Tricotine

Autumn Leaves Fridgie

Here is a Fridgie I crocheted for my Vegan Swap Pal.

Her package has been sent today and I hope I did that swap right.
Thinking Vegan is not that easy for a non initiated...
... but I am still interested in learning!

Crocheted Origami Hotpads Fever

The very first time I saw one of those Origami Hotpads (I didn't know how it was called back then), it was at my MIL's few months ago.  She has one in her kitchen, and I remember spending some time trying to figure out how it was stitched. I couldn't...

Only a while ago, and searching the Internet for something else, I came across instructions for a Hotpad just like my MIL's. I was so thrilled that I couln't wait to cast on - or should I say chain on for crochet? - and make one of those Origami Hotpads right away.

This project is really fantastic and quick to work on (I make one in two hours) and those hotpads make great little presents!  I made them for my swapees - although I kept one of the blues is for moi... It is perfect for handling my keetle when I make my tea.

I like to use varigated worsted cotton.  I used Sugar'n Cream and Bernat Handicrafter for the hotpads on the photo here below. And it akes a whole skein of cotton to make a hotpad.

I got the pattern really well memorized after a while, and I dared a little variation, an Crocheted Origami Bean Bag that I made using the same yarn that I used for my Seamless Bean Bag (free pattern in the left side bar here, under "free designs").

My family is very fond of Bean Bags.   Kids use them for playing, and Mister Tricotine and I like to rest our elbow or/and wrist on one when we are at the computer. Besides, warm up few seconds in the microwave, they make great warm pads and pocket warmers in winter. Ones never got too much Bean Bags, right?

Six inches of Love... each

I am not the best crocheter, but I put all my heart in my crocheted squares for Shelly's project, and it was lots of fun trying new patterns and stitches for those 6 inches squares!

I have picked happy bright colors, keeping in mind that black yarn is going to link all squares together, and that those afghans are going to be for children.

Patterns:  Zipper Square - I love it!
Jackie's Heart Granny Square
Diana's Flower
Small Square

Also, I thought that the 4 Corner Dishcloth would be an original addition to an afghan made out of squares, and it would look great made with my favorite colorway of varigated yarn, Polo (Red Heart) - unfortunately discontinued...

I have made the dischloth only once - and it was six months ago, but I was pleased and amazed to see today that the pattern was still in my memory...

I guess some projects are just unforgettable...

For those who are interested, I cast on 14 stitches for making the 6 inch square with needles #8US. Gauge: 10 stitches x 20 rows = 2 inches

Share a Square Project

I was informed by Marcia, that Shelly Kneupper Tucker is "searching for people with big hearts", to help with the Share a Square Project.

The project is about sending six inch crocheted (or knitted) squares to be stitched together for afghans to give to the children at Camp Sanguinity in July of 2008. A black crocheted border will be added by volunteers in Texas.

Click HERE to read the initial post about this grass roots charitable project.

• For those of you intrerested in helping, you will find Shelly's instructions for 6 inches Crocheted squares here. but you can use your favorite pattern if you wish.  HERE are 13 examples for all levels (click on links for instructions).


• And for those who prefer Knitting, I have found that Womans' Day's Baby Shower Afghan that offers instructions for six different 6 inches squares that would fit perfectly in the afghans.  Again, this is just a suggestion; you knit the square you want as long as it measures 6 inches on each of its four sides...

Then, when you are done, here is the adress to send your squares to:

Shelly Kneupper Tucker P.O. Box 2241 Denton, TX 76202

** BUT, if you can’t crochet or knit, you can help spread the word. Please, add a button to your site with a link to the original post. Instructions for doing so can be found here or here.  Of course, making one or more squares AND post into your blog is allowed!

Thank you for your time and generosity!

Tricotine@crochet.day

There is a fact, I don't post much about Crochet here...  Now, could it be because I have not done much crochet in... let's say a while?

Now I know it is a bit late, but I belong to a Crochet Group online, and during my Summer Vacation, I received from the Busy Crocheting Angel Project this adorable little thing to help me recovering from the surgery I had in April. Thanks again for such kindness, Ladies! YOU are Angels!

And as I was in the mood for crochet, and looking at my Crochet Album this morning, I realized that I had never posted about my first thread crochet experience...

