Cross Stitch on Crochet - trends

Source: Pinterest

Another crochet trend that really gives my heart fuzzies is cross stitch on crochet.

The most used motifs are flowers - roses to be more specific, and although a doubled effort is involved in creating these pieces, it is truly worth it. 

To have the best results in creating such a piece, dense stitches like single crochet and half double crochet should be used so as to make the crochet a suitable canvas for the cross stitching. 

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Source: Pinterest

If you want to try your hand at this, try the free tutorials below (click on the links under the pictures).

 

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The Travelling Postcard by Shabby Art Boutique

Back in August 2020, Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique started a wonderful project called The Travelling Postcard. 

The idea behind it is/was to connect crafters around the world and share some love and joy during harsh Covid times. 

 

The original postcards were sent by Kerryanne, and out of the three, just one - this one, remained travelling. Once you receive the postcard, you are assigned a person to send it to next, along with some goodies so as to bring a smile to the person receiving it. 

The goodies in the photos were included along with the postcard in an amazingly decoupaged envelope, and I cannot tell you the excitement I felt while opening it, and going through each of them. They are absolutely gorgeous (THANK YOU PAM!). You know how I love to have catching backgrounds/backdrops for my photos, and these lovelies will be loved, treasured and creatively used.

Crochet Techniques: Bosnian Crochet

Paid Pattern by Svetlana Gordon

What is Bosnian crochet? 

It is a simple slip stitch crochet technique where the slip stitches are worked into either the front or the back loop only. Thus, the fabric created is not only thick, but exceptionally warm too. 

This technique was traditionally used to make socks, slippers / feet warmers, mittens and hats.

 

The hook employed in this type of crochet is an unusual one. It has a long, flat and fat body that slopes down at the neck/hook. The reason for this is that you pull the stitches over the body to create a bigger loop, because if you tried slip stitching, then you know the stitches tend to get very tight and small with regular hooks.

Here's a video of how it is done. 

Although now popular around the world, in the past Bosnian crochet (originating from Bosnia, of course) was most widely practiced in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. It also goes by the names of Shepherd's and Dutch knitting.

Free socks pattern by Donna Druchunas

My grandma used this technique to make us house slippers. However, I've never tried it myself, because slip stitches are tedious and I get easily tired working them. 

Have you done anything in this technique? 

                     Free scarf pattern by Vashti Braha / Image credit: txgardener  

Daphne Cuff Pattern

This is the Daphne cuff. The newest addition to my cuff collection. This romantic, Victorian inspired cuff has a simple mesh foundation and cascading, ruffled edging. Depending on your preference, you can leave it bare, or add flowers and beads for decoration. 

The sample cuff is made for wrist circumference of 16 cm / 6.29” wrist circumference; however, I have included information how to make it a custom fit.

Technicalities
Yarn and hook: 10-15 grams of sport yarn in four colors (brand and color of your choice) and a 3mm hook (UK11) (US 10/3)

Other: Sewing needle and thread. Bead(s) and a button for closure. Pins (optional)

Used terms in American terminology: chain (ch), chain space (ch-sp), slip stitch (sl st), skip (sk), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), treble (tr), 3ch-picot.
 

Its in my etsy and ravelry shops.

Crochet Appliques: Flowers and Vases

Good day, beautiful people!

One of my future crochet plans includes making enormous crochet flowers. Ever since I wrote about these crochet trends, the idea has been wildly swirling in my head and I cannot shake it off. So I started with medium-sized flowers to see if the idea is still good to go, and I am happy to report it is. 

Also, come spring, I want to have a new flowery applique pattern made (like this one), and I created vases for my flowers. 

 

Uhm...the bottom one looks more like a flower pot rather than a vase, but let's not be hair-splitters :)

 

Stay tuned for more flowery posts!

Crochet Picots Make Everything Richer

One of my favourite touches to add as edging to whatever crochet project I am finishing on, is picots. These tiny, pointy peaks make everything more cheerful, richer, lively and appealing. But maybe this is just my perception as I have often witnessed crocheters detesting them. Yes, they are tedious to crochet and maybe some people get bored, but I don't. 

It always amazes me how a simple chain can yield so much beauty.

Three-chain picots are the ones I use the most, five-chain being the wildest I have ever gotten. 

If you are wondering how to crochet a picot, it's quite easy. You chain a number of stitches and then slip stitch in the last stitch (of that chain) from the hook and voila! A picot is made.

Here's a selection of my picotted work. 

 

How do you feel about picots?

The Wonderful World of Crochet Potholders

Credit

 Although a necessity in the kitchen, potholders can also raise the aesthetics of it to another dimension. They can turn a mundane and plain kitchen into an art gallery. 

 

History books point out that the textile potholders were not invented until mid 19th century. Before they came up on the scene, tongs, towels, rags, or apron corners have served to protect hands from hot dishes and cooking utensils. 

The first potholders were typically small 6-7-inch squares of fabric or woven fibers that were stitched with designs and phrases. Later, housewives started making them out of yarn, using different shapes, stitches and colors, which made potholders not only a staple tool, but also an eye-pleasing decor. 

