Pattern for striped laundry bag and good luck symbols

The other day I happened to click the following title on one of the Finnish radio stations websites: “What is your horoscope sign obsessed about?” According to the article, my sign has a serious obsession with number 7. Touché. It is my lucky number and I had just finished this second knitted bag and as you look at the pattern and the amount of stitches below, well ... Here is a short pattern description as well for my "Lucky Number Seven -bag", in case someone would be interested.

Material

2 kg = about 540 meters Lilli Ribbon Yarn from Filatex (or for example some other ribbon yarn/yarn)

Needles

Circular needle, 12 mm with 80 cm cable

Size

approximately 50 cm x 60 cm

Cast on 70 stitches. Work in the round.  K = knit. This bag is knitted from the bottom up. There are many instructions on YouTube to make the stripes even when changing color if needed.

*K 7 rounds with blue, K 7 rounds with white*, repeat *-* 3 more times (7 stripes + 7 rounds white = 50 rounds).

During the 8th round of the upper part (with white) make handles. K 12 stitches, end 11 stitches, K 24 stitches, end 11 stitches, K 12 stitches. During the 9th round, cast on 11 stitches x 2 to replace the stitches ended during the previous round. Knit 5 more rounds, or as much yarn you have left and end all stitches and weave in the ends during the 6th round (=58 rounds).

Crochet the bottom seam together with slip stitches and weave in the ends.  

The old sofa has got an extra mattress as well, made of two old mattresses. Have to work with the cover yet though. Perhaps I will take the other mattress away, but this is the very first version I show here and a work in progress. This couch is over 10 years old and I have already talked with a charity organization to take it when they were picking up some other old furniture from my home. Now with this new cover, I think I will be happy with the couch for a while and the color code seems to be good for autumn time. At least it is cozy for some crochet time and there is a splendid view outside when sitting in the other corner with a cup of coffee or tea in hand.

I also stitched a tiny semamori in one of the corners of the mattress. Semamori is a Japanese good luck symbol, these were stitched on the back of children’s kimonos to protect them from harm. I guess this is now protecting the derrières of the people sitting on this couch, just some everyday silliness. Of course, there is also a rich history behind these symbols and it is not to joke about.

Wishing you a lovely time with your projects!

Pirjo

Simple knitted bag with stripes

Or perhaps we can also call this “What to make with the yarn –bag” :-). I bought ribbon yarn with a thought to crochet a rug with them in May. After washing the yarn and trying to crochet with it, I noticed that I just can't work with it, too heavy for my arm and wrist. So I decided to knit this very simple bag instead. This can be used as a laundry bag or to store something, in my case probably yarn. And I must admit that I now also feel tempted to make a really large bag for decorative pillows and throws. And somehow this bag now looks smaller in the pictures than in real life, should perhaps have filled it with more yarn :-). Here below follows a short written instruction.

And just to note, I have very basic skills in knitting and no idea how to write down a proper knitting pattern :-). Crochet is my thing so more skilled and seasoned knitters can surely make this better, but I thought I'll put this out here anyway. 

Yarn
1,1 kg = about 300 meters Lilli Ribbon Yarn from Filatex (or some other ribbon yarn/yarn)

Needles
Circular needle, 12 mm with 80 cm cable

Size 
approximately 40 cm x 48 cm

Cast on 56 stitches. Work in the round.  K = knit and P = purl. This bag is knitted from the bottom up and after finishing the piece I turned the wrong side outside (wanted to have purl stitches at the bottom and at the top).  

*K 9 rounds, P 9 rounds*, repeat *-* 3 more times. (4 stripes)

Last stripe: K 5 rounds, during the 6th round make handles. K 9 stitches, end 10 stitches, K 18 stitches, end 10 stitches, K 9 stitches. During the 7th round, cast on 10 stitches x 2 to replace the stitches ended during the previous round. Knit 12 rounds, or as much yarn you have left. End all stitches (round 13) and weave in the ends (= 49 rounds).

Crochet the bottom seam together with slip stitches and weave in the ends. I have also crocheted slip stitches around the handles on the wrong side. Now I wonder if it would have been better to make the handles only 8 stitches wide and leave the handles without strengthening. Oh well, I'll try that in the next bag. 

Hope this instruction is useful for someone! Have a wonderful summer week with your projects!

Pirjo

Crocheting accessories - small summer projects

A couple of small projects have been finished here during the last weeks. Here above a mobile pouch with diamonds made with the teddy bear pattern. And also something a bit of fun, a new crocheted bracelet/cuff. I used the same pattern in these bracelets as in these makeup purses and added a touch of gold. A few details need to be solved though as you see below. The button in the other bracelet is in the middle of the triangle pattern, but when closed, it is just as it should be. I think I will change the button into press studs (or how they are called in English, a new word for me :-)) and then the problem is solved. 

