MORE ON TUNISIAN – Craft Gossip

Once you’ve checked out the book I reviewed, Tunisian Crochet by Sharon H. Silverman, you might want to find some more information about tunisian crochet on the ‘net. Lucky you! I’ve done the research for you. There’s a lot of resources available. While I LOVE having a book to hold onto as an easy reference in my lap and on my bookshelf, I also love this infinite library on my desk – the one we call the internet.

So, here are some sites you might want to check out:

ARNie at chezcrochet has this for you:

http://www.chezcrochet.com/page2.html

There are stitch tutorials for a bunch of things you’ll want to try out and links to sites with free patterns to practice on real projects.

There are free patterns for a scarf and a shawl at this site:

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_other/article/0,,DIY_14142_5272557,00.html

Kim Guzman, always one of my favorite resources, has a free tunisian hat pattern and this absolutely lovely afghan that can’t be reproduced in any other form of crochet. Kim’s patterns are well written and quite inexpensive.

kim-g-tunisian-afghan-0509 http://www.kimanedesigns.net/products/Nautical_Waves_Afghan.html

And, what about this great sweater from Dora Ohrenstein? It’s available as a free pattern:

http://www.crochetinsider.com/rainbowjacket.html

Don’t forget one of the best resources online for crocheters – http://crochetpatterncentral.com/search.php

This link will take you to the page containing lots of free tunisian patterns. Should be something there for everyone!

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It’s not really that close to Halloween as I write this, but as crafters we’re always looking ahead and spooky season is one of my favorites. If it’s yours, too, or you just like things on the Gothic side, you should enjoy browsing and stitching projects from Ars Onirika on Etsy.

There’s a lot of pop culture inspired designs with a dark twist, from Harry Potter to Beetlejuice, Lord of the Rings to Edgar Allan Poe.

The biggest section of the shop is just called Easy Cross Stitch, but it covers a lot of ground, from text-only designs to stained glass windows, tarot card-inspired designs (I was going to share this one called The Stitcher as it’s relevant to our interests) and a green absinthe fairy.

I decided to talk more about that one instead just because I wanted to call out that while it’s in the easy section, it is labeled more accurately as being an intermediate design, so check those skill levels if you’re a newer stitcher. This one measures 122 to 169 stitches, which comes out to 8.7 by 12.12 inches or 22.2 by 30.8 cm on 14 count fabric. The pattern notes don’t say how many colors it uses, but it looks like a lot. This would be a great one to make for lovers of Art Nouveau or who have a fancy bar.

You’ll also find a large section of medieval and gothic designs, which includes lots of designs inspired by medieval artwork; a fantasy and magic section, filled with Harry Potter designs, fairies, Outlander and more; and classic art patterns, which is pretty much what it sounds like.

There are also alphabets and samplers you can use to make your own projects, a few literary samplers, and a set of Victorian cat designs you can personalize with your cat’s name.

If any of that piques your interest, you should definitely head over to Ars Onirika at Etsy and browse through their designs. Let me know if you see something you like!

[Photo: Ars Onirika]

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