My Crochet News

Hello! Back here again to share some of my recent crochet-related stuff!

1. My Crochet Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/MimiAlelis

Might be quite late for me to join in on youtube - since I intend to monetize my channel... (Google will only evaluate a channel when it reaches 10,000 views.) It is a long long way to go, but... Thanks to my friends, crochet buddies. and followers for their support - I am inspired! 😊
So far, I have 8 crochet-related videos...I guess I need to make a hundred more!..haha

2. Crochet Books, The Book Depository

This came today, with free and fast international shipping from The Book Depository! I also timed my purchase when these books were discounted. 😉
I'm planning to make gifts for babies and kids in my family...I'm so happy how the family has grown - more nephews, nieces (includes grandnieces/nephews), and of course my very own granddaughter!

3. Crochet Design Submissions
Though my designs are few and far between, I'm still into it - wanting to get published again. I've just mailed a proposal for a top I made two years ago...goodluck to me 😀

By the way, I have contributed a pattern (Shells and Flowers Shrug) to the 2018 Crochet Calendar and have just received my complimentary copy. I submitted late and had to take my own photo...and I didn't really like it 😛. (This made me determined to take better photos next time!)

4. Modeling my Crochet
I really like wearing the crochet clothes I make - as for modeling it, I just had to...I seldom have someone else to model it for me, or even to take the photos - so I had to learn to do both. I never mastered any of the things I do, but I'm content to be able to pull things through...😊
Here's the result of my latest "pictorial" and editing efforts:

Shell Halter Top

The Shell Halter Top crochet pattern is for sale on Ravelry and on Etsy.
That's all for now, thanks for looking!

Going Around in Circles Bracelet - free crochet pattern

Going Around in Circles Bracelet

A stylish design for use with variegated or multicolored threads or yarn.  Any thread or yarn will do, using the appropriate size of hook.

Materials: Size 10 thread and size 1.5mm hook

Finished size: approximately 6 inches

Note: Circles are crocheted in a spiral, and worked one after another. Do not join rounds and do not cut off thread, unless specified.

Bracelet

Leave about 8 inches tail at the beginning, to be used for sewing button later.

First circle

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join but continue to the next rnd. (8 sc)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around, sl st on next st. (16 sc) Continue on to

Big circle

Rnd 1: Ch 6, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (8 sc)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around. (16 sc)

Rnd 3: (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next) repeat 4 times, with right side facing, sl st on the same st as the last st of previous circle, (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next) repeat 4 times, sl st on the next st. (24 sc)

Small circle

Rnd 1: Ch 5, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (8 sc)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each of the next 4 sc, sl st on the same st as the last st of previous circle, 2 sc in each of the next 4 sc, sl st on next st. (16 sc)

Continue making circles, alternating big and small, until you have 12 circles or until desired length.

Loop for button closure: Ch 12, sl st back to the base of the ch, sl st in each ch around. (Check to see if loop fits the button). Fasten off and weave in end.

Sew the button on the first circle.

Crochet Makeover Flip-flops tutorial

Crochet makeover flip flops

How to prepare the slipper for crochet is demonstrated in my video on YouTube, please view here.


Materials:
Pair of rubber flipflops or sandals
Crochet thread, for the sole edge, I used cotton thread size 10 for the edging; Catania cotton sportweight yarn for the strap
Crochet hook size 1.5mm and 3mm
Yarn needles for thread and for yarn
Hot-melt glue gun, or fabric glue


(Pattern for the strap is derived from my previous pattern found here.)

Instructions for crochet strap (for this makeover project):
Note: Work sl sts in back loop only.
Using sportweight yarn and 3mm hook, leave at least 6 inches tail at the beginning, ch 66,
Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and on the next 7 chs, sc in the next 24 chs, 3 sc in the next ch (place marker in the middle st of the last 3 sc, move the marker up as you go), sc in next 24 chs, sl st in the last 8 chs, turn.
Row 2: Sl st in the first 8 sts, sc in the next 25 sc, 3 sc in the st where marker is placed, sc in the next 25 sc, sl st in the last 8 sts, turn.
Row 3: Sl st in the first 8 sts, sc in the next 26 sc, 3 sc in the st where marker is placed, sc in the next 26 sc, sl st in the last 8 sts, turn.
Row 4: Sl st in the first 8 sts, sl st in both loops of each sc across, sl st in back loops of last 8 sts, turn.
Row 5: Work 2 sl st at the end of row to get to the opposite edge, sl st in each st across. Fasten off.

crocheted strap

Assembly:
Secure the middle of the crochet piece by sewing around the center joint of the flipflop strap. Do the same with the ends of the straps using the tail ends of the crochet. Apply glue on the top of the flip flop straps and position the crochet piece. 

