Tuesday, October 7, 2008

you are my sunshine...

Firstly...

I want to say a super big thank you to all of those caring souls who sent me beautiful messages of condolences. Thanks for your love, hugs, support and prayers. Losing mum has left a huge void in my life, but I am gaining a wonderful strength from those around me. Thank you!

platelets

These little guys are like beaming balls of sunshine. You could make a bunch of them and string them together as a garland to decorate a child's room or a baby's pram... even make them into a mobile for above the cot. If you think of other ideas, please add a comment to this post - and share your inspiration with us all.

I originally made them as platelets... as a part of a novelty gift for my mum. Platelets are responsible for helping your blood to clot. Microscopically they look like little plates (thus the name platelets) and they have thorny tentacle-like protrusions which help them to mesh together nicely when clotting is required. I like to think that they also have shiny eyes and a fabulous big smile... but this is yet to be scientifically proven.

The pattern is very simple. It is worked as two separate pieces, front and back, which are then stitched together.

As always, if you find any errors... please let me know.

I have used a bulky yarn, and a 4.0mm hook

front:

start with a magic adjustable ring

round 1 - ch1, 8 sc... tighten ring, then join with a slip stitch to the top of the first sc

round 2 - ch1, work 2 sc into each stitch (16 sc in total) ... join with a slip stitch to the top of the first sc

round 3 - making the 'tentacles'
  • tentacle 1 - ch6, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  • tentacle 2 - ch4, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  • tentacle 3 - ch5, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  • tentacle 4 - ch 7, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  • tentacle 5 - ch 5, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  • tentacle 6 - ch 5, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  • tentacle 7 - ch 7, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  • tentacle 8 - ch 4, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
join round with a slip stitch... fasten off, leaving a long tail to use for seaming


back:

work as the front BUT make each of the tentacles one chain longer


finish:

add beads for the eyes and use red wool to embroider the mouth... I like to use the reverse side of my work as the 'right side' but you can place them either way

place front and back together with wrong sides facing, and tentacles alternating... use tails of yarn to stitch together


confused??? want to see progress photos???

001
make your ring

002
insert hook, pick up yarn

003
and pull loop through to front

004
yarn over hook

005
pull through loop... ch1 completed

006
work the 8sc into the ring

007
hold starting tail

008
and gently pull to tighten ring

009
until the hole disappears... join round with a slip stitch

010
work the 2nd round

011
make the chain for the tentacle

012
slip stitch your way back to the body

013
work 2 sc

014
chain the next tentacle

015
slip stitch back

016
2 sc

I know you're getting the hang of it now...

017
it will end up looking like this

018
sew on the eyes

019
020
021
and the mouth... I like to follow the 'curve' of the crochet rounds for shape

022
don't worry about what the back of your work looks like

023
sandwich the front and back together, alternating the tentacles

024
and stitch in place

15 comments:

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

That is the clearest tutorial on crochet circles I have ever seen, and thank you for it.

Strength and support from those around us is one of those bittersweet life lessons. We don't know how well loved and supported we truly are until we are suddenly surrounded by them.

Glad to see you back.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you can feel the support from your friends in cyberspace.

Love the platelets. I found this:
http://www.lumc.nl/rep/cod/redirect/4060/research/smile_platelets.html

and thought it might be of interest.

Unknown said...

Ooops. Looks like it cut the link. I PM it to you on Rav.

Unknown said...

That is a really helpful tutorial on circles, I echo oh2122 on that!

And I'm praying for you in your time of hardship!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss.

Your platelets are a great way to celebrate the sunshine that your mother brought into your life. I hope that sharing them with us helps you in some small way.

Cats-Rockin-Crochet said...

Wonderful tutorial once again.

laughing purple goldfish said...

oh2122 - thanks... and you're spot on when you use the word BITTERSWEET

fitknit - I got your message over at rav... thanks :)

jc - prayers are very much appreciated

hookerjen - mum really loved those platelets...she would take them with her to her hospital appointments, and the staff there loved them :)

cat - thanks again

Karen said...

Welcome back! Earwopps?! This is the first time the word verification spells a word. Earwopps? Wonder what they would look like crocheted?
Chuckling...

laughing purple goldfish said...

karen - I'm going to be thinking about those earwopps all day now... I'm picturing very adorable cratures with oversized pointy ears, so heavy that they cause them to waddle when they walk!

Anonymous said...

It's lovely to see you back. We've been thinking of you tons. Thanks so much for sharing the platelets!

laughing purple goldfish said...

aimee - thanks for your kind thoughts and comments

Anonymous said...

Thank you Sharon for this lovely design, which comes straight from you heart. I have posted a photo on Ravelry of my first 4! JacqBrisbane

laughing purple goldfish said...

jacq - I took a look at your rav project page... gorgeous... and I love the garland idea, too

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you Sharon, about how much you must miss your mum, but never say anything about it, and how you are always the cheery, encouraging one. Love and many hugs to you . . . Stra xxx

laughing purple goldfish said...

stra - you're absolutely right... I miss her terribly

thanks for thinking of me :)