Art Website Launch

Well I finally got around to making a webpage. The art bug has been buzzing in my ear again, and I've hooked up a few initial tests or sketches if you like which can be seen in the portfolio. Hoping to do more soon as well as some large scale and installation pieces.

http://kfrances.weebly.com/


Keep an eye out for updates here and on the page itself.

Mandala's on the Mind

Well, I usually have an allergic reaction to New Year's resolutions, so I'm not going to go there... BUT I have decided recently to aim the absent, sort of scattered crochet therapy that I've been known to indulge in between books into a more focused and intent filled practice.

Primarily because I need it, and because I came upon this fantastic book about crochet and healing that got my meditative engines all fired up.

So I've made a series of chakra mandalas, and that was fantastic, but didn't really assuage the mindfulness cravings. Then, a friend of mine put me onto this granny square a day vlog, and that looked cool but wasn't exactly right. Finally, I got around to putting the two ideas together and came up with the Mandala a Day idea for 2016.

Which we all know I won't manage to pull off.
But I'm still going to try it.
We can take bets on how long I make it before folding like a wet paper bag.

In the meantime here are my first four days of January 2016...

and a link to one of the best books on crochet I've seen:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018BBHCJQ//ref=cm_sw_su_dp?tag=moho-20


And my chakra pattern is available in my Rav store.
:)

 

Pattern: Wrist Work Bag

While the puppet insanity is still in full swing, and I'm making and modifying patterns like a mad woman (okay, not LIKE a mad woman... still) I took a break to do another free pattern. This one is a wrist bag for holding your ball of yarn so you can crochet on the fly. I'd seen a knitted one in someone's project list and decided I just had to have one too.

We all know I don't do the pointy sticks... so, this one is super easy, works up really fast and is useful too.

Wrist Work Bag: 

With H hook and cotton..

6sc in magic ring

*inc around* (12)

*sc, inc* around (18)

*sc, sc, inc* around (24)

*sc, sc, sc, inc* around (30)

join with ss 

chain four, dc in same space

*skip 2 sc, (dc, chain 2 dc, chain 1) in next sc* repeat around for row of dc Vstitches

Work dc V stitch (dc, chain 2 dc, chain 1) in chain one spaces between V stitches of previous row. I did seven rows of V stitches for my bag and it's about the right height for a ball of yarn. 

sc around for three rows

ss together, chain 28-30 (depending on your wrist and length of handle you want) ss to bag top on opposite side.

sc back along chain. 

ss to rim. 

sc back to opposite side

ss to rim

sc back, ss and finish off.

Weave in ends. 

More with Puppety

Well the puppet bug has bit me hard. I have polished up the pattern for the basic hand puppet with variations and it's now available on my ravelry store.
LINK: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/frances-pauli-designs

As much fun as I'm having with that one and the wonderful puppets my test crochet folks have made too, I want to do up a hand puppet that can hold  things and use its arms as well. So, I'm back to the testing/drafting stage and fiddling with some ideas for a simple hand puppet with hands pattern.

So far, I've had one awkward goof and one that I really like. I think I'm getting close to how I want this to look....

She is the spirit of the Eastern Wind, and I'll be doing four in elemental colors. For now, I'm out of black, so her arms need to be longer and I have to come back in and extend the black under sleeve so it covers the puppeteers arm for better performing.

Still needs some refining, but it should be ready for testing fairly soon.

:)

An Old Love- The Puppet [Crochet] Arts

Once upon a time I was obsessed with puppetry. This won't come as a surprise to anyone who knows how obsessive I am. In fact, the list of  my past obsessions, in particular artsy/crafty ones could fill a small library. (okay, really really small, but still)

Recently some puppet links have caught my attention on Facebook. A few posts here and there, my ears perked up, etc. I started a puppet board on Pinterest. There's a pattern here.

Anyway, I got to thinking about crochet and how its something I do a lot of anyway and since I'm a puppet nut, why not crochet some... enter: Waldo the Weasel.

I 

I am having so much fun! Also, I may be writing plays too, not unfortunately for kids, to my son's chagrin. (he is enjoying Waldo quite a bit) Still, I think I'm onto something. I love the idea of puppets not controlled by string, but MADE from it. 

