Zooty Owl's Crafty Blog

Colourful Crochet, Craft, Cooking, and Contemplations

Showing posts with label granny stripes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label granny stripes. Show all posts

Tuesday 5 September 2017

RAR Blanket CAL: Part 9

Hello Rainbow CAL-ers and welcome to the 9th and FINAL part of the Over the Rainbow Blanketj-CAL which I am hosting alongside Andrea of Kokopelli (Link to Andrea's Post:  PART 9)

This week we will be crocheting a neat little border around our blankets.



PREVIOUS POSTS:

Introduction

Layout

Part 1
Traditional Granny Squares

Part 2
Wheel of Time Squares

Part 3
Over the Rainbow Squares

Part 4
Bring Me Flowers Squares

Part 5
Some Days are Diamonds Squares

Part 6
Ribbons of Hope Vertical Stripe

Part 7 
Cobbled Pathways Vertical Stripe

Part 8
Horizontal Stripes




NOTE:  Links to all CAL-related posts can be found in the "Files" on the Zooty Owl Crochet-a-long FACEBOOK GROUP

(Please join the Crochet-a-long Facebook Group if you are participating in my CALS.    Share your photos, ask questions, help fellow CAL-ers and make some new crochet friends!)

It is not too late to join in - the patterns will remain on my blog.

Happy hooking!!!

BORDER AND EDGING

PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN:  Elle Charity Chunky (12 ply).   Stylecraft Special Chunky is an excellent quality / great value alternative yarn.

HOOK SIZE:  5.50mm (I/9 US or 5 CANADIAN)

ZOOTY’S TIP:  I use a hook 1 size smaller (5.00mm;  H/8 US or 6 CANADIAN) to work my border and edging.   Individual tension may affect the “straightness” of the border. 

NOTE:  Gauge is not too important with this project. Yarn thicknesses vary somewhat from brand to brand as do the tensions of individual crocheters.  The most important thing is that your tension remains even throughout the project.

COLOURWAY:   Each crocheter may choose his / her own colour layout - colour changes / breaks are suggestions only.

Border and Edging is worked on the RS of your work.

IMPORTANT:  Read through pattern before starting to crochet. 

SPECIAL STITCHES:

Rsc - reverse single crochet or Crab stitch: with right side facing, insert the hook, from front to back, in the next stitch to the right, grab yarn and draw through under the first loop, yo and draw the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook

Dc Spike – double crochet spike "Explanation and How to"

STITCH COUNTS
To obtain a straight border each corner space counts as 1 stitch.    Each join counts as 1 stitch.
It is essential that you have an even number stitch count at the end of Border Round 1.

Stitch counts must match for the right side and left side.    Stitch counts must match for the top and the bottom.

After you have worked the border along the top of the blanket, lay your work flat. 

If you have any “wave” you will need to reduce your stitch count (remove an even number of stitches by removing evenly spaced stitches worked into joins).     If you find your work is “puckering” you will need to increase your stitch count (increase by an even number of stitches by working an additional stitch into evenly spaced joins).

Make sure you duplicate any increase or decrease of sts when working along the bottom of the blanket, as top and bottom stitch count should be the same.

Repeat the process after you have worked along the left side of the blanket.   Make sure you duplicate any increase or decrease along the right side of the blanket, as stitch count for each side should be the same.

Round 1:  With RS facing, work a standing dc into the top right hand corner 2ch of the blanket, work (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) into same 2ch sp, working along the top of the blanket, first square 1dc into every st, 1dc into corner, vertical stripes, 1dc around post of sc row, *2 dc around next dc post, 1 around next dc post* rep from *to* around posts of all edge stitches ending with 1dc in last row, 1trc into loop of join, second square 1dc into corner, 1dc into every st, 1dc into corner, 1trc into loop of join, center panel, 1dc into each stitch, 1trc into loop of join, third square, 1dc into corner, 1dc into each st, 1dc in corner, 1trc into loop of join;

vertical stripe:  **1dc around post of first row, 2dc around post of next row** repeat from **to** around posts of the rest of the edge stitches, ending with 2dc around post of last dc row, 1 dc around post of sc row, last square, 1dc in corner, 1dc in each st across to the top left hand corner (2dc, 2ch, 2dc).

