A few weeks ago I posted about some Ukrainian artists on Etsy that I love, and since then, I have found a few more. I'm working on a beautiful leaves mandala/doily pattern by Mykolayiv, Ukrainian designer Crochet Lace By Lara, whose patterns are stunningly detailed and nostalgic. Many of them would be pretty stretched into… Continue reading Mini update: Ukrainian crochet lace + my neighborhood
Category: My Makes
Flowers two ways: gift embellishments in fabric and paper
I've been hunting for ways to add something extra to gifts I plan to wrap soon, and I found a couple of nice ideas on YouTube. The first gift decor is a classic baby sock rose, made with tiny cotton socks, floral wire, floral tape, and paper leaves (I used green crepe paper since it… Continue reading Flowers two ways: gift embellishments in fabric and paper
WIP check-in : baby blanket and shawl
I hope this finds you well. Checking in with a couple of my current crochet doings. The first is a wonderful baby blanket that uses a traditional corner-to-corner technique, and Bernat Velvet yarn in color Smokey Blue. I love this shade of blue - it's almost periwinkle. The finished article will be for a special… Continue reading WIP check-in : baby blanket and shawl
Chevron stitch scarf
This squishy merino wool scarf is hot off the hook - just finished tassels last night. A special person back home requested this one; hope she enjoys it when weather turns cool again. PHOTOS: A close-up look at the yarn. You can see my basil sprouts in the last photo. It was made in a… Continue reading Chevron stitch scarf
New market bag + more spring views
The Hummingbird market bag is ready for spring shopping. I made this lovely bag using a free pattern from Swedish designer Pysselofix (she has an Instagram account and blog). The pattern starts with a six-point star and ends with two handles and a tasseled drawstring. I used Paintbox Cotton DK in Vanilla Cream, and a… Continue reading New market bag + more spring views
“New Life” crocheted mandala is finished
The "New Life" mandala is done, just in time for Spring. This is a lovely pattern by The Guy With the Hook, designed to use an entire 1000m gradient yarn cake. I made mine with YarnArt Flowers and a 3.00mm hook. It is just big enough to trim my kitchen table (below, you can see… Continue reading “New Life” crocheted mandala is finished
One Fine Spring Sunday + “New Life” mandala progress
Just a few photos and words to catch you up on one of my current WIPs, the "New Life" mandala. As of today, I've zipped ahead to round 34, and well into the green section of the YarnArt gradient cake (see photos below). I also have a few shots of today's walk around my neighborhood's… Continue reading One Fine Spring Sunday + “New Life” mandala progress
Mini update: New Life mandala in progress
My semester is back in full swing, and I'm alternating between the classroom and Zoom classes, as the Covid protocols make the return to "normal" life a bit rocky for the time being. There are a couple of small projects I have started recently that I can fit into short bursts of free time that… Continue reading Mini update: New Life mandala in progress
Hamster amigurumi + yarn recommendations
The hungry hamster amigurumi is finished! It took a little longer than planned, because I had to wait for the correct nose size to arrive in the mail. I love this little figure, with his tiny pink hands and feet, big cheeks and haunches, and a tail that helps him prop up. He also has… Continue reading Hamster amigurumi + yarn recommendations
New embroidery adventure + Japanese coloring book
Just a couple of crafty updates to share. I recently ordered some exquisite coloring books by the Japanese artist Kanoko Egusa. They were shipped to me from Pomadour, an Etsy seller in Niigata, Japan. Below are a few sample pages with adorable, fanciful animal figures and floral themes. I think my mom will like this… Continue reading New embroidery adventure + Japanese coloring book
The Frill Seeker 