⭐ Happy New Year! ⭐

All the best to you all, and may 2021 be a lot better than the past year!

The Best of 2020 Crochet Journey

One thing is for sure - the pandemic did not deter me in being creative! Truth be told, it has been quite prolific. I've released 21 paid patterns and 20 free patterns and tutorials this year, which in retrospect, blows my mind!!! So, we can wrap it up and call it a successful year. 

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!

Best of 2019
Best of 2018

Best of 2017
Best of 2016

Best of 2015

Best of 2014

Best of 2013

Best of 2012

Best of 2011

Crochet Star Garland - free pattern

 

 

Just two days shy of Christmas, here's your last minute Christmas project, and mine too for this year!

What you need:

* Dk yarn (Phil Cotton 4) and a 3mm hook (colors as per your liking - I used 4 colors)

* tapestry needle for weaving ends, (sewing needle and thread if you use beads/sequins)

*(optional) sequins

 

Stitches: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), treble (tr), 3-ch picot. American terminology used.

Pattern: 

 

 

Foundation and round 1: ch7 and join to make a ring. ch2 (counts as 1st hdc), and hdc9 in ring. Do not join first round with a sl st. 

Round 2: In first space (that of the ch2 at the beginning of rnd 1), sc1, dc1, tr1, ch3 and make a picot, then sl st picot in body of the treble, dc1, sc1. Sl st in next st, and repeat this pattern in the next st. Repeat pattern for the whole round. There should be 5 points in the star. Work tails. 

 

Once you make desired number of stars, work on the order of colors (if you used more colors). Ch20, sl st through the point (picot) of a star, ch14, sl st another star. Repeat this chaining method until all stars are strung. Ch20 for the other end of the garland. 

Leave as are or glam up with beads. sequins. 

And that's it! I hope you enjoy this quick and easy tutorial!

 

Bohemian Christmas Ornaments - pattern release

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.

 

Bohemian Christmas

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:

 

 All images taken from Pinterest via the Bohemian Christmas search   

 

What about you? What is your Christmas decorating style?

Crochet Kids' Wrap / Adult Cowl Pattern

 

Wow! I cannot believe this little cutie waited for so long to be published!

My new pattern is versatile in the sense you can make it a kids' wrap / cape, but also works great as an adult size cowl by positioning the tying chain on the upper part or the middle. 

More information about the pattern  in my etsy shop. 

 

 

Crochet on the Runway - Winter Edition

The designers John Muscat and Jennifer Wells are the masterminds for the snippet of this collection. They gave shape to their vision of a woodsy, hippie-chic vibe as an ode to the outdoors. The mismatched patterns and textures work in unison to give life to the messiness, and messiness has never looked more attractive.  To view the whole astonishing collection, click here.

 

 

Crochet Gnome - free pattern

 

I've long wanted to make crochet gnomes to add to our Christmas decorations, but actually never got down to do that, until I took out our felted ones and saw the damages the tooth of time had left on them. I knew now was the time for some fresh ones.

My version is quite simple, since it doesn't have legs and arms. It consists of a body, nose, hat and wool fluff for the beard. You need filling to stuff the body up and a 2.5 mm (diameter) wooden bead, or you can use filling instead of a bead. Also, you will need a sewing / tapestry needle and sewing thread.

 

For the gnome's body I used doubled sport yarn and a 3mm hook for the body and a 1.9mm hook and sport yarn for the hat and nose. 

Stitches in US crochet terms: chain (ch), single crochet (sc), single crochet 2 together (sc2tog), half double crochet (hdc), half double crochet 2 together (hdc2tog), double crochet (dc).

Pattern for the Gnome's Body

Foundation and rnd1: Ch5 and join to make a ring. Sc6 in ring.                               

Rnd 2: sc2 in all (12)                                                                    

Rnd 3: sc2 in all (24)

Rnd 4: sc1 in all (24)

Rnd 5: sc2 in one st., sc2 in next  (36)

Rnd 6: repeat rnd 5 (54)

Rnd 7: sc1 in all (54)  

Rnd 8: sc1, sc2tog (36)

Rnds 9- 15: sc1 in all (36)

Rnd 16: repeat rnd 8 (24)                                                                                          

Rnds 17-18: sc1 in all (24)  You can start stuffing it here .

Rnd 19:  repeat rnd 8 (12)  

Rnd 20: sc1 in all (12)

Rnd  21- end: sc2tog. 

 

When you make the first decrease at round 8, it will create dents at the edge, so fill those up quite nicely. Insert fingers inside (or your hook), pop those dents out and fill up. 

Pattern for the Gnome's Hat  (top down)   

Foundation and rnd1: Ch4 and join to make a ring. Sc1 in all (4)  (you do not single crochet in the ring, but directly into the stitches).                          

Rnd 2: sc2 in one, sc1 in next st. (6)                                                                       

Rnd 3: sc1 in all (6)                                                                                                    

Rnd 4: repeat rnd 2 (9)

Rnds 5-6: sc1 in all (9)

Rnd 7: sc1 in one st, hdc2 in next, dc1 in next 2 sts., hdc2 in next,sc1 in next four stitches (11)

Rnd 8: sc1 in first stitch, hdc1 in next nine stitches, sc1 in last st. (11)

Rnd 9: hdc1 in first st., hdc2 in next 2 sts.,dc2 in next 4 sts.,hdc2 in next 3 sts.,hdc1 in last st. (20)

Rnd 10: hdc1 in all (20)

Rnd 11: sc1, hdc2tog, dc1 in next 3 sts.,hdc1 in next, hdc2tog three times (16) 

Rnd 12: dc1 in all (16)

Rnd 13: hdc2 in one st., hdc1 in next (24)  

Rnd 14: dc1 in 8 sts., hdc1 in 8 sts., dc1 in last 8 sts. (24)

Rnd 15: hdc1 in 8 sts.,dc1 in 8 sts.,hdc1 in last 8 sts. (24)  

Rnd 16: hdc2 in one st., hdc1 in next (36)

Rnd 17: hdc1 in 3 sts., hdc2 in next (45)

Rnd 18: sc1 in all (45)       Leave a long tail, which you'll use to sew the hat to the body.                       

Pattern for the Gnome's Nose                        

Foundation and rnd1: Ch5 and join to make a ring. Sc6 in ring.                      

Rnd 2: sc2 in all (12)                                                                                                     

Rnd 3: sc1 in all (12)

Rnd 4: sc2 in one st., sc2 in next (18)   Insert bead here.  

Rnd 5: sc2tog, sc1 (12)                                                                                    

Rnd 6: sc2tog, sc1 (6)   Leave a long tail, which you'll use to sew the nose to the body. 

 

With the body finished, cut a piece of fluff of about 10 cm. Position vertically across body and fold downwards. Bring closer to the top of body and sew the fluff/beard onto it.      

Thread the tail of the hat, position in such way to cover the sewn beard part, thread a tapestry needle and sew the hat on. Lastly, thread the tail of the nose and sew it onto the body.Trim beard as per your liking.

I wanted my gnomes to have one of those adorable French-style moustaches, but was too tired to sculpt them, so off you go my moustacheless gnomes! 

I hope you have fun making this!