Rainy days, making beach sandals...

Rainy season in the Philippines has begun, and I'm glad the hottest months of this year is over. I'm back to crocheting too! Here's my current project - half-finished :)

Summer Crochet Flip-flops

I've always wanted to crochet sandals or slippers that can be worn outside. Ordinary rubber slippers make a good base for most crochet shoe/slipper project. The main challenge is how to effectively make holes on the rubber sole to be able to crochet on it the design that you wish. It is only recently that I've discovered a technique that works for me, its quite easy, and you'll find out about it here.

Tutorial coming soon!

Cotton Twine Mesh Bag - free crochet pattern

Another version of the mesh bag, this time made with 2 balls cotton twine. This is suitable as a beach bag to contain a beach towel and a few essentials. If using for heavier stuff, it is best to line the bag with non-stretchable fabric.

Cotton Twine Mesh Bag
by Mimi Alelis, March 2017
https://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2017/03/cotton-twine-mesh-bag-free-crochet.html

Materials: 2 balls cotton twine
4.5mm/G or 8/0 crochet hook
Yarn needle for weaving ends and sewing the strap
Gauge: Gauge is not so important, but for the model shown, rounds 1-4 is approximately 5 inches in diameter
Finished Measurement: bag is approx. 13 inches wide, when layed flat
Stitches Used: ch = chain, ss = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, st = stitch, rnd = round

Pattern
Rnd 1: Starting at the bottom, ch 4, join with a ss on 1st ch, to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc in ring, join with a ss on top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)
Rnd 2: (Ch 4, sc in next dc) 14 times, ch 2, dc in last dc. (15 loops)
Rnd 3: (Ch 4, sc in next loop) 14 times, ch 2, dc in dc of last loop. (15 loops)
Rnd 4: Repeat rnd 3.
Rnd 5: (Ch 4, sc in next loop, ch 4 sc in same loop) 14 times, ch 4, sc in last loop, ch 2, dc in dc. (30 loops)
Rnd 6: (Ch 4, sc in next loop) 29 times, ch 2, dc in dc of last loop. (30 loops)
Rnd 7-30: Repeat rnd 6.
Rnd 31: Ch 3, sc in next loop, (ch 4, sc in next loop) 12 times, ch 1, dc in next loop, turn. (14 loops)
Rnd 32: Ch 3, sc in next loop, (ch  4, sc in next loop) repeat across except on last loop, ch 1, dc in last loop, turn. (13 loops)
Rnds 33-40: Repeat rnd 32, at the end of rnd 40, 5 loops remain.
Rnd 41: Ch 4 (counts as 1st tr), tr in the next loop, 2 tr in next loop, tr in last two loops, turn. (6 tr)
Rnd 42: Ch 4, tr in each tr across (6 tr). Fasten off, leaving enough length for weaving in.
Shaping other end and finishing the strap
Attach thread on the next available loop at rnd 30. Repeat rnds 31 up to 42.
Rnd 43 onwards: Repeat rnd 42 up to desired length of strap (taking into consideration that strap will stretch a bit). Fasten off, leaving 10-inch tail for sewing. Sew to other end securely. Weave in ends.

Hearts Flower - free crochet pattern

Just in time for Valentines, I saw a fabric flower with heart-shaped petals, and got inspired to make a crochet version. So here is the simple crochet design that I came up with as a Valentine treat for my fellow crocheters. Most any yarn and corresponding hook can be used for this pattern.

