I HAVE A KNIFTY KNITTER

This is my new Knifty Knitter, thanks to Omadonna over at HG message boards. I have been on the board since my early days of crochet and my American Sisters there are always so helpful and complimentary too. I was looking for a knifty knitter on the webb with out much luck, we do not have this type available here in OZ so I asked for some help on the board and Omadonna had one she did not use. I paid her the shipping fee and a very small price for the knitter it's self.

Thank You Omadonna.

Pattern Book Stand

We've all got one of those large pattern books that is difficult to hold or stand while reading.

So here is my new idea.

Music stand holder becomes my new pattern book holder.

This was a recent second hand find.

Not only does it fold flat for storage, it makes a lovely decorative item in my room.

Update on Rag Crochet Stiffener

Nine days after my initial PVA glue experiment.

I've re-used the left over glue.

I just had it sitting in a plastic bowl with out a lid.

Firstly I warmed it slightly in the microwave oven, I soaked a piece of material I was using to line a basket that had been previously stiffened, then I simply put the material into place and waited for it to dry. Secondly I immersed a small rag crochet basket into the same mixture, this small basket is being used for a needle and cotton holder. I cut a rubber into half (for holding, sewing needles) and pegged it onto the glue soaked basket and waited for it to dry.

Success!

Both items dried as stiff as my first attempt with the glue.

See this Post

My initial $ out lay was not in vain as I can re-use any left over solution.

The purple toned basket has the big bows attached securely to each end now.

The baskets are going to be used for gift baskets.

A unique and original gift.

Baby Born, Crocheted 3 Piece Outfit

Number 1 grand daughter Lily wanted a hat and some clothes for her baby Born doll. So whilst making them I wrote the pattern down to share with all of my readers.
I have made a simple 3 piece out fit here.
Hat, vest and a pleated look skirt.
I have used a cheap 8 ply yarn with the purple out fit and also some cheap yarn for the yellow and blue out fit, but I held 2 strands of baby yarn together, 1 being 4 ply and the other 5 ply. The different ply's used made very little difference to the actual pattern steps.
I used a 5.00 mm hook.
I have no guage here, but I will say that I am neither a tight crocheter or a loose crocheter, So I am a medium type crocheter.
The terms I am using are US terms.
You will just need left over yarn for this project.



Baby Born doll measures 17 inches long

Some simple embellishments can bring your project to life.




















Beginning with the vest pattern.

Vest Pattern, begins at neck edge
Ch 33
1 Work 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, work 1 dc in next 3 ch, work 3 dc in next ch (corner made), work 1 dc in next 5 ch, work 3 dc in next ch (corner made), work 1 dc in next 7 ch, work 3 dc in next ch (corner made), work 1 dc in next 5 ch, work 3 dc in next ch (corner made), work 1 dc in last 5 ch, ch 2 to turn (note ch 2 is first st in next row)

2 Work 1 dc in next 5 dc, work 3 dc in next dc, work 1 dc in next 7 dc, work 3 dc in next dc, work 1 dc in next 9 dc, work 3 dc in next dc, work 1 dc in next 7 dc, work 3 dc in next dc, work 1 dc in next 5 dc and 1 dc in top of ch 2 turning ch, ch 2 and turn

Shape arm holes
3 Work 1 dc in next 7 dc, ch 5, skip next 9 dc, 1 dc in 10th dc and in next 12 dc, ch 5, skip next 9 dc, 1 dc in 10th dc, work 1 dc in next 7 dc (includes top of ch 2 turning ch), ch 2 and turn

4 Work 1 dc in each dc and sc across to end (includes ch 2 turning ch) ch 2 and turn

5 Work 1 dc in each dc across, do not ch 2 or turn

Edging

6 Work 2 hdc in same place as the dc just made, work 1 hdc in each row end of vest front edge, work 3 hdc in corner of edge and neck space, work 1 hdc in each ch space across neck edge , work 3 hdc in corner of neck and edge space, work 1 hdc in each row end of vest front edge, finish with 3 hdc in corner space, fasten off and tie in all loose ends.

For a different look, the vest can be worked in BLO on every row
Picture of vest closed


















Picture of vest open














Skirt Pattern














Skirt is worked in the direction of the width,

rows 2 through to row 26 are worked in the back loop of the st.

