A BLURB ON THE HISTORY OF CROCHET

Crochet is a process of creating fabric from yarn or thread using a crochet hook. The word is derived from the Middle French word "CROC" or "CROCHE", meaning "HOOK". Crocheting, is similar to knitting, consists of pulling loops of yarn through other loops. Crochet differs from knitting in that only one loop is active at one time (the sole exception being Tunisian Crochet), and that a crochet hook is used instead of knitting needles.

The history of crochet, is that some theorize that crochet evolved from traditional practices in Arabia, South America, or China, but there is no decisive evidence of the craft being performed before its popularity in Europe during the 1800's. Around the world, crochet became a thriving cottage industry, particularly in Ireland and Northern France, supporting communities whose tradtitional livelihoods had been damaged by wars, changes in farming and land use and crop failures.

Modern practice, fashions in crochet changed with the end of the Victorian era in the 1890's. Crocheted laces in the new Edwardian era, peaking between 1910 and 1920, became even more elaborate in texture and complicated stitching.

Crocheted fabric is begun by placing a slip-knot loop on the hook, pulling another loop through the first loop, and repeating the process to create a chain of a suitable length. Crochet is more suitable than knitting for joining pieces of fabric and knit patterns for sweaters may incorporate crochet for finishing. Crochet can add borders or surface embellishment to both knit and crochet fabric. Crocheted fabrics uses 1/3 more yarn than knitted fabric. Crochet produces a thicker fabric than knitting, and tends to have less "give" than knitted fabric and generally, speaking, crochet technique produces fabric faster than knitting........

So in my opinion, crochet is best craft ever created, "I LOVE MY CROCHET"!!!!!!

MY GRAPH AFGHANS

MY DAUGHTER

MY DAUGHTER
THIS IS MY GORGEOUS DAUGHTER.

20 October 2009

X-STITCH BABY BLANKET.



This blanket was ordered by a friend of mine. I used RH WW. Yarn, I got the pattern from a free site on the internet, it is called X-Stitch Baby Blanket.

It was completed October 19th, 2009.

16 September 2009

CROCHET COTTON TOP.

I just completed this Cotton Top Blouse, it is wide-sleeved with a lovely cowl neck, this is my own design.

I used Bernat cotton yarn for this project. It was completed September 15th, 2009.

21 August 2009

THE BUBBLES AFGHAN.


This afghan is called the Bubbles Afghan, I got the pattern from a free site on the internet, it was all done in single and double crochet creating a bubble effect. I used RH. WW. yarn for this project, it was completed on August 18th, 2009.

28 July 2009

MY NEW MAKEUP PALETTE AND BRUSHES



I am so excited, I ordered these makeup from a place called Coastal Scents. They are so amazing, the colors are very well pigemented and they stay on all day once you apply a base before you apply the eyeshadow.
The brushes are really soft and they apply my makeup real smooth, for the first time I have brushes that does not make my face itchy........YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Thanks so much Coastal Scents and I will be ordering from them over and over again.

19 June 2009

MY FAVORITE MAKEUP ARTIST ON THE WEB.

This is Marlena, my favorite makeup artist on the web. She's gorgeous, her techniques are absolutely amazing. She's has her channel on "YOUTUBE" her screen name is "MAKEUP GEEK". Check her out on youtube when you get a chance she's amazing!!!!!!.

29 April 2009

SHELLS AFGHAN


I got the pattern for this afghan from a free website on the internet. It is called "Shells Afghan" because it is all a shell pattern.

I used shades of green plus white to make this afghan, it is not yet quite completed, but I decided to post it anyways.

I used of course RH WW Yarn. It is to be completed in a matter of days.

PURPLE POM POM HAT

I made this hat to be sent to my friend in Florida. It is a purple pom-pom hat with rolled brim, I used RH WW yarn. It was completed April 28th, 2009.
I got the pattern from Yarncat's site, but of course I added the pom-pom.

17 March 2009

FRONT POST BLANKET


I made this blanket from a square pattern I found in one of my many books I have at home.

The squares were supposed to be joined together to make an afghan, but I got tired of making the squares and decided to just make one big afghan, so I came up with the outer part of the afghan, which is all front and back post stitches, the border is done with 5 double crochet in one stitch.

This was completed March 15th, 2009, I used RH WW yarn.

