Mysterious Crochet Blanket

I don't know what's happening, but I totally freaked myself out today!

Preparing a crochet course for my business, I went searching through my archives for some photos of mine to use for the promotion, and I found photos of this completed blanket. The thing is I have no recollection of making it, but WAIT! You guys - I have the step-by-step photo tutorial made for it!! Wow! I mean WOW! Tons of progress photos, but  obviously, I never published it. 

I do had this one made as a gift, and probably I wanted to linger more on the pattern, made the green one, and most definitely wanted to publish it - but it never happened. I must have given this one as a gift as well, or donated it to church, as I do not have it at home. The pattern is so lovely and playful, I might recreate it in the future.  

Olivia - Granny Square Cardi Video

 Granny squares, but gigantic!

I couldn't help myself, and set to work on these enormous grannies to make this unique in look cardi. Named it Olivia, because of the colors obviously. Quite an eye-catcher. The video is here. 

 

                              

Persian Tiles - a tryout

I have long wanted to translate some real Persian tiles into crochet hexagons. My folders are full to the brim with pictures of these lovelies, and not until I decided upon one, did I realize what a paramount task that would be.

 

Nevertheless, I had to get it out of my system (and brain!), so I created the one above. Then, as it always happens with me, I got tickled by the idea of using self-srriping yarn to see how the same pattern would go, mainly because I got bored with changing the yarn in every new round, and I also wanted chunkier yarn so that it would grow bigger and faster, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Not at all!

 

Here I stopped the project, but I guess I will return to it at some point as I am not done with the Persians.

Woodland Walk Scarf - pattern release

This self-striping yarn is one of the best sellers in my shop. It's a wool/acrylic blend in DK weight. The minute it arrived in the shop, I knew I had to test it. I decided on a scarf, and wanted to see how long a scarf I can pull off with just one skein. 

I love the combination of colors in this one and I think the lacy pattern gave more life and texture to the stripey parts. 

The pattern with all technicalities is in my ravelry shop  and on lovecrafts.
 

Meet Hugo!

Meet Hugo, our new family member. Hugo is Eva's dog and he is just 2 months old.

We get to see him quite often, and must say that he has swept us off of our feet! He is a Red Toy Poodle and when we first saw him, we taught he was a plushie! He is such a good boy, cuddly, very obedient, sociable, and quite a fast learner. 

Grandma (me!) made him a velvet carry-bag as a welcome gift, but I am still waiting for the photos :)

Crochet Workshop at The Nest

  

 

A week ago, I had a crochet workshop at The Nest in Kocani. Before I go further, let me explain about it. The Nest is a youth center in Kocani, a place for inspiration, socializing and mutual support. It is a place where young people can connect, learn, exchange ideas and create new opportunities. This center is the initiative of Support Kocani with the aim to revitalize the city, especially the young people, after the devastating tragedy that happened on March 16, by organizing free workshops/ classes.  

 

My workshop was actually for beginners, where we learnt about the basic stitches, learnt how to hold the hook, make a foundation chain, and with one of my drills for mastering the single crochet, we made  pumpkins and jellyfish. All the ladies showed an immense interest, and the class was filled with warm and sparkling energy. I loved getting their messages afterwards, that some of them continued crocheting home immediately after the class. Truly warmed my heart. 

 

I hope to get back there again, next time with a more advanced workshop.  

 

Back to Athens

  

Snippets from our family trip to Athens.  We went back for Eva's check-up, stayed a week, so that Eva can experience fully the city that saved her life. We had a busy schedule, but it was a wholesome and heartwarming experience. 

Getting ready for fall

I don't know about you, but I love crocheting in the car. Without a set idea, I started making a vest with this gorgeous mohair I've been gifted on our ride back home. 

Mohair of this kind (there were three different strands of thread in it) doesn't allow for a spectacular pattern, so I just dc-ed through it to make an open sided vest. It closes though, by tying at the sides. 

