Friday, December 30, 2011

A starry teaser!

Print Friendly and PDF
Starstruck teaser


I've been working on these little lovelies all week. I had a fellow crocheter ask me for the pattern and then someone else messaged me asking if I was going to publish the pattern.

Well, I've been working on writing out the pattern diligently. I have taken photos, checked and double checked my figures and all that's left is testing the final piece.

Everyone who's received these this Christmas have fallen in love with them. I hope you will like them too. So bear with me one more day so I can finish testing the final piece and a brand new pattern will be available!

You will need worsted weight cotton yarn, crochet hook, wool yarn in as many colours as you want. So get ready because once you see these, you will want to make some right away!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Life

Print Friendly and PDF
Life is full of blessings, sometimes you have to look a little harder to find them.

Such has been the case for this year's Christmas for us.

Being on assistance meant not having anything for Christmas since we had no money to spend. But circumstances, friends, family brought home to us that the true Christmas is having friends and family and appreciating them. We already knew that, but we needed a good solid nudge to be reminded.

My darling sister soul gave us some very thoughtful gifts, of which my favorites are the book Crochet Master Class edited by Jean Leinhauser whom we lost this year. A great loss to her family, friends and the crochet indie design industry.

I first came across this book at our local library. Fell in love with it and it was moved to the top of my crochet wish list!  And now, lucky me, I have it thanks to my darling sister! She also gave me a second book, Bring Colour to crochet. A beautiful collection of stitch patterns done in colours that make each pop off the page!

After those, a new windup toy! Yes, silly things please me such as small wind up toys. This latest addition to my growing collection is a Santa Claus riding an old fashioned train. Love it! :)

My husbands favorite was the Belgian chocolate letter of course! quickly followed by new socks and warm mittens.

Then from a sweet friend we received some much needed supplies (paper towels, tp & tissues)... the super soft expensive ones! Two of her gifts also pleased my husband to no ends, Belgian chocolate truffles and cookies!

I also received windups from her! One is of a cute penguin and the other is a Santa and both were lovingly put to bed in a super cute Winnie the Pooh gift box. Love love love them!

And a surprise came to our door earlier this week. Someone I got to know in the class I was taking this past fall received a turkey as a gift from her job, but she already had more turkeys than she knew what to do with. She offered it to us! So sitting in my freezer waiting for New Years` is a lovely 15 lbs turkey! A most pleasant surprise since our hamper from the Salvation Army held potatoes, cabbage, squash, peas/carrots, but no meat. So there is our meat! :)

So for all those who despair and feel that this season has let them down, consider that there are people out there a lot worse off than you are. This season has certainly reminded us to be thankful for small blessings and wonderful friends.

So to all my friends, family, crocheters and knitters around the world; I wish you all a Merry Christmas (or a Merry Celebration of your choice) and keep the faith in your heart. When things look at their bleakest, open your eyes, look around and reach out, ask for help, you matter and that is the most important thing to remind yourself of.

MarieAnge



Sunday, November 27, 2011

Star Shine Bangles (Crochet Pattern)

Print Friendly and PDF

The bangle tree!

 This instalment is continuing on the theme of bangles as jewelry and wristwarmers for all seasons. And now that Christmas is staring at us, and we know we haven't got all the stocking stuffers! Here's a quick project for you to make.

I'm not big on lots of jewelry, but I also like to keep my wrists warm. This pattern is one of those flashes of genius that hits when needed the most. Make a fashion statement and keeping your wrists warm; these double as actual wearable jewelry!


Perfect fit for all wrists
Add beads or just make them plain. The star stitch makes a very pretty bangle on it's on. Also a fantastic way to use those super special mini skeins we all keep in our stash. I hope you enjoy making this bangle as much as I have.

As requested by a friend
And it's so quick! You can dash off several in an evening!

Please follow this link or go to the one in my sidebar to purchase this pattern for only 1$!!



Friday, October 28, 2011

When a husband requests....

Print Friendly and PDF
Stop the presses!!!
A husband has made a request for a pair of arm warmers, customized to fit his arms, that run from the wrists all the way up to just about the shoulder. They have to fit snuggly but not tightly, they must be made with a dark colored yarn, preferably black, must not sag or bag and heaven forbids that they might not stay up! OH, and they must be soft on his tender skin!!

