Craftybegonia's Pursenality Shoppe

Snail Frog Closure

2012-02-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

This very easy frog closure looks wonderful in both clothing and in bags and totes! I used it recently for a scarflet and realized how pretty it would look at the end of a purse flap or to close up a tote and decided to add it here also. Once you learn how to make it, you can experiment and make variations to suit your taste and your bags!

With Bright Yellow and H hook, leaving a long tail at the start, ch 2.
Row 1- 1 sc in second ch from hook. Turn. (NO ch 1)
Row 2- Take a close look at the side of your stitches, there is a tiny loop on the side, insert hook into that loop and pull up yarn
through it, now you have two loops on hook, yo, and pull yarn through all loops on hook. Turn. (NO ch 1)
Row 3- Now you will see that 2 loops have formed on the side of your stitches, insert hook through BOTH of those loops and pull up yarn,
yo, and pull yarn through all loops on hook. Turn. (NO ch 1)
Row 4- Rep row 3.
Rows 5 to 32- Rep row 3. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.

Note 1- Notice that little loops form at the edge of your rope as you crochet, you will be using those little loops to sew up your frog closure.

Forming the Snail-
Thread blunt needle with leftover tail. Turn the end of the cord into a circle, and using the loops on the edges, stitch your circle, continue to
turn the rope around itself and to sew, until you have only 3 inches of rope left. (Use a measuring tape to make sure.) Fasten off and secure yarn
at back of the circle formed. (this is the snail's shell.) You can now snip the leftover yarn or leave to use it to attach your frog closure to the scarfie, that is what I will do.
Now, Turn the leftover rope around towards the "shell" you just formed. This is the rest of the snail and also the buttonhole loop of your frog closure. Using the tail you left at the beginning
of your rope, sew the buttonhole loop to the "shell", secure at back of rope. Now, take a good look at your snail. If the "shell" is too much to the side, simply,
turn the circle a bit, towards the top of the buttonhole loop and secure in place by sewing the side loops together. Secure at back. If you consider that the buttonhole loop is too
large for the button you have selected, simply sew a couple of side loops together on the inside of the buttonhole loop and then bring the yarn to the back of the rope. Fasten off. Secure at back.

Done!

.............
The Key to the Storehouse

Join Craftybegonia on Facebook!

I want to thank Bar Purple's Dropped Stitches for giving me this award.

I am a little embarrassed when I get these awards, but do want to show my appreciation to the people who kindly give them to me!
Seven things about myself?
1- I love ragdoll cats but my cat Lilly is a gray tabby. She's bossy and loving and absolutely wonderful!
2- All of our pets have been rescued. We have two dogs that were abused and we are trying with love, to heal their trust in people. They are very loving too.
3- I love peach and pink, and every color of the rainbow, but almost never buy the one that i first thing I want when I go for yarn!
4- I do not design anything ahead of time, but make them as I go.
5- I love lace and vintage things.
6- One of my most enjoyable things in crafting is to do charity items. I think it is very rewarding and fulfilling.
7- I love God.
I'm going to do something different, and instead of offering 15 blogs, I will offer 15 people worthwhile to follow on Twitter. Here they are:
@vashtirama
@allsocute
@CrochetSpot
@Crochetnmore
@CrochetAllDay
@daisydaycrochet
@NexStitch
@KristinOmdahl
@AmigurumiPatt
@HotLavaCrochet
@HOTS_Crochet
@amigurumix
@FiberValleyGirl
@ReginasFiberArt
@CrochetLibFront

Heart Frog

2012-01-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is a pretty frog that would enhance the look of any bag or tote you make. It is very easy to make also.

Materials-
Worsted weight yarn of your choice (I used Red Heart Hot Red)
Crochet hook size H

Make a crocheted rope 16" long. (If you do not know how to make a crocheted rope, please refer to this tutorial: How to Make Crocheted Ropes)

Once you have your rope made, proceed as follows to make your frog:
Fold rope in half, matching ends. Twist once, forming a loop the size of the button you will be using. Thread a blunt needle with the yarn you used to make the rope, sew the center loops right below the twist you made to form the buttonhole (about 5 loops).

Turn one end up to form one of the sides of the heart, and continue to sew center. Stitch also the portion you curled up to secure the heart shape. Rep on the other side. Twist the ends that are on the sides to form small circles and sew to secure. Fasten off. Weave in tail.

Note-
Always use side loops of rope to sew shapes together.
Done!

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Moving Mountains. . .

Frog Closure

2012-01-18T20:38:00.000-08:00

This is a pretty and easy to make frog closure that is wonderful for a garment as well as for a bag.

With Spring Green and H hook, ch 2.
Row 1- 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, insert hook in side loops, pull up, yo, pull loop through.
Row 2- Insert hook in side loops, yo, and make a regular sc. Rep this row until you reach 16 inches long.
Fasten off. Thread a blunt needle with Spring Green.
Bend the cord in half, matching both sides so that they will have the same size. Turn one of those ends around as a spiral, as you turn, secure the spiral turns in place with small stitches using the little loops on the sides of the cord, fasten off.
Stitch the other end of the cord to the top of the spiral, fasten off. Take the loop you have now formed and make a knot in the middle of it with your fingers, forming a buttonhole. Sew in place. Sew your chosen button on opposite side.
You're done!

You can make variations of this closure by using a thicker yarn, by using both yarn and a filament-enriched cotton thread, a yarn together with a metallic thread, etc.
Let your imagination give you ideas!

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God can Provide

Jasmin's Strap

2012-01-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

This strap is very, very easy to make and it looks cute on a large tote. It is a knotted strap. You can make it with cords of a single color to match your tote, or if you work like me, in many colors, you can tailor it to the color palette you used to make your bag.

Materials-
Worsted weight yarn of appropriate color to make your cords
Crochet hook size H
Scissors
Pins
Purse rings
Pillow or piece of fabric to pin your cords to for stability when knotting

To learn how to make the Basic Rope to make this strap, please go here:Basic Rope Tutorial

Make 4 cords in the colors you have chosen for your bag.
Pin the cords to a pillow, to allow you to work more freely.
You will working in pairs as follows:

1- Bring first rope on the left to the front of second rope to the left, move the end of the rope to the back and around the second rope, and through the loop that is formed, pull to tighten.
Repeat for the second part of the knot.
Now, working on the opposite side, bring first rope to the right in front of second rope to the right, take it to the back of the second rope and then through the loop that forms. Repeat for the second part of the knot.

2- Repeat step #1

Leave a little bit of slack so that the colors will show. And now, let's work the center.

3- Bring second rope to the right in front of second rope to the left, around the rope towards the back, and then through the loop that forms. Repeat to form the second part of the knot.

4 and 5- Repeat step #1, twice.

Alternately repeating this process for as long as you need to, will form your strap. Wasn't that easy?

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Broken Toys

Naomi's Braid or Purse Strap

2011-11-24T20:21:00.000-08:00

This braid or strap is a colorful and easy way to add interest to a common-looking and otherwise drab little tote or bag. If you have made a large bag and it looks a bit dull, even with bright colors and seems to be missing "something", why not add one of these fun and attractive straps? You will find a few nice ones in this blog.

To learn how tomake the crocheted ropes, please search for the tutorial about them by using the Search box at the right hand side of this blog post.

Make 4 crocheted I-cord ropes of different colors contrasting or harmonizing with the color or colors of your bag or tote.
The ropes will be more attractive if they are not made all the same color, it will also be easier for you to keep track of where
the ropes go, when you're a newbie at this.
Leaving at the edges to the braid a bit of free rope so that you can easily sew the finished braid to the purse rings once you are done, proceed as follows:

1- Pass rope 4 under rope 3 and then bring to the front over the same rope, and towards the back over itself, forming a loop. Tighten. Repeat again.
Repeat the same procedure with rope 1 and rope 2, twice.

2- Cross the two middle ropes over each other, left rope over right rope. Place the ends behind the two side ropes.
3- Cross the side ropes in the middle, the left rope over the right rope.
4 and 5- repeat steps 2 and 3 twice.
6- Repeat step 1.

Continue repeating these steps for the length of your strap. Sew ends to a purse ring and you're done!

.................
Bible Universe

Cynthia's Purse Strap or Handle

2011-11-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

An interesting and pretty purse handle or strap can add interest to even a common-looking tote or bag. This one's pretty easy and you can use it to liven up any bag!

Color is key in a rope strap. You can make the strap in contrasting colors or in different hues of the same color of your bag.
Make 4 crocheted cords (please, use the search box in this blog to find the tutorial on how to make ropes) in 4 different colors, this way you will be able to follow the tutorial , the more easily.

