tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37163582703721087292024-02-19T17:46:16.680+11:00AuntieElle's BlogEverything craft, crochet, knitting and more.AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-15815436785034860492020-03-19T14:04:00.002+11:002020-03-19T14:45:57.316+11:00Toilet Paper AlternativeIn light of the current worldwide coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, and accompanying shortages, I’ve decided to save my dwindling toilet paper supplies for #2s. (Aka bowel movements, poopies, doo doos, or whatever euphemism you prefer.)<br />
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I’ve been informed that you men-folk don’t require TP for #1s, but us women and girls need to “dry off.” And really, that’s all we’re doing... drying off. Well, I’ve got a few things around that I can use to dry off. Although urine is sterile, and Bear Grylls even drinks his, unless I’m desperate, I don’t REALLY want to use something (like a washcloth) that I may someday want to use to clean my face!<br />
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Enter some old cotton t-shirts that have seen better days. Hmmm, these will work...<br />
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Here’s the plan... I’m going to have 2 buckets next to my toilet. One for clean wipes, and the other for dirty. As luck would have it, thanks to my dear friend Julie, I’m lucky enough to have a bucket with a lid for those dirty wipes. Thanks, Julie! When the clean ones are running low, I’m going to give the dirty ones a nice hot wash and dry and back into the clean bucket they’ll go.<br />
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A few tips:<br />
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1 - Cotton or bamboo are both absorbent and delicate to your sensitive areas.<br />
2 - You can use old t-shirts, old underwear, old hankies, old sheets, old cotton towels, or old cotton baby nappies/diapers!<br />
3 - Wash those wipes in hot water with a bit of NapiSan or WhiteKing laundry powder.<br />
4 - If available, try to use a laundry detergent with no dyes or perfumes.<br />
5 - Don’t use fabric softener (it’s scented).<br />
6 - Remember, these can’t be flushed!<br />
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I only had a pair of very strange kitchen scissors to use, so these wipes ain’t pretty, but honestly who cares! I’ve cut up my first t-shirt (avoiding the decoration in the middle) and was able to get 22 wipes out of one XL T-shirt, even though the front had a decoration that made that part unusable. <br />
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Yes, my wipes are all cut a bit higgledy-piggledy, but that really doesn’t matter. I’ve decided to be quite generous in my sizing for this first batch, because I have plenty of old shirts I can cut up in the future. <br />
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Are you going to try this out? Let me know what you think and if you have any tips that you’d like to share. Stay safe<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supplies: I actually only used one T-shirt for now</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 wipes from just the sleeves<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my gorgeous dog. Just because she’s cute! </td></tr>
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<br />AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-85791222290924152812012-03-09T14:12:00.016+11:002012-03-09T21:40:50.064+11:002012 - Let's Get it Started. Crocheting for CharityTo get 2012 started on the right foot, I decided to focus on some crafting for others. Dawniedear, a Ravelry friend, does most of her knitting and crochet for charity, including an organisation that provides hats, etc, to the homeless.<br /><br />I challenged myself to make at least 5 beanies for Dawn's charity before the 1st of March. While I was at it, I posed the challenge to the other members of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/crochet-lovers-victoria-australia">Crochet Lovers Victoria on Ravelry</a>. I'm happy to report many of the members have taken up the challenge with me! Some are making one or two beanies as they can, some taking the 5 beanie challenge, and some surpassing that number as well.<br /><br />I did some stash diving and came up with yarn that was not slated for other projects and got to work. I was able to make 7 beanies by the March 1st deadline I set for myself. Some of them aren't the prettiest, but will go to helping keep some people warm during those cold Melbourne winter months.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Beanie #1<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717734797270949682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp1OGzOvqNpUkvSFbTG0D9bvw16Jo9ts8MuQQC90MWzt3n4s6gORNrjw-_u2-sDGaGNV7XCC_YWzToHh5IuIWw4zHy4Ai9RKy-dwHA6PWvM-3PmDZqufrtZT3tUflRK7ApalM_DHNc_UW/s200/charity+1.jpg" />Beanie #2<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717733404557397122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2zyVz5h9a2yRpysGE-GX1lvur4726uDYf47xfQ2ifBQjJUpMnbhmSUVfX5zYJpx6NAg1YE9THcLDdflVeBgdxKJ5NQcO9Ui5M_mn5xK4EDCsjaGgpjDY6wuZZXmD8uteo0q7sEF1bhP6/s200/charity+2b.jpg" />Beanie #3<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717733406308633474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hJa4F17TP0-kedk-qAtMCtAOjLp1wKWrgkVaX8MLQyJdo6y85ZkLiLsuVL55A5GKmjyEHrjdD8U9cWskxnfzXj0FwlokgY4JRObGr3DnuG0w4RuUzjtjsdZV1uIXfDiEuCUQeWPgd1a2/s200/charity+3.jpg" /> Beanie #4<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717734808239132610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN0c53jl4IqCrwl1ZTW9b5qlgiISm67F-w3I3Syh42Jr8oMstAuRUNppmiSWOg-VPz_5hFx3cNnoEIEVTgu5Eb-Zqa8F4-P-cXbeZNlUQsX6QNgwpnKbUgqYqw3jofPbWsVdsh2tpcNxW/s200/charity+4.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Beanie #5<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717734828065646434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-0eUO1H5NVeHXPFSO8LENOdnLRAAj7-JKPV9_9E3OuTN4LO9F9UmZOhLO7pduDeJul6SRy2fh4vkKivI9rVqgyDcAJQx4kEr5LZAA0cue8sZ74GRtVO7xg8eHcqYEACEzQW1B8GbKZae/s200/charity+5.jpg" />Beanie #6<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717734836506844290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisi6HKS69TdoqQaRRsJBpcVQgzVhYEUeu_pJoPaSTReAWgDrM6k97ZtB4OkUCBD-UM32J9rBPC2KMMYIYNcP59ATjL-hGKJsGaxBuXKmEldXWgWdyFVx11T2Uv2YYo9QBlRmNl7Xu2bsF/s200/charity+6.jpg" /> Beanie#7<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717734856602118786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASN2doZb8XHgHtM_MzyhEl9RDk8ThJtYS8wvlWc-PH43pkYXLWZqpkHW-2Pp7rNV40HD6LoZk0SjOexMdzQX5VoE7y0WY669WZt1k3undVqyNKJXmMmAV_RQw7VtWbVE_PeA-05Lyovxv/s200/charity+7.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Another Ravelry friend, mareeknowscraft, is organising some blankets for donation to a nursing home in Eltham that was flooded out in the Christmas Day flood / hailstorm. Since I was already on a charity role...</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">The wool for this blanket was donated to me, and I decided to make it into a zig zag blanket. I just finished sewing in all the ends yesterday (my least favourite job), and now it is all ready to be taken to the home.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717798885797447970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3MYTcO2ZZDE5i99qwHFe_IH9xVGNWXNXzwli11paVLL_v-AZnjtUmwty6jv3HvYRHkit_8yWzWQ1-rz2ZGCM_TUo1Jt15aUmOX-O9omLgG21eh_n4ZOIRJ9RsgAJLuATh0cS5rET2mRF/s320/nursing+home+blanket.jpg" /></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-14356978640068695872011-10-18T17:46:00.009+11:002011-10-18T18:27:25.325+11:00Bobble Hanger Cover - Free Crochet Pattern<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy8dEiLjpFx7250teX7qwMTwPyhSP9aCLygcLS2BhR0cGJrG6Qm941BuzxXT5JfqUSwvxqnqVwMyXCz0kaW4Fwz4v0KmsJkTm4Np0NcmnMrMY-NMBtM9MxYcodkTuhlwJh57V3ziQIPMc/s1600/bobble+hanger.BMP"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy8dEiLjpFx7250teX7qwMTwPyhSP9aCLygcLS2BhR0cGJrG6Qm941BuzxXT5JfqUSwvxqnqVwMyXCz0kaW4Fwz4v0KmsJkTm4Np0NcmnMrMY-NMBtM9MxYcodkTuhlwJh57V3ziQIPMc/s320/bobble+hanger.BMP" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664727519184084338" /></a><br />Copyright © October 2011 by Letitia Sherriff<br /><br /><strong>Materials Needed:</strong>• <br />* Approximately 35 grams of Lily Sugar’n Cream Cotton (or substitute any worsted weight yarn)<br />* 4.00mm crochet hook (US size G)<br />* One adult-sized wooden craft hanger<br />* Yarn needle for finishing<br />* Scissors<br />* (Optional) Approximately 15 cms (6 inches) of plastic tubing <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXeRlQ1YCe8Y68Ie2bluO497CSEB1oHxck-hvPsdNR9BWW7eyPUdB3kgEPhDHN8UVk9IeyelwiiVYZeYja5KjPapW4tNh42hixOfooJq5zzEtjdn5dYa-1-2YwYDsysyqmSk1mCiNqGRg/s1600/bobble+hanger+materials.BMP"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXeRlQ1YCe8Y68Ie2bluO497CSEB1oHxck-hvPsdNR9BWW7eyPUdB3kgEPhDHN8UVk9IeyelwiiVYZeYja5KjPapW4tNh42hixOfooJq5zzEtjdn5dYa-1-2YwYDsysyqmSk1mCiNqGRg/s320/bobble+hanger+materials.BMP" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664729595292578770" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Abbreviations Used:</strong><br />CH = chain<br />SC = single crochet<br />ST = stitch<br />WS = wrong side<br />RS = right side<br />(US crochet terminology used) <br /><br /><strong>Special Stitches:</strong> <br />Bobble Stitch = yarn over and insert hook in stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through two loops (two loops on hook). Yarn over and insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop (four loops on hook), yarn over and draw through two loops (three loops on hook). Yarn over and insert hook in same stitch again, yarn over and draw up a loop (5 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through two loops (4 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through all four loops, leaving one loop on hook. <br /><br /><strong>Hanger Cover:</strong><br />Ch-52<br />Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and each CH to end (51 SC).