Creative Crochet Jewelry, part 3

What's this? You could easily guess what I plan to do with this, but can you tell where I got? I didn't buy it, and it wasn't a common reusable material. Since I was excited to see if it fits, I didn't take a picture of the thing before I took it apart and prepared it for use. I also just assumed the owner isn't going to use it anymore :p

This metal was covered with a nice glossy paper, and I took it apart from the box that showcased the watch that my son bought for himself a year ago. I peeled off the paper and cut the sharp corners off. I tried it on my wrist and was happy that it would make a really cool bangle. Of course I was inspired by the examples in the book, Creative Crochet Jewelry. However, the designer used 100% metallic thread for the bangles, and I didn't have enough of it. I don't want to buy any more material since its always better to destash ;)

This black acrylic yarn with gold metallic (lurex) thread woven into it, will make great accessories for sure. My sister bought this in London a few years back. (Love you sis!)

Here's my WIP - just a simple single-crochet tube...

Finished projects in my next post ;)

Crochet a Coaster or Doily - Free Pattern

Use regular cotton thread or cotton thread with metallic, to make this lovely coaster. This can also be made a little bigger to use as a doily by crocheting with a bigger hook or thicker thread or yarn.

Radiant Coaster or Doily

by Mimi Alelis

Finished Measurement: approx. 4 1/2 inches in diameter using 1.75mm hook; 5 1/4 inches using 2mm hook

Materials:

• Cannon size 8 cotton thread with metallic, or Anchor size 10 cotton thread with metallic
• Steel crochet hook, size 1.75 mm for coaster, 2mm for doily
• Yarn needle for weaving ends

Abbreviations
ch = chain, ss = slip stitch, sc = single
crochet, dc = double crochet, hdc = half double crochet, st = stitch rnd = round

Instructions:
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Join with ss on the 1st sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc). Join.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc on next 2 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around. Join. (16 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, (sc on next sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around. Join. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, (sc on next 2 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around. Join. (32 sc)
Rnd 6: (Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1 ) - counts as hdc, [ch 1, skip 1 sc, (dc, ch1, dc) in next sc, ch 1, skip 1 sc, hdc on next sc] repeat around, ending with a ss on beginning hdc.
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, [ch 2, dc on next dc, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, dc on next dc, ch 2, hdc on hdc] repeat around, ending with a ss on beginning hdc.
Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, [ch 2, dc on next 2 dc, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, dc on next 2 dc, ch 2, hdc on hdc] repeat around, ending with a ss on beginning hdc.
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, [ch 2, dc on next 3 dc, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, dc on next 3 dc, ch 2, hdc on hdc] repeat around, ending with a ss on beginning hdc.
Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, [ch 2, dc on next 4 dc, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, dc on next 4 dc, ch 2, hdc on hdc] repeat around, ending with a ss on beginning hdc.
Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in same sp, [sc in next ch 2 sp, sc in next dc, hdc on next dc, dc on next 3 dc, (dc, ch1, dc) in ch 1 sp, dc on next 3 dc, hdc on next dc, sc on next dc, sc on next ch 2 sp, sc on hdc] repeat around, ending with a ss on beginning sc.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in same sp, [sc in next 2 sc, hdc on next hdc, dc on next 4 dc, 3 dc in ch 1 sp, dc on next 4 dc, hdc on hdc, sc on next 3 sc] repeat around, ending with a ss on beginning sc.
Rnd 13: Slip stitch on each st around.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Crochet a Flower Choker - free pattern

Flower Choker

© Mimi Alelis

Materials:

Small amount Cotton thread size 8 or size 10,

Crochet hook: 1.50mm or 1.75mm

(I used Cannon cotton thread size 8 and 1.75mm hook)

Clasp or closure for necklace

Yarn needle for finishing

A few wooden beads

Gauge: 8 dc sts = 1” using 1.75mm hook

Flower

Ch 5, join into a ring with ss,

Rnd 1: * Ch 7, ss on top loop only on 2nd ch from hook and on the next 5 chs, ss

on ring, repeat from * 7 times more. (8petal centers)

Rnd 2: * Ss on 1st st of next petal, sc in each of the next 5 sts, ch 2. On the

opposite side of the same petal, sc on next 5 sts, ss on last st. Repeat from *

for the other petals.

Fasten off leaving 12” tail for sewing.

Choker/ Necklace

Ch 107, (115, 123) [for approx. 14” (15”, 16”) finished size].

Dc in 4th ch from hook and on each ch across. (Crochet tip: for a better look,

work the dcs on the back ridge of foundation chain.)

Fasten off leaving 8” for sewing.

Assembly and finishing:

Spray or dampen the pieces with tap water, lightly press and shape with

your fingers. Leave to dry on a clean cloth or towel.

Attach the clasp on the necklace.

Sew beads on the flower, then sew the flower on the necklace. Weave in ends.

Click here for the pdf pattern.