Here you also see one of the reasons why I am so fond of tapestry crochet. You can always use one pattern for many different kinds of projects.  

Happy with both of the pouch and bracelet. Hope you have/have had time for your creativity in June!

Pirjo

May projects so far

 

I guess I was 16-17 years old when I found a book about the life and art of Frida Kahlo in the local library. It was a small library in Eastern Finland with not too many books in the art section, but luckily I found that one and also One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. Somehow the magical realism and Latin America fascinated me, being a friend of words, metaphors and all things artsy and international back then as well. These books alongside many others were whispering to my ear of the worlds beyond and feeding my curiosity and teaching new point of views.     

So when I saw this wonderful Frida-brooch pattern, made by @kedito, I had to try it. If you would like to hook one too, you can find the pattern on her Instagram feed. I used Schachenmayr Catania and Scheepjes Catona for these brooches and hook size 2,5.

And here below a small bunny, an adjustment of my teddy bear pattern. This little fellow seems to be quite "low maintenance". Sleeps most of the time and comes with his own food supply and dental care ;-). Carrot pattern is a free pattern on the blog Croby Patterns. You can, of course, make many different animals with the teddy bear pattern, see for example this cute kitten @koukutettu has made.

And then I guess I just wish you a good night and sleep tight, all bunnies and bigger creatures,

Pirjo

Virkattuja seinäkoristeita timanteilla - Crocheted wall hangings with diamonds

Instagramin puolella meillä oli @minimyarnism:n kanssa puhetta, että nämä timantit soveltuisivat hyvin myös moderneihin seinävaatteisiin. Tässä muutama pieni kokeilu, kooltaan noin 12 cm x 14 cm. Muutaman pienen kokeilunhan olen tehnyt aiemminkin ja käytin silloinkin kirjovirkkausta yhdistettynä ryijyvirkkaukseen (loop stitch), mutta en vielä näihin timantteihin uskaltautunut yhdistämään. Näissä kummassakin projektissa olen pyöritellyt 4 kerää samalla kertaa, mutta näin pienessä projektissa ihan mukavaa vielä virkata ja tekee mieli jatkaa kuviokokeiluja paksummilla langoilla. Omaan silmään tässä ryijysilmukan tekstuurissa yhdistettynä kirjovirkkaukseen on jotain varsin mukavaa ja mielenkiintoista. Tämän ryijysilmukan tekemisenhän opin pari vuotta sitten Marrakeshin virkkausworkshopissa woodandwoodstool:n Ingridin johdolla .  

On Instagram, @minimyarnism reminded me of the possibility to make wall hangings with diamonds. Here you see two first attempts in mini size, 12 cm x 14 cm. Here I have combined loop stitch/rya stitch and diamonds. A bit fiddly with 4 skeins of yarn at the same time :-), but manageable in such a tiny project. I think that there is something nice and interesting for the eye in this combination of tapestry crochet and loop stitches. Sunny colors in crochet also counterbalance the Finnish Spring weather :-) (this year Spring seems to want to wait extra long, yesterday was a snowstorm and everything, but Spring will luckily always come). These loop stitches also happily take me back to the sunny weather and cool crochet workshop in Marrakesh two years ago learned to crochet them there.  

Mukavaa toukokuun alkua toivotellen  / Wishing you a lovely beginning of May!

Pirjo :-)

Teddy bears with diamonds -pattern now available

A pattern for these crocheted teddy bears is now available in English on my Ravelry store and this time also on LoveCrochet. I am so thankful for all the pattern testers @koukutettu @homemadeatmyplace @crochetnaningans @mie.ite.blogi @giioyiio. Go and check out their beautiful projects and creations on Instagram! I am so humbled that these lovely ladies took the time to test the pattern and give feedback. And it warms my heart to think that there are these small critters around the world now, made with their own creative eye, and it has been so inspiring and educating for me to see.    

The pattern is easy to resize as you see. Here above I have used Schachenmayr Catania Grande and (if I remember correct) Sandnes Midi for the bigger bear. The original pattern was designed for yarns Sirdar Ella and Simply Recycled together (smaller bear above). Many yarns are suitable for these little bears, but when using Sirdar Ella the bear with its diamonds starts to shine in the evening light and it adds some magic to the bear, I like to think. You can also easily make other animals instead of bears with the pattern. I am currently making a bunny and see the lovely cat on Instagram which @koukutettu has made with the pattern.

