Crochet Bohemian Summer

 Via Pinterest 

Summer is here in its full swing, and though it is too hot to crochet, I don't want to let my hook go. In line with this, pinterest doesn't let my brain rest :)

 

It is bursting with wondrous crochet ideas that get stuck in my head, and I wish I was an octopus and use all those tentacles / hands to work on multiple projects at the same time, lol. 

My selection for this post is small, but if you want to see what else I've pinned, you are welcome to check my boards here.  

 

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What are you currently working on?

Granny Shapes as Applique

Following my daughter's idea, we used the granny shapes samples as appliques, to beautify plain ole' t-shirts, and we got really excited to see how one such plain Jane can be altered in a matter of seconds. 

This time we just played with the granny circle and rectangles, which we also turned into bows, by pinching them at the middle and wrapping yarn around it.  The bows can also be used as hair pins/ headbands, bowties...

 

If you missed my granny shapes pattern release, it is here and just the circle and rectangles here.

Flower Top - sampling

I am designing a flower top, and this is how it will look at the front. When measuring it on Eva, she suggested it might also work well as an applique - to decorate a plain tee, and I think that  is one great idea. Only if that is the case, I think it should be a couple of rounds smaller than this. 

 

As for the current design, I think I am going to tweak and rework some of the rounds. For this one I used Alize's silky yarn, but I have to try it with cotton because I believe the effect will be strikingly different. 

 

Anyway, this try-out sparkled another idea, which I am going to show it next. 

Summer Capelet WIP

I've taken a short break from social media, and cannot tell you how refreshing it felt! I am slowly getting back; creative juices are steadily and strongly pouring in, and I expect this summer to be an interesting and a colorful one on the crochet front. 

This capelet here is a project I started last August. It took me a day to make this and then I lost interest in it and left it unfinished. This time however, I am determined to finish it off. I need a couple of more rounds  before I add the border.

I imagine it over a lovely, pastel, summer dress. Tulle comes in mind first, as I have a lighter shade of this color in it. 

To be continued :)

Preppy Crochet - resurging trends

 Free tutorial 

Recently, while talking to my niece (10), she told me she is very much into preppy fashion.  I wasn't aware of the resurgence of the style and had to scour the internet to see what was trending. It led me to look up preppy crochet and it wasn't disappointing. 

If you are wondering what is preppy style, it's crisp and put-together aesthetic includes such polished pieces as a collared shirt and khakis, along with classic sporty gear, like a tennis skirt and polo shirt. The term preppy derives from the private, university-preparatory or prep schools that some American upper class and upper middle class children attend. Preppy fashion derives from the fashions of these old Northeastern schools in the early to mid-twentieth century. 

 

I chose some free patterns and videos for preppy crochet items. Click under the pictures to get to them

 

Crochet Vest

 

 Free pattern

 

Bomber Jacket - free video

Retro Crochet Flowers - free pattern

Everything retro is popular now. I've been focused on flower designs mostly, and these will be followed by some more. My original idea was to put them into a square frame which will result into a retro blanket. Will see how that one goes. 

 

If you are into a lazy and slow Sunday crochet time, maybe you'd like to try your hand at these. 

Before I share the pattern, please note that: The written  pattern in its entirety along with the photos are for personal use only. All property rights belong to Maya Kuzman of The Little Treasures.

Yarn and hook: sport yarn of your choice and colors (I love working with Phil Cotton #3 and Tango) and a 3 mm hook (UK11) (US 10/3). Note that you can use whatever yarn size/ weight (and relevant hook for that weight ) you like/have at hand. That will only influence the size of your flowers. Hence, smaller weights will yield tinier flowers, heavier weights will yield bigger flowers.

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

Other: tapestry needle for weaving ends and scissors.  

Pattern

Foundation and round 1: In color 1, ch4 (counts as 1dc+ foundation working chain) and dc9 in last chain from hook. Sl st into 1st st to end round (10).

Round 2: ch9 (this is the petal-filling chain) and sl st in same st. Sc1 in next st, sl st in next. From here, repeat this pattern around. In the end there will be 5  (five) petal chains (ch-sps). Sl st into 1st petal-chain st to end round. Cut yarn and weave ends.

Round 3: Insert color 2 in 1st stitch of the petal chain, and inside the ch-sp, sc1, hdc2,dc4, tr4, dc4, hdc2,sc1. Sc1 in next st., sl st into next ch-sp and repeat this pattern. When all 5 petals are filled, sc1 in last st and sl st into 1st petal (ch-sp) to end round. Cut yarn and weave ends. 

It is this easy. If you have questions with the instructions, drop them into the comment section please. 

 

Gorgeous Textured Crochet - inspiration

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I always swoon looking at amazingly combined crochet patterns that result in stunning textures. And most often than not, many of the pieces are made employing  basic crochet stitches. Isn't that incredible? 

For today's post I've chosen several from my pinterest board that I feel truly stand out. Fuel your inspiration too :)

 

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