Thursday 8 January 2015

January YAL, Blossom Pin Keeper, YALyearoftheflower2015


The YAL - yarn a-long -  is here! 

Blossom Pin Keeper – Project 1, Jan 2015

What better than to begin with something we use every time we crochet!  There is a crochet pin keeper and a different knitted pin keeper.   

In this wonderful 'Year of the Flower, 2015, you'll work  from a  different pattern  every month in knitting or crochet and sometimes both!  All the projects will have a flower theme and be useful.   They'll also be achievable since we yarn lovers tend to take on more than we can manage.  :-)    You might like to make extras as gifts for Christmas or birthdays! Do let me know how you go! 

Blossom Pin Keeper, crocheted version



Blossom Pin Keeper, knitted version

On the first of every month, a new pattern will be posted to the blog, and an announcement will be made on Instagram. The patterns will be available on Ravelry as a PDF, linked from the blog, for ease of printing.  You can download the patterns from Ravelry  and delete  any of the photos in a separate document for printing.   Both patterns can be found here Blossom Pin Keeper, crochet version (**please note the additional row 7 which was not in the original pattern) and Blossom Pin Keeper, knitted version  on Ravelry

If you complete the pattern, please tag me on Instagram, or leave a comment below.  The hashtag for Instagram is #yalyearoftheflower2015

I hope you enjoy making the pin cushion.   
Lu  xx

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** Errata: please note: there is a 7th row of dc all round, with '3dc, 2ch, 3dc' in each corner.  (so sorry)  

Blossom Pin Keeper – Project 1, Jan 2015 (crochet) 

I love making functional objects that I can use to hold my notions while I create. This cushion is for the pins I use to block my knitted or crocheted projects.  They lose their sharp point during the blocking process so I like to keep them separate. 

This is a fast project and requires small amounts of yarn and a little fabric.  You can find it on Ravelry here...Crochet Blossom Pin Keeper 

DETAILS

6 colours - Yellow, green, white, two shades of pink, red
3.5mm hook
Tapestry needle to sew in ends.
Scissors
2 Pieces of coordinating fabric 13cm x 13cm.  (insert)
Toyfil fibre or sand and a funnel for the insert (I have used toyfil)
Sewing needle and cotton to stitch up the opening of the insert
Finished size – 12cm square

Abbreviations in UK terms
Ch – chain     slst – slip stitch          dc – double crochet          tr – treble
Trcl – with all the clusters, leave the last loop of each stitch on the hook and then at the end, draw through all loops. 

METHOD – the pin cushion is made from a large granny square with a  flower centre

Row 1


1.  Yellow - Magic ring, ch1, 8dc into ring.  Sl st into the first dc. Fasten off colour 1.  Weave in ends.

2.   (white) Join colour 2 in any dc.  Ch3, 2trcl into same place as the slst, 1ch, *3trcl into next dc, 1ch, repeat from * around,slst into the 3rd ch of the beg ch3.  (8 -3tr clusters, 8 ch) Fasten off. weave in ends.

row 3

3.   (green) Join colour into any 1ch space. 3ch, 2tr in same place as the ch,  2ch, 3tr in same place (corner), ch1, *3tr in next 1ch sp, ch1, (3tr in next ch space, 2ch, 3tr in  the same ch space,  this is the second corner), ch1,  repeat from *  two more times, slst into the 3rd ch of the beg 3ch.  Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Add fourth colour

4. (red) Join colour into the corner 2ch sp.  Repeat as for row 3 only there will be  TWO spaces in between the corners.  Do 3tr, 1ch in every space and 3tr, ch1, 3tr in each corner.  Fasten off.  Weave in ends. 

5.  (med pink) Repeat as for above with T HREE spaces in between the corners. Fasten off.  Weave in ends. 


6.  Continue with the rounds of light pink, green and yellow.   Fasten each colour off.  Weave in ends. 
7.  Continue in yellow with a dc in every stitch and *3dc, 2ch, 3dc* in each corner. 

 BLOCK the square.

ASSEMBLY

All corners are going to be brought to the centre and stitched along the diagonal.




1...bring 2 adjacent corners to the centre

1. Bring two adjacent corners to the centre and with a running stitch, join from the middle to the corner.  

2. Work your way around the square joining corners starting at the middle first and working your way out to the edge. Use a running stitch to join. 

Join using running stitch

Two diagonals joined

Work your way out to the  middle to the edge

Leave the last diagonal open (below) so you can insert the filled cushion inside. 



The last diagonal...


3. Stitch up the last diagonal.



The back side - such a shame to hide it but lovely to know it's there..


INSERT - seam allowance
Draw a square on your fabric, wrong side,  5mm in from the cut edge. Stitch around the square leaving a 3cm opening on one side. You will turn the square through here.  


