I used the Hayfield DK w/Wool that I carry in my yarn shop, and it worked beautifully!
However, I did find that the way the original pattern is written to be confusing and frustrating, so I set about making it more clear and understandable. Beautiful patterns shouldn't be scary :)
The texture of the pattern is beautiful, and I can see myself making this pattern again, using my edited version of course.
Don't be afraid to play with patterns that others have written. Much like cooking recipes, they are wonderful starting points for more amazing creativity! I started the pattern again by making a flat, solid, circle with crochet thread that had the correct number of starting stitches. Worked the pattern as usual, only in thread ... and VIOLA ... an adorable draw-string pouch! It could be made deeper by working the rows that create the body one extra time
Exploring texture and technique leads to ...
Living Well,
Love SuziQue
This is not new, but it sure is fun! I started doing this science experiment when my kids were little, so almost 20 years ago. I had always been under the presumption that the science behind it goes like this ... Ivory soap is made with natural fats and minerals, including phosphorus. Fats are acids. Phosphorus effervesces when in contact with warm acid. The microwave heats the fats, and that causes the reaction. However I have recently read that this is not a chemical reaction after all. It is a physical reaction ... The whipped condition of the Ivory soap causes it to have air bubbles trapped inside. As the soap heats in the Microwave, it gets hot and causes the soap to get soft. The microwaves bouncing around in the oven excite the water and air molecules inside the soap cause them to move in opposite directions from each other and vaporize. The vaporization of these molecules causes the tiny air pockets or bubbles trapped inside the soap to rapidly expand. Since the soap has been heated and is in a soft state, the expanding air and water molecules can easily push it out into a new foam like substance. I'm not sure which rationale is correct, but I do know it's super fun and gets and smells out of the microwave!!
Check out my video and then try it yourself! I give some little tips on what to do with that fluffed up soap after you are done. Let me know what you discover!
Trying new things and experimenting with new experiences is
This Grami LOVES to make fun things for her grandchildren, so when my daughter-in-law hinted about a floppy bunny ear hat for my granddaughter I got busy!
This hat is stitched using a size H hook and Peter Pan Cupcake yarn; this is a
SUPER soft fluffy 50/50 acrylic/nylon yarn perfect for babies! The
50gram balls have about 90meters.
I used one full skein for the back of the ears and the body of the hat; a little bit of a second color for the inside of the ears and a
third color for edge joining the inside and outside ear sections and making the ribbing on the hat body edge.
I started first by making the ears. I did a lot of searching to find the right thing and finally happily settled on this one: Mama G's Bunny Ear Pattern. I made a total of 4 pieces. Two are pink, for the inside of the ear, and two are made from the hat body yarn.
After weaving in the ends, I aligned each pair of ear pieces, one inside and one outside wrong sides together and with the beginning knots at the same ends. Starting at the end where the beginning knots are and with the inside facing me, I began the third color yarn in the first stitch with a slip stitch working through the stitches on both pieces to join. Ch2, and dc down the row, inserting the hook in one loop on each ear piece.
To turn the corner at the tip of the ear, I identified the "tip" and one stitch on either side. I made 2 dc in each "either side" stitch, with a singular dc in the "tip" stitch. Dc back down the other side, and finish off, leaving a long tail to secure the ear to the hat later.
To make the hat body I followed my basic hat tutorial, and added 2 rounds of front post/back post dc to make the ribbing. To determine the diameter of the crown, measure the circumference of the
head and divide that number by 3.15 (pi). This will give an approximate
diameter.
If the crown will not lay flat for you here are a couple of TIPS:
1. For ruffling edges, you are getting too many stitches, or just too much length due to individual stitching style. Back out your rounds until it is laying flat, and stitch your increases in less frequent spaces.
2. For cupping, you are not getting enough stitches or length, again often do to personal technique. Simply back your rounds out until the crown lays flat again and add increases in a couple of additional locations.
Once the hat body was finished and ends woven in, I folded the attaching end of the ears in half, and used a couple of stitches to hold them in place. I used long pins to temporarily hold them in place on the hat until I had them evenly and pleasantly located. The I used the long ending tail to securely sew them to the hat body.
All in all the whole project could easily be done in an evening!
Please message me if you have any questions and I will do my best to make corrections, or answer your question!
Ear version #2!! After making Sara's hat, I got a customer request for another, but with BIGGER ears!
I made these ears single layer, but you could do them double layer so the inside and outside are different colors.
R1: 3FSC (foundation single crochet) Here is the video tutorial for FSC
R2: Ch2, turn. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each sc across, then FSC
R3: Ch1, turn. Sc across the row.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until there are 9 sc.
Work straight until the entire piece measures 10 inches, or 2 inches short of your desired length.
Decrease by sc2tog at the beginning and end of each row until 3sc remain. Finish off.
Attach trim at the beginning of R1. Work counter clockwise making 1sc in each ends of row, around the end, and back down the other side, leaving the FSC un-worked.
Change colors as often as desired.
