Herringbone Stitch (crochet)

 Hi loves,

Today, I want to introduce you to the beautiful and unique crochet Herringbone stitch, which has a knitted version as well. Let's learn and create something beautiful together!

I recalled the name of the stitch I used a few years ago when making a doll top. As I was writing about different stitches for my blog, 🤔 I thought of it. However, I couldn't quite remember how to do it, so I decided to refresh my memory on YouTube. 🤔 I clicked on the first video that appeared.

Armed with yarn and needle in hand, started practicing, but something wasn't right... This was not the way I remembered it.  YouTube here I come again...

That's when I realized there was the half double crochet herringbone stitch and the double crochet herringbone stitch. Phew!! got to say I was a bit worried I'd bitten off more than I could chew.  I was worried, I'd only be able to talk about the basic easy everyday stitches.

Here we go, for the half double crochet (hdc)  herringbone we start as we would the hdc, by yarning over, inserting the hook, and pulling up a loop. We now have 3 loops on our hook... Here is where the fun begins. Pull the last loop through the second loop only... Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook... There you have it. The hdc herringbone stitch is completed.  For the tutorial this week I would like to thank Tiffany Hansen.

Double crochet (dc) herringbone stitch. 

To do the dc herringbone stitch, yarn over as you would when doing the dc, insert your hook and pull up a loop, you now have three loops on your hook. Pull the last loop through the second loop on the hook. Yarn over pull through two loops. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook and there you have it. You have just done the dc herringbone stitch.   
For this tutorial I would like to thank Hopeful Honey

Until next time, let's be friends! 

You can find me on Instagram 📷, Facebook 👍, Ravelry 🧶, Twitter 🐦, YouTube 🎥, and TikTok 🎵. I also have an Etsy page you can check out 🛍️. Please feel free to like 👍, share 🤝, and comment 💬 on my posts across all social media platforms.

 Thanks for taking the time to read this. Live, love ❤️, and laugh 😂 until next time! - Khenzuri

Popcorn Any One... Stitch that is.

 Hi loves, 

Thank you for being here! 😊 It's been a while since I've said hello. 👋 I had to take a break due to some personal issues. 💔 This is my first post for the new year, as it's now 2024. 🎉 This post has been sitting in my drafts for some time now. ⏳.  It's Finally posting time.

It's movie time, so let us get our popcorn 🍿🍿, sit back and enjoy the show... Just kidding.  Today's stitch is the popcorn stitch.  This is a fun somewhat easy stitch to do, it takes a little more time than most stitches to complete.  You can do your entire piece with it, whether you are making a bag, a fun skirt, or a blanket, the choices are endless.  It also doesn't matter if you are a knitter or a crochetier as the stitch can be done in both crafts.

How is the crochet popcorn stitch done you asked? No problem man! I'm happy to tell you.

Crochet version:  The popcorn stitch is worked by doing 5 double crochets (DCs) in the same stitch.  you pull up the loop of the last dc stitch made, remove your hook, insert the hook into the first dc and pull the loop through, chain 1, and just like that the popcorn is made.

Now that I've told you, let me show you. For the visuals, I want to thank Modern Made for her video, which is simple and easy to follow.

Next, I will tell you about the knitted version.  Until then

Let's be friends! 

You can find me on Instagram 📷, Facebook 👍, Ravelry 🧶, Twitter 🐦, YouTube 🎥, and TikTok 🎵. I also have an Etsy page you can check out 🛍️. Please feel free to like 👍, share 🤝, and comment 💬 on my posts across all social media platforms.

 Thanks for taking the time to read this. Live, love ❤️, and laugh 😂 until next time! - Khenzuri

Monokini

Hi Loves, 

Back in 2018, I decided I was going to start making swimsuits, as previously I was told not to as many persons were already doing so. I listened but with any other calling one has to follow their hearts. I knew there were many video tutorials on how to make them but I wanted to make one of my own designs.  Being the creative I am a normal design was not going to work.  

The design I used was a granny square pattern for the Wildflower Shoulder Bag. Now here's where the fun started.  I knew I wanted to use the square pattern, but had no clue how it would translate into a monokini.  My blog post Square... No Diamond outlines what happened while creating this beauty.

It does fit a small bum.

I gave the finished item to my daughter who back in 2018 didn't have much boob, and the butt fits... Fast forward to 2023... I had to make adjustments to the monokini.  We decided to highlight using white (shh don't tell but I had no more of the yarn left so we improvised).  I also had to make alterations to ensure there was support for her now busty chest.  There were also modifications made to the bottom to give a more slick design as well as a more comfy fit.

Drumroll, please... Now after 5 years, this masterpiece has seen the sand, sun, and sea.  Yeah, it was finally worn and, how marvelous it looks.  Don't you agree?

Hey there! Let's be friends! You can find me on Instagram 📷, Facebook 👍, Ravelry 🧶, Twitter 🐦, YouTube 🎥, and TikTok 🎵. I also have an Etsy page you can check out 🛍️. Please feel free to like 👍, share 🤝, and comment 💬 on my posts across all social media platforms.

 Thanks for taking the time to read this. Live, love ❤️, and laugh 😂 until next time! - Khenzuri

Ari's Purse

 Hi loves, 

Happy New year to you. I would love to wish you all a wonderful and prosperous 2023, filled with good health, wealth, happiness and all your hearts desires.  On January 18, 2023, I was browsing YouTube and found a very easy to follow tutorial of a cute purse.  I watched the entire video and decided, hmmm I am going to make my little girl one.

I usually don't pay much attention to the type of yarn and sometimes the needle size.  I just use what I have and make modifications where necessary, and this time was no different.  I had this yarn , I unfortunately don't know the brand as it was a completed item I was asked to unravel to make something for my daughter's god mother, she however did not give me the go ahead and she has since past.  

I did the number of chains the pattern required but since the yarn and needle were different, my piece was small so I doubled the number of stitches. It was quiet an easy pattern to follow, I was in the rhythm minutes after starting.  After completing the number of rows she did, I decided to do another repeat which gave me the size that would be perfect for my 2 year old.

This was the amount she did.

This is what I did.

With the front being completed, I went and did the back panel.  Can you believe I modified the pattern to my liking and almost forgot what I did (😀😁😂😃😄).   I did another modification to the pattern by joining my pieces together then did the strap separately.  I did a 6 stitch knitted I-cord strap, attached my strap and cleaned the edge of the bag up, add a button and closure. My bag was all done. This took me 2 days to complete.  It would have been done in 2-3 hours but mama had a ton of things doing in between.  The straps took the longest if I'm being honest. 

@ACraftyConcept how did I do with my version of your cute bag?

I took a few pictures of the bag and also of her wearing it.  She loved in instantly.  I was however instructed to take other pictures to post by my eldest, so that's what I did.  Side note, I normally get  some form of opposition to enter the shower (then to get out) but all I had to say was; "Lets shower to take pics with your bag".

 

Trying to close it.

Do you all see that leg? Baby know how to pose.

Can you tell that she loves her new bag?  I didn't attached the tassels because I was ordered by her sister to make another and wanted to ensure I had enough of the yarn to do so.  I was given some specific instructions to follow when doing the 2nd bag:

"Mommy can you make me one as well, but make it so my phone and other things can go in it!" "And it needs to go across my body, like so (demonstrating with her hands)".  So loves look out for the sequel.  

Lets be friends, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry, Twitter and TikTok   Check out my Etsy page as well.  New items to be added.

Thanks love for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Until next time. Khenzuri

Loopty Loop

Hi Loves, 

Tis the season for giving and for that reason I would like to share this easy cross body bag pattern with you.  I know this post is not like any I've done before in terms of writing style but as we grow as individuals so I would like to grow as a blogger.

In this blog I am going to provide you with the full details of the written pattern which is quite easy for you to follow, also the yarn type etc.

I do hope you love this bag as much I did.  The yarn was one carried by Ice Yarns, though the colour I used is out of stock there are still a few colours you could choose from.  This bag is completely customizable so you could also use just about any yarn you like.  The size would then be different.

As promised here is the full written pattern.

Yarn Information:

Ice Yarn Woolfine in the colour Gold fnt2-58305

1 ball

Fiber Content: 50% Wool, 50% Acrylic

Weight: 50 gr. / 1.76 oz. per ball

Length: 350 m. / 382 yds. per ball

Yarn Thickness: 2 Fine: Sport, Baby

You will need to know how to do the loop stitch which is quite easy. There are also many easy to follow videos on YouTube. I used one skein but held 2 strands together for the bag. The pattern is done in one piece then folded and join in the side and base to make the bag.

