Summer 2018 Crochet

Here in Metro-manila, rainy season has just started...we had a very rainy weekend...which continued on to a rainy week. Now I am thinking and yearning for summer weather...though summer here is so hot! How's your weather?
In the U.S., summer begins in June...and for us crocheters that means crocheting with lighter and cooler yarns and making light and easy wearables. Good thing, Interweave Crochet has chosen those kind of projects perfect for our summer crocheting.

And I have great news for you, and for me...the latest issue of Interweave Crochet has my design on the cover...how cool is that!...how cool is this crochet crop top:

Yesteryear Top, from Interweave Crochet

I have not received my copy of the magazine, and I just can't wait!
(If you are on Instagram, please follow me at @crochet.denim.me for more photos and posts on my designs. Thank you!)

Lion Handpuppet - free crochet pattern

Lion Hand-puppet
copyright Mimi Alelis, 2018
This pattern can only be found on this link:
https://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2018/06/lion-handpuppet-free-crochet-pattern.html

Materials
Worsted weight yarn - Color A - lighter color (for mouth, cheeks and chin) about 50gms; Color B - darker color (for nose, head and neck), about 100gms
Crochet hook size 4mm and 3.5mm (for the nose only)
Polyester fiberfill
Felt fabric - small amounts black, white and pink (for eyes, eyebrows, ears, nostrils, inside of mouth, tongue and teeth)
Sewing needle and thread
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Crochet Gauge: 9 sts = 2 inches

Note: Ch 2 at the beginning of rnds does not count as a stitch.
This pattern provides complete written instruction for the crochet parts. Only general instructions for sewing and finishing with felt parts, are provided.

Lower mouth
Using color A, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 10 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (10 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join (20 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (30 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (30 dc).
Rnds 5-7: Repeat rnd 4 (30 dc).
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Upper Mouth
Using color A, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 12 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (12 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join (24 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (36 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (36 dc).
Rnds 5-8: Repeat rnd 4 (36 dc).
Attaching the lower mouth
After rnd 8, ch 1, take the lower mouth put it on top of the upper mouth, with right sides together,  sc the two parts together on the next 12 stitches. (12 sc) (see pic below)
Fasten off.

Head
Using color B, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 15 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (15 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join (30 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (30 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (40 dc).
Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (40 dc)
Rnd 6: Repeat rnd 5 (40 dc).
Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 3, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (48 dc).
Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (48 dc).
Join mouth to the head
Ch 1, put the upper mouth on top of the head matching the last round of sts, sc the two parts together on the next 16 stitches (16 sc) (see pic below)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, dc in 32 dc of head, sc in next 16 sc, sl st on 1st dc to join (32 dc, 16 sc).
Rnd 10: Ch 2, (dc in 7 dc, 2 dc in next) 4 times dc in remaining sts, join (52 dc).
Rnd 11: Ch 2, dc in 36 dc, ch 20, skip the next 16 dc, do not join (36 dc).
Rnd 12: Dc in 1st dc of rnd 11 (see pic below), dc in next 35 dc, sl st on the 3rd ch.
Join head to lower mouth
Hold the bottom of mouth and sc together each ch and each of the next 16 sts (centered) on the bottom of mouth, sl st on 1st dc to join. (36 dc,16 sc).
Rnd 13: Ch 2, (dc in 7 dc, dc2tog) 4 times, sc in the next 16 sc, join with sl st on the 1st dc of this rnd (32 dc, 16 sc).
Rnd 14: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join (48 dc).
Rnd 15: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (48 dc).

Rnds 16-21: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (48 dc).

Nose 
Using color B and 3.5mm hook, start with magic ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 5 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (5 dc).
Rnds 2-4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (5 dc).
Rnd 5: Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc, join (10 dc).
Rnd 6: Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc, join (20 dc)
Rnds 7-8: Repeat rnd 6.
Rnd 9: Ch 2, (dc in dc, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join (30 dc)
Rnds 10-11: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (30 dc)

Rnd 12: Ch 1, (sc in 3 sts, hdc in 3, dc in next, tr in next, dc in next, hdc in 3, sc in 3) twice, join (30 sts).

Fasten off. 

Nostrils: Attach color A in back loop only on the 2nd st from the end of rnd 12. Work the next sts in back loop only of previous rnd, ch 1, hdc in 3 sts, dc in 3 sts, 2 tr in tr st, dc in 3 sts, hdc in 3 sts.

Fasten off. Stuff nose lightly and sew nostril to the opposite edge of rnd 12 to close.

Cheeks (make 2)
Using color A, start with magic ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 dc in ring, join with sl st to 1st dc (10 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 dc in each dc, join (20 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (1 dc in dc, 2 dc in next dc), repeat around, join (30 dc).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. 

Chin
Using color A, start with magic ring, 
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 7 dc in ring, turn (7 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in next 5 dc, dc in last dc, turn (12 dc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next) 5 times, dc in last dc, turn (17 dc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in each dc, join (17 dc)
Leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly and sew edges to under the mouth.