Continue down left side of the blanket, work 1dc into the top of each st, when you reach a corner on a square 1dc into corner, 1trc into loop of  join, 1dc into corner on next square.   Repeat across all squares.  (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) into bottom left hand corner.

Work along the bottom repeating instructions as for top.

Work up right side repeating instructions as for left side and end with a sl st into standing dc, fasten off.

Round 2:  Work a standing dc into any dc on any side.  1dc into each dc along all four sides;  (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) into each 2ch corner.   Ending with a sl st into standing dc.   Fasten off yarn.

Round 3:  Work a standing dc in top right hand corner 2ch;  (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) into same 2ch,  *skip 1sp, 2dc into next sp (you are skipping 2dc each time)* repeat *to* to next 2ch corner (2dc, 2ch, 2dc).  Repeat along all four sides ending with a sl st into standing dc.  Fasten off yarn.

Note: all 1dc spike in Round 4 are worked into corner 2ch and spaces of Round 2



Round 4:.  Work a standing dc in top right hand corner 2ch sp.  (1dc spike, 2ch, 1dc spike) into corner 2ch of Round 2, 1dc into corner 2ch *skip 2dc, 1dc into space between 2dc group, 1dc spike into sp between dc of Round 2* repeat *to* to next corner, 1dc into 2ch corner, (1dc spike, 2ch, 1dc spike) into corner space of Round 2, 1dc into 2ch corner.   Repeat along all four sides omiting last corner.  Sl st into standing dc.  Fasten off yarn.

Round 5:  Join yarn in any dc, ch 1, work a rsc into each dc.   Into each corner 2ch space work 3rsc.   Sl st into first rsc.   Fasten off yarn.

Tuesday 22 August 2017

RAR Blanket CAL: Part 8

Hello Rainbow CAL-ers and welcome to Part 8 of the Rainbows After the Rain Blanket CAL (which I am hosting with Andrea of Kokopelli.

While reorganizing my craft room two weeks ago I pulled out a few odds of  DK blended yarns to make a blanket based on the RAR layout.


Yarns used:   Stylecraft Batik, Stylecraft Life;  Elle Rustica;  Stylecraft Alpaca Tweed and Elle Classic Wool (acrylic / wool blends) and Elle Cotton Fleck (acrylic / cotton blend)

Hook size 4mm.

Colours:   Reds, Browns, Camel, Teals, Black, Grey, and Blues 

I replaced the Some Days Are Diamonds squares with 4 round traditional granny squares;   the Bring Me Flowers Squares with 4 round solid grannies;   and the Over the Rainbow squares with large granny squares.


As long as the replacement squares are the same size and have the same end stitch count it is very easy to fit them into the design.

Part 8 is the penultimate instalment of the Rainbows After the Rain Blanket CAL.   This week we will be completing the centre panel (Over the Rainbow Squares and stripes) and joining all the panels together.  


Link to Andrea's Post:  PART 8

Still to follow:   Part 9 (Final) -  5 September 2017.   Border and edging.

NOTE:  Links to all CAL-related posts can be found in the "Files" on the Zooty Owl Crochet-a-long FACEBOOK GROUP

(Please join the Crochet-a-long Facebook Group if you are participating in the CAL.    Share your photos, ask questions, help fellow CAL-ers and make some new crochet friends!)

It is not too late to join in - the patterns will remain on my blog.

Happy hooking!!!

HORIZONTAL STRIPES & JOINING

PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN:  Elle Charity Chunky (12 ply).   Stylecraft Special Chunky is an excellent quality / great value alternative yarn.

HOOK SIZE:  5.50mm (I/9 US or 5 CANADIAN)

NOTE:  Gauge is not too important with this project. Yarn thicknesses vary somewhat from brand to brand as do the tensions of individual crocheters.  The most important thing is that your tension remains even throughout the project. 

COLOURWAY:   Each crocheter may choose his / her own colour layout - colour changes / breaks are suggestions only.

STRIPES are worked alternating right side and wrong side of your work.

IMPORTANT:  Read through pattern before starting to crochet. 

