Tah Dah! Revealing the starburst throw blanket

Good morning to you all!  I hope everyone is enjoying a lovely July thus far.  I have been really horrible about updating this blog for a while.  Part of it is due to the warmer weather where I am outside and enjoying the time outdoors.  Part of it is due to being lazy.  Part of it is because recently, I got busy again with my crochet hook and got lost in it all with all my time being spent on that, instead of here.  Now I get to play catch up.  I have several things that I recently completed, and I need to make a separate post for each one.  So, now I have some blogging material to blog about, right?

Let me get started with this one shall we?

Here is my finished starburst throw, Tah Dah.  I bet by now everyone must for sure think this is just about the only thing I know how to make, lol.  But, do not fear, it is only because I started a project several months back and have been using them to complete a bedroom set.  These had been sitting here for a while in my closet and I finally pulled them out to complete the set.   If you look here, you can see where I was using them earlier.   The circle (starburst) is used as a base for many things.  If you google "Flowers in the snow" blanket, you will see the crochet as you go design using them.  I made the blanket currently on my bed from that and used the same centers to make the above blanket, but the granny square outside is different.   If you google "Attic 24 hexagon" you will see the same center as well.  In this one this is what I did. It is the same as the 2 bed pillows that I made with the starburst pattern as well.

Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.  Then you make 12 double crochets into the ring with a chain 2 counting as your first double crochet.  Then in every space around you crochet a chain 2 for the firt stitch, and a double crochet in that same space, which counts as a 2 double crochet cluster and chain 1.  Then make a double crochet, 2 cluster all the way around with a chain space in between them and join with a slip stitch at the top of the first cluster to form a round.  Then on the 3 round, you do the same except you make a 3 double crochet cluster and a chain between each space.  Now you have a starburst round.   How I made these into squares, was by making a 3 cluster of double crochets in the corner, and a 2 chain space between them, and on the sides a half double crochet 3 cluster with a single chain space between them all.  This made it into a nice square. 

If you look closely you will be able to see what I mean.  Do not be distracted by my lovely assistant :) 

After I got them all done I arranged them by outside color and distributed by rows and laying them out.  Here you can see where I have whip stitched rows together.

I use a smaller hook to pull the yarn through instead of darning needle.  I find it goes faster.  I assembled them by sewing them by back loop only.

But, before you get that far, just make sure to take your time sorting the colors so no two of the same exact outside color touches if possible.  I sat out in my back yard on a lovely sunny day and did this, and kept moving them around until color distribution was pretty even.  In this photo some of the colors might look like they are touching but they are different colors, just close to the same.  I have absolutely no idea how many colors of yarn is in this.  All I know is that it is colorful and cheerful and it used a lot of scraps up.

Finally, here is the blanket all spread out and assembled with a border.  It measures approx 64 x 56 inches.  It has 195 starburst granny squares.  With the white border (the complete square) they measure just slightly over 4 inches each.  I have them arranged by 13x15 rows. Just the perfect snuggle up size for watching a movie or reading a book.  

I used the Around the border crochet book by Edie Eckman.  This is border #129.  I did go around the blanket with a double crochet first, of the white, then a row of single crochet of the red, then I proceeded with her pattern.  The color combo was simply just based on what scraps of yarn had the biggest balls in order to go all the way around the blanket.  

I altered the corner slightly from how it is in the book.  That was operator error that I did not want to rip out.   I was sitting up comforting my cats on the 4th of July with the loud fireworks and was trying to crochet, and I did not reference how she went around the corner.  It still looks good though, it is just not as sharp of a corner.  The border is slightly ruffled and softens the blanket up nicely.  

And now to present to you, the place where I sleep.  Not all the pillows that I made can be seen from this angle but most of them you can.  I now have the throw folded at the foot of my bed along with the flowers in the snow blanket used as a bed spread, the 2 big bed pillows I covered and then the two recent throw pillows that I made and then the full size bed pillow with the flowers on it.  I used up a ton of scraps and it is all based on an off white color.  First I was using my scraps, then I inherited a bunch more from a neighbor that moved away, and I STILL have not touched any of the yarn I purchased recently.  The scrap basket is till pretty full of yarn.  But do not fear...  I am still using those scraps up.  That is another post, another day... 

