cherishables: crochet

Showing posts with label crochet. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Sunshine Birds

As promised, here's a picture of the little birds that will make their debut at the Rancocas Woods show this Saturday (April 27th.)

Pattern by Bunny Mummy.

Colorful granny circles made in to little birds. If you follow the link, you'll see the original pattern calls for wings cut from felt. I decided to crochet my wings, just to be different.

Here's a picture of the display:

I collect enamelware, so I have a lot around the house. I thought this enamelware milk bucket would be perfect!

These little cuties aren't online yet and, for now, will only be available at the Rancocas Woods show.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Crafting,
Cherish

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Hootie

This Saturday (April 27th) is my first outdoor show of the year and it's at Rancocas Woods. It's pretty busy around here, trying to get all the last-minute stuff done. Trying out the new tables. (Yay!) Laundering the tablecloths. Making signs and price tags -- all that kind of stuff.

And also finishing up new items. Tomorrow I should have some new little birds to show you. Today, it's owls.

A whole basket full!

This adorable pattern is by Bunny Mummy.

Each is crochet in cotton and has a hanger. I'm not offering these online just yet, but they will be at the show this weekend.

If you're in the area, do come by. It's a great show & full of really fantastic crafts. If you do come, stop by my tent and mention this post to receive 10% off your purchase.

Happy Crafting!
Cherish

Friday, April 19, 2013

Flower Pattern - Sunflower

Who doesn't love the big, sunny face of a sunflower?

This free pattern from the UK Yarn company, Coats Crafts UK, nails it!

Happy Crafting!

Cherish

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Flower Pattern - Poppy

Here's one of my own patterns. I featured this one last year and I think it's good enough to mention during flower week. It's my version of a poppy.

I originally posted this as a tutorial on how to read a pattern. You can get the free pattern here.

Happy Crafting!

Cherish

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Flower Pattern - Zinnia

Aren't these pretty?

Photo by Wind Rose Fiber Studio.

This is a lovely pattern for a zinnia that works up quickly. It's quite simple to memorize, so you could make lots of these on the go or watching TV. Get the free pattern from Wind Rose Fiber Studio.

Happy Crafting!

Cherish

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Flower Pattern - Rose

Since it's Spring, and everything is in bloom, I thought it would be a fun idea to have a flower theme this week. If you follow along for the rest of the week, you could have a pretty bouquet in a few days.

Let's start off the week with a rose. I've made rolled roses, mostly from wool so I could felt them. They're easy to make and the end result is very cute. This pattern takes roses to a whole new level. I've not yet tried this and can't wait to get started.

Picture by http://www.duitang.com.

Isn't that amazing?!? Absolutely stunning!

The best part is, the pattern is free from duitang.com for those that can read a chart. I need to brush up on my chart-reading skills and this looks the perfect pattern for that endeavor.

Another new pattern tomorrow....

Happy Crafting!
Cherish

Monday, April 15, 2013

Crochet Rug

Crochet often takes a backseat to knitting, as some people seem to have a bias against crochet. I have my guesses why, though I won't state them here because I want my blog to be a happy place and there's no room for mudslinging here.

It warms my heart when I see beautiful crochet that people really appreciate. Here's one such item:

Picture from Creative Jewish Mom

Created as a rug, this pattern could very easily transition to a doily, table topper or bedspread just by changing the material and hook size.

The pattern is available for free from Creative Jewish Mom. Click on over for your copy. I think I'm going to make mine a table topper. This would be so pretty in the summer.

Happy Crafting!

Cherish

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Getting Ready for Summer

Now that Spring is finally here (we'll pretend it's not back down to 46 degrees today!) I've got my sights set on warmer weather & Saturday night cocktail parties.

These fruit coasters are the perfect accompaniment to a fruity summer libations.

Get the free pattern from Repeat Crafter Me.

Happy Crafting!
Cherish

Friday, April 12, 2013

Neon Yarn

I see that Lion Brand has recently released neon colors of their very popular Hometown USA yarn. Have any of you tried neon colored yarns recently? I would love to hear your experiences.

