7 Tropical Inspired DIYs

 

Tropical Planters

Ever since we had our banana leaves room re-fresh, the tropics stuck into my head and I am still keen on pursuing the idea a little bit more.  So today, I am presenting a roundup of tropical inspired ideas. I definitely have to try the cactus coasters! :)

 Hibscus Flower

 

 Cactus Coasters

 

Floral Arch

  

 Tropical Mobile

 Monstera Leaf Backdrop

 Monstera Drop Dish

Fern Necklace and Earrings

I was playing with my latest fern pattern to see what it would look like in jewelry and made this necklace and earrings. 
For the necklace, instead of a button / bead, I added a flower too.

Now, I will try to see how it will look like appliqued. I just love when a pattern can be used in many ways!

 

 

Tropical Wall Hanging

 

Hi guys and happy Monday!
I am starting a so called tropical week over here, and to head off properly, this is my newest pattern for a tropical inspired wall hanging.

The Tropical Wall Hanging contains patterns for the fern, lily pad, 2 tiger lilies and 1 pattern for a desert flower. The written instructions are accompanied by lots of step-by-step photos.

Supplies:
* sport yarn and a 1.9mm hook (UK 3) (US 5) for the flowers
* DK yarn of your choice and a 3.00 mm hook (UK11) (US 10/3) for the fern and the falling leaves (pads)
* sewing thread in color matching the color of flowers
* sewing needle for sewing the flowers onto the fern / leaves, tapestry needle for weaving ends.
*a dowel or a stick

Optional: embroidery thread or seed beads for tiger lily spots, stitch markers
Stitches: chain (ch), chain space (ch-space), skip (sk), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), treble (tr). American terminology used.

Find it in my Etsy shop.  

Cactus Brooch - free pattern

Hello lovelies! 
I have been working on several tropical inspired projects lately, designing lots of cacti, and this brooch is a result of  the first tries. It is really small - about 6 cm long. 

Yarn and hook: sport yarn and a 1.9mm hook. 
Crochet terms (US terminology): chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st.), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc).
Other: sewing and tapestry needle and sewing thread, brooch pin.

Cactus pattern
Foundation and row 1: Ch12 and hdc3 in 2nd st from hook, then hdc1 across in the next 10 sts. Ch1 and hdc1 in next 10 sts. 
Row 2: Sl st in the next and continue slip stitching around. When you come to the 5th st on the other side, ch5 (for the small cactus segment) and hdc2 in the last st from hook, sk 2, sl st in the 3rd st and 2 last sts to finish the round. Leave a long tail, you'll use to sew the pin at the back. Thread it through the tapestry needle and insert it so it comes at the back. Position the pin and use the tail to fasten it.

Flower pattern
Ch4 and hdc1 in 1st st. Repeat this once more, then sl st in the very 1st st to close. Work tails. 

Flower pot pattern 
Foundation and row 1: ch4, turn work and sc1 in all (3). ch1 and turn work.
Row 2: sc1 in all (3). ch1 and turn work.
Row 3: Sc1 in 2 sts, sc2 in last (4) . ch1 and turn work.
Row 4: Sc1 in all (4). ch1 and turn work. 
Row 5: Sc2 in first 3 st, sc1 in next two, and finally sc2 in last st(6).  

Thread a sewing needle and sew the flower on top of the cactus (or on the segment). Sew the pot over the lower part of the cactus, and you are done.
 

 

Hope you have fun!

Taking It Slow

 

 

As the measures were easened, we used the weekend to go out in nature and truth be told - we felt alive again! 

It is amazing how this isolation made Earth breathe again, at a slower pace and with the biggest impact. Seeing nature flourish was a satisfaction beyond measure. I didn't take my camera with me, wishing to completely surrender to all the bliss nature offers, but I did snap lots of pictures with my phone - mostly of flowers I am crazy about, as you already know, so now with a click on my phone, I can be transported back to this fabulous weekend and elevate my spirits, regardless of what the day brings.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend too!

Happy weekend!

With a glimpse of my newest tropical inspired wall decor, I wish you a fantastic weekend!

