The Crafty Corner......fromCharlyRae

Red Crochet Shrug Pattern

2009-11-24T15:55:00.000-08:00

This hot fashion item can be worked up in a weekend or a few evenings. Two strands held together and a giant hook make it quick and there is absolutely no finishing.

SIZES To fit Small (30-32 chest), Medium (34-36 chest), Large (38-40 chest). Directions are for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. If there is only one figure, it applies to all sizes.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
sleeve width at top of arm 21 (22, 23)/53 (56, 58.5)cm
center back neck to cuff 29 1/2 (30 1/2, 31 1/2)/75 (77.5, 80)cm

MATERIALS
four, 5 oz./140g skeins (each approximately 253 yds/228m) of worsted weight yarn
Size P (11.5mm) crochet hook

GAUGE..... OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
6 sts and 7 rounds to 4"/10cm using size P (11.5mm) hook and 2 strands of yarn held together.
6 sts and 8 rows to 4"/10cm using size P (11.5mm) hook and 2 strands of yarn held together.

TO INSURE PROPER SIZE, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.
Note: Garment sleeves worked in rounds; back worked in rows.

FIRST SLEEVE
With size P (11.5mm) hook and 2 strands of yarn held together, chain (ch) 14 (14, 16) loosely. Join with slip stitch (sl st) and work 1 round (rnd) single crochet (sc).
Rnd 2: Sc 7 (7, 8), ch1, sc 7 (7, 8).
Rnd 3: Sc 15 (15, 17).
Rnd 4: Sc 7 (7, 8), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 7 (7, 8).
Rnds 5-7: Sc 17 (17, 19).
Rnd 8: Sc 8 (8, 9), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 8 (8, 9).
Rnds 9-11: Sc 19 (19, 21).
Rnd 12: Sc 9 (9, 10), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 9 (9, 10).
Rnds 13-15: Sc 21 (21, 23).
Rnd 16: Sc 10 (10, 11), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 10 (10, 11).
Rnd 17: Sc 23 (23, 25).
Rnd 18: Sc 11 (11, 12), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 11 (11, 12).
Rnd 19: Sc 25 (25, 27).
Rnd 20: Sc 12 (12, 13), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 12 (12, 13).
Rnd 21: Sc 27 (27, 29).
Rnd 22: Sc 13 (13, 14), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 13 (13, 14).
Rnd 23: Sc 29 (29, 31).
Rnd 24: Sc 14 (14, 15), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 14 (14, 15).
Rnd 25: Sc 31 (31, 33).
Rnd 26: Sc 15 (15, 16), ch1, sc 1, ch1, sc 15 (15, 16).
Rnd 27: Sc 33 (33, 35).
Rnd 28: Sc 16 (16, 17), ch 0 (1, 1), sc 1, ch 0 (1, 1), sc 16 (16, 17).
Rnds 29-31: Sc 33 (35, 37). Ch 1, turn.
Wrong Side (WS) row: Skip 1st stitch, sc 33 (35, 37) working last sc into same st as 1st stitch of row, ch 1, turn.
Right Side (RS) row: Skip 1st stitch, sc 33 (35, 37), ch 1, turn. WS row: Skip 1st st, sc 33 (35, 37), ch 1, turn. Continue working sc in rows until length from sleeve top measures 19 (21, 23)/ 48 (50.5, 53) cm, ending with WS row.

SECOND SLEEVE
Next (RS) row: Sc 32 (34, 36), 2 sc in 1st stitch of row to join to work in rnds (beg of rnd is between these last 2 sts).
Rnds 1-3: Sc 33 (35, 37).
Rnd 4: Sc 15 (16, 17), sk 0 (1, 1), sc 1, sk 0 (1, 1), sc 15 (16, 17).
Rnd 5: Sc 33 (33, 35).
Rnd 6: Sc 15 (15, 16), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 15 (15, 16).
Rnd 7: Sc 31 (31, 33).
Rnd 8: Sc 14 (14, 15), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 14 (14, 15).
Rnd 9: Sc 29 (29, 31).
Rnd 10: Sc 13 (13, 14), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 13 (13, 14).
Rnd 11: Sc 27 (27, 29).
Rnd 12: Sc 12 (12, 13), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 12 (12, 13).
Rnd 13: Sc 25 (25, 27).
Rnd 14: Sc 11 (11, 12), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 11 (11, 12).
Rnd 15: Sc 23 (23, 25).
Rnd 16: Sc 10 (10, 11), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 10 (10, 11).
Rnds 17-19: Sc 21 (21, 23).
Rnd 20: Sc 9 (9, 10), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 9 (9, 10).
Rnds 21-23: Sc 19 (19, 21).
Rnd 24: Sc 8 (8, 9), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 8 (8, 9).
Rnds 25-27: Sc 17 (17, 19).
Rnd 28: Sc 7 (7, 8), sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 7 (7, 8).
Rnd 29: Sc 15 (15, 17).
Rnd 30: Sc 7 (7, 8), sk 1, sc 7 (7, 8).
Rnd 31: Sc 14 (14, 16), end rnd with sl st. Cut yarn and darn in ends.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of these instructions. We cannot be responsible, however, for variances in individual techniques, human errors or typographical mistakes.

