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. I have already set up a Shopify shop and I am currently transferring all my listings there. I'll notify you when it is open. 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.

Crochet Bear Glasses Holder

I happily jumped on the bandwagon and this is my version of the bear glasses holder. 

It is so adorable, I cannot stand it. For a woman that has the glasses off most of the time - and the one that forgets where she last put them, and then goes and rummages through the place to find them - this. is. the. perfect. thing! 

The holder of glasses may be a trinket dish as well! 

 

Ok, ok... long story short, I made a video for it, and you can also buy the digital file if you are more comfortable having a printed version.

The video is here, the pattern is in my etsy, ravelry and lovecrafts shops.

Small Valentine Heart - free pattern

 

We are a week's throw to St. Valentine, and my birthday girl is going to get a mesh crochet bonnet (scarf) she requested as a gift. I am going to use these hearts to decorate the box. These are super fast to make (a ton - a minute), and quite cute.

 

The pattern: 

 

The video is on my TikTok.

Have fun!

Collette Neck Scarf - free crochet pattern

Skinny, short, knitted neck scarves have been popping up like mushrooms on the net, so I thought why not having a crochet version as well. So here's my Collette scarf. Easy to make, with a clean look and a French charm, it is so addictive, you'd want to have it in a variety of colors.

 

Now, before we begin, please note that: The written  pattern in its entirety along with the photos are for personal use only. All property rights belong to Maya Kuzman of The Little Treasures.

 

Supplies 

 Yarn and hook: ～50 gr of sport yarn of your choice, and a 4 mm hook (UK: 8 /US:6).

   Other: Scissors and tapestry needle for weaving ends.

 

 Stitches in US terminology: stitch (st), skip (sk), chain (ch), double crochet (dc),  double crochet 2 together (dc2tog). 

 Gauge: 3 dc in 2 cm / 0.78"

 

Measurements: 100cm/39.3" in length, 7cm / 2.75" at the widest point. 

 Note: ch3 at the end/beginning of next row counts as a stitch.

 

 Pattern:  

 Foundation and row 1: Ch4 and dc2 in last st from hook. (3) Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 2: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in next 2 sts (3) Ch3 and turn work. 

 Rows 3 - 13: repeat row 2.

 Row 14: dc1 in all sts (including the 1st - simple increase) (4). Ch3 and turn work. 

 Rows 15-16: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in next 3 sts (4) Ch3 and turn work. 

 Row 17: dc1 in all sts, dc2 in the last (6). Ch3 and turn work.

 Rows 18-19: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in next 5 sts (6) Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 20: dc1 in all sts, dc2 in the last (8). Ch3 and turn work.
 Rows 21-22: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in next 7 sts (8) Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 23: dc1 in all sts, dc2 in the last (10). Ch3 and turn work.

 Rows 24-25: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in next 9 sts (10) Ch3 and turn work.  

 Row 26:  dc1 in all sts, dc2 in the last (12). Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 27: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in next 11 sts (12) Ch3 and turn work.

 Rows 28 - 57: repeat row 27. Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 58: starting from the 2nd st, dc2tog, dc1 in next 7 sts, dc2tog (10). Ch3 and

 turn work.

 Rows: 59-60: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in all sts. (10) Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 61: starting from the 2nd st, dc2tog, dc1 in next 5 sts, dc2tog (8). Ch3 and

 turn work.

 Rows: 62-63: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in all sts. (8) Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 64: starting from the 2nd st, dc2tog, dc1 in next 3 sts, dc2tog (6). Ch3 and

 turn work.

 Rows: 65-66: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in all sts. (6) Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 67: starting from the 2nd st, dc2tog, dc1 in next st, dc2tog (4). Ch3 and turn

 work.

 Rows: 68-69: starting from the 2nd st. dc1 in all sts. (4) Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 70: starting from the 2nd st, dc2tog, dc1 in last st (3). Ch3 and turn work.

 Rows 71 - 82: dc1 in all (3).Ch3 and turn work.

 Row 83: dc2tog (1).  

 Cut yarn and weave/work the tails. 

 Needless to say, you can wear it as a headband as well. Enjoy it!

 If you want a version you can print - I have it on ravelry.

 

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. 

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. 
 

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?

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)!

Past best ofs on the blog:

Best of 2022

Best of 2021

Best of 2020 

Best of 2019 

Best of 2018

Best of 2017
Best of 2016

Best of 2015

Best of 2014

Best of 2013

Best of 2012 

Best of 2011  

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas and God bless!

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.

 

 

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. 

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!

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. 

1. Gnome Ornament

2. Star Garland

3. Mistletoe 

4. Gnome (toy)

5. Peppermint Sticks 

6. Christmas trees 

 

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!