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Tunisian Crochet Lace Class Resources

This clickable list of Tunisian crochet lace resources is mainly to aid students of my classes in exploring more about Tunisian lace crochet at their leisure.  The links below represent the extra information that doesn’t fit into a standard three-hour class. Some are the names of designers, books, other types of crochet lace, etc., that I may have mentioned in a class.

Click: My published Tunisian Crochet downloadable patterns

— Vashti Braha

Tunisian Lace Crochet Class Resources

Click on a photo to enlarge it.

Blogged:

Vashti’s Crochet Inspirations Newsletter Topics:

Some of my not-yet published Tunisian Crochet projects

Story of the Tunisian Wicker Stitch (an eyelet mesh) featured in the Weightless Wrap:

Some Valuable Books

  • 1997: Basics of Tunisian Crochet for Beginners, N. Seto, Japan. ISBN 978-4-529-029285
  • 2000 (1991), Rebecca Jones: Tricot Crochet The Complete Book, Lacis Pubs., Berkeley CA. ISBN 978-1-891656-28-6
  • 2004, Angela “ARNie” Grabowski: Encyclopedia of Tunisian Crochet, LoneStar Abilene Pubg LLC, TX. ISBN 978-0-974972-55-8
  • 2004, Carolyn Christmas and Dorris Brooks: 101 Easy Tunisian StitchesTM, Annies Attic, IN. ISBN 978-1-931171-74-8
  • 2008: Tunisian Crochet Patterns 100, Nihon Amimono Bunka Kyo-kai, Japan ISBN 978-4-529-04484-4
  • 2009, Kim Guzman: Learn to Do Tunisian Lace Stitches, Annie’s Attic, IN. ISBN 978-1-59635-264-3
  • 2009, Sharon Hernes Silverman: Tunisian Crochet: The Look of Knitting with the Ease of Crocheting, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg PA. ISBN 978-0-811704-84-7
  • 2014, Kim Guzman: Tunisian Crochet Stitch Guide.
  • Duplet magazine issue #61.
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2014 Summer Crochet Classes, Vashti-Style!

I’m teaching six of my favorite crochet topics at the end of this July, in Manchester, New Hampshire. The occasion is the Crochet Guild of America’s annual national conference AND its 20th anniversary

Each of the classes listed below is three hours long, with a break halfway through. That break is a good thing because these classes are more in depth and thorough – even for advanced crocheters – than the usual classes available locally. For class descriptions and images, click the CGOA link above, or go to the Knit and Crochet Show site here.

The first two classes I’ll be teaching focus on two types of Tunisian crochet lace, diagonal meshes and classic filet nets. Both of them are scheduled on Thursday, July 24th:

  • T100C ~ Tunisian Eyelet Meshes: How to Turn Tss Into Lace (9 am – noon)
  • T200C ~ Tunisian Filet Lace: Skill Building Basics (2 pm – 5 pm)

The third and fourth two classes I’ll be teaching each focus on a special stitch type and all that you can do with it: Star Stitches, and Lover’s Knots. Both of them are scheduled on Friday, July 25th:

  • F100C ~ A Star Stitch for Every Purpose  (9 am – noon)
  • F200C ~ 21st Century Love Knot Adventures (2 pm – 5 pm)

My fifth and sixth classes are both about Slip Stitch Crochet: and intro class and then a shaping/special effects class. Both of them are scheduled on Saturday, July 26th:

   S101C ~ Introduction to Slip Stitch Crochet Technique (9 am – noon)

   S200C ~ Slip Stitch Shapes & Shaping Effects (2 pm – 5 pm)

I’ve also done newsletter issues on all of these topics. You can see the most recent ones listed in the Vashti’s Crochet Inspirations Newsletter archive.

 

Cookie’s Last Dance

This filet crochet pattern for a whimsical scarf and stole includes special designer tips and tweaks. Doris Chan has created a handy resource for learning how to crochet filet lace and loving your results. It’s informed by research for her recent filet crochet article in Interweave Crochet Magazine.

