My Instagram Crochet Finds

Imagine this in crochet - I know you can!

Via Boho Clothing Boutique

Both the color combo and the different stitches / patterns make this one exquisite piece.

Via Siempre Oveja

Granny squares for eternity!

Via Ibiza Boho Girl

Always original!

Via Carmen Zubillaga

Snow Princess Warmers- crochet pattern

My newest warmers pattern, you guys!

While in Turkey, I bought some incredible cotton yarn from the brand Yakut and immediately felt it would be just lovely to make warmers with it.

The pattern looks delicate and romantic, with the little flower design giving a fabulous texture and all these things mixed up together led me to the name.  They look princess-y, don't you think?

The pattern is easy in difficulty and these babies can be made in an evening.

The pattern is on etsy and ravelry. I also made them in dusty pink / blush and along with the blue ones they will be up for sale.

 

 

Crochet Button Necklace Tutorial

 

I had this idea of making a doily like button stuck in my head for a while and really itched to try it. Now, when I've done it - I am thinking of many variations to try and I truly feel this is not going to be the last time we see this button :)

 

Ideally is to use a DK (any chunky) yarn and adequate hook. The sample button was made with a DK yarn and 3 mm hook.

 

The pattern:

Chain 8 and join to make a ring.

Round 1: Sc 10 in ring

Rounds 2-3: repeat round 1

Round 4: sc in all st around.

Round 5: Ch 2, sc in next st. Repeat to the end of round. Sl st to end.

 

 

Tip: By changing the number of chains of the foundation, and by adding rounds, you can get a great variety of these crochet buttons.

 

 

 

These can be used to make a unique necklace, a wonderful applique or decorations.

 

I played with them here, arranging them to make a necklace.

 

 

 

 

I decided on this design. I attached the buttons with jump rings and added ties. So the necklace looks like this onto my plain tee and blouse:

 

 

 

Hope you give these a try!

 

The Istanbul Shawl

 

 

Hello, hello everyone! I wanted to alter my blogging schedule a little and skip the inspiration Monday today but I am here with an equally inspiring project (at least it was to me) and as you can see from the title - I call it the Istanbul Shawl, which I made during the 9-10 hour car ride to Istanbul.

 

The stitch is repetitive and very easy to follow, yet it has a beautiful effect, although I found it a bit boring at times, but I believe the long driving is to blame for that. Much of its attractiveness falls to the hanging flowers/vines which add up onto the overall effect.

 

It looks just lovely wrapped around the shoulders but even better when it is wrapped around the neck, but we simply rushed with the photo shoot and didn't take any "wrapped around the neck" photos. Let me explain. This was one of those  photo shoots where we take pictures of several projects at a time and the first one (involving a fairy tale scene with lots of tulle) attracted quite a crowd so Eva didn't feel comfortable any more so (sadly) we snapped just a few of this shawl. We couldn't even find the brooch pin so had to improvise with a twig, which came out quite charmingly, if you don't mind me saying!

 

Stay tuned for more crochet goodies' reveal.



Crochet Baby Romper

Here's a romper I made for my baby collection.

 

This is actually the latest addition to it ( I am somehow not willing yet to show snippets of said collection) but the one my heart stuck with the most. It usually happens with everything I bring to life. I am seriously questioning myself if the project I am currently working on will take the place of this one?

 

Anyways - this adorable romper was so much fun to make. I used a granny square for the center and some bobbles on both sides to make it more playful. On the topic of bobbles- I went nuts with them and cannot refrain myself from putting them here or there.

 

The romper is made with mercerized DK cotton yarn. It closes at the back with one of my vintage buttons. It is for babies 0-3 months. Most of the pieces made are not for babies older than a year. If you think where this struck me from, it's nothing new. Read #16 here.

 

 

 

 

Insta Feel - November

Happy November!
I don't know about you - but we are having an unorthodox November. It's so warm, one gets the impression we are prepping for spring - not winter.

On the happier and more inspirational hand, we are fully enjoying all beautiful autumnal colors, savouring not only its colors but fruits too.

These two accounts have managed to capture the essence of November extraordinarily. I hope you enjoy my selection too!

See more of Lilou and Individual Value.

