Swapping Items...

So, I signed up for a swap!!! I signed up for the Shop, Swap and Blog!!!

Here it is:-


I encourage everyone to join in the fun!!! You have to sign up by Sept. 30th, and you have to get your items out by Oct. 30th, and then blog about what you received...sounds pretty darn simple to me!!!:-)...

My adventures into tatting...

So recently, while scouring youtube for probably yet another crochet video, I somehow came across a video of someone shuttle tatting, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever...I decided I needed to try it.

I did a little background research, and found out there are 4 basic ways to tat:-

1. Needle tatting- very easy, especially if you buy the DVD from Handy Hands. Be very careful with the needles though, as the thinner ones have sharp points.

2. Shuttle tatting:- This is probably the most traditional method, and it's the one that drew me in because of all the fancy shuttles. Plus it just looks so darn cool!!!:-)...

3. Cro-tatting:- If you know how to crochet, then this is definitely for you!!! Just buy a good cro-tat hook from Annie's Attic or I think Lacis also sells them, and use regular crochet cotton. It's the crochet way of imitating tatting, and you can make some pretty neat things...:-)...My goal is to cro-tat a scarf...we'll see how far that idea goes, since I'm already crocheting up 3 scarves!!! lol...

4. Hook tatting:- A Japenese method similar to cro-tatting, but with a double-ended hook. My cro-tatter friends all say that the Japanese hooks are better than the Lacis ones. I bought the Lacis ones, and they were crappy...can't even use them because the hook part is shaped really weird...so, if you want to give this a go, I'd recommend splurging on the takashimbari hooks ( I believe they are available on Lacis).

I'm adding a picture of my very first shuttle tatted butterfly!!! And yes, I am aware the picots (thread loops) could probably have been made more even, but I don't care- I still love it!!!:-)...

I'm also adding a picture of my aero tatting shuttle:- I like the lightweight design, and I like that you can wind the bobbins up with thread beforehand. I dislike the hook at the top- the crochet hook is sooooo tiny, and makes it difficult to straighten out picots, not to mention it keeps getting caught in the thread. I also don't like the weird pointy thing on the end (I use it to help me wind the bobbin, cuz that's what it said to use it for on the ebay listing). The other reason I dislike it- it's butt ugly... I hate the grey color, and I the pointy end makes it look like a rocket... Overall though, the price was good, and it works well, so I would give it like a passing score!!!:-)...

Well, that's all for tonight folks...I'm off to bed!!!:-)...

FREE Crochet Scarf Pattern

So, here it is:- An easy enough crochet pattern for a warm wintery scarf that even a beginner crocheter can enjoy making!!!

Supplies:- One skein of Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn (appx. 6-7 ounces) and a size I or K hook (depends on how loose or close together you like your stitches). Guage is not critical for this project.

Step 1:- Chain 15 ( It is important to chain one stitch more than you will need, because it will "disappear" when we start crocheting :-)...).

Step 2:- Now, the stitch we are doing is the single crochet. To do it, insert your hook under BOTH loops, yarn over, pull through, and yarn over again and pull through. If you want to make a scarf like my beige one in my earlier posting, simply place your hook under the back loop ONLY. This will created a ribbed stitch appearance.

Step 3:- When you have reached the end of your row (you should have 14 stitches- not 15, because one should have disappeared) chain 1. This chain 1 is called a turning chain, and allows you to turn your work.

Step 4:- Repeat Step 2 until the scarf is as long as you would like it.

Step 5:- Finishing your scarf is a very important last step:- Cut your yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail. Using a tapestry needle, weave it in between the stitches. Do this same thing with the beginning tail.

Wrap the scarf around your neck and enjoy!!! For cool videos on how to crochet, I highly recommend youtube...It is an awesome resource!!!:-)...

Crochet Scarf Madness

I am currently working on THREE scarves for this holiday season...not sure if I am going to list all of them on my etsy store, or else just keep them for myself.

These two scarves are the ones currently in my desl. The beige one is made with a flecked worsted weight yarn I believe, and the other one is a nice soft fluffy white one made out of Caron Bliss.

I can't rave enough about the Caron Bliss yarn- it's soft, luxurious, easy to work with, and it helps that I got it for a steal!!!;-)...

The other scarf (not pictured) is being made from sari yarn that I traded for online for a bloom loom.

I decided to work on my crocheting, rather than jewelry-making, b/c it seems the jewelry market on etsy is already flooded, and competition is just too stiff... I've also been experimenting with tatting (both needle and shuttle), so we'll see what I can come up with. I'm thinking of doing a Sunbonnet Sue wallhanging for my room...I have a vintage pattern that I am dying to try out!!!:-)...

What are YOU working on, my fellow bloggers???:-)...

What I've been up to...

Studying, ordering things online...

Not a whole lot going on...planning on getting this blog up and running really soon, though...

What have YOU been up to??? :-)...

New to blogspot!!!

Attention world:- I have finally joined blogspot...

We'll see how long this lasts...hehe lol...

In the meanwhile, I encourage everyone here to check out my etsy and artfire stores-

www.artikaur.etsy.com
www.artikaur.artfire.com

Have a good day!!!:-)...