pincushions.jpg

pincushions.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena

These little pincushions are quick and easy to crochet and would make great gifts!

This was crocheted in thread as I wanted a firm fabric, but it would work in any thread or yarn - and a great way to use up odds and ends!

Crochet Jigsaw

Book Reviews

I´ve reviewed some good books recently.

Candy Crochet

Crochet Jewelry

Vogue Knitting

There are some wonderful crochet and other needlecraft books available, sometimes it is difficult to know which ones to get. Often libraries will keep a copy of new books so this can be a good way to get an idea of the content of the book before buying. Amazon.com also has the facility for people to post their reviews of books which can sometimes be quite illuminating, although sadly some people abuse this system.

Candy Crochet

This is a great book and ideal for crocheters of all experience levels. The only thing to be aware of is that it is a collection from Candi Jensen's three previous children's crochet books. I've written a full review at BellaOnline.com

Capelet

My capelet design featured in this month's Interweave Crochet magazine. Seems like a long time ago since I started on this....

Hairpin Crochet

I had a great email this morning from a lady wanting to use the Hairpin Lace Scarf pattern I have at BellaOnline for a charity workshop. I was pleased to say yes, and delighted that the pattern is being put to good use. This is a great way to use up all those strips that are formed when learning hairpin lace.

Crochet and Fabric Yo-Yo Collar

Using the crochet and fabric yo-yo tutorial at the FreeNeedle.com blog , a number of yo-yos were made to form this collar.

Instructions to make this collar are also at FreeNeedle.

These would be really easy to customize. I used loops of 5 chain stitches around the edges, longer chains would of course make bigger loops.

I was lucky to find vintage buttons to finish this off nicely.

Delicate Crochet Edges around Fabric Yo-Yos

Crocheted edges to fabric items isn't new. The Victorians decorated many items with crochet decoration as being a low cost alternative to lace. Crochet brings a lovely touch to many things, and works really well with small fabric yo-yos. A full tutorial to make the crochet edges to yo-yos can be found at freeneedle.com blog.

Make Crochet Brooches

Using crocheted flowers or other small adornments it is easy to make some unique pins and brooches. These serve a practical purpose as well as being decorative. Long scarves, wraps and shawls all benefit from a pin to hold them in place. There are some ideas at my recent article at BellaOnline.

Tips:

• Use thin pins for delicate fabrics and materials.
• Gently sandpaper any rough edges on pins which might snag fabric.
• Brooch backs and pins can be bought from craft supplies.
  

Crochet Flowers

Crochet flowers are great fun to make. Be it roses inspired by Irish Crochet, or little pansies or other flowers, there are loads of good ideas around.

Flowers make great accessories to brighten up an outfit, hang of hand bags or use for a variety of other things. The pattern for the flower in the picture can be found at BellaOnline. This can be adapted in a whole variety of ways.

Loom

OK, not crochet as such, but it is a textile craft so related.

I've bought a loom. I've wanted to weave for a long time. It is the only textile craft which I haven't tried. I spin, dye, knit, crochet, feltmake etc, so weaving would definitely be a good skill to learn.

Organic Yarns

My BellaOnline article this week was about organic yarns. I had actually planned this a while back, having written on a similar subject before. It is interesting that this week saw another concern over chemical residues in fabric. This comes on the back of many recent product recalls.

One draw back, as with so many organic products is the price. But then again, is it our continual quest for cheaper and cheaper products that has got us to this situation?

I wonder what the future will bring.

Back to School Crochet

Summer draws to a close and it is time to think about back to school crochet. There is loads of good crochet projects available - and plenty more which can be adapted for back to school use.

For more about back to school crochet projects take a look at my recent article at bellaonline.

Crochet Pattern A Day

There's a call for entries for the 2009 Crochet Pattern a Day calender.

More info here - Crochet pattern a day

2009 - how time flies....

Crochet for Barbie

I've recently written about about crocheting for Barbie at BellaOnline. Amazing how many patterns and projects are available. Crocheting small projects can be so satisfying, and a good opportunity for trying new stitches and techniques.

Oh - and the bracelet is crocheted from crochet cotton and beads. There is a pattern for a Crochet and Knitted Bracelet

Crochet for Barbie

Did you know that Barbie is worth more than 3 billion dollars? Not bad going!

She has been in existence for nearly 50 years, and inspiration for Barbie as we know her came from a German doll. Today Barbie comes in a variety of styles, and she has a great number of adult collectors as well as playing an important part in the life of young girls (and boys?).

