Happy Granny Square Day!

 

 

Happy Granny Square Day! 

 

This is my newest granny design I just made today to celebrate the day! It is quite big and I am going to use it for an interesting project that has been swirling in my head for a while.

This one came right off the hook and I didn't have any time (nor tools) to block it, so it looks a little bit wonky. 

I also wish I had organized a granny square party in my shop, but it had slipped my mind completely. Maybe next year!

Do you have/participate in any events to mark the day where you are? 

Sandy Shells Bag - pattern release

Happy Monday! I hope we all have a fully joyful and creative week! 

I am starting the week with my latest bag design. I love crocheting shells as they give not only an appealing texture, but also richness to the whole piece. 

For the bag's lining I used one of my vintage fabrics that I have been jealously holding onto, not wanting to waste it on a dull project, but I let it go in a heartbeat when I matched it with the crochet work. I believe I paired it perfectly.

The highlight is the covered button, and I loved how it turned out, so now I am making (covering) some more buttons with the same fabric to make a necklace!

Ok. I got distracted!

Back to the bag. The pattern with all its technicalities is listed in my shops: etsy, ravelry and lovecrafts.

 

Velvet Yarn & Crochet Toys

tcrochetlove

tcrochetlove

 

tcrochetlove

Social media are a mind-blowing thing. Not that I just became aware of the fact, but I get flabbergasted every time a trend blows out of proportions. 

So, one of the current crochet trends popular with young people and teenagers are these cute bears, bunnies and turtles. We might throw an octopus or a whale for good measure. 

I have several regular (customers) teenagers  who love to shop the velvet yarn for these toys and some of them earn their pocket money by selling these toys. 

One of them is Theodora, my most fervent and prolific customer. She can knock several of these toys in a day!! 

Out of the 4 velvet brands that I have in my shop, Alize Velluto and Ayda Baby Vellur seem to be the most popular. 

My experience with velvet yarn is very poor, but I started a baby blanket with it and  I love it so far. What about you? Have you ever worked with velvet yarn? Are there brands you prefer?

(Click on Theodora's IG profile to check out her toys. She has every single pattern designer tagged if you wish to peruse velvet crochet toys making)

 

Off My Hook - A Corset Top

The amount of my WIPs is innumerable, yet I happily jump into a new project! Luckily, this was finished as it was a request from a dear friend's teenage daughter. 

The corset-like top is made with 100% cotton yarn in mint and dusty white for the border and ties, and the color combo appears amazing in real life!

Now my friend's daughter is a teenager, while my mannequin is an adult (M size), so I couldn't tie it up properly at the back to show you guys what it looks like from behind. 

It was so satisfying to work on this, so I am contemplating making an adult version  and writing the pattern for it. 

 

Jasmine Spa Set - crochet pattern release

 

 

Happy Monday world! 

Here's my newest design, which was an immensely fun project to put together. 

I named it Jasmine Spa Set, and it consists of 4 items: face scrubs, a body scrub, a headband and a soap bag. The face scrubs and the headband feature the jasmine stitch -hence the name. It’s an easy, very decorative and eye-pleasing stitch. 

 

The pattern is in my shops, where you can learn more about the technical details: etsy and ravelry. 

 

Kid's Workshop - crocheting whales

When I opened my shop and studio, I started offering crochet / craft workshops both for kids and adults. Needless to say, the kids' workshops bring me lots of joy, as I get to experience that wonderful and magical creativity kids possess. 

In the last workshop I taught them how to crochet little cute whales and here they are. 

Must admit I had as much fun as they did!

 

For Emily Whenever - vintage crochet pieces

 

This is not a sponsored post!

It is posted for inspiration. 

 

I remember the first time I came upon Emily's second-hand crochet finds. My jaw literally dropped! Ever since then I am a fervent follower and admirer of her work.

Emily finds and restores crochet (and other) pieces, saving them from the landfill and giving them an opportunity to be loved and cherished again. 

She mostly works with sweaters and cardigans and each is a masterpiece, as you can see from this small selection here.

I am truly tempted to design something like this.I am sure I will wear it with love!

 

Abbott Fuller Graves & I

A couple of days ago I came upon this picture on Instagram, and I cannot take it out of my head. It represents everything I've been yearning for, for quite a while now. A little cottage in the country with a big porch and an even bigger garden, surrounded by tons of flowers. Me sitting in a chair, crocheting and soaking up all the sounds and smells of nature.

 

A picture of peacefulness, tranquility,and comfort. A save haven for the mind and a balm for the soul!

Abbot Fuller Graves and I may not have many things in common - but the love of nature (flowers) is certainly a strong tie.

Restoring a Vintage Crochet Blanket

I took upon myself to salvage a vintage crochet blanket for a client. The blanket was bought at a thrift shop and those can harbor many hidden gems. The creator of this one was a genius in combining crochet and knitted samples and creating a unique blanket. 

The client has lots of cats and the kitties have managed to ruin it, playing on it. Someone tried to save it previously, but it kept tearing and wearing away.

 

At first I thought I could restore the squares by crocheting them in place, but the first obstacle was that I neither had the right yarn, nor the approximately close color of yarn, so I mainly used embroidery thread to close the holes, and then worked with black yarn to secure the whole bordering part of it. 

