Bag from Granny Squares

Vallieskids Granny Squares Bag

I really like crochet bags ;-), therefore the tutorial on how to make bags from crochet squares came in handy.
It remembered me of Inga’s Häkelbeutel, but is still easier to make.
You can make it also with my Lacy Crochet Square Margarethe but I think that the holes will be too big if you don’t line it.

Anyhow: Have fun crocheting the next beach bag ;-)

 

Links:
Bag from Granny Squares (Get Your Granny On~ bag)

via: ravelry tutorial for it

Here at unikatissima:
Entries with the tags ‘crochet’ and ‘bag’
Inga’s Häkelbeutel – German Granny Square Bag
unikatissima’s Lacy Crochet Square Margarethe
crochet medaillon

Maze Pattern Generator


unikatissima Maze Generator

Yesterday I showed what can be done with filet crochet/cross stitch embroidery charts.
Today I want to present my maze pattern generator.

Some time ago I played a little around with mosaic (slip-stitch) knitting and found that mazes are as if made for that.
You can see this e.g. on the photo where I show a mosaic knitted wrist warmer.

Because I didn’t felt like always making the mazes myself, I looked in internet whether I can’t find anything and – ta-DAA! – I found the Maze Maker for which John Lauro kindly even published the algorithm (Thanks, John!).
There are more maze generators, but I found those of the Maze Maker most beautiful of all.

 

unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator Therefore I sat down and wrote a program that generates mazes of a given size and where I can even specify the path lengths.
I let output an overview (little picture) and the pattern (template), because I find the overviews are easier to compare.

 

unikatissima Maze Generator Of course you can (as ‘mentioned’ yesterday ;-)) work filet crochet but also mosaic knitted wrist warmers like the one on the photo on top, …

 

unikatissima Maze Generator …embroidered cards (here I always pricked a little hole in the center of the little black squares which I embroidered with running stitches worked in both directions) …

 

unikatissima Maze Generator …and bead work (here beaded square stitch).
By the way this is a good example where the result looks different from the pattern: the beads are simply not square.

 


Links:
unikatissima’s Maze Pattern Generator

Maze Maker
Labyrinth Algorithmus

Instruction for running stitch

Google search result for ‘maze generator’

Here at unikatissima:
What Can You Do With Filet Crochet/Cross Stitch Embroidery Charts?
Mosaic (Slip-stitch) Knitting
Beaded Square Stitch Heart
crochet medaillon

Maze Pattern Generator

(The Maze Pattern Generator does not work anymore because Adobe discontinued the flash player.)

 


Frequently asked questions:

  • Question: What about property rights?
    Answer:
    I thought that I make it easy ;-)
    You may

    • let generate as many mazes as you like,
    • adapt and vary the patterns and
    • create from the original or your patterns what takes your fancy;
    • sell the produced items and
    • I don’t mind if you link to this site or
    • give credit to unikatissima ;)
    • not sell mazes created with my maze pattern generator!
    • not embed my maze pattern generator into your site and
    • not claim the patterns as your own.

     
     

  • Question: Why doesn’t the maze have neither entry nor exit?
    Answer:
    I didn’t put any because everybody can make as many entries and exits as he/she wants wherever he/she wants.
    You simply must ‘erase’ (for each one) one square (beside a white square).

     
  • Question: What can I do with these patterns apart from filet crochet and cross stitch?
    Answer:
    The answer has two parts:

     

  • Question: When I enter an even number of squares the maze pattern generator generates three more squares. Why?
    Answer:
    The answer has two parts:

    • The white edge doesn’t count for the width or height, resp., these are thus two more squares.
      By the way it is the same when entering an odd number as width or height, resp.
      I discovered that this edge is handy, even if I ignore it mostly.
    • The maze pattern can only be made with an odd number of squares (otherwise there is a wall missing), therefore I added a square when an even number is entered.

     

  • Question: The saving of the overview or the patterns takes sometimes a lot of time! Why?
    Answer:
    The answer has two parts:

    • On the one hand the time that the maze pattern generator needs to save a chart depends on the size of the graphic.
    • In case that you’re still using the Flash Player 9 everything works but the saving process takes longer than with the Flash Player 10.
      If you want to update your Flash Player you can do this directly at Adobe.
      If you don’t know which version you are using you can let display the version at Adobe, too.

