Claude's Craft Collection
Welcome! My name is Claude. When I was young I experienced an illness and was confined to my bed for six weeks. My grandmother pulled her wheelchair up beside the bed and kept me company, in the process teaching me how to knit, crochet, tat and some basic hand sewing. The process of turning a piece of insubstantial string into a definite object fascinated me then, and this has followed me throughout my life. .
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Kitty cats...
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Rose applique
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Another skull
This pattern is one I found last March. Its a free pattern from Lion Brand wool, pattern # 70464A. Im only copying it here because the link in my old email keeps going wonky.
It was originally meant to be made with a double strand of wool and a size P hook.
I made it with a single strand of worsted and a size H. And it turned out fine...
Felted Skull
Lion Brand® Lion® Wool
GAUGE:
Exact gauge is not essential to this project.
NOTES:
1) Work with 2 strands of yarn held together throughout. Wind yarn into 2 separate balls before beginning.
2) Skull is worked from the top down in continuous spirals. Do not join or turn. Place a marker to indicate beginning of round and move the marker up as each round is completed.
SKULL
With 2 strands of yarn held together, ch 3; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in ring.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around - 12 sc.
Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around - 18 sc.
Rnd 4: (Hdc in each of next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st) around - 24 hdc.
Rnd 5: Hdc in each of next 8 sts, 2 hdc in next st (temple), hdc in each of next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st (temple), hdc in each of last 8 sts - 26 sts.
Rnd 6 (Eye sockets): Work 2 hdc in next st, dc in next 10 sts, ch 9 (eye socket), sk 2 sts, sl st in next st, turn, sl st in last ch of ch-9 sp, turn, ch 9 (eye socket), sk 2 sts, dc in last 10 sts.
Rnd 7 (Nose): Dc in next 11 sts, sl st in 3rd ch of next ch-9 sp, sl st in next 2 ch, ch 7 (nose), sl st in 5th ch of next ch-9 sp, sl st in next 2 ch, sk first dc after ch-9 sp, dc in next 4 sts, sk next st, dc in last 4 sts.
Rnd 8: (Sk next st, dc in next 4 sts) twice, sk next st, sl st in next st (first sl st of eye socket), sk next 2 sl sts, sl st in each ch of ch-7 sp, sk next 2 sl sts, sl st in next st (last sl st of next eye socket), hdc in next 5 sts, sk next st, hdc in next 2 sts.
Rnd 9 (Upper teeth): Hdc in next st, sk next st, hdc in next 5 sts, sk next st, sl st in next 2 sts; you are now at face of Skull; (ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sk next st, sl st in next 2 sts) twice, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sk next st, sc in next 4 sts, sk next st, sc in next 2 sts - 3 teeth made.
Rnd 10 (Lower jaw and teeth): Sc in next 2 sts, sk next st, sc in next 4 sts, ch 16, sk sts of upper jaw and sl st in 2nd sc after last upper tooth, turn, sc in st between last ch of ch-16 of lower jaw and tooth; working across ch-16 sp, sc in next 3 ch, sk next 2 ch, sc in next 2 ch, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, sk next 2 ch, sc in next 3 ch, sl st in next st between ch-16 sp and top tooth.
Fasten off, leaving a long end.
FINISHING
From WS, weave end around nose, pull to tighten and end off. Weave in ends.
Felting Wash by machine on a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent and several pieces of clothing to agitate. Pull into shape and allow to dry.
Abbreviations
ch(s) = chain(s)
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
rep = repeat(s)(ing)
rnd(s) = round(s)
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sl = slip
st(s) = stitch(es)
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Tatted skull
Not too thrilled with this pattern. Its a first try, free hand, making it up as I go. A combo of crochet and tatting. I was trying for one of those Mexican, Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls, and I kind of pulled off.
Not that bad,
seeing as I'm not as good at tatting as crochet, and I don't do that much shuttle and ball tatting anyway, I did pretty good. But there are about 5 mistakes (at least)
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Picture pendant
Start with a picture. A photo is fine... and a magazine pic is good too. Get a flat backed glass stone, a coat the back of it with E-6000 or superglue fix-all adhesive. After it cures for a few minutes, press it onto the pic. Twist or press (or both) So there's no bubbles then let the glue dry for at least an hour, but longer is better. Overnight is best.
Using thin scissors. Or a razor knife, trim around the edges.
To crochet the setting, wrap a loop of thread around your finger, pull a loop through and ch 3. 11 dc in loop, pull loop tight. Sl st in top of ch 3 to close ring.
Rnd 2: ch 3, 1dc in same st, 2 dc in every st around, end with a sl st in top of begining ch 3.
Rnd 3: ch 2, working in back loops entire row, hdc in every st around, working.2 or 3 decreases evenly spaced. Close and tie off.
Place more glue on bottom of stone. Pushing ends of thread top inside center, force glued stone into cup, stretching sides over edges.
Work cha and decorative stitch of choice in the free loops of the final round.