Here you go!  Isn't that fun and girlie?  That was a lot of stitching to make a completed bedroom set.  But, in the end, I have something fun and functional.  I used up a lot of scraps and the only yarn I purchased was the background color.  It ended up being very inexpensive to make and I am sure it will bring me lots of comfort over the years with keeping me warm and happy and snuggly.  Thank you so much for visiting and reading up on what I just completed.   I have more updates to make soon as I have been busy and sneaky with making all sorts of things.  So I will bid you all farewell for today.

Until then... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Granny Flower Square Tutorial

Hi everyone!  I am here to show you how I made these flower granny squares that I used while making the pillow above.  Please note that I am using one color of yarn in this tutorial, so I could keep going while taking photos but for more interest, have fun experimenting with various color combinations. 

 Let me start off by explaining, that you can turn any flower into a granny square.  This is a 6 petal flower with double layers.  You can do this with just about any flower as long as you build a chain in the back side and attach on all 4 sides equally spaced.  I have several blankets that my grandmother made way back when turning simple flowers like this into squares.   She did it out of simple flowers like these easy 6 petal flowers and some more complicated flowers many many years ago.  I need to pull them out of storage some day and show them off, but that is another day. You can do it with 5 petal flowers, 12 petal flowers, etc.  All you need to do is count the number of stitches around, and divide by 4.  That will be where you place the slip stitch with the chain you make to attach on the back side, and start a granny square off that foundation you built.   It is not so difficult to do, but I am getting ahead of myself here.  I hope that everyone finds this tutorial easy to follow.   Let's get started shall we?  

First we will be making the flower.  All terms mentioned here are in American crochet terms. If you are from the UK or anywhere else, you will need to convert to the crochet terms in your land :)  

 Chain 4 and then slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring. 

In the center of the ring, chain one stitch, this will count as your first stitch and go around until you have 12 stitches total.  Slip stitch into the first stitch to finish this round off. 

Chain 1 and then in the next stitch make 3 double crochet stitches and then in the next one slip stitch, alternating all the way around, through both the front and back loop of the single crochet stitches.

You should do this until you have a total of 6 flower petals.  Slip stitch into the first single crochet stitch when you started the round to finish off this round. 

Chain 3 stitches.

Turn the project around so the back side is facing you.  Make a slip stitch in every slip stitch space between the petals when you finish off the chain.  Do this 6 times with a chain 3,  behind each and every petal. 

When you are done it should look like this from the back.  Finish off that round with a slip stitch where you started the first chain of 3.  

Flip the flower around so it is facing the right way again, as you will be working from the front again.  Make a single crochet over the first chain 3 space and then 5 double crochet stitches.  Do this for each 3 chain space (1 sc and 5 dc).  You should have 6 flower petals now.

Make a slip stitch in the first single crochet stitch that you started the round with, and then chain 5 stitches. 

Turn the flower around so the back is facing you again.  You can see in the diagram above where to make a slip stitch, and that is at the base of the next flower petal over, between the 2nd and 3rd double crochet stitches.  Then chain 5 more stitches and make a slip stitch between the petals.  Do this again until you have a total of 4 chain stitches secured to the back of the flower.  

Still working from the back side, now you will be making stitches like a granny square.  Chain 2 (this counts as your first stitch) and then 2 double crochets after that to form a granny square cluster on to the chain, of 3 double crochet stitches together.  Then, chain 2 and make 3 more double crochet stitches to form another cluster.  This is side one completed.  Do this on all  4 of the 5 chain spaces on the back of the flower. 

Finish this round off by making a slip stitch into the first chain 2 when you started the round. Flip the project around and chain 2.  You will be working from the front again. 

Make a double crochet stitch in each space around, and then 2 at the end, and then 2 chain stitches to go around the corner and then 2 double crochet stitches, and continue around in each space, for a total of 12 stitches on each side (not counting the chain stitches around the corner). 

