Skye Pennant’s Jewellery Frame

There is A LOT going on here at Glitch Towers… too much really, to be honest. I’m busy getting ready for my first ever craft sale, which is due to take place on Saturday 22 September at Huntingdon Hall in Shoreham-by-Sea. My friends, the vintage vendors Johnny Loves June are putting it on, and it promises to be a fantastic affair. I never realised there would be so much to think about though – layout, labels, prices… STOCK, to say nothing of actually convincing Gaz to have the kids so I can be there on the day (he said yes, obviously, he’s not a monster or anything).

There are sparks flying off my hook as we speak, but it is very exciting because I’ve had a whole bunch of brand new ideas recently. For some reason my brain goes into creative overdrive at this time of year, every year. Maybe it has something to do with the onset of autumn – traditionally this is when most knitty folk start digging out their stash.   Selling my stuff (or trying to) should tell me a lot about what people like, and don’t like, so even if I don’t make any actual cash, I’m bound to learn LOADS. Who knows, this could be the start of something very beautiful… woolly, and very beautiful.

Amongst all this panic, I have had an opportunity to make something just for me. When I attended the Brighton Bloggers’ Meet Up a week or so ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Skye Pennant, who runs a fab craft blog called Even Artichokes Have Hearts.  I found this tutorial on her site for making a jewellery frame, using an old picture frame and some string. I have nowhere to put anything, ever, so this seemed like a really simple, cheap and stylish way to display all my bits and bobs. I have a bit of a postcard fetish – as you will see, and I like to have them around me for inspirational purposes. My frame is nothing like as nice as Skye’s, mostly because something strange happens when you put a ruler in my hands – the presence of numbers renders me totally and utterly useless, it’s a disease. Anyway, here’s the thing I made. I absolutely love it.

As you can see, measuring is not my forte

• Row 1 (left to right): Galaxy postcard from Herstmonceux Science Centre; necklace from Wolf and Moon; another galaxy postcard from Herstmonceux; silver bird pendant from Silverado; silver crocheted snowflake by me; group photo of BFFs at a friend’s wedding (spot me)
• Row 2: Lion postcard from Paperchase; beautiful green glass pendant passed down from Gaz’s grandmother; photo of me and Gaz at another wedding; a cheeky crochet swatch for something I haven’t shown you yet.
• Row 3: The heart of a crocheted Leilah hex by me, my aluminium bird brooch (which seems to have capsized somewhat)
  

  Wolf and Moon Pendant  HOOOOWWWWL

  Wouldya’ look at Gaz’s face in that pic?  We had such a great night that night! Good times.

   

Go on then, have one more peep at this swatch

Tutorial: Leilah the Lazy Hegaxon Granny

Despite the fact that I have never actually been to Morocco (one for the bucket list), I am a total sucker for Moroccan pattern. I’ve explored this theme in my crochet before, with pouffe the magic dragon, but the simple fact is I can’t get enough of the warm colours and intricate, interwoven shapes so I’ve revisited it once again this week. The style suits the medium brilliantly, although I doubt they have much call for thick woolly blankets in North West Africa. Here’s my design for a lazy hexagon granny. I’ve called it a lazy hexagon because it looks slightly as if it’s slouching, and also because it’s not very difficult to do – don’t be put off by the final round. It might look complicated, it’s not. Promise. I am currently working on a cushion to showcase the beauty that is Leilah. I’ll post an update soon. In the meantime, if you decide to have a go at this pattern I’d love to hear how you found it.

You will need: 1, 4mm crochet hook

4 colours of dk or aran yarn (use the same weight for the best finish)

Round 1: Colour 1: Ch4 and join with ss to make a ring

Round 2: Ch3, 16 tr in ring, join with ss to form a round, cast off  (17st)

Round 2

Round 3: Join colour 2 with 1sc in any ch, *( 1sc, 1dc, 1tr, ch1, 1tr, 1dc, 1sc) in next ch, skip next ch, 1sc* repeat  from * to * all the way round, join with ss in sc to form a round.

