Rainbow Mandala II

Hi friends! I hope you are having nice cold weather, or snow or whatever, but not summer because Ahmedabad is just blistering hot right now. Write to me about how you are snowed in with 'x' inches of snow and had to shovel your way out. Or how you got caught in a light shower of rain and how your kids are now jumping in the little puddles on the road. Because today it is a killing 45 deg C here in Ahmedabad, yup that's right it is 113 deg F here!! Combine that with the humidity of only 12% it is sheer torture. Wondering where that acrid smoky smell is coming from...oh that is just my brain getting fried!!! When I think about all the people out there because of their jobs, security guards, veggie vendors, construction workers, salespersons, bus drivers, traffic police and many more, I realize that I have very little to complain about.

So keeping all heat related woes aside let us move on to a more cheerful topic. Crochet...what else!! Thw sweltering weather made it difficult for me to work with acrylic yarn so I decided to switch to cotton. And what is the obvious choice of project for cotton? Mandalas....of course!

I decided to have a go at the Rainbow Mandala once again, as my previous one got sold in my Etsy shop. This time I had many more colors so the mandala turned out really beautiful and large too.

Soooo.....Ta Dah!!!

The yarn is Laura knitting cotton with a 3.50mm hook. The pattern details are in my previous rainbow mandala post. While this mandala has more colors I have also used a different edging this time, with shells instead of picots.

The bowl you see on the mandala is shaped like a peacock?...or swan?...or whatever was a Diwali gift and is supposed to be as a candy dish or nut bowl. I have mixed feelings about it, especially those huge "diamonds" at the edges.

Here are some more pics of the mandala:

Did you like this mandala? Do let me know.

I just love it so off I go to make another one right away. I love these round, circular, colorful, joyous, beauties. Also I need to do some serious stash busting as I am running out of space in my craft room.

Write to me and let me know what you are crafting and don't forget those stories about snow and rain!!!...hehe.

You can get this mandala in my Etsy shop.

My next mandala has a different pattern and I will be revealing it tomorrow, so until then Happy Crafting and Take Care.

Crocheted Hook Case

Hi friends,

In my last post I showed you the two crochet hook cases made with the help of my sewing machine. I thought it was time my hooks made a home for themselves. Yes, I mean a crocheted crochet hook case.

I had saved a wonderful pattern for many years for a Aluminum hook case by Priscilla Hewitt (Click the link to go to her Free Patterns page which has some really wonderful patterns). It is a beautiful pattern but looked slightly complicated. I had a set of homeless aluminum hooks and now seemed like a good time to try the pattern.

My latest crochet hook case, Ta-dah...

Isn't it wonderful?!! The beauty of this pattern is that the hook pockets are formed as you crochet and there is no stitching/seaming involved (YAY). I have to admit I was skeptical about this and wondered whether I could manage it. But believe me it is easy peasy.

The pockets take form and close automatically as you crochet.

The outer side has a cross stitch pattern but you can use any favorite pattern.

I have used Laura Knitting cotton and a 3.50mm crochet hook. While the cotton yarn did give the case some stiffness, I wanted a firmer case so I cut up a (perfectly good) plastic table mat and inserted the pieces in between the fuchsia and sky blue layers... much to the  horror of my husband. Cutting up a functional household item for crochet!!! He is now convinced that he has married a crochet lunatic and has now started hiding his files and folders....haha  :)

A lovely case needs a beautiful button.

The pattern even produces a "spine" for the case on the outside making it look like a paperback.

So that is the story of how these hooks,

end up in their own little homes.

Here is the link once again for the pattern. Do give it a try along with the other fantastic patterns by Priscilla Hewitt.

See you soon. Until then, Happy Crafting.

Crochet Hook Case

First Sewing project of 2014

Hi friends. Hope you had a great weekend.

Once again, putting my fears aside, I have boldly gone where I usually don't go!! Sorry...I think watching William Shatner everyday in "Boston Legal" is affecting me...  :D

Now on to my latest project, which is a sewing project. Yes, finally gathered courage to go near my sewing machine once again. My last sewing project was eons ago!! And here is my latest creation:

A crochet hook case. Yes, even my sewing has to be in connection with crochet!! 

I had purchased a set of crochet hooks from Ebay some time back. I think they are from China...or maybe Hong Kong. My first Ebay purchase  :)

I wish I had step by step photos to show you. But believe me, you don't want to see my haphazard process....which usually involves a lot of cursing under my breath, along with walking away from my sewing machine a couple of times!

So anyways, here is the finished product;

 Eight pockets for the hooks and one for the measuring tape...or scissors.

A flap so that the hooks don't slip out of their nooks.

My obedient hooks tucked into their beds.  :)

Finally put the magnetic snap I had purchased ages ago to use. 

I think the two fabrics match each other very well. What do you say?

I love the fabric on the outside which is a Bandhani print. I say "print" because real bandhani is a highly skilled and time consuming process of tie n dye. It is very popular in Gujarat, the state where I am residing at present.

As my last crochet hook case was a roll up, I went for a wallet style this time. With the help of various sewing blogs and YouTube videos, I think my sewing machine and I are becoming friends....hehe.

Next, I am going to try and sew linings for a couple of crochet purses I made recently. So until then, Happy Crafting. Wish you a great week ahead.