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.

I'm back......

 Hi my loves,

Wow! It's been ages..... I really missed you guys.  I missed writing, creating, and just doing what I really truly love.  Many of you may know being an entrepreneur have its ups and downs, mid 2019 - 2020 was a bit of a challenge for me where my business is concerned. It was with great sadness I went out and became gainfully employed to be able to take care of my family, as my little income from my new business was not making the cut.

It was easy at first to be able to do both, but then with the work hours and commute to and from work, it became harder.  I however still researched ways in which to make it work, but I honestly LOST MY MOJO....... I have been in a funk for a few months now.  I visit my blog, check my many draft but still, no willpower to write or create. I have unfinished projects on the mannequin, in bags, etc.

Then there is COVID-19 which further puts a dark cloud over my already gloomy mood... I need supplies but really don't want to go out in the public more than I really need to.  So with 2020 coming to a closing and Covid-19 seemingly a constant fixture, I have decided to give it another go.  This time dabbling in something I have been doing for a few months now and trying to find more creative ways to display my talent.

So my loves I would like your opinion on what I have so far..... Are you guys ready?

This is a jeans-like yarn from Ice Yarns.  

A simple choker.

My beautiful daughter modeling the choker above.

I really love making this stranded neckless.

excuse the shadow.. night crocheting

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh.. Please follow me on FB, Instagram, twitter, shop

Airwool Glitz

Hi loves,

Hope you all are doing well in these troubled times.  Quarantine measures has most of us home, as such, we try to find ways to keep busy while praying we nor our loved ones get exposed to the coronavirus, #covid19.

Though not home very long I too have been trying to keep busy, that being said what better way than to do something one loves.

Over the past year I've made quite a few purchases from Iceyarn. One such purchase was the air wool glitz.  After purchasing, the yarn sat idle in my yarn stash.  Days, weeks, and months rolled by, still no clue what to make with this yarn.

Then comes the opportunity when a family member requested a cowl.   With the perfect pattern in mind, I set off to make her what she requested.

I honestly love using this yarn, it glides effortlessly over my needle and within hours a masterpiece was produced.

I'm not usually one to toot my own horn but I do believe I did well, what say you?

Thanks love for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh.. Please follow me on FB, Instagram, twitter, shop

High Notes

Hi Loves,

It's that time again when Petra Breakstone need test knitters for yet another one of her awesome designs.  Count me in, I said.

The name of this one is High Notes. This is such a comfy top to knit and wear.  It has a boat neckline, it's oversized, knitted in one piece with a beautiful lace border on the bottom edge of the body as well as the sleeves.  You can choose to make the lace border of the body longer or shorter.  You can also adjust the sleeve length.

I enjoy test knitting for Petra, and no it's not just the option of getting one of her many lovely pattern as a reward.  It's that I always learn something new and this pattern was no exception as I learnt the kitchener stitch.

The kitchener Stitch 

Here I am on Christmas Night enjoying my lovely top

I had so much fun completing my top that I did another one.  I followed the pattern until it's time to do the neck I decided to make some modifications and turn it into a tank top.

Front 

Back 

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh.. Please follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter, shop

Flirty

Hi loves,

I test knitted Petra Breakstone's Banks Skirt/Poncho and got the inspiration to make a skirt/top of my own design.

Banks was photographed as a poncho.

A little about me and gauge swatches, I hardly ever do 'em. Not because I can't but more because I either don't have the size needle or thread and still want to make the item.   So when I needed to figure out how many stitches to cast on I did a half swatch (how many stitches per inch 😂😂😂).

Measured my waist, work out my cast on, and cut the amount of elastic band I need... And that's how it all began.

I decided I would do the simple knit stitch to a length that would cover my bum... Then "pretty up" the tail of my skirt... The first attempt was a fail,😢😢😢😢 "bummer this doesn't look like it did in my head"🤔🤔🤔🤔

So ribbit 🐸🐸 ribbit  🐸🐸....... And guess what????

Not sorry I did, as the second attempt 😍😍😍😍.  Though it's just a basic design I am elated it actually looks like a skirt.

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter, and shop. Feel free to like, share and comment.

Vest Anyone?

