Zen Crochet by Akua

2012-01-16T18:28:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!There's so much I want to share and I've come to this page, to write my delightand express my excitement in my new designs: 3 hats, 3 necklaces, a bracelet and the start of a new freeform piece.A great way to start the year, I've written the patterns for all the wearables. The thing is, no visuals can be shared if I want to get the worked published. And since I do, I can't show and tell.I came across this bit of crochet theatre.May your creative endeavors sustain and inspire.

Blooming Lariat in InterWeave Crochet Accessories 2011

2011-11-17T23:04:00.004-05:00

With Great delight, I opened the envelope and saw my Blooming Lariat in Interweave Accessories 2011, my first pattern in a magazine. Hooray!

t features 3 new flowers and two new leaves. Originally conceived as a scarfllette, here it is rendered in linen.

Elephant Mask

2011-11-11T20:19:00.006-05:00

Between the movie Dumbo and the Babar books, how could I not love elephants? My life long affection was solidified by my own anatomy, my uncles teased me about my large ears,which by some quirk of my child psyche, became a source of pride and my favorite feature.

I guess that's why I create earrings and wanted to pierce them again, way before your born, when two piercings were unheard of, and my mother threatened to put me out the house, should i do such a thing. Just to finish this tangent, about a decade and half later when I returned home to see the second piercings in her ears and screamed
in protest, she treated me to a pair of gold studs and my second piercings. End of non sequitur.

The most challenging part of designing this mask was the ears. There were three versions before I found the one I like. The trunk took two iterations.

Song Bird Mask

2011-11-02T23:36:00.008-04:00

The third in my Bird Mask Series.

Adult
14”w x 10”h cm /35.6 cm w x 25.4 cm h
G hook/4 mm
1.5 oz/42.5 g worsted weight yarn
Gauge 4 rows/5 sc = 1”/2.54 cm

Child
F hook/3.75 mm
0.8 oz/22.7 g DK weight yarn
Gauge: 6 rows/6 sc = 1”

I love working with the Etimo hook G -- wish I had one in other sizes.
The purple pink is Elann's Peruvian High land Wool The Firecracker Heather
and Fedora are Knit Picks Wool of the Andes.

Phoenix Bird Mask

2011-11-02T00:30:00.007-04:00

As usual one thing leads to another and so I went from the Akua Bird to a Phoenix.
I sure want to rise, reborn, from the ashes of myself.

The first version was bit large, and the second, worked up too large in ww.
But in dk with a F/3.75, it turned out just right for the adult size. I'll guess that sportweight and an E may make the right size for kids.

Spock/Elf EarWarmers

2011-10-16T03:44:00.009-04:00

I've watched every incarnation of Star Trek since it was black and white.
This design joins my sci-ft hats as my homage to that enduring vision of an evolved humanity.

Tools and materials

Adult
4” x 2.75”
Worsted weight yarn
0.4 oz
G hook 4 mm
H hook 5 mm
Tapestry or yarn needle

Child size -- I need someone to try this out for me. Arekid size ears the same as adults?I grew into mine.
DK yarn
G hook 4mm
F hook 3.75mm

Optional
Stitch marker

AKUA BIRD MASK

2011-10-07T22:21:00.007-04:00

I was emailing my sister about a new "friend", a red cardinal that chats, sings nearby,
and makes his glorious red self visible. There was another, a larger female that i sued
to see outside my kitchen window regularly. It took awhile for me to figure out what she was, and that she was a female of the same species. Last night this idea cam to me and I couldn't stop until I finished it. I took a few notes along the way, but at a certain point it's easier to just make it than to write.

Petal Leaf Collar and Cuffs

2011-09-25T22:50:00.006-04:00

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/petal-leaf-collar-and-cuffs
Leaf, Flame, Petal, is what this stitch evokes for me.
These are fast and lovely projects, a bit yarn intensive, but their sculptural effect is well worth it.

Jewelry meets warmth in this neck adornment.
Leaves cluster and frame your neck.
This pattern is adaptable and offers options
for reconfiguration as well as matching cuffs.

I created and tested this last year and spent the year sending the set to yarn companies and publishers. While it didn't seem to fit their requirements, it
still thrills me. So I've self published this on my Ravelry site.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/petal-leaf-collar-and-cuffs

Tools and Materials
I/ 5.5 Crochet hook, Yarn needle
G/4.5 mm for button optional
2.5 - 3 oz /70.9 - 80g worsted weight yarn
(0.5 oz/14.2 g for cuffs)
Pattern Level: Intermediate
20 - 23” L x 3- 4.5” T
50.8 cm- 58.4cm x 7.6cm- 11.4cm
Cuffs 10-12”L x 2-3”T
25.4cm -30.5cm x 5 - 7.6 cm
Gauge: (ww) 7 rows/11dc = 4”/10.2cm

International Crochet Day - September 12, 2011

2011-09-12T20:08:00.005-04:00

Today is International Crochet Day!

I've been working on FOUR new cabled neckwarmers for the guys in my life. The first two are dedicated to my brother in law and the following two are inspirations after the first two. The First 2 are the Brian and the Brian 2.

The next two are 848 and 868. 868 -- working name based on the stitches in the cables is a bit wide -- perhaps I will try that again in dk or sportweight yarn. 848 is a bit slimmer.

BRIDGES WRAP

2011-09-12T19:58:00.004-04:00

My Bridges Wrap, tested and vetted on wonderful Ravelry's Free Pattern Tester's Group is at long last available on Knit Picks.
http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=11215220

Knit Picks Independent Designer Program has been a boon. Without it's yarn support, I could not have created this. So hip, hooray for Ravelry and Knit Picks!

Sizing Struggles

2011-07-24T23:26:00.003-04:00

I've nearly finished the Amandla Sweater for my brilliant and beloved first niece. And I'm so delighted with it, that I've written the pattern and am now struggling with sizing the armholes...

It's simple enough in shape, but the fabric is complex and my brain nearly aches with trying to figure out what armhole sizes should be and how they should be worked. the back, fronts and sleeaves are straightforward-- prescribed by industry charts, but making and meeting the varying armhole sizes is less simple.

It just came to me that i can do a fudge -- where the decrease for the pattern might be too large, I can fill it in with sc and hdc...hmmmm.. almost ready to test and make another one!

Waves Wrap!

2011-07-21T22:50:00.008-04:00

Waves Wrap!
the rhythmic undulations of this stitch pattern suggests waves, water’s calming embrace. You may scale this up or down. It’s a great way to chase chills or provide light ornamentation. Shown in Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted in Wave Heather in size

Available on Knit Picks at
http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Waves_Wrap__D11118220.html.

I created this in response to a call for prayer shawls in a weekend. It was rejected for the book, so it is doubly affirming that Knit Picks includes the pattern in its ID program.
Hooray!

The 2011 International Freeform Fiberarts Guild presents "Mythologies, Stories & Fairy Tales"

2011-06-11T21:00:00.004-04:00

"The 2011 International Freeform Fiberarts Guild presents "Mythologies, Stories & Fairy Tales"

and I'm in it!

50 Freeform fiber artists from all around the globe participated in the theme for 2011.

The artists were given the opportunity to create one freeform fiberart piece interpreting the theme in any way they choose, and using any materials for their fiberart and any techniques they would like to incorporate into the artwork.

Many of the pieces are wearable art, sculptural, and decorative pieces. Most included embellishments, 3-D work, and textural details. All are unique works of art.
Be inspired."

The 2011 Freeform Challenge webpages and book are now LIVE ONLINE HERE: http://www.freeformcrochet.com/
The link to the book is http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2241770

Crochet Hawaiian Reef

2011-05-03T23:28:00.007-04:00

April was very busy month. I was seized by several ideas that demanded that I begin them.
I learned on Ravelery about Hook the Reef: the Hawai’i Prototype Reef, a satellite reef of the worldwide Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles.

"The worldwide hyperbolic crochet (and knit) coral reef phenomenon is finally making its way to Hawai’i! Take some inspiration from the marine life around the Hawaiian Archipelago and knit or crochet some models of marine life to contribute to this community art project. The exhibition will take place from 3-28 June 2011 at the Hawai’i Craftsmen window at Marks Garage, a gallery in the Chinatown/Arts District of Honolulu on the island of O’ahu."

See exhibit photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hookthereef/
Get exhibit updates on Facebook: “Hook The Reef: Hawai’i Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project”

I learned a lot about species I never knew existed and the strange life that shares this planet. Along the way I created several new patterns: Spanish Dancer, Blue linckia seastar, Box Jellyfish, swimming anemone, tabletop coral, Galaxinia seaweed, after reading about their morphology.

I was delighted to find a home for Mbé, the Leatherback Sea Turtle and Lula the Squid, patterns created last year.

Here's a prayer that we keep our waters clean and free.

Crochet # 3 in USA!

2011-04-13T01:18:00.002-04:00

Now that there is verifiable proof of the extent and breadth of our presence, it behooves many to pay better, and more sustained attention to us!!

Crochet is #3 in household participation (17.4 million households) and #7 in sales ($1.062 billion)in the USA!

"In a news release posted on April 5, 2011 THE CRAFT and HOBBY ASSOCIATION announced the results of the 2010 CHA U.S. Attitude & Usage Study which presents the top craft sectors and annual consumer spend. The U.S. craft and hobby industry is at $29 billion with about 56% of U.S. households crafting at least once a year."