Assembly and Finishing
1. Position the nose starting just below the 3rd rnd of head, sew in place. Cut out nostril tip with black felt, sew in place.
2. Position cheeks, stuff with fiberfill and sew.
3. Cut out black felt to the shape of the inside of mouth for top and bottom. Cut out the tongue from light pink felt. Sew each part.

cut from felt fabric

Mouth joining

join mouth to head

lion and hippo

Crochet for kids

When I saw my granddaughter delighted with a dolphin designed candle-holder (that she didn't hold for she knows its breakable), I thought of making her this pair of dolphins, a mama and a baby dolphin that she can easily hold and play with. I was right, she loved playing with it.

amigurumi dolphins

Little kids are easy to please - make them a toy and they will surely be delighted. However, they also get easily attracted to new toys and after a short while get bored with their old toys. This doesn't discourage me from making toys for my granddaughter...I just make sure she'll like what I make, and she won't find anything else like it. Hopefully she will remember how much she enjoyed what I made for her when she's grown up.

nana made me toy dolphins

When my sons make a request for me to make them something, I really try my best to do so...since they don't often make requests. So, recently my son wanted a hand-puppet animal for him and my granddaughter to play with. They both liked watching the Madagascar movies and so he asked if I could make the 4 animals who starred in the movie. Ok I said, not knowing how to go about it. What is the most loved animal there - the lion, of course. I could first make that and see how it goes. After a lot of experimenting, I was happy with the final result. Everyone thinks its good...my granddaughter will be so surprised when she sees it for the first time.

Crocheted Lion of Madagascar Handpuppet

Quick and pretty DIY jewelry!

Seems I got a lot more done this week - with organizing, decluttering and crafting projects!
I had some pendants and beads, some from old/broken bracelets and necklaces and keychains, mostly from my Mom...and they were just set aside for years (some for decades!)... I did a bit of digging into my stash for the right materials, and with a little help from my handy pliers, I was able to make myself 6 necklaces and a bracelet - all looking new and surely one-of-a-kind.
This crafting project came up when I bought these elastic headbands at the supermarket, Its actually tight as a headband - gives me a headache. But its just the right size for a necklace, like the one that I usually wear. Its 18 inches in circumference.

elastic headbands

I bought two packs of these elastics - its only P50. ($1.) per pack of 4 pcs. So that's the only money I spent...and after a few hours, I have new jewelry! I was never this happy as when I bought a fashion accessory at the store. These may look simple, but to me they are just perfect for my style!
So far I have 6 new necklaces and 1 bracelet...I'm thinking of some more to make 😉

Glass Holder and Coaster Set - free crochet pattern

Glass holder and coaster set

Glass Holder and Coaster
copyright Mimi Alelis, 2018
This pattern can only be found on this link:
http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2018/03/glass-holder-and-coaster-set-free.html

Materials
Cannon cotton thread, size 8 (can be substituted with size 10 thread), one ball, 50gm (note: one ball will make 2 sets of glass holder and coaster in this pattern)
Crochet hook size 1.75mm
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Finished size: Glass holder: about 4 inches across top, and 4 inches in height, measured flat; Coaster is about 4 inches in diameter

Glass holder
Note: Ch 3 at the beginning of rnds counts as dc.
Start with magic ring, (or, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring),
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 14 dc in ring, join with sl st to beginning ch 3. (15 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join. (30 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (30 dc with ch-1 space in-between)
Rnd 4: Sl st in next ch-1 space, ch 3, dc in same sp, 2 dc in each ch-1 sp around, join. (60 dc)
Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 2, 2 dc in same st (shell made), [skip 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc] repeat around, join. (15 shells)
Rnd 6-15: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each ch-2 sp around, join. (15 shells)
Rnd 16: Ch 1, Ch 1, (5 sc in ch-2 sp of shell, sc in space between shells) repeat around, join with sl st in 1st sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Coaster
Note: Ch 3 at the beginning of rnds counts as dc.
Start with magic ring, (or, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring),
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 14 dc in ring, join with sl st to beginning ch 3. (15 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join. (30 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (45 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next, (dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (60 dc)
Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in next, (dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (70 dc)
Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next, (dc in next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (80 dc)
Rnd 7: Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 2, 2 dc in same st (shell made), [skip 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc] repeat around, join. (20 shells)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, (5 sc in ch-2 sp of shell, sc in space between shells) repeat around, join with sl st in 1st sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Note: the coaster will normally curl up like this:

It is easy to flatten, just dampen (or spray with a little water) and press.

Crochet and Other Stuff in 2017

Hello, welcome 2018!
As usual, here's a round-up of my crafty stuff for the past year. I think 2017 was good in many ways, for me...there was a lot to be thankful for.- blessings received, lessons learned. I got more inspired...gained new friends, reconnected with old friends...On the crafting side, I'm happy to be able to continue sharing my work with fellow crocheters, crafters and those who appreciate handmade stuff.

Now for the (not-so) boring details of my crafting in 2017 😉

Crochet Patterns
I was able to add 5 free crochet patterns here in my blog:



Hearts flower - heart-shaped petals make up this flower.

Minnie Mouse Hat 

Hello Kitty Hat

   Cotton Twine Mesh Bag 

 Makeover Flipflops

Projects

I finished only about 16 crochet projects in 2017... mostly small projects, including 4 santa hats and a thread snowflake...

Some of my favorite projects and photos:

crochet and woven ball for my granddaughter

banner for my youtube channel

playful santa hats

new year wall decor with crocheted snowflake

I also finished a sample project and pattern for my design submission...that if all goes well, will be published this year.

I did other craft-related projects and I'd like to share my crafting space makeover - included here is my first dreamcatcher, using my mother's crocheted doily.

workspace makeover

workdesk makeover

dreamcatcher featuring my mother's doily

Also, my diy photo-session last September...and I already forgot where I edited these 😁

crocheting in a corner of my workspace

cap sleeve cardigan

Looking forward to a peaceful and crafty year ahead!

Happy New Year!!