Thursday, 9 April 2015

Lacy Infinity Scarf - printable PDF version now available

I am so pleased with the amount of traffic the blog has been getting from Ravelry as a result of my free Lacy Infinity Scarf pattern (over 600 in just a couple of days!!!) and all the lovely comments here and on Ravelry. Thanks so much!

I've had messages asking for a printable version of it and I'm pleased to say I've now got this done, just click on the link below for a 7 page PDF

Printable PDF version of Sooz Jewels Lacy Infinity Scarf (1.1MB)

Rather foolishly, I have managed to lose the messages in Ravelry that asked for it so am hoping those people will check here for it, apologies, I didn't realise I had to save any that were just to me personally rather than published against the design (I live and learn!)


Tuesday, 7 April 2015

Lacy infinity scarf - free crochet pattern

Free pattern for infinity or moebius scarf


This lacy infinity scarf I made is a great project for using up small leftover balls of 4 ply yarn, It can be doubled and worn as a cowl

Wear as a cowl by doubling round neck twice

The yarn I used for the Aqua Blue section was hand-dyed and supplied by LamingtonLass on Etsy in her Mermaid colourway, the green was from my stash left over from a pair of socks and I cannot recall where I got it unfortunately but any 4 ply or sock weight yarn will work.

If you'd like to make one of these yourself, here's how I did it

MATERIALS
  • 25g (approx 106 yard) each of two colours of 4 ply yarn called Colour A and Colour B
  • 3mm hook
  • Tapestry needle to weave in ends
  • Blocking pins
ABBREVIATIONS (all in UK crochet terminology)
  • ch - chain
  • ss - slip stitch
  • dc - double crochet
  • tr - treble crochet
  • st - stitch
  • dtr - double treble
  • dtrSpan - 2 dtr spanning two fans, see ** below for a step by step explanation of how to work this stitch
  • rs - right side
GAUGE

3 pattern repeats is equivalent to four inches after blocking but gauge is not critical, you can adjust length as indicated in the pattern


INSTRUCTIONS



Foundation: ch 217,  ss into the beginning chain (indicated in photograph above) to make a big circle. Try it on to make sure you can put it on and then easily loop in around your head again to double it up. If you cannot, increase the length of the chain by multiples of 8 before ss.

Round 1:


Ch 3, then work 2 tr into the same stitch (indicated in photograph above).


*(ch 2, skip 3 ch, 1 dc into next ch, ch 2, skip 3 chain, 5 tr into next st) repeat from * until 7 unworked chs remain (photograph above indicates what the work looks like when 4 repeats have been completed


Above photograph shows what work looks like with 7 unworked chs remain.


2 ch, skip 3 ch, dc into next ch, 2ch, 2 tr into same first st at the beginning of the round (indicated by the tapestry needle above) ss into top of initial ch 3 (indicated by the tapestry needle below)


Round 2:


Ch 5 (to count as 1dtr and 1ch), dtr into next st (indicated above), ch1

Now we're going to work 2 dtrs joined together at the top spanning the end of the first fan and the beginning of the next fan (abbreviated to dtrSpan). Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds! Here's how you do it.


**yrh twice, insert hook into next st (indicated above), pull up loop (4 loops on hook), (yrh, pull through two loops) twice (2 loops on hook) yrh twice, skip (2ch, 1dc 2ch), insert hook into the next st (indicated below)


yrh twice pull loop through st (5 loops on hook) (yrh, pull through two loops) twice yrh pull through the remaining 3 loops (you have just completed the dtrSpan stitch


The photograph above shows what your own should look like at this stage.


(1ch, 1 dtr in next st) 3 times, 1 ch. Repeat from **, the photograph above shows what your work will look like once you have completed several fans. Continue repeating until you get to the stage below where there is one last dtrSpan to complete.


On the last dtrSpan, you will work into the top of a tr you made at the start of the previous round as indicated in the photograph above with a tapestry needle.

Ch 1, dtr in next st, ch 1  and then ss into the 4th chain of the 5 ch you made at the start of this round. (Photograph above shows after the ss has been made).


Round 3:
*(5 ch, skip 1 ch, dc in next st) repeat from * all the way round until you get back to the start of the round. Instead of a dc into the base of the first loop, make a ss into the place indicated by the tapestry needle below and then fasten off leaving an end to weave in later.


One half of the Colour A work has been completed. Turn your work upside down, make a loop in the Colour A yarn and then with rs of work facing, pull the loop through any one of the chain spaces at the base of the fans (one of these is indicated in the photograph below with a tapestry needle).


