Monday, March 20, 2023
Spring?
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Elenath Scarf: a Free Crochet Pattern
I've been wanting to post this pattern since January, but life kept getting in the way. Now we're well into March, and it's nearly spring - but one thing that's certain in Wisconsin is that Winter Will Return (in fact, we woke up to 8" of new snow yesterday morning), and a scarf is always handy.
So, in the spirit of better-late-than-never, I present the:
Elenath is a beautifully thick and squishy scarf featuring two kinds of star stitches, yarnover slip stitch accent rows, and a decorative edging of yarnover slip stitch and Corded Hdc. A special turning chain on the tall stitch rows gives this scarf a sturdy and straight edge, so you can omit the edging rounds if you like.
The name "Elenath" comes from the Sindarin language invented by J.R.R. Tolkien, and means "starry host" or "all the host of the stars of heaven".
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Elenath Scarf Pattern in Mostly Plain English (videotutorial follows written pattern)
Sample Size: 4½" x 60" (size is easily customized)
Yarn Requirements: Worsted weight yarn, approx. 300 yards (more for a larger scarf)
Yarn I Used: Loops & Threads Natural Marl (discontinued)
Hook(s): Choose a hook size appropriate for your yarn. Optional: extra hook one or two sizes smaller for edging.
Hook Sizes I Used: US J/6mm; US H/5mm for edging
Recommended stitch tension: Relaxed for star stitches; moderate to firm for yarnover slip stitch
Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends
All crochet terminology is American.
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Abbreviations and Special Terms
Note: Scarf is worked over a multiple of 6 + 4 stitches. My sample is 16 stitches wide. For a wider scarf, increase your starting chain by any multiple of 6.
Loosely chain 17, turn.
Row 1 (WS): Working into the back bumps, starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, YoSS in each of the next 15 chains, slip stitch in the next chain. (Note: if you plan to omit the edging, replace the ending slip stitch with a YoSS, here and on every YoSS row). Do not turn. 16 stitches
Tip for Row 1:
- The initial yarnover of each YoSS helps form the accent loops on the RS of the scarf. To prevent loose/floppy loops, make sure your initial yarnover is snug on the hook, close to the working loop, before inserting your hook into the stitch below.
Row 2 (RS): Make special turning chain: insert hook down through the front loop of the stitch you just made, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook (you should now have two loops sitting on the working yarn, next to the working loop on your hook); insert hook into the nearer loop, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook (you now have two new loops on the working yarn); insert hook into the farther loop, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook. Turn work clockwise (counterclockwise if you are crocheting left-handed), here and throughout.
First tall star: Yo, insert hook into back loop only of stitch that the special turning chain comes out of, yo and pull up a loop as tall as the turning chain, [insert hook into back loop only of next stitch, yo and pull up a tall loop] 3 times. Grasp working yarn with finger and thumb close to base of tall loops, yo and pull through all 6 loops on hook (a large vertical loop will form around your finger at the side of the star); remove finger from vertical loop without letting go of loop, insert hook into vertical loop space, chain 1 to catch loop (you can let go now), chain 1 more to complete star.
Remaining tall stars: [[Yo, insert hook into back loop only of the last stitch used for previous star, yo and pull up a tall loop, [insert hook into back loop only of next stitch, yo and pull up a tall loop] 3 times. Grasping working yarn close to base of tall loops, yo and pull through all 6 loops on hook, insert hook into side loop, chain 1 to catch loop, chain 1 more to complete star.]] Repeat the instructions in double brackets across, omitting the final chain-1 after completing the last star.
Ending dc: Yo, insert hook into the back loop just used and the back loop below the YoSS row, complete a dc. Special turn + 5 tall stars + ending dc = 16 stitches
Tip for Row 2:
- Each star stitch (here and on Row 4) starts with a yarnover. Be careful not to add any more yarnovers between star legs (if you do, the resulting fabric will be very stiff).
Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, turn clockwise, YoSS in the back loop only each of next 15 stitches; insert hook up through the 2 topmost WS loops of special turning chain, make a slip stitch.
Row 4 (RS): Make special turning chain (as at beginning of Row 2), turn clockwise.
First star: Yo, insert hook into middle back vertical loop of special turning chain, yo and pull up a generous loop, insert hook into bottom back vertical loop of special turning chain, yo and pull up a loop, skip the stitch the special turning chain comes out of, [insert hook into back loop only of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 3 times. Yo and pull through all 7 loops on hook, chain 1 to form eyelet and complete star.
Remaining stars: [[Yo, insert hook into eyelet of previous star, yo and pull up a loop, insert hook into farthest back vertical loop of star, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into back loop only of the last stitch used for previous star, yarn over and pull up a loop, [insert hook into back loop only of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 2 times. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on hook, chain 1 to form eyelet and complete star.]] Repeat between double brackets across; your last star should end in the last stitch.
Make ending double crochet (as at end of Row 2), inserting hook into back loop just used and back loop below YoSS row. Special turn + 7 stars + ending dc = 16 stitches
Row 5: Repeat Row 3.
Following Rows: Repeat Rows 2-5 to desired scarf length.
