February 29th 2012

With Leap Year being on the minds of some, I thought I'd contemplate the implications of this date, too! And my cynical thinking came up with this...


Do I spy an MCP?

A leap year could inspired a girl
to try and make her man's heart whirl
by proposing they should marry.
"Say yes, darling? Do not tarry..."

The question, once it strikes his mind,
may, of a sudden make him find
the last thing he would ever do
is end up saying 'I love you'
and promising 'Till death do part',
to cleave to but one single heart.

He'd rather stand guard, raise his shield
and carry on to play the field!
"The world is full of comely maids
almost begging to be laid..."

Linked to IGWRT and d'Verse 

Time For A Change

For the moment, I've decided to use this blog as an extra string to my bow, with no rhyme or reason as to what I shall post on it. Think of it in the nature of a tentative experiment.

Today, because of requests on Napple Notes  for copies of my poncho pattern, that's what I'm going to post, to be read or ignored as fate wills.This link will let you see a picture of the finished article, as well as explain why it came into being.

As well as this diagram (front and back both alike, and joined and worked together in rounds) I've written out as comprehensive a set of instructions as I could manage this morning, so here goes.

Pen’s Poncho

Worked with 3.50mm hook and Double Knitting wool. (Final garment weighs 27 1/2 ounces, so I guess that's a good indication of the quantity needed.) Abbreviations (English notation):-

• ss = slip stitch
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble

To start, work  4 ch, and  ss to form ring
1st round    8 dc into ring (ss into 1st dc)

2nd round  
3ch,  1 treble into base of 3ch,  2 tr into next dc
 [4 ch (corner)  (2 tr next dc) twice] repeat  x 3 ,  4 ch  (corner),  ss to top of 3 ch.

3rd round    
4 ch  ( to count as one tr, 1ch)
** [1 tr into next space on previous row, 1ch] x 4
3 ch, 1 tr into same corner space of previous round, 1 ch**
Repeat from ** to** 3 times
1 tr into corner space on previous row, 1 ch, 3 ch,  ss to 3 rd chain of the four chain at the start of this round.  

4th round
1 dc into first space between tr’s of previous row
[3 ch, 1 dc in next space] repeat all around the sides of the square but working
[1 dc,  5 ch,  1 dc] in each of the corners until the last one, which needs to be
[ 1dc,  5ch, 1 dc,  3ch, ss into first dc on the row.  Fasten off.

Each subsequent square must be joined by its loops to adjacent squares while working the fourth row...   i.e.  I dc, 1 chain, then pick up corresponding loop on the other square  and attach  with  a ss,  1ch, 1dc, etc. Each corner sequence will be [1 dc  into corner space of working square, 2 ch, ss into corner loop of square to be attached,  2 ch, 1 dc into working square]

The edge may be finished with a hand tied fringe, or any crochet edging of your choice. - email me if you need help!

to show edging

close up of single motif

In Tandem For All

In Tandem #21

N.B. Due to the sparse numbers of Tandem riders in the past few weeks, I've decided to put a padlock on the wheels for a while. This won't stop any enthusiasts helping themselves to any of the previous prompts to freewheel around! All the Linky lists should still be functioning, and my emails will notify me at once of any Bloggers who use one and leave a comment. See you again soon, I hope.

In Tandem #20

This week, I've chosen a colourful design created by Chelsea Bednar,  a daughter of the talented Margaret, whose works I've featured before on In Tandem. They are obviously an artistic family!

In Tandem #19

Here we have another Blogger giving us a feast for our eyes, and imaginations! Thanks go to Jacqui Binford-Bell, for allowing her original painting to be used on In Tandem today.

In Tandem #18

This week, here are two examples of Margaret Bednar's artistic skill to set your imaginations going!

In Tandem #17