Search Results for: star stitch class

Eilanner Shawl

Eilanner Shawl by Vashti Braha: Lattice-Edged Tunisian Eyelets

Eilanner has been a new experience for me of many things. The flower “tattoo” accent and a row-shaping stitch at the back neck were fun to develop. So was getting fancy with the Return Passes, and experimenting with extended-stitch eyelets.

Eilanner means “islander” in Frisian. The lattice edging of Tunisian Islander, which is crocheted point-to-point along only one edge, inspired me to try it at both ends of each row. The self-edging contrast border widens gradually as the shawl widens.

Skill Level: Experienced

The return passes add an uncommon amount of special features. I also introduce a new stitch! For Eilanner it changes the row height at the back neck during the forward passes. It also makes the “tattoo-flower” eyelets pop.

Another reason for the Experienced rating is its lush built-in border: it starts in seed form at the bottom point and gradually widens. I see this unique Tunisian pattern as containing semi-independent mini-pattern modules within it.

Don’t be deterred! It’s a gradual roll out of pattern changes that happen at a measured pace designed to keep things interesting. I’ve provided a gauge swatch so that you can try the basic stitch pattern without the edging or starting in a corner. (Matching the stated gauge is not necessary.)

Visual aids: two stitch diagrams, and a schematic with signposts like a road map. Stitch close ups for both right- and left-handed crocheters are on the last two print-optional pages. As an advanced-skill Tunisian pattern this has more pattern abbreviations. For your convenience, every other pattern page has a Stitch Guide sidebar.

Either one of Eilanner’s older sister-designs—Tunisian Islander, Neck Lattice—would be an ideal stepping stone to this pattern. If the lattice edging seems tricky, start with Shakti Scarfythings, which uses the same stitch but doesn’t include the border.

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

  • How to start a lacy self-edged Tunisian triangle shawl at the bottom point and end at the top edge.
  • How to add a striking lattice border of tall, interlaced Tunisian crochet sts along both edges.
  • How to crochet netlike eyelets with simple extended stitches.
  • How to crochet a promising new Tunisian stitch!
  • How to use the Return Pass for lacy effects.
  • How to create a fancy “tattoo flower” detail.
  • How to add Back Neck shaping by changing row heights.

Finished Dimensions

Finished Size of Triangular Shawl (pictured): About 65″ {165.1 cm} wide from point to point and 25″ {63.5 cm} long at deepest point of triangle.

Materials

Hooks Straight or Flexible Tunisian crochet hook at least 19″ {48.3 cm} long: Size I/9 {5.5 mm} or size needed to match gauge. I used a set of interchangeable hooks to increase the cable length as needed. Regular crochet hook of the same size (used for border).

Yarn Used Newton Yarn Tencel Linen (75% tencel, 25% linen; 1450 yd [1326 m]/16 oz [454 g]; CYC #2): 625 yds. It’s listed as #3 DK weight but it’s closer to #1 Fingering. The final ropy Z-twist gives it a lovely surface but my tests suggest that it adds a strong bias to this pattern. If you’re crocheting right-handed, I recommend a yarn with a final S-twist for a weak bias that blocks out, especially a blend with drape, such as merino or alpaca with rayon. (Fine wool-blend yarns tend to have a final S-twist.) The blue Bijou Spun Llasa Wilderness swatch pictured below is great! It’s a #2 sport weight blend of 75% yak, 25% rayon.

Any yarn thickness will work; simply use a larger crochet hook size for a thicker yarn and test with the Gauge Swatch.

Notions 3 stitch markers that will fit easily around the Tunisian hook. Yarn needle for weaving ends.

Diamond Ennis

This two-color convertible rhombus shape makes the most of one of my favorite things: Tunisian filet structure and drape. Looking for the triangle shawl? See the Ennis Revelation set.

Add two beaded ties for a shoulder layer that stays where you drape it. Add two more ties and it converts to a stunning halter top.

The ties are designed to be repositionable. Add, remove, and relocate the ties anywhere, easily. They’re crocheted with Tunisian stitches and the beaded fringe ends are done with a crochet hook.

