You Need A Market Bag

I often ask myself "Do I need another reusable Market Bag?". I always end up answering myself "Yes." I love receiving them from foreign friends and they are a great thing to send away in return....but I crochet mine. They are a snap to craft and take just a few hours to complete. I like to add inner pockets, trick bottoms (so that the bag is self-containing) and special considerations for different kinds of groceries. For me, the Market Bag is a great go-to gift because it's quick and easy to make, usually only takes one ball, requires no special care for the recipient to worry about, and it does any kind of person on your gift list (note: this is an excellent thing to give someone you don't know very well. It's also great for someone you do know, but don't really like). Everyone is always glad to get a bag, and one more in the bottom of your purse can't do you any harm either.
This summer The Loop is running a new workshop for Crocheters. In one session we will make a class full of greener than green bags for our summer marketing (or we will at least cover all the bases and get most of the project crocheted).
The crochet pattern for this workshop is a classic. The format for the pattern has been in use here for over 100 years. You may come across Victorian versions on the internet, or spot a lookalike on Road to Avonlea reruns*.

The pattern is designed to use a certain amount of cotton (keeping the materials at one ball) but additions such as wider straps and an attached change purse will be covered in the class.

The bag pictured (my "Posh Nosh Fennel Carrier") used one ball of Rowan Purelife Organic Cotton DK, which has about 120m to the ball. Each colour in this line is plant dyed. This pretty blue was achieved with indigo. Indigo is the Pluto of the Colour Spectrum, poor little guy.

[From The Loop Website]Mesh shopping bags--called "filoches" in French--are a chic, practical, and environmentally friendly way to carry your produce home from the market. They're also a great introduction to crocheting in rounds. In this workshop, you'll learn how crochet can be used to make both firm, stable fabrics and open, stretchy ones--while making a market bag of your own.

Instructor: Morgan Forrester

2 hours

Tuesday, July 12th, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Thank you Chives & Ciboulette for the photo props. I was very glad to use the fennel; very posh nosh.

*Aunt Olivia crochets throughout the series, and uses a white version of these bags to carry groceries for the Dale homestead back from Lawson's. This was obviously my inspiration as are the Dales; Yorkshire and Jasper.

Pinwheel Pillow

This classic crochet project is very pomo. It's also totally The Loop. Our store in Downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia sees my business partners and I, in turn, perched on quite a hard little bar chair for most of the day. It seemed silly not to try and create our own pillow, and I have always wanted to stitch one of these nostalgic pinwheels. I was surprised that I could not find a pattern, even amongst my vintage books and pamphlets, so I reverse engineered a pattern from a 1970s pinwheel pillow I had in the house. I didn't much care for what I ended up with. This new pattern is modernized with simplified shaping. It is also streamlined by omitting one feature; most of these cushions, in decades passed, were worked with a hard circular centre covering the join, much like the centre of a flower. With this new pattern it is no longer necessary to cover the centre join. I think it looks much more modern this way. It's comfier too. I have included instructions for a centre though, in case you're feeling nostalgic.
There are also optional finishing instructions for 'couching' the pillow.

This pattern was designed for The Loop and directions can be found on their Free Pattern Page, as a pdf file. Post your projects on Ravelry and see other crocheters' results.

This is the Colour Sequence I finally set upon for the store's pillow. I used my good friend Cascade 220 wool. The colours are inspired by The Loop. If you would like to use your own sequence, I suggest trying The Random Stripe Generator. Of course, you could just dive in, changing colours when you feel inspired to do so. Don't forget that you can change the number of colours used to amazing effect, and that this project is a great stash buster; just change yarns when you run out of each colour.

Biscuits & Jam's Random Stripe Generator can be found here. I use it all the time. I find it difficult to come up with colourways and sequences that look random. Mine always look laboured. What I really like about the online stripe generator is that it not only shuffles colours, it allows you to program in a range of rows over which the colours are spread. I asked for a sequence for 6 colours with rows ranging from 1 to 4 rows. The pillow could be worked with as little as 2 colours to amazing effects. Of course a hard candy inspired pinwheel would be striking as well.
Questions or Comments? PM me on Ravelry, or post a comment here (you don't need a login to do so). If you are in the Halifax area and want to try this, or any of The Loop or Pomoboho patterns drop by the store. Sundays are always good.