Now there's a challenge! But is it one that most fiber users dread to receive from the last person they expect to get a request from? This dear friends is exactly the case. My husband recognises the hard work that goes into designing a pattern, add to that the custom fitting of said pattern; custom fitting that requires many try-ons for fitting purposes. Noting comments such as it's a bit tight or it's a bit loose at *insert arm part*. These will be worn for the most part when he's sleeping. He cannot stand to have his arms under the blankets and since the bedroom gets a tad on the cold side in winter, he could not leave his arms above the blankets, at least not without a good pair of arm warmers. But I also have to keep in mind that he will wear them while at the computer on those particularly cold days.

In the past, I knit more than a couple of pairs of arm warmers for him. They were ok, but not exactly what he wanted. The one pair was too short, but works great when he's at the computer and his hands are freezing. The next pair went up to the elbow, included a thumb gusset, stayed up fairly well but weren't quite long enough. Those have now been repurposed for keeping my extremities warm (more on that pair later). The next set went up past the elbow, but were too wide for the upper arm section and sagged when worn.

So I went the crochet way since I feel more comfortable doing crochet designs over knitted ones. Don't take me wrong, I have designed knit patterns in the past, and have found that for me,,crochet is better. It translates much better from my sewing patterns (which I used extensively when designing clothing for my son who is disabled) to crochet patterns. After much measuring, I remembered that I had not asked the hubster what kind of yarn he wanted. The answer came back quick, acrylic please. So acrylic it is in black please.

I went through my stash and discovered that black yarn is a rare bird in my collection. I found a ball of camo with black, dark green and beige and hoping against hope presented it to the hubster for approval. He frowned at it until I told him that was the total sum of the black yarn I own. And he finally agreed, that ok, he would try the camo but if he didn't like it, I'd have to make a 2nd pair after I'd found black yarn.

The first arm warmer is completed, and I'm 1/3 of the way into the next one. So far the hubster is satisfied. I will have photos and the pattern available over the next few days! 

PS. I haven't forgotten about the new hat design I'm working on! Should be finished testing mid week!


Saturday, October 22, 2011

October, pumpkins, birthdays and skulls, oh my!

Print Friendly and PDF
Already past the halfway mark in October and already so many things have come to pass with more on it's way. 

My darling daughter and her husband celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary medieval style. Don't they look absolutely darling? They also went to dinner and a show at Medieval Times over the weekend and had a ball.

Over the next weeks, both of them will be celebrating their birthdays, my daughter's the 26th and her husband the 29th. I'm sure they will have a great birthday together :)

After that it's Hallowe'en. Trick or Treaters, dressing up, handing out candy, all the fun stuff. Unfortunately, living in a secure building, no kids come here. But it's still fun to go for a walk and see them all over the neighborhood, especially the wee ones. I hope the weather is warm on that night.
I remember when my daughter was 3, we were living in Cornwall and we decided that it would be ok for her to go trick or treating in the neighborhood. So wearing a homemade costume by yours truly, we set off down the street where all the neighbors knew who she was. She was so cute, wearing a red coat, red pants, black boots, and a black furry hat with red devil horns sticking out of it. Her face painted red. She was the cutest wee devil on the block! Unfortunately over the years, the photos were lost during various moves, otherwise I'd have one posted for everyone to see just how cute she was ;)
And what have I been doing during these past few weeks since I published my bangles pattern you ask?
Well, I've actually had the opportunity to follow a university level course in Humanities offered free by McMaster University as part of their pilot program to provide advanced education for those less fortunate who will never be able to afford a university education. And yes, I fall in that category sadly enough. So I've been busy with homework and research which I'm enjoying tremendously.

But that doesn't mean I haven't been doing anything else! I've been working on and testing a new pattern, one I will be publishing soon and will come in time for Hallowe'en. Since it will be a fast crochet, it can even be made in time for Hallowe'en costuming! So keep in touch, and you'll get to see the cool new hat I've designed!


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Braided Bangle and / or Wristwarmer

Print Friendly and PDF

Beautiful Rainbow colours!
I love wearing wrist warmers. They cover a section of the arm that usually gets left out in the cold between the mitten and the sleeve.

And what better way to have an accessory that does double duty as a bangle!

Also works great as a pulse warmer to keep hands warm in those air conditioned offices .

The braiding is done before the bracelet is seamed together. For those of us old enough to remember; the same braiding technique is used to make those ever popular leather bracelets in the late 60's and early 70's.

The pattern itself is fairly simple once you master the tunisian linked stitch. I have included a youtube video detailing how to make this stitch.