Round 3 in progress

Round 3 completed

Round 4: Join colour 3 with a sc in any ch1 space between 2 tr,*ch1,  2dc in next sc, ch1, 2 dc in same sc, ch1, sc in next sc* rep from * to * all the way round, join with ss in sc to form a round.

Round 4 in progress

Round 4 completed

Round 5: Join colour 4 in any ch1 space between 2 dc, ch2, 2dc in same space, ch2, 3dc in spame space, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (sc in next ch)x2, in next ch1 space (sc,ch1, sc), sc in next ch, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next  ch space between 2 dc, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next  ch space between 2 dc, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (sc in next ch)x2, in next ch1 space (sc, ch1, sc), sc in next ch, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next  ch space between 2 dc, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc, in next ch1 space, join with ss in top of ch2  to form a round.

Taa daah!

Two Fried Eggs: Tutorial

It’s been a little while since my last post. I apologise. I had a little operation and, to be frank, my mind has been occupied with other things. Anyway, a few weeks back I promised to post a tutorial for these cheeky little beauties – so here it is. These fried egg tassels are really easy to make and perfect to wear whilst serving Sunday morning brunch. I must say though that cooking in them probably constitutes a major fire hazard - Never dangle your nipple tassels over an open flame.

Please note: The tension in the photographed sample is a little loose so that the stitches are nice and clear,  for better results keep your tension nice and tight.

You will need: 1, 3.50mm hook

DK yarn in two colours, white and yellow.

1. With yellow yarn ch3, join with ss to form a ring.

2. Ch2, (1dc, ch1) x 7, join with ss in top of ch2 to form a circle.

3. Ch2, 1dc in ch1 space, ch1, (2dc in ch1 space, ch1 all the way around, ss in top of ch2 to form a circle.

4. Join white, ch2, *1dc in ch, ch1, skip next ch* all the way round, ss in top of ch2 to form a circle. This should make the yolk appear slightly convex. Turn work inside out.

5. Ch2, dc1 in same space, ch1, *2dc in next space, ch1* repeat all the way round, ss in top of ch2 to form a circle.

6. To make the shape less uniform, and more egg-like: (in ch) slip 5, ch2, 3dc, ch2, slip 5, ch2, 5dc, ch2, slip 7, ch2, 5dc, ch2, slip 4 (or to end of round) ss in first slipped st.

7. Ch1, sc all the way round and join with ss to form a circle.

Stitch ends in with a large needle, and attach tassel. A shop bought tassel is perfect if you can find one, or, if you fancy it – you could make your own. Eastbourne is strangely short of burlesque-friendly haberdasheries, so I’ve been forced to make my own. A tutorial for these will follow shortly.

Tutorial: Dem Bones, The Day of The Dead Skull Square

Here is the pattern for the skull square in my Day of the Dead Blanket (see archive for more on that beauty). I used nasty neon DK for my blanket, but any highly contrasting colours would work just as well. You could probably use this pattern to make some decorative Halloween bunting if you were so inclined.  Hmmmn, there’s an idea!

These squares employ a kind of Fair Isle technique I guess, in that you are working more than one colour, and so need to carry the colours you are not using with you as you crochet, twisting them behind the stitch so you are ready to pick them up at any time. This can seem a little complicated at first, but just as with most of these things, you’ll soon get the hang of it. Once you’ve made one of these skull squares you’ll be able to make as many as you like.  They are a bit addictive.

You will need: 1, 3.50mm crochet hook, DK in 3 contrasting colours

Colour 1 (colour of skull)

Colour 2 (colour of eyes, nose and mouth)

Colour 3 (background)

Pattern

1. Colour 1, chain 4 and join with ss to form a ring,

Ch2, 2 dc in ring, ch1, (3 dc in ring, ch1) x2, join colour 2, 3 dc in ring, ch 1, bring colour 1 forward, join with ss to form a round.

