Randomness

I've been wearing the Super Simple Fingerless Gloves, and I think that I may need to tweak the pattern a little bit and do an errata for it.

They still wear well, but I've noticed (and perhaps this is simply to do with the particular yarn) that they are getting a little looser than I would like. I prefer a snug fit, which they were when I first made them.

I am going to try running them through the washing machine first to see if that solves the issue. If you made these and used a non-wool or a superwash then you can try the same thing if you've noticed an issue.

So a tweaked version may be forthcoming in the near future. I will be using a different yarn, still bulky #5, but a different brand and fiber content.

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In other news, I worked 12 hours yesterday, unexpectedly. I'm scheduled for another 8 today, 8 tomorrow, and then 5 on Monday. On the upside, I will have some additional funding for both holiday gifts AND for the 221b swap I am participating in on Ravelry <3 p="p">
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In other other news, I am completely and hopelessly in love with Downton Abbey and even rejoined the DVD portion of Netflix so I could get series 2 without having to wait for it or buy it outright lol. The wait at my library was loooong. I would have been 30th in line for it!  But there was no wait on Netflix's copies so there ya go. I will hopefully by Tuesday (my day off!) be marathoning my way through series two.

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I have plans to get the etsy store up and running again, so stay tuned for more on that front. My etsy and IRL (In Real Life) business is V Studios. I haven't done a ton with it lately, due to time constraints and other focuses, but I'd like to. I find myself crocheting things for the love of it, but I only need so many scarves, hats, purses, etc.

My mother runs a booth at a market in Florida, so she has taken on some of my stock and is going to see if she can sell some of it for me. I am hoping she is successful, especially in her own venture which is hand dyed/painted silks and henna art.
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Well, I am off to work soon. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Thank You :)

This is just a post to thank the folks who have gone over to Ravelry and downloaded my patterns.  As a very new designer, it is awesome to see that there are some interested people :)

I am hoping to continue writing patterns from time to time, and might even see what it would take to have one published in a magazine. That would be fantastic, wouldn't it?

This blog is linked to my Ravelry account so hopefully some of the folks who took the time to try out my patterns will see this and know that I am grateful for their support :)

Beginner's Crocheted Hook Case

Good afternoon everyone. I have uploaded another pattern to Ravelry. It can be found and downloaded in pdf format: NCC-1701 on Ravelry.

It is also here for your reading pleasure. I'm not sure how well it will print or copy/paste from this site. I would be interested to know though, if any of you do take it from the blog.

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Easy Crochet Hook Case

developed by NCC-1701 for V Studios

This pattern is worked in the round rather than joined, so the stitches will have a spiral effect to them. It is suitable for beginners.

Gauge is not important in this project. Choose a yarn and hook that are compatible and make a tighter stitch since you don't want your hooks slipping through the stitches. You can also line the case easily for added protection.

If you use longer or shorter hooks, simply add more rows to reach the desired length. Both of mine are 5 1/2 inches long without the flap.

Stitches used:

ch - chain

sl - slip stitch

sc - single crochet

hdc - half double crochet

hdc2tog - half double crochet 2 together (decrease)

Tutorial on using magic circle: Magic Circle

Tutorial on hdc2tog: hdc2tog Tutorial

(I do not own these videos. I simply offer them as educational devices)

Materials:

Cascade 220 100% Wool (Worsted Weight)

H8/5mm hook

(case ended up about 4" around)

---or---

Berroco Comfort DK

G6/4mm hook

(Case ended up about 3 3/4" around)

Stitch Marker

Tapestry Needle

Case

Place the marker on the last st of each round to keep track of your rounds.

Magic Circle, Ch1 (does not count as a stitch)

Round 1 - 5 sc, join with sl to ch1 (5 sts)

Round 2 - sk ch1 sp from mag cir. 2 sc in each sc around (10 sts)

Round 3 - *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat from * to *, ending with 2 sc in last st (15 sts)

Round 4 - 1 sc in ea sc around (15 sts)

Round 5-25 (30) - Repeat Round 4 (DK weight)

Check the circumference with your own hooks after Round 5. I have 10, so this size works for me. If you have more than that, take out two rounds and repeat Round 3. If you do, however then your number of sts won't match what is in parenthesis.

End with sl, but do not finish off or weave in. You will start the flap from this point.

Notes: you will find that you're working from the inside of the project outward. You may find it easier to turn the tube inside out at the beginning of Round 5 and work from the outside in. Then you can just turn it right side out when you're finished.

FLAP

The flap should be about the size of half of the case. If you have 15 sts in your rounds, then the flap should cover about 8 sts. If you have 20 sts in your rounds, then your flap should cover about 10 sts.

Row 1 - Ch 1, *hdc in next 8 sc across, ch 1 & turn*

Row 2 & 3 - Repeat R 1 from * to *

Row 4 - hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog, ch 1 & turn

Row 5 - hdc2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog, ch 1 & turn

Row 6 - sl across in ea st, FO and weave in ends.

Don't forget to pull your magic circle closed all the way before weaving in that end.

You can put a button or any kind of closure you like on the flap. I prefer to just use a safety pin style stitch marker. 

You can find me on Ravelry. NCC-1701

Follow my blog @ Random Craftacular

Email: Creative.Beautiful.You@gmail.com

 

More Fun With Origami

I picked up two origami kits at Barnes & Noble the other night. One of them is a book of nothing but origami flowers. The other is a more general beginner level book. Both came with spiffy papers, not that I am in any danger of running short of origami paper.

So have been watching Sherlock while being crafty:

Left to Right: Trumpet Flower, Dr Who poster, Thistle, Lotus

Origami is a good way to relax and quiet the mind. Once you learn a few simple patterns you can give your hands some idle (yet artistic) busy work, and free your mental faculties up so they can relax. 

Also? You can never have too much Origami paper. Just saying :)

WingSpan - We Are 3 of 8

I have been working on the Wingspan pattern off and on for a couple of weeks. I recently re-learned basic knitting and discovered that although this pattern looks complicated, it is really very, very easy. It's my first knitting project, aside from sampler squares to practice stitches. So it's my first real project I should say.

The pattern can be found here (You will need to sign up for a free Ravelry account to access the patterns I share from that site). It is a knitted pattern. Yarn and Needle info to follow pics. 

At one triangle complete:

 

Three triangles completed:

 

Lesson one: COUNT YOUR STITCHES!!! I made this rookie mistake and though the pattern is still coming out beautifully, since I failed to count my stitches every so often, I have to make up for it consistently so the finished project looks right. 

Yarn:

Nordlys by Viking - 75% Superwash / 25% Nylon - Color No. 934

Needles:

Size 4 interchangeable circulars by KnitPicks.

If you are interested in learning a handy cast on method needed for the 2nd and subsequent triangles, I learned the Cable Cast On and it works like a dream. Here is a youtube video showing how to do this cast on: Cable Cast On.

I do not own this video, I am simply offering it as a tutorial and learning device.