Always Running Out of Time

It seems I've managed to create a mountain of stress for myself these holidays. At first it seemed like I had far too much free time and now I don't know how I'm going to get everything done!

I mentioned previously that I would be making each of my family members something for their birthdays. Seemed like a good idea until you factor in that;

a. I start full time work in just a few days,

b. Will be working 7 days for the next 2 months, and

c. There are 5 birthdays during January and February.

Suddenly, my projects seem more like work than recreation!

I'm powering on though. I've pretty much started everyone's projects or at least have a solid idea in my head. It's just a matter of finding the time to complete them now. And I will.

Meanwhile, this is what is currently on my plate;

Bridgette Crochet Bustier by Factorie

My sister requested that I make her this before summer is over. I hope to have it done before the end of January so she actually gets to wear it. But unfortunately, as simple as it looks, it is so time consuming! Plus...I made a mistake! And the DAYS worth of work I had completed, has to be redone. Devastation.

Bauble Break

So I've needed a break from all the baubles. I made at least a dozen, but it turns out that isn't quite enough.

I know it's just over a week till Christmas and I really need to finish them for my family, but I can't help but want to work on new projects!

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #5

So much for trying to get a pattern out each day. Christmas time is just not the time to be doing anything but preparing for Christmas!

I have managed to get the next bauble pattern out though. I don't think there will be too many more to come. If anything, maybe just one more. I'd like to start working on some different patterns and post them up.

Here is bauble #5

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #4

So I had written this awesome little intro to this post. And I HAD saved it. But for some reason, now when I access it to finish editing, it is an empty post. Since I do not think I could replicate the sheer awesomeness that was my previous intro, I leave you with this; bauble #4.

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #3

So here's the next of my bauble designs. The next few will probably be in a couple of days since I have to work the weekend. At christmas time, retail is the worst place to be working. But such is life. If I didn't work, I wouldn't have money to buy yarn!

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #2

As I'd hoped, I did find some time to write up another pattern (yay!).

I hope these are making sense. The reason I set them out in a table is so I can write little explanatory comments at each stage without disrupting the flow of the pattern. But if it's still confusing, I'm happy to draw up a couple of charts to make things more clear.

I've taken new photos too, with close ups and different angles. They should make things a little easier to understand.

Without much further ado, here is the pattern...

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble

Here is just one of the patterns for my crochet bauble designs. I've been meaning to get it out all week! I'd like to have a "free patterns" section on the blog. It's always nice to be able to share what you've made. The first step is actually posting the patterns though! So my aim is to try post a pattern every day or two. Life is so crazy though, I hope I'll be able to keep up.

For baubles approximately of 19.5cm circumference.

Materials:

• Crochet cotton (4ply)
• 2.5mm crochet hook

Stitches used:

• Chain (ch)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Double crochet (dc)
• Double treble crochet (dtr)
• Slip stitch (slst)

Note: I use a "magic loop" to start this pattern. This tutorial from crochet-world is a great guide on how to achieve the same method I use. Also, in case it's not clear, everything inside the square brackets are to be repeated as specified outside the bracket.

	Instruction	Comments
Start	Magic loop, do not tighten all the way	The thread cover can be started without using the bauble initially
Row 1	ch, 12 sc, slst
Row 2	ch4, dtr in next sc, [ch3, 2 dtr in next two sc] repeat 5 times, ch3, slst
Row 3	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch5, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch5, slst
Row 4	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch6, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch6, slst	Once this row is completed, carefully cover the bauble with the thread cover. Tighten the magic loop around the top of the bauble.
Row 5	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch4, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch4, slst	Continue the remaining rows whilst stitching around the bauble.
Row 6	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch2, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch2, slst	As you cover more of the bauble, you may need to pull the threads tighter or gently stretch parts of the piece closer together till the stitch/row is completed.
Row 7	Slst between ch and dtr, ch3, dc in same space, [2 dc between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, slst, Tie off and tuck in loose threads

I hope this pattern makes sense. I tend to write things in my own way. So if something doesn't seem quite right, don't hesitate to ask questions.