Doing a bit of crochet

[Mabel Figworthy]

I've done a fair bit of crochet in the past, baby blankets, shawls, a little bit of Irish crochet, but not for quite a few years now. But on the internet I came across a rather attractive Remembrance Poppy design. The only thing was I didn't think the leaf was very poppy-ish so I looked further for other leaf shapes.

Anyway, I combined the two and had a go, only I haven't got a great stash of yarn so these were the least awful colours I could come up with



One of the petals is actually too small, I missed out two double (treble) crochets, but that can be remedied in the next version! (I've got several more leaf shapes to try out too)

[kingfisher68]

That's pretty. Hope you show us those you make with the other leaf shapes

[Mabel Figworthy]

One of the problems I'm having is - well, it's a double problem really . A) it's not always clear whether the terms used are UK or US, and B) I learnt to crochet in Dutch, which uses a whole different set of terms altogether! In fact I find myself watching demonstration videos then scribbling what they're doing down in Dutch abbreviations

[rcperryls]

Very pretty! It's been so long since I crocheted that I'm not sure I would remember how to! But seeing this and then watching what Carole's been stitching has been fun. Looking forward to seeing your next creations!

Carole

[Squirrel]

Oh how I know what you are saying about the different terms for crochet stitches. My grandmother taught me and it was the Welsh/English version of names. I tried to follow a pattern once with my Reader's Digest Embroidery and Other crafts huge book on the floor beside me - it didn't work too well. Recently the book of patterns for the "wave stitch" afghans had a very clear set of diagrams and the US/UK names for each of them - now it is making some sense - 40+ yrs later.

Love the poppy and petals are not always evenly sized in the natural so it looks great as it is. I am looking forward to your further experiments.

[wendywombat]

Excellent poppy. I had some that colour, well the petals anyway, in my garden
I hate those awful paper poppies so I wear an enamel one I bought back in 2014 from a poppy seller. Then each year I donate again.

I know what you mean about instructions in another language. I have the same with French.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I'm trying bobble stitch now! (Not for a poppy, I hasten to add...)

[fccs]

Very pretty flower and leaf. I really enjoy crocheting - I have two afghans waiting to be started.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I've been trying some different stitches and also getting my hand back in with some small patterns I found online; as in the past I find I have to tweak patterns I haven't drawn myself by adding stitches or havingfewer, or a different stitch - I wonder whether it is to do with my tension?

Talking of which, this is a camera pouch in progress using bobble stitch. It is not a perfect rectangle, to say the least... Still, as a first attempt at "bobbling" I'm not unhappy with it



And here is a small heart (I had to tweak the two curves to get it to lie flat)

[kingfisher68]

Both lovely, so neat & bright colours. The bobbling looks good, would not have known it was your first attempt at this stitch.

[rcperryls]

Both are very pretty! I love seeing all these other crafts!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

I found a sweet little project - a 3D butterfly brooch! May do some of these at my stitching group to take to the Craft Fair. Do you think these would sell, and what do you feel they might sell for?

front:


back:


in situ:

[Squirrel]

What a little beauty that butterfly is. Love it and such a delicate colour too. As for what to charge, no idea sorry.

You have made a good job of the bubble stitch - far better than mine, my tension was all over the place so I gave it up.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Finished my pouch, and it works! Sorry I can't photograph my camera in it



Also another butterfly - I'm actually using tapestry wool for this, as I've been given a load of miscellaneous skeins. I think the lighter colour probably works better than this very dark; or perhaps what I mean is it works best when the contrast between thetwo shades isn't too great.

Now I just need to get a box of safety pins!

[rcperryls]

What lovely broach those butterflies are. I wouldn't have a clue what to charge for them, though I would think at the right price they would sell. What would a butterfly crocheted in Christmas colors look like? Not necessarily red and green, but maybe a white and silver (if there is a sparkly silver yarn?)

Carole

[curly sue]

Your projects all look lovely! Crochet is my other hobby.

[Squirrel]

Aw how gorgeous is that camera case and so beautifully finished too. Love the 2nd butterfly too Mabel - you sure are having fun with your crochet which is what it should be all about..

[karen4bells]

Aw how gorgeous is that camera case and so beautifully finished too. Love the 2nd butterfly too Mabel - you sure are having fun with your crochet which is what it should be all about..

i absolutely agree!!! Fantastic ideas and crocheting!! So pretty

[kingfisher68]

The butterfly brooches are great & I am sure they will sell quickly. A wonderful idea. Lovely phone pouch too.

[Mabel Figworthy]

More butterflies (they are so easy! and such fun to make!) but also a pussycat (I needed to add a couple of rows to make it work - not sure whether it's my tension that makes it look odd when I follow the pattern to the letter) and a snowflake(slightly fuzzy pic, I don't think the camera liked the bright white). I'm going to try the snowflake in a thinner cotton - it might make the 6 "points" stand out more.