Looming - a new obsession

Right, to start off with before you ask, I haven't given up on my crochet blankets that I have been doing since May. Far from it. I am still keeping on going on with them and they are looking really good. I am about two thirds of the way through now until completion. But as we all know, all good things come to an end. Apparently.

I have however come across a new craft, or rather an old craft that I have never seen done like this. My local shop has been selling a couple of different size round looms and it made me think of when I was little and we used to do French knitting on pins that had been hammered into an old wooden cotton reel. I think we even had one of the ones that looked like a doll. There was inly 4 pins and I remember making cords on it with oddments of knitting wool, often from an old jumper that had been undone and the wool was to be made into something new.

I bought one of each size of the looms and set about seeing if I could find what people were up to and hopefully some instructions as well. I couldn't believe how many different facebook pages I came across and the work being produced is amazing. That led to looking at YouTube to visually see the different types of stitches and to give me inspiration of what to make first.

Several hours later....

I had some lovely purple and blue colour change wool and thought I would give a scarf a go on the little round loom and it was so much easier than I thought. I e wrapped 3 pegs and then missed one to give a stripey effect. The scarf is probably a bit long and even with blocking it still wants to roll up. I am still pleased with it for a first go.

My next project was still going to be a scarf. You can never have too many, right. Rather than do it on the round loom I decided to get a set of long looms and see how I got on with them. Doing the figure of 8 stitch was so simple I couldn't put it down and wanted to see how it would progress. The wool is so soft and the scarf looks as though it has a rib effect. It holds it shape so much better than the first attempt. I can see several more of these being made.

Looming has definitely become a new obsession as it is good to have something on the go when I need a break from the blankets, especially if it has been a round that has required a bit more concentration. Well, that's my excuse!

Mandala Madness - Part 13

Well part 13 is all about the trebles, and there are lots of them! The shape gets changed quite a bit by this as each section has two large semi circles and a smaller one. Because of the trebles, they looked and felt a bit wobbly, certainly at first. Both of the blankets that are made with the stylecraft double knit wool however coped with this better than the Scheepjes whirl. This was down to the thickness of the thread and I wasn't sure how it would work out but I needn't have worried. The part is finished off by lots of paired stitches which join together stitches on the previous round. This gives such a lovely effect with the changes of wool colour, either white of black linking together the pink shades. It adds to the texture in the colour change version in which the grey section of the colour change wool is getting progressively lighter. I am interested in how this section will look against the darker band as the grey will go almost to white before I have to decide which Scheepjes whirl cake to do next.

The blankets have certainly grown in size and it is noticeable now how they will look when finished and placed on a bed. The double knit versions I tried on a single bed and they are starting to travel down the side by approx. 6 inches. On a double bed they are still working towards the edge but getting ever closer. It wont be long now. The colour change version looks great over the back of a sofa or an arm chair. What to do with it. Still, I am glad I don't have to decide just yet. Part 13 done.

Onto part 14 .........................................

Mandala Madness - Part 12

Well, part 12 has finally been finished on the three blankets. Life seemed to get in the way and they had to take a bit of a back seat. It is also getting noticeably much longer to complete each round, although not as long as round 66! Its nice to revisit some of the very early stitches. I like doing the picot stitch. I wasn't sure at first, when I first had a go at them but I really like them now and think they give such a neat effect, lifting and joining the top to a higher round to give a shaper point. It was also lovely to finish with the stitch that I think looks a little bit like a rope. This is definitely one of my favourites. I love how the double trebles are done in the skipped stitch from a previous round and give such a curved effect. It works equally as well in the colour change wool as it does when physically changing the colours in the double knit versions.

The blankets are getting so big now that before I could have them on my lap when working on each of them but I am finding it more challenging. It is easier to crochet them when sat on my sofa as there is room to the side of me but its still going to be interesting when I get to the final rounds! I have tried the white version on my Mums bed to see how it looks and I cant wait to see it finished on there. It will be so cosy and warm in the winter. The colour change blanket is also getting bigger. It looks like it could be a table cloth on a round table now. Its not yet big enough for a bed, even a single one. Good job there is lots of rounds still to go. I love this pattern. Even when you are revisiting special stitches it never gets boring as the rounds are so different and are providing a good challenge.

Well that's part 12 done.

Onto part 13 ..............................

 

Mandala Madness - Part 11

Part 11 is now complete on all three blankets and it was much quicker to do than part 10! It was a relief to have an easier part to do again and there was only one new stitch to learn, a long single crochet. The blanket shape has started to change again with the addition of what I would call a diamond shape that is made up of doubles, trebles and double trebles. This did make the blanket feel a bit wobbly but it gives such a lovely effect.

