The original dress pattern that I eventually decided to change to my liking.

This is the charts and description of the dress.

Now I had to decide on colors and here’s my picks

It’s cotton and bamboo viscose selections

Now this is what I have made so far

The left circle motif was made almost precisely per pattern, the right one was just a free form I made up myself

as you can see I decided I want it to be the sleeveless dress with a racer back like back

For the bra part the pattern used was similar to these (unfortunately the original used got lost when my computer crashed)\

Here’s the pattern I used for the straps design

So far this is where I am and I will keep you all posted on the progress, hopefully in the next couple weeks I’ll be posting the result!

For those of you who aren’t quite experienced with their charts skills, here is a very useful link: http://www.craftyminx.com/2011/11/crochet-school-lesson-21-reading-crochet-charts.html thanks to craftyminx!

one of many possibilities

patterns for the black dress

interesting cable I use Google Translate when the pattern description is in an unfamiliar language

Beautiful cable. These instructions are in Russian, so I can translate. They suggest working the WS rows according to the pattern

Pretty for a lacy skirt or top

again very pretty and airy

This is a page scanned from a Russian magazine, that has interesting patterns for relief knitting. The simplest stitches are used here K and P.

the relief knitting continued

This looks like Polish to me for the translation purposes, however the marks used should be universal to all the knitting patterns. I believe filled square stands for K, empty square P, blue triangle P2tog through back loop? (not quite sure) and circle stands for YO

This pattern seems to belong to the same magazine and to be Polish. Again the filled square seems to stand for K, empty square P, circle YO, black triangle (slope facing left) K2tog knit-wise, black triangle (slope facing right) K2tog TBL (through back loop); blue triangle (slope facing left) P2tog, blue traingle (slope facing right) P2tog through back loop (Again not quite sure about the last 4, but Google translate would certainly help here too)

Beautiful lacy pattern. Instructions in the next picture in Russian

This pattern is quite simple. Bold text says: ” Each WS row should be knit according to pattern and YO made purl wise. Repeat rows 1 through 8″. The abbreviations are as follows: I = knit, : = ktbl ( knit through back loop), – = purl, u= YO. Next is single pull (slip 1 stitch, knit next stitch and pull the slipped stitch over); double pull (slip 1 stitch knit-wise, knit 2 and pull the slipped stitch over both); and lastly triple pull ( slip 1 stitch knit-wise, knit 3 and pull the slipped stitch over all 3)

No pattern for this cutie, but I bet it’ll be easy to make for an experienced knitter

The notes under here say to work the WS rows according to pattern

same here work the WS rows according to pattern

Beautiful leaf scarf, but could also be made into other pieces, by those who can adjust the pattern accordingly

and here’s the pattern it’s in English but it’s rather hard to make out certain words

Polish again, I believe

and again

This pattern says: The amount of stitches should be multiples of 16 + 1. All the WS rows to be worked according to pattern and YO to be purl-wise. Repeat from 1st to 28th row. 

This is all for now, this post will be expanded as I find more interesting motives and patterns.

Here are some pictures I have taken before the shows and some new designs that I’ve been busy with.

At Augusta Armory

New creation from scraps of yarn. It’s a free form crocheted cuff/wristwarmer

Augusta Civic Center

A couple of new pretty designs (still available)

I won’t be doing any more shows this year, so if you’d like to buy a present for your loved ones or yourself visit my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/protsenka

or stop by at Karma Fair Trade on 570 Brighton ave in Portland, ME Tuesday through Saturday 11am-6pm

Happy Holidays!

You will need a 1.5 mm hook and your choice of color DMC or even regular thread and the metallic thread. I used a 1 1/4 inch hoop for this tutorial, you can use a bigger one, if you wish, just add more rows similar to the ones you’ll be making in the beginning.

Before you start, separate one thread off the DMC that’s usually easy to do when someone else is holding the opposite end of it for you. Do the same with your metallic thread. The purple part of the earring was crocheted with the single DMC thread that I bent in half, so it is as if you are using two threads, only you don’t need to worry about the ends to hide at the beginning of your work. This is how the first stitch you’ll make will look, if you follow my suggestion and bent your thread in half and start with the loop that it creates.

TIP:

It is better if you nails are short when working on this, because they tend to dig into your palm, when you are trying to keep a hold on your thread.

Row 1. Basically all you’ll need to do is reach through the hoop with a hook, get the loop (the one that is made by simply putting your thread in half), pull it through, reach for the thread over the top of the hoop now and pull through, as if you are doing the single crochet around the hoop. Continue making SC around the hoop in the same manner, reach through the hoop, pull the thread in, then reach for it again and pull through your stitch. BO at the end of row. For more pictures and description of doing your first row please visit my earlier post about the cobweb hoop here: http://protsenka.com/2012/03/25/hoop-earring

It is important to keep the same tension to have an even distribution and density of the stitches. You may count the stitches if you want, I never do, because they are tin! You should have a number of stitches divisible by 4 if you decide to count them.

Here’s what you’ll have after the hoop is crocheted all around.

Now it’s time to hide the ends. The thinner your needle the better it’ll be for this work. Since everything is so thin and delicate, you can be sure that a thin needle won’t disturb the stitches.

Next step is connecting the second color, your metallic thread.

Bend all of your stitches on the inside of your hoop now. Before you start working with the hoop here, please get a thimble or put 2-3 band aids around your Index Finger! You can seriously hurt yourself with the hook, since it’s so tiny and you’ll need to apply a lot of pressure to get it through your delicate, tight stitching! Please follow this advise!

Row 2. Get your hook through the last stitch (or second to last, that wouldn’t hurt the design), make a loop on your metallic thread (I used a single thread this time, not doubled) and Ch 2.

