Friday, August 30, 2019

Bohemian Earring Hoops


Hello and happy Friday! 
I am so ready for the weekend and nothing is really planned, but I expect it to be a truly relaxing one!

Before I sign off, let me show you my latest project. I bought these metal earrings just to have them adorned with either crochet or fabric flowers - as you actually see them here - but when they were done, I tried them on and they are a little bulky and heavy so I am thinking a hanging decoration maybe? Any ideas? I have several more of these hoops and am quite hooked on making more of these.  

 



Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Tropical Paradise Flowers - Mural Inspired Challenge

 



A lower platform of Skopje's oldest mall has a long wall given to artists to paint and it has about 7-10 murals (not quite sure because I didn't take pictures of them all),  all of them are amazing.

Stored on my phone, once in a  while I browse through them for inspiration, so I got the idea to use the color work of the mural below and make something in crochet and voila! My new necklace.



I thoroughly enjoyed working on it, especially designing the flowers and I have a feeling that these will not be the only ones. And because I am easily hooked on inspiration like this one, I am sure there will be more mural challenges for me.

 


           

Monday, August 26, 2019

The Most Popular Posts this August


 Bohemian Clutch             Crochet Flower Bookmarks               Frida Kahlo Brooch





This month has been quite exciting in terms of new loves and follows, so to all new followers, welcome and I hope you have fun browsing through my world. 

This month the most popular posts.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Ariel Bikini Top - free crochet pattern


 

When I picked this cobalt green yarn to make my shell necklaces  I brainstormed ideas of what else I could make with it because I didn't see it in an autumn-y/ winter-y setting, and seeing it solely as a summer color I thought of the beach and cue: a bikini top. Below you have the pattern, so you can make it too!
 
The bikini top fits sizes S & M. 
The triangles measure:  17.5cm (6.9") center down and 17 cm (6.7") at the widest point across.
Yarn: 30 grams of sport yarn
Hook: 1.9mm

Pattern:

ch6 and join to make a ring.
Rnd 1: in ring, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc)and make a 2dc cluster, ch1 and make 3dc cluster. Repeat this pattern 4 more times. End it by ch1 and sl st into the 1st st.
Rnd 2: ch 4 and sc1 in the ch-space between clusters. Repeat this pattern around. Sl st the last chain into the very first one to end round. 
Rnd 3: In first chain, ch3 and dc2,ch3 and then dc3 (in the same chain). Repeat this pattern (dc3, ch3, dc3) for all the chains. Sl st 3 x to get to the first chain for the next round.
Rnd 4: In 1st chain - ch 4(counts as 1st tr) and tr2, ch 2 and tr3. Next ch2 and dc1 in between the first neighboring clusters, ch3 and hdc1 in the ch-space between the next cluster, ch 3  and dc1 between the second neighboring clusters, ch 2 and in the next ch-space tr3, ch2, tr3. One side is made. Two more. The treble shells mark the points of the triangle, so from the second treble shell repeat the above pattern to make the two remaining sides. Sl st to end rnd.
Rnd 5: Sl st 3 x to get to the first chain for the next round.
In 1st chain, ch3 and dc2, ch2 and dc3. Next, ch2 and in next ch-space dc4, dc3 in next 2 chains, dc4 in the next. Ch 2 and make the dc3, ch 2, dc3 shell for the point. Repeat this pattern for the other two sides. Sl st to end the rnd.
Rnd 6: sl st to get to the ch-space of 1st triangle point, ch4 and sc1 in that same chain, ch 5 and sc in 1st chain, ch5 and sc between two sets of dcs we made in previous rounds. Repeat chaining pattern until you get to the second triangle point where in that chain you ch4 and sc1 in same chain. Repeat the whole above pattern for other two sides. Sl st in very first chain you made (1st triangle point).
Rnd 7:  In 1st chain (1st triangle point), ch3 and dc2, ch2 and dc3. Next dc3 in first ch-space, dc5 in next, dc3 in next 2 chains, dc5 in next ch and dc3 in last one of the side. From here fill in the second triangle point with this pattern: dc3, ch2, dc3. Repeat the above pattern for the other two sides. Sl st to end round. 
Rnd 8: sl st 3x to get to the ch-space of 1st triangle point, ch4 and sc1 in that same chain, ch 3 and sc between 2 sets of dcs you made in previous rounds 2 x, ch5 and sc between 2 sets (b2s for short), ch3, sc b2s, 2x, ch5 and sc b2s, ch3 and sc b2s, then ch3 and sc in the second triangle point where you ch4 and sc in that same chain. From here to the end, repeat the above chaining pattern for the other two sides. Sl st in the 1st triangle point chain. 
Rnd 9:  ch5 and sc in 3rd st to make a picot, then sc in the same ch-space. ch2+3 (make the picot) ch 2 and sc in the next chain. Repeat this chain picot making to complete the round. Triangle made.

Ties: size optional to fit maker / wearer.
For the upper ties I chained 100. Sew the ties on both bra cups individually. For the body chain I chained around 230 and slid the ties between each and every chain of round 8. Block and it is ready to be worn. 
Repeat rnds 6-9 to make size L. 






Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Brigitte Crochet Top - pattern release

 


Dear lovelies,

We have a new pattern in the shop.
It's called Brigitte Top and it is a vintage inspired top for my 1950s collection. 

Technicalia
The Brigitte Top is crocheted lengthwise in the shape of a rectangle bodice that closes up front with buttons. With the given width, the pattern fits sizes XS, S & M.