Follow the pattern reworking round 1 beginning with 3 ch. Continue on to work round 2 and 3, fasten off Colour A.


The photograph above indicates what your work will look like when you've done that  it looks a bit wrinkly at this stage but don't worry, blocking will take care of that when we've finished the other half of the scarf.


Using Colour B, start another separate piece of lacework, work rounds 1, 2 and 3. Turn the work upside down as before but only work rounds 1 and 2 this time; we're going to use round 3 to join the two pieces of work together. With right side facing, offer up the Colour B piece of work to Colour A, it should look like the photograph above.


(*Ch 2 then insert hook into corresponding 5ch sp as indicated above with yarn to the right, yrh, pull the loop through the 5ch sp and the loop on the hook, ch 2, skip ch, dc into top of dtr.)


Repeat from * all the way round joining the two pieces together, the photograph above shows what your work will look like after several joins have been worked. To finish the round off, instead of a dc, work a ss into the final st.

Weave in ends using the tapestry needle but don't finally cut off the last inch or two until after blocking.


Thoroughly wet the scarf using warm water and then squeeze (not wring) excess water out. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise onto a towel laid over spare pieces of carpeting or a blocking board. Using blocking pins, pick up the top and bottom loops of the scarf on each side and gently stretching pin the scarf out. The photograph above shows the amount of stretching that will typically be required.


The above picture shows the scarf completely pinned out. When the item is completely dry, remove blocking pins and finish trimming loose ends. You may find where the scarf was folded when damp, there is a crease at both ends; these can be relaxed by rubbing inbetween warm fingers.


You can see what a difference blocking makes!

Now just put your scarf on and wear! Here's what it looks like doubled:



Printable PDF version of pattern and phototutorial

Saturday, 4 April 2015

Finally got to see Rival Sons ... big thanks to Rock City, Nottingham!

Drum kit Rival sons at the Leadmill Sheffield November 2014

Remember how we missed seeing Rival Sons at the Leadmill last year cos I hurt my leg and couldn't go (thanks to mate, Steve for permission to use one of his pictures). Well, luckily for us, they're in the UK at the moment, we got tickets for their gig at Rock City and that's where we were last night.

Drum kit belonging to Rival Sons Rock City Nottingham 2015

Thanks to Steve again for one of his pictures, just look at those Orange amps, MTM says he hasn't seen any like those since the 70s. Apparently they don't make them any more, goodness knows where a relatively new band like Rival Sons got them from, they must've been scouring secondhand shops and Ebay for years! MTM says they're well known to provide fantastic reverb on the backline and he wants to know if they're 1975 vintage twin Mark IIs (made in Huddersfield I'm told).

The guitarist, Scott Holiday got a great sound out of them, lots of reverb and distortion. During Open My Eyes it sounded like Tommy Bolin was reincarnated. Manifest Destiny is a masterpiece and a great showpiece for Scott's guitar. As big Robin Trower fans, both MTM and I could hear Bridge of Sighs but Scott has invented a blues guitar sound that's exclusively his own.

Jay Buchanan, the lead singer, WHAT a voice and stage presence, he's just mesmerising, he sings like someone has cast a spell on him; very very focused. His performance was brilliant. Definitely a unique talent but I hope he won't mind if I briefly mention some comparisons which came to mind ... Michael Hutchence (INXS) for stagecraft and physical appearance and Jim Morrison (Doors) for sheer charisma ... in fact imagine every great frontman to a band and then know that, in my opinion, this guy is as good, if not better, than any of them.

I was a little concerned before we went along because I read a couple of negative reviews of their Liverpool show but I needn't've worried, They were on stage for two hours and rocked Rock City to the rafters. One of the best gigs I've been to by a bunch of exceedingly cool dudes. When we got home, we were too wired to sleep and so we drank wine, played their albums and relived the concert into the early hours.

I love the fact that Jay says "Nottingham" exactly the same way as Darren on Planet Rock does when he does the Travel and Traffic report. Us Brits pronounce it "Notting-um" Americans say it the same way it's written so that final syllable is "ham". I love an American accent particularly when they're saying British place names, it makes us sound more exotic than we actually are!

I know the band can't see the audience unless the lights are up but I swear Jay made eye contact with me personally on at least 5 different occasions, such a thrill!

My own three word review (more of that later) for Rival Sons' performance  at Rock City is:
"Exceeded all expectations"

MTM's three word review:
"Dangerous, edgy, primeaval"

A quick shout out to the London Souls who supported, a guitarist who looks a bit like Jimi Hendrix and a drummer. Amazing sound from just two guys with some really well crafted songs. Definitely want to hear more from them!

