Some months ago I watched a video of Katherine making a hexagon cloth bowl on her youtube channel, k3n. If you're into slow stitching, eco printing, upcycling, and various ways of working with textiles, it's an excellent and relaxing channel to watch. I love her approach to her work. But, but, but. I know myself well enough to know that while I love the bowl she created in this video, this particular process isn't for me. It's a bit too fussy for my taste. Obviously (and unbeknownst to me) the idea continued to rattle around in my brain because several days ago it popped back into my consciousness and I wondered whether I could make one using Tunisian crochet. There was only one way to find out so I grabbed some Tunisian hooks and a cone of bright yellow wool yarn that someone gave me and I started experimenting. I'm not fond of the yellow so I wasn't going to be bothered if I ended up with a mess that I had to rip out. Also, since the yarn is wool, I figured I could full or felt it if it turned out too floppy, which was my main concern. I knew that if I got to the point of attaching the hexagons, I'd use the green, which I do like, to make the bowl in Donegal colors.
I had to swatch a bit and go down a few hooks sizes to a smaller one than I would normally use for this yarn, but then I was off, making 7 Tunisian crochet hexagons. I had planned to bring the hexies and the green yarn to our knit and crochet group at the library and attach them there, but I finished the last one whilst listening to a podcast and since that wasn't over, I decided to start the finishing process right then. Once I'd started, I couldn't stop, finishing the bowl just before 2 am, so I just brought it with me to the group and wove in my ends there. I am thrilled with the end result and I will definitely be making more of these in different sizes. It occurs to me that they can be stacked as well, which will be useful.
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| the finished bowl--you can see how the hexies are attached together |
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| detail of the Tunisian crochet |
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| the bowl filled with wool roving--it holds quite a lot |
In case anyone is wondering about Tunisian crochet, I used the basic stitch--sometimes called simple stitch or afghan stitch--to make the hexagons. They're constructed using short rows. I chained 13, but any number will do. The length of the chain will be approximately half the width of the finished hexie. Pick up a stitch in each chain, leaving the loops on the hook, then work them off. There are many videos around that show how to do this if you're interested. For the next row, pick up a loop in 12 stitches, leaving the last one unworked. Work off the loops. Next row, pick up 11 stitches, and so on until there is just one stitch remaining. There will be little stairsteps along one edge and the next segment of the hexagon is made by picking up a loop in each stairstep (13 stitches, including the loop left on the hook from the previous row) and working it off as before, until there's just one stitch. Repeat this until there are 6 wedges. At the end of the 6th wedge, slip stitch in each stairstep. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail and use that to sew the row of slip stitches to the starting chain and there's your hexagon. I've used these hexagons to make bags, dishcloths, and now this bowl. They're fun to make and look quite nice, especially in a variegated yarn.
And now I'm off to gather some thread to make a smaller version of this. I think I will find these to be quite useful and I'm quite taken with the stacking idea. I guess I know what I'll be doing for a while--at least until some other idea leaps to the front of my mind and sends me off in another direction!
10 comments:
It's fascinating how ideas float around in our heads and sometimes come out in surprising ways. That's an interesting idea, and yours looks great. I don't really crochet (well I taught myself and tried it once or twice) because being a knitter it always feels weird to me. But I haven't heard of Tunisian crochet. I'm off to check that out. Have a super weekend.
Well, it looks like it worked! What a sweet little piece. I think it might be fun to stack them with each one being slightly smaller than the last one; pyramid style. Be great for things like hair ties, etc. Have a great weekend, Shari!
Thanks, Erika! I'm also self-taught--from magazines and books. This was over 40 years ago and there was no youtube :-) I taught myself both knitting and crochet at the same time when my daughter was a toddler. I ended up crocheting more than knitting, partly because it seemed easier to pick up and put down as needed. I love knitting and all of the other techniques I've taught myself and others through the years, but crochet seems to be my deepest love--LOL--I'm never very far away from a crochet hook, no matter what else I'm working on. More packing this weekend. I hope you have fun things going on!
Thanks, Diana! I was thinking about making some in Christmas colors and stacking them at that time of year as you described. I plan to make at least one small one using thread, which will be great for my little yarn snips. When I'm weaving in ends and I cut off the remaining little tail, I tend to put them beside me. Then they fall and we find them all over the place--LOL--this way I can have my little bowl, put them in there and empty as needed. This one is probably a foot across, maybe? It's a decent size and will hold yarn, thread, fabric. Our new cottage is small so being able to stack them will be useful. I'll be doing some packing this weekend. Hope you and the furry people have some fun games of ball lined up :-)
I often have ideas floating around in my head, Shari, but (call me shallow) Tunisian crochet has not been one of them! I suspect it will continue that way, but I am filled with admiration for your creative flair and the results you achieve. Does this mean you are a happy hooker? Have a great weekend - David.
A happy bookish hooker, David--that'd be me :-) Enjoy your weekend!
This is very pretty, Shari, especially with your wonderful and colorful roving in it. I loved that you could adapt the pattern for crochet. I like the idea of stacking them.
Thanks, Jeanie! Our new cottage is small so stacking will be useful. Now I just have to make more of them!
Oh Shari ... that looks great ... well done.
I do hope your weekend is going well, I have been spending time seeing relations - very enjoyable.
All the best Jan
Thanks, Jan! I'm so glad you've had a nice weekend! I've done a bit of organizing and packing for my trip with a friend to bring another load tomorrow. Doing it a little as a time since there's still work being done on the new place. The painting of the kitchen and living room was finished a couple days ago. I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like!
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