Hearts Flower
by Mimi Alelis copyright 2017
Note: This pattern is for personal use only, not for distribution and not to be posted on any other site. 
Original link: http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2017/02/hearts-flower-free-crochet-pattern.html

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn, I used Premier Cotton yarn
Crochet Hook size 4mm
Finished size: 2.5 inches in diameter

Flower
Rnd 1: Start with magic ring, ch 1, 5 sc in  ring, join with sl st to first sc. 
Rnd 2: (Ch 1, sc in sc, turn, ch 2, 4 dc in sc, turn, ch 2, dc2tog, ch 1, sl st in next dc, ch 2, dc2tog, ch 1 sl st on top of turning ch 2 of previous row, 2 sl st at the side of dc row, sl st at the base of petal, sl st on the next sc) rep 5 times, making 5 petals. Fasten off, leaving 6" tail for sewing, if making this as an embellishment.
Center (optional - you may instead sew a button in the center of the flower)
With contrasting color yarn, make a magic ring, ch 2, 4-dc cluster in ring, fasten off leaving a 6" tail for sewing. Pull both ends tight, knot together, sew in center of flower. Weave in loose ends.

Minnie Mouse Hat - free crochet pattern

Minnie Mouse Hat

Minnie Mouse Hat (see project on Ravelry)
by Mimi Alelis
http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2017/02/minnie-mouse-hat-free-crochet-pattern.html

This is a beanie hat constructed from top to bottom, with increasing rounds done in dc, and the repeat rounds done in hdc. Rounds are joined with a slip stitch, and the beginning ch 1 or ch 2 of each round is not counted as a stitch. (The joining is hardly noticeable this way.)

Materials: Worsted weight yarn, 1 skein black and half-skein red. I used Premier Home Cotton yarn (85% cotton, 15 polyester), 128 meters/80gms
Aluminum Crochet Hook size: 5 mm. (use 4.5mm for smaller hat)

Gauge: Using 5 mm. hook, 15 hdc across = 4"; 10 hdc rows = 4"
Size: 1-3 yr old
Measurements: Length, 6 1/2"; Circumference, 19"

CROWN:
Note: Ch 1 or ch 2 at the beg of rnd does not count as a st.
Rnd 1: With black yarn, start with a magic ring, ch 1, work 12 hdc into ring, sl st in 1st hdc to join -- 12 hdc.
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each hdc around, sl st in 1st dc to join -- 24 dc.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, (1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, sl st in 1st dc -- 36 dc.
Rnd 4: Ch 2, (1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, join -- 48 dc.
Rnd 5: Ch 2, (1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, join -- 60 dc.
Rnd 6: Ch 2, (1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, join -- 72 dc.

Rnds 7-11: Ch 1, hdc in each hdc, join -- 72 hdc. Fasten off black, attach red yarn.
Rnds 12-16: Ch 1, hdc in each hdc -- 72 hdc. Fasten off at the end of last rnd.

Ears (make 4)
Rnd 1: With black yarn, magic ring, ch 1, work 10 sc into ring, sl st in 1st sc to join -- 10 sc. 
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each sc, join -- 20 hdc.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (1 hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc) rep around, sl st in 1st hdc -- 30 hdc.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, (1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc) 8 times, sc in the last 6 hdc -- 32 hdc, 6 sc.
Fasten off, leaving a 12" tail for sewing.
Finishing: Join 2 pcs together as follows: with wrong sides facing, sl st both pieces on each hdc st, leave the sc sts open.

Bow
Make bow from fabric as shown in sample project (search youtube for fabric bow tutorial), or crochet one ....

Hat Assembly

Sew ears matching the sc sts, to the side of hat at rnds 4-7, sew back and front of ear with a little gap in-between, so that the ears will remain standing.
Sew bow in the middle of hat, facing front.
Make 6 white dots from felt cloth, using a button to trace the circles. Attach with glue. (I used hot-melt glue gun.)

Hello Kitty Hat - free crochet pattern

Hello Kitty Hat

Hello Kitty Hat
by Mimi Alelis
http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2017/02/hello-kitty-hat-free-crochet-pattern.html

This is a beanie hat constructed from top to bottom, with increasing rounds done in dc, and the repeat rounds done in hdc. Rounds are joined with a slip stitch, and the beginning ch 1 or ch 2 of each round is not counted as a stitch. (The joining is hardly noticeable this way.)

