Blanket Journey

As I said many times before, blankets are my weak spot. I love making them. The planning is one of the best moments of the journey... But this time, I was quite stuck.

So many ideas, but nothing I really loved. And who wants to spend weeks, sometimes months, doing a design they don't really like? That's just crazy.

I tried mandalas, simple squares, complicated motifs... So far, I THINK I'm on the one. I *think*. I really hope it is, because it's stunning. Big and pretty!

Not going to show this whole motif just yet.... But it has popcorns. LOTS of it. :)

I have a bunch of colorful yarn I'm itching to use, and this will be the first blanket of 2016! I made 4 last year - Maybe I can make 5 this year? Who knows :D

Stay tuned for more - I will be documenting everything here... Not sure why, but I think this blanket will be special.

With love,

Tina!

Círculo in a Square pattern!

For a few weeks I had this idea for a square in mind, but my stitch count was never really right. As a rule in life, things happen you least expect - And after a long day, I got everything perfect without even thinking!

Círculo means "circle" in portuguese - I am pretty happy with the way the circles stand out in the pattern.

A few notes before we begin: 

1- This was made with cotton thread for a 1,75mm crochet hook, but I used a 3.00mm one.

2- If you are using yarn and let's say, a 4.00mm hook (or bigger), it's best if you don't make round 7. It would turn out very big.

3- As with any crochet piece, this looks better if you block it!

4- This pattern is written with the american crochet terminology.

Abbreviations:

tr -Treble crochet
dc -Double crochet
sc -Single crochet
hdc - Half double crochet
sk - Skip
sl -Slip stitch
st -stitch
ch - Chain
mg -Magic ring
* * - Repeat

Pattern:

1- Make a magic ring. Ch1, make 16 sc inside mg.

2- Ch5, sk 1 st, 1 dc in sc, ch2, *sk 1 st, 1dc in sc, ch2* around, make a sl st in ch3 of 5 to close round.

3- Ch3, 2d, ch1, *3dc inside 2ch space, ch1* around, close with a sl st in first ch on ch3.

4- Ch5, 1sc on ch1 space, *1sc on ch1 space*, repeat around, close with a sl st in third chain of ch5.

5-  Ch2, 3dc, 2tr, 3dc, 1hdc, sc on sc of round 4, c3, sc on ch5 space, ch3, sc on sc, *1hdc, 3dc, 2tr, 3dc, 1hdc in ch5 space, sc on sc of round 4, ch3, sc on next ch5 space, sc on sc* repeat around, close with a sl st on second ch of ch2,

6 - Ch3 (counts as one dc), *dc on each st, dc on tr, ch2, dc on tr, sk sc, 3dc on ch3 sp*  around, close with a sl st in third chain of ch3.

7 - Ch3 (counts as one dc), *dc on each st, on ch2 space, make: (1dc, ch2, 1dc), dc on each st* cose with a sl st on third st of ch3.

And now you have your square! The best thing about motifs is that you can make everything with them - The possibilities are endless! :)

Love, Tina

You can sell items made with this pattern, but do not sell the pattern itself. Do not claim as your own - if you want to feature in your site, please, link back to my blog. Copyright by Betina Juchem Clemens 2015. 

Granny's Tablerunner! (Pattern)

Last year, I made my very first tablerunner. My mother thought it was time to let the old one go… We used the same tablerunner for over 10 years!

So, I went looking for motifs. In this post, I said a few things about this crochet book that has been used for 3 generations in my family.  Once I found the motif I was looking for, I started!

A few people have asked me for the pattern, and so far, I had not made one. I thought it was about time!

So here it is, the PDF. You can download it here, directly from Ravelry.

Happy hooking! :D 

A Very Happy Afternoon

Today I had literally, nothing important to do. Just had to make lunch and that was it. It has been so long I felt that good when I had a day just for myself! 

What did I do? I crafted. Oh yes.

Knitted more squares for my memory blanket; Choose colors for my new design; Choose motifs and took pictures of everything. I spent the whole day in the garden, with the company of my lovely boxer, Mel. She's my love. While I knitted and choose colors, she slept. Actually, she snored. Perfect indeed! :D

For my new project, I want to use that cotton thread you see in the first picture. It's soft and color fast, lovely to work with. 

 This book here is my life saver. It belonged to my great grandmother, then my grandmother, and now, me! It's full of stitches (crochet, knitting and afghan crochet), borders and motifs (crochet). 

This is a little something from my garden, planted by my little sister. She is so talented, and plants are her passion. 

Love, Tina