     

  • Question: My friend can let generate larger mazes than I can. Why?
    Answer:
    This depends on your Flash Player version, version 9 oder 10. The Flash Player 10 can generate larger mazes.
    If you want to update your Flash Player you can do this directly at Adobe.
    If you don’t know which version you are using you can let display the version at Adobe, too.
     
     
  • Question: Why are the maze overview and the maze pattern generated?
    Answer:
    unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator The overview is the small picture, the pattern the larger one that you can use to work in different techniques.
    I like to let generate different mazes and found, that I can’t see from the actual patterns whether I like them. Therefore I always compare the overviews and print then the pattern with the same name identification code, e.g. is the overview called ‘unikatissima_maze_7kD.png’ and the pattern ‘unikatissima_maze_pattern_7kD.png’.
     
     
  • Question: The pictures I’m saving have strange names. Why?
    Answer:
    unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator The overview, that’s the smaller picture, is always called ‘unikatissima_maze_***.png’, where ‘***’ stands for a random letter number combination.
    The pattern, the larger picture that you can use to work in different techniques is always called ‘unikatissima_maze_pattern_***.png’, where ‘***’ stands for the same letter number combination as for the overview. E.g. is the overview called ‘unikatissima_maze_7kD.png’ and the pattern ‘unikatissima_maze_pattern_7kD.png’.
    This way a pattern can easily be assigned to the overview after you’re chosen a beautiful maze.
     
     
 


Credits:

  • On the one hand I want to thank John Lauro for his wonderful Maze Maker but especially for kindly publishing the algorithm.
    That made it much easier for me to let generate just as beautiful mazes as his :)
  • On the other hand I want to thank RIAmore.eu.
    It would have taken me foreeever to convert my original program to Flash alone.
    You can also read more about the maze pattern generator.
 


Completed patterns:
While working on my maze generator of course I generated looots of mazes – and most of them I found beautiful enough to save.
I give here some of them for your use. Simply click them with the right mouse button and select ‘Save image as…’ (or something like that).
I suggest strongly to save the overviews as well!
Please note that you accept my copyright terms by saving/downloading the pictures.

You find here mostly square mazes, but keep in mind that your items can look quite different if the unit represented by a square isn’t square!
A unit could be a stitch, a bead or a knot and so on. See also the entry ‘What Can You Do With Filet Crochet/Cross Stitch Embroidery Charts?’.

And here they are:

9 x 9 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

17 x 17 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

19 x 15 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

From now on click to enlarge:
33 x 33 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

33 x 33 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

103 x 53 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

103 x 53 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

53 x 53 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

53 x 53 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator unikatissima Maze Generator

 

313 x 313 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator

 

Click here to see the pattern, the chart is simply too large.

 

313 x 313 squares
unikatissima Maze Generator

 

Click here to see the pattern, the chart is simply too large.

 

crochet medaillon

Beverage Carton Crochet

(Click photo to enlarge)
Once I’ve seen a fashion photo where I’ve been really impressed by the garment.
Recently, when I drank my apple juice, I thought: ‘Yes, that’s the right material in the right colour for this!’

 

Therefore I figured out how to make it.

And that’s what you do:

First cut the (washed! ;-)) beverage carton in pieces and, if you like, you can arrange the pieces in a pattern that suits you best (best done on a stiff pad, then you can carry it away carefully, if necessary).

I cut my pieces just as I liked to (there is another garment), but regular shapes, square e.g. are not bad either. They were used in yet another garment (here a detail photo).

 

I didn’t arrange anything and on this photo I’m checking whether the piece fits at this place.

 

Subsequently prick holes into the cardboard. Try to get a regular spacing between the holes.

Please note that the holes may not be placed too closely to the edge!
I had to throw away some of my snippets because the thread ripped the hole.

 

That’s how my snippet looked like after the piercing from both sides.
The cardboard has a nice silver coloured internal coating which makes also the backside look good.

 

Afterwards I took my pierced snippet and surrounded it using a tapestry needle with button hole stitches with cotton thread.

 

The surrounding is finished.

I worked quite loosely to 1. get on easier with the crochet (see next step) and 2. keep my snippet in shape.

