CROCHETLOVING

CHART FOR TURNING CHAINS, SYMBOLS, UK/US STITCH TERMS

2010-12-21T12:21:00.003+05:30

For additional and illustrative information on working the stitches, this site is worth checking out.

DELTA CROCHET - A TUTORIAL - PART II

2010-12-21T12:18:00.000+05:30

This part of the tutorial highlights the differences between DELTA CROCHET and Filet Crochet

Filet Crochet	Delta Crochet
Filet crochet is a combination of chains dc and tr. There are variations that use d.tr. But it is not very popular.	Delta Crochet is a combination of chains, d.tr and puff stitches.
Filet crochet is a series of open and solid meshes called blocks.	Delta crochet is a series of alternating upward and downward pointing triangular meshes and puff stitches and puff stitch blossoms.
No. of starting chains = No. of blocks x 3 +1	No. of starting chains = No. of upward pointing triangles x 5 + 1
Projects are mostly rectangular or square or have cutwork like edges.	Projects are mostly hexagons and sometimes round.

Similarities
 It is easier to work both styles of crochet from charts rather than written directions once you get the hang of it.
 In both cases odd rows are read from right to left and even rows are read from left to right.
 Reading from charts while easier in the long run can be pretty confusing in the beginning.
 This is especially true in the case of Delta because of the irregular shape of the row or round.
 Just as in the case of filet crochet, an even working tension is essential in Delta crochet.

DELTA CROCHET - A TUTORIAL - PART I

2010-12-21T12:15:00.003+05:30

Before I begin - an appeal!

A lot of time and effort goes into preparing a tutorial. I don't like it when I find my tutorials copied and pasted word for word and passed off as someone else's. Finding my kutchwork and kasuti tutorials copied and pasted word for word elsewhere put me off blogging altogether for quite sometime. So, please, please don't do it.

This, is an appeal to your better nature!

That said, I'll move on.

Delta crochet is a lovely style of crochet somewhat similar to Filet crochet but a lot confusing in the beginning. There are very few resources on the web regarding this style. The only one with a tutorial is here

HERE'S MY OWN.

Like most forms of crochet, you can work Delta crochet too in two ways
1. In rows
2. In rounds

These instructions assume that you are familiar with Basic Crochet. You'll find information on turning chains and stitch symbols
here

Let's first consider working in rows.
Step 1: How do you calculate the number of foundation chains required?

Based on a simple formula -
(no. of Upward pointing triangles x 5)+ 1. Observe the first diagram and you'll understand why.

We'll start with 4 upward pointing triangles. This translates to (4x5)+ 1 = 21 chains.

The 21 chains are the foundation row.

The pattern as you can see in the second diagram uses just 2 stitches, the chain and the double treble. Now, onto the next step.

Step 2: CLICK ON DIAGRAMS TO ENLARGE

This row is read from right to left and also worked from right to left.

Step 3:
Work the first 4 chains and then turn work and continue working.

This row is read from left to right but since the work is turned at the beg of this row, worked from right to left.

- IN OTHER WORDS, ODD ROWS ARE READ FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND EVEN ROWS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.

Repeat rows 2 & 3 for pattern.

Let's for the sake of analysis, break up the pattern into upward and downward pointing triangles and consider its composition - as it is the alternate arrangement of these that make up the overall design.

downward pointing triangle - 1 d.tr, 4 chains, 1 d.t into the same stitch.

upward pointing triangle - 1 d.tr leaving the last 2 loops on hook, skip 4 chains, 1 d.tr into next st – when you have a total of 3 loops on hook, yarn over hook, pull through all three loops.

If you find any mistakes in this tutorial, please let me know.

All kinds of lacy accessories can be made using this beautiful.
I'll be back with more.

POUCH MADE FROM MATERIAL CHOPPED OFF KURTA SLEEVES

2010-05-21T12:04:00.001+05:30

Quite a while since my last post. I've been busy going through my hoardings, ruthlessly throwing away, what I don't need. You won't believe the things I hoard ! - the scraps I've used for this hanky pouch to mention a few.

I now have my very own laptop - a hand me down as my husband fell in love with a tablet PC. I also now have my very own external hard disk (500 GB). No more quarrelling with the kids for storage space.