Wip Smart #2

Some projects on the go...

My First Sweater

Well, jacket.

Since blogging about granny squares and this, my first wearable garment worked from a pattern, I had been searching my closet for my G2 Jacket. The disaster that befell my closet in '06 has been improved upon since this post, but the hanging rod is still bust and it is a scary place to visit. I installed 2 bookshelves along one wall and have been making due with two standing hanging racks, but these are jimmy rigged and can't take much weight. I need to go to CanTire or something and invest in a closet system but it's all quite daunting. Any advice?
I made this out of acrylic-Bernat Super Saver, I think. I remember that I couldn't find a blue that matched the original well enough for my unforgiving teenaged eye for detail, so I used left over yarn from one of Granny's afghans (making it period accurate, no less)
I think this jacket is worth remaking in Cascade 220, but really, I can't imagine finishing it. I can't quite believe that I ever did, let alone at 17.
I was alone, on the edge of it (Seventeen), and apparently crocheting my heart out. It must of drowned me!

Mrs. Crawford, Post-Edwardian Bossy Boots?

In Needlecraft Magazine March 1916, Mrs. P. L. Crawford wrote
Probably, in the wide range of crocheted designs, there is no more popular motif than the grape-and-leaf, of which there are many variations.
While this may have been true in 1916, it is not true one hundred years later and I for one think that's a shame.
Shall we bring back the grape-and-leaf for 2016? Oh lets.

Mrs. Crawford offered 2 collars, I am making collar 1. She suggests that by altering the recommended 40 thread to a finer or coarser silk or cotton, the collar may be used as garnitures or trimming all over the place including the waist. She says that using a colour that harmonizes with your gown is "extremely pretty", but that "ecru thread may be substituted with pleasing results."


I'm using white DMC #12 thread and a steel 0.75mm hook. The pattern is using many interesting and amusing techniques.

The medallions are started as a row of half flowers, much like an edging. In fact, I think they would make a lovely edging, ending the pattern at row one.

I've never encountered a motif constructed like these medallions are. They really highlight my doily top tip which is very hard to word.

When double or treble crochets are needed in isolation, or if a cluster is to be worked from a chain alone it is doubly important, when working the first stitch to raise the hook perpendicular to the work to ensure that each yarn over and loop is as high as the previous stitch or loop. It's akin to Lucy Neatby's Happy Stitches in knitting. If a stitch does not have a neighbour standing next to it, it is want to lean over or even flop. In crocheted motifs and doilies, this may make the excess thread pop out the bottom. Very unattractive.

You may need to estimate the height of the first step or stitch, but as long as you yank up your hook with each of the next loops or steps of the stitch, you will have a consistent and convincing look.

The hook perpendicular to the work brings the current stitch (in this case one leg in a cluster) level with both the previous stitches and the chain. The chain is pulled to it's full length to help determine the height of this stitch.

What I enjoyed the most about this pattern was Mrs. Crawford's bossy but charming finishing instructions:

"All joinings were done with needle and fine thread, the writer believing this to be the better method for many reasons."

Delish! Absolutely no justification! She also gives a collar top tip;

'Have a collar-pattern and, after placing the motifs as arranged, or in any preferred way, sew with fine stitches."

Aren't patterns from this era nice in their flexibility (the joinings bit notwithstanding). I like the room these instructions give for personal taste and creativity. I also admire this period's approach to garnitures; instructions seldom assume what you're going to use the pattern, or even the item for. Indeed:

Why Not?

Lindsey Buckingham Crochet Model?

"Modular Crochet- A Revolutionary New Method for Creating Custom-Design Pullovers" (1978)by Judith Copeland is an amazing read. If you ever get your hands on it don't let go. It mainly contains ladies pullovers and tops and is beautifuly photographed in turn of the '80s period style.

