Stitches are similar to the winter solace bolero (see here)

Materials:

Red Soft Cotton Yarn 4Ply

2.10mm hook

Instructions

Ch 75(Slip st to form a circle)

Round 1:

Ch 5,  dc on 8th ch from hook, (ch 2 skip 2ch), dc on next 5 ch.

**(*ch 2 skip 2 ch, dc on next st*) Repeat * 3 times.  (ch 2 skip 2ch)  dc on next 5 ch.**
Repeat ** 4 times,

(ch 2 skip 2ch) dc on next ch (ch 2 skip 2ch). slip st from third ch of the row.

Round 2:

ch3, 2dc on same sp. (ch 2 skip 2st) dc on next st, (ch 2 skip 2st),

(2dc cluster on next 2st) dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2st).

*(ch 2 skip 2st) dc on next st, (ch 2 skip 2st), 3dc closed shell on next st,

(ch 2 skip 2st) dc on next st, (ch 2 skip 2st), (2dc cluster on next 2st) dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2st).*

Repeat * 4 times, (ch 2 skip 2ch) dc on next ch (ch 2 skip 2ch). slip st from third ch of the row.

to be continued..

Yarn out – which is abbreviated as YO – and draw yarn into loop (also called yarn in YI).

These two steps create a chain. Doing this over and over creates a continuous chain.

So remember this. Yarn Out Yarn In. YAYI.

And the proper hand posture for doing this is as show below, with the hook always facing opposite the yarn.

Not with hook facing the yarn.

Resource Crochet Basic 80 Techniques

First hold your yarn and hook as shown in the picture:

Next. Move your hook hand around (as directed by the arrow) . The yarn should be twisted onto the hook like this:

Hold this loop between your thumb and middle finger.

Move your hook hand as directed by the arrow on the picture below. This procedure is sometimes called ‘yarn out’ where you take a yarn around your hook out of the available thread in between the index finger and thumb.

Now draw your hook inside the initial loop as directed by the arrow. This procedure is mostly called ‘draw yarn though loop’ in most pattern instructions.

Now you have made your slip knot and also your initial stitch:

Tighten the knot by pulling the other end as directed by the arrow.

You are now ready to create your crochet chain.

Resource:  Crochet Basic 80 Techniques

How to thread the yarns in your hand?

The illustration above shows how the yarn is threaded on your fingers and how it should look on the side. The middle finger and the thumb keeps the yarn in place. where as the index finger is responsible for adjusting the tension of the yarn you are crocheting.

The figure above shows how the index finger adjusts the yarn tension. As you crochet, you consume yarns. The way you hold your yarn in your hand should be in such a way that it allows free movement of yarn.

To put this simply, I am going to name the parts of the yarn hand (This is based on my understanding. Feel free to contact me if you have revisions or comments).

How to hold the hook?

There are many ways to hold the hook, but most Filipinos I have observed who crochets holds the hook as they hold a pencil. As shown below:

And the hook hand usually moves this way:

Hope this helps.

Next! Making a slip knot

Materials for Voo Doo Doll (ring not included)

I’ve been squeezing my head for ideas on what you could do with crochet chains. Something easy and creative. And while I’m riding the MRT on my way home my mind drifted again. As it always does when i have nothing to do. I remember my favorite project – the witch doll which i learned during my elementary days. However the witch doll is a yarn craft not necesarilly something you crochet. Probably you could crochet the witch doll’s garment, but it’s not still the thing i have in my mind. As i discarded that idea, I remember my friend’s keychain a pink voodoo doll. Then it hit me.

You could actually create the voodoo doll’s head using crochet chains. You just have to wrap it around a ball, a wooden round bead or something. So here it is, the second series to the Things to do with a crocheted chain.

Materials Needed:

• Yarn (of course) I prefer acrylic yarn, coz of their fibrous finish.
• Hook (size depends on thickness of yarn)
• A wooden round bead.
• Scissors
• Bostix Sew no more Glue
• Wires with round/loop end
• cardboard

Instructions:

THE HEAD:

Applying glue to put the yarn in place and adding stitches as necessary

Attach the wire in the covered ball

1. Make a crochet chain as long as necessary.

2. Using the glue, attach the crocheted chain to the bead then carefully wrap the bead with the crocheted yarn while applying glue subtly.

