Ladder Ribbon Necklaces

Crocheted jewellery has been around for many years. The latest 'twist' has been the necklaces and bracelets crocheted from the ever popular ladder ribbon yarns and flag type yarns.

Very simple to make yet so elegant when finished!

From a distance the necklaces look extremely intricate as they glisten and sparkle but upon closer inspection you will notice that its the yarns that are doing all the work.

Ladder ribbon yarns are simply composed of small panels of fabric suspended between two rows of thin fibers hence the name ‘ladder ribbon’ yarns. They come in various widths and compositions, some as wide as 3/4” and some as narrow as 1/8”. Some of the yarns have a little splash of metallic in them to give that little extra bit of shimmer.

Flag yarns are composed of small panels or ‘flags’ of fabric attached to a single strand.

Making a simple necklace

Materials

One ball of ribbon yarn or flag yarn.  A single ball generally will have enough to make a few necklaces.

I like to use a large crochet hook, preferably a J (10.5mm). 

Ruler and scissors.

A nice selection of yarns is available on Etsy.com 

To begin:

1) Cut 5 strands of yarn each about 10’ long

2) leaving a 12” tail, make a chain about 24” long, finishing off by
pulling the tail through the last chain. Be sure to leave about 12” at
the end as well.

3) With the 5 strands completed, lay them together matching up where the chains started. Knot the strands together a few inches up from the chains on either side.

4)  To close the necklace, holding both sets of ends together, tie all 10 strands in a single knot about 2 “ up from the orginal knots. The knot that I tie at the back of the neck is done so that there is some of the yarn 'dangling' after the knot is tied and the yarn trimmed

 Its NOT a scientific method at all.

And there you have it! A very simple yet elegant necklace that takes about 1/2 hour to make.

Some of my favourite yarns to use are the Diamond Lase from Ice yarns with its  amazing diamond like embellishments right in the yarn

Or the South West Trading Company's Calypso ribbon yarn with its fun texture and softness.

Whatever yarns you finally select, just have fun with them and let your imagination guide you!

Red Heart Boutique Chic Yarn - something completely different!

The New Boutique Chic yarn is really something to get excited about. Not only is it a fun chenille type yarn in the super bulky weight category but its also a faux fur! Yes, the Boutique Chic yarn is a chenille yarn with fun accents of faux fur that pops as you knit or crochet with it. On ball is enough to make a wonderfully Chic scarf!

Boutique Chic is for sale on Etsy at Crochetgal's shop

So what really is relevancy?

What is relevancy?

Relevancy is a 'best match' search.

Think of it as wanting to go out for dinner. You know you want a hamburger but really aren't sure what you want on it.

So you start to look at the hamburger menu. Slowly you narrow down your desire to a burger with cheese. At this point all burgers without cheese are NOT a match (or not relevant) so you stop looking at them.

Finally you decide on a burger with cheese, bacon and pickles. So you look to see if the restaurant has a burger that meets those specifications. Those that do are relevant, i.e. a match to what you are looking for.

That's what relevancy is all about.

(Sorry in advance if I've made you run for a snack).

Craft Show Success Tips - Part 1 - Is this show for you?

The toughest part about doing shows is finding the 'right' shows to do... ie the ones that YOU will be successful at. Yes, there are successful people at every show but you want to be successful as well.

I spent the first year before I ever did a show going to the various shows that I was interested in as a buyer. I watched the crowds and what was selling. Who was doing the buying? Was it geared primarily to kids or adults? What was the average amount spent?

There isn't any point in doing a show if its not a 'good fit' for your products.

While you are looking around, take a good look at the displays. Which ones catch your eye? Which ones have the most people around them? Why?

What's the mix of vendors at the show? Is it completely handmade or are there resellers (Mary Kay, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, etc) there as well?

Once you've done your homework THEN its time to consider whether or not its a show that you want to take part in.

Moose Breath Chicken

I'm always looking for interesting recipes and reinventing old favourites. This is one that I've had for years but have brought back to life.


1 chicken, cut in pieces (I used 8 thighs)
canola oil (or your favourite cooling oil)
40 cloves garlic, peeled (about 3 heads)
1/4 cup Brandy
3/4 cup white wine
thyme
rosemary
parsley
salt

Don’t be afraid of the garlic! It doesn’t bite.

