With four children starting school (yes, my littlest one is in full-time kindergarten and I miss her so -- that'll be for another post altogether...), two Farmers Market dates one week apart selling my wares (what was I thinking?!...), four children starting soccer season on four different teams (that's a first for us!...), dealing with our usual house renovation/decoration issues (oh yeah, did I mention we've been in renovation mode for the last 5 years), let's just say, September's been, well....a blur.
However, I did promise a few of you to post the pattern I used to crochet these flowers, and a promise is a promise, as my kids keep telling me! I know that you would have probably been able to crochet an entire afghan in the time that has elapsed since asking me for the pattern, but, oh well, here goes:
The flowers are done "in rounds", which means that they are worked around in circular rows, beginning with a center ring; basically, making the center ring is the first thing you will do (any basic crochet book or a "crochet round" Google search will explain this much better than me -- most probably with pretty photos...) As far as which yarn and hooks to use: pick a yarn and make sure you use an appropriate hook for the gauge of the yarn you chose; I often look at what's written on the paper sleeve, or I simply experiment with different hooks (I think it's a great idea to buy a series of multi-size crochet hooks so that you always have a lot of different sizes of hooks on hand). Of course, the bigger the hook and thicker the yarn you use, the bigger the flower will be, and vice versa. With the color you wish to use for the center of the flower, ch4 and join with a ss into the first ch to form a circle. Continue as follows:
1st round Ch1, work 15sc into circle. Ss into first ch.
2nd round Ch4, * skip 1sc, 1dc into next sc, ch1, rep from * 6 times more. Join with a ss into the 3rd of the first 4ch. Break off the first color.
3rd round Join the color you wish to use for the petals to first ch loop with a ss, ch1. Into same ch loop, work 1dc, 1tr, 1dc, 1sc, * into next ch loop, work 1sc, 1dc, 1tr, 1dc, 1sc, rep from * into each ch loop, making 8 petals. Join with a ss into first ch.
4th round Working behind the petals made in the 3rd round, make ss between 2 petals, ch 4, * 1sc between next 2 petals, ch3, rep from * to end. The ch loops made lie behind the petals of the previous row. Join with a ss into first ch.
5th round Make the next row of petals by working 1sc, 1dc, 2tr, 1dc, 1sc into each ch loop. Join with a ss into first sc.
6th round Working again behind the petals made in the previous round, make ss between 2 petals, ch 5, * 1sc between the next 2 petals, ch 4, rep from * to end. Join with a ss into first ch.
7th round Into each ch loop, work 1sc, 1dc, 3tr, 1dc, 1sc. Join with a ss into first sc. Fasten off, darn in ends, and voilà ...a pretty flower, all done! But beware, making them can be addictive...
ch = chain; dc = double crochet; lp = loop; rep = repeat; sc = single crochet; ss = slip stitch;tr = treble crochet.
I was hoping to post about a few things in the last two weeks (I finished my woolly house pillows, Yippee!) but,alas... However, Tanya who has a beautiful blog calle
d Grand Revival wrote a lovely post about my ruffle skirts and blog; I used one of Tanya's floral prints from her Barefoot Roses collection in my last skirt. I have to say that the moment I saw samples of her stunning collection, I was absolutely smitten... So often, I find that when designers attempt a vintage romantic collection, they opt for what I call an "aged look", and it just ends up all very muddy in coloring. Not Tanya: Barefoot Roses is so fresh and crisp, done in a gorgeous color combo -- I am absolutely in love with her pinks, greens and that beautiful green/gray/blue color she uses! You must check out her inspiring blog and see her fabric "in person" at the shops...
Before parting ways for today, I have to thank all of you who have visited my blog in the last little while, and all of you who have commented on my last post: so many wonderful notes and so many new blogging friends! ( I hope to send you all a note and answer some of your inquiries very soon.) I can't believe September is already coming to an end -- hopefully, October will be a bit mellower for me and I'll have more time to blog about all the goodies I want to show you...
