The Ribbon Mat - Crocheting with Ribbon

This round mat was crocheted with ribbon and a 9mm hook. It came out soft and elastic.

I love my excuses. I am actually quite good at making them. When I don't feel like crocheting, I would use the excuse, "I don't have any yarn". This time, however, I didn't allow myself that excuse and I used ribbon instead. Crocheting with ribbon was better than I would have hoped.

My first try was with soft ribbon, which is the homemade home decoration you can see in the photo. It came out looking smooth and soft, which it is. My second try I didn't bother finishing, as the ribbon was hard and just didn't have the effect I wanted. Hard ribbon does have it's possibilities, but I just didn't want to use it for anything at the time.

The Pattern

It is made in a very ordinary way, so this is simple and quick for those who need either a quick birthday present or just want something new for the house without much effort.

I will only tell you how to do this in a short way. If you don't know how to slip stitch, then you will need to learn that first (I will eventually make a tutorial for this). If anything is unclear, ask away!

Base: Chain 6 and slip stitch into the first chain to make your circle. Chain 1.

Row 1: Single crochet twice into every chain stitch. Slip stitch to finish the row and chain 2.

Row 2: Double crochet (DC) in the back loops only. You will crochet like this: DC x 2 into the first single crochet, DC x 1 into the next single crochet, continue with this pattern until you slip stitch to finish your row. Chain 2.

Row 3: DC in the back loops only. You will crochet like this: DC x 2 into the first single crochet, DC x 1 into the next single crochet, DC x 1 into the next single crochet and then DC x 2 into the stitch after that. Continue with this pattern until you slip stitch to finish your row. Chain 2.

You will continue doing more single DC in the stitches for every new row you make.

Working with Ribbon

One issue is that the softness made it hard to hide the lovely seam...

Working with ribbon is definitely something every crocheter should try at some point in time, as you get experience working with different materials.

I have tried making this with a harder, see-through ribbon, but it came out looking completely different, and not at all in a good way.

If you want to try crocheting with ribbon, I would highly recommend it, as it is fun and nice to work with. However I will say start with soft, silky ribbon. I will definitely work with this ribbon again in future to make a variety of home decorations!

Happy creating!

Irish Crochet Throw Degrades into Tablecloth: Retrenchment Life Lesson Learned

The Irish crochet motifs that I am still working on.

Things often don't go according to plan. The Irish crochet throw I was working on has now become an Irish crochet mini tablecloth, or something of that kind. Seeing that I might need to move country again, second time within a period of 3 months (tiring and exciting at the same time), I have to lower my costs and baggage. So, dum-dum-dum, the throw won't get what it needs to grow into a full throw.

Disappointment: Only an Emotional Stage

I cannot afford the wool to finish this project, neither can my new sponsor. My mother is so kind as to buy me the wool to (at least) make a small table decoration of some kind. Since I can't take my entire apartment with me, I have to leave a lot behind, and the throw-decoration thing goes to my mother.

It is rather disappointing, as this project was going quite well and I was enjoying it, but sometimes we need to accept we are not in charge of our own lives. We are also having quite an adventurous life, one that I know many people would love to live. We are still young, so we can afford restarting a few times until we truly find our feet.

Disappointment is short-lived, or it can be, if you allow it. You can stay disappointed or you can work with what you have. I went through my disappointment stage, like we all do. You just need to push through to the next stage, namely acceptance.

The Life-Lesson

The Cause

This whole affair was quite a life-lesson. My husband was retrenched from a job we never thought would sell-out or go under. We were comfortable, thinking we are okay now, financially secure, as he got a promotion. Not even a month later, we heard the news: Everyone needs to panic. We are calm through this; our only issue is the rental apartment, which is turning into a real headache.

Life Tip

Never get stagnant and too comfortable in your current situation, as it can change so easily and quickly. If you have wanted to live in a caravan while you explore the world, then start planning. Don't just dream, plan out and then live the dream. Don't plan for years, though, as that is just stagnation as well. Anything can change in a few days time and then you might never get to do what you want to.