This will be Emi, Waldo's hearthrob.... (sadly she has a crush on Frank Ferret)

Learning a lot as I go about how I want to shape the base structure for best movement and also how to vary the character with different shaping techniques. (and a diverse use of fun fur)

I'm sure eventually, I'll have patterns to post... and maybe videos.
:)

stitch on.

Tapestry Weaving

I have a hankering to weave. Apparently, my son's school has integrated the history of fiber arts quite fully into their curriculum. I love this. He's learning about Persian rugs and Kente cloth and I am itching to weave soooo badly.
So...today i whipped out the kiddie loom I snagged at a garage sale and dove into a Seahorse tapestry.

So far:

We'll see how it goes. The kids did paper weaving:

Well played, K-12. Well played.

Squid Motif

Squidling Motif

Here is a little guy that you can whip up fairly quickly with little yarn. He is good as a bookmark, pin, applique or as I'll show later, add-on to one of my favorite patterns. (not mine) 

 Materials:

G hook

worsted yarn (red heart in examples) in body color

second color scraps for eyes

optional buttons or felt for eyes

Stitches:

dc  -  double crochet

hdc - half double crochet

sc - single crochet

ss - slip stitch

ch - chain

1- ch 3, 2dc in furthest chain (3dc)

2- ch 3  turn dc in same stitch, 2 dc in each dc across (6dc)

this makes the pointy bit at the top of our squid's head.

3- turn, ss in first two stitches. chain 2 hdc in same stitch, hdc in next stitch (should end up with to centered hdc)

4-ch 3 turn, dc in same stitch, 2dc in next stitch (4dc)

5- ch 2 turn, hdc in same space, hdc in next two stitches, 2 hdc in last stitch (6hdc)

6- ch 3 turn, dc in each hdc across (6dc)

thats our body.

now we move on to the tentacles. Sorry, our squidling only has five. :) 

chain 20

sc in first chain from hook

hdc in next chain

sc in next chain

now we'll work back toward the point through the opposite side of the same chains.

sc in bottom loop of last sc

hdc in bottom loop of hdc

sc in bottom of sc 

ss to point, cut and finish off.

should have one tentacle with a pod on the end. 

second and third tentacle are made together. 

chain 5

sc in fist chain from hook, hdc in next chain, sc in next chain ss to last chain

come back down toward the point using the bottom loops of stitches we just made

sc, hdc, sc, 

ss together and chain 15

ss to body beside first leg. 

ss to next legless stitch at bottom of body.

ch 25

sc in first chain from hook

hdc, sc, ss down chain (back toward body) 

then work back toward point through bottom loops of previous stitches

sc, hdc, sc, ss  cut and finish off.

Now your squidling should have three legs dangling from the bottom of his bod. 

chain 5

sc in fist chain from hook, hdc in next chain, sc in next chain ss to last chain

come back down toward the point using the bottom loops of stitches we just made

sc, hdc, sc, 

ss together and chain 10

ss to body beside first leg. 

ss to next legless stitch at bottom of body.

ch 20

sc in first chain from hook

hdc, sc, ss down chain (back toward body) 

then work back toward point through bottom loops of previous stitches

Now, if I did this right, squidling should have five legs. 

You can move onto eyes and weaving in ends. 

(But, if I want to morph him into a badass necklace, I modify the legs making only three spread out more so that one is on each outer edge and one is in center. then I attach him to this pattern: (which I make in the same color) instead of the called-for flower. That gives him an additional three legs and makes him wearable!) 

Squidling's eyes can be buttons, felt circles or crocheted. If I stitch them, I just do six sc in a magic ring and then leave a long tail to whip them onto the body with. 

He's very easy to modify or tweak! 

Stash Attack!!

Because my mum is awesome, she came back from her two week vacation with a scad of souvenirs and goodies for the kiddos...and because she's also the BEST, she knows exactly what sort of goody to get her somewhat yarn obsessed daughter.

NEW STASH!!

 That's Baby Alpaca there on the right. :)












Thanks, Ma

I Can't Quilt

I've tried to quilt. I really love them. Something about the patterns, the little bits of cast off fabric all reassembled into a thing of beauty...it gets my happy going. I've been known to participate in bidding wars with little old ladies when the hand stitched quilts come up at auction. I took a class on the history of fiber arts and swooned over every crazy quilt.