The size Small shown here required only 170 yards (two Lotus Snack mini-balls) and could be completed in a day. Tunisian lace doesn’t use up a lot of yarn, and looks pretty on both sides.

The pattern includes changes for Medium, Large/1X, and Plus sizes. It has a stitch diagram, schematic, and plenty of leftie-friendly extra information.

This Diamond Ennis pattern is also in a set called Ennis Revelation. The other pattern in the set is a triangular shawl that was my first and most dramatic Tunisian filet design, published as Ennis in Interweave Crochet Magazine, Summer 2013 issue.

The original Ennis inspired the Aero series: Aero, Warm Aeroette, Aery Faery, and Aquarienne, as well as more designs in progress, classes, newsletters, and blog posts over the years. I’ve added links to some of these in this pattern.

Skill Level

Tunisian Intermediate. With this pattern you’ll learn how to crochet a diamond shape from the center out. You’ll decrease along only the “easy” edge (the starting edge of the forward passes).

Is this your first Tunisian filet project? Try a few different crochet hooks; a different surface finish may offer more control when making stitches with many yarn overs. If the numerous yarn overs remain challenging, start with the Aery Faery or Warm Aeroette pattern instead. They were written with Tunisian filet beginners in mind.

I’ve kept abbreviations to a minimum.

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

  • How to apply principles of filet crochet to Tunisian stitches for a strikingly lacy net.
  • How to manage different kinds of loops held on the Tunisian crochet hook: temporary vs. Tunisian yarn overs, and completed stitches.
  • How to make and drape a “diamond” (rhombus) as a capelet-style wrap, and halter top.
  • How to edge Tunisian crochet with filet spaces as you go.
  • How to crochet beaded-fringe removable ties.

Finished Dimensions

Measured flat, blocked. Dimensions are given for sizes X-Small/Small, with Medium and Large in parentheses. Pattern has more details on customizing the dimensions and yarn amounts.

  • Halter Vest: Torso circumference is 38 (41.5, 45)” {96.5 (105.4, 114.3) cm}. Each solid-stitch bra cup section spans approx. 7.5 (8.5, 9.5)” {19.1 (21.6, 24.1) cm} in height and width. Neckline drop is 12 (13, 14.5)”.
    The ties add range to these final dimensions.
  • Shoulder Drape: 38 (41.5, 45)” long x 12 (13, 14.5)” wide {105.4 (114.3) cm x 33.0 (36.8) cm}.

Materials

Straight or Flexible Tunisian crochet hook at least 13″ {33.0 cm} long: Size G/6 {4 mm} or size needed to match gauge.

Yarn DesigningVashti.com Lotus (52% Cotton, 48% Rayon; 256 yds/235 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein): This yarn comes in two amounts. This one is the original 256-yd ball. See below for the 85-yd “Snack” mini-ball. Use one 256-yd ball if you want to make a one-color version in any size. For the 2-color version, use one ball of each color for the Plus sizes.

  • Yarn Used for Diamond Ennis Shown: DesigningVashti.com Lotus Snack mini-balls (52% Cotton, 48% Rayon; 85 yds/77.7 m per 1.16 oz/33 g skein): 1 (2, 2) balls each of Satin Grey and Lavender Ice. Add 40 yds more per Plus size (see p. 9) and use the 256-yd ball size listed above.
  • Substituting Yarns: Pattern works the same if you use one color throughout. The dramatic filet border is created as you complete each row, so a long-striping yarn would work well. Choose a yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of E/4–G/7 {3.5 mm–4.5 mm}. Or use any yarn weight and a hook size that is appropriate for it.

Large Seed Beads and a steel hook (optional for ties): 18 seed beads per tie. Capelet style needs two ties (36 beads) and the halter style needs four (72 beads). The bead holes need to be large enough for a loop of your yarn to be pulled through with a steel crochet hook. For the Lotus yarn I used size 6° “e-beads” and a size 10 {1.3 mm} steel hook.