(pattern written using north american crochet terms)
ch - chain                                                                                                Click here for pattern store
sc – single crochet
yo – yarn over
tunisian linked stitch
HOOK 3 mm
Darning needle

YARN Patons Astra Bright Ideas dk – Paint Box – small amount.
Any dk or sport weight yarn with 11 to 12 wpi (wraps per inch) can be substituted.

DIFFICULTY
Advanced beginner who likes a challenge to Intermediate

GAUGE
Finished bracelet measures 17.5 cm (7”) unstretched (20.25 cm (8”) before braiding) by 2.5 cm (1”) wide

The final braiding also includes a how to youtube video to walk you through the process. Once you start making these little gems, you will not want to stop. These would make great gifts for a co-worker, a teen, yourself to keep your wrists warm and stylish.

I have proof, I've made all these bracelets in one evening!!


I look forward to seeing these bangles worn this winter. I may even wear 2 or 3 together to be totally original!



Friday, October 7, 2011

Stacks Baby Hat (crochet pattern)

Print Friendly and PDF

Click here to go to my Ravelry Store
Finally! After clearing the snafus and sorting out the yarn and the pattern, I have a new baby hat that I think will make any baby or toddler feel special. It works for both boys and girls, it can be finished with a crab stitch hem or just left as is or with a simple rolled hem.

This hat was inspired by both Lego/Duplo building bricks and the yarn itself.

I love color, especially vibrant colors for baby clothing. When my daughter was just born, the bright vibrant colors would catch her interest immediately over the pastel shades. Her favorites were red, purple, green and yellow.


So, without further ado, here is my all new Stacks Baby Hat crochet pattern.


It covers a range of sizes from Preemie to toddler.

SIZES
Preemie / Newborn to 3 months – 33 cm circumference by 13 cm high (13” by 5”) stretches to 41 cm (13”)

3 to 12 months – 37 cm circumference by 15 cm high (14” by 6”) stretches to 43 cm (17”)

12 to 24 months (toddler) – 46 cm by 18 cm circumference (18” by 7”) stretches to 56 cm (22”)

HOOK 4 mm (US G)

YARN Patons Look at Me baby sport, 50 gr (1.75 ozs) 139 meters (152 yards)
Used approximately half of a ball.
Any comparable sport or dk yarns that achieves the same gauge can be used.
Darning needle

DIFFICULTY Advanced beginner

This is also a fantastic pattern for using up partial balls of yarn we all have in our stash.


This pattern is available for purchase at My Ravelry Store. Simply click the image of the hat in the sidebar and it will direct you to my store.




Sunday, October 2, 2011

Have you ever had...

Print Friendly and PDF
Have you ever had days where it doesn't matter what you do, it's going to go down the proverbial crapper? That's the kind of day I've had so far and I'm looking forward to it being over.

But then again...


I am diligently working on getting my latest pattern for a super cute baby hat published. Due to some technical difficulties (read this as designer, moi, looked at the wrong pattern during the final test crochet) causing a delay in the publishing schedule.

I should have it published by tomorrow night.. if I can thaw my hands out enough to do the crochet testing! It's turned seriously frigid here in southern Ontario. Usually I never feel the cold, but today, wowzers, do I ever feel it! Multiple layers of clothing, wool socks and still not feeling warm. Oh well, time to go back to keeping those fingers moving and finish up the test crochets!

And I may end up designing arm warmers so I can return the ones I borrowed from hubby. On a side note; my neck warmer (see previous post) is working very well mind you :) something for which I am thankful.


Stacked Baby Hat - Crochet pattern

Print Friendly and PDF

I know I have a teaser in red from my last post but I'm having problems with the pattern not cooperating the way I want it to. So for now, I have this lovely little baby hat that is perfect for warm weather wear or to wear indoors to keep that wee thin-haired head warm and cozy.

This pattern was inspired by both Lego/Duplo building bricks and the yarn itself. I love color, especially bright, vibrant colors for baby clothing. When my daughter was just born, the bright vibrant colors would catch her interest immediately over the pastel shades. Her favorites were red, purple and yellow.

It's a quick crochet, finished in one evening while watching a movie on the tele! The wee hat would make a perfect gift for a baby shower or a last minute surprise gift. I could see this hat worn by both boys and girls.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Inspiration (and a teaser)

Print Friendly and PDF
There is none lacking in my studio aka living room couch. I am literally surrounded by yarns of all types, colors, thicknesses, in a variety of fibres. Many times, inspiration comes from touching a certain yarn, or looking at the color(s). Something will spark and boom! Voila! there's the beginning of a new design.