Wow, YouTube has changed. I didn't know I wouldn't be able to find Buckingham's first music video (though 'Bwana' on SNL would be better). At least I know how to sing "Trouble" in Spanish now.
Lindsey photos from my personal stock.



By the way, I know that the man in the sweaters is not really Lindsey Buckingham. I just think it's funny. Please lets not have another Elsie Tanner/Pat Pheonix/Glove Model debacle.

Event Updates

Time for an Update, I should think.

The Loop is holding a fundraiser for Haiti Disaster Relief. Knitters are invited to donate yarn from their stash and then to come in and buy from someone else's stash this weekend ( January 23rd and 24th) Proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. We've been receiving great stuff. There will be a raffle, advice for donations, and general good feelings.
Non-Knitters are invited too. "Darning for Dollars" will be on all weekend to help mend your worn out woolens. Your $10 donation will help mend overseas. Bring in your holey socks or snagged sweaters for us to fix...we can teach you to mend as well! Gentlemen and Needle-phobics encouraged.
I think it should be good fun and promote warm feelings in and out.
Find out more at The Loop's website http://www.theloophalifax.com

While there, check on two upcoming classes; Intro to Crochet and an Amigurumi Crochet Workshop.
I am trying something new with the Intro Class. Project orientated classes always work best and I've tried many different patterns in the past. I'm now going with a Sampler Scarf. Most of the Stitch Patterns are comprised of cleverly placed single crochets and I, myself was shocked with the many textures and patterns that came about with just a little experimentation.
It's a great exercise for any crocheter and frankly, nothing beats a Sampler.

The Amigurumi class is one we've never run as a workshop so it will be fun to see how many different animals and characters we can produce round the table.


I'm also lending my hook to the Lunchtime Enrichment Program at Le Marchant St Thomas.
Parents please note:
Sessions are every Tuesday lunch starting February 2.
Materials will be provided, but favorite colours and bits and pieces from home are welcome. We will be crocheting, but will also try spinning our own wool! Kids will be able to produce results after the first lesson and will learn about where the yarn we use comes from.

As in previous years a blog has been created to recap each session as it takes place and to cover any new techniques we learn. Each technique will be videotaped from the Crocheter's perspective for easy translation to hands. Although there is no 'homework' for this program, students will be able to use the blog to perfect any tricky stitches or catch up from home.
This blog will be private, uses no names, and the web address will be given to each student (along with this web address) at the first session.

I am always available here at my personal blog for questions or concerns; just leave a comment (these are private). I may also be tracked down at The Loop at 1547 Barrington St on Thursdays and Sundays. We'd love to see you...maybe someone else in the family is a bit of a yarnie, or would like to revamp their skills?

Easiest Crochet Related Word Puzzle Ever

For a long time I convinced myself that Coats & Clark's O.N.T. thread was made in my native Ontario. It wasn't, just like Naughty By Nature did not write a song about the Ontario Police (but Sir Paul McCartney is a real O.P.P. Sergeant-he serves in Tweed, keeping an eye on Elvis who works at the gas station).

O.N.T. stands for Our New Thread.
Don't these guys have a way with words?
Aren't Rebuses supposed to omit the illustrated words?

Early Tawashi

mmmmm? The term "à La" always warrants a recipe even if it is just for Hot Dogs. Hot dogs with very American cheese.

PS à la what?

1950s Crochet for the Home

Max of the Wild Rumpus

Max, from Maurice Sendak's beloved Where the Wild Things Are is an archetypal rule-breaker. His circular journey is a microcosm of tantrum and resolution typical of little boys his age, but the way he tackles his frustration is quite mature. Max experiments with adulthood and leadership among the wild things of his own making, at once setting the rules and then trying his hand at breaking them. That Max channels his anger into a fantasy where the entire world is on his terms as he luxuriates and rumpuses, but also draws pragmatic conclusions shows a maturity I for one still aspire to.
He craves authority but rebels against it, choosing in the end to return to parental authority. And he does it all wearing a wolf suit!
This duality makes the character a perfect fit for an Adult Toy.
What makes this Amigurumi pattern adult? It's tiny size and loving detail, as well as its spiky claws. This isn't one to give the kids, although a sized up version, using worsted weight would make a very cuddly friend. Amigurumi Max comes in his famous pj's, a removable crown and wired royal scepter. If you embark on this project, I recommend that you dig out your copy of Where The Wild Things Are to refer to, and that you keep your desired shape and look in mind at all times.
Will your Max go to see the Movie on the 16th?
Add him to your Ravelry queue now!
PATTERN:

