Here's the pattern for the Octagons Flower Afghan.  Writing this out took only slightly less time than making the afghan in the first place.  I hate writing patterns.  But anyway, here it is.  Enjoy!!  Please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions.



Octagons Afghan

 I used a linen marl shade for the flower centers.  The flowers for the pictured afghan are made with 14 different colors, typically a lighter pastel and a darker, richer shade of the same color.  The background octagon is done in Red Heart Fiesta Jewels (variegated purples) and the square filler pieces are a denim blue.

I’m afraid I can’t tell you how many ounces of each yarn you’ll need.  This was kind of a scrap bag thing for me.  I’m guessing I used about 3 skeins of the Red Heart Fiesta Jewels for the background, but that’s just a guess. (Most of it was rolled up in balls from a previously failed project).

Hooks used are a G (4mm) for flower centers and an I (5.5mm) for the rest.  This was fairly arbitrary, but turned out to be about the right finished size.

Flower Centers ( G Hook):

Ch 3, form loop, work 8 sc in loop, join.  Fasten off 



Special Stitches 

Beginning Popcorn

Ch 3, counts as first dc, 3 dc in st or space indicated, drop loop from hook, insert hook in first dc of group (that’s the ch  3 for this),  catch up dropped loop and draw through.  Beginning popcorn made.

Popcorn

4 dc in st or space indicated, drop loop from hook, insert hook in first dc of group, catch up dropped loop and draw through.  Popcorn made.


Flowers (I hook): 

Rnd 1:  With RS of center facing, join flower color with slst in any sc; work beginning popcorn in same st, ch 2, (work popcorn in next sc, ch 2) around.  Join with slst in top of beginning popcorn -  8 popcorn st & 8 ch 2 sp.

Rnd 2:  Slst in first ch 2 space, work beginning popcorn st, ch 2, popcorn in same sp, ch 2, (work popcorn, ch 2, popcorn) twice in each ch 2 space.  Join with slst to top of beginning popcorn – 16 popcorn st & 16 ch 2 spaces.

Rnd 3:  Slst in first ch 2 space, work beginning popcorn in same st, ch 2, (work popcorn in next ch 2 space, ch 2) around.  Join with slst in top of beginning popcorn.  Fasten off –
16 popcorn st & 16 ch 2 spaces.  



Background Octagon (I Hook):

Rnd 1:  With RS of flower facing, join background color in any ch2 sp, ch 3, work (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same sp for 1st corner, [3 tr in next ch 2 sp, (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next space for corner]  7 times, 3 tr in next ch 2 sp, join with slst to beginning ch 3  -  72 tc & 8 corner ch 2 spaces.

Rnd 2:  Slst to 1st ch 2 sp, (ch 3, 1 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp for 1st corner, [tr in next 9 tr, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch 2 sp for next corner] 7 times, tr in next 9 tr, join with slst to beginning ch 3. Fasten off   –  104 tc & 8 corner ch 2 spaces.

Filler Squares (I Hook)

Rnd 1:  With filler color, ch 3, form loop (or use the magic ring technique), ch 2, 2dc into loop, ch 3,  3 dc, (ch 3, 3 dc) twice more, join with slst to beginning ch 2.

Rnd 2:  Slst to 1st ch 3 sp, (ch 2, work 2dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp for 1st corner, [ch 2, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next space for next corner] 3 times, ch 3, join with slst to beginning ch 2.

Rnd 3:  Slt st to 1st corner space, (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same space for 1st corner,[ ch 2, 3dc in next ch3 sp, ch 2, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same space for next corner] three times, ch 2, join with slst in beginning ch 2.  Fasten off.


Assembly

Lay the pieces out flat, right side up and with stitches matching and sew together, using weaving needle and matching yarn.  There’s no right or wrong way to do this.  I did one row at a time, but whatever works for you.  You can, if you wish, crochet the pieces together to get a raised border around each piece.  Once together, you can add an edging or border if you wish.  The pictured afghan was not bordered.

I’ve made every effort to ensure these are correct, but my eyes are starting to cross. 

Feel free to use this pattern and sell anything you make from it.  Please do not copy or republish, just send folks back to this page for a copy.

Hi all - It's time for my almost monthly post.  I promise I'm going to get better.  But today's a special day, a happy dance with the cats day, here at the Attic.  Why???

It's Bernoulli's Attic's Birthday!!

Yep, today the Bernoulli's Attic Etsy shop is 1 year old.  I'm so very happy to celebrate this day.  A few times through the past year I thought I might be crazy, I mean who would want what I might make?  But then I found some online friends, got into the swing of things, and now have 2 shops on 2 online venues, a website and some awesome social media networks and friends.  You guys are a great source of inspiration, humor and support and I want to thank you all.

