Xmas Design POP is Nearly Here!

Well, we've all be very busy making lots of pretty things for the Xmas Design Pop, so if you're going to be in Melbourne on 8th, 9th, or 10th of December you really ought to come along and visit the Xmas Design Pop in the Nicholas Building on the corner of Swanston St & Flinders Lane!

I will have my laser cut brooches, earrings & necklaces, along with my crochet jewellery too!
Lots of new pieces will have their debut at the Xmas Design Pop, so you can be the first to get your hands on them.
You will also be able to find Rebecca Argent Millinery, Dawn Tan, Little Circus Design, Emily Green, Monolog, Kick & Screen, Able & Game and sweet treats like cupcakes & homemade lemon curd (my favourite)!
We're all looking forward to seeing you there!! :-)

Xmas Design POP!

Yes, we're doing it again! We're having another Pop Up Shop in the Nicholas Building in Melbourne.

It's going to be running for 3 days, Thursday 8th December, Friday 9th December & Saturday 10th December. So come along to the Nicholas Building, Level Two, cnr Swanston St & Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

Here are some of the items you'll be able to find at my stall :-)

Playing with Patterns

I've been playing around, updating my blog and now you can find my free patterns easily along the right hand side panel of my blog. Making things easier makes me happy :-)

I would love to see this succeed! :-)

Skull Crochet Pattern

Hello friends!

Yes, here it is! As promised, this is my Skull crochet pattern.

You can use any yarn you like, in any weight, just match your hook size to your yarn :-)

You can do lots of fun things with your crocheted Skull. You could make a bunch of them and join them on a long crocheted chain to make some Skull Bunting, you could attach one to a chain to make yourself a necklace, you could use it as an applique and sew it onto to something fun, you could join them together, end to end, to make a VERY clever scarf :-) (check out my pictures for some examples :-)

Skull Crochet Pattern

Materials:

Approx 5-10m of yarn (this could differ depending on your yarn choice, but it will still be a very small amount)

Appropriate size crochet hook for your yarn choice.

Tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Tension/Gauge:

Tension/gauge is not essentially important to this pattern, however I like to make mine a little tighter than the normal tension you would use for your chosen yarn. For example, when I made some skulls using 8ply/DK weight cotton, I used a 3.5mm hook instead of the recommended 4mm or 4.5mm hook for this particular yarn.

I found that the tighter your tension/gauge the more stable your skull is & it holds it's shape better :-) but it's up to you! if you're going to make a scarf by joining your skulls end to end, then you might like to have a looser tension/gauge, so that your scarf drapes nicely :-)

Abbreviations (the pattern is written using standard British/Australian crochet terms, with a conversion explanation in the abbreviations below for U.S. crochet terms):

ch: chain

dc = double crochet (U.S. sc = single crochet)

htr = half treble (U.S. hdc = half double crochet)

tr = treble (U.S. dc = double crochet)

dtr = double treble (U.S. tr = treble)

st/s = stitch/es

sk = skip

sl st = slip stitch

sp = space

Pattern:

Ch 8

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook, dc to end. Turn. (7sts)

Row 2: 2ch (to count as 1htr), 1htr into st at base of 2ch, 1 htr in each of next 5 sts, 2htr in last st. Turn. (9sts)

Row 3: 2ch, 1htr into st at base of 2 ch, 1 htr in each of next 7 sts, 2htr into last st. Turn (11sts)

Row 4: 2ch, 1htr into st at base of 2 ch, 1 htr in each of next 9 sts, 2htr into last stitch. Turn (13sts)

Row 5: 2ch, htr to end. Turn (13sts)

Row 6: As Row 5.

Row 7: 1ch (to count as first st), sl st in next st, 5ch, sk 2 sts, sl st across next 5 sts, 5 ch, sk 2 sts, sl st to end. Turn.

Row 8: (3htr, 7tr) into 5 ch sp, sk next st, 1dc in next st, (7tr, 3htr) into next 5ch sp, sl st into last st. Turn.

Row 9: sl st across first 4 sts, 1dc in each of next 4sts, 1ch, 1dtr in dc of previous row (in-between "eyes"), 1ch, sk 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 4 sts. Turn. (This row may appear uneven, but it will even out in the end :-)

Row 10: 2ch (to count as 1 htr), 1htr in each of next 2 sts, 1htr in 1ch sp, 1htr in next st, 1htr into 1ch sp, sk next st, 1htr in each of next 3sts. Turn (9sts)

Row 11: 3ch (to count as 1htr, 1ch), *sk 1 st, 1htr in next st, 1 ch* repeat from *to * 3 times, 1 htr in last st. Turn. (9sts)

Row 12: As Row 11. (Do not cut yarn)

Now work 1 round of dc around the entire skull, doing 2 dc in each top corner, and 3 dc in each bottom corner. This helps the skull to lay flat :-)

Weave in ends. Finished!