Hi loves,

I know, yes, I'm aware I knit a lot of her patterns, but when the opportunity came to test knit yet another of Petra Breakstone's patterns, I just could not say no.  This time it was for her Karina Vest/Cardigan.  I had the option to do either a long or short vest and then convert it into a cardigan.  The choice was made to do the short vest.

Count me in I said, a few days pass before my start date was decided and the checklist completed.

• Ravelry project page created ✅
• Yarn decided ✅
• gauge swatch completed ✅
• cast on ✅
• enjoying this simple knit ✅

Upon completing my project, here comes the task of getting a "good pic".  I tried to get my not-so-willing model to give me a pic, but of course, this was no fun to her so posing was an issue.

Even with a back turn, one can see the unwillingness.

don't mind that loose thread.

trying to get a close-up.

still not interested in taking a pic for me.

With no "good pic," I decided to try other models (lol)......

She wasn't even willing to be the photographer (guess I was stopping her from doing more important stuff)

Me trying a thing.

tried laying it flat.

now isn't this a shame... "heng pan nail" one my say...

Feeling defeated as I was yet to get a proper pic, I pushed my finished work aside until I got what I really wanted, my very own mannequin.... 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁


No talk truth...  Just look at this... What a difference???   

Beach wear? Bikini? Swimwear?....... Please

Hi Lovies,

Do you make swimsuit? beach wear? Bikini? etc etc etc..I have heard these questions just about every time someone sees me with my yarn and needle in hand.  The answer is always "not yet".  It's not that I've never made swimwear or can't make them, it's just that I'm not confident enough as yet to advertise that I do. Why you may ask? Well.......

I need to get sizing, or do?🤔🤔🤔🤔

After much thought I decided to test my skills.  I started with a small basic bralette, playing it safe, as I didn't want to use a pattern for reference.  Loved the outcome.

Do you?

With one completed and to perfection, I decided to try a larger size. Adding a little colour along the way.

With both being a success, I got carried away and made a bikini bottom.  The bottom was a bit tricky for me, as I believe I was trying too hard.  When I finally decided to relax, it worked out in the end.

So loves, what do you all think about my attempts at free handed crochet bikinis?  Feel free to leave me a comment on this post, or on Facebook, IG or Twitter.  Until next time.... Live the life you love and love the life you live.

Square.... No, Diamond

Hi loves,

After being approached ever so often by persons asking "Do you make swimwear/bath suit/bikini," the decision was made to give it another try (yes, another go as I've made 2 sets in my entire career, I should be able to find and photograph)

I thought about how to make this one stand out, then it came to me... Crochet two squares, turn them into diamonds and work from there.  I wanted something totally different, sexy, and exquisite all at the same time.  Therefore I went to a bag (yes, a bag 🎒) pattern that I did over 2 years ago.

It was first just supposed to be a bralette, but after completing that phrase, something was missing. I turn to one of my mini-me for suggestions.

"Sani, 🆘", "I need your help, this needs something, what do you think 🤔"

And you best believe she had quite a mouth full of ideas, suggestions... All quite helpful.

That being said, my idea was to make a cute little bralette into a one-piece. Wait, what????? How did that happen??? I don't know.........

Hmmm, you asked for help remember...  Oh yes, I did, didn't I?

First attempt... Cute..... Buttttttt... There was still something off...

So I again........ HELP.....
This time... From a man's perspective 😮😮😮😮... Yup... He was quite helpful... Three 👧👱👩 (heads) are sure better than one...

 That being said... 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸 ((((rip it)))).  I frogged (pulled out) the entire bottom half (oh, didn't I tell you, I was just about finished with my masterpiece with only ends to weave in, when this change came about?..... (Well yes I was).

Back to the drawing board (literally as that's what he did when I asked him to draw what he was explaining).  This time I decided to separate the bottom piece and then make the connection. I am now lost for words... I'm usually not one to blow my own horn......... but.......... screaming with excitement... YES!!!!!! YES!!!! It's beautiful, one of a kind, I did it.....

Now guys..... Tell me what you all think?

Isn't it lovely

It fits a smaller butt 😉

Let us be friends, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry, Twitter, and TikTok   Check out my Etsy page as well.  

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