<br />Row 2: CH-1, turn. (WS) *SC in first ST, bobble (see special stitches) in next ST*. Repeat from * to * 24 times ending with SC in last ST. (26 SC & 25 bobbles made). <br />Tip: try to pull your SC stitches tight so the bobbles will “pop” more.<br />Row 3: ch-1, turn. (RS) SC in each ST. (51 sc)<br />Row 4: (WS) repeat row 3.<br />Row 5: (RS) repeat row 3. <br />Row 6: (WS) repeat row 2.<br />Row 7: (RS) repeat row 3. <br />Row 8: (WS) repeat row 3. <br /><br /><strong>Finishing:</strong> Leaving tail of approximately 60 centimetres (24 inches), break yarn and secure last stitch. With RS facing out, whipstitch last row and beginning chain together. Insert hanger and align so bobbles are on the sides of the hanger, and whip stitch ends closed as well. Put plastic tubing over hanger hook if desired. You’re done!<br /><br /><strong>Please note:</strong> This pattern is for free <strong>PERSONAL USE ONLY</strong>. You may <strong>not </strong>sell items made from this pattern, or republish this pattern in any form without the express written permission from the author.AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-73187362818280760022010-12-03T16:02:00.009+11:002010-12-03T17:45:35.996+11:00Hang upPerhaps it's from seeing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dearest-Hollywood-Royalty-Special-Collectors/dp/B000ERVJK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291352657&sr=8-1">Mommie Dearest </a> too many times growing up, but I can NOT bring myself to use wire hangers. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5228388986/" title="nowirehangers by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5228388986_4bf92ba83d_m.jpg" width="240" height="230" alt="nowirehangers" /></a><br /><br />The next natural choice, of course, is plastic. I've been using plastic hangers for as long as I can remember and have never had any problems. Now either they just don't make them like they used to, or the plastic hangers available here in Australia are just bad quality. But between my husband and I, we seem to break an average of 2 or 3 plastic hangers a week. It's expensive, it's wasteful, and it's frustrating. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5073118045/" title="brokenhanger by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5073118045_7ed671618a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="brokenhanger" /></a><br /><br />I NEVER thought I'd be the kind of person who would want, or use, a crocheted hanger. I've always thought they were a bit daggy. Not to mention op shops / thrift stores seem to be <em>choking </em>with old unwanted ones. I suppose part of me never wanted to make one because it made me sad to think it would end up some day as an unwanted item in an op shop. But as they say, never say never. <br /><br />Due to my frustration of the broken plastic hangers, I used some of my leftover Sugar & Cream and Peaches & Cream cotton to cover two hangers. Hhhhmmm, not too bad. They aren't too ugly. And they help cushion the clothes a bit versus just plain wood (and don't seem to leave those little pointed shoulder marks). <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5073714616/" title="hangerbluegreen1 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5073714616_94abfc753d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerbluegreen1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5073120213/" title="hangerpastel2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5073120213_5732c427de_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerpastel2" /></a><br /><br />Recently the Crochet Lover's Victoria group on Ravelry had a trio of hangers swap. After looking up some of my partner's likes & dislikes in regard to colour, I got to work. First out of the gate was a plain SC hanger cover made from Moda Vera Isabella. It's acrylic but very soft and squishy. It's a fun bright blue with little flecks in it as well. I was worried my partner would think the hanger was a bit plain as is, so I picked up the yellow and orange of some of the flecks, and added a crocheted flower to it. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5226232482/" title="hangerswapisabella1 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5226232482_617f50e768_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswapisabella1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5225637741/" title="hangerswapisabella3 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5225637741_70e62c666c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswapisabella3" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5226233104/" title="hangerswapisabella2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5226233104_acec4d083a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswapisabella2" /></a><br /><br />One down. Two to go. Second on the list was a lovely Tiffany-esque blue in Kate Espiga cotton. It's super soft and really shows off stitches well. I winged my own pattern of bobble stitches for the second hanger. I'm super happy with the results. I had a little bit of trouble sending this one off, I have to say!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5225635379/" title="hangerswaplightblue1 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5225635379_fded3a4e8e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswaplightblue1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5226231988/" title="hangerswaplightblue2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5226231988_e6fe27e5ab_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswaplightblue2" /></a><br /><br />Two down. One to go! For the third and final hanger, I decided to make a striped hanger. My partner's birthday is the 5th of December so I alternated the stripes based on those numbers... 5, 1, 2, repeat. This idea is good in theory, and I think it came out well, but the ends.... oh the ends!!!!! I didn't realise until I was about halfway done how many ends I would have to weave in! Trust me when I say I won't be doing this again. It took me about two hours to weave all those ends in. Way too much work for a hanger! Live and learn. For the finishing touch, I used the two colours together to add a little curlique. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5225642679/" title="hangerswapbirthday1 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5225642679_d6983eb8d2_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswapbirthday1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5226239500/" title="hangerswapbirthday2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5226239500_0279ba492b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswapbirthday2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5225644113/" title="hangerswapbirthday3 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5225644113_bb22d5df27_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswapbirthday3" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5226230946/" title="hangerswaptrio by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5226230946_53fb8625f3_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswaptrio" /></a><br /><br />I also received three lovely hangers in return from the person who had me for the swap. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5222731099/" title="hangerswap2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5222731099_9404b3074e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hangerswap2" /></a><br /><br />While I was feeling the hanger vibe, I decided to make a couple more for myself. I'd eventually like to get rid of all those plastic hangers. I'm sure it won't take long. I'm not buying any more, and with how many break each week...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5224703901/" title="jewelhanger2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5224703901_137d4c0e4a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="jewelhanger2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5224644349/" title="jewelhanger by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5224644349_0fc626832c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="jewelhanger" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5224643529/" title="pinkcamohanger2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5224643529_d69bfe96be_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="pinkcamohanger2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5224642839/" title="pinkcamohanger by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5224642839_ee90be183c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="pinkcamohanger" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5225236868/" title="orangehanger2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5225236868_75485be3e8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="orangehanger2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5225236002/" title="orangehanger by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5225236002_55733d3c9e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="orangehanger" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5224640667/" title="isabellahanger2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5224640667_6de54c2d41_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="isabellahanger2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5224639927/" title="isabellahanger by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5224639927_2e26c277b9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="isabellahanger" /></a><br /><br />These may well end up unwanted in an op shop someday, but I'm okay with that now. In the mean time they will be used and appreciated. And they will save me from all the frustration of nearly daily snapped plastic hangers. I think Mommie Dearest would be proud, too.AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-45462806381141158812010-11-17T00:41:00.005+11:002010-11-17T12:26:20.781+11:00The Babette is Done!Yippee, it's done, it's done!!!! Even after having to put it on hold for two weeks due to running out of the main colour, I still finished this sucker in less than a month. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm so proud of myself. I usually get "start-itis" - love starting things, but the finishing? Not so much. <br /><br />Here are some (okay, a lot) of pics of the finished product.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5174689136/" title="babettefinal1 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5174689136_0a6ffb12de_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="babettefinal1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5174689142/" title="babettefinal2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5174689142_625f466dac_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="babettefinal2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5174689144/" title="babettefinal3 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5174689144_620a824c30_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="babettefinal3" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5174689146/" title="babettefinal4 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5174689146_69c76cc928_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="babettefinal4" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5174689148/" title="babettefinal5 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5174689148_69c76cc928_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="babettefinal5" /></a><br /><br />Okay, I'm off to go do my happy dance now :)<br /><br />Edited to add: I posted the following information for a fellow Babette-maker on Ravelry and was told it was very useful. So, I've decided to post it here in case anyone else is interested.<br /><br />SPECIAL NOTES - HOW MUCH YARN I USED…<br /><br />Well, I used 14 colours - and they were all 200 gram balls. But with the exception of the almond/cream which I ended up using a total of 280 grams of, I had heaps left over of the other 13 colours.<br /><br />Being a bit of a nerd, and so I’d know for future Babette making, I actually went and weighed all my balls at the end to see how much I’d actually used. So in addition to the 280 grams of almond, here’s what else I used.<br /><br />Celery (light green) = 115 grams <br />Guava (dark green) = 49 grams <br />Aster (lavender) = 115 grams <br />Blueberry (dark purple) = 90 grams <br />Butternut (peach) = 98 grams <br />Pumpkin (orange) = 92 grams <br />Rose pink (light pink) = 86 grams <br />Lipstick pink (dark pink) = 88 grams <br />Maize (light yellow) = 76 grams <br />Seaquest (light turquoise) = 72 grams <br />Poseidon (dark turquoise) = 85 grams <br />Iris (blue) = 97 grams <br />Periwinkle (light blue) = 88 grams<br /><br />So that’s 1431 grams all up, which includes the SC join and two rounds of SC border. The actual blanket probably weights a little bit less as that includes all the yarn I used… so tails have been eliminated. I used a 4mm hook and BWM 8ply wool.AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-4084517764077154592010-11-04T17:38:00.011+11:002010-11-17T00:48:42.842+11:00BabetteAt the beginning of the year, when I received my new 2010 shade card from <a href="http://www.bendigowoollenmills.com.au/">Bendigo Woollen Mills</a>, several of the colours really jumped out at me. I'd previously seen the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/babette-blanket">Babette</a> blanket pattern and was very keen to make one. I pulled the appropriate colours from the shade card & set them aside for future "Babette-making."<br /><br />Fast forward to October <em>(geez, where'd the time go) </em>and I FINALLY ordered the wool to make a Babette. Isn't it pretty?<br /><br /><em>Of course, this very wool went on sale less than a week after I'd ordered it all, but hey, them's the breaks.</em><br /><br /><a title="babettewool by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5082616750/"><img alt="babettewool" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5082616750_17aae6af33_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" /></a><br /><br />I got to work that very day on making the Babette. The blanket is assembled in 10 different sections. I decided I would make the sections in order and assemble them as I go to help keep all those many, many squares organised. I also decided that I would follow the pattern as written, substituting my Bendigo Woollen Mills colours for the ones outlined in the pattern. The only main alteration I made was using a single crochet join instead of whipstitch.<br /><br />It wasn't long before I had sections 1 through 5 complete.<br /><br /><a title="babette1 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5086011832/"><img alt="babette1" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5086011832_01a7a3cab4_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br />Plus section 6....<br /><a title="babette2 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5087368121/"><img alt="babette2" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5087368121_ef8ae46725_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br />Plus section 7...<br /><a title="babette3 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5093206768/"><img alt="babette3" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5093206768_92ff52c558_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br />And sections 8 and 9 ...<br /><a title="babette4 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5098257539/"><img alt="babette4" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1206/5098257539_a0498aed55_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /><br />Then just as I was starting in to section 10 (the final section), I ran out of the cream/almond main colour! Oops. I quickly ordered some more. I was on such a roll and I'm so bummed I've had to put this project on hold for a week and a half now. Every day I wait for the wool delivery to come, but I'm still waiting... <em>sigh</em>...<br /><br />In the meantime, my adorable doggie has given the blanket-thus-far her seal of approval.<br /><br /><a title="babetteclancy by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5113312470/"><img alt="babetteclancy" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1107/5113312470_4fd65c03ee_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /><br />Now if the postie would just hurry up with that wool already!AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-81322024061430240222010-09-23T11:50:00.010+10:002010-11-17T00:49:25.933+11:00It's Snowing - My Snowflake AddictionI've been going a little snowflake crazy lately. They are just so much fun to make!<br /><br />Here are the first 19 I made. Since this photo was taken, I've got another 16 or so that I've completed. These suckers are addicting...<br /><br /><a title="snowflakesprogress02 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5003557316/"><img height="180" alt="snowflakesprogress02" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5003557316_3bc1be2999_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br />*Sorry the photo is a little blurry*<br /><br />I am using bits and pieces of leftover yarn that I have from different projects, as well as sample yarns from Wangaratta Mills to make the first 5 rounds of the square. I am then doing the last two rows in Bendigo Woollen Mills 8ply Luxury in black.<br /><br /><a title="sf01 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/4958864730/"><img height="240" alt="sf01" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/4958864730_310ac1fb85_m.jpg" width="180" /></a>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-7690906618909189332010-08-28T13:32:00.024+10:002010-11-17T00:49:57.136+11:00Woolly's Snowflake Square - Free Crochet PatternsOn a recent crochet retreat, one of the members (1woollywombat) shared a beautiful crochet blanket she found at an op shop for only $3 or $4! It's a beautiful blanket and I really love the squares it used.<br /><br />Later that night I set about trying to replicate the square while I had the original in front of me - I reckon I got it spot on, or at the least, very darn close!<br /><br />I used a 4mm hook and approximately 8ply yarn (DK weight) which gave me a perfect 6 inch square. I reckon if you were to make it with a worsted weight/10ply yarn and a 5mm hook, it would give you an 8 inch square.<br /><br />Please be advised, I am NOT claiming credit for this square, and I am NOT claiming to have designed it. Unfortunately I just don't know the origins of the square and/or if a pattern for the original exists somewhere out there.<br /><br /><strong>Woolly's Snowflake Square - FREE Crochet Pattern</strong><br /><strong>6 inch / 8 inch version</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><a title="snowflake 006 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5002926399/"><img height="180" alt="snowflake 006" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5002926399_61916ae821_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><a title="snowflake 006 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5002926399/"></a><a title="snowflake 001 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/5002926379/"><img height="180" alt="snowflake 001" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5002926379_6e1bb0e994_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><strong></strong><br /><em>To make the 6 inch version, use a 4mm hook and 8ply (DK weight) yarn</em><br /><em>To make the 8 inch version, use a 5mm hook and 10 ply (worsted weight) yarn</em><br /><br /><strong>Stitches Used</strong><br />Ch = chain<br />Sl-st = Slip Stitch<br />SC = Single Crochet<br />DC = Double Crochet<br />V-Stitch = DC, ch-1, DC (into same stitch or space)<br />Double-V-Stitch = 2DC, ch-2, 2DC (into same stitch or space)<br />Triple-V-Stich = 3DC, ch-3, 3DC (into same stitch or space)<br /><br />Ch-6. Sl-st to first ch to form a ring.