Knitting is #8 in participation and doesn't make the top ten in sales.

HOLD YOUR HOOKS HIGH!

Crochet Hook List

2011-03-25T19:12:00.003-04:00

I am preparing to teach crochet. I signed up for the Craft Yarn Council of America's
Correspondence Course, completed my reading, writing and sample making and now await thefeedback and results. In order to get my certificates, I must teach. toward that end, I've contacted the library, and BOCES; I've preapred crochet kits for my prospective students and I'm now working on teaching materials.

One of the best lessons I ever had was from a saxophone playing friend as he made some minor repairs to my horn and instructed me. Too often students get the worst tools, so their struggle is often with the poor tool, as well as learning the instrument, he said. This has remained with me and the lesson was immediate. He gave me a better mouthpiece, fixed a key and showed me how to soak my reeds and Lush Life poured out of my horn. With a good tool, you get to focus on you.

A corollary I've learned as a crafter is that there are tools that offer solutions, or whose smart design makes accomplishing challenging things a breeze like bullion hooks.
Why buy hooks with fixed cables when there are hooks with hinged/moving cables. So here's my hook list, so my students are informed early on about the possibilities.

Crochet Hooks

Materials

Metal
Aluminum
Steel
Plastic/Polymer
Wood
Bamboo
Combined (generally metal heads with plastic, wood or bamboo bodies)

Head Styles
Susan Bates
Boye
In between

Manufacture
Mass/Commercial
Addi Turbo (plastic body metal head)
Susan Bates
Boye
Clover (polymer body, metal head)
Tulip/Etimo (polymer body, metal heat)
Lion Brand
Skacel (ergonomic hook. polymer body, metal head)
Denise ( interchangeable)

Handmade
Chiaogoo
Jenkins
Brittany (wood)
Lantern Moon (rosewood, ebony)
Turn of the Century
Twin Birch

Types
Crochet
Bullion Hooks
Afghan/Tunisian
Croknit/ Cro-hook ( double ended)
Cabled fixed, hinged
Circular
Lighted
Interchangeable

Lengths
Commercial 5- 6”
Handmade generally 7+ inches

Heart Pinafore Dishcloth

2011-02-20T16:21:00.006-05:00

So the pinafore exploration evolved and now there are a bunch of patterns.
Since it is close to Valentine's Day, I share these next.
While this may dress a doll or a dish washing liquid bottle, it was created to wash your body, dishes, or whatever else you choose.

The strap enables it to be hung to dry, as well as clothe vaguely person-shaped bottles. This pattern offers a charming way to give unique Valentine’s Day, hostess, housewarming, or shower gifts.

Finished size 7”h x 7”w (with 4.5mm hook)
or 7.5”h x 8.5”w (with 5.0mm hook),
fits (lady shaped) 30 oz., 10”h dish washing liquid bottles.

Tools required in addition to hook, yarn/tapestry needle
Gauge (with 4.5mm) 7sc, 8 rows= 2”
Level: Intermediate

You can get the pattern here:

buy now

Designing Dressy Dishcloths I: Pinafores

2011-02-05T18:57:00.004-05:00

Pinafores are a type of apron, the kind with bibs, chest, covering tops above the
waist.

I think they're a fun way to wash dishes.

Couture Cat Wrap

2011-01-10T21:46:00.002-05:00

Obi liked this design better and was a most obliging model.

Arc de Triomphe Cat Vest With Wings

2011-01-07T18:12:00.005-05:00

Had to do a quick redesign: with the middle seamed (closed), putting the garment on required pulling it on over Obi’s head. He didn't like this. He allowed me to do it but let me know he disliked it after completion. He
made a low growl, first I’ve ever had directed at me
by him! So I talked my way through removing it quickly.
Whew! I was avoided for about a half hour. But I guess
I and the garment were forgiven as he posed happily
for these pictures later in the day.

I need some white velcro to fasten it and to fasten the wings. I had considered buttons
but worry that he might swallow one.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T22:53:00.004-05:00

Wishing you all joy, health, prosperity, understanding of self and peace of mind.

I had a delightful end of year test of Obi Cat's Santa Hat which is now for sale on
Ravelry.

I've created some more collars for him ( and other cats) and am working on writing patterns.

Santa Hat and Cat Accoutrements

2010-12-18T23:27:00.005-05:00

A customer asked me if I could make a doggie sweater. I told her that honestly I had no clue, but I began to think. Obi, my remaining cat, is exiled by the cold to the inside.
I think of him as small, but as the departed Niles was humongous, perhaps Obi is just normal.

Anyway, I began by making Obi a bed. It's not finished, but he doesn't seem to mind that.

Then I made him a couple of collars.

Then this evening I whipped up a Santa hat.

More Motifs/Cards

2010-12-15T21:14:00.003-05:00

I've created and tested two more motifs. So I have now a 5,6,7,8 and one more.
They been named Floral Star Motif and

Holiday Crochet Cards!

2010-12-02T22:04:00.006-05:00

This year has been very productive for me. I've written about 30 patterns, self published
a couple of dozen and had 7 published.

To thank all those wonderful people who tested my patterns or gifted me with yarn or tools, I've created Motifs 5,6,7,8 (so named for the number of sides/angles they have)
and made them into holiday cards.

The challenge is I don't have (brick and mortar) addresses for everyone. So if you are one of my patrons, testers or supporters, please send me your mailing address so that I may thank you with a holiday card. Thank you!

SunRays Shrug/Shawl Pattern is Up!

2010-12-02T21:09:00.004-05:00

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/SunRays_Crochet_Shrug_Shawl__D10702220.html
My first garment pattern debuts!
SunRays is gorgeous shawl that easily converts to a shrug.
Its figured fabric is formed by a uniquely beautiful blend of
crocheted fans and clusters which shape, texture and define the garment.
It can be buttoned for a close embrace or unbound, will grace shoulders, warm laps, or wrap your neck.
SunRays offers a flattering shape for all body types.
This is an intermediate level pattern.

1.Shown in Knit Picks Gloss HW
http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Gloss_HW_Yarn__D5420191.html
2. Other KP yarns you think will work equally well
City Tweed HW
http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/City_Tweed_HW_Yarn__D54201...
Cadena
http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Cadena_Yarn__D5420129.html
Andean Silk
http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Andean_Silk_Yarn__D5420126...
3. Garment, Shrug, Shawl
I was enamored of this stitch pattern I created and used first as a neckwarmer and decided it would look wonderful as a shrug.
4. Very simple construction: the only sewing is of the buttons

Materials
Heavy Worsted Weight yarn
(Shown in KnitPicks Gloss HW (70% Merino wool, 30% silk)
(164 yds/150 m/100 g/3.5 oz) in color Masala
Large: 762 yds/697m/465 g/16.4 oz approx. 5 balls
Medium: 635 yds/581 m/387 g/14 oz approx. 4 balls
Small: 508 yds/ 465 m/309 g/11 oz approx. 4 balls

Tools
Size L /8 mm Crochet hook
Yarn/Tapestry needle
Optional: 8 buttons
Finished Dimensions
Large (40- 44 chest): 5.5’ x 31” (1.7 meters x 79 cm)
Medium (36-38 chest): 5.5’ x 26” (1.7 meters x 66 cm)
Small (32-34 chest): 5.5’ x 21” (1.7 meters x 53 cm)

Gauge
Fan = 3.5” (width) x 2” (height)

Leaf/Flame/Petal Collars

2010-10-25T22:12:00.004-04:00

My O my! I certainly did try and voila! I have two new neck adornments.
I'm not sure what to call them, because they could also be tongues, fans, spades,
with their shovel shapes...

I;m going to play with them a bit more. but right now, am enjoying the cuddly and handsome wreath of shapes about my neck, staving off the chill.

Craving and Creating

2010-10-19T23:39:00.004-04:00

I have several new thoughts being actualized. They include

1. a headwrap hat. For some reason I resist the word "turban" but in the millinery
sense, this is what it is. I translated my fabric headwrap to a crocheted fabric
and I am very excited by the results.

2. a headband. I am so enamored of the elasticity and texture of the stitch
used in the headwrap hat, that I made a headband for my niece at Oxford.
(gosh I'm proud)

3. neckwarmer for my brother in law. I wanted a more masculine fabric. I
am infatuated with this stitch pattern too, and am thinking it would be great
for some handwarmers.

4. scarf for youngest nephew. I couldn't find the pattern I made up last
year for his scarf -- Cable Lace and so I made up another one and then found
the notes on the one last year. It's taking a lot more time and work than
I thought but it's looking good.

Not yet realized, but half written and sketched:

5. Spring Toque ( just learned this word and dig it)

6. Daché (for Lilly Daché)

7. Bounty Bobble

ASCENDANCE CROWN DEBUTS

2010-10-01T16:10:00.007-04:00

My crochet hat pattern ASCENDANCE CROWN is October's crochet Hat A Long on Ravelry.
Over 30 fiberistas signed up and I emailed the pdf file to participants in the wee hours of Friday, October 1st.

T'was hard to keep it secret, pictures unshared until today, but I did it! Hooray!
And thanks to my two testers from across the world, who made hats and also kept images of their work under wraps, as directed, so that this would be news!

Leaf Bagette

2010-09-26T22:42:00.006-04:00

The pattern has been tested. The bag is on its way to the yarn company. I hope it makes the team. I'm enamored of it and hope to think of more applications for my leaves and flowers.

Designing, Testing

2010-09-11T02:44:00.005-04:00

Two pattern tests appeared on Ravelry that I though would give me a quick vacation from all the things
I've got to do: finish my bag design, wrap up a swap I'm hosting, do my taxes, finish a poem.

I made it into one on Thursday and finished the objects by Friday. They did give me that I'm procrastinating but doing something useful with my prevaricating. I am enamored of the pumpkin as two years ago I was reading, making and trying to figure out a better pumpkin and this designers was that pumpkin, I also made a little red wagon.

It was the boost I needed. I wrote the Leaf Bag pattern, nearly finished the poem and went outside and trimmed some bushes, banishing some creeping agoraphobia. Thank you orange pumpkin and red wagon!

Akua's Cosy Apple Cosies

2010-09-06T00:17:00.005-04:00

Apple Cosy, Apple Cosies, how hard could they be?

After I saw a pattern priced beyond my
budget, I decided I needed to figure this out and write my own. I saw that there were two schools of thought on cozies one where the cosy was apple adornment and another where the cozy was apple shield/armor case. So I made a high rise and a low rider pattern.

Also as a leaf and flower maker, I figure I would include a couple of leaf options to adorn the adornment. And a button, as I couldn't find just the right button for this and didn't want to search, so why not put yarn to work as it was there, at hand and willing.

And Voila! Akua's cozy apple/fruit cosies are made.

Now the backstory: my beloved niece is going to Oxford. I designed and made her several neckwarmers and from two I had a little bit of yarn. What could I make? I was thinking about a purse-- they're next--- but the cosy-- o a bit of froufrou for her fruit to keep it jacketed and safe as it is tossed in her bag as she strides across
the English greens.

They're cute. Think I'll make some more for holiday gifts.

Ferris Wheel in Noro Kujaku

2010-08-25T17:37:00.005-04:00

I used to dream about yarn like this. Wish my mother could see this yarn --- just the sheer exuberance and over the top-ness of the multicolor bands of colored threads on the yarn itself.....

I was gifted this gorgeous yarn by a stranger-- a painter in NYC (yay, home town!) I could not have afforded it and would not have had the opportunity to design with it, otherwise.

This just makes the Ferris Wheel Design pop!

SunRays Neckwarmer

2010-08-25T17:26:00.004-04:00

Another season spanning adornment.
Neck decor achieved in one skein!Frames your face as petals frame a flower.
I hook/ 5.5 mm
Shown in Boku 95% wool 5% silk color13
Approximately 2 oz dk/light worsted weight
and Noro Kujaku Color 18
8” x 22” pattern includes suggestions for enlarging
Intermediate, approximately 2 hours to make

So Much to Say, So Little I can Tell

2010-08-21T17:50:00.004-04:00

This media, this forum, this internet is wonderful, wondrous, a life saver for me, physically and psychologically, as I live in a place of bereavement that is culturally impoverished, though blessedly, there is electricity and cable, water and shelter...
I digress, but needed this bit of scene setting to say, there is so MUCH I wanted to share here, but could not.

Because sharing would preclude the possibility of audience in other venues and remuneration.

Alas,most pattern publishers say that if an image of your creation has appeared anywhere
on the net, they won't consider it.

I've got ten patterns being considered in several places. I hope they make it, because if they do, I can make more. Ferris Wheel Cowl, I had decided, was a gift of an idea
that arrived after I committed to give money to Pakistani flood victims. As such,
I will self publish it, so that it might earn funds to send more quickly.

I miss those carefree times of showing working in progress.

Ferris Wheel Cowl/Crown

2010-08-21T17:35:00.007-04:00

A new stitch design derived from two forbears (that leads me to another), gets its debut in this small garment.

The Ferris Wheel Cowl is the first in a series for this stitch pattern.
Lightweight neck decor, a great season spanner,
for the cool nights that follow hot days at the State Fair, a layer that you can carry in your bag to ward off chills.
It makes a cute crown/open top hat, too.

I'm very grateful to the Free Pattern Testers group and Ravelry for being there, creating a place where people from around the world assist each other in this beautiful way.

Size: 7h"x 21"c

After testing, 50% of this pattern's sales will be sent to UNHCFR and Doctors Without Borders for Pakistani flood victims.

Blue Faced Leicester Blues

2010-07-04T18:42:00.002-04:00

what to do, what to do, I’ve got the Blue faced Leicester blues
sent to make pattern prototype, now there’s some unused
can’t find anything to match it’s just so sproingy and so smooth

i thought merino was sublime but it doesn’t match this sheen
nor does it glide through my hands with this swift hook ease
too much left to ignore, what to do with what’s left?
as none of my stash matches, i feel bereft

I’ve got the Blue faced Leicester blues
‘cause I’m poor and cant choose
to buy more of this new delightful
fiber that I long for,
my empty pockets I beseech
to fill and bring more BFL within my reach

I’ve got the BFL blues
the Blue Faced Leicester blues
can’t figure out what to do
got the Blue Faced Leicester blues

Somewhere in My World: IFF Guild Show

2010-05-22T02:27:00.006-04:00

At last, I can talk about it and now i've forgotten what i wanted to say.
I'll try to find some of the notes I kept and add them here.
My latest fiberwork:
http://www.freeformcrochet.com/2010/Pages/Akua.html

The 2010 International Freeform Fiberarts Guild Show
Somewhere in My World.
http://www.freeformcrochet.com/

eREader Cover Pattern Published!

2010-05-19T21:47:00.007-04:00

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Crocheted_eBook_Reader_Case__D10295220.html

I was given a Kindle by family for Christmas and it is such a marvel of access and portability. They astutely and generously also provided me
with the leather case for it. But the case, lovely as it is, mimics a book cover, leaving the top, bottom and one side open. I wanted more protection for my precious.
This pattern should fit a Kindle, Nook or Sony: 6" x 1" x 8.5"

I am delighted that KnitPicks has included the pattern in its Independent Designers Program.

'MAYA THE MERMAID

2010-03-29T22:13:00.002-04:00

'Maya the Mermaid is now being pattern tested.
I really dig her!

Crocheted Knitted Leaf

2010-03-15T22:19:00.005-04:00

I made my first knitted leaves, on faith, as it were, from a pattern for a Burning Man project.
I was astounded at the beauty and simplicity of these leaves especially for someone just picking up needles. The astonishment was that what I created, while it followed the pattern precisely, looked nothing like the picture on the web, mine had a vein and lacy holes.

I’ve got a collection of crocheted leaves, but am always in search of something more.
This new leaf offers a lovely contrast to my crocheted flowers. I wanted plain leaves, as untextured as possible, to which I could add texture, and without veins.

I am a new knitter and for some reason, unbeknownst to me, my right side looked finished but the left did not, and so the crochet finishes it.

When you get to the bottom, if you’re a crocheter, there are tons of cords/stems and ways to add length, should you choose. There’s a simple chain, double base chain, lobster stitch, sc chain, sl st back on a chain, sc back on a chain, twist chains and fpdc cords.

If you’re a knitter then there’s an I cord.

You could make this in any size yarn… thinner yarn and smaller needles would yield smaller leaves, thicker yarn and larger needles, would offer larger leaves. And of course, you could extrapolate, in either direction. I worked these as firmly as I could.

Felting – which was my original intent for these – will shrink and compact them, if you choose wool, as I have for these prototypes.

Mbé, the Leatherback Sea Turtle on KnitPicks!

2010-03-11T19:31:00.004-05:00

I'm very thrilled about this, especially as the beautiful creature this pattern represents, is endangered.

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Mb%C3%A9_the_Leatherback_Sea_Turtle_Crochet_Toy__D10188220.html

Aviva Cat Patterns

2010-02-27T02:56:00.005-05:00

The first time I made her, she was not as pointy and angular as I wanted her to be.
But now she is the evocation of that sweet short lived soul who arrived pregnanat and bore her wonderful soul mate son, my Solar, whose song I still sing, whose form and coloring led me to choose Obi.... ahhh Aviva, struck near dawn in Painted Post as she made her way home... and she was out , becasue there wasn't oil in the car and so we were stuck and got home way late and so much heart break, then, but a lot of learning and
now --- a new cat pattern.

Headbands for Mexican Girls Orphanage

2010-02-15T19:36:00.010-05:00

I don't know how I came across suaviloquy's call to make floral head bands for a Mexican girls orphanage, but it was a compelling combination of heart and hand. I love
designing and making flowers and to make them for folks who might actually *appreciate*
them, is singular and wonderful.

Plus this occurs at the same time as the Ravelympics, where the fiber workers compete by creating while watching feats of athletic prowess.

Winter sports hold no thrill for me, beyond that of witnessing accomplishment, though I hope to watch the luge and see the NY upstater from the small town break a record.

Suaviloquy's creation hearkens another: Creative Yarn
http://creativeyarn.blogspot.com/2008/05/headband-with-flower.html

O! I just figure out how I found Suaviloquy---- she was talking about Kokeshi dolls!!!
www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com

After making one their way using some gifted gold/yellow acrylic,

I made my own favorite rose using Vann's Choice Baby in Poodle (a dull pink)
livened by the lovely green of Sweetpea which used up my remnants of Sweetpea and made me want more.

