Sunday, November 4, 2012

Crocodile Clutch Pattern

Hi all! I am so excited to share with you the pattern / project that I was working on yesterday! I have gone through it a million times to make sure I wrote it correctly, but you know how it goes sometimes proof reading- you miss a bunch of stuff. So please tell me if there is anything that you need clarification on or is wrong :) Thanks and enjoy!

So my inspiration was this cute clutch on a blog that I follow. I love the colors she used and the stitch I learned a while ago but really haven't done much with it. It looked like an easy enough purse to make, so I went ahead and started it. But what I found was I really wanted the crocodile scales to go all the way around, so there was more of a finished look to me.. yes I'm nuts.  Soooo I had to adapt her pattern into my own and I just LOVE IT!


Notes:

-This pattern is worked using American crochet.
-The terms "crocodile stitch" and "scale(s)" are used interchangeably.
-With the crocodile stitch, it is worked from the front only, no "real" turning is involved. And you will always end on a "crocodile stitch" row and not a foundation row.
-Gauge is not important so to get a larger bag without altering the pattern, use a larger hook and bulkier yarn. And to get a smaller bag, use a smaller hook and thinner yarn.
-A great video tutorial for the Crocodile Stitch

Abreviations:
ch-chain
sc-single crochet
dc-double crochet
V stitch- 2 dc in same st
Crocodile stitch- using a front post technique, work 5 dc on the first post from top to bottom, ch 1, 5 dc on the second post from bottom to top

 I used worsted weight yarn (Caron Simply soft in Grey Heather and Soft Pink) and an H hook.
 

Color A
ch 76

ROW 1 foundation line: dc in 4th ch from hook. [v stitch ]*ch 2, skip 2 ch and 2dc in next ch* repeat * to end  {25 v stitches}

ROW 2 crocodile stitch row: ch3

turn and work a crocodile stitch on the first set of dc (using a front post technique, work 4 dc on the first post from top to bottom, ch 1, 5 dc on the second post from bottom to top)
*
ch 1, skip next V stitch and work croc stitch in next V stitch *
Repeat from *  * the length of your work, working 13 crocodile stitches total and ending with a crocodile stitch.

sl st in center of last croc stitch. ( croc stitches will be "loose", not attached to the foundation row, you will attach them in the next foundation row)  {13 scales and 12 V stitches not worked}

ROW 3 foundation line: ch 1, sl st in center of scale, ch 3, dc in center of last croc stitch [ the same one you sl st in], * ch 2, v stitch in next v stitch (one that is in between the scales) --- making sure to include the ch1 from croc stitch from last row. this will attach the scale to your work.--- work the rest of the row from * to end of the row (making sure you end with v stitch in the center of the last scale)   { 25 v stitches}

ROW 4 crocodile stitch row: ch 1, sl st in first v stitch, ch 2, croc stitch in next v stitch, ch 1. *skip next v stitch, croc stitch in next v stitch, ch 1* repeat * to the end. At the end, you will have one v stitch left over, sl st in v stitch.  {12 scales and 13 v stitches not worked}

ROW 5 foundation line: ch 3, dc in center of first v stitch (same st as ch3). ch 2, v stitch in center of scale. *ch 2, v stitch in next v stitch (one that is in between the scales) --- making sure to include the ch1 from croc stitch from last row. this will attach the scale to your work.--- ch 2, v stitch in center of scale.* work the rest of the row from * to end of row (making sure you end with v stitch in the end of the last scale)   { 25 v stitches}

ROW 6 crocodile stitch row: Work the same as ROW 2 {13 scales, 12 v stitches not worked}

ROW 7 foundation row: Work the same as ROW 3 { 25 v stitches}

ROW 8 crocodile stitch row: Work the same as ROW 4 {12 scales and 13 v stitches not worked}

ROW 9 foundation row: Work the same as ROW 5  { 25 v stitches}

ROW 10 crocodile stitch row: Work the same as ROW 2 {13 scales, 12 v stitches not worked}

ROW 11 foundation row: Work the same as ROW 3 { 25 v stitches}

ROW 12 crocodile stitch row: Work the same as ROW 4 {12 scales and 13 v stitches not worked}

ROW 13 foundation row: Work the same as ROW 5  { 25 v stitches}

ROW 14 crocodile stitch row: Work the same as ROW 2 {13 scales, 12 v stitches not worked}

ROW 15 foundation row: Work the same as ROW 3 { 25 v stitches}

ROW 16 crocodile stitch row: Work the same as ROW 4 {12 scales and 13 v stitches not worked}

ROW 17 foundation row: Work the same as ROW 5  { 25 v stitches}

ROW 18 crocodile stitch row: Work the same as ROW 2 {13 scales, 12 v stitches not worked}

At this point, you will have 9 rows of scales, measuring aprox 5 1/4" high and 18" long.  You may continue to add rows (starting with row 3 again and working to row 5) until the bag is as high as you would like it. I have decided to keep it smaller and am ending the scales with ROW 18.
 
FINISHING: fold in half and Sl stitch down the side, joining the rows evenly as you go. sc in each st across the bottom to join. Fasten off, weave ends in.

 
HANDLES:

Change to color B (if desired)

starting at the top of the bag opening:

sl st in the side that you stitched together.

ROW 1: sc in each stitch around, I sc in the center of each scale and 2 sc in each side of the scales and one in between. { I ended up with 70 sc } Join with sl st

ROW 2: ch1, hdc in each sc , join with sl st. { 70 hdc}

ROW 3: ch1, hdc in each hdc , join with sl st. { 70 hdc}

ROW 4: ch2, dc in each dc , join with sl st. { 70 dc}

ROW 5: ch1, sc in next 12 dc, ch 12, skip next 12 dc, sc in next 24 dc, chain 12, skip next 12 dc, sc in next 12 dc. Join with sl st.  (If you would like to increase the size of the handle, increase the ch stitches. ie: from 12 to 14 or 16 will make a larger handle )

ROW 6: ch1, sc in first 12 sc, 12 sc in the ch for the handle, sc in next 24 sc, 12 sc in the ch for the handle, sc in last 12 sc. join with sl at and fasten off. weave in ends.