I have a new favourite texture and it was done in round 73. I think it looks like a rope effect and it makes you want to feel it. I am really pleased with how neat it looks. It has worked well on all of the blankets. Both of the double knit ones it has been done in a shade of pink. The colour really "pops" on the black version where the pink is so bright. I did wonder how it would look on the colour change where the double trebles would not have a contrast colour to work with but the texture shows through. The colour has now gone from the light plum to a much darker plum by the end of this part and I am getting very near the end of the "cake". I really don't think I will have enough to complete part 12 so a trip to the wool shop is going to have to be done, taking the blanket with me to see which of the Scheepjes whirl colours will go in best next. It will have to follow on from a dark plum and still be in keeping with the colours that are already done.

The long single crochets came at the very end of the part and were very simple to do, inserting the hook in the stitch below and pulling it up. It gives added texture as well as a decorative effect. Well that's part 11 done......

Onto part 12.....................

Mandala Madness - Part 10

Wow! I have managed to complete part 10 on the blankets, and what a part that was to do. With the previous part I mentioned that it seemed to feel like a break after completing all the long stitches on part 8 but also had the feeling that it could be the calm before the storm. It is a long part to complete and you definitely need patience as some rounds are more time consuming than others.

I have got used to doing popcorns and long stitches but to do both of them together and making sure that they all fell in the right place got tricky at times. Where you were working over the top of previous rounds it also felt as though you were not making progression in making the blanket any larger but the satisfaction when it was completed and seeing how it added to the beautiful texture certainly made it worth it and you could clearly see how it had progressed and added to the overall look of the blankets.

I am not a fan of having more than one colour on the go at the same time. Its time consuming to keep swopping over and also runs the risk that comes with keeping the correct tension on both yarns. I am not a fan of it when it comes to knitting either! That's just a personal thing and it is something that I am pleased that I can do. I do however love the effect that it brings and know I would hate weaving all those ends in if it was done individually. I would still be weaving now and possibly for the next couple of weeks. I didn't have that problem though when it came to the colour change blanket. I did this one second out of the three and it was a bit quicker to do and I really love how it has changed colour from the pale pink(ish) colour and started to go into a pale plum. The texture really does show up, obviously not as much as the double knit versions.

I am so pleased that I have managed to get this part done. It was definitely a challenge, but I love the results.

Onto part 11 ...................................

Mandala Madness - Part 9

Part 9 is now complete so that theoretically is halfway as there is 18 parts to this blanket. This has probably been the easiest of all the parts to date so far and was very welcome after doing all those long stitches from the previous part. Although they were not difficult to do, once I had got the hang of them, getting the tension and placement meant extra pressure as it would have been very obvious if either of those things were wrong. There would have been no option but to frog and redo.

The shape of the blanket is changing again. There are now very visible points being formed that lie directly above the centre of the long stitch section. It will be very interesting to see how these are integrated into the plan and shape in the next part. I am still able to keep up with the repeat pattern of colours on both of the double knit versions, although this does take careful thought how it will precede and I have needed to work this out prior to starting as I cant follow the colour change that is suggested in the instructions. I don't think it is going too badly!

As you can see I finally have finished my first "cake" in the colour change wool version. I had to go and have a look and try and match up my work in the wool shop to see which one of the Scheepjes whirl would go in next. I original wanted to use the same one again but the shop had sold out of it and I was too impatient to wait for the next delivery and no where else where I live sells it so plan B had to be put into action. At the moment I have just started and the first colour is lilac and it is just starting to very slowly get lighter. I am quite liking this new colour and want to keep working on this version to see how the change goes in!

No new stitches to learn this time and I can't help but feel that where this round has been so nice and straight forward that it might be the calm before the storm with part 10 coming next and I've heard that it is a challenge. Bring it on!

Onto part 10 ...........................

Mandala Madness - Part 8

Well I have finally finished part 8 on all three of the blankets and have completed a new stitch that I have not done before. This part uses a long stitch, well more than one version of a long stitch if I am to be precise. It just depends on how many times around the hook the long stitch has. I was a bit concerned on how it would work on the colour change version. I knew there would be enough texture difference to work but what about colour difference. I needn't have worried as the change in colour was good and just enough. The lilac that is coming in was enough of a contrast over the treble clusters but not too much.

The double knit versions are really starting to show in size now. Doing the long stitch round (once I had got the hang of it) did seem to take a while but it is to be expected. I can imagine that future rounds are going to take an awful lot longer, especially if they are heavy on technique. Although I did find it a bit tricky to get the hang of, and I did have to have a couple of goes at it to get the tension right, I am pleased with how the colour pink "pops" over the base colour and also the other accent colour. Either grey on the white blanket or blue on the black blanket. I am really pleased with how they are yet again changing and the new stitches I am learning.

Onto part 9 .................

