Winter Joy

Ah, it's finally cold!!! Last night temperatures dropped to 5C in my city... Below zero in some towns. This is bliss for me!

Why? Well, more tea, more knitting and crochet (so much more!), more watching tv on the couch with blankies on.... Using my knitted socks...

I could go on and on :)

I am so happy I was able to finish this scarf (shawl? cowl?) in a few weeks, just before the cold arrived. First time I ever made something in this shape. Got about 218 stitches, so the largest thing I've ever knitted!

If you want to make one for you, here is the pattern. It's so, so easy! You memorize it in no time and I made this while watching Vikings :D

The yarn I used was a gift from a friend who I love. She sent me this italian merino, and it's so, so cozy. And the color? It goes well with EVERYTHING! Just my kind of thing!

Can't wait to use it. Before I finish, here's a little something from our garden - little sister's gold oranges. Well, they're not gold just yet, but they will be! :)

Love, Tina

A Lace Story - Ajur Cowl Pattern

So, if you have read this blog before, you will know that looong ago, I started a lace scarf. A simple project using a stunning yarn.

I was my first time with lace. I have made eyelets and simple lace before, but this was an all lace project.  I had no idea how this would turn out like, but I was excited to use the Drops Delight yarn I got as a present from a friend who lives down under!!!

The search for the right pattern took me quite a while. I was not sure if I wanted to make a cowl or a scarf, but I soon said to myself - something simple, with no shaping. After all I would be having to pay attention to the lace!

So I settled for a scarf. I looked at Ravelry but nothing really caught me eye (Call me crazy!) so I went looking for patterns and stitches on some books both of my grannies have given me.

I finally found the right stitch at a book from the 80's! (I do think it's actually older than that, since it was definitely NOT the first edition!) It was a simple stitch, that is around online for ages (after I knew what to look for, there were thousands of different ways to do this.)

After making a few changes, I started. Not only I used a lifeline, I also used stitch markers. For a 44 stitch scarf!!! I give you the permission to laugh at my extreme caution :D If this is your first time with lace, I urge you to do the same! It will save you from lots of headaches later, trust me.

Lifeline and markers. Silly for such a small project, but highly effective!

I ended up finishing a 50gm skein, and I soon realized I had no more patience. At all. Scarves are great and fun.... Mostly when you are a begginer. Although  I'm pretty sure knitters who have far more experience than me love knitting scarves too. I just found out I need something that shows progress in a different way, and has at least a little bit of shaping. We live and we learn!

So I turned this into a cowl - I knitted a few more rows, and there it was. I actually have no idea why this didn't occurred me earlier - I love using cowls, scarves, not so much!

I'm quite happy with the result! So, here is the link for the pattern. You can use whatever needles and yarn you wish - there's not a gauge for this. In this cowl, I used 3.50mm needles and 1 skein of Drops Delight, 50gm. You can seam the sides and turn into a cowl, or you can just keep knitting and make a scarf! It's really up to what you prefer.

Keep in mind the stitch is not originally my idea! I'm actually trying to find information on the designer, so I can credit her/him properly. Keep your fingers crossed, I really want to find that person and say thank you :)

Have fun knitting this cowl/scarf! I can assure, it's great for begginers and experienced knitters alike!

Thanks for little sister, who took this photo!

Love,

Tina

Hotpad/Potholder Pattern

I love making potholders and hotpads. Honestly, I love crochet for decoration... And since cooking is a little hobby of mine, filling the kitchen with my own creations is a must!

After I created the Círculo in a Square pattern, I knew I wanted to make something different with it. Not a blanket... Or to use it for a garment. Then it clicked - Decoration! For my kitchen! :)

Not only it looks cute, it's also useful. I do enjoy that!

Pattern 

I used the same yarn and hook I used to make the squares - Anne yarn and a 3.00m hook. 

Abbreviations:
sc- Single crochet stitch
Sl st - Slip stitch
st -Stitch
Ch - Chain
dc -Double crochet stitch

First, make 4 squares of the Círculo in a Square pattern. You can find the pattern here. Use the colors you wish!

After that, join them together - For this hotpad, I used a sc join. It's very simple - Just crochet the borders of the squares together with single crochet stitches. Use the color you wish - In my case, I used this bright blue color. It makes for a beautiful contrast with the white!

Border 

Round 1- With the desired color (Again, I used the same color I used for the join, but you can use your imagination!), Ch1. Then, sc around. In the corners of the squares, make 1 sc on the dc st before the 2ch - then ch3. Inside the 2ch space, make 1 sc. Continue the pattern like this - Sc in each st, make corner, sc in each st - Repeat around.

