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Posted on July 20, 2012September 7, 2020 by Vashti Braha — 1 Comment

The Five Peaks Tunisian Crochet Shawl: Class Resources

5 views of Five Peaks Tunisian Crochet shawl

I created this resource list for my students & others to explore the Five Peaks Tunisian crochet shawl, and similar start-in-a-corner, edge-as-you-go L-shaped wraps. This extra information didn’t fit into a standard three-hour class. Some items are names of designers, books, etc., that I may have mentioned in class.

Below I also include a complete list of my downloadable patterns for Tunisian crochet shawls and accessories. In classes I show a huge amount of published and unpublished crochet designs. They illustrate what we learn in class, and what can happen when we take it further. — Vashti Braha

The Five Peaks Tunisian Crochet Shawl design

Its Ravelry design page (best headquarters for everything concerning the pattern).
Its Ravelry CAL discussion thread.
Interweave Crochet magazine issue in which the original version of the pattern first appeared: Spring 2010 (back issue available on CD?).
Downloadable pdf of the original magazine version of the pattern in the Interweave Pattern Shop.
Blog post about the design by Marcy, editor of Interweave Crochet magazine
My blog post about the development of this design.
My blog post about the discovery I made that made the Five Peaks Tunisian Crochet Shawl possible
Online photo set of my studio and process shots of the Five Peaks Shawls

The Five Peaks Shawl with Tunisian eyelet border. — ©2010 *Interweave Crochet Magazine*

All about the “Half-Hitch” stitch

How to Crochet Half Hitches & Limpet Stitches My new reference blog post.
See my How to Increase at the Ends of Tunisian Rows Three Ways post.
See the CAL discussion thread listed above.

Vashti’s Crochet Inspirations newsletter: Recommended Issues

{This is 2020 Vashti popping in to say that these are in the process of being uploaded to this blog and updated. Links available soon.}

Issue #48: “Diagonal Tunisian Crochet Discovery”
Issue #44: “Dainty Eyelets for Winter Lace”
Issue #64

View all of my downloadable Tunisian crochet shawl patterns

Diagonal striping of corner-to-corner wide wool scarf

This is the Four Peaks Scarf, a stepping-stone version of the Five Peaks Shawl. It starts in one corner and increases at both edges, just like Five Peaks starts. Then you decrease along one side while increasing along the other for as long as you like. When you decrease along both sides, you’ll eventually create the opposite corner—or the “fourth peak”.

All of these steps are used for the Five Peaks too, but…differently enough to get five corners instead of four.

Isn’t it beautiful what this construction method does with a self-striping yarn?

Getting Geeky About the Geometry of the Five Peaks

Hypotenuse Calculator
Create your own free online graph paper, one of my favorite sites.

Inspiring Features, Examples, and Variations of the Five Peaks L-Shape

Try this self-updating Ravelry search. When I tried it, 32 results came up and it seems most of them are true L-Shaped shawls. (Some V-shaped ones are too, but many V’s are not right angles like the bottom point of an L-shaped shawl is.)

Doris Chan’s Fairlane
Karen McKenna’s All the Stars Above
Nicky Epstein’s Princess Anne Vest is a modified one.
Eclectic Gipsyland’s Cool Days in Paris
Sachiko Bergin’s Yorkville (knit)

Five Peaks Tunisian Crochet Shawl Class was held September 12, 2012 at the CGOA ‘Knit and Crochet Show’ conference in Reno, Nevada (Grand Sierra Resort).

Stitchmerge: Double-Faced Crochet

Here’s a plush, wearable reason to revive a vintage stitch pattern that has also been called thermal stitch, potholder stitch, and Helena stitch. This design uses basic single crochet stitches worked the unique double-layer way.

It’s double-thick: two rows are crocheted together as you go. This pattern teaches a method for crocheting double-faced, two-layered fabric that’s a bit different from what is being called the “Waffle Stitch” technique. This version is fine-grained, denser, thicker, squishier, and I find it addictive. Once I start, I pick up speed and suddenly I’ve used up a whole ball of yarn.