Pin the ropes to a pillow or a piece of cardboard with some fabric on top to avoid soiling.
To make the braid proceed as follows:

1- Place rope #4 over the two central ropes and under rope #1.
2- Bring rope #1 under the two central ropes and out over rope #4. Carefully, tighten up a bit to
pull up the beginning of the knot.
3- Bring new rope #1 under the two central ropes and over rope #1, bring rope #1 over the two central ropes and under rope #4. Tighten up a bit. You just formed a square knot.
4- Bright rope #1 over rope #2, rope #4 over rope #3, bring the two new central ropes over one another, the left one over the right one. Bright the two ropes at the edges over the two central ones, and cross them one over the other as before. Bring the ropes that are now at the two edges to the center over the other two and cross them as before.
5- Repeat a square knot.

Alternate rows 1 to 5 until you have the length of strap you need. When you finish, sew ends to purse rings. Fasten off.

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Bible Universe

Pretty Frog Closure

2011-11-03T20:42:00.001-07:00

Originally, I made this frog to close up a capelet, but it is such a pretty way to close things and it was so liked that I took a second look at it. That made me realize that it makes a terrific closure for a purse, a bag or a tote, so here it is!

Frog Closure-
Let’s make a bit of rope for the frog. With Pumpkin, ch 2.
Row 1- 1 sc in second ch from hook. Turn. (No ch 1.)
Row 2- Insert hook in little loop that formed on the side of the sc and pull up yarn, you and complete sc. Turn. Continue repeating row 2 for the length of the rope you want to make.
In this case, the rope should measure 14” long. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.

Thread blunt needle with leftover tail and, taking one of the ends of it, begin to turn the rope around itself, as if you were going to form the shell of a snail. As you turn, secure each turn onto itself by making small stitches on the loops on the sides. Turn a bit, and inserting the needle into the loops that will meet at the top, where the rope turns and at the bottom, where you just turned, stitch the curl in place. When you have turned the rope three times, secure and fasten off. Weave in tail.

Repeat on the other end, leaving the center unworked for now. When you are ready to sew your frog on, Join some yarn to the back of the frog in a discreet spot, thread blunt needle with the yarn you just joined and sew the center of the frog together, using the loops on the outside edges of both sides of the large loop, until you have a hole that will comfortably fit the button you have chosen. Pin the frog in place and sew it to the purse or bag. Fasten off, weave in tail.

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Who Do You Think You Are?
(You are more special than you think!)

Frog Closure

2011-10-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Originally, I made this closure for one of my neckwarmers, but it works so well for a purse or bag that I decided to share it here.

Materials-
Worsted weight yarn scraps to match or contrast the bag or tote you are making.
Crochet hook size H
Scissors
Sewing thread
Sewing needle
Button of your choice

Frog-style closure: With Lipstick yarn and G hook, make a crab stitch braid that is 10 inches long. Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew with.
You can make your closure in several ways, but let's try a simple one. Bend the crab stitch cord you just made in half, take the left leg of that bent cord and cross it over the right side leg, forming a loop, without undoing that loop, insert that same leg of cord into the center of the loop and pull gently, until you have a nice knot that looks almost like a Josephine knot, and two pieces of crab cord at both ends. You are going to bend those two pieces of cord and sew them with the tail you left, one upwards and one downwards, to form your frog. Then you will sew this to the neck warmer at a height that is comfortable to close it around the neck, using the small loops of the crab cord to anchor your stitches. Fasten off. Sew button opposite loop of the frog closure on the other side of the neck warmer. Fasten off.
Note: Since this is a closure and it will pulled ever time the neckwarmer is used, sew your stitches firmly, not tight, but firm so that the pretty frog will not come apart.
You're done!
This pattern has been corrected. Thank you again, Margaret!
Fire-ice-aiken, the pattern is simpler now!

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Determining the Will of God

Betty Jo's Braid

2011-10-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

For this purse strap you will need 4 ropes. Each of a different color (please refer to previous tutorials to learn how to make the crocheted ropes. Use the Search box to find them.)
For this example I used Red Heart colors Shocking pink, Pretty 'n Pink, Spring Green and Kelly Green, but you can use anything you like or what will match with your bag.

Once you have your ropes, you make the strap as follows:

1- Twist your first two colors and pin them down at the top and at the bottom of the working surface, so that the twist will not unravel and remain firm.
2- Insert the other two cords through the center of the first twist, bring the ends around the edges and push them down the center of the next twist, keep repeating until you get the length you want.
3- Secure both ends with a safety pin before you take your braid off of your working surface and finish your strap by sewing the ends to your purse ring securely.

This makes a pretty easy 4-color braid that even a braiding beginner can make in a jiffy!

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God Loves You!

Betsy's Woven Purse Handle

2011-10-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

This is one of the easiest weavings to make for a pretty purse or bag handle.
Make 3 crocheted ropes in 3 different colors which either contrast or harmonize with your bag, tote or purse.
Make them a little bit longer than you think your need them, to allow for the twisting and weaving, but leave one end
attached to the ball or skein, just in case you need to add more length to complete your project.
Attach the finished end of each rope to a pillow or something that will allow you to do the weaving without the ropes moving all over the place. The rope that will weave through the twisted ones, if still attached to a ball or skein, must lie on the
opposite direction than the others, otherwise, the ball or skein will not permit you to pass the rope through the twists.
To make the woven braid, proceed as follows:

1- Attach first two braids. Then twist them over each other, pin down to keep them in place.
2- Take weaver rope and then pass it over and under in between the middle of the twists.

Once you have the desired length, sew to a purse ring and you have a pretty embellished strap for your next purse, tote, or bag!

When You Need to Have Strength. . .

Marly's Braid or Purse Strap

2011-09-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

This pretty braid can be used either to embellish a purse or a tote bag or for the strap of the bag. To make this easy but pretty braid, make 4 ropes in different colors, I used Red Heart yarns because they are easily found by all, the colors I chose, if you happend to like the color combo, were:
Bright Yellow, Delft Blue, Turqua (to get a nice aqua shade)and Spring Green, for the MacIntosh apple tone (please refer to previous tutorials to learn how to make the ropes.)
To make the braid proceed as follows:Pin the ropes to a pillow or to a piece of cardboard (with a piece of fabric underneat to keep the braid clean) to make it easier for you to make the braid.

1- Cross rope 3 over rope 2.
2- Without bringing the to the top, but moving them underneath the previously made cross, bring rope 4 and rope 1 to the center and cross rope 1 over
rope 4.
3- Cross tope 4 over rope 3 (bue over aqua) and rope 1 over rope 2 (green over yellow).
4- Cross rope 3 over rope 2 (aqua over yellow).
5- Bring Blue and green ropes to the center, underneath the other 2 ropes. Cross blue over green rope.
6- Bring the other two ropes underneath the previous rope and cross the yellow over the aqua.
7- Cross the aqwua over the green and the yellow over the blue.
8- Bring the yellow and the aqua underneath the other two ropes and cross them.
9- Bring the blue and the green under the yellow and the aqua and cross them.
Continue these steps for as long as you want to, thios will make a lovely braid for the front of a bag or a very striking handle for a bag!

When Things Go Wrong...

Debra's Braid

2011-09-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

This is a fun braid, it is a combination of 3-strand and 4-strand that occurred to me as I was working with ropes. I named it after a friend of our family. This braid makes a pretty embellishment for a bag that needs a little "something."
To make this braid, you will need 4 crocheted ropes (please look at previous tutorials to learn how to make them!) preferably of 4 different
colors so that you will be able more easily to track where each one goes (and the braids look prettier that way.)
To make braid proceed as follows:
1- Working only with the first 3 ropes, cross rope 3 over rope 2.
2- Bring rope 1 over rope 2.
3- Bring rope 3 over rope 2.
4- Bring rope 1 over rope 2.
5- Bring rope 4 underneath rope 3 and over rope 2, bring rope 1 over it.
6- Bring new rope 4 under rope 3, over rope 2 and under new rope 1.
7 to 10- Ignoring new rope 1, and working only with 3 ropes, rep rows 1- 4.

Rep all these rows over and over to get your rope.

When Things Go Wrong...

Gladys' Braid

2011-09-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

This is a simple 3-strand braid which is left open for effect. It is a bit asymmetrical and angular, which makes it interesting and less common than the usual 3-strand braid, it is also very easy to make.

Glady's braid will be most effective in 3 colors, especially if the they contrast against the background of the bag.
Make a ball of yarn for each color of rope you will be making, then make your ropes.

To make it proceed as follows:

Make your crocheted ropes as we have made them in previous tutorials. (Please take a look at our previuos tutorials and beautiful braids.)
Make twice as much as the size of the bag or tote you want to embellish. Leave one end of the rope attached to the ball of yarn, justin case you run
out of rope before you have finished the amount of braiding you need or on the other hand, if you have a bit more rope than you need, to be able to unravel and adjust
it.

