FOs: Ruffled-edge Hat & Fingerless Mitts

I actually finished both of these projects last month. Together, they only took a matter of hours. I used some Plymouth Encore that I already had in my stash for the main yarn, then used Jo-Ann Sensations Angel Hair for the pink edging. I also did a row of grey Caron Simply Soft along the hat right before the brim, which blended in nicely with the striped yarn, and embroidered the “flowers” into it with the pink. Truth be known: I love both of them. I love the colors. I love the simplicity of the patterns. I love wearing them. So, yes, I’ll probably use these two patterns again and again.

I got both patterns from the book, Crochet from the Heart. Both are simple to make and depending on what yarn is used, they can be attractive or just functional. The only thing I didn’t like about the hat pattern particularly is that it’s nothing but single crochet stitches, which isn’t my favorite stitch in the world, but it works perfectly for these two projects.

Some may recall my first set of fingerless mitts; same pattern, but different size.

Chunky Pocketed Scarf

I wanted something to work on at the football game last Friday night, so I decided to finally crochet the scarf I’d promised my sister last year. I sat and double crocheted through nearly one ball of yarn, but the game started getting worth watching, so I quit. When I got home, I didn’t like what I’d done, so I frogged it and started over. Twice. Once I finally got a stitch going that I could live with, I finished the scarf to full length. I didn’t like the edges so I decided an edging would be nice, done in a color that amazingly matched the variegated perfectly. (They’re totally different yarns, and I just so happened to have the solid in my stash, so it was an amazing thing for me.) Once the edging was on, I thought pockets would make a nice addition. After frogging the first one of those out twice before making one I liked, I then made the other and got them sewn on.

This is the scarf that transpired from all of the frogging and starting over. My sister’s scarf went from a plain, traditional one to something totally different. I hope she likes it. The next step is to make her a panta to match, as well as a cap.

I’m hoping to get this scarf pattern posted by this weekend, so stay tuned! It’s made from 100% wool (the chunky variegated), and acrylic (the solid). And even with the starting over several times, taking notes, and doing other things, I got it completed in a weekend.

Oh, and our high school football team made it to the playoffs. I credit my crocheting at the game. The team hasn’t played all that well this season, but they looked really good the one night I decided to do something else besides watch.

And, to top it all off, I got the wool yarn on clearance for only $1.50 a ball versus the $5.99 it would have been. I’m on a crocheting roll!

The Grateful Thread - Beaded!

I’ve been working on a pattern for a thread headband. The first one I came up with is pink, but I decided to try the same pattern out with beads, and this is what transposed:

I did it in black because I need a band in that color, and I added gold beads to match my daughter’s school colors. I really like how it turned out–a bit dressy, a bit casual.

I’m working on the pattern still, especially since the beaded one has a few unnatural twists and turns in it, but I’m hoping to get something written up and tested soon. I have one more variation I want to make as well, but it really won’t affect the overall pattern.

The Grateful Thread

I’m always excited when a pattern I have in my head actually works out in my hands, and this headband is no exception, although it turned out better than I had envisioned. I love working with thread, and I really don’t like very many of the yarn headband patterns I’ve looked at–yarn can be thick and hot and impractical at times–so I created what I called “The Grateful Thread Headband”. (Credit my husband with the title. :))

I’m not going to give a lot of details about it until the pattern is actually written out for others, which will require me making another one to tweak it a bit. I made the pink one to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it’s also my Go Pink pattern for the Stitch-Stirrers challenge. (Quoted: “For this monthly challenge, it’s all about the pink–and crochet! Design something of your own or use a pattern and incorporate the color pink into your project.”) I plan to make a black one next, then I have some other ideas for a couple of variations. Hopefully I can get a pattern ready by next weekend sometime, although it may actually take two weeks. I might be looking for some pattern testers in the near future.

“Marbles” Tutorial/Pattern

 To make the bracelet exactly as shown, it is necessary to have some knowledge of crochet, and the following materials and supplies will be needed:

• 69 - 6mm Round Glass Beads
• 1 - Sterling Silver 9mm Toggle Set
• 30 Gauge Artistic Wire, Non-Tarnish Silver
• Steel Crochet Hooks, sizes 00/3.50 & 4/2.00

You’ll also need some kind of needlenose pliers & wire cutter. The one I have is an inexpensive one that is a 4-in-1 tool that looks similiar to this, but not the same brand. It cuts, bends, and holds.

To begin: String at least 21 beads onto the wire. (String less to make the bracelet shorter; more to make it longer.) Using the smallest hook (4/2.00), make your beginning slip knot, leaving at least a 6-inch tail. Change to the larger hook, and begin making a foundation chain as you would with yarn. With the beginning of each chain, drop a bead, working it into the chain. If you’re new to crocheting with wire, try not to crochet too tightly; allow the wire to flow freely through your fingers.

Once all 21 beads have been added to the chain, finish off using the smaller hook to bring the wire in one last time, leaving another 6-inch tail. Pull the wire taunt to close the gap on each end, being careful not to snap the wire into. Repeat this process three (3) more times.

