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.

Speaking It Into Reality.

 Hi loves, 

Have you ever wondered why something keeps affixed to your imagination or dreams?  I have.

I've dreamt many years ago of owning my own Beauty Salon which was operated as a classy beauty salon, with an actual start and end time. This last bit (opening hours) was very important, as at that time I was working in a hair salon that did not have an end time.  I would go to work by 9am and in comes someone after 3 pm requesting to get their hair braided small (if you have ever gotten your hair braided with extensions you know it takes time).  Once my boss accepts this client it means I could be at work until after midnight and still have to be back at work by 9 am the next morning.  That was exhausting and to say the least, I wasn't getting a lot of pay.

Fast forward a couple of years I got certified in general Cosmetology but right after completing tragedy struck and I was forced to seek employment fast as the sole breadwinner at the time died and my baby was just about to turn 2 years old.  While working at my new job I continued to do natural hairstyles (my specialty).  This was my second job, my weekend job, but a little over a year I had to change department and this caused me to lose clients as  I started working on weekends.  I stayed in that job changing departments and moving up the ranks until 2017 when I got laid off.  This is when my dream of becoming my own boss came to life, though not as a salon owner.

I've always been creative at heart, whether it's creating beautiful hairstyles, crocheting/knitting, or embroidering... So it came as no surprise when I registered the business name Khenzuri's Treasures.  I was really pumped up about sewing my seeds and getting my name out there.  But it's not that easy.  

My daughter's first day of school hairstyle

A simple twist with beads

I did my own hair as well

crochet braids

crochet then twist out

I've had good days and some not-so-good days but that doesn't stop me from believing that I will succeed.  I know I will not just own a successful business where I crochet and knit other people's designs... But I will become a designer as well... 

How are you so confident you will become a designer?

I am sure because no matter what pattern I am making my mind is racing 100 miles a sec with new ideas of what to make or how to change the current pattern I am working on. I have designed things in the past it's just not written for others to remake and that is what I am working on.

For instance, I made a dress from a scarf I test knitted.  While I was knitting the scarf, the idea came to turn it into a crop halter top.  However, after starting the new project that idea shifted and became a dress. Can I tell you how this dress stayed on my mannequin for almost a year before the final touches were added?  Take a look and tell me what you think.  Did I do well? 

My design, it was birthed from a scarf I test knitted for Petra Breakstone.

The issue I have now as to why I am not actively pursuing this part of my dream is designing takes time and I am a bit stretched at the moment but the stars are being aligned as we speak so it's just a matter of time.

And you know as long as there is life a dream can still become a reality.  Come along with me on my journey.  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.

Single Crochet (sc)

Hi again loves, 

In this blog, I would like to tell you about single crochet.  The single crochet though being a basic stitch is by no means unsophisticated.  It can be done in rounds or rows and creates a very dense crochet pattern with hardly any gaps or holes.  It can be used for items like coasters, dish/washrags to name a few that need no draping, etc.  Making a few modifications to the way in which you do the single crochet can give you some amazing results.  

How to do the single crochet (sc)?  Follow along...

Do a chain of say 15...

Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook

yarn over and pull up a loop

Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook... and just like that the single crochet is completed.  Quite easy don't you think.

Here are a few pics of a swatch being worked up...

Inserting the hook into the next stitch.

Yarn over (yo) and pull up a loop

yo and pull through both remaining loops.  

SC completed.

Here are a few things that you can use the single crochet for:

 

This crossbody bag was made using single crochet and the loop stitch (the base of the bag).

earring

Toys

bag

baby headband and slippers

bookmarks

keyrings

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.

Understanding the Difference

Hi Loves,

Here's a bit of reading for you.  I was casually browsing the web (you guessed it a bit bored at work with no project in hand), and I came across a post from Craftsy.  It was explaining the difference between British vs American Crochet terms (you knew there was a difference, right?) and decided to share it.

For starters...

The chain and slip stitch mean the same for both, thank goodness!!!

Now, this is where things get weird if you are not aware there was a difference....  Imagine being gifted some vintage crochet patterns, you got very excited to try a very cute pattern.  You got the required yarn, needle and with the pattern in hand started your project, only at the end or even in the middle come to realize it is not looking like the pattern somehow.  

What could be the issue? Here's your answer;

• You are accustomed to British terminology and the pattern was written in American terminology
• Or the reverse... 

Not to worry I got your back, here are the differences;

American Crochet	British Crochet
Single crochet	Double crochet
Half double crochet	Half treble crochet
Double crochet	Treble crochet
Treble crochet	Double treble crochet
Double treble crochet	Triple treble crochet
Gauge	Tension
Skip	Miss

Now that we know the differences, how do we tell the origin of a pattern?

1. Check for the term single crochet (sc). This is an indication this was written using American terms.
2. Does the pattern ask you to check your tension? If it does, it's written using  British terms.
3. Another indicator is does the pattern ask you to miss or skip stitch?

Now my loves that you are armed with the information go forth and create those masterpieces.

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

Twining

Order up,

   Today I start my very first ordered doll,  yes I've made and sold dolls before but this is the very first time someone has (seriously) ordered one.

It all started when I sent a picture my bookmarkers to a friend asking her for support.

She replied not today but went unto advertising them for me (thank you). She got me a sale, then another.  Then asked me about this doll.

For those who know me, knows I hardly every replicate what I've done before. As I love to say dare to be different.  So naturally, I needed to know what about the doll they liked so I could reproduce it.  The person said the hair... OK, that's doable.

They liked the dress but wants a different colour (but of course).  She then gave the order as follows:

*black, green and gold hair #proudJamaican #patriarch 

*Red dress......... #ladyinred

You know what this means? To the drawing board.

Work in progress (WIP)

Heading to the finish line

Almost there.

Completed

Now time to package and deliver.

 What do you all think? Are they twinning or what?