Partial Contents of Cookie’s Last Dance

  • Interpreting Filet Charts
  • Getting the Filet to Look Square
  • How to crochet the foundation double crochet (FDC)
  • How to crochet the beginning extended double crochet (Beg-EDC)
    • These two optional techniques are recommended because, as Doris explains in the pattern, They create a bottom edge and side edges respectively that are balanced in ‘weight’ and appearance. The resulting edges are as elastic and stretchy as the rest of the fabric, with no pulling in or puckering when worn.
  • Two crochet patterns for two levels of wearable warmth: Cookie Scarf is an example of a summery linen blend; Cookie Stole is a warmer wool blend.

From the Introduction:

Cookie is…was…my first and only pet dog. I wrote about his passing on my blog and described his endearing little happy dance: 

“…crazily spinning around like a compass needle, reserved for moments of ultimate fulfillment of longing and joy, like suppertime.”

At the end of the post I previewed a crochet design, my remembrance and my therapy for grief, with the promise of a pattern to follow. So here it is, DJC: Cookie’s Last Dance, my furball twirling along the length of a rectangular scarf or stole. It is a fairly easy project in filet crochet technique; the actual instructions are worked, as is customary, from a filet chart and are very short. The pattern file is a bit bloated due to the extra features. In case you are not familiar with filet, I’ve included some material to help you through, including short tutorials for two special techniques that I think make the projects better. To view a more complete photo tutorial, please click on the link from within the pattern to go to a bonus feature on my blog.

Yours,
Doris, 1 May 2013 

Finished Sizes

Scarf: 8” (20cm) wide by 80” (200cm) long rectangle (Scarf length is easily customized; as Doris explains, “I got majorly carried away when crocheting the original scarf and it’s excessively long. Please stop crocheting whenever you need to, like when you run out of yarn!”)

Stole: 18” (46cm) wide by 72” (193cm) long rectangle

Materials

Scarf:

  • US Size G-6 (4mm) crochet hook, or size to match your yarn and to achieve fabric desired
  • Tapestry needle for weaving ends
  • Newton’s Yarn Country Tencel/Linen; 75% tencel, 25% linen; sold by weight in ginormous hanks, 1450 yards per pound, or if put up in normal skeins, approximately 158 yd (145m)/1 3/4 oz (50g). Approximately 6 3/4 oz (191g)/612 yd (556m) in Natural was used. (This exact yarn may or may not be available, even by special order!) OR your choice of fine weight yarns, including those sometimes called sport, sock, baby or fingering, with a knitting gauge of 6 sts per inch; if put up in skeins of 1 3/4 oz (50g), approximately 4 skeins.

Stole:

  • US Size 7 (4.5mm) crochet hook, or size to match your yarn and to achieve fabric desired
  • Tapestry needle for weaving ends
  • Cascade Venezia Sport; 70% Merino Wool, 30% Mulberry Silk; 3 1/2 oz (100g)/307 yd (281m). For sample as shown, 3 skeins, approximately 10 oz (283g), in #195 Deep Navy used. OR your choice of fine weight yarns like for scarf, approximately 900-950 yds.

Mesmer Veils Set (incl. Maze Vest)

This pattern set offers a unique experience of crocheting breezy Tunisian scarves, wraps, and vests. The Mesmer approach is a three-in-one introduction to:

  • a versatile extended Tunisian net stitch that conserves yarn
  • double-ended crocheting for a reversible and fringe-free option
  • steeking (cutting open armholes with a quick snip of one stitch loop for the vest option).

An earlier version of the vest was originally published as “Maze Vest” in the Summer 2014 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine.

Like the Weightless Tunisian Stole, the Mesmer Veil directly contradicts silly old stereotypes of Tunisian crochet as being thick, stiff, and slow to crochet. Mesmer is gossamer-thin, lacy, flexible, stretchy, collapsible, and stitches up quickly. It also conserves yarn and is reversible (front and back are equally lovely). It’s simply everything Tunisian crochet isn’t thought to be.

It’s even light on the hook: only half of the stitches in a row are held on the hook, so you can make an extra-long piece without using an extra-long hook.

