Sunday, December 9, 2007

Crocheted Cellphone Pouch

This crocheted cell pouches are easy and quick to make.

Instead of wool I have used crochet thread. Different shades and multicolor threads are available in market. I have used only double crochets. The base is worked as in the crocheted pouch which I posted earlier. For the base, the number of chains can depend on the size of the cellphone. The shoulder strap has been crocheted using two strands of the thread.

I have used small golden jingles to decorate and a big size bead for the flap.

Other Ideas

Instead of crocheted straps, handles which are available in craft shops could be used. Even beautiful bangles could be used as holders.

Happy Crochetting!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Another Crocheted mat




Materials used:
Embroidery floss of different colours and length - remaining from previous finished projects.
Crochet steel hook
An innovative idea to recycle the bits of embroidery floss into a decorative mat. I have not bothered about the different colours that were there in different lengths. Just blended them as I liked it. But the final outcome was really good!!!
Happy crochetting!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Crocheted Pouch



This pouch has been made from the scraps of left over yarn. Good way to recycle the left over yarns!!
To give a little bit width to the base, the method is given below.

Tip for doing the base.

1. Work as many chain as required for the length of the pouch.
2. dc in the 3rd chain, continue dc in each chain
3. 5 dc in last chain, without turning continue working dc in the 2nd thread of the base chain
4. 4 dc in the last chain, slip stitch to join in the first 2ch-dc.

Chain 2, work dc in rounds. (ie slip stitch at the end of each round.). Continue till you have reached the required height. Attach a ready made shoulder strap or work a crocheted strap.
Work dc rows approximately in the middle of one side, with turning and working dc. Attach fancy buttons and decorations.

Crocheted mat


Mats are easy to make for beginners as well as to learn or try out a new crochet stitch. Also we can try out our own new patterns. It can decorate our homes in different places. Any handmade items can be gifted to close people with pride.

When I found this shiny thread, which was named in the roll as “Rim Jim” thread, I just wanted to try it out and out came this beautiful mat. The thread has shiny bristles and it gives a new different texture to the final product. I am not sure whether any other name is there for this type of thread.
Materials needed:
Rim Jim shiny thread – 2 colors
Steel crochet hook
Method:
This mat has been worked with mostly double crochets.
Start with 6 chains and slip stitch to form a ring. Do as many dc rounds as required.

In between I have done 1 dc, 1 ch, 1dc round to have a pattern.

For the “last but one” row:

1 dc, 4 ch, dc in the next ch sp. Continue for the entire round

For the last row of loops:
4sc, 6ch, sc in next st sp. Continue for the entire round. Fasten off.
Happy Crochetting!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Bookmark using crochet flower - 2








Materials needed
Wool, shine thread and crochet hook
Cross stitch canvas Embroidery floss and tapestry needle
Cardboard piece
Fevicol
How to Step 1:
Make a crochet flower motif as given in the post instructions
Step 2: Cut the required length of cross-stitch canvas
Step 3: Cross stitch a simple design on the canvas, leaving a 1/2 inch border. You can stitch a border also.
Step 4: Stick the the canvas piece on a cardboard piece, folding the boarder towards the backside of the cardboard. Stick another cardboard piece at the back.

For my bookmark, I have left the ending of the crochet as such after fastening behind. It adds as a decoration.
The design can represent the person who is going to use the book mark. This way you can create a very personalised gifts.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Book Mark using crocheted Flower motifs - 1



Materials needed

Rim Jim thread or any shine thread
Crochet hook of your choice


Thick card board pieces
Color pencils and sketches

To make the flower motif, use the below instructions or you use the flower motif of my previous post.

1. Using the shine thread of color 1, work 6 ch, slip st on the 1st ch to form a ring

2. work 12 dc in the ring

3. 1 dc, 1ch. 1 dc in the next stitch space. Repeat for the entire round

4. Change to a darker color thread, work ch 6, sc in the next 1 ch space. Repeat for the entire round. Fasten off.

Making the Book mark:
1. Cut the card board piece into required length and width
2. Write a good quote with sketch pens. Color the remaining space with color pencils of pastel shades.
3. Stick the crochet flower on top

Other ideas !
  • The bookmark can be decorated more with beads, stickers etc

  • Instead of crocheted flower, felt or plastic flowers can be made and used to decorate. These bookmarkers can be made by the children also.

  • Make the cardboard longer, punch a hole on top. Decorate more with cartoon stickers, stars etc. It can be used as a door/wall hanger with a good quote in the kids room.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

A simple flower motif



Materials required:

small lengths of wool thread - 2 colours

shiny thread (rim jim thread) -any bright colour

Crochet hook


ch - chain, sc -single crochet, dc - double crochet


Method:

1. Using colour 1 thread, work 4 chains, slip stitch on 1st ch to form a ring

2. work 8 dc in the ring

3. change colour,work 2 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc in the next stitch space. Repeat for the whole round

4. Change to rim jim thread. Chain 6, sc in the 1 ch sp. repeat for the entire round and fasten off. This gives the shape of petals.


These kinds of floral motifs can be made very easily and used in other craft projects to decorate and embellish them.

About Crocheting tips

Some sites are good to learn crochet stitches like the ones below : http://crochet.about.com/library/blbeginners.htm
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/
http://learntocrochet.lionbrand.com/

Frequent crochet abbreviations used:
ch - chain
slst - slip stitch
yoh - yarn over hook
sc - single crochet
dc - doouble crochet
tr - treble

Though there are many many types of stitches using crochet, for doing the small projects I use mostly single crochets, doubles and trebles. Once we are hooked, we can create our own patterns and designs!!

Some simple tips

  • To start with learning work small circular motifs using various stitches.
  • Decide on size for the motifs. Either these can be as single mats on tables, telephone mats etc or can be joined later to form bigger mats.
  • To fasten off the end of the thread, weave it through the stitches at the back side.
  • When pattern is worked in circles, to increase the round, work 2 dc in a single stitch uniformly across the round. For example 2 dc every 3rd stitch. This will make the pattern flat.
  • To join a different colour thread in between, With yarn from back side, yoh, bring the thread through the stitch, insert hook in next stitch, yoh, make a slip stitch with the previous loop, yoh and do the first chain with the new colour yarn.

About Crocheting

For those who dont know - Crochet is spelled as "kro-shey" !

This art involves a single needle with a hook at one end (crochet needle) and a ball of thread and doing lot of chains!. Though basically wool comes to mind when knitting or crochet is mentioned, I have used different kinds and types of thread with crochet to bring out varied textures and effect.

Thanks to my old friend in the Ladies hostel who introduced me to crochet. Later when I was more interested, I went through books and internet to learn more.

Main advantage of this art is that it can be carried along with you as a mobile art form!! I have done crochetting while waiting in queue at the pedeatrician's clinic, waiting in front of my son's examination hall, while travelling, sitting beside my son for his homework ...... ..... ......

In fact it is a most convenient art form which can be done with our tits and bits of time and bring out a beautiful, useful materials for home. Finally it gives me immense pleasure to use hand knitted woollen caps, gift woollen caps for babies, decorate home etc etc.

I have found that crochetting is a good stress buster also!! Many times it releives my from anger, stress or any othere negetive thought. Having a good hobby itself will releive stress.