Needle Felting

I am still playing with the needle felting machine.  In this case, I crocheted a coaster from lace weight handspun yarn.  I used a cream and brownish ply for most of the center and a cream for the outside.  I kept looking at the coaster and the felting machine along with some new dark brown BFL locks.  I placed similarly sized locks under the coaster with the lighter side of each lock toward the outside.  I tried to space the locks the same all around. Then I  felted with the machine needles around the entire coaster just before the decorative edge.  When the needles went through the cream fiber of the coaster, small parts of this cream fiber came through the locks and felted them to the coaster.  I went around one more time just to make sure all was felted well.  The decorative edge is not felted and it rises just a tad bit.  I liked this look.  I may sew a vintage or vintage looking button in the center of the trivet.  

On my back deck airing out.  Ready for me to shake and wash.  It is a white-gray color.

What is on your needle, hooks, work in progress (wip)???  Thank you for viewing!  Dawnie

Using Wool Locks

Wool locks can be used many ways.  I am making a rug at this time.  It will be a while before the reveal.  LOL  I have made trivets and placed the locks around the outside in the last row.  I like that look, but it is not real full.  I have placed locks into the wool and let them do their own thing and I get some great results.  I really like the look of crocheting or knitting a lock in a stitch.  The middle of the lock I feel will hold the lock in place the best.  It depends on what is made and who it is made for as to the best use of my locks.  I like to use hand-spun yarn when I crochet or knit the lock in place.  Of course, felting works well too.  I recently made a trivet for someone.  Her favorite color is blue, but other colors work fine too.  In the center of the trivet is a button containing a blue bird and a pink flower.  The locks are smaller locks and come from BFL (sheep breed) and dyed in various pink colors.  The yarn I used to crochet with is hand-spun.  It is mostly blue yarn, with one ply in blue with various colors and fibers, one ply in pink Merino, and one ply in pink cotton thread.  I started crocheting a circle in the normal style.  Once I had two rows crocheted, I would catch the center of a lock in a stitch and single crochet it twice in that stitch.  I would then put three stitches between the stitches.  If the trivet gets too big, I would crochet the second and third stitch between stitches together.  This method gave the trivet some fullness.  It is very fluffy and it can be shaken into place somewhat if it gets settled down.  Yes, I like shabby chic decor.  LOL

This looks like it is about 4" wide, but it is closer to 9 inches in diameter.

In the picture below, a little girl is telling me that I have too much wool.  LOL  She is being photo bombed in the picture by little Joy, the Toy Fox Terrier.  I don't get a lot of work done when the grand-daughter is here.  She likes to play tea and sit on my lap.  Trivets under teapots come in handy at our house.  

What are you making???

When plying, don't hesitate to ply unmatched yarns.  An example of plying 2 unmatched yarns is in this crocheted trivet where I plied Dutch Spotted Sheep (Bonte Schaap) and a varied green yarn with lots of sparkles.  This batt is named Irish Blessing and contains Merino, Alpaca, Corridale, BFL, silk, and Angelina fibers.   It comes from Fawkes Farm.  www.etsy.com/shop/FawkesFarm.  Unfortunately, most of the sparkle doesn't come across in the picture.  I put a green button in the center of this trivet.  The button makes the trivet look complete.

I am in a couple fiber clubs.  They send fiber in colorways I would not have picked out if I went shopping.  This is an example.  A mostly gray Merino wool top with an orange and a light teal.  It really is not pretty.  I had to make it fun, so I added fun fibers with the Merino wool.  BFL in golden and orange, BFL in light teals, Nylon sparkle, mulberry silk, and orange kid mohair.  All natural fibers except for the sparkle.

Blending on a hackle and using a diz to remove the fiber from this hackle.

After spinning

Top of the hat.

After this, I spun the Merino top and made it a two-ply yarn.  I single crocheted a border and placed 8 squash colored buttons around the band.  This hat can be worn by male or female, but I think most men would not want the buttons on the bottom border. 