Also, don't look at an issue like retrenchment and think "Oh no, I'm done for". Take a deep breath and think of all the open doors, all the possibilities that you couldn't try before. Your safety net is gone, what will you do now? You fly. You go do whatever you wanted to do, because if you do nothing you will be in a very bad situation. If you do something, it might change your life for the better.

We know that retrenchment sucks - it really does, but when we really thought about it, it became exciting. What do we want to do now? Where do we want to go. Yes, it is easy to say when you have the money for it, but guess what? We don't have the money for it, but we make it work either way, because we have to. We cut our costs, we take action immediately, we look for lower positions and we go for it all out.

Different Perspective

My throw is now a downgraded little tablecloth, but at least it is still something. I will post another blog the moment it is done, so you can see that even when it isn't what I wanted it to be, it can still be something great when you look at it in a different light.

Hope you are inspired to make that change and find your happiness in the disaster.

Handmade Gift: My Grandmother's Birthday Necklace

I have never been good at remembering birthdays. I almost forgot my own grandmother's birthday! I am blessed to still have my grandmother. This necklace I made with her in mind, and luckily she likes it. Here is what I did and my thinking pattern for those interested.

Take note that I haven't made any jewelry in such a long time, and I was quite worried that I would have forgotten how. It is like riding a bike - I was quickly able to get the hang of it again. I started off by choosing my colours and arranging them as I would like them.

I decided to give it different levels, which I did through the use of crimping beads. I covered the crimping beads up to ensure that it all fits in nicely with the design. I wanted to use ribbon, but decided it wouldn't really enhance the elegant, yet simplistic look - always know what you want and how to get it!

My table soon looked like this:

Quite an organised mess...

In the end, my grandmother was very happy with the necklace and it fitted perfectly with her top she wore on her birthday outing. There is nothing like giving a gift made by hand with love. Next time, try making someone something rather than running to the shop; most people would appreciate the gesture of time and effort.

Feel free to tell us about your own crafts!

Free Scarf Crochet Pattern: Mother's Present Completed

The crocheted scarf that had me worried for a moment.

Now that my mother's scarf is finally done, I just need to remember to actually give it to her. This crocheted scarf had me worried in the beginning stages, as it looked a little on the sloppy side. You can read about my experience with it here and here. For those who like the look of this crochet pattern, I will write down the specifics here for you, so you can try it yourself.

The Sloppy Start

In another post, I mention the fact that this particular scarf was looking a tad bit sloppy because I chose the wrong hook size. If I remember right, I had to go under the recommended hook size, which I consider as a little weird - I work tightly naturally.

Luckily, after common sense kicked in, the scarf started to look a lot better and the pattern was a lot more suitable for a light scarf. The colours together with the open work of the pattern, makes this a great crocheted scarf for the summer or in between seasons (but you will need something a lot more cozy for those winter days).

The Free Crochet Pattern

I had to remake this scarf pattern. I got it from somewhere on the net, but I can't find it again. If anyone knows where this pattern came from, please let me know. I need to add a link to their website. For now, be aware that this is not my pattern, but it is at least a free crochet pattern that I found.

Row 1

Make this free crochet pattern as long as you need it to be, as long as you stick to multiples of twelve. Thus chain in multiples of twelve plus an extra one for your next row.
Turn your work.

Row 2

Single crochet (SC) all the way through.
Chain 3.
Turn your work.

Row 3

Skip 2, SC into the 3rd stitch.
Chain 6, skip 5 and SC into the 6th stitch.
Chain 3, skip 2 and SC into the 3rd stitch.
Continue on with this pattern until the end.
Chain 3.
Turn your work.

Row 4

Double crochet (DC) into the 3 stitch gap.
*DC 9 times into the 6 stitch gap.
DC into the next 3 stitch gap.
Chain 2.
DC into the next 3 stitch gap.
Continue from * until the end.
Chain 3.
Turn your work.

Row 5

SC into the 4th stitch of the 9 DC group.
SC into the next stitch.
SC into the next stitch after that.
Chain 3.
(Petal Stitch) - Yarn over, go into the 2 chain gap of the previous row, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2, yarn over and go through the gap again, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2, yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over and go through the gap a third and last time, yarn over, pull through, yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over and pull through the last 3.
Chain 3.
Continue from the beginning.
Chain 3.
Turn your work.