 

Afterwards I crocheted single crochet stitches single crochet stitches around the surrounding thread with the same thread.
Mostly I crocheted 2 single crochet stitches, sometimes even 3.
At the corners I crocheted 1 to 2 chain stitches chain stitches between the single crochets.

 

I then worked chains chains of about 5 stitches into the single crochets.

 

I joined the chains chains with the chains of the already finished item immediately when crocheting.

 

That’s what I’ve done until now.
I can imagine making a sommer vest from it, a belt or the top flap of a cute purse.
But I haven’t decided yet ;-))

 


Links:
My inspiration at Marella Ferrera Alta Moda:
Fall/Winter 98/99 – L’Isola dei Ciclopi
Fall/Winter 03/04 – Isola di Terracotta
Fall/Winter 03/04 – Isola di Ceramica
Fall/Winter 03/04 – Isola di Ceramica – Detail

Embroidery stitches:
Button hole stitch instruction (English)
Button hole stitch instruction (German)

Crochet stitches:
Chain (English)
The original site doesn’t exist any more and is now available through webarchive:
Chain (English)
Chain (German)

Single crochet (English)
The original site doesn’t exist any more and is now available through webarchive:
Single crochet (English)
Single crochet (German)

Here at unikatissima:
Crochet Joining
Clothes From Crocheted Medaillons

Patchwork Knitting

unikatissima Patchwork Knitting

I find it hard to crochet or knit large items. It’s easier for me if I can assemble them from separate items.
Therefore I really like Patchwork knitting: You knit one piece at a time.
You can see easily how much you knitted already, easier than when knitting in endless rows.

On the photo you see a scarf I begun. In my case I work ‘fast’ squares from three colours that I rearrange at every square.

Simply try it, it’s fun!


Links:
Basic Garter Welt Module Pillow (English)
(via Das Web als Online Handarbeitsbuch)
Different Patches (Mitres – aka Dominoes or Patchwork Knitting)
Patchworkstricken (German)

Here at unikatissima: Clothes From Crocheted Medaillons

Crochet Joining

unikatissima Crochet Joining

At the moment I’m crocheting a lot and when crocheting, I prefer to make those previously mentioned medaillons that I must join.
Because I don’t like to sew them together afterwards I’m joining them while crocheting (see links below).
First thing I like about is that I don’t have to sew ;-)) and second that I can watch the item grow.


Links:
Flat Braid Square Joining Method
Addendum of February 2009: The link above doesn’t work anymore, you can find the instruction for the ‘Flat Braid Square Joining Method’ now as PDF (about 1 MB) at Priscilla’s Crochet – Free Pattern Index, check there for ‘Afghan Edgings & Joinings’.

Here at unikatissima: Clothes From Crocheted Medaillons

Square ‘n’ Fair – Lacy Crochet Square Margarethe

Square 'n' Fair - Lacy Crochet Square Margarethe

I proudly present my first self designed
Square ‘n’ Fair – Lacy Crochet Square Margarethe (PDF ~705 KB)!

It is a PDF-File that contains the diagram for the crochet square Margarethe that I designed (it is my first! ;-)).
On the photo you see a big scarf I made with this pattern (but I haven’t blocked it yet – it will look much more beautiful then ;-))

I also included several matching diagrams in the PDF-file to this square (‘elements’): a rectangular half square, a triangular half square, a ‘squeezed square’ and two patterns for matching ‘ribbons’.
Additionally I have inserted several ideas on how to combine the different elements and project ideas about what to do with the elements.

Because different terms are used for the same stitches in British and American English, you can find photo and text descriptions of the used stitches in order to easily identify them (not meant as a tutorial).

Best try it yourself:
Use different materials, as e.g. thick wool yarns, middle acryl yarns ;-), fine cotton yarns, embroidery floss, raffia, package string, gift ribbon/gift curling ribbon, yarn made from plastic bags
Make different items, as e.g. sweaters, vests, tops, cardigans, scarves, shawls, headbands, hats, mittens, wristwarmers, skirts, purses, wallets, totes, scrunchies, collars, appliqués, insertions, book or journal covers, tablecloths, place mats, glass coasters, pillows, window or door decorations, bedthrows, ornaments for greeting cards …

If you want to make clothing, check again crochet patterns for/from square medaillons (you won’t need the medaillon patterns this time, but only the women clothing models ;-)) and the basic woman measurement charts for clothing patterns at the website of Jessica Tromp.