 As you may have noticed, buttons may give a hand-made item a finished look.  For the last row, I like to crochet around the stem of each stitch in the second to the last row, which gives the bottom of the hat more support and doesn't allow the hat to stretch out of place. 

 Another crocheted, hand-spun yarn trivet.  As you see, there is a button in the center.  This button is not flat, but the raised stitches around the decorative center allow for most items to sit level.  

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!  Dawnie

Just a spinning....

eye candy

3 months ago,  I signed up for a fiber box from  TheSpinningBox.com.  It is a Mystery Box containing several different fibers and fiber blends.   Themes and colorways change every month. It is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. You can sign up for one box at a time, or for longer commitments.  The box is worth the money.  The first box had a lot of fall colors in it, including orange.  I am not a fan of the color orange, but it gave me a lot of fun items to spin.  The next two boxes had less orange wool in them.  Usually I buy directly from the farmer and process my own wool, so it is really a treat to use fiber which is ready to use.

  

I spun a batt from the spinning box to crochet this cute little baby hat.  I plied it with gray Romney wool.  The gray fake-fur pompom also came in the spinning box!

Gift for an expectant mother.

The baby hat above is crocheted with 78 yards of most anything spinable.  It was made from many kinds of wool, mohair, alpaca, and nylon sparkle.  When you are tired of spinning a bobbin or more of one color and/or one type of yarn, do what I do.  (I know my entertainment is not the same as most people.  LOL)  I spin from 12" to 3 yards of one fiber and then I switch to another fiber, repeating different fibers until my bobbin is full.  Much of this fiber is spun lumpy bumpy or with some other technique to give the yarn a different look.   This yarn can be used as a one ply yarn or plied with a skein spun this same way, or plied with a regularly spun yarn.  This is fun yarn for hats, mittens, trivets, tea cozies, etc.  I don't use fancy fiber for pot holders if the fiber hangs down because I fear it could catch on fire.  

I made a trivet that is a little unusual.  I crocheted a regular circle with home-spun yarn and then I needle felted dyed wool locks of mystery wool fiber around the edges.  It looks kind of like it will start crawling, right?  LOL  It displays a teapot very nicely.  It is probably a little large for use as a coaster.  

I am playing with wool locks as you saw with the above project.  I am crocheting a chain with little circles.  Then I place a few locks into the circle and needle felt them in place.  This is will be a banner/bunting to string across a room or area of a room in my fiber area.  I think all fiber studios and yarn shop owners need one of these.  Don't you???  😊😊😊

More eye candy.  It is a dreary winter day and you probably need something to pick you up.

Dawnie

PS  Don't forget to go to my website at:https://www.slipperywhenwetsoaps.com or my website at:https://www.custercottage.com or my Etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage

This and That and a Little More

I have 4 friends and relatives expecting babies before the first of the year.  Three of the babies are expected to be boys and the fourth is unknown as of this date.  I like to make a little something for babies, especially if they are family or close personal friends.  I made a few hats earlier this year---before I went on the pot holder binge.  I am not on the baby bootie binge.  So far I have only made two pair of booties. What is on your knitting needles or crochet hook?

I ordered a large yarn order and it arrived today!  I like to work with cotton yarn in a lighter weight, but not in the crochet cotton weight.  This is the type of yarn I use for pot holders, some baby clothes, wash cloths or dish cloths.  I like to use bright colors so brands without a bright pretty cotton candy pink are not contenders.  I also do not like yarn to split when knitting or crocheting with it.  If there are several plies twisted together and one strand does not get picked up with the needle or hook, there will be a stray strand poking out of my work.  The yarn is not as strong when it is missing a stray strand.  I have been using Catania Yarn.  They have the best pink, even though they call it orchard.  LOL

Do you remember a few years ago I blogged about a pair of tennis shoes on a stump in the back yard of a house that neighbors my place of employment.  This same pair of tennis shoes is still there on the stump in the back yard.  When the lawn is mowed, they mow around the shoes.  What would be the purpose?  I guess they would work well as bird feeders. 