Pin one end of ropes to edge of bag or purse, leaving an excess that will be folded over the edge of the bag and which will disappear under the lining.
To braid, work in the following manner:

1- Bring rope #1 over rope #2, then pass rope #3 over rope #2.
2- Bring new rope #1 over new rope #2, and new rope #3 over rope #2. (Leave the braiding quite "open" so that the fabric of the bag will show through.)
Continue to repeat these two rows, continuously until you have the length of braid you want.
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Alone in the Crowd

Half Hitch Bag Strap

2011-08-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to make attractive straps for bags and purses. Sometimes, a common-looking bag can be "spruced up" by a surprising strap that doesn't follow the expected road. You could use this hitch stitch even to decorate a bag, but it is used most often for bag straps.
It is very easy to make, and if you make it in two colors, it's very attractive and calls attention to the bag.

To make it, you will need:

Two crocheted ropes, the color of your choice, (please search for the braiding tutorials to find how to crochet the cords or ropes) approximately twice the size of the length of the strap, leave one end of the crocheted rope attached to the ball of yarn, just in case you need to make it longer after all,
and work with the opposite side that you've already finished. This will save you problems, if for some reason, you wind up with more cord or less cord than you need for your strap.

Half hitches are a macrame stitch. It is one of the basic stitches and one of the most used to make bag straps. The strap we will be making is an alternating half hitch chain, made with two ropes or cords. To make it, proceed as follows:

1- Pin the working end of your ropes to a piece of cardboard or to a pillow securely.
Then hold the inactive cord straight down, keeping it somewhat taut. Bring the opposite, or working rope across and place it in front of the inactive rope, then
bend it around the inactive cord, and then out of the bend above the working rope, moving it towards you. Then lift the working rope's end and tighten a bit.

2- Now, making the second half hitch running on the opposite side. To make that one you will put the working rope behind the inactive rope, bring it around from back to front, forming a loop and insert the end of the working rope towards the back of the working cord. Pull to tighten into place.

To make the strap you will alternate these two half hitches back and forth for as loong as you need to.

Don't forget always to alternate the strand until you get the length of strap you want. Now, sew the ends of the strap firmly around a purse ring, or if you prefer, for added strenth, join a bit of yarn to one edge of the strap and crochet 1 or 2 rows of sc, across, thus joining the cords to one another, and then, bend the end of the halft hitch strap around the purse ring and sew it across this little strip of sc stitches.

That will make it stronger for daily wear. Do the same thing with the opposite end of the strap.

You're done!

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From STRESS to Joy

Knotting A Strap--Festoon

2011-08-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

In Spanish, the call this knot the festoon, hence the name of this strap.
This is a technique borrowed from macrame that will yield you an easy, sturdy yet pretty strap or you can simply use it to decorate the front of a bag as we have done before with our braided ropes.
The benefit of using ropes is that you can sew them together at the ends, bend them around a purse ring, sew them to secure tem to the ring, and you're done, whereas, with the original macrame technique you're dealing with strands of yarn and it is a bit more involved to secure the ends to make them workable.
If you're going to use it to festoon around a bag or as a nice decoration going down the front of a bag, calculate a bit of an excess to go over the edge of the bag and be secure on the inside inside the lining, and secure well at the bottom of the bag with tiny well-placed stitches. If you are using the festoon for a purse or tote strap, you can even join a bit of yarn at the ends and picking up the loop at the end of each rope, crochet an sc in each and do a second row of sc to secure them together, so that it will be easier for you to sew the edges to a purse ring.

This is how to make this strap:

Measure your bag, and calculate double the amount of strap or festoon embellishment that you will need. As always, I advice that you leave the bottom portion of
the rope, still attached to the yarn, with a safety pin holding the last loop, just in case you need to make a bit more to complete your project, or to unravel some
to fit it in.

Pin 3 ropes in colors of your choice either to your bag or, if you're using them for a strap, to a pillow or a piece of cardboard.

1- Place the rope on the left on top of the rope on the middle, then behind it, then bring down, forming a loop around the middle rope. Tighten a bit. (First part of the festoon knot made.)
2- Place the rope on the left below the on the middle, then, bring the working end around, forming another loop going in the opposite direction to the one made before. Tighten a bit. (Second part of the festoon knot completed.)
4- Now repeat the first 2 steps with the rope on the right. (Fastoon formed)
Continue this way for as long as you want to to complete your festoon. You can make it tight so that the middle rope cannot be seen, but I think that letting it be seen in between knots adds to the pretty effect. Look at the photos for guidance.

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The Wonderful Love of God

Adriana's Braid

2011-08-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

If you make bags often or totes, you cannot have enough of these braids. You could be making the same simple bag, and making it look different each time by using one of these braids. This one is beautiful as is, but you can embellish it further as I will explain later. Let's get going!

Make 6 ropes as explained before (please refer to other tutorials for manner of making the ropes)
of 6 different colors of your choice (it will help you keep better track of where each rope goes
and honestly speaking, the braids are prettier that way!) Choose colors that match or contrast
your bag or tote in a complimentary way. It the bag is in a neutral tone (beige, light gray, ets.)
the sky is the limit, because those colors go with any other color or hue you can imagine!

To start the braid: Measure your bag to place ropes at an equal distance on both sides.

Pin 3 ropes on one side at the top of the bag, leaving a bit of extra rope that will be secured to the inside of the
bag and will go under the lining of the bag.

Pin 3 topes on the opposite end at the top of the bag, leaving at least 3 inches in between the two groups of ropes.

Braiding:

1- Bring the left hand rope over the middle rope to the center.
2- Now, place the right hand rope over the new middle strand to the center.
3- Now bring the middle rope forward from behind and pass it over the strand that is now on the left side, and bring it to the center.
Repeat these 3 steps once more. Now pin the ropes in place, and repeat this process with the other 3 ropes on opposite side of bag.
Pin both braids so that the top braiding will not become runraveled.

No bring the rope that is on the left of the second braid and join it to the first group of rope pairs and do the same with the last rope on the
right side.

Now, bring the new second braind from behind, and pass it over the rope that left to join the other group of pairs. Now braid again with the 3 new pairs on each side as before.

Pin securely and sew your braid to the bag. Fasten off, Cover inside ends with lining.

Note-
When you sew your braid in place, make sure to move upward the rope that lies behind in the center and secure it in place so that it can be seen.
You can also sew a beautiful crocheted flower in the center or a pretty, large button of your choice.

Done!

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Less than 2 minutes to read and it will brighten your day!
Be Not Discouraged

Amberly's Braid

2011-07-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

At first glance, this braid looks like a common 3-strand braid, but it is made with 4 ropes, so it can have 4 colors. You can make it monotone when you learn it well, but it will never have the impact that the multi-colored one has, because if makes you wonder, how come it has 4 colors if it is a 3-strand braid?
It is also pretty easy to make.

You will need 4 crocheted ropes for this pretty braid (please, refer to previous tutorials for information on how to make them) in the colors of your choice.
If you are a beginner, I suggest you make each rope a different color, because that way you will be able to follow the instructions better. Once you are used to making
these braids, you will be able to make them with ropes that have the same color without getting lost.

Pin the 4 ropes at the top of your bag, leaving a bit of excess that will go under the lining of the bag. (Refer to previous instructions.)

.................

Need encouragement? Visit this beautiful blog!

Better Than Rubies. . .

Heidi's Braid

2011-07-14T19:58:00.001-07:00

This is another variation of the useful 4-strand braid.
It is strinking as a monotone braid but even more so if you make it in several colors as shown here.
Make your cords as explained before (please refer to previous tutorials)
Begin preparing your ropes as follows:

Pin your cords to the top of your bag or tote, leaving a little bit of excess to comfortably secure them on the
inside of the bag, and cover that with the lining. (If you are getting pretty good at this, you can also make the
braid and attach it to the bag before you put the bag togather, also allowing a bit of an excess at the bottom, which you will
sew alson on the inside and hide behind the lining.)

Now let's braid!

Consider your 4 strands of rope as two pairs. 1- Take the left rope of each pair and pass it over the rope on its right.
2- Now work with the two ropes in the middle. Pass the rope that is on the right and pass it over the rope on the left of it.
3- Now twist the two ropes that are on the left over each other 3 times, pin them in place. Do the same with the two on the right. Pin them in place.
4- Take out the pins, then take the left rope of each pair and cross it over the rope on its right. Working now with the ropes in the middle, pass the rope that is on the right and pass it over the rope on the left of it.
Repeat this process as many times as you need to get the length of braid you want to have.
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In God's Workshop

Kelly's Braid

2011-07-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty braid that looks as if it had been made with 3 strands of rope, but in reality it is made with 5. The difference betwen making this braid and making a common 3 rope braid is the change in colors, which is really evident and beautiful all through the length of the braid. You can use this braid to embellish a bag but also you can use it to make the bag's handle. if you want it to embellish the front of your bag, measure the length and make extra cord (please see our previous tutorials to see how we do it) pin the ropes to the top of your bag, leaving an excess that will go over the edge of the bag and we sewn to the inside of it and under the lining of the bag. If you want to use it for the handle of your bag, simply sew the ropes formly to a ring and begin braiding, once you have the length of handle you want, sew the other end of the braid to another ring. Fasten off. Attach rings to bag.
This braid is worth making if you want wonderful colors! You don't get all these colors with 3-strand braids.