Notions: Two stitch markers. Scissors. Yarn needle.

Ennis Revelation

The triangular Ennis shawl in this two-pattern set is my first and most dramatic Tunisian filet design. The four-sided lavender Diamond Ennis is the most recent. Triangular Ennis was originally designed for Interweave Crochet Magazine, Summer 2013 issue.

Also new for this set is a complete stitch diagram, schematics and plenty of extra information—for lefties too.

Back in 2010 I couldn’t find examples of filet lace done with Tunisian crochet. The original Ennis was my confirmation and encouragement—a revelation. I remember the liberating “Yes, it can be done!” feeling. It inspired the Aero series: Aero, Warm Aeroette, Aery Faery, and Aquarienne, as well as more designs, classes, newsletters, and blog posts over the years. I’ve added links to some of these in the patterns.

They’re lovely on both sides, which I find is typical of Tunisian crochet that is very lacy. Another nice feature of Tunisian lace is that it doesn’t eat up yarn. Even the orange one-skein Ennis can be tied around my medium-size waist on a carefree summer day. I used two skeins for the larger blue one, and two of my Lotus Snack mini-balls for Diamond Ennis. The pattern works with any yarn amount and weight.

Skill Level

Tunisian Intermediate. With this pattern you’ll learn how to crochet a triangular shawl side to side (a.k.a. point to point or P2P), and a diamond shape from the center out. You’ll either increase or decrease along only the starting edge of the forward passes. The dramatic filet border is created as you complete each row, so a long-striping yarn would work well for this.

I’ve kept abbreviations to a minimum.

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

  • How to apply principles of filet crochet to Tunisian stitches for a strikingly lacy net.
  • How to manage different kinds of loops held on the Tunisian crochet hook: temporary vs. Tunisian yarn overs, and completed stitches.
  • How to crochet a triangle shawl by starting and ending at the upper corners.
  • How to create a versatile diamond variation using just the gauge swatch.
  • How to edge Tunisian crochet with filet spaces as you go.
  • How to crochet beaded-fringe removable ties.

Materials & Sizes

Straight or Flexible Tunisian crochet hook at least 13″ {33.0 cm} long: Size G/6 {4 mm} or size needed to match gauge.

Yarn DesigningVashti.com Lotus (52% Cotton, 48% Rayon; 256 yds/235 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein): use one ball for the smaller orange wrap and 2 balls for the larger blue one. It’s currently available and substitutes perfectly for the (possibly discontinued) orange and blue yarn I used for the original triangle shawls:

  • Diamond-Ennis (170–240 yds): 38 (41.5, 45)” {96.5 (105.4, 114.3) cm} long and 12 (13, 14)” {30.5 (33.0, 35.6) cm} wide. For the one shown, I used only 1 (2) balls each of DesigningVashti.com Lotus Snack mini-balls (52% Cotton, 48% Rayon; 85 yds/77.7 m per 1.16 oz/33 g skein), Satin Grey and Lavender Ice.
  • Halter Vest: Torso circumference is 38 (41.5, 45)” {96.5 (105.4, 114.3) cm}. Each solid-stitch bra cup section spans approx. 7.5 (8.5, 9.5)” {19.1 (21.6, 24.1) cm} in height and width.  Neckline drop is 12 (13, 14.5)”. The ties add range to these final dimensions. Dimensions are given for sizes X-Small/Small, with Medium and Large in parentheses. See p. 9 for customizing the dimensions and yarn amounts.

    Shoulder Drape: 38 (41.5, 45)” long x 12 (13, 14.5)” wide {105.4 (114.3) cm x 33.0 (36.8) cm}.

Yarn: Southwest Trading Company Bamboo (100% bamboo; 250 yd [229 m]/3.53 oz [100 g]): 1 (#411 Tequila) or 2 (#128 Ocean Life) skeins, possibly discontinued:

  • Two-skein (500 yds) blue shawl: About 62” {157.5 cm} wide from point to point and 25” {63.5 cm} long at deepest point of triangle.
  • One-skein (250 yds) orange shoulder wrap: About 50” {127.0 cm} wide from point to point and 20” {50.8 cm} long at deepest point of triangle.
  • Substituting: Pattern works the same if you use one color throughout. Choose a yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of E/4–G/7 {3.5 mm–4.5 mm}. Or use any yarn weight and a hook size that is appropriate for it.

