Crochet Bohemian Summer

 Via Pinterest 

Summer is here in its full swing, and though it is too hot to crochet, I don't want to let my hook go. In line with this, pinterest doesn't let my brain rest :)

 

It is bursting with wondrous crochet ideas that get stuck in my head, and I wish I was an octopus and use all those tentacles / hands to work on multiple projects at the same time, lol. 

My selection for this post is small, but if you want to see what else I've pinned, you are welcome to check my boards here.  

 

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What are you currently working on?

Granny Shapes as Applique

Following my daughter's idea, we used the granny shapes samples as appliques, to beautify plain ole' t-shirts, and we got really excited to see how one such plain Jane can be altered in a matter of seconds. 

This time we just played with the granny circle and rectangles, which we also turned into bows, by pinching them at the middle and wrapping yarn around it.  The bows can also be used as hair pins/ headbands, bowties...

 

If you missed my granny shapes pattern release, it is here and just the circle and rectangles here.

Flower Top - sampling

I am designing a flower top, and this is how it will look at the front. When measuring it on Eva, she suggested it might also work well as an applique - to decorate a plain tee, and I think that  is one great idea. Only if that is the case, I think it should be a couple of rounds smaller than this. 

 

As for the current design, I think I am going to tweak and rework some of the rounds. For this one I used Alize's silky yarn, but I have to try it with cotton because I believe the effect will be strikingly different. 

 

Anyway, this try-out sparkled another idea, which I am going to show it next. 

Summer Capelet WIP

I've taken a short break from social media, and cannot tell you how refreshing it felt! I am slowly getting back; creative juices are steadily and strongly pouring in, and I expect this summer to be an interesting and a colorful one on the crochet front. 

This capelet here is a project I started last August. It took me a day to make this and then I lost interest in it and left it unfinished. This time however, I am determined to finish it off. I need a couple of more rounds  before I add the border.

I imagine it over a lovely, pastel, summer dress. Tulle comes in mind first, as I have a lighter shade of this color in it. 

To be continued :)

Preppy Crochet - resurging trends

 Free tutorial 

Recently, while talking to my niece (10), she told me she is very much into preppy fashion.  I wasn't aware of the resurgence of the style and had to scour the internet to see what was trending. It led me to look up preppy crochet and it wasn't disappointing. 

If you are wondering what is preppy style, it's crisp and put-together aesthetic includes such polished pieces as a collared shirt and khakis, along with classic sporty gear, like a tennis skirt and polo shirt. The term preppy derives from the private, university-preparatory or prep schools that some American upper class and upper middle class children attend. Preppy fashion derives from the fashions of these old Northeastern schools in the early to mid-twentieth century. 

 

I chose some free patterns and videos for preppy crochet items. Click under the pictures to get to them

 

Crochet Vest

 

 Free pattern

 

Bomber Jacket - free video

Retro Crochet Flowers - free pattern

Everything retro is popular now. I've been focused on flower designs mostly, and these will be followed by some more. My original idea was to put them into a square frame which will result into a retro blanket. Will see how that one goes. 

 

If you are into a lazy and slow Sunday crochet time, maybe you'd like to try your hand at these. 

Before I share the pattern, 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.

Yarn and hook: sport yarn of your choice and colors (I love working with Phil Cotton #3 and Tango) and a 3 mm hook (UK11) (US 10/3). Note that you can use whatever yarn size/ weight (and relevant hook for that weight ) you like/have at hand. That will only influence the size of your flowers. Hence, smaller weights will yield tinier flowers, heavier weights will yield bigger flowers.

Stitches (American terminology): chain (ch), chain space (ch-sp), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), treble (tr).

Other: tapestry needle for weaving ends and scissors.  

Pattern

Foundation and round 1: In color 1, ch4 (counts as 1dc+ foundation working chain) and dc9 in last chain from hook. Sl st into 1st st to end round (10).

Round 2: ch9 (this is the petal-filling chain) and sl st in same st. Sc1 in next st, sl st in next. From here, repeat this pattern around. In the end there will be 5  (five) petal chains (ch-sps). Sl st into 1st petal-chain st to end round. Cut yarn and weave ends.

Round 3: Insert color 2 in 1st stitch of the petal chain, and inside the ch-sp, sc1, hdc2,dc4, tr4, dc4, hdc2,sc1. Sc1 in next st., sl st into next ch-sp and repeat this pattern. When all 5 petals are filled, sc1 in last st and sl st into 1st petal (ch-sp) to end round. Cut yarn and weave ends. 

It is this easy. If you have questions with the instructions, drop them into the comment section please. 

 

Gorgeous Textured Crochet - inspiration

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I always swoon looking at amazingly combined crochet patterns that result in stunning textures. And most often than not, many of the pieces are made employing  basic crochet stitches. Isn't that incredible? 

