Zig zag edging for V-stitch blanket

Hello there

I haven't done much crocheting lately. With balancing work, family and studies, I hardly find the time (or energy) any more. So no new projects...

BUT

I have completed the lap blanket Aunty Zee gave me, so there are some things to be grateful for :-)

If you remember, all it needed was a little TLC and an edging to finish it off.

I decided to do a zig zag edging to go with the V stitches in the blanket. 

Pattern repeat, as follows:

*1 slst, 1 dc, 1 htr, 1tr, 1 htr, 1 dc*

As you can see, the corners worked out beautifully.

 

It drapes so well, too.

And two more pictures to leave you with...

Braided bag strap

Hello

Today I'd like to share a bag strap.

I made this to finish my Houndstooth bag.  Remember that?

I made a simple strap like this:

Once that was done, I attached D rings and stitched them onto the bag...

And voila!

My new Houndstooth bag, ready to wear.

Till next time,

Stay peaceful 

:-)

No-Sew: T-Shirt to Handbag with adjustable strap

Hey there,



CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial (No-sew)

Today's not a crochet day for me.  Instead, I've decided to share a DIY project... but first, some background info...

Every year, East Coast Radio hosts The Big Walk:  a 5, 10, 15 or 20km walk along the beach / coast area here in Durban.

Last year, I walked the 5km with my brother and sister, with the intention of increasing the distance each year.  However, this year Hubby is joining us and he's doing the 5km so I decided to do the 5km with him again.

The fun thing about The Big Walk is THE GOODIE BAG!  Lots of little samples, an entrance ticket to the East Coast Radio House & Garden show next month and a T-Shirt for the walk...  Well worth the entry fee.

Now, I don't wear T-shirts because I dress Islamically with Abaya.  But, I love incorporating the Big Walk T-Shirt into my race-day outfit.  Last year, I cut up the T-Shirt and wore it as a Hijab (a head covering).  Pity I don't have a pic of that.

This year, I already have a beautiful head scarf which matches my trainers EXACTLY, so I looked for another way of incorporating the T-Shirt...

And here's what I did:

T-shirt to bag (with adjustable strap):  No sewing required

1. Fold the T-Shirt down the centre, making sure all edges meet neatly.  Note: I always request the largest size T-Shirt available so that I have more 'fabric' to play with.  This year it's a XXXL.

CrochetBTW:  T-Shirt to bag tutorial

2. Working from the bottom of the T-Shirt, mark a line +- 7cm from the edge.  This will be the bag strap.  Then, mark another line above that.  Mine was marked at 18cm from the edge.  This will be the base of the bag.  Depending on how deep you'd like you bag, adjust the placement of this mark.

CrochetBTW:  T-Shirt to bag tutorial

3.  Cut along the first marked line.  I used zigzag scissors for the cutting.

CrochetBTW:  T-Shirt to bag tutorial

4.  Working on the larger piece, slit the side seams as high as the second marked line.  This picture shows the four layers slit.

CrochetBTW:  T-Shirt to bag tutorial

5.  Keeping your slits approximately 1" apart, slit the bottom of the T-Shirt until the marked line.  This is the base of the bag, and will become the frilly bit you see in the pictures.

 

CrochetBTW:  T-Shirt to bag tutorial

6.  Making sure all the layers are neatly lined up on the sleeve hems, mark a cutting line about 1cm above the hem.  Cut it out.

 

CrochetBTW:  T-Shirt to bag tutorial

 

7.  Once you cut open all the little pieces to create a long strip and 2 short ones, this is what it should all look like.

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial

 

7.  Next to close up the base of the bag without sewing, tie 2 or 3 knots on each corresponding strip.

 

CrochetBTW:  T-Shirt to bag tutorial

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial

When you're done, check to see if there are any holes between the knots.  If there are, tie some knots using two adjacent strips so that the hole is closed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what you'll end up with:

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial

 

8.  Next, pleat the fabric from the neckline to the end of the sleeve, along the shoulder seam.

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial

 

9.  Using one end of the longer strip, tie a secure knot (with a bow, if you like).  Do this to both shoulder seams.  You could adjust the length of the bag handle here, but I kept the handle as long as possible by using only a minimum amount of the strip to tie the knot and bow on each end.

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.  The bag is taking shape now.  All you need to do is close up the sleeves.  Do this with the 2 shorter strips.  Simply, bunch the sleeve fabric together and secure it with a short strip.

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial

 

11.  Ta-dah!

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial (No-sew)

 

The bag can be worn with a long strap...

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial (No-sew)

 

Or with a short strap...

 

CrochetBTW:  T-shirt to bag tutorial (No-sew)

And that's that for today!

 

I'll let you know how the walk goes tomorrow.  The atmosphere was amazing last year.  I'll share some pics with you next time.

 

Till then,

 

Stay peaceful.

A mandala, a WIP & some Grannies

Hello,

In peace I come again :-)

I'm very pleased to see that this blog has had

over 2000 page views

*blush*

Thank you for your support.  It really does motivate me.

Although I've been 'on hook' a lot this week, there isn't much to show for it... just some Works in Progress and a mandala I made following Lucy's pattern.

I'll begin with the mandala.  I really do want to send one in for Yarndale, but it needs to be one that's ME.  The pattern, the colours, the style... I want my mandala to represent ME.  Am I being silly?

It's not very often that I can say this, but

I'm running low on stash *gasp* :-O

so the colours in this mandala really AREN'T me!  But I was itching to work on a mandala using Lucy's pattern and this is what I ended up with...

CrochetBTW:  2nd Mandala attempt

CrochetBTW Mandala 2

Besides the one side being a bit wonky (it set wrong when I steamed it), it's 1" too big, I'm afraid.  My tension obviously differs significantly from hers :-/

So, I dusted off my mandala woes and spent some time with my new Mood Blanket.

The colours really do up my mood :-)

This is how far I've come.

CrochetBTW Mood Blanket in progress

CrochetBTW Mood Blanket - Loving the colours!

It measures about 1.5 metres width-wise and it's coming along nicely.  I'm using a Ridged Ripple stitch pattern.  This simply means that I'm working in either the front loop only or the back loop only, keeping all the 'ridges' on one side of the blanket.

 

The ridges make the ripple pattern stand out.  I'm considering doing a weave stitch in and out of the ripples, as you see at the bottom of the picture.  I thought I'd do it in a contrasting colour, but I can't decide what colour to use!  The idea is to use the contrast colour in the edging, eventually.  So the colours need to 'get married'.  Your input would be most welcome :-)

~

On another note, I've wanted to do a Granny Square project for a while now, so I started making some three-round squares last night.  I'll tell you more about these in my next post.  Here a pic of them being blocked instead :-)

CrochetBTW Granny Squares

 And with that, I'll leave you.

Till next time, keep smiling :-)

Mandala-making (for Yarndale) - My 1st attempt

Hello there,

I think I have been bitten by the Mandala Bug!

1st Attempt Mandala by CrochetBTW

Well, I have it under control, for now, but there are no guarantees that it will not flare up again soon.

If you're wondering what I'm talking about

Making a mark

Hi there

My regular salutation of Peace is of special significance today since today is the day South Africans flock in their millions to vote for what they stand for.  Democracy is 20 years old this year.  That's something we are very proud of here in SA.

My little family and I made our way to the voting station, just up our road, at about 8am this morning.  Not even 15 minutes later, we were back home having breakfast :-)  What a wonderful feeling.  I made sure to take Little Man with me.  I explained what 'voting' means and why everyone who can should do it.  He was thrilled, especially since he also got a 'voting mark' on his thumb, just like his dad and me.  I also let him 'post' my vote into the ballot box.  He felt very involved and thanked me for it later.

To mark the occasion, I crocheted the South African flag freehand.  If you'd like the pattern, please do leave a comment.

 

 
 
 
 After breakfast, we were invited to N's aunt's house.  It was a lovely day for a swim so that's exactly what Little Man did.  Oh, the fun he had.  And I'm also quite pleased with the progress he's made in his swimming.  The lessons have really paid off! :-)

 

Aunty Zee (as I'll refer to her here) is a very crafty lady herself.  I've always known she was very into scrapbooking, but I was surprised at the amount of crochet and knit she's done in her time.  She showed off some works in progress and also some abandoned projects.  I offered to complete one of her projects to give to her mum to use as a lap blanket.  See the picture.  What luscious soft yarn.  I can't wait to get started.  I'll probably do a round of dc to edge it, with a picot to finish it off, maybe.  I'll keep you posted on the progress right here on my blog. 

 

The yarn to complete the project +  some extra for me :-)

 

 

To end...  I've been meaning to start a 'big project'... Something that I can work on at the beach, at the park, at home, in the car, while I'm catching up on my favourite Series (Suits & Elementary, FYI), in the waiting room... you get the picture.  Winter is nearly upon us, and a blankie in the car will be much needed... so a car blanket it is... or maybe a TV blanket to cuddle up with...  Hmmm, I'll just get it started while I decide.

 

I couldn't decide on a pattern.  But I wanted needed to get started on something to keep my sanity!  So I went with a ripple theme.  The colours will vary, the pattern will vary, there'll probably be a twist, I don't know yet.  But I'll keep you updated.  I'll call it my Mood Blanket.