Skill Level

Easy-Intermediate rather than Easy, due to crocheting into the row below. This pattern is for crocheters who can identify the top two loops of the chain and single crochet stitches, and who are comfortable with working the single crochet stitch in rows. (Bling Bam Bangles would be nice practice for this.) Choose a smooth, light-colored yarn for your first double-layered project, such as the rainbow yarn shown here.

Pattern is written with a limited amount of abbreviations. International English equivalents to American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are provided in brackets.

After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

How to turn single crochet stitches into a double-layer fabric
How to use this thick, dense stitch pattern for a thermal neckwarmer (and other useful items besides potholders)
How to add a simple edging to double-layer crochet (if you opt for the fluffy red version).

Finished Dimensions

23″ (58.5 cm) long and 4.75″ (12 cm) wide before optional edging; pictured rainbow version is not edged.
24″ (61 cm) long and 5.75″ (14.5 cm) wide after edging. Width and length of neckwarmer are easy to customize and the pattern includes customizing instructions. (Yarn requirements may change.)

Supplies Needed

Crochet Hook: Size US M-13/9mm or size required for gauge.
Yarn: Approximately 95 yards/87 meters of a yarn that states a gauge of approx. 14-18 stitches over 4 inches.
The rainbow-colored yarn pictured is recommended for crocheters who are new to double-faced crocheting: Crystal Palace Mochi Plus (80% merino wool, 20% nylon; 95yd/87m per 1.75oz/50g ball): 1 full ball of color 561 “Baby Face” used.
Pictured solid red yarn (recommended for crocheters who are familiar with double-faced crocheting; this yarn results in a luxurious scarf!): Blue Sky Alpacas Brushed Suri (67% baby suri alpaca, 22% merino wool, 11% bamboo; 142yd/130m per 1.75oz/50g skein), one skein of color #902 used.
Brooch or large button of your choice as clasp.

Posted on November 30, 2020November 30, 2020 by Vashti Braha — 6 Comments

Crochet Mask Lanyard, A Hook-Only Free Pattern

Crocheted fasteners before and after attaching to mask

This reversible crochet mask lanyard attaches to each ear loop of a face mask with 100% crocheted fasteners. No sewing on buttons or metal hardware!

Wear the lanyard around your neck. If you remove your mask, there it hangs, already found, like wearing reading glasses on a chain.

The chain loop end attaches with a lark’s head knot, explained below. The other end has a crocheted peg-like “shank” button. It loops around the other ear loop and buttons into a stitch space of the lanyard. This makes the length easy to adjust. The mask loops can be any thickness.

Three Favorite Things

My favorite thing about this pattern is that it’s “hook-only”: 100% crochet, even the fasteners.

My second-favorite thing is it’s a chance to use my new rosebud button idea for a project. It’s reminiscent of a Chinese frog closure, but like I say, no sewing! Also, unlike some button knots, zero chance of it coming unknotted.

Crochet mask lanyard button in two thread sizes — Free crochet mask lanyard pattern below is for the blue one in sport weight cotton yarn.
The pink one in size 10 thread uses parts of the same pattern.

And, third, this pattern doubles as a versatile template. I’m already borrowing individual elements from it. The lacy pink love knot lanyard has the same chain-loop end, rosebud button end, and even a few repeats of the blue cord to serve as buttonholes (near the button end). If you have a cord pattern you like, add a few elements from this pattern to keep it hook-only.

Crochet Mask Lanyard Pattern

A PDF version of this pattern was emailed to members of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) as a part of a Holiday Shopping Guide, December 1, 2020.

Materials

About ten yards of a sport weight (CYC Size #2 Fine Weight) yarn. Shown (in blue): Lang Fiorina (100% cotton, 135 yds / 125 m per 1.75 oz/50 g)
Size E / 3.5 mm hook
A stitch marker is recommended for the first few rows
Yarn needle

Abbreviations used

Pattern uses US terms. UK/AUS terms are in { }

ch = chain
dc = double crochet {UK: treble}
hdc = half double crochet {UK: half treble}
sc = single crochet {UK: double crochet}
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
yo = yarn over {UK: yarn over hook}

Gauge

8 pattern repeats (row pairs) = 4″ {10 cm}. Exact gauge is not necessary for this pattern to work.

