Sunday 15 April 2012

Light the way...

Hello friends,

Hope you are all well and in great spirits? This blog post is to share something  I made yesterday.....it has made me really happy cos I never thought I could make something so delicate!

It is sitting on a side table and I keep stealing glances to check its there and that I managed to make it! Here it is,my pride and joy.....please ,please , please say a few words to encourage me and egg me on to bigger and better things....you do all know the power of the written word!

I have big plans which  shall be revealed soon, and your words of encouragement will really be the catalyst.....here goes! 


Heres hoping this shade is well loved.

Warm hugs,
Ramya

Monday 26 March 2012

A sparkly scarf for" My Jane"

Hello beautiful people,

As I start this post, I can see lovely blue skies from my window and feel the advent of spring...its wonderful isnt it? How is it where you are today?

Sunny skies and lotsa flowers and happiness.....all these epitomise my friend Jane....who has a birthday this month. My lil girl has been calling Jane by the epithet "my Jane" since the age of two..and the name has stuck!! I made this sparkly sequiny scarf  for Jane as its so Her!!



I hope she has a wonderful birthday and a year full of happiness. I belong to India and have been in the UK for over 15 years and Jane has been a part of my life for a large chunk of this time...she is such a comfort to me , she makes me feel at home here too!! Heres to our friendship!

Thank you so much,Jane.

I chanced upon this simple stitch and started the scarf, I really enjoyed making it . The stitch pattern is called the crossed trebles(half double crochet in US terms). Really easy to do! Here is the pattern.

Make an odd number of chains,this is important.
 yrh   stands for yarn around hook


Row 1-- yrh ,insert hook in 3rd chain from hook,yrh and draw a loop through
Yrh, insert hook in next stitch, yrh and draw aloop through, yrh and draw through all 5 loops on hook( this completes the first crossed half treble (hdc).    Chain 1, *(yrh, insert hook in next chain,yrh and draw a loop through ) twice, yrh and and draw through all 5 loops on hook to complete next crossed half treble.,chain1, repeat from * to last chain, turn.





Row2-_  chain 2 , yrh , insert hook in first chain space, yrh and draw a loop through,  yrh and draw through all 5 loops on hook , chain 1,  *yrh,  insert hook in same chain space as 2nd arm of last crossed half treble, yrh and draw aloop through,  yrh insert hook in next chain space , yrh and draw a loop through,  yrh and draw through all 5 loops on hook chain 1,  repeat from * to end( taking care to work 2nd arm of last crossed treble in chain space formed by turning chain.), 1 half treble in 2nd of chain 2., turn.













Repeat row 2 for the desired length.
































I love this stitch for the texture it produces, the sequins are randomly scattered in the pattern which I think adds to the charm.

I hope the scarf is loved by the recipient....best compliment for any crocheter and friend of course!!
Please do let me know if pattern is unclear, the photos are fuzzy ....I will  do my best to clarify!!


Hugs,
Ramya



Tuesday 20 March 2012

Hooky fingers.....

Hello lovely friends,

Hope this post finds you basking in the sunshine, literally and figuratively? Lovely blue skies here in the UK...and  sunshine too....how essential it is to well being, isnt it?

My hooky fingers have been busy trying to create things that make me sing !! Isnt there something so magical about making something just out of a ball of yarn and a lil hook? I feel really blessed to be able to nurture this ability, dont you?

Amidst all my WIPs,  I upcycled this little drawstring bag , I actually finished it today....here it is!!






Isnt it darling? I have always had a  penchant for dinky bags and this fits the bill  exactly!








This is the rather staid avatar of the bag before it was made over.....it held a bag of 
sweeties long demolished...I had stashed this jute bag away thinking that it would be used one day.....am so glad I did!!







This is the snowy pile of hexagons which aided heavily in the make over. I finally used up yarn i got ages ago for some other long forgotten purpose!! It is a rather simple pattern and I would be more than happy to do a tutorial. Worry not if you dont  possess said jute bag , as you  could just make the bag in thick yarn or else line the bag if using DK weight yarn!!

