificent piece of work when finally complete. I am also very lucky to have found what has become my favourite online yarn store. To visit the store pleas click here Aileen's Wool Shop. Those of you who know my name please don’t be confused this is not my shop but it is an incredible place to source a variety of ethical yarns such as Mirasol. The really competitively priced yarns include Artesano, Louise Harding, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Araucania, Colinette and Rowan. The shop also has all manner of knitting and crochet accessories.
I would highly recommend a visit to this store if you love quality yarns but don’t wish to pay top dollar. Aileen is a lovely lady and provides exceptional customer service, give it a try you’ll be delighted.
Aileen's Wool Shop

I am writing up my pattern as I go and will publish it once completed. I will update regularly with progress photos. It’s so very exciting to work with such ethical and sublime yarn. For information on the Mirasol project click here.

Circular Crochet Rag Rug – Instructions

Circular Crochet Rag Rug Tutorial

This pattern is for a circular rag rug to illustrate the process of crocheting a rag rug in the round. Once you understand this concept you can then choose a variety of patterns to work with - ovals, squares, rectangles or even a hexagon.
A rag rug crochets up fairly quickly but the time consuming aspect is in the preparation. You will need to gather a variety of fabrics to cut and turn into your yarn. Think about the properties of any particular fabric you choose - is it stretchy, flexible, coarse, closely woven. Is it likely to fray? Although most fabrics do initially shed some fibres some materials are worse than others.
You will need a fairly large hook I always use 10mm but anything between 10mm and 15mm would be suitable. I find a 15mm hook a tad unwieldy in the hand.
Your next job is going to be to cut the yarn into strips with as few joins as possible. To avoid too many knots cut in a zigzag style from side to side or cut from out edge in a spiral manner to the centre. The fabric should be approximately 2cms wide or 1”. This measurement is not cast in stone and there will be slight variations in the width which is a natural property of any handmade crocheted rag rug. Roll the yarn into balls. It is difficult to estimate the amount of fabric required but I always find it is more than you might initially anticipate. If you prepare approx 5 different colours/patterns to begin with you should then be able to estimate how much more is required to complete the project.
If you are not used to using your hands intensively you may end up with aching hands during the cutting up stage - I think in my eagerness I even ended up with a blister or two. It is worth preparing the yarn in advance as it can become frustrating to have to stop crocheting to do more cutting up. It will also take a while to get used to working with such a large hook and fabric as it it is a very different experience to crocheting with yarn.
As you become more familiar with the process you will learn to assess which fabrics work best for you and your design. You will also learn when you need to make additional increases etc to stop the rug curling. The structure of a crocheted rag rug is synergistic each separate stitch is dependant upon all other stitches and the properties of the fabrics used.
1. Chain 3
 
2. Join the ring with a sl st, ch 1 and then sc x 5 into the ring, join the circle with a sl st.

3. ch 1, (It may be useful at this stage to start marking the beginning of your round with a safety pin). sc x2 into each st,then join with a sl st.
4. ch 1, *sc twice into next st, sc 1 in next st* ** rep to end, join with sl st.

5. ch 1, *sc twice into next st, sc 1 in next st* ** rep to end, join with sl st.

6. Now begin working in the round (no more ch at beg of row and no more sl st) *sc twice into next st, sc 1 in next st* ** rep to end.
7. Continue to use pin to mark your rounds. 1 sc into each st. 

8. 1 sc into next 3 st, sc x2 into next st and every 4th st to end of round.
 
9. 1 sc into next 4 st, sc x2 into next st and every 5th st to end of round.

10. Complete 1 round 1 sc in each st to end.
11. sc x 2 into 1 st, sc for next 3 st, sc next st and every 4th st to end of round.
12. Complete 1 round 1 sc in each st to end.
13. sc x 2 into 1 st, sc for next 3 st, sc next st and every 4th st to end of round.
14. Complete 1 round 1 sc in each st to end.
Continue with these rounds (13 & 14) until work measures required diameter.
At this point my rug measures 19” diameter.

You can keep going here for as long as you like – but be warned they can become difficult to work with after a 4-5ft diameter.
Here is one of my earlier rugs and this reached approx 6ft.
Note: If your rug begins to wrinkle you are increasing too often – reduce amount of increase for 1 round.
If your rug begins to curl upwards, like a bowl you are not increasing enough. 
Happy Rug Making.

A Mirasol Mother’s Day

I hope that all Mum’s, Mother’s, Ma’s, Mummy’s everywhere had a wonderful Mother’s Day. I was the lucky recipient of some sublime Mirasol yarn. It is too yummy for words really.