Here is how to make Kelly's braid:

After choosing what you will do with the braid, either sew the ropes to a ring or pin them to the top of your bag as explained before.

1. Take the first rope that lies to the right and bring it to the middle, then take the first rope that lies to the left and bring it to the middle and cross it on top of that one.

2. Take the rope that is now the first one on the right and bring it to the middle and then take the rope that has now become the first one on the left and cross it over that one.

Continue this process until you get the length of braid you want!

Encouraging Promises

Anna-Marie's Braid

2011-06-03T15:56:00.001-07:00

My sister's name is Anna-Marie, so I decided to name this braid after her in honor of the fact that she's a terrific Sis. This is a very easy braid that you can use to decorate a tote or a large bag.
For the making of the cords, please refer to previous tutorials of this series.

Materials:
4 cords, twice the size of the bag or tote you will be decorating
Pins
Sewing thread in matching colors to attach cords to the bag
Sewing needle

Note- Until you learn how to make all these braids easily, use cords of different colors when you make them, so that it will be easier for you to follow the position of each cord and to get satisfactory results. (And to tell you the truth, braids look better when they're multicolored!)

To Make Anna-Marie's braid proceed as follows:

Make your cords, do not fasten off, just in case you need to either lengthen them or shorten them. Leave one end attached to yarn ball or skein and work with the opposite end.
1-To do the actual braiding, pin the 4 cords to the top of your bag, leaving a little excess that will go under the bag's lining and will be sewn to the inside of the bag under the lining.
2- Twist cords 1 and 2 together 3 times, pin down again. Twist cords 3 and 4 three times and pin pin place.
3- Pass cord 4 over cord 2, cord 2 over cord 4, and cord 4 under cord 1.
4- Place cord 3 over cord 1, then twist the two cords that wind up at both ends, the two on the left, twist them over each other, and the two that ended up on the right, over each other, pin in place. Rep steps 3 and 4 as many times as needed to complete your braid. Pin in place at each change.
Thread sewing needle with matching color and secure the braid to the bag.
Done!

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Lilly's Braid

2011-05-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty easy and great looking rope braid that will greatly enhance any simple bag or tote or bag that you want to embellish. It is a 6-strand braid which, to start with, I recommend that you make with ropes of different colors so that you can easily follow what you do until you get it down pat and can make it with ropes of the same color against, say, a contrasting ground or a lighter or darker ground.

To start, make your ropes as explained in previous tutorials.
Make 6 ropes of co different colors twice as long as the size of your tote or bag. If possible, leave them unfinished at the bottom part of them, just in case you need to enlarge them or to shorten them when you are done braiding.
This is NOT an exact science! Pin your ropes at the top of the bag as usual, leaving a little excess which you will bed over the edge inwardly
and will be sewing to the inside of the bag, to be covered by the lining.
Think of your ropes as pairs. You have 3 pairs.
To make the braid proceed as follows:

1. Take the left rope of each pair and place it over the rope on its right side.

2. Skip the two outer ropes and working only with the ropes in the middle, take the right rope of each of the middle pairs and pass it over the left rope of each pair. (Look at the photos)

3. From here on you just repeat the first two steps over and over until you have the right length of rope for your project. Pin the edges down and sew all around with matching yarn.

You can make the braid tighter or you can open it up a bit more so that the background of the tote or bag can be seen behind it.

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Pepper's Braid

2011-04-21T22:09:00.001-07:00

This is a pretty easy braid which will enhance any bag you want to embellish!
Note 1-
Unitl you learn how to make this braid well, i suggest that you learn to make it using 4 cords of different colors (it would look lovely against the black, dark brown, grey, white or beige crocheted fabric of a purse or bag.)
Or if you want to, use darker or lighter shades of the same color as the bag you will sew it to or contrasting variegated yarns that match or vice versa.
This will help you to keep track of where the cords are going until you learn this braid by heart, and no one will notice why you do it.
Materials:
4 Basic cords twice the size of the space they will be covering on the bag

Note 2- If you want to match the size of the cords exactly, do not fasten them off, but simply make bobbins before you start your cords with enough yarn to make more than twice the cord you believe you need, in case you need to add to your cord.
Nice little economic bobbins can be made from the little square closures of sandwich bread. Place the unfinished portion of the braid to the bottom of your work. If you can complete the braiding to your satisfaction with the amount of cord you already had, wonderful!
Simply fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew with, and sew the braid in place once you have finished it. But if you are short, simply attach pins to secure the braiding you have done above, and crochet yourself some more cord to finish your embellishment. Then, fasten off and sew in place.
Note 3- To keep your cords in place, pin them as you go so that they will not move from where you want them. If you want your braid to be as open as the one in the photos, keep the cords position "open" so that the crocheted fabric of your bag can be seen through the twists and turns of the braid.

Make Pepper's Braid as follows:

1- Place your 4 cords at the top of the bag you want to embellish, leaving 2 sc in between each cord. Pin them securely into place so that you can work freely.

2- Bring cord #1 over cord #2.

3- Bring cord #3 over cord #4.

4- Place cord 31 over cord #4 (which is now in the center)

5- Bring cord #3 over cord #1

6- Place cord #2 over cord #4

To continue, repeat from step 2 to step 6 as many times as necessary, pinning in place so that the cords will stay in desired shape for a beautiful open braid.

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Embellish With Ropes--Faux Cabling--- Knot a Josephine---2

2011-04-15T15:12:00.001-07:00

This time I will show you how to make a Josephine knot with a single cord on each side (2 ropes total)just in case you make to make a whole string of them and sew them to your bag. The knots would be worked vertically, downward and then sewn.

The photos show you how to do the knot. If you need to, please also check out our previous tutorial also. You will find if here:

http://craftypursenalityshoppe.blogspot.com/2011/04/embellish-with-ropes-faux-cabling-4.html

Here are the steps you are to follow:

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Embellish With Ropes--Faux Cabling 4 (Braid a Josephine)

2011-04-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Josephine knot has been modified a bit for this 3-rope braid which will make a beautiful embellishment for any bag! The braid is very easy to make, but it is kind of difficult to explain in writing, so I have decided to explain it visually. If you follow the photos, you will be able to make it in a snap!

This is Step 1-

This is Step 2-

This is Step 3- Now, to take care of the ends both on top and below the modified Josephine knot, just make a 3-rope braid above the knot and pin down until you sew it, and make a 3-rope braid as we made it before, below the Josephine knot and pin it in place until you sew it. If you will like your Josephine knot so show off more, you will not be able to braid a 3-rope braid. You will have to continue making the knot below the spot where you started until you run out of rope. You will have to "swatch" it by using practice ropes until you get the length of crocheted cord you need to be able to make a row of Josephine knots down the front of your purse. They will look gorgeous, by the way! This is how the more open modified Josephine knot will look (I call it modified because it has 3 ropes, usually, Josephine knots are made with an equal number of ropes, 2, 4, etc. If you only want Josephine knots, use 2 ropes instead of 3, if you want the braid, use 3 ropes and rep what we just did.)

Open Modified Josephine Knot

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Embellish it With Ropes--Faux Cabling 3

2011-03-28T15:10:00.001-07:00

We will now make two braids, each with three ropes. These are the simplest kind to make, especially when you want to add "something" to a project in the spur of the moment or are in some hurry to finish it. (By the way, the names for these braids are my own, and the way I make them is also my own, they don't come from any book or publication like this.)

Undecided Braid- Materials: Ropes of colors of your choice crocheted in advance. Pins Blunt needle to sew finished braid in place Yarn or embroidery yarn to sew through side loops of braid Measuring tape This is a 3 strand braid that goes from side to side, chaging from a right side braid to a left side braid on purpose, to make it a bit fancier.