3.When you have a good roun ball (covered with crocheted yarn) Attach a wire into the ball. Find the place where there is a ‘hole’ in the bead and insert the wire in that place.

Then gently fold the other end of the wire as shown in the figure to the right.

4. Next is attach another wire to the other side. This is where we will attach the body of the doll.

THE BODY:

1. The body of the doll is just made of yarn. Cut a piece of cardboard and make sure that the cut cardboard will look smaller than the head. voodoo doll’s body are usually a lot smaller than the head.

2. Wind yarn in the cardboard as thick as you want the doll’s body to be.

3. Tie the other side of the wounded yarn with a string. Then remove the cardboard while keeping hold of the free end.

4. About an inch from the tied end, tie another string around the yarn, to divide it into two parts. The longer part shall be the the legs and body and the upper part will be the arms.

5. Untie the upper part of the yarn. then seperate the body into arms and legs.

6. Wind another yarn around arms and legs. Put glue to keep yarns in place.

7. Attach the head into the body by pushing the wire inside the body and keep it in place. Cover the wire by winding more yarn around the body.

Your doll should now look like this:

Creating the Eyes

Using a different colored yarn, create a knot two times. Then glue the knot into the face. Make two for the eyes.

You now have voodoo dolls

Violet Wrist Band with Buttons

NOTE: If you want to order a blouse of the same kind, kindly leave a comment below

Materials:

Materials Used for making crocheted wrist band

• 8 metal links
• 1 wire with loop at end
• buttons
• Chrochet Thread (texture is like the DMC Thread used for cross stitch).
• 2 metal bars
• 1.6 mm crochet hook
• needle (big)

I bought the metal links, bars, and wires at Quiapo. The metal bars costs around 20Php/pack (contains 10), the links and wires are around the same price.

The buttons I used came from stashed buttons given to me by a local wholesale store of threads and other tailoring needs. (I’ll post a blog later)

Choose Buttons with this kind of back:

Buttons used

The purpose of this is the button will serve as the lock of the band.

The yarn’s frm Rosario Pasig. It was given to me free by the manong. Because I bought two kilos of yarns from him.

All in all, the materials came cheap. It took me less than 30 minutes to create this accessory.

Instructions:

Make a knot

Tighten the knot

Make a knot around one metal bar. And tighten it.This will serve as your first sc.

Make 8 sc around the chain like this:

First row of single crochet

Turn around. Chain 3 (serve as 1 dc). 8 DC into each next sc.

Second row of 9 dc

Create 9 rows with 9 DC.

Cut the yarn with a scissor, We will have to sew the yarn into the second metal bar with a needle.

Sewing the other end

The crocheted wrist band

Attach 3 metal links on each side of the metal bars. Then connect the 3rd links from both sides with the loop of the our wire.

Putting the links and improvised hook

Form the wire into a hook.

Improvised Hook

Attach three links in each side on the other metal bar. COnnect the 3rd links with another metal link. Connect the fourth link and the button using another metal link.

With Buttons Attached

Improvised Headband

Materials needed:

Variegated Pink Wool and Pink Cotton Yarn

Materials for the headband

• YARNS (of course!) – I used a variegated pink wool (bulky) and soft cotton
• Plain black headband
• A hook (4.5 mm)
• Adhesive tape (Double sided) – Glue STick is much better, mind you.
• some leaves to accentuate
• button for the flower applique
• needle

Using the variegated wool yarn crochet chain to cover the entire length of the head band.

Cover the headband with the crocheted chain. Put it in place using an adhesive tape. It is much better to glue it with a glue stick, but my glue gun’s at home back in the province so i have to improvise.

Create a 5 Flower applique using the solid pink cotton yarn.

- Chain 3 slip stitch to form a ring. *Chain 4, slip stitch into the ring * (Repeat 4 more times)

Attach a yellow button to the flower.

Attach five leaves at one side of the headband.

Attach the flower applique by sewing it into the headband.

Now you have an improvised headband. Pretty easy right?

