Treasures of the Sea wrap

I have been really inspired by the hyperbolic crochet coral reefs that are being made around the world.  The work and colors are truely amazing and I decided to make a tiered wrap using some of these elements.

I started the wrap with a cream sea floor with little pearls scattered across.  I used a simple popcorn stitch which is just 5 double crochet in one stitch.  The hook is then removed, placed into the 1st of the 5 double crochet and then inserted back into the last lp.  These two are slip stitched together.

Next I wanted seaweed coming up from the floor.  After looking for different leaves that would look like seaweed. I came across the new crocodile stitch.  This piece is made separately and then attached to the sea floor.  It is a fairly easy stitch but I thought I would show how I made it as I made it a little different to suit the look I was going for.

Working off a foundation chain, I triple crocheted in the 4th chain from the hook.  Usually this stitch is done using double crochets across this row but I wanted a longer leaf.  Then I chained 1, skipped 2 chains, and made 2 triple crochet in next chain.  This pattern is continued across the foundation chain. Now here come the tricky part.

Instead of turning the piece over to work the next row, I rotated the piece 90 degrees and work back over the row of triple crochet groups of the last row on the same side.  Chain 2 and working over the 1st side post of the last triple crochet I worked 8 double crochet over the post.  Usually when doing this stitch on a double crochet, 5 double crochet are worked over this post.

Now add a chain 1, rotate the piece 180 degrees and work 8 dc down 2^nd side post of 2-tr group.  This is the first leaf.

Now slip stitch in between the next 2 triple crochet group.

Continue working this pattern across the entire row.  At the end of the row chain 4 and triple crochet in the 4th chain from hook to set up for the next row. Chain 1 and work 2 triple crochets in center of next seaweed leaf of last row. Ch 1 and work 2 triple crochets in between next 2 leafs of last row.  Work this pattern across and at the end chain 2, and again rotate the piece 90 degrees. 

 Working this row in side posts of 2-triple crochet group of the previous row,  make 8 double crochets up 1^st triple crochet side post,. Chain 1, rotate the piece180 degrees and work 8 double crochets down 2^nd side post of 2-triple crochet group.  Slip stitched in-between next 2-triple crochet groups. Work 8 double crochets up next 2-triple crochet group side post.  To secure the leaves down, slip stitch in back loop of the 3rd double crochets on 2 leaves the previous leaf section (see picture below). Then chain 1, rotate the piece 180 degrees and work 8 dc down 2^nd side post of 2 tr group.  Work this pattern across.

Now I had my seaweed section which is attached to the sea floor.

The next layer is a sea shell layer and the final layer is the coral layer section.  Since this wrap does not work to tie to stay in place I created this darling sea horse pin to hold the wrap in place.

I know it is late in the season for wraps but sometimes when the inspiration hits, I just have to make it now.  I really like how it turned out.  What do you think?

The pattern comes in two sizes.  Here is the picture of the longer scarf in a different set of colors.

My newest inspiration

I have been seeing all sorts of Coral Reefs that are being made using crochet.  I believe this was all started by the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef at the Smithsonian.  Here is the link to the project so that you can see what I am writing about.http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/hreef/

It is truely inspiring to me.  For people who are on Ravelry, here is the link to a group on Ravelry that was working on the project.http://www.ravelry.com/groups/smithsonian-community-reef  There are some amazing pictures of completed projects by clicking on the recently shared projects on the right hand side of the page.  (If you haven't joined Ravelry yet, I would encourage any knitter, weaver or person loves to crochet to join.  It is free and so full of wonderful patterns and forums to get to know others the world over who share our love.)

The Crochet Coral Reefs are popping up all over the world. Here is another exhibit in the Putnam Museum in Iowa. http://www.putnam.org/reef.html  Do a google search for Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef and you will see that they are going everywhere.

I love the colors and textures.  In looking at all these wonderful pieces of art, I got an idea for a new design for a scarf.  So I had to head down to my local yarn store and see what I could find that would be soft and warm to wear and in the colors that I wanted.  This is probably one of my favorite parts of designing.

I found this angora and wool yarn by Classic Elite Lush yarn.

I also found this wonderful baby Alpaca yarn by Cascade Yarns.

Both yarns feel wonderful.  I have come up with part of the design and am just tweeking it so that it has just the look I am going for.

Does nature ever inspire you as they have me?