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.