Delta Crochet

Delta crochet is a lovely style of crochet somewhat similar to Filet crochet but a lot confusing in the beginning. There are very few resources on the web regarding this style. The only one with a tutorial is here

HERE'S MY OWN.

Like most forms of crochet, you can work Delta crochet too in two ways
1. In rows
2. In rounds

These instructions assume that you are familiar with Basic Crochet. You'll find information on turning chains and stitch symbols
here


Let's first consider working in rows.
Step 1: How do you calculate the number of foundation chains required?

Based on a simple formula -
(no. of Upward pointing triangles x 5)+ 1. Observe the first diagram and you'll understand why.

We'll start with 4 upward pointing triangles. This translates to (4x5)+ 1 = 21 chains.

The 21 chains are the foundation row.

The pattern as you can see in the second diagram uses just 2 stitches, the chain and the double treble. Now, onto the next step.

Step 2: CLICK ON DIAGRAMS TO ENLARGE

This row is read from right to left and also worked from right to left. 

Step 3:
Work the first 4 chains and then turn work and continue working.

This row is read from left to right but since the work is turned at the beg of this row,  worked from right to left.

Irish Crochet Applique

Crochet Roses and Leaves

I made a set of filet crochet curtain ties for my son's room. You'll find the instructions for making this curtain tie here.

Thought they were rather plain and I'd embellish them with some Irish roses. Here's the result.

 The rose has come out okay.  But it  looks too girlish an embellishment for a guy's room. Besides, it does not go well with the curtains or the curtain ties.  Another thing is, the petals are excellent dust collectors. I can't imagine what colour, the rose will become in a week's time. So, for now I am shelving this. Maybe I'll use it on a scarf or a muffler or a handbag.

Crochet US/UK Stitch Terms, Turning Chains and Symbols Chart

How do you know you have the right number of turning chains when you get your crochet designs from random sources?

If you are learning crochet from books without the benefit of a personal instructor, you'll soon realize that different books seem to use different languages. The only universal crochet language is the crochet schematic diagram.

Sometimes you come across a beautiful design and you have no way of knowing on which side of the Atlantic the pattern was published. This could be a major obstacle especially if you are a beginner. It's good to know the different stitch terms used in books.

This chart lists the US and the UK terms for crochet stitches and the number of turning chains each of these stitches require.

Filet Crochet Design Book for Free Download

For more Filet Crochet monogram designs, pop over to my post on  Assissi Embroidery and download load the book from the link there.

This post is about a book on Netting designs (I wonder if anyone does netting anymore), that can be adapted for Filet crochet and Assissi. Take a look at some of the designs for yourself. My favourite is the one on the cover. Here it is. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

 Very elaborate, with plenty of details. Goes without saying, that the design will eat up a lot of yarn, and a huge chunk of time and money. But it will definitely be worth the effort. I've learnt over the years the hard way, not to scrimp on the quality of yarn, when working on elaborate projects. So no more buying supposedly good quality yarns, sold at very cheap prices.

This book has about 26 pages and over 60 designs. If you want it, you can download it from here.

Free Instructions for Filet Crochet Curtain Ties

This is a very simple yet useful free filet crochet project. 

Here's how I made it:

Foundation chains = multiple of 8 + 6 + 3 turning chains  (multiples of 8 + 9)

8 x 12 = 96 + 9 = 105 chains.

Row 1:  1 dc into the 5th chain from hook. 1 dc into each of the next 100 chains, 3 chains turn.

Row 2:  1 chain,  skip 1 dc, *1 dc into each of next 2 dc, 2 ch, skip 2 dc; rep from * until only 4 dc are left. 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, 1 ch, skip 1 dc, 1 dc into last dc; 3 chains turn.

Row 3: 1 dc into each dc to end.

Here's the chart:

Insert a cord, braid or ribbon in the space between stitches in row 2.  I made my cord.  I'll post the method in my next post.

Crochet Edging on Kurtha - With Instructions

Another one of my  kutras got a new look with this crochet edging and the stones sewed onto the white petals.

Right now I am working on a Delta Crochet turorial. The flowers in this edging somewhat resemble the flowers in Delta Crochet - that's what made me want to try out this pattern in the first place - and I just happened to have yarn of almost the same shade...

I found it in the book, "CROCHETED EDGINGS & INSERTIONS" downloaded from Antique pattern library. There are plenty of other lovely edgings in the book. Do pop over and take a peek.  Here's a picture of the edging and the instructions.  You'll find that it involves fastening off every time you complete the first row.

I have my own instructions for this pattern.
Chain 9
Row 1: 1 dc into the 2nd chain from hook. 1 dc into each of the next 7 dc, 1 ch Turn.
Row 2: 8 dc into each of the 8 dc below, 3 ch, turn
Row 3: 2 tr cluster into the same space as 3 ch, 3 tr cluster into the last dc, 3 ch turn.
Row 4: 2 tr cluster in the same space as 3 chains, 7 chains join to the base of the 2nd cluster made, 3 dc, 3 ch, 2 dc, 3 ch, 2 dc, 3 ch, 3 dc into the 7 chain space, 8 ch, 3 tr cluster into the same space as theprevious cluster, 1 ch turn.
Row 5: 1 dc into each of 8 ch below, 1 ch turn.
Row 6 – 7: 1 dc into each of the 8 dc below, 1 ch turn
Rep from row 2 for the required length.
Heading: Join yarn to 1st dc of row 1, 1 dc into next stitch, *chain 7, 1 dc in each of the next 4 stitches rep from *

This is the rough copy of my instructions written as I was working the edging. There are likely to be mistakes, which I'll correct as I work the pattern once again. when I do that I'll as edit these instructions.
In the meantime, please feel free to point out any mistakes in the instructions.

