May 2024, Last Train to Knitsville

May 23, 2024May 23, 2024

The Cozy Suzette Spa Cloth

The Cozy Suzette Spa cloth is the latest addition to both designbcb Etsy and designbcb GoImagine!

It is a quick and easy project put backs a texture wallop! It’s a slight derivation of the Suzette stitch. The spa cloth is available on GoImagine. The pattern will soon be available on Etsy and Ravelry.

I really love a stitch that has texture, depth and beauty. This stitch really comes through on this type of project. I don’t know that I would use this on a scarf. That might create an overload for me. But on this small, compact project it really strikes a nice, bold texture.

I made the cloth using Sugar N Cream Scrub Off and it was just as much fun. A good attitude to have when working with stitches you can hardly see. If you use the towel for body or dishes, i should perform the task beautifully.

I am whipping these up for the craft shows I have coming. I am glad to say I am on a production roll that should work for the crafts and the shops. I have uploaded new items to both Etsy and GoImagine. I am working on patterns and I’ve uploaded items to Abbey & Lincoln, so the digital is moving along as well. I’m even doing some writing!

I am going to fix myself a big salad for breakfast. Gonna use the pork that was leftover last night as my protein. Then, I have to get the bread going tat will be part of dinner! I love being this kind of creative!

May 19, 2024May 20, 2024

The Balmoral Pattern

This is my first attempt at doing a pattern in a post. If you want a pdf version, you can get it on Ravelry or designbcb on Etsy.

This pattern helps you create a cute and functional tote bag that will be great at the market, beach or book store. Make in any combination of colors that you want and it only takes a few fun sent hours.

You will need:

2 balls of Sugar N Cream Super Size cotton. You can make it with two colors or one but you’re still gonna need two.
5.00mm size H crochet hook
scissors
yarn needle

Measurements:

12×12 unstretched

Abbreviations:

ch=chain

dc=double crochet

hdc=half double crochet

sl=slip stitch

sc=single crochet

sk=skip

Notes:

The pattern assumes you know how to do the stitches, including a magic loop. If you don’t wish to do a magic loop, ch 4, sl into the first stitch to form a loop and follow the instructions from there.

Ch2 stitches don’t count as a stitch. When you join the end of the round, ignore the ch2 and slip into the dc stitch.

V stitch is dc,ch1,dc in the same space

Ready? Let’s go!

Create a magic loop and place 8 dc in the circle. Sl to join, ch 2

Place 2dc in each st, join, ch 2 (16 stitches)

*dc in 1st stitch, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from* to end, join, ch 2 (24 stitches)

*2dc in 1st stitch, 1 dc in next 2 stitches. Repeat from *, join, ch 2 (32 stitches)

Round 4: *1 dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from *to end of round, join, ch2 (40 stitches)

Round 5: * 2dc in first stitch, dc in next 4 stitches. Repeat from * to end of round, join, ch 2 (48 stitches)

Round 6: *1 dc in next 5 stitches, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from *to end of round, join, ch 2 (56 stitches)

Round 7:* 2dc in first stitch, 1dc in next 6 stitches. Repeat from * to end of round, join, ch 2 (64 stitches)

Round 8: *1dc in next seven stitches, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from * to end of round, join, ch 2 (72 stitches) Change to color B

Round 9: dc in each st, join, ch2

Round 10: *V stitch, ch1, sk2. Repeat from *to end of round, join, ch 2

Round 11: Repeat V stitch row, placing a V stitch in the previous V stitch until the bag is two inches from the desired length. Change to color A

Round 12: Place a sc in each ch1 space and each V stitch. Sl to join ch 1

Round 13: Place a dc in each sc stitch, join, ch 1

Round 14: Place dc in each st, join, ch2

Round 15: *sk1, dc, ch1. Repeat from * to end of round. Cast off

Create the handle by chaining 150 or the desired length of the drawstring. Starting with the second stitch, place a hdc in each stitch to the end. Cast off

Weave the cord through the ch1 spaces on the edge. Sew the ends together. To create drawstring, pull cord on opposite sides of the bag.

May 14, 2024May 20, 2024

The Balmoral Bag

The Balmoral bag is done! Several of them are done! This is a pretty fast project. The project is so quick that all these bags were done before the pattern was finished.

I took step by step photos and they will be included in the pattern. The pattern for the bag spawned another pattern. There was a tiny bit of leftover yarn for each of the bags and since the body of the bag is white, I made a white spa or dishcloth rimmed in the contrasting color. I did it using a play on the Suzette stitch so the Cozy Suzette washcloth and pattern will make their debut soon.

Can you guess how many balls of yarn are in that bag? And it still isn’t heavy and was easy to carry. Fifteen. Fifteen balls of Sugar and Cream and some from Hobby Lobby. But 15. That’s not bad at all.

These are going into GoImagine shop while the pattern will be going in the Etsy and Ravelry stores.

Doing the pattern was something of a challenge because I had to translate actions into words. That’s where photos come in. You can show something and hopefully the words will make more sense. Hopefully, the words make sense on their own and the photos enhance. See? Not easy.

Be on the lookout for the pattern(s). They are both quick and cute. Start it in the morning. You can elevate your market vibe by the afternoon.

May 6, 2024May 20, 2024

The Aalborg Cowl

The Aalborg Cowl pattern is done. The view from the desk this morning.

Yep. It reflects my mind. For the past few days, I’ve been waking up with the intention of doing a perfect day and it has fallen apart within the first few minutes. That cranberry red spot in upper middle is the cowl. It is the high spot within the clutter bomb.

There’s also the making of another pattern with the camo cotton yarn. That pattern isn’t going to work out because it’s taking too much of the yarn. I will have to rework the bottom. Still think it will take about three skeins of yarn which isn’t really bad – except I bought two skeins of each color. But then, the original thought was I was going to make two toned bags. So, that could still happen.

See what I mean about the state of my mind?

So, the Aalborg Cowl pattern is done and it’s in the shop.

These were taken when the desk had a bit more order. I do like the way it came out. It has a very interesting texture.

I have a how coming up next month and Mr. Honey and I borrowed a tent from a friend and had a time practicing getting it all set up. They both assured me I wouldn’t need stakes to hold it to the ground but I am not that confident and am leaning towards getting some cuz it’s better to have them and not need them than the other way around.

What’s on the agenda for today? Some more knitting and crocheting. The next French lesson from Mango and some cleaning. Currently, I’m cleaning/organizing kitchen cabinets. I hate doing it but I love it when it’s done.