Friday, April 18, 2008

Tapestry Crochet!

I know that most of you have the same dilemma right now. It's gardening time, so the time available for crafting has shrunk a little bit. But what can you do. I have to show you some socks, mainly the Tiit's socks, which I started between last Christmas, and New Year, but ...

I've come across this website , which shows a crochet technique, called "tapestry crochet". Carol Ventura explains where she first found this technique, and how she developed it. She wrote a couple of books, but on this website you can find free patterns to give this a try. I did, and I'm loving it. I love how this looks like woven fabric. It's so easy to do, inexpensive (you only need a hook, and two different colored yarns), but it's slow going.

I was so thrilled with it, that I made this bag within four days. At first I thought I would run out of the orange/yellow yarn, but as it turned out, I ran out of the white cotton first, and had some left over from the other. Go figure.
The pattern calls for Velcro to close the bag, sewn in with invisible thread, which I found both in my sewing boxes, from my days, when I liked to sew. I'm hoping at least a little want to sew will return some day. I have plans.

This little bag is very firm, only the bottom, cast on row is the weak link here. I'm thinking of putting a fabric lining in, but it would need it only at the bottom. Maybe not. It depends on what I'll do with this bag.

I had two balls of the orange yarn (cotton) left over from knitting the Baby Surprise Jacket. I like how it turned out, with the color changes. I have a lot of cotton yarn in my stash, from my days of knitting dishcloth, and also from the Mason Dixon time, ballband dishcloths, remember?

Carol Ventura felts some of her projects, but many are not felted, I like that better. I'm planning on making a bigger bag, bought some more yarn for that. Dishcloth cotton yarn was not right for it. I'm waiting for the books to arrive, to start on the bag. I DO like the free pattern of the horses bag, I might do that as well.

specifics about this Kitty bag: I like this Kitty design.
pattern: Kitty bag free by Carol Ventura
yarn: Bernat cotton ultrasoft 2 balls each 50g, in white
Lang Tissa, cotton, 2 balls, each 50g color # 0204, I used double the amount of yarn specified in the pattern
hook: G 4mm (4.5mm would have been better, it's very tight)
size: 7.5" wide, 11.25" high
handle: I cast on only 60 sts instead of 100, it would have been too long
start-finish: April 13-16


Dog included for scale. Sam's a 96lbs dog, very sleepy because resting under direct sunlight, makes you drowsy with sleepiness, even if you want to or not.
My creation

I was so excited about this project, that I felt a little lost after it was finished. Sure, I have a mile long to-do list, but nothing feels right at the moment. I have yarn and the pattern for "Hedgerow socks" by Jane Cochran all ready. Cast on, but don't feel the love. The yarn label says to use 2.5mm-3mm needles. I'm using 2.25mm and it still feels too loose. The stitch pattern is easy, and I like the ribbing, but the yarn, although almost solid, doesn't give me a nice stitch definition. I might rip it out again. I don't want to use 2mm needles for that. I'd rather try another yarn.

So, I picked up my Elses shawl from my desk, and knit a few rows. I'm liking it again. Even though it's garter stitch, the colores are so wonderful. Can't wait to get to the next color change. I'm waiting for some yarn to arrive, because I'd like to do some double knitting with it. I guess, that's the reason why I don't want to start something big right now.

yarn cake I use for Elses shawl, love the colores (Evilla yarn)

Angelika is already test knitting my Mohana shawl. She already gave me some tips to improve the written pattern, as I was hoping she would do.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh how pretty, Monika!! Sheesh is there anything you don't know how to do?? LoL

The bag reminds me a great deal of Andes style bags - quite lovely.

And I'm blaming you, as a matter of fact, for the fact that I am getting my first spinning lesson in 2 weeks. it is all your fault since I want to grow up to be like you!

Dina in KC, MO
Skirler on Ravelry

La Cabeza Grande said...

So many beautiful things, where do I begin? How about the photography? Love the color composition with the pears. So warm and bright.

Then there's the tapestry crochet itself, with its wonderful texture and patterning.

Last but not least is the yarn you've spun, and how the turquoise nestles inside the tan / cocoa.

Joan said...