There are some great ideas around for crocheting clothes for Barbie - I've written about it at BellaOnline.

If that inspires you to crochet for Barbie - then there is a great book with lots of designs from Nicky Epstein. As you would expect, this is a lovely book with lots to look at and clear instructions.

Adding Crochet Adornments

One thing I particularly like about crochet is its versatility. I was given the Stupid Sock Creatures: Making Quirky, Lovable Figures from Cast-off Socks book for my birthday and have been busy turning old socks into toys. I've been adapting them further by adding hair which I've crocheted onto the finished doll.

I am not certain that Myrtle was very much improved with her new hairstyle, but it does hide a wonky seam!

Beaded Crochet Bracelet Pattern

Normally I crochet jewelry using wire and beads, however I thought crocheting a bracelet out of thread and wooden buttons would be good for summer wear.

The beads are very light and although the bracelet is heavily beaded, it is not too bulky or uncomfortable to wear.

This is easy to crochet. The instructions to make this can be found here. Do let me know what you think!

Crochet Barefoot Sandals

Barefoot sandals - you either love them or hate them, but they are definitely popular at the moment.

There are lots of crochet patterns available for making them. I've posted my own instructions here, but they really are the most simple of things to make, and you can keep them as plain or fancy as takes your fancy.

Take a look at this cute pattern at the BeadWrangler, for a beaded version.

Make Accessories

How about making knitting and crochet accessories - these are all quick and easy to make .

Other crochet accessories which need to be bought (unless anyone has any idea of how to make...!!)

Hands free reading - either for patterns or reading novels etc whilst crocheting.

Head Torch - ok, you might look strange - bit like a crocheting miner. But I find a head torch useful for working where the light isn't too good, or when I don't want to flood the room with bright lights. Oh, and of course it gives everyone something to laugh at!

Felted Crochet Bags

I reviewed the Interweave 'Felt' magazine for Suite101 (see the article here). It's a great magazine with lots to inspire and instruction, however no crochet patterns. There is plenty of technique in the magazine to help a crocheter better understand the felting process and this could be put into action on your own patterns.

Thinking about felting crochet - here are three great free patterns.

Felted Bag at Straw.com

Felted Crochet Rainbow Bag - Moda Dea

Irma's Felted Drawstring Bag

Harry Potter Frenzy

With the latest (and last) Harry Potter book being published at the weekends, queues of eager readers were camped out at at book stores in eagerness to get the book and find out who it was that didn't make it though to the end.

Of course, any really keen crocheters would have be armed with crochet hook and yarn, and whiled away those hours creating some wonderful crochet.

However it isn't too late to get into a Harry Potter crochet frenzy. Take a look at the fabulous Leaky Cauldron for plenty of HP inspired crochet ideas.

Sunbonnet Sue

SunBonnet Sue crocheted decorations for handkerchiefs.

What a cute idea. These are normally more known in Quilting - however this is a really nice crochet idea too. The sunbonnet ladies are crocheted onto the corner of the hankie. So much more elegant that a scrunched up paper tissue!

The instructions and more information can be found at the sunbonnetsue.com website. If you are into quilting then there are some other lovely things on this website - plus lots of free designs.

August Crochet World Magazine

The August 2007 issue of Crochet World features 17 classic crochet designs in a 48-page, full size, full-color format. These include a patchwork quilt afghan, a variegated sash, a trimmed-collar jacket and a variety of bags and accessories. Patterns range in skill levels from beginner through intermediate.

'Hurt Book' Sale

Interweave have started their annual Hurt Book sale - a sale of damaged and unwanted books. Take a look at their website and start ordering - remember first come, first served...!

http://www.hurtbooksale.com/Hurt/default.asp

Using Sewing Templates with your Crochet

Using sewing patterns as a template for your crochet opens up some new possibilities. I've written about this at BellaOnline. Taking a look at sewing patterns can be quite useful when you are starting to design crochet garments as it gives an insight into garment construction, for instance sewing patterns demonstrate clearly the use of darts and other shaping techniques.

After reading that a well shaped top can take pounds off you - I am now committed even more to making fitted and shaped garments. Lily Chin's latest book - Crochet Couture Workshop covers the fitting of garments in lots of detail. I reviewed the book here.

New Writing Job

I am now also writing the Sewing and Needlework site at Suite101. This is a good opportunity for me to extend my writing, over more needlecraft subjects.