Mandala Madness - Part 7

Well that's part 7 completed on all of the three blankets and they have started to have a subtle shape change again. Rather than staying as a star shape (that part 6 finished on) there is a curve section that is starting to grow in the base of the inverted points. This has been done with treble clusters, to start to fill it in and then on the next round, little shells have been which makes it look like a little fan behind. I like with the double knit versions that this part has been done with green wool and ties in very nicely with the ruffle stitch that was done in part 3.

I really enjoyed doing the bobble stitch last time so was really pleased to see that it is repeated again in this part. With both my double knit versions the bobbles are in different colours, one in pink and one in the base colour of either black or white. I like how this adds to the texture with my choice of repeated colours although I am sure when I get a bit further out I will have to carefully work out which rounds I colour change on. With the colour change wool (the Schjeepes whirl) I was concerned with the bobbles again that the subtle colour change might not be so subtle as you have to turn your work and go in the opposite direction and then change back again. I didn't want a section that looked a bit stronger in colour than the other side especially as it is getting bigger now and I cant get all the way around before the colour change comes in. It didn't show though so I was really pleased with that. The "cake" is getting close to finishing so I am going to have to go and buy another one and decide whether or not to keep going with the same one or try a new one. The colour has now gone into the dusky pink shade and is leaving very little of the old colour. Coming up is lilac and that will be the end shade.

Onto part 8 ....................

Mandala Madness - Part 6

Well part 6 has a new stitch for me to learn and I absolutely love it! I now have been doing the bobble stitch. At first I was a bit apprehensive as it meant turning my blanket around and working from the back instead of the front. It was a little fiddly at first but I soon got used to it. I started doing this new stitch on the white blanket. The one that will eventually be given to my Mum and did the bobble section using the pink wool. I am still trying to work out how to repeat my accent colours on the double knit blankets. The repeat is; pink, green and then either blue or grey depending on which of the double knit blankets it is.

With the colour change I don't have that issue but I was concerned about working from the back with the bobbles. The wool very slowly changes and as I have been going in the same direction I was worried that I would end up with a section that might be more of a block of colour rather than the subtle variation in colour that is barely noticeable. I needn't have worried as where the rounds are still fairly small the change doesn't show and I know its there! The colour, by the end of the part, has changed again. The green has completely gone and a dusky pink colour has now started to creep in.

The part ended up finishing with a round that reminds me of a picket fence and for the first time there are big(ish) visible gaps in the work. It will be interesting to see how the next part starts from there. I am looking forward to it.

Onto part 7 ...................

Mandala Madness - Part 5

My three blankets are starting to change shape again. Instead of having sides that are more in a straight line they have started to look like a flower at the end of this part. The crochet has been nice to do and really straight forward. There have been no tricky stitches to try and learn which has been good (although I do like a good challenge). Working behind the popcorns has meant that the colour has travelled from one section to the next without it being too obvious and having either a big visible line or the need to cut the wool and join on.

I really like working from the back and around the posts as with both versions done in the double knit you get a line appearing when you have the colour change just a little bit lower. I also like how it makes that section stand a bit more proud than the rest of the work. I nice texture touch.

All three blankets are starting to show how the pattern ways are working. I like that I am getting an idea of the repeat colours with both of the double knit blankets but I also like how my colour change wool has changed again its colour and is starting to get rid of the green shade and bring in a fawn/beige colour.

Onto part 6 ...................................

Mandala Madness - Part 4

Part four of my Mandala Madness has now been completed on all of my three CAL's. There were no new stitches to learn in this part so it was pretty straight forward. It also had the added bonus of one of my favourite stitches to finish off with. The popcorn stitch! I love how this adds texture and interest. Making sure that the blanket isn't all one flat surface. The popcorn stitch is also broken up to match the ruffle sections from part three but is slightly longer as the blanket is growing in size. The double knit versions are now approximately 23 inches across (diameter) and the colour change version is smaller due to the thinner yarn used at approximately 16 inches.

I am still continuing to alternate the contrast colours on the double knit versions and I like how this repetition flows through both. Even though the pink and the greens are different shades, I have tried to match them and complete the same rounds using the black and white as the base colour.

Mandala Madness - Part 3

So I have now managed to finish all three of my Mandala Madness CAL's to the end of part three and I found it really hard to put them down! New stitches were the ruffle stitch (my new favourite along with popcorn) and treble clusters that end up looking like a circle over the two rounds (not my favourite stitch to do).

I think I wasn't that impressed with the treble clusters as I found it a bit tricky carrying the colour behind and making sure that it was neat. It was fine on the colour change version as this wasn't an issue as there was no second colour to carry. Having said that it wasn't my favourite to do, I really like the effect that it has given so wouldn't change it and I did get used to it by the time I had finished the second CAL and was pleased that I had managed it as it was my first time of doing them.