For today's post I've chosen several from my pinterest board that I feel truly stand out. Fuel your inspiration too :)

 

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Flower-Kissed Vases & Pots - crochet appliques

 

I worked my fingers off, but looking at these beautiful and joyful flowered vases, I feel the effort was truly worth it!

This is my newest pattern - a collection of flowers, leafy accents, a vase and a pot appliques. 

The tutorial contains the patterns for 3 types of flowers (daffodils, daisies and wild flowers) along with several leafy accents, a vase and a pot. These can be used on clothes, hats, bags, blankets, cushions, etc.

The arrangement of the applique flowers and leafy accents depends entirely on one's personal aesthetics. They can be made pouring out of the vases, or arranged in a more simple manner. It leaves place for imagination to take over, and involves a merry play with the arrangements for the best look to be achieved. 

The pattern is in my etsy and ravelry shops. 

 

Spring Meadow - free crochet necklace pattern

 

 

It's been a while since I've made some necklaces, and the nature has been so ravishing, it was easy to get inspired. Cue - my Spring Meadow Necklace.

 

Before I share the pattern, 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.

 

Yarn and hook: sport yarn of your choice and colors (I love working with Phil Cotton #3 and Tango) and a 3 mm hook (UK11) (US 10/3). Note that you can use whatever yarn size/ weight (and relevant hook for that weight ) you like/have at hand. That will only influence the size of your flowers. Hence, smaller weights will yield tinier flowers, heavier weights will yield bigger flowers.

Stitches (American terminology): chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), single crochet 2 together (sc2tog), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc).

Other: tapestry needle for weaving ends, sewing needle and thread for sewing the filaments, and scissors.  

 Night Cap Flower Pattern:

Foundation and round 1: Ch4 and join to make a ring. Sc4 in ring. (4) 

Do not slip stitch to end rounds.

Round 2: sc2 in all sts. (8)

Rounds 3-4: repeat round 2 (16) (32).

 

Round 5: sc2tog all. (16)

Round 6: ch3 and sc in 1st st. Ch3 and sc in next st. Repeat this pattern around. (16 ch-spaces)

Round 7: When you finish the last chain in round 6, ch3 and sc in first ch-sp. Next, ch3 and sc in next ch-sp. Repeat this pattern around. When done, sl st into 1st ch-sp to end round (16 ch-spaces). This flower is done. Work the tails. 

Filament pattern: (leave longish beginning and ending tails) in contrasting color, ch12 and sl st in last st from hook. 

 

Insert filament through flower center, turn flower with the back up, thread one tail and slide it through (the closest) flower stitch. Do so with the other tail. Tie both tails in a double knot. Cut excess tails. If you don't want the knot to be seen (and I show that later), you can sew-cover that part with a small patch (cloth or felt), or sew the filament in the center so that it doesn't show at the back.

Bell Flower Pattern: 

 

Foundation and round 1: Ch4 and join to make a ring. Sc4 in ring. (4) 

Do not slip stitch to end rounds.

Round 2: sc2 in all sts (8).

Round 3: repeat round 2 (16).

Round 4: sc1 in all (16)

 

Round 5: sc1 in first 2 sts, then sc2tog. Repeat this pattern around (12).

Round 6: Ch3, sk1, sc in next st. Repeat this pattern around. There are 6 ch-sps in the end. 

Round 7:  sl st into 1st ch-sp, and in that ch-sp, ch1 (counts as 1st sc), hdc1,sc1. Sl st into next ch-sp and repeat this pattern. When all ch-spaces are filled, sl st into 1st ch sp to end round. Work the tails. 

When working on your bell flowers, for diversity, make some of them without adding round 7. 

 

Necklace chain pattern: 

The necklace has a leaf and a loop for closure. For the leaf, ch7 and sl st into 2nd st from hook, next sc1, hdc1,dc1,hdc1, sc1 (one side is made), ch1 (and work the other side of the leaf in reverse pattern), then sc1, hdc1, dc1, hdc1, sc1, sl st in last st. The leaf is made. Now, ch40 (you may want to make the necklace shorter / longer, so here add / reduce chaining stitches), take the bell flower, insert the hook at its back, yarn over and make a sl st, continue chaining 10, attach the night cap flower (the same way as you did with the bell). Ch7 (or 10) and attach another bell, and so on. You can work on your own flower arrangement or use the picture of mine to create the exact one.

If you want to stack several bells together, then make 2 chains between each of them. Below, my arrangement again.

 

When you are done adding flowers, ch50 and then sl st in the 10th st from hook to make a loop. Try to see if the leaf goes nicely through it. If the loop is too big, than reduce the stitches for it (instead of 10, try with 8 or 7). 

 

I hope you enjoy working on this necklace and if you have question with the instructions, feel free to drop me a note in the comments.

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