09 March 2009

DURANGO BROWN HAT.

I made this hat using RH WW yarn, it was completed March 8th, 2009.

KALISPELL VARIEGATED HAT.

I made this hat with Bernat WW yarn, it was completed March 3rd, 2009.

CHEYENNE BOW HAT

I made this Cheyenne Hat with Bernat WW Yarn, I added the bow to give it some pizzazz, it was completed March 3rd, 2009.

MURIEL BLACK BUTTONS HAT.

I made this hat using RH WW yarn, it was completed Feb. 7th, 2009.

SEDONA MAN'S HAT

This is another version of the Man's Sedona Hat, I used RH WW yarn, it was completed March 8th, 2009.

SEDONA MAN'S HAT

This is the man's version of the Sedona Hat, I used RH WW yarn, it was completed March 8th, 2009.

GLIMMER BROWN SHAWL.


This is my own creation, I used RH Super Saver yarn on the border of the shawl, and for the body of the shawl I used RH Soft Touch yarn. This was completed March 2nd, 2009.

GRANNY VARIEGATED SHAWL.

I got the pattern for this shawl from a free internet site. I used Bernat WW Yarn, for this shawl.

It was completed March 2nd, 2009.

02 March 2009

ANOTHER BARSTOW HAT AND MOSSY COWL.

I used RH WW Super Saver yarn, it is a really pretty purple color, it was completed Feb. 27th, 2009.

BARSTOW HAT AND MOSSY COWL SET.

The hat pattern is from Yarncat's site, the neck cowl Interweave Crochet, I used Baby Sport weight yarn doubled, the Mossy Cowl is designed by Katie Himmelberg the hat circumference is 20"-23". It was completed Feb. 27th, 2009.

DURANGO HAT AND SCARF SET.

I used RH WW yarn for this set, the hat pattern is from Yarncat's site and the scarf is from Lionbrand site, it was completed Feb. 25th, 2009.

AMELIA HAT AND SCARF

The hat pattern is from Yarncat's site, and the scarf is from Lionbrand site, the scarf is called Claudette Scarf, I used RH WW yarn in black and slate blue, it was completed Feb. 25th, 2009.

CROCHET CAPELET

I got the pattern for this capelet from Lionbrand site. I used Glitter spun yarn, it was completed Feb. 24th, 2009.

24 February 2009

KALISPELL HAT.

This Kalispell Hat I made, again I got the pattern from Yarncat's site, it measures 20"-23", I used RH WW yarn, white in color, it was completed Feb. 22nd, 2009.

ANOTHER CHEYENNE HAT

This is another Cheyenne Hat I made. The pattern is from Yarncat's site, I used RH WW yarn in black and white. This was completed Feb. 22nd, 2009.

23 February 2009

GREEN HAT.

The hat again is from Yarncat's site, the petal is from Talking Crochet website, it is called a Shamrock Motif, I used WW yarn, it was completed Feb. 17th, 2009.

VARIEGATED HAT AND SCARF SET.

The scarf is actually my own design, it is done in single and double crochet, the hat is from Yarncat's site, I used Mills End yarn unknown fibre variegated. It was completed Feb. 17th, 2009.

CHEYENNE HAT.

This pattern is from Yarncat's site. I used Bernat Chunky yarn, the Rosette is from Lionbrand site, it was completed Feb. 18th, 2009.

TRACK STITCH BERET.





This Track Stitch Beret can be worn two ways. I got the pattern from http://www.redheart.com/. I used Bernat Chunky Yarn Slate Blue in color, head circumference is 20", it was complete Feb. 19th, 2009.

MURIEL HAT.

This pattern is from Yarncat's site, it measures 20"-23", I used Bernat Chunky slate blue in color, it was completed Feb. 21st, 2009.

IMOGENE HAT

This hat pattern is from Yarncat's site, it measures 20"-23", I used Bernat Softee Chunky off-white in color 100% acrylic yarn. It was completed Feb. 21st, 2009.

COFFEE BROWN HAT AND SCARF.

I made this hat and scarf set my African Arts and Craft Show. I got the pattern from Yarncat's site. I used Mills End Yarn unknown fibre. It was completed Feb. 21st, 2009.