The Sea and Me:2 Lula, Eja and Starfish

2010-02-14T00:04:00.009-05:00

I envisioned attendants for 'Maya. first, a squid, because I saw a PBs show on how smart they are, smarter than the scientists deemed necessary for their short lives and place on the food chain. Then i heard a story about how a curious squid damaged some aquarium, swimming somewhere they didn't think it could and gumming up some works.
So I create Lula (I)

and then looked at and read some more about gigantic squid and colossal squid and revamped her pattern. Lula is Portugese for squid.

Of course there needs to be a fish. I considered a dolphin, but in whatever level of fantasy/reality I was going to assume, a dolphin would be the same size as her, unless I was saying the goddess is a giant.... so Eja also had two design iterations.

The Starfish and o how they come in so many flower-like configurations remained more or less the same.

Early results from pattern testing seems that what I wrote is what they got and are, so I am pleased.

The Sea and Me: 1 the Mermaid

2010-02-13T16:00:00.007-05:00

The Kokeshi Doll work reminded me that while in exile I made and explored dolls. I
remembered a mermaid doll that I freeformed at the height of that dollmaking while
away from home, tools and comfort.

I found her, looked at her and thought of ways I wanted her to change a bit. Now that I am pattern writing I wish I knew what I did to achieve her seamless curvaciousness.

So I embarked on remaking her.

This time she was a bit too slim in the hips for me, but I liked her longer head and longer neck.

Still More Kokeshi dolls

2010-01-19T01:09:00.006-05:00

The pattern testing is nearly done-- well the allotted time for it. I've made 14.5 dolls so far and have resisted the call to explain more (eg. wild hair, flowers) as I have 10 pages of explanation so far and believe that folks have plenty of options therein.

The catalyst for this-- a swap has been delayed for two months, which opens the door to temptation and more work-- I don't want to give away any of the dolls I've made as each one is a learning or improvisation and I feel very connected to each one.

and my darling with sari silk

More Kokeshi Dolls

2010-01-10T01:37:00.006-05:00

Kokeshi Dolls and Pattern Testing

2010-01-04T18:20:00.013-05:00

The Kokeshi Doll swap on Ravelry opened a door.

I found the form(http://www.etsy.com/shop/temple7e http://www.amazon.com/Kimmidoll-Japanese-Kokeshi-Doll-Tomomi/dp/B002M0AIXA) and history very interesting

and loved some of the nontraditional interpretations,
like these sold on Etsy:
http://ny-image3.etsy.com//il_fullxfull.113008635.jpg

I spent my time in rehab/hell/exile making dolls and trying to make dolls sculptural
and after seeing some "lady" Kokeshi dolls, I knew I wanted to interpret her as well
as inscribe my approach to this form.

The other patterns I saw were more girl-forms and girlie, a bit too sweet for me:
Crochet:

http://www.suncatchereyes.net/Kokeshi%20Dolls.html
http://www.felt.co.nz/browse/listing/12714/Crochetbury-Kokeshi-Dolls

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yuuii---amigurumi-kokeshi-doll
Stuffie:
http://www.fionamarie.com/freepatterns/kokeshistuffie.pdf
Knitted
http://flutterbypatch.typepad.co.uk/flutterby_patch/2009/02/japanese-garden.html
(but non traditional as doll is not supposed to have limbs)
Embroidered
http://www.sublimestitching.com/node/3199

then I saw Krokeshi Art Toys
http://janmstore.com/250102.html

and was affirmed. And so Crocheted Lady Kokeshi doll pattern is now being tested by five intrepid volunteers!

And like teaching, pattern writing is a learning experience... it is so hard to say what one did, and for me even to commit to an approach. But I have, for this and it seems the good resulats are replicable. Ahhh replicants.

Hopefully we'll have a sunny day so I can get a decent picture with my aging digital--
the shots here were all taken with my cell phone.

What's next?

2009-12-28T22:46:00.006-05:00

There's a high and a low after finishing the Christmas gifts. But my wonderful gift of a Kindle sure added fuel to the embers! Though it came with a leather "case" this was more like a book cover, it did not encase it.

So I crocheted a case for it, that is so scrumptious. So now, I've got a new product design to add to my Etsy store.

On Ravelry, there is a call for a swap of Kokeshi dolls.

I'm going to try and make the five required before the year is out -- it will push me to think about faces.

Mother Tree and Alternative Yarns

2009-12-10T15:31:00.006-05:00

I crocheted a root out of length of languishing hemp for Helen Hiebert's project.

http://helenhiebertstudio.com/Helen_Hiebert_Studio/Mother_Tree_Project.html
It is a delight, as a papermaker to support this woman whose writing
so informed my practice, to demonstrate my gratitude.

This seems to me, upon reflection, part of my own exploration of non yarn/alternative fibers. Long overdue as a papermaker, I bought someone's destashing of paper yarn. Paper yarn making has long been a consideration, but it seemed so labor intensive and beside the point as a fiberholic...

I've been unable to find seagrass for a reasonable price (including shipping) but
I bought some jute and sisal to play with, after I complete my necklace of cotton string.

Yet now, as I begin to spin, it's all connected and all returns. The best moments come when i make these connections between endeavors and desires, like hand made books, my poems on handmade paper, my folded books on handmade paper about handpapermaking, and now I have on the list, to create crocheted covers for handmadebooks.

Maybe i won't shred all the jeans to make paper-- perhaps I should make yarn of it!

All Hands

2009-12-06T18:52:00.007-05:00

I tried and tried to get seagrass to make a seagrass hat-- but I couldn't bring myself to pay $12 including shipping for something that's just $3 or so a pound.

But this began my thoughts about non-yarn fibers for crocheting and I remembered an old favorite: cotton twine.

And so I made first the one handed, then the two handed bracelets.

The one handed was crocheted with an F hook and the two handed was crocheted with a G hook.

Making the Presents

2009-10-25T23:21:00.004-04:00

Fortunately, I made a sale on Etsy and so I promptly spent the money on buying Christmas gifts to be: wool and alpaca to make cowls. I so covet the one I made for my dear brother in law. His inspired the others. I was blessed to have won some Shetland Chunky by Patons and using doble strands made a gorgeous tube of comfy, fashionable warmth.

Next completed is the one of grey highland wool and black alpaca for my bff.

I started one for my niece out of a black boucle with purple bits, but I've set it aside.
I started one in irish moss colored wool and alpaca for my father's widow.
And I've got Mayan gold to create one for my sister, but I'm in search of another
fabrice texture.

My brother in law's is hdc and dc. My bff's and niece's are fpdc.

Making Gifts

2009-10-01T19:50:00.004-04:00

Doing my taxes plunged me into despair from remembrances of losses suffered last year
and reminders of new disappointments. I earned $403 and paid $145 in fees and spent $1020
on materials. Awful as it was, it was an excellent exercise. I sold more patterns than I did any other creations... so that should be my emphasis.

For holiday gifts I'm giving cowls... mine are more about when a hoodie meets a collar.

I started one using FPDCs on a Lang Joke --- a boucle mix of wool,mohair, acrylic, nylon and elastic-- and a L hook.

I started another using in double strands of brown Shetland Chunky by Patons using a M hook. ( I won this yarn and have fretted for nearly a year on how to use it. This dark almost chocolate brown will make a handsome gift for my DBIL.)

They recommended a J but the single strand seems very much a regular worsted to me, not a bulky and working with the M hook
makes everything a bit looser than I prefer--- but it suits the emerging garment.

This one begins with hdc for 4 rows and then expands with the dc and at one point I add a stitch and then I add a stitch again. I could see how a more pronounced funnel shape would also work.

I'm thinking of buying fingering and worsted to make some others and want another fabric. I did a swatch of sc-dc and like the nubbly texture having used and oversized J with a worsted weight acrylic. Now I don't know how this will translate with a multi
strand on a M/N/P but I'm excited to try. The multistranding is not for bulk or even speed, but for color, loft and a structure I envision...an architectural statement of
warmth. I'm guessing these will all be about 220 yds....

Christmas 2009

2009-09-28T19:32:00.004-04:00

65106" />
I was roaring into Christmas while I still had summer energy. I finally made an adult sized tree hat, as I envisioned last year---vs. just saying in my pattern that one could.

And I made a tree that could be a kid's hat.

And I made a slimmer version of my tree.

I really love my tree,that it evolved from reading a lot and making a number of others.
I would love to explore more shapes and forms, bu alas, I don't have any suitable yarn to play with... I would like to try to build one of oversized leaves...

Linked Flower Scarf

2009-08-24T00:06:00.004-04:00

I got a box the other day from Simon and Schuster... i had not clue what it was til i opened it...

My 2010 Crochet A Day Calendar arrived and my Flower Link scarf pattern is in it!

This particularly sweet, not only because the pattern was rejected by Interweave ( so if at first you don't succeed try, try again)

but because my models were my neighbors from the complex I stayed in, in Rochester while learning to live my life anew as a paraplegic and awaiting my home's rehab.
Everyone there was physically challenged or elderly-- a requirement to be there.

It was a hellishly hard and horrible time and I missed the art i used to make and crochet was both a salvation and communication. I offered weekly crochet lessons in that building. One of my "students" died just a couple months after mastering increases
and churning out hats for her relatives. Even as she waned, she came and hung out at
classes to cheer those with more energy on.

The picture used by the Calendar taken on a sunny but chilly day in the courtyard I used to love to roll to... the pattern was about turning poison into medicine.
by hand
from heart

Akua's Fish Toy

2009-07-29T16:54:00.003-04:00

So much has been created since last I posted here. I will attempt to catch up and share
my efforts.

My Flower Link Scarf pattern will be included in the 2010 Crochet-A-Day Calendar!
Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

I'm at work on a science fiction story about the sea and this fish pattern came to me--- not as easily as I wanted it to--- while it was easy enough to make, writing exactly what
I was doing was a bit of a challenge. Named fish "toy", it could be a baby toy, soft sculpture, pet toy or pin cushion.

I'm submitting it for the 2011 calendar. Wish me luck!

Akua's Daisy

2009-03-15T23:07:00.011-04:00

I have learned soooo much on the internet and been comforted by other thread and yarn bearers!
I love flowers and am now working toward another flower pattern collection. I like dimensional
flowers, but am impatient: if a flower takes more than an 90 minutes, it's not for me ( as certain
chrysanthemum patterns do). Anyway I'm delighted to have decoded my improvisation and refined it.

And along the way, I've imprinted my own daisy, as I couldn't find my Daisy patterns.
(I know you all may be thinking, she could just look them up, but once I'm out of the wheelchair,
that's it for awhile and my bed is another worksite with table, hooks, yarns at one side, patterns
notes and tools in a huge canvas bag at the other).

So here's Akua's Daisy

Sl ring, ch1, 5 sc in ring: 5 sc
sc in each sc: 5 sc
sc in each sc: 5 sc
*sl st, ch3, trc, (ch2, sl st: picot), trc, ch3, sl st*, in each sc: 5 petals
Fasten off.

Variation
Sl ring, ch1, 5sc
sc in each sc: 5sc
sc in each sc: 5 sc
*slst, ch3, 2trc, ch3, slst*, in each sc: 5 petals
Fasten off.

Variation
With color A:
Sl ring, ch1, 5 sc
sc in each sc: 5 sc
sc in each sc: 5 sc
sl st to first sc, fasten off.
join Color B in same spot
*sl st, ch3, trc, (ch2, sl st: picot), trc, ch3, sl st*, in each sc: 5 petals
Fasten off.

It's my favorite "fill in" flower for BLOOM.

Decoding the Improvisation

2009-03-11T23:26:00.013-04:00

In the wee hours of a recent morning, I created a flower. As I worked to put together this freeform piece BLOOM for an artist's call, I found this new blossom really compelling.

So I began to look for the pattern. and look and look.... turns out i passed it twice, as I sufficiently amended/reinvented it, that i didn't recognize the source....

So then I tried to do it again. But this is two ripply and wild

And this was too open, airy

But the originial riff was just right... so now to decode what i did
and to name it... I think it's a dahlia....

Leaves, Flowers

2009-03-06T23:38:00.006-05:00

OOO! Soooo busy that I feared talking about what I was doing would replace doing it.
So first let me chat about leaves. I hope to entice more people to buy my wonderful leaf patterns, especially as
crocheting seems generally leaf challenged, when the manufacturers of yarn post the yechiest free patterns
of mishapen bloboids and people praise them!

But yes, since it's free, I guess it's good== it sure helped me refine and define my leaf esthetic, although to be sure, seeing more refined, and easy options presented for knitters, made me want to add my two centimes to the conversation, so to speak.

Anyway, those who sell the most patterns seem to sell objects more than motifs. I'm a motif maven, myself and
I guess that why I'm drawn to freeform. big hunks of repetition bore me, but if I develop a leaf hat pattern or a
scarflette/neckwarmer, that may attract more folks to my leaves.

Anyway, I've made several necklaces and a leaf lariat for sale. Hopefully, someone will find these compelling and purchase them.

Silver Wave Collar in Two Treasuries!

2009-02-07T21:34:00.003-05:00

My new Silver Wave Collar is featured in two treasuries!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=42602
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=38234

So exciting as it is a combination of two previous original designs -- the guys neckwarmers and the ladies neckwarmers created for Christmas gifts. And the merino-- I had some left over, but not quite enough
then Voila! one last skein was up for say on eBay-- form the same cone. I really love the near roving
thick and thin of this grey merino and it just flew through my fingers and wooden L Hook. It was a
delight to make. I would love to do it again in purple, but I'vwe beenloving my purple
merino into bookmarks to gift for Valentine's Day... now if only something would sell so I could buy more
nice yarn...

Finding, Reusing

2009-01-24T17:46:00.003-05:00

An article in Craftstylish referred to this
http://pomoboho.blogspot.com/2008/12/keiths-bottle-cap-trivet.html
which uses crocheting and bottle caps to make a trivet. Really lovely!
But the sad state of my life is I no longer linger long enough over food to merit the effort of trivet making.

Anyway the reprise of this idea use "ugly buttons" as the basis for the trivets. Now as I was in search of grey buttons and instead used square black leather, but nonetheless, wanted grey, it was irksome to see perfectly good buttons used. The original idea used the usless-- bottle caps.... sigh... i know, I take things too seriously. Isn't it the Western way to call useful things useless or ugly and then needlessly repurpose them?

Heart in Hand Series

2009-01-15T01:41:00.004-05:00

My first Heart in Hand pin created for an Etsy competition has a crystal quartz bead on a merino wool heart,on a merino wool hand.

This pin speaks of the treasures that lie within, of giving, of making connections...

Freshwater pearls grace the ivory merino wool heart, held by the hand-dyed, felted wool hand. At its longest ( tip of finger to base of palm) it is about 2.75" and at its widest it is approximately 2"

This item was created for the EtsyHookers Creative Challenge No. 5. You can view all the entries on our team blog at http://etsyhookers.blogspot.com. Voting will begin on February 16th at 12 noon EST and everyone is invited to vote.

Flying Bird Pin Crochet Pattern!

2009-01-03T23:30:00.003-05:00

The Flying Bird Pin Crochet Pattern is the second in my series of bird patterns.

Using 1/3 skein (approximately 30 yards) of light worsted weight yarn, F hook/3.75mm or equivalent (slightly smaller than recommended for yarn), the Flying Bird's body approx 2.75”, Wings 2.25” Tail 1.5”

The other materials needed are a small amount of fiberfill or other stuffing,
beads, round head pins or shiny black thread or thin yarn for eyes, a pin back, yarn needle and (optional) a small amount of embroidery thread for nose, neck markings, tail markings.

The pattern is available at my Etsy store.

Hope's Birds Published

2009-01-01T20:39:00.005-05:00

As it turned out, I made two and when I received the wonderful eyes from an Etsy seller and put them in, they looked luminous and kindly to me, like the budgy lovey dovey couple my parents were ( which sooooo annoyed me when i was young and now I long to see them again). I always thought beautiful bird for my mother, but she didn't particularly like birds, though my parade of pets began with several parakeets in the South Bronx and my aunt had a huge parrot that had his own room in her house.....

The pattern is now available for download here at Lulu.

I'm sharing these for free, to encourage their creation for peace, especially the wonderful Tikkun Tree Project.
I love putting craft in service of peace and helping others. Join me in crafting something for those in need this year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Flying Bird and Hope's Birds

2008-12-24T17:46:00.011-05:00

I saw a bird that was knit, that I coveted. I searched the web for bird patterns, knowing I had looked before, and found the Peace Dove and Caroline's Birds.

http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/birds.html
I did a riff on Caroline's Birds, unable somehow to follow the pattern, and invented my own wings. I've yet to do the Peace Dove.

http://web.archive.org/web/20070624023221/http://home.wideopenwest.com/~sag55/dove.html

But both of these handsome objects are much bigger than the little flying pin I saw. And I am so delighted that after three tries, I have a version that I like and a pattern that I've written.

Watching the return to Narnia and Prince Caspian last night, I worked on the pattern for the sitting bird, which
reminded me of my parents, and following Marlo's lovely example, I'm naming the pattern Hope's Birds for my mother, whom I love and miss greatly. She was an exquisite creator of wearables with an unerring eye. The Hope's Birds pattern will be posted soon and for free.

Christmas Tree Pattern!

2008-12-07T20:18:00.005-05:00

At last, I join the glad group! After several all nighters, I've finished my Christmas Tree patterns.

This way I pay hommage, as I will to the end of my days, to the beautiful people, the parents who turned their poor selves inside out to make magic in my life. We were poor and they were brilliant and loving. I remember when I grew
up, that the best part was that we were all together. A whole day in our pajamas and hanging out, singin Christmas crols, I played poorly on the piano and before the piano, acappella with my fahter's warm stonr tenor and my mother's sweet soprano. As my father would say, " the gang" was at home, together.

A day spent in peace and celebration. Both my parents had December birthdays and I vowed, and kept that vow, from a very early age, to observe and celebrate their birthdays. They had very kindly had me in June, plenty of time to get loaded up again on presents. I didn't want them, my beloved ones, to be without and it pained me to think that their own births, by accident of proximity, were overshadowed by Christ's.

My father wasn't always able to be with us, once from some horrible something that made his hands blister and swell, and other times, because as he worked his way up, he had to work. How they always surprised, I have no idea, but they did.

Anyway I digress. We preferred the "fluffy" trees, the scotch pines over the balsam firs. I've got my trees
patterns at Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18361198

as well as several little trees.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18328038
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18287504
Joy in the making!

Crochet Christmas Trees

2008-12-03T23:40:00.016-05:00

I saw a new trio of trees in a for-sale knitting pattern on Ravelry. I dug them! And then I thought I can do that in crochet!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/oh-christmas-trees

I stayed up last night til this morning and finished them

The one on the left is an original pattern. The one in the middle is a free pattern online.
http://www.wrights.com/wrights/class/12_xmas/crotree/crotree.htm
The one on the right is improvised.

