Sunday 15 January 2017

The De Rust Square


Hello All, it’s so good to be back on the page again! Happy New Year!












I’ve missed losing myself in tonnes of crochet daydreaming,  surfing the crochet groups and blog wave... generally just oohing and aaahing over all the crochet gloriousness that abounds in our cyber-world. I always think of the series Modern Family and how at one point all their computers get fried and Haley says despairingly, “ how will I ever know if there’s still beauty in the world!”.  Every day I feel fortunate to log into my accounts and have the opportunity to see the amazing, inspiring works of incredibly talented people. It’s mind-boggling, and life-affirming too!


My husband has been on his annual leave and we promised ourselves that we would make an effort to get away, just as a couple, for a few days ( well, two days to be exact! ). We made all the arrangements well in advance with our kindly neighbours who had on many occasions offered to “babysit” our furry brood.
We packed our “pad kos” aka munchies for the road, kissed our babies goodbye and at 6 am we were off on our adventure! The map looked easy, we had Googled our destination, for all intent and purposes it looked like we’d reach our destination, De Rust ( literally translated means The Rest ) just after teatime at 11 am!



Hahahahaaa…. that’s all I can say about that! The saying  “ the best-laid plans of mice and men often go asunder” was written for situations like this. My husband, who is usually a fearless and competent driver suddenly developed a fear of heights! 75% of our trip was up and down steep mountain passes! I offered to take the wheel, but you know how Men are.  In the meantime, to calm my shaky nerves I began to crochet what has become the De Rust Square.  What should have been approximately a five-hour drive ended when we drove into De Rust, hot,  frazzled, and grumpy ...eight hours later!





De Rust, which had seemed other-worldly tranquil, and described as “restful” on the tourist website,  turned out to be only just beneath the top-end scale of a full-time Trucker Pit-Stop. Make no mistake, it is BEAUTIFUL, but seeing as the National Traffic Authorities have banned large Trucks from “the other road” they have no choice but to come thundering down the one and only road that passes directly through this tiny hamlet, passing too, directly outside our bedroom window, as it turned out.



 Of course, we were disappointed. We had paid for our two “restful “ nights in advance! However, the lovely, charming Guesthouse and the equally lovely and charming  Hosts made up in full, and I do believe we left having made two brand new friends! Not forgetting the nervous crocheting that culminated in this square! Without sounding trite, it really is true that when you look you can see clearly that every cloud has a silver lining. Did I mention we got caught in a terrific thunderstorm, a downpour of hailstones, mud and rock slides and a few hours trapped in a gorge? But that’s another tale altogether! 

Click here to preview all the pattern details as well as some stunning samples!

Until then, Happy Hooky, dear Yarny Friends!

Love,
Jen xxx

To purchase the PDF pattern with Video Links, via Ravelry, click the Buy Now button below.


To purchase the PDF pattern with Video Links, via Pay Fast, using EFT or your Credit Card, click the Buy Now button below.

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50 comments:

  1. Was the owners at the guesthouse Micyael an Bettie?

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    1. Hi Elsabie! The owners are Tessa and Stephen Du Plessis from Die Malvahuisie.Such lovely people, and Tessa is a brilliant crocheter. So we talked A LOT about crochet! :-) x

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    1. Thank you, you're welcome! Happy New Year! :-)

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  3. Beautiful, beautiful square, thanks so much! De Rust certainly looks beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Sharon! Yes, De Rust is very beautiful, like so many little villages in South Africa.They are all steeped in history, and abound with interesting tales! I feel very privileged to live here.:) x

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  4. thank you for your generous talent , I think this is the most lovely square , belated Happy New year to you

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  5. Thank you, Jayne! I'm a little overwhelmed at the lovely, positive response to this square! So after all, my stressful "holiday" did have a happy ending! :D xx

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  6. So glad I found your blog. I am a quilter but started crocheting with Mandala MAdness after many years. Your blocks are lovely with interesting things going on. For me I dont worry about what to do with a project- I just want to make it and do the interesting stitches and get the gorgeous look. (I live in Riebeek West- far nearer to Cape town and also worth visiting- though not in the heat!)

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  7. Hi Marie! Yes I am the same, I have my Fridas Flower hanging over a door because I don't know what to do with it! It's too pretty to use, but I loved doing the CAL. Well, Riebeek-Wes...click on the Link above below the heading for this Blog " Off-Grid Life " and tell me if you recognise where this is? :D xx

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  8. Love your site, cute square...thanks you 🌺❤️

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  9. Hello my crochet sisters. ..I am from Canada and am retired so have joined many crochet groups...this one is new and so glad I found it. As soon as I saw this pattern I knew I had to whip out my hook and yarn and make it...why...just because that is what we do, right? I think I will use it as a hot plate holder. .