Due to my leg episode, it was nearly a year since I last went to a gig but we also got to see Robin Trower at the Engine Shed, Lincoln only last week. You don't go to a gig for months and then two favourite bands come along in a fortnight!

The Robin Trower concert was a real treat, we'd got our tickets as soon as they were issued, then a few weeks later, it was announced that Joanne Shaw Taylor would be supporting him and we couldn't believe our luck - a double bill so far as we were concerned. Joanne played for around three quarters of an hour; she did a fabulous set, we really want to see her separately to experience a full a set so that's on the wish list next time she's headlining anywhere near us. I even got Joanne Shaw Taylor's autograph on my ticket as she was selling merchandise on her table herself.

Joanne Shaw Taylor autograph on Robin Trower ticket

Robin was of course, also absolutely brilliant. We worked out that it's 35 years since we last saw him live, in fact Robin Trower, Leeds Uni in 1980 was the first gig that MTM and I went to together, the Victims of the Fury tour when the wonderful James Dewar was still alive. It was so nice to complete the circle but I'd like to think Robin (despite having just turned 70) will tour a few more years and we'll get the opportunity to see him again soon. A fantastic night out.

A couple of days after we saw Robin and Joanne, my favourite Planet Rock presenter, Darren Redick asked on their Facebook page for a three word review of any concerts we'd been to during the weekend so I added mine "Fabulous Blues Pairing", he read it out on air and said he could believe it was, I was so proud!

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

MTM and other acronyms

Book by Renate Kirkpatrick Freeform Crochet and beyond

I sometimes refer to my ever-loving, ever-supportive and wonderful other half as DH (standing for Darling Husband).

Yesterday, I had my nose stuck in this book, Freeform Crochet and beyond by Renate Kirkpatrick. I love it, it's gots lots of instructions and inspiring pics and ideas for creating freeform items. DH picked up on the title and incredulously proceeded to take the micky in the merciless manner which is his forte.

"Freeform Crochet and beyond ..." he says "... whatever is the 'beyond' bit, what comes next?! Extreme Crochet? White-water Crocheting? How Crochet Won the Cold War?" and so on, not what Ms Kirkpatrick intended, I suspect!

Of course, he made me laugh as he always does, one of the first things that attracted me to him was how funny he is. I shall be using a different acronym for DH in the future, it's MTM (standing for Micky Taking Monster).

I was looking at the book because I have a pile of tension squares and experimental motifs where I was playing around with ideas or trying new stitches out. For example, MTM gave me a set of tunisian crochet hooks with an instructional book for one of my Christmas present (which he gleaned from my Amazon Wish List). You can see bottom right of the photo my experiment with making a tunisian crochet circle. For the last several months, every time I've been making such little pieces of try out crochet, I've been making them in a restricted colour pallet so that eventually they can become a blanket or a throw that will go over one of the chairs in my lounge. I've got quite a few now so I'm thinking about how to start putting them together and this book is my inspiration.

So, I'll add that to my list of WIPs (Work In Progress) items:
  • Freeform blanket/throw
  • Spiral blanket in lounge colours. This time I've shaped the spiral circles into hexagonals and the border is causing me a right old headache; gotta frog it back and rethink it
  • Square babette style blanket (again for the lounge, I have LOTS of chairs!)
  • Lace weight stole (may become a shawl, depends on how far the yarn goes)
  • Four-ply summer weight cowl
  • Small cross-body bag to carry return Lovefilm DVDs to the postbox when walking Missy so I don't drop them every time I get a treat out of my pocket for her. She has to be rewarded for crossing the road, staying calm when she sees another dog and after any kind of emission from her rear end (so quite frequently)
  • Short row cushion cover needs a zip and an inner pad making to measure
  • Recycled plarn shopping bag
Plus I found a lovely new yarn store in Oakham, a town where we do our banking, it's been open a year down a street I don't use very often, I had to support such enterprise and bought two lots of new sock yarn (and a button for the bag WIP) from its delightful proprietor, Julie.



So I've got enough to keep me busy for months, I hope you are happy with your crafting or whatever you do to keep busy in your spare time.

Friday, 20 March 2015

Eclipse and dog watching

Eclipse colander and my dog Missy

Hope everyone enjoyed experiencing the partial eclipse, I love this photograph of Missy and a colander at around maximum moon coverage.

Have a great weekend everyone!