I folded a little dart in the FSC row, and with the folds facing forward, stitched to secure near the top of the hat.
Share your pictures!
Adorable babies in adorable hats is truly ...
Living Well!
Love,
Suzi~Q
It was SO clever, that I had to try it, but as you can see, it is written in some sort of what I guess is an Eastern European language ... thankfully they have great photos in their tutorial!
Here is my version ... Of course I made mine Seattle Seahawks colors cause I'm a 12 ;)
Take a look at the link I posted at the top, the tutorial photos are really good.
Here is the written version of how I did it:
Leave a 4+ inch tail to turn into fringe later.
Chain a multiple of 10 plus 7.
Make note of the number of
stitches, so you can make it the same each row. I used a split ring marker
every 10th stitch, because it makes counting easier when I’m
distracted.
Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from hook, and in the
next 3ch. *Ch5, sk 5 ch, dc in the next 5ch.* repeat * to * across.
Tie off row with 4+ inch tail (again, for the fringe)
Row 2: With the next color, leaving a 4+ inch tail, make a
chain the same length as the beginning chain.
Weave the chain through the ch5 loops of the first row (see
the photo in the original posting of the pattern).
Work as for row 1, being sure to work over the ch5 spaces
following the direction of the weave.
It might matter to you to weave the same direction every
time, or to go the opposite direction. Play with it!!
Repeat row 2 for desired width.
Add some fringe in the ends of the rows.
Make it out of your school colors or favorite sport team colors.
Make every row a different yarn, different texture, different color.
This is the first time I have outright interviewed someone for an article!
But the story of my business neighbor, forty-nine year old Shane Robertson, inspired me!
Shane’s fond memories of
growing up in the Midwest are rich in deep memories of the days and hours spent
with his grandfather. Together he and his granddad had hunted, fished, trapped,
and painted, “He was a true renaissance man; Grandpa could do anything.”
Robertson says of this man that taught him so much. Drawing and painting were
pastimes that Shane took too naturally, and developed a great passion for.
Though their time together was cut short when his grandpa passed away when
Robertson was nine, the spirit of adventure and creativity never left him.
Robertson continued to draw throughout his school years, becoming very
proficient in graphite and color pencil work in his teen years. Mystical images
of beautiful maidens on horseback, in misty lands matured into desert scenes.
But, like so many things about life, in his early twenties the need to earn a
living took precedence, and he set his artistic passion aside. He sold and gave
away all of his tools, supplies, drawings and paintings, and set out to explore
what seemed at the time, grander and more important things.
Robertson spent a few years fishing in the Barring Sea of Alaska. Of this, he
says it was the hardest job he’s ever had. “One winter night, we were wakened
just a short time into our already limited sleep, to dress quickly and get up
on deck! The vessel was listing because waves had built up a thick layer of ice
on one side of the boat; up over the rails, and onto the deck. We had to take
bars and bats and anything we could get our hands on to bust up the ice and get
it off the boat!” While he is glad that he experienced this dangerous job, it’s
not one he says he would do again! “But,” he adds, “It does give a greater
appreciation for that piece of fish you are served at a restaurant, or buy at
the store!”
His most recent career years were in the property management industry, working
with one of the largest management companies in the country. He has had the
opportunity to live in some luxurious urban buildings, sometimes living
alongside local celebrities such as Russell Wilson.
Recently married to his wife Jeneen, and living on picturesque Lake Rosiger,
Robertson’s childhood passion for painting began to reemerge about a year ago,
as his form of relaxation and meditation amid his hectic work responsibilities.
Then when his career in property maintenance came to an end a few months ago,
he sat back and thought about what he really wanted to do with his life, and
recognized that his passion for art helps him feel grounded and had become an almost
daily necessity.
In re-exploring his art, Robertson has developed what might
be called his signature style. Dubbed his “Kalli style”, he first painted this
technique for and then named it after, his granddaughter Kalliope. Robertson is
also experimenting with and exploring other techniques and styles with acrylic
paints. His paintings are full of vivid colors and rich textures that easily
draw the viewer in. Layers of color, technique and texture merge to delight the
eye, and provide much for the mind to explore. One might spend quite a long
time examining one of his pieces and never really take in all of the detail and
depth he creates.
Robertson has recently rented a small space in downtown
Granite Falls as his studio, where he and his dog Beauregard can be found
hanging out together to the sounds of heavy metal music, and bringing life to the
amazingly beautiful art that has it’s genesis in Robertson’s mind!
A beautiful example of Shane Robertson's Signature "Kalli Style" painting.
At this time, Robertson only sells his art on occasion when commissioned. Most
of it is created as gifts for family and friends as he studies and explores new
mediums and techniques during his job searching process. He is considering
showing some his pieces at the upcoming Granite Falls, WA 49th annual
Rail Road Days Street Fair, “Just for the fun of meeting people and introducing
myself to the community”.
Exploring your passions is an amazing part of
Living Well!
Love,
Your Rural Girl,
SuziQue
