Winding Yarn Skeins - Childhood Memories

This post came from the fact that I recently wound some skeins of Malabrigo Worsted yarn. I couldn't but remember the hundreds of times I saw my grandmother doing the same task. Opening that kitchen drawer where she would put the skein around, grabbing the bench and...go! She had the habit of timing it, so that she could improve her score next time. :-D 

My basic knowledge of crochet comes from what she taught me. And, although the pieces I produce nowadays have nothing to do with her type work (lace crochet), a little bit of her is still there.

I wish many times that I could discuss my ideas with her, show her the wonders that one can find on the millions of websites available. (She would love the free patterns!) Since that is not possible, I'll carry on following this passion that she left in my heart, always trying to improve my technique, searching for new sources of inspiration, so that the next piece is an improvement on the last.

Tunisian Crochet Series

What is Tunisian Crochet?

Tunisian Crochet is a technique that combines knitting and crochet. It has characteristics from both, the needle used is similar to the knitting ones and the stitches are kept on it until the end of the row is reached. However, like in crochet, only one hook is used.

There are three basic stitches: the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS), the Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS) and the Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS). Most stitches are a combination or a variation of these three, therefore if you learn them you will able to accomplish many different projects. 

The rows are worked in a particular fashion, different from knitting or crochet. There's the forward pass, when the stitches are added to the hook, and the return pass, when the stitches are finished and taken off the hook. The work is never turned. It is possible to work flat or in the round, however, in this last case, a double ended hook is necessary so that both passes can be completed.

The fabric created is dense and less flexible than knit or crochet, so it's ideal for warmer garments/accessories like blankets, winter cardigans, scarves, etc. To make the fabric not so tight, a bigger hook than normal is used, for example, for a DK yarn a hook size 6mm (J-10 American) is recommended.    

Now that you know a little bit more about Tunisian Crochet, and hopefully have liked it, the image above is a sneak peek of the pattern I'm working on at the moment. So, come back often, because I will keep posting my progress. 😉 

Thanks for stopping by.

Credits for the post main image: 

Top left image - Pernille Cordes' Two-Colour Cushion (https://pernillecordes.com/portfolio/tunisian-crochet-scandinavian-style-ii-den-store-bog-om-tunesisk-haekling/)

Top right image - Purl Soho's Tunisian Crochet Pointy Pom Pom Hat (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/crochet/crochet-view-all/)

Bottom Left image - Ms Weaver's Winter Nocturne Shawl (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winter-nocturne-shawl)

Bubbles - FREE Pattern

This will be my first freebie on the blog, I hope you like it. 
I have designed this square some time ago and it was meant to be a baby blanket, but, depending on the yarn you choose, it can be used for what your imagination allows. 

It's the right project for an advanced beginner/intermediate crocheter, since it has some stitches that go beyond the most basic: cluster and the front post stitch.
I wish you have fun trying out the square and let me know your thoughts through your comments.  

Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any doubts or need any help.

Yarn: DK

Needle size: 4mm

Size of the square: 15,5 cm / 6in

Abbreviations:

UK		US
beg	Beginning	beg	Beginning
ch	Chain	ch	chain
cl	Cluster	cl	Cluster
dc	Double Crochet	dc	Double crochet
fp	Front post	fp	Front post
htr	Half treble	hdc	Half double crochet
MC	Magic Circle	MC	Magic Circle
tr	Treble	sc	Single crochet
sk	Skip stitch	sk	Skip stitch
ss	Slip stitch	ss	Slip stitch
st (s)	Stitch(s)	st (s)	Stitch(s)

Notes: follow green abbreviations for US terms. The cluster is a 5 tr/dc cluster.

1. Make a magic circle and insert six dc/sc into the MC, ss to the first dc/sc;
2. Ch1, 2 tr/dc in each sc/dc, ss to the first sc/dc – 12 sts;
3. Ch2, 2 htr /hdc in each tr/dc, ss to the first htr/hdc – 24 sts;
4.  Ch 11, skip 5 sts and slip stich in the next st, repeat 3x;
5.  Ch7, skip 5 ch and slip stich in the next st; 



6.  Ss into the first space, ch2, 7 htr/hdc in first 7ch space; 8 htr/hdc in next 7 spaces, ss to the top of the ch2;
7. Ss to the next st, ch3, tr/dc in next st, 3 htr/hdc, 2tr/dc; *ch 3, skip stc, tr/dc in next st (corner), tr/dc in next st, 3 htr/hdc, 2tr/dc, sk one st, 2 tr/dc 3 htr/hdc, 2tr/dc, repeat from * twice. Ch 3, sk st, tr/dc in next st, tr/dc in the next st, 3 hdc, tr/dc in next st. Join to the beg 3ch with a slip stich;
8.   Ch3, cl in next st, 2 tr/dc, cl, 2 tr/dc. 2tr/dc, 3ch, 2 tr/dc (corner). *(2 tr/dc, cl) x4, 2 tr/dc. 2 tr/dc, ch 3, 2tr, repeat from * twice. (2 tr/dc, cl) 2x, 1tr/dc. Join beg 3ch with a ss;
9. Ch3, fptr/fpdc around cluster below, 2 tr/dc, fptr/fpdc around cluster below, 4 tr/dc, 2 tr/dc, ch 3, 2 tr/dc in 3 ch space (corner). *4 tr/dc, fptr/dc around cluster below, 2 tr/dc, fptr/fpdc 3x, 4 tr/dc. 2 tr/dc, ch3, 2tr/dc in 3 ch space. Repeat from * twice. 4 tr/dc, fptr/fpdc, 2 tr/dc, fptr/fpdc, tr/dc. Join beg 3ch with a ss;
10.  Ch 3, 11 tr/dc, 2 tr/dc, ch 3, 2 tr/dc in corner space. *22 tr/dc, 2 tr/dc, ch3, 2 tr/dc in corner space. Repeat from * twice. 11 tr/dc. Join beg 3ch with a ss; 

Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

This pattern is available for personal use only. Please share among your friends if you like it. ;-)

Thanks for coming by.

Colour Palette Suggestion

Pinks and Green

I would like to leave you with this palette suggestion for your next project. 

These colours were chosen based on the Scheepjs Catona collection. This is a 100% cotton yarn, so perfect for the Summer. The colours references are 128, 238, 162, 392 and 255.

Here are some patterns for inspiration or to follow. Some of them are free. That's how we like them! :-)

Crochet

Royal Icing blanket by Felted Button - Susan Carlson 

Skittles blanket by Felted Button - Susan Carlson - Free

Tunisian Crochet

Maries-Windsor Throw by Marie-Louise Wimo - Free

Kinitting

Bounce blanket by Tincanknits

Let me know what you think of this colour collection and what are your ideas of how you might use them. 

See u soon!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog!

I'm a crochet designer and this is the space where I will share info about my current work. I will also post a few tutorials, specially the one that are relevant for the patterns available or for the ones I'm working on.

As I write my posts I want to let you know more and more about myself and my passions. I want to share with you a great book, a great pattern, a great yarn of course.    

Just keep coming back I will do my best not to disappoint you. 

See you soon. 

Photo by sashatorres available under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial Licence. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashatorres/16182750789/in/photostream/