Tag: crochet

Tunisian crochet: joins

On By CarynIn Craft

I did another 7×9 inch swatch to test joins for Tunisian crochet using the honey comb stitch pattern. I first crocheted a narrow strip with three different colors, then I crocheted a second strip, joining the rows to the first strip at the end of the forward pass. I tried three methods: joining using the front loop, back loop, and back loop and bump behind the back loop. I like the last method best because there was no discernible gap and the patterns matched up better.

Photo description: joining the end of the forward pass to previous strip by going through the back loop and back bump
Photo description: six color Tunisian crochet blocks with the red and yellow joined on the front loop of the yellow, the orange and blue joined on the back loop of the blue, and the white and gray joined with the back loop and bump of the gray, calico cat stand
Photo description: reverse side, sleeping calico cat stand

I’m still working on best practice for me for weaving in ends.

Tunisian crochet: honey comb

On By CarynIn Craft

I’m renewing my acquaintance with Tunisian crochet. Making the 7×9 inch rectangles for Warm Up America is not only a great way to use up scrap yarn, but also to explore new techniques or to polish up old skills. My Tunisian crochet skills were definitely dusty. I ripped out around two rectangles worth remembering where to start and end my rows and on finding a fabric that doesn’t curl. The simple Tunisian stitch curls almost as badly as stockinette knitting, which I don’t want for my rectangles. I rediscovered my favorite (so far) Tunisian stitch, the honeycomb. This is like a moss stitch in knitting, alternating simple and purl Tunisian stitches both across the row and on the next row. It makes a nice flat fabric with a honeycomb-like pattern on one side and a luscious bumpy texture on the back.

Photo description: honeycomb Tunisian crochet rectangle made from scrap acrylic yarn, front side, dilute calico cat stand
Photo description: honeycomb Tunisian crochet rectangle made from scrap acrylic yarn, back side, dilute calico cat stand

I also discovered a new-to-me kind of crochet hook.

Photo description: two different afghan hooks, top one made from wood with screw on cord, bottom one from my Grandmother’s tool stash which is an extra long aluminum hook

I like the balance of the wood crochet hook with cord and how it feels in my hand much better than the long aluminum hook.

Throwback Thursday: fingerless gloves 2

On By CarynIn Craft

I made a second pair of fingerless gloves in November 2018, with the body of the gloves knit, the edges crocheted, and embroidered flowers added to the backs of the gloves.

Photo description: knit, crocheted, embroidered fingerless gloves made from wool fingering yarn

I’m not sure of the practicality of white wool gloves, but the embroidery sure looks nice against the light background.

Throwback Thursday: fingerless gloves

On By CarynIn Craft

In October 2018 I finished a pair of fingerless gloves. I’m quite pleased with these, I knit a brown glove with wool yarn with stockinette stitch for the base and moss stitch for the edges, then used white wool to crochet a simple picot lace to the wrist and fingers. Using the same white wool I embroidered a mirrored leaf design on each glove. To plan the leaf design I digitally drew on a picture of the gloves then used my drawing as a guide for the stitches.

Photo description: brown and white fingerless gloves made from fingering weight wool yarn using knit, crochet, and embroidery techniques

I really enjoy making things using multiple methods in a single item. One day I’ll figure out how to make something spun, woven, knit, crocheted, nålbound, and embroidered.

Throwback Thursday: crocheted doll clothes

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

In September 2018 I was experimenting with crocheted doll clothes specifically for the “made to move” series because I thought the articulation in the doll’s limbs was cool. I went about the shaping of the pieces as with an amigurumi project: tight single crochet with increases and decreases for shaping.

Photo description: strapless blue ombre doll dress crocheted with size 5 pearlized cotton on a “made to move” Barbie doll
Photo description: experimental crochet pieces made from fingering weight metallic yarn, gold boots, purple jump suit shorts, pink jacket on a “made to move” Barbie doll

I started crocheting on a trip, and finished waiting in the car-rider line, which is why both photos were taken in the car.

Here is another photo of a different crocheted dress but the same doll from 2016.

Photo description: “Made to Move” brunette Barbie in a crocheted dress using double crochet and shells with variegated yarn, doll posed as if reading a book

I do think the ability to pose these dolls is fun.