Crochet Twiddle muffs

 

I recently joined a local knitting/crochet group that focuses on making and donating things for the vulnerable categories. For example in spring they donated octopi for the preemies, and this fall I managed to join the group in making twiddle muffs. 

If you are wondering what a twiddle muff is - it is a sensory band that has different items attached to it to keep dementia patients' hands active and busy. They contain strands of textured ribbons, beads, and various fabrics attached both inside and outside. People with dementia often have restless hands and like to have something to keep their hands occupied. Very important, all decorating items should be securely attached so that patients cannot pull them out. 

Here are the two of the muffs that I made. I plan on making a free pattern for a muff, I just need to steal a bit of time.

 

Gifted Crochet Treasures - a series

Recently, an older lady living near my yarn shop, came with a bag filled with tons of crochet work and asked if I will be willing to take everything as a gift. I nearly fainted! 

I cannot tell you how I love these spiderweb-like lace crochet. I, myself, have tons of the ones my gran made for me, but still, I couldn't say no to such a generous gift! 

The bag contains from little doilies, to runners and small tablecloths. A very small portion is stained from the tooth of time, but none of these is used. 

I think it would be sad if no one enjoyed these, so I am making a mini series where I will show each end every one in a post. 

Stay tuned!

 

Holiday Crafts Summit 2023

Hello crafty friends!

We are into the holiday season, and we all know what it means, right?

Making lots of handmade gifts for family and friends!

Today I want to invite you to the annual Holidays Crafts Summit that will take place from Oct 16th - Oct 20th, 2023. 

It’s time to hit your stash and make some amazing new projects! With 44 classes, the 2023 Holiday Crafts Summit has gift making for everyone!

From Applique hoop picture, Farm Cow, Making a Winter Elf Hat and Beanie, Paper Mistletoe - Easy ORIGAMI Holiday Décor, Santa Claus knitted bag, to Create Your Own Nutcracker Cross Stitch - we have a class for you!

And you can join the fun Oct 16th to Oct 20th, 2023 for FREE!

Whether you are just beginning, or already an avid crafter, this summit is for you!

Free registration for the summit is HERE.

Impromptu Crochet: Baby Headband

 

While on holiday I had to make an impromptu gift for a baby girl. 

Luckily, I always take lots of yarn with me, so I was able to whip up a headband and a pouch for storing it. I was quite short of this dusty white yarn, so the pouch turned out smaller than I would like, but it could nest the headband. 

The baby was quite taken with the flowers' vivid colors and her happy squeals were a lovely reward. 

 

 

While taking the pictures, I couldn't help but try it on my hand. I am sure this could be a fantastic bracelet as well.

The flowers are from my pattern here. 

Crochet Shell Bag

Last summer when shell-bags (and shell bikini tops) were all the rage, I got caught in the wave and jumped on the bandwagon. Made one side of it, got busy with other things (as it usually happens around here) and completely lost interest in it. It became a UFO. 

Now this summer, as I wanted to have a separate bag for my shells and sea-glass bottle, I took it out - but there was no way I would crochet the other side; besides I needed something smaller, so I decided to work with what I've got and simply just folded it, sew the sides and crocheted a small handle. 

It proved to be practical and usable this summer. 

P.S If you are into shells, I've got a pattern for some interesting ones.

 

Sea Glass Bottle Bag

 

Whenever we are on holiday, I harvest the beach for driftwood, shells, interesting stones, ceramic chips, and sea glass. I have gathered a nice collection during the years, which I plan to put to use soon and have a couple of projects already drafted.

This year I thought I would enlarge it even more, only to be baffled by the sparsity of shells and sea glass on the beach. Especially the latter. My husband jokingly remarked that we visited calm, quiet and secluded beaches fit for the middle aged (!) and not where the wild parties are, hence no broken bottles to produce sea glass. Although I didn't collect a lot, I am pleased that the beaches were clean and not polluted. In the last picture you can see what I collected. There were mostly large chunks of white and green glass - sadly. Which brings me to my sea glass bottle.

I crocheted a snug casing for the bottle to secure it from being broken by the shells, as this bottle went into another shell (collecting) bag, which I am going to share in my next post.

Do you harvest the beaches on your holidays? What do you collect and for what purpose?

Beach Bag Rewamp

Several weeks ago I was given this jute bag to serve me for groceries shopping. But as it has a plastic nylon lining inside, I thought it might be better if I use it as a beach bag.

 

I also knew I had to do something to cover that logo, and my first idea was to make it a tropical setting using this pattern, but on the other hand I wanted something new and fresh, and decided to make it more "coastal" if I can use this term for these appliques. 

 

I was not wrong to use it a s a beach bag as it has been a real saver - the wet towels do not dampen it, and it is easy to clean when brought back from the beach.

 

It's quite spacious, and I can store everything I need for the beach in it. I pray it lasts for many more summers.

My Office View Today

My "office view" cannot get better than this!

We are on holiday on the Sythonia peninsula in Greece. The weather has been balmy and divine - just what we needed to refresh and fill up our batteries.

I've been spending time at the beach soaking the sun, lots of swims, crochet and book reading. Wouldn't ask for anything more!

I also managed to take pictures of my latest (summer/beach) crochet projects while we are here, and the next posts will be about those projects.

In the photos you can see one of the best beaches here called the Tigania beach. Last year we were so impressed with it so we visited it again this year.

Crochet and AI

 

 Via

 

                                                                               Via

Via

Will you look at these stunning bouquets?!! 

 

My jaw literally dropped when they appeared in my feed. Silly as I am, prior to reading the caption, I zoomed in to see what techniques the designer used to make them, thinking "oh, she mixed them with fabric flowers,... wait this doesn't look like knit or crochet,!", and then it dawned on me that it must be an AI image. And I was right. Because the caption was clear about that.

These wonderful images were created by a truly talented designer who runs the Sprinkle of AI on instagram.

Wouldn't it be nice to have them made in reality? 

Summer Sale!

 

Happy Sunday crafty friends!

I am having a summer sale in my etsy and ravely shops, and everything is 25% off - including physical items. No code needed. The sale is up until September 1. 

There will also be a batch of boho rings and button brooches as the one above next week, so be on the lookout if you are interested.

Crochet That Looks Like Knitting

                                          Picture and socks made by Martina with batik yarn

I love the waistcoat crochet stitch, simply because it gives the piece a knitted look. I have never tried it though, but it is on my to-do list. 

One of my young customers sent me this picture of the socks she made using cotton batik yarn. She also sent me the link to the video for these crochet socks, so if you are intrigued, and would love to make them, check it out. 

I am also entertaining the idea of introducing a new thread of posts titled "My Customers are Talented People". My customers love sharing photos of the things they made using yarn bought from my shop and they are always featured on my yarn shop FB page.

Crochet for Men - free patterns roundup

Sweater

Sweater

 Vintage Golf Hat  

 

Socks 

 

 Tie

My Jacob loves sweaters. He loves hoodies too, and they are actually the first choice when he dresses for school, but when he wants to be smart he throws a sweater over a shirt. 

I have been toying with the idea of making him one and that's how I ended up perusing the internet for crochet pieces for men, and this is how this post was born. On the internet, mostly you'll find scarves, hats and socks, and occasionally a sweater - but all I have found regarding the latter is sweaters either for young boys or grown-up men. Nothing modern or hip for high-school boys. And that's the reason why I am tempted to design one myself. 

If you know of a sweater pattern for young adults, please share the link in the comments. 

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!