Fill the insert with sand or Toyfil fibre.  Using a small stitch, close up the opening. Place the insert in the crocheted square before closing up the last diagonal join. 







FLOWERS
3.5mm hook, white and yellow or colours of your choice
1.  Magic ring, 8dc into ring,  Slst into 1st dc.
2.* Ch3 2trcl in same place as sl st, 3ch, slst into same place as trcl, slst into next dc,
      repeat from * around – 8 petals.  Slst into the first dc on previous row.
 3. Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Join flowers to pin keeper with long tail. 






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         Blossom Pin Keeper – Project 1, Jan 2015 (knitted) 

Find it on Ravelry here...(Knitted Blossom Pin keeper)


DETAILS

 4 yarns - green, pink, red, multicoloured
size 4mm needles
Tapestry needle to sew in ends.
Scissors
Pearl button or feature button
2 pieces of coordinating fabric 13cm x 13cm.  (insert)
Toyfil fibre or sand and a funnel for the insert (I have used toyfil)
Sewing needle and cotton to stitch up the opening of the insert and to attach the button
Finished size – 12cm square

METHOD –
Blocking the square



Cast on 20 stitches, Green, cast on 20 st multicoloured yarn. **Ensure you cross the colours over each other at the join to avoid a gap.

Knit in stocking stitch for 26 rows, ending on a purl row. Cut yarn.  Join new colour.

Knit across the row for 20 sts in colour 3, knit next 20sts in colour 4
Knit 25 more rows with these two colours.
Block.

ASSEMBLY
All corners are brought to the centre and stitched along the diagonal.

1.  Bring two adjacent corners to the centre and with a running stitch, join from the middle to the corner. Fasten off.


2. Work your way around the square joining corners starting at the middle first and working your way out to the edge.

 Leave the last diagonal open so you can insert the filled cushion inside. 



Leave the last diagonal open to insert the fabric square.  This will become the TOP.  

3. Once you have made the insert, stitch up the last diagonal.


INSERT

Draw a square 5mm in from the cut edge on the wrong side of your fabric.

Stitch around the square leaving a 3cm opening on one side. You will turn the square through here. 

Fill the insert with sand or Toyfil fibre.  Using a small stitch, close up the opening. Place the insert in the crocheted square before closing up the last diagonal join




FLOWER

Leaves and flowers are from the same pattern. 

Abbreviation

Kfb – knit front and back into the same stitch

Cast on 2 sts. Knit both stitches.
1.   Kfb in the first stitch, knit to the end. (3sts)

Repeat row 1 above until you have 8 sts.

Next knit row: K2 tog all across (4sts)

K2 tog all across (2st)

K2 tog across. Fasten off.

Weave the ends through the back of the petal.  Make five. Leave one tail long to join the petals together.

LEAVES
Repeat above for the petals in green.  Make two.

Assembly
Thread the long tail into a needle and join the petals through the base of each one.  Pull this up tight and secure the join with a knot.  Attach a button to the centre. 

Position the flower and leaves on the pin keeper and attach with the long tails. 
Overstitch the diagonal joins on the pin keeper with yarn if you wish.



I hope you have busted some of your stash and that this has been a easy, satisfying project to kick off our Year of the Flower! 

If you have any questions,  or if you see any errors, please contact me at wildaboutyarn@outlook.com. 



I'll be off stitching... planning the next YAL pattern for February. 

Lu xxxx

Friday 2 January 2015

YAL Year of the Flower 2015


At last I can reveal the plan I've been working on for the last few months of last year.   It is a...

                YAL = Yarn along 


    for the Year of the Flower, 2015


Do you want to Yarn ALONG with me?  

I hope so. They're a great way to get motivated and to achieve results and what better than a year of projects that can be given as gifts or put to good use at home?  I'm very excited about this... 

But first...


Any new project deserves some contemplation and what better than mulling it over with some of these...ZOO biscuits are to DIE FOR and I have to say I ate the whole packet over two days.  (The gym is calling) 



I'm sorry to tell you that there were also aqua coloured ones but I had to eat them first apparently...:-) 

What is a YAL?  It's not a 

                                 CAL – a crochet along, 

          nor a               KAL –  a knit along with friends, but a 

                        YARN a-long! 

And this year, the theme is

                                       The Year of the Flower!

Every project will incorporate flowers in some way.  I know I’m not alone in loving flowers –  handmade with yarn, ceramic, real, paper or glass..I love them all.  


Yarn flowers...

Tea Time Doilies....Motif Monday projects (See Tea Time Doilies  free pattern here...)
Hydrangeas from the garden...

