Pineapple Table Runner in size 20 thread, wip

I am making a table runner/tablecloth for my mother. I'm testing out to see if I like the pattern. So far, I like the pattern, but not the thread and hook combo.
I'm using Aunt Lydia's Fine Crochet size 20 and a Boye size 10 hook. This might be too small for me: It will take forever to even make a table runner with this pattern! I've made about 4 motifs so far.

There's more info at my Ravelry project page.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/murasakinoryuu/pineapple-square-s-742

jtp/mnr

My crocheting project: Crocheted Silk Purse Fig. 1

Florence Home Needlework, Crocheted Silk Purse Fig. 1

I got this PDF from antiquepatternlibrary.org. I am thankful towards the person who donated these scans. <3 p="">
I love crocheting vintage, antique and ancient patterns. This happens to be an antique pattern. Very Victorian/Edwardian. I plan to use this all the time, special occasion or no special occasion, victorian wear or no victorian wear.

The PDF: http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/pub/PDF/B-JA077Florence1887.pdf

The description says: 

Florence Home Needlework 1887

Florence, Mass., Nonotuck Silk Co, 1887, 96 pgs.

Pretty neat! Many of the antique patterns that are preserved historical documents are created in the northeast, specifically, my home state!

This is what is available in the booklet. This is only the image, not the complete pattern.

Anyway, here is what I have so far of this crocheted purse.

I am using a size 10 modern steel crochet hook, 1.3mm. Size 20 crochet thread (antique, JP Coats brand) with a strand of cotton sewing thread. Size 8 toho chartreuse transparent seed beads. 

Fun!

I have been working on it in the evenings and during my lunch breaks at work.

Sorry if the images are a  lil big when enlarged. I took them with my phone. I swear, I am so lazy in documenting my projects.. I'm trying to be better at posting records of what I"m doing! Its actually a marvel I've posted something. however, this is an antique pattern that isn't even on the ravelry database, so I'm thinking that I have to pioneer that effort...

Anyway, the slip of paper that was in that last photo looks to be one of those mailaway order forms, advertising more patterns and thread available from JP Coats. On one side, it says: "Doilies to Crochet! Only 10c a copy! Mail this coupon now" Hahahha. Finding anything that is 10c today is... hard. With old and antique mailers... I've always had a strong desire to mail in the coupon or order form and see if they honor it. xD

Anyway, sometime soon I will add a ravelry entry for this pattern/book and perhaps post the link here.

Edit: Here is the ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/murasakinoryuu/crocheted-silk-purse-fig-1

Here are the mostly finished images of the crochet beaded purses. These are done with bead crochet, and thus are bead crochet purses.

-MNR

Irish Crochet Edging in french: Petite Dentelle Courante

Its an irish crochet edging, vintage french pattern.

https://archive.org/stream/albumdeguipuredi16hard#page/n95/mode/2up
Here's the original page in french.

I am trying to work this out, maybe do a translation? The ONE translation I saw on ravelry... I didn't understand.
Not to say that the crocheter didn't make a lovely edging, that is beside the point. =) In size 80 thread too! 0.6mm hook.
It doesn't appear to be in the ravelry database either! I think that's one thing I want to contribute to the future of thread lace crochet: translate and replicate antique patterns.
BTW, I still haven't forgotten about the thread holders! I just get distracted easily. I have one side done, I figured out how it was made from the picture, and it looks pretty!

Anyway. Anyone else want to take a crack at it? Within the next few days. I have been working a lot, and exhausted, but I will probably make a snippet in size 20 or smaller crochet thread, and post what I have here. I love irish crochet lace. I love fine handmade lace in general. <3 nbsp="" p="">This is the thing I would picture going on a lovely mori kei or lolita dress. Maybe even hime-gyaru.

Here's the pattern as Google Translate spat it out... its rough. :/

Lace small gourante 



This lace which is very handy to decorate small items, bibs, shirts 
and baby dresses, flaps, etc., has a great advantage, it is what is done by going and 
Coming without breaking the thread; you add only after the foot and tooth.

