Saturday, February 15, 2014

Houndstooth Vest







Houndstooth Vest: Medium


Needles:
8 straight
10.5 Circular

2 skeins of each color of yarn
MC: Cream
CC: Brown

Single Rib Stitch:
Row 1: k1, *p1, k1 *repeat
Row 2: p1, *k1, p1 *repeat

Back:
Cast on 64 (multiple of 4) with size 8 needles with CC (Brown)
Row 1: k1 *p1, k1* repeat to end
Row 2: p1 *k1, p1* repeat to end
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 2 inches. Change to size 10.5 circular needles and knit one row, purl one row back.
Row 3: *MC k2, CC k1, MC k1* repeat to end
Row 4: *MC p1, CC p3* repeat to end
Row 5: *MC k1, CC k3* repeat to end
Row 6: *MC p2, CC p1, MC p1* repeat to end
Repeat rows 3-6 until piece measures 14” from the beginning, ending with row 6.

Bind off 2 stitches at the beginning of the next four rows, continue in the pattern by using the altered pattern.

Row 3: CC k1, MC k1, *MC k2, CC k1, MC k1* repeat to end
Row 4: CC p2, *MC p1, CC p3* repeat to end
Row 5: CC k2, *MC k1, CC k3* repeat to end
Row 6: CC p1, MC p1, *MC p2, CC p1, MC p1* repeat to end

Next continue with the previous pattern for 5 more inches or until the work measures 21“ from the beginning.
After you have reached 21” ending with row 6:

Row 7: (MC k2, CC k1, MC k1) x3, (CC k1, p1) x12, (MC k2, CC k1, MC k1) x3
Row 8: (MC p1, CC p3) x3, (CC p1, k1) x12, (MC p1, CC p3) x3
Row 9: (MC k1, CC k3) x3, (CC k1, p1) x12, (MC k1, CC k3) x3
Row 10: (MC p2, CC p1, MC p1) x3, (CC p1, k1) x12, (MC p2, CC p1, MC p1) x3
Row 11: (MC k2, CC k1, MC k1) x3, (CC k1, p1, k1, p1) x12, (MC k2, CC k1, MC k1) x3
Row 12: (MC p1, CC p3) x3, (CC p1, k1, p1, k1) x12, (MC p1, CC p3) x3
Row 13: (MC k1, CC k3)x3, (CC k1, p1, k1, p1) Bind Off 16 stitches, (CC k1, p1, k1, p1) (MC k1, CC k3)x3

Left Side:
Row 14: (MC p2, CC p1, MC p1) x3, CC p1, k1, p1, k1
Row 15: (CC k1, p1, k1, p1) (MC k2, CC k1, MC k1) x3
Row 16: (MC p1, CC p3) x3, CC p1, k1, p1, k1
Row 17: CC k1, p1, k1, p1, (MC k1, CC k3) x2, MC k1, CC k1, k2tog
Row 18: CC p2tog, MC p3, CC p1, MC p3, CC p1, MC p1; CC p1, k1, p1, k1
Bind Off

Right Side:
Row 14: (CC p1, k1, p1, k1); MC p2, CC p1, MC p1) x3
Row 15: (MC k2, CC k1, MC k1) x3; (CC k1, p1, k1, p1)
Row 16: (CC p1, k1, p1, k1); (MC p1, CC p3) x3
Row 17: (CC k2tog, k2) *(MC k1, CC k3)* repeat to last 4 stitches (CC k1, p1, k1, p1)
Row 18: (CC p1, k1, p1, k1); (MC p2, CC p1, MC p1, p2tog
Bind Off

Front:
Cast On 72 stitches on size 8 needles with CC yarn.
Row 1: k1 *p1, k1* repeat to end
Row 2: p1 *k1, p1* repeat to end
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 2 inches. Change to size 10.5 circular needles and knit one row, purl one row back.
Row 3: *MC k2, CC k1, MC k1* repeat to end
Row 4: *MC p1, CC p3* repeat to end
Row 5: *MC k1, CC k3* repeat to end
Row 6: *MC p2, CC p1, MC p1* repeat to end
Repeat rows 3-6 until piece measures 14” from the beginning, ending with row 6.

Bind off 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows keeping in pattern.

Next row work in pattern for 32 stitches turn
Separate and continue each side separately;
keep working in pattern binding off 1 at the end of KNIT rows and binding off 1 at the beginning of PURL rows, until there are only 12 stitches left. Then continue in pattern until piece measures 22” from beginning. Bind off.

Sew front and back pieces together adding border on the neckline and arm holes if desired by picking up stitches and working 4 rows in single rib stitch.



Friday, February 14, 2014

Star Wars: Boba Fett

I am a big nerd who loves Star Wars. I fondly remember days spent at home eating my dad's delicious chili and curled up on the couch having Star Wars marathons. This was back in the day when it was the original, unenhanced, VCR (maybe even copied off of TV) version. I now own all the epic movies on DVD, but still enjoy the old ones the best.

There are lots of star wars hats, amigurumi action figures, death stars... I am a fan of making Boba Fett hats. I have made four and they are all different.

My first attempt was a ski mask. I had to restart this one a few times to get the size just right. The first one I made looked like it could fit a sumo wrestler!






I even had a pencil wrapped up in yarn for the antenna. I was really happy with the way this one turned out. Although it does look boxy in pictures it fit very perfectly.



My next one was created just this past christmas for my nephew.

I saw other nifty star wars lovers had added this patch on the back, and I liked it, so I did it too!

Next, I had a friend request more of a hat like version. 


 Instead of doing all appliques, I did some surface crochet for the front mask and weaving. I think this one has turned out very nicely and I have kept track of the pattern, to share with you.