I love the ruffles! They really finish off the part and continue to add texture. They are really easy to do and a great alternative to the popcorns from part one.

Onto part 4 ..............

Mandala Madness - Part 2

Onto part two of the Mandala Madness CAL. There was quite a few new techniques to learn on the first part so I was interested to see how part 2 would go. The treble clusters were really straight forward and similar to the popcorn stitches (but with less stitches) and I am pleased with how the green shows up behind the pink "flower" from the first part. Once the next round was completed, I could see how the shape was starting to change. It was now looking more of an 8 pointed star. I really love the folded trebles that outline the end of CAL for the final round.

I have found that it is starting to get quite addictive and I don't want to put my crochet down. Either one! They are very different to work on as they are being done in the different yarns. The whirl is so much more delicate and I find I have to be careful not to split the yarn. I can also now see the colour is starting to slowly change and get lighter.  The double knit is working really well but I have to keep on top of sewing those ends in every time I change colour (not such an issue with the whirl yarn). I don't want to get to the end and have them all to do.

As I am enjoying doing these I decided to show my Mum what I am up to, especially as she was the one who bought me the Scheepjes whirl yarn and was keen to see what I would do with it. She has fallen in love with the pattern even though I have only done a little of it. I am now doing a version for her. She wanted Stylecraft double knit wool and chose colours that match a quilt she is planning on making.

Part two complete. Onto Part three.

Mandala Madness Part 1

Whilst I am still enjoying sewing and have the next few projects sorted out in my head, I have got back into doing some crochet. I was given a "ball" of wool for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I can't pronounce the name of it, Scheepjes, but I love how the colours blend beautifully as you progress further into your project. The colour combo that I am working with is called Popin Candy.

I knew straight away what I wanted to do with it. I had seen on a Facebook page a CAL (crochet a long) called Mandala madness by Helen Shrimpton. I found the pattern listed on Ravelry and the link took me to her website Crystals and Crochet. I am a beginner still when it comes to crochet. I have been able to do granny squares but have been trying to learn different stitches and how to follow a pattern. So far I have managed to crochet 2 cats, a hat and several flowers. This is something completely new and different. I wasn't too sure how I would go.

The website has really good picture (alongside written as well) instructions that I am mostly competent enough to follow. It also has a link to videos of each part. The pattern was released in 18 parts over time in 2016. I must confess, I did start off by using the picture instructions but used the you tube videos of stitches/sections that I wasn't too sure about.

Not content with starting one I decided to start a second one. This time I thought I would use stylecraft with black being my base colour and cerise, apple green and turquoise as my accent colours. I am using a size 4mm hook with the double knit wool as opposed to the 3mm for my other one. They are coming up different in size and I am trying to complete a round on one and then repeat the same round on the other one. I already even at this early stage have plans for different colourways as it is such an addictive pattern!

Right. Part one is complete. Lets start part two :)

Steampunk shorts

I decided my next challenge would be to make myself a pair of shorts. I have never made anything like this before. The closest I have been to stitching shorts was to repair my lads trousers (many times) when they were little as they often came home with the knees out and the crotch split open from playing football.

The pattern I am using is Simple sew, The Shannon collection, with black cotton drill as my fabric choice.

After cutting out the fabric, which was fairly straight forward, the next step was to put in the darts. I have done darts several times before so this was pretty straight forward. Once these were done I had to tackle the pockets. I have done pockets that are inserted into the side seams once before, on the skirt on a previous blog post, but not like the ones on this pattern. The process s pretty straight forward. It is just making sure that you have the right pattern pieces and that the undersewing is nice and neat.

The waistband is made in three separate sections in the front and one piece for the back. These are then doubled up to make the double thickness. A bit fiddly but not too bad. Once this was done it was on to the invisible zip. I have done zips before but never an invisible one. You tube however was my friend and after doing some research onto how to get the neatest finish it was time to put it into practice. Although it looks really tricky, it is more straightforward than it looks and I am really pleased with my first go.

I am really pleased with the result and will probably feel confident to do more invisible zips in the future. The only bit left to do now is to sew up the remaining seam, sew the legs and hem the bottoms. This was very straightforward and was really quick to do. The pattern states that the buttons are for decorative purposes only so no need to measure out and do button holes. Rather than ordinary buttons I wanted something a bit different. I found some Steampunk inspired octopus buttons in a local shop that I thought would be perfect. They had a shank on the back which I didn't want so this was cut off and invisible thread was used to attach them, using the tentacles as a fixing point as they had no holes. I am really pleased with the finished result and will definitely be making these again. The pattern is very straight forward to follow, with enough challenge for me to extend my skills. I enjoyed making them and already have several ideas on how to adapt them next time!