I am sad that in all the hubbub I forgot to take photos of it after I was finished. But what's most important is that it is saved and can be loved for many more years.

Summer Lariat - crochet pattern release

I've been itching to try my colorful yarn cakes in a project, and I think I found the perfect one.

Cue - my summer lariat!

The lariat is made in one go, and flowers are added after it is finished. There are 5 flower patterns that work fast and are just the cutest. 

This lariat can transform into a plenitude of things. 

 

Let me give you some ideas: 

* headbands

* bracelets

* belts

* garlands 

* curtain ties

* gift wrappers

Make it as long or short to serve your purpose. 

 

The pattern is in my shops: etsy, ravelry

 

Winding Yarn Cakes

Happy start of the week bloggers!

How is your Monday so far?

For me Monday turned out to be a yarn-winding day! 

I received a large shipment of cotton batik yarn in 1 kilo-skeins. There isn't much interest with buyers for large skeins, so I have to make them in small batches - preferably 50gr cakes. 

This is rather a tedious job, because I have a hand winder, and although winding goes fast, I am contemplating buying an electric yarn-winder. 

Nevertheless, all these colors brighten my mood, so wind-wind I'll go!

A Basket of Flower Coasters - pattern release

Finally, I have something finished to show you. 

I've been slowly but steadily finishing many of my WIPs, and this was the first to be done and dusted. 

This project idea has been swirling around the internet for a while, and I had to give it my own twist. 

This project is a lovely home decor, and quite useful as such.

It appears to be a basket with flowers, but when taken out, they turn out into coasters. 

Quite neat and cute!

The pattern is in my etsy and ravelry shops.

Crochet Ramblings

 

 

I don't know about your part of the world, but we have been having a rainy May.

I expect to start growing mushrooms on myself any day now.

However, my shop always cheers me up, and all the colorful yarn inside make my days brighter and happier despite the horrid weather outside. And it makes me think of summer.

Which brings me to this particular thread. 

 

The Kordenet Flash has an amazing palette of colours and I have been eyeing  several of them for my summer project. First I wanted to make myself a dress, but the thread is thin and unless I double it, it will take forever to make it. Then, I thought that a dress as such is quite limiting as compared to a blouse and a skirt, because as a two-piece, I can combine them with other blouses, tops and skirts. 

So, a two-piece it is going to be. 

Now, I am wavering between the blues and the greens. They are both beautiful (the blouse will be in the lighter shade and the skirt in the darker), but at the moment, I am still indecisive. 

Will let you know which ones I chose. 

Wishing you a lovely day ahead!

 

New Pattern Bundles in the Shop

Flower Necklaces Bundle

 

Floral Home Decor

Boho Home Decor

After what seems like ages, I bundled up some of my patterns again. With these bundles you get 25% off of the regular price if you were to buy them individually.

 

By combining the patterns in each of the bundles you get numerous versatile ways to make jewelry, decorate your home, or make some amazing gifts. All it takes is some yarn, a hook and a whole bucket of wild imagination! 

To get to the bundles, click on the links under the pictures, or simply click here to get to my shop. 

Thank you!

Crochet Videos on TikTok

Happy start of the week crochet friends!

I joined the bandwagon and created a TikTok account for my small business. 

It has been a completely new, exciting and invigorating experience being able to connect with fellow crocheters and same-minded people.

I am only sad that making videos for youtube cannot be as fast as making them on TikTok. But, I'll eventually get there.

 

On my hook: Flower Garland

Happy Friday guys!

Today is a beautiful, warm and sunny day. My shop/ studio is surrounded by lovely green trees and bushes, and they create a wonderful, calm and relaxing atmosphere. The one that fuels creativity. So, after God knows how long, I've taken my hook again and started working on a flower garland. I worked on the sketch first, trying to transfer my mind's vision of it, and luckily, I didn't have to re-do anything because it turned out flawlessly. 

Now I have to work on the edging and I want it to be lacy, romantic and rich. 

Wish me luck!

What are you plans for the weekend? Will you squeeze some crochet?

The Difference Between Cotton & Recycled Cotton

 

Yarns which are Certified Organic are spun from fibers produced without the use of man-made chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Where a yarn is dyed, the dyes must be non-toxic and organic. The production of organic cotton yarn doesn't use harmful chemicals, genetically modified seeds, or water-intensive farming techniques. Organic cotton is better than the regular one because it is much more sustainable.

 

Recycled cotton yarn is sourced from already existent cotton, which means that it helps keep waste down and has a minimal impact on the environment. Recycled cotton is also commonly referred to as regenerated cotton, reclaimed cotton, or shoddy. 

 

Although recycled cotton is durable, it does have some issues with longevity due to it being a natural fabric – it isn't tear, or abrasive resistant. Recycled cotton does not hold a high elasticity in comparison with other yarn.

 

My Own Yarn Shop and Crochet Studio

Hello, crafty blog  friends!

Here I am, after a long absence, with some exciting news.

I opened my own brick and mortar yarn shop and crochet studio!!!

 

Getting everything done, mostly by myself but also with generous help from family and friends when needed, was a tiring journey, but rewarding in the end.

As I slowly settle down with my new role and work, I hope to be able to resume my normal blogging and online work.