Easy Crocheted Muff DIY

 

 

Hi guys!

 

On Saturday, at last, it started snowing. We've been fighting pollution for the past several months (one of the disadvantages and curses of living in a big city) so when it started snowing we all got a little bit hilarious about it. Clean air for a while.

 

The snow was the reason more to show you our new muff and share the pattern for it.

 

 

For the muff I used chunky yarn and 4 mm hook.

The chunkiness makes this project finished in about 15 minutes.

 

The pattern:

 

Ch 23

Row 1: starting from 4th ch from hook make a dc in every stitch. Ch 3 and turn work. (21)

 

Row 2: starting from 2nd ch from hook, hdc across. Ch 3 and turn work. 

Row 3: starting from 2nd ch from hook, dc across. Ch 3 and turn work. 

Row 4 - end: repeat rows 2+ 3 consecutively.

 

{For this muff I made 9 rows of the pattern}

 

When you achieve the desired length, sew both ends (or sc to join them) together.

To make the chain: insert yarn on the upper side of the muff and chain "x" no. of stitches. To crochet the right length of the muff chain, measure it on the recipient by placing the muff on the navel. The arms / hands are in suitable, muff wearing position when it is right on the navel. Fasten it on the other side and you are done!

 

 

Or you can leave it without the chain.

 Happy crocheting!

Winter Roses Necklace Pattern

 

 

Again, what I am building as my signature piece  - a Mori inspired necklace. For this one I used a bluish grey Irish roses and taffeta rosettes sprinkled with pearls. I wanted to capture the very essence of the Mori style and aesthetic.

 

Completely in love with this one... 

 

The pattern is on etsy, ravelry and blog shop

 

 

 

Additions to the Blog

 

 

 

Hello dear readers!

 

I have some small changes and additions going on here, so this post is  to give you the heads up.

 

For quite some time I have had  four new categories just below the header for easier navigation through the blog for those who come here looking for specific things. I think I managed to shape them up for now though blogger steadily and persistently tries to drive me crazy by messing up with the htmls now and then, so I guess this will be work in progress.

 

As I said there are 4 categories: Free Crochet Patterns, DIY Tutorials, Creative Ideas and Featured.

 

Last week I added a Shop on the blog, so now you can buy my patterns directly from here. As for now, the shop only contains my digital crochet patterns; if it functions well I might add other categories to it. 

 

I also plan to add my free crochet patterns there so you could download those as digital files as well.   

 

How to read crochet charts: Doily Pattern

 

The chart for this lovely doily immediately captured my attention and I knew it will be the perfect one for my how to read series.

What the chart says:

Ch 12 and join to make ring.

Rnd 1: ch3 (counts as the 1st dc) and dc 31 in ring. Sl st to end.

Rnd 2: ch1, sc 1 over the first st (of the row below), ch3, skip 1, sc 1 in next st. Repeat pattern to end. Sl st to join round.

Rnd 3: ch1, sc 1 over the first st (of the row below), ch5, sc 1 in next chain. Repeat pattern to end. Sl st to join round.

Rnd 4: ch1, sc 1 on the loop where you ended rnd 3. Make 9 dcs in the next chain /loop. Sc in the next. Repeat this pattern to end. Sl st to join round.

Rnd 5: ch1, sc 1 where you ended the previous round. Ch3, dc4 tog, make a 3-ch picot, ch 3 and sc in the 5th st. Repeat this once more to complete the "9dcs fan" of the round below.
Repeat this pattern around. Sl st to join round.

 

I used a different color for each round but I believe it will be beautiful in one color only too.

 

Some of the How to Read Crochet Chart Series:

 

How to read Granny Squares

 

How to read a Flower

 

How to read leaves

 

How to read a Flower Motif

 

How to read the Bobble Stitch 

 

For more "readings" hit the search bar above :)

Forest Elves by Daisy

I was completely smitten by this poncho that appeared in my mori feed. I looked at it mesmerized and still couldn't believe my eyes. I said to myself that this is something I could wear until it wears out to the thinnest thread. Sans the ears that is.

So I set in pursuit to find the creator of such gorgeousness and I found her. Her name is Daisy and she runs a fantastic, whimsical etsy shop filled with knit accessories. 

 

 

Her collection is called Forest Elves and she couldn't have named it more perfectly. All her creations have an ethereal, otherworldly and mystical quality and she captures and emphasizes that feel by creating  a fairy-tale like setting to showcase her creations.

 

 

 

 

I do hope you pay her a visit!

Northern Skies Scarf - Crochet Pattern

I have a new pattern in the shop. This time it is for a scarf / cowl.

For this one I used a lovely color changing yarn in the blue / grey / brown palette and a ceramic button I made recently.

This is a great weekend project, although it can be done in an hour or two.

More here and here and from the shop blog button above.

 

Cute Craft Studios

I don't believe there is a crafter who doesn't dream of having a studio. I have my studio in a room adapted to fit my needs; however I have been dreaming of having a shed turned into a studio like  Alicia has done. I love how she transformed it into a studio.

Some other cute, inspirational studios I have found around the net:

Heather  Bailey's

Craftiness is not optional

A little sweetness

Craftaholics Anonymous

 

Charm City Craft Mania

 

Crochet Flower Kits in the Shop

 

 

I have wanted to make kits with my crocheted flowers for a long time, but always put that aside, lacking time to sort through the boxes and find the right ones. But the time has finally come.

I made 7 kits. Each is different - consisting of flowers varying in colors and size. They are as follows:

Coral Pink

 

Blue

 



Pink /Magenta

 

 

Yellow & Green

 

Orange & Red

Grey & Beige

Lavender &Purple

 

These flowers are perfect for numerous projects. They can be used (to) as / in:

* appliques - sew them onto blankets, pillow, clothes, hats, belts, etc.
* scrapbooking and card making to make your projects more attractive and lively
* make jewelry - they are perfect for making brooches as well as other jewelry pieces (bracelets, necklaces, (ear)rings;
* make art - put some of these into a frame for an instant and unique art piece
* join them into a design of your own to make a one of a kind table runner / centerpiece

See all 7 kits here

Pom-Pom and Crochet Flower Necklace - free pattern

 

 

Hello and Happy First Monday of the New Year!

I wanted to mark this with something beautiful so I created this easy crochet necklace tutorial for you.

 

To make this you need:

- sport crochet yarn (in 3 colors but this is maker's choice) and adequate hook (1.9mm)

- tulle pom-pom

- chain, jump rings, lobster clasp

 

 

 

Flower Patterns:

 

For the biggest (magenta) flower, ch 5 and join to make ring.

Rnd 1: Sc 5 in ring.

Rnd 2: ch 9, sc in next st. Repeat this pattern around.

Rnd 3: sc2, hdc2, dc5, hdc2, sc 2 in all petals. Cut a long tail, tie a knot and hide it in the stitches. Cut off excess. 

 

For the medium  flower, ch 5 and join to make ring.

Rnd 1: Sc 5 in ring.

Rnd 2: ch 7, sc in next st. Repeat this pattern around.

Rnd 3: sc2, hdc2, dc3, hdc2, sc 2 in all petals. Cut a long tail, tie a knot and hide it in the stitches. Cut off excess. 

 

For the smallest  flower, ch 5 and join to make ring.

Rnd 1: Sc 5 in ring.

Rnd 2: ch 5, sc in next st. Repeat this pattern around.

Rnd 3: sc1, hdc2, dc3, hdc2, sc 1 in all petals. Cut a long tail, tie a knot and hide it in the stitches. Cut off excess. 

 

Stack them up and sew them.

 

 

 

Now to the assembly.

 

I made a tulle pom-pom using this method but using only the point and middle finger instead, because I wanted a medium sized pom-pom. The tulle I used is elastic and dotted. It adds more cuteness to the whole project.

 

 

 

Add a jump ring to the pom-pom, attach a chain (mine is 5.3" or 13,5 cm) of your desired length and join it with the flower. Attach jump rings on the top of the pom-pom and the flower for the side chains. They are 6.3" / 16 cm respectively. And that's it! I hope you like it and if you decide to make it I would love to see it. Drop me a note in the comments!

 

 

 

Contemplating on Dreams and Hopes

 

 

Day two of the new year. We have lavishly spent time with family and friends. Reminiscing  good old times and sharing dreams and hopes for the future. And we have some big dreams for the future.

I dream of quitting my day job. I have been teaching for more than 20 years and I feel saturated to the bones. For the past several years I have felt the need to change, and luckily, having my side job (my online crochet shops) proved to be a miraculous vent and energizer at the same time, lifting off the weight of what has become a mundane job. I hope the plans we have been making for our online business will realize this year.  

 

 

I hope to have more interesting content here on the blog, stay fresh but keep the aesthetic and niche I am recognized by.

 

Also I want to focus more of my creative energy on what I love most - crochet - not only designing and creating new jewelry and accessories, but also expand to organizing  / leading workshops and classes.

 

We hope to see more of the world this year - already booked some trips we cannot wait to set on.

 

Learn new things, undertake new projects, try out some new techniques. 

 

What are your dreams and hopes for this year?