Hanging Caterpillars Scarf (was designed in 2011)

One day I found a picture of a scarf which I think is very unique and interesting. The style is consist of small spirals.

Before I saw that scarf, I've ever thought of making a scarf that consist of small spirals but still couldn’t  imagine how it would look like. After I saw that picture, immediately I remember my idea and it was similar to what I wanted to make. By improvised materials i.e. using local cotton thread and colors available at home plus without any pattern, instantaneously I imitated and made the scarf.

The first one I made was using  the dominant color of dark green. I used trial and error method to decide length and width of the scarf. When it finished, I put it on  mannequin to have a look, I feel satisfied because the result was similar to my original idea. After that arose another idea to wear it in several different ways, but I need a brooch as fastener at two ends of scarf.  I make a rose brooch in matching color to scarf. Here are pictures of the scarf in several  different style on neck, and even well worn on waist or hips.

Around March 2011, in some regions ( in Indonesia) were infected with caterpillar outbreaks in very large numbers. Citizens overwhelmed by their fruit trees, especially mango trees, all leaves are devoured by caterpillars. Their houses were also entered by caterpillars. The government also overwhelmed to eradicate this epidemic, but some kids were enjoying this epidemic and playing with caterpillars without fear of irritation.

When I heard the caterpillar outbreaks news and saw the scarf, focus at the spiral part, I suddenly imagined it as caterpillars were hanging around. So I named the scarf: Hanging caterpillars Scarf.

On May  27-29- 2011, I was invited by a friend to join an exhibition, with knitting as the theme. On the first day, one visitor, interested in my Hanging caterpillars scarf, she interested in buying it but still did not agree with the price. The lady bargained for half price, but I stick to the price I specified because I thought it is not too expensive (it is appropriate enough with the materials and efforts of making it). She went away. But when I was about to go home, all of the sudden she came back, and still bargained the price but she rose up slightly from the original bid. After negotiated with my friend, we agreed to sell it to her, because I was  glad there were someone who has the same taste and appreciate my work. I was so proud, finally the lady bought my scarf. The lady said that she loved all crochet works.. Unfortunately I could not remember the lady’s name. This is my bad habit, easy to forget someone's name. The good thing, before she went away, we requested her willingly to take picture wearing the scarf as memorable and gratitude. Alhamdulillah at least, I could remember the lady’s face.

After the exhibition, I really missed my first Hanging caterpillars scarf. To cure my longing for it,  I made the second one, still using the materials and colors available, but this time I used maroon as the dominant color, just to make a different. It was completed in 3 days.

This is the short story behind the making and naming processes of this Hanging caterpillars scarf.


PATTERN:

Abbreviation:

Ch - Chain
Sc - Single Crochet
Hdc - Half Double Crochet
Dc - Double Crochet,
St (sts) - Stitch (Stitches)
Sp - Space
Dc2tog - make 2 double crochet at the same times at the sts stated.

Row 1: ch 7 (for a flat base - could be more or less depending on the desired width of the base) plus ch 35 for the spiral (you could add/reduce number of ch - depend on desired length of spiral), ch 1, sc into 2nd ch from the hook, 2 hdc into next ch, 3 dc in next ch, (1 dc into next 2 ch, 4 dc into next ch) repeat 32 times, 1 dc into last 7 ch.

Row 2: ch 5, skip 2 st, 1 dc into next st, ch 2, 1 dc into last st, ch 35, turn

Row 3: ch 1, 1 sc into 2nd ch from hook, 2 hdc into next ch, 3 dc into next ch, (1 dc into next 2 ch, 4 dc into next ch) repeat 32 times, 1 dc into next st, * 2 dc into next 2 ch sp, 1 dc into next st *, repeat  **, 1 dc to the last st.

If you wish to have fixed width for the flat base:
Next rows : repeat row 2-3 until the desired length of scarf complete.

If you wish to have flat base ; narrow at both end and wider in the middle (i.e. start from about 2 cm wide on the first end, about 6 cm in the middle, and then narrowed again at the other end same as the previous end (2 cm), follow the next step:

Row 4: ch 5, skip 2 st, 1 dc into next st, 2 ch, (1 dc into next st, 2 ch, 1 dc into same st), ch 35, turn,

Row 5 and every odd row: repeat row 3

Row 6: ch 5, skip 2 dc, 1 dc into next st, * 2 ch, 1 dc into next st*  repeat **, ch 35, turn

Row 8: repeat row 4
Row 10: repeat row 6
Row 12: repeat row 4

If the width of the flat want to be more wide, repeat row 8-12 one or more times to the desired width.

Row 14 and the next even row: repeat Row 6 - If you still want more length can be added. (in this scarf made up to row 94)

Now the width of the flat began to be reduced


Row 96: 5 ch, *skip 2 sts, 1 dc in the next st, 2 ch* repeat from ** until remain the last 6 sts, skip 2 sts, dc2tog in the last 3rd and 6th  sts, ch 3, turn

Row 98: repeat row 6
Row 100: Repeat row 96

Row 102: Repeat row 6 - for the width that is added; the decrease rows (rows 98-102) must be repeated same as rows are increased.

Row 104: 5 ch, skip 2 sts, 1 dc into next st, 2 ch, skip 2 sts, dc2tog  in the last 3rd and 6th sts, ch 35, turn

Row 106: Repeat row 2

Row 107 (the latest row): repeat row 3

Edging: 1 sc along edge of the flat part. Can be used one dominant color yarn or each row using each color of yarn used. The width of the edge is free.

Note: the number of increased row should be the same with the decrease one. 

