Pie Time crochet van ....and my own errata for the pattern!

 

Confession: I crocheted this van for my son last year and wanted to see how he used it before doing a Show & Tell on my blog! 

Yes, he loved it and how does he use it? He stores his Shopkins in it and I think that is just the cutest thing! 

Am I glad I made it? Yes!  It was a challenge, and I'd never seen anything like it, so I really enjoyed crocheting it.   It's actually supposed to be an ice-cream van but my son keeps saying he wants to have his own pie shop, maybe even a pie food truck - so I just had to turn it into one!

And now you want to make one too because it's just so cool, am I right?!  The pattern is from a book, grab it either here or here.

And what yarn did I use?  I used yarn from my stash! Biggest tip, is for the materials, you need to use a sturdy cardboard like this, otherwise it'll collapse on you!

What do I make next?  I want to make my son something equally awesome for his birthday this year, so I'm thinking of this, but I've first got to find the right colour blue for it.

Now for the tricky bit: this pattern needed an errata.
When I started making the pattern, I had some major questions with the pattern that needed answers, so I contacted the publisher and the designer but received no response. I did manage to (eventually) find a errata but it wasn't complete and still left me with many questions unanswered. So in an effort to aid the next person that makes this, who may have the same questions as me, you may find some help below. I hope it helps you.

Question... what about a piece for the external rear (or perhaps you’d call it the external floor & back?).

This piece (& instructions) is missing from the pattern, so this is what I did:

~ With matching yarn colour to the first two panels, in my case green, crochet:
Chain 16 (check the width is correct to your other pieces)
Starting in 2nd chain from hook, 15dc across, ch1 & turn.

For the next 11 rows, dc across each row, ch1 at the end, then switch to cream or white yarn and crochet 11 rows - dc across as per previous rows (check that this matches your previous panels).

Question... why do I need to make 2 back panels? Wouldn’t I just need the shaped front panel & shaped back panel - why would I need an additional shaped back panel?

You don't.

Just make 1 x front panel which is the side of the van with the shop hole for the concession window and just make 1 x back panel which is the opposite side (but plain, with NO concession window) - do NOT make 2 back panels.

Question... for the hood & grill section.. rounds 18-22 states I need to dc into every stitch. Count 8 sts along .. line up the windscreen section etc … but which row do I actually attach the windscreen on - row 18, row 19, row 20, row 21, row 22?? So confusing! AND what exactly is a row - is it all the way around (over 40+) stitches or just back & forward & only 22 stitches?? 

I wish I had the answer for you here but I honestly couldn't figure it out properly. I just crocheted the piece looking at the photo in the book, I think I frogged this piece over & over again before I had something that looked like the cab of a truck.

Happy Crocheting!

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Marie

Spring Squares Bag ......& a 'recipe' on how to make one for yourself.

I'm pretty chuffed with my latest project, a Spring Squares Bag that I'll use for carrying my crochet or knitting projects when I head off to my crafty groups. 

My Gift To You!

As my gift to you this Christmas, you have the chance to win ANY pattern of YOUR choice on Ravelry.

Just head over to my group on Ravelry to enter.

Good luck!

Testers Wanted...

Do you feel like testing a new pattern and providing feedback? ....You can be totally honest with your feedback!

Free Pattern: The Candelion Scarf (Crochet)

This is a lovely long scarf that can hang loose down to your knees or around your neck loosely like a big cowl. 

Initially you may be daunted by the long rows but trust me, it's all worth it!  The yarn that is used is the Noro yarn and it works best in long rows to get the full effect of the colour changes.

Free Pattern: Easy Peasy Crochet Balls or Baubles

These crochet balls/baubles are a quick easy project & once you have made the first one, you will be able to whip them up easily within 30 minutes. The hardest part is holding the stuffing down whilst you work the last row!

 You can stuff them with anything, toy stuffing, wool, fabric scraps & even lavender.

Work some up in bright playful colours for the kids or festive colours & string together for a Christmas wreath or use thick cotton yarn to make some & sew together flat to make a trivet or pot holder.
Use any thickness of yarn (the picture shows thin crochet cotton) and use a suitable hook.

