Sweater Wraps Have a Back!

It has come to my attention that some crocheters were happily surprised that some of my wraps have an additional back side to them!  Part of the reason for this surprise is that when writing and publishing a full-sized book, we have limits.  One of these is in how many photographs of each design can be shown. Thankfully through this blog (and other forums such as Ravelry & Facebook) I can show you more right now! So one by one, here are the sweater wraps in my new book, Contemporary Celtic Crochet (http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Celtic-Crochet-Designs-Sweaters/dp/1440238618):

Inisheer Sweater Wrap (This is the design on the book cover.)

Knockardakin Wrap

Busking Beauty Sweater Wrap

Doolin Delight Sweater Wrap

A Day to Give Thanks...2014

Well, that time of year has rolled around again, and I daresay has gotten here even quicker than the last!  I suppose this is one more sign that I am getting just a bit older.  And with that thought I will begin my incomplete inventory of things, in no special order, for which I am giving thanks this year…

- That I am one year older

- That no one in my household or immediate family was hospitalized for more tha  12 hours this year

- For Grace Church of Clarksburg… I can’t believe we are coming up on one year together!  This really has become the dearest place on earth for me, even though we meet in a rented elementary school.  Isn’t God good?

- For being able to celebrate the high school graduation of my daughter Hannah!

- For complete healing for my son Joseph when he had to have surgery as well as   for healing four of my children following the extraction of 13 wisdom teethcollectively this summer and thereby finance the oral surgeon’s trip to the Riviera or where ever he chose to go… (Anyone who spends their days doing this kind of work deserves a great vacation!)

- For the opportunity to travel to Golden, CO for a film shoot with Craft Daily and to spend some special time with my best friend & hubby driving through the Rocky Mountains this summer

- Making memories while driving with a carload of friends & family to the White Mountains, tent camping in a storm, packing wet gear and then attending the CGOA Conference in Manchester, NH

- For electricity that I mindlessly use in all things that include cooking, cleaning, and just about everything else… Thanks and glory be to God for bringing me into the world during the 20th century and not one century before! 

- For a car that usually starts when I want it to, and for being able to afford the fuel that makes it run… One quick flashback to my childhood days reminds me that this was not always the case for me, and is not an automatic “given” for many folks today.

- For affordable yarn and kind publishers who said, “Yes” to publishing some of my designs, especially for F + W Media taking a chance on my and my first book…

- For the internet which allows me to communicate with some of the most amazing people on the planet who are called “crocheters…”  Words will never be adequate for me to express thanks for the countless times your words of encouragement about a design or stitch helped to lift my spirits and keep me going.  I hope to never grow tired or become too busy to return the blessing right back to you!

- For the blessing of living in one of the freest parts of the entire world, one where 4 of my children are now able to join me in voting (2 for the first time this year) to help choose our leaders and representatives…  So many in the world today will NEVER know this kind of privilege or freedom.

- That my greatest problem that I will ever have in this life has already been taken care of by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when He died in my place for my sin on the Cross at Calvary.

Errata for Contemporary Celtic Crochet

As the author of Contemporary Celtic Crochet and on behalf of the editorial staff of F & W Media, I want to assure you that the patterns and instructions in this book has been carefully reviewed, attempting to ensure that all of the information presented is correct and complete. Occasionally, however, mistakes get past us and make it into print.  I want to personally apologize for any inconvenience these errors may have caused you.  

Should you think you have found an additional error, I want to hear from you so that I can better serve you and others. 

The corrections below are shown using italics and bold print. Should you have any additional questions or need to contact me, please e-mail me at bonniebay@me.com and I will do my very best to respond to you promptly.

Crochet Stitch Guide

Page 6:  Arrow Stitch, photo #8 should read:  “Continue the pattern to the end of the row, ch 2.  Dc in the last st of the row.”

Page 15:  Cable Stitch, photo #3 should read:  “ *Sk the next 2 unworked sc of the pref row, sc in the next sc.”

Tipperary Sweater & Vest Set

Page 57: Row 5 should read:  "Ch 2. Dc in first dc, *sk next 3 dc, tr in next tr, working in front of tr just worked, dc in each of 3 skipped dc.  Rep from * across tolast st.  Dc in last st.  Turn.

Page 59:  (upper left column) following Row 23 of back instructions, the next sentence should read:  “Rep Right Front Panel Rows 2 - 8.”

Inisheer Sweater Wrap

Page 78:  Row 8 (When repeating for the back section) Ch 2 (does not count as 1 st here and throughout). Dc in first 3 sts, *sk next 2 sts, work tr in each of next 2 sts.  Working behind tr just made, tr in each of 2 skipped sts. Sk next 2 sts, tr in each of next 2 sts, working in front of 2 tr just made, tr in each of 2 skipped sts. Dc in each of next 2 sts (Shadow Box made).  Rep from * across row. Work 1 dc in last st.  Turn.

Aran Diamonds Cardigan & Vest

Page 94:  Row 24 should read:  “Ch 1.  Sc in next 3 sts, [fptr in sc above next fptr 3 rows below, fptr in sc above next fptr 3 rows below.  Sk 2 Row 23 sts, sc in 4 sts] across row.  Fptr in sc above next to last fptr.  Fptr in last sc 3 rows below, sk 2 Row 23 sts, sc in last st.  Turn.

Page 95:  Top left column of page, Row 3 should read:  “Ch 1.  Sc in the next 4 sts.  Fptr around the 4th sc of foundation row (3 rows below).  Sk 4 sts, fptr around next sc.  On current row sk 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts.  [Fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made, sk next 4 sc on same row, fptr around next sc.  On current row sk 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts] across to last 2 sts, fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made.  Sk next st on current row, sc in last st.  Turn.

Page 96:  RIBBING FOR BOTTOM AND COLLAR, Row 3 should read:  “Ch 1, working in the blps only, 1 sc in each sc.  Connect to edge by working a slst in the next 2 sc.  Turn.

BUTTON BAND - LEFT SIDE & RIGHT SIDE, Row 1 should begin with:  “With smaller hook…” 

Doolin Delight Sweater Wrap

Page 104: Row 80 should read: "Rows 80 - 157" [Directions to "Repeat Rows 2-79"" are correct as written.]

Page 104: Row 81-158 should read: "Rows 159 - 203" [Directions to Repeat Rows 2-45" are correct as written.]

Baby Feet Baby Blanket

Rows 37 & 38: Should read, "Repeat Rows 7 & 8".

Rows 39 & 40: Should read, "Repeat Rows 3 & 4".

Celtic Cross Afghan & Pillow

Page 116:  I am posting another view of the Celtic Cross Afghan so that you will know how both sides should look.

Page 118  

Row 62: Ch 2. Woven st over 1st 8 sps. *[Sk next 2 dc, fpdc in next 2 dc, working in front of fpdc just made, fpdc in both skipped dc] twice. Sk next sp, Woven st in next 17 sps. Rep from * across row. End last rep with 12 Woven sts and 1 Woven st in turning ch. Turn. 

Page 119:  BOTTOM EDGING, Row 1:  Stitch count should be (77 ch-1 sps). 

Aran Afghan's Matching Pillows

Well, it's been a very busy week working in technology in the Barker household! I'm so glad to offer this set of patterns on Ravely.  I've had them prepared for a few years, but couldn't find a good home for them.  Now I can get them out of the archives and to you!  If you are a fan of Aran Afghans then you will recognize that these are designed to match!  Each pattern also includes a stitch guide and video links.  Should you need left-handed videos, these are available on this website under "video", as well as on the Bonnie Bay Crochet Youtube channel.

Here's the link:   

This collection contains 4 pillows as pictured below...

Orange (Aran) Pillow

Sage Green Pillow

Tan Sampler Pillow

White Diamond Pillow

A New Christmas Pattern: Crocheted Garland for your Tree!

Here's the latest of my free patterns from Red Heart:  Crocheted Christmas Garland for your tree!  This pattern is easy, and it works up quickly.  You may even have these yarns and colors hidden away in your stash.  You can always double the pattern numbers should you desire the strands to be longer or continuous.  Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!  Here's the link.

The Celtic Cross Afghan and Pillow

No matter how long a book may seem, there usually never seems to be enough room for all the photos you really want to show!  I thought it may serve you to show you some more detailed photos of the Celtic Cross Afghan and Pillow which appears in my new book Contemporary Celtic Crochet.  This particular pattern can be displayed on either side (so you can say it is reversible) with the Celtic Cross motif having 2 different textured looks.

This afghan was inspired by my Christian faith, of which the cross is central, signifying the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary more than 2000 years ago.  This is why the cross, made using the Celtic Weave stitch is the focal point of the afghan & pillow.  The trim along the top and bottom represents a king's crown, signifying that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

I think you will find this project interesting to crochet with all of the different cables and woven stitches throughout.  It is worked in one piece, so you don't need to worry about sewing panels together.  Should you ever need some instructional help, you can always turn to the video section of the website, or to Youtube (Bonnie Bay Crochet channel) for stitch videos.  Another option is to consider a subscription to Craft Daily where I take you through all the how-to's for both afghan & pillow (coming soon!).

Front View of Celtic Cross Pillow

Back view of Celtic Cross Pillow - The cover overlaps in the back for easy removal for washing.

Busking Beauty Sweater Wrap

You may be wondering, "What is busking???" For those of you who may not be familiar with this term, it is something a musician does, especially in places like Dublin. It is very common to see a variety of musicians playing in the open, seeking monetary tips from those who pass by. This is different from begging though and requires a working permit from the local government. After all, this is work for a musician. If I ever get an opportunity to return to Ireland, you just may see me wearing this wrap as I spend some time busking with my guitar and pennywhistle! 

Anyway, I recently received an excellent question from a fellow crocheter about the construction of the Busking Beauty Sweater Wrap. Here are a few more photos to help clarify the back portion. This is one of my more favorite pieces in the book, and I specifically chose Cestari Yarns, a family owned company in the wonderful state of Virginia. I love, love, love their cotton/wool and cotton/wool/silk DK weight yarns for this project, and they are reasonably priced! These are modeled by my daughter Becky.  (This project is in my new book, Contemporary Celtic Crochet, and is available here at the Interweave Store and at Amazon.)

You will notice that the rows of crochet on the back panel are perpendicular to those on the stole portion. This section is crocheted separately and then crocheted/stitched to the stole.