Carnival Scarf

Just before we hit off March, which if you didn't catch up on my last post it is to be a granny square month, I want to show you a scarf I've just finished. 

 

I loved mixing several patterns to create this unique scarf and I went way out of my color-comfort zone especially by matching magenta with yellow, but I think it turned out beautifully in the end.

 

 

Happy weekend!

As we are kissing February goodbye, my excitement is building up because March will be a granny square month filled with lots of granny square projects, tutorials, tips and tricks! I can hardly contain myself! 

 

If you love grannies as much as I do, join me next week for the first project - a granny scarf!

I wish you a lovely and crafty weekend ahead!

Vintage Lace Collar

This interesting collar was born out of a sampler. I have saved lots of my gran's samplers (I simply cannot part with them) and one negative thing about those is that they are all quite small. You who follow me for a long time know that grandma was a master of crocheted doilies and large-scale tablecloths, all made with extremely tiny hooks. So normally, all my samplers are tiny!

To make this collar copying the pattern from the sampler took me several unsuccessful attempts, but I eventually got it right. And when I did, well there was no stopping me! To be honest, I didn't plan on making it a collar, I just wanted to make more and more of it until it reached a length where I thought "um.. a headband, maybe?" But it didn't stick with me and several sections more, I knew it was destined to be a collar :)

 

We are having a photo-shoot tomorrow and I hope to make more beautiful pictures of it! Wish me luck it doesn't rain!

Crochet Wedding Favors Ideas

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The post headline is misleading :)

Nobody is getting married here (yet)!

Recently I read an article on brides that enjoy having a rustic, vintage wedding involving lots of crochet and it truly made me sad because my wedding had nothing crocheted. Not even the wedding favors. But, my silver anniversary is coming in a couple of years, and God willing, I will knock myself out crochet decorating!

In today's post I am sharing ideas of lovely and cute wedding favors. Click the VIA under the photos to get to the original post. 

 

What about you? What kind of a wedding did you have? Did you craft anything for it?

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Crochet Lattice Scarf - free pattern

 

 

Here's a quick weekend project you might enjoy. A lovely mesh lace scarf.

 

Several months ago I discovered the Kartopu yarn brand (this is not sponsored by them!) and I've been seriously in love with both cottons and mixed yarns. For my scarf I used the Melange Wool Tweed (color M1416/ lot 1664) which is worsted - aran yarn. The yarn content is 77% acrylic, 20% wool and 3% viscose. 100 gr= 170m

For the scarf I used 1 skein (100 gr) of this yarn with a 6 mm hook. 

The scarf is 1.50 cm / 59" long and 15 cm / 5.9" wide. I left enough yarn to make the rose, which sadly is not part of the pattern given here. 

 

Crochet stitches in US terminology: stitch (st), chain (ch), chain space (ch-sp) skip (sk), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), 3-dc cluster.

 

Scarf mesh pattern: 

 

 

Foundation and row 1: Ch31 and sc1 in 7th st from hook. Ch5, sk3 and sc1 in next st. Repeat this pattern to the end. (There will be 7 ch-spaces). Ch5 and turn work.

Row 2: Sc1 in 1st ch-sp. Ch5 and sc1 in next ch-sp. Repeat this pattern to the end where after the last sc in the last ch-sp, ch3 and hdc1 in the last ch-sp (again). Ch5 and turn work. 

Row 3 - maker's desired end row:  repeat row 2. 

 

 

Bobble - Fringes: When you get the desired length and mind to end it with the crochet face up, ch7 and make a 3-dc cluster in 4th st from hook, ch3 and sl st in same 4th st., t ch3, turn work and sc1 in the first sc-stitch from the row below. Ch7 and repeat the bobble fringe pattern. Repeat the pattern to the end of the row. When done with this side, fringe the other side as well. Mind to have the crochet work face up.  Work tails when all crochet work is done.  

I hope you like this. I am sure it will be equally beautiful in cotton or maybe lace yarn as a spring / summer scarf. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Upcoming Crochet Summit

I’m thrilled to tell you that I am taking part in  Rebecca Page Crochet Summit!!

The FREE Virtual summit includes over 40 classes – including one taught by me! 

I will be teaching how to make my Cottage Rose Patchwork Scarf. 

Registration opened yesterday (14th Feb) and the Summit takes place March 14 - 18, 2022.  

 

<Sign-up today (registration is free) if interested. I'd love if you could join me!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today, we are celebrating Eva's 21st birthday. Here, people come of age at 18, so turning 21 is not considered a big event. 

 

Every year I decorate a corner for her special day, where we put the gifts and the cake, and it is usually something crochet. This year I ran of ideas - my mind was simply a blank slate. But a crocheted hanging heart can always remedy a situation and here's the one I made. I hope it will make her smile!

 

Here's a glimpse at our other Valentine's projects:

 

 1. Crochet Flower Numbers

2. Vintage Heart Bunting 

3. St. Valentine's Sweet-Board Idea  

 

Happy Valentine's to all!

 

Winter Rose Lariat - pattern release

 

 

I cannot tell you how happy I am it's Friday! This has been an exhausting week, and I am ready to put my feet up, watch some Netflix and crochet to my heart's desire!

But before I sign off, I want to show you my latest lariat. I used chunky woolen blend for the body of the lariat, with a DK yarn for the edging. The richly decorated ends, (all credits go to the leaves and vines), and the beautiful big rose is what make this lariat stand out. 

The pattern is in my shops: etsy and ravelry. 

I wish you a blessed weekend!

My Yarn Stash is Mocking Me

Whenever we visit my mother-in-law in Ohrid, I never fail to visit a small, family-owned, well-stocked yarn shop. A pure yarn heaven! Whenever I go there, I get lost for hours, selecting yarn, matching colors, imagining new designs. On my last successful haul I replenished my stash to the point where the shelves are bursting at the seems, or to be more exact - yarn is pouring over. 

 

Now, said yarn is sitting there, looking me under the eye and mocking me for not putting it to use. Maybe even conspiring to replace me for a more organized crocheter. These were bought for a granny cardi in mind, but the cardi is just a sketch in my notebook. Not anywhere near the starting point. 

Truth be told, I've been working my fingers off. If you would believe, my UFO list looks like this: 3 sweaters and 1 vest, all in different stages of progress, not one near the end, 1 flower hat (the blue one far right below), a granny set (hat + scarf), a pair of my Grace wrist-warmers (which is an order from a dear friend), a baby cardi and a rainbow pillow. 

I've been also asked to collaborate on two big projects, which I am obliged not to disclose of yet, and they are mainly the reason for the piling up of UFOs. 

One project I am particularly sorry for not being able to start is this capelet. I have had lots of etsy messages for the pattern for this one, but I don't have the right color of yarn I'd like to make it in (my yarn stash rolled their eyes in unison!).  

On a brighter note, I have many completed projects, like the bracelet and wall-hanging above. Then there is a rose lariat coming on Friday, a heart I made for Eva's birthday on Monday, a Peter Pan collar and a new necklace. 

 

And this little feature worked wonders on improving my mood!

The newest edition of Simply Crochet Magazine (issue 119) features my Bronte Cuff in the Fab Finds section - all inspired by books. 

 

Do you have any similar stories to share? What's the size of your UFO stash?

How to Crochet the Ladder Stitch

Happy start of the week!

Today I am starting it with a lovely ladder stitch pattern. True, it is an amazing yarn eater, but if you have loads of leftover yarn, this is the perfect pattern for it. 

 

I have no doubts  monochromatic yarn choice would be OK, but doing it in several colors, will make it spectacular. So for this sample, I used DK yarn in three colors and a 4 / 5 mm hook. The pattern uses multiples of 4+1.

 

The stitches in US terminology: chain (ch), stitch (st), skip (sk), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc)

 

 Pattern:

Foundation and row 1: In color 1 and a 5 mm hook, ch24. Change to a 4mm hook and dc3 in 4th st from hook, sk3 and sc1 in next st. Ch3 and dc3 in the sc stitch in the row below. Repeat this pattern 2 more times, sk3 and sc1 in last st. Ch3 and turn work.

Row 2: Ch3 and dc3 in 1st st. sc1 in the chain (space) of the "ladder" below, ch3 and dc3 in the same ch-sp. Sc1 in the ch-sp of the next ladder. Repeat this pattern 3 more times, then sc in last ch-sp to end row. Turn work and insert color 2. Ch3.

Row 3- onward: repeat row 2.

 

I used one color for two rows. If you want it more colorful, change color with each row. Also do not cut yarn, but carry it along. 

 

 

This stitch will be great for a blanket or a cushion.

St.Valentine's Free Crochet Projects for the Weekend

 

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Once you start seeing crochet heart projects all over the internet - one thing is clear. St.Valentine's near. 

I don't know if it is just me, but I keep seeing all the same old Valentine's related projects over and over again. So as much as I love doing round-ups for Valentine's, this time I had hard time finding something interesting. However, the handful I am showing here are the perfect weekend projects, so maybe you get inspired?

(To get to the patterns, click the links under the pictures)

 

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Doily heart video
 

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Scarlet's Lace Neckwarmer

This is another piece inspired by the Victorian era. I have always admired these neck-cradling warmers that luxuriously fall down to caress the shoulders, so I designed this one that has been swirling in my head for a while. The ridged neck-pattern gives a solid structure for the lace part to develop and grow.  

This time I used Alize's Lana gold which is a mix of acrylic (51%) and wool (49%) it which made it a perfect choice for this project. 

The neckwarmer is customizable - meaning you can make it according to your preferred size. Pattern etsy and ravelry.