Other days, I look at the yarn and it doesn't speak to me. Not one single word, not even a bleep. It doesn't want to play. So on those days, I turn to my crochet stitch pattern books. There I sit with my homemade coffee with cocoa and milk (much much cheaper than Timmy's) turning page after page of inspiration. That is what I call my pattern books, inspiration. I have post it notes next to me, a pen ready for notes and my pattern design notebooks all waiting for annotations and ideas as they flow from the pages of inspiration and start the old brain bubbling. It usually doesn't take me very long after that process to get the 'itch'. Anyone who has worked with yarn knows what I mean by the 'itch' and no it's not something the doctor can take care of with a shot or some ointment. This is the need to touch yarn to complete the creative process. Now that all those lovely patterns are floating around in your head, time to attach some yarn to them and turn them from dream to reality.
Once I have my yarn picked out, the swatching begins. Sometimes it doesn't take long to figure out what works well and what doesn't, but there are those days that swatch after swatch yields nothing and the 'itch' returns. So back to my yarns I go, letting my fingers do their work and once they find what they are looking for, let the eyes see what it is and hope it all melds together.

Such is my creative process. It involves other things, but those are the intangibles, sometimes it's a visual memory, other times an odour induced memory or even touch induced that I try and turn into something that can be worn. Each new design comes from my heart, through my mind to give it form and finally through my hands to share with you.

PS. I've been working on some new designs, these specifically for the guys out there or for anyone who loves to wear unique conversation provoking clothing! Stay tuned as I work my way through the development stages of these new patterns.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Ode to Fall Neckwarmer (free pattern)

Print Friendly and PDF
Child / pre-Teen pictured Click here to go to my Ravelry Design page
Here I am as promised!

PATTERN UPDATED WITH NEW SIZES! (27092011)

I've actually fallen in love with this neckwarmer. I usually don't enjoy wearing them as a rule as I find them itchy. But this one is not itchy! It's soft and squishy and fits perfectly.

I hope that you will enjoy making this neckwarmer as much as I am. It is a very fast project, one can be started and finished in an evening.

STITCHES USED (pattern written using north american crochet terms)
ch - chain
* esc – extended single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
yo – yarn over
Yarn needle

HOOK 5 mm / US H 8
YARN 
for child/pre-teen - Bernat Jacquards in Gemstone 100 gr. (3.5 ozs) used approximately 30 grams
for teen/medium adult - Loops & Threads, in Grass 128 gr. ( 4.5 ozs) used approximately 40 grams
for adult x-large: Bouquet Vogue in 5620 (dye lot 3346) blue 100 gr. (3.5 ozs) used approximately 65 grams

DIFFICULTY Advanced beginner to Intermediate

GAUGE 12 dc = 10 cm (4”)
1 pattern repeat = 4 sts
3 pattern repeats = 10 cm (4")

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Child / Pre-teen (multi colored): 23 cm (18”) un-stretched by 15.2 cm (6”)
Teen / Adult med (green): 63.5 cm (25") un-stretched by 15.2 cm (6")
Adult x-large (blue): with lots of ease! 66 cm (26") un-stretched by 15.2 (6")

SPECIAL STITCHES

*ESC : extended single crochet - Insert hook under both loops of stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 1 loop on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook.

FDC – foundation double crochet - Chain 3. Yarn over, insert hook in 3rd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), [yarn over and draw through 2 loops] 2 times, Yarn over, insert hook under 2 loops of chain at bottom of stitch just made, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), [yarn over and draw through 2 loops] 2 times. *Yarn over, insert hook under 2 loops of chain at bottom of stitch just made, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), [yarn over and draw through 2 loops] 2 times. Repeat from * as needed

You can also view a video showing how to make the Fdc www.youtube.com/watch?v=C362-7xu-fY