Although it’s a fun way to combine scrap yarns, Mesmer is designed to make expensive yarns go twice as far.

The length and width are easy to customize for creating simple wearable shapes. Use a Tunisian hook for a wrap that collapses lengthwise into a scarf with naturally fringed ends (pink version). The hand-dyed teal version is crocheted widthwise. 

Use a double-ended Tunisian crochet hook to make a decorative solid edge instead of fringe.

Skill Level

Easy Intermediate (due to alternating yarns of contrasting weights and textures). You should have some experience using Tunisian crochet patterns. Use this blog post for a quick review: Five Basic Rules of Tunisian Crochet Patterns. Good examples of modern introductory-level Tunisian crochet patterns are ShaktithingsBurly, and Burly Bias.

International English equivalents for American terms are included.

?After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to create a special filet-like ethereal Tunisian net
  • How to use a nonstandard Return Pass
  • How to add stretch and drape to Tunisian crochet fabric
  • How to combine yarns and colors that emphasize either the forward pass, or the return pass, for a unique effect.
  • How to add armholes, and scarf keyholes, with truly easy steeks (cuts)

Finished Dimensions of Projects Shown

  • Vest is written in standard sizes XSmall (Small, Medium, Large, XLarge). Sample shown is size Small.
    • Finished bust/chest circumference: 33 (38, 42, 48, 52)”. When worn with fronts overlapped, wearing ease is approx. 4” (proportional to standard sizes) with approx. 5″ of overlap.
    • Finished Back Length: 19 (20, 21, 21.5, 22)”.
  • Original Mesmer Scarf (Pink) is 54” {137 cm} long (excluding 6” {15.25 cm} fringed ends) and 14” {35.5 cm} wide, measured hung after blocking. Pattern includes simple information for adding length and width to the scarf. Based on the amount of leftover yarn and projections from the Misty Wrap below, the scarf size could likely be increased to as much as 60” {152.5 cm} long and 15” {38 cm} wide without requiring an additional skein.
  • Misty Mesmer Wrap (Teal) is 56” {142.25 cm} long X 22” {55.75 cm} wide.

Materials

Tunisian Crochet Hook: size K/10.5/6.5mm, 13″ {33 cm} long was used for all fringed projects shown. A double-ended Tunisian hook of the same size was used for the non-fringed projects.

Used for brown vest:

  1. S. Charles Collezione Luna (71% Super Kid Mohair, 20% Silk, 9% Lurex; 232yd/212.5m per .88oz/25g; CYCA #0): #41 chestnut, 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) skeins. The “thin yarn” in pattern.
  2. S. Charles Collezione Stella (74% Silk, 26% Lurex; 76.5yd/70m per .88oz/25g; CYCA #4): #41 chestnut, 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) skeins. The “thick yarn” in pattern.

Crochet hook for brown vest: US double-ended flexible Tunisian hook size K/10.5 (6.5mm), 13″ long. For the main pattern, a rigid double-ended hook can be used instead. A stopper for one end is needed to edge the armholes. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions: Four stitch markers (m) to mark sleeves; yarn needle.

Used for Original Mesmer (Fringed Pink Scarf)

  1. Thicker Yarn: Tilli Tomas Disco Lights (90% Spun Silk, 10% Petite Sequins; 225yds/206m per 3.5oz/100g skein), Dusty Pink: 1 ball.
  2. Thinner Yarn: S.R. Kertzer Ovation (75% Kid Mohair, 25% Silk, 233yds/212m per .88oz/25g ball), color #2142, 1 ball.

Crochet hook for pink scarf: US Tunisian hook size K/10.5 (6.5mm), 13″ long. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Yarns Used for Misty Mesmer Wrap (Teal Wrap)

  1. Thicker Yarn: Tilli Tomas Disco Lights (90% Spun Silk, 10% Petite Sequins; 225yds/206m per 3.5oz/100g skein), color Jade: 1 ball.
  2. Thinner Yarn: Blue Ridge Yarns Shadow Mini (100% brushed mohair; 225yds/205m per 45g mini skein), Blue Lagoon, 1 skein.

