Tag: crochet

Tension ring

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

My youngest was wearing her yarn tension ring in such a way that her finger couldn’t bend, which caused pain issues after three hours of crocheting. So we modified the ring to make it smaller and I am encouraging her to wear it so the yarn runs along the back of her finger, and the ring doesn’t interfere with her knuckles. I have also been teaching her hand and wrist stretches to do periodically while she is crafting.

Photo description: yarn tension ring made of 14 gauge aluminum wire with two spirals worn on the index finger with chenille yarn running through the spirals to provide friction

It is a good idea to look at your ergonomics as you craft, especially if you have something you enjoy doing for long stretches of time. As with computer work, there should be scheduled breaks and stretching activities. This will help you enjoy your craft longer both each day and over the years.

Check mate

On By CarynIn Craft

My lap continues to be a playing board for cat chess. The stakes have been raised as the blanket I’m crocheting gets larger and there is actually room for a toe beans.

Photo description: working on my crochet with a calico cat in the mid-ground and dilute tortie in the background
Photo description: this is a very happy cat, she won a round of cat chess and gets to lay on the in-progress crocheted blanket

Yes. There are cat hairs crocheted indelibly into the blanket.

Yarn chicken redo

On By CarynIn Craft
Photo description: crocheted blanket edge with scallops incomplete with not enough yarn left to finish

I lost at yarn chicken on a baby blanket edge. I needed to make two more scallops to finish and there just wasn’t enough yarn. Rather than scrap the whole edge, I ripped out just the last side and redid it so the scallops spanned 6 stitches instead of five. This gave me less scallops overall on that edge and I had enough yarn to complete the edge.

Photo description: crocheted baby blanket with scalloped edge before weaving in, showing the extra yarn

The blanket is based on Mary Maxim’s Easy Diagonal Blanket pattern, but done with alternating two rows of white, purple, and pink. I deviated on the edge too, by doing a single crochet all along the outer edge to hide yarn ends, then making 5-double crochet scallops along the edge.

I used acrylic yarn for the blanket because it is machine washable and dry-able, and new moms do not need any gift that can’t be easily washed.

Throwback Thursday: T21 bracelet

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

In August of 2017 I made custom metal buttons for Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) awareness bracelets by drilling two holes in aluminum discs and stamping them.

Photo description: six handmade aluminum buttons in two sizes stamped with “T21” or “Tri 21” and a looped ribbon stamp

I then crocheted braided bracelets and used the buttons for the closures.

Photo description: Trisomy 21 bracelet with custom button and blue and yellow crocheted and embroidered braid
Photo description: bracelet being worn on my wrist

Diagonally crocheted blanket

On By CarynIn Craft

I’ve started a new blanket. I think I said I wouldn’t crochet a blanket again, but I am enamored with the construction of this Mary Maxim pattern that is worked diagonally. The stitch pattern is very easy and worked in counts of three, which makes me inexplicably happy.

Photo description: beginnings of a blanket crocheted diagonally with scrap acrylic yarn laying on a dilute tortie cat

I’m using scrap acrylic yarn to do 3 row stripes in an alternating pattern. The colors may get …interesting as I go. I’m using a K sized crochet hook and the resulting fabric is soft and flexible.