pigtails

22/01/2014

Star-shaped Pillow

I grabbed a 5 mm crochet hook and white cotton yarn last week and hooked this scatter cushion (12 pentagons) to show you I can also make something that is neither scarf nor throw! I am finally enjoying the pure joy of hooking in monochrome but have to admit that I started a throw resembling a patchwork blanket a few days ago. I am still keeping it under wraps to see whether I like the way it is turning out, but so far so good!

What are you working on? I see many bloggers are participating in the Crochet Mood Blanket CAL and it is interesting to see what associations all the bloggers are making between colour, design and emotion. What a spectacular idea!

Pentagon Amigurumi Pattern:

Row 1: Ch4, close to form ring

Row 2: Ch1 to form first sc, 9 sc = 10 sc

Row 3: ch2, sc in same space (first corner), sc in next st, *sc, ch1, sc in next st to form second corner; sc in next st* repeat 4 times

Row 4: ch2, sc in same space (first corner), sc in next 2 st, *sc, ch1, sc in next st to form second corner; sc in next 2 st* repeat 4 times

Row 5: ch2, sc in same space (first corner), sc in next 3 st, *sc, ch1, sc in next st to form second corner; sc in next 3 st* repeat 4 times

Repeat until desired size, in this case 12 rounds with a 5 mm hook in Raeesah Cotton Yarn

12 Pentagons assembled as per above images result in a round ball.

In order to achieve a star, place the two halves to fit exactly on one another, point to point, side to side.

13/01/2014

iPad: Create Control and Present Projects

Last week I bought new summer cotton yarn and selected colours at random, for the first time not thinking about actual colour combinations at all! I bought it to tease the Teen away from my beloved Vinnis Cotton and Bamboo hand dyed yarns, especially since ~~she hardly ever finishes a project~~ we have different hooky needs and Vinnis is quite precious. The colours are Lime Green, Peach, Aqua, Lavender, Soft Grey, White, Baby Pink & Pink. (Some hookers here in South Africa are reporting splitting issues, but I am nearly finished with a cushion in all white in a hook size 5mm and had minimum splitting problems - relax the wrists girls!)

I decided to play with these colours on both the Granny Squares Pattern Generator by Melissa Avery-Weir as well as the Random Stripe Generator by Biscuits and Jam in order to demonstrate how useful these generators can be as part of the crochet project planning process. The combinations are a bit rough for my taste, but demonstrate quite nicely what we are not always able to visualise.

I really like the endless colour combinations available on the Granny Squares Pattern Generator and quickly came up with these patterns to get a idea of whether these random colours can actually work as a throw.

The Random Stripe Generator offers 92 colours and 20 different width stripes. Once 1 or more widths as well as the colours have been selected, simply click "generate my stripes"and refresh as many times as you would like to for an infinite number of combinations. Below is an examples of what a ripple, granny stripes or fantasy blanket could potentially look like:

What if I want to join the squares in white? The generator does not allow for a joining option, but this is why I love my iPad so much! It is possible to tweak the picture via an interactive whiteboard. I am not by any means a master at using the Doceri app, but the kids use it daily for school projects and assist whenever I yell for help. I love this app, it offers endless possibilities to create, control and present projects. I simply drew in white lines with my finger in order to alter the image as can be seen in the top part of the image:

i have used this app before as well in order to plan a Babette type blanket and to distinguish rows in a pattern for a mohair scarf. For more about the functions of the app, take a look at http://doceri.com/videos.php; for a presentation on how to crochet a lace scallop trim, see the Doceri created tutorial by Gwen Fisher.

I will speak more about how the iPad can be utilized for crafting purposes over the next few weeks!

09/01/2014

Indigo scarf in an Indian box

2014 kicked of with a big bang here at the Pigtails Palace! The energy in the house is insane and we are all swimming in adrenaline at the moment, living life to the fullest. I will tell you all about this interesting year in another few weeks.

Meanwhile, I took one look at my blog content and decided to spruce up the postings or else we may just all start yawning in boredom soon, I am working on a few postings in advance and please do come back as I will be sharing tips on utilising new media for crafting purposes, photo editing ideas, hooking across borders, iPad ideas and many more.

New cotton yarn is peeking out of a shopping bag, looking at me with weeping eyes, begging me NOT to turn it into scarves. Oh well, apart from this Indigo gorgeousness, I have finished another erm 3 scarves!!! but will start on a cushion cover or a doily or a toy or anything else today, simply to break this vicious addiction.

Hooking the Indigo scarf was pure pleasure, I loved the repetition of the pattern as well as the absence of ends to weave in due to using the awesome Invisible Double Knot (see Youtube) when I joined a new skein.

I have to say good bye to the Indigo Scarf in an Indigo Box now - Happy Birthday Mareli!

Pattern: The Double Crochet Five Together Bobble Scarf

Row 1. Ch 30

Row 2. Ch 2 to form first hdc, then 29 hdc

Row 3. Ch 3, bobble, ch, skip 1, *bobble, ch, skip one* repeat, there will be 15 bobbles in total

Row 4. Ch 2, 29 hdc

Repeat rows 3 and 4 to desired length

For a video tutorial on how to hook the bobble stitch: New Stitch a Day

Hook Size: 4mm

Yarn: 6x50gr Vinnis Serina 100% bamboo, hand dyed in colour Indigo

03/01/2014

Handmade just for you

Hello! Yesterday I prepared myself to search furiously for a special birthday gift for a friend, when I stumbled upon this lovely box from India mere minutes into my shopping expedition. I bought the box and knew straight away that it was to hold a surprise from my hooks as well. I legged it to the nearest yarn store to find the perfect yarn that would portray the essence of my friend. On numerous occasions she seemed bowled over by the soft and luxurious bamboo yarn I sometimes work with and when my eye spotted the gorgeous Indigo, I was sold. Mission completed.

INDIGO

Common Connotations

loyalty, religion, spirituality, intuition

Please ~~curb the curiosity~~ be patient whilst I work my way through 6 skeins of yarn, using the gorgeous bobble stitch for the gift. Meantime, enjoy my new blog template, a New Years gift to myself. DO you like it? Suzana from This Girl Design not only designed the template, but also took care of the installation. Thank you Suzana, you gave me the best service I have enjoyed in years.

Happy New Year!

28/12/2013

Misty Clouds Scarf and 2013 Hooky Pleasures

Hello! This is another scarf (yeah, I am fixated) hanging from my hooks. I wanted to share a few photos with you before the clock strikes 12 in three more days, even though the item is only half finished! I am still finding my way around this gorgeous yarn but think I will be able to push the boundaries and hook really interesting items once the creative juices are in full swing again.

Misty Clouds Scarf

Pattern: hooked in hdc, 28 stitches per row

Hook size: 8mm

Yarn: African Expressions Love, brushed mohair, 100 gram

Psst - Long post alert!

I decided to take a quick look at what I created during 2013 and am quite pleased with the results. Below is a collection of my projects with hyperlinks to all the postings. The postings include links to patterns, my own patterns or tutorials.
I have also thoroughly enjoyed all the blog hopping, commenting, link parties and blog week (See my posting Bamboo is Best for a chuckle). Thank you for stopping by here at the Pigtails Blog so often, have a fantastic New Year. Cheers!