Celebration Crazy

I really like the Celebration Shawl designed by Doris Chan, once I found my way around the increase row, which was not explained properly in Crochet! World as far as I am concerned, I got on like a house on fire.  I have since crocheted two more, one in Cherry and Lynx for my daughter Michele, and another in Aplle and Raccoon for my friend Maryjo.  I'm thinking of crocheting a second one for myself in Sky Blue, for chilly summer evenings.

I worked on each of these shawls on afternoons and evenings over three days.  The eyelash rows took up more time than the main yarn, plus the fibres needed to be teased out afterwards.

                                                                                  

             

Celebration Shawl

 The 'Celebration Shawl' was designed by Doris Chan and the pattern published in the January 2004 issue of Crochet Magazine.


The original yarns used are now discontinued so I substituted Wendy 'Party' in Camel #556 for the main panels, and Sirdar FOXY Badger for the fur trim.  It is beautifully soft and warm.


My only problem with the pattern was on Row 3, a very simple row, but it could have been a bit more explicit with the instruction over the central part of the row where two increases take place.  I finally figured out what I should be doing by examining the pattern photo with a magnifying glass.


I have two more shawls to crochet from this pattern, one for a friend in the USA and one for my eldest daughter.  Several friends here in North Yorkshire have taken a liking to it also.

I obtained the Wendy 'Party' yarn from Kemps online shop, it was on special offer at 69 pence per 50g skein.
http://www.kempswoolshop.com/
and the Sirdar FOXY came from Linda at:
http://www.acornknittingyarns.co.uk/ via Ebay at a Buy it Now price which was very reasonable.

I decided to follow up the Velvet Flake Beret design with a matching scarf, crocheted in simple double crochet with single crochet 'keyhole section. The .pdf version is available at http://www.ravelry.com/

Velvet Flake Keyhole Scarf

Materials: 50g Wendy ‘Velvet Flake’ yarn

Crochet Hook: 6.00mm [J – 10]


Basic Stitches: ch-chain, lp-loop, st-stitch, sc-single crochet, dc-double crochet, yo-yarn over. (American Stitch Guide used.)

Special Instructions:
Ch. 1 at beginning of row counts as 1 sc.
Ch. 2 at beginning of row counts as 1 dc.
Shell group: Work 3 dc into one stitch of row below.
Reverse Shell group: Work 1 dc into each of next 3 stitches until 1 loop of each dc remains on hook, yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Recommendation:

Due to the nature of the yarn, it is not easy to see individual stitches; you will have to rely on fingertips to find the next stitch, especially when working the single crochet Keyhole section, and corresponding section. Also use a row counter or paper and pencil to keep track of where you are.

Keyhole Scarf
Row 1: Ch 19, dc into 3rd ch from hook, dc into each ch across. [18 dc]
Row 2: Ch 2, dc into each dc across.
Rows 3-7: Repeat Row 2.

Row 8: Ch 2, work 1 dc into each of next 2 stitches until 1 lp of each dc remains on hook, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook, work Reverse Shell over next 3 st, repeat to end of row. [6 Reverse Shells]
Row 9: Ch 1, sc into top of each Reverse shell group to end. [6 sc]
Row 10. Ch 1, sc into each sc below. [6 sc]
Row 11: Ch 1, sc into next st, ch 2, skip next 2 st, sc into each of last 2 st. [Keyhole made]
Row 12: Ch 1, sc into next st, sc into next 2 ch, sc into last 2 st. [6 sc]
Row 13: Repeat Row 10.
Row 14: Ch 2, 2 dc into same st, [1 beginning Shell made], work one Shell group into each sc across. [6 Shells – 18 dc]
Row 15-48: Repeat Row 2.

Row 49: Repeat Row 8. [6 Reverse Shells]                    
Row 50: Repeat Row 9 [6 sc]
Row 51-54: Repeat Row 10.
Row 55: Repeat Row 14. [6 Shells – 18 dc]
Rows 56-61: Repeat Row 2. Fasten off.


I designed this scarf to go with the Cosy ‘Velvet Flake’ Beret, which can also be found in the Ravelry Database.

 Jackie S Brooks Design (c)

Please acknowledge source when using this pattern

Cosy 'Velvet Flake' Beret

Well I never thought I would start wearing hats, I've never been a hat person.  The only exception being my Mistress Holly Claus headdress worn at appearances of Santa and Holly during December each year.  But due to certain meds I have to take now I really feel the cold these days, especially my head, which is where most of our body heat escapes.  So I crocheted myself a Beret, one specifically for Wendy 'Velvet Flake' yarn which is incredibly soft, feather-light and cosy to wear.  I like it so much I am going to crochet several in different colours.  It is easy to crochet and can be done in a day, the pattern is available as a pdf. Ravelry download from my designer page, or you can copy it from here.

Cosy ‘Velvet Flake’ Beret

TIP: Use a marker at the beginning of each row.
The band fits loosely, which is good if you have curly or wavy hair you don’t want flattened, but if necessary you can thread a length of shirring elastic through the band if you wish it to be more secure.
Ch. – chain, sl.st. - slip stitch, dc – double crochet, hdc – half double crochet.
Materials: 50g Wendy Velvet FlakeCrochet Hook 6mm - [J/10]
Crochet Hook 3.75mm - [F/5]


With 6mm – [J/10] crochet hook chain 5 and join into ring with a sl.st.
Row 1. *ch. 5, sl.st. into ring, repeat from * 6 more times, ch. 2, dc into base of first ch. 5 loop. (8 loops)
Row 2. sl.st. in last loop made, * ch. 5, sl.st. in next loop, repeat from * to last loop, ch. 2, dc into sl.st. of first loop.
Row 3. sl.st in last loop made, * ch. 5, sl.st. into next loop, ch. 5, sl.st. into same loop, repeat from * ending with ch. 2 and dc into sl.st. of ch. 5 of beginning loop. (16 loops)
Row 4. Repeat Row 2.
Row 5. Repeat Row 3. (32 loops)
Row 6. Repeat Row 2.
Row 7. Repeat Row 3. (64 loops)
Rows 8 though 11, repeat Row 2.
Row 12. ch. 1, hdc into same loop, work a hdc into each loop, sl.st. into first hdc.
Change to 3.75mm [F/5] crochet hook 
Rows 13 through 15, repeat Row 12.  Fasten off. 

Jackie S Brooks Design