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.

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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