Sunday, January 12, 2025

Vacation crochet



Our vacation finished on Wednesday and we are back to the mundane life and workload. I didn't have time to unpack the crochet bags during the week, and did so just now to see what has been accomplished during my week-long vacation.

I truly crocheted my heart out and made these lovelies: 3 hats, the 4th is not finished yet, as I am planning making a video for it (blue one far right), one oversized granny pixie hat,  a lariat, 2 neck scarves, leg warmers (unfinished- bottom center), and a scarflette. Except for one of the hats, and the lariat everything else is made with mohair and pure wool. 

I am loving the earthen palette and would certainly make more things with the same tones. 

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Almost Cloche Crochet Hat


This is my first project of the year! 

As I mentioned in my last post, mom and auntie wanted me to make them hats, and I wanted to make them cloche hats (I love cloche hats and thought the ladies would appreciate the style as well), but they wanted ordinary hats - I have no idea what ordinary it is for them, so I designed this, almost cloche hat, but without the brim. I wanted to add one of my flowers at the side, but didn't because I have to see if they'd approve it. 

For this one I used 100% merino wool and the alternation of stitches makes the texture really pop up, but sadly it cannot be captured on camera. 

I am nearly finished with the second hat and cannot wait to see their reactions. 
 

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Yarn love 💝

 


It's been day 3 of our week vacation, and needless to say I brought a ton of yarn with me. I am not joking. I want to crochet my heart out, read books and watch films. So far, I am enjoying everything planned, enriched with walks by the lake, and coffees at lovely cafès.
The first project was started and finished on our ride.  I made a hat, which I am going to show tomorrow. I have to make another like it, as it it a gift for my mom and aunt - they are twins, so everything I do for the one, I have to do for the other. 😉
How is the start of January going for you?

Friday, January 3, 2025

The Best Of 2024

                                                                                                                  Henrietta's socks
 
Happy New Year all! 
I usually post my best ofs at the end of December, but since I broke tradition last year, and didn't even post about about it (not that I had much to show and post), I thought why not start the year with it,  and make a short post about creative projects that deserve the highlights.
 
This year I had the pleasure of having a bestseller (the granny socks) and an etsy pick -  (the Gorgeous Autumn Poncho). I am thankful for the buyers that left their finished project photos, and amazed with their creativity and choices of yarn/ colors.
 

Sharleen's sock
                                                                            Emma's socks
 
Hopefully, this year will be more creative than the last (fingers crossed)!

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Crochet Hook Case / Holder - pattern release



Finally able to cross this off my list. I long wanted to make a crochet travel hook case like this, and this is my gift to myself for Christmas. What I love most about it - besides the pockets that can house my most beloved and used hooks, is that I can fold it as a booklet, or as a roll, so it takes less place and still holds a bunch. 
I documented the process, and wrote the pattern, so if you a looking for a last minute gift for someone that loves crochet, maybe give this a try? It can also be used for storing make up brushes and sponges, art supplies (brushes, tubes, crayons), etc.
 
The pattern is in my shops: etsy, ravelry.
 

 

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

How to crochet an easy Christmas star- video lesson

This Christmas star is a fun project and quite versatile; it can be used as an ornament to be hanged on the Christmas tree, as a decoration to add to gift wrapping, or applique. For this project I doubled a size 10 crochet thread, and I used a 3 mm hook. It can be done with any yarn weight - the thicker the yarn, the chunkier the star. 
Learn how to make it here

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

How to Crochet a Poinsettia - free video tutorial

I am officially starting the Christmas crochet series with this Poinsettia. 
The Poinsettia is always associated with Christmas, and in many cultures it is called The Christmas flower. It is said to symbolize good will and community spirit. 
I've created a video where I show you how to crochet it in just two layers. 
For the purpose of the video I used sport yarn and a 3mm hook, while the more luxurious and lush one from the intro is done in size 10 sparkling crochet thread and a 1.7 mm hook. You can use this as home decor, ornament or even turn it into a brooch.
The video tutorial is here. Have fun!

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Christmas Crochet - free patterns


I might have been silent over here, but my hands have been busy!
As I mentioned earlier, I want to revive my Christmas crochet gifts series, and a couple of projects are already finished. But before the reveal, here is a compilation of my past free crochet patterns for ornaments and decor. 

 

Friday, November 29, 2024

My Customers are talented kids!

Lisi is an 11-year boy prodigy whom I met last year when he came to my shop, and I was stunned to learn that he has been crocheting since he was nine. He is a regular and there isn't a brand or type of yarn he hasn't tried from the shop. He started with amigurumi first, but swiftly transferred to making clothes as he has 2 older sisters, and he wanted to make things for them. 

Above you can see his cardigan and vest he made. Now he is set on designing his own amigurumi and plans to open an etsy shop and sell the patterns! I hope he clings onto his wishes and becomes a famous designer!