***

Näiden timanttisten nallejen ohje on nyt saatavilla Ravelry-kaupassani ja tällä kertaa myös sivustolla LoveCrochet, linkit yllä englannikielisessä tekstissä ja kannattaa myös käydä katsomassa ohjeen testaajien kauniita ja taidokkaita käsityöprojekteja Instagramissa! Ohje on tällä kertaa saatavilla ainoastaan englanniksi, mutta jos ohje kiinnostaa ja virkkauskieli englanniksi mietityttää niin autan toki erittäin mielelläni sähköpostitse. Ohjeessa on paljon kuvia mukana ja kirjovirkkaustekniikan olen selittänyt täällä timanttien virkkauksen perusohjeessa myös.

Nallen kokoa on helppo muokata. Yllä olen virkannut isomman nallen Schachenmayr Catania Grandella ja muistaakseni Sandnesin Midiä olen siihen yhdistänyt (sininen väri). Ohjeella voi myös helposti tehdä erilaisia eläimiä, itsellä on pupu tekeillä ja kannattaa käydä katsomassa Jaanan @koukutettu tekemä kissa Instagramissa. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend! / Mukavaa vappuviikonloppua toivotellen,

Pirjo

Work in progress - Työn alla

There is something wonderful in Japanese textiles, in simplicity, and all the attention to detail. Inspired by them and Sashiko stitching I made this simple little pouch with left over linens and linen yarn combined to hemp yarn. This is also a continuation of my "project" to find new ways to combine tapestry crochet with other materials and other crochet stitches - and also an attempt to create more meaning into each piece I make. For some reason this piece makes me want to jump out of joy (and I may have jumped a few times, better admit the truth ;-)). There is just something wonderful in linen and combining it with some hand stitching. Perhaps it is also the way decorative stitching shows where the hand has left its trace or is it just my sometimes poetic soul that likes to explain the attraction that way ;-).  

Olen pitkään ihaillut japanilaisia tekstiilejä, yksinkertaista kauneutta niissä ja mietittyjä yksityiskohtia. Niistä inspiroituneena olen viimeistelemässä tällaista pientä pussukkaa, joka on tehty jämäpellavista ja pellavalangan ja hamppulangan yhdistelmästä. Pussukan kumpikin puoli on samanlainen. Tämä on myös jatkoa "projektille", jota parhaillaan työstän, eli yritän löytää uusia tapoja yhdistää kirjovirkkausta muihin materiaaleihin tai virkkaussilmukoihin - ja samalla haluan luoda lisää merkitystä sekä mietittyjä yksityiskohtia jokaiseen työhön, jonka teen. Jostain syystä tässä on omaan silmään jotain niin kaunista, että tekee mieli pomppia ilosta (ja voi olla, että olen muutaman kerran pomppinutkin, parempi olla vaan rehellinen ;-)). Ehkäpä se on tämä pellavan ja kirjonnan yhdistelmä ja tapa, miten kirjonta selkeästi näyttää käden jäljen, vai onko se vain oma välillä runollinen sieluni, joka haluaa selittää tämän tämän hetkisen ihastukseni siten ;-). Silmiin sattui sopivasti myös tämä aamuna teemaan hyvin liittyen tämä artikkeli kauneudesta Hidasta elämää -sivustolta.

Here is also the rug called Havu/Twig which I have shown on Instagram but not here on the blog, made with Kaupunkilanka t-shirt yarn. Last weekend the light was just so good that I took this shot of my workspace - and I think the pattern on the rug looks really nice from this angle. I am now finally in the process of writing down this crochet pattern as soon as the teddy bear project below is ready for publishing.

Viikonloppuna valo oli myös niin hyvä, että nappasin kuvan omasta työtilastani ja eritoten tästä matosta nimeltä Havu, jonka viime syksynä näytinkin Instagramissa, mutta en täällä. Matto on virkattu Kaupunkilangan trikookuteesta. Kuvio oli ollut mielessä itämässä jo pidempään ja sitten onnekseni Prismassa kerran asioidessa sattui silmään tämä eläväpintainen koivunkaarnaa muistuttava kude ja tuntui, että nyt on kuvio löytänyt kuteensa ;-). Olen vihdoin myös tekemässä tästä matosta ohjetta toisen kuvion kanssa samaan ohjeeseen laitettavaksi, ja pääsen toivottavasti ohjeen viimeistelemään kun alla olevan nallen ohje on tarkistusten jälkeen valmis julkaistavaksi. 

