MORE CROCHET BEAUTIES

While searching for crocheted wreaths, I’ve run across some other crochet beauties. Gotta share these.

First is a fantastic crocheted ring from this blog – the crocheted one on the right:

http://www.modishblog.com/modish/2007/11/

Plus, this set of wreaths is to be found on the same blog:

cro-wreath-5-0809 As I wrote the other day, I don’t think I’d need a pattern to create these wreaths or something similar. Why not pull out some yarn, glue, and small ornaments and other components and whip up one of these. The ring looks to be more complex… The blog these are on is charming. Please check it out:

http://www.modishblog.com/modish/2007/11/

Another blog has this cute mini-wreath with good instructions for making it from recycled wool sweaters. Another idea would be to use up your wool swatches – felt them and follow the instructions to create your own beauty:

http://belladia.typepad.com/bella_dia/christmas_book_activity_advent/

I’m always on the look-out for ideas that incorporate crochet with other crafts, especially those that use recycled materials. If you make or find one, please send me a link.

PS – PSST!! This cute wreath was just posted on August 10, 2009. Had to share:

http://www.favecrafts.com/Wreaths/Crochet-Christmas-Wreath

Generally I like knitting patterns where I feel like you can use whatever yarn you have (because my stash is big enough and I want to use it, thanks) and make a successful project. This is one of those times when a special yarn makes the process that much easier.

The Floral Bouquet Shawl from Xandy Peters uses a specific extended color pooling yarn from Feisty Fibers, which allows you to place the bobble flowers with increasing frequency as you knit the project.

It starts with a solid color yarn, then the two color yarn is added in, and you make a bobble whenever you encounter the color pops. This would be hard to replicate with other yarn that doesn’t have the extended color pooling built in.

The background of the shawl is ribbed, making the project reversible.

The shawl uses fingering/sock yarn and comes out to be an asymmetrical triangle that’s 54 inches/137 cm long and 36 inches/ 90 cm deep and 60 inches/150 cm across the top edge.

Xandy says the pattern is for intermediate to advanced knitters. Knowing how to work traditional bobbles would probably help, but there’s a great video tutorial for how to work the floral bobbles so you can practice on other yarn or even incorporate the bobbles into other projects.

The bobbles are five-petaled flowers but they also kind of look like starfish to me, which could be fun on a child’s cardigan or other pattern. They’d also be fun on the leg of a sock or around the brim of a hat for extra whimsy.

The pattern includes photo and video tutorials, and written and charted instructions. It also includes tips on what to look for if you choose to use different yarn for the project, and instructions on how to dye your own yarn to use in the project.

If you want to give it a try, you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Xandy Peters]

Have you read?