EVELYN HAT

I made this hat for my African Art and Craft Show coming up February 28th, 2009. I got the pattern from Yarncat's site, I really love Yarncat hat patterns because they fit. I've tried other hat patterns from other sites and they are so large, but Yarncat's hats really do fit and look quite fashionable.

I used RH WW yarn, black in color, and it measures 20"-23", it was completed Feb. 22nd, 2009.

17 February 2009

BLACK PURL HAT


I made this hat during the weekend, it only took 15mins to complete without stopping, I couldn't believe how easy it was.

I got the pattern from Black Purl.com. I used Mills End yarn unknown fiber and RH WW yarn. I made this hat for the African Arts and Craft Show I have coming up Feb. 28th, 2009.

This was completed Feb. 15, 2009.

06 February 2009

AN E-MAIL FROM SHARON (NONIE'S BLANKET).


This is an e-mail I received from Sharon of Nonie's Blanket, thanking me for my donation to them. She took a picture of the blanket with the lady from the Bag Program.

Hi Ava,
The woman from the Bag Program, Linda, came and picked up blankets yesterday
and was thrilled to see yours. It is so pretty and again, we thank you so
much. I'm sure you will be hearing from her too, but wanted you to know,
again, how much your generosity was appreciated. You are a very special and
caring person.
I will be posting your blanket on my website in the near future. I want to
make up a new page for donations.
My girlfriend found some yarn in a thrift shop for me so I am working on a
bright orange one right now. There is always lots to do!
Keep in touch,
Sharon

P. S. I LOVE the new picture of your daughter, she is so beautiful!!! I
enjoy your blog.

05 February 2009

I made this afghan without a pattern I just made something up. It was done in single crochet, then I slip stitched, single crochet and stitched on top of the afghan, the sewing got messed up a bit, but hey, I'm human......"LOL" then I did a double crochet border and added the rose in the middle with a red button. I used Bernat chunky and Red Heart WW Yarn, this was completed February, 4th, 2009.

MY DESIGN AFGHAN

This is a close-up of the afghan.

15 January 2009

AVA LYNN'S BLANKET.


Happy "2009" to each and everyone, I wish for all of you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

I decided for the New Year that I will do a lot more in terms of crochet, and try my darndest to relax, and enjoy my family and my life a lot more.

This Ava Lynn Blanket I made, I got the pattern from Yellow House website, she has a lot of free patterns on her site. This is actually all shell pattern in one color on her site, but I made mine with a bunch of different colors. I will be donating this blanket to Nonies Blanket.

I used worsted weight yarn for this blanket and it was fun and easy to make, it was completed January 14th, 2009.

01 December 2008

PSYCHADELIC BLANKET


I really wasn't sure what to name this blanket. My boyfriend told me to name it the Spider Blanket, but there are so many Spider Blanket around, so I decided to call it The Psychadelic Blanket, because it looks really psychadelic to me.

I got the middle square pattern from a book I have at home, then I couldn't be bothered to join the squares together to make a complete blanket so I created this, I did double crochet around, then I did a front post treble crochet on the 6th double on the second row below, I did that for about 20 rows then I did 4 rows of front post back post stitches around, then I did 2 rows of double crochet, then the last and final rows I did shells, this blanket has so many different things in it, I thought psychadelic would be so fitting for it.

It was completed Nov. 29th, 2008, and I used RH WW yarn.

10 November 2008

A SQUARE BLANKET

This started out as a Log Cabin, but I got tired of the pattern and decided to go around in a simple square pattern in single crochet.


I used RH Comfort Sport and Mill Ends Yarn unknown fibre, it was completed on Nov. 3rd, 2008. I like the colors, I guess one day I will complete a Log Cabin Afghan.

29 October 2008

CAPELET

I completed this Capelet October 28th, 2008. I made it for myself, but I sure one of friends are gonna confiscate it, so I took a pic of me wearing it.

I got the pattern from Lionbrand site. I used Mills End Yarn for this project, I will be making another real soon.

29 September 2008

HARMONY AFGHAN.



I am making this for my daughter's queen-sized bed. I thought it was best to take a pic of it before it got too hard to handle.

I got the pattern from The American School of Needlework, Great Big Crochet Afghan Book, page 121, Harmony Afghan Designed by Denise Black. It was all done in single crochet and front post treble crochet.