 

Here's the start of it:

 



That's all for now.  Stay tuned for both the blanket updates.  If you don't want to miss out, follow my blog :-)  Lot's of options for that on the RIGHT.

Keep well.

Peace out.

 

P.S. Remember, when commenting, you can CHOOSE the profile you'd like to comment with.

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Sexy Pexy Coasters

Hello

 

I've just made this colourful coaster.  What do you think?

 

It would be a lovely gift for Mother's Day, wouldn't it?

 

 

 

Well, actually, it was meant to be 3 separate pentagonal Mug Rugs, but I didn't like the look of it.  So I joined up the pentagons using a kind of Blanket Stitch... and it's become a lovely coaster... or vase mat... or large mug rug... whatever :-)

 

It's a lovely project for using up scraps. That's just what I did.

 

 

Sexy Pentagons

You'll need 5  complimenting shades of yarn (A, B, C, D & E).

I used DK wool with a 4mm crochet hook. 

The pattern begins here:

With Colour A, ch 6 and join to form a ring.

(2tr, 2ch) x 4 into the ring.  Fasten off.

With Colour B, join into any 2ch space. (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) into each 2ch space. Fasten off.

With Colour C, join into any 2ch space.  *(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) into 2ch space. 2tr into the space between the 2tr on previous round. 1 tr into each of next 2 sts.*  Repeat from *to* till the end.  Fasten off.

With Colour D, join into any 2ch space.  3dc into the space, 1 dc into each st.  Continue to end.  Fasten off.

 

Make 2 more pentagons with these colour sequences:

2.  DBAC

3.  BCDA

 

Joining crochet motifs using Blanket Stitch

1. With +- 2m of Colour E, thread a blunt needle.
2. Place 2 pentahons side by side, with right side facing.
3. Locate middle dc from any of the corner spaces.  Insert needle through both loops of that stitch and secure.
4. Working from the front, insert needle into that same stitch and out of the corresponding stitch of the 2nd pentagon, keeping the working thread BELOW the needle as it exits.  Pull slightly to complete.
5. Still working from the front, insert needle in next stitch of 1st pentagon and out of next stitch of 2nd pentagon, keeping working thread below needle as it exits.
6. Continue around the coaster, joining next pentagon when required.  You'll have to fasten off at some point and re-join to complete the unworked sections.

 

 

 

Like it?  Please share!



A tisket, a tasket... A Crochet Towel Basket

Crochet Towel Basket + Deramores Blog Awards

Hello lovely readers,

As usual, I wish the highest levels of peace and tranquillity upon you.

Today's share has a little tale behind it.  Last November, we took a little time off work / school and spent a few days in Ballito, a wonderfully beautiful coastal town about 40km north of Durban.  It was Little Man's very first holiday(!) and it was our first holiday away in about 5 years... Thus, we all totally deserved it!  My brother, whom you may have noticed I  utterly adore, had just done his exams so was also in need of some R&R, so along he came too.

While my little family was occupied with the thrill of having the most fabulous beach within walking distance of the holiday apartment, my brother, it seemed, was more occupied with the thrill of having a very tastefully-decorated bedroom!  A basket on a little table at the foot of the bed was what took his fancy.

Crochet Hounstooth Pattern

I'd like to share a Work in Progress today...

A few months ago, I began working on a crochet bag made entirely in the classic Hounstooth pattern.

I began by preparing a black rectangular base to the size I was comfy with (approximately 30cm x 15cm) and simply 'grew' the bag upwards by not increasing any more.  I then incorporated the Houndstooth stitch pattern (see below).

Although in hindsight I realise that preparing the base separately from the sides would have:

Littlest Crochet Pleasures

Hey there!

I've really been having fun in Blogland, learning lots of nifty things, finding lots of lovely blogs, meeting lots of Blogland people (Does virtually count?).

I'd like to thank each and every one of you, my dearest Readers, for taking the time to stop by here.  It really does mean the world to me.

When I started this blog, it was very much on a whim.  I just thought, "Oh this looks like fun... Let me try that out."  As I mentioned here, I tend to Google my way around.  I've visited many sites of my fellow bloggers, I've looked for ways to promote my blog, I've researched ways of getting search engines to notice me... Oh, was I in for a surprise?  There are LOTS of rules!  Rules about what to blog about (or what not to), how often to put up posts, how long a post should be, the kind of pictures to use / take, the kind of camera to use... the list goes on.  I almost became obsessed with 'traffic'.  Almost, because I caught myself just in time!  *phew*