On a scale of fail to fail, where do I rank....

Oh, that's right...in the FAIL category.

Okay so, the eye of the tiger pattern isn't quite done. I've been very busy working on many projects and working the work thing. Also, there has been sleeping, of the sleeping variety.

Since I have been fail on that, I thought I would post something here that Jen of lovely Sewhooked fame suggested.

If you are a Twilight fan, this hat *should* look familiar from the first movie.

If you aren't a Twilight fan, this hat is AWESOME!!!





I used an H hook (but you can use an I hook) and Red Heart yarn.

No, I don't have a gauge for it. It's a quick pattern, so if it's too big or too small, get a different hook and try it again.


1. MR (MAGIC RING)

2. 10 DC, tighten ring, sl st – 10 stitches

3. ch 3, (2 fptc in next stitch), *dc, (2 fptc in next) 4 times (repeating from star), sl st to 3rd ch. –15 stitches

4. ch 3, (dc 2x in next stitch), fptc in next 2 st, *dc, (dc 2x in next st), 2 fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st – 25 stitches

5. ch 3, (all dc’s in this round are through the back loop only) 2 dc in next 2 st, 2 fptc in next 2 st, * 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next, 2 dc in next, 2 fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st – 35 stitches

6. ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next, dc in next, 2 dc in next, dc in next, 2 fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st – 45 stitches

7. ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next, 2 dc in next, dc in next 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in next, fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st – 55 stitches

8. ch 3, dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next 4, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4, fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st – 60 stitches

9. ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st, fptc in next 2 4 times (repeating from star), sl st –70 stitches.

10. ch 3, (all dc’s in this round are through the back loop only), dc in next 11 st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next 12 st, fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st – 70 stitches

11. ch 3, dc in next 11 st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next 12 st, fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st – 70 stitches

12-14. Rep round 11

15. ch 3, (all dc’s in this round are through the back loop only), dc in next 11 st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next 12 st, fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star), sl st –70 stitches

16. ch 3, dc in next 11 st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next 12 st, fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star) – 70 stitches

17. Rep round 16

18. ch 3, dc in next st, inv dec next 2 st into 1 st, dc in next 4, inv dec next 2 st into 1 st, dc in next 2 st, fptc in next 2, *dc in next 2 st, inv dec next 2 st into 1, dc in next 4, inv dec next 2 st into 1, dc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star)– 60 stitches

19. ch 3, (all dc’s in this round are through the back loop only), dc in next 9 st, fptc in next 2 st, *dc in next 10 st, fptc in next 2 st 4 times (repeating from star) – 60 stitches

20. ch 2, fpdc all stitches, folding top row back . This can be anchored later, but it seems to stay just fine.

Fasten off, weave in the ends.

Enjoy!!!

I'm working on a new pattern.

I have it written up...and am editing it now for coherency.

But it will be my Eye of the Tiger pattern as seen here:

A free pattern... The Texas Brick Blanket

Okay, I would like to share a pattern with those who may be interested. However, I do have a few...ground rules, if you will.

Ground rules:
1. This pattern and write-up belong to me. There may be similar ones, but this one is all mine. PLEASE do not claim it as your own. You wouldn't like it if it happened to you.

2. I am willingly sharing this pattern freely, so please, do not use this to make money off other people. I wrote this pattern to be used for personal use or charitable organizations. It's not nice to charge people for something you got for free, now is it. And it's really not nice to use my work to make money for yourself. Charitable organizations is a different matter.

3. This isn't a rule, but I think it'd be pretty cool to see what others come up with from my patterns, so please, if you try this out, share a pic with me! I love seeing crochet as it is, and seeing what someone else has done with my pattern? Just cool. Think about it, right?


Now that those pesky rules are out of the way, let's get to the fun!

Supplies:

6 skeins of yarn (I used 2 ea of 3 colors of Red Heart Economy 7 oz skein)*
H hook (though hook size doesn't really matter here, but that's what I used...)

*For the yarn choices, I'm going based off what I used. I have a Red Heart Addiction. I picked 3 colors that worked together and had 2 skeins of each. Feel free to try other yarns and let me know how it went! :D Also, you won't use all of the yarn, but it keeps you from dragging your yarn along the back of the work like I generally do. Makes it pretty.)

This pattern uses the Extended Single Crochet Stitch (which is apparently not a popular stitch...).

If you have any questions, do feel free to ask...I'm most of the time nice. :D

For the EXSC:
1. Slip hook under both loops of the stitch (except the chain row, of course, I only go under the top loop on the chain)...
2. Yarn over, pull through (2 lps on hook).
3. Yarn over and pull through one loop on hook. (you should have 2 chain stitches on top of each other) (2 lps on hook)
4. Yarn over, and pull through BOTH loops on hook.

I have a vid of that on youtube. I am a lefty, so the first half of the vid is done left handed, but I did do a flip so you can see it right handed.

Check it out here!

Also a couple of tips if you aren't used to doing color changes...

**When it comes to changing colors, I have a few tips for those not used to doing it.

1. When crocheting the first row into the chain stitch, crochet as usual until the last stitch in that color, however, stop after step 3 (*points up at EXSC directions*). You should have two loops on the hook. Move the tail end of the color you are using to the back side of the piece and pick up the new color. Pull the new color through the two loops on the hook.