To make the necklace pictured above I used a 4ply (Fingering weight) cotton and 2.5mm hook and it measures approximately 7.5cm (3") tall. So that it could be worn as a necklace, I attached it to a chain during the last round of dc, carrying the chain along with my work at the top of the skull.

To make the bunting pictured above and below, I used 8ply or DK weight cotton and a 3.5mm hook and each skull measures approximately 10cm (4") from top to bottom. I made 10 skulls, then joined them using the following method: using the same size hook & yarn, I made 90ch, then slip stitched across the top 7 stitches of the skull, then did 32 chain, I repeated this until all skulls were attached, then I finished with 90 chain :-) The bunting is approximately 2.5 metres long. I hope the bunting instructions makes sense!

© Copyright Shara Lambeth Designs 2011. These images & this pattern/tutorial are protected by copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, or distributing this pattern in any form electronically or otherwise is a direct breach of copyright. Feel free to link back to this post from your blog/site etc. And yes, you can sell the finished items made using this pattern/tutorial in your online store such as Etsy, but please do the right thing and credit the pattern to it's original source: here! :-)

Productive Weekend

Hello friends!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend :-) I did! Had a friends Birthday on Friday night, had a bit of an extra late sleep in on Saturday...then we wandered down to the Collingwood Childrens' Farm so I could give the goats a pat. Then on Sunday I took myself shopping in the city :-)

But, inbetween all that I managed to design a few more crochet patterns to share with you on my blog!

Start getting excited for a skull, a butterfly, a love heart & an apple! Woo hoo!

So watch this space for the new free patterns to arrive over the next week or so :-)

P.S. Just in case you're wondering, the goats have names :-) The 2 big guys are Kyle (on the left) and Robert (on the right) and the little guy underneath Robert is Aristotle.

Aristotle is my favourite, because he's little and has spots (but don't tell Kyle & Robert...okay? ;-)

Georgette Collar

Here is another pattern for you all to enjoy!

I really love the look a detachable "Peter Pan" style collar can add to an outfit so I decided to make one for myself :-)

The pattern is easy and quick. You could easily have one completely finished in under an hour. You can use any 8 ply or DK weight yarn you like. A nice woolly one for winter, or a cotton one for summer, perhaps :-) They're also GREAT for using up all those little bits of lovely yarn sitting at the bottom of your knitting basket. But because they use such a small amount of yarn you could always splash out and buy yourself a ball of something luxurious to make yourself a special treat :-) And of course, they make lovely gifts too!

And you can find readymade Georgette Collars in my Etsy store HERE :-)

Georgette Collar

What you need:

4mm crochet hook

Approx 35-40m ( 38-44 yds or approximately 20g) 8 ply or DK weight yarn.

Wool needle to weave in ends.

Scissors

Tension/Gauge:

15 tr (dc) x 8 rows = 10cm (4").

Tension or gauge are not essentially important to this pattern, however if you know that you normally crochet tightly, you might like you go up a hook size and if you know you normally crochet loosely, you might like to go down a hook size.

Abbreviations:

This pattern is written using Australian/British crochet terms, however if you like to use U.S. crochet terms you see them "converted" in this abbreviation explanation :-)

Ch: chain

Dc: Double crochet, or U.S. sc: single crochet.

Tr: Treble, or U.S. dc: double crochet.

Dtr: Double treble, or U.S. tr: treble.

Sl st: slip stitch

st/s: stitch or stitches

Pattern:

Ch 71

Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc to end. Turn. (70sts)

Row 2: 3ch (to count as 1 tr, here and throughout pattern), 1tr in each of next 8 sts, (2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 9sts) 6 times, 1tr in last st. Turn. (76sts)

Row 3: 3ch, 1tr in each of next 9sts, (2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 10sts) 6 times. Turn. (82sts)

Row 4: 3 ch, 1tr in each of next 9sts, (2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 11sts) 6 times. Turn. (88sts)

Row 5: Skip first 3 sts, (4tr, 1dtr) in next st, 1dtr in each of next 7sts, (2tr in next stitch, 1tr in each of next 12sts) 5 times, 2tr in next st, 1dtr in each of next 7sts, (1dtr, 4tr) in next st, sl st into last st of row.

Fasten off.

Make ties:

There are a few different tie variations to choose from.

The picture above shows where to attach the ties to your collar :-)

Disc Ties (above):

4 ch. 11tr into 4th ch from hook, join with sl st in ch #4 at the beginning of your disc. Ch 60, join with sl st to top corner of your collar. (See pic above)

Make another tie the same, joining it to the other top corner of your collar using a sl st.

Weave in ends & you're finished!

Flower Ties (above):

2 ch.

- Sl st into 2nd ch from hook, then *2ch, 2tr, 2ch, sl st* into same space, repeat from * to * 4 more times, creating 5 "petals" in total. Ch 60, join with sl st to top corner of your collar. (See pic above)

Make another tie the same, joining it to the other top corner of your collar using a sl st.

Weave in ends & you're finished!

Leaf Ties (above):

10 ch. 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 2htr, 1tr, 1dtr, 1tr, 2htr, 3dc in last ch, turn to work along the other side of your foundation ch, 2htr, 1tr, 1dtr, 1tr, 2htr, 1dc, sl st into 1st st at beginning of leaf. Ch 60, join with sl st to top corner of your collar. (See pic above)

Make another tie the same, joining it to the other top corner of your collar using a sl st.

Weave in ends & you're finished!

**For a few more exceptionally cute Tie option take a look over at the Sister Outlaws Blog for a Love Heart and a Sugar Skull!!

The collar above is made using a love Saffron coloured wool blend yarn, with flower ties.
The collar above is made using some very beautiful yarn that is a wool/silk/alpaca blend, with disc ties. To make this collar I used the dark colour to make the foundation chain & Row 1, then I changed to the lighter colour yarn for Rows 2-5, I then did a row of dc around the outer edge of the collar (adding a few extra stitches are the corners so it would sit flat & wouldn't curl up. I them made the disc ties as per the instructions above, then added a round of dc in the darker colour (with 2 dc in each tr), then continued with the dark colour to make the chain part of the tie, then attached it as usual to the collar :-)
The collar above is made using some lovely pure wool yarn, I used the same method as written above, using two shades of green. I then added a some scallops to the outer edge and attached the disc ties.
I used the same method as written above to make the two colour version of the collar pictured above, I then added Leaf Ties :-)

Have fun with this pattern. Make one for a friend to make them smile :-)

Coming soon is the Toddler/Child version of this pattern! :-)

Also, if you're not a crocheter you can find ready made version of the Georgette Collar in my Etsy store HERE & I do take custom requests if you have a yarn fibre or colours in mind :-)

© Copyright Shara Lambeth Designs 2013. These images & this pattern/tutorial are protected by copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, or distributing this pattern in any form electronically or otherwise is a direct breach of copyright. Feel free to link back to this post from your blog/site etc. And yes, you can sell the finished items made using this pattern/tutorial in your online store such as Etsy, but please be kind and credit the pattern to it's original source, here! :-)

Get ready to get excited!

Hello friends!

It's time to get excited.... because I am adding a new, free crochet pattern to my blog for you to enjoy :-)

Watch this space tomorrow (16th August, 2011) for the simple & quick pattern to make a Georgette Collar just like this one!

Great in wool or cotton (or what ever you like :-)

Super fast to make!

Uses very little yarn :-)

Great for stash busting.

Fun for you & great for gifts!

See you back here tomorrow! xox

Colour Fun!

Hello friends!

As you know I have been preparing for the POP UP STUDIO SALE next week, and I have been SO busy making :-)

I love lots of colour. I love working with lots of different colours. I love putting different colours together. I love finding new (sometimes unexpected) colour combinations.

Another thing I REALLY love is things that are handmade (& proud to be handmade!)

Something you may no know is that I can't eat apples :-( It makes me very sad that eating apples makes me very sick :-( So, I have to explore my love of apples vicariously through this brooch :-)

P.S. If you like the Rainbow Connection Necklace then you might like to check out my blog tutorial HERE

What a productive day! :-)

Hello friends!

Well, what a busy day I've had! I got lots and lots of new things made for the POP UP STUDIO SALE . I finished off some of my hand coloured, wooden laser cut brooches & earrings and I'm really happy with them (yay!).

The Bloom Brooch pictured above is one of my favourites. I love the colour combination :-)
The Dot Earrings above are laser cut from Rimu, which is a sustainably collected wood :-) I had so much fun hand colouring them today. All the pretty colours lined up in a row made me very happy :-)
The Girl With Balloon Brooch pictured above is another favourite from todays busy work session.
The Rainbow Necklace pictured above brightened up the rainy weather :-)

Don't forget, if you're in Melbourne on the 4th, 5th or 6th of August, 2011, you should definitely come along to the POP UP STUDIO SALE so you can say hello to me and the other clever ladies that will also be there! :-)

Chat soon xox

POP UP STUDIO SALE

Hello friends!