<br /><br /><strong>Round 1:</strong> Ch-3. 15 DC into ring. Sl-st to top of beg ch-3. (<em>16 DC made</em>).<br /><br /><strong>Round 2:</strong> Sl-st <strong>between</strong> any two DC of round 1. Ch-4, then DC in the same space (<em>counts as first V-stitch</em>). *Skip next 2DC and V-Stitch <strong>between</strong> DCs.* Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sl-st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (<em>8 V-Stitches m</em>ade).<br /><br /><strong>Round 3:</strong> Sl-st to ch-1 space of any V-Stitch from round 2. (Ch-3, DC, ch-2, 2DC) into same Ch-1 space (<em>first Double-V-Stitch made</em>). *Double-V-Stitch in next ch-1 space.* Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sl-st to top of beg ch-3. (<em>8 Double-V-Stitches made</em>).<br /><br /><strong>Round 4:</strong> Sl-st to ch-2 space of any Double-V-Stitch from round 3. (Ch-3, 2DC, ch-3, 3DC) into same ch-2 space (<em>first Triple-V-Stitch made</em>). *Triple-V-Stitch into next ch-2 space.* Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sl-st to top of beg ch-3. (<em>8 Triple-V-Stitches made</em>).<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Round 5:</strong> Sl-st to ch-3 space of any Triple-V-Stitch from round 4. (Ch-3, 3DC, ch-2, 4DC) into the same ch-3 space (<em>corner made</em>). *8DC in next ch-3 space (<em>side made</em>). (4DC, ch-2, 4DC) in next ch-3 space.* Repeat from * to * 2 times. 8 DC in the last ch-3 space. Sl-st to top of beg ch-3. (<em>4 corners & 4 sides made</em>).<br /><br /><strong>Round 6:</strong> Sl-st to any corner ch-2 space. (<em>Note: with the exception of the corners, where you will be working into the chain spaces, all other stitches in this round are worked <strong>BETWEEN</strong> the stitches... this is what will give the previous round the spikey/snowflake-like appearance</em>).<br /><br />(Ch-3, DC, ch-2, 2DC) in the same corner space. *Now, do a SC between, the next 2 sts, HDC between the following two sts, and DC between the next two sts. DC between the group of 4 DC and 8 DC. Working between the stitches of the next 8 DC, you will do the following 7 stitches. DC, HDC, SC, SC, SC, HDC, DC. Now DC between the group of 8 and the next group of 4. Between the next 4 DC, you will DC, HDC, SC respectively. This takes you to the next corner ch-2 space. (2DC, ch-2, 2DC) in the corner space.* Repeat from * to * for each side. Sl-st to top of beg ch-3.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Round 7:</strong> Sl-st to any corner ch-2 space. (Ch-3, DC, ch-2, 2DC) in same space. DC in each st from previous row. In each corner ch-2 space (2DC, ch-2, 2DC). Continue around square. Sl-st to top of beg ch-3. Finish off.<br /><br /><strong>10 OR 12 INCH VERSION - (Extended Remix Version)<br /></strong><a title="12inchwoollysquare by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/4930504857/"><img height="180" alt="12inchwoollysquare" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4930504857_70f17f3a6f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />As much as I love the square, I have a blanket of 12 inch squares, so I decided to keep going and create what I like to call the "extended remix."<br /><br />To make a 10 or 12 inch version of this square, complete all of the instructions for the 6 or 8 inch version then continue on with rounds 8 - 11. Using a 4mm hook and 8ply (DK weight) yearn should give you a 10 inch square. Using a 5mm hook and 10 ply (DK weight) yarn should give you a 12 inch square.<br /><br /><strong>Round 8:</strong> Sl-st to any ch-2 corner space. (Ch-3, DC, ch-2, 2DC) in same corner space. *Skip the next two DC of round 7 and V-stich into the third DC. Skip one st. V-stitch - repeat. Skip the last two DC of the side and (2DC, ch-2, 2DC) into the corner ch-2 space.* Repeat from * to * for the remaining three sides. (<em>You should end up with 10 V-stitches on each side - not counting the corner stitches</em>).<br /><br /><strong>Round 9:</strong> Repeat row 8.<br /><br /><strong>Round 10:</strong> SC in every stich of row 9 and (2SC, ch-2, 2SC) in each corner.<br /><br /><strong>Round 11:</strong> Repeat row 10<br /><br />I hope all of the instructions make sense - I'm a bit under the weather as I post this, so they make sense TO ME... hopefully they'll make sense to you, too! :)AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-3551842757126105622010-07-07T11:36:00.010+10:002010-07-07T13:03:41.330+10:00Facewasher FrenzyWhen I was in the US in May, Joann's had a sale on Peaches N Cream and Sugar N Cream cotton. I LOVE that stuff, and it is hard and/or expensive to get here in Australia. Needless to say, I stocked up. And when I say stocked up, I mean STOCKED UP! Let's just say, it wouldn't all fit in one of the Joann's supersized shopping bags.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>I'm a big fan of cotton - it's soft, it's breathable, no one is allergic to it. Lots of lovely reasons. But to be honest, I've never really understood the whole crochet or knitted dishcloth/washcloth/facewasher thing. </div><br /><div>I once made a crocheted dishcloth out of corn fibre (I really got a kick out of the idea of washing my food off my dishes with... well, food!). Unfortunately I only had a little bit of the corn remainging from a scarf project so the dishcloth was pretty small. Too small. Second, my husband doesn't like the idea of a crochet dishcloth - he thought it was to Nanna-esque and he kept hiding it under the sink! Hmm, so much for that. </div><br /><div>While I was overseas, I crocheted a few washcloths to give me something to do while relaxing. I decided I'd go ahead and use up a few of the "orphan" balls I'd rescued. <em>(An orphan ball is a ball of yarn where there is only one of that particular colourway left in the shop. I always feel bad for that ball, figuring no one is going to want to buy it because, really, who buys only one ball of something?)</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Anyhoo, after making said washcloths, I started using them in the shower. Hey, these are pretty nice. I think I get it now! They're soft yet scrubby. And it's kind of cool using a washcloth that you made. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>It's currently winter here in Australia and quite cold. Most people would think it's the perfect time of year to work on nice heavy wool projects. Yes, in some respects it is. But my hands are soooo dry from this winter weather, that cotton is pretty much the only thing my hands feel like working with at the moment. </div><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4753017759_16df7f6fd5_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4753017759_16df7f6fd5_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>So first off was a birthday present for birthday swap. The recipient stated that she likes bright colours, so I worked up this little number for her. </div><div></div><br /><div>I really liked the way it came out, and I still have half a ball left, so I made one for myself, too! </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Then I went on to Ravelry and started looking up free dishcloth/washcloth patterns. I found a super cute Fish Washcloth Pattern and a cute little heart pattern, too. During the course of watching one TV show, I was able to whip out two little fishies in a blue, yellow and white colourway. I was then able to crank out a cute little pink and white heart. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4767179342_c263f2e2e8_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4767179342_c263f2e2e8_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4767179332_32f85986ba_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4767179332_32f85986ba_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4767179348_6ab2a0a9c4_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4767179348_6ab2a0a9c4_m.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4767179318_dff02df72d_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4767179318_dff02df72d_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>When asking my husband what kind of washcloth he'd like me to make for him in the orphaned ball of camoflauge coloured cottoned I'd picked up for him, he chose the fish. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4767179352_73ab8b3aba_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4767179352_73ab8b3aba_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>And I was so in love with the pink heart, I had to make another one. </div><br /><div></div><div>One of the fish and one of the hearts are destined for gifts, but I'm looking forward to enjoying the other two myself. </div></div></div></div></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-32270894605508684452010-07-01T15:30:00.002+10:002010-07-01T15:56:26.366+10:00Face CaseI was really tempted to call it Head Case but at least you get the rhyming with Face Case. :) <div><div><div><br /><div>I made this little bag to keep my new mineral makeup travel compact safe and secure while floating around in my handbag. I love the fun bright pink colour - which also makes it easy to locate. </div><br /><div>The case protects the compact from getting scratched up and I don't have to worry about it accidentally popping open when it shouldn't.<br /></div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4716143701_234c7ec021.