Turn your work, skip 3 stitches, sc, skip 3, hdc, skip 3, hdc, continue to end of row (if you have an extra stitch or two, before the edge of the row, do a slip stitch in the last one)

Row 3. Ch 2, turn your work, skip 1, sc, skip 1, hdc, skip 1, hdc, continue to end.

 Row 4. Ch 2, turn your work, skip 1, sc, skip 1, hdc, skip 1, hdc, continue to end, BO.

Weave in your thread and get your second earring. Remember to turn your earring mirror like, when working on the second one. For example, if you started by the clasp at the first one, start at the needle with the second one, and vice versa.

And here we are, ready to brighten up our outfit, very holiday appropriate and fun! I hope your holiday season is starting out wonderfully and I wish you happy crafting!

Please use this and any other tutorials found on this blog for personal projects only! Respect the artisan’s work and don’t use these patterns for gain or profit!

]]> http://protsenka.com/2012/10/05/so-delicate-with-some-sparkle/feed/ 0 WP_001309 protsenka WP_001309 WP_001298 WP_001299 WP_001300 WP_001301 WP_001303 WP_001304 WP_001305 WP_001306 WP_001307 WP_001310 http://protsenka.com/2012/09/20/picnic-082512-picture-report/ http://protsenka.com/2012/09/20/picnic-082512-picture-report/#comments Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:17:15 +0000 protsenka http://protsenka.com/?p=288 Read More →]]> Hi all! You might have seen me at the Portland Flea-for-all, Old Port Festival, or Picnic. But if you haven’t I just wanted to post some pictures from the latest craft show I did, which was the Picnic Music and Arts show, that was held in Portland on 08/25/12. I was there with my good friend Joy Grannis, who designs and makes these fabulous laced cuffs, necklaces, barrettes and belts! Check out her Etsy page here http://www.etsy.com/shop/joygrannis , and if you like any styles you see on the following pictures, contact her through her Etsy shop, and I’m sure she’d be happy to tell you if she still has those styles available!

Now moving forward to the pictures themselves!

Here’s how our booth set up looked like, as you can see I’m on a left hand side and Joy with her goodies is on the right hand side

A bit of a closeup, some of the designs I’m sure you recognize and some are new!

Popping right in! Hello!

and here are Joy’s pretty, lacey creations!

Hope to see you at the upcoming events I’ll be participating in!

Soft as heaven and warm as coffee mug merino wool and tussah silk mix and handmade buttons.

SO tender and soft! and it can be yours!

Please feel free to participate in this giveaway. The rules are as following: go to my etsy shop at http://www.protsenka.etsy.com and choose two items that you like the most, post the links of those items along with a creative, fun and unique name suggestion for them and you may win. I will choose a winner on 9/24 and the decision will depend on your cleverness and creativity with name suggestions! I hope to see your comments in the post https://www.facebook.com/Protsenka/posts/244156452373464?notif_t=like

Have fun creating!

Here are some items to be posted soon:

Nuno felted cuff. White silk, teal and gold wool and tussah silk fibers.

and a super fun button!

This is a felted necklace/headpiece. It’s felted with finest merino wool, mulberry silks and tussah silk and decorated with tiny glass beads.

Another nuno felted cuff with white silk, and red and blue wool and decorative silk fibers.

and more fun buttons…

Stay tuned for more and have fun creating.

Please note that all of my designs are shared here for inspiration only and are not to be duplicated for gain or profit! Please respect your fellow artisans hard work!

The Picnic was a fabulous event with a great crowd of wonderful people, some of whom became my new fans and owners of some great designs. Here are the new designs for your viewing pleasure

Some might still be available and some may be made to order, although most of my designs are one of a kind and cannot be made exactly the same, there’s a possibility to make something rather close to the first design.

This is the Picnic Craft show set up 08/25/12

The Exclusive hoops collection. OOAK crochet patterns that I have created.

“Apple Orchard” nuno felted scarf. 100% silk gauze, merino wool, tussah and mulberry silks

So here’s just a pick at my recent work, very soon there will be more updates and more events I will be participating in!

Have fun creating!

]]> http://protsenka.com/2012/08/28/it-has-been-awhile/feed/ 1 WP_001117 protsenka WP_001164 WP_001064 WP_001117 http://protsenka.com/2012/06/17/old-port-festival-portland-06102012/ http://protsenka.com/2012/06/17/old-port-festival-portland-06102012/#comments Sun, 17 Jun 2012 22:04:38 +0000 protsenka http://protsenka.com/?p=253 Read More →]]> I’ve been busy at work on my crafts, to get ready for a few events and didn’t have any time left to add new things to my blog. Finally I have some free time to relax a bit and give you an update about my craft and what I have been up to. These pictures were taken by a good friend and also an amazing photographer Carie, you should check out her site here!

So here are some pictures of my booth at the Old Port Festival in Portland, ME  06/10/2012, if you see something that you really love, but it’s not in my Etsy store yet, just email me and we’ll figure things out!

This is me! Nice to meet you all!

My awesome nuno felted scarves, all of these are sold now, but I could make something similar to them. They are OOAK, so they won’t ever be exactly the same! Not sure what nuno felting is? Check this link to learn.

Me again, with my creations

Wet felted ball/bead earrings, made of 100% merino wool and 100% mulberry silk, very luxurious and light weight!

Black and gold crocheted bead necklace and earrings.

My fun hoops, crocheted all around!

Here we are with some of the awesome products that I have been happily working on for the past few months! I’m trying to update my Etsy store as frequently as I can, so come back and check it out every now and then, there’s always going to be something new!

Until next time and don’t forget to enjoy your crafting!