I have been hooked on playing with Bruges Lace as of late,
and wanted to share this skill.
Spiral Bruges Cowl
Bruges Lace is a crochet technique that essentially has you
crocheting a ribbon, a narrow strip, and attaching it to itself to create a
simple lace that looks much more involved. The patterns often have a high row
count, but that is because the rows are only a few stitches each, in some cases
only 5 stitches.
A “ribbon”
As you can see in this photo the “ribbon” is only a few
stitches, and then there is a long turning chain. This long chain is used as a
joining point when working the “ribbon” back on itself. This approach lends
itself to any design that you can draw in a continuous line.
When you have a “turn” in your line you need to work longer
and join multiple long loops together to form a “bend” in the ribbon.
Joining sides of “ribbons”
I encourage you to give it a try, and to get you started I
have a free cowl pattern.
Spiral Bruges Cowl
Work a ribbon, and then join on one side to spiral around and create this fast and eye catching cowl. The ends of the ribbon are highlighted with simple shells to finish this highlight.
Finished Size
31″ circumference, 12″ Tall (79 cm circumference, 9 cm tall)
Gauge
5 sts (the width of ribbon, not counting ch-5 loop)= 1 1/2″ (4cm), 6 rows =4″ (10cm)
Some say it is too hot to crochet, but I have always found
the summer months my most productive time of year. I should preface that I do
not have any air conditioning. I know that some might see this and think that I
must be in some Nordic part of the world, and while I live in a climate that
affords me cool nights and hot days, my summer temperatures can easily find a
month of temperatures over 100° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius). So, let me share
some of my tips.
Stay Hydrated
I keep a glass of water or iced tea near me at all times. I
have a pretty bad habit of getting really involved in “just one more row” to
the point that I can miss meals, so having a beverage at the ready really helps
me have no excuse to not get a drink. It is pretty easy to hold the project and
get a sip.
A tall cold glass to keep hydrated
Lotion if Needed
Since I live in an area with very little humidity, I need a
good lotion to keep my hands smooth and feeling good. I have found that I like
some wax based lotions that are in a solid form, like lotion bars. However I
have also found success with thick medicated lotions. Basically anything that
absorbs into my skin and does not feel like it is just sitting atop my skin.
Find the Shade
Honestly, I probably am in doors with most of my stitching,
but venturing out in the heat of the day means that I am finding a nice piece
of shade. If the location has a bit of a breeze even better. In addition, I am
usually wearing a hat and sporting sunscreen.
If at all possible I make sure that I am out of the car.
Sitting in the car and crocheting might be a necessity for me in some
instances, but if I can get out of the car and get into fresh air it helps.
A Well Placed Fan
Putting a fan about 6-10 feet away and directed at me, is
all I really need. If it oscillates, it is even better. This air movement helps
to keep me comfortable, even while finishing a king sized afghan.
Check your Yarn
I tend to avoid using yarns with a lot of halo, or “fuzz” when the weather turns hot. I prefer a smooth yarn. Although this is probably more of a mental thought of what is cooler to work with than a reality. I just think that as the yarn slips smoother through my fingers, the easier it flows the cooler I feel.
I think that looking over my list I realize why I am so
productive during hot weather….I basically find a place and stay there, I stay
in a seat, with a fan blowing and a cold drink, in the shade while pampering my
hands a bit. This makes it easy to work on projects, and beat the heat.
I pick up this stitch again recently and begun playing with
it in the round. This stitch is typically worked at only half the row height
increase of the single crochet stitch, working in both its on row stitch and
the one adjacent. As a result of this one, stitch stacked upon one stitch approach
it takes a bit of thinking to work the flat circular increases.
The first hurdle is to actually begin the round. You really
need to work 2 rows of fabric in the same beginning stitches to ensure an even
fabric consistency throughout. I have found two approaches to this in the
round.
Please note that I worked this fabric as a different color
on each side, as it really helped me to keep the process understandable. In
doing such I would drop the color, leaving the working loop for the color live
and pick up the new color, switching like this between every Round. In addition,
I worked the entire fabric in a spiral method, meaning I did not join the
rounds when completed, I simply began the next stitches in the next round. This
was also so ease of keeping track of my location in the work. I have to play a
bit more with the end of the Rounds, as even working in a spiral they appear to
easily as the stitches become a bit clustered and dense, but it does allow for
the thermal stitch to be created.
Beginning:
Method one: The magic loop/ring/circle. Essentially this technique involves making a loop of yarn and crocheting in this loop, like when crocheting over item (like the demonstration here making holiday wreaths).
Round 1: Work 8 single crochets into the loop (color cream),
turn.
Round 2: Drop color
from round one, join new color (color yellow). Working between stitches in between
the stitches of Round 1, [insert your from behind the magic ring, and through
the top loop closest to you in Round 1….this feels a bit awkward, but
essentially what you are doing is inserting your hook into the bottom ring and
the loop of the stitch in round 1, yo, pull through a loop, yo, pull through 2
loops] repeat 8 times, turn. -8 sts
Pull ring closed.