To work this braid proceed as follows: Arrange three ropes at the top of your project, pinning them to the top, but leaving a portion of the braid unworked so that you can later on sew it underneath the lining of the bag. Center them well, use a measuring tape, if necessary to make sure they are centered. To braid do this: 1- Take the rope on the right and bring over the middle rope. 2- Take the rope on the leftt and place it over the new middle rope. 3- Take the new left rope and place it over the middle rope. 4- Take the rope on the right and place it over the middle rope. 5-Take the new rope on the left and place it over the new middle rope. Tighten the rope a bit. Tighten a bit. Repeat these 5 steps once more. Now comes the change: 6- Take the new middle rope and place it UNDER the rope on the left. 7- Take the rope on the right and place it OVER the new middle rope. 8- Take the new rope on the right and place it over the middle rope. 9- Take the rope on the left and place it over the middle rope AND the rope on the right. 10- Take the new rope on the left and pass it over the middle rope. 11- Take the rope on the right and plass it over the middle rope. Continue this way indefinitely. You can also make a longer braid that will encircle the middle of the bag and disappear behind the sewn sides, but for that, you must make your braid before you completely sew the bag.

Wanna Walk Down the Middle Braid- Materials: Ropes of colors of your choice crocheted in advance. Pins Blunt needle to sew finished braid in place Yarn or embroidery yarn to sew through side loops of braid Measuring tape This is a 3 strand braid that goes from side to side, chaging from a right side braid to a left side braid on purpose, to make it a bit fancier.

To work this braid proceed as follows: 1- Take the rope in the middle and place it over the rope on the left. 2- Take the new rope in the middle and place it over the new rope on the right. 3- Take the rope in the middle and place it over the rope on the left. 4- Take the new rope on the middle and place it over the rope on the right. Continue this way indefinitely until you get the length of braid you need for your bag or purse.

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Embellish it With Ropes--Faux Cabling 2

2011-03-21T20:36:00.001-07:00

Let's start with the faux cabling. As I said before, instead of making the cables with dc or tr sts, you will be making them with previously crocheted ropes which you will then sew to the purse, tote, bag, etc., using the little loops the ropes have on the side of them. Using these ropes as stems of plants is often used in Russian Irish Crochet, but we will use them here in the form of Aran cables. They are easier and faster and can be an after-the-fact embellishment to aproject nearly completed which needs a little "something" to make it prettier.

Things to remember:

1- You should make your ropes twice as long as the braid you want to make, since
the braiding process shortens the ropes.

2- You can leave the end of your rope unfinished so that if you run too short, you can crochet the number of rows that will complete the length you need and then continue braiding.

3- Complete your braid by pinning it to the bag before you sew it up. Make sure you're happy with the results before you make them permanent!

We will start with a really easy 4 rope cabling: Rusty's Cable

Make 4 ropes in a color of your choice.

Pin the ropes to the front of the bag as follows, (leaving a little bit extra rope loose which you will sew to the insde of hte bag under the lining of it):

In our example, 1 made 2 ropes with Carrot and 2 ropes with Pumpkin.

1. Pin 1 rope at the edge of where you want to start your braid. Pin the other ropes beside one another.

2. Pass the 4th strand of rope over the third strand of rope, under the 2nd and over the 1st strand of rope. Consider now the third strand the 4th strand, now repeat the procedure you did before, pass that strand over the strand that is now the 3rd rope strand, under the 2nd and over the one that is now the 1st, continue in the manner until you have braided all your cable.

Note- If you do not have enough, rope, pin what you have done carefully and crochet some more until you have completed the length you want. If you have ropes that are too long, unravel them to fit. Remember to leave a little bit of an excess so that you can sew the ends of the braid to the inside of the bag under the lining to secure it well. Secure well to the bottom of the bag as well.

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Embellish it With Ropes!---Faux Cabling 1

2011-03-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy that I had not had the time to continue with the tutorials but I'm back! We will begin a series of lessons dealing with faux cabling. We will be using crocheted ropes as the basis of the cables, which will be sewn to the purse, bag or tote you have already made, BEFORE you add the lining to it. The edges of the ropes will disappear under the lining and curve gracevully towards the bottom of the bag. This is, as our theme has been, an after-the-fact form of embellishment which you will add after you have completed the shape of your bag up to the point where you would start adding the straps, lining etc. You will be adding these ropes to decorate the front of a very simple bag, preferably with a squarish shape that will lend itself to a sewn rope without bulging or pulling. I don't know what would happen to a more difficult shape. You would have to make a sample to test. You can add the braids horizontally around the bag, or vertically down the front. You must make each cord twice as long as the bag you are going to braid. We will make a series of sample braids to give you an idea of how to do it. Testing will give you the results you will want. This is a wonderful embellishment alternative to make a run-of-the-mill-looking bag really special! We will start by learning the basic cord that you will be using to make these wonderful ropes. Notice that the ropes will have little loops on the side edges, those are the loops you will be using to sew the braids to the bag with a blunt needle. Basic Cord-Ch 2. Row 1- 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn Row 2- Insert hook in little loop that formed on the side of the sc and pull up yarn, you and complete sc. Turn. Continue repeating row 2 for the length of the rope you want to make.

Craftybegonia’s Crossed Cord This is my own cord, which I came up as I was just playing around with the basic cord. Ch 2. Row 1- Insert hook in second ch from hook and pull up loop, yo, make 1 sc as usual. Ch 1, turn. Row 2- Look at the side of your stitches, the very side edge of them, you see a loop that has formed there, Insert hook into that loop, pull up yarn, yo, pull up yarn through all loops on hook. Ch 1, turn. Row 3- Now you see a loop has formed on the side of the cord, insert hook in that loop, pull up yarn, yo and pull through all loops on hook. Ch 1, turn. Rep row 3 for cord pattern. First pactice making the cord until you have an even rope that you can braid and we'll start braiding!

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Embellish it With Knots: The Dragonfly

2011-02-10T21:25:00.001-08:00

This dragonfly can be made in any color you want, just use two different colors that match well with the purse, bag or garment you are embellishing with it. It would also look cute also on afghan blocks!

Materials:

Red Heart worsted weight yarn Tea Leaf
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Spring Green
Crochet hook size H
Blunt needle
Scissors
Previous knowledge on how to make French or Colonial Knot (see previous tutorials that teach the knots. You will find them here:
http://craftypursenalityshoppe.blogspot.com/2011/01/texture-it-with-knots-french-knot-and.html)

Body-

With Tea Leaf, ch 11.
Row 1- 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, and in each ch across. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.

Wings-

Skip 3 sc, join Spring to 4th sc, ch 10, sl st in same sc, fasten off, leaving long tail to make knots with.
Skip 1 sc and repeat wing on next sc.
Rep two wings on opposite side.
Thread needle and sew center of body to the crocheted fabric you want to embellish with a running stitch or any stitch you are comofortable with. Fasten off.
Thread needle and sew the wings onto the crocheted fabric, fasten off.
Thread needle with Spring Green and make a row of 4 French or Colnial knots in a straight line inside each wing. Fasten off.
That's it! You have an easy dragonfly you can increase or reduce in size and add to purses, wallets, eyeglass cases, clothing, beanies, quilt blocks, etc.

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Embellish It With Knotted Appliques---The Dog Rose

2011-01-31T16:46:00.000-08:00

If you have taken a look at all at Ondori publications you would have noticed that the Japanese enjoy using crochet-on-crochet appliques to enhance and embellish garments, purses, and other crocheted projects. I love roses, and a dog rose would be a perfect applique, so I have come up with this one, which we will embellish with knots at the center to make it even more original.

Materials:Red Heart worsted weight yarn Petal Pink
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Bright Yellow
Blunt needle
Scissors
Crochet hook size H

With Red Heart worsted weight yarn Petal Pink, ch 12. Sl st to join chain.
Rnd 1- 1 sc in first ch, 2 sc in next ch, *1 sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch, rep from * around. Sl st to join rnd.
Rnd 2- Ch 4, 1 dc in same spot, *skip 1 sc, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc in next sc, rep from * around. Sl st to join rnd. (V-stitch round)
Rnd 3- Ch 2 (stands for 1 hdc), 4 dc, 1 hdc, in center of first V-stitch, skip next ch, *1 hdc, 4 dc, 1 hdc in center of the next V-stitch, rep from * around, sl st at the base of first ch-2 of round to join. Fasten off.

Repeat for as many dog roses as you want to add to your project.

Thread a needle with Petal Pink yarn and sew the dog roses to your project. Fastn off.

Center Knots- With Bright Yellow and blunt needle, make French or Colonial knots to fill the center of the dog rose. Fasten off.

Done!

If you have joined us at this level, please, take some time to go back and check out or previous tutorials where you will learn how to make the French and the Colonial knots, practice a bit with a scrap of crochet and then come back and make your pretty dog roses to embellish your bag, tote, top, cardi, afghan, purse or anything you like to use it for.

Here is where you will find the lesson on how to make the knots:

Texture It With Knots French Knot and Colonial Knot

Can A Saved Man Choose To Be Lost?