19 August 2008

RAINBOW BLOCKS AFGHAN



After a long two weeks fun filled vacation, I am now back!!!!!! I made this afghan called Rainbow Blocks Afghan, it was one all in single crochet, I got the pattern from a small booklet named "Over The Rainbow Baby Afghans" by Liesure Arts. It was done in strips looped in through the blanket, it is such an awesome pattern I will be making another one but larger, it is very thick, warm and cozy.
It was completed August 17th, 2008.

16 July 2008


Ok, I gathered all the yarns I had laying around and decided to make a scrap ghan with it. I did not end off at the end of each row with a different color, what I did I joined a new yarn at the end of the yarn that was finished and continued, in that way I did not have all the loose ends to weave in.

This was done in all single crochet and front post double crochet, it was fun and easy to do, and the border I did 2 double crochet, chain one. It was completed July 15th, 2008.

16 June 2008

ENTRELAC TUNISIAN CROCHET


I’ve been seeing this Entrelac Pattern around on the internet for quite some time. I’ve always wanted to do this pattern but was afraid I would screw up royally…”LOL”

Then one faithful day, my girlfriend introduced the pattern to me again, and I decided that I am gonna be brave and try it, and to my surprise after numerous frogging and frustration, I finally understood the pattern. It is a knitting pattern I got to understand, but it was written in crochet using the tunisian stitch.

I did a small swatch and I think I understood the concept of the pattern, so at the end of each square I made a chain 9 and did 10 rows in the tunisian stitch and this added an extra square to the end which makes each row grows longer and increases the afghan.
A pic of my sample swatch is here for you to see.

Entrelac is a knitting technique used to create a textured diamond pattern. While the end result resembles basket-woven strips of knitted fabric, the actual material comprises interconnected squares on two different orientations.

Unlike many textured knitting techniques, Entrelac allows for colorwork as well. Though single-color entrelac is the norm, it is often used to create colored patterns.

02 May 2008

JACOB'S LADDER AFGHAN.

I just completed this Jacob's Ladder Afghan. I got the pattern from a free site on the internet. I made it for a chair I have upstairs in the hallway on the landing....(sort of decorative). The colors are RH Black and Dark Brown/Gold. It was completed May 1, 2008.

The pattern was very easy, and it worked up real fast.

31 March 2008

MOOD INDIGO AFGHAN

This is the Mood Indigo Afghan, I got the pattern from one of my closest crochet friends. I used RH blue, white, gold and black, it was completed March 28th, 2008.


This afghan was made for the Street Festival I have coming up in June in Aurora, Ontario. This afghan was done using all front and back post stitches, needless to say it is extremely warm and cozy.

26 March 2008

SPLENDOR AFGHAN.

This afghan was made and sold to a co-worker of mine, she's taking it to London, England to give to her grandma as a gift.


I used RH Dark Brown yarn, it was completed March 25, 2008. The pattern is from Leisure Arts small booklet I picked up at Walmart a few years ago.

25 February 2008

TRIANGLE CHAIN LINK SHAWL

I made this shawl with Red Heart Darkest Green, it took 3 days to complete I got the pattern from Friendshipshawl.org. I call it Triangle Chain Link Shawl, because the stitch looks like a chain link fence.

It was completed February 24th, 2008. It will also be on display at the African Arts and Craft Show, March 2nd, 2008.

19 February 2008

SPECIAL STITCH SHAWL.

I made this shawl using Mills End Yarn, it was so fast and easy I finished it in two days. This shawl will also be on display at the African Arts and Craft Show that I will be attending, March 2nd, 2008, it was completed Feb, 17/2008.

14 February 2008

AFRICAN HEXAGON AFGHAN

I made this afghan for an up-coming African Arts and Craft Show, scheduled for March 2nd, 2008.

I will be donating this afghan to them. They wanted it in the African colors and I made it in a large Hexagon, it was completed February 13th, 2008.

I used RH WW Yarn and the border was done in the rib-stitch.

17 January 2008

"OH MICKEY YO SO FINE!!!!!"





It is finally done. I started this Mickey Mouse Afghan during the Christmas break and now it is finally completed.

I used the Mo-Ez Hook, and changed colors as I go, luckily for me there was not a lot to weave in when I was done. I used Red Heart WW Yarn, it measures the size of a double bed, it was completed January 16, 2008.