But I just can't do it.

I have a quilting block or something. Pun intended. So when I had my kiddos, I really really wanted to make them quilts...and I didn't. I imagined it, making a block for each milestone, every birthday, etc. The finished, gleaming quilt would be presented at graduation or possibly on the eve of their wedding (which had damn sure better come after graduation) and lovingly received.

Yall know I write fantasy right?

Okay, so what's a mom who can't quilt to do? Well, this one is going to crochet. It's all I've got, really. My eldest grub was reading a story last week, Josephina and the Story Quilt, for lit class, and since we home school, that meant I was reading it too. It got those old quilt pangs going again, and I decided if I couldn't sew them a memory blanket, I could certainly crochet them one.

So we're off. One square per year so far and I'm up to four each and counting. I'm hoping to have all five of the youngest's done this week and finish up eight for my boy before long. It's a ton of fun.
Why would I do it if it wasn't?

Best part so far has been picking out the specific squares for each year. I've found some great ideas! (bless you, Ravelry) And planning the ones I might do next. I'll get pictures up as soon as possible, and hopefully, show as I go.

:)
Happy hooking
Frances

A Natural Pairing

I love it when two seemingly unrelated things come together into a beautiful blend...almost as if they were made for one another. This is probably why I write toward the romance end of the fiction spectrum. However, today a friend emailed me this link: http://www.reikilifestyle.com/uploads/downloads/articles/ReikiAndKnitting0309.pdf

and I was completely swept off my feet. In a totally non-romantic way.
Reiki is something I have practiced, taught and lived for years, and to find it blended with fiber arts should not have surprised me, but it did.

Anyway, I wanted to share it, in case someone else is as unaware as I was of the nice dovetail. If you like prayer shawls, friendship scarves or any of the numerous versions of healing and fibers then the above link is definitely worth your time.

Namaste and happy needles.

It's a Polyp...really.

THIS is what happens when I procrastinate:

ALIEN POLYP PATTERN

Okay, I used regular red heart worsted weight scrap yarn and an F hook. 

This is amigurumi style so count around in a spiral and don't ss join your rows together. I also used safety eyes, which I got in a swap and am now IN LOVE with. You can do whatever you like for embellishments etc. 

stitches:

ss slip stitch

sc single crochet

dc double crochet

hdc half double crochet

f/o finish off

BODY

round 1- do six single crochet in a magic ring

round 2- 2sc in each sc (12)

round 3- 1 sc in first sc then 2sc in next sc around (18)

round 4- 1 sc in first 2 sc then 2sc in next sc around (24)

round 5- 1sc in first 3 sc then 2sc in next sc around (30)

round 6- 1sc in first 4 sc then 2sc in next sc around (36)

round 7 working in back loops only 1sc in each sc around (36)

round 8-16 (both loops) 1sc in each sc around (36)

(I attached my eyes between row 10 and 11)

F/O

BASE

make bottom exactly as rounds 1-6 and then F/O

ATTATCH

hold flat bottom to bottom edge of body. with complimentary color join with a ss. 

working in one loop from each part do:

hdc, 3 dc, hdc, ss, all the way around. 

stuff before you get too far! 

If you want the wavy bits to be bigger, go around again in the same pattern. 

F/O and weave in tail. 

CURLY HAIR

chain 11 

3 hdc in second chain from hook

3hdc in each chain to end of chain

attach to top of moster head. 

MODIFICATIONS

Aside from colors and size of hook, you can pretty much do anything with this one. More curlies on the head, arms, fins, flippers.... go crazy! 

Swaptastic!!

Well, we know I'm a Ravelry addict, but I've just ventured into SWAP land and I'm hooked...again.
I'm still learning, and need practice packing my own packages with such fiber goodness, but I'll get the hang of it in the end I'm sure. The above is an amazing swap package I received from a fellow amigurumi aficionado, and below are a series of pix of the package that arrived today from another Star Fleet Fiber Corps Officer.
Thanks ladies! I love it all.

