I have an idea rolling around in my head for an application for my alpaca yarn. I pulled out some spun merino to test the concept. Basically, it is varied sizes of spirals sewn together. I used a half double crochet to make the circles, stitching not into the front or the back loop, but the third loop. It results in quite a pretty spiral. This test swatch will suit nicely to protect my pots and pans now that it has successfully demonstrated the technique works!
I crocheted up the rainbow yarn! Rinsing the single ply on the niddy noddy worked great to set the yarn. At just over 50 grams, there was not enough to make an adult sized hat, so… I spiral striped it with black. It came out well!
Even though my spinning still has thick and thin places, the crochet looks nice. I did remove some of the thinnest spots, especially along the edge.
Though honestly, the practice is helping. I found a left-over bit of merino wool I had purchased years ago, and the yarn I made is comparable. Neat.
I had some left over yarn from Germany, not enough for a hat, but I found a new stash buster! A headband style ear warmer! Perfect for not-quite-a-skein projects. I made a chain to fit my head, then alternated rows of double crochet and half double crochet. Because the beginning chain has very little elasticity, I finished the other edge with slip stitches. The balance came out nicely. I also did about 20 single crochets at the back side so it would fit better under my hair. Yay for new stash busters!
My friend gave me some beautiful single-ply, wool blend yarn from Germany (viele Danke!) I wanted my own cloche style hat, so used half double crochets to make a circle, continued without increases to make the sides, then alternated rows of increases and no increases to make the brim. It came out nice and warm!
This is my Oops bag because I started out making a hat, but made it too big, so just kept stitching until the skein was almost gone and finished with a row of 2dc 1ch to make holes for a ribbon to turn my failed hat into a drawstring bag.
I’m still experimenting with the two yarn spiral start, and thought it would be fun to go from both ends of a color block cake.
I chose to use a double crochet (dc) stitch because the counting is easier than a half double crochet.
The holes for the drawstring are a little off set, since I was working in a spiral, but it isn’t really noticeable when the bag is closed.
To summarize my process (American notation): In a magic circle, cast on 2 sc, 2 hdc, 1 dc with yarn 1. Cast on 2 sc, 2 hdc, 1 dc with yarn 2 (10 stitches total). Row 1: Yarn 1: inc in each Yarn 2 stitch, Yarn 2: inc in each Yarn 1 stitch (20 stitches total). Row 3: Yarn 1: (1 dc, inc) repeat 5 times Yarn 2: (1 dc, inc) repeat 5 times (30 stitches total). Row 4: Yarn 1: (2 dc, inc) repeat 5 times Yarn 2: (2 dc, inc) repeat 5 times (40 stitches total). Continue adding dc between increases until circle is desired diameter. Then dc round, alternating yarn 1 and yarn 2 (this is more obvious than it sounds when you get going!) until you get to the desired length. To make the eye holes for the ribbon, using yarn 1 (1 dc, 1 dc, chain one and skip dc) go 1/2 way around. Do the same with yarn 2. 1 hdc, 1 sc, then single crochet (sc) around half with yarn 1 and repeat the other half with yarn 2. Fasten off and weave in ends. Weave ribbon through the holes (two strands of ribbon starting on opposite sides makes a secure drawstring).
Critters and Craft 