Crochet Braids

So after a quick week away I decided I best get a move on with my samples as I have a blanket and numerous other projects to work on. This time it was crocheted braids. Now I had looked at them several months ago but had not had much luck when searching. I wasn't sure what they were or how to make them.
This time however I decided to invest in a couple of books. These helped tremendously. They have some clear samples and some instructions how to make braids. I bought both books from Amazon and paid only 1p for the Batsford book because it is old and used. To be honest you wouldn't know that it had been used and although it's a bit retro the information inside is still valid. If you are keen to improve your crochet and don't mind a bit of retro I'd buy a copy in an instant.

The braids I needed to make had to have a colour component and all have to be the same lemgth. Sizing was yet again my down fall. I just could not seem to get them all the same length regardless of how many times I checked. The piece seemed to shrink or stretch between each row! Don't ask me how!

I used a DK bamboo and cotton blend from Kong Cole.. I am pleased with the final effect using this yarn but it was very splitty and I often had to redo a stitch because of the yarn.  As usual the whole sample took much longer than anticiapted and I had to do some several times. Fingers crossed they will pass muster.

So here they are in all their glory....

 The top braid uses trebles and a crab stitch border. I used surface crochet to give it an extra colour pop. The other sample came from Ravelry. The instructions were very simple and once I'd tried it once I was on my way. I threaded a chain through the centre to add the extra colour element. 

I liked this tiny sample. ( below) It was from Pauline's book, Finishing Techniques for Crochet. The instructions were easy to follow but I found a larger hook (4mm) made all the difference. The 3.5mm did not show up the holes making the chain very difficult to thread. 

The final 2 samples used filet crochet. I'm becoming more interested in this technique. I prefer to use a heavier weight yarn than is used traditionaly and there are so many beautiful colours out there. I'm wondering about using a really chunky yarn to make a bath mat with some nautical element. I could be quite interesting.

  The Batsford book mentioned filet braids and gave these two examples you can see below. They were easy enough to complete but because the were worked horizontally they were difficult to get the same length as the other samples. I'm hoping they are regarded as braids when they are marked but I'm not really sure as they were so different from the examples listed in Pauline's book.. 

As well as all this I've continued making more  Selkie Cowl's by the Crochet Project. I love them! It's an easy pattern and it makes for good TV crochet. I've made 4 now so really should think about making something else.  I've gifted one already and intend to give a couple to my daughter's friends for helping her move into her new house boat. 

Right now to go and look at that blanket I've promised to make and to get the samples in the post before the next snow shower.

On to hairpin lace.

So after the madness of Christmas and all the travelling that November and December brought I settled down to starting my Hairpin lace and trying to redo any samples that I had to resubmit.
Hair pin lace requires a loom which can be purchased from Amazon . I bought this one and found it to be sturdy and easily adjustable.

It took me a while to get use to it as it's difficult to manipulate the loom and the hook initially.  I started with some DK and also tried some chunky yarn. The affect was OK but I have to say I was struggling to think of what I would use it for. I found 4ply and smooth yarn gave a much more pleasing affect.

For the samples each spine had to be different. I liked playing around with this as you just use a range of normal crochet stitches in front or back loops, or even under them. My next task will be to make more samples and then join them together however I'm not doing that until they have been marked and I know that I'm on the right lines.

A merino sock yarn gave lovely stitch definition. I really liked how each loop was a different colour. 

This DK bamboo worked up nicely. The sample reminds me of a centipede as it looks like its crawling across the page.

It's important to remember to thread yarn into the loops that when you remove your work from the loom. This is easier when the lace is still on the loom. Without the yarn things tend to get a little messy!

So onto the resubmits. 

One of my filet samples needed to be resubmitted because I'd made a mess of the blocking. I'd tried to get it square but to no avail and in the process stretched it. I sent it anyway because I needed feedback on how to improve.... No blocking was recommened! So I've tried it again. This time I took inspiration from Coastal Crochet's filet sample. Eleonora had used a boat design for her bars and

lacets sample. I used a similar boat deign and added a flag. I used a thicker cotton thread this time and a 3mm hook. It was easier to work and I felt that and the colour gave it a more modern feel. Fingers crossed it does better this time. I worked more rows to ensure it was square. Hopefully that will be OK.

My shaping piece also had issues. It was the wrong shape!!! LOL. Well the wrong proportions. So I've had another go at that too...god I didn't realise how long some of this would take me... 3 attempts later I think it's ok.  I used Stylecraft DK and a 4.5mm hook. I still get quite a stiff fabric so will have to try an even larger hook next time. The sample could do with a block but after my last attempt I'm staying well away from the blocking boards. The crab stitch around the edge gives it a clean finish and it's super stretch so no need to do 3 stitches in the corner. 

Seem to have got a teal thing going on at the moment!

So that's all workwise but I have been having fun too. 

I finished my dad's Christmas present! I only started it 2 weeks before Christmas. (Never let me do that again.) A single sized blanket in just under 2 weeks equals too much stress. However he loves it and already is showing it off to neighbours. 

Look how happy he is. :)

It's the Attic 24 Coastal Ripple using the original colours. Packs can be found at Wool Warehouse.

I've also been trying to use up my stash. I had some stunning DK Dovestone from Baa Ram Ewe in Leeds. 200g in Rhubarb and 200g in Lotherton. It's a Wensleydale, Bluefaced Leicester, Marsham mix and it's totally gorgeous. It crochet's up like a cloud and is not splitty or scratchy. What's more it's 100% British and spun in Yorkshire! Ee Bah Gum it's blooming lovely. So I finally found a pattern and now just can't stop making them. It's the Selkie Cowl from The Crochet Project. and it looks even better than in the pattern. Well I think so, and that's what counts right?

Oh it's so soft and snuggly just perfect for these cold wintery days. It's a very easy pattern to remember and I think that even a beginner could easily master it. The hardest part is getting the initial 200 chain not to twist, although I did find a YouTube clip that helped.  Have a go yourself and let me know what you think. 

I'm off to Oman for a week now to see my lovely friend Carlotte. Just got to go and pack my WIP.... bye!