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4716143701_234c7ec021.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4716143695_1b6a0d32f2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4716143695_1b6a0d32f2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4716143691_ac3a116e37.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4716143691_ac3a116e37.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-35114741883747594742010-07-01T14:58:00.005+10:002010-07-01T15:29:20.656+10:00Girkey<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4738171470_59431f1c78_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4738171470_59431f1c78_m.jpg" border="0" /></a> My apologies to Lion Brand, it’s not the pattern… it’s me. I really really stink at making amigurumi. In fact, I should be banned from doing so again in the future.<br /><br /><div>This “creature” started out as a giraffe, and then ended up looking like some weird monkey-like creature… I have therefore renamed him “Girkey” (pronounced Jerky). </div><div><br />I made this for a swap partner who likes amigurumi and giraffes, but dislikes the colour brown. I thought I’d be clever and make it for her in one of her favourite colours… purple. That was my first mistake. </div><br /><div>After I’d completely finished the body, I realised that it wasn’t looking very giraffe-like. It seems I’d forgotten to do rows 14-25 (aka “the neck”). Second mistake. </div><div><br />I was running out of time to finish and get this posted off in time, so I decided to make my own decorations/embellishments and turn it into a slighly different creature. Yep. That was my third mistake. </div><br /><div>And the fourth and worst mistake of all? The face. I really don’t have the knack for making cute faces. My husband wasn’t lucky enough to see this “creation” in person, but when I showed him the photos he remarked “That looks like something out of some poor kid’s nightmare.” Under other circumstances I may have been insulted, but unfortunately he was 100% right.<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4738181104_32bc7593a7_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4738181104_32bc7593a7_m.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-38317201909040339622010-06-22T16:56:00.006+10:002010-06-22T17:51:07.062+10:00White & Silver Ballroom ScarvesThere is a really fun sparkly yarn available from Spotlight called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Moda</span> Vera Ballroom. The problem? It's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">usually</span> $8.99 for a 50 gram ball. That's a little bit rich for me, especially for an unknown, potentially "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">disastrous</span>-to-work-with" ball of yarn.<br /><br />It's always looked quite intriguing and I've been eyeing it off every time I go to Spotlight, but it's never been on sale... until recently! Back in May, Ballroom was FINALLY on sale - time to play :)<br />I'm not really a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bling</span>/sparkly kind of person, but I thought my younger nieces might each enjoy a sparkly scarf. I bought two balls of the white with silver Ballroom. I was able to squeeze one scarf out of each 50 gram ball for a total of two scarves. They were a quite skinny (which I liked), but a bit shorter than I would have preferred. Luckily they were for kids :)<br /><br />I just made the scarfs out of a loose double crochet to help show off the silver sparkles of the yarn and give the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">blingy</span> bits room to shine through.<br /><br />I forgot to take any pictures of the actual scarves, but fortunately I snapped this pic of Niece10 modelling one of them.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4643336984_12d1ae1b6e.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4643336984_12d1ae1b6e.jpg" border="0" /></a>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-7466256985903377942010-06-17T10:24:00.005+10:002010-06-17T11:00:31.278+10:00More Kool-Aid DyeingSunday mornings seem to be a good day for my microwave dyeing. My husband dislikes the smell of the cooking wool, so I can "stink up the house" while he is away at the fire brigade. :)<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>This past Sunday I did some more Kool-Aid dyeing... this time with the "real" stuff. I dyed 50 grams each of orange, lemon-lime and strawberry. I used two packets per 50 grams of wool. Here are the results I got...<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4697606715_cd61b01571_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4697606715_cd61b01571_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4697606729_62c96b853e_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4697606729_62c96b853e_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/4673219835_89dd976452_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/4673219835_89dd976452_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4697606721_057ed1e524_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4697606721_057ed1e524_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4673219829_f15f970843_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4673219829_f15f970843_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4697606799_092e47ec20_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4697606799_092e47ec20_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4673219843_ce0dbd6228_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4673219843_ce0dbd6228_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I'm happy with how the colours came out. And as always with Kool-Aid dyeing, you get the added bonus of a fainty yummy fruity smell at the end.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-87377489871528895982010-06-07T08:18:00.007+10:002010-06-07T10:15:00.036+10:00Walmart's Generic Great Value Kool AidOn my recent trip to the US I decided to stock up on Kool Aid for wool dyeing. As luck would have it, I happened to do my Kool Aid shopping while I was at Walmart. In addition to Strawberry, Lemon-Lime and Orange Kool Aid brand, I also decided to pick up some of Walmart's generic "Kool Aid" in cherry, grape and lemonade.<br /><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/4646329240_92b24735ba_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/4646329240_92b24735ba_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>I can't remember the exact price of the Kool Aid versus the Walmart brand, but it was definitely a significant savings. Maybe somewhere in the neighbourhood of half the price? Well, for that kind of savings, I figured it was worth a go. Plus a lot of generic brands are made in the exact same factories as the name brand stuff - so who cares what the package says?<br /></div><br /><div>Yesterday was a rainy Sunday afternoon, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some trial dyeing done. I dyed 50 grams each of the cherry, grape and lemonade. I used two packets per each 50 grams... except for the lemonade. After putting two packets of lemonade in, the water was still extremely light in colour. I decided to put in four packets instead to make it more yellow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are my dyeing results...<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4673310043_d0b00c80ca_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4673310043_d0b00c80ca_m.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1302/4673219817_5d6e6fcd0d_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1302/4673219817_5d6e6fcd0d_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4674408636_1c10838f0d_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4674408636_1c10838f0d_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4674408638_7eab609af6_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4674408638_7eab609af6_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4673310049_3128ef32b8_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4673310049_3128ef32b8_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4673219821_686616cc98_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4673219821_686616cc98_m.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4674408628_e2d2420e53_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4674408628_e2d2420e53_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1273/4673219819_3f27f5a0ec_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1273/4673219819_3f27f5a0ec_m.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-84450780890479067832010-06-05T17:18:00.004+10:002010-06-05T17:29:18.250+10:00Some More Hats & ScarfsSometime between Christmas and May, I'm not really sure when, I whipped up a few more doll hats and scarfs for my nieces American Girl dolls. Can't forget the fluffy/furry stuff for the trim!<br /><br />The top one was made with a yellow, green and white acrylic from Carnival and trimmed with some white fun fur.<br /><br />The second is brown acrylic, Carnival again I think, trimmed with some brown and red fun fur.<br /><br />The third one is made from red striped Carnival acrylic, trimmed with red eyelash yarn.<br /><br />Nice, fun, quick & easy projects that are great for using those last little bits of a ball of yarn.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4650935137_135ea75775.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4650935137_135ea75775.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4650935123_69c22301d8.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4650935123_69c22301d8.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4650935127_a82de0563f.jpg"></a><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4650935127_a82de0563f.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4650935127_a82de0563f.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4650935137_135ea75775_m.