It should look like this photo above at this point. 

Chain 1 stitch and then single crochet all the way around, with 2 single crochet stitches at the end, and then 2 chain stitches to go around the corner, and 2 single crochet stitches again, and a single crochet in each space after that around.  You should have 14 single crochet stitches on each side not counting the 2 chain crochet stitches to go around the corner.  

Finish off and then to add some bling, you can sew a button in the center.

That's it!  Now you have made a flower and  converted a flower into a granny square.  You can make a blanket, a pillow or many other things with these flower granny squares.  If you want to use another flower, just have fun experimenting.  You have learned the basic technique and with simple math you can do this.  To figure out how long the chain should be, depends on how wide your flower is.  Just make a chain that reaches across tightly (but not too tight) and if it lays flat, do that all the way around.  It really is that simple and no big mystery here.  Don't be intimidated, just have fun... I know you can do it!  I have confidence in you dear reader. 

When I made the pillow above, I changed colors with the petal rounds and the final outer round of single crochet was made with the white, and they were whip stitched together from the back loop only to make a flat seam.  

I hope you can understand my instructions as I am not well practiced at writing patterns.  If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment and I will update this post or answer you in the comments section depending on the question.  

Now go forth and create!  Until next time... xxxxxxxx

Chain Flower Pillow Tah Dah! and Flower Tutorial and Leaf Tutorial

Hi everyone!  I hope this post finds you all well and in good health and spirits.  I finished a little project the other day.  I am here to do a big reveal after putting my hooks down for several months.  I picked them back up about a week ago to finish this pillow that I actually started months ago.  Here it is, Tah Dah!  I hope you like it.  I like the splash of color that this adds to my world.   The background I started a few months back and just measured it (The pillow is 16 x 16 inches).  and did a stitch that I made on my last big pillow which was just a double and a single crochet alternating them.  Then on the next row where there was a double crochet I made a single crochet, and where there was a single crochet, going back and forth to give it texture.  You can see the details of the stitch here

Here is the back side of the pillow.  I just made a simple scallop and it buttons in the back for easy removal of the cover so it can be washed.  

And here is a close up of some of the flowers.  I used some beads that resemble big crystals to give it some bling.  The back side of the glass buttons are painted with a silver reflective surface.  The tops are cut like diamonds and it gives just the hint of bling bling..  I thought it would be a fun little touch.  

I thought I would take a few moments to show you how to make a chain flower that I used on my garden chain mum flower pillow.  I had several friends on Facebook asked for a pattern.  I thought I would put one up with some photos to show everyone how to make one.  Let's have a go at it shall we?

Chain 4 stitches and join to make a ring with a slip stitch

Chain one and then single crochet 6 stitches into the ring and then finish with a slip stitch in the beginning chain stitch.

The next row, chain one and  single crochet 2 stitches in the back look only in each one of the 6 single crochet stitches to form 12 stitches total.  Slip stitch to form a ring.

Repeat the last row by chain one, and 2 stitches in each single crochet stitch to form 24 stitches total.  Then, slip stitch again to form a ring. 

Chain 14 stitches

In the next stitch, slip stitch the end of the chain and then chain 14 again.  Repeat all the way around  for a total of 24 times. 

Slip stitch in the beginning chain (your first chain stitch).

Then chain ten stitches. 

Slip stitch on the next row down in the front loop only to secure the end.  This will form the first petal of the inner row.  Do this all the way around. 

(Note:  I did not finish this off as this was a demo flower and did not want to cut my yarn) but once you get all the way around, finish with a slip stitch in the first beginning 10 chain and then cut leaving a tail.  Pull this through the back and weave in your end and secure it on the back side. 

You may add a button to finish it off.  Viola!  You should now have a flower made. As the flower sits over time the petals start to curl up and look less loopy.    Now see wasn't that easy? 

How to make a leaf.  

Chain 10 and then single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook.  Then a half double crochet, then a double crochet, then a triple crochet, another triple crochet, and another triple crochet.  Then double crochet, and half double crochet, single crochet.  When you get to the last space with the single crochet, chain three and then work your way back in reverse.  When you get to the end, then tie off the two loose ends to secure the stitches.  Viola!  Now you have a leaf. 