The model is S to XS and am sure Miss Sophia (my mannequin) will beautifully wear it. 

The Art Beads in Motion

Hello, hello! 

Although I've been absent for a while in the blogosphere, that doesn't mean I've been idle. Had taken time to come to myself after all that happened, and hopefully I will resume creating. I have had numerous videos filmed, patterns written, and photos taken, so I will enliven this space of mine in a short-while. 

Maybe you remember the yarn butts that I played with and turned into beads five years ago (I cannot believe it's 5 years!!!)?  

Well, I made a short video, so if you are inclined to try this, you are welcome!

The end of an era, the start of a new one

Long time no word from me. 

We've been home for a month and a half, but we just needed time re-adjusting to normal life. 

Finally, after 86 days in hospital, we brought Eva home. She is good and thriving. We both thank you for the messages, prayers, comments and words of encouragement! 

 

This post is actually about something else. 

Back in April, I received a mail from etsy notifying me that all Macedonian shops on etsy will be permanently closed on August 5, as etsy payments is still not in use in my country. Or what they said and I quote: "We’ve made the difficult decision to stop supporting standalone PayPal. Unfortunately, we can’t bring Etsy Payments to Macedonia right now, so your shop will be closed on August 5."

Good thing is that they gave us plenty of time to make the necessary changes, bad thing is that they probably haven't thought of having a plan of getting us reinstated when, let's say, they start etsy payments here in 2036. What do we do then? Start from scratch? I've been on etsy for 15 years and have 11K sales. We'll see what they respond (if that actually happens). 

 

Whatever. My ravelry and lovecrafts shops will continue working. 

Days are slow...

 

 

 ... and they are extremely long. We are pushing day 53 here in Athens, and  sometimes we feel as reliving the one and same day (remember the Groundhog Day film?). Thanks God, Eva is getting much better. 

While keeping her company on her way to recovery, things that saved my sanity were crochet, books, Netflix series, painting and junk-journaling. 

 

I made the front part of what I later decided to be a cushion (the design is mine). Initially, I wanted to make it into a blanket or even a lapghan, but I soon realized that I didn't have either the patience or the desire to make it bigger. I simply couldn't concentrate, count and design it further, so a cushion was born. 

A visit to the art supply shop got me crayons, watercolors, markers, and along with a sketchbook, an entrance into a world, where I can doodle, draw and sketch, and calm my grinding mind. 

I also started junk-journaling again. Something I haven't done since I was a teenager. Maybe I'll show some pages in a future post.

 

I brought just 2 books with me, but I also found some spectacular bookshops here and bought myself some new and second-hand books. So, as we are bound to stay more, plenty of time to finish them all.

 

 

Healing...

I  cannot find the words to start writing this post. Typing, then deleting everything. The words get stuck into my throat, so I'll just be blunt. On March 16, my daughter Eva got injured in the Kochani night club fire. 

Our lives got turned upside-down, but we are glad she is alive. We are currently in Athens with her, where she is getting treated. She is healing slowly, but steadily. 

May God watch over each and every one! 

 

Through the Woods - Leg Warmers (pattern release)

Made out of mohair and combination of other wool blends, these are the warmest warmers I have ever had. The other thing that I love the most is this amazingly warm and calm palette, which I am sure I'll be using to the end of the last thread.

The warmers are worked from the top down and they end with flared ruffles. 

 

The pattern is in my shops: etsy, ravelry, lovecrafts. 

 

Granny Pixie Hood - pattern release

Step into the wondrous woodland, adding a little magic with this pixie hoodie. A charming and warm accessory adding color to the bleak winter.

The hood is oversized, but it can be customized to a perfect fit. It grows into a scarf, thus offering a variety of different wearing styles.  

The roses, aside for their role to beautify the hat, are an excellent reinforced ear-warmers.

The pattern is in my shops: etsy, ravelry, lovecrafts.