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    1. Hi Heather! Welcome and yes, it's always lovely to expand our crochet-sisterhood! :D I would LOVE to see your square. If you like, no pressure, please post it to the Facebook page? I'm hoping a few people will give it a go and then I can showcase them here, and on the FB page. :-) xx

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  10. Hi Jen, Thanks for the pattern for this lovely square. I'm itching to start but I'm having trouble with the puff stitches in round 2 :( Is there any extra notes for this square? TIA Lisa

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    1. Hi Lisa! Please let me know the specific problem? I'm sure I can help. Also, connect with me on the FB page if you can. Easier then to chat and explain. Or contact me via email at jentylerdesigns@gmail.com

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  11. Hi Jen, dreamt about this puff stitch all night & this morning I have it all worked out - sleeping on things is invaluable. Hopefully I'll be OK now, shall pm you if I run into anymore trouble. Thanks again, Lisa

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    1. Oh, I'm the same! If I have a problem with a stitch or design it often unravels in a dream!This might be why crochet is such a "healing" art? Working on our subconscious problem solving mechanisms? :D Anyhow, I'm glad it's sorted. Please, don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm happy to help. :-)

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  12. Jen, You have the most beautiful and inspirational sites :D Thank you for sharing your adventure and the De Rust square which reflects your positivity. What a great way to handle the trips challenges! Carol

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    1. Hi Carol! Thank you so much!! I do try my best to see life, through it's woes and joys, as a great privilege, filled with beauty and adventure too. Which of course it is! When my children were little they'd sometimes complain about being bored. Then I'd say to them " you're breathing, and this is fueling your heart and blood vessels, which in turn is keeping your brain alive, a brain that controls every muscle in your body, and all it's possibilities! Now, go and think about that!" Then a few minutes later I'd see them run out the house with a ball! :D xx

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    2. I have just found your blog and your square grabbed my attention. Your response to bored children is much more inspiring than mine (look at those dirty windows that need cleaning!)

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    3. Hahaha... yes, used that a few times too, as well as oh look dirty dishes! :D

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  13. Oh, that's just lovely! Not your grandmother's granny squares anymore!

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  14. Thank you! :) Hahaha... definitely not!

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  15. What a fabulous square! Thanks so much for sharing it with everyone who loves crochet.

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  16. Thanks for sharing this fabulous square....

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  17. Hi my name is Saba , I m from Iran , I make this pattern and I love it, I m so thankful for your free pattern

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  18. Hi Saba! Thank you so much. I'm very happy to meet you! All the way from Iran, that is amazing! I know ladies from your country love to crochet the most beautiful things. Keep in touch. :-) xox

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  19. What lovely squares you design. I love the colors, the stitches, and just the overall beauty of each block. Thank you for freely sharing your talent with us. There are many of us who love to make beautiful things but don't have the inspiration or motivation to try designing our own. You and a few other special designers fulfill that need in us to create the things we crave to make our lives fuller and more cheerful with yarny goodness. Thank you!!!

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    1. Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging words! They mean a lot to me. It's comforting to know that making what I love, brings some enjoyment to others too! More than ever we need to bring forth, in any way we can muster, some beauty into our oftentimes crazy world! xx

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  20. gorgeous work and pattern. Is the pattern using US crochet terms or British?

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  21. Hi Jen!
    Thank you so much for your wonderfully gorgeous squares!
    I am working with the de rust ,it's just that I don't quite get the 18th round where you make the surface slip stitch behind trebles. I wonder if you would like to explain it to me with a couple of details like how do you do with the working yarn?Best wishes from Luleå in Sweden🤓/Marja

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  22. Hi Marja! Nice to meet you. Yes, I find it difficult sometimes to explain what I mean. I'm thinking of doing a video tutorial of all my squares sometime in the future1 :D The best way I can explain is that when you reach the TR's,before the last surface slip stitch, you need to go behind the Tr's, make a ch1, remove your hook and then from behind your work you use the hook to pull that ch1 gently to the back Now you have a stitch on your hook behind your work, ch1 , release your hook and now use your hook again to pull that ch1 from the back to the front of your work and continue with the surface sl st's. Let me know if that makes sense? :-)

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    1. Hi Jen!
      It´s me again. Where do I put the working yarn? I can´t see it in the picture and I don´t understand how to continue with it after the trebles I got that about chs but then what?
      I mean the chains are clearly behind the trebles but how do I get the working yarn over to the other side of the trebles. It still is on the front side. Sorry for my explanation, hope you understand what I mean. Thank you again!

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  23. Hi Marja! Ok, I'll try and explain again. :D Ch1 and remove your hook. Now pull that ch1 to the back, with your hook.Now you have that ch1 on your hook again, but at the back of your work. Make a sc around the chain space that you see? Then, ch1 and remove your hook from the ch1. Now use your hook , from the front to pull that ch1 to the front and continue with your surface stitches as normal. All the while your working yarn remains at the back off your work. I have made some pictures which may help. As you can see, the working yarn remains at the back of your work. Let me know if this helps? :D Ps: Look in the post above for the pics. xx

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  24. Dear Jen! Guess what! I finally made it!!!! The biggest mistake I did before was the working yarn in front of the square. Thank you so much! The pictures were great. I feel so happy now! I would like to crochet all of your squares, they are so beautiful.

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    1. Hahaha..oh. I'm so happy you sorted it out! I was thinking maybe that was the problem that your working yarn was in the front! :D I was staring to get worried that we'd never sort this out and maybe I must make a video! You're welcome, I'm happy to help and I'm so glad you're going to try make them all! If you are not on the Facebook page please join, then I can show off your squares. :-) Have a lovely evening further, Marja!

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  25. This is really lovely, thank you so much!

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  26. Hi Jen, I am busy with the square but have hit a wall... the puffs and chains in row 13 were missed in the video link so I just wanted to find out if I read the pattern correctly: 5 puffs, 6 ch, sc in row ? loop, 2 chain and sc in same loop, 6 chain then rep 5 puffs etc Hope you can help me out...

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  27. The listing on Ravelry, says that the pattern is free on this blog. I can not find the pattern.

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