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.
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