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.

First Crochet Baby wear

Crochet Iris Toddler Top

Hi friends,

Today I am so pleased with myself and I am dying to share this project with you. Which is the lovely, very cute Crochet Iris Toddler Top that I have successfully managed to complete. And I am thrilled with the result.

So Ta-Dah...

Isn't it super duper cute!! I have no idea yet as to how it will look on a toddler as there is no "toddler model" anywhere close to me. But doesn't matter, I am still very very happy with it.

Are you thinking that I seem to be dizzy with excitement? Well, I have a right to be as this is my first successfully completed wearable item with shaping and measurements.

Do you remember THIS dress! Well, eventually it became a baby blanket...phew!!

Doesn't that skirt look ridiculously huge!! Poor baby would have toppled over with the sheer weight of the dress...LOL.

And then there was THIS cardigan set...

The bonnet turned out quite nice but I am having some problem with the front of the cardigan even after working on it twice. Anyway it is in my WIPs basket...maybe some day I will feel the love for it again.  :)

So now on to my masterpiece (hehe)... You can find the pattern for this cute Iris Toddler Top at My Hobby is Crochet.com. (I like the name of the site) :) The designer Kinga has also released a new version of the pattern for 3 - 5 years, so take your pick.

The body of the top has two different shell patterns

The yoke has two tiny buttonholes and I used two pearls as buttons.

And the other side of the top...

I am mighty pleased with it!! I think it looks very very cute. What do you say?

Now if only I could find a toddler to model it. Or maybe I could just wait for my grandchild...which means only a short wait of 5 - 6 years!  Oh no!!!!!!!

So, what are you working on right now, do tell me. I am working on this stitch pattern which seems to be the current rage on the internet, wherever you turn....Facebook, Pinterest, crochet forums, ....this keeps popping up. It does not really require a pattern and I am hoping to have something nice to show you soon.

Crochet Serenity Ripple scarf

Hello friends, Time is just flying and we are already into the third month of the year!

I am going to share one more item from my project collage. This is a wonderful ripple scarf and yes...it is a Free pattern. This scarf is made from the Serenity Ripple Scarf pattern at The Crochet Lounge. So, here goes:

This is my second ripple project, the first one was this beautiful ripple blanket. But the scarf has a ripple pattern which is very different from the blanket.

The pattern is shown with gorgeous pink and purple but I quite like this combination of red and white too. Here is the stitch pattern in detail:

I added a fringe just for fun, the pattern has a different edging. The Crochet Lounge has lots of other free patterns for hats, cowls, wristers etc.

See you soon, until then Happy Crafting. And before I sign off, here is some interesting information I found on Facebook;

Well, it is definitely reason number 4 for me!!  LOL

Ciao,

First crochet project of 2014

Hi friends, I have a new project to share with you today. My first crochet project of 2014.

Last time I mentioned that I will going to Mumbai as my mother-in-law was supposed to undergo an operation for a tumor in her uterus. The surgery went off very well and my MIL had a speedy recovery. While most people hate "hospital duty", I usually see it as a time to catch up with my crocheting. My projects finish faster as I am mostly undisturbed in the hospital, and other than feeding and fetching for the patient, I am left to my own devices for the rest of the time. So whenever any relative is hospitalized I am on "duty". As my yarn and hooks go with me wherever I go, I managed to finish a beautiful infinity scarf which I was longing to make. 

The pattern is free on Mooglyblog.com and is called the Autumn Sunset Infinity Scarf. Here it is:

I had this deep salmon colored yarn in my stash and I think it does give an autumn feel to the infinity scarf...what do you say?

Here is another look at it ...

I have used a 5.5mm crochet hook and medium worsted weight yarn. I just love the pattern detail and I agree that they do look like 'sunsets'. 

As my yarn was thinner I started with 198 chains instead of 180 chains. 

The scarf measures 60 inches in circumference and is 6 inches wide. 

I love this pattern. In fact I am now a Big fan of all Mooglyblog patterns. 

I know I promised to show you a lot of other crochet projects in THIS post and I have not forgotten it, but the first project of 2014 has to be shown first...right?!

See you soon with lots of new crochet projects. Until then .... happy crafting. Have a great day.

New Year, New Projects, New Beginnings

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WISHING ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS A WONDERFUL 

AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello Friends, I hope the year 2014 has begun with a Bang, for you. It is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese zodiac and I hope, that joy, hope, peace, success, and wealth just gallop into your life. 

As I was born under the sign of the Horse, this year has special significance for me. But having said that, I cannot say that the year has begun well. Last  month ie  Dec 2013 we were  told  that  my   mother-in-law has a tumor in the uterus. She has been advised a total hysterectomy, due this week. So the year 2014 has started off on a tense note. I will be leaving for Mumbai in a couple of days to stay with her.

Last year, while I did not blog regularly I did crochet as if the world was coming to an end!!!  LOL. So in that sense it was a very good year. I also bought a lot of yarn, crochet thread and hooks in different materials. Ahhh....crochet paradise! 

I also managed to fulfill a dream and started a much awaited project, something that I was longing to do for a very long time, (some of you may have already guessed) but more about that later

Now let me introduce you to one more "baby" from my family picture. This pattern is also a free pattern, from one of my favorite crochet designer - the lovely Lorene from Cre8tion Crochet. Lorene has lots of free patterns on her site and her patterns are really lovely.

The pattern I chose is the Zola Stacked Shells Cowl. It was love at first sight as the cowl was simply gorgeous! Also I suspect the name - Zola, had something to do with my choice (if you are a fan of Grey's Anatomy you know what I am talking about - the cute baby who is Meredith Grey's and Derek Shepherd's daughter).

So here is my own Zola:

Isn't it lovely!! I loved the borders on either sides of the cowl. Gave it a very sophisticated look. 

My cowl is not as sumptuous as the original pattern because bulky yarn is not easily available in India and I am not really a fan of using two strands together. But nevertheless I just love this cowl. It can be worn in many different ways. I like that you can pull it over your head on really cold and windy days. Here are some more pics,

Visit Cre8tion Crochet for this lovely pattern and beautiful pictures of it.

I was left with a little bit of yarn so I decided to make a set with matching fingerless gloves. I repeated the same pattern from the cowl to make the gloves.

I always feel that gloves look very very elegant. Don't you think so? 

The next photo was taken by my "assistant cameraman" (sonny) and it makes me laugh, as it looks like I am holding a trophy rather than a simple tea mug!!! 

I hope to keep posting from Mumbai as I may have to stay there for 2-3 weeks.
So until then...Happy crafting. Have a great year ahead!!!