Red red head scarf

Word up! Do you remember Larry Blockmon, the lead singer of group Cameo? No? How about the guy in the late 80s  who sported a rather in-your-face  shiny red codpiece. Ah yes. Here he is…

Ok. So here is the headscarf I made which in a certain light reminds me of that codpiece.

It’s curling as I haven’t blocked it yet. Recently I had my very long hair cut off into a flicky  hair cut with a fringe. I have no idea what possessed me as I’m not a fringe girl (unless we are talking great sci-fi show Fringe that is). I’ve been making a few hats of late but they didn’t look right so opted to make this.

Yarn: Anchor style creativa – red. Small amount of Flirt dk purple

Hooks: 6mm and 4mm

UK terminology

I began with the 6mm hook to make a simple triangle of double crochet stitches created by adding a two dcs into the last chain of each row. Once I was happy with the length (which took about 4 tries over a few days to figure out), I added a single border of dcs along the other edges of the triangle so that I could flip it around to have columns rather than rows going down my head.

Then I started on the band, switching to the 4mm hook. There is a chain of 40 added to each corner. For two rows, I dc’d into each of these then did crossed trebles along the triangle. I finished with a border in purple along all the edges.

I like it a lot though the bands are a bit thick. But it does the job of keeping the fringe off my head which is the key thing. And it’s bright red and purple…my two fave colours.

  

The great yarn eater clutter container

 

Wow, this container used 5 balls of wool (or should I say 5 skeins of yarn as it’s cotton). It’s a bit of a freeform project in that I just made up the pattern as I went along. I like the outcome though I’m not keen on the colour. That doesn’t matter since it’s going to be put in a drawer to control some of my clutter.

Yarn: RYC cotton jeans mull, 5 skeins

Hooks: 6mm and 5.5mm

Stitches (UK terminology): magic loop, double crochet (dc), slip stitch (ss), treble crochet (tc), front past the post treble (fpt)

R1: Using larger hook. Make a magic loop with 6 dc, do not join (6)

R2: inc in next stitch, repeat in all stitches do not join (12)

R3, *inc, dc in next stitch** repeat from * to **, do not join (18)

R4: *inc, dc in next 2 stitches**, repeat from * to **, do not join (24)

R5: *inc, dc in next 3 stitches**, repeat from * to **, do not join (30)

R6: *inc, dc in next 4 stitches**, repeat from * to **, do not join (36)

R7: *inc, dc in next 5 stitches**, repeat from * to **, do not join (42)

R8: *inc, dc in next 6 stitches**, repeat from * to **, do not join (48)

R9: *inc, dc in next 7 stitches**, repeat from * to **, ss to first stitch (54)

R10: dc in front loop only all way around, ss to first stitch (54)

R11: Switch to smaller hook. ch2, tr in each stitch around, ss to first stitch (54)

R12: ch2, turn, fppt in treble below, repeat around (54) (I turned because I didn’t want to do back post trebles)

R13-20: ch2, fppt in treble below, repeat around (54)

R21-24: dc in each stitch around, ss to first stitch (54)

R25: dc in front loop of each stitch around (54)

R26-29: dc in each stitch around, ss to first stitch (54)

Finish off. Weave in ends. Stuff with clutter. Have a long lovely drink as this is a killer on the hands, especially the thumbs.

 

Probably not practical, there are rows inside the container which are like little seats in an amphitheatre. If I was going to put this container on display, I would try to get the edges stiffer by using some sort of starch. I’d also try to dye it a dark red as the current colour is not to my taste.

Mad hatter

After finishing my daughter’s pink and red blanket, I thought I’d have a go at making hats. It’s amazing how many patterns are out there and so many generous designers provide them for free as long as you give them credit, and don’t nick their patterns to pass off as your own and don’t sell the goods made from the patterns for profit. Hats off to all these lovely generous crafters.

All fine by me. I have a load of acrylic wool which I bought cheap. Some of the colours do not suit me. And I think for now we have enough blankets so hats for charity seemed a great idea. (p.s. ulterior motive is I want to buy new yarn in bright colours but should use my stash up first to make room under the bed).

Here’s what I’ve made so far:

Hello kitty hat – designed by Elizabeth Trantham

As I am not great at sewing on parts, I decided to embroider the face. Also ears are made using half circles rather than the pattern design.

 

Rib wrapped cap – designed by Heather Schott

This was my first go at post-stitch. The instructions are very clear and the designer has provided a few helpful photos.

 

Crochet Vision Hat – designed by Marty Miller 

Such a lovely thick hat.

Shell stitch beanie – designed by The Dainty Daisy

This is a gorgeous pattern for little girls. Will be making another one when I get hold of some cotton yarn.

Chunky Beanie Hat – designed by Elizabeth Trantham

My second pattern from this site. She’s a talented lady. This pattern was so quick and easy so I made two.

 

 

Kiss me bag – designed by Claire Ortega

It’s not all about hats though. I needed a handbag to take to a wedding reception so made one! I had to change the pattern a bit as the yarn I was using is very stretchy. I’m pleased with the outcome and once I’ve washed it, will line it in a bright colour.

 

Pretty in pink

My kid loves pink. She assures me she loves all the colours of the rainbow, but given a choice she utters “Pink” with glee. I therefore bought loads of different pinks to make her a blanket out of Patons UK Fab DK – an easy to use acrylic yarn which makes great home projects.