Crochet Candle Holder

candle holder.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena

This Crocheted Candle Holder is posted on BellaOnline today. It is easy to do - and as it is made from string it is very cheap!!

Crochet Bikini

The bikini pattern is now live at BellaOnline and can be found here. There is also an article here about how to customize or adapt the the basic pattern.

The weather in Spain at the moment is grey and miserable - hope it is better with you!!

Bikini Top

red.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena

I've been working on a bikini top for BellaOnline. I've wanted to do something which is customizable so people can make it to their own size - and decorate and adapt as required.

Crochet at Squidoo

In my last post I wrote about Squidoo - well, I've spent some more time looking at it and have set up a Crochet Group - it can be found here. If you want to join me over there - simply nip over there and start building lenses, it could be the beginning of something very special....!!

Crochet at Squidoo

I am learning about Squidoo - must be something to do with my age, but I have found it difficult to get my head around exactly what it is that Squidoo does! However I have taken a look around the site and am beginning to get a better understanding.

I made my first crochet lens today and it can be seen here - I'll keep you posted about how I get on making more...

Crochet for weddings

I've finished a piece for BellaOnline about crocheting for weddings. Including a link to a free vintage wedding day pattern. There's also a link to a crocheted wedding dress for sale at Monsoon.

I love the idea of crocheting a full length dress - however I'm worried about the rear 'seating'. The last thing you want on your special day is a baggy bottom!

Crochet by Numbers

i've been in touch with Todd A Paschall at Crochet by Numbers about an interview for BellaOnline. I thought it would be really interesting to find out more about his work and take a look at a different aspect of crochet. I love the fact that crochet is being used firmly as an artform.

I've been finishing up a commission for a crocheted silver choker. I am pleased with how it looks. I've used rhodonite which is a pink stone and looks good against the silver. I'll post a picture.

Crochet with Wire

Crocheting with wire is great. It allows you to make alls sorts of interesting things - even very simple stitches work up into lovely items of jewelry. It's not hard to do and wire is widely available through craft stores and jewelry supplies. The easiest wire is the thin wire - the collar shown is made working with two strands of .2mm fine silver wire worked together.

I've written about both knitting and crocheting with wire at 10,000 Great Ideas. I plan to run a free online workshop about crocheting with wire later this year - do keep a look out here for more details or send me an email for more information.

New project on BellaOnline - Easy Crochet Baby Booties

I've seen lots of knitted patterns for baby booties which have simply been made from a knitted square. There is no reason why this won't work well with crochet, and I used these really easy baby booties as a project in a recent class I was running. I highly recommend this as a great beginners project!!

These booties are SOOOOOO easy to make. It is simply a square which is folded and stitched along one and a half sides. I've written up instructions at BellaOnline here.

Confiscated Scissors

Having debated whether crochet hooks would be allowed on the plane, and then carefully put all my liquids and anything vaguely gel like into the clear plastic bags given to passengers, I completely forgot a pair of scissors which I had in my bag and had them confiscated. I was SOOOO annoyed with myself. Scissors have never been allowed on planes so how stupid was forgetting to take them out of my bag. I was doubley annoyed as these were lovely pointy ones - just great for delicate snipping. Grrrrr.

I did come back with 14 skeins of Rowan Braid which I found in a bargain bin whilst browsing HobbyCraft. Not sure what to do with it as a skein doesn't go far - but I am sure I will think of something.

Is a crochet hook a knitting needle?

On my last trip to the UK I had a rather long debate with the security people as to whether my crochet hook was a knitting needle and therefore banned. This was a slightly extraneous conversation given that it says on the BA website that knitting needles are now allowed back onto planes. Obviously that happy news had yet to filter to my security people as we debated the difference between hooks and needles at the security gate. Well I head back to the UK today so will not leave anything to chance and pop everything into the hold luggage.

10,000 Great Ideas has some advertising going on to Craftster.org today. This is very exciting as this is the first advertising we have done. We are hoping to encourage people to contribute to the site. We are getting lots of visitors but not contributors so we hope that this might help.

Silk Yarn

I am sat here looking at a skein of Hand Maiden lace silk yarn. My mother in law gave it to me, it was left over from a top that she just made - how lucky am I!!!

It is in Lily Pond colour way, which is a gorgeous mix of greens, blues and watery pinks. 100gms gives 600 metres, so enough for a scarf or lightweight vest-y top, I need to give it some thought.