2. Ch2, 2dc in corner, ch1, bring colour 2 forward, (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, bring colour 1 forward 3dc in corner space, ch1, bring colour 2 forward 3dc in same corner space, ch1, 3dc in last corner ss to join and form a round.

3. Bring colour 1 forward, ch2, 2dc in corner, ch1, 3dc in same corner, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, bring colour 2 forward (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in next corner,  bring colour 1 forward, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, bring colour 2 forward, (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, bring colour 1 forward, 3dc in next gap, ch1, (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in corner space, ch1, 3 dc in next space, ch1, join with ss in top of chain to form a round. Cast off.

4. With colour 1, 1sc in 1^st gap following the bottom right corner, ch2, 2dc in gap, 1ch, 3dc in next gap, ch1, (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, 3dc in next gap,ch1,  (3dc, ch1,3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in  next gap, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, join colour 3, 3dc in corner, ch1, join colour 2, 3dc in same corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next gap, ch1, 3 dc in next gap, ch1, 3dc in next corner space, ch1, bring colour 3 forward, 3dc in same corner space,  ch1, join with ss to form a round. Cast off. (you’re now only working with colours 1 and 3.

5. With colour 1 sc in central gap on right hand side, ch2, 2dc in same space, 1ch, 3dc in next space, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space,  ch1, join colour 3, 3dc in next space, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, bring colour 1 forward, 3dc in next space,  ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, bring colour 3 forward, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space, join with ss to form round.

6. Ch2, 2dc in gap, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1,bring colour 1 forward, 3dc in next gap, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, 3dc in next gap, ch1, bring colour 3 forward, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in next corner space, bring colour 1 forward, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, bring colour 3 forward, 3dc in next space, ch1, (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, join with ss in top of ch2, cast off. Hide ends with bodkin.

Tutorial: Matilda (the granny square with heart)

I am constantly crocheting stuff. More often than not the idea for said ‘stuff’ comes straight out of my imagination, but I have never actually attempted to write a crochet pattern. I may scribble some notes down here and there but I tend to find, when I return to them, they usually don’t make much sense to me, let alone anyone else. Recently one or two people have asked me to produce tutorials to accompany my bits and pieces. So I have decided to give it a go, beginning with the easiest pattern I can think of; the granny square with heart, which we’ll call Matilda (because I like giving my makes human names – it’s fun)

So, here’s the pattern. I would absolutely LOVE it if one or two of you crocheteers could test this out for me to see if it works. Let me know what happens in the comment box below and who knows, maybe I’ll do a give away. Ooh my first give away! Exciting!

Pattern: Matilda (granny square with heart)

You will need: chunky wool in 3 colours and 1, 5.50mm hook.

Round 1: Ch3 and connect to make a ring.

Round 2: Ch2, 2dc in ring, ch1, 3dc in ring, ch1, 3dc in ring, ch1, 3dc in ring, ch1 and ss in top of first dc to create a round.

Round 3: Turn work, Ch2, 2dc in space, ch1, 3 dc in same space, *ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3 dc in next corner space)*. Repeat x2 from (*), ss in top of first dc to create a round.  Cast off.

Round 4: Join 1^st colour in bottom centre space, ch2, 2dc in same space, join 2^nd colour (move 1^st colour to the back), ch1, (3dc,1ch,3dc) in corner, bring 1^st colour forward, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, (3dc,1ch,3dc) in next corner space, bring 2^nd colour forward, ch1, 3dc in top centre space, bring 1^st colour forward, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space, bring 2^nd colour forward, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in corner, ss in first dc to create round. Cast off.

Round 5: Join 2^nd colour in any space, work a plain round.

Round 6: Join 3^rd colour in any space, work a plain round. Cast off. Hide ends with bodkin.