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Missing Making Crochet Jewlery

 
I was sorting through my archives and happened onto past photos of my jewelry. Would you believe me if I told you that I had forgotten I made tons of them? Like this brooch, for example. When I saw it (and here I might sound vain), I thought what a fantastic job I did with it! This one is sold and I hope the lady who bought is still wearing it happily. 
And this particular piece made me realize how much I miss making crochet jewelry. I haven't done a pinch in ages. 
As I am planning reviving my Last Minute Gifts series, I am going to include some crochet jewelry into the mix. Already feeling better...
 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Crochet Weaved Scarf

 

Let me show you my latest labour of love. I follow AlizeYarns on Youtube, and as I sell their yarn, I want to be in the loop and share interesting ideas to crochet with said yarn. 

Recently, they shared this magnificent and easy to do scarf using the crochet weave technique with their Angora Gold Batik collection. It is one of my favourite, and the customers are quite taken with it too. Once I saw their shawl and the fascinating weave-effect it got, I was immediately drawn, and there was no way getting it out of my head. Grabbed my skeins, and got to it. If I am honest, working on the mash was boring, but the surface crochet through the mash topped it. However, everything was forgotten when it was finished. I literally couldn't take my eyes off of it!


What I did differently is that theirs is a shawl, mine is a scarf. I wanted a longer one and not as wide. My scarf is 2 meters long (sans the fringes) and 20 cm wide. Expecting lot of happy wears!

If you'd like to try this for yourself, the video tutorial is here






Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Crochet Inspiration for Leftover Yarn


As crocheters/knitters, we all end up with lots of leftover yarn (at least I do), with varying amounts of length, weights, fibre content, colors, and so on and so forth. 
 
I recently discovered Garn Guttterne on Instagram, who I believe uses preloved yarn to make her creations. So, if you are in a search of ideas how to use that scrap yarn - maybe these photos will serve as inspiration, and be sure to visit her account.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Making Fabric Yarn


On Sunday I rummaged through my yarn stash, looking for fabric that would be suitable to turn into yarn. I chose some georgette, polyester and viscose that I cut into strips and turned into little fabric skeins. 

I already have a project in mind, and I hope it turns as I imagined it. 
 

Monday, October 28, 2024

My new knitted vest

 


Well, what do you know! I once wowed that I am never going to get back to knitting, and now it's time to eat my own words! 

Truth be told, last winter I tried making some knitted scarves, but ditched the needles after the 3rd row. And I've come to the conclusion that the bigger the needle size, the more likely I am to tackle the project. So, when I got this yarn, which btw is discontinued, I decided to make something for myself, because the yarn variegation is just so lovely, it would have been a complete waste if used for a non-significant project.  

I went with 9mm circular needles, and in hindsight,  I could have used even bigger ones, but nevertheless, I like how my new vest looks like.  What I like most about it is the arm gap - it's huge and the whole appearance tilts towards the mori girl style.

Looking forward to get the best wears out if it! 

P.S. The edges are crocheted. I couldn't help myself! :)-



Thursday, October 17, 2024

Maple Leaf Scarf - crochet video


 

Remember the scarf I posted last year, as a part of the Last Minute Gifts series? Well, I created a video for it as well, and it's up on my channel
Now that I added picots to this one, I love the looks even more. 
I am tickled to try it in self striping yarn, but I have so many projects started and also tons to be published, so I think it's best if I stop right here. 



Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Crochet Pumpkin - video tutorial


Pumpkin season is here! 
Isn't it lovely how pumpkin decor makes a place radiant, filled with warmth and joy?
Every year I try to make a different pumpkin ornament / decoration, and the idea for this pumpkin came from my crochet class. As part of my yarn shop, I also offer crochet workshops for both kids and adults (I call it a "crochet school"), and this came from the exercise where we learn how to work in a round using just single crochets. Needless to say, the kids love this exercise as they not only master the stitch, but also get to go home with cute little pumpkins.
If you are into making one such, I created a video tutorial for it.
 

 Click here for the video tutorial.

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Saving a Family Heirloom - Crochet Valance




A couple of weeks ago, a dear customer came with a request for salvaging a crochet valance. I never take up custom orders, but the story was too sweet to turn it down, and it had a sentimental effect on me where I immediately thought of my grandma, and how I finished things she'd started but left off unfinished. 

So this lady's cousin had a valance that was a couple of rows shy of being finished, but her mother died never finishing it.  She already had one made, but this was a twin curtain, so she wanted it finished as to hang it next to the first one. As my customer is a beginner, she didn't feel she will be able to finish her aunt's work, so she brought it to the shop. As it required only one row of mash and three rows of the border, I agreed to finish it. 

It took me a while to get used to the minimalistic hook, which was 0.5 mm by the way, as prior to that I was working with a 5mm hook (pictured together), so it had an enormous strain on my eyes. But the job was done, both ladies were thrilled and happy!

The valance was truly beautiful, but whatever I tried I couldn't snap a good photo as I didn't have the right window to hang it on, and show it in all its beauty.