PATTERN NOTES
  • This neckwarmer is worn snuggly, if a roomier neckwarmer is wanted, use one size up for the finished measurements to allow for ease.
  • The beginning and the end of the neckwarmer will not match. That is normal because of the joining method to keep the central lattice lace pattern seamless. 
  • Read the pattern through before beginning to understand where stitch patterns meld into the next. 
  • Neckwarmer is worked in the round throughout.  
  • ch-1, ch-2, ch-4 count as a stitch throughout the pattern. 
  • When ending each of the lattice lace rounds, ch-1 and dc into beg ch-1 counts as a ch 3.
  • Sizes will be marked in brackets where needed. If there is no change, then instructions pertain to all 3 sizes.
NECKWARMER
RND 1. Fdc 60, (72, 84) stitches, sl st into top of beg ch-3 
RND 2. ch 2, esc in next 3 dc, *ch 2, skip 2 dc, esc in next 4 dc, repeat around from *, ch 2, sl st into beg ch-2. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps}) 
RND 3. ch 4 (counts as esc and ch-2), skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, repeat around from *, finish with ch 2, sl st into 2nd ch of beg ch-4. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps})
RND 4. repeat rnd 2. 
RND 5. repeat rnd 3.
RND 6. *ch 4, skip next 2 esc, sc in next esc, ch 3 , skip next 2 esc, sc in next esc, repeat around from *, ch 1, dc into base of beg ch-4. (this positions the beginning for the next round.) (21 ch-3 sps, 20 sc, [25 ch-3 sps, 24 sc], {29  ch-3 sps, 28 sc})
RND 7. *ch 3, sc into 2nd chain of next ch-3 space of previous round, repeat from *, ch 1, dc into 2nd ch of beg ch-3. (this positions the beginning for the next round.) (21 ch-3 sps, 20 sc, [25 ch-3 sps, 24 sc], {29  ch-3 sps, 28 sc})

Repeat round 7 four (4) times more. On the last round, instead of the ch-1 and dc into 2nd ch from beg ch-3, ch 3 and sl st into the base of the beg ch-3.

RND 12. ch2, 2 esc in ch-3 sp, esc in sc, *ch 2, skip ch-3 sp, esc in next sc, 2 esc in ch-3 sp, esc in sc, repeat from *, ch 2, sl st into top of beg ch-2. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps})  
RND 13. ch 4 (counts as esc and ch-2), skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, repeat around from *, finish with ch 2, sl st into 2nd ch of beg ch-4. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps}) 
RND 14. ch 2, esc in next 3 esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next 4 esc, repeat around from *, ch 2, sl st into beg ch-2. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps})
RND 15. ch 4 (counts as esc and ch-2), skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, repeat around from *, finish with ch 2, sl st into 2nd ch of beg ch-4. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps}) 
RND 16. ch 3, double crochet in each esc, 2 dc in each ch-2 spaces, sl st into top of beg ch-3. (60 esc, [72 esc], {84 esc})
FINISHING
Thread yarn tail onto darning needle and work ends in to complete the neckwarmer. Repeat for the other end.
This pattern has not been tested. Please notify me via my Ravelry store of any pattern corrections. I will answer any and all questions you may have with the instructions. Do not plagiarize this pattern. All patterns are my original designs. Please do not re-sell my patterns or give them away for free or post my patterns on the Internet or exploit them for commercial use. You may sell items you make from my patterns at local craft fairs, fund raisers or custom orders for friends and family but please do not sell finished items on the internet without my written permission. Do not claim designs as your own.
This pattern is copyrighted by me and I give my permission for you to post pictures of items made from my pattern on your website/blog if you will post a link back to my Ravelry store if the pattern is for sale. If the pattern is free, please direct people to my blog. Be sure to list the name MarieAnge Brouillard as the designer

Friday, September 23, 2011

(Teaser) Warm Days & Cool Nights

Print Friendly and PDF
 








Fall, is the very best season as far as I'm concerned. The colors, the warm days & cool nights. What to wear as the temperatures shift from cold in the early morning to hot in the late afternoon, to cool in the evening? A neck warmer of course!

The last thing you want to wind around your neck is a big bulky scarf. But what about a neck warmer done in gorgeous fall colors? Picking apples and pumpkins at a PYO orchard, getting the flower  beds ready for winter, long walks in the woods, colourful leaves crunching under your feet. This is what makes fall my favorite season after spring.

A neckwarmer done in the beautiful color palette that Bernat Jacquards offers. Any other 4-ply yarn can be substituted to match your wardrobe.