One satisfied bunny signing off for now, see you all soon!!


Warm hugs,
Ramya

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Crocheting the day away.....

Hello lovely  kindred souls,


Hope the suns rays are spreading out to warm you up in your nook? the days are getting longer and brighter which is always a good thing....but I have to say I love all seasons because they are all wonderful in their own way, don't you think?


I kept postponing a blog post so I  could gather lotsa photos...this is happening slowly cos I have been quite busy with numerous WIP's...hence this is a word heavy post!!


I have started the Lego blanket, I need way more squares as it is for my 12 year old son....so its an ongoing project . I try my best to intersperse heavy projects with smaller ones for instant gratification....like several scarves which are my fave accessory, baby cardi  for a friend, baskets and small purses  .....bracelets...another blankie in the pipeline for which the wool has arrived...and as if that wasnt enough, I have embarked upon a project which involves lace weight yarn and several octagonal motifs to make  a work of art hopefully!! Any  guesses??


I love the yarn , its so soft and cuddly. A year ago,I wouldn't have dared to crochet with yarn so fine simply because of the fact that any project would take much longer  to finish and wear...but  a certain genius of a  Parisian designer has inspired me  to take the plunge!! 


God ,am I besotted with her work !! I know this project is going to take me really long to complete...but whats the hurry? In this world of instant and fast achievements, I think its nice to take your time to create something which would be cherished for a very long time. ( so I say at this point in time!!) But jokes apart, I really want to finish this project....please do encourage me,lovely people!! 


Pictures will appear tomorrow, so please do send me good wishes ,all you crochet geniuses!! 






Will sign off for now, see ya tomorrow!!




Warmest hugs,
Ramya



Saturday 4 February 2012

Encounters of the yarny kind!!

Hello my friends,


Trust alls well with you and yours?
I started this blog due to my sons encouragement....and this potent stimulus is working again...I have just changed  the picture on my blog heading,and I feel good!!! The cushion covers featured are made out of African flower hexagons as all of you would know. I made them a while ago after reading Alice's (Crochet with Raymond) blog post about them .I had some perfect yarn in yummy colours, it  was the perfect marriage!!

The case is for my precious Kindle. I used Tunisian crochet to make this . I lined it with felt and I love it especially cos its used so much.


 

I love Tunisian crochet , its easy and quick and produces a nice thick weave like fabric. I used three colours and I love  the result. I found a really good tutorial on 3 colour Tunisian on Stitchdiva.com. Would anyone like a tutorial  case?


As  I type, I can see the snowflakes twirling down and my excited cubs are fully attired for a snowball  fight....it is after all the first snow fall this year where we live!!

Will pop back in a bit.....some video-ing  required of said snowball fight!!


Ciao for just a little while..


Hugs,
Ramya

Tuesday 17 January 2012

What a warm feeling.................

Hello lovely folks,

Hope all of you had a lovely christmas and are into the New year with anticipation and a will to get things done and dreams fulfilled?

I am too...slowly bouncing back after a mysterious allergy and a bad back...feels good to be better in time for the New year.  Though I haven't blogged in a while now, my hooks have been  busy...I am glad to say!!  I am about to embark upon a blankie adventure...talk about inspiration galore on Pinterest!!

I found this  http://allthingsbrightandbeautifulcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/crochet-lego-blanket-tutorial.html and I have. ordered the yarn to make it for my Lego mad son...his 12th birthday is in February...hope I have it finished by then.  Another amazing inspiration is from the autumn blanket by Victoria of{yarn around hook}.fame.

I have to repeat whats oft said about bloggy people and  their generosity in sharing patterns....well,the above two examples confirm it!! They have actually helped to kindle the blankie fire in me once again...and I am so excited!!! Cant wait for my yarny bundle to arrive....is there anything better to wait for , for a yarn mad, crochet crazy   person? Nah!!

This is for all those lovely people who choose to share their accomplishments with the others....three cheers!! Keep you posted...

Hugs,
Ramya