Crocheted Cables Bag

Well other than my Inga bag that I started – which is ridiculously cuggly (cute + ugly) due to the harvest-medley variegated crappy yarn I’m using (seriously this may become my favorite bag) – I only have this one other WIP! And I wonder why I can’t finish anything. 😉

This is from Lion Brand (the “All Occasion Tote Bag”). They recommended their cotton yarn (natch) but I ended up using Sugar n’ Cream in BFP (Bright F’in Purple) and it’s been pretty fun to do. I have, as I’ve mentioned, a ridiculously tight gauge (I think there might be some therapy needed for this) so it’s going to be the sturdiest bag on the planet – possibly bullet proof – but it’s definitely interesting to work on. I like how the cables look.

PS… Bamboo-handled hooks are the BEST EVER.

My hands hurt.

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Karma’s Dress

Another WIP… this will get done eventually, but the skirt is just taking forever!  Round after round after round of the same thing = my ADD kicks in and I magically find something else to do after only 3 rows!  🙂

I’m saving the fun part for last, namely finishing the top of the back bodice (never thought I’d be so excited about increasing and decreasing), and the eventual finish to the argyle design with some back-stitching.  The pattern asks for an embroidered chain, but I’m WAY too lazy ;)… seriously, when I tried it, due to the square nature of the holes, getting the perfect diagonal was IMPOSSIBLE… a back-stitch is much easier to beat into submission.

This is for my niece Karma, who is 5 months old now – “know thyself” is awfully good advice, and in this case quite sage – I chose to make the 18 month size.  heehee

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The $200 Afghan

So I bought this yarn. It was such lovely yarn, what with it’s greens and purples, and ribbons wrapped through, and sure maybe I didn’t necessarily NEED 24 skeins of it, but when the original price was 7.94 and they were selling it for 99 CENTS, seriously how could I resist? Nearly $200 in yarn for about $25. Such a deal.

But then I had all this yarn. What to do with it?

Naturally. It’s a work in progress, and it’s HEAVY…I’m using a P hook (I think, it’s big and plastic) with 2 strands. It will make a fine back-of-the-couch cuddler for those long mountain winters! (I’m in Colorado.)

PS… Thanks to my lovely daughter for being so accommodating.

PPS… I just have to say I’m still practically weeping with joy that my Rose Garden afghan is NO LONGER a w.i.p.

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Instant gratification: Simple beach sling bag

So I’ve disappeared for a bit but here i am again.. Got something hot off the hook and I thought I’d post it.. Hope its not too late though.. I’ve been toying with an idea about making a nice little sling bag since my last one went horribly wrong (its still stuffed somewhere behind the drawers). I found some nice white twine and used it instead of yarn. Cheap and strong, I used about one roll and a little bit more which cost me about 1.5euros. I’m rather pleased with how it turned out and its not that difficult or time consuming to make it either. I cheated and used a big hook so it took me less than a day to make. I thought I’d direct you guys to my blog for the pattern.. But what the heck.. I’ll just post it here.

I used the fanfare pattern from lionbrand. Basically I made two “squares” of it and whip-stitched them together and added a strap.

MATERIALS:
-Thin white cotton twine
-5mm hook
-Lining cloth

PATTERN:
BAG
(ch a multiple of 6 sts + 4) Depends on how big you want your bag to be.

Row 1
Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next 2 ch, *ch 3, skip 3 ch, 1 sc in next 3 ch; rep from * across. Turn.

Row 2
Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sc, *skip 1 sc, 5 dc in ch-3 sp, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc; rep from * end 1 sc in last sc. Turn.

Row 3
Ch 4 (counts as 1 sc and ch 3), skip (2 sc, 1 dc), 1 sc in next 3 dc, *ch 3, skip (1 dc, 1 sc, 1 dc), 1 sc in next 3 dc; rep from * to last 4 sts, end ch 3, skip (1 dc, 1 sc), 1 sc in last sc. Turn.

Row 4
Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in first ch-3 sp, *skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, skip 1 sc, 5 dc in ch-3 sp; rep from *, end last rep 4 dc in last ch-3 sp. Turn.

Row 5
Ch 1, 1 sc in first 3 dc, *ch 3, skip (1 dc, 1 sc, 1 dc), 1 sc in next 3 dc; rep from * across. Turn.