I will be back tomorrow with the free pattern! See you soon :)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Strawberry Fields Forever (new crochet pattern)

Print Friendly and PDF


As promised, I introduce you to my newest pattern!
I love strawberries, with milk, on their own, as jams and jellies, in pies, in shortcakes. Each of those reminds me of warm breezy summer days crouched over strawberry patches alongside my grandmother helping her to pick the wee wild strawberries for homemade goodness. I remember having a small tin pail, I think in it's former life it was a candy tin, with a piece of wire twisted at each end into holes that had been gently tapped in with a hammer and nail. My bucket was red and white, I can still see it in my mind. My grandmother would coach me on how to pick them without crushing the tiny berries and any that were crushed I was allowed to eat. So you can guess in those first years, more berries went into my tummy than in my tin pail. But the years went by and each summer I picked more and more berries to contribute to the breakfast jams and the holiday pies. Fast forward to 1985, finally my own daughter is old enough to come with her Mom to pick strawberries. I could replay that reel in my mind, mimicking my grandmother's way of teaching, watching my 4 year old daughter smeared with strawberry juice trying to pick one without crushing it and silently thanking my grandmother for her patient teaching of an art that is quickly disappearing.

I present you this, my Strawberry Fields Forever Hat in remembrance of my grandmother's patient teachings. The hat comes in 3 sizes, from preemie/newborn to toddler/child. You may add the stem and curlicues or just leave it plain with the plump strawberry hem. Either way, the hat makes a lovely sun protector and worn while strawberry picking, would be the beginning of a collection of precious memories for a child and parent to share.

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER HAT

SIZES
The best way to judge if a hat will fit is to measure the intended child's head just above the ears for the circumference and from the crown of the head to the base of the ear lobe for the height which will give the best fit. Otherwise, follow the guidelines below for an approximate fit if the child cannot be measured. 

P/N (Preemie/Newborn /3 mth) - 11.4 cm (4.5")high by 35.3 cm (13.5") circumference
B (Baby) - 15.2 cm (6"0 high by 40.6 cm (16") circumference
T/C (Toddler/Child) - 17.8 cm (7") high by 50.8 cm (20") circumference 

YARN USED
Red Heart Super Saver 4-ply for main color (MC) Hot Red (P?N, B 1 ball, T/C 1.5 balls
Bernat Super Value 4-ply for contrast color (CC) Kelly (*(P/N, B 0.5 ball, T/C 9.75 ball)
Amounts of yarn are approximate as any brand of 4-ply yarn can be substituted.
A great project for using up small amounts of stashed yarn. 

SUPPLIES
Hook: 5 mm (H)
Darning needle 

DIFFICULTY LEVEL Advanced beginner to Intermediate
 

 
 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Teaser: Strawberries and warm summer breezes

Print Friendly and PDF
Have you ever walked through a field of strawberries? If you have, you will know what I mean when I say there is nothing quite like it. The sun warmed strawberries just smell absolutely yummy. This was my inspiration for my next project.

It's almost done. Working out the sizing since I'd love to see this little creation bobbing along in a kindergarten queue after recess or for the more daring, poking high above the heads of other commuters on the bus or train.


Friday, September 16, 2011

Lavender Dreams .(free pattern).... or ...... Getting my feet wet

Print Friendly and PDF
Every designer has their own way of coming up with designs for the yarns we love. For me, the creative process is tactile followed by visual. I must feel the yarn to get the old engine revving. Once I've touched it, I look at it, roll it in my hands, and wait for images to pop into my mind as to what a skein or ball of yarn wants to be. Sometimes it takes minutes, other times it takes hours, days, weeks, months, etc.. and yes, I'm not kidding, I've had this yarn in my stash for almost a year now. Every time I go stash diving, my hands unerringly land on it, pull the ball out and feel it hoping for inspiration. That same process happened a few days ago and this time, the yarn told me what it wanted to become and here is the finished project!

It is an easy quick project done in a few hours using a small amount of yarn, especially good for those one of a kind skeins that you just can't resist buying. The scarf is lightweight, stylish and keeps your neck warm in the air conditioned offices and malls. Because it is such a quick project, you can make one to match each of your outfits. What a great way to show off a beautiful yarn. Enjoy
Free Ravelry download, click this LINK. 
Lavender Dreams Scarflette

Lavender Dreams Scarflette

STITCHES USED:
(Pattern written using north american crochet terms.)
ch – Chain
sc – single crochet
dc - double crochet
x-st – cross stitch
yo – yarn over
Hook:5 mm

YARN: 1 ball Moda Dea Dream 50 gr. (1.76 ozs) 85 m (93 yrds)
Any comparable yarn can be used.
Darning needle

