Ruffle Yarns: More than just scarves

Ruffle yarns, like Red Heart's Sashay yarn, have been really popular lately. It takes a while to get used to working with the yarn, but once you do, it's fun to work with. The first project I made with it was a scarf. It seemed like most people were making scarves with it. I have been wondering what else could be made with this yarn for a while now. In a recent issue of Crochet! magazine, there was a pattern for a ruffle clutch/purse. I decided that I had to see how it would work.

Initially the bag starts with just using one stand of regular worsted weight yarn. To get the ruffles, the sides of the bag are worked with the ruffle yarn AND the worsted weight yarn together. This took me a while to get used to, and I'm still a little slow at it, but I really like how it worked. The sides are pretty dense and thick because of the two yarns.

 

Work in progress:
 

The completed project:

The final project used two skeins of ruffle yarn and one skein of a main color. This project has me thinking of so many other things that could be made with ruffle yarns. For example, a decorative pillow would get some added softness with the yarn. (Though the yarn may snag on earrings or jewelry or anything else. Not to mention that my puppies would love to chew on it. However, that's just the nature of the ruffle yarns.) This pattern could easily inspire additional bag/purse projects with less (or even more) ruffles.

Look for a class on Ruffle Yarns if you'd like additional help with working with these specialty yarns.

Google+ Community

Hello everyone! I recently created a group or community on Google+ called "Central Illinois Crocheters." If you're on Google+ please feel free to join it and share your ideas and pictures of your work. You can also use it as a resource to get help on projects or for inspiration for your next project. If you don't like sharing your work, feel free to lurk around until you do.  :)
www.google.com/+

I'm hoping to arrange for some sit 'n stitch groups as well, so it's a great opportunity to get to know other crocheters in the area.

Favorite Website with Crochet Tutorials: New Stitch a Day

I've had a few students ask for video tutorials lately. While that isn't my main focus with my blog, there are many places online that offer some great video tutorials. (They even have some of the crochet stitch combinations that I've done so far.)
Feel free to check New Stitch a Day out and join their VIP membership. Each day they add to their collection of tutorials for knitting and crocheting. Joining their VIP club is a great way to keep up to date on the new stuff they add. Here's a link to the site.

New Pattern Available: Filet Chart - Deer in Forest

Recently my mother-in-law came to me with a doily she bought. She asked me if I could make something like it that she could use as a partial curtain/valance type thing. I have never actually made a doily before, but I started looking into filet crochet. I came across this pattern for a stag in the woods.

http://voices.yahoo.com/photos/stag-forest-crochet-filet-free-pattern-5949776.html

After working the pattern out, I realized that it was going to be much to small. (I was using size 10 thread that has a weight of 0 and a size 7 (1.65 mm) crochet hook.) At first I just added a mesh to the sides, but that quickly got boring.

So I decided to add to the pattern and make it wider and a little more detailed. My chart includes two deer and a total of four trees as well as some added plants. I haven't finished working it out yet, but I'll post pictures when I'm done. In the mean time, here's a copy of my chart. 

You can download the pdf of the chart here. download now  

Stitches: Slip Stitch

Usually, slip stitches are used to join rounds or to add new yarn. Here's an idea of a way to work with slip stitches to create new textures.

Chain any number of chain stitches and work slip stitches into the chains. Chain one and turn. Working in the back loops only, work slip stitches across to complete row two. Continue working with routes of slip stitches in the back loops to create this pattern.

This creates a ribbed look that is similar to the look of knitted fabric. Because slip stitches have little height, this stitch is a little slow to work up, but the result is a flexible fabric.

Stitch Pattern: Cross Stitch

This stitch can be complicated when using a short stitch such as the single crochet or half double crochet. I find its easier to work this stitch using double crochet or taller stitches.

To start, you'll chain a multiple of two. When working your rows, skip one stitch and work in the next. Once that stitch is made, you'll work into the stitch you skipped. The next stitch will require you to skip the one you worked into and one more. (i.e. You'll skip two stitches total. One is worked into already.) 

When working this swatch up, I found it more pleasing to add an uncrosssed double crochet stitch on the end of each row. (The chain counts as the beginning double crochet stitch.) This helps keep the ends straighter. Ending a row with a crossed stitch will result in a wavy edge. This is just a matter of personal preference though, so try it both ways.

One of the things that I liked about this stitch is that the pattern creates almost a zigzag pattern as you work your rows. It also creates an interesting texture to the fabric that would be great for creating dishcloths when used with shorter stitches. It would be textured enough to provide a little scrubbing power. 

Stitch Pattern: Track Stitch

The track stitch is actually fairly simple to make. The result - a look that suggests someone ran over it... it makes tracks in the work, hence the name of the pattern.

To create this pattern crochet an uneven number of rows with single crochet. Then work a row of treble crochet stitches. Repeat this pattern throughout your work and you'll see the tracks. Finish with a row of single crochet stitches though so your work holds its shape.

Why does it matter that the number of rows worked in single crochet be uneven? This ensures that the right side of the treble crochet stitches is seen on the right side of your work. Here are a couple of pictures to show you what I mean.

The back of the treble crochet stitches looks like chains. The front is flatter and the two horizontal bars can be seen.