Tuesday 3 May 2016

Frida's Flowers CAL - Block 3 - Bird of Paradise

The Third Instalment of the Frida's Flowers Blanket Crochet-Along, designed by Jane Crowfoot and hosted by Stylecraft Yarns has just been posted, and is available to download NOW from the Stylecraft website, in English (US and UK), German and Dutch.

If you haven't set up a Ravelry project yet, the pattern page can be found here:http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fridas-flowers-blanket 
I am working the CAL along with you all (in the Classique Cotton, provided by the wonderful Stylecraft team), and I'll post my tips and tricks for each part at the same time as the pattern is published over at the Stylecraft website. If you have any questions or need help, there are Facebook groups (English: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1555519964767343/ , German: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1039765272753087/ and Dutch:https://www.facebook.com/groups/145851979128898/ ),

and you are always welcome to leave a comment here or ask us on Facebook. As you know, Anne is doing the German translations for the CAL, so ask away in German too!


So, Block 3 - the Bird of Paradise.

Front
Back
You'll need to make 4 hexagons.

Yarn usage:
11g Sunflower (21m)
9g Plum (17m)
4g Poppy (8m)
9g Leaf (17m)
10g Greek Blue (19m)
7g Nocturne (13m)
7g Toffee (13m)
50g Black (92m)
18g Ivory (33m)

Remember: I'm using the Classique Cotton, so use the meterage above if you are making Frida in another DK yarn.

Here's a little spreadsheet tool that I am using to track yarn usage - just enter your start and finish weights for your yarns, and then the weight and meterage used will be automatically calculated! 


My top tips for the Bird of Paradise Block:

1. The pattern gets more complex this week. Make sure you take the time to read the instructions properly!! 

I can't emphasise this enough - the few issues I had with this block came from me not reading the instructions closely enough.

2. When you're starting a new colour with a stitch taller than an sc (e.g. hdc, dc, tr, etc), consider using standing stitches rather than chains.

Moogly has some great tutorials for standing stitches - I thoroughly recommend them! 

http://www.mooglyblog.com/standing-double-crochet-joining/



You can of course use the Stacked Standing DC we talked about last week, but I find that most suitable for when you're continuing with the same colour. 

3. In Round 7, make sure you work dc3tog in FRONT of the last few rows, not over them.



If you work over the rows, encasing them in the stitch, your hexagon will be scrunched up in strange places. Keep it flat, work in front :)

4. In Round 9 with the white dc3tog petals, try using Moogly's standing dc to make a true dc3tog to start! 

Do the standing dc up to the last yoh and pull through 2 loops, and continue as you would for a normal dc3tog. It'll look neater and more consistent with the other petals! 



5. I recommend reviewing the tips from Blocks 1 and 2 - some of that information is still relevant to this more complex block! You can find those posts here:

Block 1: http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/fridas-flowers-cal-block-1-white-cosmos.html

Block 2: http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/fridas-flowers-cal-block-2-dahlia-bud.html

Happy hooking! Don't hesitate to comment, visit a Facebook group or ask Anne or Michelle on Facebook if you need any help :D

7 comments :

  1. Good morning! I'm in the middle of crocheting this gorgeous blanket (block #3) & the stylecraft website is no longer available. I read on Ravelry that the domain is down for repairs. Does anyone have the written instructions so I can continue? Thanks so much!

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    1. Hi Cynthia, unfortunately Michelle and I only have the unformatted pattern (well, I have the formatted German ones but I don't think that will help). :( I hope the Stylecraft page will online again tomorrow!
      Do you use charts? Because these are still online in the FB groups!!
      Take care
      Anne

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  2. Hello, I am completly stuck in round 7. I made it to 5ch and dont know how to continue :( Please help! :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Petra! Take a deep breath first :) In Round 7, we're working a dc3tog into the green chain strings you left behind in Row 3. After your 5 chain, the next place you put your hook is under the green chain of Row 3 - make your dc3 together around that chain (but not around rows 4, 5 and 6 as well!) I hope that helps!!

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    2. You can always send us a message through Facebook at facebook.com/crochetbetweenworlds

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    3. Ohh thank you so much, I finally made it!!! :-)

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    4. Good on you! :) Glad we could assist!

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