Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Op Shop Wristlets - and the golden loop

It's been a while since I posted over here. Turns out 2021 was not conducive to creativity (for me anyway) I keep reading that many people took up crochet and knitting, along with bread baking and other 'home' based crafts or skills, and I'm very pleased to hear it! I did knit myself a few socks (I have posted about which sock patterns I've liked as a beginner) but for some reason, my crocheting passion had left me. 


Anyway, for today, I have a last-minute Christmas gift idea - ideally for those in the Northern Hemisphere. A pair of wristlets (or fingerless gloves). They belong to a set I've had out for a while - The Op Shop Collection. The collection was first conceived back in 2015, and had had a couple of re-writes since then. The wristlets have been a bonus pattern included in the ebook, so I figured it was time to make them a little more available! 


The Original Op Shop piece


The Op Shop Collection includes a shawl, a headband, and this pair of wristlets. The wristlets are ideal for those who need some extra warmth, but still need their fingers free - to type, or swipe their phones! 

To get the full pattern set - a ebook is available on Ravelry  at this link 

The Op shop Shawl is available as an individual item on Etsy. 


the original Op Shop Wristlets from 2016 


The Op Shop Wristlets use a stitch I have called a Long Double Crochet, or an LDC - which is very much like a regular dc, but the first loop is pulled up to the height of the turning chain. The first loop is also referred to as the golden loop, and knowing about it can be revolutionary in making gauge. 

Esther from It's all in a Nutshell has a very detailed blog post about it, which you can find linked here. For what it's worth, I tend to have a short golden loop, but it may answer some questions about why some people use 3 chains for a turning chain with dc, and others only use 2. 

These wristlets were first published in 2016. ‘Op shop’ is short for Opportunity Shop, which is the Australian version of a Thrift store. The story is that I have a much-loved, thrifted bed jacket, and wanted to create a modern garment using it as inspiration. The original bed jacket is baby pink, and still in my possession! The pattern has been edited for clarity. 


Materials needed 

9mm hook 

Bulky weight yarn. (I used a small part of 1 x 100gram skein of Superfine Alpaca from Knitpicks) 

needle/scissors


Wristlets are made flat and seamed together. 


Abbreviations used 

ch- chain 

ch-sp - chain space 

sc- single crochet 

 LDC- long double crochet 

sk - skip

YO - Yarn over 

Do not count the chain as s stitch throughout the pattern. 


LDC- YO, hook in next st, YO, pull up loop to height of ch-5, (YO, pull through 2 loops) twice.


To make: 

Left hand  

Make a chain of 21 
Row 1- sk 1st chain, sc across (20), turn.
Row 2- ch 1, sc across (20), turn.
Row 3- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 4- ch 1, 20 sc, turn.
Row 5- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 6- ch 1, 1 sc. ch 4. sk next 4 stitches, 15 sc, turn.
Row 7- ch 1, 15sc, 4 sc into ch-sp, turn.
Row 8 - ch 1, 20 sc. 

Fasten off. Mattress stitch two short sides (edges) together and weave all ends in. 

Right Hand. 

Make a chain of 21
Row 1- sk 1st chain, sc across (20), turn.
Row 2- ch 1, sc across (20), turn.
Row 3- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 4- ch 1 20 sc, turn.
Row 5- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 6- ch 1, 15 sc. Skip next 4 stitches, 1 sc, turn.
Row 7- ch 1, 1 sc, 4 sc into chain space, 15 sc, turn.
Row 8 - ch 1, 20 sc. 

Fasten off. Mattress stitch two short sides (edges) together and weave all ends in. 



The current version of the Op Shop Shawl, which uses the LDC and can be part of a matching set.


I hope you enjoy this quick, and free pattern for fingerless gloves!


Happy Crocheting


Emma

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Christmas Round Up!

 It's time for my selection of CHRISTMAS CROCHET PATTERNS! - no messing around, let's get straight into it! 



First up - the 12 Days of Christmas - the CAL I was involved in last year has had a little re-vamp. Two patterns have been swapped out since last year. You can buy each individually on Ravelry - or save when you get the full set of 12. Included is my Christmas Star. There will be a new Yarnish CAL this year, and I'll post when I know more about it. EDIT: scroll to the end of the post to see their 2020 Christmas PAL


The advent CAL I was involved in the year before that is still around and kicking - this one was a bit of a different concept - add a motif to a table runner each day of the Advent, and by Christmas morning you have a finished table decoration to use. You can find the free blog posts here, or find everything packaged in a single e book here


While we're on sets - Jen from Crochet to Play has the loveliest Nativity set I've seen




She also has some cute ornament sets, like Santa and his friends.


Back to me for a second :) And here we have a set of mine - St Niklaas Star and Bauble available as a set on Etsy or as individual patterns on Ravelry




For the table, some cute coasters - Peppermint Candy Coasters they are free on Ambassador Crochet's blog 



Now, we can't forget Christmas Stockings, and these mini stockings from Handmade by Raine caught my eye



I hope I got those creative juices following, and that you enjoy a handmade Christmas!


Happy Crocheting,


Emma. 


EDIT: Yarnish have announced their Christmas CAL for 2020, in this case it's a Christmas PAL - P stands for photo a long. It's a bit different as the pattern is out, but there will be a photo challenge you can join in on via Instagram...are you ready to see the pattern...


Sheep on the Shelf!




They are so cute! Designed by Renee Ettia of Shinygurumi


pattern linked here

Friday, November 10, 2017

Christmas Decoration - St Niklaas Star


I've just released a new pattern in time for Christmas, for those who love handmade decorations!




The St Niklaas Star is a detailed little ornament, and while it uses some advanced stitches, I've included quite a few photos to help out those who might want to try out something to lift their game beyond the basic dc.

The pattern is on Ravelry and LoveCrochet at the moment, and will be uploaded to Etsy.

I've used Scheepjes Colour Crafter, the most gorgeous acrylic yarn, in three shades. Sint Niklaas, Wolvega and Pollare, which in turn inspired the name and scandi feel to the pattern.

I ordered my yarn from Yarnish.com.au  who, in my opinion, are the most convenient for Australian customers to order Scheepjes brand yarn.

To purchase from Ravelry, just click this link

or search 'St Niklaas Star' on Ravelry or LoveCrochet