Crochet stitches

There are lots of free patterns available on the web.

Just google " free crochet pattern"

If you are in the UK though, you may find slight differences in the pattern stitches.

Here is a translation between UK and USA;

There is a chart below for translating crochet patterns written in British English crochet terms into American English crochet terms. For example, a double crochet in British English is made the same way as a single crochet in American English (it is just called by two different names).

Some antique patterns published in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s use British English crochet pattern terms also. In any pattern or publication, there is usually a section giving a description of the way each stitch is made and you can determine by that if the double crochet, for instance, is a British English or an American English double crochet. Then you'll know if that entire publication is written in British or in American English crochet terms.

Translating Crochet Terms Between British and American English

British vs American English Crochet Patterns
British English	USA - American English
double crochet (dc)	single crochet (sc)
half treble (htr)	half double crochet (hdc)
treble (tr)	double crochet (dc)
double treble (dtr)	treble (tr)
triple treble (trtr)	double treble (dtr)
miss	skip
tension	gauge
yarn over hook (yoh)	yarn over (yo)

The chart is from http://crochet.about.com

This is a great site for freebies, I searched for shawl patterns.

http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/03/16/55-free-shawl-patterns-to-knit-and-crochet/

Random Yarn Pics

Using handspun yarns is a wonderful way to create a completely unique garment.

Even using a commercial pattern, your knitting or crochet will be one of a kind.

You can buy beautifuls yarn from ETSY.. just search for handspun.

Happy knitting x

The Cloth Whisperer and Tashi Lhunpo Monks

http://www.linda-matthews.com/

Linda sends out a weekly newsletter every Wednesday, well worth a look!

If you click on the link , you can sign up for it.

Its inspirational as well as creative.

Thank you Diana for introducing me to this lovely craft source!

~

Only as high as I reach can I grow,

only as far as I seek can I go,

only as deep as I look can I see,

only as much as I dream can I be

Karen Ravn

~

Some great news from Diss :

Diss Museum's Manning commemoration,

Friends in High Places, comes to a climax this month with the visit of the

Tashi Lhunpo monks.

This is a rare chance to experience the music and art of one of the world's most fascinating and mystical cultures.

From Monday 24th to Saturday 29th the monks will be at the Corn Hall making a beautiful sand mandala.

You can drop in any time during the day to see its progress and

then come to the destruction ceremony at 11am on the Saturday.

On the Tuesday evening at 7.30 there is a hands-on workshop when you can try butter sculpture, mandala making, Tibetan script and prayer flag making.

On the Wednesday at 7.30pm you can see the film Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion.

There is a supper workshop on the Friday at 7.30pm, with traditional food made by the monks, followed by dance, debate, mudras (symbolic hand gestures) and Kundrik prayer.

The concert on the Saturday at 7.30pm shows their sacred music, dance and prayers,

all in traditional costumes and masks.

This is one of the best cultural events to come to Diss in years and is not to be missed.

Family and season tickets are available.

For more information, phone the box office on 01379 652241, pick up a leaflet at the Corn Hall or museum or see www.disscornhall.co.uk or www.disscommunity.net

Alpacas and Bees

The weather today has been glorious, just right for the long awaited open day at our local Alpaca farm.

The West Suffolk Bee Society were there with bees on display and were very interesting to listen to . I learnt today that if bees gather pollen from Rapeseed flowers it is impossible to keep the honey from setting. So, in this area where we have many fields of Rapeseed, it is difficult to find the lovely dark runny honey.

The beautiful Alpacas were the main attraction and certainly caused more than a few aaahs..

They frolicked and played and rolled about in the dry soft soil for a luxurious "bath" completely un-fased by the strangers in their midst!

These Alpacas are not pets and they are allowed to live as natural a life as possible without much human interference, but they still run up to their keeper when he bangs the feed tin.

I love the shop on the farm. It is full of wonderful natural dyes and fabulous fibres!

Stunningly soft alpaca wool and a myriad of coloured tops. I was in felting heaven!

All the wool is dyed on the premises using plant dyes.

It was great to see Madder, Woad, Weld , Marigolds etc all growing in their lovely organic gardens.

The Weld plant produces a brilliant yellow colour and if it is mixed with the woad plant a beautiful green is made.

This is the Woad plant and below that is the beautiful blue colour produced from it.