Materials:

1.9mm hook (used for almost everything)
3.5mm hook (crown)
5.5mm hook (tail)
Lucy Neatby's Celestial Merino Dream (Face)
Paton's Kroy (Body)
Paton's Grace (Crown Brim)
Paton's Brilliance (Crown)
Cascade 220 (Hair)
DMC Embroidery floss in
Grey
Yellow
Pads colour
Fibrefill
Fishing Line
Wire for Claws
Wire Cutters
Seed Beads
Pins
Long Sewing/Embroidery Needles

Mise en Place.

Abbreviations & Terms:
st= stitch
ch= chain stitch
sc= single crochet
sc 2= 1 single crochet in each of the next two stitches (2 is used as an example)
dc= double crochet
sl st= slip stitch
inc= work 2 single crochets into one stitch
dec= 2sctog

Magic Loop: technique link
Hairpin Lace Hair: tutorial to follow here at http://pomoboho.blogspot.com

Note:
All sc rounds are worked continuously unless written otherwise.
Stuffing is tightly packed.

Pattern:

Head:
With Fleshy colour,
Magic loop 6
inc in each stitch
*inc, 1 sc*
*inc, 2sc*
sc in each stitch
work 6 more rows plain
*dec, 2sc*
Stuff head
*dec, 2sc*
Weave tail through to pull closed, and finish.
This finish will be hidden.

Sculpt Max's features (and big nose) by inserting a threaded needle either side of his nose and pulling very tightly. Take a small stitch pushing the needle to the back of the head. Keeping stitch taut, come back out the base of his nose and aim diagonally tying off at the back of Max's head.

Sculpting Max's Nose

Pinch his nose here.

Hood & Neck:
With Body Colour,
Magic Loop 6
inc in each stitch
*inc, 1 sc*
*inc, 2 sc*
*inc, 3 sc*
sc in each stitch
*inc, 4 sc*
ch 9, skip 9 sts, sc in each stitch to end
sc in each sc and each ch st, ch 1, turn
1sc in each sc to 3sts before neck, ch 1, turn
Continue working rounds in sc, working 3sts less at the end of each row until 9 stitches remain at the top of the hood.
Slip stitch to neck, ch 1, turn
Slip stitch to neck.

This is the back of the hood, with some of the torso worked.

Torso:
Working down from neck opening, sc in each stitch around.
Work til body measures 3.5" from neck opening.
*dec, 2 sc*
*dec, 2 sc*, finish
Thread tail back and forth through opening and pull tight to close.
Finish off.


Ears (Make Two):
ch3
*sc to last stitch, inc in last st, ch 1 turn*
Repeat twice
sc in each st, ch 1, turn
Repeat
Make 2

You could wire Max's ears if you like.

Arms (Make Two):
Magic Loop 6
inc in each st
1 sc in each st
sc3tog, 1 sc in each st to end
1 sc in each st
continue working sc in continuous rounds until arm measures 1.5"
Using the magic loop's tail, pull through the centre of the paw and back down again, making the paw flat. Weave in end.
Stuff arm, keeping paw floppy.

Upper Paw Pads (Make Two):
ch 3
Work 8 sc into 2nd chain from hook
Finish and weave in ends.

Pads are optional, but look really great!


Feet & Legs (Make Two):
With Body Colour,
Magic Loop 5
inc in each st
*inc, 1 sc* rep to end
16 sc, ch 1, turn
5 sc, ch 1, turn
repeat 3 times

The middle row of this rectangular flap will actually form toes when the flap is folded over.

