More Crochet on the Runway

Japanese designer Keita Maruyama, showed some subtle and elegant designs with some crochet and knitting pieces among his 40s inspired AW 2010/11 collection. Photos Keita Maruyama.

I think the pants are hideous, but I like the others.

Fashion Week - John Rocha Show Fall 2011- Some Crochet Pieces

John Rocha's collection blew his audience away - New York Fashion Week - Fall 2011

You'll have to look closely for his crochet pieces. View his fashion show at New York Fashion Week on YouTube here.The video below is only a slide show. That's why I posted the actual video from the show in the other post.

My Cabled Cowl - Can Be Worn as a Cowl, Hood, Capelet, Skirt, Tote, Tube Top and Pillow ***** 7 Patterns in one! *****

As a Neck Warmer

As a Hood

Design by Mary Jane Hall 

I have always been the kind of designer who says, “What else can I do with this?” I love playing around with a crocheted piece and sometimes my mind just goes crazy. It all started with a design in Crochet That Fits, where I have 6 designs all from the same exact shape.
I didn’t start out planning to do the same with this cowl, but after it was finished, I was not satisfied with just one way to wear it!

As a skirt

My model, 24 yr old Mihaela Vaduva from Romania, so patiently allowed me to manipulate this cowl all over her body.


There are several ways you can wear this cowl, so it's really 7 patterns in one! They are:

1. As a Cowl - neck warmer
2. As a Hood - over your head
3. As a Capelet - around the shoulders
4. As a Skirt
5. As a Tube Top - to wear under a jacket
6. As a Tote Bag
7. As a Throw Pillow 

As a Capelet

Of course, if you wear this piece as a skirt, you may need to weave in a chain tie through the waist to help keep it on your hips. And if you use the pattern as a tote bag, you'd need to crochet a rectangle shaped bottom, sew on handles, and add lining and a stabilizer to help keep its shape.    

For those of you who are fairly new to crochet, you may look at the stitch pattern and think it looks complicated. But it’s not at all. Believe me, I try not to do real difficult patterns. If I can’t figure out a stitch  pattern in a few minutes, I’m done with that one, and go on to try another. I am known to design easy patterns, and this textured cable and aran stitch won’t disappoint you. It’s not the quickest pattern, but well worth your time.  The stunning texture resembles knitting from afar. BTW, I would never advise anyone to wear a crochet sweater, such as the one in the photos, with the crochet cowl. I had been taking pictures of Mihaela in crochet pieces I found at the thrift store and was in a hurry! I have started posting "Thrift Store Finds", so be sure to look up those photos here.

As a Tote Bag 

 Each piece you see in the photos is the exact same piece. (the original cowl) My model is a size 4-5, but as a skirt this would also fit a size 1-2.

If you need to make a larger size skirt or capelet, all you'd have to do is add more rows.
For the pillow at right, I sewed up one end, put a pillow form inside, then sewed up the other end on the outside.
Maybe you have another idea of how this pattern can be used, and if so, I'd love to hear about it! The pattern will be for sale soon here on my Positively Crochet! blog. Please check back. This cowl was featured on the New Crochet Cowl Scarves blog a few months ago. If you are into making cowls go there to see all the unique patterns by top designers. My designer friend, Vashti Braha, had a wonderful idea when she started this very popular blog.
 

As a Pillow

Recipe - Deep Dish Taco Squares

SO yummy and tastes nothing like tacos
I'm crazy about this recipe!

My friend, Shirley Siddall, gave me this recipe many yrs ago and I always wondered why it was called Taco Squares, since it has no chili powder in it and tastes nothing like tacos. I'm not crazy about taco flavoring, and I guess that's why I love this dish. It was one of my family's favorites so I decided to fix this for another family last night (first time in yrs) and remember why I love it so much. It's hearty and has all the ingredients I like. My recipe card is smeared with food and water making it barely readable. I'm sure you know how that is. So I decided to see if  I could find the recipe on the web, since it's an old Bisquick recipe. Now I know why it's called Taco Squares. The original recipe has taco seasoning in the meat, but I still like it much better without the taco seasoning. I've added more cheese and black olives to my friend's recipe, and maybe you can come up with your own version.

This recipe will remind you of fresh tomato pie that is SO yummy! (But with added ground beef)

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef 
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2/3 cup Hellman's mayonnaise  (not salad dressing)
• 1 cup sour cream (I added a little more sour cream and mayonnaise)
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 2 cups Biscuit baking mix
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2- 3 tomatoes, sliced
• 1/3 cup sliced black olives
• 
  
• Update: (4/2/24) since I'm by myself this time I decided to make only ½ the recipe (in a square brownie pan) & had the idea to use puff pastry this time to make it easier, than spreading wet dough with my fingers in the pan. It's in the over now & I'll come back and comment how it turned out.
• Update: it turned out great with the puff pastry & using that made it quicker and easier to make this dish!

