This is really great! I'm dead serious, this is a 58-page FREE pdf book of 20 vintage crochet patterns.
http://crochetandknitting.com/craftbooks/vintage.htm
Go check it out! How lucky are we!
Friday, March 18, 2005
Monday, March 14, 2005
Just to clarify..
Those gorgeous free-form creations are NOT mine. I can't believe anyone thought they could be..=) (Although thanks for your faith in me!) I said they were what I WANTED my stuff to look like. I should have been more specific about where they came from, but what I did was make the pictures into links to the creator's page. I thought that would make it apparent but I guess I was too casual...I'm sorry, Marlo! I admire your work so much, I would never try to take credit for it! From now on I will state specifically to click on the picture to go to the creator's page. I feel terrible! What a misunderstanding....
Friday, March 04, 2005
A Random Plan
Free form crochet is amazing. Even though the whole point is to be random and not have a plan, it still takes a lot of artistic sense and practice, I think, because so far I'm disappointed with my shrine attempts. I think the problem may be that I'm only using one weight of yarn. I want it to look like a bunch of jewels scattered together, like this:
I shall attempt it again today! Instead of writing a research report for Adolescent Development! Which is just supposed to teach us how to cite online articles! Which I have done no less than twenty times since the ninth grade! I worked in the college library database, for heaven's sake...sigh.....
Not really. I'll write it. It should be easy since I really, really could do it in my sleep. Like most people, I can tell when I'm being given busywork, and it makes me feel condescended to. I am not crabbier than your average college student. I hope.
I finished the front of Olivia (or should I call it Twelfth Night? Any thoughts?) last night. I'm crocheting it in worsted weight black,in a mesh stitch, so it's not as delicate as I'd like, but I have discovered this about myself: I cannot knit anything that requires me to cast on more than 100 stitches, or crochet anything that I cannot finish within three days. It is simply a limitation I have to accept.
Olivia is essentially going to be a shrug, but the main difference is the scallops at the bottom and lace border it's going to have. It will be a lovely thing. I read that the Trevor Nunn film was set in the 1800's, so that makes it Victorian. Amazing how sexy that clothing is, considering that no one was supposed to know about sex!
I shall attempt it again today! Instead of writing a research report for Adolescent Development! Which is just supposed to teach us how to cite online articles! Which I have done no less than twenty times since the ninth grade! I worked in the college library database, for heaven's sake...sigh.....
Not really. I'll write it. It should be easy since I really, really could do it in my sleep. Like most people, I can tell when I'm being given busywork, and it makes me feel condescended to. I am not crabbier than your average college student. I hope.
I finished the front of Olivia (or should I call it Twelfth Night? Any thoughts?) last night. I'm crocheting it in worsted weight black,in a mesh stitch, so it's not as delicate as I'd like, but I have discovered this about myself: I cannot knit anything that requires me to cast on more than 100 stitches, or crochet anything that I cannot finish within three days. It is simply a limitation I have to accept.
Olivia is essentially going to be a shrug, but the main difference is the scallops at the bottom and lace border it's going to have. It will be a lovely thing. I read that the Trevor Nunn film was set in the 1800's, so that makes it Victorian. Amazing how sexy that clothing is, considering that no one was supposed to know about sex!
Thursday, March 03, 2005
I love Ben Kingsley
I saw Twelfth Night, and in addition to being in awe of Ben Kingsley's performance as Feste, I want to look just like Helena Bonham Carter's Olivia. Add that to also wanting to look like Amelie...so I want to make that black lacy thing she's wearing here:
Except add sleeves. And how on earth did they get her hair to form that messy mass on top of her head, with no visible means of support? How??
Except add sleeves. And how on earth did they get her hair to form that messy mass on top of her head, with no visible means of support? How??
Friday, February 25, 2005
Lana Grossa
http://www.lanagrossa.com/service/mdm/index.html
This site's free patterns are glorious (the pics are down there). Will I make them? Probably not....maybe...would I love to? Oh yes.
But I need to get started on my mom and sister's birthday presents, because they're both in April. I'm pretty sure they don't read this blog, so I'll tell you what I'm making for them (also so I don't forget). For Laura I'm making a crocheted wall cd holder, from this free pattern here:
http://members.aol.com/cillcrochets/cdwallpock.html
I'm thinking fuzzy white yarn with maybe forget-me-nots embroidered on it. Or bunnies. Or something girly like that. She'll be fifteen (look out, world), but in my head she stopped growing at nine.
I have to find a pattern for a sweater for mom, it has to be hip enough to satisfy me, yet not offend the Mom sensibilities. She's a very conservative dresser, and I'm...well...not.I'm going to check the library for this one. I want it to be a cardigan, preferably slightly fitted, with a lace panel down each side of the front. It will also be fuzzy white. Because that's the only yarn I have enough of, and I have enough of it to make an elephant sweater.
I wish I knew some elephants.
I also added a finished projects gallery button down at the bottom...there's probably some things there I haven't posted. I just sort of threw it together when I was cleaning out my digital camera folder. I know Jimmy the cat and Marlo the Demon Gopher are in there...
This site's free patterns are glorious (the pics are down there). Will I make them? Probably not....maybe...would I love to? Oh yes.
But I need to get started on my mom and sister's birthday presents, because they're both in April. I'm pretty sure they don't read this blog, so I'll tell you what I'm making for them (also so I don't forget). For Laura I'm making a crocheted wall cd holder, from this free pattern here:
http://members.aol.com/cillcrochets/cdwallpock.html
I'm thinking fuzzy white yarn with maybe forget-me-nots embroidered on it. Or bunnies. Or something girly like that. She'll be fifteen (look out, world), but in my head she stopped growing at nine.
I have to find a pattern for a sweater for mom, it has to be hip enough to satisfy me, yet not offend the Mom sensibilities. She's a very conservative dresser, and I'm...well...not.I'm going to check the library for this one. I want it to be a cardigan, preferably slightly fitted, with a lace panel down each side of the front. It will also be fuzzy white. Because that's the only yarn I have enough of, and I have enough of it to make an elephant sweater.
I wish I knew some elephants.
I also added a finished projects gallery button down at the bottom...there's probably some things there I haven't posted. I just sort of threw it together when I was cleaning out my digital camera folder. I know Jimmy the cat and Marlo the Demon Gopher are in there...
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
I'm Almost Ashamed
I have so many finished objects that I wonder where I found the time to do it all. I have to admit it's because I end up spending about three hours a week on homework, as opposed to ten on yarn. But I do spend eight hours a day AT school, so presumably some education is osmosing into me. I haven't missed any assignments or classes or anything. So my projects, which I think I will post pictures of as they get finished rather than all at once, start with the Brave New Bra Top from he Interweave Knits Crochet issue, which bears the stigmata of being the only pattern I've ever actually bought. Wow. And, ironically, it is also a pattern I wouldn't recommend to anyone who doesn't already design clothing for a living (in which case you could make something more glorious anyway, so why bother?). This thing looks so smooth and cute in the picture, but when I finished it and put it on, it looked like I
stored about six walnuts in each bra cup for kicks. Lumpy? I looked deformed. The elephant boobitis syndrome. SO I sewed a dart up the middle of each cup. I haven't tried it on yet, but I really hope it helps...it was a lot of work, and I think a lot more difficult than it had to be. It was like the designer went to any lengths to avoid cutting and reattaching yarn, and sometimes you just have to break down and do that.
I'm also doing the Hug Shrug from Magknits, and I was absolutely stumped on my first two tries--I know how to do ribbing, and it wasn't working with the decreases. So I'm skipping the ribbing, using larger needles, and just doing it in stockinette. I'm using brown brushed acrylic, which I got a huge bag of from Ebay for $7. Mixed colors and I can pretend it's wool! I can if I want!*wipes tear*
Moulin Rouge corset: Almost done. Like four rows of crochet shells away. So that pattern I will put up as soon as I'm done, and it will be my very first knit crochet combo.
On that note, are all you crocheters mad at me for defecting to knitting? =) Hardly anyone comments any more. I swear I still like crocheting better! It's just that I had so many crocheted toys around that I wanted to try something else, and after long searching decided that crochet just isn't the best for clothing, because it doesn't stretch. So I'm just using knitting to make clothes.
My next big idea is actually going to be crochet--I want to try shrines. A pair of them, Fire and Water. I want to use all my Red Heart and free form to make them, and the Fire one will have my clay sculpture of Ganesha in it, (although I want to try crocheting him too)a sun, dandelions and books. The Water one will have a tree on each side of it, and a crocheted dryad inside.
I was sketching out my ideas for all this in Environmental biology this morning, because the teacher was talking about population and it was really getting to me. She said that if the human population continues to grow at the rate it is now, in 35 years the earth will have more people on it than it can actually support with its resources.So what are we supposed to do about that? Be like China and tell people they can't have families? Euthanasia? There doesn't seem to be a
solution here, at least not one I can accept. I felt like I had to do something to reaffirm that every human being is valuable and deserves a chance to exist...and the shrines will do that. Somehow. I can't explain it. Art for art's sake, I guess.
If anyone's reading this, (and I know you are) please tell what you think about this. It's really bothering me.
On a more cheerful subject, my brother made me a web button, so if you want to link to me, you can use it! It's at the bottom of the page..and that's a lucky cat in the corner, if you can't tell. It's so small, it's a little fuzzy.
stored about six walnuts in each bra cup for kicks. Lumpy? I looked deformed. The elephant boobitis syndrome. SO I sewed a dart up the middle of each cup. I haven't tried it on yet, but I really hope it helps...it was a lot of work, and I think a lot more difficult than it had to be. It was like the designer went to any lengths to avoid cutting and reattaching yarn, and sometimes you just have to break down and do that.
I'm also doing the Hug Shrug from Magknits, and I was absolutely stumped on my first two tries--I know how to do ribbing, and it wasn't working with the decreases. So I'm skipping the ribbing, using larger needles, and just doing it in stockinette. I'm using brown brushed acrylic, which I got a huge bag of from Ebay for $7. Mixed colors and I can pretend it's wool! I can if I want!*wipes tear*
Moulin Rouge corset: Almost done. Like four rows of crochet shells away. So that pattern I will put up as soon as I'm done, and it will be my very first knit crochet combo.
On that note, are all you crocheters mad at me for defecting to knitting? =) Hardly anyone comments any more. I swear I still like crocheting better! It's just that I had so many crocheted toys around that I wanted to try something else, and after long searching decided that crochet just isn't the best for clothing, because it doesn't stretch. So I'm just using knitting to make clothes.
My next big idea is actually going to be crochet--I want to try shrines. A pair of them, Fire and Water. I want to use all my Red Heart and free form to make them, and the Fire one will have my clay sculpture of Ganesha in it, (although I want to try crocheting him too)a sun, dandelions and books. The Water one will have a tree on each side of it, and a crocheted dryad inside.
I was sketching out my ideas for all this in Environmental biology this morning, because the teacher was talking about population and it was really getting to me. She said that if the human population continues to grow at the rate it is now, in 35 years the earth will have more people on it than it can actually support with its resources.So what are we supposed to do about that? Be like China and tell people they can't have families? Euthanasia? There doesn't seem to be a
solution here, at least not one I can accept. I felt like I had to do something to reaffirm that every human being is valuable and deserves a chance to exist...and the shrines will do that. Somehow. I can't explain it. Art for art's sake, I guess.
If anyone's reading this, (and I know you are) please tell what you think about this. It's really bothering me.
On a more cheerful subject, my brother made me a web button, so if you want to link to me, you can use it! It's at the bottom of the page..and that's a lucky cat in the corner, if you can't tell. It's so small, it's a little fuzzy.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Le Patternle, with Flapperjakk's blessing
This is based on Kristin's (Flapperjakk) knitted hat, which you can see both on Craftster: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=23248.new#new
And on her blog, i heart wool and sharp pointy sticks, which is down there in my links. Isn't she an amazing designer?
Here's my wimpy easy crochet one. =)
Ingredients:
I used brushed acrylic baby yarn. 1 skein Main color and a little white.
Black ribbon
G hook
1. Ch 3, join to form a ring.
2. Ch 3, 11 dc in ring, join.
3. Ch 3, ( counts as first dc now and forever) 2 dc in each dc. Join.
4. Ch 3, dc in same sp, fpdc (front post double crochet) in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Continue around: 2 dc, fpdc, 2 dc. Join.
5. Ch 3, 2 dc in next, fpdc in fpdc,1 dc in next. Continue around: 2 dc, fpdc, 1 dc. Join.
6.Ch 3, dc in next, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Continue: dc in next 2, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Join.
7. Ch 3, dc in next 2, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Continue: dc in next 3, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Join.
8. Ch 3, do a round even in dc, fpdc in each fpdc. Join.
9-11. Repeat 8.
12. Sc in next stitch, dc in next. Repeat around. Join.
13. Dc in first sc, sc in next dc. Continue: sc in every dc, dc in every sc. Join. End off main color.
14. Attach white, *ch 3, skip one stitch, sc in next four stitches* around. Join.
15. Slip stitch into next ch 3 space, *3 sc in space. Ch 4, 3 sc in next space.* around. Join.
16. Starting at first sc of a 3 sc group, *ch 3, 4 sc in ch 4 space.* around. Join.
17. 3 sc in ch 3 sp, sc in first sc of 4 sc group, decrease over next two sc, sc in next sc. Go around even in sc except do the decrease in the 4 sc group every third group. End off white.
18. Join main color. Repeat rounds 12-13 until brim is as long as you'd like- I did 3 rows. End off.
Then thread a ribbon through the big eyelets and enjoy!
And on her blog, i heart wool and sharp pointy sticks, which is down there in my links. Isn't she an amazing designer?
Here's my wimpy easy crochet one. =)
Ingredients:
I used brushed acrylic baby yarn. 1 skein Main color and a little white.
