Crochet Uncut Spring 2012 Issue Published

I realized today that I forgot to post here that I'd released the Spring 2012 issue of Crochet Uncut. I posted on Facebook, Ravelry, and Google+, added the photos to Pinterest as well, but forgot to post it here.

Anyway, the issue contains two patterns and a tutorial, again all my designs. All three have symbol crochet charts made using the Crochet Charts software made by Stitch Works Software. If you design crochet, this is an invaluable tool. It really helped me with the design for the Tangleweb Afghan. I did a review of this software in a previous issue of Crochet Uncut and some additional updates have been made since then with more in the works.

The tutorial is for a six pointed star that you join as you go. Make a few of them for a pillow or add more for a wrap or afghan. Use different yarns to get a light wrap or heavier yarn for larger stars.

Star Light Star Bright Tutorial

The first pattern can be made into an afghan, wrap, or scarf. Instructions are provided to make just the size you need. I've already started projects for a baby blanket and a curtain for the back door to keep out the flies while allowing Mr. Darcy to spend time outside without us having to keep an eye on him. I'm also working on a variation to the design for an infinity scarf which I'll probably have up for sale on Ravelry once it's completed.

Tangleweb Afghan modeled by Mr. Darcy

The second pattern is for a bright spring purse that can also be easily modified to be larger or smaller or to change the size of the handles. It's a perfect way to use up a few leftover yards of yarn.

Tincture of Spring Purse

On a side note, I was offered quite a bit of money to sell Crochet Uncut, enough that I could have paid off my bills and moved back to Texas, but I turned the offer down. I talk about it a bit more in the Letter to the Editor for this issue, but I don't intend to sell the site ... ever!

Don't forget to check out the reviews and keep an eye out for some yarn reviews that will be added once the yarn arrives.

And here are the direct links to the patterns:

• Tangleweb Afghan / Wrap / Scarf
• Tincture of Spring Purse
• Star Light Star Bright Tutorial

Remember, all patterns have a downloadable PDF version available. Just look for the PDF icon next to the Ravelry project page button.

I'm also continuing work on the Mrs. Claus Washing pattern. It's on the back burner for a bit but I'm hoping to get back to it soon. The free patterns I design and my painting always seem to take priority over patterns I'm planning on selling.

Oh, and before I forget, please feel free to follow the Pinterest board I created for Crochet Uncut and repin the projects you like. If you have a project you've completed following one of the patterns in Crochet Uncut and would like to have it added to the Pinterest board, send me an IM on Ravelry with a link to the project. Just remember that I can't pin images from Facebook so the image will have to be on located elsewhere in order to be pinned, for example, Ravelry, Flickr, a blog, etc.

Links to our Facebook fan page, Google+ page, Twitter, and Pinterest board can always be found on the left menu on Crochet Uncut.

Hope you enjoy the patterns!

Double-Sided Crochet Tutorial

So, I thought I'd posted this here but can't find it anywhere and since I really don't have a lot of posts, it should have been easy to find if it were here.

Anyway, when I lived closer to Sandy, UT, I'd pop into Unraveled Sheep quite often and even taught some crochet classes there. Twice I've been asked to decipher "old family patterns" and one was the diagonal box stitch and the other was a double sided crochet design with old terms that the lady who brought it in couldn't decipher.

These photos are my results:


The free tutorial is up on Ravelry if you're interested. It makes for a very thick fabric but if you use a thinner yarn, it won't be quite as thick or warm.

• Ravelry Project Page

Tatting, more Crochet, and a Dr. Who Scarf started

It's been a while, but I've been busy so that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

Christmas was very quiet, as usual, with just my sister and the furries. We didn't get a ham this year as we were leaving for Austin three days later and wouldn't be able to finish it in time.

In Austin, we stayed with sister Jenny and her husband Brian and traveled back and forth to San Antonio to attend the Air Force basic training graduation ceremonies. My oldest nephew Clay was our proud Airman. His mother, Darlene was there with her husband Jimmy (who is in the Army) and their other five boys (one is a foster son).

Airman Jimmy Clay Smith, Jr.

And, of course, we had to get a photo of the proud mom and aunts ...

Jessica, Jenny, Darlene, Darlisa

We spent a week and a half in Austin (saved $180 in airfare that way) and one evening Jenny was showing us her needle tatting. Years ago I'd purchased a learn needle tatting book but never tried it. I had tried shuttle tatting but it never clicked and the way the shuttle had to be used just seemed weird to me. Last Saturday, Jess said she wanted to learn so I bought a few more needles and some thread. Once we got home, I found the book in my library, figured it out and taught Jess. I taught her to knit a few weeks back so we'll see which one she keeps up with. On Sunday, I started tatting a heart that was a free pattern at Hobby Lobby (and is also online at Handy Hands Tatting) and finished it on Tuesday. The picots are too big and one of the side chains has an extra picot, but not too bad for a first try.

I've already started a larger project. It's go big or go home for me when it comes to doing stuff!

My brother-in-law, Brian (Jenny's husband) is a huge Dr. Who fan (well, so is Jenny) and he asked me to make him a Season 16 Scarf. There are several sites with patterns but I settled on the one at the Witty Little Knitter because the yarn selections were all one brand and I could order them online. Another site that is good for patterns is DoctorWhoScarf.com.

So far I have 190 rows completed but the pic below shows it after about 130 rows or so.


I used the Scarf-o-matic to calculate how much I have completed and, since it's too long to put here, I've added it to the header of my blog instead.

In other news, I finished an afghan design that I'm really proud of. I started it before Christmas, worked on it on the plane, in the airport, and while in Austin, then finished it when I got home. The full pattern, with guidelines on making it into a scarf or wrap instead, will be in the next issue of Crochet Uncut.

New painting - Indian Chief Head Study

So, last year I asked Jon McNaughton if we could do a head study of a dark skinned person and this is the result. I haven't been able to take classes for the last several months because of finances but had saved up so I could attend this class. I'm really really trying to spend more time painting but it's not easy when you're working full time and sewing items on commission just to make ends meet.

Anyhow, here is the painting:

The painting can be purchased in my Artfire shop as well as other locations.

Santa's Washing Errata

As hard as I try, sometimes patterns get a few mistakes that hide until it's too late. I'll post any changes to the Santa's Washing crochet pattern here and also update the PDF pattern on Ravelry.

Socks:

Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in ea sc across. (6 sts)

Row 13: (Dec rows) Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog. (4 sts)

Santa's Washing pattern available on Artfire

I've added the Santa's Washing pattern to my Artfire store. No automatic download but once I receive payment notification from Paypal and get home from work in the evenings, the PDF file will be mailed.

Santa's Washing on Artfire

Santa's Washing Crochet Pattern

I just uploaded a new crochet pattern to my Ravelry store, Santa's Washing. Pattern includes instructions for making a jacket, trousers, long johns, mittens, scarf, socks, and hat. I wanted to make sure the pieces could be made in any size yarn or crochet thread so only the thumbs on the mittens and the top part of the pants for the long johns are made in the round. The remaining pieces are all worked flat. So, even if you make them in size 50 crochet thread, you shouldn't have any problems!

Here are a few pictures of the finished banner, including a peek at the back of the long johns! Click on the images for larger views.

The banner hanging from my mantel

A closeup of the back of the long johns with the flap hanging open

A closer look at the banner

The pattern is $4.50 and can be purchased at Ravelry - buy now - pattern page

Also, the Fall 2011 issue of Crochet Uncut is finally out. Find out how to make African Flower Motifs and use them to make a purse, potholders, hotpads, and a pincushion, make a mat named BOB, and find out how to win a Knook!