Solomon's stitch



I recently noticed that I didn’t have a black scarf. There’s no sense in crocheting a heavy, warm one, we’ve had a mild winter and it’s almost over.  Two of mine are the Surreybelle pattern and the other is single crochet, my first project. The Surreybelle is a great pattern to work with. I even altered it for an ear warmer. Go here to visit Sarah's Sweethearts blog for the pattern. But, I want a lacey, black scarf and the Surreybelle won’t work.  Also, I’ve had my eye on the Solomon’s stitch, AKA the love knot.  Surfing the web, I came across Beth Ham’s tutorial on youtube. Excellent! Her video is the best I’ve seen.  I’ve completed the scarf in a short time.   At first, it was difficult. I just followed along, repeating what I was watching. click here   for Beth to teach you.     





NYC

I recently went to NYC with my oldest daughter's choir. I knew we would be at a taping of the Today Show on NBC. To attract Al Roker's attention I crocheted a look alike doll for him. Truly an awesome trip.
Check out the videos. Jezamyn giving Al his doll from Liberty Crochet
                                  captioned
                                  slow motion: I just love the kid's smiles and can't get enough :)

Oh, No!

I have new posts to publish, however my free space is full.  I deleted some past posts that I felt were least important and one by accident. Still Google says there is not enough room. The free patterns are not as good with no photos. I cannot afford to buy more space at this time. It is only $2.49 a month, but I can't continue to pay Google to share free patterns with you guys, Sorry! It has been almost two years I have shared, saying patterns should be free. Now I understand how it isn't possible. I will continue to keep the Stitchery open on Facebook and Liberty Crochet's page will be there also. I started on FB, the patterns were stored in notes and in files in the group room. It was time consuming to transfer them all here to be print capable. I have no plans to move the patterns back to their original spot. We can keep riding this gravy train til Google says "no".  Thanks for your understanding and cooperation, Jessica

What a doll

Have you seen By Hook, By Hand blog? If not, you are really missing out. I first saw her Teacup Spirit dolls the end of last summer. I had to make one for my daughter and two for my nieces. They have been such a big hit that I thought I would share some photos. My daughter’s friend, Bailee, wanted a blonde doll for her birthday. I had three requests from different people in the same week wanting to purchase dolls, even a “dad” doll.

The pattern directions are extremely detailed. Don’t be so overwhelmed that it discourages you from trying; it is not that difficult. My fingers are not small. Plus I cracked mu knuckles more than once and they are huge. I can’t use the hook size she recommends so I use a D (3.25mm) hook. Other than the doll being tiny, she is possible to crochet. Hopefully your fingers are agile enough; she is so incredibly rewarded to create.

 

Sophia's granny throw

The ruffled edge was made by alternating 2 and 3 dc in each stitch around.

My daughter has asked for a blanket for her birthday. It is not until November, but I am sure she doesn’t look here, so no surprise will be ruined by me posting this now. I used all Hometown USA yarn from Lion Brand and a N15/10mm hook. The colors I used are Washington Denim, Minneapolis Purple, and Monterey Lime. I feel like this yarn is too thick to use for a blanket. It is still soft, yet it feels stiff. There is a pattern on the LB site, but I didn’t use it, only for the idea. It is made up of fairly regular grannies, however it has one twist I haven’t seen anyone else crochet. Do you notice what it is? The purple colored, ribbon-like band is made by single crocheting one row. On the next row, granny like usual, but use the same holes as the previous row. Basically, you pretend as if the purple sc row is not there. I wanted to try something different, but I was too lazy to look for patterns that night. I can’t remember how I came up it. It is more enjoyable for me lately to allow the yarn fly off the hook. I’ve grown to feel constrained when using a pattern. I think it has something to do with constantly being in the van, chauffeuring the kids to and from practices. I hope this inspires you to try a new spin on an older stitch. There is no wrong in crochet (unless it doesn’t fit).  J

Close up of the purple ribbon row.

Flubber

At the last craft fair I participated in my daughter purchased flubber from a fellow crafter. One dollar per Ziploc bag full of bouncy fun and she sold out shortly after noon. Sophia, loving both money and flubber, asked if she could make some and sell with me at the next craft fair. I said yes.

A friend from church donated two large bottles of glue and grandma gave her cute Halloween bags and picked us up some more food coloring. We had a box of borax left over from last summer’s flea invasion. Besides water, those are the only ingredients needed. It took us less than two hours to make four batches of flubber AND clean up our mess.  

Since it was so much fun, quite simple, and not a huge pain, I thought I would share the recipe.

In a large bowl mix together:

1 1/2 c warm water

2 c Elmer's glue

Food coloring 

In a small bowl mix together:

1 1/2 c warm water

1 T Borax

Completely dissolve Borax. Combine Borax mixture in the large bowl with the glue mixture. Mix by hand until formed. Drain excess water, store in a sealed container.

Handlebar 'stache

I don’t know what it is, but there are mustaches everywhere. Have you seen the pictures of handlebars with the words “I mustache you a question.” And “I’ll shave it for later. I’ve seen stickers with a variety of different style ‘staches at Wal-mart.
Mustaches have also seemed to have had an influence on the crochet world as well. There are quite a bit of patterns for bearded beanies. Stand alone ‘staches are harder to come by. An easy one that still looks good is next to impossible. That is about to change.

Handlebar ‘stache

What I used: small amount of ww yarn

What I did: Make two pieces. Single crochet 8x into a magic ring. Mark the first stitch in each round. Do not join or chain. (8sc)

Round1: 2sc in first st, sc, repeat to end. (12sc)

Round2: 2sc in first st, sc 2x, repeat to end. (16sc)

Rounds3&4: sc in each st to end.

Round5: sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc11x. (14sc)

Round6: sc2tog, sc 4x, repeat to end. (11sc)

Round7: sc2tog, sc 2x, repeat to end. (8sc)

Round8: sc in ea st to end.

Round9: sc2tog, sc 2x, repeat to end. (6sc)

Round10: sc in ea st to end.

Round11: sc2tog, sc, repeat to end. (4sc)

Rounds12-15: sc in ea st to end.

When I have completed round 4 of the second piece, I sew them together firmly using the tails ends. If the pieces are not sewn tight enough, the ends droop. 

you may enjoy my pattern for free, even sell your finished projects, but please do NOT claim them as your own/sell them as your own