University of the Universe

Abbreviations For Pineapple Crochet Dress

2011-09-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Pattern can be found under the 2010 posts :)
NOTE: All abbreviations are in American crochet terms:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
trc = treble crochet
beg. = beginning
sl st = slip stitch
sps = spaces
rep = repeat
ea = each

Blue Kachina, Red Kachina

2011-09-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Watch

2011-08-25T08:34:00.001-07:00

Interesting

2011-08-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

New Sculpture

2010-11-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

The latest project in soft sculpture that I'm working on is a Native American boy baby. I hope to have him done by the end of January or February- no kidding- it takes a long time to complete one of these pieces.

His hair is made of black maribou feathers, his eyes from painted marbles. He will be about 14" to 15" long, completed. Much of the sculpture is created utilizing techniques similar to the great Lisa L. Lichtenfels' work. I have also created many of my own unique methods, using Lisa's methods as a springboard for some of my own innovations. I would definitely like to see more people get involved in creating this kind of art- it is amazing!

It is tedious however, so anyone who wants to go forward with this phenomenal type of art should brace themselves for a lot of dedicated study and execution of the form, if they want to excel in it.

Pineapple Gown

2010-10-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

Pineapple Rows

Suggested Yarn: Coats & Clark's Luster~Sheen -- 100% acrylic, it's soft, has a lovely sheen when
photographed with a flash, & is machine washable & dryable, & it drapes beautifully!
Hook Size: Aluminum hook F.
Gauge: 1 pineapple & 1 shell = 3” wide; 1 pineapple from bottom of center trc to top
of pineapple = 3 1/2” long. Shell stitch: 4 rows & 2 shells w/ 2 chs = 2”.
(The straight dress featured on the cover was worked with an aluminum hook size F.)
Note: Gown is worked in two separate panels & crocheted together on the sides,
leaving 7” for arm holes & side slits @ hem.

Sizes: Misses 8-10 (S); 12-14 (M); 16-18 (L).

Multiple of 16 + 1.

Lace Panel: (Make 2)

Beginning: Ch 97 (113) (129).

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in 2nd ch from hook & in each ch across; ch 3, turn.
Row 2: 1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same sc as turning ch (beg. shell made), in 1st sc; *skip next 3 sc,
sc in next sc, skip next 3 sc, 7 dc in next sc, skip next 3 sc,
sc in next sc, skip next 3 sc, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next sc (shell made)*;
rep from * to * across, end with shell in last sc, turn.
Row 3: Sl st to ch 1 in center of shell, ch 3, work beg. shell, *[ch 1, 1 dc] in ea dc, (7 dc); ch 1,
shell in next shell; rep from * to * across, end with shell in shell: turn.
Row 4: Work beg. of row as before (shell in shell), *ch 2, [sc, ch 3] in next 5 ch-1 sps, (5 ch-3 sps)
sc in last ch-1 sp, ch 2, shell in shell*; rep from * to * across; turn.
Row 5: Shell in shell, *ch 3, [sc, ch 3] in next 4 ch-3 sps, (4 ch-3 sps), sc in next ch-3 sp,
ch 3, shell in shell*; rep from * to * across; turn.
Row 6: Shell in shell, *ch 4, [sc, ch 3] in next 3 ch-3 sps, (3 ch-3 sps), sc in next ch-3 sp,
ch 4, shell in shell*; rep from * to * across; turn.
Row 7: Shell in shell, *ch 5, [sc, ch 3] in next 2 ch-3 sps, (2 ch-3 sps), sc in next ch-3 sp,
ch 5, shell in shell*; rep from * to * across; turn.
Row 8: Shell in shell, *ch 6, [sc, ch 3] in 1st ch-3 sp, (1 ch-3 sp), sc in last ch-3 sp,
ch 6, shell in shell*; rep from * to * across; turn.
Row 9: Shell in shell, *ch 3, [trc, ch 3, trc] in ch-3 sp, ch 3, shell in shell*; rep from * to * across; turn.
Row 10: Shell in shell, *ch 1, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-3 sp,
ch 1, shell in shell*; rep from * to * across; turn.

Repeat rows 3-10 for pattern, ending with row 8 for scalloped hem.

