Storage for the home

I have been wanting to try out crocheting baskets with jute (string) since I first started making crochet baskets. I had my heart set on making two large ones for a friend's birthday. I did initially want them to be bigger than they are, but after working with the jute and realising how much I would need I settled on this size. They are just a little rounder than a large dinner plate and stand about 15 cm high with the top folded over.
Things I learnt from this project, string is not the easiest to work with, it does not slide or come together all that well, and when you are working with two strands its more difficult. It is also very rough on your hands while you work.

Would I make more ? Probably not, but I love these and so did my friend!



Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet book closures

I wasn't really sure what to call these, book closures, page markers, maybe even book marks of sorts. The lady who runs Sewing for Charity Australia had a whole heap of address books that she intends to cover and put in our Christmas packs for nursing homes this year. We were originally going to do something pretty with elastic to go around them but then decided it would be easy enough to crochet something pretty.

It took a few goes to work out what was going to be suitable and fit right and in the end were pretty simple to make.
I crocheted a chain long enough (with a little give) to go around the address books, and then with a little fiddling was able to make the flower without having to fasten and start again. Flowers for the ladies and some plain circles for the gentlemen all finished of by tying a button to the centre.

At this stage the books haven't been covered so not able to show how they look finished but as soon as they are I will pop back in with a photo.



Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Halloween crafts

Do you get into the spirit of Halloween?
Here in Australia, or at least Queensland it seems that every  year the number of people taking part is growing larger and larger.
Our family don't partake to the extent of decorating or dressing up, although the holiday suits my husband personality very well. He would be awesome at decorating our place.
We do (finances permitting) have treat bags ready for any little dressed up kiddies that knock on our door.

I have been browsing through all the amazing Halloween crafts on pinterest, some people go way out in their Halloween decor.
I have selected a few of my favourites to share here.

bloodshot eye cushion

The cushions are not a  free pattern but are available to purchase on etsy.

 Ghost coasters

Web

Bat bag

Click on the link under each photo and it will take you to the pattern details.


If you trick or treat have fun!


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet bookmarks

All those readers out there will know the importance of a bookmark, I hate the idea of dog earring pages and the damage it does to books. Total personal choice and if anyone does that to their own books then its all good. That's why bookmarks are a must for me, I've tried having paper ones and either lose them or they fall apart easily.

I started making crochet ones awhile ago and they have been the only ones that I don't seem to loose and they definitely last the distance. They also dry easily if you drop them in the bath whilst having that relaxing soak. There are so many cute and pretty patterns you can get access to or if your clever enough design your own.
I have been making a heap up for the charity group I belong to, they will be added to our reading pillow gifts.
Below you will see the three designs Ive chosen along with the links for patterns.
All are made with an 8ply acrylic yarn, just scraps that I had lying around, they don't use up hardly any yarn at all.

 Cat Bookmark

 Scalloped Bookmark

 Flower Bookmark

I have 100 to make and currently have about 30 so I'm going to be a busy for the next few weeks. 

Are you a reader, what do you use as a bookmark? If you have any cool ideas let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for visiting

Lis :)

Baby boy C2C crochet blanket

I was sorting out my cupboard of gifts the other day and realised that I hadn't shared this baby blanket, it's the last of my baby crochet for a little while. I have mentioned before how much I love the C2C pattern so it's no surprise thats what stitch I used for this blanket. I wasn't sure what size I wanted it to be so starting from the corner is great for working out size later.
I used Sean Sheep 8ply yarn, it is super soft and comes in various colours I love it for baby items.I also like the easy border and how I don't need to really block once done, it sits quite flat on its own.

Currently im working on lot's of different projects for the charity group I belong to, so will be back to share those soon.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet newborn summer sandals

They say the more you do something the better at it you get, Id have to agree. The second time around you iron out all the little things that didn't go to plan the first time.
My second pair of these newborn summer sandals was much easier than the first pair. Practice makes perfect right?
The working out of where to put the toe strap and where to start the back and ankle straps is probably the most difficult part, once you have that down pat then the rest comes together easily.

Made with my own pattern and 8ply lincraft cotton in white and pink, you don't use much cotton at all to make them, maybe half a 50g ball of white and just a tiny amount for the flower.
They are much more practical for Queensland babies than the traditional bootie.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet Cotton Table Centre

I have been so busy the last few weeks, working on handmade gifts, my charity group projects, customer orders as well as trying to get some scrapbooking done and get organised for Christmas gift making. Have I taken on too much? Maybe but I'm happier when busy so I'm pushing through.
Wanted to share with you a gift I made for a special lady recently. She has just moved into a new home and is busy designing and furnishing with lots of new and pretty things as well as some handmade and vintage.
This table centre was so easy to make, using double stranded 4 ply crochet cotton and my new favourite c2c stitch. It worked up fast and looks great as well as being functional.
I was a little worried about it being a bit too thick, but it sits nice and flat and isn't that bulky.

You may just see alot of crochet items made using the c2c stitch in the future, I love how easy it is to crochet and yet it looks quite fancy. The other thing that I am loving is that the border is easy to do and I'm not counting a hundred stitches and I haven't had any issues with it not being square. Winning!!


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet Doiley

Really happy with how this doiley turned out, I haven't worked with this particular brand of crochet cotton before. It was supposed to be 4ply but it seemed alot thinner than that so I doubled it and think it was for the best.
The pattern was made up by me as I went along, I'm getting good at adjusting stitches and making things work. Colours chosen especially for a lovely lady who this was for, still waiting for her to receive it and see what she thinks.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet Toddler Poncho

This year I wanted to be a little more adventurous with my crochet and try to learn new things. One of those things was making things myself without a pattern, the other creating more than just baby booties and blankets. Ive managed to do both of those things with this project, which is making its way back into wardrobes. Ponchos were all the rage a few decades back but now are becoming popular again.
After a little bit of time and frogging the start I was able to work out the neckline, after that it was just a matter of making sure I increased in the right place each round.
Made with 8ply acrylic yarn using a 5mm hook, a simple granny stitch with a contrasting colour added for the fringe and chain tie at the neckline.

This one suitable for a 1-2 year old, in going to work on a bigger one next time and maybe a different stitch.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)