Round 2 - Sc around, but for the border, make: 1sc inside 3ch of previous round, ch3, sc inside ch3 of previous round. Repeat around.

Round 3 - Same as round 2. Then, weave ends.

After you are done with the border, join new yarn in the ch3 space of round 3. It can be whatever color you chose - I used white. Ch 25, then make a sl st inside the ch3 space. Weave ends, and it's ready to be used!



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. 

Almost Spring Hat Pattern

I present to you my very first knitting design!

When I got the yarn for my cowl, mom loved the color I chose. She kept asking me to knit a hat for her since last year, so... I thought now was the perfect time! I had the right color, all I needed was a pattern. After talking to her (she had a lot of ideas, mind you), I was able to start creating the design. And here it is!

What you will need -

For the hat:
Worsted weight yarn, 1 skein
3.50 mm needles, DPNS or circular (size of needles can be changed to adjust gauge)
Needle for sewing in ends

For the flower:
Worsted weight yarn
5mm hook
Needle to sew the flower on hat.


Notes:

**To make garter stitch in the round, purl one row, and then knit another row. Simple as that!

**When you are making the crown, you can skip the garter row if you want to, and just knit. But, if you want to continue the pattern, and find yourself having to decrease in a purl row, do not despair: Follow the exact same instructions, only switching the K for the P. So, instead of K6, you P6 - And instead of K2tog, just P2tog.

**You can use circular needles - Just make sure to have dpns of the same size for when you are making the crown!

Abbreviations:
CA - Cast on
K - Knit
P - Purl
sts - Stitches
K2tog - Knit 2 stitches together
Ch - Chain
Sk - Skip
dc - Double Crochet
sc - Single Crochet

Gauge:10cm - 18sts (In stockinette)  

Pattern:

Hat-

Cast on 96 sts, and divide them across 3 needles (32 sts on each needle.)

Make 13 rounds of K2, P2 ribb. (If you do not want to fold the ribb, make less rounds)

K for 8 rounds, make one round of garter. K for another 8 rounds, another one round of garter. Repeat until you have 15/16 cm.

Crown

K6, k2tog around
K one round
k5, k2tog around
K one round
K4, k2tog around
K one round
K3, k2tog around
K one round
K2, k2tog around
K one round
K1, k2tog around
K one round
K2tog around

Do not bind off - Thread yarn in the sewing needle and then pass the needle inside all remaining sts. Give it a tigh pull to close the top of the hat, then sew all ends.

Flower -

Ch 48. Sk1, sc, sk1, 5dc in same ch, repeat. When you are done, fold. This will form the flower. Attach to the hat and you are done!


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. 

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. 

Calm Hours

My afternoons are never the same. I don't really have a fixed routine - So sometimes, I watch tv, other days I use the computer, orI play videogames, and other days I just craft.

Today is one of those days. I'm knitting my socks, starting my cable cowl, and making crochet flowers from this book I bought last saturday. It has the most beautiful patterns... It had to be Coats!

This is not exactly sock yarn - We don't have that in Brazil. We should, though! In any case, it's soft and the colors are simply beautiful - It's funky and fun!

I have also finished one sock of my first pair - Sock n.2 is already at the heel. I will be working that tonight, while I make company for my mom.

Also, the cable cowl is coming alive... This time, I will have enough yarn. I had to unravel everything I made so far, because there was not enough yarn... But I bought this green here and I'm in love. Can't wait to see the pattern coming alive, while I drink tea and listen to my favorite songs.

Because that's what simple pleasures are all about - Making yourself smile with the things you do everyday. :)

Love, Tina

Bela Blanket Pattern

This blanket was such a joy to make. I loved choosing the colors, getting myself a bit nervous, and even sewing all the ends.

The fact that I used different yarns made sure that there was never a dull moment. Most importantly, my sister loved it!

As soon as it was finished, she snatched the blanket from me and started using it. To think, it starts with a granny square!

Oh, crochet. For me, it's the most wonderful craft that exists. Yes, I love knitting just as much, but there is something about crochet.... <3

I used worsted, bulky and aran yarns to make the blanket. The border was made with DK yarn. I went for bright colors, because my sister asked for that. I used each color for two rounds, as I found that it would make the colors stand out more.

Have in mind that using different yarn weights can make your blanket bigger or smaller! Mine ended up quite big - 90cm wide and 90cm large.

Well, here's the pattern page on Ravelry, I made a PDF for it, as I always do.