Texture It With Knots! --- Hollow Heart

2011-01-26T18:45:00.000-08:00

This is the second part of our knotted hearts tutorial. This one is for a hollow heart. You can combine heart 1 and heart 2 or make either one. You can also use either one of the knots we learned and practiced (Colonial or French knot)they are interchangeable.
To make the heart you will simply proceed as we did with the first one, following the chart,you will be making 1 French or Colonial knot per black dot on the chart, each square of the chart standing for 1 sc of crocheted fabric. You simply work the chart as if you were working cross stitch or any other chart, making 1 knot per dotted square until you complete the heart.

Materials: As before, I used worsted weight yarn for my stitches and a blunt needle, if you would be working on cotton or a lighter fabric, please use Pearl cotton or embroidery floss, adding strands to make your knot thicker and more visible. Color is up to you. You can make your hearts of many colors, tone on tone with the crocheted fabric or all of one color that will contrast with the already corcheted piece, such as red hearts on a black purse or bright pink hearts over a light-colored top or sweater.
If you just found us and would like to make this heart to embellish a crocheted project you have, please visit the previous tutorials in which we learned to make the knots and then applied them to the first heart, sot hat you can have a better idea of what we are talking about here.
You will find the tutorial on how to make the knots here:
http://craftypursenalityshoppe.blogspot.com/2011/01/texture-it-with-knots-french-knot-and.html

This is where you will find the tutorial on how to make heart #1:
http://craftypursenalityshoppe.blogspot.com/2011/01/texture-it-with-knots-heart-1.html

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"God's mercy and love for the fallen race have not ceased to accumulate, nor lost their earthward direction.
It is true that disappointments will come; tribulation we must expect; but we are to commit everything, great and small, to God. He does not become perplexed by the multiplicity of our grievances, nor overpowered by the weight of our burdens. His watchare extends to every household, and encircles every individual; He is concerned in all our business and our sorrows. He marks every tear; He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. All the afflictions and trials that befall us here are permitted, to work out His purposes of love toward us—'that we might be partakers of His holiness,' and thus become participants in that fullness of joy which is found in His presence." My Life Today, 292.

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Texture It With Knots! Heart---1

2011-01-18T18:54:00.001-08:00

There are many kinds of hearts you can make with knots. And I am sure that when you have practiced a little bit you will come up with your favorite way of making these. I will try to share two with you that are of my own design. Think of how pretty a black purse or tote would look full of bright hearts made in different shades or red, dark pink and orangey-red all formed by texture-rich knots! That will also be unusual and different, because you will be making these after you have already made the purse, but before you add the lining and the handle. Also, if you are making a garment, you can make a couple of rows of these along the bottom of a top (also the sleeves), etc. Endless ideas will come to your mind as you work with these.

If you have joined our tutorials just now and do not know how to make the French Knot or the Colonial Knot, please go back and check out our past lesson. Practice the knots and then come back so that you will be able to attain satisfactory results with your stitching.
Here is where you will find the tutorial you need to see:
Texture It With Knots French Knot and Colonial Knot

For those of you who have been following these tutorials and already practiced the stitches, let's go on. I have enlosed a chart for you to guide yourselves.
Materials suggested:
If working on a yarn purse or garment, you can use the following yarn suggestions, if you are working on cotton, use Pearl cotton or embroidery floss, Practice on a scrap for thickness of knot and effect you would like the achieve.
For the sample, I used the following reds:
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Ranch Red (darkest shade)
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Cherry Red
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Hot Red
I used a blunt needle because I used yarn, if you will be working with Pearl cotton or with embroidery floss, use an appropriate needle.
Scissors
I cut a 30" length of Ranch Red yarn to make the first heart. As you work you will be able to gauge better who much you will need. I don't like my knots to be too tight because they look too small. Look carefully at the chart because it will be your guide. Each square of the chart represents 1 sc stitch of crocheted fabric on your purse or garment. The knot I chose to use was the French knot, and instead of making 2 wraps, I made 3 wraps for added thickness of the knot.

Following the chart, make the first knot by coming out through the fabric at the center of the sc stitch (right underneath the vertical loop that all backside sc stitches have) that is the easiest way to guide your stitches when you are a beginner. Holding the needle behind the yarn, wrap 3 times, and then go back into the crocheted fabric by inserting the needle not at the place where you came out at the beginning, but right in between that stitch and the previous stitch. pull your thread through, straighten out your knot. Make a knot the same way in the center of the nect sc.
Skip 3 sc, make 1 knot in each of the next two sc. Come back out on the row below, 1 sc to the right of the last one you just made and following the chart again, complete 1 knot in each of the following 4 sc, counting from right to left. Skip next sc, 1 French knot is next sc. Take thread to back and fasten off. Cut 46 inches of Cherry Red. Thread blunt needle and work 1 French knot in each of next 3 sc as before, moving from right to left.
Come out in new row, still following your chart, and make 1 French knot in first sc right underneath the last Cherry Red knot made. Continue maing 1 French knot in each of next 8 sc. Take needle to the back. Fasten off. Cut 30 inches of Cherry Red and thread a needle again.
Come up from the back and make 1 French knot in each of first 7 sc of row right below the last one. Fasten off. Cut 92 inches of Hot Red. Thread blunt needle again, this time with Hot Red.
Make last 2 knots of row with Hot Red.
Next row, skip first sc and make 5 knots across. Go to the back and come up again in the next row. Skip first 2 sc and make 1 French knot in each of next 3 sc, skip all the rest. Go to the back and come up again in row below, skipping first 2 sc, make French knot in next sc. This forms the point of the heart. Go to the back and fasten off.
Note- When you pull your knots tight, do so carefully, so that you will not pull your knot all the way to the back! Make sure your knots are well shaped so that they will not unravel with use.
Practice in a scrap of crochet until you are very sure of your French or Colonial knots (they are interchangeable) then go for it!
Following the chart, continue with Hot Red, making 1 knot per square on the chart, until you are done with the heart. Fasten off. I added a couple of knots to my heart to make it chunkier because of the photo, but you can make a pretty heart following just the "x" stitches in the chart.
You just made your first heart! Practice until you can make them with your eyes closed. Then you can adapt them and make them with a hollow center, or make them with less rows. You can make a string of heart or even chanve the direction in which the hearts point.
We will make one more heart in our next tutorial.

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Texture It With Knots! The French Knot and the Colonial Knot

2011-01-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

We will begin today to learn a series of knots which we'll later use to embellish appliques to purses and garments. We will embellish a heart, a dragonfly, a flower, and maybe some other things. Not in that order! But first we need to learn two different knots. You will find, as you learn how to use them, that later on, you will venture out on using in other ways than these (I want to encourage you to use your imagination and creativity, that's part of the joy of crafting!) As you get more familiar with embellishing, and more secure at it, you will branch out to use these techniques to come up with your own designs and enjoy it thoroughly!

You can use these knots as we will in these tutorials, but you can also use them to form other things. For example, if you are working on a baby bag or on a baby blanket or baby cardi, and you would like to add a dolly applique to the item, you can work the dolly's hair with these knots. If you want to make an A B C or a 1-2-3 bib, you can crochet the letters, and sew them as appliques and then embellish them with these knots, either by edging them with the knots or actually filling the crocheted letters with them, to give them texture and originality. You can also use the knots in stripes every 2 or 3 rows. If you are making a shopping tote, and would like to add clusters of grapes to it, you can make those wonderful Irish-crochet leaves and then form the grape clusters with these knots. Little lambs, the centers of sunflowers, lilacs, fluffy clouds, raspberries, mums, and many other things can be "shaped" with these knots. Really, your imagination and creativity is really the limit!

Today, we will learn the French Knot and the Colonial Knot. You can choose to learn both knots or jsut one of them. They can be used interchangeably for your projects, or you can use both at the same time to embellish our projects!

The French Knot
This is the most common of the two knots we will be learning. This is the knot that first comes to mind when people think of making something with knots.
To practice these two knots you will need the foillowing:

A piece of crochet of a comfortable size for you to hold (a solid sc granny square block would do)
1 blunt needle if using yarn or an embroidery needle if using Pearl cotton or embroidery floss
pearl cotton or worsted weight yarn in your choice of colors
A pair of scissors

I will be showing you the stitches in yarn because they will show larger and you will be able to see them better, but even if your item is made in yarn, you can make these knots in embroidery thread or in pearl cotton, or even in crochet size 10 cotton, to create an effect and a contrast in textures. It is all up to the idea you have in mind.

To make a French Knot, thread your needle, bring the needle to the front of the crocheted fabric, now, hold the thread up with the opposite hand (the one not holding the needle), place the needle right under the working thread and wrap the yarn or thread around the needle twice. Push the needle into the crocheted fabric back down as close as possible to where you came out, (not in the same spot, just as close as possible to it.) Now, holding on to the working yarnor thread, pull your needle through the center of the knot, guiding the yarn or thread as you go so that it will not tangle, until you have almost no yarn or thread left. Then, let go of it and let it all desappear on the other side. You don't want too much tension on the thread, jus enough to keep a good shape on the knot and so that the needle can pass through the center easily, without having to force it down.