Momoink loves it so much that she tries it on:

Momoink loves the headband

A cool blend of turquiose and white hues that will remind you of the coming holiday season. This practical project uses up a simple combination of double-crochet and chain stitches adorned with fluffy plush yarn. I used just a 100g ball of Indonesian Cotton Thread. You could actually substitute any locally available crochet thread and just adjust the gauge. Luckily for us, the soft plush turquiose yarn used for the borders of the clothing is available locally. I got this one from Bodega sa Rosario, Pasig.

The bolero is made up of 5 parts, crocheted individually. 2 sleeves, 2 front parts and the back part. I sewed them together using left over crochet thread. Then I added the border. The border’s just plain dc. I used automatic locks to close the front part. And attached two medium sized white textured buttons in front to accentuate.

Finished product:

winter solace bolero

About the stitch

This bolero utilizes an oval and waves motif i saw in a japanese crochet magazine 262 Crochet Patterns.

262 Crochet Patterns Excerpt

Gauge: I used 2.10 mm hook (US Size)

• 13 ch ~ 2in
• 7 rows ~ 2in

Materials:

• Indonesian cotton thread no. 20 (1 ball is 100g, 100% cotton) of variegated turquiose color
• Soft plush Turquiose yarnbought from Pasig
• 2.10 mm Hook
• Buttons bought at Carolina’s Lace Shoppe at SM North
• Automatic Locks bought at Divisoria
• Big needle

—-

Special Stitches:

3dc cluster –

(Yo, insert hook in next st, yo draw yarn through st, yo, draw yarn through two loops on hook) 3 times. yo, draw yarns through 4 loops on hook.

2dc cluster-

(Yo, insert hook in next st, yo draw yarn through st, yo, draw yarn through two loops on hook) 2 times. yo, draw yarns through 3 loops on hook.

(for a detailed description on how to make a cluster stitch, read here)

3dc closed shell -

Make 3dc on next st.

2dc closed shell -

Make 2dc on next st.

Stitch Diagram:

Stitch Repetitions (SR):

Gauge:

Each SR is 2.5 in long

SR 1. dc each on next 5 st. (ch2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st); 3 times, ch 2, skip 2ch sp.

SR2. (2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2 st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make 3dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp).

SR3. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st), dc on next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp)

SR4. dc on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp).

SR5. Make 3dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). (2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2 st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp)

SR6. (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st), dc on next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp).3dc cluster on next 3 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp)

Pattern Diagrams of Stitch Repetitions.

Take note that the foundation chains in each sr’s represents the st. SR also varies depending on the direction you are working to.

Stitch Repetitions – Pattern Diagram

Sleeve Pattern:

(This measures ~12.5in in diameter)

ch 79. sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1 . ch 3(counts as 1 dc). (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR1 4 times. dc on next 5 st, (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc each on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Sl st on 3rd ch of rnd1.

Rnd 2 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc closed shell on the third ch of previous row.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR2 4 times. (2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2 st), .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd2.

Rnd 3 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). dc on 3rd ch from the hook , dc next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st). .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR3 4 times. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd2.

Rnd 4 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). 4dc on next 4st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR4 4 times. dc on next st, .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd2.

Rnd 5 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). 2dc on next 2 st, make 2dc cluster on next 2st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR5 4 times. 3dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd5.

Rnd 6 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). make 2dc cluster on next 2 st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR6 4 times.(Make a 2dc closed shell on next st), dc on next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st).(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd6.

Rnd 7 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). (dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR1 4 times. dc each on next 5 st . (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, 2dc). dc on third chain of previous row. Turn

Rnd 8 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). ch 2, skip 2 ch sp.Make SR2 4 times. ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st). (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st). Turn.

Rnd 9 ch 4(skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 4 times. 3 dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp. dc on next st. Turn.

Rnd 10 ch 1. sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row. .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR1 3 times. dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st). dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 11 ch 5. skip 2ch sp. Make SR2 3 times. ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 12 ch 4, skip 2 ch sp. Make a Make SR3 3 times. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, dc on fourth ch of previous row.Turn

Rnd 13. ch 1, sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row.( ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. ch 2, skip 2 ch sp). Make SR1 twice. dc each on next 5 stitches. ch 2 skip 2 ch sp dc on next st. (skip 2ch sp) dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 14 ch 5. Skip 2 ch sp. Make SR2 twice. . ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st) ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row. Turn

Rnd 15 ch 4, skip 2ch sp. Make SR3 twice. Make 3dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp, dc on fourth ch of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 16 ch 1. sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row. .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR1. dc each on next 5 st. ch 2 skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st. dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn

Rnd 17 ch 5. skip 2ch sp. Make SR2. ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row.