Step 1:

Following the Rainbows After the Rain Blanket Layout decide on the placement of your two Over the Rainbow Squares.    We will refer to the two squares as “top square” (TS) and “bottom square” (BS).   This distinction is particularly important where you have a specific colour placement.

2 sets of stripes are crocheted onto each Over the Rainbow Square, giving you two short panels which are then joined together to form the centre panel.

To obtain a straight border each corner space counts as 1 stitch

Stitch Count :  (1ch, 2dc) corner + 33dc (side) + (2dc, 1ch) corner = 39sts

Onto the top and bottom of each square work Rows 1 to 8 in your own colourway

Row 1:  Join yarn in 2ch corner of WS with a standing dc.  1dc into each of next 37sts; 1dc into corner 2ch.  Fasten off.   Turn work

Stitch Count:  39dc

Row 2:  Join yarn in 1st dc on RS with a standing dc.  1dc into each of next 38sts.  Fasten off.  Turn work.

Rows 3 – 8:  Repeat Row 2 (continuing to alternate between RS and WS).

NOTE:  If you are not changing colour do not fasten off but use 3ch to count as 1st dc at beg of next row


Step 2:

JOINING:  We will be using my VISIBLE JOIN METHOD which is explained in more detail HERE.  The VISIBLE JOIN is a very forgiving joining method, which gives you a pretty “stitched” look on the right side of your work.  (This join is especially useful when joining squares with uneven stitch counts or for crocheters with uneven tension).

With RS of panels facing inward and working on WS join Row 8 of top stripe of BS to Row 8 of bottom stripe of TS (i.e join the middle stripes)

Join yarn with a standing sc through the first dc of both panels.  3ch; skip next 2dc, 1sc into next sp between dc, 3ch;  *skip 3dc posts, 1sc into next sp between dc, 3ch* repeat *to* 10 times more;   skip 2dc, working final sc into last dc of both panels of 8th row.


Step 3:

It is important to ensure that your centre panel lines up exactly as follows:

1st 8 horizontal stripes – line up with 1st 10cm square

Over the Rainbow Square (BS) – lines up with 10cm squares 2, 3 and 4

8 top horizontal stripes on BS – line up with 10cm square 5

8 bottom horizontal stripes on TS – line up with 10cm square 6

Over the Rainbow Square (TS) – lines up with 10cm squares 7, 8 and 9

Last 8 horizontal stripes – line up with 10cm square 10.

To obtain a stitch count equal to that of the side panels, we will crochet a single crochet foundation row along both sides of the centre panel.

NOTE:  In the foundation row as well as working into the sts of the “Over the Rainbow Squares” you will also be working along the sides of the horizontal stripes panels.   The sc will be worked around the “dc post” stitches at the end of each row.

Foundation Row:  Join yarn with a standing sc around dc post of 1st horizotal row.   *2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more;  1sc around next dc post;  *2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more (14sts)

1sc into each of next 39 stitches

1sc around dc post of next horizontal row.   *2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more;  1sc around next dc post;  *2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more (14sts)

*2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more;  1sc around next dc post;  *2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more;  1sc around next dc post (14sts)

1 sc into each of next 39 stitches

*2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more;  1sc around next dc post;  *2sc around next dc post* repeat *to* twice more;  1sc around next dc post (14sts)

Stitch count:  14 + 39 + 14 + 14 + 39 + 14 = 134

*Repeat on opposite side

Step 4:

With RS of panels facing inward join the Some Days are Diamonds Panel to the centre panel, Join yarn in 1st sc of foundation row with a standing sc through both panels.  *2ch; skip next sc, 1sc into next sc* repeat *to* to end, working final sc into last sc of foundation row.

Step 5:

With RS of panels facing inward join the Bring Me Flowers Panel to the centre panel, Join yarn in 1st sc of foundation row with a standing sc through both panels.  *2ch; skip next sc, 1sc into next sc* repeat *to* to end, working final sc into last sc of foundation row.

Step 6:

With RS of Panels facing inward join the foundation row of the Vertical Granny Strip to the foundation row of the Some Days Are Diamonds strip.   Join yarn in 1st sc of foundation row with a standing sc through both panels.  *2ch; skip next sc, 1sc into next sc* repeat *to* to end, working final sc into last sc of foundation row.

