What's in the Project Bag?

Hi everyone. I hope you enjoyed my Work that Stitch Wednesdays. I think the research and tutorials I found will really help me when the time comes to begin the Tree of Life and Enchanted Garden Tote projects. My goal is to make a small throw blanket from the Tree of Life pattern and frame it. I have the perfect size frame that I think will showcase the blanket nicely. This will be a more Autumn project since I will be working with 100 percent wool. The weather is becoming way too hot to begin working with such itchy and heavy yarn.

I have been going through my stash and trying to decide on the perfect color combo for the Enchanted Garden Tote project. I have narrowed it down to a couple of color schemes and will begin this project in July. I think this will be a nice size project that I can work on just about anywhere.

So What's in the Project Bag now? I am still working on my Diamond Blanket and nearly have all my full diamonds complete. Once the full diamonds are done the others will be so quick. I am loving the colors I have chosen and really cannot wait to begin the joining process. I know this will become very tedious so this is why I am taking my time with this blanket and enjoying the process.

I found the cutest tank top crochet pattern on Craftsy the other month. Yes I have had this pattern for a month now and am just beginning it. I am using Cascade Sateen yarn in this wonderful denim blue. The pattern is by Adorish and is called The Ventura Swing Top. This will be my first venture in crocheting a top. I am hoping this will be a quick project, but you just never know until you dive in.

Enjoy your week and be creative!!

Winnie

Work that Stitch Wednesday - Picot Stitch

This week's stitch is the Picot Stitch. This is a cute decorative stitch, and that is really all it is. It is used as part of edging mostly but can be used in different parts of any pattern. To make this stitch you chain three and then insert your hook into the third chain from the hook (your beginning chain stitch), yarn over and then pull the yarn through the loop. You then proceed on with the row.

Photo source.

 This stitch is used in the alternative panel pattern in The Enchanted Garden Tote. The tote has a couple of side panel patterns that you can choose from.

Photo Source AFWifeCrochetNut

Very pretty and intricate design!! I really cannot wait to finally dive into this project!

Until next week, be creative!!

Winnie

Work that Stitch Wednesday - Standing Stitch

Hi everyone! Hope you are enjoying my Wednesday posts. I am really learning a lot by doing these posts. Researching for tutorials for these stitches has really helped me understand the steps so much better. I hope it has help you as well.

I wrote about post stitch in my first installment of Work that Stitch Wednesday in this post. The Enchanted Garden Tote uses this stitch in a variety of ways. Bpsc (Back Post Single Crochet), Bphdc (Back post half-double crochet), Bpdc (Back post double crochet), Bptr (Back post treble crochet), Fpsc (Front post single crochet), Fphdc (Front post half-double crochet), Fpdc (Front post double crochet) and Fptr (Front post treble crochet) are all the post stitches throughout this pattern. So glad I have been checking out tutorials on the post stitch!! I will need to look at a few more tutorials for the different variance such as the half-double crochet and treble crochet post stitches, but I am at least familiar with the process already.

In my second installment of Work that Stitch Wednesday I wrote about the Bobble Stitch. Again this stitch is used in the Enchanted Garden Tote. It is called the Bubble Stitch in this pattern but it is pretty much the same stitch. A few great video tutorials can be found by clicking on this link.

Standing Stitch

The Standing Stitch is the stitch I will be writing about today. This stitch allows you to begin a new row in a new color without having to join the yarn the a slip stitch and chaining one and then a single crochet. I have used this stitch in the past but never really knew it was the standing stitch. Now that I have studied the tutorial I do believe this will be my go to stitch when I am working with rows of multiple colors. It keeps the edges so much cleaner! Please check out this terrific tutorial by Marly Bird.

The Standing Stitch is used in the Mandala portion of the tote at about row 8 right before you begin the Crocodile Stitch Flower and then again at around row 30.

Photo source

Until next week, be creative!!

Winnie

Work that Stitch Wednesday - Crocodile Stitch

Hello everyone! If you have followed my blog you know that I am a planner. I research a pattern and break it down to the tiniest details before I dive into making the project. As I wrote about the Enchanted Garden Tote many months ago, I am still in the planning stage for this anticipated project.

The Enchanted Garden Tote is a purchasable pattern so I won't post all the details of it on my blog, but I can breakdown a few of the trickier stitches. As with the internet you can find so many free tutorials and patterns that you may never have to purchase a pattern in the entirety of your creative endeavors. I do find that some patterns are just worth the money and I will splurge on them. I did with the Enchanted Garden Tote and thrilled that I did. As I posted before, this pattern is a three pattern combination and is nearly 100 pages. I am still reading over the patterns and making my notes. (my planner personality gets the best of me sometimes)

One of the more interesting stitches is the Crocodile Stitch. A wonderful written beginner's guide to the Crocodile Stitch can be read over at Red Heart. I love how they explain the stitch as a layered look stitch. This stitch can add so many different variances to a project.

You can see how this stitch creates a beautiful flower.

Picture Courtesy of Courtney Laube Designs

My goal is to practice the stitches in this pattern before diving into it. I figure if I get the concept of the special stitch combinations prior to actually tackling the project, it will go much easier and enjoyable. It's no fun when you work on a project to just get stumped because of a certain stitch combination and its wording or technique. If you are interested in this stitch, check out the video tutorial by The Crochet Crowd below.

Until next week, be creative and have a wonderful week!!

Winnie