Shell Stitch Wristers - Crochet Noro Book

Wrist Warmers by Mary Jane Hall in Crochet Noro

The wristers in the photo is one of my designs in the hardback book Crochet Noro. A crocheter on Ravelry asked me the following question and I thought it may help someone else. This is not an error, but maybe it will help. I will continue to post if others have questions. Mary Jane

First Question from a reader:

Hi Mary Jane,
Working on your pattern from Noro Crochet. I'm a 6 months crocheter. Question on Rnd ”
5 Ch 1, turn work to WS, sl st in last sc of previous rnd, turn again (too RS) and ch 4”.
There are several opinions from friends on where the sl st goes. Is the previous Round #3 or 4? Logic says it is #4 since the instruction is in Round 5, however the sc in Round 3 seems closer. Also, I keep ending up with a big knot when I slip stitch into round 3. Any clarification would be appreciated.
Diana

 Note from Mary Jane - I ended up figuring out that the only reason I said to turn the work to the WS and sl st over, is just to get the st at the right point (once it's turned back over to the front) This is where the first V-st of the rnd will go.

Next Question from a different Reader:
Hi MaryJane, Help! I’m endeavouring to crochet these wrist warmers from the Noro book but 22 stitches , even loosley, just does not seem to be very wide. Can you confirm 22 chain is the correct number of starting chain for the cuff?
Thanks so much.

Mary Jane's Reply:
The 22 stitches is vertical not around your wrist. Maybe you have figured this out by now?
Let me know if you have any more questions :)
Mary Jane

Another person on Ravelry came to my rescue and she responded this way: Thanks Jannabean!
 I’m also making these and 22 stitches is correct for the cuff. You will start to crochet the cuff the long way, so 22 stitches is the length of the cuff. If you want it longer you can always add stitches. This is the place to customize. Once the piece measures 7 inches you’ll fold it in half and join the edge with slip stitch. And voila, cuff part one. I hope this helps.
Jannabean

My Bag in Vogue Knitting Crochet 2013!

I said I'd post a photo of my bag design today, so for the ones who haven't seen it, Ta Da! 

Mary Jane Hall's Drawstring Bag in Vogue Knitting Crochet 2013

My own photo - Drawstring Bag in VK Crochet 2013

My tasseled bag (titled Drawstring Bag in the book) measures 15" tall x 11" wide. It has a double lining, so the right side of the lining shows from the outside but also from the inside. Actually the outside that's showing is a light teal color, and the inside fabric is brown with small teal swirls. I added a pocket on the inside. Even though I suggested to the publisher I thought the bag would look good in ivory, I plan to make my own bag  soon in a different color. I'm thinking of a darker taupe, a dark sage green or maybe even a plum. They chose a wool yarn, but I'm going to make mine in a thick, sturdy cotton, and will add more pockets. You can never have too many pockets!

Cabled Cowl - 7 Patterns in One! - For Sale

 

As a Cowl

 If you have never made a cowl, then it's time to jump on the bandwagon and try one of

As a Hood over the head

these neck warmers that will keep you all warm and snuggly during the cold winter months. Now's the time to be thinking about Christmas gifts. I can just hear several of you saying, "Let's get Thanksgiving over with first!", but if you're like me, you like to get started as soon as the weather turns cold.

As a Cape  

      According to Vashti Braha, fellow designer and friend, "There are 100's of Knit Cowl patterns out there, but not nearly as many for crochet cowls."

Since becoming aware of this fact back in Oct. 2010, she quickly decided to start the "New Crochet Cowls Scarves" blog, which has perked much interest in the crochet world. It's a place where professional designers can post about this trend while they're still hot. Please go here to read more about my "Versatile Cabled Cowl" on the new Cowl blog. It's getting a lot of attention already! You'll find lots of other cowls there too.

The Cowl blog was nominated in the Crochet Liberation Front's Flamie Awards, as "The Best Crochet Blog".  

As a Skirt

I meant to put my cowl up for sale on my blog last winter but  got sidetracked! I'm so, so sorry to those of you who have asked about my pattern and have waited patiently. I feel terrible about that but I lost my handwritten pattern and looked for month so I could put it up for sale. I'm happy to say I found the pattern and am posting ir for sale today. 

Cowl around Neck

There are several ways to wear this stunning cowl.You're buying 1 pattern, but I show you how to wear it as other pieces such as a basic cowl around the neck, a hooded cowl over the head,

Hood

capelet around the shoulders, a hip hugger skirt, a tube top to wear under a jacket, a pillow and a tote bag from the same exact pattern! You're getting 7 patterns for the price of one!

