Chunky scarves and vintage lace

So, the good news is I am getting a new case for my yarn, which my husband willingly offered to make it for me, with tilted separations so the yarn cannot spill out  - you know the ones yarn shops have - well, I will be the proud owner of such useful piece. Because, I just hate it when I take a skein from the lowest row and all the other skeins above that one join in unison, make a nice avalanche and scatter all around the floor. 
I know the winter is nearing its end {or is it?} but I still have some winter accessories to finish. So is the case with the above two scarves - the purple one knitted and adorned with a vintage lace (yes, I've got tons of that gorgeous lace and have used it in lots of other projects!) and the hot pink to which I added an interesting corrugated design to avoid the monotony of the netted stitch. 

Well, that's it for today! Have a great start of the week!

RAKJ Slouchy Beanie Pattern Review and Giveaway {CLOSED}

A while ago I was contacted by the lovely Shannon of the Creative Crochet Patterns with an exciting offer to write a review for one of her patterns. I knew Shannon from Ravelry and  believe me - when you visit her shop you think you are in crochet heaven, because it is a vault filled with the most stunning and breath -taking patterns. I really had hard time choosing a pattern  and wanted desperately to try one of her baby patterns, but having no baby to model it, I tried to be reasonable and use a pattern that my sweet model could show it off to you.

I chose The Amberlyn Slouchy Beanie. This beret is perfect both for children and adults and can be worn in all seasons. With light cottons for spring, summer and fall or with chunky wools for the winters.

Albeit the intricate and complex looking design, it is quite easy to make in a quiet afternoon over a cup of coffee and it makes for a wonderful last minute gift!

The pattern is well written and elaborate. There is information about all the supplies you need, instructions for reading the pattern and the necessary crochet skills for it,  but in difficulty, it does not go beyond the front post double crochet.  Shannon also provides video links as assistance with stitches, and  there are 12 step-by-step photos to help guide you through the pattern too!

At hand I had a nice and soft baby blue cotton I was eager to use, and it required using a hook four times smaller then the one suggested in the pattern so it was quite curious and hilarious watching the hat growing but in small scale, so I left it aside and chose a chunky yarn and adequate hook to get the proper size for my girl. So, be aware that thinner yarn and smaller hook will result in smaller size of hat.

Now for the exciting part! Shannon is giving away two of her patterns:  The Amberlyn Slouchy Beanie and The Weaves Blanket.
So two of you lucky winners will be able to enjoy them!

I am itching to make the blanket myself! Isn't it adorable?

To enter the giveaway, simply visit Shannon's shops on Etsy or Ravelry and come back here to leave a comment which of her other patterns you like.
It's that easy. The giveaway shall be open  until March 3. The winner shall be announced on Monday, March 4.

Vintage Toddler's Set - circa 1947

 

This adorable set belonged to my father. He wore it as a toddler and it was made by my grandmother. 
It consists of two pieces: a romper and a sleeveless pullover. Whenever I take it out, I cannot help but admire the miniature stitches  she made and the ingenious combination of stitches at the upper front part {click on the first picture to zoom it up}. 

The pattern of the romper repeats with the pullover. The set misses all of its buttons - I don't know why they were taken out. There were buttons on the pullover (you can see the gaping buttonholes on it) and on the straps (I've inserted tiny white stars instead in the picture).

My mother says that I have worn it too. Unfortunately, none of my kids did, but it is a valuable and treasured piece  I will keep forever.

Boy's crocheted scarf

I've been focusing on children's  accessories for a while - although I have mentioned time and again, and it has been my years' long wish to be involved in making children's clothing and accessories - I am happy to say that the persisting idea is gradually coming to life.

For my new shop Crochetella (a quite predictable and hardly ingenious name for a shop, but the simplicity of its generic name - if I may venture to use the term - describes what's cooking in the shop) I made this boy's scarf in a lovely and soft, multicolored yarn employing an attractive stitch.
When I saw the yarn, which is by the way a mix of acrylic and wool, I couldn't resist its gradual change of colors from the deepest blue / navy blue to a kind of brown/terracotta and end in soft beige.

If you are interested in the pattern for the same, it is almost ready. 
With this, I say goodbye and wish you a lovely weekend! 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

The Key to my heart - Valentine Necklace

Happy Valentine to all!

The birthday girl is bursting with excitement. Her party will begin in a couple of hours!
Thank you for the sweet wishes to all who remembered! I sincerely appreciate it!

Chunky orange cowl and a vintage skirt

 A lot of cowls and scarves (and boot cuffs for that matter) were in production in our household and it was quite a motley scene seeing  all the yarn gathered together on the work bench in an array of cheerful colors - because - we hardly dwell and work with  dull colors - honestly speaking. 

For the cowls I used an acrylic yarn from a local producer and although I am most into working and wearing 100% pure wool, such is so hard to find and often rudely expensive. 

I love the stitch in this cowl and the chunkiness along with the color makes it really adorable. I've paired it with Eva's new skirt - which is a kind of retro, or should I say vintage - and it almost brought tears to my eyes {almost} when she spotted it and gasped and I thought she is going to think it's old and ugly, but she exclaimed that it's the one for her.  I guess she's her mama's girl! 

And of course! A little goofing around during the photo shoot- otherwise - it just wouldn't be us :)

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

A Crafter's Dream Giveaway - Bohemian Necklace

Welcome to an exciting event!
This year I decided to take part in the third exciting group giveaway organized and ran by three hostesses:
* Sara from My Merry Messy Life
*  Lauren from Tutus Tea Parties and
* Susie from Earning My Cape

 

• My giveaway includes the above necklace with an option the winner to choose the colors of the minies. Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment / like my FB page. The number of entries is not restricted.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To top the fun, you can also participate in the givaways of the other bloggers, and you don't want to miss that because the prizes are really exciting!

The Grand Prize of a total value of 230$ includes:

Prize Package from Red Heart Yarn $150 value

Free Class from Craftsy$50 value

1 Year subscription to Crochet Today$19.95

Special Issue of Baby and Kids Crochet from Crochet Today $9.99

The Giveaway is worldwide! Anyone can enter and only one winner will be chosen. 

Cauliflower stamping

This is a project we did in early autumn but I completely forgot to post about it - until today when I found the pictures. 
Cauliflower is just perfect for stamping because it is an enormous source of beautiful shapes. And much more interesting than potato and cabbage heart stamping.

 

 

Have you tried any veggie stamping?
I have a stamping board here: http://pinterest.com/littletreasures/stamp-it and you will love it! {Sorry. Blogger doesn't let my link work, so if you want to see it, copy and paste it}

Fringes

Just a quick hello from me! 
I am racing to catch up on time, staggering and tripping as I do but never giving up.
Another thing that lived to see the light of day. The dusky rose fringe necklace (finished last June!).

Toodles!  (or à tout à l'heure - if you feel a bit French today :)