Thursday 24 March 2011

HELP GUIDE: Crochet Abbreviations

Two in one day, slow her down!!

Here's another little handy help guide for those who are very new to the crochet bandwagon (welcome!)..

HELP GUIDE: Crochet Abbreviations

CH = Chain
CH SP = Chain Space
DEC = Decrease
DC = Double Crochet
DTR = Double Treble Crochet
HTR = Half Treble Crochet
INC = Increase
SP = Space
SS = Slip Stitch
ST(S) = Stitch(es)
TR = Treble Crochet
TRTR = Treble Treble Crochet
YRH = Yarn Round Hook
( ) = Round brackets show the stitches that need to be worked together
[ ] = Square brackets show the stitches that need to be worked the amount of times stated after the brackets

I hope this helps you all out ;)

HELP GUIDE: Crochet Stitches UK To US

Another quick help guide! How good am I?

There's been a couple of questions whether I use UK or US terminology. The answer is UK crochet terms. I am from the United Kingdom after all, and it makes sense to use those terms; for me anyway.

But yes, enough jibber-jabber!

HELP GUIDE: Crochet Stitches. UK - US Terminology

UK Double Crochet = US Single Crochet
UK Half Treble Crochet = US Half Double Crochet
UK Treble Crochet = US Double Crochet
UK Double Treble Crochet = US Treble Crochet
UK Triple Treble Crochet = US Double Treble Crochet

I hope this helps you all out ;)

Tuesday 22 March 2011

FREE PATTERN: Beginners Granny Square

Hii all!! I haven't really been posting much of late have I?

Well, you are all in for a treat as I'm going to knock out some tutorials at long blooming last!

Where to begin?! I've been asked by some of the ladies on the hair extension forum to write up a basic set of tutorials on how to do the basic stitches for crochet: clicky to read

So, to make some bits clear. I am a lefty, and also am not trying to make any profit from writing tutorials. I'm just trying to make some of the stitches clearer for those who want to learn how to crochet :) I am also writing this pattern in UK / AUS style as it's easier for myself, but I am adding some bits for my American newbies out there. You can use this pattern on any weight yarn, on any sized hook - for reference, I am using a 3.5mm hook with DK weight yarn.

Shall we crack on then!

BEGIN HERE;

You'll need to make a beginning ring to work your first round into.

(Make a slipknot)

Lay the yarn over your index finger, wrap it round, pull the bit you wrapped round through the loop that you formed and pull until it has fully closed.


Place the slipknot onto the hook. Pull on the longer piece of yarn until the loop is nice and snug on the hook.


(Chain 4 stitches)

Move the yarn round the back of the hook, over the top and move the slipknot stitch over this stitch and off the hook.



You'll need to do this 3 more times, so it looks like a little chain.


Next, you have to push the hook through the 1st little chain hole, and pull the yarn through so you have two stitches on the crochet hook. Move the first stitch (left stitch, if you're a lefty) over the stitch and off the hook.



You should have something that resembles;


Woo!! We've made the starting chain and hole to work our granny square into.

(Work Round 1)

You'll need to make 3 more little chains, which makes your first of 3 stitches.


Then, you'll need to make something called a "Treble Stitch". To do this you have to wrap the yarn round the hook, push the hook into the ring you made earlier, yarn over the hook again, pull this yarn back through, yarn over again. After this you should have four little bits of yarn on your hook. Next, you need to move the middle two stitches over the fourth, and off the hook. You'll be left with two stitches. Yarn back over the hook again, and move the first two stitches over the third and off the hook.






You'll need to follow these steps in making all the trebles in this pattern :)

Make another of the trebles. You'll have three little chains coming from your loop!


Next, you have to make two chains. Same way as we made the first chain.


You'll need to do another three of these 3 trebles & 2 chain sections.


Remember how we joined our first circle? We are going to do something similar now to join our little square, so it looks like a square.

You'll need to push the hook through the little bit I'm showing with my thumb, pull the yarn back through, then move the first stitch over the second and off the hook.


Well done you! We've just done the first round!

(Work round 2)

If you turn your work round, you'll see the little piece of yarn from the opening circle. This is the side we need to be working with. I've changed colour to show you the second round so there's no confusion :)

Remember round 1 how we started with a chain for 3, two trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles? We're going to do that again. You have your corner.


Now we need to to get over to the next gap. We need to chain 1, then 3 trebles, 2 chain, 3 trebles.


You'll need to do this again twice so you've crochetted into the corners only. Then a final chain 1.


We need to do the closing stitch of the round that we've done twice already.


Well done on completing round 2!! Now you can either carry on by turning your work, you can snip the yarn and pull the loose end through the loop and pulling it nice and tight.

To give you an idea, this is what a 5 round granny square should look like!


This should be up on Ravelry about nowish, and I really hope this helps you all out on the basics of granny squares xx

Monday 21 March 2011

Welcome to spring!

Well almost! The blossom are blooming, all the creatures are coming out of hiding.



Some of the gorgeus blooms my manager gave me :)



Preview of a coming soon on Etsy blanket :) I have two to go up.

Mean aren't I ;) you'll have to wait until later on today to see x

- Posted on the move from my iPhone

Location:Bloomfield Close,Rushden,United Kingdom

Sunday 13 March 2011

More ebay selling!

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/naturalistdesignshair/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

Sorry if I seem to spam the airwaves with more goodies from Ebay :P

Me and Paul are trying to raise over £400 for a either a new camera or driving lessons / test. So I'm listing all items that are sat here abit unloved!

This includes knitting magazines, patterns, dreadlocks, fabric, plus size summer wear, beads, a laptop, and many more goodies.

Please help us out! I will ship worldwide on most goodies, and welcome people visiting to collect items :) x

Friday 11 March 2011

Earthquakes

I wanted to send my thoughts out to those in Japan who were hit by an 8.9 earthquake, and are currently in a state of emergency with a tsunami.

My heart also goes to all in Hawaii at this time that have a tsunami, caused by the earthquake in Japan.

I would also like to hold a moment for the live that were lost in New Zealand in the earthquake that devastated Christchurch.

Please everyone hold a moment to think of these individuals and families in the midst of the suffering.


- Posted on the move from my iPhone

Location:Rushden,United Kingdom

Thursday 10 March 2011

Getting ideas for summer wear

This time last year, I wanted to make myself some gorgeus summerwear. Being a size 16-18 it is becoming difficult to find anything affordable, and stylish.

The lovely Suz posted this beautiful jacket that she's working on. I love how bright it is!! I may go down the blue, brown and purple route because it would suit my hair ;)


I've been watching this gorgeus dress top for a while on Etsy. It's by a lovely and beautiful dreadhead called ArliaFlower. I've wanted to make my own variation of the top, just because I know best what would flatter my rather odd proportions. I have the cotton for the bottom part, and the yarn. It's the getting round to it!!


I just saw this on my friend's shop and had to make a point about these very pretty boho / hippy coats! I LOVE them. This particular coat was made by a gorgeus gal from the States called mraur. Her style is very boho / hippy with a twist. She also makes stunning dreads and yarn wraps.


How bright is this?! I love love love love it sooo much. Once again from some of the gorgeus girls on Etsy. The shop name is ChopstixWaits. All of this ladies items is made from handdyed, handspun, reclaimed fabrics and yarns. I have true love for this girl and her work!


I love how colourful this brooch is! Everytime I see it on my favourites, I just want to sing!! This handcrafted colour explosion is from a lady called Charlotte Alexandra. Her work is truely unique, inspired and something I will one day own <3

Now last but certainly not least in my ideas for colourful summer gear is from a wonderful friend of mine, Kirsty. Her work is inspired by tribal, ethnic, gothic, and the geek within us.
I love the simplicity of this necklace. And the idea she gets for her jewellery is rather cool. DysfunctionDesigns is her shop on Etsy, she also has a Blog: DysfunctionDesigns where she ha instructions on how to win one of her beautiful bracelets!!

I think I'm done sending the love for today :P But I hope you all have a look on these shops, along with mine!

xxx

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Rain vs sun!

I think my luck with gorgeus weather has run out after two days.



- Posted on the move from my iPhone

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Another gorgeus day

Wowee!!



- Posted on the move from my iPhone

Location:Blackfriars,Rushden,United Kingdom

Monday 7 March 2011

Living room 7:30am

Beautiful day



- Posted on the move from my iPhone

Sunday 6 March 2011

I could certainly snooze

I could really snooze for a couple of hours again this afternoon!

Me and Paul decided that every Sunday we'd go to our local swimming pool for a couple of hours decent paddling. I've been getting my confidence up again to at least move further than the edge of the pool. And my sister, Katie, and her boyfriend, Nathan, have been joining us.

Today, went better than bother me and Paul realised. I had not only moved from the edge of the pool, I have begun to trust the water so I can float in the pool.

Small steps make the biggest difference with me.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Tar Sands Campaign Launch

Hellooo from Northamptonshire!

Well today was certainly a day I'm not going to forget in a long time. A lot of fun was had at work for our latest campaign.





















Pop into your local branch or read: http://www.lush.co.uk/articles/our-ethical-campaigns/tar-sands_100-10230_10.html
It will get you thinking!!