Rep rows 2–5 till the length you want. ( I repeated it only 6 times I think )

End on Row 5, then:
Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sc, *skip 1 sc, 5 sc in ch-3 sp, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc; rep from * end 1 sc in last sc. Bind off.

STRAP
Ch 4, sc in the second ch from hook and in each ch. Turn.
*Ch 1, sc in each sc.* Repeat till desired length.
(Note: If you are making a bigger bag, make a wider strap.)

When you’re done, sew in the lining and we’re good to go. 😀 ( I haven’t done that yet though.. But i’m thinking of using some kinda waterproof material for the lining.. Any ideas? )

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Lap top cover

Finally last night I finished the cover for my lap-top, and with finally I mean it has been sitting as a WIP in my cupboard for the last 6 months. I winged the whole thing so sorry I cannot share a pattern with you. Anyway here it is:

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Rose Garden, a.k.a. 96 Tears

Okay, remember back during the Granny Square theme, when I posted a pic like this, swearing I would finish it sometime before I die, and promising a post when I was done?

I AM DONE.

96 multi-color squares. 97, if you count the 17th that got stuck on a row of 16, by accident, discovered when trying to join strips and attempting to figure out what the heck I did. 96 squares of weaving in ends, having to redo because my tension was funny, and I ACTUALLY BROKE A HOOK. I wore it out.

I can’t believe I actually finished this. *phew*

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World Environment Day 5th of June 2008

Flowers

Originally uploaded by Arbel Egger

It’s World Environment Day on the 5th of June so I thought it would be nice to show you some amazing recycled shopping bags crochet from around the net.

The picture of the flowers is from Arbel Egger (see link at the top of the page).

You have probably all seen the amazing work of Gooseflesh. She crochets freeform sea creatures out of plastic shopping bags and other materials. Have a look through Helle’s site and Flickr photos to get inspired.

Have a look on Instructables for an excellent tutorial with pics on how to make yarn from your collection of plastic shopping bags.

I found a pattern for this Round Plastic Bag Tote  from Marlo’s Crochet corner.

I hope you feel inspired to make something beautiful out of something that normally ends up in the rubbish. I would love to see some amigurumi made out of this, so if you have done some come and show it!

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*Little bee* free pattern

Here is a pattern I wrote over a year ago, it was on another blog but I thought you guys might like to see it again. It’s super quick and a really good way to use up some of that scrappy yarn lying around.

Stitches explained:

Sl stitch= slip stitch, SC= Single Crochet, Ch= Chain

Body:

Chain 4 close to make ring with slip stitch

row 1: 6sc in ring (6)
row 2: 2 sc in every sc (12)
row 3: 2sc in every 2nd sc (18 
row 4: 1sc in every sc (18
row 5: 1sc in every sc (18
row 6: 1sc in every sc (18
row 7: 2nd + 3rd sc together (12)
row 8: 1sc in every sc (12)
row 9: 2 sc in every 3sc (16)
row 10: 1 sc in every sc (16)
row 11: 2sc in every 4th sc (20)
row 12 1 sc in every sc (20)
Start filling body
row 13: 4th of 5th sc together (16)
row 14: 3rd + 4th together (12)
Fill body again
row 15: 2nd + 3rd together (6)
row 16: 3 x 2sc together
Finish off
Wings

Chain 4 close to make ring with slip stitch

row 1: 6 sc in ring
row 2: 2sc in every sc (12)
row 3: 2x *1sc, 2sc in next sc* next sc 1x slip stitch
row 4: ch4 close ring with 1sc into 1st of chain
turn work over, 9 sc in ring cut yarn off keep appr 20cm length.
Attach small circle to larger circle.
Attach body and wings together, and make a smiley face and TAaaadaaa you are done!

I made these into keyrings or with a couple more they make the cutest mobile for a baby.

Any questions please ask…!

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a couple jellies…….

These fall under Summer….seeing these little guys at the beach make me cringe but these 2 cuties have no stinging power! The pattern is on my blog………

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one last small crochet…..

Here is one last book thong for small crochet. I hadn’t had a chance to load the pictures.

