I made three squares for Lesa‘s daughter Nesa, who has been put on the liver transplant list. Nesa requested red, black and white Mickey Mouse colors. All three of the squares have bullion/roll stitches. Bullion stitches are crocheted by yarning over multiple times and drawing a loop through all of them. The trick is getting all the loops evenly wrapped around the center,
Katie’s Bliss square pattern uses the bent bullion stitch, which consists of a bullion followed by a slip stitch. Once I finished the flower center, the rest of the pattern went quickly. I like the center white rounds, which are supposed to look like hearts. (Mine are a little square-ish.)
This square is called Angels Around the World, with four angels standing on the center circle. Bonnie Pierce did a wonderful job writing the pattern clearly and concisely, but I really had to pay attention to get every part crocheted correctly!
I’m glad that I have made a few Daisy Flower Crochet Chairty Squares, because the construction was similar. The angel skirts and bodies are crocheted as joint rows with the background and then the angel wings and heads are added with separate lengths of yarn. There are about ten ends to tuck in for one six inch square!
The Lacy Bullion Heart square was the easiest square out of the bunch. The center of my heart has a spiraled look, which doesn’t show in the sample picture. Next time I will chain-one more loosely; that might fix the swirl look.
I added the ‘2008’ after sewing the heart to the black square. Even though I pinned and basted the heart on the background, it wasn’t centered very well, so I added the date to balance the square out.
I had to eliminate one or more rows from each of the squares to get exactly six inches across. Even with a size E crochet hook, I could never get the correct gauge. Red Heart Super Saver runs a little thicker than other worsted weight yarn and I’m guessing that was part of the sizing issue.
Also, I had a few problems photographing these squares. Black and red colors are really difficult to capture in their true tones. This was true for the Lacy Bullion Square especially. To get the colors to photograph better I waited until late in the day and lowered the exposure level. (On my Canon PowerShot A530, I used program mode and pressed the +/- button to adjust the exposure manually.)
Very pretty squares! The bullion stitch is so pretty when done nicely. Nesa is going to love them!
These look fantastic, really striking
Lovely! I’m sure that Lesa appreciates all the work that went into these!
Just beautiful!
What gorgeous squares!
…and thanks for the information about taking the photographs. I often have difficulty capturing reds. I’ll have to see if I can use the same settings you’ve used on my Powershot (I have an old A85).
Nice squares!
I’ve never been able to get the hang of bullion stitches…great job!
Those are so pretty. I have never tried the bullion stitch. And I really like how the heart square spirals in the middle.
I totally appreciate all the work you have done in all 3 squares thanks a bunch Laura. I was staring at the squares like omg you did a great job on all of them, they all looks unique and have it’s on personally to them Thanks again Laura. Nesa totally love them a lot.:)
I LOVE the first square best! I have always had secret passion for the bullion stitch.
Those are gorgeous squares, especially the heart one!
I’ve never tried a bullion stitch – I have a hard time with popcorns, bobbles, etc.
Great squares, and I’m sure she will love them. SO nice of you to make them. I like that stich, very interesting. I’ll have to give it a try sometime.
Absolutely beautiful work. Inspries me to try crochet again!!! I’ve failed at it many times before.
Those are really beautiful! You did such a great job!
No matter how I try I can’t seem to do a bullion stitch. I even bought a special hook! People who can manage a bullion deserve a high degree of accomplishment in my book! Great work!!
I would love to get your blogg each day and see what you are doing. Your ice cream cone and the star looking toy are so very nice.
Suzanne
So very intricate and fine. It’s amazing how much “effort” doesn’t feel like it when it’s for someone you love.
Wow! I just found your blog today and have been marveling at all of your fabulous creations. Question for you, is the Kate’s Bliss pattern still kicking around? AOLhometown has been shut down for awhile and I can’t find that pattern anywhere. Can you point me in the right direction?
Again, you are a great crocheter and photographer!!
Does anyone have the patterns for the squares on Katie’s Bliss? They are the ones with bullion stitches in the center, etc. I would appreciate copies. Thank you.
Genny
[…] about in this article: thekidneybean.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/and-read-all-around/ Free of charge sample available in this article: […]
[…] about here: thekidneybean.wordpress.com/2008/07/fourteen/and-go through-all-in excess of/ Free of charge sample out there here: […]