Crochet Ornaments
So this post is a month too late - whoops. But this past Christmas these were my go-to presents - crochet ornaments! I looked all over the web and could only find knitting patterns for ornaments. I love to knit, but when looking for something quick, crochet is the way to go for me. Instead I improvised and made up my own pattern, and have it to share with you.
I used 1-1/2 inch styrofoam balls, covering them with a crochet ball of sorts. The ball is made with Sassy Stripes (a sock-weight yarn) and sparkly Size 3 crochet thread. The crochet piece is made almost to completion, then the ball inserted, and the rest of the piece crocheted closed around the ball. Attach a loop at the end, and hang it up. Simple! Below is the pattern, my first real one. Enjoy! And please contact with any corrections, but I hope the pattern makes sense.
A New Clock - The Crochet Version
This is a favorite idea of mine - well, not my idea, but favorite idea I’ve seen. It is just so quirky, and I’ve taken the idea and run with it. I already did a knit version and love that one, but I needed a crochet one too of course. Now it adorns my new apartment’s bathroom wall, helping me get to work on time. (= It is made of Sugar ‘n Cream in red, made of bobbles and half-doubles, then black yarn was added around the edges.
The pictures don’t do it justice, but I tried - but take my word, it’s quite cute. My boyfriend is asking for a blue one for his office - I’m just working on a way to make it more masculine.
I used big square buttons mixed with little black ones in place of numbers - just too cute, I can’t stand it!
Tiny Wedding Turtles - A Cute Couple
So I have to say, I’ve made a lot of the little turtles (and posted one before too), and these are by far my most favorite ever. It was a bit of a light bulb going off when I came up with the idea. A friend of mine loved my little turtle and kept asking for his own - I made his, but he’s getting married in a couple of weeks, and I decided his bride-to-be needed one as well. And what better than to dress them for the occasion - voila! A cute little couple - they can’t help but make me smile!!! (=
I made the groom a hat and bowtie from black felt, and the bride has a veil made of sparkly white felt and some white mesh. Aww. romance! (=
I sent them in a cute little box through the mail, even though he doesn’t live so far from me because the element of surprise makes them even more exciting. I got the call that he had received them, and was so excited, they are going to display them at the wedding! Quite a big display for such a tiny couple.
Pattern for turtles from: Pattern Central
A Tall Order - Crochet Giraffe Experiment
For my aunt’s birthday, I knew I wanted to make her a giraffe. Problem: no matter where I searched, I just couldn’t come up with a pattern for a crochet giraffe. So it was time to improvise! While on a road trip up the west coast and back, I sat in the passenger seat during my driving breaks and created her giraffe. He had some good times peaking out at the cars beside us on I-5 and came together (after a few rip outs) very nicely.
And here he is again with my road buddy. She was mighty proud of me. (=
So my aunt adored him and it was so fun to give her something she loved so much with all that she does for me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to replicate it, since my note taking during production hit a bump with the body - giraffes have a funny body shape and it took multiple attempts to get the shaping to work - and in the many tries, I stopped taking notes. If I ever make a written pattern, I’ll be sure to share. (=
Knit Log Cabin Style
While talking about knitting log cabin style may cause you to imagine yourself curled up in a comfy chair with a fire roaring in the fireplace, in some cozy cabin in the woods, it’s actually a technique! A friend of mine just completed a baby blanket in that style, so I decided to tackle it myself. I was just playing around with the style, using up some random bits of Sugar n Cream to make a dish cloth in this style. I made 2 pieces and attached them together, because the backside didn’t turn out so pretty. Gotta perfect my stitch pick-up technique.
For directions on this technique, see the Mason-Dixon Knitting site. Scroll about half way down to the section called “This Old Log Cabin.” The site is really great - take some time to explore the other posts.
The basic technique is just knitting a small piece, then turning and picking up stitches along its end, knitting some rows, and doing it again - bind off, turn, pick up stitches, knit. It’s a fun way to keep it interesting and use up scraps of color. I think I’m going to be doing this quite a bit to make those bins of yarn I have shrink!
Ribbon Handbag
So I guess I consider this the first “pattern” I ever made up, although of course I didn’t write down what I did. Live and learn. I took a child’s handbag (from Gymboree or something), cut most of the original satin bag off, then knit the new bag and stitched it to the original. I also made a liner out of satin and attached this inside. It was a bit intricate because of trial and error, and I’m not crazy about the shape it ended up being, but it was a fun effort. Now I know they actually sell those clamshell clasps, so that would make things easier. (=
Knit Birthday Cake
So I saw a knit birthday cake on the back of a knitting magazine, and was sad to discover that there was no pattern for it, and no patterns in general for a knit cake. Guess the demand isn’t that high, but I had promised my friend one for her birthday, so I got to work.
I bought one of those wide pilar candles (about 6-8 inches in diameter) and started to knit a tube on circular needles until it was as tall as the candle (with a colored stripe somewhere in the middle). Then I switched to double-pointed needles and did even decreases to make the top circle . It didn’t turn out so even, but the picture covers that. (=
For the candles, I just made I-cords with fuzzy yarn and then with embroidery floss, then inserted a little wire and hot glued them to the cake. They were the biggest pain, but totally worth it. The trim is also glued on.
I later made another one, but this time did a crocheted top, then attached and knit down. It made for a much flatter (and easier) top. I’m working on finding a picture of it. Will post it when I find it. (= Ciao!
Multi-Directional Diagonal Knit Bag
So this is my first pattern, technically. But it doesn’t really feel like something I made up, nor did I write down what I did….not helpful, I know. But it is a purse that I got in my head, and executed after much time. It is based on a multi-directional diagonal knit, made first with 2 large square panals, connected by a long strap of little triangles.
I used a self-striping yarn (Sassy Stripes) and size 4 needles (I think). Then I lined it with polka dots and ribbon for the strap (you can kind of see them in the picture) and I have to say, my favorite thing I’ve made so far. So useful, along with cute - perfectly carries my laptop, so it’s great for school. What do you think?