DIFFICULTY: Advanced beginner

GAUGE: For those who like knowing. Gauge is not crucial to this project.
1 pattern repeat (13 sts) = 4 inches (10 cm)
8 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

SPECIAL STITCHES

CROSS STITCH (x-st): ch 4, skip 4 sts, dc in 5th st, working behind last dc made, dc in next ch to the right

SINGLE CROCHET FOUNDATION BASE CHAIN Start with a slip knot, ch 2, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, YO and draw up a loop, YO and draw through one loop on hook (the “chain”), YO and draw through 2 loops on hook (the “sc”).  The following stitch is worked under the forward 2 loops of the stem of the previous stitch (into the “chain”).  *Insert hook into the face of the “chain” and under the nub at the back of the “chain” (under two strands), YO and draw up a loop, YO and draw through one loop (the “chain”), YO and draw through 2 loops (the “sc”).  Repeat from * for the length of foundation. You may want to watch this video if you are a visual learner. 
The video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6QhfnOga4w
 
PATTERN NOTES

Please note that ch 1 equals a single crochet and ch 3 equals a double crochet throughout this pattern.

PATTERN

         1. Make a single crochet foundation base chain of 158 sc
    2. ch 1, turn your work and sc back the length of the foundation chain (158 sc) 
    3. ch 3, dc in next st, ch 3, skip 3 sts/ch, dc in next st, [(ch 4, skip 3 sts, dc in next st), repeat 2 more times, ch 4, skip 4 sts/ch, dc in next st, x-st in next st to the right of the last dc made (see explanation above) ] repeat pattern 10 times more. For last repeat, (ch 4, skip 3 sts, dc in next st,) repeat 2 more times, dc in last 2 stitches remaining. (12 repeats total)
    Repeat row 3 until you have a total of 7 rounds from the beginning.  
    8. ch 1, sc in next st, *3 sc in ch-4 space, sc in dc, repeat from * to end. Sc in last 2 stitches 
    9. Ch 1, sc in each sc. Finish off.
Lavender Scarflette (click to download)
You may or may not want to block the scarf depending on the yarn used. For the one I made, I didn't block it as I love the squishy soft feel of the yarn as is.

Created by MarieAnge Brouillard aka MariAngel on Ravelry © 2011 
 
This pattern has not been tested. Please notify me via my Ravelry store of any pattern corrections. I will answer any and all questions you may have with the instructions. Do not plagiarize this pattern. All patterns are my original designs. Please do not re-sell my patterns or give them away for free or post my patterns on the Internet or exploit them for commercial use. You may sell items you make from my patterns at local craft fairs, fund raisers or custom orders for friends and family but please do not sell finished items on the Internet without my written permission. Do not claim designs as your own.
This pattern is copyrighted by me and I give my permission for you to post pictures of items made from my pattern on your website/blog if you will post a link back to my Ravelry store if the pattern is for sale. If the pattern is free, please direct people to my blog. Be sure to list the name MarieAnge Brouillard as the designer.

Ravelry pattern store: Ravelry Designer Page
Lokipan Crochet Designs blog: http://lokipancrochet.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

New directions

Print Friendly and PDF
What a time to get writers block! So no more of that nonsense!

I have been delaying this moment for far too long. Friends, family, customers have been pleading with me to publish my patterns. As I"m sure many other designers out there have (had) this issue at some point in their designer's journey, I am my own worst critic. That single feeling where you feel that your work is not good enough to be published has kept my patterns hidden in my notebooks, and folders on my computer. Well, the time has come, I must come out of the closet so to speak. So here I am, opening my heart, my hands and sharing my work with all of you. 

I welcome constructive critiquing, questions, and all feedback, be it positive or negative (hopefully less of the negative LOL) comments and will endeavour to answer each one.

Pour yourself a cuppa, relax, and follow along on my designer journey. I will have some patterns available free of charge on this blog which will be listed on the right and patterns for sale in my Ravelry store. And once in a while, I may toss in a knit or mixed media pattern just to keep things lively and fun.

To print the free patterns, simply click the link on the right which will take you to the post with the free pattern. Within the post at the top left, you will see a printer icon, click it and the post will open in a new screen. You can select what you want to keep and choose either save to pdf to your computer or print directly from the screen. Alternatively, you can also follow the Ravelry download link in the post.

Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you here often!

MarieAnge Brouillard aka MariAngel (rav id)