William made the front page!

After only about 6 months in business, William had a set of buttons featured on Etsy's front page! He didn't realize it, but was wondering why that item received so many views on yesterday. I searched the vault on craftcult early this morning and was thrilled to see him featured. When I told him, he didn't completely believe me, but came running upstairs to look for himself. He was postively GIDDY, which was evident by the little dance he did. I'm really so proud of him, and the fact that he has taken the reins on the photos now as well, so it's truly all his doing. Hopefully one day, I'll get a spot on the front page (fingers crossed).

Darla Shrug

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This is an old pattern that someone recently asked me to make. It's really more of a schematic and can easily be adjusted to fit any size. Enjoy!

I took a tape measure and measured the widest part of my upper arm, this determined the length of my starting chain (granted I added a few stitches so it wouldn't be tight). You will be working the short rows, or working one sleeve, the bodice and then the other sleeve.

Also, you will want to try this shrug on periodically near the end so that you will have the sleeves and body the length and fit you desire.

For a slouchier fit, add more rows and leave the bodice (middle section) wider.

MATERIALS:
Approximately 200 grams of fingering or baby weight yarn (sport weight works well also)

Size H or I crochet hook

Safety pins

Tapestry Needle (optional)


Row 1: trc in 5th chain from hook and in each stitch to end of row.

Row 2: ch 5 (counts as 1st trc); trc in next stitch; *ch 1; skip next stitch; trc in next 2 stitches*; repeat from * to * to end of row, ending in 2 trc.

Row 3: trc in each stitch across (including ch 1 spaces)

Row 4 - end: Repeat row 2 and 3 to desired length.

Fold over and TRY ON for perfect fit.
Use safety pins to pin shrug sleeves where desired.

You can crochet the seams: Join by doing 4 sl st in side of each row, starting from bottom of shrug to body of shrug on both sides.

Or simply use a tapestry needle and sew the seams using a whip stitch.

This pattern brought to you courtesy of Knots and Loops and Oruaka.

Copyright © 2005 Donna M. Rutledge, all rights reserved. No pattern or other material may be reproduced or distributed – mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying and posting to websites – without written permission from Donna M. Rutledge. Pattern is for personal use only, you may, however, sell finished items made from this pattern as long as you reference the pattern source in your online listings. For email assistance with pattern and/or corrections, please contact Donna M. Rutledge at: MsSunflwr@yahoo.com.

Ulari Fingerless Driving Gloves

I'm still feeling pretty inspired by the changing of the seasons. I'm starting to see the first signs of the leaves changing colors and the past week was the first of the season with temperatures that barely made it in the 80's. I've started shopping (a little) for a few new pieces...new boots, a few sweaters and skirts. The summer tops will be making their final 2010 round soon and I'm looking forward to wearing a few new hand crochet pieces this year. I'm seeing a lot of fingerless gloves making appearances this fall/winter in so many incarnations that I attempted yet another crochet interpretation. This design I'm calling Ulari, which means "Beautiful thing" in Igbo. There will be a matching hat to go with this design, just hoping the actual crochet interpretation is what I'm seeing in my mind's eye. The pattern for the gloves isn't completed yet, but should be soon, I'm eager to get it tested (along with the hat if all goes well).