Tag: babygiftideas

Work In Progress Wednesday – My latest projects – Tunisian Crochet blankets

Recently I wanted to learn a new form of crochet – Tunisian crochet – Its been on my to do list for a long time and finally I am able to have a chance to learn this exciting new craft. Its basically a combination of knitting, crocheting and weaving using a long crochet hook to catch the stitches and creating a number of different types of stitches. Its amazing how many different stitches you can make using this method.

Quite simply you start by making a chain as you would in normal crochet, then you turn the chain to the back and you will notice a ridge between each chain. Insert your hook into the ridge and yarn over and pull through. Instead of completing the stitch you leave it on your hook. Repeat this for as many chains you have made. This is equivalent to your foundation row in normal crochet. Then you complete what is called the “return pass” you yarn over and pull through one loop, yarn over again and pull through two loops on your hook, continuing yarning over and pulling through two loops until you get to the end. And basically that’s it. Simple and quick to start!

I bought a book on Amazon called Tunisian Crochet from absolute beginner to advanced written by Dijana Warrender. Its an amazing book and as suggested in the title, it is quite suitable for a beginner. It details what equipment you need to start as well as how to complete each type of stitch and as I have stated above it teaches you how to start each block. It has a number of gorgeous projects to complete using the stitch library, including a sample blanket with each square dedicated to the stitches you have learnt as well as a mobile phone case, fingerless gloves, bath mat and so much more. You will definitely be able to use your new skills in these projects. I have started on the sample square blanket and I am also making another baby blanket using the pattern for the bath matt. Below are blocks 1-3 of the sample blanket.

Block 1

Block One

Block one teaches you how to combine colours and and also some of the basic stitches. It looks complicated but once you master the art of changing colours you will enjoy making this square. The colour combinations are endless. I chose to use white, caramel and beige to compliment my living area.

Block 2

Block 2

Block 2 is a gorgeous basket weave pattern using two alternative texture stitches. When using one colour texture stitches are great to add detail and interest to the square.

Block 3

Block 3

Block 3 continues the theme of changing colours with each row using a simple stitch and what is called a reverse stitch. With the simple stitch you pass the hook through the front of the post in each chain and the reverse stitch you grab the back of the post in each chain. Similar to front post/back post in normal crochet. This creates a “3D” effect. This works well with contrasting light and dark colours.

Baby Blanket

Basket weave pattern baby blanket

This is actually a pattern for a bath matt, a customer of mine loved the pattern so much she asked if I could make a baby blanket using the same pattern. This blanket is in 100% cotton using a gold thread. It will be available for sale in the Asiki store in Erskineville Sydney, later this year.

And there you have it for now. A little look at what I have been making so far. I really like learning this form of crochet and can’t wait to learn more. What’s your favourite type of crochet? Thank you as always for reading my posts. Have a wonderfull day!

Vicky

  • Please note with the links I do not make any money from them, I have included them in case you are interested in reading further on the products or suppliers I have noted.
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Brrr, it’s getting cold outside!….Warm fluffy blankets are what I am thinking about!

Can’t believe it’s nearly winter. For those who know me, it’s not my favourite season that’s for sure! The only thing I like about winter is the food and fashion and decor. It gives me a reason to take out my warm fluffy blankets, eat delicious soups and casseroles and adorn myself in scarves and fluffy sweaters.

I have been working on a gorgeous baby blanket using the front and back stitches in alternative rows. This gives the blanket a beautiful soft texture as well as making the blanket more flexible. This blanket once done will be 1 metre by approximately 1 metre or 40 inches by 40 inches for those that aren’t familiar with the metric system. This is perfect for a crib or toddler bed. Its extra wide on the side of the blanket so you can drape it over and tuck it in.

Can’t wait to show you the finished blanket. That will be in a few weeks. I am using 4 seasons Marvel 8ply for the main body of the blanket. I recently ordered some more from my local Spotlight store. I love how soft and flexible this yarn is! You can use it not only for blankets but also hats, scarves and many more items. It comes in many colours too! Spotlight has an awesome online store too!

Here are a few progress photos along the way. This blanket is also inspired from a pattern from the talented designer Catherine Crochets. You can find her patterns on Instagram.

This blanket also represents my first venture in design. I am thinking of writing up the pattern but I will see once I finish the whole blanket.

Thank you as always for reading my posts. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Vicky

ps. any links that I put are my own opinions and I am not affiliated nor do I receive any income from these links.

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Meet Henry the Alpaca

I have been learning the Japanese art of Amigurumi. It’s crocheting objects with yarn. It’s a beautiful and interesting art with so many variations man’s ideas on things to make.

Checkout my pin below on my latest project. A cute Alpaca. Amigurumi is not an easy art to learn it takes a lot of practice and patience but I think I am making progress!

pin.it/2JBec7d

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What a week it has been!!!!

Do you ever get the feeling you should have stayed in bed! Well parts of this week have certainly felt like that! Sometimes you feel like you are working for nothing putting in endless hours and not getting any results. You just want to give up. Its at that moment I do precisely the opposite. I keep going. Its on those days that I have had the absolute worst day, or encountered the absolute worst people that even though the universe says give it up, I am sending you this situation and these people to tell you stop right there! that I pull my socks up even higher and plough through.

I have come to far to stop, I have invested too much to let it all go. Ten years! Yes that right well almost 9 years and 7 months to be precise, 10 years in March next year, to just give into the universe and its annoying whispers. Look I could fall flat on my face but I am going down fighting!

Vickys Handcrafted Designs was born out of the desire to do something for my family, to contribute to our income and to teach my kids about the value of hard work and the magic of handmade products. Handmade items have been in our family for generations. I have said this before and I will say it again. There is nothing more precious than holding something your grandmother or great grandmother or someone has made with their own two hands. They have spent hours, mostly likely at night, to create something beautiful for someone to treasure.

So here I am at the end of an exhausting week saying I am going to keep going, moving right along. I have way to much in my head that I want to create to just let it all go. So if you have a chance take a look in my online shop and see all the hours of hard work packaged beautifully for you. Not only my work but also that of other creators and artisans that I wanted to share with you.

Thank you as always for reading my posts. I really appreciate it and the time you take. Thank you for all the likes and comments. Its means the world to me.

Take care and until next time I wish you all a fabulous weekend.

Vicky

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Amigurumi Crochet

Amigurumi Bunny – Crocheted by Vickys Handcrafted Designs

Recently I ventured into the art of Amigurumi. A japanese art in which small stitches are used to make an assortment of items such as animals, food, homewares and so much more. The list is endless.

The stitches used are fairly basic and uniform but the outcomes are amazing and so many creatures are brought to life with the use of colour and placement of stitches and texture,

I hope to post more of this work as I make each item.

Thank you as always for taking the time to read my posts.

Vicky

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