I crocheted up a quick swatch to see how the yummy yarn would perform and it’s really excellent. The colours are beautiful and the wool itself is divine. Unfortunately I now feel a long term, time consuming and very expensive blanket, throw, afghan project coming on :-)

The stitch definition is incredible and it’s wonderful to be working with such an ethical product. The sample here is Mirasol Hacho shade 317. If you are not familiar with the Mirasol project then click here.
The philosophy behind the Mirasol Project is very simple, the Mirasol Project supports local communities in Peru through the sales of the Mirasol Yarn Collection.
Peru’s heritage and culture of textile artistry is rich and ancient. The Mirasol Yarn Collection includes yarn made from the animals tended by these communities for generations in the Peruvian highlands. Without them we would not have this beautiful yarn.
I hope Mum’s everywhere were as lucky as me.

Freeform Crochet Necklace

Manos del Uruguay – Classica wool
100%  PURE WOOL
HAND SPUN & KETTLE DYED
in Uruguay by a non-profit organization, which assembles over 400 artisans in co-operatives, scattered throughout the countryside. The aim of the organization is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women.
   

The Ultimate Eco Friendly, Credit Crunching Crochet Draft Excluder

Well here we are hurtling towards winter I feel autumn has already arrived. Disappointing I know, but a reality none the less. With winter comes howling drafts and chills that creep under the door. So I have been inspired to create a new pattern for a draft excluder.

You can gather many household items and recycle them into something that saves energy and reduces energy bills. The types of items you can use include:-socks, tights, plastic bags, old clothes, towels, polystyrene packing chips or bubble wrap etc.

Here is the crocheted draft excluder before being stuffed, no it’s not a Christmas stocking or one of my new socks.

The Pattern

Stitches used: UK US

ch chain chain

Trb treble double crochet

sl st slip stitch slip stitch

Materials:

10mm crochet hook, 50-100gms chunky wool (alternatively use two strands of 2 double knitting yarns)

ch 3, sl st to form ring. Begin

Rnd 1: ch 3, trb x 9, sl st

Rnd 2: ch 3, *trb 1, ch1,* rep** right around

Rnd 3: ch 4, trb under the stitch in the previous row, continue trb in each st in the below row until final trb, ch 1, sl st into 3rd chain from st (4ch) beginning st.

(Here you will see the circle begin to curl inwards, as above.)

Note: If you are happy with the width, remember it will stretch considerably when stuffed, then continue working in rounds as per Rnd 3, until desired length is reached.

(to increase width)

Rnd 4: & all further inc rows :

*trb 1, ch 1, trb 2 under same stitch from previous row, ch 1*, rep ** to end

Rnd 5: As per Rnd 3.

To finish:

Use a safety pin or stitch marker to secure final stitch. leave the excluder open and stuff with appropriate materials. Once full tie off final stitch and weave ends through final row pulling tightly to secure.

Add any decoration you wish and turn your excluder into a snake, cat, dog, sausage dog, elephant, crocodile – whatever your heart desires.

You are more than welcome to use my patterns for personal use. If you wish to use these on your own site – please make sure The Sunroom is credited and you put a link back to http://www.goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/

The final outcome and desired effect will be dictated by the stuffing used.

Here I used bright and vibrant scrap fabrics and it reminds me of stained glass.

This excluder has been stuffed with recycled plastic shopping bags.

More money saving draft excluder information can be found at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ and http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=287483

Check here for details on the latest craze of snake making.

http://snakes.together.com/index.html

The nation is in a snake-making frenzy and everyone from Jon Snow to Helen Baxendale is making them! But why are snakes making a comeback and why should you make one?
Making a draught-excluding snake is a fun way for all the family to get creative. But place your snake by the front door and that's where it really comes into its own. Stopping draughts is the first easy step you can take to insulating your home this winter and saving energy and money. Whether you live in a big old house or a small new flat there are easy ways to insulate.

Christmas Snakes and Turkeys

1st December

For all you fact-finders out there, we thought you may be interested to know using a snake draught excluder will save the same amount of CO2 as it takes to roast over 5 turkeys! Better still, if you insulate your loft, you will save 1 tonne of CO2—that's the equivalent to cooking almost 50,000 mince pies or watching the Queen's speech over 80,000 times!

Find my Handmade Silver Crochet or Knitting Stitch Markers here

Crochet http://goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/2009/09/crochet-stitch-markers.html Knitting http://goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/2009/09/knitting-stitch-markers.html

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