Rough and Tumble Coaster Set

I'm not exactly sure where the idea for this one came from, except that I needed coasters...my nice, glass set had so many chips around the edges that our fingers were in danger every time we used them, and I wanted to make them sturdy and able to be used outside for picnics/bbq or just having some coffee on the patio. 

So I sent my husband to the store with a request that he bring back a "big ol ball" of sisal garden twine, followed by an assurance that there was such a thing, and yes, it would be easy to find. 

Eureka. 

With a ball of sisal garden twine and a size K crochet hook.

dc- double crochet

ch-chain

ss- slip stitch

sc-single crochet

12 dc in a magic ring ss together

ch 3 (doesn't count as dc) 2dc in each dc around (24 dc) ss tog.

ch 2 *sc in next dc then 2sc in next dc* around. ss together 

cut sisal finish off and weave in end.

With scissors, trip all the long stings that stick out (give them a quick shave) for tidiness.

The sisal can be rough on your hands. You have to really work it but it can take a beating. After four, my  hands were getting sore, but it wasn't too bad. The coasters will curl up a little at the edge which works great with small galsses and coffee cups. If you are a giant mug drinker (like me) they are perfect sized and the mug of coffee will quickly flatten them out. They're flexible and easy to mold/manipulate because of the sisal. 

Test Tube Amigurumi

Since I've decided to get into putting up patterns, I suppose I'd better put up a disclaimer too. All my patterns are for your use to do whatever you so please with them. That means, make them for yourself, make them for gifts and if you feel like it, go ahead and sell what you make too...just not the pattern itself, cause like, it's free here and stuff.
Also, if you tell anyone about the patterns, please send them here or to my Ravelry designs and give me credit for them etc.

Otherwise just go for it!

Test Tube Amigurumi

This little amigurumi test tube could be stuffed and sealed, I suppose, but I like the idea of utility items, and I just know someone creative could sort out some clever way to use it. Perhaps as a case for pens, or needles or as a gift for a science minded kiddo stuffed with candy sticks, suckers or pixie sticks... Someone really really creative (not me) could probably design a neato rack to put three or more of them in for their mad scientist decorated bedroom.

Materials:

G hook

worsted weight acrylic in white and whatever color your "experiment" will be. 

(the pattern would work with any gauge or yarn and probably just give you diff. sized tubes.)

Stitches:

sc - Single Crochet

ss - slip stitch

rsc - reverse single crochet or "crab stitch"

Pattern:

With experiment color,

make 6sc in the magic ring (check youtube for tutorials. Best way to start ever!)

sc 2times in each sc for a total of 12 sc. 

sc in each sc around 

and around 

and around...

when you color change depends on how full your test tube wants to be. Keep in mind your total size and do a color change to white when you feel it's enough. I do the change at the beginning of a round. 

with white:

continue sc in each sc around until the tube is approx. five and a half inches long. 

Rsc around the rim for a rolled edge. 

ss together.

cut finish off and weave in ends. 

Variations:

So even a full test tube has that little clear reflection at the bottom, and if you're as ocd as I am, you might want to try a variation like the one in the center of pic. I just did the 6sc in the magic ring in white and then immediately switched to my green potion and then back to white for the top. I'm not sure which way I like them better. 

Also a long chain would make a nice hanger. I'd just finish my rsc row and then chain a long enough strap for the purpose and then attache it to the opposite side of the tube just below the rsc row. 

Enjoy! 

House Pride

Flower Scrubbie Pattern

Apparently there's nothing new under the sun. I made this pattern up after my mum brought home a net scrubbie washcloth combo from a friend's house. Man, I thought, that's clever. You could make a really awesome flower out of one of those net scrubbies. :) So, I worked out the design below and then I went onto Ravelry to see if anyone else had done something similar....which of course they had.