Large Seed Beads and a steel hook (optional for ties): 18 seed beads per tie. Capelet style needs two ties (36 beads) and the halter style needs four (72 beads). The bead holes need to be large enough for a loop of your yarn to be pulled through with a steel crochet hook. For the Lotus yarn I used size 6° “e-beads” and a size 10 {1.3 mm} steel hook.

Notions: Two stitch markers. Scissors. Yarn needle.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Crochet Conference Wrap Up (with worksheet!)

The new CGOA Master's Program pin. I've earned two charms so far: Writer, and Fundamentals (because I wrote a few chapters of it).
I like this new pin for CGOA’s new Master’s Program (view full size image). These pins were given out on a special night at the conference. I earned the Writer charm for writing two sections of the Masters in Fundamentals.

 

Do you know what I do on the plane flight home from a conference? I fill out a simple worksheet.  It’s a nice way to reflect on everything.

I’ve done this since 2008. That’s at least ten conferences. (In some years CGOA had two conferences, a national and a regional. I’ve also attended a TNNA show here and there.) It has really come in handy so I’ve turned it into a PDF that you can download below for free.

Here’s the story on two of the six entry fields of the worksheet.

“What Got Crocheted?”

This is the first question. What it really means is “Of all the crochet supplies I packed, what did I actually get to?” Can you relate? Originally it was to help me be realistic about how many crochet projects and balls of yarn I need to stuff into my luggage! I know I’m not the only one who packs too much crochet for a trip LOL.

Nowadays I just plain enjoy reflecting on it. Sometimes I’ve even crocheted more rows on a project because I look forward to saying so on the worksheet, so it’s also motivational.

This year, what got crocheted is a swatch idea I’ve always wanted to try: to substitute the chains in a spiderweb pattern with love knots:

I also added so many more rounds to “Astrowirbel” during the 5.5 hour flight to Portland that I almost doubled its size.

“Goals Met & Unmet”

This part of the worksheet used to be more freelance minded, such as, “I finally sat down with X editor.” It has become much more, though. It’s a way to commemorate new friends I’ve made. It has also helped me see that a goal I started with wasn’t very realistic for the event, or as important in retrospect. Or, that I accomplished more than I realized while I was having so much fun.

This year, an unmet goal was to go out into Portland and see lots of roses, the Powell’s City of Books store that sounds amazing, a Peets coffeehouse, and get some supplies for my room. I was too busy teaching, or making sure I ate well between classes.

Some goals I met are: no typos in my class handouts (except a minor one in the Self-Healing Stitches class). I met and spent quality time with Dela Wilkins! I got to know CGOA’s new management company, a great group of people. I think they’re going to be a great fit with CGOA.

Post-Conference Worksheet PDF

Direct link to the PDF: Vashti’s Post-Conference Worksheet.

Keep it in mind for CGOA’s 25th Anniversary Conference July 10-13, 2019, in Manchester NH!

Burly Bias

Three of many beginner-level diagonal Tunisian crochet scarves in this pattern: skinny pointed tie, star-seamed asymmetrical cowl, Fibonacci scarf.

First Steps in Diagonal Tunisian Crochet

Tunisian crochet stitches have built-in dynamic energy. Wake them up by setting them on an angle!

Burly Bias takes Burly, a popular pattern for beginners, in a fresh direction. Like Burly, its chunky stitch texture makes a great men’s scarf, and beginners see results faster with big stitches. 

Choose from three exciting color play options and five finished scarf shapes. All use beginner-level shaping only. Angled crocheting is so versatile.