Working Round 2 of Magic Circle method, inserting hook behind ring and through top loop closest to you,Working Round 2 of Magic Circle Method as viewed from the Wrong SideThermal in the Round, Completed Round 1 & 2
Method two: Working into a ring. Chain 4, and slip stitching to the first chain to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring (color white), turn. -8 sts
Round 2: Drop color from Round 1, join new color (color
yellow) to one “leg” of the single crochet stitch, insert hook through same
point as join and the top loop closes to you of Round 1, yo, pull through a
loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, [insert hook into one “leg” of next single crochet
and the top loop of next stitch, yo, pull through a loop, yo, pull through 2
loops] 7 times, turn. -8 sts
Thermal in the Round, Round 2 working in the “through the stitch leg” method. Insert hook through one “leg” of the stitch and the top loop closest to you.
All Subsequent Rounds….Working the Increases
Increases need to happen in each Round, but you are
essentially working the same increase for 2 rounds. Meaning that the stitch
count for Rounds 3 and 4 will be in same, the same number of stitches are
worked in the white, the same number in the yellow….like working two separate fabrics
at once. However the increases are slightly different in approach.
Round 3: Dropping yellow and picking up white, insert hook
through the front loop of Round 1, and the top loop closest to you in Round 2, yo,
pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops, insert hook into same location as
stitch just made and rework stitch, this is your increase. Work 2 thermal
stitches in each stitch around, turn. -16 sts
Thermal in the Round, Odd Round increase
Round 4: Dropping white and picking up yellow, [insert hook
through the front loop of Round 2 and the top loop closest to you in Round 3,
yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops, insert hook into the same front
loop of Round 2, and next top loop closest to you in Round 3 (note there are
already twice as many stitches in Round 3 as there are in Round 2…so there are
less front loops to work into then there are completed stitches, as a result
you need to increase Round 4 by working 2 stiches in the same Front loop, but
do not in the top loop closest to you)] repeat 7 times, turn. -16 sts
Thermal in the Round, Even Round Increase, first stitchThermal in the Round, Even Round Increase, second stitch
You work the same formula for a flat circle (you can find that here), in all the rounds going forward. I tend to think of the rounds in sets, a pair of one odd round and one even round (Round 1 & 2, Round 3 & 4, Round 5 & 6, etc.) Working all increases in Odd number rounds by working into the same front loop and the same top loop closest to you. Working all Even Round increases as the same front loop but different top loop closest to you. All non-increase stitches are worked as traditional Thermal Stitch (see tutorial for basic stitch)
This subtle difference in the increases between the rounds
is one reason the different colors helped me. I could remember that every time
I used the yellow yarn I was doing an even number Round increase.
Thermal in the Round view from Odd Rounds
This process takes a bit of practice, but the resulting
fabric has a nice textured look, and the dense nature lends itself nicely to
pot holders, trivets, wash scrubby, I could even see a nice warm hat in the
future.
For some reason I am finding it difficult to write this
post.
The last couple of weeks has reminded me of something quite
fundamental within the fiber arts. When you find those that share your hobby,
you find your tribe. I have witnessed several examples of how this tribe is a force
of good in the world.
The first example was while I was at the DFW Fiber Fest.
Just as the vendor market was about to open the rumor had spread that one
vendor had not been able to set up. Apparently, the trailer that carried all of
their yarns, their samples, their entire booth set up was stolen from a hotel
parking lot.
Most vendors are small businesses, the entire family participates
in the entire experience. This is the livelihood, and obviously a loss like this
is huge set back.
So, what happened next was a true feeling of the tribe. All
the other vendors donated items for a raffle drawing, while attendees began
taking up donations. After 24 hours all organization came together for one
central raffle drawing fundraising event. In just two and a half short days
over $12,000 was raised to help offset the losses to this family.
To add to the story, apparently the thieves took approximately
a third of the yarn they had stolen and donated it to a Habitat for Humanity store.
A crochet loving volunteer thought that this donation looked odd, did a bit of
research and was able to return some of the vendors stock to them. The vendor
was able to have a small booth to sell these found yarns, in which they had a
steady show of support.
This was occurring as a fellow crochet was losing her battle
with cancer. By now in life I have been down this path before, it does not become
any easier. However there was a bit of a difference with this passing. I know
this crocheter from the Crochet Guild of America, I have spent time with her at
the annual conference, and followed her life on-line via Facebook.
After her passing, her only living relative, her brother,
reached out to her crochet community to inform them of just how much we all meant
to her. This tribe was her family, and the simple act of sharing our love for
crochet had created an environment in her life that was the world to her. Her
tribe was important to her enough that they become a part of her everyday life.
There is a void in the crochet community.