I realised that my almost 6' tall,14 year old was no longer a little one when he tried to con me out of my new external hard disk. All the things he can think up to show me how he needs it more than me!!!

Now, I am busy scanning all sorts of interesting info I have managed to collect over the past 20 years and enjoying every minute of it. No point in having these if I don't even know that I have them right? So I have my work cut out for me.

March and April this year were unusually hot. I ended up cropping off half the sleeves off some of my cotton kurtas. Most of them ended up as patchwork doormats. Two of them however got converted into a hanky pouch for my mom. Recycling being the name of the game for me since January, I went all the way and used up scraps of crochet and tatting from my mistakes box.

The crochet lace is from DMC Irish crochet. I rounded off the embellishing with wheatear arcs done with multi-shade thread.

This is the other side of the pouch. I am not so good at taking pictures – I invariably end up shaking the camera while clicking the button. Give me a scanner any day!!!

I have used the herring bone stitch( bottom left) from SHARON’S TAST and sequins, stones and jingles provide the rest of the embellishing. Does it not look like a tiny fish? Unfortunately, I can't recall where exactly in her pin tangle, I found this stitch or even what she called it.

I closed the opening with Velcro. Needless to say my mom loved it. She is one of those people who loves anything I do mistakes and all!

CROCHET COIN BAG

2009-07-02T10:48:00.001+05:30

When I started this project, it was supposed to be a drawstring purse for my aunt.

When my little niece saw it, she asked, "Are you making this coin bag for me? "

so I made a front flap and my mom attached a macreme handle and it became her coin bag.

The scans are not so good and I can't make fresh scans as I don't have the bag.

PINK SWEATER IN AFGHAN CROCHET

2009-06-28T07:40:00.000+05:30

My brother and his family are down here from Seattle. My sister-in -law got me some wool in soft pastels and pink. I decided to use the pink to make a sweater for their daughter.

Here's back side of the sweater. I put the fastening at the back.

The sweater begins at the front yoke. I worked the yoke in afghan stitch.

- for the body I worked 1 dc and 1 tr into each stitch skipping every 3rd stitch in the 1st round. 1 dc, 1 tr into each sc in the subsequent rounds.

You'll notice a differnce in pattern here and there - I just forgot to turn work and work in the opposite direction.

It was interesting the difference that made!

And finally for some embellishment - in brazillian style embroidery.

CROCHET BASKET

2006-10-26T22:39:00.000+05:30

This is illustration 239 of the Project Gutenberg's Beeton's Book of Needlework, by Isabella Beeton - http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15147. I found this link in Sharon's Blog - http://inaminuteago.com/

Here is my own basket.

This is the first time I have used a metal wire in crochet. I decided not to make the handle, so I can place inside it this cute blue glass urn I bought at an antique shop.
I had gone to attend a friend's wedding in Karaikudi - Tamil Nadu. We were parked in front of this antique shop. I happened to glance inside and this piece called out to me and I simply had to have it.

And the rose is from my balcony garden.

Edging from DMC crochet Book

2006-10-15T22:36:00.000+05:30

This is a pattern from the DMC Crochet edgings book. An interesting pattern, that needed a lot of thinking. I liked it mostly because the picture looked like an old fashioned necklace. Figuring out the terms used was a real challange.

I have now started work on the incomplete crinoline lady. I'll post pictures as, I progress.

CROCHET EDGING FROM DMC

2006-09-21T12:10:00.001+05:30

PINEAPPLE DOILY

2006-08-26T17:11:00.000+05:30

I have finally completed the pineapple doily. Oh my! It took me ages to complete it.
It is too big to fit into my scanner. So here it is all folded up

-and here all starched up and blocked. It measures about 18 inches in diameter. I worked it with Pearl cotton size 40 and a no:14 steel hook.

IRISH CROCHET FROM DMC BOOK

2006-06-15T15:45:00.000+05:30

This is an Irish Crochet piece I am trying from the DMC IC book. Will this look ok once I block it? Somehow I am not satisfied with it. Is my tension not right? I'll try redoing it.

IRISH CROCHET

2006-06-15T15:40:00.000+05:30

This is my version of the vintage grapes and leaves free pattern I found in a Crochet site. I stuffed a little batting instead of thread for the grapes. A pity I could not get the exact shades of thread for the grapes and leaves. Anyway I think this would make a wonderful applique.