Step 7:

With RS of Panels facing inward join the foundation row of the Vertical Cobbled Pathways Stripe to the foundation row of the Bring Me Flowers strip.   Join yarn in 1st sc of foundation row with a standing sc through both panels.  *2ch; skip next sc, 1sc into next sc* repeat *to* to end, working final sc into last sc of foundation row.

Thursday 25 May 2017

Granny Bag & Scarf

I have probably said this over and over (and over)....... but so far my absolute favourite part of being a Stylecraft Blogstar was the  BLOGSTAR MEET UP on 4 February 2017.

Besides getting to meet all the other lovely Blogstars we were treated to a mystery pack of Stylecraft Yarns for Spring 2017.   Three stunning "vintage" colours were added to the Stylecraft Special DK range and I could not wait to try out a few colour combinations!


Aren't they just too pretty for words????

The three new colours are gorgeous together and so I wanted to add additional colours that would really make them stand out.   


Stylecraft Special DK "Walnut" and "Apricot" were the perfect choice for a vintage feel "Gorgeous Granny" Bag and Granny Stripe Scarf



The colours had to be divided carefully between the two projects to obtain an even balance.    For the scarf I used longish panels of Apricot and Mushroom, separated by shorter panels of Vintage Peach.    For the side stripes I used Buttermilk, Walnut and Vintage Peach edged with Apricot.   (I made the granny stripe for the scarf up and intend to use this it in a blanket design)


I used double rows of each colour for the bag in the following order:   Buttermilk, Vintage Peach, Apricot, Mushroom & Walnut. 

The pattern for the bag is available in my RAVELRY STORE

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Another Magic Blanket

The squares for the SEASIDE WINTER BLANKET went through quite an evolution. A lot of frogging and pulling back was done before they starting looking like parts of a whole rather than just a collection of odd squares.  The bits and pieces of yarn that result from this are thrown into a little basket I keep next to my chair. 

Every evening I do a quick little tidy up before calling it a day. The little scraps are wound together to make what I call "MAGIC YARN".   Lately I have been dividing the yarn into two spectrums - red, orange, yellow in one and green, blue and purple in the other (neutrals are shared out between the two spectrums).   


crochet with scraps

I love making these MAGIC BLANKETS.

crochet with scraps

The row after row of double crochet stripes makes for very therapeutic crocheting.   Perfect as a take-along project or something to calm the heart and mind during times of stress or grief! 

crochet with scraps

The superchunky yarn (16ply) and 8.00mm hook give you a cuddly, thick and warm fabric, which makes a wonderful COMFORT BLANKET

crochet with scraps

Because the yarn is knotted together there are no pesky ends to work in besides the start and finish ends of the blanket and the start and finish edges of the border.  These blankets are fairly robust too - which makes them a good "charity" blanket - either for baby blankets or lapghans for the elderly.


crochet with stripes

Add an extra bit of "love" to the blanket with a few RUFFLE FLOWERS!


crochet with scraps

The little balls of magic yarn have already started growing again and I intend to use the next batch to make some beanies and scarves for charity.

What do you do with your scraps / leftover yarn?   Please post photos of your scrap / stashbuster projects on my Zooty Owl Facebook Page!

I had best get back to work now - finalizing the "bonus" square and the "Umtentweni" Square for the Seaside Winter Blanket CAL!

Happy hooking until we meet again!

Sunday 28 June 2015

A "Magic" Blanket

..... and the lessons my Grandparents taught me! 

 

My Oupa (grandfather) and Nanna (grandmother) lived in a big old rambling house when I was a little girl.

I spent most of my waking hours with my Nanna and a lot of time with my Oupa (who was semi-retired).

Oupa and me in the garden

Nanna was a true lady, and Oupa a real GENTLEman and from their example I learnt some valuable lessons:

My grandparents in Johannesburg

Always have self-respect:
Never disrespect yourself by being untidy, unruly, rude or improperly dressed!

Me - in my school uniform

Always treat others with respect:
No matter what their station in life! 

Manners Maketh Man (or woman!)
There is absolutely no excuse for rudeness or discourtesy!