I love the bag. I have the book Tapestry Knitting but haven't done anything using the technique although I do crochet. What inspiration. I'll have to look on line for the cotton you used.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful bag. What fun!

Anonymous said...

That tapestry crochet is really cool! And I love the colors you chose for the bag--so bright and cheery.

I also love that little row of pears :)

margene said...

I'm waiting for the shawl pattern...just sayin'. ;-)
I bought a book by Carol on Tapestry Crochet but have yet to venture into it. I love the way it looks. Nice work!

sgeddes said...

I love the little bag. The colors are so bright and cheery with such a cute little kitty pattern.

I love the yarn for the new shawl. That will work out very nice!

Anonymous said...

Oh, now I want to try that, it looks very South Anerican!! You always have such great ideas that spur me to try them!!! The Sunlight must have sedatives in it because it makes Labradors sleepy as well!!!

nuttnbunny said...

What a great blast of colors! Wish it was gardening time here. Another couple of months...

Anonymous said...

Oh the bag is adorable! The pup makes me want to cozy on down there and use that big furry pillow:)

Bea said...

That is SO cool! I love the texture of the bag, and the colors and pattern are so great together! I remember seeing an article in an old Interweave about tapestry crochet in the Andes, it was so interesting, you did such a great job!

Tracy Purtscher said...

Lovin' the tapestry crochet! Very well done for your first go at it!!!I haven't done any for soooo long. 15? 20? years???? I use to make big baskets...hmmm I wonder where those are.

Love that yarn cake photo, those colors are FAB.

Mama Cat said...

I'm a new convert to Tapestry Crochet, too. Check out the Troubador Socks pattern in the latest Interweave Crochet - beautiful! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/troubador-socks-chrtien-de-troyes

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

The pictures are all so pretty and well done. That is sure a cute bag - but does Sam know it has cats on it? I'm not sure he would let it rest on him if he did! I have a yen to knit a washcloth but can't decide on a pattern or a yarn - I'll have to check out your older posts to see what you have hidden away there.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely bag!

Anonymous said...

The cat bag is great! I think it's time to pull out my tapestry crochet book. You won't be offended if I copy you, right? :-)

hakucho said...

Your kitty bag is awesome...I'm going to have to check this new technique out!! Thanks for the tip!

DAWN said...

I love your bag, but more than that. . . I love sleepy Sam. That is one sweet photo.

lookinout said...

I love the bag and the colours. It's really tempting. Thanks for the link.

Mary Ann said...

I love this kitty bag too! I just made two of them. I did one red with white and the other white with red. They're so cute. I didn't do the stap that the pattern shows. I made a long chain to use as a shoulder strap.

I was looking at the fingerless glove pattern, but it won't download. It says there's no page or something. I thought you should know. If you find out how to fix it, I would love to get that pattern.

Do you belong to the Tapestry Crochet group at Ravelry? If you do, I'll see you on the boards! I also belong to the fingerless mitt group there.

Dreams of Yarn said...

The bag is great! I love the look of it, sturdy and colorful. And that yarn cake looks divine!

Mariella said...

Love your Kitty Bag! Yes it is slow going but one just keeps crocheting because it is so exciting to see the kitties emerging and the bag growing.
Can you tell I've made one too? Someday I'm going to try a bigger bag.

Anonymous said...

That's such a great bag. Love the kitties. Thanks for sharing the link, I'm going to go over and check this out.

lexa said...

I love that little bag! And that yarn cake is very funky looking.

Kris B said...

I really love that bag. Thanks for the link on how to use this technique. I book marked the website. I will visit it when I have more time to explore. I love the colors in your bag. They go together so well.

Debi said...

I LOVE the kitty bag and the colors you chose! So happy and springy!

Angelika said...

Ooh, new technique. That almost makes me drop my knitting needles. ;) But I can't do that, since I'm working on your shawl. And it's going pretty good so far.

Beverly said...

The Kitty bag is adorable. I'm always amazed at how easily you jump into and tackle new challenges.

Violiknit said...

Such a cute kitty bag! The colors are so cheerful! I must go check out this tapestry crochet...

Svetla Angelova said...

Hi, Monika! Perrrfect bag, so nice color and too much imagination ... I want the same for me. I try yours! Thank you for idea!