Summer Crochet

Have you seen the latest crochet patterns for Summer 2013? I browsed the patterns on Ravelry and saw several interesting new designs. I can't wait to see the rest of it ;)

Summer crochet for me is mostly beachwear and accessories. I'm still on the lookout for patterns that I'd like to work on, or designs that I can create myself. There just isn't enough time to do this...but someday I'll come up with my own ultimate summer crochet collection :)
Meanwhile, here are some of my own designs from not so long ago, suitable for summer crochet. As usual, these are made from cotton thread.

Summer Crochet

1. Jellyfish Earrings - If you like using beads with crochet, this will be a fun project to make and wear. These earrings can be made as delicate or as funky as you like. Free pattern here on Facebook.

2. Knotted Chain Cowl or Headband - The soft fabric allows for it to be knotted, without being too bulky. The knot can be tightened or loosened to adjust fit. Pattern can be purchased here on Ravelry.

3. Pineapple Motif Earrings - This pineapple motif earring is pretty, lightweight, and about the right size at 4 inches high; though you can come up with any size you like with your choice of yarn and hook. More details here.

4. Tropical Shawl with Fringe - A simple mesh pattern make up this shawl, which requires only two balls of cotton thread. Pattern can be found here.

5. Going Around in Circles Scarf - A stylish and lightweight scarf made from one ball of Aunt Lydia's Classic Crochet thread size 10. Pattern can be seen here.

6. Blooming Flower Motif Shrug - A motif shrug for the more adventurous crocheter. Pattern can be purchased here.

7. Simply Striped Shrug - A simple pattern design with unique cap-sleeves, makes this shrug a fashionable and practical summer wear. This shrug is crocheted from one sleeve end to the other. No sewing is required. More details here.

8. Stylish Chain Scarf - A unique way of using chain loops to build a soft crochet fabric. A bit tricky at first, but you’ll be surprised at how this design works wonderfully. Pattern can be purchased here.

9. Breezy Shrug - This is a simple but nice little project. Crocheted from one sleeve edge to the other and finished off with two rounds of edging on the body. More details here.

More of my designs can be seen on Ravelry. Thank you!

Crochet Pattern Updates

Good news for Etsy sellers who sell tutorials and patterns, and for buyers who prefer instant downloads! Sellers can now upload their pdfs to their listings, so customers can download it immediately after purchase.  Wish they had this sooner...but still its wonderful they have it now!

Btw, I'm still working on the pattern for the dress in my previous post...some of you are familiar with the pattern (some already have finished projects), since it became available in print a few years back. I'll be improving the pattern and correct some minor errors... I've changed the neckline for the back part, since a V- neck looks better and is more suitable for warm weather. The finished length is a few inches above the knee, though it can be easily modified by adding/subtracting repeat rows. Stay tuned to my blog for more updates ;)

A Ravelry meetup, a wedding and my crochet dress :)

Ravelry meet-up at Glorietta mall, Makati

This was supposed to be a summer outing in Manila with our crochet group, since gerykho was visiting from Cebu. But since our schedules didn't permit, we just had an afternoon gathering at a coffeeshop in Glorietta mall. We also went to Dreams yarnshop to have a look and to buy some yarns ;)

This time we didn't have much yarny activities to do compared with our previous meetup with Fats (when she visited from Bohol)...Most of us were able to bring only a few projects to share, but still we enjoyed chatting about knitting and crochet. It was a fun gathering, thank you ladies and to the one guy from our group too! Yes, we have a Pinoy crochet dude ;)

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The Wedding

Their adventure in love took a lot of turns and detours, which at last came to this time and place.

Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan, Luna, La Union

I wish them a long and happy marriage :)

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My Crochet Dress


About 3 weeks before, I wasn't sure I could finish a dress in time for the wedding. I also wasn't sure I could wear it with confidence...but the thought of having to spend time and money to shop for a dress seemed more difficult to me. I just went ahead and made the dress. I felt good wearing it, and got some compliments too ;) The wedding was simple but memorable. We had fun since it was also a family reunion.