Hand Maiden yarns supply an interesting range of hand dyed yarns and fibres.

A needlecraft competition

How's this for a competition... Stitch and Pitch

Crochet with string and Lego Ball Winders

How's this for an ace idea - a lego ball winder. I came across this when I was looking for instructions for dyeing wool in the cone. I have quite a lot of cones I want to dye up and was hoping for a short cut to save me ALL that unwinding followed by ALL that winding!

I've written on BellaOnline about crocheting with string. I was motivated to do this after knitting some outdoor placemats - and I thought that working with string would work for a variety of things - even crocheted plant hangers! The BellaOnline article can be seen here.

Seeking soles

I would love to know where to buy soles for boots and shoes - I really quite fancy having a go crocheting boots like the UGG boots here.

I've made some boot-type slipper socks - so it is only a small step from making boots. Just need to find the soles......

Fleece, lambs and easter egg dye.

I've been doing some dyeing over the last few days - and cleaning fleece. So the house has that faint smell of wet sheep and goat... nice. I nearly got a whole fleece clean and dry ready for spinning and it started to rain. Grrrr. This fleece is from my herdwicks. They are great sheep and are the breed that was kept by Beatrix Potter. Their fleece is coarse - no good for crocheting fine underwear - however great for bags and accessories. Herdies are the most friendliest of sheep - read more about them here. They are born black and later turn grey. Because they are indigenous to the Lake District and spend their life on the fells they have short stocky legs. They also 'heft' to an area and can walk miles back to their original farm. We were for ever going to get some of ours back as they set off on the 20 mile walk back to their home farm. Eventually they 'hefted' with us which was nice.

Here in Spain it is just coming to the end of lambing time. The farmers pick a lamb and train it with a bell and the other sheep will follow this when they later go roaming in the 'campo'. This little lamb is destined to be a great leader!

I've written about dyeing wool with Easter Egg dye at Suite101 - the article can be found here.

New Crochet Articles on BellaOnline

I've been thinking about spring - and have written an article on spring crochet which can be seen here at BellaOnline this week.

I've also just finished an interview with the husband and wife team behind BrainsBarn, who make hand crafted crochet hooks. This is an interesting interview - I didn't appreciate the high amount of work required to produce these lovely hooks.

Almost made me get out a penknife and start whittling....

This interview is now live at BellaOnline here.

I've done a few interviews recently and people do seem to enjoy reading about other crocheters, designers and people in the wonderful crochet world. I'd love to hear from other people who'd be interested in doing an interview.

Copyright

I was enjoying some YouTube videos last night and suddenly realised that I was being a little (lot) hypercritical. I was enjoying some music videos and then thought that I was in fact, supporting copyright violation. These were copies of music videos etc and it is doubtful that they were published with the artist's consent.

The digital age means that now it is easy for people to copy and pinch ideas - rip off designs etc and call them their own, reproduce designs and distribute them etc. Which is patently wrong.

But on the other hand - sometime people misuse copyright in another way. The internet is packed with examples of, for instance, scans of old designs which have then been 'copyrighted' by the person who did the scan. How can this work? If the design is old enough to be in the public domain then how can someone simply scan it and then copyright it? Often people make the mistake of thinking that just because the copy of a pattern or design they have is old enough to be out of copyright makes it automatically ok to republish - but forgetting that it was subsequently republished and therefore, perhaps, still in copyright.

Creative Commons is a great way to license designs, patterns and other creative work. This is a licensing system that allows you to keep the copyright of your work - but share it with other people with certain restrictions. This has been specifically designed for creative people. The way that it works is described on the Creative Commons website as follows:-

"Offering your work under a Creative Commons license does not mean giving up your copyright. It means offering some of your rights to any member of the public but only on certain conditions."

More information can be seen about the types of licenses offered - and some examples of how they are used can be seen here.

Crochet Slipper Pattern

crochet slipper.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

This pattern is posted on 10,000 Great ideas today. it is really easy - and can be adapted in a variety of ways. I can make a pair in an evening - so I think that these might feature highly at birthdays!!

Tonight I am working on some wire crochet samples - I might have another project coming up and I want to try out some new techniques. Now I am no longer using the crutches my hands are near enough back to normal - which means that working with even fairly thick wire won't be a problem now. About bloomin' time!