Diligence: 
Anything worth doing is worth doing well!

My Grandparents - At a Police Service Awards Ceremony

Prepare Food with a Happy Heart:
Having food to prepare and eat is a blessing!   Show your thankfulness for that blessing by preparing and eating your food with a happy heart. 

I always have a good giggle when they speak of "cross-contamination of food" on Food Network - I always tell my children this means that you must never make food in a bad mood!! 

Be grateful for every meal!
Eat your food mindfully - never shovel food into your mouth!

Me - at breakfast time!

Never put off till later what you can do now:
When you are done sleeping, make up your bed!    When you are done bathing, clean the bathroom!
When you are finished using something, pack it away!
Tidy and clean the kitchen as you cook or bake!
Pack away your laundry as soon as it is done! 
Wipe your shoes and allow them to air after wearing them (they last longer and NEVER smell!!)

Doing things this way actually gives you a lot of free time to do the things you love (Crocheting!!!!!!) 


Calm Down:
If you are fretting about something make yourself a cup of tea and drink it mindfully!! 

Think before you speak or act:
Once the words have passed your lips or the actions have left your hands they can never be taken back!

Don't wait for life to happen to you:
Get out there and participate!!!

On a "Big Walk" with Oupa to raise funds for charity

Don't look for someone to blame:
Take responsibility for your own actions!

Sorry is just a word:
It means nothing if you do not atone and change your behaviour! 

About sloth:
Lazy people look for excuses - industrious people find solutions! 

Waste not - want not!
My grandparents grew up through the depression and lived through WW2.     They knew what it was to go without.   

My grandfather was taken prisoner by German Forces at TOBRUK IN EGYPT and spent many months in a Concentration Camp

Oupa - During WW2

They taught me to use my imagination to turn scraps (paper, wood, yarn..... almost anything) into fun and useful projects!

crochet stripes

(There is a great little tutorial on You Tube if you have never used the   MAGIC KNOT)


I never was (and still never am) bored - I just need to apply a little imagination to whatever is to hand and "magic" happens!! 

crochet stripes

Idle Hands are the Devil's Workshop
Keep your hands busy doing something constructive (knitting, crocheting, baking, cleaning, gardening, being helpful).   


crochet stripes

When you sit around doing nothing trouble comes looking for you!!

crochet stripes


Don't let Evil Sully you!
No matter how evil or horrible the world around you maintain your own goodness! 

crochet stripes


Always be kind:


These blankets are a great side project to keep going and when winter comes you will have quite a few blankets to donate to your favourite cause!


crochet stripes

The end result is a super snuggly, soft and warm blanket!   


Each and every blanket is unique and you can use up your scraps as you go!!

Friday 26 June 2015

Border and Edging: Wades's Blanket CAL (Part 8)

Hello and welcome to Part 8 of the Wade's Blanket CAL, hosted by Zooty Owl and Kokopelli Design

This is our final instalment but the patterns will remain on our Blogs - so you can make Wade's Blanket at your own pace.      

Here are the links to date:

INTRODUCTION 
PART 1 - CIRCLE IN SQUARE GRANNY
PART 2 - TRADITIONAL GRANNY SQUARE
PART 3 - TALL STITCH DAISY SQUARE 
PART 4 - MINI GRANNY SQUARE 
PART 5 - "V" STITCH CENTRE PANEL 
PART 6 - DOUBLE CROCHET STRIPE 
PART 8 - DIAMOND STITCH GRANNY STRIPE 

So far your blanket should be looking like this:


granny blanket

We did not get many photos this week (if I missed any just give me a nudge on Facebook and I will include them in our next post)



We decided to surprise you with a choice of two borders and two edgings which you can mix and match as you please! 


PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN WEIGHT:   DK (8PLY / LIGHT WORSTED WEIGHT)  

HOOK SIZE:   5.00mm

Zooty Owl's Colourway:   Denim Blue, Blue, Turquoise, Lime, Bright Green, Lemon and White.  


granny blanket



Bacon, the frog was taken out of storage for these photos.     I am holding on to him while my baby girl gets settled and sorted in her new home.    You can read the story of Bacon and how he got his name HERE

I chose Border 2 in the following stripe compilation:

Row 1:    Denim Blue
Row 2:    White
Row 3:    Lime
Row 4:    Denim Blue
Row 5:    Bright Green
Row 6:    White
Row 7:    Denim Blue

and Edging 2 in Lemon

granny blanket


BORDER 1 or 2: 
Row 1:    Crochet a round of sc around the entire blanket.   Note:   into each of the 4 corner 2ch work 2sc, 2ch, 2sc.   Where a corner of a square is joined to a stripe work 1sc into the corner 2ch, 1sc into the join.    Across your vertical stripes (the dc stripe) and the diamond granny stripe work 1sc into the first dc post, 2sc into the next dc post (alternating 1sc, 2sc into each post).   Work 1sc into each ch at the bottom of your v-stitch panel, and 1sc into the top  of each dc at the top of this panel.

Row 2:   Crochet 1dc into each sc around the entire blanket, working 2dc, 2ch, 2dc into each corner 2ch.

BORDER 1:
Rows 3 - 4:  Crochet 1dc into each dc around the entire blanket, working 2dc, 2ch, 2dc into each corner 2ch.

BORDER 2:

Row 3:  Crochet 1 sc into each dc arount the entire blanket, working 2sc, 2ch, 2sc into each corner 2ch

Row 4:  Crochet 1dc into each sc around the entire blanket, working 2dc, 2ch, 2dc into each corner 2ch.

Rows 5 and 7:  Repeat Row 3

Row 6:  Repeat Row 4

Note:    Since both borders are relatively simple and do not require any complex counting or concentration I have included links to You Tube Videos for those who have not yet been exposed to the relevant stitches (techniques) - please, please do not feel shy to ask if you have a question with regard to this post though!

EDGING 1:
Crochet a row of reverse sc (crab stitch) into each stitch around entire blanket, working 2 reverse sc into each corner 2ch.

granny blanket
 
EDGING 2:
Crochet a row of Pineapple Edging Stitch
around the entire blanket


granny blanket

Please send Andrea and I the photos of your finished blankets so that we can include them in our Ta-Dah Posts in two weeks time!!!!

granny blanket

We hope you enjoyed this CAL as much as we did and look forward to receiving your pics for our grand "Ta-Dah" post!!!!

Monday 15 June 2015

A RicRac Winter Blanket and A New Chapter

 

The nest is empty!

My three children have left home!

My middle daughter moved out at the beginning of last year and although we missed her terribly, there was not too much of an adjustment in terms of household management.

My youngest daughter moved out at the beginning of March 2015 and my son towards the end of March 2015.

SUDDENLY I felt quite lost!  

Mornings I would make coffee and toast for my youngest and hang out with her while she was getting ready for work!     The first week or two after she left I would get up and wander around not knowing quite what to do with that half hour!!

I had been cooking for a family and almost overnight I had to make food for just hubby and myself!   For the first two weeks dinner was a cause for panic - and we would invariably end up eating out!

Not being inclined to "mope",  hubby and I got over the shock of having an empty nest and embraced this new chapter in our lives with open arms!

I gave away most of my "big" pots, pans and bakeware - and then went on a bit of a shopping spree to buy "just for two" replacements.

I  began mercilessly cleaning out rooms and selling or giving away any excess. 

My yarn stash had to be tidied out too as there were a lot of partially used yarns which were making my space look untidy.   I wound various thicknesses of yarn together to give a total of 16ply (DK plus DK;   or 2x4ply plus DK) and then set about making a HUGE chunky scrappy blanket which is perfect for cold winter getaways!



I wound all the scrap yarns together before I started so that I would not end up with too much of a colour mishmash!




Yarn Weight:   Super Chunky (16ply)
Hook:  7.00mm
Foundation Chain:    250
Stitch used:   V-Stitch


You can find a tutorial for this V-stitch Andrea HERE


I just kept going until the yarn was all finished and I had a blanket which covered the top of my King Size bed.


There were way too many ends when I was finished so I used them to make braids instead of working them in.


All in all a very rewarding exercise!     My yarn stash is once again tidy and we have a lovely snuggly RicRac Blanket!!