Crochet hook for teal stole: US double-ended Tunisian hook size K/10.5 (6.5mm), 13″ long. If you decide to add armholes later, you’ll also need a stopper for one end to edge the armholes. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Choosing Yarns:
Mesmer’s veil quality results mainly from alternating a lace weight kid mohair yarn with a medium weight glossy sequined silk yarn. You can get other special effects by trying other very different yarns.

Part of the fun for me with this design has been combining different yarn textures, weights, and colors. Every combination I tried (except dishcloth cottons and other very plain yarns) looked great, so I hope you will be inspired to experiment.

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Summer-Fall 2012 Crochet Class Schedule

I’ll Be Teaching Crochet Classes and Meeting Up with Fellow Crocheters at these National 2012 Events

Class: Tunisian Crochet Meshes: The Weightless Wrap & Variations
Class: Tunisian Crochet Meshes: The Weightless Wrap & Variations
  1. June 27 – July 1 in Manchester, New Hampshire: Summer Chain Link Conference produced by the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA); register at The Knit and Crochet Show site. Classes are already selling out and a second hotel has been added!
  2. September 12 – 16 in Reno, Nevada: Fall Chain Link CGOA Conference; registration will open in July here.

 

Classes Listed by Topic

See event links above for class descriptions

Slip Stitch Crochet Classes:
Combines two basic Slip Stitch types
Class: Introduction to Slip Stitch Technique (Slip Tectonics Cowl)

  1. Introduction to Slip Stitch Crochet Technique: June 28th in Manchester NH (SOLD OUT), and September 13 in Reno NV (see registration link above)
  2. Class: Advanced Slip Stitch Technique (Slip Swoop Loop, forthcoming design)
    Class: Advanced Slip Stitch Technique (Slip Swoop Loop, forthcoming design)

    Advanced Slip Stitch Technique: June 28th in Manchester NH (SOLD OUT)

 

Tunisian Crochet Classes:

  1. Tunisian Crochet Lace 101: June 29th in Manchester NH (SOLD OUT)

    Class: Tunisian Crochet Lace 101 (Quartz, class project version of Aero)
    Class: Tunisian Crochet Lace 101 (Quartz, class project version of Aero)
  2. The Five Peaks Shawl: September 12 in Reno NV (see registration link above)

    Class: The Five Peaks Wrap (Tunisian crochet on the bias with lacy eyelets for a shape that stays on your shoulders)
    Class: The Five Peaks Wrap (Tunisian crochet on the bias with lacy eyelets for a shape that stays on your shoulders)
  3. Tunisian Crochet Meshes: The Weightless Wrap: September 14 in Reno NV (see photo at top of screen and registration link above)

 

More Crochet Class Topics for 2012:

  1. Embracelet
    Class: Creating Crochet Jewelry (Embracelet)

    Love Knot Adventures: June 29th in Manchester NH (SOLD OUT)

  2. Creating Crochet Jewelry: September 13 in Reno NV (see registration link above)
  3. Class: Love Knot Adventures (Nakshatra, forthcoming)
    Class: Love Knot Adventures (Nakshatra, forthcoming)

    How to Prepare a Design Proposal, presentation for Professional Development Day: September 12 in Reno NV (see registration link above)

 

Regional Crochet Events

I’m honored to be leading the Annual Crochet Retreat of the Northern Illinois CGOA Chapter in Oregon, IL (Chicago area), October 26-29 2012. Retreat topics (more details to come):

  1. Special Topics in Slip Stitch Crochet
  2. Advanced Tunisian Crochet Lace

More Relevant Photos:

Retreat Topic: Advanced Tunisian Crochet Lace (Rivuline, preview of forthcoming design)
Retreat Topic: Advanced Tunisian Crochet Lace (Rivuline, preview of forthcoming design)
Class: Advanced Slip Stitch Technique (new stitch combos, forthcoming design)
Class: Advanced Slip Stitch Technique (new stitch combos, forthcoming design)
Class: Creating Crochet Jewelry (Cabochon Braid, forthcoming design)
Class: Creating Crochet Jewelry (Cabochon Braid, forthcoming design)