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California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Created: March 10, 2009
Latest Update: March 12, 2009
jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu
patriciaacone@yahoo.com
- Introduction
Sit 'n Stitch is participating in knitting for support of those with cancer. I couldn't imagine knitting a hat or scarf, but I would have liked to participate. Diane suggested I knit or crochet some of my free form necklaces. The pieces shown here will be turned in this Friday at Sit 'n Stitch.
- A Lion's Brand Bouclé Multicolor Long Necklace - Crocheted: (Shown above.)
The ball and loop closure was included so you could wear it looped around more than once if you chose to do so. I used all very simple stitches: single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), slip stitch (sl st). I chose the yarn because I loved its colors. I found it worked best when I kept the flowers small, by crocheting a few chain stitches with looping back to single crochet or slip stitch (depending on how long the flower color line was) in the first chain. Because it's a bouclé, it doesn't take any more effort than that to make a flower.
As I crocheted in this free form manner, I discovered that I could make larger flowers by chaining 3, then looping back to the first chain to double crochet. Made pretty good flower petal or leaf. If a blue section followed a greensection , I just chained 3 again and looped back for a double crochet in the first chain. Made a pair of leaves. But as I went on, I discovered that it was a relatively more useful size if I kept hte flowers small. It would take a fairly big or outgoing person to wear a whole collection of large flowers. Though maybe a little one or a little princess would like a huge lei of bright flowers, too.
Since there wasn't time to redo lots of these creations, I cheated just a little. When I finished the necklace - right length for me, but I'm small. (Just add some length for larger people.) As I was saying, when I finished this necklace, I went back and used a tapestry needle and a bit of sock yarn to gather the larger flower I had made at first into a much tighter flower, more in keeping with the smaller flowers I had done later.That's one of the wonderful things about free form. It's important to learn stitches and techniques, but you can avoid patterns where mistakes or changes in design show up and distract from the overall look. Experiment. Try adding stitches with some sock yarn. Try adding another color, another texture. But don't give up and start over. Just change course a little. Each finished knitted, crocheted, woven, crazy piece you finish can be someone's flower to brighten their day. jeanne
- Warm Feet - Knitted Sock for Keychain
Diane and I liked this color. It's soft and gentle. I plan to decorate the sock with a deeper pink ribbon and add a loop for the keychain. I cut a sock blocker out of a plastic page divider and put it in the sock to kep the shape. Very simple to knit, but I did it on zero double point needles. I liked Marilyn's tale that she did hers on larger needles and then felted them. She didn't. But it made a good story.
- Necklaces:
- Pink and Green Shimmer Necklace
This is a lovely yarn I had in my stash from an old project. Nice sheen. Dressier than the brightly colored necklace.
Chain with an F crochet hook was enough to make the necklace chain. I made flowers by chain 3, double crochet in first chain, slip stitch to previous petal (if there was one), and occasionally fli the petals over and slip stitch to the other side. Flower finished when size fits in whit other small flowers along chain.
I made the large center flower by crocheting into a chain four loop, then making as many single crochets in that loop as would comfortable fit. Depending on the size of the flower you would like, you could either single croceht or double crochet or petals around the loop. I wanted a small flower, so I started immediately with my chain 3 loops around in each single crochet of my flower loop. Instead of joining at the end of my round, I linked to the edge and then began adding chain 3 loops on the other side, giving myself a rounded flower.
I also made a few small loops to start flowers, but then either did chain 3 loops skipping over 1 single crochet with each loop. Occasionally, I stopped with the single crochets in loop. This produced flowers of varying size. Started necklace with a loop and ended with a chain 5 or 6 and crochet a tiny ball for the loop and ball closure.
- Shades of Victoriana
Designed as a lariat to accomodate many lengths for different occasions. There's a tiny loop and ball closure about five inches
- Bid the Flowers Come
Informal, would go as well with a tee shirt as with soft white blouse, or even for greeting visitors while resting in bed.
Instructions for this one will have to follow.
- The Rose of Tralee
Jeanne is Irish, and March 17, St. Patrick's Day, is quickly approaching, so it seemed appropriate to name at least one of the necklaces "The Rose of Tralee.
"The Rose of Tralee festival is now held annually at the end of August in Tralee, County Kerry, to choose a young woman to be crowned the Rose. The winning Rose is the woman deemed to best match the attributes relayed in the song: "lovely and fair". The winner is selected based on her personality and should be a good role model for the festival and for Ireland . . . [C]ontestants are not judged on their appearances but rather their over-all personality and suitability to serve as ambassadors for the festival. The festival bills itself as celebration of the "aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage" of modern young women.[The Rose of Tralee. Consulted by jeanne on March 11, 2009.
The chain was done very simply with a [*chain 4, double crochet in third chain from hook*] repeated for length of necklace. Started with a 5 or 6 chain loop and ended with a tiny ball for closure. The rose or whatever flower your imagination sees was made by a center chain of three joined together. Chain 1, followed by as many single crochets as will comfortably fit. Join. Two single crochets in every single crochet. Join. Three doublee crochets in every single crochet. Join.
- Camellia Necklace
this is a variation on the Rose of Tralee Necklace. I did the chain with the same Tofutsie sock yarn, but changed to the following pattern, with a C hook:
Chain 10; join in ring.
Chain 4, double crochet in 2d chain from hook. *chain 3; double crochet in 2d chain from hook*; repeat instructions between asterisks until chain is desired length. Make or attach ball at end.
I changed the instructons for the chain from " *chain 4; double crochet in 2d chain from hook*; repeat instructions between asterisks until chain is desired length." to "chain 3; double crochet in 2d chain from hook*; repeat instructions between asterisks until chain is desired length." Compare the chains as shown with Rose of Tralee and Camellia necklaces. The chain 4 pattern gives a kind of scalloped edge to the chain. The chain 3 pattern eliminates the scalloped effect. Free form would say "do whichever you please," maybe even some combination of the two. A very little change, but one that will make the necklaces look different. jeanne
Instructions for making camellia will go up later. No time right now. jeanne jeannecurran@habermas.org
- Discussion Questions
- Is all the information here that is needed for these items?
Not yet. I'll try to get that info up soon. Meanwhile, ask questions by e-mail. jeanne at jeannecurran@habermas.org
- Who are Diane and Marilyn?
Local friends at the Sit 'n Stitch Yarn Shop in Toluca Lake, California.
- References:
