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! 

Crocheted Bra Pads - free pattern

I've recently made a bikini top based on a free pattern I found on Garnstudio Designs. I couldn't wear it as is -  even though its not see-thru, its just not the right form. I tried to use commercial bra pads from an old swimsuit, it didn't feel comfy since its not made of natural material. So I decided to crochet my own bra pads using worsted-weight cotton. It somewhat lifts up and adds some volume, just a slight improvement for me. And it also makes me feel safer and not worry about wardrobe malfunction.

Crocheted Bra Pads

copyright Mimi Alelis, 2022
This pattern can only be found on this link:

https://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2022/09/crocheted-bra-pads-free-pattern.html

Materials
Premier Home Cotton, worsted-weight (85% cotton, 15% polyester), 80gm, 140 yds, one skein

(you will need about 35 gms/50 meters or 55 yds of worsted weight yarn, for a pair of bra pads)
Crochet hook size 4mm or 4.5mm (I used Tulip aluminum hook 4mm)

Yarn needle to weave in ends

Gauge: 2 inches = 10 sts
Finished size: sample is best fit for a size B cup, but can be sized up or down by adding/subtracting an increase round

Bra Pad
Note: Ch 2 at the beginning of rnds does not count as a stitch.
Start with magic ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 8 dc in ring, join with sl st on first dc. (8 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, (2 dc in one dc, 3 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (20 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, (dc in one dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (30 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, (dc in two dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (40 dc)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, (dc in 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (50 dc)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, (dc in 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (60 dc)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, (dc in 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (70 dc)

Rnd 8: Ch 1,  sc in each dc around, join (70 sc)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

I made a video briefly demonstrating how I attached the bra pads to the bikini top.

Sew crocheted bra pad to a crochet bikini top

https://youtu.be/D3-weYAuEfA

Shell Halter Top crochet pattern for sale

Since I didn't go on any beach trip, I just tried on my Shell Halter Top at home. I made this 15 yrs ago and it still fits! This summer top is a classic and never goes out of style.

I used our local Cannon size 8 cotton threads, and it may be substituted with size 10 cotton threads, since the hook size is 2mm.

Pattern and details available on Ravelry, and on Etsy.

Puff Stitch seatcover

The crochet projects I made during this pandemic are mostly for the home. Not that I've been crocheting much, even though there seems to be so much time to craft. There just seem to be a lot more options available now to pass the time (without feeling guilty), one of them is doing nothing but enjoying the company of our family, and catching up with friends online. 

I just thought I'd share here what I made, maybe it will inspire more projects from us crocheters.

  

My Crochet Design on WeCrochet Magazine issue 7, Summer 2021

Yes, its finally out!...hope you get a copy of WeCrochet Magazine issue 7. maybe a printed copy, or you can purchase a digital version instead. Head on over to wecrochet.

Or, search for new patterns, Sea Star Cardi.

photo from wecrochet.com

I sent in my proposal last September, and when it got accepted I worked on completing the pattern and making my own sample from the curio #10 thread they sent me. If you're interested in purchasing yarns, go look at their Summer Yarn Sale, ongoing till supplies last.

I would like to share too, what the prototype of my design looked like. A loose-fitting beach coverup, or a coverup skirt, or a shawl/cape as options in this same design.

                                           copyright Mimi Alelis, 2021 

You may want to purchase Curio thread and other yarns, now on sale (click the image below to take you there)

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.