Rainbow Lollipops for Crochet

We have been expanding our line of accessories for knitting and crocheting.  This is our latest pattern  called "Rainbow Lollipop".  The aluminum crochet hooks that we use were begging to be covered with some fun bright colors.

To create the lollipop pattern we made a "cane" in a rainbow color blend rolled up like a jellyroll.  The cane is reduced in size and then thin slices are applied to different colored clay backgrounds.

Our crochet hooks are not only colorful to look at but feel good in your hand with our own unique ergonomic design.  There is a shaped finger grip making them easier to hold but will also help in maintaining a consistent tension.

The sizes are stamped at the end of each crochet hook for easy identification and are available in a 2.0 all the way up to a size 10.

And of course we had to make some crochet stitch markers to match.  They are in a set of five different colors on a lobster claw clasp for attaching to a bag.

We've been working long hours to make a large supply and they are now available in our Etsy shop.   

Extruder Cane Designs Using Kato Clay

When I came across Bettina Welker's Pixelated Retro Blend Cane tutorial, I knew I had to give it a try! Then I came across the Rainbow Daisy Pen tutorial by Amber Elledge of Starless Clay and absolutely loved the bright colors she used.  I finally had a block of time to do some experimenting and decided to cover some seam rippers and a stylus pen so finally gave it a try using both methods.

In her tutorial, Amber shared her color mixes using Premo clay.  Since we work almost entirely in Kato clay, I pulled out some clay colors that I thought would make a bright  rainbow blend.  I thought I would share the colors that I used for those of you who have my Clay Color System tutorial.

Whenever I create a new cane or color blend, I like to document it with the color recipes I used and how it was done as in the index cards shown here:

These are the color recipes I used in the order of loading the extruder.

Plum - Clay Recipe # 10-5
Lighter shade - 1 part Plum + 2 parts white mix # 1-2

Bubble Gum - Clay Recipe # 11-3
Lighter shade - 1 part Bubble Gum (#11-3) + 2 parts white mix #1-2

Cayenne - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 1 part Cayenne + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Celosia Orange - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter Shade - 1 part Celosia Orange + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Freesia - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 2 parts Freesia + 3 parts white mix # 1-2

Bright Chartreuse - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 1 part Chartreuse + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Teal - Clay color recipe # 8-4
Lighter shade - 1 part Teal (#8-4) + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Dazzling Blue - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 1 part Dazzling Blue + 2 parts white mix # 1-2

Violet - 4 parts Kato Violet + 1 part Kato White
Lighter shade - 1 part Violet + 2 parts white mix # 1-2

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Now for Bettina Welker's method of the Pixelated Retro cane, I used the same color recipes as above (Bright Chartreuse, Teal, Dazzling Blue, Violet, Bubble Gum).

I like how it turned out but decided to do a second batch and switched out the Bright Chartreuse green for Olive green (Recipe # 7-8).