I cannot tell you how much I got addicted to the crochet cables!!
For these warmers and headband I employed the cable pattern across and I am quite taken with the created effect. This time I used the green shades of my Papatya Batik yarn, which is surely becoming my favourite yarn from the stash.
More about the pattern in my etsy shop.
One of the projects I truly enjoyed working on is this collar. It has an interesting "fan" pattern that increases from the top down, but it was too plain for my taste as a standalone piece, so I enriched it with anemones and added a couple of luxurious beads with golden accents as a touch of glam.
Thinking of the flower arrangement as is, I am sure it would make a beautiful brooch. Maybe my next project?
What are you currently working on?
In this post I am sharing ideas as well as links to my free and paid patterns /tutorials for flower-related projects that I divided into three categories - jewelry, accessories, and home decor.
When talking about jewelry, my favourite projects include necklaces, closely followed by cuffs / bracelets and headbands. I have made quite many earrings, and some rings as well.
I love a good challenge when making accessories, especially when scarves are in the picture. I always try to design unusual designs that would at certain point have flowers included. Here is a lovely flowered border to add to a scarf, and here I've combined squares and flowers. The challenge also includes warmers, and gloves which I am obviously also crazy about.
When working on a crochet project, it is very important to use the appropriate yarn size, because it greatly influences the final result. Yarn size, or yarn weight tells us how thick the yarn actually is.
But sometimes, the label does not suggest the size/weight, or you acquire yarn without a label, and then it is important to know the thickness as to determine the right size. During all these past years of crocheting, I can recognize sizes just by looking and feeling the yarn, but it has sporadically happened to me, to not being quite able to determine the size when it comes to chunkier yarns, especially sizes 5 and 6.
The solution for this is immensely easy.
To determine the size of yarn or the Wraps Per Inch (WPI) you need yarn (of course), a ruler (or tape measure) and an ordinary HB pencil.
Start wrapping the yarn around the pencil until the wraps measure an inch. That is how you determine the size. Above you have the table that shows how many wraps per sizes.
Here it is important to know that when wrapping, the wraps must not overlap, there shouldn't be any gaps, and also the tension must not be too strong.
I love hats! Especially vintage ones, and if I have to choose a type, that would be a cloche hat, closely followed by the beret and the fedora. But because of my head shape (which I highly detest) and the wild mane that I have, I rarely wear one.
Eva on the other hand, has such a lovely shaped head, and so far I haven't met a hat that didn't fit her perfectly.
When designing this one, I wanted to make a simple hat where the accent would be on the gigantic flower, so here I present you the Margot hat! It is a beanie hat that has little folds at the crown part that narrow down into a perfect band at the end.
The pattern employs basic crochet stitches and it does not go farther than my favourite double crochet.
The pattern is here.
Do you wear hats? What's your favourite type?
Leave a long tail which will be used to sew the warmers together.
Thread the tail, fold crochet work with the face inside, align the sides and sew both parts together. Turn inside out. Make the second warmer.
Enjoy crocheting these and do write if you have a question.
Have you watched the Outlander?
I love watching historical dramas mainly because of my love for history itself and my passion for vintage clothing, the accent always mainly on the Victorian fashion. However, I have never watched the Outlander series, although I am aware it has been going on for quite a while, and since I am on a hiatus from work, I plan to catch up on the series.
When planning my crochet designs for the winter 2021, I kept true to myself and continued what I started last winter with the Little Women serving as continued inspiration, with shawls, capes and capelets, warmers and shrug being the core of my next small collection. This one differs to a great extent from the last because, as I've already mentioned in this post, it captures and focuses more on the woodland / mori spirit.
More outlander inspiring images on my board here.
Although I know that nothing will fundamentally change with the turn of the clock at midnight and the entry into a new year, I am still in love with the idea of a fresh start and the elevated feeling of hope it brings with itself. I like clinging to that invigorating feeling and the set of emotions it comes with.
After a year of collective uncertainty and anxiety, I am looking forward to a period of calmness accompanied with beautifully channeled inspiration, a period where I will focus more of celebrating small victories, give myself grace, and fill my life with lots of magic that everyday things give.
When it comes to my creative work, at the beginning of a year, I always have a rough draft of what my blog and designs will be at the start of the year. This winter I want it to make it a wonderland.
I've worked hard these couple of months towards achieving that and I can hint a lot of designs inspired by the outlander / highlander style with a dash of mori and a sprinkle of vintage.
What is your driving mode? Have you made any new year's resolutions?
I chose the 4 most definitely popular in terms of views and shares: the Bohemian mask, the Boho bracelet, the Foliage shrug, and the Brontë cuff.
My creative pursuit resulted in two collections - the Little Women & the Tropical / Bohemian Home Decor.
Last, but certainly not the least - THANK YOU for following me on my crochet journey, for beautifying my days with your lovely, heartfelt, supportive comments, for being inspirational, encouraging and irreplaceable blog pals one could only wish for!
Here they are!
My fingertips hurt like crazy, but I managed to sew every single bead, and stitching these lovelies was truly worth it. I love them all, but the blue one is my favourite.
The pattern which is in my etsy shop, contains patterns for 6 ornaments (pinwheel, strawberry-shaped bauble, bulb, Chinese lantern, round ornament, diamond).
The
patterns are accompanied by elaborate explanations and descriptions of
how to decorate these ornaments. However, this is purely optional and is
given as inspiration. I kindly invite you to use your imagination, as
well as the materials you have at hand to create unique and eye-catching
ornaments.
I used DK yarn for all of these and a 3mm hook (UK11) (US 10/3) .
Other supplies needed: embroidery floss, sewing thread in color matching the color of the ornament / sequins/beads (preferably), sewing and tapestry needle, filling, glass / pearl, seed (round) beads, sequins, crochet (fabric) flowers, decorative ribbons.
Stitches:
chain (ch), chain space (ch-space), skip (sk), slip stitch (sl st),
single crochet (sc), single crochet 2together (sc2tog), double crochet
(dc), double crochet 2 together (dc2tog), 3-dc puff stitch. American
terminology used.
For the last couple of Christmases, following my daughter's wish, we've been exclusively decorating our Christmas tree in red and golden baubles and ornaments. Honestly, I do like the festive, and a kind of magical atmosphere such decor creates and this year, after all the challenges and insecurities the 2020 brought on our backs, I was looking forward for this calmer, more relaxing and soothing ambience at home.
However, my two extremities started battling - the steady and calm Victorian, and the raging Bohemian gypsy. I couldn't suppress the yelp of the bohemian spirit, so I crocheted various decorations to soothe my boho cravings. I am going to display them in a secluded corner, just for my enjoyment.
Another thing - I have the patterns for these, so do drop back on Monday for the pattern/ tutorial reveal, if interested.
My inspiration board:
