Friday, January 20, 2012

Faux Fana Pillow and Pattern

The Pattern

“FANA” Pillow
(This pattern is going to need tweaks, I am so open to suggestions. :-) )

R=RED               W=WHITE
Redheart yarn in Cherry and White and a size "I" hook.
* Main color set-up and **Main color row from the this post at the Purl Bee website.
Great youtube video on "end of row" color change here. Although this is not the granny stripe stitch/pattern I used, it will show how to change colors.

W:           Chain 62
W:           Row 1        SC in second chain from hook to end
W:           Row 2        *Main color set-up, but in last DC pull color R through
R:            Row 3        **Main color granny row
R & W:    Row 4        **Main color granny row with each “cluster” as follows:
R W R R W R R W R R W R R W R R W R R W R  cut yarn(The first and last “clusters” are more like a partial cluster.) With color change, hold other colored yarn behind and carry. Cut yarn at end of row and begin next row at other end (do not turn the rows where you use both colors in one row – this will keep the yarn carryovers on the same side of the piece.
R & W:    Row 5        **Main color granny row with each “cluster” as follows:
W W R W W R W W R W W R W W R W W R W W R  cut yarn(The first and last “clusters” are more like a partial cluster.) With color change, hold other colored yarn behind and carry. Cut yarn at end of row and begin next row at other end (do not turn the rows where you use both colors in one row – this will keep the yarn carryovers on the same side of the piece.
R & W:    Row 6 - Repeat Row 4
R:            Row 7 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 8 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 9 - Repeat Row 1
W:           Row 10 - Repeat Row 2
R:            Row 11 - Repeat Row 3 cut go to opposite end
R & W:    Row 12 - Repeat Row 4 cut go to opposite end
R & W:    Row 13 - Repeat Row 5 cut go to opposite end
R & W:    Row 14 - Repeat Row 4
R:            Row 15 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 16 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 17 - Repeat Row 1
W:           Row 18 - Repeat Row 2
R:            Row 19 - Repeat Row 3
R:            Row 20 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 21 - Repeat Row 3
R:            Row 22 - Repeat Row 3
R:            Row 23 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 24 - Repeat Row 3
R:            Row 25 - Repeat Row 3
R:            Row 26 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 27 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 28 - Repeat Row 1
W:           Row 29 - Repeat Row 2
R:            Row 30 - Repeat Row 3 cut go to opposite end
R & W:    Row 31 - Repeat Row 4 cut go to opposite end
R & W:    Row 32 - Repeat Row 3 cut go to opposite end
R & W:    Row 33 - Repeat Row 4
R:            Row 34 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 35 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 36 - Repeat Row 1
W:           Row 37 - Repeat Row 2
R:            Row 38 - Repeat Row 3
R & W:    Row 39 - Repeat Row 4
R & W:    Row 40 - Repeat Row 3
R & W:    Row 41 - Repeat Row 4
R:            Row 42 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 43 - Repeat Row 3
W:           Row 44 - Repeat Row 1
W:           Row 45 - Slip stitch to finish off
(Blogger does not recognize tabs so the above is not properly aligned and it's making my eyes go all skuwhampus!)

Weave in ends.
Make 2 squares...then:
Join with single crochet in red.
Leave opening for washing ease and finish off with buttons .
Stuff with this inexpensive pillow from Walmart. Not the same shape but it works. :-)

Here are some "along the way" photos that might help:
This is what the back looks like on the R & W rows.
I could not figure out a work around...that's why this project ended up as a pillow instead of a blanket.
I'm thinking that there is no work around...this is sort of the way knitting turns out too, right?

Here's "Fana" with it's crocheted friends. :-)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Faux Fana Crochet

"Fana" is a  beloved Norwegian Sweater Style....
My latest crochet mania is to try and duplicate the look into a granny stripe pattern.

This is what I came up with so far:
I made this the size of a European bed pillow, the original intent was a blanket; however, I struggled with hiding the yarn that was carried over with color change...
the back does not look very good. :-) 
The decision has not been made as to what it will be exactly, but if it were made into a pillow of sorts, the connecting yarn strands won't show as much.
Does anyone know how to hide these strands? I would love some guidance. 

Here's an example of a knitted Fana sweater
WIP by my mother in Norway:
This is the look I have tried to duplicate.
Red Heart yarn in cherry and white, size "I" hook and the help of a granny stripe pattern from the lovely  Purl Bee website. Click here for Purl Bee's granny stripe directions.
I tried to figure out the color change and pattern by alternating rows of red and white and then alternating red and white with each row, but will keep looking for  instruction in order to someday make a blanket and/or post a pattern.
Have a bright day!