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I like this tutorial and I would like to try to make it although I don't understand a word what it said in this video....

Chevron Knitting Sweater

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

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

I made this sweater after I learned how to knit just from the 2 books I have. After understand how to make knit and purl, and I practiced the lesson by making this sweater.

Although this sweater was my 1st knitting sweater to practice my lesson, I didn't want to make just simple  knitting technique but didn't want too complicated either. I chose this motif because looked nice and I could practice knit and purl at the same time. I got the pattern of the motif from my book; "The Bantam Step-by-Step Book of Needle Craft" by Judy Brittain, published by Bantam Books Inc, edition 1985.

At that time I didn't really pay attention the name of the motif.I just discovered it called Chevron motif few days ago.

Pucuk Rebung Shawl - in Knitting Lace

2nd Pucuk Rebung Shawl in Knitting Lace

Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh :

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
(May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you)

First of all, I would like to thank Allah that has bless me with so much knowledge and talent I have. Without His permission and blessing of all this would not have happened.

About  3 weeks ago I just joint a knitting group in a social media website. That group is for people who have the same hobby which is knitting, can communicate each other and share information, knowledge and work relate to knitting.

Actually I wasn't so confident to join that group because I am not a knitter. I don't know much of knitting, however, I learned it long time ago only from 2 books I had. The reason I wanted to learn how to knit because:

• I just love all of needle crafts
• I am kind of person who like to learn new technique
• I am kind of person who always curious on something different, something unique, something unusual and something that I haven't known before.
• I am kind of person who don't just satisfy on something that already familiar with me.
• I am kind of person who don't easy to give up on something that I don't know or something that I haven't know how to do it.
• I believe any knowledge/technique can be learned if there is will.
• I wanted to make beautiful Aran sweater for my kids. This is the main reason I wanted to learn how to knit at the beginning.

After I know how to knit little bit, I made some projects to practice several knitting techniques.

Recently, I had idea to explore something new and different. I was thinking to use Indonesian traditional motifs in crochet or knitting. 

• I beleive that will make so unique and exclusive motif that never been applied before. 
• I believe if we can apply Indonesian traditional motif in crochet or knitting, we will have our own motif which has its own characteristics
• We can introduce Indonesia to the world in different way
• we will not run out of ideas because Indonesia is very rich in a variety of traditional motives from each province.

The 1st motif I would like to apply in crochet or knitting is 'Pucuk Rebung'. 

In Indonesia we have traditional hand woven sarong called Songket. There are many type of songket in Indonesia, one of them from Riau (a province in Sumatra Island). Some provinces have their own type of motif used in the songket. One of Riau's songket motif called Pucuk Rebung. There are several type of Pucuk Rebung motives.

Philosophy behind Pucuk Rebung Motif:

The meaning of Bamboo shoots Motif is a symbol of hope because bamboo is a tree that does not easily fall by the wind blowing. By using bamboo-shoots motif on Songket meant; who ever wear it hopefully would has good luck and hope in every step of life.

The reason I choose the motif from Riau Songket because:

•   I come from that province, I love my province and that motif.
• As far as I know, no one have ever use this motif in needle craft such as knitting or crochet. 
• I would like other people more familiar with this beautiful traditional motif in different style and appearance.

I tried to make a simple diagram of Pucuk Rebung motif from the existing motif in Songket, so I can apply to needle craft.

First tried to make it in fillet crochet, it turned out so beautiful although I haven't make it in complete product.

Pucuk Rebung in Fillet Crochet

Next I tried to make in Tapestry Crochet. In this project, I used 5 different colors. Finally I can create small bag with this motif.

Pucuk Rebung in Tapestry Crochet

Another project I made using this motif was a shawl for my friend's mom. The reason I choose this motif in the shawl to make it so unique, exclusive and definitely I made it with my own design.

The 1st Pucuk Rebung in Knitting Lace

When that shawl finished, I was so satisfy with the result. I was so amazed to the talent I have been given by Allah because I realize that I still can knit and can design a beautiful shawl with beautiful Indonesian traditional motif.

After I sent the shawl to my friend, I started to miss my Pucuk Rebung Shawl. I decided to make another one. When I share this work to the group, so many nice and sweet ladies gave their appreciation, sweet compliments, suggested and encouraged me to write complete pattern of the shawl. They gave me confidence and courage to start to write the pattern. Took me more than a week to write it and Alhamdulillah it has completed by today and uploaded in Ravelry.

Here Pucuk Rebung Shawl Pattern

#PucukRebungShawl ; #PucukRebung ; #Knitting ; #FilletCrochet ; #TapestryCrochet ; #IndonesiaTraditionalMotif ; #Crochet ; #Shawl

Tips; How to hide ends of yarn in knit & crochet nicely and neatly

Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh :

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
(May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you)

No matter how long the tail we left at the end of work or when we run out of yarn in the middle of work, there would be the ends of the yarn. How could we hide it?

Here the picture showing the ends of yarn in knit and crochet after weave in it:

Showing the ends of yarn in knit

Showing the ends of yarn in crochet

Previously, I had no idea how could I hide the ends of yarn after I weave in between some sts at the back  in crochet, because sometime the ends still show up or slip out again, especially when we use the slippery thread such as nylon or rayon.

Actually, it won’t be so hard to weave in the ends in crochet especially in dc, hdc or sc sts. We can weave in between loops of sts at the back side. The harder one is when the end of yarn is in long ch sts.

I remember, once when I went to a sewing materials shop, I saw something that I did not know what it was. I ask the salesperson what it was, he mentioned the name but I forgot, and then I asked the function. He said it is special glue for material; we need iron to use it. So I bought one, just in case I needed someday.

So I tried to use that glue to solve my problem to hide the ends of yarn in my crochet or knit. 

Below is step by step how I use the glue:

Tools needed:
Hook & special glue for material

How the glue look like

IN KNITTING

Step one: 

Weave in again the ends of yarn by insert hook into a st near the ends, and pull out slowly and carefully so all strands will be in the st.

Step two:

Ripped some glue, just enough to glue the ends.

 Note:
Don't use too much or too thick of the glue, because it won't melt well when we iron it.

Step Three:
Insert again the hook into the same st when we waven in the last ends

Put the glue under the hook, and the pull out slowly

Tidy up the glue in between the st and the ends, so the glue won't be too thick and coagulated.

Place it in flat area and put the iron on top of st where the glue and ends position. Press the iron for few seconds until the glue melted. If necessary we can also iron it from the othe side.

* Remember don't over heat the iron, adjust the heat that suitable for the type of yarn.

Here the result after ironed. It look neate enough.

The area of the ends might be felt little bit rigid but it won't ruin the testure of sts and the ends will fixed there nicely even we wash it.

IN CROCHET

The steps won't be much different from the knitting one. Below are the steps:

- After weave in the ends, insert the hook in between loop of sts where there is the ends

- Get some glue and put it under the hook.

- Pull out slowly and carefully

- After the glue is in the sts, tidy up and the iron it as in knitting.

Here is the result after ironed:

Here I show you some pictures of several area in knitting and crochet where there are some ends.

I don't put any mark at the area for you to find out where are the ends of yarn or whether you can see them at glance.

Tips:

- Try not to have ends in chain work in crochet

- Try to have ends in sc, dc, hdc, etc. work in crochet

- Try to weave in the ends when you have it. Some ends can be woven in along with the next sts.

- Don't wait until all work done. It will be so bored and very frustrating if we wait until the end of work to weave in all tails/ends, especially in big project such as blanket or curtain.

This is my way and my opinion.

Happy crochet and knitting....

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"