4 sc, sc3tog, 3 sc, 2sctog (one st from toe flap, one st from leg)

1 sc in each st
Repeat working 1 sc in each stitch in continuous rounds until leg measures 2"

The finished foot.

Lower Paw Pads (Make Two):
With Embroidery Floss,
Ch 3
8 sc in 2nd st from hook
sl st closed
4 sc, ch 1 turn
Repeat last row 2 or 3 times, finish.


Tail:
With Novelty Tail Yarn,
ch 3 with 5.5mm hook
sc 2 in 2nd st from hook
ch1, sc, inc in last st
ch 3, dc in 1st st, skip 1 st, dc
ch 3, dc 2
ch1, dec, ch 1, finish
These instructions are not set in stone; the novelty yarn is very forgiving, and I feel confident in your ability to make up a pattern for a tail that suits your yarn choice!

Have fun with the tail.

Crown:
With Gold Yarn,
ch10 with 3.5mm hook
*slip 5 stitches, sc 4, ch 1, turn ch 4, ch 1, turn ch 4, ch 1, turn ch 4, ch 6, turn* Repeat *to* (4 row repeat) 7 times for 7 points. Slip stitch to 1st row to join.
With brown yarn, working down, sc in each end and side of gold stitches.
Slip stitch to join. Finish.

The crown may seem big, but this is so that Max can go with or without.

Scepter:

With Yellow Embroidery Floss,
Magic loop 8
inc in each st
sc in each st
dec, 1 sc, dec, 1 sc, dec
Change to grey in the last dec, and stuff with back of hook.
1 sc, dec, 1 sc
ch 10, or enough to reach around yellow.

Small but vital.

sl st to join to base

sl st 2, or 25degrees.

The crossed bars sit on top of the yellow globe.

Ch 10, sl st to base, dec, sc, dec
Ch 15, sc in 2nd st from hook.sc in each st back to base, working over a length of wire.
Use the last stitch to close any gaps at the base.
Finish, and trim wire.

Work over the Wire and crochet shut.

Finishing:

Use your copy of Where The Wild Things Are as reference, and keep the shape you want to create in your mind at all times.

With Sewing Thread sew ears in place.
Stuff torso from opening in hood down.
Embroider Max's Face on with Embroidery floss. I used a dark gray.
Make hair for Max from brown worsted weight yarn. A tutorial will be at this blog shortly.

Use the book as a guide to embroider Max's face.

Sew Hair to Max's head and place head inside of hood.
Take a few stitches from the back to secure.
Cut 6 long lengths of fishing wire to be Max's whiskers. Tie knots at one end of each length and draw through the sides of Max's suit. These should stay in place by themselves.
Attach 4 little buttons or beads to the front of Max's torso. These should be evenly spaced, but favoring the bottom rather than his neck.

Apologize to Max as you do this; he is looking like a person now.

With the embroidery floss you used for the paw pads, cut a length for sewing. If you are using a 6 ply like DMC, split to a single strand. Sew the pads to Max's paws, avoiding the toes.

Pin the limbs in place before stitching. The placement of Max's arms and legs really say a lot about him.

With a long needle (you may choose a needle designed for doll making) strand the yarn you used for Max's suit. Tie a biggish knot.
All limbs should be stuffed, not to heavily at the paws, and fairly sparsly at the tops, particularly the tops of Max's legs.
Start your stitch at the top of Max's left arm and stitch straight through him and through the right arm. Tie off firmly. This will make Max's arms pose able.
Repeat the process for the legs, taking into account the pose you want Max to be best at; sitting or standing/walking.
Attach Max's tail loosely, so that it can flop about a bit.

Max's tail could be sleek, fuzzy, or hairy.

Now cut lengths of wire for claws. You could also use beads if your toy will be around kids, or skip the claws altogether.
Stick wire through paws between stitches and bend in half.

Go back over nails with a wire cutter and give Max an even ManiPedi.

I think you are done now! Go start a Wild Rumpus!!!

Some of Max's Adventures.....