crochet

If you liked my flip-flop greeting card idea, you may like these ideas I came across to transform mundane flip-flops into unique footwear. I like the idea of taking a basic object and with a little bit of imagination and skill turning it into something individual. Linda Permann on craftstylish shows you how to embellish flip-flops.

This Rosy Cosy was designed and knitted by Rachel, one of the St Albans Knit Night regulars. The cosy won a competition in Knitting Magazine, July 09 issue, what a talented knitter she is. I am also grateful to Rachel because at one of the evening meetings, held at the Hare and Hounds, she was wearing a crocheted flower necklace. I admired it and she was happy to point me to the pattern on Creativeyarn .

My sister and her family came to visit us, for the day, on Friday. We only manage see each other about twice a year. We had a lovely day and exchanged birthday gifts. There are 364 days between our birthday so for one day we are the same age! During the day I had time to teach my sister and niece how to crochet a necklace. They were fast learners and within a couple of hours they had created really pretty necklaces, the photo is of the one my sister made.

My friend Ann came over for the day on Friday. We spent the morning in Hichin, the flea market was a bit sparse as it had been raining quite hard before we got there, a bit disappointing. With all flea markets it can be a bit hit and miss but that's the fun of it. I did buy 3 meters of a Japanese style cotton material. I'm not sure what I'll make, at the very least it will be a scarf. In the afternoon I showed Ann how to crochet. We decided chatting was not conducive to learning how to crochet, too many mistakes!

Made another flower necklace this time I tried it in autumn colours.

I've just finished this crocheted necklace. Rachel, a knitter at knit night at the Hare and Hounds, was wearing a necklace she had made. I said how much I liked it, she directed me to creativeyarn where the free pattern for the necklace can be found. 

I crocheted these roses from a pattern featured on The Dark Knit  It was very easy to follow even though I have never crocheted from a pattern before. I found out what the abbreviations in the pattern meant. I then found tutorials on how the stitches were formed. It all made sense eventually and it was easy.

This is the pattern:

Leaving a 10" length for sewing, chain 57.

I was really pleased to buy this antique crochet hook from a charity shop. Crochet hooks now are just utilitarian but this one is decorated, carved and turned bone. I showed the hook to Alice and was surprised at her squeamish reaction when I told her it was bone. At least I know she won't want to borrow it.

After seeing my piece about crocheted flowers my friend sent me a photo of a bowl her sister, Elaine, had crocheted from plastic carrier bags. Very effective and perfect as a fruit bowl. I think we can spot Sainsbury's contribution to the project. I then felt compelled to crochet a flower from plastic bags, it had to be done.

I have been busy in my spare time, crocheting flowers. Last week I learnt how to crochet by following a tutorial on the internet and ever since I have been hooked!