Row 6

SC into 3 chain gap.
Chain 3.
*SC into the middle SC of the previous row (of the 3 SC group).
Chain 3.
SC into next 3 chain gap.
Chain 6.
SC into next 3 chain gap.
Chain 3.
Continue from *.
At the end, you need to make sure that you have 3 3-chain gaps. You should end with a 3 chain being SC into the last 3 chain gap of the previous row. After this, chain 3 and SC into the last loop of the previous row, allowing you to have a block-form (otherwise your work's sides will be all over the place) and your 3 3-chain gaps that you need.
Chain 3.
Turn your work.

Row 7

DC 4 times into the first 3 chain gap.
*DC into the next 3 chain gap.
Chain 2.
DC into the next 3 chain gap (see why those 3 3-chains are so important?).
DC 9 times into the 6 chain gap.
Continue from *.
At the end, make sure to DC 5 times into the last 3 chain gap.
Chain 1.
Turn your work.

Row 8

SC into the same stitch.
SC into the next stitch.
Chain 3.
*Make a petal stitch.
Chain 3.
SC into 4th DC of 9 DC group.
SC into middle DC (next one).
SC into next DC.
Chain 3.
Continue from *.
At the end, your last SC will fall on the last DC.
Chain 3.
Turn your work.

Row 9

SC into first 3 chain gap.
*Chain 6.
SC into next 3 chain gap.
Chain 3.
SC into middle SC of the previous row.
Chain 3.
SC into the 3 chain gap.
Continue from *.
Chain 3.
Turn your work.

From here you repeat from row 4 until you have it as wide as you want.

Until next time! Remember to leave a comment.

Crochet Help for Newbies: Choosing Your Hook Size

I hope you are all having a good day! I am - I am able to tick one project off my list. I will write a blog about it soon, but first I want to add this one that is on WillowSeed's website, too. It is all about the size of your hook versus your project.

Your Own Tension

I have had plenty of experiences where I realised that I work either too tightly or too loosely. I often work tightly, but now I do it on purpose. I like the look of my work when it is just a little more on the tight side (just as long as I can still move my hook around with ease).

Because I work naturally tight, I hardly need to go for a smaller hook size. I often use the same hook size as recommended on the yarn label. Sometimes, however, a mess up can come from following the guidelines put on the label. Some projects come out looking far too loose and large. I call it looking sloppy, because that is exactly what it looks like.

The one below looks a lot more fluffy and sloppy than the one above it, doesn't it? This is what 0.5 hook size difference can do.

This is why I always say it depends on yourself. You have preferences. You have certain techniques. You have your own unique ways of doing things, and the yarn label doesn't know that. Keep yourself in mind before you go crazy and use up your entire yarn on a project that could have looked a little neater.

The 0.5 Difference in Hook Size

I need say no more. The picture here illustrates the difference between a 4mm and a 4.5mm better than I can explain.

Small changes make big differences, so try to change your hook size only by 0.5mm until you are happy with your end result.

It made a difference in how I saw my project. In the beginning I wasn't happy about this project at all. Go read my feelings in this entry. Now, I can say the end result is much better. As I mentioned before, I will write an entry about it next time with a link here for you. Your hook size can either make a project disaster or, well, make a nice, good-looking project.

The End Result

I am unique, and so are you. This is why patterns and labels can be used as a guideline, but only as a guideline. In the beginning, I wanted my work to look exactly like the so-called experts out there. I felt annoyed every time my work came out looking a lot different. I thought I was terrible at crochet. I understand after plenty of practice that everyone has their own way of crocheting. Yours will look different than mine, but it doesn't mean my projects are better or worse than yours - it's just different.

Work with your own unique way and create what feels right. If you aren't happy with your end result, do something different. If you can see the pattern looks a little too loose, use a 0.5mm smaller hook (make small changes to your hook size). Play around. It's your own project, even if it is another's pattern.

You might want your project to look loose, then use a bigger hook. You might want your project to look really tight, then use a smaller hook. Make changes to your design using your own creativity and judgement. Remember to always have fun when crocheting.

I hope I helped, inspired and motivated some of you today. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.