To Increase: On row 9 where an increase is desired, work shell in shell, ch 3, shell in same shell;
then work row 10 the same as row 2, working an extra pineapple base [7 dc] in each
ch-3 sp between shells that are together in the same place.
To Add A Ruffle: Double or triple the amount of increases across the row; this is an especially
beautiful effect with this pineapple stitch for trains & ruffles on wedding dresses
using this pattern and the scalloped edging is so pretty!
Sleeves: Attach yarn in sp under arm, work beg. shell, ch 1, shell in same sp, ch 1,
[1 shell, ch 1, 1 shell, ch 1,] in each sp around arm, join in top of ch-3 of beg. shell;
sl st to center of shell, work shell, ch 1, in ea shell around; join as before.
Work sleeve to desired length. End off; repeat for other sleeve.

Blocking, Blocking, Blocking

2010-08-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

The photo of this WIP has nothing to do really with the subject of this post- at least not yet! But when I got on Ravelry, I noticed that the difference between a nice looking crocheted project and a spectacular one, was contingent upon whether or not the project had been properly blocked.

As a teacher of advanced crochet techniques and the basics of knitting, I have to say that the three most important things that I teach students are:

* Wash Your Hands Before You Touch The Yarn/Thread.

* Weave In Your Ends And Sew Your Seams Neatly And Invisibly

* Block Your Pieces To Showcase Fabulous Detail In Your Project

I have noticed that many people do not pay strict attention to the second two details, and sadly the photos of their projects lack luster and impressiveness because of it. This is especially true in the case of blocking.

Ladies and Gentlemen: BLOCK YOUR WORK. After all, don't you knit and crochet in the first place to create a stunning and spectacular work of art ? ?

2009-12-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

OK guys, how can I not be thrilled with the fact that over the Thanksgiving holiday, my grandchildren asked me to teach them how to crochet? My grandson Spencer, who will be 3 in January, just sort of played with the yarn and the hook; Mackenna, who is 5, is good at holding her yarn tension just right and is still working on getting the chain stitch down, and Emma, who just turned 8 in October, has already mastered the chain stitch! I will have to show her the slip stitch, the single crochet and possibly even the half double crochet, the next time I go to visit- she picks it up so fast!

It has struck me as profound, that my mother lives on in these little kids- she taught me how to crochet, and now the skill has been passed on to another generation! I love that, and am so grateful that my mother taught me some wonderful needlework skills, and inspired in me art creation. I hope I can pass that on to my posterity, as well. Teach as many people as you can to knit and crochet, and to do other needlework skills- it is an amazing legacy to leave behind.

Koni-Style Lace Yoke

2009-11-30T18:27:00.000-08:00

Koniakow Lace–Inspired Gown

I am hoping to once again commence work on this amazing project and hope to have it complete and the pattern/instructions written by the Spring of 2011- wish me luck!

2009-10-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's just me? But it drives me wild to see ugly needlework, particularly when knitting and crochet can render such awesome pieces. There are so many people who knit or crochet and create wondrous masterpieces, such as those found here and here. Then there are those that produce, well, I don't know what you would call them, here. I am grateful that I was raised in an era of time when such things as good taste were the norm! I like to think of needlework as an ennobling and uplifting activity. Some people see it otherwise, I guess.

2009-09-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

My visit with the kids the other day on Skype was really fun. I am so glad that I can keep in touch with them this way- and those little grand kids are always so excited to talk to their grandma and see her at the same time- they are always all smiles- which of course, makes my day! When I was a kid, I used to say, "Never trust technology." HAHAHA. Now I work online, am a seriously dedicated Internet junkie, and love all the eye candy that is on the web. But I still don't trust technology (lol)- hence I love Morse code, magnetic compasses, navigating by the stars, slide rules, paper, pencils with erasers and keeping busy with my good, old fashioned hand work- but I love talking to my grand babies through the 'net!

Bounties Of Life

2009-07-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

I was thinking how much of the bounties of life that we Americans usually get to enjoy. I know that there are people in our country, as well as in many places on the Earth, that do not have everything that I do. Therefore I am grateful for the things that I do have! I wanted to share the photo of my lunch today, and wish that everyone could have a lovely meal like it!

Disturbing Hypothesis

2008-10-13T00:12:00.000-07:00

Since one picture is worth a thousand words, these two photos should say it all...