Dawn's Flower Pot Holder

one version during practice--full of petals

A version of my pot holder, but it is much fuller.

I like to use the pot holders under tea pots.  This potholder reminds me of the fall.

                                                                 

I've been doing the domestic goddess thing around the house this week. I am still on the potholder making kick.  Most of them are being given away or will be given away.  Eventually I will place a few on the website.  I made one using red as the base color and on the last row and the center row.  It is very bright, but I like brightness in a dull day, especially when the winter is here and all of the exterior natural beauty has become dull and dormant in the winter.

I have pumpkin spice fragrance melts transporting our home to fall.  Bruce is eating Snickerdoodle ice cream.  It is going to be fall soon and we are in the mood.  I made a batch of peach butter and a small batch of bread and butter pickles so far this weekend.   I will be canning tomatoes next.

I wanted to show you how I make my crocheted flower potholders and provide you with the pattern in case you wish to make one.  I have tried several ways, experimenting with colors, fullness, and method.  My favorite method is the following one:

Dawn's Flower Pot Holder

Materials:  I am using a fingering weight cotton and a size E crochet hook, but use the size you are comfortable with.  There is not a gauge to this pattern.  If it is too big, leave off the last 2 rows.  If it is too small, add two more rows.   If you want a less crowded look between the rows, make triple crochet stitches instead of double crochet stitches on the base of the potholder.  I can't tell you how many yards of yarn you will need since it depends on the way you wish design the colors.

I start with a chain of 6 and I slip stitch it together forming a circle.  You are making the base of the potholder with these 10 rows.

Flower potholder base.

Flower potholder base up close and personal.

Second row of petals.

Third row of petals.

Fourth row of petals.

Last row of petals and the loop.  Next to new batch of bread and butter pickles.

Back .  The back is lacy looking and as pretty as the front.

If the potholder does not lay down well enough, add a little steam from your steam iron, or place a hot pot of tea on top.

Row 1:  In this circle, chain 3 and follow this by 13 double crochet stitches.  Like usual, the chain 3 will count as the first double crochet stitch.  Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3, completing the circle.

Row 2:  Chain 3 and single crochet in that same stitch,  double crochet two stitches in each of the nest stitches.   Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 stitch, completing the circle.

Row 3:  Chain 3 stitches, skip one stitch and slip stitch into the next stitch.  This will form a loop.  Continue this all of the way around the circle making loops.  You should have 14 loops.  If you make a mistake and end up with an extra stitch, just make one loop longer or shorter.  Not all flower petals are the same size and shape.  Relax and enjoy the process.  Don't just focus on the product.

Row 4:  In the next row, slip stitch around the corner of the first chain, going into the center of the and slip stitch into the first skipped stitch.  Chain3.  Double crochet two more times in this same stitch.  *In the next skipped stitch double crochet three times.  Continue from the *throughout the row.  Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 stitch, completing the circle.

Row 5:  Repeat row 3.  You will have 21 loops.

Row 6:  Repeat row 4.

Row 7:  Repeat row 3.  You will have 31 loops.

Row 8:  Repeat row 4.

Row 9:  Chain 4 stitches, skip two stitches and slip stitch into the next stitch.  This will form a loop.  Continue this all of the way around the circle making loops.  You should have 21 loops.

Row 10:   In the next row, slip stitch around the corner of the first chain, going into the center of the loop and slip stitch into the first skipped stitch.  Chain3.  Double crochet one more time in this stitch. In the next slipped stitch make two double crochet stitches.  Now you will *go on to the center of the next loop and in each of the 2 skipped stitches, make 2 double crochet stitches.  Continue from the *throughout the row.  Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 stitch, completing the circle.

Row 11:  Repeat row 9.  You should have 28 loops.

You have completed the base.  At this time, clip off and tuck in or weave in the ends.