Ch 14
1 Work 1 sc in second ch from hook, work 1 sc in next 4 ch, work 1 dc in remaining 8 ch, ch 3 and turn (turning ch 3 is the first st of the next row)
For the remainder of the pattern all st’s are worked in the BLO
2 Work 1 dc in next 7 dc, work 1 sc in next 5 sc, ch 1 to turn ( ch 1 is only a turning ch)

3 Work 1 sc in next 5 sc, work 1 dc in next 8 dc (includes ch top of turning ch), ch 3 and turn


Rows 4 to 26, repeat rows 2 and 3, do not ch 3, finish off leaving a tail for sewing skirt edging together.

Hat elastic can be sewn around the waist for stretch.

Hat Pattern



















Notes: Beginning ch 2 is not counted as a stitch through out hat pattern, you will sl st to join around the post of this ch 2 through out hat pattern.
Beginning at crown
1 Ch 4, work 8 dc in 4 ch from hook, sl st to join at beginning ch3, (8 dc)
2 Ch 2, Work 2 dc in each dc around, sl st to join (16 dc)
3 Ch 2, *work 1 dc in next dc, work 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to join (24 dc)
4 Ch 2 * work 1 dc in next 2 dc, work 2 dc in next dc* * repeat to end, sl st to join (32 dc)
5 Ch 2 * work 1 dc in next 6 dc, work 2 dc in next dc* repeat 2 more times, work 1 dc in next 8 dc, work 2 dc in last dc sl st to join (36 dc)
6 Ch 2, work 1 dc in each dc around, sl st to join
7 repeat row 6
Hat Picot edging
8 *ch 5, sl st to next st*, repeat to end finish off. Sew in all loose ends.

Below is the vest worked in the BLO .
I used 2 strands of 5 ply with this one.

















Below is the skirt made with a strand of 4 and 5 ply held together.
I have left an opening split in this one.















Here is the hat using the 4 and 5 ply yarn



















Here you can see the lemon and blue 3 piece suit together






































Link to my baby doll bathing suit pattern.
























Feel free to use this pattern, but please do not sell this pattern or claim it as your own. Feel free to link to this pattern. I'd love to see a finished copy.

Getting Creative With a Crochet Hook Holder

I was just recently involved in a group swap and the swap theme was a crochet hook holder.
My swap partner was Dawniedear from the C Lovers group on Ravelry, I mailed mine to Dawn last Friday so she should have it by now.
I had some inserts from some busted woopie cushions I wanted to use. But I was not sure what I would make of them at first. I just knew the hooks, a small pair of scissors and my darning needles sat beautifully in them. So then I just thought about the circular shape and what would a person like to have sitting close by in public view of their family home. Eventually I came up with a simple chocolate cake and threw on a couple of strawberries too. The hooks sit inside tiny flowerette's and represent a candle, the scissors sit in between the strawberries, there is a circular white row of sc which imitates the cream in between the cake and a simple picot edging surrounds the lid of the cake imitating some simple piping.























Once I had completed the cake, I sprayed it with some hairspray to give it a bit of stiffness, I had so much fun making this for Dawn, I hope she likes it.

Woopie cushion = A rubber pouch that has a spongey insert, is filled with air and hidden under a cushioned seat. An unsuspecting person will then sit on the seat, the sound the woopie cushion makes when sat on sounds like a fart! So every body thinks that person just farted. Funny hugh?

A table full of projects

All of this to get through! 3 bags to line, 1 bag to needs a bottom and 2 hard glued baskets need the final touches.

So I'm just looking at them all ready to begin, I know once I start it shouldn't take long, but I'm just not getting that urge to get on with it.

I may have done too much today already.

First it was, lets go shopping with the grandson and get new tropical fish.

Next it was lunch at home with no 4 daughter and meet the new boy friend.

Then it was off to the dance studio to record no 3 daughter's dancing exam.

Rush back home to cook tea for no 3 daughter and her new beau' so they could get ready for a big night out, then keep hubby happy until he is zapping out Z's in front of the TV.

My turn I think, coffee and computer, leave the rest for tomorrow.

Do you agree?