Loop stitch – insert your hook as you would to sc, loop the yarn over your finger and stretch it to the length you desire. Put the hook under both strands of yarn and pull both through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the loops on the hook. 

Abbreviation:

sc – single crochet

sl st – slip stitch

ch – chain

hdc – half double crochet

The bag is 7′ without the loops and strap, 9′ with the loops, 30′ with strap un-stretched… 34; when strap is stretched (when loaded).

Pattern:

Chain 61.

row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in all stitch.

row 2: 1 loop stitch in all stitch 

Repeat rows 1-2  5 times for a total of 12 rows. 

Next step:

sc in each stitch for a total of 30 rows.

Construction:

Fold your piece in half with the right side on the inside. Ensure all your loops are inside. Start at the top of the bag slip stitch along the side and base. For re-enforcement sc from the base, along the side back to the top of the bag. Turn your bag back on the right side.

Strap... Option A:

Cut the yarn after you finish sewing the side and base.  Attached your yarn in any stitch on the side.. sc in 6 stitches ensuring you have 3 on either side.

ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (6 sc) - repeat for the length of your straps.

Or 

Option B: After sewing up your bag, do not fasten off.

Sc in 3 stitches from where the yarn is connected.. Ch 1 turn sc in the 3 stitches you just make, then hdc in the next 3 stitches (this will ensure it levels out) 

ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (6 sc).  repeat for the length of your straps.

Once you have achieved your desired length, ensure the strap is not twisted. Connect to the other side of your bag using your desired method.

For closure I attached my yarn to the center of the opening on one side of the bag,  chain 15, sc in the 6th chain from the hook(button hole made) and in every chain back to the middle of the bag. Fasten off and hide yarn tail. Sew a button a few rows down from the opening on the other side of the bag.  Feel free to close your bag however you like.

If you do make this bag please tag me on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry and Twitter.   

Thanks love for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Until next time.

Half Double crochet

Hi loves, 

Today we will be doing the Half Double Crochet (hdc).  This stitch is taller than the single crochet but shorter than the double crochet, hence the name half double crochet.  It is also a slightly dense stitch that is good for clothing like skirts and shorts.  Your projects work up faster than doing single crochets.  There is much to be said about the half double crochet but without further ado, let's learn how to do the HDC so we can start making beautiful pieces.

How Is It Done?

To do the HDC you would begin as you would for the double crochet by yarning over before inserting your hook into the desired stitch.  Then this is where the difference takes place.  With three loops on your hook, you yarn over and pull through all three loops and there you have it, one hdc completed.  Easy as pie don't you think?

You are a visual learner

No issues there... Let's get some visuals for you.

The finished swatch

not so close up.

Yarn over (yo)

Insert your hook into the stitch. Yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yo and pull through all 3 loops on the hook

Having issues with my pictures.  Hope my video will help.

Hdc on a current WIP

Hdc from the starting chain.

I would like to hear from you.  Let me know what you think in the comments.  Until next time.....

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.

Designer... Well I'm getting there

 Hi Loves,

I have always been able to make my "own designs", be it a bag or a skirt, or even a suit for my firstborn (sadly I gave it away without thinking when she grew it out). I could also replicate without writing down the steps, but as time goes by the thought came to share my designs. This is where things get difficult, as it's easy for me to do but to write the steps down now that's a whole other ballgame.

Why you ask? 

Well, I can write down what I do, but will it makes sense to my readers?  Will they be able to reproduce the awesomeness I did?

Here are a few bags I made using no pattern...

SO......

In my quest to become a renowned designer...  I am testing the waters with what I think are easy-to-follow patterns, ones with simple repeats to make beautiful pieces. In January 2019 I wrote and publish my first pattern on Ravelry (wow, it's been that long).  I still haven't sold a single copy but not worried.  I have written notes here and there of different items I want to design but nothing final.

There are a few setbacks since my first publication however, I will press on and persevere.  I have grown and I'm more confident in writing my patterns.  I am also gathering the skills needed to ensure the patterns are well-written and formatted.

My first publication.

So look out world Khenzuri is coming!!  Stay tuned as a lot of awesomeness is to follow.  Until then... 

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.