Ballu the toppywala...

I wanted to create my own teddy bear.. While doing crocheting it, I remembered my childhood days where  people used to wear black or white caps. I remember many Hindi movies where the clerks used to wear those kinda caps.... I wanted my teddy to have a similar one. The teddy was my complete imagination and I am happy I could create what was in my mind. :)

Snowman

Just finished this little cutie man. I was badly missing those snowy days of Iowa.. I didn't follow any particular pattern. Tried to recreate what was in my mind and it came out as expected. My hubby was giving me honest feedback at every stage.

Happy holidays... ho ho ho...

Chunky basket

 

Materials required:

Yarn: Chunky yarn
Crochet hook : Size K (6.5 mm)

Pattern:

Row 1: In the magic ring ch2 and 15 DC. Join on the first DC (15DC)
Row 2: 2DC in each DC  (30 DC)
Row 3: *2DC on first DC, 1 DC on the second* repeat around (45DC)
Row 4: *2DC, 1 DC, 1 DC* through out ( 60DC)

Row 5: SC on the outer loop alone ( 60SC)
Row 6: DC on both the loops ( 60 DC)
Row 7- 11: DC through out (60DC)

Row 12: Mark the center point. Above this center point the handle for the bag is going to come.

12 DC, Ch 5, skip 5 DC, 26 DC, Ch 5, skip the next 5 DC, 12 DC and join.

Row 13: 12 DC, 5 DC on the 5 chains, 26 DC, 5 DC on the 5 chains, 12 DC. Join and fasten off.

Sew the remaining yarns.

To make the basket stiffer, you can spray the quick starch or dip the bag on  starch water and dry the basket.

And finally :)

Jingle Bell Baby Rattle

I came across some beautiful hand crocheted amigurumi balls on Ergahandmade a few days back.
But all I could relate after seeing these beautiful crochet balls was baby rattles. . So I wrote my own design for a second time. :)

I feel very happy to write it down. I'm keeping my small steps in pattern writing and is a very good experience.

Pattern:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rattle

Thanks
 Apple of my Eye

Know your yarn

Knowing your yarn and needle is always a good habit especially when you want to go a level above amateur crochet/knitting. 

With no Redhearts,Lionbrands, Carons and other fancy yarns around, the local yarns try their level best to match with international standards and they do an amazing job to bring we Indians the satisfaction of doing something equally good. The yarns available outside India usually come with a brand name and tips like size, how to wash it, what can be made out of it, and most importantly the what is it made of ( acrylic, wool, cotton). But in India most of the local made yarns are available without these instructions. So understanding the yarn is a very important task before beginning any of our projects.  Here in India we try to follow the UK standards. The yarns are mostly referred in ply.  Most of the yarns are 100% acrylic. We do get cotton, silk and wool.

"PLY IS THE THICKNESS OF YOUR YARN."

Fellow crochet friends who already know the ply difference and texture difference can differentiate and choose their yarns accordingly. But most friends who are beginners always ask how to choose their yarns.  

So to make it handy, I wanted to write it down as a post.

These measurements are written by experts.

Ravelry Standard Yarn Weights

Name	Ply (UK, NZ, AU)	Wraps per inch	Knit gauge (4 in / 10 cm)	Crochet gauge	Yarnstandards.com
Thread					0 : Lace
Cobweb	1 ply				0 : Lace
Lace	2 ply		32-34 stitches		0 : Lace
Light Fingering	3 ply		32 stitches		0 : Lace
Fingering	4 ply	14 wpi	28 stitches		1 : Super Fine
Sport	5 ply	12 wpi	24-26 stitches		2 : Fine
DK	8 ply	11 wpi	22 stitches		3 : Light
Worsted	10 ply	9 wpi	20 stitches		4 : Medium
Aran	10 ply	8 wpi	18 stitches		4 : Medium
Bulky	12 ply	7 wpi	14-15 stitches		5 : Bulky
Super Bulky		5-6 wpi	8-12 stitches		6 : Super Bulky

I personally recommend beginners to choose 8 ply yarn to start learning your crochet. This way you will first know how to handle your yarn firmly and will never be disappointed once your beginner level project gets completed. Initially while learning do not bother about the size of the end product and perfection. Learning the basics perfectly is your first lesson and not achieving the perfect size end product. Practicing makes you perfect and I'm sure you will end up with cute little projects . :) Happy Crocheting/Knitting.

Accessory organizer

I always like my things organized. Now dont get a feel that I'm all that clean- clean person.. I love to mess it up too :)


I know how moms feel when they are all set to go out and finding that matching hair clip, band and other stuff for their little daughters. How much ever we organize, we always get this thought, can this be made even simpler.I really donno if this organizer is of that sort, but simply loved it the first moment I saw. I liked the opportunity to play with colors and creativity.

The original pattern can be found here.


I also wanted to share two more interesting  accessory organizers that impressed me.

First will be my favorite blogger Repeat crafter Me's Hair Bow Holder

 

The next organizer is from my fellow Crochet friend Vijaya Rani. 

 You can find her works here.

Tara - Indidoll

I first met Tara and Mani at last Sunday Soul Sante, a mecca for hand crafted goodies.. I was so impressed with her look and the dress. She was like a girl next door. Every little girl's imaginary friend. Like every little girl, I (grown up little girl) also wanted to share my little secrets to my imaginary friend. I bet she will not gossip my little secrets ;)

I really wanted to design something for her. So I contacted the Indidoll team. They were absolutely friendly and wanted to give a try. After 2 hectic weeks, I came up with a line of little patterns exclusively for her. (Patterns are shared only with Tara as of now.. ). Met the team yesterday and they liked few of my items I designed for Tara. Even more happy to share, she will be wearing few of these accessories this Sunday Soul Sante that is going to happen on Oct 27th.