Paper flowers - kusudama, Origami



My handmade encased floral angel stitch marker or zipper pull ( top)


You might  also remember my Valentine's post (see here... Valentine's Day floral Heart )  I'm sure I've convinced you, I love flowers. 

The idea of one year-long project is daunting even though I've enjoyed watching the @crochetmoodblanket2014 unfold.  (Created by  Stacey @frofunky on Instagram) 
It was with vicarious pleasure  that I watched the progress on this adorable blanket  made by Bernadette Divola,  Bellingen, Australia, on Instagram.  Swoon...sigh...swoon again... and Bernadette was always doing the 'catch up' but made it in the end!


And this...by @luluadora, Jakarta... now requiring only the border...



This blanket will remain in Lulu's home as a reminder of the many moments through the year that prompted her blocks. 

And last but not least, the colourful and gigantic 365 Mood blanket by Kelly 
Bates of Seattle.  

Bowie 'helped'  with the styling of this photo 


Here in Australia, it’s rather hot for the majority of the year where I live so when  the project is due for completion, it’s our hot summer  - December - and the last thing I want is a gigantic blanket sitting on my lap.  (Bring on the aircon!) 


 While most of the projects in my YAL are month long projects and could make great gifts for friends, there will, however, be the opportunity to make a delightful sampler flower blanket the size of a throw, after all, how could I NOT include a blanket of some kind?  This blanket is in crochet, is not large and is an optional project. 
  
SOME FACTS

** Instructions will be written up on the blog and posted on the first day of every month (excepting the set up month, January, when the first pattern will be posted on Friday, Jan 9th.)   

** A notice will appear on Instagram on the first day of each month to announce the new post and pattern. 

** Some projects are 'just because I can' projects meaning just because I want to make flowers. These can be used later in many ways, on wrapped presents, as gift cards and more! 

** I'm hoping to start a Ravelry group.  :-( I haven't had luck so far figuring out how to post it to Rav. I get an error message! Help!   

** The hashtag for this project on Instagram is #yalyearoftheflower2015 

**  This YAL will include knitting and crochet projects.  You can do BOTH if you wish.  Yay to you! And don’t forget to show me by tagging @wildaboutyarn and including the hashtag  above. Seeing other people's work is inspiring when you feel like you are getting behind or when you aren't sure of colour ways to choose. 

** Some months will be either crochet or knitting. This will take the pressure off!  

** All terms will be UK terminology.  (See conversions below. Take a photo with your phone so you have them permanently) 

**Email me at any time on wildaboutyarn@outlook.com  or DM me on Instagram @wildaboutyarn if you have any questions


**There will be written instructions (and some diagrams where appropriate) 

**Let me know via the blog or Instagram if you want to sign up

SUPPLIES



These projects are STASH BUSTERS. I don't want to be responsible for urging you to buy MORE yarn ;-) ,  however...I can't help it if the  colour you need is NOT in the stash?  


Skill level - no restrictions

Yarn:  4 and 8 ply yarn but mostly 8ply

HOOKS - 3.5mm and 4mm hook for the above yarns respectively

NEEDLES
2.5mm (OF COURSE there’ll have to be one, maybe two sock designs with flowers somewhere)  or gauge  to suit if you’re a tight or loose knitter)
4mm needles
3mm needles

(For some of the later projects, there may be 5mm or 6mm but I will notify you in time for those.) 



Crochet hooks
Hook conversion chart: UK Imperial to Metric
Old Size
New Metric

Old Size
New Metric
6
0.60mm

3/0 or 11
3.00mm
5
0.75mm

9
3.50mm
4
1.00mm

8
4.00mm
3
1.25mm

7
4.50mm
1.50mm

6
5.00mm
2
1.75mm

5
5.50mm
1 or 14
2.00mm

4
6.00mm
2/0 or 12
2.50mm

2
7.00mm

Knitting needles


 US                                                  Metric                                           UK
 
2.5 MM--
2.75 MM122
3.0 MM11-
3.25 MM103
3.5 MM-4
3.75 MM95
4.0 MM86
4.5 MM77
5.0 MM68
5.5 MM59
6.0 MM410
6.5 MM310 ½
7.0 MM2
7.5 MM1
8.0 MM011
9.0 MM0013
10.0 MM00015
12.0 MM--
15.0 MM--
20.0 MM--



So, are you ready?


Are you game?


Are you excited?


January's pattern  will be posted this Friday so look for  the notice on Instagram and the  pattern on the blog.  You will require 6 colours - I've used two shades of pink,  one each of green, red, yellow, white; a 3.5mm hook if crocheting and size 11 needles (3mm)  Final details Friday.  :-)  Please note - the patterns are different for the knitting and crochet projects.  


I'll be off stitching...



Lu x