So, better late than never, here is the story:

April 2004, the same Crochet Group Online had a CAL (Crochet Along), and as a very basic crocheter I thought I would never dare attempting something that looked so complicated... But I was convinced to give it a try so I decided to take up the challenge, and I certainly have never regretted I did, because I remember having some grand time all night long, from the first round to the end of the project. I was so amazed that I was actually able to make something that great looking, and so easily! 

At sunrise, the doily was completed and a new fervent adept of Crochet d'Art (as it is called in French) was born! 

I have learned a lot of new techniques and tips since I got to join BC, and I have also gained enough self-confidence to try new and sometimes challenging things. Without the Internet, I would probably still be a basic and frustrated crocheter...

The hot and sticky weather we are having these days makes me think about putting my needles down for a bit, and grab some thread cotton...

How about you?  How do you cope with the heat?

KEEP COOL EVERYONE!

A New Bunny Buddy Story

I had to make another one... And quickly if I wanted to maintain Peace in the house!  And it had to be a Bunny (Elephant?  No-o-o wa-a-a-a-ay!!!)...  And it was not supposed to be bigger than the other one... Aargh... Kids!

And as if it was not enough trouble, that Red Heart Baby Cloud - color Tutti Frutti - I wanted to use for that project was a real pain to crochet, and even more difficult to sew with!   

Yummy colorway and great texture for a Doudou, but I guess I am not patient experienced crocheter enough to do whatever I want with Super Bulky yarn and a N-9.00mm hook...  It was actually more the opposite, the yarn was leading my work...   When it comes to crochet, I am better at tiny stitches. 

Desperate, I finally gave up on the pattern and I improvised.  As I was trying to keep my sanity smile in front of my kids, I was also trying to limit the seaming as much as I could: I made body and head in one piece and picked up stitches right on the head to make the ears.

I had set myself on Safe Mode... All I could think about was being able to answer "Yes!" to the repetitive question: "is it done yet?"

Conclusion: I might have failed at making that Emmanuelle's Doudou the right way (sorry Manu...), but I have succeed at making my Babynette happy; she loves her not-as-good-looking-as-the-original new Bunny Buddy!

It must be true that Love is blind...

~ My Guidelines ~

Experimental Doudou

I was asked and honored to test the pattern for Creations W.E. Designs, and I have just finished that Doudou that my 4 year-old has already kidnapped adopted and named... well, Bunny!  Now, why did I ask him, huh?

Initially, the Doudou was for his baby sister - that explains the Pink Ribbon - and I am going to have to make her another Buddy before she wakes up tomorrow morning and realizes that I let her brother sleep with hers...

Check Emmanuelle and Wendy's websites and Store for more cute stuff!

This is a great destashing project. I have used 1 skein of Lion Brand Jiffy, color Clearwater, from my Stash - left from a Baby Blanket I made in 2002...

~ My Guidelines ~

Mom's Crochet Pouch

This is my first crochet project of 2007; a Crocheted Pouch for my Mom.

After seeing the lipstick pockets I made for my kids few months ago, she asked me to make a pouch for her to carry personal documents under her coat (she was attacked once). 

So, as she wanted, I made it bigger - 7.5 x 4.5 inches - and to close with a button instead of a zipper. I think she is going to like that button; it is so her style!

[Click on photo to enlarge]

Pattern: There is no pattern. Just me and my crochet improvising...

A 20 sts chain, and sc in the round for 7.5 inches.  Then sc back and forth on the back 18 sts, decreasing 1 at each end, every 2 row (dec on the RS).  Then, make a little chain loop for the button and the end of the flap; join with a sl st.  Make also a chain long enough to wear the pouch on the chest (the strap) + 1 row of sc, and that's it!  As simple as that and no seaming!

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver, color Navy Blue - from my stash
Crochet: US #8 (5 mm)

A Delightful Surprise!

This lovely Butterfly came in the mail today, sent for the Holidays by my talended cyber-friend Jewel, also moderator of the Crochet Group online I belong to!

Isn't that adorable and sweet?  Thank you so much, Jewel!

A "Lipstick Pocket" Story...

This weekend, my 4 year-old came to me and asked for a "Lipstick Pocket".  I was not sure about what he had in mind but I grabbed some yarn and my Crochet, and this is what I came up with.

He seems to be happy with it as there is enough room for his coins also... 

And since everything has to come in pair in our house now, I made a Pink version for "Baby Sister"...  It doesn't take much to make children happy sometimes... And their crafty Mommy too!