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! :)-

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. 

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.

 

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.

Owl Blanket and a Bag

At last, my own blanket I made for the charity blanket project that we had. 

My wish was to donate my owl crochet blanket, but due to work and other obligations, it was literally impossible to crochet it as it is quite demanding. Hence, I decided to use squares I already had on hand and work with them. 

What I did is join all 4 squares and then I just worked around them using the granny stripe stitch to grow it. Luckily, I found one of the owlets in my stash, which was a happy coincidence as it had the colors I used in the blanket, so I used it as an applique to liven it a bit. 

The tote bag I had made was used to put the blanket in and make this a complete project.

To see / learn about the blanket project click here.

Blankets 4, 5 and 6.

Crochet Flower Bookmarks - pattern release

These flower bookmarks are so cute and I cannot stop looking at my book. Who would've thought they could bring so much joy!

The pattern for all 4 bookmarks (or flowers to be more specific) is in my shops: etsy & ravelry.

Mural for my Yarn Shop

So many things have happened, and I don't know where to begin first!  Life has been busy, and at the end of the day, all I want to do is sit in my armchair and crochet, with my Netflix on. I'll try to summarize this month with several posts this week. 

First, is my new mural I had commissioned for my yarn shop. 

I have this big wall leading to my shop that was filled with graffiti and was a true sore spot to look at. Several months ago my husband whitewashed it with the idea that we place an ad for the shop on it. However, months passed and nothing happened, mainly because I had no idea what I wanted on it. But, everything happens for a reason.

Now, as it happens, I have been following Ana's work for a long time and was quite taken by it. I invited her over for a cup of coffee and a look at my wall and the rest was history!

When she asked me what I wanted - I said something minimalistic - like a wicker basket over-spilling with yarn, my logo and that's it. I usually have several ideas and drawings about things I want to be made, but for this wall, my mind was blank. 

Cue several hours later, she sent me a sketch of how she envisioned it and the rest is history!

What gives me the greatest joy is the happy squeals of kids as they pass it! Adults are also appreciative of it, and I get compliments on it daily! 

And this is how a sore spot transformed into an eye-catching piece.

Crochet blankets #3,4,5

 

  

Disclaimer: This is not my work. I only joined the squares into blankets. To learn more about the drive, read here.

 

I am slowly coming to an end posting about the crocheted blankets. These are the three ones that were the most challenging. Most of the squares were either bigger or smaller than the required dimensions we had for the squares, but we didn't want to diminish the ladies' effort and time they spent making the squares, so we took them all. 

 

Now joining them together was a bit of a hustle, tweaking here and there, frogging and also adding rows (rounds), but in the end everything turned out fine.

There is just one left to be shown- and that's my own. And with that one, I will end the series and we'll focus on the next project for the upcoming winter.

 

 

The Cosmos Blanket (blanket #2)

 

Finally, all 5 blankets are joined, washed, and ready for delivery! It's been an exhausting task as we had a scorchingly hot August, where I could barely hold the squares with my hands, but the effort was worth it!

For you that are new to this post - we are working on a project where we make blankets and/ or squares to be joined into blankets for a local orphanage. The idea behind is that the kiddos will have a handmade, heirloom blanket to hold on.

This is not my work - I only joined the squares and added the border.

 

Crochet Granny Stripe Bandana - free pattern + video

I am glad I managed to get a good use for this wonderful, variegated cotton yarn, as it is discontinued. It was the perfect fit for the granny stripe bandana.

I published the video for it last week, but as I am having new yarn delivery for the shop, I am up to my elbows sorting everything out, meaning I am late posting about it here.   

The bandana is an adult size, so please note that you will need less rows if you want to make it for a child.

 

Supplies

Yarn and hook: DK yarn and a 4.00 mm hook.

Crochet US terms: hook (hk), chain (ch), stitch (st), chain space (ch-sp), slip stitch (sl st), double crochet (dc), (3dc into ch-sp = granny stripe)

 

For the bandana I am using the granny stripe stitch. As the granny stripe loves changing colors in every new row, I suggest you either use self-striping or variegated yarn, because you'll be free from working the tails of every new color addition if you decide to make it in solid / or a palette of colors. 

Pattern:

 

Foundation /row 1:  make a slip knot, ch4 (counts as 1dc+ a working st), dc2 in 1st st (or the last from hk). Ch3 and turn work. (1 granny stripe made)

Row 2: Dc2 in 1st st, ch1, dc3 in last st. Ch3 and turn work.  (2 granny stripes made)

Row 3: Dc2 in 1st st, ch1, dc3 in ch-sp, ch1, ch3 in the last st. Ch3 and turn work.  (3 granny stripes made)

Row 4-19: repeat row 3.  

Here, as the granny stripes and ch-spaces increase with each row, always make 3 dcs in the first and last stitch, and also 3dcs in the ch-sps.  

