Inspiration (and a teaser)

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.

Ode to Fall Neckwarmer (free pattern)

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 2^nd 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 2^nd chain of next ch-3 space of previous round, repeat from *, ch 1, dc into 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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.

Ode to Fall neckwarmer sizes: x-large (blue), teen to adult medium (green), child to pre-teen (multicolored)

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

(Teaser) Warm Days & Cool Nights

 

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 :)

Strawberry Fields Forever (new crochet pattern)

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
 

 
 

Teaser: Strawberries and warm summer breezes

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.

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

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 5^th 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/

New directions

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)

Lokipan Crochet Designs

Ravelry pattern store