Did I mention she likes pink. Well turns out, she doesn’t like all pinks and poo-poohed some of my choices. So we duly marched to the local yarn shop to get more shades….and came home with bright RED acrylic yarn. Yippeeeeeee good girl. Unfortunately, the weight was wrong so I order some more Fab online. The shade I got was darker than her choice but the end result of a pink and red blanket was lovely.

    

 

The design is a fudge as the number of stitches meant I ended up with 3hdc at the end of each of the 1 and 2 rows. Has something to do with maths I think. Anyway, it’s not like she’s noticed and I wasn’t about to unravel it all just to fix it.

 

A really simple design. Foundation chain of 141

First row: HDC in fourth chain. Skip 1, 2hdc in next chain. Repeat from * to* until end. Do a single HDC in last chain. Chain 3 turn
Row2: 1HDC in first chain (this forms the first shell together with the turning chain), Skip 1, 2hdc in next chain. Repeat from * to* until end. Do a single HDC in last chain. Chain 3 turn
Row 3 and 4, single DC in each chain across, chain 2 turn.

Repeat is
2 x Row 2 followed by row 3&4

When you are happy with the length, finish with a row 2.
Simple border of dc all around.

I had 3 skeins left over but my daughter really wanted the blanket so I finished it off with a simple border.

The 2×2 row pattern is gorgeous and I will definitely use it again for baby/child blankets though I would use a softer yarn for a baby. Fab DK is nice but I found the cherry colour wasn’t as soft as the candy.

A finished neck warmer

I haven’t done a Chains post in a while. It’s not for lack of knitting/crochet as my hands have been busy. Sometimes to the point of pain. But I haven’t finished any objects in a while … I run out of yarn and have to order more, I frog a piece because it’s just not right then frog again and again. Or I just put it down as I cannot be bothered to finish it. But once in a while, I sneak in a quick one night job. And this Saturday, I did a one night job for myself. A new neckwarmer to match the walking jacket hubby gave me for Christmas. It’s not a scarf as I only had one ball of purple. I was going to make it all different colours but decided plain purple was best. The stitch is diagonal box stitch which is explained very well on the Crochet Cabana site

I’m pretty damn chuffed especially as the ball of yarn only cost me £1

 

 

Red Nose Honkus

A mate and I are holding a bake sale this friday for Red Nose Day. As part of that I’ve made some coconut ice, lemon biscuits and tomorrow will try the Jamie Oliver fudge recipe.

However, it doesn’t end there and tonight I made this Amigurumi Honkus in the hopes of selling it. I think it looks a tad scary but I’ll let my tot judge. I’m not sure how many more I’ll make for RND but this is the start of a new phase (i.e. obsession)  in my Chains life.

Chili and colour

I have not posted any recipes lately. We have been a germ filled house which makes cooking less than fun and eating a chore. So there has been very little exploration of new recipes. I did make the Quorn Chili Recipe last night which wasn’t bad though next time, I will up the ante on the chilies (I added one huge green chili) as it wasn’t hot enough for me. We had it with taco shells and huge dollops of guacamole. I’ve frozen half of it to enjoy later…hubby said that things get spicier once frozen so maybe when it’s thawed it will be just right for my taste buds.

In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying some colour in my life. My beautiful Christmas cactus is in my porch and makes me very happy every time I walk in or out of the house. If you could love an inanimate object, then I would love this little plant as it hardly needs any care and rewards me twice a year with a magnificent display.

I’ve also been busy working away at various craft projects in time for Xmas. I hope the recipients appreciate them. Here is a granny blanket for tot  which just needs the ends woven in.

Fingerless gloves and lacy scarf

I have not been working on my recipes lately as I’ve been busy with all things crotchety. It was my sister-in-law’s birthday last week and I wanted to make her some finger-less gloves and a wrap. The patterns for these can be found in Knitty Gritty . Some of the patterns in there are very dubious in terms of fashion but I do like the clear instruction and the use of photos. EXCEPT the last stage of the gloves as it was unclear which part to sew up!

I used Sirdar Flirt DK yarn, shade 225 which is called Hypnotic. S-in-L loves purple so it was a good choice. And my goodness, so nice to crochet with after all the cheaper yarn I’ve been using of late. So much so that I’ve bought loads more to make a giant granny square for tot!

I first made the wrap but thought it wasn’t very big so frogged it all and decided to turn it into a lacy scarf. I used size 8 needles and alternated 4 knits rows then 1 eyelet row. I liked the end result very much and so did my sis-in-law luckily!

Ever expanding diamond pot holder

Wooohoooo my first “Chains” posting.

I’m teaching myself to crochet..again. I learnt some basics as a teenagers but then didn’t pursue. Another of my deep regrets as by now I’d be churning out sophisticated designs.

Anyhoooo mustn’t linger on regrets.

One of my first projects  is the diamond potholder. I got the pattern from Ravelry.com which is an excellent free site for  knitters and crocheters. Here is my progress so far, about 11 inches across. It’s not square which I put down to changing tension as I get more confident. But that’s ok. It’s also going to be larger than the pattern suggest as  we want to use it two handed. I’m using a cheap 100% cotton wool in lovely shades orange which I got from Lidl. The wool is 8 strand so the crocheting is taking some time but it’s relaxing so I don’t mind.