Black ribbon
G hook
1. Ch 3, join to form a ring.
2. Ch 3, 11 dc in ring, join.
3. Ch 3, ( counts as first dc now and forever) 2 dc in each dc. Join.
4. Ch 3, dc in same sp, fpdc (front post double crochet) in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Continue around: 2 dc, fpdc, 2 dc. Join.
5. Ch 3, 2 dc in next, fpdc in fpdc,1 dc in next. Continue around: 2 dc, fpdc, 1 dc. Join.
6.Ch 3, dc in next, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Continue: dc in next 2, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Join.
7. Ch 3, dc in next 2, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Continue: dc in next 3, fpdc, 2 dc in next. Join.
8. Ch 3, do a round even in dc, fpdc in each fpdc. Join.
9-11. Repeat 8.
12. Sc in next stitch, dc in next. Repeat around. Join.
13. Dc in first sc, sc in next dc. Continue: sc in every dc, dc in every sc. Join. End off main color.
14. Attach white, *ch 3, skip one stitch, sc in next four stitches* around. Join.
15. Slip stitch into next ch 3 space, *3 sc in space. Ch 4, 3 sc in next space.* around. Join.
16. Starting at first sc of a 3 sc group, *ch 3, 4 sc in ch 4 space.* around. Join.
17. 3 sc in ch 3 sp, sc in first sc of 4 sc group, decrease over next two sc, sc in next sc. Go around even in sc except do the decrease in the 4 sc group every third group. End off white.
18. Join main color. Repeat rounds 12-13 until brim is as long as you'd like- I did 3 rows. End off.
Then thread a ribbon through the big eyelets and enjoy!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Look at me, being a blogger.
 | You scored as Sadistic Humour. Congratulations, you scored Sadistic Humour. You find the little things in life to be funny, and have a great sense of humour, whether it's stupid or dark. You're probably young, and older people don't understand why it's all so fucking hillarious. Either way, check out: Clerks, Mallrats, Napoleon Dynamite, Wayne's World.
Movie Recommendation. created with QuizFarm.com |
I tell you what, I never would have guessed I had a sadistic sense of humor. And I hated Wayne's World. I guess I just don't know myself at all....
Now I just need to post some pictures of my hamster......and then back to our regularly scheduled yarn content.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The Corset
Thus far, I've got this:
I'm using size 13 needles and the poncho yarn, which is probably comparable to a medium bulky soft spun wool.
Cast on 78 on this order:
(14 stitches,stitch marker, 2 stitches, stitch marker)4 times, then cast on 14 stitches.
Knit three rows. (This was a mistake on my part regarding ribbing, but I'm turning it into part of the pattern because with the party in eight days, I cannot be frogging. And it kind of looks ruffly.)
Next row: Knit 14 stitches, purl the two inside the markers. Repeat til the end of the row.
Next row: Purl 14 stitches, knit the two inside the markers. Repeat til the end of the row.
This will go on for six inches or so, creating the ribs of the corset. I'm tentatively poking the idea of shaping the waist, not sure if I'm brave enough.
Anyway it's a corset, it will be laced to body shape...and I don't want a REAL rib squeezer, I have to be comfy at parties because I hate them. I'm only going because, well, it's a costume party and I'm a sucker for dressing up. And Moulin Rouge, too. I can't resist.
The top of the corset will be crocheted, crocheters, so I'm hoping it will inspire you to be brave and try knitting! This top will be classy enough for everyday wear, I'm hoping. I know it will be beautiful.
I'm using size 13 needles and the poncho yarn, which is probably comparable to a medium bulky soft spun wool.
Cast on 78 on this order:
(14 stitches,stitch marker, 2 stitches, stitch marker)4 times, then cast on 14 stitches.
Knit three rows. (This was a mistake on my part regarding ribbing, but I'm turning it into part of the pattern because with the party in eight days, I cannot be frogging. And it kind of looks ruffly.)
Next row: Knit 14 stitches, purl the two inside the markers. Repeat til the end of the row.
Next row: Purl 14 stitches, knit the two inside the markers. Repeat til the end of the row.
This will go on for six inches or so, creating the ribs of the corset. I'm tentatively poking the idea of shaping the waist, not sure if I'm brave enough.
Anyway it's a corset, it will be laced to body shape...and I don't want a REAL rib squeezer, I have to be comfy at parties because I hate them. I'm only going because, well, it's a costume party and I'm a sucker for dressing up. And Moulin Rouge, too. I can't resist.
The top of the corset will be crocheted, crocheters, so I'm hoping it will inspire you to be brave and try knitting! This top will be classy enough for everyday wear, I'm hoping. I know it will be beautiful.
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