I apologise if there is some missing in this pattern and please correct me.

Transforming the Squared Paris Hijab into the Pashmina Style (was designed on September 12, 2011)

Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh : السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته 

(May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you)

Inspired by the latest style of Hijab and the moment of Ramadhan, I tried to create this Hijab.

Currently, so many young ladies are wearing the Pashmina Style of Hijab. Actually I do not like to wear this type of Hijab for daily activities because it is kind of complicated to wear. Since so many ladies wear it as current fashion of hijab with many different ornaments or many different styles, they look so awesome and beautiful. I tried to create my own style.

I tried to design the hijab from Paris type of material and decorated with crochet. When this idea occurred I only had the squared paris hijab and rayon  thread. Due to these sort of materials I had, I tried to transform the squared hijab into pashmina by cut it in half and use crochet pattern to join the two pieces of hijab. Alhamdulillah, it didn’t take so long to make. 

Alhamdulillah ya.....,  I could wear this Hijab when visiting my relatives’ house in the moment of Eid.

Aran Sweaters

Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh : السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته 

(May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you)

These two Aran sweaters was made for Mohammad and Lulu. I used my friends at the office as model to take the picture of the sweaters.

 

Mohammad's Sweater

Model : Bram

Lulu's Sweater

Model: Yuli

Description:

- Mohammad's Sweater - this sweater worked in traditional Aran stitches with polo neckline. The pattern was taken from book name; "Creative art of Knitting" by Joan Fisher, published by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd 1974. I bought the book (second hand book) long time ago (on 19 Nov 1984) at book sales in IKIP Jakarta University (The price was IDR 4000). I bought the book just because I loved handcraft and in this book I saw a beautiful picture of "bedroom bootees". It looked so easy to make. So, I thought I would be able to make it, however, until I write this I never had a chance to make it. To be honest, at that time I was completely blind about knitting, I even never seen the real knitting needles. I only knew simple crochet learned from my mom. My other reason to buy the book because the price was so cheap and the condition of the book was still perfect (like new book).

Suddenly in early 2005, I was so eager to learn knitting. I wanted to make a sweater for Mohammad. By only had 2 pairs of knitting needles that were given by my friend from Japan (no 8 and 7) and 2 books, I started the project. 
First I read the book very carefully because I still didn't know anything about knit and the abbreviations used in the pattern. I had to open the books and dictionary back and forth many times. And then I practiced it with yarn that I had. At the beginning I practiced knit and purl stitches, it was so hard for me. My brain just could not coordinate between my right hand and left hand in running the needles and yarn. My hand held the needles so tight because so slippery. For awhile the muscles in my palms and arms were so uptight. I almost gave up and did not know to whom I should asked because I didn't know anyone that could knit or crochet. I stopped learning to knit for few weeks because the abbreviations were used in the patterns and the  two slippery straight needles were driving me crazy. 
I thought it was so impossible that two straight needle could picked up the yarn. I also thought, why should someone invented this way.

After awhile I opened the book again and looked at the picture of Aran Sweater, it really challenged me again and gave me the spirit to learn one more time. 
First I took very deep breath and started to read the book carefully and practiced how to knit and purl. In awhile I got the logic and understood, so I decided to make a sweater used a simple motif for myself before started to make the Aran sweater. Slowly but sure I could finished the sweater.

Next, right away I practiced how to do the cable knitting. At that time I still did not have cable needle and stitch holder, so I used the knitting needle to replace the cable needle when making the cable stitches, it was so hard. After I understood the way to make the cable stitches, I bought the cable needles, stitch holder and also the 100% wool blue yarns for the Aran sweater. The yarn name was Sirdar Classical Pure Wool Double Crepe, Pure New Merino Wool .It took me about 3 months to finished it. I was really proud of myself because finally I could make an Aran Sweater by only learned from two books. I felt it was a miracle for me. Too bad I did not think to take any picture for each step I learned knitting. This Mohammad's sweater was my  very first cable knitting lesson and  project.
Before I sent the sweater to Mohammad as his birthday present, I asked my friend as model to take the picture of the sweater.

- Lulu's Sweater - For this sweater I used the pattern of Fishermen's Sweater from book name "The Bantam Step-by-Step Book of Needle Craft" by Judy Brittain, published by Bantam Books Inc, edition 1985.(price was USD 19.95) I bought the book in Tallahassee, USA in 1988. I decided to make this sweater because I could not just make sweater for Mohammad without made one for Lulu too. I had to be equal between them. I love them very much. I bought the same yarn as Mohammad sweater but in different color, it was red.  It took me about 5 months to make this one. I had to stop in the middle of the project because I run out of the yarn and in the store also run out of stock. At that time I only knew one store that sold knitting yarn which was in Pasar Raya Blok M. So I had to wait for more than a month to get the same color and type of yarn. Finally the sweater done in early November 2005. This sweater was my second cable knitting project.

The original color of Fishermen's Sweater was natural cream or gray but I chose red because it was Lulu's favorite color. This time I had no problem and no stress to make the Aran Sweater because I had the experience already, although, I still could not make it fast because I am not the expert in knitting. So it took me about 3 month to make it. I used the same type of yarn as Mohammad's Sweater.

Here I also attached the the pictures of the original Aran Sweaters from each books to compare between what I made and the original.

Scanned copy from  "Creative art of Knitting" Book

Scanned copy from "The Bantam Step-by-Step Book of Needle Craft" Book

These was short story behind the Aran Sweater of Mohammad & Lulu.

My lesson from these: "Once you get the logic of it you can make and create anything"