The Butterfly Necklace

 

I am closing the summer necklace collection with this one that I named "Butterfly" because while I worked on it, I couldn't escape the feeling that it does slightly resemble a butterfly and the name stuck with me. Unlike the others, this is not heavily beaded, but has specks of beads to give accent to specific parts of it. 

I am a bit sad I couldn't finish them all - there are 5-6 half-beaded necklaces, but although I consider beading highly relaxing and a joyful yoga for the brain, beading did take the best of me and left me exhausted in the end. So, they will just have to wait for better days :)

Gobelin Tapestries Inspired Clothing

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I have always been fascinated by gobelin tapestries for their ability to quietly, yet marvelously capture a moment in time and tell a captivating story. 

I am even more intrigued when I come to think how people had invented gobelin tapestries ages ago out of pure necessity to ward off the cold by hanging them onto stone walls and the path they trod to become valuable possessions of the aristocracy. 

So, from this point in time, they have had quite an interesting evolution. To save them from the tooth of time and oblivion, and instead of filling the landfills with these once precious textiles, people have started repurpusing them and the finished items are truly astonishing. 

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There is a seller on etsy called Stars Wear, who uses them to create the most unique jackets and skirts that really push me into the mood to go out to thrift shops and maybe salvage something interesting I could put my hands onto.

Lace Wall Hanging - Earring & Brooches Display

 

Happy Friday! 

I end this work week with a new pattern I created for a lace wall hanging. I had this idea of an earring / brooches display swirling in my head for a while and it felt good when it became tangible in the end through my yarn and hook. 

Being addicted to crochet lace, I knew it would be perfect though a tad unusual to use lace for an earring display, but I was aiming to make something original and unique. 

Of course it can be used just as a simple decor / wall hanging  to add charm to a wall, but I love it for the purpose I created it. 

The pattern is on etsy, ravelry and lovecrafts.

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Autumnal Color Coding

 

Happy Monday guys!

Have you noticed how gradually the nights have become chillier? 

There are still two and a half weeks before summer waves us goodbye, but my mind has already switched to an autumnal mode, and I am already dreaming about (and working on) fall projects. 

Lately I have been drawn more to palettes in terracotta, rusty orange, coral pink and dusty rose. So when I saw the above yarn I just couldn't contain myself. I have a ton of yarn in my studio, but there is always place for more, if you know what I mean :)

Both images below sum up my dream palette.

How about you? Do you have a preferred autumnal palette?  

 

Esmée Freeform Crochet Necklace

 

Happy Saturday guys! 

How's yours going so far? Mine has been creative ever since I finished my morning coffee, and to be honest, I love creative Saturdays. They really give me the boost.

Today I am showing another of my freeform crochet necklaces I named Esmée. I don't think I've written a post about freeform crochet so here's a short info: 

Freeform crochet is a seemingly random combination of crochet, knitting and in some cases other fiber arts to make a piece that is not constrained by patterns, colours, stitches or other limitations. It draws its roots from Irish crochet and as a crochet technique , appeared in the 1960s and '70s. The late 20th and early 21st centuries have seen a revival and progression of this form of textile expression. The most prominent variation of freeform crochet is the so called yarn bombing. 

I've listed most of my freeform necklaces in the shop and you can see them here.

Moroccan Dream Necklace

 

 

My freeform necklace collection is nicely rounding up. This particular necklace, with its wonderful selection of colors brings closer the spirit of Morocco. Wearing it will feel as if stepping out of a dream into the magical and wondrous cobblestoned souks, speckled with colorful shops, caressed by fragrances of enchanting spices, and mysterious exhilarating perfumes.

It is made with quality 100% cotton yarn in several colors and beaded with different sizes, colors, and shapes of beads to make it even more eye-catching.

 

 

Floral Neck / Head Scarf

 

 

Primarily envisioned as a small neck scarf or a bandana, I wanted to create a unique piece with the emphasis on the waterfall of flowers, which I added to ward-off simplicity of this otherwise lovely scarf pattern. I added the flower ensemble at the lower end of the scarf and I believe they are all the difference with a lovely effect. 

It does look beautiful as a head kerchief too.

Brontë Cuff Pattern Release

I am sure you all remember the original Brontë cuff that I posted about at the beginning of August, and now there is a pattern for it.
It is so addictive to make, I couldn't restrain myself and made a couple. For the mustard one below, I used different flowers, leaves and vines to make it a tad different, and I am tickled to try it with some metal findings and pendants. 

The pattern is in my shops: etsy, ravelry.

 

 

Birds & Flowers Necklace

 

A while ago, I bought myself a plain mustard dress, and that's plain in the literal sense of the word. There is nothing on it except for a belt. The design is such that it drapes when you tie the belt and looks quite lovely. But being rather simple, I knew I had to make something to enrich it in some way, and what better than one of my mixed media necklaces. 

I immediately knew I am going to use "the kissing birds pendant" I've been saving for ages. 

I added the metal flowers as well as some of my crochet flowers (Irish roses) and the vintage strip my hub's granny had made as a sampler. I've been saving that for a special project and now I am happy it's found its place. 

And lo and behold, my new favorite necklace is born.

 

Crochet Mug Rugs

 Hey guys, here are my new mug rugs!

It was insane how many times pinterest flashed these in front of my eyes, and it was just a matter of time when I hop onto the bandwagon. I have always been attracted to coasters, especially whimsical ones, and I knew one day I will just have to make a mug rug. 

So, here they are! They are both made with the same pattern, but due to the variegated blue/grey yarn, the pattern cannot be detected in that one and it looks quite different from the mustard rug, don't you agree?

Anyhow, this pattern will be a gift for my subscribers  exclusively for the month of August. I hope they like it!  

Summer Brooch - Mix & Match

 

Welcome to another Mix & Match project.

I made this brooch using the ever growing content of my crochet treasuring box. 

Making my tropical wall hanger has left me with a huge amount of fern and that was the starting point for this particular brooch. I added some flowers left from my floral banners and the bell flower from the jhumka earrings and voila! 

 

Honestly, I love engaging in these mix 'n match projects because they are a great creativity booster and a wonderful springboard for new designs, and I also get to productively use my stash of floral wonders!

Crochet Bags & Shoes on the Runway

 

Designer: Ulla Johnson

Designer:  Daniela Gregis

Sometimes, high couture designers can surprise with presenting crochet accessories on the runway, and it is always a pleasure to see what designs they come up with. 

This time I've selected several that caught my eye.

Enjoy the inspiration! 

Designer: Daniela Gregis

 

 Designer:Prabal Gurung

 Designer: Isabel Marant

 And my personal favourite - this bag by McQueen.

As far as shoes are concerned, I was quite taken by Marco de Vincenzo's crochet shoes, sandals and boots shown on the Milan Fashion Week this spring.

Happy Granny Square Day!

 

Today's International Granny Square Day and since I am incurably in love with grannies, I couldn't pass this fleetingly. 

Recently, I wanted to see how would a stash of my crochet flowers fit into a square, so I made this ..uhm.. let's call it a flower frame - it's not really a conventional granny, but it was born with that idea behind. When I made it, I thought I might turn it into a bag, or a pocket for a bag, and I am still playing with ideas. 

How do you feel about grannies? 

Here's my last year's selection of grannies regarding the day.