Base: 16 chains. 

the rank cv. - 7 chains, close spike in the last 5, 11 chains, shut in
pin the last 5, 2 chains, poke in the 6th chain after 1 pip 
1 double arch (see the horseshoe lace page 42-43), poke in the 6th chain, 




Chains 7, 1 pin (it is understood that the pin is always taken on membered 
Net) and 5 chains, chain stitch in the last turn. 

2nd row. - Chains 7, 1 pin, 11 chains, pin 1, 2 chains, prick in
first arch before the spike, chains 7, 1 pin, 5 chains, poke between 
2 pins of the middle arch; Chains 7, 1 pin, 5 chains, poke after the spike,
the last arch, turn. 

3 rank. - Chains 7, 1 pin, 11 chains, pin 1, 2 chains, prick before
pin, 7 chains, prick in next loop, turn, made flanges 10 in this hole 
and an eleventh on the grid attachment, turn, take a 6-day grid on the 



flanges (days consist of 1 chain, 1 flange) - 7 chains, pieol 1, 2 membered 
net, 1 dc in the last arch, turn. 

4 th. - Chains 7, 1 pin, 11 chains, pin 1, 2 chains, prick in
1st day of the pad, 1 double arch, poke in the 5th day, 7 chains, 1 pin, 5-membered 
net, poke in the last hoop after 1 pin turn. 

5 ° row. - Chains 7, 1 pin, 11 chains, pin 1, 2 chains, prick before
pin shackle, chains 7, 1 pin, 5 chains, poke between the 2 pins of the hoop 
middle, chains 7, 1 pin, 5 chains, poke in the last hoop. 

Repeat the 1st row to 5 and still repeat well. 



Once you have the desired length lace laites one side as a foot 
for other lace and the other side of the tooth as follows: 

the 1 'rank. - Rank 1 day 3 chains, 1 flange.

2 * rank. - 4 stitches in 1 day, 2 sts, 1 pin, 2 sts in the 2 nd day
2 stitches in the 3 rd day, turn 8 chains, prick with 1 st in the 4th after 
pin, turn and do in this hole: 4 pins, preceded, separated and followed by 3 stitches, 
2 sts, 1 pin, 2 stitches in the same day of the base. 

This 2 nd forming the tooth, repeat it as many times as you need 
to finish your lace. 



For different reasons lace of Ireland, we advise our 120, 150, 180, 200 
Irish son of MFA 

Spiral Thread Holder, project

Hello there. I have been busy with work mainly, unable to post things.
I have still been crocheting.

I love going to antiquepatternlibrary.org. There's so many interesting vintage and antique patterns of all sorts. I mainly go there for knitting, crochet and tatting.
Here's the link, if you didn't know of it already. http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/
This is one of the few places on the web where you can find free antique patterns.

I am using this PDF at the moment. http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/pub/PDF/6-JA010Nacke2.pdf

I like thread crochet, because its very victorian, and an easy(er) way to make delicate lace. Especially for pretty dress things! Or just for miscellaneous decoration.

Some of these patterns aren't really patterns, they often contain just a picture and a few lines that go on to say: "follow the picture". How people from the 1800s were able to replicate these patterns is beyond me, the patterns can be so vague, confusing, and full of errors. Not always, but its a thing to consider.
Anyway, I am making page 12's Crochet Thread Holder (#2), I'd call it the Spiral thread holder, as it isn't even given a name! Here's a screen capture of the 'pattern'.

Its very cute! If lined, it would be a great mori kei, lolita, or other type of accessory bag. I just love  the cute ribbons. I'm not sure if I would add them.

I'm currently working out the pattern. If anything, I will post notes as to what I did (on ravelry), as well as posting a link to my ravelry.
If I have time, I'll post a writeup of my version of the pattern.

The pattern asks you to use a size 7 crochet hook (1.65mm) and size 5 crochet cotton.
I'm using size 10 crochet cotton and sizes 5 and 7 hooks. More to come.


-MNR

Two New Etsy Listings! Happy Holidays!

Hello everyone, I hope everyone is having a great holiday.
I had to take a break from crafting, drawing and selling to finish my christmas presents. Some aren't even done. )=
Anyway, I will show them later.

I have two new etsy listings here:
One is for a soft, heathered worsted weight merino yarn:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/216288317/rose-quartz-worsted-weight-handspun-yarn


And the other is for a hand crocheted yellow and clear, perky and quirky, seed beaded necklace:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/216201031/lemon-yellow-bead-crochet-necklace-seed


Last minute holiday gifts, anyone?

-MNR

Charity Knitting/Crochet: blanket squares, hats, etc

Bah. My family members don't really want handmade things for christmas, or at least EVERY year they say so.

I decided that I have a ton of acrylic and wool yarn, and nothing to do with them, and a bit of spare time, so I'm going to make blanket squares, hats, mittens, sweaters, and other miscellany for various charities.

I mean, this is what I'm doing when I"m not drawing or job searching or doing things with family. Or cleaning.

Here are some of the things I've made since earlier this month.
I was supposed to be doing inktober but that didn't go over so well. Too many interruptions. Anyway I'll post a link to my tumblr page when I have all my inktober pictures together. In any case, here are what I have so far.

Ah, I have a mitten pair or two that wasn't included, then a WIP vest, and a ton of squares.

Charities these items are going to:
http://www.afghansforafghans.org
http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/
http://www.knit-a-square.com/

If you knit, crochet, sew, or just have extra money to give to charity, check out these charities too.
I have a slight shortage of wool but I"m looking for places I can donate acrylic items and school supplies.
I am looking to write up patterns for simple squares soon.

Sigh. Shipping is going to be intense, as I'm on a budget and only temp jobs at the moment.
Whatevs.

-MNR

Modified crochet hooks

No art, no.

Instead, I have links to tutorials I used to modify my steel crochet hooks.I thought y'all might be interested. ^^

http://chalklegs.com/2012/03/09/crochet-hook-hybrid/

http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/recycled-crochet-hook-holders.html

They're tutorials to make more comfortable handles. Recycling!

Yay.

Edit: Pictures.

 Various sizes of steel hooks

size 10/ 1.3mm steel hook, with a beaded purse pattern.

Size E/ 3.5mm hook

-MNR

Mileage Shawl Pattern

Mileage Shawl Pattern


Well, this can be a shawl or an afghan. Its named this because it works up very fast. I like how fast trebles work up, but I also like the single crochet stitch. There is such a neatness created by single crochet stitches.

Worsted weight yarn
I used lily sugar and cream scraps in blue, white, and "landscape".  It will take at least 8 small balls, or two cones.
Size I hook

Chain 59.
Row 1: sc in each stitch across. 58 stitches.
Row 2-3: sc in each stitch across.
Row 4: Treble crochet in each stitch across.
Repeat these rows until desired length, or reach 3 feet in length.

-MNR

Lacey Things!

Good morning all.

I love lace. I recently discovered this after many years of crocheting and knitting.
I feel its one of those ultimate lolita crafts. After all, the most refined ladies of all ages mastered these things and created delicate, mindboggling shapes.
I guess I got into it when I learned I would probablyu never get rid of the large holes in my crochet. Crochet is made with vertical stitches and twists, so there are often vertical "slats" of holes. But crochet also makes sturdy fabric, much more structurally sturdy than knitting.

Don't get me wrong, they both have their benefits and to me, they benefit in certain situations. But I'm not a fan of the drapeyness of knitted doilies and edgings. I like the really tight gauge, and crochet lace works up so fast toooo, so it is my method of choice when creating lace generally.

So far, my most used technique of lace making has been crochet, but I've learned that tatting, or frivolite I suppose it was called in other languages, is VERY portable and creates very loopy gorgeous laces. I feel tatting is more freeform, so larger diagrams are sooo confusing. Plus its hard to find tatting patterns larger than a bookmark or doily.

Again, I'm promoting ravelry as really good for this purpose. Ravelry

I've even sewn my handmade lace onto lolita shirts and skirts. The edging wore out on an ebay dress I purchased two years ago, and I plan on replacing it with crocheted lace, if I could find the perfect edging! I might just use tatted lace. I really want to try remaking lolita slippers with my own canvas fabric and lace.
I also wonder what lace made with plastic bags would look like. I'm really into using alternate yarns.

The types of lace-making I practice:
crochet
knitting
tatting
punto in aria (needle lace)

Bobbin lace, one of the more traditional forms of lace from the 1400s to late 1800s in most parts of the world, is entirely hard looking! I have yet to master this. I have yet to start! I have to make pairs of bobbins to practice with, and its not very portable or fast. Plus, at any time, you can have anywhere from 4 to 32 pairs of bobbins or more. That means 8 to 64 different strands of threads weaving in and out of eachother.
When I master the basics of it, I'll let you guys know. =_=

Anyway, I need to upload images of what I've been making this boring summer, so stay tuned. Most of it is lace as it comes out pretty and staves off boredom for a short while. Uuuugh... I don't have a car so I can't get a job/volunteer. Maybe I will reopen my etsy with crocheted lace?

I've also been interested in diy technical things. I want to use things I have around the house to make a wind/solar power generator, or charger. Some of the ingredients I don't have, like magnetic enamel coated wire, so I'm going to have to bus it to radioshack or walk to the hardware store and see what they have. I didn't know it was so hard and time consuming to get from place to place when you don't have a car! Well, I knew, but I was used to taking 30 minutes to run an errand rather than 1.5 hours minimum on the bus (or walking).

Also, my computer is being fixed by lenovo (it has been almost a month) so I am using my mother's computer. That means I can't do 3d things and play most of the games I have for the computer. Eeeeeh.

-MNR

Slightly meshed tunisian lace stitch

So I've been wanting to create new stitches, mainly in crochet, because there aren't enough of them.
I've been experimenting with Tunisian crochet (or afghan crochet). Its where you use a long hook and keep loops on the hook instead of immediately completing the stitch. The backbone of all of the stitches is the chain stitch. There is a forward pass and a return pass.

If you want to know more, check this out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_crochet.

I cannot teach you the stitches, but youtube has plenty of videos to demonstrate the stitches.

This stitch pattern uses tss and ch. The return row is the standard return row. Each row assumes that you return pass afterwards.

Slightly Meshed Lace Stitch

Chain an even number. For the example I use 20 stitches.
Row 1: Tss in all 20 stitches.
Row 1.5: Normal return pass through all 20 loops.
Row 2: Tss in first stitch, *sk next st, tss in next stitch* to the end of your row. End the row with one std tss.
Row 2.5: Ch 1, complete first stitch, *ch1, complete next stitch* all the way to the end of the row, complete the last stitch with normal return pass.

Continue these 4 rows for pattern till desired length.

Japanese hook sizes - "steel"

I read a lot of japanese crochet patterns. Many of them are thread weight.

There is this beautiful bolero I would like to make into my size, it would be perfect for classic lolita or mori kei or even himegyaru.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/p21-lace-bolero
Its absolutely gorgeous but even in the book itself its very complicated, so I'm thinking about making this pattern instead. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/p23-bolero . Its slightly simpler.

I can read a little japanese: hirigana, katakana, and some kanji. MEEEH why would you use kanji in a pattern?? Then only those who are absolutely up to reading level in japanese can read it. The people who make these patterns are usually good about making diagrams. I plan on learning japanese more, but for now, diagrams will do. I guess.

Oftentimes these patterns are one size fits all. At least they are good about making them in a size that is highly adaptable, somewhere in between bust size 32 and bust size 38, a medium for a lot of people.

Japanese patterns use an "#/0" symbol for the size of their hooks and needles. US and UK use "size #" for their hook sizes in patterns. I keep forgetting the japanese to metric to US conversion for the needles. I think I'm going to make a chart in english. Or at least borrow one from the Rakuten site: http://www.rakuten.co.jp/gosyo/438728/672881/





Japanese steel hooks No.      2/0   3/0       4/0      5/0      6/0       7/0       8/0      10/0 　 　 　
Size in mm                         2mm 2.3mm 2.5mm 3.0mm 3.5mm 4.0mm 5.0mm 6.0mm 　 　 　
Japanese bamboo hooks No. 2         3           4          5          6           7          8          10       
Size in mm                         2.7m/m 3.0m/m 3.3m/m 3.6m/m 3.9m/m 4.2m/m 4.5m/m 5.1mm


I think hooks that don't have labels are just listed in mm size in the pattern.