There are other instances that have come together this week
to remind me that there is so much more we have in common than we have
different. Crochet just happens to be one of those tribes that we can easily
recognize, we know that if someone plays with yarn we can find a common ground.
I still do not understand why I have had such difficulty
putting any of this to words, maybe it is because my tribe is too close to my
heart.
When I first created this design, I was planning on celebrating crochet during the National Crochet Month (every March), but now it has grown into a much longer celebration time….If you are visiting this site from the Yarnover Truck as part of the San Diego Yarn Crawl…Thank you! Please enjoy “my crochet story” and your free pattern.
I met Underground Crafter through the Crochet Guild of
America, actually I have my career in crochet because of CGOA. I never thought
that crochet could take me to the places it has.
I will admit that when I first learned about CGOA I didn’t
really know what to expect. I found an ad for it in a magazine, and figured I
would give membership a try.
I soon learned of the Masters program, then completed the Advanced Stitches &Techniques Program, which consists of 48 swatches and 13 question. Some of the swatches were things I had never heard of before, like foundation single crochet, so I learned some new skills and have my work reviewed. I remember that I was nervous, excited and a bit terrified to have my work reviewed. Fortunately, and eventually, I passed the program.
Later that year I was invited to the CGOA annual conference
to be recognized for my accomplishment. I was a bit reluctant….after all it was
a crochet conference….so people just sat around and crocheted?…But with
encouragement from family and friends I went, and I was hooked!
Where this one event took me
I met so many incredible people from so many walks of life.
It was an experience that changed my life, seriously. It was at this conference
that I sold my first design, and began my career as a crochet designer, that
lead to more teaching, that lead to volunteer work in crochet…that lead to
being a reviewer and a writer for the Masters Program, that lead to a seat on
the Board of Directors, and finally my title as President. It is hard to
believe that my career started only 7 years ago, from a membership that I took
a chance on a decade ago.
Even if I never took the chance at conference and started a
new path in my life, I was hooked as a supporter of CGOA for the simple fact
that it is the only organization that solely supports crochet. It is a unified
voice of crocheters in the craft industry, a central point for the history of
all things crochet, a source that encourages and expands the skills and
knowledge of crochet. It does all of this numerous volunteers coordinating over
twenty committees. I am constantly impressed with the ideas and energy of those
that love crochet.
I would continue to support CGOA simply because it supports
crochet.
In addition, please enjoy my free pattern, Quiet Night Wrap. I designed this pattern by candle light during the winter storms and my journey back to the 1800’s just a few weeks ago (find that story here). I hope you have enjoyed a month long celebration of crochet, personally I think I will try and celebrate it every day.
Quiet Nights Wrap
Quiet Nights Wrapby:
Linda Dean
Created in the dark during a winter storm, this simple 2 row repeat worked from the center back outward, will be a go to favorite for a triangle shawl. The ending edge really makes it a show stopper. This will be the wrap that everyone wants you to make for them.
Treble Crochet Two
Together (tr2tog): YO
twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops)
twice, YO twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through
2 loops) twice, YO, pull through 3 loops.
The Pattern
Row 1: Ch 2, (sc, [ch 3, sc] 3 times) all in 2nd ch from hook, turn. -4 sc, (3) ch-3 sps
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + 1 ch now and throughout), 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp (insert removable stitch marker in ch-1 sp to mark center of shawl), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn. 14 dc
Row 3: Ch 1,(sc, ch 3, sc) in same st, ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sk 3dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in ch-1 sp] across to center of shawl, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in center ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in next ch-1 sp] across to last ch- 1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 dc, sk ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in last dc, turn. -7 ch-3 sps
Row 4: Ch
4, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp] rep across to center of
shawl, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in center ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp]
across, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn. -26 dc
Row 51: Ch 4, dc in same sp, [ch
1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to center of shawl, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in
center of shawl, ch 1, dc in next st, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to ast
st, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last st, turn.
Row 52: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, [ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts] 12 times, ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, 3 dc in next ch-1sp (center of shawl), [ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts ] 12 times, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sps, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 4 sts, turn.
Row 53: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts] 12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, dc in next dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc, dc in next dc, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk next ch-sp and dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 4 sts] 12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.
Row 54: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7 (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 sts] 12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 dc sts] 12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.
Almost done….
Row 55: Ch 3, dc in next st, [ch 3
(tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next
dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in
same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp, dc in next 3 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next
3 dc, [ch 3, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3,
sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in
ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Row 56: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3,
sc in next st, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12
times, [ch5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, (sc, ch 5, sc) in ch-1 sp, ch
5, sc in ch-5 sp, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12
times, [ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, sc in next dc, ch 3, sc in
next dc. Fasten off.
Weave in ends, block.
A Bonus
Thank you for participating in the San Diego Yarn Crawl…as an added bonus, you can download a PDF of this pattern here.
