Drops Garnstudio Knitting Pattern; Singlet 'Madeline' number 136-7

This was a really easy pattern to knit, it is all done in stocking stitch and grew very quickly.

I actually started it on holiday and the first week sat on the beach in the sunshine knitting it, then the second week I got to wear it! It looks lovely with leggings or jeans.

It is worked in an aran yarn, which you might think would be too thick for summer, but because it contains cotton it is fine. You begin by making the front and back top part of the bodice separately, then you put them both onto circular needles where you knit in the round.

Increases at each side create lots of width which in turn gives the lovely dropped side point when it is worn.

The only problem I had was that the edge kept rolling up and as I was on holiday it wasn't possible to block it, which might have helped,  so I added an extra row of crochet edging around the bottom edge and it seems to have cured it. I did one double crochet into each stitch.

I didn't use the recommended yarn as I had some Stylecraft 'Malabar' in my stash to use up. It was lovely to work with and is 78% cotton 22% silk, which gives it a lovely soft feel and a sheen to the surface.


Link to buy the Stylecraft Malabar yarn I used: http://bit.ly/1YOJv8k

My video about this project:

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Crochet Photo Star - Free Pattern

I've finally finished writing the pattern for the crochet photo star.

This is an all year round pattern and can be used for wall art photo frames but is also ideal as Christmas decorations for tree or wall, or to give as gifts.

This is the first pattern I've ever written, even though I've been knitting and crocheting for over 50 years and wow was it hard! Creating the Photostar was easy, it took just an hour to design, but writing down the instructions so that a novice could understand proved to be quite a feat so I take my hat off to those who create patterns on a regular basis.

Download Pattern by clicking here

If you have any problems or questions please do get in touch. 

I would also love to see photos of your finished items, please share them here or on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/pookiedoodlecrafts

There is also a video tutorial here:  

The pattern is free to download, however please do read the terms of use at the bottom of the pattern before you begin.

Happy crocheting!

Update October 2015:

I noticed an error in the pattern so have corrected the written pattern and added an error message to the video. If you downloaded the pattern prior to October please either download v3 above, or simply add 1 extra treble in the starting ring - there should be 18 sts not 17 as mentioned in first pattern - sorry about that, I said this pattern writing wasn't easy!

Having made quite a few now it suddenly came to me that you could perhaps add a chocolate coin instead of a photo, might be nice for the children at Christmas.

Stiffening wash for small crochet and knitted items, especially decorations

I've put together a quick video of how to make a stiffening wash for those small items that need to be a bit firmer, especially Christmas decorations and the like.

The wash is made from Children's craft PVA glue, mixed with water; 1 part glue to 3 parts water. I have tried it 50/50 but I find that it gets a bit too thick and you can get lumps of dried glue forming between the stitches.

With this more watered down method you don't see any of the glue once it has dried and if you do need your item even firmer, simply do more coats once it has dried until you are happy with the firmness.

I use an old padded mailing envelope covered with a bit of cling film - cling film so that the item doesn't stick to the bag - and then pin your work into shape, pushing the pins into the envelope.

I find using the envelope method gives a firmer base to work on. Some people use a folded towel, which does work but it can sometimes be a bit too soft and your work can get bent.

Whatever works best for you is the way to go! 

Remember - always do a small test on your fabric or yarn before stiffening, you wouldn't want to spoil your hard work by causing shrinkage, damage or colour loss.

https://youtu.be/Ci0br4YfnpE

 

Happy crafting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Drops/Garstudio "Call it Spring" and "Mykonos" - my next projects

Drops "Call it Spring" Pattern number 159-4 and "Mykonos" 152-22 

These are my next planned projects.

"Call it Spring" I plan to do in a mint green and the "Mykonos" in the same white as I think it looks super for summer. Both in Drops Cotton Light.

DMC Crochet Tunic Top Pattern number 15092L/2

This is my review of the pattern and tips on making the crochet top.

I found it a lovely pattern to do, it does need LOTS of concentration, not the sort of thing you do while watching the TV (well not for me anyway!). Having said that I really enjoyed it and although I would agree with the pattern recommendation as being for an 'experienced' crocheter, I would say if you are confident to try - have a go. All the stitches are basic ones, double crochet, chain, trebles, so it is just a matter of concentrating and keep reading the instructions.

The sleeves are small cap sleeves with a lovely decoration around the edges.

You do need to wear it with something underneath, such as a t.shirt or camisole/vest, unless you are very young or very confident :) It could look nice with a contrast colour underneath such as a black top.

It is hard to write out some of the things I found as a crocheted it, so to help I've made a video showing various parts of the work as I went along and my tips on working them, scroll down to see the video.

One criticism I have of the pattern is the tension recommendation - it says that the tension check is to do one pattern repeat and then gives measurements for each size. However,  a pattern repeat is 14 very complicated rows, so you have to do a lot of work just to check your tension, it is a shame there is not an easier way.

Link to pattern: http://bit.ly/1Eca7Do
Link to the recommended yarn: http://bit.ly/1JVD0um

Close up

Sleeve decoration

To help anyone thinking of doing this DMC tunic top pattern, I've done a  help video with a few tips: https://youtu.be/hUMBH-T_kL8

Happy crocheting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Drops/Garnstudio knitted Bolero Jacket - Pattern number 130-12

This is my experience of using the Drops/Garnstudio free pattern for the knitted Bolero Jacket Pattern number 130-12

This is a short Bolero jacket and although the pattern is not a difficult one I did find myself undoing it several times. There are lots of different panels made with simple stitches such as stocking stitch, reverse stocking stitch, garter st etc. but I kept forgetting which I was doing and would knit when I should be purling or purl when I should be knitting. Concentration is definitely needed for this pattern!

The pieces are made into a curved shape by making short rows: You do a row half way, then turn around and go back, then the next two rows are knitted normally, then you repeat the process. It is quiet effective and easy to do.
Once the pieces are finished the two sides are sewn around the back piece, the pattern gives really good instructions on how to do this, with diagrams showing which piece joins where.

The sides and back have a pretty half diamond pattern running through them.

 

The two side pieces were a bit difficult to join as each had a point from the pattern (as shown below), I joined them by folding back the point, but wonder if I did something wrong, although I'm sure I followed the pattern carefully. I did change the sleeves slightly as I wanted them a bit different to the pattern.

You can also see my video here: https://youtu.be/rNSBHNjGKkM

I used Drops Love You 5 which is an aran yarn, 100% recycled cotton. The recommended yarn is Drops Paris, but Love You 5 is listed as an alternative.

Hope I've helped you decide if this pattern is for you!

Happy knitting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Writing patterns

Hi all,

I've been away this last week but haven't been idle! I'm working on writing a pattern for a crochet Christmas decoration which will hold a small photo of a loved one, or without a photo if you want - it works just as well as a decoration.

Wow, I never thought writing a pattern would be so hard! Designing it was easy and within an hour or so I'd created quite a few, but when it comes to actually writing out the instructions so that a novice can follow it is proving to be much harder than it sounds. I take my hat off to all you pattern writers!

So bear with me and the pattern and tutorial video will be available soon - I appreciate that Christmas is just around the corner when it comes to knitting and crocheting items so I will be as quick as possible, hopefully early next week.

Happy crafting!