Sock Tops - The Movie

The finished video

World, now's the time to Hit the Button

The new 10,000 Great Ideas site goes live today.

Galvanize

Croc Socks

Croc Socks
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

I am evangelical about Crocs. The story started with Helen last year, who bought a pair of Crocs. She was such a fan - indeed has worn her Crocs every day since having them (although rumours of them having to be surgically removed are unfounded). When I broke my ankle everyone clubbed together to buy me a pair. They are light to wear, non-slippy soles and great for use inside and out.

And I became hooked! As soon as the swelling went down I was wearing my Crocs and I too have been wearing them everyday.

So - Ian quite admired them, better than slippers, and more versatile (and less smelly) than trainers.

....and you've guessed!! We are now the proud owners of matching Crocs. Ian said that there was no point in having a pair if they were going to be dull brown, so here I am in a little orange number.

So - what does every pair of Crocs need - a pair of Croc Socks of course!

Crochet Books

I returned from the UK with my case yet again over weight. How does that happen? OK, last time it might have had something to do with the 10kgs of yarn, but this time I had hardly anything, other than the one or two books I bought in the charity shops. Well, perhaps a few more than one or two and as I opened my case to remove some of the offending articles to carry in my hand luggage an embarrassingly large number of books, patterns, odds and ends of yarn and cottage cheese (it is impossible to buy here and I do miss it) were strewn across the check in desk. Luckily she took pity on me (I am still using a crutch when I travel) and allowed me just to take a couple of books in my hand luggage and checked the rest in. Phew.

Oh, and I also had a pretty heavy book with me on how to use my Palm TX. The TX is a great little tool - but I really could do with a manual. I bought the How to Do Everything with your Palm book which I highly recommend.

Egg Cosies / Cozies Competition

egg cosies.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

I'm never sure whether to write the UK or the US spelling of 'cosies' - I try to write both UK and US crochet terms so I do the same with spelling.

Anyhow - these are some crochet egg cosies. We are running a competition at 10,000 great ideas and are welcoming entries. The competition is simple - we want pictures and instructions for how to make great egg cosies. The more imaginative the better!

Ankle Update

I am now walking unaided and I don’t think I am limping much. The only problem that I have at the moment is that because the swelling has now gone completely my ankle really hurts at night as the pins hurt when I sleep on my side. However I am sure I will find a way around this (perhaps crochet an ankle pillow perhaps) and this will be sorted when they take some of the metal out in a few months.

I don’t think I’ll be doing the 22 km walk this year – although saying that, it is really Ian’s turn. Talking of that particular horror – for the first time since that dreadful day last April my big toe nails needed cutting. If you remember they fell off in shock and are only just now back to normal. You won’t believe how similar “short stroll then breakfast” and “22 kilometre extremely hard hike” are in Spanish…

Dorset Buttons

Dorset Buttons.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

Dorset Buttons are really easy to make. Being from Dorset they just sort of come naturally to me. Think it is genetic!

Historically Buttons were very important to people in Dorset, and for a time it was an important cottage industry. However with the advent of the industrial revolution it was possible to make buttons quickly and more cheaply than the artisan made buttons. People no longer wanted Dorset Buttons and the industry died. As it died many people fell into povety. It is actually a sad story. More can be read about it at this local history website.

They are fun to do and do make nice buttons for crochet and knitted work when looking for something different.

I've written instructions on how to make Dorset Buttons on 10,000 Great Ideas.

Mile a Minute Scarf

Mile a Minute Scarf
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

One really frustrating thing when you start out with Crochet is knowing what to do with all those pieces of chain stitch which you have made! However practicing chain stitch is really important to get used to the feel of the hook and make even stitches.

This is a really easy crochet scarf which I designed for BellaOnline Crochet। It is simple to do but very effective and works really well using up odds and ends of yarn. Different yarns in different colours would give a completely different feel. This is a great project for a beginner - if you are teaching someone to crochet they can actually make something from their first stitch!

I was watching some music videos on YouTube last night - there were some great old vids from Stiff Little Fingers - ahh, so young and so many years ago. And then I found a horrendous video of them now. Stop - now - please.

Great Music Site

I have found a great music site - CC Mixter. This site has music available under a Creative Commons licence and is a fantastic source of music for backing to videos etc. This is a really good initiative giving people the opportunity to publish original music on their videos without ripping off copyright holders and also gives musicians an opportunity to raise their profile.