Crochet Coin Purse

When I started this project, it was supposed to be a drawstring purse for my aunt.


When my little niece saw it, she asked, "Are you making this coin bag for me? "




So I made a front flap and my mom attached a macrame handle and it became her coin bag.

The scans are not so good and I can't make fresh scans as I don't have the bag.

Crochet Sweater With Afghan Stitch Yoke

My brother and his family are down here from Seattle. My sister-in -law got me some wool in soft pastels and pink. I decided to use the pink to make a sweater for their daughter.

Here's back side of the sweater. I put the fastening at the back. 



The sweater begins at the front yoke.  I worked the yoke in afghan stitch.


- for the body I worked 1 dc and 1 tr into each stitch skipping every 3rd stitch in the 1st round. 1 dc, 1 tr into each sc in the subsequent rounds.

You'll notice a differnce in pattern here and there - I just forgot to turn work and work in the opposite direction.

It was interesting the difference that made!

And finally for some embellishment - in brazillian style embroidery.

Project Gutenberg's Beeton's

This is illustration 239 of the Project Gutenberg's Beeton's Book of Needlework, by Isabella Beeton - http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15147. I found this link in Sharon's Blog - http://inaminuteago.com/



Here is my own basket.


This is the first time I have used a metal wire in crochet. I decided not to make the handle, so I can place inside it this cute blue glass urn I bought at an antique shop.
I had gone to attend a friend's wedding in Karaikudi - Tamil Nadu. We were parked in front of this antique shop. I happened to glance inside and this piece called out to me and I simply had to have it.

And the rose is from my balcony garden.

Instructions for Crochet Edging From DMC Crochet 6th Series Mod 19

This is a pattern from the DMC Crochet edgings book. An interesting pattern, that needed a lot of thinking. I liked it mostly because the picture looked like an old fashioned necklace. Figuring out the terms used was a real challenge.

Note the Book DMC Library Crochet work 6th Series is copyright freed.  Here are the instructions as given in the book.

Edging Mod 19:
1st row: 29 chain, *returning skip 6 stitches, 2 double trebles, 1 treble 1 and 1/2 long, 1 treble, 1 half-treble, 1 plain, 1 single, do three times: 13 chain, connect them towards the right with the chain stitch preceding the 1st double treble, skip the 1st chain stitch, 4 single, 5 chain,into the chain stitch following the 4 single do: 2 double trebles, 1 treble 1 and 1/2 long, 1 treble, 1 half-treble, 1 plain and 1 single; 1 chain, 1 double treble into the 2nd chain stitch preceding the four little leaves, 38 chain; repeat from *.

2nd row: 1 plain into the 1st chain stitch,* 5 chain, 1 plain into the 4th chain stitch, 3 chain, 1 plain into the 1st of the 6 chain stitches at the end of the first little leaf, 5 chain, 1 plain into the 6th chain stitch of the first little leaf, 6 chain,1 plain into the 4th single stitch, do twice: 6 chain, 1 plain into the 5th chain stitch of the little leaf, 6 chain and 1 plain into the 4th single stitch; 5 chain, 1 plain into the 5th chain stitch of the last little leaf, 3 chain, 1 plain into the 10th chain stitch below: repeat from *.

3rd row: 1 plain into the first loop of 6 chain stitches, 8 chain, 1 plain into the second loop, 6 chain, 1 plain into the third loop, 10 chain, 1 plain into the fourth loop, 9 chain, 1 plain into the 5th loop, 8 chain, 1 plain into the sixth loop, 2 chain: repeat from*.

Heading of the lace - 
1st row - 1 plain into each chain stitch and 4 plain into the each double treble.
2nd row - 1 treble, 2 chain, skip 2 stitches, 1 treble, 2 chain, skip 2 stitches and so on.

Pineapple Doily

Pineapple doilies possess a unique charm. It is fascinating to watch the pineapples form as the rounds progress. I have finally completed my pineapple doily.  It took me ages to complete it.

-and here it is all starched up and blocked. It measures about 18 inches in diameter. I worked it with Pearl cotton size 40 and a no:14 steel hook.

Here's a close up image of the center. The image below is a close-up of the last few rounds.

Grapes and Leaves in Irish Crochet

This is my version of the vintage grapes and leaves free pattern I found in a Crochet site. I stuffed a little batting instead of thread for the grapes. A pity I could not get the exact shades of thread for the grapes and leaves. Anyway I think this would make a wonderful applique.

Irish Crochet

This is an Irish Crochet piece I am trying from the DMC Irish Crochet book.  The book has been split into 4 pdf files and uploaded by The Antique Pattern Library. You can download them from the links below.

DMC Irish crochet I
DMC Irish Crochet II
DMC Irish Crochet III
DMC Irish Crochet IV

Will this look ok once I block it? Somehow I am not satisfied with it. Is my tension not right? I'll try redoing it.