Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

CARLA’S ‘QUILTS’ – THE SPECS – PART THREE

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carla-tied-back-quilt-0609

Here’s what the back of one of Carla’s completed, hand-tied afghan quilts looks like.  This is exactly the same technique used by ‘conventional’ quilters to make hand-tied quilts.  The quilt is always a ‘sandwich’ consisting of the pieced (in this case crocheted squares joined together) design, the middle layer of batting (fleece, fiberfill, an old blanket, toweling, or just another piece of fabric), and the backing which is either quilted in a decorative style or tied like this one.  A crocheted ‘quilt’ is has much more stretch than a quilt made from woven fabric, thus the wrinkles in the back of carla’s quilt will disappear when the quilt is in use.  There must be excess fabric on the back to allow the flexibility of the crocheted front.

For the most part, Carla uses a 2.5 mm hook with DK weight yarn to make squares that measure from 5X5 cm to 10 X 10 cm.  Using these sizes of squares, Carla is a talented artist who creates these lovely, unique afghans. Each blanket is almost 7 feet square and weighs about 5 kilograms – a whopping 11 pounds!  That should keep anyone warm – from his toes to the crown of his head.  I have a son at home who’d love to receive an afghan this large AND with this much weight AND with no holes.  A dream come true for my 25 year old son.  Maybe I should ship him to Amstelveen near Amsterdam, Netherlands where Carla resides…..

Some of Carla’s intricate designs are made using an embroidery graph as a guide.  This is the case for the wonderful orangutan afghan picture in Part One of this series.  Carla likes the work of Elizabeth Bradley in the UK for these graphs. http://www.elizabethbradley.com/



Finished back of Carla’s completed afghan ‘quilt’.

carla-loose-ends-0609Here’s a picture of the back of one of Carla’s completed afghans, before she has added the backing.  Anyone like loose ends??? Here’s Carla’s DEEP DARK SECRET:  one of the reasons Carla applies the backing to her quilts is so she won’t have to weave in all these loose ends.  Smart lady!

This prolific artist also has a nature blog – and her photos there provide a lot of the inspiration for her crochet.  She’s as good at photography as she is at crochet.  Check it out!

http://www.carladebruijn.nl/#

Although the text is in Dutch, we can ALL enjoy photographs no matter what language the photographer speaks.

To view more of Carla’s work, please visit her website:

http://www.carladebruijn.nl/

I’m so happy she offered to share her artistry with the rest of us!  Thanks, Carla.




Comments

  2. Hi Amanda,

    Thank you for your compliment!

    The pattern I use to make my squares is single crochet, and in the corners I use three single crochets in one loop.
    Its the easiest way to make a square.
    I am mostly interested in the pattern of the complete blanket, more then in the technic of the separate squares.

    Greetings Carla

  3. Thanks I just saw the post on what pattern she uses. I’ll have to try that out when I get home.

Have you read?

The Forest Valley Shawl – Crochet Pattern

This is one of those shawl patterns that feels instantly calming, even before you pick up a hook. The Forest Valley Shawl (After Party Pattern 23) by Scheepjes, available through Jimmy Beans Wool, has a very gentle, nature-inspired feel that really lives up to its name.

What I love about this design is how wearable it is. Some shawls are beautiful but awkward to style; this one feels practical in the best way. It drapes naturally, sits nicely on the shoulders, and works just as well for everyday wear as it does for something a little dressier. It’s the sort of piece you grab when the air cools in the evening and you don’t want anything heavy.

From a crochet perspective, this is a lovely “slow and steady” project. The stitch pattern has enough variation to keep your interest, but it’s not overly complicated. It’s very much the kind of crochet you can sink into — the sort that lets your mind wander while your hands keep moving. Perfect for quiet afternoons or evening crochet sessions.

Skill-wise, this one is best suited to confident beginners moving into intermediate territory. If you’re comfortable following a pattern and keeping your stitch count in check, you’ll enjoy this a lot. It’s also a great pattern for appreciating beautiful yarn — especially colourways that shift and flow, as the shawl really lets them shine.

Overall, the Forest Valley Shawl is one of those free crochet patterns that feels thoughtful and soothing. It’s wearable, relaxing to make, and finished with a look that feels timeless rather than trendy. If you enjoy shawls that are as comforting to crochet as they are to wear, this one is definitely worth bookmarking.