Directions

• Heat oven to 375º. Cook and stir ground beef til brown; drain. While beef is cooking, grease oblong baking dish (13"x 9"x 2"). Mix sour cream, mayonnaise and onion. Add 1½ cups of the cheese, reserving ½ cup for the top. Set aside this mixture. 
•  Mix baking mix and water, until soft dough forms. Pat in pan, pressing dough ½" up sides. (Note: Spreading the dough will be easier if you sprinkle a little baking mix on your fingers and on top of the dough, as you do this). Layer beef, sliced tomatoes and green pepper on top of dough that's in the pan. Spoon sour cream mixture over top. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheese and black olives over sour cream mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 25-35 minutes or until bottom crust is golden brown. (I cooked this for 35 minutes) 
• Serve with a tossed salad. I used Spicy Ranch Dressing with the salad and it goes well with the dish. 
•  Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if your family likes it.
• Yield: 10-12 servings.

Lime Green Crochet Watchband - Pattern for Sale

Lime Green Watch Band - Design by Mary Jane Hall

I've had several requests for this pattern so I'm finally posting it. You can use any crochet thread, but I used Hilo Omega # 2 100% nylon cord. It's a little slippery to work with, but makes the band super strong. You can buy the buckle & watch face at most craft stores. See the beautiful watch faces below that I found on eBay.

This is a quick and easy project! Hobby Lobby carries this small cord (the thickness of a very thick thread) but Mona at CreativeYarn Source has this in 90 different colors! WOW. I have used some of her Omega products for years and have featured the Sinfonia yarn, # 18 and # 2 Hilos Omega nylon threads in my books. Since I mentioned her website, her business really picked up. I'm happy to help her out!

Watch Faces you can buy on eBay

Make these in different colors as Christmas gifts!

Many styles to choose from on eBay

To order this pattern scroll down and click on the "Shipping options" menu and choose whether you want to receive the pattern by email for $1.99 (with free shipping), or if you want to receive the pattern by snail mail (USPS). If you check the USPS shipping method, you will be charged $1.99 for the pattern + $1.00 postage, making your total $2.99. To pay with Paypal. click on the "Buy Now" button, and you will be directed to their secure website where the details of your transaction will be set up. If you need to pay by a different method (money order, etc) please email me and let me know, so I can get your address.

Shipping options

Email $1.99 USPS $2.99

More Crochet Fall Fashions 2011

Cardigan by Mike Gonzalez 

Tote from Stella McCartney

I'm always happy to see trendy crochet fashions by top fashion designers. I really do think crochet is here to stay! What about this long, belted sweater?

For more crochet items go to Elle Magazine.  Just type in a search for "crochet fall 2011" and lots of things will come up.

Scroll down to see 8 more crochet garments and accessories from other designers.

Dress by Bebe. Looks so old fashioned but I love it! This dress is similar to some I've seen from my ancestors photos. (1800's)

Shorts, Letarte by Lisa Cabrinha

Check out these shoes from Nine West!

Cuff Bracelet by Tous

                                             

Crochet Sweater from Old Navy

Shoes by Dolce and Gabbana

Cap Sleeve Dress by Mike Gonzalez 

Dress by Dolce and Gabbana

 

Pam's Comfort Cables Crochet Afghan

Pam Gillette - Going through cancer treatments

The booklet of cable squares that I was privileged to be a part of is finally selling at Knitpicks website. If you love cables, you won't be disappointed in this project. Each square is uniquely different and designed by some of today's most well known designers. Please read the description of how this project began. It will touch you to tears! You can order this booklet of cable squares for only $4.99 from Knit Picks here. It's down loadable! To read more about Pam go to her website, Knotty Generation, and see her original designs. She's a sweet and inspiring person. Glad you are in remission Pam!

My square is the pink one at bottom left  

Mary Jane Hall's Cable Square Design

 Designers who participated in this afghan for fellow designer, Pam Gillette, are  

Drew Emborsky, Diane Moyer, Karen Ratto-Whooley, Gwen Blakley Kinsler, Tracie Barrett, Dee Stanziano, Lisa Gentry, Margaret Hubert, Tammy Hildebrand, Angela Best, Kim Kotary, Mary Beth Temple, Jill Hanratty, Kristin Omdahl, Vashti Braha, Ellen Gormley, Marty Miller, Robyn Chachula, Amy O’Neill Houck, Annie Modesitt, Bendy Carter, Doris Chan, and Mary Jane Hall 

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