CAL I - Off we go..

Grab your hooks, week one of our CAL is finally here. I have to say it's been a bit of a challenge to get things started. A few weeks ago I posted, or rather, shared, a picture of a stunning vest via Facebook. The response was so great, that we all wanted to crochet the piece. Of course, the pattern was nowhere to be found. I tried all the usual sources, blogs, Facebook, Picasa, nothing. Thus I had to print the few pictures I was able to track on Facebook, blow them up, count stitches, and figure out a way to make it.

Funny way to start a CAL huh?

Our version of this vest has been adapted to our warm climate. For this particular project, we will be using 100% cotton Clea 5, by Circulo Yarns. A few other changes have been made, to adjust for gauge  size and construction. With all that being said, off we go...

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy

SIZE: Small, Medium, Large,
Finished Bust 35, 37, 39 in (approximate sizes)
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.  

MATERIALS

Clea 5, Circulo Yarns                 2 Skeins             (sport / baby weight yarn equivalent)

Crochet Hook                             Size 3.5mm / E  ( or necessary for gauge)

   Optional;

     Large-eye  Blunt Needle

     Stitch markers

     Snap Closure

GAUGE

           18dc + 9 rows = 4 in . Make sure to check your gauge to ensure the finished piece is of equal size. If it takes you 

           fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in square, use a smaller hook.

For this project we will be using two strands of Clea 5 100% cotton to obtain the necessary gauge. You may use two skeins simultaneously, or you can use use both ends of the same skein by inserting your hook through the center of the skein and pulling out the inside end of the thread like in the picture above. This week we will make two identical panels for the front, a Left front, and Right front.

Left Front / Right Front

ch 56 +3

row 1 - dc in 3ch from hook and every ch across

row 2 - 28 (med. - 31, lg. 35) - ch3, turn, dc in every ch across.

row 29 (32, 36) - ch3, turn, dc 26.

Fasten off.

Questions, comments, doubts? Please feel free to contact us via e-mail, Facebook, leave a comment, or simply stop by the shop, we will be participating as well.

Hoop brainstorm

I've been doing a whole lot of research (ie. spending endless hours browsing through my fave blogs) for one of our upcoming workshops. I first came across the whole "wall of hoops" sort of speak the very first time I visited Purl. They had the most stunning wall full of Liberty London Cotton printed fabrics. Since then, I've seen them at weddings, headboards, clocks, as chandeliers, blackboards, and so many great ideas I'd need a whole lot of space to post all the pics I've gathered (maybe it time I sign up for a virtual mood board???).

We are working on some ideas for a new workshop, gathering pics, preparing kits... curious yet??

I'll have a whole lot more very soon. In the meantime, enjoy these great ideas from around the web

Spring tastes like...

What does it taste like?? For me its not as much what it taste like, but what it looks like. Too me, it looks like lemon meringue pie. Clean, bright, crisp... oh yes, its a new start. I made the first one of the year one week ago, and since then, I've made three. I guess my family was looking for something to brighten their days too.

You could say that the one thing I've done in these past few days, aside from working my hooks like crazy, is eating making pie. We have so many projects running all at once. New workshops, new patterns, new yarns, and classes. Ohh I just love the promise of spring, and yes, from my kitchen, it looks bright yellow.

Can you tell the difference ? ? ?

Same yarn, same pattern...

... different hook, different textures. They weigh the same, and took the same yardage.

Can you guess??? 

We both used the same pattern, and the same yarn, she used one strand, and I two. Mine is comfy cozy and quick, and hers is delicate and elegant. They both have excellent drape and supreme softness.

Two blankets, same results ... happy loved babies.

Will you join us!?!?!?