Enjoy making your blanket! :D

Love, Tina

So.Many.Projects! *May 2015*

I'm not a normal person. If I was unsure about it before, now I just know it. Maybe it's me driving my anxiety to different things - and if that's what is happening, then this is actually a really good thing. But... This month has been crazy when it comes to my projects. I started socks, hats, blankets, scarves and a lacy table runner. I knitted and crocheted more than ever. I thought making a post about what I've been making would be nice. :)

1- Basic Baby Hat 

This one was such a joy to make - I even learned how to make pompoms just for it!Now I need a blue one for my baby cousin. :) * Project page - you can find the pattern here.*

2 -Sockalong Winwick Mum

I have said many things about this wonderful sockalong in older posts. I finished my pair of socks but for my sadness, I had to frog them. Why? I only had 3,50mm dpns, and needed smaller needles. I was not able to find them here in the yarn stores we have where I live. :( But I will get the smaller dpns soon enough! :) *Project page - find the pattern here*

3 - Isabela's Blanket 

This has been such a wonderful project. It's almost done, but part of me wish I had started the blanket now. This is how much I love making it! I hope my sister likes it too :) *Project page*

4 - I See Hearts 

I have a big trunk in my bedroom, It used to be filled with toys when I was a kid. Now I'm 21 and don't play with dolls anymore, but it's a good wooden trunk and I will paint it white (because it's pink, and decorated with dolls and yellow hearts.) and use it as a nightstand. I wanted to make a doily for it - But not round. So I decided to choose a stitch and make a lacy table runner instead! But I'm not so sure about this. Let's see how it goes. The hearts sure are cute though! *Project page*

5 - Memory Blanket 

I can't stop knitting this blanket, it's so relaxing and such a simple project. I take it everywhere with me, and people always say how cool the pattern is. *Project page - find the pattern here*

6 - Another Blanket

And I think I might be starting another blanket. I made one for me, for my sister, and the memory blanket is for charity. Why do I want to make another blanket? Because I have TONS of cotton yarn in this house. Top quality cotton yarn. I haven't really used it yet because I had not found the perfect pattern for it. I got many of those skeins for my birthday last year - god only knows how much money they spent in all of this. I would not be able to AFFORD making a blanket with this yarn! The only thing I would have to buy to complete the blanket would be white skeins, 2 or 3, but that's minimal. And I already have a pattern in mind! :) 

7 - Lacy Scarf

Oh well.... no photo for this one because I have frogged it so many times looking for the perfect pattern. The yarn I chose is beautiful though! :D

That was quite a list, right? :) 

Love, Tina 

Squares

There's one thing I simply love making. Knitted, crocheted, it does not matter: Squares are so fun to make! 

I adore lace squares, as well as solid ones. Until very recently, I had never knitted a square. But the memory blanket pattern changed that, oh so quickly. And now I can't stop making them! 

When I crochet squares, I love playing with colors and shapes. My summer inspiration square pattern is a very good example of how I enjoy doing that. 

Also, I have a really soft spot in my heart for solid crochet squares. It's wonderful to make each round a different color - So many fun combinations can come from that! 

This week I started a new blanket for my sister. I will use lots of different square patterns to make it, in very fun colors. Can wait to see the result... When I start a pattern, there's no stopping me! 

Have a lovely weekend!

Tina 

Socks!

Everytime I went to a LYS, I was stunned by the beauty of colors that some yarns had. They were called sock yarn and were fabulous.

But... knitting a sock? That HAD to be hard. Seriously. Dpns, magic loop.... Way too much for my brain! 

Until I heard about a "sockalong". It sounded promising! So I found Christine's blog, "Winwick Mum". And let me tell you... This woman is wonderful. The instructions are so clear even a 5 year old can follow them.

The face of concentration. No, I don't use makeup at home... I was waiting my mom to get ready to go out. I have "one more row" syndrome!

And so... Here I am! Trying very hard, because dpns, my friend... I feel like I am trying to hug an octopus. But I have to see the pattern from the yummy yarn I bought specially for this occasion develop. And my mom says she REALLY wants those socks. *Hand knitted socks... and sweaters... crocheted decoration items for the home... I love this woman to death but she overwhelms me with crafty requests! :D * 

Also, let me brag a little: See this "tube" looking thing? Is my needle holder. Wanna know who made that for me? My grandma! :D She is such a talented lady... All handpainted by herself. She gave me last christmas and I'm in love.

All those details... Perfection. <3 

Next thing I am sure to do? A crocheted sock! :)

Love, Tina 

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