Once you have completed all three of your strands, lay them side by side. Don’t let them twist and turn too much; you’ll want them to be as even and straight as possible. If your tension wasn’t the same on all three, it’s not a big deal. Just put the longest one in the middle. Once you have the strands situated how you want them, string three beads onto the ends of the three strands all at once, so that the three wires go through the middle of the beads. Using one piece of the toggle set, thread the three wires into the connection loop. Try to keep the tension at least a little tight. Too loose will leave the beads room to wander back and forth once the bracelet is finished; too tight will cause them to gather in an unattractive way. Work the wire around the loop, twisting it around at least twice, once on each side of where the wire first entered. (iIi <– Using this as an example, the “I” is where the wire initially entered the loop; the “i” is where you want to wrap it around twice. I’ll try to get an illustration up soon, but for now, that explanation will have to do.)

Once the wire is secured around the loop, bring the three wires back through the beads. Use the pliers to help pull it tauntly through. It may be easier to do this one at a time. Trim the ends of each as closely to the last bead as possible so that the end of the wire is basically invisible. Repeat with the other side, using the other piece of the toggle.

Ta-da! You now have your own “Marbles” bracelet.

For beads exactly as the ones shown on this bracelet, check with Hobby Lobby, which is where I bought mine. I also got the sterling silver toggle set there. The bracelet in the photo measured approximately 8.25″. Again, if you want to make it shorter, omit one or two beads on each strand. Add beads to make it longer. You could also add more beads onto the wires after your strands are made to make it longer. Your tension will play a role in how long your strands will be as well.

I’m probably not the best teacher in the world when it comes to writing it out; I do much better showing than telling. If you see any problems or need some clarification with this tutorial, please contact me and let me know.

Oh…and this is copyrighted information. Use it for your own personal pleasure, but please don’t use it commercially. Also, I’m not responsible for the results obtained from this tutorial. I just want others to have fun with it and enjoy the benefits of working with wire when crocheting.

©2007 by Tracie at Shade Tree Crochet


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

EDIT 08/28/07 - A printer-friendly version of this tutorial can be found here:“Marbles”.

On-the-Go Bag

I decided to do a quick project this weekend, as my attention span was too small to do anything intricate. (My carpal tunnel was acting up, too, which didn’t help any.)

 This is the On-the-Go Bag from the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet. Instead of using the yarn specified for the pattern, I used a bulkier, varigated 100% wool yarn I got from Joann’s. I didn’t have to switch colors every couple of rows; instead, I just crocheted from the bottom to the top without stopping, other than to begin a new ball of yarn. I then tossed it in hot water in the washer to let the felting process begin. This is the first time I’ve ever done felted crochet, and I must say that I’m quite pleased with the results. It’s kinda cool to watch a crocheted piece go from big stitches to smaller closed ones and become a thicker fabric. I really wish I had taken before and after photos.

Since I used a bulkier yarn, my bag turned out about two inches taller than what the pattern stated, and it is about 1-1.5 inches longer across the bottom. I used two-2 mm leather cords (actually, it was one long cord, cut in half to the size I needed) for the drawstring closure, as well as a black plastic cord lock. I also decided to add the silver beads to the four ends of cord hanging down to make it a little more individual to my liking.

This is a super-easy pattern, and I loved working with the wool yarn. The felting process was rather easy, and it’s something I’d like to try again. I’m sure I’ll also make up another bag in this pattern as I find the yarn I’d like to do it in.

Fingerless Mitts

Fingerless Mitt
Originally uploaded by Shade Tree Arts.

I started out making these fingerless mitts for myself, but they immediately started out a bit big. Then, with each time they were pulled on, they got a little bigger, so I gave them to my SO, who has gotten some great use from them with all the snowy, cold weather we’ve had this past month. I’m hoping to make myself some in the near future–or at least by next winter. Until then, I’m glad he’s enjoying his. And I found out that they fit great over my gloves, which keeps my hands extra warm when I need them to be!

The pattern is from the book, Crochet from the Heart.

Fave Tutti-Frutti Hat

Tutti-Frutti Fave Hat 5
Originally uploaded by Shade Tree Arts.

Joann’s had some of their yarn clearanced to just 75 cents a ball, so I bought the only two of this particular one they had left. It’s from their own Sensations Bellezza Collection, called Smania, which is now discontinued. It’s a great 65% cotton/35% nylon blend that was easy to work with. At the time I bought it, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, then decided it would make a good hat. I looked at many patterns–even thought about writing one on my own–but having less than 4-ounces of yarn, I was a little limited. Then I ran across this pattern in 24-hour Crochet Projects by Rita Weiss. I love how it turned out; I’d been wanting to make one where the brim rolled up and with this yarn, this one does just that. It is now my official favorite hat. It’s light-weight and colorful–just in time for spring!

I searched the net for more of the same yarn, but the only place I found it was on “feebay” for $4.99 each. Then, just as I was giving up hope, a fellow crocheter at Crochetville offered to sell me the skiens she had left for the 75 cents I paid originally plus shipping. How cool is that!