Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Simple Gifts #3

Super Easy Any Way You Like It Scarf!

Here we go with my very first tutorial/pattern, but really its much more of a guideline than anything.  I can't claim this pattern to be 100% mine, I'm sure there are plenty out there like it because it really only requires a few basic crochet stitches and is easily customized.



This scarf can be made with any weight or style of yarn, with any size hook you have lying around, and can be as wide and as long as you like.  For this one, I used Caron Dazzleaire which is categorized as a bulky yarn but I would call it worsted weight.  Its really lovely for a gift because it has a slight shimmer to it and is very soft.  But I have also made it using a chunky yarn as well as holding two strands of contrasting yarn together, which gave it a nice tweed look.


Scarf as shown is 3 1/2" wide by 66" long, not including fringe

Here's what you'll need:

-Any weight yarn, at least 100 yds if you're using ww but more for bulky yarns
-Any size crochet hook (I prefer larger than K to give it a holey look)
-Yarn needle for weaving in ends
-Measuring tape (or not, I personally avoid measuring as often as possible!)

What to do:

Beg- Chain an even number of stitches to your desired width.  (for example, I did ch 8 with a size N hook)

Row 1- Half double crochet (hdc) in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across

Row 2- Chain 2, turn, hdc in each stitch across

Row 3-???- Repeat row 2 until scarf is desired length.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

So simple and so pretty!  Also very nice to just sit in front of the TV and work on, since there's no counting rows or stitches!


Don't know how to do fringe?  I didn't either but found some easy peasy instructions in my trusty Readers Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. (I know I've mentioned my love for this book before, but seriously if you come across it at a thrift or used book store, snatch it up!) I didn't take photos while working on the example because it was too dark, but I dug up a WIP to show you!

Fringe:

-Cut a piece of cardboard slightly longer than you would like your fringe to be, mine is 4 1/2" long

-Wrap yarn around the cardboard many times (I did this step twice due to not wanting to cut through a huge   chunk of yarn at once and laziness about doing the math for how many I would need!)



-Cut the yarn across the top so you end up with a nice pile of strands

-Seperate number of strands you want each tassel to be (ex. is three strands)

-Insert hook into stitch and wrap yarn around hook in the middle of the bunch



-Draw folded end of yarn bunch through the stitch


-Wrap hook around yarn bunch, pull through the loop and tighten knot.


-Make sure you are doing this on what you would like to be the wrong side of the scarf, the knot will look like this on the back:


-The right side of your fringe will look like this:


Well, there ya have it!  I hope you've enjoyed Spidermom's very first tutorial ;)  Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll be right there to help!  Now, go!  Make an easy, stress free gift for somebody special!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Fluffy Clouds Tunisian Wrap

It's been a little longer since I've checked in than I had intended, but I assure you it is because I have been a very busy bee working on lots of crafty projects!  Today I just had to show off my very first completed project in Tunisian Crochet!


I actually finished it several weeks ago, but it was shipped all the way to Canada for a dear friend who is expecting in January.  I wanted to make something that would be warm and comforting in those last few months of pregnancy (the absolute WORST in my opinion!) but also something that could be used to snuggle a newborn close or even a nursing cover up.  It is made using the softest yarn I have ever touched, Sensations Angel Hair, seriously, feels like a fluffy cloud!!!


I used the Tunisian crochet book ERL bought me a couple months back as a guideline for increasing and decreasing and loosely followed a pattern for an asymmetrical shawl in the book.  It is done in Tunisian Simple Stitch throughout with a size N afghan hook, which really made a nice, dense fabric and should make it very warm.  I really should have measured the finished product, as I have no idea how long it is, but it can be draped in a number of ways.


Thanks for stopping by!  Coming soon, more Simple Gifts and maybe even a tutorial!  Stay tuned!
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