I don't have the official wedding pics yet, so here are some modeled shots I took at home:

more details on my project page on Ravelry

Upcoming meet-up and an urgent project...

Sometimes when there's something crochet-related to post about, I can't find the time to sit down and actually type...then its usually a belated post. So now I try to be up-to-date ;)
We'll be having a meet-up again with some members of our crochet group on Ravelry. Some of us have met before, but now its our first time to meet a long-time member from Cebu. Since April 9 is a holiday, its convenient for some members who don't have work on that day. I'm sure it will be as memorable as our meetup last November:

As to what I'm hooking...

I have an urgent project which is a dress for myself. I really have to finish this crochet dress soon or else I would have to go to the store at the last minute to buy one, to wear to my brother's wedding...happening this weekend!
I need to finish this in 3 days, and I've calculated about one ball of thread per day. I've gotten this far, so I really have to finish!

Hope I can show some modeled pics soon ;)

Interweave Crochet 2013

I was delighted to receive the digital edition of Interweave Crochet Spring 2013 in my Zinio library! This issue is full of lovely designs that I could see myself wearing. I have yet to pick one to actually work on. The motif top on the cover is one of my favorites, though its a big project... I'll most probably be able to make a jewelry piece or use the patterns for inspiration.
These are just some of the lovely projects I wish I could make:

On another note, my Lauren sweater (2012) design was shown again in the Crochet Me blog in the topic of crochet ribbing. I just would like to mention that the ribbing I used was half-double crochet ribbing and not single crochet ribbing. The uses of hdc ribbing are much the same as sc ribbing (though in this design the sc cannot substitute for the hdc). For practice, just use hdc in place of the sc in the instructions provided in the post :)

Going Around in Circles Scarf - free crochet pattern

Are you looking for projects made from just one ball of thread? Here's one you might like to make for yourself or for gifts. Made from cotton thread, this is a stylish and lightweight scarf. It is fairly easy to make since the circles are crocheted continuously in a row. The subsequent rows are joined together as-you-go.

Going Around in Circles Scarf

by Mimi Alelis 

Materials

Crochet thread size 10 (model made with Aunt Lydia's Classic Crochet Cotton size 10, 350 yds, 1 ball)

Crochet hook size 2.5mm (4/0)

Finished size: approximately 60 x 3.5 inches

Notes

Ch 3 counts as dc. There are 16 dcs in each circle. Circles are crocheted continuously in a row. Join new row on wrong side of previous row, so that rows will be alternate right and wrong side of dcs.

Circles tend to curl up, but will be flat when blocked. 

First row of circles

Rnd 1: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this round, 7 dc in the same ch as the first 7 dc, sl st on top of beg ch 3. (1st circle made)

Rnd 2: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this rnd, turn halfway around (counterclockwise), then continue crocheting the other half of this circle - 7 dc in the same ch as the first 7 dc, sl st on top of beg ch 3.

Rnds 3 to 64: repeat rnd 2. Fasten off at the end of last rnd.

Second row of circles

Rnd 1: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this rnd, 3 dc in same ch as the 7 dc , attach to the previous row by sl st on the 4th dc on the opposite side of adjacent circle, then finish this rnd with 4 dc on the same ch, sl st on top of beg ch 3.
Rnd 2: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this rnd, turn the working end of the thread halfway around from right to left (or counterclockwise), then continue crocheting the other half of this round - 3 dc in same ch as the 7 dc, attach to the previous row by sl st on the 4th dc on the opposite side of adjacent circle, then finish this rnd with 4 dc on the same ch, sl st on top of beg ch 3.

Rnds 3 to 64: repeat rnd 2. Fasten off at the end of last rnd.

Third and subsequent rows

Repeat second row, for a total of 5 rows.

Finishing
Weave in ends. Wet-block the finished scarf, and iron on medium heat.