I've found my personal happy place these days and it's often filled with my strange felines, yarn, piles of paper and a pot of tea.  People still annoy me on a routine basis, but these days I just smile and go on.  After all, my crafting supplies are cheaper than the therapy or ulcer medicines most of them pay for. . . and much more enjoyable.

The Bernoulli's Attic Gang

Have a great day, we are!

Hello all...Once again, it's been a while since I blogged anything.  Life has this nasty habit of intruding when I'd like to sit down and write.  In any case, things have been busy around here.  Those that follow on Facebook/Google+ might have seen that I spent some time in New Orleans around Thanksgiving.  Before and after this, it was time to actually work for a while, putting up Christmas decorations for other people.  I mean hey, I get paid to do something that I think is fun...is that a deal or what??  Just don't ask me how much I enjoy it after a 10 hour day of going 90 miles an hour....I might sound a bit like the grinch, but the results are awesome....  Here's a few shots of some of the decorating fun that was had...

Since I've been away from my computer for so long, yet all you nice folks kept me in the loop of all the cool news out there, I thought it might be time to say thanks.  I'm giving away a copy of this book Christmas Trees - Fun and Festive Ideas (80pgs).  It has a number of ideas for unique Christmas tree decorating ideas and holiday edibles.

Along with the book, I'll throw in this Crocheted Medallion Hotpad.  It's red and just in time for Christmas....heck, I might even find some gift tags around here, too....

To enter, leave a comment on this post about your favorite Christmas decorating idea by midnight Saturday, 17 Dec 2011.  If you haven't already, you might pop over and visit me on Facebook or Google+ just to say hi and maybe share this contest with your friends.  One winner will be selected and announced on Sunday, 18 Dec 2011.

Good luck to all...and I think it's time for me to get back to crafting.....

Another October has come and that means there is murder and mystery on Mackinac Island for me.  Each year, significant other and I pack up and head up to Michigan to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island for their annual Murder Mystery Weekend.  It's a 3 day event  put on by a company called Suspicious Acts where the participants act as deputies to solve a murder mystery that happens at the hotel.  We've been going for years now, and have met many wonderful people who we see there each year. 

Each year the mystery is set in a different decade, typically ranging from the 1920's to the 40's.  Everyone has loads of fun, and the very prim and proper Grand is taken over by a bunch of crazy people running about in period costumes.  Solutions to the murder are typically presented by the teams in some form of skit, song, poem or some other interesting and funny manner.  This year our team performed a Calypso song, with the women in the group wearing scarves Carmen Miranda style, decorated with fruit scavenged from the breakfast buffet..  But we were topped by the gentleman dressed in a bridesmaid dress.. . .  you had to be there. 

So now it's back to the normal world.  But if you ever get a chance to go, the Grand Hotel is a place that seems to be from another era.  The movie "Somewhere in Time" was made on the island and at the Grand and each year there is a weekend dedicated to the movie, where fans come, dress in period costume and spend the weekend immersed in the period.  There are no motorized vehicles, only bicycles, horses, and horse-drawn carriages.  Fudge abounds and the little village has shopping.  Most shops and hotels close at the end of October for the season.  It is a beautiful place.

Now, back to work...but I really thought the banana in the headscarf was a distinctive look.....

Okay, so I haven't been a good blogger.  In fact, I'm a terrible blogger.  Seems that if I can't think of a profound subject, I don't feel I should write.  Unfortunately, I do not lead a profound life, so you can see where that gets me.

So, I thought I'd just toss out a little bio update to get back into the blog swing.  Here's a bit about me and life around the Attic.

The Attic Crew - I'm the one in the middle

I have always had an affinity for the unique and eclectic (some, in my past, have said eccentric and bizarre, but I ignore them). I enjoy working in a wide variety of crafts, that over the years have ranged from crochet, beading, scrapbooking and needlework to soap and candle making. My latest passion has become card making. I love mixing and matching the colors, embellishments and sayings to make unique items. I really enjoy combining variations of these methods to produce interesting, one of a kind items that make you feel good to own.  I've recently opened a new shop on both Handmade Artists' Shops and Etsy called Paper Imaginations by Bernoulli's Attic.  The cards and tags were taking over the original Bernoulli's Attic like a herd of wild tribbles, so they now have their own place.

I live in a cat friendly home, filled with yarn, fabric, beads, and these days, lots of small pieces of paper, so the beasties believe they are in cat heaven. They are my faithful assistants, usually landing right in the middle of my desk when it's covered with the most (and messiest) stuff.   Myself, I usually have a cup of tea handy and a hook or pair of scissors in my hand.....that is my version of heaven.

