Third time's the charm Pink Parasol

Sometimes things don't come easy.  Sometimes you have to keep at it.  Sometimes you have to make adjustments.

These are the things I kept telling myself while working on this parasol.  It took my almost two months to get it done.  I know!  Me!  Here's why.

I found this amazing vintage umbrella with a pink Lucite handle and just *had* to use it.  But the ribs for this frame were light and whippy, and they just didn't stand up to the firm cotton I wanted to use.

My first attempt in Knitpicks Curio cotton was gorgeous, solid in the center, twirly on the edges.  What more could I want, right? 

As I began to tie it to the frame I realized I had crocheted 8 sections.  The umbrella has 10.  HEARTBREAK!

So, I frogged it. I did.  I know.

My second attempt using the reclaimed cotton had 5 sections, which works well because I can tie ribs at each half section and it would work out evenly.

It was just too tight.  I tried various fixes... but the frame ribs just didn't have enough firmness to support the solid fabric.

Third time's the charm as they say!

I decided the cotton thread was just too unforgiving, and I switched to Bernat Handicrafter Crochet Thread, 100% acrylic with a little more stretch.

I also switched patterns again, using Coats and Clark's Setting Sun doily... being careful to start with 5 repeats.  Look at that wonderful star at the center!

Changing up the colors to divide the lace sections really sets them apart.

All in all, I was very pleased with how it turned out... and it was worth all the trial and error it took to get there.

Check out the pink handle!

A Steampunk Parasol

My friend Steampunk Addie has some great adventures!  I made a vortex of time parasol for her a while back... but it's not big enough for her Momma or Sister to share.

So... I used this Steampunk Parasol pattern from Ira Rott to make a slightly larger one.

The pattern has a great chart and is easy to follow.  I used almost an entire ball of Curio size 10 crochet thread in black, about 675 yards.

One of the frames I picked up in a vintage lot was this "magic wand" stick handle.  It came with a silver wrist chain that showed how tiny wrists were when the umbrella was made... because there's no way I'm getting my wrist in there! 



Here's what it looked like before sewing it to the frame...  it's amazing what a good stretch will do.

I'm already plotting the next one.  If you want to see more of my parasols, just use 'parasol' in the search box.  They are addictive!

 

 

 

You Must Be a Weasley!

Harry Potter fans know that being a Weasley means ginger hair and second hand robes... but is also means the kind of warm family craziness that comes from being around people you love.

In particular, Molly Weasley takes charge in an "it's ok to be who we are" sort of way, never apologizing for the second hand robes, even when Ginny's jumper was last seen on the cat.

I've been a bit retrospect about Moms lately... my Mom passed away a couple of weeks ago.  It seems fitting then, that my crochet project this week should be "Mom" related!

Yes, Michele DuNaier has done it again... written a wonderful shawl pattern that connects to our favorite characters in a fun way with Ginny's Patronus Cloak.

Inspired by Molly's scrappy sleeves... frugal Molly has a way of never letting anything go to waste, including yarn.  I used 2,457 yards of sport weight yarn for this beauty.  The final ruffled row has 4, 225 stitches.  Whew!  What a great effect and a fun design!