Final Row (RS): Chain 1, turn, slip stitch with relaxed tension in back loop only of each stitch across.
First long edge: Slip stitch in YoSS row end (inserting hook straight through the ridge of stitches), [YoSS under 2 loops of middle section of dc, YoSS under 2 loops of bottom section of dc, YoSS in next YoSS row end]. Repeat between brackets to corner, rotate work.
First short edge: YoSS in back loop only of each stitch across to next corner, rotate work.
Second long edge: [[YoSS in slip stitch row end, YoSS under double side loops at middle of special turning chain, YoSS under double side loops at top of special turning chain.]] Repeat between double brackets to next corner, YoSS in next slip stitch row end, rotate work.
Second short edge: YoSS in back loop only of each stitch across (do not stitch into marked ch-1).
Make Long Loop Join: remove hook, enlarge working loop to about 3/4". Skipping ch-1 and first edging slip stitch, insert hook from WS to RS through top loops of first YoSS of this round, pull long loop through. Insert hook up through back bar and back loop of originating stitch, pull long loop down and through (long loop will pass over ch-1 and slip stitch; tip of long loop becomes new working loop). Adjust join if needed to match surrounding stitches in size.
Make invisible join: Cut yarn, leaving a 6" tail. Gently pull yarn tail up and out of stitch, without distorting stitch. Skipping starting hdc, insert hook from WS to RS through top loops of first Corded Hdc of this round, pull yarn tail all the way through. Insert hook, from bottom to top through back bar and back loop of originating Corded Hdc, pull yarn tail down and through. Turn work so WS is facing you; pull yarn tail sideways and down through next horizontal loop to the right (to the left if you're crocheting left-handed).
Monday, February 27, 2023
Looking Up
The weather here has been a real rollercoaster of late. For two weeks in a row we've gone from comparatively warm days (complete with birdsong, nestbuilding, flyovers by geese and blackbirds, and even a robin-sighting), to heavy snowstorms (some with bonus ice!), to rain. Rinse and repeat. I rejoice at the snow, marvel at the birds, and am unenthusiastic about the rain as it turns everything to muddy slush, but there's no doubt that spring is putting out tentative feelers, testing winter's strength, and teasing us all with hints of an early thaw.
Today is of the grey-and-rainy variety, but yesterday was gloriously blue-skied and sunny - perfect for an afternoon walk. Clouds and contrails made a dramatic backdrop to the trees and fields:
Then home to an early supper and an evening of crochet.
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How is your weather? Any surprise snow lately?
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Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Corded Hdc Edging
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This scarf is edged with a round of yarnover slip stitch followed by a round of Corded Hdc. |
- When inserting your hook into the previous stitch's front loop and front bar, you may want to place a finger onto the working loop to keep it in place.
- Consider using a hook one or two sizes smaller when working this edging.
- For corner spaces, 2 Corded Hdc may be enough. Experiment to see what works best for your project.
- Since the back of the stitch is so attractive, consider working the edging with the project's WS facing you.
Monday, February 13, 2023
New (and New-to-You) Patterns
I may have slacked off from blogging for nearly a year, but I didn't stop designing. So this post is a bit of a catch-up to highlight my two latest patterns, and show you two more that were published last year but never blogged.
We'll start with the newest first. (Note: All links will take you to my Ravelry store. You don't have to be a Ravelry member to buy a pattern there. If you're not comfortable using Ravelry, and you live in the US, you can contact me using the form at right to arrange a purchase through Paypal.)
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Rhyolite Hat
Cross-legged in the grass, I watchthe rainbow growing in my handswhile lilac winds make music in the pines
Monday, February 6, 2023
Happy Trails
I've been a bit of a slug this winter, preferring hibernation to exercise. (Wait - do snails hibernate? Apparently they do.) Weeks of gloomy weather, plus a three-week January virus (not Covid, thank God), were major contributors to my general desire for sleep and slothfulness. But a new month is upon us, the virus has receded, and the sun has shone for several days now, so yesterday I put on my winter boots and sallied forth into the great outdoors.
I wasn't the only one on the trails:
It's good to be walking (and blogging) again.
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In other news, there's a new pattern in the works; I hope to release it later this week. Here's a sneak peek:
Happy Monday to you all!
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Monday, January 9, 2023
Unfinished
These were my sister's last projects.
A few days after my last blog post, she laid them down and never picked them up again. The next month she was gone. Her projects, like her life, remain unfinished.
I've been trying to write this post ever since, and the words just wouldn't come. Even now they seem to be stuck somewhere between my heart and my fingertips. I think of her, and my dad, every day. Losing them both, six months apart, was crushing. Getting through the first birthday and Christmas without her was inexpressibly hard.
I'm sorry, friends, for this long silence. My sister was so proud of this blog; maybe that's why everything connected with it has been too painful to contemplate in the months since her death. She would be the first to tell me to buck up and keep posting, but up to now I haven't been able to bring myself to do it.
Now that the ice is broken, I hope to do better. Someday, when it doesn't hurt so much, I'll finish her projects. And maybe someday I'll be able to write a post about her, and about some of the things she meant to me. But not yet.
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Wishing you all a belated Happy New Year, with fervent hope that 2023 will be better than 2022.
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