Petite Rose Necklace & Bracelet - free pattern

 

 

As I wish you a warm welcome to today's post, the weather outside is amazingly balmy, sunny and carrying all the scents spring carries with itself! Today will be flowery here on the blog too, because I've decided to retire this pattern.

I am gradually changing the looks of my pattern shop, freshening it up with new designs, and the time has come for some of the patterns to be taken down so that I make room for more interesting ones.  

Yarn and hook:

*sport yarn and a 1.9mm hook (UK 3) (US 5) for the flowers and leaves

For a more delicate look of the roses I would recommend fingering yarn or thread #10. In regard to hooks, check your yarn / thread label – it gives recommended hook sizes. 

* sewing thread in color matching the color of the bracelet (preferably)

* sewing needle for sewing the flowers and leaves tapestry needle for weaving ends.

Used terms in American terminology: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc), picot.

Measurement: My wrist measures 15 cm / 5.9” while the finished bracelet is 14.5 cm / 5.7” in length without the jump rings.  

Other: jump rings, lobster clasp, earring hooks, sewing thread, sewing needle, tapestry needle, pins

Bracelet & Necklace Pattern: 

Both the chain (stem) and leaves are made as you go in 2 rows.

Row 1: Ch16. The first 8 stitches are for the other 8 for the leaf.  Starting from the 2nd stitch from hook, sc1, hdc4 st, sc1 and sl st1. Next, ch 15 and repeat the above pattern. Repeat the chain and leaf pattern until you get the desired length.

For the bracelet, measure it on your wrist. For example, for my bracelet I crocheted a total of 4 leaves (but for my necklace I made 5) plus the stem on the other side. When you get the desired length, ch11 for the stem that will be for the other side/end.  

Row 2: starting from 2^nd st from hook, sc8. Next, ch8 for the leaf, crochet the leaf pattern, then sc1 in the next 2 stitches of the stem. Continue single crocheting past the leaf on the other side, and in the 4th stitch (counting from the leaf on the opposite side), chain 8 and crochet the leaf pattern. 

After you make the leaf, continue single crocheting down, past the leaf on the opposite side, and make another leaf in the 4th st below the leaf on the opposite side. Work this pattern until you come to the last leaf on the opposite side. From there you just continue sc1 until the end. Finish it by tying the tails and weaving them through. 

Petite Rose Pattern:

 

Foundation and row 1: Ch12 and starting from the 2^nd st from hook, sc2 in that stitch and sc1 in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern 2 more times. Next, ch3 and make a picot. Sc2 in the next st. After that, sc1, ch3 and make a picot. Again, sc2 in the next stitch, sc1 in the next, ch3 and make a picot. As the picture shows, you will get three little “crowns”. Ch3 (it will serve as one dc) and turn work.

Row 2: Dc2 in the picot. Ch1, sc1 in the picot and ch1 more. Dc3 in the same picot.  (So as you can see the petal consists of two sets of 3dcs. The chains and the scs you added in the middle makes its shape gain a nicely rounded form.) Next, make a sc in the next stitch, skip the next two stitches and dc3 in the picot for the first part of the petal, ch1, sc1, ch1 and dc3 to finish it.  Repeat the above petal pattern to make another petal or a total of three (3) big petals.We’ll finish the row by making three more petals, but these will be smaller.  

When you make the third big petal, sc in the next stitch and then dc3 in the next stitch. All three dcs are in the same stitch.  Repeat this 2 times more and end the row by single crocheting the last 2 stitches. And with that, the rose is done.  Leave a long tail which you are going to use to sew the rose.  

As you can see there are 3 big and 3 small petals. Start rolling the petals from the last ones / smaller ones which are to form the center of the rose.  When you are satisfied with the shape, pin it in place and thread a tapestry needle. Using the tails, sew through all the layers of the rose.

Next, thread a sewing needle, position the roses onto the foundation, pin them to fix them and sew them nicely. For the bracelet add jump rings at the sides and a clasp for closing.  For the necklace, attach jump rings onto each stem and a chain on each side. Then attach the clasp. The bracelet / necklace set is done!

I hope you have fun making this! Do tag me if you post it on social media - I'd love to see it!