Tag: crochet project

Freeform Home Decor…

OK, I know I’ve made cushion covers before so they’re not really something new but I had forgotten just how much I enjoy playing within the limits of the circle/square (no going out of the lines, like when you were a kid & colouring in) – keep in mind the design… colour, texture, form – where to fill in & where to leave spaces. After my usual willy-nilly-freeforming & doing as I please, staying within the lines is actually more challenging than I remember.

Creating your own freeform cushion covers is a lot of fun, not only because you have a ready made template, but you can really let your imagination fly & bring together some of those much loved crafts that you also like to do as a change of pace… the felting, dyeing, beading & sewing… these cushion covers do take a lot of time but, I think you’ll agree, they look fabulous & will certainly brighten the world with colour & textural happiness…

Metamorphosis: Scrumptious Plum tones bring this gorgeous Freeform Crochet Cushion Cover alive …

A lavish array of Vilene, machine & wet felted patches, felt beads, crochet motifs & glass bead embellishments have been sewn directly onto a pre-made cushion cover leaving lots of spaces for the original cover fabric to show through.

Metamorphosis is avalaible for sale in my Etsy Shop

Tropical Seas: Freeform Fabric created in vibrant blues & greens with a scattering of glass beading, sparkles… just like a tropical sea…

Tropical Seas is avalaible for sale in my Etsy Shop

Cheeky Freestyle Crochet Vest/Top….

The idea for this cheeky freestyle crochet vest/top has been mulling around in my head for months &  I’m overjoyed to have finally finished it but now that it’s in front of me, I’m not entirely sure if it’s a vest, a top or perhaps a half jumper (sweater).

In any case, I was so happy with the result that I made another one just to prove to myself that it wasn’t a fluke.

Here’s what I did for No 1….

Gathered together a collection of complementary yarns (10 in all) & chose a large crochet hook [12mm] then, on my dressmakers dummy, I measured from the centre front to under the arm across the hip, approx 32 cm [12 1/2″] & made a chain.

From here on I worked in rows of dc [US sc] & tr [US dc] (not necessarily in that order), alternating yarns at random & increasing on one side only until it measured approx 79 cm [31″] across the top (shoulders)

~ I made 2 of these sort of triangles ~

From there it’s just a matter of sewing or crocheting the 2 pieces together across the top leaving a space for the neck opening & doing the same along the straight seam from the bottom up & leaving a space for the arm hole… done… well almost…. I just couldn’t leave well enough alone & decided to add some interesting tassels on each end of the sleeves.

The Cheeky Vest/top No 1 is available for sale in my Etsy shop

For No 2… I worked in the same way but I used only one yarn, the beautiful Noro Silk Garden yarn & No 9 (M/N) hook, this one turned out a bit longer in length but that’s OK because I’m keeping it for myself…

So there you go… something new to try out for yourself… experiment with yarns, hook size & stitches… easy enough to do & lots of pleasure & creativity in the process.. have fun…

Ideas & Inspirations… No 2. Banksia

Banksia: it is so easy to be inspired by the interesting textures & unusual colours of this uniquely Australian woody tree/shrub – the leaves are waxy, serrated & vary in colour from olive greens to bright ochre – the flower spikes are sculptural & vibrant & age into bizarre, gnarled seed pods which alone are a great source of inspiration.

My Freeform Crochet Handbag ‘Banksia No3’ (is available for sale in my Etsy shop) was influenced by a beautiful Banksia growing in my garden & I took it for granted for the longest time in my garden – fortunately I managed to take a photo of it before it died.

2 new crochet patterns to play with…

Hello & welcome to 2011….

I thought it might be appropriate to begin the year with 2 new crochet patterns & trust they will be useful additions to your crochet repertoire – The crochet bag purse pattern is for sale & a basic foundation for embellishments – let your imagination go wild by adding your own ideas to make this your very own creation… The button pattern is a free download & a handy little item when that special button is required but is often so difficult to find – enjoy!

(1) Easy Basic Crochet Bag/Purse Pattern

This basic crochet bag/purse pattern is worked on size not number of stitches & can be used as a foundation for embellishments by adding crochet/knit flowers/motifs ~ beading ~ lace overlays ~ freeform scrumples ~ or anything your imagination & heart desires ~ your choice of yarn & hook size will determine the look & feel of your purse/bag – experiment with yarns, hooks & width/depth of your bag/purse & have fun creating your own individual design

Pattern includes:

  • basic purse/bag pattern instructions
  • simple crochet button & button loop instructions
  • US & UK terminology
  • stitch diagrams (charts) & stitch drawings
  • clear colour photos

Requirements: to create the purse in the photo I used:

Yarn Bee (Down to Earth) 70% Bamboo, 30% Cotton – 150 grms ~ hook size 4.50 (US: G) ~ satin lining ~ shade cloth for bag base ~ simple crochet button

* Please note: flower embellishments are not included in this pattern

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(2) Simple Crochet Button pattern – free Download

This simple button pattern will come in handy when nothing else suits or is available – experiment with yarns, threads & hook sizes – work pattern in back loops of stitch only – play with multi colours by changing colour on every round or use variegated yarn/thread – thread beads onto your yarn/thread & bring them into your work as desired – stuff with wadding for a firm button or cover old buttons Pattern includes:

  • simple crochet button & button loop instructions
  • US & UK terminology
  • stitch diagrams (charts) & stitch drawings
  • clear colour photos

Bring Colour To Crochet – 64 multi-coloured squares – New Crochet Book

Introducing my new book ‘Bring Colour To Crochet’, a 64 multi-coloured squares sampler to tempt crochet enthusiasts no matter your skill level. I’m so very excited about this new publication – my hope is that it encourages the novice to expand their crochet horizons, & provides new colour & stitch dimensions for the more experienced.

My aim with this book is to present the reader with 64 interesting & practical stitch patterns that explore the many varied ways of introducing colour & novelty into their work. Bringing colour into a project can be as easy as working rows of surface chain across some plain double crochet, dc (US sc) to more challenging techniques as changing colour within a given pattern. Freeformers too, will discover some novel stitches & interesting ways of bringing colour to their work.

To finally see ‘Bring Colour To Crochet’ in print is a wonderful proud moment for me but it would never have been possible without the guidance of Sally Milner Publications & the fabulous support of my crochet class ladies who constantly spur me forward.

Bring Colour to crochet is available worldwide ~ ISBN: 978-1-86351-414-9

Click here for a preview of what you’ll find inside ~ Happy crocheting…..