Cheating...

Yes, I know, I would be talking Christmas Crochet Gifts last week... Well, I was having a little  crochet meltdown. I did crochet some christmas gifts (some would say they are easter gifts...), but after my third egg cozy, I flipped. Nothing is as boring as repeating a single crochet (in the same color no less) for who knows how many rounds. This is why I've never made a single amigurumi in my life, it's plain BORING!!! To me it is anyway...

So I started an affaire. With FELT. Wanted to make some christmas ornaments and found this pin in Pinterest. How lovely are they? And since felt is an old lover of mine, I went back to my ex for a bit. It's so fun and easy. No loose ends to finish of, no endless yarn, no hook. Just some felt (in every color of the rainbow), a needle and a few buttons here and there and your DONE.

And although I haven't made a lot, my affair didn't last long. I'm missing my True Love already. I need to get me another yarn fix. A hook, some stitches, the familiar feeling of RSI in my wrist... What can I say, I'm a hooker through and through...

Anywho, how do you like the felt mustaches?? Thought they were an extra nice feature during Movember...

Made a new potholder pattern too. I saw something like this in my mother in law's kitchen. They were about a hundred years old and clearly ready for replacing, so I made these for her. I really like the pattern. It's so easy and they look stylish. I think I'll make a few pair for my Etsy shop (opening in January...)

I might be out for the rest of the week. These are busy times. In Holland we not only celebrate christmas, but also Sinterklaas. Our kids are out of their minds with tension and this will last for 3 weeks (another 1 and a half to go). After that, there's christmas and after new years normal life will start again... Oh, how great is december??!!

Have an over easy monday.

Christmas Presents Inspiration I

I know it's earl, but when you plan on making some of your christmas presents, now would be the time to start, if you ask me. I don't like rushing everything at the last minute. This year I'm making coasters. They are useful to anyone and also easy to make. On top of it all, there are a million different patterns to find on both the internet as in books. 

This pattern is to be found here, on the blog Karin aan den haak. You will be finished quite fast and it's fun experimenting with color. I made a pastel rainbow version. (Everybody knows how I love rainbows...). Was done in about one and a half hours.

This pattern I got from this book (for Dutch readers this book). There are lots of nice patterns in this book. I got it in the Japanese version when I lived in Thailand a few years ago. I love it when I suddenly think of a pattern from an 'old' book and get inspired all over again! 

This is a very simple granny square coaster. I used this pattern (my own) for the edge. You can see that the colors of most of the coasters are kind of plain and boring compared to my usual work. That's because most people in my environment can't handle the normal amount of color I use... I totally restrained myself... Well, a little at least.

Although I haven't made these (yet) I wanted to share this pattern with you. I found it on Pinterest. You can find it here. I love it. It looks so sunny and delicious!

And last but not least, I found this pattern. It's from Anabelia. I changed it a little bit, 'cause mine were getting a bit big, probably because of my choice of yarn or hook. So they look a little different from the ones you will find on her blog. I really like them anyways... Do you?

This whole week is going to be about crocheted christmas presents. Hopefully I'll find some other fun small projects. Do you have other ideas for simple christmas presents? And have you started yet??

Have an anything but blue monday!

Unfinished Business

The last few days I started to loose oversight of what I'm doing... There are too many projects!! It kind of stresses me out. Do you ever get this??

 

There is the place mats from the Mollie Makes Book. I started one and am just over half way. I must say, I never really like the same stitch and the same color over and over when I'm creating. It gets kind of boring doing it. (Something one would do while watching TV, which I don't anymore...). The result would be so pretty, but I have to find some perseverance in myself.
I also got started on some christmas gifts. I have to be discrete 'cause you never know who's watching, but I'm making something anyone could use and is still doable in the amount of time I have left.

Then there is the Scraps Project. I still haven't decided if it's going to be a blanket or a cushion... Am almost done finishing of the loose ends (from what I have now). I think it would be very pretty as a baby blanket...

Started this on monday evening, when I had a friend over for a crochet night. Maybe I'll make a bag out of this, or will I... So many choices to make, it's driving me MAD!

And I can never restrain myself from starting new projects. I love this color scheme... Blanket or cushion??

 

I think you get the picture of how disorganized I feel (and am) at the moment. And even though I know I should just finish something before I start something new, I can never withhold myself.  

Another idea I got on mondaynight. It's the same block as the Scraps Project... Works with the thicker yarn too. And will be finished faster... Or should I just wait a while???????