Materials: Worsted weight yarn, white, 1 skein; pink, half-skein; and small amounts of black and yellow. I used Premier Home Cotton yarn (85% cotton, 15 polyester), 128 meters/80gms
Aluminum Crochet Hook size: 4.5 mm (use 5mm hook for a bigger size)

Gauge: Using 4.5 mm. hook, 4 hdc across = 1"; 3 hdc rows = 1"
Size: 1 to 2 yr-old
Finished Measurements: Length, 6 1/4"; Circumference, 18"
Stitches used: ch- chain, sl st - slip stitch, sc - single crochet, hdc - half-double crochet, dc - double crochet

CROWN:
Note: Ch 1 or ch 2 at the beg of rnd does not count as a st. 
Rnd 1: With white yarn, start with a magic ring, ch 1, work 12 hdc into ring, sl st in 1st hdc to join -- 12 hdc.
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each hdc around, sl st in 1st dc to join -- 24 dc.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, (1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, sl st in 1st dc -- 36 dc.
Rnd 4: Ch 2, (1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, join -- 48 dc.
Rnd 5: Ch 2, (1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, join -- 60 dc.
Rnd 6: Ch 2, (1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc) rep around, join -- 72 dc.

Rnd 7: Ch 1, hdc in each dc, join -- 72 hdc.

Rnds 8-15: Ch 1, hdc in each hdc, join -- 72 hdc. Fasten off white, attach pink yarn.

Rnds 16-17: Ch 1, hdc in each hdc -- 72 hdc. Fasten off at the end of last rnd.

Ears (make 2)

Rnd 1: With white yarn, magic ring, ch 1, work 5 sc into ring, sl st in 1st sc to join -- 5 sc. 

Rnd 2: Ch 1, hdc in same st (1 hdc in next sc, 2 hdc in next sc) twice, join -- 7 hdc.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (2 hdc in next hdc) rep around, sl st in 1st hdc -- 14 hdc.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, (1 hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc) 7 times, join -- 21 hdc.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, hdc in each hdc, join -- 21 hdc.

Fasten off, leaving a 12" tail for sewing.

Bow
With pink yarn, leave a 6" tail at the beginning, make 24 chs, sl st in 1st ch to form a circle (inc or dec chs to customize length of bow).

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch, sl st in 1st sc to join -- 24 sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, (sc in 4 sc, hdc in next 4 sc, sc in 4 sc) twice, sl st to join -- 24 sts.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc in 4 sc, hdc in next 4 hdc, sc in 4 sc) twice, sl st to join -- 24 sts.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join -- 24 sc. Fasten off leaving a 12" tail for sewing.
Finishing: With the tail ends at the middle of bow, wrap and tie both ends tight, several times.

Eyes (make 2)
With black yarn, magic ring, ch 1, (2 sc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 hdc) in ring, sl st on 1st sc to join, fasten off leaving 8" tail for sewing. Finishing: (optional) with white yarn, embroider dot on eyes.

Nose
With yellow yarn, repeat pattern for eyes.

Assembly
Sew ears at the side, along rnds 4-7. Sew bow just below one ear. Sew eyes on rnds 11-12. Sew nose on rnds 13-14. For the whiskers, use a black marker or embroider with black yarn, placing each whisker 3/4" away from the side of the eyes.

Hello Kitty Hat

Crochet Stuff in 2016

Hello! Another year has passed....and as usual I blog about the past year's projects...even though there wasn't much :p I'm thankful there's Ravelry and Instagram, where I can post projects as they happen and review them anytime ;)

So here goes a summary of my crochet in 2016 -

The only original pattern I was able to share is the Open Weave Rattan Stitch Poncho. Since I had promised to make one each for a group of friends, it became my major project for the past year (that extended a bit this year...).

Rattan-stitch Poncho

Next on my list, is my most memorable design - made in 2015, but came out and got published in 2016. Its called Limpet Lace Top and its featured in Interweave Crochet Summer 2016.

Limpet Lace Top

On other crafting projects - these recycled denim placemats and coasters for Papa Diddi's ice cream restaurant. I enjoyed making these :)

 

Next is my favorite crochet project - the mini Hobbes amigurumi for my son, based on a free pattern by miahandcrafter. I wasn't able to take the actual measurement, but I estimate it at 5" tall.

Mini Hobbes

I also made several baby booties since I got excited for the arrival of my first grandchild last July and the birth of more babies in our clan.

Lastly, and this is also one of my favorite project - a crochet scarf for Jackie Lou Blanco. She liked a scarf I posted on IG, and inquired on how to order one. I took it as an opportunity to make her one as a fan gift, since I believe she's one of our best actress of all time, and I'd love to see a celebrity wear my creation :)

Happy New Year!!

Me and my sister-in-law