I didn’t want to do amigurumi as I wanted the mushie to lay flat…..I like the way they turned out.

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Mini Jointed Teddy Bear

My Miniature Jointed Teddy Bear. I was visiting some websites and came upon a few miniature crochet/craft sites, and well, it inspired me to try this little bear. My lil bear stands a little over 3 inches, but I have to confess, it took me longer to crochet this little bear than it did with an average sized amigurumi. I used Size US-B/2mm crochet hook and fingering sock yarn, I also crocheted a mini scarf, using #3 cotton crochet thread and size B hook. I may try other miniatures, after my fingers heal, lol.

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Nubby Bear

I have a soft spot for teddy bears. This is my second jointed bear. I wanted to try another yarn, so I went with a boucle type yarn (Bernat Soft Boucle) . I had to use a larger hook for this yarn, he measures 8 inches tall. I really like how he turned out, really soft and cuddly. Now I have to find a spot for him (until my daughter snags it away).

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HK Ladybug

              My newest addition to my HK family – my Ladybug.  She stands 4-1/2 inches tall.  Just in time for Spring (or summer).  

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Mini Amigurumi Geisha

Here is my little Ami Geisha Doll.  She stands 4 inches tall, tip to tip.  I am addicted to Amigurumi and creating my own designs.  Once I get the patterns finalized, I will post them on my blog.  She was really fun to make.

Here is her side view.

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Little Hoot Bookthong

Last month for a swap,  I looked for a crocheted owl bookmark but only found the ‘filet’ type.    I don’t do filet crochet so I came up with my own….it turned out pretty cute but I didn’t write down how I made it.

My kids both wanted one so I had to make another one…..this one is just as cute….now my kids are putting in ‘orders…’

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Sneaky little mouse

I crocheted this little mouse for an apron swap I’m in. My partner has 3 cats ….thought this would be cute to add……for her kitties, of course!
He is soooooooo sneaky though…..I caught him munching on some cheese!

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Crocheted bookmarks/thongs

Here are 3 bookmarks/thongs I made for an upcoming swap I’m in. I crocheted around marbles!

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The $1 Shawl… a sort-of Granny post.

Hi kids! This is not a granny-square post, except that it is… it starts off with no more than the usual chain/join/crochet-chain-crochet patterns!

Funny, the things you can do with granny circles.

I call this the $1 Shawl. Funny story! I bet my mom $1 I could finish it in a week.

I lost.

And for those who wanted to see it, here’s the Pirate Bib, to match the Pirate Booties! 🙂 (Just click on “Pirate Bib”.)

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Double Grannies

I had a variety of baby pink yarns and thought this grannie along would be perfect to use some of it up!  What great inspiration!  So, here are some grannies I’ve been working on.  I am using 2 threads at a time to make it a bit fluffier.  It will be a baby shower gift for a friend.   I will be adding a couple crochet critters… on 2 of the squares and will submit that post when finished. 

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Momwithahooks first squares 2008

These are the four squares I did up on Sunday. Just thumbing through an Afghan book to see which blanket I wanted to make next. I think I will doing the one on the left bottom. I like the pattern and it is really simple.

The Flower in the Middle square was a bit of a challenge for me. Had to do a lot of frogging but eventually got the hang of crocheting the point of the flower to the square behind it.

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Flame On!

Hey, two posts in one day… hope I’m not breaking any mod rules, but I wanted to break up the items! 🙂

So the picture below is of a mistake. It was intended to be a pair of black mittens to match the Dash Dot Dash scarf, but I was using a crap pattern. (Lion Brand’s Family of Mittens crochet pattern apparently is only for those with no thumbs. Seriously, look it up and try to figure out what they meant by that thumb bit!)

After fussing with the thumb for half an hour, and nearly going blind in the process, I knew there was no way I’d ever get around to making another one, so I thought A-HA! Oven mitt! Sure you can’t thrust your hand into anything that’s on fire, nor should you put your hand in a boiling pot of water, but… well… DUH.

Then I took it a little farther, and figured I’d give it to a cook/biker-babe friend of mine who appreciates kitsch, and added some crocheted motorcycle flames.  (I knew someday I’d find a use for that leftover fire-colored variaged yarn!)

No really, they’re flames!

Really!

What?!

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