The closest I've come is making a ruffled scarf in the Starbella Yarn color "Go Fly a Kite." Here's a picture:

Personally, I love the colors of this yarn. I find them very fun to look at and I loved watching the colors come together while I was making the yarn.

I found this example on Pinterest:

This beautiful work is by anri knits.

I love the idea of tempering neon with neutral. I believe the neon is hand-dyed yarn, so I don't know if you can find this lighter weight yarn "out in the world." If you do see it, please let me know. I would love to try & I'm definitely keeping my eye out.

As always, if you've tried some of these new colors I would love to hear your experiences. If you're so inclined, I would be happy to share your work on this site. You're welcome to email me at cherishablesnj <at symbol> gmail <dot> com.

Happy Crafting!
Cherish

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Finishing Techniques - Blocking a Granny Square

Hi Everyone!

As part of my vow to be a better blogger, I wanted to share some things I've found on the interwebs that I thought might be helpful to others. Usually I "pin" these kinds of things on Pinterest (you're welcome to follow me there -- there should be a button on the right) and I also wanted to add them to my blog for easy access and tagging.

If you make granny squares, and they have become very popular lately, then you'll love this tip on spray blocking a granny square, originally published by Crochet Me. If you've blocked before, you're probably used to wetting an item & pinning it. The big difference here is pinning before wetting the item. I like this technique because the squares don't get as wet as they normally would so, theoretically, they shouldn't take very long to dry.

I would love to hear your experiences with this technique or any other blocking technique. Looking forward to reading your comments.

Happy Crafting!
Cherish

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Going Granny

I confess. I like granny squares. I know, I know. In my defense, I always strive to keep crochet moving forward. I'm all about "not your grandmother's crochet" crochet.

So, how do you make a granny square fresh & interesting? This was my attempt last year:

This bag was made for my Mom and each square was carefully planned out. Too bad I messed up the square alignment on the sides. Oh well. Only I would really know and it's still pretty.

Here are some ideas I pinned from the interwebs to keep those grannies fashion forward.

How about one big square turned into a purse?

From La ventana azul

Lots of pretty hex grannies make a fun purse or afghan.

From Facile Cecile

This is a pretty idea. Fancy grannies, each one different, but in a single color yarn. Lovely!

By Mit Hand und Herz

I'm really loving the first & last options. Which one to try first????

Happy Crafting!

Cherish

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Going International

I'm a bad blogger. I know and I'm sorry. I will make a better effort to blog at least once a week and my goal is to get to every other day.

Part of it is because there are only so many hours in a day and it's just me trying to make a go of this business. But that's a really bad excuse. There's no reason I can't find a few minutes to talk to you each day.

Here's part of the reason I've been so busy.

Pattern by kristinaskrochet.50webs.com.

I just love making this bag! Let's take a look at it up close, shall we?

Here's a close-up of the wooden button and button loop. You can also get an idea of the stitches. I think the button coordinates perfectly with the off-white yarn.

Here's a closer look at the handles. Don't they go well with the button & the overall look of the purse?

I just love the lining I selected for this bag. It's bold and fun, but on a light background so the purse contents are easy to find. I saw this fabric during a weekend trip to the fabric store and had to buy it!

This picture shows how I attach the lining.

If you turn the purse inside-out & the lining right-side out, then you can sew it easier. Once the lining is in place, turn the whole thing inside-out & voila! Perfectly placed lining. Isn't this fabric the cat's pajamas? Dreamy. /sigh

Here's one last look at the finished purse.

It's now on it's way to Greece (that's how the title ties in) and I really hope it's new owner loves her as much as I loved making her.

If you would like to commission your own basketweave purse, take a look at my Etsy listing where you can check out the colors & handle options.

Thanks for looking and....

Happy Crafting!
Cherish

Friday, September 14, 2012

I Felt

I checked the calendar the other day and realized craft show season is right around the corner. That means, I need to felt all those bags that are sitting in my unfinished project basket. I took the last two out of the magic felting machine (my washer) this morning and I just had to share. I love them so much!!

The fun thing about felting is that you don't quite know what the item will look like until it's completely felted. Of course, this can also be frustrating -- but usually it's really fun! I mean, you have an idea because you have the item in front of you, but will it really turn out the way you picture? Who knows?!? I'm so happy to say these came out exactly as I pictured them.

First up is a rainbow purse:

Roy G. Biv in purse form.

I made this purse on a whim and I'm really happy with the way it came out. Can't wait to pick out a button and lining!

Here's another striped purse that is drying. I like to make these because they are a good way to use up any leftover yarn. Since I'm pulling yarn from my stash, the colors are a surprise to me and each one is completely different.

I'm also adding eReader covers to my lineup. The one on the right will fit most eReaders (Kindle, iPad, Android Tablets, etc) the one on the left was made specifically for my Asus Eee Pad, which is one of the bigger ones out there.

I'm working on more of these and should have a bunch ready for the first craft show on Oct. 13th.

Lastly, just a quick (blurry, sorry) shot of more stuff drying.

Key chain wristlets, flower pins, and mini flower necklaces.

The flower pins are really popular, so I've been making lots in many different colors.

I'm jumping in to craft show season with both feet this year. I did only one show last fall, just to see what it's all about. This year I have 8 shows scheduled and will be in shows every weekend beginning October 13th. I'm also considering adding one show in December for a total of 9. I'm so excited!!

What are you working on? Any of you participating in craft shows this fall?

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Somewhere over the rainbow....

I've been playing around with rainbow colors. Loving Mr. Roy G. Biv. So much fun! And cheerful!

I like making rainbows with embroidery floss. It comes in hundreds of colors, so you can always find what you want. Plus it's so soft and comfy to wear.

I actually made the cuff bracelet on the right first, from embroidery floss in my stash. They're still rainbow shades, but not your traditional colors. Hence the name "country rainbow." In order to make sure all the colors are equally represented, I wanted to do 2 rows in each color. This resulted in a wide bracelet, so the cuff kind of made itself. I think the wooden button is a perfect addition to a country rainbow.

From the bottom: brick red, pumpkin, gold, dark green, light blue, steel blue (for indigo) and lilac (for violet.)

Watching the cuff come together was so much fun I just knew I would have to make another, more traditional, rainbow. I thought it would be fun in a key fob but knew I couldn't make it as wide or it wouldn't fit into the snap clasp. So the one on the left has one row per color. I love how it came out. So much fun and it's so comfy to wear! As a child of the 80s, this one reminds me of sheets I had when I was a teen. Rainbows and unicorns. Every girl's dream.... <sigh> :-)

The more traditional red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

I have to confess, crocheting with embroidery floss can by trying. You need to use a small hook (I believe I used a 1.5mm hook for these.) I also used all 6 strands of floss for each color, which means it wanted to split. So you have to be careful that you have all the strands when you complete the stitch. I had to unravel a few stitches to re-do them. A lot. But don't let that stop you from trying a project with the floss. The colors alone make it worthwhile! If you do crochet with floss, please send a pic. I would love to see your project!

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Friday, July 6, 2012

Watermelon!

There's something about summer that just begs for a more relaxed outlook. Both on life & fashion. Must be the heat (and if you're in NJ like me, the humidity!) In the summer, it's expected that your wardrobe will be a little more "fun."

To me, nothing screams summer fun more than watermelon. Pink watermelon! Ripe watermelon! I love it all!!

I've been a little obsessed lately...watermelon purses, watermelon key fobs, even a watermelon bracelet. Care to see how far my obsession goes? Here's a peek into some of the new items listed in my Etsy shop.

Felted key fobs inspired by a pattern by KnotSewCute.
Beaded bracelet and key chain (top & bottom) are my own design.

Yup. Just a little obsessed.

If you're looking to add a little fun to your wardrobe, there's still time. The watermelon purses, especially, makes a fab gift for someone with a summer birthday. The key chains and bracelet make terrific favors too. I am currently accepting orders for bracelets and key chains for late-July and August parties, showers and weddings. Just email me at cherishablesnj@gmail.com.

What about you? What are you crafting this summer?

Happy crafting!

Cherish

Friday, June 22, 2012

Next! (Pink Granny Tote 1)

I'm jonesing for a new project. That's not to say I haven't been crocheting and otherwise crafting. I've been making key fobs and beaded bracelets like mad! I also made a 4th of July wreath for my front door. But what I really want is a project. Maybe another purse.

Then I saw this on Pinterest:

Photo by Machteld M.

Granny squares! Pink! Pink granny squares! I'm in love....But (and this is a big but) I don't make afghans. Nope. I don't like to wait months for a completed project. I like stuff I can finish in, at most, a few weeks. That's why I make purses and accessories. That's also why I crochet. It's faster than knitting. I digress...

You may recall, I've recently made a couple of granny square purses. Mine are framed in white. I just love the idea of all the granny square goodness surrounded by pink. So sweet and feminine and utterly summery.

So, I'm using this granny square pattern by Purl Bee.

I'll use what I have in my stash -- mainly white, off white, yellow, 2 shades of green, aqua, light blue, deep pink, you get the idea. Very summery. The first three rounds will be squares of all kinds of combos from the yarn listed above. Round 4 will be in pink.

Then I'll put the squares together to make this purse shape:

By Facile Cecile

Now that I see this pic again, I can see I will need more rounds. This bag was made using granny squares of 6 rounds. So I think what I'll do is use pattern above, but make a bigger square. So what I'll do is make 5 rounds of different color combos. Round #6 will always be pink.

This may also be the perfect time to try out this technique for handles:

Instructions by clothogancho.

If you're keeping track, that's 4 different people/blogs for inspiration and one person who will try to pull it all together. Check back in a week or so to see how, or if, it's all coming together.

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Summer Stripe Tote

New item listed in my Etsy shop -- the Summer Stripe Tote!

This is a fun tote for summer. It's big enough to take to the beach, yet comfortable enough to carry every day. Look at all the stuff I fit in there, and I didn't even touch the pockets!

Made from cotton and cotton-blend yarns, this one can be spot cleaned or put in the machine on a gentle cycle.

Don't forget, you can use the coupon code "herecomesthebride" (without quotes) for 10% off through June 30th.

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Friday, June 15, 2012

New Item Announcement and Coupon Code

They're here! Wristlet key chains are now in my Etsy shop. There's a great assortment -- something for everyone!

Preppy -- Remember when we used to wear two golf shirts? (You know you did it too!) I put these same colors together in the wristlets -- eggplant and leaf green, light blue and red...Bringing back the 80s!

Patriotic -- All red, white & blue. Each one is made in a different color pattern. Perfect for 4th of July and Olympic pride!

Watermelon -- A summer staple. I make these in light & dark pink. Beads are on the outside only, so they're very comfy to wear.

Girlie -- A little thinner than the other wristlets, each is made with two colors that every girl will love!

See something you like, but would prefer a different color? Just email me for a custom order. Custom key chains will ship in 4-5 days.

Don't forget to use the coupon code "herecomesthebride" (without quotes) when checking out for 10% off your order. (Coupon good through June 30th.)

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue!

I've been making a lot of beaded bracelets lately. They work up quickly and each one is unique, which makes them a lot of fun to make.

I picked up some red beads when I was out the other day & thought they would look great on a blue bracelet. Throw in some white beads I already had in the house and -- ta da! Patriotic bracelet.

This one has inspired me to create other patriotic items. Keep your eyes out because there's more to come!

Do you like patriotic accessories? Only in the summer? What red, white & blue items are you making this summer?

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

New Item Alert -- Key Fobs

I'm still playing around with these a bit, but they'll be coming soon to my Etsy shop.

The key fobs are adapted from a pattern from the wonderful folks at KnotSewCute. Seriously, you can't go wrong with any of their patterns.

Happy crafting!
Cherish