But they're all a bit different, so here's my version. Reinventing the wheel so to speak. Most of the ones I've seen have solid petals. Mine is made of chain loops. I have no idea if that's good or bad. :)

Flower Scrubbie

materials:

plastic net scrubber

cotton

size G crochet hook

Stitches:

ss= slip stitch

ch= chain

sc= single crochet

hdc= half double crochet

round one:

poking the crochet hook through the scrubbie at the circumference and making sure to catch enough of the net to have a secure attachment, sc around the outside edge, evenly spacing your stitches and joining with a ss when you finish the circuit.

round two:

ch 2

*hdc in the next 4sc. hdc twice in the next sc* repeat *to * all the way around. ss together

(note: depending on how many sc you ended up with you may end in the middle of a repeat, so long as the round will lay somewhat flat and it joins up, you'll be fine) 

round three: 

the "petals" are made of chains and you'll have to turn the scrubbie this way and that to form them, but so long as they loop and attach at the right points the flower will look right. 

Chain 10 skip one hdc and ss into the next hdc

chain 10 and ss into the skipped hdc (from back to front)

*chain 10 skip ahead past the last chain and one hdc and ss in the next hdc

chain 10 ss back into the skipped hdc*

repeat from * to * all the way around. 

when you get to the first chain ss to last hdc finish off and weave in ends. 

Quidditch

I have discovered a new way to distract myself (read that procrastinate) with fiber fun.

My first quidditch goal of my Hogwarts career. 

Go Ravenclaw!

Personalized Tunisian Mug Wrap

I wanted to make a Tunisian simple stitch mug wrap so that I could cross-stitch or embroider monograms or symbols onto them easily. The instructions below produce a wrap that will fit a standard, straight sided coffee mug. If you have a larger mug or want a bigger wrap, there are notes in parenthesis on how to increase the finished wrap.
Remember when adding width (beginning chain length) that you need to keep room for the edging and still not have a mouthful of fibers when you try to sip your coffee or tea! :)

Materials:
Worsted weight acrylic or similar sized yarn in two or more colors.
Tunisian/Afghan hook size I
crochet hook size H

Stitches:
TSS Tunisian Simple Stitch
sc Single Crochet
slip stitch
chain

On Tunisian hook, chain 10 (11,12)
TSS until the work measures 8 inches (or more*)
Finish off with color one.

Using crochet hook, attach edging color in corner with a slip stitch. Chain one and sc in corner.
Chain 30 and slip stitch to sc at beginning of chain
sc down short side of wrap
In corner: sc chain 30 slip stitch in original sc, chain one and sc in corner
sc across long edge
In the corner: sc, chain one, sc
sc up short side of wrap
In corner: sc, chain one, sc
sc across long side of wrap
Slip stitch to very beginning attach slip stitch, cut yarn and finish off

Finishing:
Weave in all ends.
Use coffee mug to position two big buttons and attach on short end opposite loops. Or you can use one button if the loops will reach. Then embellish your cup however you like with a tapestry needle and coordinating yarn. :)

* when figuring out how long to TSS make sure the wrap will go mostly around the cup, but remember that you will be adding edging to both ends. It is usually better to end with a little extra room. Stretch wrap around cup and make sure it doesn't reach the handle on both ends. You can always make slightly longer chains, but taking out rows of stitching is no fun. 

Charity Crochet Dragon and MORE for Crestline

The Evil League of Evil authors is holding a charity auction here for Crestline Elementary. 

First off, the cause is just and might. We're talking about kids whose school burned down here, folks, and you don't get much less evil than that. 

Secondly. The stuff really rocks. 

Critiques of your query or manuscript chapters

Mentoring by published authors

Cameo spots in the a novel

Signed book, crafts, sword fights, true love! 

May have gotten a bit carried away. But still...Please check it out. 

I have chapter crits up from yours truly, a novel cameo in one of my future books and this:

Evil Dragon. ..

opening bids are super reasonable and all you have to do is go to the LIVE AUCTIONS list and dive in.

Check out the other tabs while you're at it, and see why its such a big deal to us. 

THANKS EVERYONE!!! Happy Bidding. 

~ Frances

Tunisian Latte Cozy

Free Pattern:

TSS= Tunisian Simple Stitch.

This project is worked on a double ended tunisian hook "in the round." 

There are some fabulous tutorials on Youtube that explain the technique far better than I can. :)

(My gauge was an I hook with worsted weight acrylic. All you have to do is adjust your chain and row # to use what you have and make it fit)

Chain 28 and slip stitch together. 

TSS in the round for eight rows.

Bind off and weave in ends. 

Tricky, huh? 

 Enjoy!