Guild Program: Shawl Pins

I'm helping with programs for our fiberarts guild this year, and last month we made shawl pins.  We had a great time.  Using 12 gauge copper wire, we made shawl pins by using PVC pipe for mandrels and jewelry pliers to form the wire into pins.  We then hammered the pins to add strength to the wire and to hold the wire into place.  This tempers the wire, and you can add texture to the wire, too.

We made both a spiral shawl pin and a penannular pin.  The spiral pin holds a knitted, woven, or crocheted shawl together simply by the wearer rotating the pin into place.  It holds very well. 

                                                                        Spiral Pin

The penannular pin, or brooch, is a pin that was used long ago to hold clothing together from the Roman period.  It is also known as a Celtic brooch since it was used in Scotland and Ireland to hold cloaks and clothing together.  "Penannular" means incomplete circle.

                                                                       Penannular Pin
The ring is turned to hold the pin in place. 

This was a really fun program.

Narrow Latvian Flower Band

This is a simpler Latvian Flower Band than the one I posted last year (Feb. 2016).  This was the first inkle band I had made, and the pattern was from a Ravelry Winter Belt WAL (Weave along) in the Knit Like a Latvian group.  The pattern is in the book Latviesu Jostas.

                                                                    Latvian Flower Band

This band has a single flower in the center, so it's easy to weave.  The colors should be red, green, blue, and yellow.  I didn't have red, so I used purple.  I used Sugar 'n Cream.  At the time, I didn't have any weaving threads.  I like using size 3/2 weaving cotton now for inkle bands, and I think the pattern would look clearer.  The yellow is so light, too--I would use a darker yellow.

I used purple for my shuttle thread (weft thread), but it should be red.  Whatever you use for your weft thread will be the center color of the flower.  If you look above, the flower is the horizontal purple line surrounded by the yellow petals. 

There are 23 threads, and you warp the band as usual: heddled, open, heddled, open, etc.  But, where you have a "doubled" thread, you can either use a heavier thread, or Two threads as One Thread.  Make sure to heddle doubled threads together as one or leave them open together as one thread.

Here is the color order for warping: 2 red, 2 green, 2 yellow, 2 blue, 2 yellow, 1 doubled green, 1 yellow (this is center of band), 1 doubled green, 2 yellow, 2 blue, 2 yellow, 2 green, and 2 red.

So, you warp it like this: 1 red heddled, 1 red unheddled, 1 green heddled, 1 green unheddled, etc.  You can start with a heddled thread or an open thread; it doesn't matter.

Weave several shots of plain weave--just as you weave a regular inkle band to begin the pattern.

Then for the pattern, you weave the band as usual except for the doubled threads.

*So, when you open the first shed for the pattern, if the green doubled threads are in the "down shed" pick them Up to the top and pass the shuttle through the shed.  Then weave 2 shots of plain weave as usual.

Then open the next shed and the doubled green threads should be "up".  Push them Down to the down shed and pass the shuttle through.  Then weave 2 more shots of plain weave as usual.*

Repeat from * to * over and over for the length of the band.  End with some rows of plain weave.

If you open your first shed for the pattern, and the green doubled threads are UP, then push them down and pass the shuttle through.  Follow with 2 rows of plain weave.  Then for the next row, open the shed and the green doubled threads should be Down.  Pick them up and pass the shuttle through.  Then follow with 2 rows of plain weave.

Repeat by either pushing down or pulling up the doubled green threads and passing the shuttle through and then do 2 rows of plain weave.  And Repeat.

Azzu's Shawl

The Fiber Arts Guild that I belong to is having a KAL (knit along).  We're knitting Azzu's Shawl by Emma Fassio, which is free on Ravelry.  It's a long shawl that can be twisted around the neck and knotted in front. 

                                                                        Azzu's Shawl

I used Berocco Ultra Alpaca Light, which is a sport weight yarn.  I had 3 skeins (432 yards), and I used most of it.  I used a size 7 needle.  Gauge was 5 stitches/inch in stockinette.  The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn, but this will be a bit warmer.

The shawl increases in width because every row increases at least 2 stitches on both the right side rows and the wrong side rows.  I added 5 rows to the end of the shawl, which added two extra eyelet rows: Row 5, star row, row 5, star row, row 5. 

I blocked the shawl on play mats with pins.  It blocked out to 72 inches wide.

I used the Russian bind off, which is also called Knitted Lace Bind off.  This is a stretchy bind off, which allows you to block the shawl out easily.

You knit the first 2 stitches, then place the LH needle into the front of the 2 stitches and knit them together from that position (K2togBL).  *Knit 1 stitch, place LH needle in the front of the two stitches, and knit them together from that position (knit 2 tog through back loop).  Repeat across from *.  Take the tail through the last stitch on the needle and then weave the tail in. 

The worksheet that is available with the pattern is very helpful for checking off rows as you work them.  It also provides stitch counts so you know you're on track. 

I did a garter stitch tab to begin the shawl so it looks similar to the garter stitch edging around the edges of the shawl.  Work 4 (or 5*) rows of garter stitch (Knit every row).  Turn your knitting sideways and pick up and knit 2 stitches (one stitch per garter row).  Turn sideways again and pick up and knit 2 stitches in the cast on edge.  6 stitches total.  Begin on row 3.  * Some directions say to knit 1 additional row before turning sideways.  This makes it easier to turn sideways and pick up and knit the stitches in the garter stitch rows.

This was a fun Knit along!

