Jo Bodley: June 2020

Moorish screen

Full story and photos under archive, March 2020, 'Pinwheels'

Delia Revisited- Free Pattern

I designed this very simple, beginner pattern for Inside Crochet , Issue 61, several years ago. Beautifully styled by the team, it was a layering piece.I imagined it for bridesmaids with off the shoulder dresses!

Acknowledgement to Tailor Made Productions for photograph.

I named it 'Delia' after a lovely lady I met whilst working in a Care Home as an Art Teacher. Her son manages a fantastic 'Gipsy Punk' band called Gogol Bordello.One of their greatest hits is called,'Start wearing Purple.' Seemed apt, given the colour of the yarn!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkkIwO_X4i4

Recently I bought some Takhi Chelsea Silk in a lovely mint colour from a Raveller, I wanted to make something easy to crochet and which could be thrown on when hot days turn chilly.I decided to revisit the 'Delia' pattern to see if it could be improved upon. I decided to lengthen and increase the flare on it, so it reaches to the wrist . If you don't already know about Ravelry, it is a wonderful , free website for knitters and crocheters. My username is josabod.

Designs like this were popular in the 70s.

Owing to popular request, here's the pattern!

Delia Cape by Jo Bodley June 2020

This is a modified version of the capelet which featured in Issue 61 of Inside Crochet Magazine. It is worked from the top down in the round.

Materials: Takhi Chelsea Silk Aran- or any aran weight yarn
5mm hook

6mm hook

Yarn needle

Tension: Number of paired trebles to a 4”/10cm square, as specified in first 16 rounds of pattern:

Horizontally -3

Vertically-4

Size- One size

Measurements:(actual)

Neckline- 32”/82cm
Chest-48"/122cm

Length-26”/66cm

Abbreviations: US terms in italics following/

ch- chain dc/sc-double crochet ss- slip stitch tr/dc-treble

st(s) -stitch(es) ch sp- chain space foll- following rep- repeat

htr/hdc- half treble

Instructions

With 6mm hook , ch 100 loosely, join in a ring without twisting.
(I just started wearing the above, I am about a 40" bust, the neck was a bit loose-if you are my size or below you may want to use a 5mm hook for first5 rounds, instead.)

Rnds 1-5: Place marker for start of round. Each begins with 1ch, then dc/sc to beginning and join with a ss to 1ch.Break off yarn leaving a long end.

Rnd 6- Foundation pattern round: Rejoin yarn to foundation chain side of neckband.

3ch(forms 1^st tr/dc),in same st,[1tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc]. * Miss 2sts of foundation ch, into next st , work [2tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc], rep from * to end. Ss to top of 1^st 3ch of round.

Make another ss so that yarn is next to 1^st ch sp for pattern round.

Pattern round: In the first 2ch sp between pairs of trs/dcs, work 3tr/dc [1tr/dc,2ch,3tr/dc].

*Into next ch sp, [2tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc].Repeat to end of round, join with ss to top of first 3ch. Make another ss so that yarn is next to 1^st ch sp for foll rounds

Repeat pattern round until 16 rounds have been completed.

Rnd 17: 3ch,[1tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc]into ch sp,* ch1,[2tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc],into next ch sp. Rep from * to end.Ch1, join to top of first 3ch with a ss.Make another ss so that you are ready to start in the next ch sp.

Rnds 18-19: Repeat Rnd 17.

Rnd 20: 3ch,[1tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc] into ch sp, *ch2,[2tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc]. Rep from *to end.

Ch2, join to top of 3ch with a ss.Make another ss to bring yarn to ch sp

Rnds 21-22: Rep Rnd 20

Rnd 23: 3ch,[1tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc]into ch sp,*ch3,[2tr/dc,2ch,2tr/dc]into ch sp. Repeat from * to end.Ch3, join to top of 3ch with a ss.

Rnds 24-26: Rep rnd 23.

Rnd 27: Into 1^st tr of shell, ch2.*Into 2^nd tr/dc, dc/sc. Dc/sc into 2ch sp, dc/sc into next tr. Htr/hdc into next tr/dc.Into 3ch sp, 3 tr/dc .Htr/hdc into next st. Rep from *to end.

Rnds 28-32: Dc/sc all around, beginning each round with ch1 and ending it with a ss into ch1.

Sew in all ends for about 3” and press lightly.

Crocheted Jewellery

The 'Wilma' necklace, named after Wilma Flintstone.Made using the plastic balls from inside roll-on deodorants. Crocheted jewellery is fun to make, though not sure how wearable for everyday!

Now, this is how you do it- wonderful design by Jo Smith of the Spannerworks, recently featured in 'Inside Crochet' magazine. Patterns for more of her lovely designs available from her Etsy shop. Beads crocheted and embroidered, filled with toy stuffing.

Photo by Tailormade Publications

Pink Lion

Artist/author Jane Porter has allowed me to have a go at designing a Pink Lion amigurumi inspired by her wonderful illustrations.

First, I make a prototype. Thought I'd start with the head.

So far, so good. It is an exciting challenge, to attempt to capture the essence of this winsome character in yarn.

Finished Sleeping Lion. Now to write the pattern- see if he is replicable!

More pictures, from Jane's FB page

https://www.waterstones.com/book/pink-lion/jane-porter/jane-porter/9781406362336

Jumpers the Marmalade Cat

This character was created by Monica Hare, and her book is availasble on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jumpers-Marmalade-Cat-Monica-Hare/dp/1453687246

It follows in the wonderful tradition of nonsense stories by the likes of Edward Lear and Lewis Carrol, but with a modern twist.

She asked me to design a knitting pattern for her, and stipulated that it be in moss stitch- because Jumpers is a 'cross -eyed, cross stitch' cat!He is made in DK on two needles. As one commenter remarked, he looks like he's been at the catnip!

Jada

Textile portrait of Jada.

Preliminary watercolour sketch of my next pet picture.

Recently departed at an advanced age, Jada was one of my sister's much loved canine companions for many years.I am going to attempt a textile portrait of her.

I am quite intrigued by the idea of felted crochet- not sure if it will work, but I might give it a go.

Or, use similar method I used for Pieter Boel's dog, crochet and embroidery on a hessian support. We shall see.

Finished picture prior to felting- somewhat risky, but never mind. Life on the edge!

It didn't emerge quite as I'd intended- the white yarn was not feltable! Never mind.

This fascination with animals is nothing new. A friend recently reunited me with one of my etchings from art school days, in the early 1980s.

Not sure why I made this image, probably lifted from a photograph on the sporting pages of a newspaper. In those days dogs still ran at Haringay. Now its a B and Q.

I do have four fiercely competitive sisters, though? Just sayin'...

Jurassic Bedroom mat

I had several balls of chunky, loosely woven wool, such as some DROPS Eskimo, Rowan Cocoon, Lopi, and some DK weight wool which I used 3-4 strands of to make a thicker yarn. I worked a basic ammonite shell shape using 10 and 15mm hooks.Placed them facedown in a pleasing arrangement and sewed them together around the edges. Finally felted at 90 degrees in the washing machine with an old towel and some colour catcher. Gave it a good press with an iron and this is the result!

The above is the 'wrong' side- looks better than the right one, though! Mattress or other invisible stitch probably best for sewing shapes together, then it would be completely reversible.