Video

I am making a video! Actually I am working on a series of technique videos, however I am also making a short youtube video to promote the new 10,000 great ideas. This has been made in stop motion, and I took hundreds of stills to make it. That's the great thing about digital cameras.

Crochet Shamrock

DSCF0073.JPG
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

A crocheted shamrock inspired by the designs used in Irish Crochet. I enjoy making these motifs and they work well with a variety of yarns and fibers.

This pattern is available on BellaOnline Crochet.

I'm thinking about a set of coasters based on Irish Crochet motifs...

I've been looking at the Swarovski Crystal website - they have a fantastic site called Create Your Own which includes a free design tool. Even if you are not into beading it is worth a look. I use Swarovski quite a lot in my own work.

Kool Aid

koolaid.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

Well - you wouldn't drink it, but it is great for dying odds and ends.

The brown on the end was a green wool which I over dyed with 'Cherry'. It's bloomin' strong stuff!

I've written up instructions on 10000 great ideas.

In case you were wondering where you could buy Kool-Aid outside of the US - take a look on the trusted Ebay, which often has sachets for sale or Kool-Aid UK, who deliver internationally.

Herdie Bag

Herdie Bag
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

I miss my sheep.

This bag was made from the fleece of 'Rug'. He was so called because he had a wonderful fleece which you just wanted to lie on. Of course being vegetarian that just was never going to happen - but I spun his fleece of course.

This bag is made in Bobble Stitch and the bobbles are made by felting balls of wool in the washing machine.

Hairpin Crochet

close up.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

I mentioned in my last post about the 'Skinny Scarf' I designed for BellaOnline Crochet. Close up of Hairpin Crochet worked in Rowan Kidsilk Haze. It works really well in this fine yarn and is surprisingly warm.

Other useful links - instructions for Hairpin can be found here and to make a hairpin fork can be found at 10,000 Great Ideas.

Hairpin Crochet

Hairpin Crochet
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

It's amazing how much you can get onto a hairpin prong. This is the entire length of the hairpin 'Skinny Scarf' I designed for BellaOnline Crochet. There was no need to worry about taking some loops off - I could have carried on further!

I wrote a 'how to' piece for Bella which can be found here.

Oh - and where do you get hairpins from? Well, Ian kindly bent me one out of a coat hanger - it is really easy to do and a great way to practice the technique before er, forking out on a fork. We've got instructions for making a Hairpin Fork at 10,000 Great Ideas.

Crochet collar

Crochet collar
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

This picture didn't make it in to the book - it is the tiara which also makes a great collar. This was worked in two strands of wire worked together which makes it flexible, the colours were black and purple and the over all effect was good. I also made a variation in silver wire with pearls and Swarvoski - which looked great for a wedding. Because I work in a fine wire it is easy to wear.

Work is coming along on 10,000 Great Ideas, Ian is working hard on some new functionality. One of the important features that we want to introduce is a good searchable database of patterns - so if you are looking for something to do with 4 oz of mohair - you can search for just those patterns. Of course one of the first things we will need to do is to promote the site so people know they can post their knitting and crochet designs there for free.

Lampshade at Night

Lampshade at Night
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

I am really pleased with how this lampshade photographed. I made it from wire, silk, fancy yarn and beads.

Crocheting with wire and beads is great fun and gives an additional dimension to both crochet and knitting.

I've written about crocheting with Wire at BellaOnline Crochet and I've written about Knitting with Wire and Yarn at 10,000 Great Ideas. OK - I know it's knitting BUT the technique is the same...!

Heart Neckwarmer

Heart Neckwarmer
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

This is personally one of my favorite designs. I intend to extend the design to include variations to replace the heart - perhaps with flowers.

I dyed this wool - it was some undyed boucle that I bought by the cone and dyed it red to get the shade I wanted. Now we live in Spain I use wine vinegar to set my dye. Some how it seems really decadent to use wine vinegar for my dying - but it is the cheapest vinegar I can get and it least the kitchen doesn't smell too bad afterwards! When I get a table top stove for my workshop I will be able to dye in my workshop which will please Ian - he gets upset at the strange coloured saucepans etc that he gets presented with!

The Heart Neckwarmer pattern is on BellaOnline Crochet

Basil Modelling Hat

Basil Modelling Hat
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

Basil normally poses so well. In fact we think that he was a supermodel in a previous life (add 'old dog' joke here if required).