I've written the tree pattern. Will strive to make another one tonight to test it.
So many of the list pages are malware or fronts for selling, so I hope you'll enjoy seeing what I found as I searched around.

Other Christmas Tree patterns:

http://www.paperthetown.com/crafts/z30.htm

http://www.mypicot.com/christmas_crochet_patterns04.html -- fab tree with branches

On Michael's
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=h00062 this reads familiar, but the base is looped before branches are added-- i think I'll try this one when i finish with my giftmaking.

http://www.orble.com/free-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-crochet-pattern/
She makes the bottom separate-- i prefer to never sew and so for my little tree on right, backstitch decreases gave me a flat bottom.

http://sarahanns.com/crochetworks/tptoppers.html fabulous site fabulous
http://sarahanns.com/crochetworks/gingerbread.html great tiny tree!

http://donnascrochetdesignstheblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/table-top-christmas-tree-free-crochet.html
a 13-inch tree

http://gnathalie2.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/super-easy-xmas-tree/
love this! it's the insight that gave me the tiny tree.

here's a lovely simple crochet snowflake
http://www.theknittingparlour.co.uk/doc/christmas%20snowflake%20pattern.pdf

NeckWarmers, Neck Adornments

2008-11-21T00:52:00.007-05:00

I'd been happily and busily thinking of new forms for my lariats, and then I thought about something more collar-like... not a scarf, not a scarflette.... well I saw what i sought in Vickie Howell's blue neck decor.

Inspired by a visual realization of what I wanted to make, I created the first of these with some yummy handpsun wool, in purple for my purple-loving niece.

Then I doubled the delicious green wool merino I had awaiting such a great purpose and created a neck adornment for my green-loving step person.

It looks handsomer than the pictures depict, so I tried another version with more ruffly ruffles ( I just happened to
create these swingy ruffles and now want to make something else, so I can make them again).
The green shimmers more as a single thread than it does doubled. I can't figure out why this his so, but so it is.

Sources on the Net

2008-11-10T21:25:00.008-05:00

Someone asked me on Etsy about knitted leaves. Sigh. If only they wanted my crocheted leaf patterns.

Since I learned to knit them online, I referred her to the site. It was a Tree Undone http://www.pokiedot.com/knit.htm the effort for Burning Man, where i found a pattern for knit leaves, that made the beautiful aspen-shaped leaves ( ignore that picture, the leaf is rounder and fuller)

Here is the N.E.pattern repurposed for a wine cozy. Ignore the cozy and see the nice leaves
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwinecozy.html

But along the way, I made a 3 hour detour on looking at knit leaves and found a fabulous site by a now departed creator. Her proud daughter shares her works and her patterns are just
what I aspire to be: clear! dagnabbit without going the long way around for an effect nor presenting blobs as lines.
http://sarahanns.com/crochetworks/brass.html

The TikkunTree Project
A community art project: growing peace stitch by stitch
(When completed, the TikkunTree will be a silent community sculpture, part of a larger exhibit on the olive tree; but its diverse hand-made foliage, doves and candles will speak eloquently of the thoughts and hopes for peace of its many contributors.)
Love this kind of effort!
http://thetikkuntree.wordpress.com/patterns/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/2327578628_abaf86ca85_m.jpg
led me to Sally George
and
http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/beltane06/maidensglory.htm is so much my heart and interest: leaves and flowers--- and what a neat way to have a vein down the middle!

Maple and Oak Leaves

2008-10-30T22:04:00.006-04:00

Ahh! Now to just doublecheck the patterns--- hard to do them as if I don't already know what I'm doing-- or more often, to add a stitch here or there and not write it down.
Here are the other two maple leaves and the oak leaf!

I like that the maple leaves are different as well as different approaches and the oakleaf is smaller than the others I've seen, and not worked in a chain! Ahh all four patterns are free from the chain.

Akua's Maple Leaf Pattern #3

2008-10-30T01:39:00.013-04:00

After working on two maple leaf patterns to sell with my new leaf pattern collection,
I worked on one to share here.
This is all sc and is smaller than the other ones, which is wonderful for appliqués and lariats.

Akua’s Maple Leaf #3 ( all sc)

Make adjustable ring
1. 5 sc in ring, ch1, turn: 5sc
2. sc in first 2 sc, 3 sc in next, sc, sc, turn: 7 sc
3. ch 1, 2 sc in first , sc in next 2, 3 sc in next, sc in next 2, 2 sc in last, ch1, turn: 11 sc
4. first lobe: skip first sc, sc in next 2, 2 sc in next, ch1, turn: 4 sc
5. sc in 4 sc, ch1, turn
6. skip first sc, sc, skip next sc, sc in last sc, slip st down side to base:2 sc
7. middle lobe: sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc, ch 1, turn: 5 sc
8. sc across, ch1 turn: 5 sc
9. skip first sc, sc in next 2,skip sc, sc in next sc, ch1 turn:3 sc
10. skip first sc, sc in next 2, ch1, turn: 2sc
11. skip first sc, sc in next, ch1, slst, slip stitch along side to base
12. side lobe: sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, ( leaving end sc alone) ch 1, turn: 4 sc
13. repeat 5
14. skip first sc, sc, skip next sc, sc in last, ch1 turn: 2sc
15. sc2 tog, ch1, slip stitch in top
16. slip stitch , ch 1 at leaf margin points, slipstitch to center. Make chain for stem
or sl st to other side and fasten off

Variation: This is deliberately, asymmetrical. If you prefer more symmetry-- and sometimes i do-- depends on the yarn-- read pattern and work the first lobe, the same as the last: for row 6 six :skip first sc, sc, skip next sc, sc in last sc, ch1 turn, then sc2tog, ch 1, sl st in top, sl st to base

The image shows stem (petiole) #4.
Stem #4: ch2, sc in first ch, ch1, turn sc,* ch1, turn sc,8 repeat for desire length

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves

2008-10-28T17:05:00.017-04:00

Ahhhh. Leaves are my delight, especially as lariat/neckwarmer adornments. And I am proud to have developed
a wonderful maple leaf, and to have improved my gingko leaf.

Yet I needed more for the garland/lariat/neckwarmer and as I'm not a fan of repeats, more is indeed, more for me.
I thought about an old leaf spray and didn't remember the souce. I searched for it on the web and couldn't find it.
Digging through my samples, I found it! The green leaf spray was my sample.. and it feels good, right, well done...
but how to do it?

My patterns are an unreachable floor away and I have, unsuccessfully sent someone to find my crochet flower pattern books.... so I trieed to decode the stitches and I remembered on thing about the construction, that the first (closest) leaf is the last one to be made. The white one is the reproduction, I think I came close.

I am very inspired by Roberta Wong's peerless book on crocheted lei. In it she has a tiny leaf, Rereading it as I set about designing my Fall Leaf adornments, I found what I was missing: a small leaf, created in what seems a totally different way. It unlocked a whole series of thoughts. Her leaf was created to accompany buds and flowers, to be twisted in a bundle. As mine is more a singular entity, I needed a plumper,fuller representation. And this was easily accomplished,

What a refreshing antidote to the stolid march of stitches and stitch heights along a chain!

Then I did find a leaf spray, this white one, a new one to me. Very gestural, the leaves look sketched and
I think this would be fab fab fab if I had white wool, so I could felt it, and make the small leaves firm....

Well this leaf spray had a similarity of approach in the leaf creation to the larger spray, in that it wasn't about
the march of stitches and stitch heights along a chain. Each is shaped. And it is easy to make each one
different and still stay true to, well remember, LOL! the pattern.

So I'm almost ready to do a leaf pattern collection. I thought I was before, but now that I have several approaches
to leaf making, I think the collection is more robust.

Freeform Fall Flower and Leaf Lariats, Neckwarmers, Garlands

2008-10-27T18:11:00.009-04:00

What to call these adornments?
Arranged alliteratively these are Freeform Fall Fiber Flower and Leaf Lariats or scarflettes, neckwarmers, garlands.

I returned again to leaves and decided my flower necklaces could lengthen and loosen and whoa! What fun and excitement!
I was gifted yarn that I made hats and squares for charity( through All Crafts for Charity on yahoo) and realized
that the fall colors worked together.

Cold Autumn Much Crochet

2008-10-20T20:16:00.003-04:00

Loss, Loss, Loss. My Daddy, my fluffy cat. So now, between bouts of tears, my hands create again, the fiber path.
I've crocheted hats for unknown babies in need, squares to join others who create to heal the world. And tschatskas-- not quite amigurumi, but not real either. Birds, pumpkins, gnome/elf/santa, and a mouse.

My leaves have joined quartz crystal on earrings and I have necklaces, fiber garlands. I'm working on a trio to
be the fall garland. I'll amend this with pix.

End of Winter into Spring

2008-04-30T23:02:00.000-04:00

All Praises! I've moved. Am home again. Yet made a lot of little things in January and February as I wanted everyone to have something handmade by me. The knitted leaves became bookmarks. And the Koolaid on wool led to some simmering hearts.

. I made several cute hats for charity, expending the last of my red and white. And then was gifted some really exquisite yarn for my charity work.

I keep thinking about my felted jewelry . This spring has veered from 70 degrees to 20 degrees again, perfect for something light and flowery but warm.

Ahhh Many Stitches Later...