 

Sadly, I have no crochet potholders (I use oven mitts), but I would gladly make some to decorate my kitchen walls. Do you use crochet potholders?

 

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Link Parties - Always a "Yay"

Do you join link parties?

I do and I am thankful for the amount of time and effort other creative bloggers take to host link parties as those are not only a great way to learn a new craft, try a new recipe or sparkle your creativity, but they are also a fantastic tool to get to know other bloggers and at the same time present yourself/ show your content in front of a (probably) newer and wider audience. 

 

If you are not familiar as to what a link party is, it is a place on a blog where everyone can add links to their own blog posts. There are usually guidelines or rules for adding projects. The party may be limited to DIY, crochet, sewing, crafts, food recipes, etc. or may be open for any projects.

 

These link parties usually reoccur weekly and start on the same day and time each week. Every link party will be open for links for 1-3 days, but may be open for a longer or shorter time depending on the host. With each new party, the host selects several links/posts from the previous party to feature in the new party. 

 

I have had the pleasure and the honor of being featured numerous times on my favorite blogs, for which I am immensely grateful.

Below, I am linking the parties / blogs I never miss out: 

Monday:

1. Handmade Monday - Sum of Their Stories

2. Inspire me Monday - Create with Joy

3. Busy Monday - A pinch of joy

4. Really Crafty Link Party -  Keeping it real  

5. Craftastic Monday Party - Sew Can Do

 

Tuesday:

1. Creative Muster Link Up - Fluster Buster

2. The Happy Now blog Link-Up- Jenerally Informed 

3. Homemaking Link Up - Linda's Lunacy

4. All about home link party -  Follow the yellow brick home 

5. Tuesday Turn About - My Wee Abode

6. Linky Ladies Party - The Purple Poncho  

 

Wednesday:

1. Loop Scoop - Moogly 

2. Wednesday Link Party -  Oombawka Design Crochet 

3. To Grandma's House We Go - Grandma's House DIY

4. Link Party - Oh My Heartsy Girl 

5. Wonderful Wednesday Party - My Life Abundant 

6.  Creative Crafts - Creatively Beth

7. Vintage Charm Party - My Thrift Store Addiction 

 

Thursday:

1. Creatively Crafty Party - Life Beyond the Kitchen

2. Grace at Home - Imparting Grace

3. Encouraging Hearts and Home - My Slices of Life

4. TFT Blog Hop - Catherine's Corner 

 

Friday:

1. A morning cup of Jo - The Cottage Market

2. Create, Bake, Grow & Gather- Shabby Art Boutique

3. Friday Favourites - A Little Bit of Everything 

4. Friday With Friends - My Hubbard Home  

5. Funtastic Friday- Two Chicks and a Mom

Saturday:

1. Dare to Share - Pams Party & Practical Tips

2. Numerous themed link parties - Grammy's Grid

 

Sunday:

1. The Hearth and Soul Link Up - April J. Harris

2. Love Your Creativity -  Life and Linda

3. Sundays on Silverado - The House on Silverado

4. Happiness is homemade - Eclectic Red Barn 

 

Any interesting parties that you join but not on my list? Feel free to link up in the comments. 

On my hook - granny stripe cardi

 

I am cardi obsessed. Definitely. 

Eva's is still in the make, but I have to make frequent stops for the measurements, and I can do that when she's at home, but she is a young girl living her best life, which means she is most often out, so I have to be patient and put my crochet on hold, until she is ready to try it on. But my hands cannot sit still, so I started a kids' granny stripe cardi to fill the time. It's progressing nicely, and I love how quick it is. 

 

Getting bitten by this cardi-bug, now I plan to make an adult version and today I bought the yarn for it. I love the looks of this color palette and hope these colors work together well to make an appealing garment. Monday being a day off (Labour Day), I am looking forward to a prolonged, crochet-filled weekend. 

I hope yours is fantastic too!

 

Granny Shapes Bundled Together - pattern release

We are having a prolonged (Labour Day) weekend and I am ready to finish up some colorful projects!  And tomorrow I am going to visit my favourite yarn shop, which makes me both giddy and excited! Can you believe that?! 

 

Meanwhile, I've bundled up my granny stripe shapes. The bundle consists of 5 patterns for a granny square, circle, rectangle, triangle and hexagon.It is  here.

 

Granny Stripe Circle - free pattern

The granny stripe circle is a lovely pattern to make mandalas, coasters, table(cloths) placemats, use for round cushions, and the list goes on if you have an adventurous and wild imagination. 

 

Here's how to make one.

Supplies:

* DK yarn in as many colors you'd like and a 4 mm hook 

* scissors and a tapestry needle for weaving ends

You may want to work ends/tails as you go. Learn how I do that here.

 

Stitches in US terms: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), chain space (ch-sp),  double crochet (dc).

Measurements of sample circle: 

 

Pattern

Foundation and round 1:  In color 1, ch4 (counts as 1dc+1 ch) and in last st from hook, d1, ch1 eleven times (12 dcs -we are going to retain this number in the next rounds as well). Sl st with first st to end round.

Round 2: Insert color 2 in ch-sp (any, I usually do it in the one before the last of round 1), ch3 (counts as the 1st dc) and dc1, ch1, and in next and all other ch-sps, dc2, ch1. Sl st with 1st st to end round. 

Round 3: Insert color 3 in ch-sp, ch3 (counts as the 1st dc) and dc2, ch1, and in next and all other ch-sps, dc3, ch1. Sl st with 1st st to end round. 

Round 4:  Insert color 4 and repeat round 3. (Repeat round 3 to increase the circle to your desired size.) Sl st with 1st st to end round.

Round 5: Insert color 5 in ch-sp, ch3, dc2, ch1, dc3. In next (and all other ch-sps) work this pattern: dc3, ch1, dc3. When last ch-sp is filled, sl st with 1st st to end round. 

Round 6: Insert color 6 in ch-sp, and repeat round 5. Work rest of tails. 

 

Hope you have fun!

Big Puffy Flowers - free pattern

Crop cardis with these enormous puffy flowers have been raging on tik-tok and instagram for quite a while. Must say I find them adorable, and wasn't at least surprised when Eva requested one for herself. The cardi is still in the works, but these babies are ready! They are so addictive; once I started I couldn't stop myself making them. 

If you are wondering what creative project to tackle this weekend - why don't make these?

Supplies:

* DK yarn in 2 colors of your choice and a 3.5 mm hook 

* scissors, tapestry needle (sewing needle and thread)

 

Stitches in US terms: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), chain space (ch-sp), yarn over (yo), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), elongated treble (fake treble - ft).  

Pattern:

Foundation and round 1: In color 1, ch6 and join to make a ring. Ch3 (counts as 1st hdc + ch1) and in ring, hdc1, ch1, 11 times (12). Sl st with 1st st to end round.

Round 2: We are going to make the puff petals. One puff is worked over two ch-spaces. Sl st into first ch-sp and ch4. Now we are going to work the "fake" or elongated treble: yo, insert hook into same ch-sp from the front, yo, draw yarn through and pull up to the same height of the ch4, yo, draw yarn through, yo, pull yarn up again and draw through two loops on the hook. Repeat this pattern until there are 4 fake trebles in this ch-sp (without the 4-chain). Leave these 4 as are and work 4 more fake trebles in the next ch-sp so there are a total of 8. When the last one is done, pull yarn through all and make a sl st. Next, ch3 and sl st again in the second ch-sp. One puff is done. Sl st into next ch-sp and repeat puff petal pattern. 

In the end, there will be 6 petals. When you finish making the last one (and you ended with a sl st), turn the flower upside done, insert hook from the center, yo, draw yarn and make a sl st. Cut thread and tie both beginning and ending tails together. Do not cut excess tails.

Flower head pattern: 

Row 1: ch5 and in the last st (further as: working stitch) from hook, repeat the fake treble pattern (as above) to make a total of 10 such fts (without the 5-chain). Pull through all and sl st. Ch3 and sl st again in the working st. Place flower head on top of the petaled flower with both tails at opposite ends. Pull tails through to get them at the back of the flower, tie both together, then tie again with petal tails. Cut excess tails. With this, the puffy flower is done.

Now, this tying technique will not secure the whole head, so you might want to use a regular sewing needle and thread to sew it onto. 

Drop me a question in the comments if you have any. 

Crochet Ramblings - Granny rectangles

This is a project that didn't live to grow up. I made these granny rectangles with the idea to expand them to the size of an Easter table runner (and maybe placemats as well), but adding these chicks and eggs  around it somehow didn't click well with me, so I dropped the idea altogether. 

 

They are dormant at the moment (or my brain is, to be more exact), but I am willing to dream up something else with them, because they are just too cute to be left like this. I hope you had a lovely Easter and many successful projects!

Granny Rose Pouch - pattern release

Maybe you remember the granny pouch I made last month. Well, let me tell you it has a sister, and this time it's blue. This one is a little bit different from the first one and less complicated to make. 

The best effect to make these is to use three shades of the same color. The previous one is more vibrant and eye-catching than this one, but I love it nevertheless. 

 

The pattern is in my shops: etsy, ravelry. 

On my hook - Granny Stripe Poncho

I have always wanted to make myself a crochet poncho, but never got round to do it. On my last visit to the yarn shop, I saw this beautiful yarn by La Vita yarns (no affiliation) that felt amazingly soft to the touch, and right then and there, I decided they are the ONE for my long-wished poncho.

 

And I couldn't have made a better choice! The yarn is amazing and when I tried it on, it felt spectacularly soft, snug and warm. I even paraded around the house with it, showing it off to my family, not being able to contain my delight! 

 

I think it's the perfect thing for this season when it's quite chilly in the evenings and mornings. I would have chosen pastel colors for my poncho, but there were none from this producer in the shop. The yarn shop owner has such a terrible taste in colors, I wonder how he manages to sell anything. However, these are a true gem, and I am satisfied with my earthen tones :)