Crochet your summer 'must-haves'

Those of us who can crochet, need not buy some of the staples for cool summer oufits. You only need to buy yarns or threads and sometimes you need to buy a crochet pattern.

Following are some of my suggestions from my own crochet designs. These have been around for several years, but I believe they won't go out of style.

Sea Star Cardi 

My latest design for a beach cover-up or a summer cardigan is published in crochet.com as Sea Star Cardi. You may visit their website to download the pattern for free.

Pattern and project details are here on Ravelry.

Le Tote

A yarny tote, that can carry your beach essentials, or your current project if you like to take it along with you anywhere. Another downloadable free pattern from crochet.com.  View the pattern and project details on Ravelry, and get inspired to make your own. I love my sample in blue. It is a practical everyday bag, soft and huggable too.

Hibiscus Tunic

A beach coverup I designed several years ago. If you love crocheting with thread, this will be quite doable for you. The pattern is available for sale at Interweave.com The price varies, and sometimes it is greatly discounted.

View this design on Ravelry.

Sienna Top

This is the Sienna Top from the book "It Girl Crochet". I used size 10 thread for my own top. I added a thin cotton fabric for lining. 

The pattern for this top is available for sale on interweave.com. It can also be found in the book and magazine where its published.

Thanks for looking, happy crocheting! 

Crochet and Knitted wearables from online shopping

I've been Shopeeing a lot these days, since late last year when I got the hang of online shopping (at Shopee.ph) Its quite addictive! Discounts, freebies, promos...and I end up spending more than I planned.

I have a weakness for items that are crocheted and knitted...even if I can crochet one for myself...they come branded, at very low price, and still in good condition at thrift shops. Though some pretty items got grabbed by other buyers quickly, I still got some nice ones.

Here are my favorites:

I'll share in my next post how I would wear some of these pieces. 

I happened to have two basic tank dresses that I found worked well to be able to wear the crochet and knit tops.

The Little Mermaid Crochet

My granddaughter likes Disney Movies. She loves to sing the theme songs, dress up in Princess costumes and play with character dolls. So I wanted to surprise her - I planned to make some dolls and other characters in the Disney movies...and this is the first one I finished:

Little Mermaid Crochet

Based mainly on this pattern. This is made from cotton thread using 1.75mm hook...so it took a while to finish. My granddaughter got excited when she saw it for the first time. I also finished a Flounder amigurumi and have yet to surprise her with it...

Flounder Amigurumi

Free crochet pattern for Flounder, now published here.

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

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!

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

Denim and Crochet

Hello! I haven't crocheted much lately....but I'm (slowly) working on some crochet for gifting. Aside from that, I got busy with another craft I love - recycled denim projects...I love working with cotton denim fabrics. Having to make projects as a custom order is a bonus!
I made placemats for an ice cream shop/restaurant, using denims that I've sourced from a used-clothing store. I choose good-quality denim pants and skirts, wash and dry them soon as I buy them. For a while my living and dining area became my production area :p ...

And here are some of my finished products (placemat photos in the restaurant were snatched on Instagram)

   

Now I'm thinking of combining crochet and denim crafts again...like what I did a few years ago. Hoping I'll have tutorials made for some projects like these:

denim and crochet

Crochet and Other Stuff in 2014

Patterns

Only a few to list down...when it comes to writing crochet patterns and publishing it, though this coming year looks promising :)

Here are three designs that got published in 2014:

1. Pinwheel Flower - free pattern here in my blog.

2. Sienna Top - published in the book It Girl Crochet by Interweave Press. 

3. Pinya Glass Cozy - a free pattern published here.

Projects
Started with 554 projects and added 28 for a total of 582...(my Ravelry projects)
Some of my favorite projects are those for the babies in my extended family -

Another favorite of mine is the irish crochet motifs I made to be framed and hung in my workspace.

Yarns

There are now even more choices and more opportunities to buy yarns. One of which is having a crafty friend in another country, where quality yarns are available...and affordable too ;) Our Cebuana friend, Fe of Knitwerks and Crafts Boutique, retails yarns she buys mostly in Singapore.

Here's a recent purchase from Fe:

I even got more of the cotton yarns, since the colors are so nice and the yarn is smooth and would be a good choice for amigurumi toys and other accessories.

I also decided to order a bit from a big yarn company, Bergere de France, just for the experience. I love their yarns, patterns and customer service. I might order again, but need to order more yarns to maximize on the shipping cost...However, I'm reluctant to order more than $50. worth of items...for I have yet to ascertain if I will be taxed heavily upon customs inspection at the P.O.

Bergere de France

Other Crafts 

I love sewing too...some simple wardrobe repair or upcycling here and there. No serious sewing yet, though I was able to make some recycled denim stuff, including denim star ornaments and reordered denim placemats for The Breakfast Table; and denim picture-frame souvenirs for my nephew's Christening.

My Working Space

I've completed my working space - thanks to the Surplus shop nearby. I kept on checking their items for several months until I got the big, and spacious shelves...

Most of what I have here I had for several years already...Again I thank my sis-in-law for the sewing machine, my brother for the working table, and my son for my computer and the size small dressform :)

More patterns and projects in the coming year, I guess ;)

Thanks for looking! And by the way, there's this blog featuring each week an interview with knit and crochet designers from around the world. I got included and you can find the article here.

Random Crochet Stuff

Catching up post on some recent crochet stuff...

Here's a little teddy souvenir item I made for my nephew's 1st birthday last July. It is made from a Ravelry designer's pattern (details here)
I made up the number 1 figure and the scarf. This is only 2 inches tall ;)

Little Teddy Souvenir

Some simple bracelets made to use up leftover yarns and materials. The first one using coins with holes...the pattern is free and can be found on my FB page.

The next one is just a simple ch and sl st bangle - using a garter cord...project details on Ravelry

Since halloween is near...and if you're looking for a simple halloween accessory, there's a free pattern I made a few years ago - Just Got Stitched-up Choker, pattern here. I'll be making a few more of these to sell on my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/mimicrochet

Lastly, I've just picked up my order from Bergere de France yesterday, though the package was marked received at the P.O. on Aug 26 (12 days after they shipped it), I only got the Postal notice this week...and as if they purposely delayed it - since the Postal/Customs fee is now P100., which is a 100% increase effective this week :p. Hello Postmaster General :/

Bergere de France

The yarn is Bigarelle - very nice!! I love the natural texture of cotton and linen combined...and it has a fresh outdoor scent ;) The items are reasonably priced...though the shipping for this cost me around $25., flat rate for international shipping....so I should have ordered more yarns :p Then again it was so hard to choose which yarns I would actually end up making a project. These two skeins are enough to knit the top on the cover of the magazine. Hope to be able to make it!