We will also learn another knot, the Colonial Knot. This is also a pretty knot to use in may ways. You can exchange the French Knot for it or
viceversa in any project you want to embellish.

The Colonial Knot

To make a Colonial Knot: Thread your needle with either yarn or thread. Come up through the crochet fabric with your needle. Now, form with the working yarn or thread the shape of a backward letter "C", ley your needle down against the "C" just formed with the working yarn or thread, wrap the working thread around the needle to form a figure "8", then, while holding the yarn or thread down, bring the needle down into the crocheted fabric very close to where you came up (not in the same hole, just right next to it), keep a soft tension on your working yarn or thread as you push the needle through to the back side of the crocheted piece.
pull through the center of the knot, hoding on to the working yarn or thread until only a little bit is left, let go and make it disappear down the center of the knot.

If there is time, later, I would like to teach you a couple more knots that you can also use together with these two or interchangeably in place of these two.

But for now, practice these two knots until you get them down, and we will move on to embellishing with them!

Read FREE online:

Rendezvous in Space!

Texture It With Knots! The Bullion Rose!

2011-01-03T19:31:00.001-08:00

Materials:
If you are making these rosebuds as an all-over after-the-fact embellishment on a bag, and you used yarn for the bag, you can use yarn for the rosebuds.
If you want a contrasting fiber, you can use Perle or pearl cotton for the rosebuds.
Suggested colors: DMC Pearl Cotton Thread, Size 3, 16 yds. (15m)
Very Dk. Shell Pink
Rose
Very Lt. Shell Pink
If you want to use yarn, use the following colors:
Red Heart Shocking Pink or Country Rose
Rose Pink or Pretty 'N Pink
Baby Pink or Raspberry

Choose where you want your stitch to go on your bag or garment, bring the needle through from the back to the front at that spot, then you insert the needle a few stitches below that, and bring the needle up near where you oribilaly brought the needle through to start up,
then you wrap the yarn around the needle (if you are using yarn, wrap 10 times, if you are using embroidery thread, wrap 15 times. Not too tightly so that you can pull the needle through!) Pull your needle through, tighten it up a bit and to anchor it in place, pull your yarn or thread through to the other side.
For second side of center, bring out needle a little bit under the bullion just made, then, insert needle through beside the bullion stitch just made and make a bullion with 8 wraps. pull needle through, tighten stitch and ancor it in place. Fasten off on the wrong side. Thread needle with Pretty 'N Pink, if using yarn.
If using Pearl cotton, thread needle with Rose. Starting right underneat the darker center, bhering the needle through, then stitch above where you stitched the last bullion, to make this petal longer than the last one, make 12 wraps, pull needle through, tighten stitch, and anchor it.
Repeat this last stitch on the opposite side but make 14 wraps instead of 12. Pull through, tighten stitch. Ancor sittch and fasten off.
Thread needle with Baby Pink of with Very Lt. Shell Pink, if you are using Pearl cotton. Make a small Bullion of 8 wraps underneath the center rosebud already made. Pull through and tighten. Anchor stitch. Make another bullion on the opposite side with 8 wraps. Pull through and tighten. Anchor stitch.
Make another bullion a little bit above that one with 8 wraps. Ans another one on the opposite side a bit above the last one with 10 wraps.Make a tiny bullion across the top with 6 wraps. As always, pull needle through wraps, tighten, then anchor stitch.
Then go a little bit inside the top of the rose and make another 6-wrap little bullion. Pull needle thorugh, tighten stitch and anchor it.
Finally, make a small, 6-wrap bullion onthe side of the rose, (You can continue for as long as you want to and make the rose as large as you want to, but we will stop with a small rose.)
Once you have made your rosebuds, you can add little crocheted leaves (if you want to). Use Red Heart worsted weight yarn Tea Leaf or if you use pearl cotton, make leaves with Med. Pistachio Green.
For this one I decided to make 2 bullion leaves, one a bit to the side of the bottom and one above the last petal.

Christ's Human Nature

Texture it With Knots! The Bullion Rosebud!

2010-12-30T18:12:00.000-08:00

There are as many kinds of bullion knot rosebuds as there are designers. i will be sharing with you my own. It is a very simple rosebud, you can make it a bit more complex by adding mroe petals to it, and i give you the suggestion of colors you can use to add to it.
This is a lovely techinique to learn to embellish crochet. You can add it to purses, clothing (especially tops and little girl's dresses),b ut you can also use to it embellish beanies, gloves, belts, the front of ponchos, totes, coin purses, and more!

Materials:
If you are making these rosebuds as an all-over after-the-fact embellishment on a bag, and you used yarn for the bag, you can use yarn for the rosebuds.
If you want a contrasting fiber, you can use Perle or pearl cotton for the rosebuds.
Suggested colors: DMC Pearl Cotton Thread, Size 3, 16 yds. (15m)
Very Dk. Shell Pink
Rose
Very Lt. Shell Pink
If you want to use yarn, use the following colors:
Red Heart Shocking Pink or Country Rose
Rose Pink or Pretty 'N Pink
Baby Pink or Raspberry

Choose where you want your stitch to go on your bag or garment, bring the needle through from the back to the front at that spot, then you insert the needle a few stitches below that, and bring the needle up near where you oribilaly brought the needle through to start up,then you wrap the yarn around the needle (if you are using yarn, wrap 10 times, if you are using embroidery thread, wrap 15 times. Not too tightly so that you can pull the needle through!) Pull your needle through, tighten it up a bit and to anchor it in place, pull your yarn or thread through to the other side.
For second side of center, bring out needle a little bit under the bullion just made, then, insert needle through beside the bullion stitch just made and make a bullion with 8 wraps. pull needle through, tighten stitch and ancor it in place. Fasten off on the wrong side. Thread needle with Pretty 'N Pink, if using yarn.

If using Pearl cotton, thread needle with Rose. Starting right underneat the darker center, bring the needle through, then stitch above where you stitched the last bullion, to make this petal longer than the last one, make 12 wraps, pull needle through, tighten stitch, and anchor it.
Repeat this last stitch on the opposite side but make 14 wraps instead of 12. Pull through, tighten stitch. Anchor stitch and fasten off.
If you would like to make a couple of more petals, repeat the last 2 petals right beside the ones you made last, but using the pale pink yarn or thread.

Once you have made your rosebuds, you can add little crocheted leaves (if you want to). Use Red Heart worsted weight yarn Tea Leaf or if you use #10 cotton, make leaves with Frosty Green. Or you can make a couple of Bullion leaves using Tea Leaf if you are using yarn or Med Pistachio Green, if you use Pearl cotton, use Med. Pistachio Green.

If you came in just now and do know how to make the Bullion Knot to begin with and are interested in learning to use this technique, go back to our previous class and learn it, then come back and try the rosebud.
Here is where you will find our previous tutorial:

Texture It With Knots! Bullion Knot

For our next class, we will complete a Bullion Rose.

Born in Bethlehem

Texture It With Knots! The Bullion Knot

2010-12-22T17:42:00.000-08:00

Now, if you don't want to make puff balls, or if you already used the puff balls and would like to use another kind of embellishment to create texture, use knots!
We will be making different knots, so you will learn to make them and by eaither scattering them all over your project or using them to follow a design of your own invention, go for it! This and the following classes will enable you to use decorative knots from now on.

Let's start with the Embroidery Bullion Knot.
You know Bullions from crochet, the embroidery bullion is pretty similar, but you can add bullions to your project after the fact, by using embroidery bullion knots.

You can add them in a pattern of your own choosing, you can scatter them all over, you can add them horizontally or vertically, and you can curve them like semi-circles.

You can use yarn on yarn, tone on tone, or contrasting colors and a different thread from the yarn used for your purse, bag or garment. For example, you can use Perle embroidery cotton, you can make them with a #10 cotton thread, you can use metallic thread, you can use satiny rayon thread, variegated embroidery thread,etc. The possibilities are almost endless.

This particular knot is also known as a caterpillar stitch or a coil stitch because you can use it as coils in a decorative manner. It all depends on how many times you will wrap the thread or yarn around your needle, if you do it say, 20 times, you will have a longer bullion and you can arch it a bit and turn it into a semi-circle.
Usually, you will wrap 15 times and you will get a straight bullion. If you would like to have an interesting effect with this thread, you can use 3 or 4 contrasting embroidery threads threaded through your blunt or embroidery needle. This stitch can be used a s a powdering, here and there as an accent, or you can mass it together, thus making a very dense textured filling following a pattern of your own invention; you can work it closely together to form a textured outline to other motifs you may want to sew onto a piece or just use it to add interest an a splash of color and a surprise where you would like it.