Rnd 18 ch 4, skip 2ch sp, Make SR3. 3dc cluster on next 3st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp, dc on fourth ch of previous row, Turn.

Rnd 19 ch 1, sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row. ( ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. ch 2, skip 2 ch sp). dc each on next 5 st, ( ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st) dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn

Rnd 20 ch 5 skip 2 ch sp, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st) ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row.Turn.

Rnd 21 ch 4, skip 2 ch sp. Make 3dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp, dc on fourth ch of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 22. ch 3, dc on 3dc cluster of previous row. ch 3, sl st on last dc of previous row. Fasten off.

Make 2 sleeves following same instructions.

Finished sleeve measures approximately 12.5 in in diameter and 7in long from first row to last row.

Sleeves Pattern Diagram

Stitch Diagram of Sleeves when laid out

Sleeves Stitch Diagram showing the slip stitches

Front Part Pattern:

Ch 49

Row 1 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), (ch 2 skip 2ch sp, dc on next ch) ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR1 3 times. Turn

Row 2 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR6 3 times. Make 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn

Row 3 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), Make a 2dc closed shell on next st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 3 times. Turn

Row 4 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) (ch 2 skip 2 ch sp) Make SR1 3 times. dc each on next 3 st. Turn

Row 5 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR5 3 times. Turn

Row 6 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make SR3 3 times. Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. Turn

Row 7 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2, skip 2 ch sp. Make SR4 3 times. dc on next st. Turn

Row 8 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2 skip 2ch sp. Make SR5 3 times. Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn

Row 9 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 twice. 3dc cluster on next 3st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st) dc on next st(Make a 2dc closed shell on next st.) ch 2 skip 2ch sp, dc on next st. Turn

Row 10 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR1 3 times. dc each on next 3 st. Turn

Row 11 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR5 3 times.

Row 12 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). (skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 3 times. 2dc cluster on next 2st. Turn.

Row 13 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR4 twice.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp).dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, skip 2 ch sp). dc on next st. Turn.

Row 14 ch3 (counts as 1 dc) ch 2, skip 2 ch sp. Make SR2 twice. (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st) dc on next st (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st).(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn.

Row 15 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 twice. Make a 3dc cluster on next 3 st. skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. Turn

Row 16 ch 3(counts as 1 dc) skip 2 ch sp dc on next st. Make SR1 twice. dc on next 3 st. Turn.

Row 17 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp).Make SR5 twice. Turn

Row 18 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) skip 2 ch sp. Make SR3 twice. Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. Turn

Row 19 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR1, dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, skip 2 ch sp). dc on next st. Turn.

Row 20 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc)ch 2 skip 2ch sp. Make SR2. (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.) dc on next st, (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.) (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn

Row 21 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). 2dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR 3. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. Turn

Row 22 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) skip 2 ch space. dc on next st. Make SR1. dc each on next 3 st.

Row 23 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc)(Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.) (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR4

Row 24 ch 3 (Counts as 1 dc) Make SR3. Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.

Row 25 ch 3 (counts as 1dc) ch 2 skip 2 ch space. Make SR4. Fasten off

Make 2 of these.

Front Part Stitch Diagram

Front Part Stitch Diagram

Back Part Stitch Diagram

Back Pattern Stitch Diagram

Joining them together

Using a big needle, sew the pieces(using running stitches) together like this:

Joining the front and sleeves

Joining the back and the sleeves

Joining the back and front

Adding the borders.

The borders are just dc’s crocheted along the border of the garment. Attached the plush yarn anywhere along the border. Crochet 2dc’s on each 2ch sp/3ch sp/dc space of the border, adding more dc’s on the corners.

Adding Buttons

Add two buttons at the lower left side of the bolero. The buttons are just to accentuate. The trick used was I added automatic locks as fastener for this bolero. For cleaner look.