STAR LOVER Mandala Collection

When you wish upon a star

makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires

will come to you

STAR LOVER Mandalas Part 3

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.

STAR LOVER Mandalas Part 2

North, East, South, West, Above, Below and Within

the seven directions of magic

STAR LOVER Mandalas

Star light, star bright,

First star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have this wish I wish tonight.

NEW YEAR 2014 CROCHET

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

May you all have a wonderful 2014 year, crocheting and knitting many projects and conquering new techniques and stitches.

For the past 12 weeks I have been "down-under" travelling and visiting family, with NO TIME to crochet a stitch. 

My mother's 80th - photo of mum and her four 4 offspring (I am second from the right)

Now I am back in the UK and I am excited about all the ideas floating around in my head for new patterns and keen to get started.

As soon as I get over the jet lag which is forcing me to sleep way too early in the evening, resulting in the waking at 2.30am and patiently waiting for the clock to hit 4am so I can get up.

This too will change. And life will return to normal. I am confident it will.

For now I would like to thank everyone who has supported my creative work during 2013 and I am looking forward to sharing my new designs in 2014.

In the meantime let me share with you all my FREE PATTERNS which are available from my online stores:

 RAVELRY and CRAFTSY

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FREE CROCHET HEARTS PATTERN written by me (Barbara Summers) for DMC Creative World

HERE

WISHING YOU ALL

A CREATIVE AND EXCITING NEW YEAR

Ciao, ciao...

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STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT

Where do you get your crochet inspiration?  

This year my Christmas Decos inspiration came from this famous Van Gogh painting known as "Starry Night"  and also from Don McLean's lyrics  "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)"

Stars, Sky, Moon, Christmas Night

See those lovely stars in the sky, swirling blobs of white and yellow? obviously Van Gogh's sky is beautifully exaggerated with the brilliance of the stars.  However, I do love this painting. Something very soothing and comforting about it!  

What do you think?  Does it inspire you to create?

Well it definitely inspired me and here are my Christmas Decos for this year, something you can also add to your last minute TO DO LIST!

I've created three little motifs to be hung on the tree or along a string garland, or anywhere that takes your fancy. You can make a lovely garland and hang in the window or above your fireplace, add some starry starbursts, swirls and starshine and liven up your festive scene. 

CHRISTMAS DECOS include the following motifs:

1. Starburst
2. Swirls
3. Starshine

PATTERN DETAILS:

Skill Level:  Easy
Yarn:  Patons Cotton DK or 4ply; Metallic Gold and Cotton Thread OR any other similar yarn.
Hook:  2.5mm, 3mm or 3.5mm dependent on yarn
Stitches:  sc, dc, hdc, tr
Terminology:  USA - American crochet terms

With this pattern you can play and have a bit of fun.  The pattern is simple and easy, you can make the motifs in ONE (1), TWO (2) OR THREE (3) COLOURS.  Instructions are given in the pattern, however you can change when you like.  Make them colourful  or simply pure white and/or gold.  

You can make a variety of colourful motifs, as well as many different sizes, just by changing hook size and using various yarn weights.

So do come along and have some fun before the madness of Christmas takes hold!

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PATTERN

from my online stores

Ravelry  AND   Craftsy

Enjoy!  Ciao, Ciao!


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Seaside, Seashells, Starfish and Fish

Fishy Crochet Obsession

Lately I have been obsessed with this little fish motif.  I first came up with the idea in May 2011, whilst creating a sun hat pattern and wanted to add a motif to the hat.

I already had a STARFISH PATTERN (see photo below) and you can check out the FREE pattern HERE.

I've been using this starfish crochet pattern for years and thought it would be great to also have a little crochet fish, so this is what I came up with, a quick and easy crochet fish.

Now, the obsession has been with making a few extra fish so I can write down the pattern and then share it with you all.  Just look at my fish tank - cute, huh?

FREE CROCHET FISH PATTERN

Click HERE to add this pattern to your RAVELRY queue and favourites.

PATTERN DETAILS:

DIFFICULTY:  Easy
SIZE:  One size
MEASUREMENTS:  will vary depending on yarn and hook size
YARN USED:  Bendigo Woollen Mills Cotton 8ply 
YARN SUBSTITUTE:  Any similar DK cotton yarn
NOTIONS:  3.5mm (E-4), Yarn needle
PATTERN NOTES:  Stitches used - single, half double, double and treble crochet. Gauge - not critical but I recommend using a hook half to one size smaller than recommended on yarn label.

This pattern is written in USA American Crochet Terms.

Pattern Starts:

Row 1:  Ch2, in 2nd ch from hook 2sc, turn. 
Increasing rows
Row 2:  Ch1, 2sc in each st, turn. (4sts)
Row 3:  Ch1, 2sc in 1st st, sc in next 2sts, 2sc in last st, turn.  (6sts) 
Row 4-6:  Ch1, sc in each st, turn.
Row 7:  Ch1, 2sc in 1st st, sc in next 4sts, turn.  (8sts)
Row 8-11:  Ch1, sc in each st to end, turn. 

Decreasing rows

Row 12:  Ch1, skip 1st st, sc to end, turn.  (7sts) 
Row 13:  Ch1, skip 1st st, sc to end, turn.  (6sts)
Row 14:  Ch1, skip 1st st, sc to end, turn.  (5sts)
Row 15:  Ch1, skip 1st st, sc in next 2sts, skip next st, sc in end st, turn.  (3sts)
Row 16:  Ch1, sc in each st to end, turn.

Increasing rows

Row 17:  Ch1, 2sc in 1st st, sc in next st 2sc in last st, turn.  (5sts)
Row 18:  Ch1, 2sc in first st, sc in next 3sts, 2sc in last st, turn.  (7sts) 

Fish Tail

Row 19:  Ch2, hdc in same st, hdc in next st, ch2, sl st in next 3sts, ch2, hdc in next 2sts, ch2, sl st in same st.
Finish with Sc Edge: Continue with same yarn or change to a CC and sc around the fish.
Note: If you are going to join two fish together wait and do the Sc Edge when joining the two fish.

Sc Edge for Fish

Continuing from end of Row 19, now continue along edge of fish.
Ch1, sc in next 8 rows, *Ch4, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, (1st fin made) skip 2 rows along edge of fish, sc in next row,** sc in next 6 rows to tip of fish nose, 2sc in end (into the 1st ch of beg ch2), sc in next 9 rows, rep from * to ** (2nd fin made), sc in next 7 rows, 3sc in ch2 of tail, sc in next 3sts, sl st in middle of tail, sc in next 3sts, 3sc in ch2 , join with sl st in beg ch1.

Special Note:  This sc edge will only work if you have the same number of rows on your fish – if not you will need to adjust where you position your fins, aim for middle of the fish (not including the tail).

Join two fish:  Place one fish over the other with wrong sides facing in, and with right side facing you follow the Sc Edge instructions and join together.

Applications:  Use your fish in the following ways:
• make it as a motif and stitch onto garment;

• make it into a brooch by joining two fish together and then attach a brooch backing;

• join two fish, make a chain loop and hang off your key ring or bag;

• make loads of fish and join with a chain to make a “fishy” garland.

USA - American Crochet Terms		UK - British Crochet Terms
Ch = chain
sc = single crochet		dc =double crochet
hdc = half double crochet		htr = half treble crochet
dc = double crochet		tr = treble crochet
tr = treble crochet		dtr = double treble crochet
dtr = double treble		ttr = triple treble
sl st = slip stitch
st/sts = stitch/es
cont = continue
rep = repeat
rnd = round
beg = begin/beginning
yo = yarn over	yrh = yarn round hook
FDC = foundationless double crochet	FTR = foundationless treble crochet
Esc = extended single crochet	Edc = extended double crochet
BL = back loop	blo = back loop only
FL = front loop	flo = front loop only
BPdc = back post double crochet	rtrb = raised treble back
FPdc = front post double crochet	rtrf = raised treble front
Abbreviations List ©2015  Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.  All rights reserved.

You can also download the Free CROCHET STARFISH and FISH PDF Pattern from my online stores  RAVELRY and CRAFTSY 

Here is a lovely little song about a little fish, sung by Spencer Tracy in 1937, in the movie Captains Courageous.

"Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry
Once Doc baked some biscuits and throw them away Next day no more fish come around boat to play
Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry
Said Cabbage to fish cake Who lay on one dish I beautiful cabbage You only poor fish
Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry
There's a place in my heart For the one I love best And I still keep her picture tattooed on my chest
Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry Yeah, ho, little fish Don't cry, Don't cry"

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
2008 (C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

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