As you might have seen in yesterdays post HERE I am one of the designers/craftspeople/creators that is going to be a part of the amazing POP UP STUDIO SALE in the Nicholas Building, Level 2, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Vic (cnr Swanston St & Flinders Lane) in August. See the poster above (which was made by the amazingly talented Pilgrim of Draw! Pilgrim :-)

Or you can check out the Facebook Events page for more info HERE (this link may ask you to log into your Facebook account :-)

I've also been adding pictures of some of the items you will be able to find at my stall at the POP UP STUDIO SALE. And below are a few more :-)

Retro Square Necklace

Hello friends!

In about 2 weeks I'll be a part of an exciting event inMelbourne Town! A bunch of clever, talented ladies & myself will be having a POP-UP STUDIO SALE in the Nicholas Building in the Melbourne CBD, corner of Flinders Lane & Swanston Street.

We'll be there Thursday 4th August & Friday 5th August, 10am-6pm. Then Saturday 6th August from 10am-3pm!

I've been working away busily, making all sorts of fun new things. I've been saving them up so I can have a little "official release" at the POP-UP STUDIO SALE.

I've been making a lot of new crochet jewellery, which is always really popular (and LOTS of fun to design & make :-) I'll be adding pictures of the new pieces here on my blog so you can see what will be popping up at the POP-UP STUDIO SALE! For info on who else will be there you can click HERE to be taken to the Facebook Events Page for the POP-UP STUDIO SALE :-)

Hope you can come by and say hello!! :-)

Crochet Chain Link Necklace Tutorial

Hello friends!

I have had many, many requests for a How-To tutorial so others could make a Crochet Chain Link Necklace, so I thought I ought to do it :-) These necklaces are simple, pretty & even practical, yep, they're baby proof!

So here's what you need to know to make yourself a Crochet Chain Link Necklace:

What you need:

90m (100yds) DK weight cotton (approx)

4mm (US#6) crochet hook

Wool Needle to weave in ends

Scissors

Gauge:

Gauge (or tension) is not really important for this pattern. Although if you work in a slightly tighter gauge than normal for this project the links of your chain will hold their shape better :-)

Abbreviations:

Ch = chain

sl st = slip stitch

dc = double crochet (sc = single crochet, if using U.S. crochet terms)

yrh = yarn round hook

Pattern:

-Ch 20, join with sl st to form ring, taking care not to twist your sts.

-Ch 1, dc (sc) in each st for 4 rounds.

-Now you will be joining the working edge of your work (top) to the foundation ch (bottom). To do this insert your hook into the next st, then through the bottom loop of the foundation ch that is directly below it (see image above).

-Now yrh, pull through all sts on hook (that was a sl st), now repeat these steps to the end, joining your link together.

-Now you will need to weave in the tail that is remaining (see pics above) (You might be tempted to leave weaving in all the "tails" until you have completed all the chain links, but trust me it is MUCH easier to weave them in as you go :-)

-Now you will roll the sl st join into the centre of your link, and gently squeeze your link to get it into a nice shape. (See pic above)

- Now you will be making your 2nd link, through your first link. Ch 20, join with a sl st to form a ring around your first link (see pic above), complete this link as you did for your previous link.

- Keep adding new links in this way until your necklace is at the desired length.

- When your necklace is at the desired length, "close" your necklace by making one last link between the first link and last link, finish this link as before. Voila! you have finished making your amazing new necklace!!

Of course, you can use different weight yarn if you would like. It's easy, if you're using a heavier weight yarn you might like to start off your links with fewer chain stitches, if you're using a lighter weight yarn you might like to use more chain stitches to create your links. And you don't have to use cotton yarn, you can use anything that you have at hand, or maybe treat yourself to a specialty luxury yarn. Experiment & have fun!

Below are some pictures of other chain link necklaces I have made using various weight yarns & various fibres :-)

Cherry Cotton 4 ply

Saffron Cotton 4 ply

Midnight Wool with silver beads

Noro Sock Yarn

© Copyright Shara Lambeth Designs 2012. Copyright remains that of the author at all times. The pattern is for personal use only. Reproduction of this pattern in anyway (electronic, email, photocopying, transcribing etc) is strictly prohibited, except with the explicit permission of the author. Please do not sell the pattern or the finished product that is made using this pattern without permission of the author, as this is a direct infringement of the copyright laws protecting this pattern. Also please be aware that copyright laws vary from country to country (sometimes even from state to state), I am Australian, in Australia, therefore my patterns are protected by Australian copyright laws. This copyright protection still stands no matter what country the item is made in or who makes it. Thank you :-)