Center of the flower:  You can skip this step or even sew a button on the center of the flower.  Choose the same color as the base or use a contrasting color.  Attach yarn around one of the post of one of the center 14 double crochet stitches on the front of the potholder.  Chain 10 stitches and slip stitch around the center of the next double crochet post.  Chain 10 stitches and slip stitch around the center of the next double crochet post.  Continue in this manner all the way around the circle.  Clip the threads and tuck in or weave in the ends.

The petals:  Each petal will be made in the loops.  Each petal may be made the same color, or  you may want to change colors in every row.  If you really get brave, switch colors after completing half of the petals in a row, or switch back and forth with two colors throughout a row.  Each petal is made the same way, the only difference is the amount of the center stitches.

First petal row:  Attach the color you desire to the first loop on row 3.  In this loop and every loop on this row, you will make one single crochet stitch, one half double stitch, 4 double crochet stitches, one half double stitch, and one single crochet stitch.  Do the stitches in the order listed.  Slip stitch into the first petal to form a complete row.  Clip the threads and tuck in or weave in the ends.

Second petal row:  Each petal should be made as follows:  one single crochet stitch, one half double stitch, 5 double crochet stitches, one half double stitch, and one single crochet stitch.

Third petal row:  Each petal should be made as follows:  one single crochet stitch, one half double stitch, 6 double crochet stitches, one half double stitch, and one single crochet stitch.

Fourth petal row:  Each petal should be made as follows:  one single crochet stitch, one half double stitch, 7 double crochet stitches, one half double stitch, and one single crochet stitch.

Fifth petal row:  Each petal should be made as follows:  one single crochet stitch, one half double stitch, 8 double crochet stitches, one half double stitch, and one single crochet stitch.

Clip all loose threads and tuck or weave in the ends.

Loop:  The loop is optional.  You may choose to make a chain loop by chaining 14 stitches on the last row after you finish the last petal and slip stitch into the beginning of the first chain.  I like to use plastic rings.  I sometimes sew them on and at times I single crochet around the ring and fasten it on the outer edge of the potholder.  My brother prefers not to have the plastic rings because he feels they will melt during use.  If you plan to use this potholder as an object of desire and do not wish to use it.  I would add the ring for hanging and also for dangling a charm.

I hope the directions are understandable.  I try to be specific when writing out patterns so less experienced crocheters will be able to understand the directions.  If you find a mistake or have a question, please give me an email.  dawn@custercottage.com

Please let me know what you think of my blog and/or pattern.  What would you be more interested in, if this post is not helpful in some way or at least an interesting read?

I should sign off like my son does.  It just makes me chuckle a little.  " I am there for you if you need something or just want to talk.  Good night to all of my friends and Facebook fans."


Thank you for viewing!  Blessings to you and yours!  Dawnie

Crochet thread or is it yarn?

I ordered a free sample of #3 cotton thread from Handy Hands in Paxton, Illinois.  The #3 thread is a trademark of Lizbeth, 100% Egyptian Cotton, and comes in 80 colors which includes solids add multi's.  The sample came in less than a week.  The size 3 is about as small as I want to crochet with.  The colors are bright and the samples came on a cardboard spool.  When I felt the thread for the first time, it felt like there may be a tiny wax coating to keep it stiff enough to work with.  This is unconfirmed and just my opinion.   The stitch definition is very good and the thread is easy to work with.  All of the different colors make it nice to match with.  Handy Hands can be reached at http://www.hhtatting.com or by phone at 217-379-3802.  I will be ordering some of the thread very soon.  

When does thread become yarn?  When I am spinning on my spinning wheel in public, I hear, "Look honey, she is making thread."  I've always heard it called yarn, but the cotton grandma crocheted doilies with was called crochet thread.  What do you think?

Thank you for viewing!  I hope you and yours are well and prosperous during the holiday season and in the year to come.  Happy Holidays!  Dawnie