¡Las invitamos a unirse a nuestro primer CAL! Durante las próximas 4 semanas, estaremos haciendo este chaleco

en ganchillo. Cada semana una porción del patrón aparecerá en nuestra pagina www.puntoreves.com, usted puede seguirnos desde su casa,

o acompañarnos en el taller durante los talleres de Ganchillo los martes, miércoles y sábados. Las últimas puntadas del chaleco 

las daremos juntas en un

compartir al estilo Punto Revés, con una rica merienda en nuestro Taller. 

Para participar, solo tiene que visitar www.puntoreves.com a partir del próximo lunes!

Esperamos que se animen!

From rectangle to shrug

This has got to be the best idea ever. You can make it as easy or as fancy as your mood dictates. There is rarely any need for a pattern, from start to wearing it over you shoulders it can take as little as 2 hours of work. Knit or crochet, it makes no difference, all you need to to is determine the lengh and width of your rectangle, pick a stitch, and get going. 

 To make mine, I settled on 37 inches, so I made a row of ch long enough to reach the 37" mark. After that I started with a row of dc all across, and for the subsequent rows I alternated one dc one ch, the dc goes into the space. 

Once you've reaches 18 1/2 inches wide, make one more round all dc.

Fast and easy right?

Now, fold the piece in half, so that you have a rectangle that is 37 inches long, and almost 10 inches wide.

Using stitch markers or safety pins, mark off 8", starting from the left side towards the center. Repeat the same starting from the right edge towards the center.

The segment left in between your stitch markers, is the segment we are going to stitch up, using a regular whip stitch, to make the sleeves. Use the same yarn/ thread you used for your project for a seamless look. Make sure the tops of your stitches are perfectly lined up.

Once you've reached your second marker, fasten off, and use the same needle to hide you little tails, at least a 3-4" tail please!!!

And voila! You have a sleeve. Now depending on the lengh of the sleeve you want, or the lengh of the shrug, you can seam a few inches more, for a more snug sleeve, or a few less, for a loose fit.

Because I wanted this shrug to be nice and full around the neck, once I finished both sleeves, I found the center (part the would go around the neck, and made a bit or a collar,  just for fun.

Cute huh?? Like I said you can make it longer with longer sleeves, or shorter so that it only covers your shoulders, fancy if you choose an intricate stitch, or casual with a filet or v-stitch. a pretty simple way to  make yourself a shrug, and to finish off an outfit!

Give it a try!

The knitting Olympics

Some clever little knitter has been very very busy.  To celebrate the London 2012 Olympics, a mystery yarn bomber has made quite the installation along the Saltburn-by-the-Sea Pier in Teesside. Magnificent  don't you think??




For more fabulous pictures click here.

A new family heirloom

The great thing about crochet/knitting, is that you can create beautiful pieces that you pass along to future generations, not just for your own family, but for friends as well. Not so long ago one of our friends was working on this beautiful baby blanket. She had started it a few years back in hopes of using it for her future grandchildren. Somewhere along the way she lost steam, put the blanket away, and picked up new projects. Two months ago she came into the shop and announced she was to become a grandmother, oh happy news... and wanted to finish her blanket in time but had completely lost her way. The pattern is relatively easy, but tedious and repetitious. So I offered to help her out, maybe a bit, maybe a lot. Our tension is very different, so I ended up starting from scratch, only to find out we were short some 200-300yds. Oh well, adjustments were made along the way.

The thread recommended in the pattern is very thin, and using a size 1.75 hook for such a project can really test your determination. But with one last big push (I sat up all night working on it) I finished it. The WIP had been sitting untouched for so long, once I finished it, I noticed there were color variations in the FO, meaning... it was dirty. So after a bit of careful cleaning, some major blocking, and a little  steam around the v-stitch edge, the blanket was ready. After all that work, its nice to know the blanket has found a wonderful loving and caring home. This little blanket will become a family heirloom for many more grandchildren to come.

Details - 

Hook - 1.5

Thread - Carmencita Cotton Crochet Thread

Pattern - heirloom Cristening Blanket 

            available @ http://www.e-patternscentral.com/detail.html?prod_id=5314&cat_id=604&criteria=