I was going to post the video straight to here, but it was taking FOREVER... so instead, I'll give you the link to the youtube uploads, okay?

For Righties

For Lefties

2. if you are just adding the new color for the first time, you don't need to tie any knots or cut any yarn. I leave a tail of a couple of inches and hook the yarn like I would have if I were using the old color.

3. I don't cut my yarn a lot when working because it makes for more ends to weave. Because of how this pattern works up, there's not a lot of color drag, so the yarn can be left to the back side of the piece while you are working with another strand of yarn. It won't move or pull out, but it will tighten the stitch if tugged, so be gentle.

4. It's unfortunately natural for the yarn to tangle if you aren't careful. I've been doing this for 20 years, and I still have tangles to undo after a few dozen rows. My friend, ofenjen, has a method for keeping it less tangly by using a box and remembering which way to flip her work. It's up to you how you want to deal with it. :D

If you are pretty new to crocheting and color changing, try a swatch changing every 5 stitches (for about 15-20 stitches) and do at least 3 rows so you can try adding colors and switching colors.

Directions:

Chain 136.
Row 1: Starting in 2nd chain from hook,
exsc 30 in color 1, switch to color 2,
exsc 30 in color 2, switch to color 3,
exsc 30 in color 3, switch to color 1 (this is where the second skein comes in handy),
exsc 30 in color 1, switch to color 2 (again with second skein),
exsc 15 in color 2. Chain 1. Turn. (135 stitches)

Row 2: (this row is worked backwards to Row 1, just matching the same colors to the stitches)
exsc 15 in color 2, switch to color 1,
exsc 30 in color 1, switch to color 3,
exsc 30 in color 3, switch to color 2,
exsc 30 in color 2, switch to color 1,
exsc 30 in color 1. Chain 1. Turn. (135 stitches)

Rows 3-15: Work odd rows same as Row 1, work even rows same as Row 2.

At the end of row 15, when you do you chain stitch, switch from Color 2, to Color 3, then do your turn...

Row 16: (this row all of the colors switches and the color changes are moved over 15 stitches, to create the brick effect. This is where I DO cut the yarn. Because I am moving the colors, now's a good time to do it. I cut each yarn 2-3 inches from the back of the piece and weave those ends in on my next row by holding them to the back side of the piece and crocheting over them as I go.)
exsc 30 in color 3, switch to color 2,
exsc 30 in color 2, switch to color 1,
exsc 30 in color 1, switch to color 3,
exsc 30 in color 3, switch to color 2 (again with second skein),
exsc 15 in color 2. Chain 1. Turn. (135 stitches)

Row 17: (worked the same way Row 2 is worked to Row 1, just keeping track to do the same color stitches over the same colors)
exsc 15 in color 2, switch to color 3
exsc 30 in color 3, switch to color 1
exsc 30 in color 1, switch to color 2
exsc 30 in color 2, switch to color 3
exsc 30 in color 3. Chain 1, turn. (135 stitches)

Rows 18-30: Work even rows same as Row 16, work odd rows same as Row 17.

At the end of Row 30, the same rule applies for changing color when you chain and turn when switching all the colors.

Rows 31-135: Repeat the pattern for Rows 1-30 three times. Do one more repeat of rows 1-15 (Rows 121-135) You should have 9 layers of bricks.

Weave in ends.

I added 3 rows of single crochet as a border. One in each color with 3 stitches in the corners for turning allowance. The border is not necessary, but it uses up the left over yarn.

Finished Project:

New piece....

I recently participated in an online auction, where I offered up a custom blanket to the winner. Happily, the winner was a friend of mine.

We discussed possible themes and designs....and in the end, she came to me with a request that I could not deny....

The design was a bit mind-boggling at first because it was something that was going to take all of my meager art skills to replicate. But I somehow managed....and ended up with...





How'd I do?

It's been 4 YEARS!!!

I was thinking this was coming soon, but I didn't realize it's already passed! So now 4 years and 12 days ago, I finished my first major fandom project! I could almost say this is the one that started everything, even though I had made nearly 20 blankets before then. And that's only because I had made my beloved Cannons blanket (which is currently downstairs in the living room). It's because of this blanket I found several of the online communities that I'm now part of! It's also how I found most of my online friends! :D

Back before I figured out how to best display my work for pictures, I resorted to putting the blanket on my mom's bed, and climbing up on her dresser for this one!

Maybe not so new....

Okay, I got a Flickr acct set up...and a few things uploaded. But for now you can see my photostream of 20 random items (mostly blankets).

Check it out here...

Welcome!!!

Welcome to my blog/show off space!!

It's been brought to my attention that I don't often put my work out there where it's easy to find. And since I don't want to have to build a website, I'm taking the blogger way out! It may take me a while to get stuff posted here, but I'm gonna start getting stuff up here soon! Enjoy!

A quick introduction:

I'm Amber. I like to crochet...and craft. My mom likes to show off my work, but rather than hunt me down on 50 various blogging sites, I'm going to set up here. I work at a local library and run a Harry Potter Book Club. I also am a TLC Crafty Witch and mod for the Twilight Crafts group as well.

I'm just starting to make the patterns of my work available for use. Most of it is hand scribbled on graphing paper which after use is filed away. Translating them will take time.

Other than that? Have fun!!!

Amber