Basic DC Beanie:

Hook: J   
Size: 22"/23" 
Yarn: double stranded worsted weight 
Colors: dark green, red, camouflage, black, yellow
ch= chain
SC= single crochet
DC= double crochet

Magic Ring (or chain 5 and slip stitch to form ring),

Chain 2, 9 DC in ring, join to first DC (not the top of the chain 2), ch 2

Round 2: 2 DC in each around, join to first DC, ch 2 (18 DC)
Round 3: DC in first stitch, 2 DC in next, repeat around, join, ch 2 (27 DC)
Round 4: 2 DC, 2 DC in next stitch, repeat around, join, ch 2 (36 DC)
Round 5: 3 DC, 2 DC in next stitch, repeat around, join, ch 2 (45 DC)
Round 6: 4 DC, 2 DC in next stitch, repeat around, join, ch 2 (54 DC)
Round 7: DC around (54 DC)
Change color to red yarn. 
Round 8: 8 DC, 2 DC in next stitch, repeat around, join, ch 2 (60 DC) 
Round 9: 9 DC, 2 DC in next stitch, repeat around, join, ch 2 (66 DC)
Change color to green yarn, join and ch 2 
Round 10-11: DC around, join and ch 2 (66 DC)
Change color to camo yarn, join and ch 2 (optional color change)
Round 12: DC around, join and ch 1 (66 DC)
Round 13: SC around, join. Fasten off.

Place ear flaps 7 stitches from back seam on each side, leaving 16 stitches open in the front. 


Start at back seam, count 7 stitches over join with camo or green yarn

Ear flap:
Row 1: Chain 2, HDC 12, ch 2, turn 
Row 2: HDC 2 together, 8 HDC, HDC 2 together, ch 2, turn 
Row 3: HDC 2 together, 4 HDC, HDC 2 together, ch 2, turn 
Row 4: HDC 2 together, 2 HDC, HDC 2 together, fasten off.


Move over 16 stitches (or however many you need to be symmetrical to other earflap)
Repeat ear flap.

The ear flaps can be done in DC and made to be longer by decreasing on the sides on every other row.
There are many ways to achieve the ear flap look, whatever works for you is what you should do.

Braided tails:
Cut 6 1 yard strands of various colors. The more strands you have, the thicker the braid, so feel free to add more. Fold in half and tie with a slip knot to bottom of earflap.  Braid the strands together to desired length, tie, and trim. 

Repeat on the other ear flap.

The mask on this one is a combination of surface crochet, weaving, and appliques.The surface crochet is free hand, but if you would like to use the appliques just make them using the same hook.

Red and Black Mask: 
Every odd row is the right side and every even row is the wrong side. When finished with the black on the odd rows (right side facing you) hold the black yarn in front. When you are finished with the black on the even rows (wrong side facing you) hold the yarn in the back. When you are not working with the red it always should be held on the wrong side. Only one side should look like a jumbled mess. When changing colors you can use a slip stitch, just make sure you don't count the slip stitch when you crochet across the next row. 

Chain 9, SC in 2nd stitch from hook across, ch 1, turn (8)
Row 2: SC across, ch 1, turn (8)

Row 3: SC 4, join with black yarn, SC in same stitch, SC 1, change to red yarn (keeping the black yarn in the front), SC in same stitch, SC 34, ch 1, turn(10)

Row 4: SC 4, pick up black yarn SC in same stitch, SC 3, change to red yarn (keeping the black yarn in the back), SC in same stitch, SC 4, turn (12)

Row 5: SC 4, pick up black yarn SC in same stitch, SC 5, change to red yarn, SC in same stitch, SC 4, turn (14)

Row 6: SC 4, pick up black yarn SC in same stitch, SC 7, change to red yarn, SC in same stitch, SC 4, turn (16)

Row 7: SC 4, pick up black yarn SC in same stitch, SC 9, change to red yarn, SC in same stitch, SC 4, turn (18) 

Row 8: SC 4, pick up black yarn SC in same stitch, SC 11, change to red yarn, SC in same stitch, SC 4, turn (20) 

Row 9: SC 4, pick up black yarn SC in same stitch, SC 13, change to red yarn, SC in same stitch, SC 4, turn (22) 

Row 10: SC 4, pick up black yarn SC in same stitch, SC 15, change to red yarn, SC in same stitch, SC 4, turn (24)  

Row 11: SC across, fasten off. Sew onto hat in center space.

Yellow side applique:

Chain 18, 15 DC starting in second chain from hook, 3DC in last stitch, 15 DC down the other side, join in first DC Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew onto hat.

Also use the yellow and a tapestry needle to whip stitch the yellow bars that go two rows above the red stripes on the hat and on the opposite side of the vertical yellow bar. I do around 5/6 stripes.

Weave in all the ends and you're done!

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Tunisian Crochet

During my coffee break this morning I taught myself how to Tunisian crochet. I've been putting off learning this stitch because it looks complicated and I can get the same look by knitting. However, there are days I get interested in trying out something new, usually when there is another project I need to get started on (of which there are currently two). So today is the perfect time to try this new stitch out! It took me all of 5 minutes. Lol. I still feel very accomplished and look forward to designing new patterns with this new stitch.



I used Jane Crawfoot's Ultimate Crochet Bible published by C&B Crafts, for instructions on how to create the basic Tunisian stitch. This is by far my favorite crochet book! It is easy to understand, has simple but effective graphics and has informative tutorials on stitches, color work, adding beading, and color work. I definitely recommend this book for beginners to intermediate crochet addicts. :) 



For online instructions, Mary from Crocheting the Day Away has a great tutorial on how this stitch is accomplished. It can be found here.



My first finished Tunisian crochet project: a headband with a crocodile flower. Instructions for the crocodile pattern can be found here. Enjoy!

Now on to my other projects. Come back for a look at my Star Wars Boba Fett hats!