Links:
Square ‘n’ Fair – Lacy Crochet Square Margarethe (PDF ~705 KB)

Jessica Tromp:
Crochet patterns for/from square medaillons
Basic woman measurement charts for clothing patterns

At craftster: Curling Ribbon+Crochet Hook=Many Purses

At Marlo’s Crochet Corner: Cutting the plastic bag ‘yarn’

At Craft Chi: Doily Racerback

Here at unikatissima:
Plastic Bag Tote
Clothes From Crocheted Medaillons

Cardboard Weave II

Cardboard Weave II

While surfing I found mini or hand-held looms (see links below), which I find very interesting, because 1st I don’t have much place at home and 2nd I know that I don’t weave, I just try it once in a while ;-))
On the photo you see the front and back side of my little woven patch.

 

Cardboard Weave II I would never actually buy a loom, therefore I made me one from – guess… – yes: cardboard! ;-)
On the photo you see me threading the loom in one direction.

 

Cardboard Weave II
Then I thread my cardboard loom in the other direction.

 

Cardboard Weave II That’s the way my cardboard loom looks at the back side.

 

Cardboard Weave II Now I’m weaving in one direction.

 

Cardboard Weave II And here I’m weaving in the other direction.

 

Cardboard Weave II After having finished with weaving I crochet an edging to neaten the edge.

The first photo shows back and front side of the finished little piece.

 


Links:
At Weavettes:
How to weave on a mini loom (English) (via knitting-and.com)

The original site doesn’t exist any more and is now available through webarchive:
At Weavettes:
How to weave on a mini loom (English) (via knitting-and.com)

At eLoomaNation: Big Ideas from Little Looms:
Get ideas what to do with your patches

Get basic woman measurement charts for clothing patterns at the website of Jessica Tromp just as for the Clothes From Crocheted Medaillons

Artist Book

Artist-Book

As mentioned before in the entry about paper beads, I once created an artist book.

Step Outside Your Box Saturdays posted this week a challenge about books and I thought it an opportunity to show my artist book ‘blickkontakt’ (which means ‘eye contact’).

I wanted ‘blickkontakt’ to give the viewer many surprises to discover and created therefore several windows and fold-outs.
The pages were created from cardboard and covered in hand-stained papers. Then I stamped, embroidered, tape transfered, sketched, scribbled and glued.


Enjoy the pictures
(Click thumbnails to see photos)

Artist-Book The cover with the round medaillon in its ‘pocket’. Along the spine I let hang the threads with the paper beads.

 

Artist-Book Still the cover, but this time showing the backside of the round medaillon.

 

Artist-Book Pages 1 & 2: You see the eye through a round window, the spirals are hand-embroidered, the little altered slide can be put into the lace pocket.

 

Artist-Book Pages 3 & 4: The images are tape transfered, the flourishes are hand-embroidered.

 

Artist-Book Pages 5 & 6: I stamped, wove paper, embroidered, crocheted. The dark circle is a free swinging altered bottle cap, the semicircle on the left upper side is a fold-out, where I glued a hand-beaded star.
(Unfortunately the tape transfers gleam so, that you can’t see their motif.)

 

Artist-Book Pages 7 & 8: I cut two little round windows into the right page.
The raffia forms a little pocket, where I put a transparent tape transfer tag.

 

Artist-Book Pages 9 & 10: Stamping, tape transfers, embroidered spirals, fold-outs, hand-stained crochet flower and hand-made bead fringe.

 

Artist-Book The verso with tape transfers, stamps and a ringlet from a fake hairpiece.

 

I created more artist books, if you like to see them, take a look at Art.


Links:
If you want to create your own (Altered or Artist) Book, you may want to take a look at the following links (the list is far from complete!):

About Altered Books:
What is an altered book?
Definitions

At art-e-zine: Altered Book Workshop

Get Inspirations:
Gallery of Altered Book Artists
Google results of search for ‘Altered Book’
Google image results of search for ‘Altered Book’

Some of the used techniques:
Paper staining
Tea Staining Your Art Journal Pages
Tea Stain Paper

Image Transfer Techniques:
Easy Photo Transfers (different techniques)
Image Transfer
Packing Tape Image Transfers

Here at unikatissima:
Paper Beads