Crochet Abbreviations------- THE LIST!

2009-11-24T13:35:00.000-08:00

Crochet Abbreviations------- THE LIST!

When it comes to reading patterns it is important to know what the abbreviations mean. When I first started reading pattern books I was lost, nothing was coming out right and I felt like I didn’t know what the heck any of the books were talking about. It really just took me getting familiar with the abbreviations and practice. Also different authors have different styles of instruction so while they are hopefully using the standard abbreviations listed below the wording can vary a little. Here is an example:

1. Row 2 – sc in every Dc across

2. Row 2 – sc in every stitch across

3. Row 2 – sc across

These all mean the same thing as a stitch is a general term for any of the stitches and with #3 the last part is implied.

Here is a list of Crochet Abbreviations:

*[ ]*	*work instructions within brackets as many times as directed*
*( )*	work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
*	repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
* *	repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions
”	inch(es)
*Alt*	alternate
Approx	approximately
Beg	begin/beginning
Bet	between
MC	main color
BL	back loop(s)
Mm	millimeter(s)
Bo	bobble
Oz	ounce(s)
BP	back post
P	picot
*BPdc*	back post double crochet
*pat(s)*
*or patt*	pattern(s)
*BPsc*	back post single crochet
Pc	popcorn
*BPtr*	back post treble crochet
Pm	place marker
CA	color A
*Prev*	previous
CB	color B
Rem	remain/remaining
CC	contrasting color
Rep	repeat(s)
Ch	chain stitch
*rnd(s)*	round(s)
*ch-*	refers to chain or space previously made: e.g., ch-1 space
RS	right side
*ch-sp*	chain spac
sc	single crochet
CL	cluster
*sc2tog*	single crochet 2 stitches together
cm	centimeter(s)
sk	skip
*cont*	continue
*Sl st*	slip sitich
Dc	double crochet
*sp(s)*	space(s)
*dc2tog*	double crochet 2 stitches together
*st(s)*	stitch(es)
*dec*	decrease/decreases/decreasing
*tch or t-ch*	turning chain
*dtr*	double treble
*tbl*	through back loop
FL	front loop(s)
Tog	together
Foll	follow/follows/following
Tr	treble crochet
FP	front post
*Trtr*	triple treble crochet
WS	wrong side
*yd(s)*	yard(s)
yo	yarn over
*yoh*	yarn over hook

Salmon and Broccoli with Onions

2009-11-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

I used Salmon but Tilapia, shark, or swordfish are also good this way.
The Palm oil I got while in FL., because they do not have it here, it is the most healthy oil you can use for two reasons:
1. The color comes from the high amounts of the best antioxidants
2. The antioxidants are not lost when you heat this oil (you do lose some on the second heating and more on the third)
I did not use the brown rice because it was a late dinner and I did not need the extra carbs. Plus digestion wise it is better not to mix protein and carbs.

I put the frozen broccoli in water for about a minute. While I have the broccoli in water I slice half of one medium onion in a skillet and add one spoon of palm oil. I put this on medium high. Then I drain the broccoli and lay on a couple of paper towels

While the onions cook I season the fish (you can do this ahead of time if you like)then place in the skillet. Once the fish has cooked more than halfway(this varies depending on what fish you use) I turn it over and add the broccoli. Use just a small amount (about a tsp)of the Chinese marinade or stir fry sauce. I had my salmon rare but my husband eats his well done. I took mine off and covered his with a lid large enough to push the broc n onions to the wall of the skillet. I did this so his salmon could cook more and the broc n onions could slow down a little and everything could be ready at one time. While waiting for that I cut my salmon on a slant and placed it on the plate.

Hubby doesn't do spicy so he got only the Chinese marinade on his plate..