You can find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/BernoullisAttic
and on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/BernoullisAttic

It seems like forever since I've had the time to sit down and write anything.  Between tilers, painters, movers, electricians and cabinet makers (oh, yeah, there was an unforseen plumber in there too...oops), things have been hectic here around the Attic.  But the work is almost finished, and it has turned out AWESOME, .if I do say so myself.  Pics will be coming soon - as soon as I get things put away.

If you've noticed some of my recent Facebook postings, I've branched out a bit and have begun to make gift tag sets.  This came about due to (1) all the reorganizing going on around here and (2) a baby shower I attended. 

I unearthed my stash of scrapbook materials while reorganizing the craft room closet (translation:  I was trying to cram more stuff in there). I wondered what to do with them when I realized I needed a gift tag & card for a baby shower gift.  Since the stuff was out, I made one, and I have to admit, I had forgotten how much fun it is to play with scissors, glue and paper...not to mention all the sparkly bling you can add.

I really thought that I wouldn't get anything done during the upheaval, but I proved myself wrong.  And there is something theraputic about cutting, punching and glueing pretty papers together....and I'm enjoying it immensely.  Keep an eye out for more gift tag sets....purple and green are on the way!

I've been an on-line merchant for about six months now.  Thought it might be time for a little reflection on where I started and what it has become.

I started with the thought of one little shopfront on one market venue...but as we all know, life is a learning process.

I currently have shops on 4 different market forums:  Etsy, Artfire, Zibbet and a new one, Handmade Artists Shops.  Each brings something unique to the mix.  I was really worried about maintaining that many storefronts, but surprisingly, it is fairly easy.  I have also added my own domain and website.  Things are going great (of couse, I can always use more sales!)

As I said, each venue brings something different to the table.  Etsy, of course, is the major player with a huge following and an enourmous mix of prducts.  Zibbet seems to appeal to an older demographic, something I can relate to these days (older, who me?).  The Handmade Artists Shops is a fairly small venue, which caters to and supports handmade goods only (no vintage or commercial supplies).  Again, a slightly differnt approach to things.  And saving the best for last, Artfire is the place I turn to for most of my online selling needs.

With a large market share and growing daily, this online venue not only provides a selling market, but offers guidance and encouragement to its' sellers.  If I listed the top 5 reasons for liking Artfire, I'd come up with:

1.  It's EASY to use, and the Basic membership is free.  If you prefer to go Pro, there are added features, the most important to me being no advertising on your shopfront.  If you're interested in a Pro membership, check it out here:  http://www.artfire.com/users/BernoullisAttic/sell-crafts

2.  Professionally run and managed. 

3.  Management takes an interest in seeing that the sellers do well by providing help materials, guidance and workshops about running an online business.

4.  It encourages promotion of yourself and your shop and interaction with other venues, forums, blogs, and websites, so that your products and name get out to the people looking for handmade.

5.  The community base is AWESOME.  When I first went to Artfire, I was struck by the number of really helpful people, who not only help with Artfire issues, but who encouraged me in promoting my shop and getting into the other social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogging.  It feels like a little circle of friends when I log on each day and see who has done what.

So, after about 6 months, I now have multiple shops, my own website and domain, I Like and Tweet with the best of them, and most importantly, feel I have found some really special people out there.  To the question of "what have I done?", these days my reply is "found something I truly enjoy."  Hope your online selling experiences work out as well...

Noulli

Some of you may have heard me mention some impending renovations around the place.  Well, they are no longer 'impending', but here.  With a bang.  Literally. 

In order to replace the flooring, we've had all the furniture in the main rooms removed.  Not only is there nothing to sit on, the place turns into an echo chamber when empty...freaks out the cats, and me too, to be honest.  But you can now yodel with the best of them in here:

Luckily, my studio/study and some other rooms have already been done and there is a screened sitting area out back, so there is some furniture....but navigating from Point A to Point B, namely to my studio from anywhere else in the house, sometimes includes being creative, since the access is blocked through the house.  I'm waiting for the neighbors to call the police and report a woman climbing in through the front window.....

 The kitties are not amused by any of this.  They are not big fans of change or of loud noises.  Having to hang out in the Master Suite most of the time seems to get a little boring too. I'm waiting for Maddie to start trying on my jewelry.  In addition to the kitties, the refrigerator is now living in the bedroom as well...just takes a little getting used to.

Anyway, today was filled with much banging, pounding, power tools and crashes. And the end result of the first day's work:

My, doesn't that look Better!! 

But being banished to the studio or back porch does have some benefits, namely time to work!  Here are a couple of things I've finsihed up and/or been working on....

I just keep reminding myself that it will all be better soon...in between jumping at the crashes.  Then I just close the door, take some deep breaths and get to work on another project.

If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane