Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Baby Booties with Gathered Strap and My Baby Gift


My husband’s coworker and his wife are expecting a baby boy next month. Of course, I could not miss an opportunity to make a baby gift as crocheting for babies is always so enjoyable and special.



I finished these lovely baby booties just a few days ago. The pattern, which I found easy to follow, was from this blog.



My baby present is now ready. If you follow my blog, you will recognize the blanket as the Lacy Baby Blanket that I posted about so many times before. The beanie is the V-Stitch Baby Beanie, see the pattern here.

All these items were made from a single ball of Snuggly Wuggly Big by Loops and Threads. And I actually still have a bit more of the yarn left.



I'm linking this post to Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House,
Homemaking Linkup @ Hope In Every Season
Adorned From Above Blog Hop @ Adorned From Above

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Lacy Baby Blanket Tutorial, Step 7




In the previous step, we left off having done 91 rows of the main pattern.

In this step, we will start making the trim, which consists of 4 rounds. Today, we will make the first one.



Do not turn. Look at the picture below to see in which direction to continue. As you can see, we are going to work into ends of rows. I used red yarn for demonstration purpose.



*ch 1, hdc* in each space across.

I use red yarn to demonstrate it.



And here, I use the main color yarn.



When you get to the end, make {ch 1, hdc} three times into the corner space.



Next, we continue working in the original chain. Here is how it goes here:

*ch 1, hdc into next shell, ch 1, hdc into ch-3 space, ch 1, hdc into next shell, ch 1, hdc into ch-3 space, ch 1, hdc into ch-3 space* across.

That is, we must have 5 hdcs per one pattern repeat. I use red yarn to demonstrate it in the next picture.



And here, I use the main color yarn.



Again, once you get to the end, make {ch 1, hdc} three times into the corner space. 

Next, we work into the end of rows.

*ch 1, hdc* in each space across.

Again, I show it with red yarn



and with the main color yarn. 



And again, we make {ch 1, hdc} three times in the corner space. 

Finally, we continue working into the last row.


*ch 1, hdc into 2nd dc of next shell, ch 1, hdc into space between two shells, ch 1, hdc into 2nd dc of next shell, ch 1, hdc into ch-3 space, ch 1, hdc into ch-3 space* across.


We must have 5 hdcs per one pattern repeat. See the picture below.



And here is what it looks like in the main color.  



When we get to the corner space, we make {ch 1, hdc} only two times as we already made one hdc into the corner space in the beginning of the entire round.

Make a sl st to join with the first hdc.



Thursday, March 21, 2013

Mother’s Day Crochet Gift Ideas




There are less than two months left till Mother’s Day! A handmade gift can save money, but most importantly its sentimental value will be priceless.  

I still don’t know what I’m going to give my mom and mother-in-law for Mother’s Day this year, but I’m already collecting some ideas.

In this list I share some of my crocheted works as well as some interesting projects that I found on the web.    


1. A table topper or big doily such as this Crocus Doily takes time to make but would make a gorgeous present.



2. A set of handkerchiefs with lace edgings would make a truly special and romantic gift. Sometimes you can find decent quality hankies even at dollar stores. Or you can make them entirely handmade.


 3. You can buy a set of towels and add crocheted lacy trims.


towels with crochet lace

4. A set of 100% cotton crocheted wash clothes look cute tied with a ribbon. Add a bar or two of high-quality soap and you’ll have a luxurious and practical gift. 

Talking about practical gifts, how about some kitchen accessories?

5. A teapot cozy would be a great one if your mom likes to have tea. This scalloped one seems to be popular on the Internet, but I’m sure there are other free patterns available too.

6. You can make a set of placemats. Here is a free pattern for easy and cute placemat decorated with a flower.

7. A market bag would be a useful gift. Check out this pattern.

8. The pair of decorative pillows shown bellow was a present for me from my mom. But this can work the other way too. You can buy a pair of small pillows and make lacy covers.



9. Or if you’d rather work with yarn, you can make a granny square accent cushion.  

10. I finish my list with a bookmark. It probably wouldn’t be much of a present on its own, but a pretty crocheted bookmark would be a lovely addition to a good book. 



I’d love to hear your ideas for crocheted Mother’s Day gifts.

I'm linking to
Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,
 

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground
Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

New Baby Blanket in Progress



This is the fifth baby blanket I’m crocheting this year. But unlike the previous ones, the work on this one is moving very slowly.

The winter months are over and the clock has been switched for the daytime savings, which means less crocheting time for me. The weather is warm and sunny, and I have started working in my garden.

Gardening is another lifelong hobby of mine. I grow flowers, vegetables, and berries. Earlier this year I planted three fruit trees.

But back to the blanket.
It’s my own pattern, and I write down notes along crocheting. Once the blanket is finished, I’ll share the pattern. I use Snuggly Wuggly yarn by Loops & Threads. In the picture, the color seems cream, but in reality it’s bright yellow.

My babies are taking their naps right now, so I’m off to the garden.
I hope you all are having a great week!