 

The Secret Language of Romanian Embroidery

Via

Coming from a family with long tradition in practicing crafts, embroidery being one of them, I developed love for this unique language that was created with a needle and thread. 

Being a proud owner of a Romanian blouse, I was intrigued by the intricate patterns they used to decorate their blouses. The Romanian blouse, also known as Ia, is quite unique in its structure and distribution of the ornamental panel(s) in the center of the blouse and on the sleeves. 

The blouse is big and roomy with voluminous sleeves that actually indicate the wealth of the family - the puffier the sleeves, the wealthier the family. The color palette is usually entirely monochromatic, defined as "chromatic sobriety". 

The Ia contains secret carefully chosen symbols, each to communicate and convey feelings and emotions, a message or a story. It is a kind of a "manuscript" that tells the story of predecessors and links the past with the now. 

The peasant Romanian woman embroidered her clothes with her soul. The embroidery showed her prayer to God: "Inspirit my clothes, the secret of my soul". All the symbols and geographic shapes stitched onto the blouse aimed to generate and direct the energy they represent. The embroidery work on the chest and the sleeves channel the energy through the body, down the arms into the hands.

Via

They used protective symbols to shield them from evil (the rooster and the eye), cosmic symbols and ascension (the stars, the sun), fertility and abundance (snail, wheat, leaves and fruit), symbols of time passing, rebirth and eternal life (grapevine, stream of water). 

By being able to read the needlework one can decipher a message from people that lived long ago and see what they feared, loved,lived and wished for. 

My blouse is similar to the blue one below and you can read about it here.

Did you know there was an international Day of the Romanian Blouse? 

Sources I used to write this post include Folkwear Society, Romania's Secret Language, Romania:Beyond the story of a secret language.

Insta love - Vanessa Barragao - Textile Artist

 

 

Happy Monday! We are starting the week featuring an extraordinary textile artist! Meet Vanessa Barragao!

 

Growing up at the seaside, she uses the connection to the ocean as an everlasting inspiration for her artworks. Her work features captivating coral reef environments in which she merges and combines crafts and recycled materials and by employing old techniques such as latch hook, felting, macramé, knitting and crochet she brings life to her unique and luxurious sculptural carpets, rugs and tapestries.

 

Visit her instagram and site for more of her eye-catching work. 

 

 

 

 

Mix & Match: Vintage wonderland

 

 

Happy Friday guys! We had a mid week holiday which means we had a day off, but I am still tired as an old dog. So I am really looking forward for the weekend, hoping to rest, lounge and catch up on some wips. What are your plans for the weekend? Anything exciting?

 

Before I sign off, I want to show you my latest mix & match necklace I made using crochet trims, a decorative vintage resembling ribbon I sewed onto  a piece of crochet lace to make it a medal and as always, my bellowed wooden beads.

 

 

Now as I see the before picture, I think it would have been better if I tried and pulled up that look than the after one, but I doubt the construction would have held up.

This one I made for myself and cannot wait to wear it soon.

 

Bye bye for now!

 

 

 

Bohemian Fall Clothes Inspiration

 

 

I love when fall inspires designs and colors and reflects its rich palette on clothes.

 

Personally, I find this year's color trends vivid, appealing and refreshing, while the designs, especially the floral ones, alluring with a pinch of vintage.

 

The bohemian in me loves the textures and the layering;  lace insets and ruffles along with tassels and fringes enhance the visual effect and give an incredible volume, structure and captivating appearance to any piece of clothing, regardless whether it is a jacket, a skirt or a dress.

 

Enjoy my selection. For more visual inspiration on the topic, check out my bohemian fall board.

 



 

 

 

Insta Love: The Owl and Her Bluebell

 

 

I recently started following a lady on instagram whose interests and love are my perfect match. Her name is Krista and her account is called The Owl and Her Bluebell.

 

Although not much information can be found about her, in her introduction she has stated that she is a:

 

🐱🍄🌿 whimsical lady of new England 🌿🍄🐱

🍄🌿 forest wanderer, fairy seeker, coziness lover🌿🍄

🌿embroidery artist🌿



 

which on the other hand speaks volumes of the things she appreciates and treasures in her life.

 

Enjoy her attractively styled photos!