In a heavy skillet on medium, heat the oil and add the chicken pieces. Brown well but
don't worry if they are completely cooked. Once the chicken is browned, remove it to a plate. Saute the garlic in the drippings, being careful not to burn it. Deglaze the pan with the brandy.

Put the chicken, garlic and the brandy remains in a deep cassarole. Add white wine and seasonings. Cover tightly. If you don't have a really tight cover, use aluminium foil. Cook in 375F oven for about 1-1/2 hrs. Do not remove the lid while cooking.
Once cooked, remove chicken from pan and thicken gravy with flour.

Serve over rice.
Makes 4 servings.


You can also use a dutch oven and do the entire thing on the top of the stove on simmer for about 1 hour. I used a regular frying pan and my corning ware casserole dish with aluminium foil cover, and served it over rice with sauteed mushrooms and onions, and its delicious!!!!!!

With the leftover pan drippings (if there are any) I like to puree them, pop it in the fridge and use it as a garlic spread.

Crafting For a Cause - Project Linus

Project Linus was one of the top three charities to enter the JoAnn's Craft for a Cause contest and because of that we have now been entered the next phase of the competition, which if we win, could receive $50,000 for Linus. We have to vote on line (only once a day) until December 4th. You have to enter your email address so that they can stop you trying to vote more than once a day. Therefore everyone gets a fair chance at winning. There are three prizes as well as the $50,000, second place gets $25,000 and third gets $15,000 so even if we don't win the top prize we would still get something out of the contest.

I hope you will all take a moment out of your very busy lives to vote for us. The link address is www.Joann.com/craftforacause .


Thank you in advance for your support.

Crochetgal

Halloween and Things that go Bump in the Night

Dressing up for Halloween is so much fun! Enjoy it even more knowing that you and your little goblins prepared their faces for the frightful night. Face paint is inexpensive when you make it yourself, and it's safer than a mask that can obscure vision. Try these ghoulish recipes yourself!

Homemade Face Make Up

1 tsp corn starch
1/2 tsp water
1/2 tsp cold cream
food coloring
Stir together starch and cold cream until well blended. Add water and stir, then add food coloring.

Wash your face and any area that you will be applying the makeup to. Dry thoroughly. Use fingertips to spread onto large areas. Use a small paint brush to paint designs on face. Removes with soap and water. Store in airtight container.

Homemade Bruises

deep blue powder eyeshadow
charcoal or smoke gray powder eyeshadow
shimmery green powder eyeshadow
make up brush

Using a blot of deep blue powder eye shadow, apply with a wet make up brush. Use your fingertips to add blots of charcoal gray and blue shadows. Touch up the edges with a shimmery olive green. Smudge the bruise to complete.

Homemade Blood

1/2 bottle of light corn syrup
very hot water
squirt of liquid soap
red food coloring
blue or green food coloring (optional)

Pour light corn syrup into a bowl and add hot water sparingly, adding and stirring until you have the right consistency. Add a squirt of liquid soap to make it the blood easy to clean off later. Tint with red food coloring. You may add a drop of blue or green if you like to make the blood a darker color. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Smear on as needed!

Customer Appreciation Sale!

Customer Appreciation Sale!

Thanks to all who took part!

SWTC Vegas




To see the entire range click here


SWTC Rock

To see the entire range click here


SWTC Inspiration

To see the full colour range click here


SWTC Fur Real

Colours are here


To see the entire selection of beautiful yarns available, please take a look at
Crochetgal.etsy.com

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The Continuing Adventures of Tzipi

Tzipi arrived in the desert southwest just as the spring temperatures were fading and the summer heat was starting.

After a few days to aclimatize, (she really wasn't feeling well when she arrived) we started touring.

Tzipi spent time volunteering with the local Project Linus group and helped out with making blankets for some of the children. Yes, she's there, hiding amongst all the blankets!

I learned that Tzipi has a real knack for the artistic just like her mother, Raisinlike.

Tzipi also found solace in the desert gardens. She especially liked the orchids!

Tzipi enjoyed the beautiful desert sunsets.

and made quite a few new friends. Although I realize that she must continue on her journey her smile will be missed.

Hopefully Tzipi will have a chance to visit again during the winter months.