I LOVE the heat so I also added Siracha sauce to mine. I will add a photo of the bottle.

**TIP** You can also try this with fresh broccoli if you want.... I love fresh veggies it has a great flavor this way too!

Chicken Noodle Soup .........Yummy!!!

2009-11-18T21:22:00.001-08:00

Ok what could possibly taste better than homemade chicken noodle soup on a cold winter day?

When you find out let me know because I wanna try that! ^_^

I like to cook lots of things from scratch but I found that as the number of children I have increased my homemade cooking decreased :( So at some point in my recent past I decided to "get cooking"! Breads, scones, biscuits, pancakes and all from scratch but then I noticed it was all the same genre if you will so I needed to move on to something else.

Chicken noodle soup was a likely choice as cold was settling in and there was chicken breast in the freezer^_^ I like to create a lot of things freely including meals so I do not usually use a specific recipe or write it down. However I have been making a point of writing them down recently so I can share them with other people. Now of course I did not write this recipe down as I was making it but I am sure it is forgiving. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. The whole pot went in 2 days!

Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Stock --not broth	Chicken Breast –thawed and diced	In a large pot simmer chicken stock, carrots, and celery. While that is on...Using a table spoon or two of olive oil stir fry the chicken, onions, and garlic with salt and pepper. When the chicken is halfway done add the egg noodles to the simmering pot along with the remainder of the ingredients. After the chicken is done add the pot as well. TIP you can ladle some broth into the pan and stir it around and pour back into the pot to get more delicious flavor!
Fresh Garlic	Sage
Basil	Sea Salt
Egg Noodles	Carrots
Collard Greens	Celery
Rosemary	Onion
Pepper	Olive Oil

VINTAGE!!

2009-11-17T21:50:00.001-08:00

Vintage patterns are AWESOME in my opinion for a few reasons:

You can usually find something different than what is in the current pattern books/magazines
Quite often depending on the age of the pattern you can share them with others for free even if you did not create them
Interesting to decipher the language of the pattern
A good source of treasure hunting for long lost stitches
Just plain fun!!

I cannot remember where I found this one as I have had it saved to my computer for some time now. However, I never got around to making it. I collect more patterns(and my husband says more yarn ^_^) than it seems I can get around to using. In any case if you would like to make the skirt and top pattern I found or to just view them click the link below. It is in Adobe format. If you do not have Adobe you can download the reader for free at the Adobe.com website.
Click Here to View or Download Pattern

Click Here to download Adobe Reader for Free!!

Heavy on the Headbands

2009-11-16T19:20:00.001-08:00

As we prepare to cozy into winter I expect I would want to crochet some nice warm scarves or socks. Instead I have been compelled to create cute little headbands. I really enjoy making them because I start out freestyle and then once I see what I have I make sure it is not too large or small for a headband.... if there is such a thing. I also write down many of my patterns as I will be offering pattern books soon. I used mostly Acrylic yarn for these but I plan to add some more adventurous textures soon. The buttons I made for the black and white headband I will also be using in some other items coming up soon.

Head wear seems to be on a definite rise fashion wise and I for one am glad to see it. I am fascinated by the romantic world of fashion past when it was uncommon to be seen without headwear. I am a big fan of Jane Austen novels and movies. Ignoring the flaws of society and concentrating on the romantic side of this period.

How exciting, the first blog post!

2009-09-10T13:15:00.001-07:00

Well I suppose I should start out with an explanation of what the heck my little blog is all about. I LOVE ARTS AND CRAFTS!! My family and friends live all around the country and a few outside of the country and many of them enjoy crafts as much as I do. The distance makes it difficult to share fun and useful crafts and other DIY projects. I also like to meet new people all the time because I am extremely social.

My current craft passions include:

Crochet
Knit
Soap making
Sewing
Small home décor projects
Macramé
Drawing
Photography
Weaving (loom)
Quilting
Small furniture projects
And the list goes on….

On the below is a photo of a small handbag that I made from a pattern I created. I call it the "avocado small bag". I love this little bag, it is large enough to put cards, money, make-up, and most modern cell phones. However it is still small enough to just slip on my wrist so my hands are free to shuffle through clothing at the mall without putting my purse down or having it disrupt my shopping flow^_^

I also plan to post some patterns and projects as they come up. I also have an etsy store that has been in hiatus for some time now and I am gearing up to open up so I will be adding links to the store soon as well.

Thanks for visiting ……..hope you enjoy^_^

……..fromCharlyRae