Flower Garden CAL (Crochet Along)

The Knitting Network website recently hosted a CAL for a really pretty crochet afghan.  The pattern is called Flower Garden CAL.  The pattern was released in 4 parts: 3 different crochet blocks, and part 4 is assembly and borders.

The afghan squares are a beautiful Flower Square in the center surrounded by Circle in a Square blocks, which are then surrounded by Sunburst Granny Squares.

I love the flower blocks, and I haven't seen another crochet flower exactly like it.  

                                                                         Flower Squares

Part 2 is the Circle in a Square Block.

I'm using a variety of yarn colors from Michael's new yarn brand called Colorwheel.  It comes in lots of colors in small balls of 90 yards (1.75 oz.) each.  It's acrylic worsted weight.

Part 3 is the Sunburst Granny square, which I'm working on now.  This square has puff stitches and cluster stitches, which make it really pretty.

I think it will be a really colorful pretty afghan for my granddaughter when it's finished.

My notes:
For the white, I’m using the larger balls of Michael’s Loops and Threads yarn in cream color.
The colors I’m using are these: mid pink, bright gold, deep purple, pool blue, lavender, purple, turquoise, fuchsia, and mid green.
I think I will make 6 flower blocks, 14 circle in squares blocks, and 22 sunburst squares to make the afghan longer. So, it will be about 45.5 x 51 inches instead of 42 inches wide and long. My squares are 5.5” long and wide. Flower squares will be 2 per row with 3 rows in the center of the afghan.
   Block 3 (Sunburst Granny) 4th round: Slip stitch in any chain space. Chain 3 (1 hdc) and 1 hdc in that space (2 hdc)
   Next space: 3 DC, chain 3, 3 DC in this space for corner. Next space 2 hdc. 1 sc in top of next cluster, 1 sc in next chain space, 1 sc in top of next cluster. 2 hdc in next chain space.
  Then next will be the corner again, and repeat around. It ends with the sc in the top of the next cluster and slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the first hdc.
This is more symmetrical than the original pattern directions.

Patriotic Bracelets

I love making Kumihimo  bracelets for my granddaughters.  I finished 2 more Patriotic bracelets.

                                                                  Patriotic Bracelets

The smaller bracelet on the left was made for a smaller girl, so I used size 8 seed beads for hers, and size 6 seed beads for the one on the right.  I used size #18 S-lon cord (#210).  The Kumihimo pattern is Stars and Stripes by Gerry Dahm.

The bracelet on the right was started with the button loop using 4 strands of thread.  After making the loop, the lower threads are taken to the top and placed in the slots to continue the braid (folding the button loop in half).  The only thing I don't like about this method is tying on the button, which can be messy since it's tied on with 8 threads.  The thread ends are then burned, or you can touch them with glue. 

For the other method, I started weaving with no beads next to the button for 1/4".  Jamie North teaches this method in some of her Kumihimo kits.  I made the loop about 2 1/4"long at the end for the button loop (button is 3/4") and used some of the cords for tying the button loop together, and some for tassels.  Sally Bead Jewelry has a tutorial online and a video that shows how to make a basic button loop for Kumihimo.  Make sure to leave about 1/4" unbeaded cord next to the beads before the actual loop for wrapping.

My notes: A's wrist 6", bracelet about 6 1/4" for beaded section of bracelet, 1" for button closure, so finished about 7 1/4".  Closed button adds about 1".  A: 16 red/white beads per strand. 3/8" unbeaded at button, 1/4" unbeaded at loop.

N: 5 1/4" wrist, size 8 beads, 14 red/white, 16 blue/white.  5" long for beaded section , (2 1/2" + 2 1/2".)  Button 3/4".  Thread: 4 strands 60" long through button loop.  Tie half knot at button at center.  1/4" without beads next to button.  8 beads on each tassel.   Finished bracelet 6" long when buttoned.

Keep strands in order when adding the blue and white beads, and know where you ended after red/white beads so you know where to begin again.

Owl Scarf for N!

This crocheted owl scarf will be for my granddaughter next fall.  The pattern is by Repeat Crafter Me.  I used Vanna yarns.  I think N will love it. 

                                                                    Owl Scarf for N
The pattern didn't have a facing for the owl, so I made two more owls in purple yarn.  After sewing on the face of the owl, I crocheted around the front and back of the owl to hide any yarn tails from sewing on the face.

Notes:
Owl Scarf for N. Vanna yarns--purple, dark pink, white, gold. This pattern is by Sarah Zimmerman, and her blog is RepeatCrafterMe.
Size G hook for eyes and beak and to crochet around owls with single crochet.
The owl at the edges of the scarf is so cute, but it’s difficult to hide the ends of the yarn after sewing the face on. I made another owl in the background color (purple) and single crocheted them together all around the sides. Then I added the contrast color onto the top of the owl through both layers to begin the scarf. Repeat for other owl.
I added a row of sc around the scarf edges using a G hook.

Rainy Days are Beautiful Necklace

I learned to make this necklace in a class at Ladybug Beads in St. Louis.  We used a 6-step bail making pliers to make the different sized loops.  The loops go over and under each other, and there are 5 different sizes of loops.  We didn't use the smallest post of the pliers.

                                                      Rainy Days are Beautiful Necklace

We used 16 gauge silver-plated craft wire for the loops, and 24 gauge silver plated (Artistic Wire)  to attach the beads, which are small crystals. I used about 7" of chain on each side of the center, and the clasp is a lobster claw and jump ring.  The 5 crystal dangles are attached onto short segments of chain with wire wrapped loops and jump rings at the top.