2008-01-17T22:35:00.002-05:00

Well the knitted leaves lead to a knitting for a LMAO. Wow! that was some wild stepping out for me.

And then I knitted a hat.

Well, half knitted it... I knitted the leaves and the crocheted the top.

It is one of my favorite hats.

Then I started another hat and the Column of Leaves scarf.... Those are still languishing by the side of the bed. But I fell in love with knitting and crocheting and so for the holiidays, my Christmas gifts included leaf bookmarks, which enabed me to explore again chainmaking and at the end of the crocheted chain I would knit leaves..

Now my new 20008 exploration is KOOLAID DYEING. Iused up the last of the wonderful handspun I was gifted
felting and dyeing and wow! how vivid and intense the Koolaid dyeing is...

glad i won a couple of auctions of various handspun undyed for a grrrrreat price on ebay so i can gift and explore some more.

Knitting Leaves

2007-10-26T22:58:00.000-04:00

Exchanges get me going, thinking growing. I'm participating in a Knitting LMAO and I was third in line. When I
recoved the LMAO I was intimidated, skillful use of dabs of color and tiny drapey stitches.... ahhh but my freeform ways came to the rescue. I would repeat the leaf pattern by making leaves!

And once I began making leaves, I kept on making leaves....

Cool Time Again

2007-10-13T17:06:00.000-04:00

O! My fingers were ablaze with yearning for fiber, any fiber, any stick. Now I crave certain things. The Peruvian Connections catalog fills me yearning for a a certain sort of accomplishment.... drapey garments. The view is still ffilled with mostly greeen but it is shifiting and the day ends so much earlier. I see bits of yeelow and a some red out on the streets...

ZEn/Crochet

2007-08-30T19:47:00.000-04:00

from 12/25/06
I was trying to think of a name for a crochet blog as my blog has been taken over by my crochet ...I typed in Zen Crochet to see if it was taken and this reference to an artist, Zen Parry who did a crochet performance art piece using a big hook in 2005 came up

"She uses Terphane, a clear plastic rather like the stuff that comes around flower bouquets. She unspools it from a 10-mile-long roll, twisting it into a crude yarn.
Her crochet hook is comically large. With it she creates one-meter-square afghan squares — about one every four hours. She needs 64 of them to cover the floor and two walls."

http://www.ovoo.com/officeAssistant.html
http://www.portlandtribune.com/features/story.php?story_id=31867
http://www.portlandtribune.com/features/story.php?story_id=33074

Loss and Giving

2007-07-22T19:29:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling a bit adrift.

Sekou Sundiata, an old comrade, poet, teacher, creator, died last week at a mere 58. This opens afresh the wounds of loss, my dear friendf since high school, Doulgas David Walker, founder of the electronic music group Alien Planetscapes, died last year, as did another once-friend and brilliant musician, Hilton Ruiz. And earlier this year, a poet of long (30 year) acquaintance, Judith Dothard Simmons,

The folks touched me and shared incredible mythic and magic times with me. Douglas was such a touchstone, because he and I were among those in high school who organized and worked for creating a better world. And I learned that Sekou was an organizing progressive force as early as college.... not a surprise, just an affirmation of what was manifest when I met and knew him (1970s-80s).

So I am sorrowing and am making many little things, keeping myself busy. I'm experimenting with fiber and fabric and realize I need a teflon sheet or parchment paper to complete this experiment.

Thank you, MD, for the wonderful box of fibers. They are inspiriational! Tell me how to be in touch with you.

I working on several multimedia pieces using crocheted female figures as the focal pieces.

And I realized I need to recommit myself to giving, especially as my crochet workshop here has stoppped, I've got to make something with the intention of giving it away.

The Black Crafters Group is holding a green challenge and so I've focused on that for these figures and for the fibers I've been experimenting with---I intend to use this for wings, and for aTCs.

Speaking of wings--- perhaps I'll do another entry on them. I've not hit upon the wongs that I want for my women. Then I realized my leaf pattern would make a great wing, especially joined.

I want to mention this wonderful group on the web that continues to inspire me and remind me of ways of giving and the good good goodness that exists in the world as people fufill their desire to make and create and use their hands and hearts and then point this desire to meeting others needs. All praises!

All Crafts 4 Charity http://groups.yahoo.com/group/All_Crafts_4_Charity/

The Hats

2007-07-08T19:21:00.001-04:00

Minaret Tibet Cream Towers
created for the monochrome challenge in Free Form Challengers

Hat for Dawoud
antoher freeform/free design hat

Time Flies!

2007-07-08T19:13:00.000-04:00

Wow! Can't belive it's July already. I wpent April and May designing and meeting deadlines. June I worked on a couple of hats -- a gift for one and to meet a challenge in the other and a doll to submit, but I lost steam on her.

################
Nelly Hobbs, one of the crochet group who worked so hard to understand working in the round, taking out piece after piece and then when finaly getting it, made 8 hats in a week, died.

I've stopped meeting, because as the group waned, we were invaded by nosy intrusive hags. A certain critical mass kept the
chaos at bay, but when there were few of us, the loafing inqusitors made meeting maddening.

Thanks Nelly, for making me think it was worthwhile,

Flower Necklaces

2007-04-07T20:06:00.000-04:00

It might as well be spring. But the snow floating through the screen here on the 12th floor says otherwise. April April
no showers, crystla water.

Yet i felt it arrive before this retreat and I've been making lots of flowers, teaching designing. Had a furhter thought on my
leaves and I am still enamored of felting/fulling.

I finally finished and mailed two necklaces to two wonderful women who have aided me in this dire time.
The red charm necklace is on its way to Jacqui who loves red.

The flower necklace is on its way to the mandala maven, Claude Aimee.

STAR For Binghamton

2007-03-25T20:59:00.000-04:00

I'm working on a freeform star for a theater in bingamton.
So challenging, but there is such a thrill as the scrumbles connect, and that i developed a rhythm of motifs to appear in each arm, but be different in each arm....

I am really digging it and may want to keep it...

Spring Hat Again

2007-03-18T20:48:00.000-04:00

I wanted it, but know I need to make product and so made it again, but this time for myself.... which freed me. I made thee crown roomier and the band a little smaller and added several of my leaves. I think I will add more, over time.

Springing Ahead More Light Less Night

2007-03-11T17:16:00.000-04:00

I'm trying hard to hold on. Making is a way to put part of the nattering nagging nervousness on hold. What would I do if I could do it? Much more. which says make more, somehow. So I am so happy to have this second hat completed.

An inspired young woman inspired me-- Mini-Dee created a gorgeous cluster shell stitich, which I've attached as an ornament to the hat.
http://journals.aol.com/crochetwithdee/CrochetWithDee/entries/2007/03/07/a-crochet-lesson-by-mini-dee/2044
Her mother made a video demo of this lovely motif/stitch!

As this is a hat for sale, I've restrained myself, I like it and will make another version a bit more embellished pour moi.

Praise for Hat

2007-03-09T18:58:00.000-05:00

as my neighbors are all older than me and I'm not young, I never expect there to be even a glancing coincidence of esthetic. BUT
whooee! "fancy hat" said three different people about the purple free form.

I added more topstitching and my own tiny leaf, which with three fibers held together is not all that tiny. I love it! but it was so hard, lol! I may make myself another purple hat....

In the interim, I had some scratchy rug yarn that I snatched up and corcheted into a long tube to cover the mailing tub that i just realized would be the perfect draft block. I am so pleased with this bright and neat looking draft stop

Purple MagnifiHAt

2007-03-08T00:38:00.000-05:00

I've been yearning for a purple hat. I miss my purple hats that are in my home. I want to go home. Anyway, I was gifted with lotf of gorgeous purple bits. I started out sad that I did not have more blue purple and then, dug through to find more of my favorite true purple and amened where i could, the red/pink purple with shiny bits. This is a free form form -- there are many more pieces than it seems as some fo the traingles and rectangles just fit in so well. My head is about 2 inches bigger than the form's so it sad that having finally acquired one, I couldn't use it for pieceing in the way i had hoped, I had to take it on and off my head......

Furthere, this involved my first unraveling/redoing in a looong time. But it is such a cozy comfy fit on me,,,, i want to sleep in it.
I think I may make another purple hat... i love these yarns!

uh using knitting to Freee Form!

2007-02-28T21:58:00.000-05:00

At the Tuesday night fiber gathering I started, I was gifted with a spool knitter and several pairs of knitting needles, ( two I will keep and the others will go into the growing share/ get people started cache) courtesy of a lovely lady whose aging aches make such needle work untenable.

I learned two ways to cast on, knit a couple of rows

I did my first fabric bits knitting incorporated them into the scrumble for the Free Form challenge. I used my brand spanking newly gifted knitting needles, some big old silver clankers, Boye 11 that are a bit too long for me, to start and nearly finish another earth.

I didn't like Earth 1 as much I wanted to, lol, but i love Earth Two (any sf fanatics remember that show?) if for no other reason than it started with knitting and nearly concludes with knitting---

I tried to mimic what i saw Myra suggest on knitty gritty and just wove the knitting needle in the top of a row of block stitches and then i knit a fabric to fill in the space between that area and a block stitch cricle - an earth wheel -- (my second working of that Bonnie P motif, love it!) I was so excited to "pick up" in that way and even grab another spot of fabric to knit into/from.