To make the balls/baubles: 
dc=treble      dc2tog=double crochet two together to decrease

~ chain 4 & slip stitch together to form a loop
~ 3ch (counts as first dc), 11dc, slip stitch to the top of the 3ch
~ 2dc in every space, slip stitch to the top of the first dc
~ (1 dc, 2dc) around the row, slip stitch to the top of the first dc
~ dc in every stitch around the row, slip stitch to the top of the first dc
~ (dc, dc2tog) around the row, slip stitch to the top of the first dc
~ dc2tog around the row, slip stitch to the top of the first dc
~ stuff the ball
~ (dc6tog)twice, and darn in the ends or chain a loop to the top.
Note: if on the last row (dc6tog)twice you have more than 12 stitches, just dc7together or dc8togther twice for the same effect.

Hooky writing

Everybody loved this bag... did you?  Well, I loved it so much that I have decided to write up the pattern for you, for me & for the girlie next door.  It may take a bit to write it up, I mean, check out my writing....

Free Pattern:: Crochet an Easy Peasy Washcloth

This washcloth is easy to make, 

it's simple to master and you'll soon be making 1 to 2 each night!

this blog post contains affiliate links

They make great gifts paired with a nice fancy soap (I gift wrap mine with a local made goats milk soap).

Yarn: Worsted weight Cotton yarn - I used this lovely cotton yarn.

I also use two colours - one for the main body of the washcloth & a contrasting colour for the trim.

Click here or click here for other yarn suggestions to use.

Hook: 5mm crochet hook or whatever hook you feel comfortable using with the yarn.

You will also need some scissors for cutting the yarn ends & a darning needle to weave in the ends.

Ok, let's start!

Chain 25, using the main colour yarn.

Row 1:::   Skip first stitch then *1 sc & 1 dc in the next stitch, skip next stitch.   Repeat from * to end of row.

               Turn.

Repeat row 1 for 18-20 rows either until square or it's at the size you like!  (I crochet 18 rows). 

Fasten off and weave in ends.

To finish with the trim:

Using secondary (trim) colour, sc around the edge adding an extra chain stitch into the corners to keep the trim flat.

Fasten off & weave in the ends.

Voila, a finished washcloth - see how 'easy peasy' it was!!!

Click here, to check out my Amazon Page for some great crafty inspo and links to some great books to read.

Now, go ahead and book mark this page too, so when you make some you can come back and post a link in the comments section below for Show & Tell!

      

Edited on 27th Oct 2014.....  
please note that several comments (below) state that I should be chaining one at the start (or end) of each row. I don't, it's not needed. In fact, to show you that it is not needed, please click here, it will take you to another blog post that shows step by step how it is not needed.

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you.   So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Rie

        

Meanwhile on Rav...

Do you know that feeling of 'what next' when you're already working on one (or two or three) projects?  Well I do, I get it bad all the time! 
So whilst I'm knitting my hubby's secret vest & bubba's vest & a baby hat & crocheting some Christmas gifts & baby booties...... in my 'down' time I'm searching Ravelry for the next projects.
Here are some cute projects that have caught my eye...

Thrifty nice

Do you like my new casserole dish that I picked up at the thrift store?

In awe...

Sometimes you stumble across someone that just blows your mind.
I was searching Ravelry for hat patterns when I stumbled upon this ace hat. 

 

So, like always, I search the designers page for other patterns (see below).

         

And then I read the designers profile, this lass is just 14 years old - yes, that's right I said 14 years old and she is already a fab knitting designer!! 
How brilliant is Lily Kate!  
Click on the images to take you to her Ravelry page.
and yes, this post is completely unsponsored, I'm just in awe of her work!!
all images via Ravelry

meanwhile on Rav...

I'm stuck here at the computer cos it's taken me 2hours to get bubba to nap - so that means I'm stuck up the other end of the house so I don't wake him, luckily there is a heater & the internet!
So, what's a girl to do ... she spends a copious amount of time on Ravelry checking out the patterns!  
Here are some of the beauties that I found!

On the hook

Trying something new, yep another attempt at another pattern!  

It's kinda working but the pattern isn't making sense & I'm having to refer to the diagram rather than the actual written pattern!
I don't know what's happening to me, this is the second pattern I'm trying in 2 weeks. You see, I don't read patterns, I don't understand them, I don't have the patience for them... It must be this motherhood gig, it's screwing with my head!!!!!!

Web find: Cute Sock Patterns

Check out these socks...  how cute are they!

And you can buy the patterns from here!

Me & patterns

I can't read a pattern.   

They frustrate me. 

And even if I do manage to read one,  I write all over it and end up writing my own version in my own scribble (that I can never read again!).

So, problem.......  I want to make bubba Joe a dressing gown.  

Solution...........  Find a big fitting cardigan & copy the shape.

It's working so far, I let you know how I go!

BTW... even recipes frustrate me!!