I hope I made this easy for you to follow.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask me in the comments section so I can update this post or answer your questions there.  Happy crocheting everyone!

Till next time... xxxxxxxxx

Making pillow covers to complete a set

For the last week or two, I have been making circles from the remainder of scraps I had on hand.  I didn't know what I was going to do with them but I had an idea in my head.  I thought making some matching pillows and a small throw blanket would be nice to add to the flowers in the snow blanket and make a set for my bed to adorn this spring.  When I have had a few minutes here and there I kept building circles.  They are very basic and I have seen a variety of projects using them.  Then I decided to turn them into basic squares.  The circle is just chain 3, join with a slip stitch, and then make a total of 12 double crochets (or chain 3, then 11 double crochets) to make a round.  Join with a slip stitch and then the 2nd round, chain 3 in the first space and a double crochet in that same space, and chain 1.  Then all the way around make 2 double crochets until you have a total of 12 double clusters.  Then round 3, make a granny square stitch with 3 double crochets and a chain between them and finish off...  For the square portion I just made 3 double crochets in the corner, then 3 half double crochets in the next 2 spaces, and then a 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet to finish off the corner and do this all the way around.  

Yesterday was a day of rest for me, so I sat around reading books and finishing off the circles to start making some of them into pillow covers for my bed.

On each square I left a tail about 3 times as long as one side of a square and used those to stitch them into rows.  I stitched back row/loop only so it would be a flat seam.  For each bed pillow, that is a total of 24 squares.  Then I took some yarn and stitched the rows together.

After I completed them both, I did a row of single crochet all the way around with 3 stitches in each corner.  Then a row of double crochet all the way around with 3 stitches in each corner.

I am now working on the back side... So it is not completed yet.  But I think it will look fabulous with the Flowers in the Snow blanket, don't you?

Also, I have been super busy lately and feel a bit behind when it comes to blogging.  I have emails on ravelry that I have not answered asking for a half african flower tutorial, but I haven't had time to go there yet.  I have still yet to make up a lotion tutorial for folks that I promised, and a lot of busy times that have kept me away from the internet.  I will do my best to catch up, I am feeling a little guilty.  But you all know how it is to balance hobbies and life and all that... I figure when I have a bit of quiet time then I will catch up right?  So it is all good :)  

And last but not least, I have an entire update centered around a fabulous old house with the most amazing views that I had the pleasure to visit and drink a glass of wine... This house I am completely smitten with.  Here is a little preview.

Just looking at the photo, I want to go back there!  

Until next time... xxxxxxxxxxx

Krochet Krystal Daisy Square, and planning my next project

Today I finally got busy on my Krochet Krystal charity square.  I downloaded the pattern a few months back as I want to make a groovyghan.  I know that for sure, this is one of the squares I want to use.  It is such a great cause too!

Here is my first practice square.  I am going to use up all the little balls of yarn that I can and practice on a few more.  Then, I will be sending them off to the pattern designer.  The pattern is free, but she only asks that you make her one square as payment with either black or white as the background color.  You can go here and see how to download this free pattern.   

It is a little bit fiddly to work up as you are using two yarns at once and going in the round.

But do not fear!  When you join her yahoo group, she will send you links to the video content if you get stuck on any of the parts.  I do think that it needs a little practice.  This is my first square that I uploaded here of this pattern and I think I could do better.  Once I make a few more, and use up some of my little scraps on it, I should have it down well enough to make some for a blanket. 

Once I get these perfected, I will be making a groovyghan, and you can see them here.   I am still undecided on exactly how I will make my groovyghan.  I have more yarn arriving on Friday in addition to the big shopping spree I went on last week, as I was running out of yarn. 

It is a fun little square to make.  I hope you enjoy making them if you download the pattern.  I think it is such a great thing, because what she is doing from designing this pattern.  A lot of people that need blankets get some beautiful ones, from squares sent from all over the world.  They are colorful and very pretty as is.  

Until next time... xxxx