Linen Moth Part 2

If you have made your flower from yesterdays symbol chart post, now you are ready to transform it into a moth.

You have make some yarn friendly moths. Add them to bags, hats, make into brooches or necklaces have fun and let me know how you use your moths :)

Linen Moths Part 1

This year I have been trying to encourage more crocheters to read symbol charts. They are easy to follow once you know what the symbols are and tend to have less mistakes. Spring also sees the return of moths, I have been busy making little lavender bags (to put in with my yarn) when I got the idea to make some moths. I do like moths but outdoors and nowhere near my yarn. This is a moth/ or flower pattern I designed a few years ago for a crochet class.
This moth pattern uses 3 stitches

Slip Stitch 



Chain Stitch



Treble Crochet (UK)/ Double Crochet (USA)



I used 2 ply 100% linen yarn from Namolio for the moths. The linen comes in tons of colours all stunning, its one of the nicest linens I have tried. But the pattern works well in most yarns (make sure you use the correct size hook to match the yarn/ thread/ wire you choose) I have even tried 0.2mm wire (it took  approx. 11 metres of wire).

Leave a 10cm/ 4inch tail of yarn (for one of the antenna) Follow the chart and you will end up with this pretty flower, you are now ready to make your moth. I will post Part 2 tomorrow. Update: Click Here's for part 2

Bees

Spoonflower's latest design contest is called Bees. I had to enter this one. I love bees and could watch them buzzing around flowers all day the noise is so relaxing. They are so important pollinating over 80% of all fruit, vegetable and seed crops, without bees the cost of pollinating food would be so expensive many of our favourites may no longer be produced like broccoli, cucumbers, pumpkins, blueberries, watermelons, apples, cranberries, and cherries, almonds. Plus they make both honey and beeswax. Bees are decreasing so plant a few flowers for them in your garden.
The brief for this weeks contest was "Create a bee-inspired design to be previewed at the fat quarter size (21" x 18"). Deadline for entry is Tuesday, April 21st. Voting will open on Thursday, April 23rd" Here's my design called Bees Together, it matches my filet crochet chart on my website (its a free chart) called Here Come The Bees.
To see this weeks entries and vote for the designs you like the link is below. There is no need to sign in and you can vote for as many as you choose.
http://www.spoonflower.com/contest_voters_temp/new?contest_id=300
I am looking forward to seeing all the other entries.

Variegated tulip

The sun has returned, not sure for how long and this beautiful tulip seems to have appeared in the garden overnight, it has stunning red and yellow stripy petals. We got it from a variety pack of tulip bulbs that are all different, so far only this variegated one has grown, but there are more blubs starting to appear so hopefully there will be more :)

Glass Beads

 

Recently I went to the Spring Knitting and Show at Olympia, it was costly to get in (£16.00 at the door) and I think this put me off buying yarn (shock! horror! I only bought a few skeins of pure silk that were a super bargain @ £1.00 each) plus my credit card malfunctioned and the pin don't work (mmmmm...... the universe also sending me a message no more yarn buying you need to use what you have!..) So my budget was much smaller, but that was good.

I did find a very good bargain at beadtime's stand, they had nice glass beads and metal charm packs. I wish I had bought more at this stand, I only got one pink and one green glass bead pack and a couple of metal charm packs. It was only when I returned home and opened the packs I discovered how nice the glass beads were. I decided to make a necklace with the pink and some of the green glass beads. I used a pink copper 0.8mm wire I already had (bought from jewellerymaker ages ago on a large reel, it took several metres of wire to make but there's loads still left) and decided to use my one step big wire looping pliers (made by beadsmith) instead for a change. I don't know why I don't use these more, it makes looping so easy. I added a little photo how to above on using them :) I think the pink wire compliments the glass beads and am happy with the results.

Decorated Mini Easter Egg Chart

 

Easter is fast approching, here is a simpler and smaller version of the Decorated Easter Egg Chart I posted a few years ago on my NezumiWorld Website
This pattern could, be used as an insert on cushions, pillows, clothing, bags. Or if using a thinner thread a bookmark.

Remember the finished size is dependant on the yarn weight/ or thread and hook size used (plus if using the chart for filet crochet the type of filet crochet 1X1 1X2 1X3 made)

Note: The chart is not just a filet crochet chart, you could also use the graph/ chart for tapestry crochet, beaded crochet, tunisian filet crochet, crocss stitch, embroidery even knitting!


APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES Using 1 X 2 filet crochet blocks = 1 square (As a guide only always do a tension square/ swatch):
Using Crochet Cotton size 10: width = 2.5 inches, height = 8.2 inches
Using Crochet Cotton size 20: width = 2.4 inches, height = 7.9 inches
Using Fingering/Baby Weight: width = 7.7 inches, height = 23.8 inches
Using Worsted Weight: width = 9.9 inches, height = 30.4 inches
TENSION/ GAUGE:
Using Crochet Cotton size 10: 10 squares = 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 2.5 inches
Using Crochet Cotton size 20: 10 squares = 2.2 inches, 10 rows = 2.4 inches
Using 4ply / Baby (UK) Fingering/Baby Weight (USA): 10 squares = 7.0 inches, 10 rows = 7.2 inches
Using Aran (UK)/ Worsted Weight(USA): 10 squares = 9.0 inches, 10 rows = 9.2 inches

INSTRUCTIONS (Following the chart) 1x2 filet crochet blocks:
Starting at bottom of pattern chain 34. Chain 3 to turn this counts as first treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) of first row.
Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in 5th chain from hook.Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid
square of pattern. Continue following pattern for first row reading pattern right to left. After completing first
row, chain 3 to turn to start next row. Continue following pattern until all rows are complete. At end of row
33 fasten off.

If you prefer following using crochet symbols here's a chart for you

Chain Stitch
Treble Crochet (UK)     Double Crochet (USA)

As an added bonus here is the

INSTRUCTIONS (Following the chart) 1x1 filet crochet blocks:

(better for a thin thread when making a bookmark)

Starting at bottom of pattern chain 23. Chain 3 to turn this counts as first treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) of first row. Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in 5th chain from hook.Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of pattern. Continue following pattern for first row reading pattern right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row. Continue following pattern until all rows are complete. At end of row 33 fasten off.

Happy Easter :)

Jewellery Jigs

 At Christmas I treated myself to some jewellery jigs. They are quite cheap so I was not sure if the results would be good, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were very easy to use and gave good results. Here's a few pic of one of the earring wire jigs. I'll post more results soon.