Simple Granny Square Table Runner

September 4, 2013 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Rarely anymore, but now and then, there is something on television that catches my interest.

When that occasion arises, I like to crochet as I’m watching the show.

This project was pretty much a no-brainer for me.

I used leftover Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool Blend yarn from my stash.

And I first learned to crochet granny squares waaaaay back in the fifth grade,

so I didn’t have to purchase yarn and there were no instructions to follow.

The three yarn colors are igloo, bakery box white, and holly berry.

I used a size H/8 (5mm) hook.

The holly berry scalloped edging was achieved by crocheting 5 dc in one space,

skip 3 spaces, crochet 5 dc in the next space, etc.

The result is a lettuce-type edge.

Happy hand-made week, my friends. 🙂

Pam

Crochet Flower

July 14, 2013 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 2 Comments

Here’s a close up of the crochet flower that I used on this trivet. The pattern is from a leaflet I purchased about 4 years ago at my local quilt store. The leaflet is titled Crochet Candy – Embellishments & More.

I used pattern #2, Moss Rose. The actual size of your crochet flower is determined by the size of your yarn and hook. I used Martha Stewart extra soft wool blend yarn in color #500, bakery box white. My hook was a size H/8. The trivet was almost 14″ in diameter so I needed a good sized crochet flower to balance out the size of the trivet. The circumference of my flower is 4 1/2″.

And it is almost 1″ thick. I must really like this pattern because out of the 7 patterns in the leaflet, this is the only one I’ve made so far. I used it here, here, and here. Perhaps the next time I feel the need to embellish with a crochet flower, I will choose one of the other patterns. I have a tendency to be a creature of habit, so time will tell. 🙂

I am on track with the Colette Patterns Hawthorne Sew Along, so that will continue to be the focus of my sewing attention this week. Have a productive sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, whatever-it-is-you-enjoy week, my friends.

Pam

ScrapBusters: Patchwork Trivets with Circular Quilting

July 4, 2013 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

I love trivets! But my intended use for this one is not for hot pots, but rather to add a decorative touch to this vintage chair that sits in the corner of my entryway. The pattern is from the Sew4Home blog. I used fabrics and supplies I already had on hand. The fabric is leftover from this bed runner. The over sized green ric rac was purchased a couple of years ago from one of my local quilt stores. As you can see in the photo below, the trivet is a bit sparse on this chair seat, so I decided to alter the pattern a bit and make it slightly larger.

Here’s that same chair, but with the larger size trivet. Ahhh, that’s better. The new size plays better with the size of the seat. I know I’m not comfortable when something is too small for my seat!

I added a crochet flower to the center of this one because in altering the pattern, I messed up the center where all the points are supposed to come together nicely (as they do on the original version when following the pattern as written).

I knew that by adding two inches only to the length of that triangular piece and not changing any of the other dimensions, I was asking for trouble. But I plowed ahead recklessly throwing any and all mathematical knowledge (which is very limited) out the sewing room door! This, dear readers, is what I ended up with in the center of my project: Aackkkkkkk!!!

Now you see why the flower was added. 🙂 The back of the trivet looks like this:

And now the chair in the corner of my entryway looks like this:

I can rest easy knowing my seat has adequate coverage. LOL

Have a beautiful Thursday, and to those of you who are state side – Happy Independence Day!

Pam