But i don't know how to cast off... i thought i had cast off correctly but the yarn was at the bottom and there i was with a loop hang out with no yarn to thread through it
so what's a freeformer to do but snatch it up with some more fiber and a crochet hook and make a bit more, LOL!
I'm feeling really good,, even though I didn't cast off quite right, crochet was there to save the day. I have no clue which method of knitting I'm using... the yarn is wrapped around my left index finger the fabric is on the left hand needle.... i alternated row of knit with a row of purl.

Developing the Leaves

2007-02-22T20:15:00.000-05:00

ah! I've keyed in the instructions, but the challenge is how much I vary the leaves... I do something slightly different every time
and all the time--- sometimes sl st, sometimes sc.... and how to convey my overlapping decrease--- when i want 3 stitches to go to two I prefer to double decrease versus decrease and then do one stitch.

I am comforted to have created my own approach to these, to be able to contribute something to this great conversation
ebing held around and across the world.

Teaching Sharing

2007-02-21T18:20:00.000-05:00

started a crocheting group in my building. I'm teaching a couple of folks how to crochet and
another, how to make a 3d doll/figure. We are supposed to meet in the community room, but as it it 30 feet of glass on one side, it is cold.
So we meet in the library.
This Tuesday we had other onlookers,,,,

As is our habit we brought stuff to share--- in this case, tea. I placed the teabags on the table in front of me , where Debbie had palced green tea. The old lady snatched them all.
dont take all my tea I complained
Your tea she asked
Yes my tea
You can take one but not all
Your tea she repeated
Yes. Dont you share
No she said i don't want to share
and with that she put back the white tea
but not the others she had already stuffed ito her purse
and left.

I'm told she is about 104.

I made a chicken/rooster who needs his beak and tail feathers--- I thought to perhaps stick in feathers
for his tail and wasn't sure how to approach his beak as he is small and I would have to get thread and a tiny hook to keep it proportional. In the last week I've completed a freeform doll based on a baby lotion bottle, a pocketbook and leaf with flower bookmarks.

I'm still working on writing and developing new leaf patterns. I decided on another appraoch to the round bottom... for my shield/leaf form....

Motifs for Free Form Doll

2007-02-16T19:18:00.000-05:00

Bonnie P's motif is the rufffle spiral flower on the doll front and the block stitch medallion ( a new favorite) on the doll's back

Her arms are the front post double crochet cord done square.

She's 95% done--- I want to add some tiny leaves around her bottom and
I made up a tiny leaf just for her. Felted it turned out jsut right

Thanks Bonnie!

Leis

2007-02-07T23:02:00.000-05:00

I love flowers, flower forms and now, the epiphanic form of LEIS!
wow! So insightful and so so lovely,
So 3D, so many applications. for me--- having had cord joy, the lei as a pierced cord makes me want to think of other rearticulated/pierced/amended cord forms....

I will make some for the Tree of Life challenge in FF Crocrochet group.
I made some leis bracelets-- they are so precious!!!! i see connecting different forms with cabone rings, if i ever get some lol!

http://www.amazon.com/Hawaiian-Lei-Crochet-Roberta-Wong/dp/089610334X/sr=8-1/qid=1170716281/ref=sr_1_1/002-2550471-2745665?ie=UTF8&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1597000159/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-2550471-2745665#

There are other lei crochet books, but I read on another site that Roberta Wong's are the best--- which I suspected.love it when they let you sneak a look at the books on Amazon! ... the yarn is a pinky purple--- so much nicer than the pink, to me and a yellowy green.....

I did buy the book as they had one for $6.77, but now i regret it, because money is so tight.... i lost control...

FreeForm Crochet Challenge

2007-02-03T20:47:00.000-05:00

The FreeForm Crochet Group is sponsoring a Challenge to create scrumbles on the four elements and a three-D piece for the Tree of Life.
I got excited and have done Fire, Water and Earth. Air is nearly completed. What fun!
As soon as I finish some other projects, I want to return to these themes for wall hangings. I reread the rules,so I can't share my imges until the great unvieling.
I was surprised to thrill to fire--- I guess it's all the red word I've been doing. Earth was felted and while the shrinkage put it's stitches and elements, it just doesn't have the high energy that water,fire and even the unfinished air have.
I'm trying to fibure out if it's the color pallette or my stitches. I added gold for the sand of earth and black for ore, so that stretched the browns and beiges.... i wish i had a redclay color, too....

I can share the image of my ATCs, though.
And my small epiphany that led me to combine my exploration of single crochet cords with my tiny heart and create felted er fulled bookmarks for Valentine's Day. YAY!

Valentine Ami

2007-01-29T20:14:00.001-05:00

I used my tiny heart pattern to make a Valentine Ami.
it's both wetfelted and needle felted ( i think--- this is new to me, LOL) and is about 2.5 inches tall...
I think I'll make a couple more for V-Day.
I don't know if jabbing it with the 10 # 38 needles did much, though it seeme to improve and fix the mouth....
the step lady likes green , so I keep working with it.
Thir green and purple are the colors for some of my flowers

I am really please with the charm necklace, so much so I've begun another, just to refine, and continure to think it through

felting a flat cord helped me create a lovely bookmark for a special friend... though this is probably not the blue he likes, it was fun to develop this --- it feels both sturdy and delicate..again it's the tiny hear elaborated with the viney sc cord.....

New Piece - Charm Necklace

2007-01-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

.

thanks to Noeva for naming this!
I created this for Jacqui who loves red. I wanted to create a neckpiece that had the energy of freeeform and used my newly desined flowers and leaves but was more wearable.

Well using the old industrial lesson of modularity ( ye s dears, back in ancient of days I was involved in presenting cords for newly freed from hardwired phones) I thought I would create something that could have as many or as few motifs as the wearer desires.

Aswith glass, I see so many things that look good, but not wearable.... or they exist in catwalk,exhibition space, but I cna't envision where or when i would put the things on.

I love wearing my flower necklaces anyday for a cheer me up or dress me up. So as I finish Red Charm Necklace One, Number Two has begun production and I'm working on a springtime lime/newgrass green color way

Hearts

2007-01-22T19:39:00.001-05:00

I've gathered my heart patterns together, encoded them, taken pix and they are now available for sale in my etsy store
http://www.akuadesigns.etsy.com.

I've got chain-based hearts and slipring hearts--- I offer these in contrast to the single crochet approach: beginning with a ch2 , sc,c1 2c,c1,2sc in each, etc....

Today is blue monday, the most depressing day of the year according to some Brit researcher as relayed on NPR. It's good to have some reason for this ploddingness. Hope your hearts go well!

Square Single Crochet Cord

2007-01-18T19:00:00.000-05:00

Square Single Crochet Cord

Chain 4
3 sc in first chain
turning clockwise, front post sc around ch3, then first sc, then second sc, then third sc,
continue to fpsc.

FreeForm

2007-01-18T18:33:00.000-05:00

The Freeform Group on yahoo has been such a source of inspiration for me .My own crochet inclintations were definitely free form. I ached through defining dimensionality when no one shared these words or thoughts. I made wild hats and saw -- in NYC--- nothing like what i wore and created walking down the street. I had the courage of my convictions, but not the conviction of my convictions.

There was a book i found by Sylvia Cosh, the mother of freeform that i bought back when-- yes now 25 or so years ago. It's priceless. I also have her Crochet Sweater Book that has my favorite pattern--- stone circles. I have a gorgeous waiting to be finished sweater that I've flown with and worked on--- still not done --- in some fabulous not unaffordable yarn. I used the stone circle motif in a freeform hat

I remember once in the Strand in the 80s--- i had a boyfriend who worked there--- a woman stopped me and told me how increedible my hat was and that i should sell them. I would have, if I could have figured out a way how to. On the other hand , I was working hard to be a world-class poet and begging for sax lessons, having recently acquired a beautiful tenor.

Given that this moment in my life history finds me both without money and without the means to get to the little I had invested in and accumulated, I am unalbe to tatlly fulfill this impetus--- that is make lots of scrumbles in related colorways to then assemble.

That said i love this dress, as she seemed to just emerge from these bits of yarn i've been gifted and acquired in someone's leftover ends sale.

then playing with cords.... well they looked like limbs, and yes Bonnie P. has already blazed this trail, but i am so enamored at the body for these---sijjngle strand--- and unstuffed.

Ginkgo/Little Fan Pattern

2007-01-17T23:49:00.000-05:00

I may have mentioned that I'm working on a series of leaf patterns that I will offer as a collection for sale in my Etsy store. I shared this one on the FreeForm Crochet Group, and I'm sharing it here.
I will have another more articulated and larger version in the Leaf Collection.

I miss the gingkos that i would visit each fall and collect leaves from. Their fruit smelled like chesse, a funky edibility. They adorned a strip near the railraod track that ran through the center of town, right by the bridge and parallel to the river. They shimmered in the fall with their yellow gold green leaves. I read they are the oldest of tree form families.

Gingko/Little Fan

Ch 4, 4 DC in 4th ch from hook, turn
ch2, 3 dc in first dc, 2 dc in next 3 dc, 3 dc in last dc, turn
ch2, sl st in same st, (small picot made), sl st across to #5, make large picot: ch3
slst in same st, sl st to edge, at edge picot: ch 2 sl st in same st,
sl st down side 5 times to center dc (#3)
ch 4, sl st in second chain from hook & up chain to in center dc
sl st 5 times up side to starting sl st
fasten off weave ends in.

Joy in the making,
Akua