Wishing the sweet little bond between Apple of my Eye and Tara continues :)

Petal Square Granny Purse

I came across this pattern in one of Annie's books. I forgot from which book but I liked the pattern very much and tried one immediately and saved it . The way it came out made me do one more and converted it two a girl's purse.

Materials Required:

Yarn: 4 ply baby blue acrylic yarn and 4 ply blood red acrylic yarn

Needle: 3 mm crochet needle.

Lining material

Velcro 

Pattern: 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/petal-square-granny-sling-purse

Felt flowers

My first try on felt. As always it starts with a beautiful blossom. Yes, these are felt flowers that I learnt through Pinterest.
I had been using felt as an accessory for my crochet works. But never had an opportunity to try crafts using felt. Today finally made some time and tried making some little flowers. Actually, I did not have those flower colors. All I had was white, black, dark and light brown felt with me. This didn't stop me from trying my experiment.

Materials Required:
Felt
Scissors
Fevibond.
Fabric colors ( If you want to paint them )

For method follow this pictorial instruction http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/53/49/df/5349df7353733b20bccdee4030aab72d.jpg

And I followed this instructions and made my flowers

Racy Yarn bags

This Navarathri was super duper busy. 10days went just like that. I was completely engaged with the traditional activities and one list of friends visiting our home every day. This time, I actually didn't have a count of how many bags I crocheted as goodie bags. Apart from my usual goodie bags, I purchased this wonderful racy yarns from Craft Refill, it gave an absolute justification for my festival theme. I crocheted two bags for two lovely girls. The pattern is very very simple which can be seen below.

Pattern:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/party-bags

Simple beanie and booties

My favorite pattern ever. A simple beanie and a Mary Jane inspired booties.I did not follow any particular  pattern for these and unfortunately I did not write down the pattern as I crocheted. :( These patterns are more of inspirational.These products will be always stay close to my heart as I tried something of my own. For the booties, I got my inspiration from the Mary Jane booties. To add some extra character I added a clown shape to the booties.

Booties

For today's post, I choose one of my favorite blogger - Repeatcrafterme

No amateur crocheter will miss to learn all the nuances that Repeatcrafterme has to offer.. Her crafts are always inspiring and how can I miss making one of the cutest booties.

I made this for my friend's friend. Was so happy when I found a FIFA imprinted buttons that went really well with the booties. It made it more boyish and loved the way it added that extra character. :)

Granny base candy bag.

Pattern :
Granny base :

Ch 4 , join and make a ring.
Row 1 : Ch3, 2 DC, *ch 2, 3 DC* 3 times and ch 2. Join to the 3rd chain of the Ch 3.
Row 2: 3 DC, ch 2, 3 DC on each Ch 2 space. Join with slip stitch.

Body:
Row 3 : Work on the back loop only. DC on every chain. 2 DC on the each of 2 corners chains.
Row 4 -12 : DC every chain. Join every round and ch 1.
Row 13 :  1 DC and 1 DC decrease around and 1 DC in the last chain and join.
Row 14 : *2 DC , Ch 1, skip 1 chain, 2 DC* repeat through out and join.
Row 15 :DC every chain.

Attach a satin ribbon for handle

Scrap yarns to Colorful bag

Sometimes I'm left with so many scrap yarns, I feel really bad to throw them away. That time, Meladora's wavy bags gave a new method to use my scrap yarns a better way.

Thanks to Meladora's creations

Wholla..

Here is my colorful bag.. :)

Kokeshi dolls

I always loved little dolls. I still have all my dolls that I used to play with during my childhood and will always have this love for little dolls. When I came across Kokeshi dolls, I immediately wanted to try my hands on it. I am loving the way it has turned out. I will for sure make more of these and keep it with me or will share with my AOME friends.

Curtain Holders

I wanted to recreate those curtain holders that used to be in my home during my childhood. This time, I wanted no plush toy type material, instead wanted to try it as an Amigurumi.

So here it is :)

After buying the pattern please leave a message in the comment box with your email ID. The pattern will be emailed to you within 12hrs time.

Colorful Christmas hat

A colorful Christmas hat.  Why say it a Christmas hat, completely coz of the colors :)


Chain 4 stitches.

Join and chain 1

Row 1:SC 8 stitches.

Row 2: 2 SC on each stitch ( 16 stitches)

Row 3: *SC on the first chain and 2 SC on the next stitch* . Continue till the end of the row.

Row 4: *SC the first two chains and 2 SC on the third chain* continue till the end of the row.

Row 5:*SC the first three chains and 2 SC on the fourth chain*continue till the end of the row.

Row 6: * SC the first four chains and 2 SC on the fifth chain* continue till the end of the row.

Row7: DC

Row 8: Change color and Puff stitch

Row 9: 2 DC

Row 10: Change color and Puff stitch

Row 11 :Puff stitch

Row 12, 13 : Change color and Puff stitch

Row 14: Change color and DC

Row 15,16,17 : DC

Row 18: Reduce the chains by half. hold 2 chains together and DC.

Row 19,20 :DC

Row 21 : crocodile stitch.

Floral sandals.

When I came across this pattern, I simply loved making one.

For more such cute sandals have a look at my Apple of my Eye.