When done with row 19, do not cut yarn as we are going to make the ties. 

Row 19 continuation / Ties added: as you finish making the 19th row, ch70 and starting from the 2nd st, sl st all the way across both the tie and the body of the bandana. Sl st in every stitch including the ch-spaces. When you come to the other end, ch70, and starting from the 2nd st, sl st all the way across to the beginning of the body of the bandana. Cut yarn and work the tails. 

 

 

If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments.

Have fun!

 

Crochet Hexagons - video tutorials

Just a short, guerilla post to let you know I have two video tutorials regarding hexies - one is for the traditional hexagon and the other for the granny striped one. 

Have fun!

 

Charity Blanket #1

Our charity project is coming to an end. August is planned to be a blanket joining month, so we are going to join the donated squares into blankets. I took to join 5 blankets, each consisting of 35 squares that have to be matched and joined. 

 

I finished the first one, and for this one I simply sewed everything together. I was debating with myself whether it needs a border or not, but decided to leave it as is. 

Moving onto the second blanket. Stay tuned!

Crochet Bikini

This is the summer I will always remember as the first one that my daughter asked for and wore every single crochet piece I made for her. 

Let me explain shortly: I am into romantic crochet - Eva is a sporty girl. 

 

However, that is undergoing some changes, because she realizes now that all the rage in crochet clothes and accessories that she sees on social media can be made by mom! There's no end to my joy!

 

So in total (yes, I am counting!), I made her 4 pieces: a mesh skirt and a dress, a top and these bikinis. They were the latest addition and I literally made them hours before she took off for her vacation.

 

The top is simple, two stringed triangles, while for the bottoms, I used bikinis that fitted her best as pattern. 

 

I cannot wait to be asked to do more for her!

 

Crochet Mesh Dress

 

This summer appears to be all about mesh crochet. Eva requested a mesh dress last summer, but for reasons I cannot remember, I didn't make one, although we have selected the cotton yarn for it. Now, my daughter is an "earth tones" girl, so I was quite surprised when she chose this hot orange and pink as a combination. 

 

 She is currently on her summer holiday and I hope she has lots of happy wears.

 

 

Christmas in July - crochet trees

For years I have wanted to join the Christmas in July event, but never actually did, until now, and for my first celebration of the event, I made a video for these cute Christmas trees. 

 

Mixed Media Necklace

 

Honestly, I don't even remember when was the last time I made a mixed media necklace.  Or any crochet necklace for that matter.  

While organizing my stash, I came upon this very simple necklace. I made it with just a single crochet rose and glass beads. 

When making a mixed media jewelry, I like to have many different materials; textiles, crochet pieces, wooden / other beads and metal findings, everything spilling over the top, but when I made this one, I felt like doing something simple, clean and minimalistic. 

At the time, I bought powder rose, sage, grey and these orange beads, so I am itching to use the others for some more jewelry. 

 

Beach mesh skirt

 

I love crocheting mesh because:

a) it is fast;

b) does not require full brain cell capacity when working on it;

c)  I love the look of mesh crochet!

Luckily, my daughter loves it too, so I made her a bikini cover, and I used the same flower pattern from the flower top I made recently. These are so beautiful, needless to say I am obsessed with them, and will certainly use them in other projects as well. 

For this skirt I used variegated (sport/cotton) yarn I have in the shop.

P.S. I am still waiting for the photos of the top. 

My Customers are Talented People #2

 

 

The most wanted yarn this time of the year is of course cotton, for clothes, bags and accessories, and the second best is bag making yarn (polyester mostly).

For this post I've chosen a couple of my customers that have quite unique makes.

PixieCrochet is a young girl who specializes in making one of a kind tops, bikinis and bags.  

 

 

 

 

Carino specializes in jewelry and accessories. Their bags and hats are exquisite. 

 

And this last bag is from a lady called Suzana, who although a beginner, managed to make a wondrous granny square bag!
 

Gifted Crochet Treasures Series - an oval runner/doily

I forgot all about the gifted crochet treasures series, although I have them stored in a cupboard in my shop, at the reach of the hand. But, a customer showed me a video on IG, where a lady used a thrifted tablecloth and just by adding satin ribbons, she transformed it into a blouse. And... I cannot take that image out of my head. It lives rent free in my head :)

So I took the bigger tablecloths and runners out to see if any would be good transforming - but the thing is that they are all so beautiful, I feel guilty ruining them. On the other hand, I try to justify the action by repeating to myself that this way they would be used and not just stored, aging away. 

 

 

I decided on this small doily/runner with an intricately made circles. This one would be a lovely top if I lined it and either add satin ribbons (much faster), or crochet the ties (much slower). I have to try and remove the yellowing spots at certain points, and we'll  see how everything works out.  

I'll show you how it turned out as soon as I get to it.