Tag: freeform/freestyle

Archive Gallery revamp & update….

Whew!! Giving myself much applause… because I’ve finally completed the Gallery Archive Page revamp & update. It was such a mish mash of everything that I thought it would be easier to navigate if I made separate pages for each section

~ Bags, Purses, Pouches ~

~ Hats, Headwear ~

~ Garments, Scarves, Wraps ~

~ Other Great Stuff ~

The Archive Gallery is a showcase of works that have been sold, donated, given away or, in one way or another, no longer belong to me & are happily residing somewhere in the world where I trust they continue to give much pleasure & joy…

Enjoy your visit down memory lane… I hope it inspires & encourages you to try new ideas but most of all brings a smile to your dial…

When custom orders are a delight…

 

Janet - Freeform Crochet Vest

Some months ago a lovely return Etsy customer asked me if I could make her a vest in a specific size & nominated colours….

I’m always hesitant about taking on custom orders mainly because I’m never sure how a project will work out – Freeform has a habit of going off in all sorts of directions & not always in the direction I’m aiming towards ~ that hat I’m working on can quite easily lose its way & work better as a bag or vice versa ~ &, although I truly love this part of the Freeform process it can be a rather daunting when I really do have to stay on target…..

It took a while to make & there were a few moments of self-doubt from time to time, but it’s done & dusted now & this delight plum toned vest is off to its new home in the USA where the gorgeous lady is anxiously waiting for its arrival….

I’m super pleased with the results.

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…

3 New Hats….

Mixed Berry Swirl: a delightful Freeform Crochet Beanie in bold magenta & purple shades. Created in beautiful Noro Kureyon, 100 % wool. The crochet band gives a snug fit to keep out those winter chills & Corkscrew Tassels add extra flair.  Make a statement  – dramatic & different for those who dare to be…

Mixed Berry Swirl is available for sale in my Esty shop

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Woodlands: Traditional yet, at the same time, eccentric… this gorgeous beanie is just that little bit different for those who dare. Embellished with Ponytail Tassels & simple couching stitch embroidery adds the finishing touches to this distinctive beanie

Woodlands is available for sale in my Esty shop

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Rasta Tam, Slouchy Beret & Scarf set in Autumn tones: Gorgeous, vibrant Autumn tones bring this lovely Slouchy Beret & Scarf duo to life. Created in super soft, 100% non-allergenic acrylic, the scarf has an open weave pattern & the beret is full enough to hold long locks – a flattering, easy wear, easy care set you’ll love forever

Slouchy Beret & Scarf Set is available for sale in my Esty shop

Floral Beauties… self-indulgent pleasure…

Right now, flowers, whether knitted or crochet, seem to be the flavour of the moment & over the past few weeks I’ve been playing around with these happy little gems adding them to a selection of new scarves after finding the lovely ‘Silk Supreme’ from Bendigo Woollen Mills – the yarn is a delight & simply gorgeous  to work with…

more over, creating the array of crochet flowers was pure pleasure… although  patterns were used as starting points,  I was rather self-indulgent & pretty much made each flower up & improvised as I went along…. placing the flowers in just the right place took lots & lots of sewing though, but…

Hey! what fun….