“Burly Self-Striper” is a one-ball asymmetrical neck warmer with a star stitch seam. “Tri-Color Burly” skinny scarf-tie alternates three attached colors. For the “Burly Fibonacci” classic rectangular scarf, two contrasting yarns alternate in a mirrored sequence of stripes.

Start with a ball of a chunky self-striping or other variegated yarn. Thanks to a handy discovery about the foundation row, you can decide later how you’ll finish yours: straight or slanted ends? Seamed into a cowl or loop scarf?

Skill Level: Tunisian Advanced Beginner

This diagonal version of the original Burly scarf adds simple increasing and decreasing to a Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) pattern. It drapes evenly and has a nicely finished edge.

Tunisian rows tend to lean toward the starting edge of the forward passes. (This is the right edge of the scarf if you’re crocheting it right-handed). Burly Bias goes with this lean to keep it easy: you’ll only increase at the start of forward passes. A clever trick makes it possible to appear to have increased at the other end! 

After this pattern, learn different ways to increase at the ends of forward passes, instead of decreasing, with Four Peaks, Warm Aeroette, and the free Symmetrical Diamonds 101.

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

  • How to finish each slanted scarf end with a polished straight edge.
  • How to turn a long parallelogram into a cowl, asymmetrical neck warmer, loop scarf, rectangular scarf, or wrap.
  • How to crochet the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) in offset rows.
  • How to crochet on both sides of the foundation edge, invisibly.
  • How to seam diagonal edges two ways for different shapes.
  • How to do three-color Tunisian on the diagonal, and add stripes in a Fibonacci sequence. 

Finished Dimensions

The two-ball “Burly Fibonacci” (black rectangular scarf) is approximately 48″ x 7.25″ {121.9 x 18.4 cm}. As a ring scarf seamed diagonally, it has a 38″ circumference {96.5 x 18.4 cm}. 

The one-ball “Burly Self-Striper” (pastel asymmetrical neck warmer) has a 23″ circumference widening to 33″ at the shoulders x 7″ at the back neck {58.4 to 83.8 x 17.8 cm}.

“Tri-Color Burly” (skinny scarf-tie in sport weight yarn) is approx. 68″ long and 3.5″ wide {172.7 x 8.9 cm}, based on three mini 85-yd. “Lotus Snack” balls.

Materials 

Straight or Flexible Tunisian crochet hook at least 9″ {22.9 cm} long: Size L/11 {8 mm} or size needed for the chunky yarn projects. I used a size I/9 {5.5 mm} regular crochet hook for the Tri-Color Burly (skinny scarf-tie).

Notions: A stitch marker. Scissors. Yarn needle. Small scale (optional). 

Chunky Yarn used for Asymmetrical Neck Warmer

Universal Yarn Deluxe Chunky LP (100% Wool; 120 yds/109.7 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein): 1 skein for a cowl size; color shown is Elegant Baby.

Chunky Yarn used for Rectangular Scarf

Color A: Berroco Borealis™ (60% Acrylic, 40% Wool; 108 yds/100 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein): 1 full skein, color shown is #5011.

Color B: Lion Brand Kool Wool (50% Acrylic, 50% Merino; 60 yds/55 m per 1.75 oz/50 g skein): 2 full skeins, color shown is #153 Black.

To Substitute a Chunky Yarn

The chunky yarns I used have been discontinued. Most variegated colorways will work great, especially if they have longer color sequences (a.k.a. “self-striping”). Choose a #5 Bulky Weight yarn or one with a recommended crochet hook size range of K/10.5 {6.5 mm} to US M/12 {9 mm}. Some #6 Super Bulky yarns will work too.

Thinner Yarn used for Skinny Scarf-Tie

Designing Vashti Lotus Snack (52% Cotton, 48% Rayon; 85 yds/77.7 m per 1.16 oz/33 g per ball): 1 ball each of Emerald Deep, Teal Glimmer, Sapphire. (This is a standard #2 Light/sport weight yarn, usually paired with a crochet hook size range of E/4 {3.5 mm} to G/7 {4.5 mm}. Besides being much thinner than the chunky yarn examples, it also drapes more because of the summery fiber content.)