As a Tube Top

Maybe you can even think of other ideas, and if you do, I'd love for you to share that with me.

I want to say thanks to pretty Romanian beauty, Mihaela Vaduva, my daughter's sister in law,  for being willing to model for me.

As a Pillow

As a Tote Bag

 Actually Mihaela is also my son's sister in law. Strange? Not really, after I explain it. My daughter, Jamie Hall, married Mihael's brother, Virgil 13 yrs ago, and then 3 yrs later, my son Brian Hall, married their sister, Anca Vaduva. Their parents and sister, Ligia, are finally in the states now! To purchase this pattern, please see details below.

Price and Shipping Options

Pattern delivered by Email $5.99 USD Shipped by USPS $6.99 USD

Darling Daisy Hat / Scarf - Positively Crochet!

Design by Mary Jane Hall

Darling Daisy Scarf/Hat

This runway inspired scarf could be made for a girl or an adult. I saw one similar in a Fall runway collection (to the floor) but it can be made in any length. Most helmet type hats have the flaps on the side, but I put flowers there instead. The runway version is knitted. My scarf  has a chain link, open stitch pattern, and flowers all over, which are placed on the outside
after the scarf /hat is finished.

Lion Brand wool yarn was used but you can use any # 4 medium worsted wt. yarn for this EASY project. Picture your daughter wearing this to school. The colors go with so many outfits and it's a great conversation piece!

This scarf has flowers attached to the ends instead of fringe and could be done in any color combination. The scarf is attached to the cap, and can be wrapped around the neck or hang down.This fun project has been popular with people of all ages!

Positively Crochet! (at right) is a book of 50 Trendy Crochet Garments and Accessories. You can buy it for a little over $15.00! That's a fabulous price for that many patterns. This book contains projects for scarves, sweaters, hats, jewelry, shrugs, children's items (including a couple of Mother - Daughter projects) + many more quick and easy gift ideas for anyone. You can read the many 5 * reviews on Amazon. To order this book and read more about it, click on the book cover in my right column. If you are receiving this post in your email, you can click the link below to be directed to Amazon.

Positively Crochet! on Amazon

Flower Scarf by Mary Jane Hall - Recently Published

The Lavender Flower Scarf with Dark Purple trim was also published in the book, Go Crafty Crochet Accessories. My previous post has photos of the other scarf I have in this book, and is called the Two Color Scarf.  I call it the Circles Scarf, since it is made up entirely of small circles.                                                     

Flower Scarf by Mary Jane Hall

I think the Flower Scarf turned
 out stunning with the dark and light color combination.

This was also an idea from my artist daughter, Jamie Vaduva. She did several sketches of scarves for me about 5 years ago, and I sent this one off as a submission for the first time this year.

Scroll down to see the book these 2 scarves were published in.  The publisher is Soho Publishing based in New York City, and they also are the publishers of Vogue Knitting magazine. This accessory book has 11-12 patterns for hats, scarves, purses, a shawl and wrist warmers, by various designers. I recently saw this book at JoAnns.

Order the Book from Knit Picks here

Two Color Scarf by Mary Jane Hall - Recently Published

I'm excited to share a photo of one of my scarf designs that was recently published in a book called Go Crafty Crochet Accessories. In fact I have 2 scarf designs in this book. The first one is a scarf with small circles, not much bigger than a quarter, called the Two Color Scarf. The second design is a Lavender Flower Scarf with Dark Purple Trim. I will feature that scarf in a separate post. The publisher is Soho Publishing in New York City, which is the same publisher of Vogue Knitting and Knit Simple magazines. They also used to produce Crochet Today! magazine.

Photo from the Book (scroll down to see front cover)

My artist daughter, Jamie Vaduva, did a sketch of a scarf with circles about 5 years ago and this year was the first time I submitted it to anyone. I really liked Jamie's color combination, which was more of a medium green and medium blue. After my submission was accepted, the editor wanted me to do the scarf in the light teal, and lime green, as pictured in the photo above. When she sent me the yarn, I didn't like the color combination at all, but as I made the scarf it started to grow on me. I really do like it now and hope you do too! If you'd like to order this book with 11-12 accessories (scarves, hats, bags, wrist warmers), you can order it at Knit Picks here. Go to Knit Picks homepage to see their beautiful, but inexpensive yarns.

This Accessory book is sold at Knits Picks

Another view of scarf in the book