Size

21 inches {53.34 cm} long. Length is determined by the number of pattern repeats so it’s easy to choose a different finished length.

Pattern Notes

Pattern begins at the fastening loop and ends at the other end with the button. The strap between these two ends has a two-row repeat: it’s a long narrow column of just one stitch per row.
To begin each new row, turn your work clockwise. (If you’re crocheting left handed, turn the other way.) The yarn will end up in back of the hook and turning chains instead of in front of them.

Instructions

Time needed: approximately 30 minutes

Chain 12. Hdc in 12th ch from crochet hook to form a ring.
This is the fastening loop.

Ch 3, dc in the same ch as the hdc.
Ch 1, turn, place marker in bump of ch and in a top loop of dc, sc in space between dc and ch-3.
Ch 3, turn. Dc in bump of turning ch-1 and back loop of dc (the marked loops).
Ch 1, turn, move marker (until you can identify the loops to crochet into), sc in space between dc and ch-3.
Repeat steps 3 & 4: 38 times or until it’s the length you prefer.
Do not fasten off.
Rosebud Button
Crochet all stitches tightly. Ch 13, sl st in the front loop of the 2nd ch from crochet hook, sl st in the front loop of each of next 10 chs. Leave last ch unworked to form the “shank” at the button’s base. Remove crochet hook from loop for the next step. Place marker in loop to secure.
Tie the strip of 11 sl sts into a simple overhand knot so that the tip of the sl st strip peeks out. Ignore how it looks for the moment. Replace hook in loop and in two or three strands of the sl st tip, and tightly sl st around the unworked ch-1 of shank. (Knot will bend over.) Sl st in same ch, sl st in nearest next stitch, fasten off, and weave in ends.
Tug on sections of the button knot to even it out; plump it up to make it cute. The goal is to center the shank under a mushroom cap shape. Spritz with water to set it.
Attach to face mask
Slide loop end under an ear loop of the mask. Feed the button end through the loop end and pull the full length of the lanyard through so that the loop wraps around the ear loop tightly with a lark’s head knot.
Slide the button under the other ear loop of mask. Fold button over and press it through one of the nearby spaces of a dc row. (Reverse these steps to release lanyard from mask.)
If the length you made doesn’t fit over your head, attach the button end after you’ve placed it around your neck.
Variation I
Wrap the fastening loop with the starting yarn end, and wrap the shank of the button with the other yarn end when you’re about to weave in the ends. It’s a nice look. I did this for the button shank of this prototype.
Variation II
Use your own favorite crochet cord pattern and incorporate sections from this pattern. Here’s how the complete pink love knot example looks:

FAQ About Crochet Mask Lanyards

Why crochet a face mask lanyard? Is it better to crochet one?

Crocheting a lanyard is easy and fast, especially when you can also crochet the fasteners. Crochet makes a strong and durable lanyard with very little yarn (about ten yards).

Are crocheted lanyards washable and comfortable to wear?

Yes: use a soft, washable yarn. It’s comfortable and almost weightless. I forget that I’m wearing it sometimes.

How much yarn do I need to crochet a mask lanyard?

The pretty blue one shown here required only ten yards of a sport weight cotton yarn, and a size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook. Even the lanyard clips are crocheted!

What’s the difference between a mask holder, mask extender, mask chain, and mask lanyard?

“Mask holder” and “mask extender” usually refer to a small strip that has a button at each end. Wear it to eliminate pressure or irritation behind the ears. It shows at the back of the head where the ear loops of the mask hook around the buttons instead of the ears. Another term is “ear saver”.
“Mask chains” and “mask lanyards” drape around the neck like necklaces. It’s the same idea as wearing a badge holder, or a chain for reading glasses.

How long does it take to crochet mask lanyards?

The simplest one of all—just crochet chain stitches—would take 5-10 minutes. The fancier one shown here took 30 minutes.

Do I have to sew buttons or metal clips onto a crocheted mask lanyard?

No. It’s possible to crochet the whole lanyard, even the fasteners! That’s what it means when a crochet project is “hook-only”.