Teddy bear family has also got a new member, needed to check the pattern and take photos for the instruction and here is the result. I also tested some other yarns than before - Sandnes Mandarin Petit (dark brown), Schachenmayr Catania (dark purple) and Rowan Purelife. The pattern for crocheting these creatures, called "Coco and Hugo", is now ready in English for testing if someone is interested. I will put a post on Instagram about the pattern today in the evening so you can leave a comment here in case you are interested to give this project a try. 

Nalleperhe on myös ohjeen teon myötä saanut uuden jäsenen. Testasin tässä myös eri lankoja kuin aiemmissa, eli käytin tällä kertaa Sandnes Mandarin Petit -lankaa (tumman ruskea) ja Schachenmayrin Cataniaa sekä Rowanin Purelife -lankaa kirjovirkattuun kehoon. Ohje näiden virkkaamiseen on nyt valmis englanniksi ja kaipaa vain halukkaita testaajia, laitan tänään illalla tästä Instagramiin postauksen, ja sinnekin voi jättää kommenttia, jos ohje sattuisi kiinnostamaan. 

Have a great rest of the week! / Mukavaa viikon jatkoa toivotellen,

Pirjo

Exploring new combinations

Well hello! It has been a while since I last posted here. I have been concentrating on other things lately and my crochet arm has also needed some well-deserved time to rest, but when it comes to making, my interest has been in testing and finding new combinations. I try to explore combinations of different yarns - like linen and cotton or wool and cotton - or pairing the crocheted parts with fabric. Slowly and steadily I am also learning to sew better. Some of these pieces I have shown on Instagram last autumn and some of them are now lately finished.  

My thought here is to create more meaning into each piece I make through recycling for example, and using fabric from an old pair of favorite jeans. Yarns I used in the pillow are also purchased from Marrakesh and Bergen in Norway so the pillow contains some wonderful travel memories as well. 

Like in the previous posts, here are some things I have enjoyed lately:

- The fourth season of the program called Husdrömmar - a Swedish version of Grand Designs, with warmhearted hosts and it can luckily be watched on www.svtplay.se.

- Amy Chaplin's cookbook At home in the whole food kitchen has taught me many things about cooking and eating healthier.
- Blackbirds have arrived back to Finland and it is lovely to hear them sing again, feels like Spring is coming.
- Makelight course Photography for Makers.
- Projects to try: God's eye, Ojo de Dios and Face the Foliage and these lovely tassels by Philippa A Taylor (you can see one of them also above).

- Morning on the Dock -podcast, still, like last summer when I found it. In one of the podcast episodes, Susannah Conway talked about choosing a word for each year instead of New Year's resolutions (and she has shared the idea in a lovely way for the rest of us). As I listened to the podcast I had an aha moment when I realized that I had done the same during the last couple of years intuitively without conceptualizing it that far and was very grateful for this discovery. Last year my word - or theme in this case - was "gentle living", which I also used here on the blog, and it manifested in such wonderful ways in my life. I did the whole decluttering project for example and I notice that this has also affected my making. Making less, but trying to make each piece more meaningful. I have a new word for this year as well, and it is a more challenging one, a word that I know I need (and it surely has shown its challenges already).

But let's go back to the word for the year 2015, and the reason why I thought to take this up here in the first place. It also explains why I have changed the title here. My word for 2015 was quietness - hiljaisuus in Finnish - since I knew that I would have to look inwards to find myself as a maker, and also to rest and really think through how I want to live forward. Therefore the blog and my small business got the name Hilja Design (and the name I wanted was already taken). Right from the start, I knew I wouldn't get the right kind of warm and joyful energy behind the name I wanted even though silent moments are an everyday practice in my life. Therefore I have been looking for a new name for quite some time, and hope to find it when the time is right. In the meanwhile, let's just continue making and learning - and use my own name at least here on the blog title. This is a little passion project for me and therefore I am giving it the time it takes and allow it to develop to a direction that feels natural. I also feel that my work life and making don't go all too well together, both demanding me to learn new skills all the time and both being creative (or that is how I also see teaching), so this has been an issue for me and I need to find a better solution than so far.   

And of course these words from previous years are still a part of my life, nothing begins the first of January and ends at the end of December when it comes to life. Everything is in constant change and evolving and sometimes I fail to live according to these words. They have helped me to create new and better habits though so I am going to continue with them and I warmly recommend to take a look at Susannah Conway's work if you think this could be something for you.

I have also made some changes here on the blog as you see and this Mlekoshi-design felt right to me (and I just couldn't resist that lovely slider :-), but still wanted to keep everything very simple here). 

Pirjo