Weaving Sticks

About 3 weeks ago, I bought some weaving sticks after seeing a little video on how they worked on one of the crochet websites. I love yarn, and have been feeling that my crochet “mo jo” as it’s nicknamed has been kind of going to the wayside. No patterns inspired me, no stitches were kicking up my interest. And oh so many Works in Progress (WIPs) that just weren’t taking my fancy.

My first attempt at using weaving sticks. It is an ear warmer that ties at the back of the head in chunky actylic yarn. I like how fast it went - about an hour - and am liking the difference in texture and feel. It looks a bit rustic I think. #PhotoGrid #

I thought a change of technique might be just the thing, and it turns out, it was. What are weaving sticks? Well, they’re basically a series of dowels which have a hole in one end. You put a weft string through the hole, and then you weave in and out and out and in around the dowels. You push down the weaving as you go, and eventually, it ends up on the weft string you had put through the hole. Maybe this will help tutorial wise?

Anyhow, after getting the sticks, I decided to try my hand at it and experiment. My first attempt was with some chunky yarn in red and grey. I wasn’t sure how long the actual “weft” needed to be, so I started out with 5 strands at arm length. From there, the chunky yarn was added. I learned that the weft strands could have been a bit longer, but this made an ear warmer that ties at the back of the head in chunky acrylic yarn.

Stick woven ear warmer 2015

I like how fast it went – about an hour – and am liking the difference in texture and feel. It looks a bit rustic I think.

Stick woven ear warmer 2015
Close up on the texture and the end. I’m not exactly happy with the “end” on this first attempt, but I’ll keep trying – because I think this is more down to me and how I did it, rather than the sticks themselves. I think it will be neater on a second attempt.

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Recycled Jar Lantern Crochet

Romantic Recycled jar lanterns. Add a citronella candle and hang from trees, summer umbrellas, or place on a table for a simple elegant barbeque or wedding centerpiece. Check my etsy store! https://www.etsy.com/shop/PhoenixRoseDesign   #PhoenixRoseDesign

Welcome to Summer! Recently, I saw a great picture of a bunch of lanterns hanging in the trees around the back garden, with intricate Moroccan style beadwork and crochet. I decided to emulate this with my own patterns and designs – using recycled jars of all shapes and sizes.

Jar lanterns

Starting with cotton crochet thread that had tiny little silver sparkles in it, I made my first jar. I think it turned out adorable – especially after adding the wire loop to hang it from the tree.

Jar lanterns

Once I hung it, I realized that the patterns I made in crochet were cast on the wall almost in a kaleidoscope type pattern. It’s pure awesomeness, and I had to make some for my etsy store!

Not only are they good for the environment, they are great for sprucing up your backyard barbecue parties, weddings, and even for adding an awesome touch to your glamping! Add a citronella candle and hang from trees, summer umbrellas, or place on a table for a simple elegant barbecue or wedding centrepiece which will be talked about for years.

Recycled jars crochet lanterns

These come in 3 sizes – with the jar included.

If you don’t wish for the jar included, I can sell the crochet cover separately -just message me.

Small – about 4 inches in height

Medium – about 6 inches in height

Large – about 7-8 inches in height

Recycled jars crochet lanterns

For more pictures of what I have available, or if you’d like to buy some for yourself, check my etsy store at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PhoenixRoseDesign

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Green Summer Granny Blanket

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This Spring, as is normal, there is once again a mini “baby boom” amongst my friends and colleagues at work. I’ve 4 baby blankets to make in the span of 1.5 months. On top of moving, getting a shed redone (see other post) and everything else going on – somehow I have found time to work up two baby blankets very quickly.

What do you do for 6 hours waiting on your GNIB residency permit? Well, you make a baby blanket, of course. The Second one of the 4 I made is a pale green & dark green blanket in acrylic yarn. This is for some friends who aren’t going to find out the baby’s gender until after it comes. Thus, the “neutral” green.

What do you do for 6 hours waiting on your GNIB residency permit?  Crochet nearly an entire baby blanket- that's what!! #waiting #boredom #gnib #ireland #residency #crochet #crochetaddict #creative #babyblanket #green #grannysquare #phoenixrosedesign #dub

This one was completed May 20, 2014, and most of it was done in a single day. It’s made in single strand crochet, and is a light airy summery soft feel to it. I’m sure, being that they live in Utah, it’ll be a big hit.

As always, you can find lovely creations like this in my shop – Phoenix Rose Design on Etsy

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