Posted on October 15, 2020October 15, 2020 by Vashti Braha — 9 Comments

Book Review: Live Loop Cables in Crochet

Live Loop Cables in Crochet book by Sue Perez cover

There’s a new crochet technique book you need to know about: Live Loop Cables in Crochet by Sue Perez, ISBN 9780578720678. This is Sue’s first crochet book, and she’s been writing about crochet for a long time on her blog, Mr. Micawber’s Recipe for Happiness. (Link goes to her post about the book where you can see lots of great photos.) We’ve connected on other geeky stitch tech things over the years, like limpets and weird foundation stitches.

I’m excited about live loop crocheting (I’ve had a newsletter issue in mind about fun with live loops for years), so I bought this book the moment I found out about it. It’s my first Amazon print on demand purchase. The book arrived quickly and the print quality of the full color photos, and detailed diagrams, is great.

“Live Loop”?

A live loop is a simple and unique thing in crochet: it’s a loop that could unravel. It’s in a transitional state. It needs another loop to be pulled through it to secure it.

I’ve also heard the term working loop used for this special loop that’s on your crochet hook as you crochet. If there’s more than one loop on the hook, they’re all working loops or live loops.

I think of “working loop” as referring to the loop(s) on the hook. I think of “live loop” as a working loop that is not on the hook and so it needs to be watched (kind of like a “live wire”).

Partial Stitches

One of the things that excites me about Sue’s book is that it explores what crochet loops can do while in a prolonged live state. It’s like a science fiction story where a little stream of time splits off from the main river of Time. The live loop cables are running on a separate little stream. You can even unravel some cable loops to fix an error without disturbing the background stitches.

The standard crochet method is to work an entire stitch (start, post, end) at a time. But you can also work multiple posts, or partial stitches…then complete them as individual stitches by linking the working loops one at a time.
From page 7, “Standard Crochet vs Live Loop Crochet” in Live Loop Cables in Crochet

A Hybrid Technique?

Knitters seem to recognize something about this technique. I’ve seen a few people associate it with i-cord. I can’t speak to these associations with knitting because I haven’t knitted since I was ten years old. I wouldn’t be writing this review on this blog if any knitting knowledge were needed to understand or enjoy the book.

It’s written with crochet language for crocheters. In fact, there are many little ways that I see a crocheter’s touch in the book design. I also see a crocheter’s understanding of what it’s like to learn a new crochet technique. Sue even developed a way to chart the cables for people who are spatially challenged (“like herself” she says). I also love the guidance she gives about overlooked basics like distinguishing the right side and wrong side versus the front and back. There is so much more than this too.

I mention this for two reasons: first, if you do also knit, something about this technique may be familiar to you. Second, it doesn’t have to be a hybrid technique for you. It isn’t for me. I just experience it as crochet. Theory wise, live loops/working loops are a simple crochet fact, so a technique exploring them holds up as crochet for me. Live loops have been used in other little pockets of crochet for a long time. (Hence the newsletter topic on the back burner.)

Plenty of Projects

25 live loop cable blocks in Sue Perez's new book — The 25 live loop cable blocks

This is a large-format 173-page book. The first 32 pages are thorough step by step explanations of the technique. THEN, patterns for twenty-five cable blocks take you to page 100. Each block has a color-coded chart, color photo, and often a helpful little diagram of a special step, or a design tip.

For the remaining 73 pages there are eleven projects, plus some reference material at the end. There are hats, mitts, cowls, a scarf, shawl, tea cozy, bag, bowl, and headbands. (Scroll through this blog post to see them all.) They would all make very useful gifts. This is an important new crochet technique.

You may have seen Sue’s designs in Interweave Crochet, I Like Crochet, Love of Crochet, and for SweetGeorgia Yarns. Her designing and pattern writing experience shows.

Congratulations, Sue! It’s a remarkable book that raises the standard for crochet technique book publishing. I know you must have given it your all because it is so finely word-crafted and illustrated. Thank you for your contribution to the field of crochet.

Live Loop Cables in Crochet by Sue Perez is available from Amazon. (The custom link is the author’s.) Sue also has a Youtube channel; view a 2017 video of her live loop technique.