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4650935123_69c22301d8_m.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4650935127_a82de0563f_m.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-85199136793244657682010-06-05T17:05:00.006+10:002010-06-05T17:11:49.762+10:00Elmo HatI made this hat for a girl at work who really loves Elmo. It was a fast easy project. I whipped up the beanie while watching TV the other evening. Then I made the eyes and nose and attached them the following day at work.<br /><br />The hat is made from some red 10? or 12? ply wool from Wangaratta Mill (at least, that's what I think it is as I received it in a swap). Then the eyes and nose were made with acrylic (as I didn't have any wool in the appropriate colours).<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4662995904_c616217e8f.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 383px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4662995904_c616217e8f.jpg" /></a>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-15542643122281789962010-04-04T16:35:00.003+10:002010-04-04T16:41:04.636+10:00Bigger Than I ThoughtWow, the R2D2 blanket is going to be a bit bigger than I thought. My calculations, based on 2 inch squares, had the blanket at approximately 3.5 feet wide by 5.3 feet tall - and that's before adding the border.<br /><br />Well, my squares all must be a smidge bigger than 2 inches as the blanket is currently 6' 8" tall - zoinks! That'll bring it to over 7 feet by the time the border is added on. I guess there's no need for me to worry about him growing out of it :)<br /><br />R2D2 update... 180 squares made, of which 160 have been assembled. 418 squares left to go.AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-61274626699428305032010-03-31T22:57:00.006+11:002010-04-04T16:42:16.410+10:00R2D2 Star Wars BlanketI must be crazy. I've decided to make an R2D2 blanket for one of my nephews. Shhh, it's a suprise!<br /><br />I'm going off a knitting graph I found at <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/space2/swcharts/knit.html">angelfire.com</a>. But instead of using it as a knitting graph, I'm making a 2 round granny square for each "square" of the graph. That's a whopping total of 608 granny squares - yikes! (<em>Special thanks to Shilo from Ravelry from whom I <del>stole</del> borrowed the concept</em>).<br /><br />I received the wool in the post five days ago, and I've been deligently working on making squares, weaving in ends and assembling some of the squares. To date I've made 129 squares, of which I've put 103 together. Not that I'm counting or anything. ;-)<br /><br />Here's a looksy at how R2 is coming together.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4477031515_240fb541d8.jpg" /><br /><br />It's so nice to actually be able to see him taking shape and coming together! It's a great motivator to keep me going.<br /><br />I'm making this blanket out of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.bendigowoollenmills.com.au">Bendigo Woollen Mills</a> 10 ply Luxury and a 5.0 mm hook. This is my first time working with the Luxury and it is divine. It is very soft and squishy and I really love it. I'm using shade 332 Lake for the blue, 342 Ghost for the white/light silver, 353 Koala for the gray/dark silver, and 304 black for the background. I used a bit of some 12 ply Wangaratta Mills red that I received in a karma swap for the lone red square.AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-49975437864786324892010-02-21T15:22:00.006+11:002010-02-21T15:32:25.341+11:00Twin Pink Doll Cardigans & BeretsWhen speaking to Niece10 on the phone a few weeks back, I asked her if she had any special requests in the way of doll clothes/items. She said that she would love a set of something matching so that she and her friend could dress their dolls alike. Here are the results...<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4374914422_c001ea87cc.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 420px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 327px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4374914422_c001ea87cc.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4374149455_694b976360.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 448px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4374149455_694b976360.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4374156417_4458366cef.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 420px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4374156417_4458366cef.jpg" /></a> These were made with Carnival 8ply acrylic in a variegated pink colourway with a 4mm hook. It took about 150 grams to complete the two sets (1.5 balls). The berets are just improvised and the cardigans are from the pattern <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/va/afghans4angels2/PreemieAngelShellSweater.html">Premie Angel Shell Sweater by Beth Parson</a>.<br /></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-11648980819329774772010-02-15T21:44:00.007+11:002010-02-15T22:08:29.921+11:00Berries in the Garden - Microwave Dyeing<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4348307566_95d726ce4d.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 369px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4348307566_95d726ce4d.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div>Through the Aussie Swappers Group on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">http://www.ravelry.com/</a> I got 3 cream balls of Panda Woolbale. They'd been sitting on the desk in the office since their arrival, and I screaming out "dye me! dye me!" </div><br /><div>After using my trusty office chair to wind them into hanks, and then soaking them in a tepid vinegar bath for about 45 minutes, it was time to let the mad scientist get to work. </div><br /><div>Once again, using Queen's food colouring and my plastic mustard and ketchup squirt bottles, I began the fun (if a bit messy and stinky) process. All went smoothly until a completely full bottle of blue food colouring slipped out of my hand, bounced off the kitchen counter top and fell on the floor.!</div><br /><div></div><div>It got on the sink, on the counter, down the front of the dishwasher, down some of the cabinets, splashes on my feet and legs, on the kitchen floor and into the grout, and some of it started creeping under the dishwasher. </div><br /><div>Long story short I spent the next hour+ trying to get all of it up, but there just seemed to be more and more blue everywhere I looked. And note to self for the future... do NOT try and spray cleaning products on the food colour to clean it. It just dilutes and SPREADS it. Ergh. </div><div> </div><div>Well in the end, it was worth it because I am very happy with the results. It also came out almost EXACTLY how I'd planned. </div><br /><div>I've named this colourway "Berries in the Garden" as the green is very "grass green" with bits of blueberrys, raspberries, and one other kind of berry I can't think of the name of at the moment. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="berriesinthegarden001-1 by letitiadownunder, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30715178@N03/4348307558/"><img style="WIDTH: 365px; HEIGHT: 259px" alt="berriesinthegarden001-1" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4348307558_35513c8344.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 441px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4348307560_a5354dfb76.jpg" /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4348307564_c36d6f4fea.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4348307564_c36d6f4fea.jpg" /></a>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-16012674525524007312010-01-21T15:55:00.003+11:002010-01-21T16:10:36.015+11:00I've Been Nominated for a Bobby AwardHow exciting... my "<a href="http://auntieelle.blogspot.com/2009/08/barbies-toilet-toilet-roll-cover.html">Barbie's Toilet, Toilet Roll Cover</a>" has been nominated for a Bobby Award for "Most Unusual Project" at Ravelry.com! I'm thrilled!<br /><br />As the old cliche goes, it is an honour just to be nominated. And I actually mean that in all honesty. Okay, sure, I'd definitely like to win, of course, but I'm really excited just about the nomination.<br /><br />To view the entries, you can visit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/bobbys">www.ravelry.com/bobbys</a>. Lots of great creative stuff to see. And if you'd like to vote for me, I won't stop you. :) No pressure...AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-34312521741235748022010-01-15T19:41:00.020+11:002010-11-17T00:51:44.820+11:00Odyssey 12 inch Square - Free Crochet Pattern<em>Copyright 2010 by Letitia Sherriff</em><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 386px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4273055146_474b6231e2.jpg" /><br /><strong>Materials Used</strong><br /><br /><ul><li>Carnival 8ply Acrylic in Turquoise (Colour A)</li><li>Spotlight Marvel 8ply Acrylic in Hot Pink (Colour B)</li><li>4mm crochet hook </li></ul><p><em>Pattern written using US crochet terminology</em></p><strong></strong><p><strong>Stitch Guide</strong></p><p><strong>Treble Cross (Trx)</strong> = Yo twice, insert hook in next st, yo and pull up a lp (4 lps on hook), yo, draw through 2 lps (3 lps on hook), sk next st, yo, insert hook in next st, yo and pull up a lp (5 lps on hook), [yo, draw through 2 lps] 4 times (1 lp on hook), ch-1, yo, insert hook halfway down st just made in space where lower legs join, yo and pull up a lp, [yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.</p><br /><strong>Odyssey 12 inch Square</strong><br />Ch-4, join with a sl-st to first chain to form ring.