This is the hat version of a neckwarmer / hat design that I did for BellaOnline

Annie Modesitt Interview

I am delighted to be doing an interview with Knitting and Crochet designer Annie Modesitt. This is available at the BellaOnline Crochet site.

I knew of Annie's work through magazines, and love her original designs. Annie also keeps a very entertaining and interesting blog. However Annie has also published a wire crochet and knit jewellery book - I think that her book and mine were published about the same time.

The interview with Annie is very interesting and I really enjoyed putting it together.

Knitted Vase

Knitted Vase
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

What - Knitting on a Crochet Blog??? Well, yes! This is an Idea I wrote for 10,000 Great Ideas.

It is a simple idea for using up some odds and ends of yarn and making a cute vase. It is really just a case of making a length of crochet (the great thing about crochet is that you can make more interesting 3d shapes) and use it to cover a plastic bottle to create a vase. I used a cut down lemonade bottle for this - and put some pebbles into the base to make it more solid.

Crochet Tube Neckpiece

crochet tube.JPG
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

This project was written for the book - but didn't go in at the end. It is really easy - its simply a crochet tube made out of wire through which a ribbon is threaded. It looks effective which ever way it is worn. I made a variation which was stuffed with beads - and although that made it heavy - it was quite unusual. Big glass beads worked well - small beads would have poked through - although that might have looked good in a strange way.

We've decided that we are going to refocus 10,000 Great Ideas and turn it from a site talking about ALL Great Ideas to a site specialising on yarn focussed ideas - this is because this is where our area of expertise lies and also because we think we have some really good things to offer. Not least a facility for people to be able to showcase their own designs which is great news for all independent designers.

Pixie Purse

pixiebag.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

I put the pattern for this bag on the Bellaonline crochet site - this is a great little bag and can be adapted in so many ways.

I made this from my own hand spun and hand dyed yarn. It originated from Freckles, who was one of our favourite sheep. We hand reared her and for months she was convinced that the bucket was her mum. We could get her to go anywhere or do anything as long as we carried a bucket with us. Forget one man and his dog - we were 0ne man and his bucket.

Close Up of Double Crochet

Close Up of Double Crochet
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

I love Double Crochet (UK) / Single Crochet (US it is my favorite crochet stitch. I made this sample working alternate stitches in to just one side of the stitch below and it was worked in the round which gives it this effect.

I use Double Crochet a lot - particulary with my own handspun as it evens out any less than perfect spinning (ie all of it).

Spinning has been really good for my ankle and an important part of physio. Therefore when Ian gives me one of those looks when I am spinning instead of doing something he feels is more productive, I can smile nicely at him and tell him I am under doctors orders.

bear.jpg

bear.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

Bear Uno - next time I will adjust the arms slightly.

bear1.jpg

bear1.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

Bear Uno, crocheted from Rowan Kidsilk Haze. 2.5 ins tall

It's Cold!

It's sooooooo cold. My workshop hovers at around 8 degrees and my hands are so cold I can hardly type. We bought undertable heaters, which the cats and dogs love - and if I am lucky I can just get my feet underneath.

I crocheted a handwarmer for Ian. If I was really clever I would crochet a sort of handwarmer with a pouch for his mouse. It is his right hand he suffers with as this is his mouse hand. It seems hard to believe that last summer the yard was too hot to walk on without shoes....

Interview with Edie Eckman

Last year I submitted a design for a book that Edie Eckman was working on. Unfortunately my design was left on the cutting room floor - however I do know that These Things happen - so I wasn't too disappointed. I knew Edies work through this contact - and also through her 'must have' crochet books. So, when I took over the BellaOnline Crochet site, the first person I contacted to do an interview was Edie, and I am pleased to have just published this on the Bella site.

I think that interviews are really interesting and I do hope that people enjoy reading about different crochet people on the site.

A whole new (tiny) world

A whole new tiny crochet world has opened up to me. Little tiny crochet bears!

I've made a couple but mine are giants compared with the little ones which are crocheted by thread artists. One excellent site is here and I hope to do an interview with this lady later in the year.

Solomons Knot Bag

solomons knot.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marchena.

This is bag is made using string - and solomon's knot. I wrote about making Solomon's Knot on my BellaOnline site. It is a good stitch for making this sort of bag.

This stitch adapts well and when worked in a fine yarn you get a lacy feel - in a more robust yarn you get a harder wearing fabric. A variation of this stitch is Knot Stitch instructions again are on Bellaonline Crochet.