Mix and Match Crochet Patterns

Have you used Ravelry's pattern browser to search for crochet patterns/projects to make or just to admire?
I was going to make a simple crocheted kitchen towel, since I was inspired by Fats' latest design. I wanted it easier to finish, so instead of making the flower motif, I picked a simple square motif - the Butterfly Garden Square, from the pattern database:

I chose from free crochet patterns, with photos, worked in square motifs. The search is almost instant, and I found what I liked from the first page of my search. Btw, search can include not just patterns found online, free or for sale, but also printed patterns in books and magazines that are included in the Ravelry database.
I worked on the chosen square, and added the main part of the towel from Fat's pattern. Its just so easy to mix and match patterns - can't imagine how its like to go back to those days when we can't find the project we want, or spend way too much time just looking even if we have tons of resources. Hooray for Ravelry!

This is the kitchen towel I quickly finished for instant gratification. Its good enough for display and light use:

And here's another towel quickly finished. This started as a Crazy Dishcloth, but I needed a hand towel this time, so I made this.

Creative Crochet Jewelry, part 2

Creating your own crochet jewelry, even if you're not so inclined - is much easier when you have the right materials, tools, tricks and inspiration. That's why picking the right book that will inspire is important. I'm  grateful for this book and consider it a blessing to receive. (See previous post.)

Now for my first inspired project here's my Flowers and Pearls bracelet.

I used: Cannon thread with metallic
Crochet hook size 1.75
The pattern I followed is the bracelet on p. 29. I wanted to make it all silver, but I didn't have the right material, so I used a partial ball of white cotton thread with silver metallic. The flowers turned out a bit bigger than the model in the book. So I made only 6 flowers, instead of 7. 
My pearls were also bigger. 
I did not attach a clasp, but sewed the flowers together and sewed it onto a white garter. I'm glad it came out the right size and just stretches a little to slip in and out of my hand.

Crochet a Mug Cozy - free pattern

I've seen mug cozies everywhere on Ravelry, and recently I received one as a gift and it was a lovely knitted cozy (photo at the bottom of this post). With this I was inspired to make up my own pattern using our local Red Heart acrylic yarn by Coats Manila Bay.
This one fits a regular-size coffee mug.

Mimi's Crochet Mug Cozy
by Mimi Alelis, October 2010
http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2010/10/crochet-mug-cozy-free-pattern.html

Finished measurement: Approximately 3 1/2 inches diameter at the bottom, 3 1/2 inches tall
Materials: Red Heart, 3-ply acrylic yarn, 1 skein multicolor, and a few yards of contrasting color
Crochet hook size 4mm.
2 buttons
Yarn needle
Stitches Used:
Ch = chain      Sl st = slip stitch     Sc = single crochet     Dc = double crochet     Hdc = half-double crochet
Gauge: 9 sts and 7 rows in hdc = 2 inches

Starting at the bottom,
Rnd 1: Ch 4 (Note: beginning ch 3 counts as 1st dc), 11 dc in 4th ch from hook, join with sl st on top of beg ch 3. (12 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around, join. (23 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around, join. (46 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in each dc around, join on top of beg ch 2. (46 hdc)
Continue to work on the body of cozy, this time working in rows. Turn, this becomes the right side.
Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), (hdc in the next 7 st, 2 hdc in next st), 4 times, hdc in next 9 sts, leave the last 4 sts unworked, turn. (46 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc across, turn. (46 hdc)
Rows 3-5: repeat row 2. At the end of row 5, don't turn , ch 10, sc on the side of row 3, turn and sl st back on each ch just made, sl st on top of last hdc of row 5.
Row 6: repeat row 2
Rows 7-8: repeat row 2. (Note: change color at the end of row 8)
Row 9: With contrasting color, repeat row 2, ch 15, and sl st on top of last hdc of this row.
Row 10:  (edging) Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st across. Fasten off.
Finishing: Sew two buttons near the edge of rows opposite the two button loops. Weave in ends.

Here's the lovely knitted coffee cup cozy I received as a blog giveaway. Thanks Lisa!

Creative Crochet Jewelry

More than a month ago I got an email asking if I’d like a copy of a new crochet book for review. I didn’t get excited yet until I clicked on the link and saw the cover:

Just from seeing this, I knew I would be thrilled to have the book.
I have enjoyed making crochet jewelry ever since I got on the internet, and have made several designs of my own. I couldn’t wait to get the book and to try some of the patterns there and to get inspired to create more.
Now that I finally got the book, I could say it was even more thrilling than I expected. Every project is presented with beautiful photos and clear instructions. I instantly became a fan of the designer/artist, Esther Zadock. For me, the best aspect of her book is that it inspires creativity and sparks up one’s imagination.
I know I’ll be spending some hours just scouring through my stuff looking for beads, jewels, stones; colorful and metallic yarns; and whatever other materials that I could use for crochet jewelry. I would love to make the bangles, multistrand necklaces, cluster rings and earrings.
The only materials in the book that I probably would just dream about for now are the elastic gold or silver thread and the dead-soft gold-filled or silver wire...aaahhh! Other than that I guess I’ll be able to find most of the supplies here. I’ll be showing my inspired projects from this book, soon!

Designing...

What's this??

This is one of the crochet projects you can make from one skein (100 gms) of Bernat worsted weight yarn. It doesn't look much for now, but hopefully this will turn out into a cute hat.
You can see on the right the crochet hook, and my WIP... On the left is the failed one. What I usually do when I want to start over again is to take the other end of the yarn, and work from there, frogging the wrong project as I work on the right one. That way I don't have to deal with a messy skein. Most of all I can clearly see the improvement when I compare the previous attempt to the next.