(if you'd like to make your handle thicker, make another row or two. I decided I liked it thinner this time)

Cut coordinating fabric to measure 19" X 6 1/4".
Fold in half and, with a 1/2" seam, sew up one side and the bottom.
Press the seams flat and fold over the top (raw edge) a 1/2" and press.
Pin in place and stitch into place.



You can also add a closer to the bag, where the fabric is attatched so It'll stay shut, or a zipper. The options are unlimited! Have fun!










[Pattern inspired by Sara McFall of My Merry Messy Life ]




 



Saturday, November 3, 2012

Back in the saddle again

My computer issues are FINALLY fixed! I am so excited to be blogging more each week. I'm not sure how my week will be structured and I still have a lot to learn on how to insert links and such. But I am grateful that the computer is now cooperating with the Internet and we are all very happy about it!  Since it has been a while since I've been on my blog, posts and such have changed and so I'll be learning how to blog all over again. LOL!!  (I have decided already that I like the new version of blogger! I just hope I can continue to love it more each time! )

I am currently working on a new project. I was inspired by a link I found on Pinterest [who ISN'T inspired, overwhelmed and overjoyed with Pinterest???!!] The  Crochet Crocodile Clutch is very cute, a stitch I already know and LOVE but I wanted to make it my own. That is what I'm working on right now. I'll be posting my pattern for free and a tutorial this weekend. For now, I'm off to finish up the purse and take pics. Happy Hooking!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

I got it!

I've been wanting to have my own website {other than the etsy.com} and now.. I got it! It's official. I'm now the proud owner of www.heysharky.com ! I can't promise that it is up and running anytime soon.. but I have it and it's a work in progress. I'm hoping to launch it in January. :)

Sunday, September 4, 2011

What to do with a door?? Update..

Sooooo that door I picked up many moons ago [intending for it to be our headboard] has now now been sawed in [almost] half, sanded, prepped and ready to go.

To start off the project I employed.. OK mainly bugged my best friend to help with the first layer.... I know she must by now KNOW that I am out of my mind when it comes to art projects, I don't think she was quite aware of what she was getting herself into. And bless her heart, she's still my best friend...

I ripped up a book, a novel based on a nautical story- how very appropriate {or at least I seem to think so}- Ripped it up, glued it down, and started drawing on it. Below is the {short} progression thus far. And the first picture is the old 1400's map that I am basing my artwork after.

The design has been altered too many times to count by now, but I am very pleased on the progress. The work done below was done in a matter of 3 days.. While [at the moment] it sits in my living room because we are fighting, I'm am positive that we will make up and the project will resume and be done on schedule.




Progress, outer part of paneling covered. Originally I ordered these awesome 1530s map [replicas] to cut up and add to the door. [did I forget to mention our bedroom is nautical themed? My interpretation of a captains quarters.. ] I was in love with these maps and have every intention of using them.... (now they sit in my closet for use somewhere else in the room). Until...... I was mid gluing [and had gotten my fingers stuck to the door once again.] upset that I hadn't figured out what direction I truly wanted it to go in I was struck with a thought of sheer brilliance. Instead of the maps being modge podged to the door, I'd draw my own. After all, what was the grueling hours of art classes for, right?


The full door... almost covered..


Finished gluing all the ripped pieces down... Then painted with water color to give an aged look.


And the map [as it is today]


So far, I am very pleased with how it is turning out. As i mentioned above, the door and I.. well, are fighting. I know this might sound a bit odd, but we are. I started sketching the latitude and longitude lines and uh! It just wasn't coming out right. I'm peeved that I can't get it right and don't want to do a "loose interpretation" of the latitude and longitude. I know no one else but myself will even really notice [or subsequently care] but I would. And that bothers me. The door now sits to the right of my desk, with its back turned until I can calm down and obsess about the right way to approach said lines. Until then I have been working on other projects for clients and once I'm finished with those this weekend I might turn my attention once again to the door. Perhaps I might continue on the area with the compass rose and finish up the zodiac wheel. Perhaps.


internet explorer sucks

I have just learned that the reason I have not been able to post in forever is due to the fact that Internet Explorer just plain sucks. Apparently after I updated it, blogger stopped working for me. This has left me utterly frustrated and down-right ticked off. I have had so many projects completed and now an ridiculously backed up on my posts.... which, might I add, most likely wont end up being posted for a while.. thank you Internet Explorer. So.. now that I know what the problem is, I will be posting WAY more frequently and you may again start to follow my blog :)
Thank you FireFox for being awesome!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

I must be lame....

I can't seem to get a post up onto this blog, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I click the "publish Post" button, but alas.. nothing. nada. nine. uh! What am I doing wrong. I'm hoping to be able to fix this problem, esp since I have over A DOZEN posts to put up! ***fingers crossed** today might just be the day I get it right!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

post-poning

I keep meaning to post all the wonderful things I have been working on, but alas either the computer freezes, the camera wont upload photos to the computer, or I'm just so darn tired by the time the boys are asleep that I just can't think straight. Have days like that? For me, it seems to be more and more frequent as of late. Many apologies and I'll make sure to start the whirlwind of uploads, posts and projects in the coming weeks.
Thanks for dropping in..
ps.. as I'm trying to get blogger to post this, it's just not working *sigh* [still] one of those days.