Before you begin, you have to decide whether you want the bullion to lie straight or if you want it to curve (for it to curve you only need tomake it longer and add mroe wraps to the needle). As with everything new, please, practice with a scrap piece until you are confindent with the stithc and then add it to your project to embellish it!

To work your Bullion proceed as follows, insert the needle into the crocheted fabric where you want it, from back to front, insert the needle again a little bit further, as far as you want theBullion to go, and without pushing the needle through the crocheted fabric all the way through, wrap the thread or yarn around the needle, 10 to 12 times for yarn or thick thread, 15 to 20 times for very fine embroidery thread or fine cotton crochet thread, not to tightly, because it will make it hard to pull the needle, and pull the needle through the wraps. Pull all the way till all the thread has gone through the curls of the wraps and all you have left is the Bullion.
To anchor the stitch, bring the needle to the back at the spot where you started.

Born of the Lineage of David

Yo-Yo It!

2010-12-09T17:05:00.001-08:00

Materials:

Yarn of your choice

Scissors

Blunt needle

Crochet hook size H

Yo-yos are easy to make and are a fun way to embellish a piece of work. You can make them in a variety of contrasting, vivid colors against a dark ground (black, coffee, chocolate brown, burgundy or navy, to give you just a few examples. A dark slate gray will also work) or against a white, creamyu or light beige, or even a pearl gray.

On the other hand, you can use them tone on tone, just to add texture to the item you are making and mobility (if you choose to let them hang a little more) that is flirty and fun.

For example, for a shawl, you can add the yo-yos to the last 2 rows of your shawl as a substitute for tassels or a fringe. If it is a cardi, you can do the same or sew them all over a bag or large tote! You can also sew them in rows, leaving a space in between for a fun effect, similar to a moving fringe. Like colored, hanging coins, they will add motion to the garment or the purse.

Make your yo-yos all by themselves, either in the same yarn and color of the item you intend to sew them to or in contrasting colors or even texture to the item they will be embellishing.

Make your yo-yos as follows:

Leaving a tail at the start, ch 4, sl st to form ring.
Ch 3, work 16 dc in ring. Sl st to join rnd. Fasten off, leaving long tail.

Continue to make your yo-yos until you have the amount you have decided to use according to the kind of effect you want to achieve (an overall effect of adding them randomly all over the garment or bag, section embellishment, by just adding them in rows or just to a certain area of the garment or purse.)

Attaching your yo-yos:

Thread a blunt needle with one of the tails you left over and use that tail to sew the yo yo tothe garment or purse. Fasten off. Do the same with the other tail. You can sew the yo-yo closely to the garment or bag or leave bit of the yarn hanging for the yo-yo to have mobility.

Have fun with yo-yos! You can use them to embellish the front of a top or even the edges of a scarf. You can add them to the edges of a wrap or pile them up to form almost like a faux fur-like "collar" for a cardigan or sweater.

Variations:

You can make yo-yos in eyelash yarn, so that they'll have the feel of moving, round fringes!

Hope you enjoy trying out these ideas!

This is a beautiful time of the year, when humans beings stop and think of others. This is also a verylonely time of the year for many. If you can, stop and make something beautiful for someone who is alone in the world, someone who has been forgotten by people but not by god and you will be greatly blessed!

Rendezvous in Space!

Embellished Crochet Academy Lesson 2: Rick Rack

2010-11-29T17:25:00.001-08:00

Last week, we used Puff Balls to embellish a bag, tote or garment that needed a little "more" after it was finished. This week, we will try our hand at rick rack. Rick rack can be very useful, you can use its valleys and peacks to "hang" a lacy ruffle, you can use it as is to just edorate around your bag or garment without having to unravel a single stitch to sproce things up.

Here's a simple rick rack you can make, which is very flexible and can be used in various decorative ways:

With yarn of your choice and H hook, ch 3.

Work 3 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Ch 3, make 3 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Rpe until you have the desired length.

How to use it:

You can sew this rick rack to your bag or garment in various ways, using it as is, or you can bead it or sew a decorative pearl or button to each "peak" of the rick rack.

You can make 2 rows of rick rack in contrasting colors of yarn or thread (depending on the project and the time of the year) and sew them with the peaks either facing away from each other of 1 up, 1 down, or all facing one another. This rack rack is very, very flexible and you can turn it easily in whatever direction you like.

You can sew it either forming two horizontal rows around a bag or the front of a grament, or two vertical rows.

You can also sew them in a V or U shape or form a half square, leaving the top opened and fill the inside with beads or buttons of any size. Even giant buttons look good.

You can also form a heart shape or a diamond with it. Simply, pin it down in the shape you have in mind and sew in place. If you form a heart, for example, you can eaither leafe it as is, or fill the hollow center with beads or buttons.

This will give a fresh look to your a favorite pattern for a bag, tote, purse or garment.

.................................................

Precious Thought:

" 'I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.' This the message that, in the light from the cross, may be read upon all the face of nature. The heavens declare His glory, and the earth is full of His riches." Lift HIM Up, 255.

Embellished Crochet Academy Lesson 1: Puff Balls

2010-11-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

Embellished Crochet—After The Fact Embellishments: Puff Balls

This course is for those who have a favorite pattern that they can make in a jiffy, almost with their eyes closed. A pattern they love and would make over and over again, if only it didn’t look the same! There is a solution to that and this course offers you many ideas you can apply to your simple patterns to spruce them up and give them a different touch, taking from the that “sameness” that has stopped you from repeating them till now! But it is not restricted only to bags. The embellishments you will learn can be applied to a variety of crocheted items such as tops, cardigans, shawls, hats, and many more! As many as your imagination and creativity lead you to use them on. Once you have learned these embellishments, you can work out your favorite patterns and just embellish them at the end.

So let's assume you have just finished a tote bag using your favorite pattern and you want to make it look different. Puff It! This is especially fun if you are making two or more of the same pattern and want to make each bag turn out different.

Let's Puff It Today- You already made your bag, (have not lined it yet) top, beanie, beret, scarf, or cardi, but you want to add "something" to it, so let's "puff" it!
You can make tone on tone puffs, or use a variety of contrasting colors, or you can make all the puffs the same color but of a color that contrasts beautifully with the bag or garment. You can also use a texture (novelty yarn,funfur, eyelash yarn, frisee or boucle yarn of your choice)or you can make them in pure wool (even if the original purse or garment is in acrylic yarn)and needle felt them before you add them for a different effect.

Materials needed:Yarn of your choice
Finished purse, tote, bag or garment
Blunt needle
Scissors

Make the Puff Balls as Follows:

With yarn of your choice and H hook, ch 3.
Work 5 dc in 3rd ch from hook, leaving last loop of each dc unowrked on hook, yo and pull yarn through all loops on hook. Move all the dc towards the back to form a ball, turn the puff around and look below it. You will find what is rest of the foundation loop where all the dc where made, insert hook there and make a slip stitch. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew your puff with.

Repeat this procedure until you have all the puff balls you want to add to your bag or garment. When you have all the puffs you want done,thread a blunt needle with the tail you left when you finished each puff and sew them to the bag or garment one at a time where you want them.
You can scatter them all over your project or place them only at the bottom or center of it. For example, if you are using them to embellish a beanie or beret, you can crowd all your puffs aorund the center top of your beanie or beret. It you want to use them to embellish a scarf, add to the bottom ends of it. If you want to dot a purse, bag or tote, you can use them all ovedr or just down the front in a vertical line, around the bag on a vertical swath, you can use them only at the bottom on a thick row, you can also use them to worm a pattern linke a zig zag. The uses are as endless as your imagination!
If you want them for a cardi or top, you can place them at the bottom and edge of sleeves, down the front, as a horizonal line around, dotted all over, and in any way you want it!
You can use the tufted feel by making your puffs of funfur. Follow your creativity!

If you wish to contact me concerning one of the lessons of the CAL, please do so using the form below:

If you would like to contribute your photos to the Academy, use this form to let me know and I will sen dyou an email address where you can send me your pics, for me to post them with your name, and whatever info you would like to add.

Precious Thought:

"Let the tenderness and mercy that Jesus has revealed in Hiw own precious life be an example to us of the manner in which we should treat our fellow beings." ---My Life Today, 235.

Announcing! Embellished crochet Academy

2010-11-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

Many of you have told me how much you love my bags. Thank you for your kind words and support. I have been thinking for a while how I could share with my supporters something that would enhance their efforts to make beautiful bags (and I will also be doing it in such a way that you can also enhance THE REST of your crochet as well: tops, hats, shawls, cardigans, etc.) And I have decided to come up with the Embellish Crochet Academy. This will be a school-type of sharing. I will post an embellishment techinque that you can use in your bags or to enhance the appearance of a favorite garment pattern so that the same will not be the same, same old ever again!

Name:
Email:
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