If I got some info wrong, do comment and I will try to fix it.


-MNR

Crochet bow patterns

These are currently a work in progress. Check back.

They are for crochet.

Net Bow

Base:
With a g hook and worsted weight yarn, chain 21.
Sc into 2nd chain from hook and across the chains. (20 sc)
Ch 4, turn.*Skip one sc, dc in next stitch, ch 1*
Ch 4, turn.Skip 1 ch, dc in next dc, continue from *.
Continue previous row for 30 rows.
Row 31: Ch 1, sc in each dc and space. Fasten off.

Tie:
Ch 8.
Sc into 2nd chain from hook and across the chains. (7sc)
Ch 1, sc in each sc across.
Continue previous row for 2 more rows.
Do not fasten off.

Fold the bow in such a way that it fluffs up. Wrap the tie around the bow and secure both ends of the tie with slip stitches along the ends.



Bobble Bow

Bobble stitch: insert hook into stitch, yo, draw up loop, pull through two loops. Do this 3x more, then yo and draw through all loops. Do not chain one.

Base:
With a g hook and worsted weight yarn, ch 25.
Sc into 2nd chain from hook and across the chains. (25 sc)
Sc in first two stitches, bobble,

Abstract Castle Ramparts

This is what it looks like to me. I didn't know what else to call it, so here it is.

I was doodling in class, and I came up with several ideas for more different types of geometric patterns, as I love geometric patterns. Anyway, here it is. The yellow part is
the part that repeats.

All types of Lace

This summer, I have discovered I love lace. I mainly like crocheted lace, because of all the twists and turns that can occur in one piece. Large pieces of fabric can be made from such tiny thread and some kind of metal needle. It's beautiful, delicate work that I just admire.

So far, my obsession is with crocheted lace, tatted lace, needle lace, and bobbin lace. I feel like embroidery is a completely different art. I will take it up sometime, when I can sew my own dresses on a sewing machine. I plan on embroidering the bodices and hems of my lolita dresses by hand eventually. But that kind of embroidery isn't lace. Still beautiful though.

I've fallen in love with irish crochet lace. Its so small and delicate, but the tiny delicate motifs and thread can be built into a more substantial complicated image.  I one day hope to make larger fabrics, like tapestries. Its almost like painting with a hook.


I have to be very careful not to get it dirty with my fingers, because the thread is often white. I do have some green thread I got from a thrift store years ago that I brought from home. I am washing my hands a lot more than I normally do to avoid this.

There are so many generations of women (and a few men) making delicate geometric designs. Unfortunately, crochet is a relatively new craft, as its roots can only be traced back as far as the 19th century. Even still, there is a wealth of creative designs and constructions using all sorts of yarn materials and hooks.

I don't know much about tatting other than it is created with a shuttle with a hook at one end, and creates a very loopy fabric. Apparently, it was called the poor man's lace, because it was so quick and simple to make. Lace was at one point a very important skill for decorating clothes and other accessories. Lace was costly, and there were experts that inspected lace, especially all the way back to the 1600s. Regions were known for their specific skills in lace, and lace was a very important commodity.

I have been working on knitting a replica cutsew, but I am still choosing the lace to put around the collar. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of that because I haven't gotten that far in its creation. Perhaps i will be able to scan in the planned picture.

Eventually, I want to learn needle lace and cutwork. I feel that these two branches of lace make a more traditional , dense lace. I don't so much like knitted lace, because you have to wash, block and press it after every use, and there are too many holes 'where they aren't supposed to be'. I can understand its pretty, with the yarnovers and such. I do like putting them in more solid knitted fabric.

I am looking forward to examining the history of lace.I have already read some wikipedia articles and looked in the local library.

Unfortunately, my time for creation of lace and research of lace is short, as I have work from 10am to 6pm.

These are some of the patterns I'm working on right now:
http://www.angelfire.com/art/bubamara/free/snow2.html
http://craftsbyap.blogspot.com/2008/05/crocheted-shell-bookmark.html
http://designpatternpage.blogspot.com/2005/11/doily-coaster.html
I"m also working on a lace cravat from the australian home journal. If you have ravelry, here it is. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cravat


-MNR