Have a (hopefully) relaxing weekend!

Flower Extravagance

So as promised I'll give you the sources of the flowers I made last week. Do you have that sometimes, you just feel like crocheting some flowers? I do, although I almost never know what to do with them. I just love to make them and look at them. Just look at this sunny colorful picture above, doesn't it instantly make you happy??

The flower in the left upper corner and the one in the right lower corner are from the Mollie Makes Crochet Book. I especially like the Folk Daisy pattern (lower right). It's very simple and looks so pretty! These patterns are designed by Emma Lamb. All the patterns come with a written description (there are no charts though...).

I have had this book for about 4 years and must admit, don't use it often. But since my crochet skills improved I thought I'd give it another go. 

There are so many patterns in this book. To everyones taste there are different flowers. And not only does it contain crochet patterns, you could also get your knit groove on.

This flower is my favorite. I think it looks sooo pretty. I'm gonna try and make a six petal version too.

This flower is one of my all time favorites. I made a tote with this pattern once (something old perhaps...). It's from the lovely blog Colour In a Simple Life and you'll find very clear instructions to try it yourself. I made a petal shaped hexagon behind it.

But I must say, this pattern is the most fun. Sooooo easy and instantly rewarding. For the people that don't read charts a quick explanation.

Make a magic circle (or chain 4, ss). 12 single crochet in the loop, ss. Change color. *ch 1, 3 double crochet into the next stitch, ss into the next stitch*. Just repeat *to* all around, to make 6 petals.

This one is also easy. I made a chart for you to read. (Sorry, chart illiterates, no written explanation...) The second round (the double crochets) is optional. I actually like them with and without. 

Now there's only one problem left. What to do with this lovely bunch of flowers? I figured I might decorate my christmas gifts with them. Or the tree in my little ones' room... Do you have any ideas for me??

Hope to have inspired you! Happy wednesday!

Something Old

About a year ago I made this blanket, to be seen in this post. It's the softest blanket ever, made from Piima cotton, Pico from Lana Grossa. It's so nice and distensible (is this the right word in this context??).

I used different colors than I usually do, but I really like the results. And it's possible to use for a boy or a girl, to my opinion.

But, a year ago I didn't know what to do for an edging, so there was none. I just did a round of singel crochets and that was that. But last week I found a scrap of the pretty light green yarn and decided to give it another go...

With this as a result. I think it looks much better and you??

I made a little chart of the edging I used. I think it's a nice and easy edging for a granny project. 

I do kind of miss the other colors in this project... You know I'm a sucker for Color Bombs. But I still think it's sweet. And I didn't use the join-as-you-go method (forgot and already had all the squares done...) but sew them together. I do like the result. Maybe I should use it more often...

That's it for today! Wednesday another tutorial on a simple flower and the sources of some of the flowers from this post last week. See you then! 

Have a rainy/sunny monday.

Scraps Project II

As some of you know I have a lot of scraps. This much, to be exact... It's a lovely color circle, don't you think? So it needed to get some attention and after making this cushion cover I wanted to do something else. I designed a little granny flower square and got going.

I'm so in love with it I can hardly put it away. All my other projects are being neglected because of the fun I have making these little colorful flowery circles. I think I can call this another Color Bomb, don't you?!

At first I thought of making it into another cushion cover, but since I'm having so much fun, it'll probably turn into a baby blanket. Although my couch could go with a little color explosion (especially since the weather is so grey nowadays...).

So now you know what's keeping me busy... Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Pastel Color Bomb Blanket

Yes, it took me ages, I know... Actually, this blanket was finished a few weeks ago. Somehow I forgot to take pictures of it. I don't know why, 'cause I really think it's a beauty...

I love all the shades of pink. And I love that it's kind of pastel, although that's not my usual choice of colors... The yellow center is a nice contrast, I think.

It's very soft too (and heavy!!). I used 3 kinds of yarn, all 100 % cotton. Catania Grande (for the center), Creative Cotton and Drops Paris. I used a size 5,5 hook.

It matches perfectly with the Flower Square (Stroller) Blanket I made earlier. Same edging and colors. Think I'm gonna make a bigger edition too, someday... You can find a tutorial for the squares here.

And the tutorial for the edging is to be found here. 

I must say, looking at these pictures I'm quite proud. I think it's going to be in my Etsy shop (I'm opening in Januari 2014), but it might be hard to part from. Maybe I should make more...

Have an active wednesday!