<br /><br /><strong>Round 1:</strong> With Colour A... ch-3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc into ring. Join with sl-st to beg ch-3. (12 dc)<br /><br /><strong>Round 2:</strong> Ch-3, dc into first st, 2 dc into each remaining st. Join with sl-st to beg ch-3. (24 dc)<br /><br /><strong>Round 3:</strong> Skip first st of round 2, *5 dc into next st (shell made), skip on st, sl-st in next st, skip st,* repeat from * to * 5 times, sl-st to beg of round (6 shells). Finish off Colour A.<br /><br /><strong>Round 4:</strong> Attach Colour B in the middle (3rd) stitch of any shell. Ch-1, *sc in same st, hdc, dc, tc, dc, hdc.* Repeat from * to * 5 times. Sl-st to first sc. (36 sts)<br /><br /><strong>Round 5:</strong> Ch-1, *sc in first sc, sc in second st, 2 sc in the next stitch*. Repeat from * to * all the way around. Join with a sl-st to first sc. (48 sc). Finish off Colour B.<br /><br /><strong>Round 6:</strong> Attach Colour A with a sl-st in first sc of round 5. Skip first sc of round 5, *5 dc into next st (shell made), skip one st, sl-st in next st, skip st.* Repeat from * to * 11 times, sl-st to beg of round (12 shells). Finish off Colour A.<br /><br /><strong>Round 7:</strong> Attach Colour B in the middle (3rd) stitch of any shell. Ch-1, *sc in the same st, hdc, dc, tc, dc, hdc*. Repeat from * to * 11 times. Sl-st to first sc. (72 sts)<br /><br /><strong>Round 8:</strong> Ch-1, *one sc in each of the first 4 sts, 2 sc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * all the way around (13 times). Finish off the round with one sc in each of the last two sts. Join with sl-st to first sc. (86 sc). Finish off Colour B.<br /><br /><strong>Round 9:</strong> Join Colour A in any sc of round 8. Ch-4, Trx in next st (see special stitches). Repeat with Trx's around. In second to last stitch... yo twice, insert hook in second to last st, you and pull up a lp (4 lps on hook), yo, draw through 2 lps (3 lps on hook), yo, insert hook in 2nd chain of beg ch-4, yo and pull up loop (5 lps on hook), [yo draw through 2 lps] 4 times (1 lp on hook), ch-1, sl-st to 4th chain of beg ch-4. (29 Trx).<br /><br /><strong>Round 10:</strong> Ch-1, sc once in each st. Join with sl-st to first sc. (86 sc). (<em>Hint: each Trx of previous round receives three sc - one in the top of the right leg, one in the middle of the two legs, and one in the top of the left leg</em>). Finish off Colour A.<br /><br /><strong>Round 11:</strong> Attach Colour B in any sc of round 10. Ch-1, *sc in each of the first four sts, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat from * to * all the way around. Finish off the round with one additional sc, then join with a sl-st to first sc. (103 sc). Finish off Colour B.<br /><br /><strong>Round 12:</strong> Join Colour A in a sc that is in line with the centre of one of the six shells from round 3 (<em>this will ensure that your centre motif is straight inside your finished square</em>). Ch-3, one dc in each of the next 12 sts, *tc, tc, (2tc, ch-2, 2tc) in the next st, tc, tc, one dc in each of the next 21 sts*. Repeat from * to * 3 times (ending with 9 dc in the last repeat). Sl-st to top of beg ch-3. Finish off colour A.<br /><p><strong>Round 13:</strong> Join Colour B in any dc of round 12. Ch-1, one sc in each st all the way around, and (2 dc, ch-2, 2 dc] in each corner ch-2 space. Join with sl-st to beg sc. Finish off Colour B. (<em>Special note: no, that is not a typo. This round is all sc, except the corners which are dc</em>). </p><p><strong>Round 14:</strong> Join Colour A in any sc of round 13. Ch-3, dc in each st, and [2 dc, ch-2, 2 dc] in each corner ch-2 space. Join with sl-st to top of beg ch-3. Finish off Colour A.</p><p><strong>Round 15:</strong> Join Colour B in any dc of round 14. Ch-1, sc in each st, and [2 dc, ch-2, 2 dc] in each corner ch-2 space. Join with sl-st to beg sc. Finish off Colour B.</p><p>Weave in all ends and you're done! </p><p><em>*(21 January 2010). Special thanks to HappyPeacock and Margate of Ravelry for pointing out a few typos on my original!</em><br /></p>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-47558805218695865432009-08-05T17:31:00.013+10:002010-11-17T00:51:06.217+11:00Barbie's Toilet - Toilet Paper Roll Cover<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3315258332_1bb398fa6b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3315258332_1bb398fa6b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Once upon a time (back in January & February) the Crochet Lovers Victoria group on Ravelry had a toilet roll cover design competition. We entered our creations anonymously.<br /><br /><div>After contemplating several different ideas of what I could make for the comp, when falling asleep one night an idea popped into my head. I'd make a toilet! And I could have someone falling into the toilet with their pants around their ankles. I could even make a tiny roll of toilet paper hanging off one side, and a magazine rack on the other. Yep this was the one. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>The next morning a sketched out my idea and started to plan how I'd make this come to life. </div><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3339950266_912bcee902.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>A few days later I got to work. I started with a large blue circle to represent the water in the toilet (and a hole in the center for the "person" to fall in to. I then moved on to the toilet seat. I worked down from there to create the base of the toilet, and then I attached a toilet lid. I then created the tank or cistern behind this and stuffed it with hobbyfill to make it more solid.<br /><br /><p>I added two different sized buttons to the top of the tank to represent the half flush and full flush buttons we have here in Australia. I then manipulated a small paper clip and some paper towel into a toilet roll and attached it to the side of the tank. (I have to say, the little roll of toilet paper is probably my favourite part!)<br /></p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3314441923_f9aa4c0bb1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>Then it came time to making the person to go down the hole. I got some flesh coloured yarn and started with the legs. Ugh! It looked awful and it definitely didn't look anything like a leg. I grabbed one of my old childhood Barbie dolls to get some perspective and to use as a model for my crocheted person. Well dang - this toilet was the perfect size for Barbie. She looks pretty darn funny sitting there atop the toilet. </p><p>That's it! I'll use Barbie. Oh I loved this idea 100 times more than making a crochet person for the toilet. It was like Barbie thumbing her nose at all those people who have made her stand inside a roll of toilet paper in some horrible garrish enormously puffy dress with some equally awful hat on her head. Love it! </p><p>Of my Barbies, my Miss Amercia 1970s Quick Curl Barbie won the honours. I changed her into a short dress that one of my other Barbies had been wearing (to hike up around her waist so she could use the toilet). She also had the advantage of having bent arms.... perfect for holding the newspaper! I also love the fact that she looks so much like a TV character Kath, from a show here called "Kath and Kim." The exact same frizzy hair and all. </p><p>My one regret is that I didn't not have a tiny pair of Barbie panties to put around Barbie's ankles, but I was still super happy with the result. I know it made me laugh, and I hoped it would give others a good laugh, too. Well, it must of worked because I won the competition! Yippee!</p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3314437777_1e8d00ece4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>I wrote down the pattern whilst making Barbie's toilet. I will endeavour to get it up here on my blog sometime in the next week or so. So stay tuned! </p><br /><p><strong>HERE'S THE PATTERN</strong></p><p><strong>Barbie’s Toilet, Toilet Paper Roll Cover Pattern</strong><br />Copyright August 2009 by Letitia Sherriff<br /><br /><strong>Materials used:</strong><br />3mm hook<br />*Carnival 8ply Acrylic White (approx 50 grams)<br />*Carnival 8ply Acrylic Turquoise (approx 10 grams or less)<br /><em>*Any DK weight yarn (or 8ply) may be substituted for these yarns<br /></em>Approximately two handfuls of hobby fiber-fill<br />Two different sized buttons (or one oblong shaped button)<br />One small paperclip<br />A small scrap of toilet paper or paper towel<br />Two small pieces of clear sticky tape<br />Two stitch markers<br />Yarn needle to darn in the ends<br />Barbie (optional)<br />Old sheet of newspaper (optional)<br />Roll of toilet paper to sit inside<br /><br /><strong>TOILET BASE</strong><br />With turquoise blue colour (this forms the “water” for the inside of the toilet)<br />Ch-22, slip stitch to first chain to form a ring.<br /><br /><strong>Round 1</strong>: ch-1. SC once into each chain around (<em>slip stitch into the first SC to finish the round, for this and every subsequent round</em>). (22 SC made).<br /><br /><strong>Round 2:</strong> ch-1. *Two SC into the first stitch. 1 SC into the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (33 SC made).<br /><br /><strong>Round 3:</strong> ch-1. *Two SC into the first stitch. 1 SC into each of the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. (44 SC made). Finish off blue.<br /><br />You are now going to be working the “toilet seat”.<br /><br /><strong>Round 4:</strong> Attach white yarn in first SC of Round 3. *Ch-1, 2 SC in the first stitch. 1 SC into each of the next 3 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around.<br /><br /><strong>Round 5:</strong> Ch-1. *2 SC into first stitch. 1 SC into each of next 5 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around.<br /><br /><strong>Round 6:</strong> Repeat Round 5. (You should now check that the circle you’ve made is the same size as the top of the roll of toilet paper you are going to use to put inside the cover. Roll sizes vary greatly from brand to brand. If necessary, you can repeat round 6 to make it larger… or rip out a row if it is too big).