Lace Scarf

Pattern: 'Branching Out' by Susan Lawrence (free from Knitty)

Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino KPPPM- 100% Pure merino.
Fingering/4ply, one skein in colourway P418
Needle Size: 4.5mm/US 7

I made this for the Australian Knitters 'Favorite Colour' swap on Ravelry. The yarn is Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM), which is hand painted with beautiful shades of blue and is so soft and light, perfect for a Autumn/Spring scarf.

Hope my swap pal likes it!

Japanese Knitting and Crochet

My new books arrived today...

...."Clear and Simple Crochet Symbols" (ISBN 978-4-529-02412-9) and "Clear and Simple Knitting Symbols" (ISBN 978-4-529-02413-6). Even though these books are written in Japanese they both have easy to follow diagrams which makes them accessible to everyone, something I really admire about Japanese craft books. Here are a few pics from both books...

I've also started on the crochet granny squares for the 8-Colour Afghan which Im really enjoying. I am using 100%cotton, most of which I had in my stash...

Crochet

It all began with a crochet bookmark...

...which was given to me in a Ravelry swap by aeonie (AKA Jonnine). Each time I opened my book to read, without thinking and without fail, I would stop and admire it. Crochet has always been visually appealing to me, I like the way the fabric can appear rough or delicate depending on the type of stitch used and, as opposed to knitting, the seemingly endless variety of shapes that can be created.

"Japanese Crochet Patterns Book 300 Motifs and Edgings" (Image from Flickr)

ISBN 4529042332/ ISBN 9784529042338



"Work in Progress" by atolye afra (Flickr)


"Cat Nappin Blues" by Creativita (Flickr)


Crochet Chair (crochet and resin)- Designed for the Smart Deco project by Marcel Wanders- Image from Pure Contemporary


"Crochet Coral Reef'- Designed by Christine and Margaret Wertheim, co-directors of The Institute For Figuring (TIFF) (image from TIFF website)

The allure of this bookmark led me to the realisation that I was harboring a desire to learn how to crochet. So armed with a simple crochet pattern, and after a few attempts, this is what I made (mistakes and all)....

Pattern: Amikomo 3-28 Flower Tawashi A- By Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd)
(A Tawashi is a traditional Japanese washcloth, normally made from 100% acrylic)
Yarn: Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Solids- 100% cotton, worsted weight
Hook Size: 5mm (H)

My next project, keeping it simple (no plans for the coral reef.... yet), is the 8-colour Afghan by Lion Brand (you need to register with Lion Brand to access the pattern which is free)...
I've decided to substitute the recommended acrylic yarn for worsted weight cotton, using shades of blue and green as well as warm brown and black. I'm also thinking of having a white background and I might (if I can) try to do a fancier edging.

And so, as my mind considers all these design possibilities, I can now proudly admit that I'm addicted to crochet. Now to get started on those granny squares.