Funkadot makes loops

Another project in the bag...well almost...and excuse the pun.

After a miscount due to me crocheting and watching a movie (which wasn't that good) I ended up with a granny triangle not a square, and decided I would make a bag out of it. I made two, lined them then attached a joining part which will hold the straps.

Still not sure whether I like it or not, and I'm realising that everything is beginning with the sunburst circle in the middle... well I like it, and really like the way the puff stitches turn out. The yarn is marble by James C brett, its amazing to work with and so soft, and while knitting up like aran, is quite chunky yet fine to touch.

Anyway, I still have to do the straps and think it'll make a nice wee summer long strapped purse/bag. Its a little like something that Woodstock forgot, but then I'm a hippy at heart :0)

The bag is lined with an old top which I was never going to wear again, and the sides are made from garden string, which was a little weird and tiresome to crochet but its sturdy and will hold the thing together. I'll loop the long parts at the side and stitch them together, then loop whatever strap I make through those loops.

I tried making a baby hat a few weeks ago, but I had either used the wrong size hook, or yarn, and well, it came out a bit more like a helmet to be honest. It was way to hard to put on a babys head, and just wasn't very comfortable looking at all.

However, this morning, I decided to have another go, and just really made it up as I went along. Starting with 4 chains, joined, chain 3, a row of 11 DC, then puff stitches (12), then DC again, and a row of SC to give it some strength (12). Then just went on with 3 rows of DC, an increase row, increasing every other stitch, (crocheting two DC), another of DC and then dropped a few hook sizes and then increased in every space, which also made a nice edging andgaveit that brim look.

I'm not exactly sure thats the 'proper' way to do it, but I felt like just trying out what I had learned. Its a tad messy and the tension leaves a lot to be desired, but I had fun improvising!

So I started making a few granny squares with the sunburst pattern in an aran/wool mix my mum bought for me. And, as I was making a few I realised I hadn't actually decided what I was going to make with them! I had been thinking of making myself a nice bag, but with the yarn I'm using, it wouldn't be useful for much, apart from a handy knee-capper in wet weather.

Anyway, as I've been doing a contrasting edging in a marbled aran I also have, I thought it would make a nice blanket, or armchair throw. The marbled wool is gorgeous and really adds a nice detail, as the colors knit up as a stripe, using really autumnal shades of browns, blues and greens.

I'll see how it goes as I continue on. No doubt I'll change my mind again a few times...I'm a woman though, thats my prerogative, right?

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Happy blogging :0)

If you're like me, and often get a bit confused with the amount of different hook sizes there are and especially seeing as there are FOUR different ways of sizing your hooks! Then you might find the hook conversion chart at the bottom of this page quite handy.

Although I was taught to knit at an early age, I always wanted to learn how to crochet. But how was I going to learn when no one I knew could? Books seem far too complicated for a beginner, and you don't see much on TV about it these days either.

What a gem I found when I stumbled upon Teresa's page on YouTube !! She has basic video tutorials and often answers questions about anything you might be wondering about crochet in general.

Please pay her a visit if you are a beginner or maybe even want to pick up a few tips and just see how someone else does it.

Ok, well if you are reading this and already know what crochet is and are probably groaning that I've even bothered to post something with this title, then there will be no need for you to read on.

However, if on the other hand, you have stumbled upon this page and have often wondered what the crocheting is, then I have found a great little page which even tells you how to pronounce the word crochet, with a little sound byte for your pleasure too!

Have a great day where ever you are!

Well, I never thought I'd be excited to see my first granny square completed, but here it is! Its crocheted in DK acrylic and measures 7" x 7". I learned the 'puff stitch and the 'cluster stitch' while doing this as well, which actually took me ages to figure out. Once I could see how the the instructions translated into a stitch, it was definitely a lot clearer.

I seem to have a bit of bother reading the instructions, as I definitley find it easier to be shown rather than read what I've to do.

Anyway, I'm not sure If I'll continue on with any more of this particular square, as the colors aren't my first choice, probably better for a baby blanket or something. I do actually fancy making myself a nice afghan, although its not really coming up for warm blanket season, its always nice to have one about.

If you like this granny square, then you can find the pattern here free!

Hello!

Welcome to the funkadot spot! A blog for my hobbies and crafts.

I've recently taken up crocheting and quickly becoming very addicted indeed! After making several items and little bits and pieces, I'm eager to get my teeth into something a little more adventurous. I can get yarn pretty cheaply for now, so it means that I can make quite a few mistakes and keep them without having to unravel everything I do and save the yarn for something later on.

If at some point, [and that time may never arrive, but I can live in hope lol] the things I make are any good, and someone would like to buy them, then it would be superb, but until then I hope to learn as much as I can and perhaps swap some tips with other crocheters and crafters!

Thanks for reading, and have a fab day!