<br /><br /><strong>Round 7: TURN WORK OVER TO THE “WRONG SIDE.”</strong> You are now going to surface crochet (around the post) on the bottom of side of Round 6. 1 SC around each stitch of Round 6.<br /><br />You are now going to be woking the base of the toilet, under the toilet seat.<br /><br /><strong>Round 8.</strong> Ch-1. 1 SC into each stitch.<br /><br /><strong>Round 9.</strong> Ch-1. *1 SC into each of the next 4 stitches. You are now going to do a SC decrease over the next two stitches (aka SC2TOG).* Repeat from * to * around.<br /><br /><strong>Round 10:</strong> Ch-1. 1 SC into each stitch.<br /><br /><strong>Round 11:</strong> Repeat Round 10.<br /><br /><strong>Round 12:</strong> Repeat Round 9.<br /><strong><br />Rounds 13-22:</strong> Ch-1. 1 SC into each stitch.<br />At the end of round 22, you should make sure to check that your item now adequately covers your roll of toilet paper. If it is not long enough, you can add additional row(s) of SC. Fasten off.<br /><br /><strong>LID<br /></strong>With white… Ch-4. Slip stitch into first chain to form a ring.<br /><br /><strong>Round 1:</strong> Ch-1. 10 SC into the center of the ring. Slip stitch to first SC to join round (here and at the end of every subsequent round). (10 SC made).<br /><br /><strong>Round 2:</strong> Ch-1. 2 SC into each stitch around. (20 SC made).<br /><br /><strong>Round 3:</strong> Ch-1. *2 SC into first stitch. 1 SC into next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (30 SC made).<br /><br /><strong>Round 4:</strong> Ch-1. *2 SC into first stitch. 1 SC into each of the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. (40 SC made).<br /><br /><strong>Round 5:</strong> Ch-1. *2 SC into first stitch. 1 SC into each of the next 3 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. (50 SC made).<br /><br /><strong>Round 6:</strong> Ch-1. *2 SC into first stitch. 1 SC into each of the next 4 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. (60 SC made).<br /><br />Attached lid to base of toilet by single crocheting the two together over approximately 8 stitches. Attach the lid at the raised round that forms the outside edge of the toilet seat above. </p><p><br /></p><strong><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 361px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3822294258_93e3de98ce.jpg" border="0" /><br />CISTERN / TANK<br /></strong>With white… Ch-17.<br /><br />Row 1: SC into the 2nd chain from the hook and into each chain across (16 SC made). Ch-1 and turn.<br /><br /><strong>Rows 2-77:</strong> SC into each stitch across. Ch-1 and turn. (work should measure 16 inches long. If work is not 16 inches long, you should add additional rows of SC as necessary or rip out rows if too long).<br /><br />Measure six inches down on each side of the work and place a stitch marker on each side.<br /><br />Turn your work ¼ turn clockwise. You will now be working one of the sides of the cistern (as indicated by the A & F in the diagram).<br /><strong><br />Row 1 (Side A/F):</strong> Ch-1. Place 10 SC evenly spaced over these 6 inches (as indicated by your stitch marker). Ch-1 and turn.<br /><br /><strong>Row 2 (Side A/F):</strong> SC in each stitch across. Ch-1 and turn.<br /><br /><strong>Rows 3-10 (Side A/F):</strong> Single crochet in each stitch across… until the side measures 6 inches.<br /><br />Rotate work ¼ turn clockwise. Work 10 SC over the side of the cistern side you just made (indicated by A in the diagram). Continue with an additional 10 SC over the top of your work (indicated by B in the diagram). Turn work ¼ turn counterclockwise then flip.<br /><br />You will now repeat the instructions that you did for Side A/F, but now for Side C/G.<br /><br />Turn work ¼ clockwise and work 10 SC over the side (indicated by C in the diagram). Slip stitch to last adjoining stitch of area B and finish off.<br /><br /><strong><em>IMPORTANT: At this point please remove about 2 feet of white yarn from your ball or skein and set aside.<br /></em></strong><br /><strong>Making Up (all will be done with SC).<br /></strong>With white… Join yarn at the corner where G & H meet.<br />You are now going to join sides G & H together.<br />Continue by joining areas E & K together.<br />Continue by joining C & M together.<br />Continue by joining B & N together.<br />Continue by joining A & L together.<br />Continue by joining D & J together.<br /><strong>BEFORE YOU DO THE FINAL JOIN OF F & H…..<br /></strong>Now is a good time to sew on any “flusher buttons” or items that you intend to attach to the cistern while you still have access to both the interior and exterior of your work.<br /><br />You will also need to attach the cistern to the base of the toilet at this point. Make sure you line it up properly with where the toilet lid is attached to the base. Using the two feet of white yarn you set aside earlier, threaded through a yarn needle, just whip stitch the two together, attaching the front of the cistern to the back of the toilet in a few spots.<br /><br /><p>Now take your hobby/fiber fill and stuff it into the cistern. I recommend stuffing it pretty full so that the cistern is nice and firm and will stand up well. If you run out of hobby fill you can even use some paper towel, toilet paper, etc to fill it up. I DO recommend using something white to stuff it so no colour shows through your white yarn.<br /><br />You are now ready to finish up the cistern by joining sides F & H with SC. Finish off and weave in your ends. Ta-da!<br /><br />You can now add your toilet paper roll to the side by manipulating a small paper clip and using some toilet paper or paper towel. (You may need a small piece of clear sticky tape to start the roll and to finish the roll). Don’t forget to leave some of the roll dangling!<br /><br />Now you just need to find a Barbie to put on the top and you’re done!<br /><br /></p></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-8847707493567806762009-04-12T16:21:00.003+10:002009-04-12T16:33:19.736+10:00Three 12 inch SquaresI was asked to make a 12 inch square to contribute to a special blanket. I was watching TV one evening, got a little carried away, and ended up making three instead.<br /><br />The first is in an interesting Carnival variegated with different shades of blue and white from a pattern called Arches by Dayna Audirsch.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3433699644_be02b94007.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 419px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3433699644_be02b94007.jpg" border="0" /></a> I also wanted to use some of the "eyelash" art yarns, and ended up making two traditional granny square style squares (since the gaps make it less difficult to use the art yarn). One was in turquoise blue/green with nearly identical eyelash yarn.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 460px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3432896753_0faafcc13b.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 438px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3432903971_6191217bc7.jpg" border="0" />The second one was in a soft blue with a variegated eyelash yarn with different shades of blue and white (which you can't really see in the pictures).<br /><br /><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 423px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3433720004_aa38fbbf16.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 436px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 305px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3432914825_299aa2b570.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>I'm excited to see the finished blanket when it is done - it is going to a very deserving recipient! </p>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716358270372108729.post-18354593010262866002009-04-03T12:03:00.007+11:002009-04-03T12:20:52.351+11:00Niece 9's Birthday Shawl<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3402363123_ac40c24140.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 434px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3402363123_ac40c24140.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>I recently finished a shawl for my 9 year old niece. Her birthday is August 12th (aka - 8-12). I used her birthday as a guide for my row changes. I used an eyelash yarn from the Palette Collection in Wisteria (a lovely shade of purple) as well as some Moda Vera Wisp yarn in a lavender and silver colour. </div><br /><div>So I had 8 rows of eyelash, 1 row of wisp, and 2 rows of eyelash. I then reversed it... 8 rows of wisp, 1 row of eyelash and 2 rows of wisp. And then back to the original set of 8 rows of eyelash, 1 row of wisp and 2 rows of eyelash. </div><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3402363453_03db90c54a.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I am so happy with how well the purple's match and I'm so pleased that the set of three repeats gave me a perfectly sized shawl for my niece. It is super <em>soft</em> and <em>squishy</em> - exactly what a shawl should be. </div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3403172082_1e6547c48e.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I have now started on a similar one for Niece 6 (who's birthday is May 31, aka 5-31, therefore 5 rows, 3 rows, 1 row, repeat twice). </div><div> </div><div></div><div>These will be the first crocheted items I will be able to give my nieces in person (the rest have been posted or delivered by someone else). I am really looking forward to seeing their reactions to their shawls. I know how excited I'd have been at their ages to get something like that! </div></div></div>AuntieEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08204635499633100115noreply@blogger.com1