Supplies:
*250 gr of DK yarn and a 3.00 mm hook
* tapestry needle for sewing the ends

Optional: the buttons for this top are crocheted (instructions given below), but you can use any kind of buttons you like. The button loops are customizable. Button and closure ideas given as option.

Stitches: chain (ch), chain space (ch-space), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet 2 together (dc2tog), double crochet (dc), double crochet cluster (dc2 cluster), picot.
American terminology used.

Measurements of finished top: 76 cm /30” in length and 25 cm /9.84” in width. The straps’ pattern is such that allows the straps to be made according to maker’s measurements. 

Find it on Etsy & Ravelry.



Monday, August 19, 2019

International Granny Square Day (collection of patterns)



On the 15th of August, crocheters around the world celebrated the Granny Square Day. It was truly inspiring seeing all the grannies people shared on instragram, but I believe the all time winner was the literal granny on a square by Natalie


I didn't join the bandwagon but I have had a fruitful  contribution throughout the years. Find my grannies in the links below.

How to read granny squares + patterns: 


1. How to read a granny square
2. Blind date square
3. Square motif
4. Babouska Rose Square
5. Owl Granny Square

Granny Square Jewelry


Clothes & Accessories


There are several granny projects left, but these are enough I think. Are you as granny obsessed as I am?

Friday, August 16, 2019

The Sewing Box Magazine Feature

 

 

Important: This is an affiliate post. If you buy through any of the links in this post, I will earn a percentage from The Sewing Box Magazine.


Dear readers, 

I am happy to announce my feature in The Sewing Box Magazine!

Upon the request of TSB I had the honor of designing this necklace for the magazine and the pattern is also  accompanied by my interview.  

The magazine offers a ton of fantastic projects, interviews and features.


For a pack of Sewing Box Magazines including the newest issue with the pattern for the Peacock Necklace with a discounted price, click here.



Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Free Video Pattern: Crochet Shells Necklace


 

Are you in for some easy summer necklaces? 
Grab your yarn and hook and join us!

Supplies: 15-20 gr of sport yarn and a 1.9mm hook. 

Note: the sample necklace is quite short. For the necklace in the pictures here I used  15-20 gr of yarn. The pattern is such that allows you to play with the length, so you can make yours as long as you desire. 

Let's start:

 


Bear with me until I put my you tube channel in order. Ask questions in the comments, please.


For the necklace in the pictures I didn't make a closure loop. Instead I crocheted to shells together. They work fast and the final result is fantastically eye-catching. Have fun making this!

Check my instagram to see how to style it.



Saturday, August 10, 2019

Colorful Treasure Pouches

 


Summer is slowly rolling in. 

We are on holiday, relaxing and filling up batteries. For me a real holiday always involves crochet. It really winds me down and presents a grand pleasure. When on holiday I have a list of small projects that work up fast and can be done in a jiffy, which elevates the levels of dopamine - so it is a truly happy holiday!
So another small and fast project crossed off from my list are these treasure pouches. Designed to be used by adventure tickled children on their explorations, whether at the beach or in the woods, to treasure their findings and collections. 

I am stocking up on my boho kids' shop planned to open up in September, so these bags will accompany many of my other crochet items. I am thinking a watermelon bag next would be nice, eh?


 

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Summer Crafts: Sequin Decorated Floppy Hat

 


Sequin embroidered hats have been quite a hit these past summers and Eva and I wanted to decorate her floppy, shabby and slightly discolored hat the minute we saw one, but it didn't happen right away for us. 

I have like 4-5 spools of sequin ribbons in different colors but we settled for this lovely orange one to suit this particular bathing suit. Now, if you ask me, when tackling this kind of projects, I rarely turn to glue - of whatever sort - unless it is the ultimate god of all glues - the E6000. I swear by the sewing thread. Sewing everything tightly in place is what I turn to, to have a job well done. But this time I was batch working (I will talk about it another time) and time was pressing so I turned to glue.

 

I used a permanent marker to write the word Summer and then glued the sequin ribbon over it. I still think sewing it would have been way better. Maybe dull and boring as hell, but much better.

Nevertheless, here we are with a hat that got itself a face lift. She loves it and that is what really counts. 
 


Monday, August 5, 2019

Summer Trend: Crochet Motif Bikini

 



What is immensely popular  in the swimming suit department this summer? 

Well, that would be the crochet motif bikini. There are quite a lot of crochet designers that have taken the crochet motif to a very different and distinctive level and expanded the crochet motif usage, which in my opinion is completely captivating and beautiful. 

 Via

There are a couple of crocheters I follow on instagram that make the most beautiful crochet bikini and they are a great inspiration for this crochet obsessed girl. Enjoy the handpicked selection!



 Via



Via

Friday, August 2, 2019

Colorful Summer Necklace





Last summer I was invited to a Staedler (polymer) clay workshop and though not stranger to working with their products, I never pass a good opportunity to learn something new and in that case to work with their new clay. I've made some great cabochons with it which I'll talk about some other time.
At the end of the workshop, I was given a free bag with polymer clay blocks among which blocks in these three colors.  As it happens a lot with my projects, these clay jewels were sculpted last summer but it took me a year to actually get them out of a box and put them to use :) 

For a long time I wanted to shoot some of my products with a wall of murals in my city and this happened to be the perfect opportunity and a fabulous color match. 

We shot the boho clutch here too.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead!