NezumiWorld looks forward to 2011

Getting ready for 2011 the NezumiWorld Main Site has now transferred to a new host and is back up and running. Also my email is working properly again. The new host has unlimited traffic (I kept hitting my traffic limits mid month which caused all sorts of problems, mainly limiting the site so it has not been able to grow as big as I wanted it to. Plus I hope my email will now be working much better as I lost a lost of emails last year again due to traffic limits.

Crocheted Poinsettia

I like  poinsettias its good to see flowers in the cold winter months, this pattern makes a nice corsage or brooch. use as a decoration for a bag, hat or present, add a ribbon for a necklace or bracelet, have fun and enjoy

Knitted version of this pattern is at nezumiworld.blogspot.com/knitted-poinsettia remember to check out both the NezumiWorld Blog and the NezumiWorld main site for more patterns and information

Materials  

DK (Double Knit) yarn/ Light Worsted Yarn in red and green (poinsettias also come in white and green)

3.75mm/ 5/ F Crochet Hook

Yellow seed beads (I used size 6)

Key/ Abbreviations

Pattern 

Red Leaves (make 3) 

Green Leaves

Row 1: ch4

Row 2: 1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into the 2nd ch from the hook, [1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next ch] x2, (3sts, chain does not count as a st)

Row 3: 1 ch, turn, 2 dc (UK)/ 2 sc (USA) into next st, 1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next st, (5sts, chain does not count as a st)

Rows 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8: 1 ch, turn, [1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next st] x5

Row 9: 1 ch, turn, 2 dc tog(UK)/ 2 sc tog (USA), 1 dc into next st, 2 dc tog(UK)/ 2 sc tog (USA)

Row 10: 1 ch, turn, 1 dc into next st3

Row 11: 1 ch, turn, 3 dc tog(UK)/ 3 sc tog(USA)

Green Leaves (make 3) 

Red Leaves

Row 1: ch5

Row 2: 1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into the 2nd ch from the hook, [1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next ch] x3, (4sts, chain does not count as a st)

Row 3: 1 ch, turn, 2 dc (UK)/ 2 sc (USA) into next st, [1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next st] x2, (6sts, chain does not count as a st)

Rows 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10: 1 ch, turn, [1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next st] x6

Row 11: 1 ch, turn, 2 dc tog(UK)/ 2 sc tog (USA), [1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next st] x2, 2 dc tog(UK)/ 2 sc tog (USA)

Row 12: 1 ch, turn, [1 dc (UK)/ 1 sc (USA) into next ch] x4

Row 13: 1 ch, turn, [2 dc tog(UK)/ 2 sc tog (USA)] x2, ch

Row 14: 1 ch, turn, 2 dc tog(UK)/ 2 sc tog (USA)

To make up

Using the end lengths sew the red leaves together 

Add green leaves

Add the beads as little or as many as you like 

Knitted Poinsettia

I like  poinsettias its good to see flowers in the cold winter months, this pattern makes a nice corsage or brooch. use as a decoration for a bag, hat or present, add a ribbon for a necklace or bracelet, have fun and enjoy

Crocheted version of this pattern is at nezumiworld.blogspot.com/crocheted-poinsettia remember to check out both the NezumiWorld Blog and the NezumiWorld main site for more patterns and information

Materials  

DK (Double Knit) yarn/ Light Worsted Yarn in red and green (poinsettias also come in white and green)

3.75mm/ No.5 (USA) Knitting Needles

Yellow seed beads (I used size 6)

 Pattern 

Red Leaves (make 3)

Cast on 5 stitches

Rows 1 & 2: k5

Row 3: k2, inc3, k2

Row 4: k7

Row 5: k3, inc3, k3

Row 6: k9

Row 7: k4, inc3, k4

Rows 8, 9 & 10: k11

Row 11: k4, k3tog, k4

Row 12: k9

Row 13: k3, k3tog, k3

Row 14: k7

Row 15: k2, k3tog, k2

Rows 16, 17 & 18: k5

Row 19: k1, k3tog, k1

Row 20, 21 & 22: k3

Row 23: k3tog

Fasten off yarn leaving a length to use for sewing (approx. 15cm/ 6inches)

Green Leaves (make 3)

Cast on 5 stitches

Rows 1 & 2: k5

Row 3: k2, inc3, k2

Row 4: k7

Row 5: k3, inc3, k3

Row 6: k9

Row 7: k4, inc3, k4

Rows 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12: k11

Row 13: k4, k3tog, k4

Row 14: k9

Row 15: k3, k3tog, k3

Row 16: k7

Row 17: k2, k3tog, k2

Rows 18, 19 & 20: k5

Row 21: k1, k3tog, k1

Rows 22, 23 & 24: k3

Row 25: k3tog

Fasten off yarn leaving a length to use for sewing (approx. 15cm/ 6inches) 

To make up

Using the end lengths sew the red leaves together

Add green leaves

The leaves are shaped and should bend inwards, if you prefer flat leaves steam and flatten before adding the beads.

Add the beads as little or as many as you like

Intwined Pattern Studio

Last month I purchased Intwined Pattern Studio at just $44.00 . I have bought programs in the past for much more, but have had little problems with them. So have a tick list of items I want with this type of software.

Screen shot cables scarf

1.  Ease of use - This is very easy software to use, pick a stitch and click on chart, it has easy menu's that are clear, it also writes out the written directions or you can type them in to create a chart.

2. Saving formats - I like to have a choice of file formats I don't like having to save than convert to a format I prefer- This program offers a variety of different file formats to save in including BMP, JPG, PNG, TIFF, and SVG so lots of choice even creating a pdf although this is something I prefer to do myself (its the control freak in me) its a nice feature. Plus you can save the different parts of your pattern the chart , the key all separately.

Custom crochet stitches added

3. Been able to adapt/ change stitches & colours - I said earlier I had purchased programs in the past and the main problems (other than them not working correctly) have mainly for me been there is always a stitch missing (usually a cable) or you have to use a set limited palette of colours. This programs offers the choice of adding custom stitches (this was the selling point for me buying this program), I am still experimenting with this and have added .gif files so far as I am having problems creating .svg files (some work some don't) which will make a nicer looking stitch (I will keep experimenting). You can also create custom colours to use on your charts, again a nice feature.

I think this is a good program which is very affordable I am having fun creating my charts with it.

Look out for my knitted & crocheted poinsettia flowers and crocheted shell scarf patterns (with charts) coming soon. : )

Footprints in the snow

The cold and snow are back (I don't like the cold) and when I popped outside to take some snaps I noticed just how busy our little garden is. Lots of footprints well pawprints everywhere.