White bud crocheted prayer shawl

Christmas is round the corner and so is the mood to crochet new stuff - maybe its hanging ornaments, bunting, coasters, placemats and what not, isn't it? This time I wanted to try something new that I haven't dared to do so - its a prayer shawl. For that I had to do a study, what does that literally mean.

 

 thought it is a shawl that the ladies drape over their shoulders when they go to church for attending mass. But I wasn't so sure of that as I had just watched in films. But I learnt that its for various purposes - keeping one in prayers, praying for recovery from illnesses etc. But this for me, I crocheted keeping in mind my first reason.

 

I crocheted it using 100% cotton yarn and a hook size of 6mm. I think even if it was 6.5mm, it would be easy to use. It consumed one full ball of white yarn and few yards from the second ball for tassels. I didn't follow any pattern as such. It flashed in my mind as my work progressed, tried it out and trust me, it was easy to crochet this. Just chainless single crochet, chains and some picots to form the bud shape. Once you get the hang of it, it is easy to continue and you want it to get finished off to see how it looks like. Finally a round of single crochet to give a defined look. Its 40" * 30"(along drape side) * 14" (from the middle to the tip of the shawl). I could do it in a week with couple of hours each day. Showcasing a couple of its photos.

 

 

 

Maybe this is one of those projects which I have wanted to finish off in time. I liked the way it hangs from the chair. It was so cozy to wear it around the shoulder. Hope you liked it. Love to hear from you. Until then its Kala signing off. Have a lovely week ahead and happy crocheting.

Marine themed granny square cushion cover

Hello there everyone. Today is a post about a granny square cushion cover. It took about six months time to post this, apologies for that. Though I had finished off earlier, the fact is I almost had forgotten about this. I completed this project when I was about to travel to India in the last summer vacation. It was almost a rush and I couldn't find time to post it at that time. But glad that I had drafted this project as well as few other projects in my blogger dashboard, so that came to my rescue. I can pull out one by one to post about it. So now it is time for describing about my marine themed granny square cushion cover :-).

 

When I was thinking of what theme could be applied for the second cushion cover (earlier one was a multi coloured one), I was in a dilemma. The pattern of course was to use granny square, but the choice of colours put me to trouble. Then I remembered that my brother's favourite colour is blue. So why not add a touch of blue to its maximum. And to second my thought, I saw an ad in between watching a movie. It showed some island and touches of blue and aqua here and there. Something in my mind sparked immediately to use patches of blues on one side and other side with a different appearance.

 

Yes, that's it. Having finalised on the colours and patterns, I started digging out all the blue coloured yarns that I had in my hand. Being it a granny pattern, I was sure it will not affect me watching the movie either. So crocheting a marine themed granny square cushion cover began to evolve.  

 

For the patches of blue, I didn't design much. Just kept in mind that dark and light blues should alternate or overlap to produce sort of good gradient effect. I started crocheting the squares and followed the JAYGO (join as you go) method to connect each squares, which is absolutely a good time saver, and sometimes I weave in my ends in this process. I hardly remember spending time weaving ends. So this pattern was for one side.  

 

The other side also followed granny square pattern with only two blue colours, but it is a diagonal granny square pattern. I learnt a new pattern in that way and you know what, this diagonal pattern took considerably less time. I could crochet it easily, maybe I got the hang of it and it went on flowing easily, just changing the sides. It was really fun crocheting this pattern. See how the pattern grows from the centre to the corners. I have marked this pattern for making a cushion cover for myself anyway. I think we can add two more colours, in total having four to give much more effect. I don't know. Need to try.

This time I didn't use any single crochet stitches for the border and then any FLO or BLO or whip stitch techniques to join the cushion covers. I just used JAYGO technique here. So again a time saver here that the three sides were joined as I crocheted along each side. Only the top was left open to insert or remove the cushion. I added buttons again for this cover, some blacks and blues to match with the colours. And finally, a cushion cover had evolved. I really liked how it turned out at the end. It was really awesome.

 

With two cushions (Granny square cushion cover -1, the post here) side by side, my sofa was looking great. Hubby and kids loved it. My big boy commented if I am planning to turn everything in our home to have a crochet touch. Yeah, he is right to an extent. I would love to do so if time permits, I said.

 

So that's all for this time dearies. I hope you enjoy reading my posts and would like this too. See you in the next one, until then its bye from Kala. Have a lovely weekend. And if there are any crocheters or would love to learn crochet, HAPPY CROCHETING. 

Spiral earrings

This week in  my blog is about the spiral pattern. I wanted to learn this somewhere last year, but it went delayed and in course of time, forgot about that. Last week, when my boy M was describing something about a lego creation he made, he mentioned something about spiral steps or ladder he wanted to build in it. At that time, I thought I too had wanted to learn something similar in crochet and recalled it was this spiral pattern. I felt I should have noted this somewhere in my jotter, but hadn’t.

 

I took some time to understand this pattern. The pattern is straight forward, but handling the yarns were bit difficult for me. But you know what, if you can place the yarns on either side unwinding a long working yarn, to an extent this difficulty can be solved.

 

So now that I have learnt this pattern, it prompted me to make earrings and within no time, I had my own set of earrings. It turned out to be so crisp and cute earrings. I liked it very much. But sad that I am not able to wear it outside as it is so cold, icy, rainy and sometimes snowy that I have to get tucked in the jerkin. But I didn't give up. I wear it at home (hahaha).

 

My ladybird liked the earrings, and she wanted to wear it. I will make it for her when she grows up. Wait my dear, until then.

 

Hope you liked this small creation. See you in another post, until then its bye from Kala.

Happy First Birthday Yarnoments and Give away!!!

Yes... Its one year since I launched my Yarnoments. I feel so happy for this moment. Of course, without God's grace and support from my dear and near, I won't be able to reach this far, that is for sure. Ohhh, getting emotional here...... Also, I see that day by day , visits to my blog is also increasing which motivates me to explore more and more about crochet.

I organised a give away to celebrate this. Decided to choose three lucky winners from my WhatsApp group. Kids were also so enthusiastic as me. Luckily they were having vacation, so I got some more time to continue with the finishing touches for the give away. Also, this is my first experience too. I wasn't so sure of how to do this. But in the end, everything went well. I asked my kids to pickup three winners from the lot of names. My ladybird wasn't sure what to do. She was picking up name after name (hahahahaha)  and then putting back all the papers in the bowl. Continued this for a couple of times. I then asked my older one to show what to do and tiny tots followed him.

Don't you want to know what was the give away??? I crocheted three purses for the winners made out of bulky yarn. Added a flower applique too. My friends liked the idea and the gifts. I am so happy to read it too.

 

I was planning to upload this post a couple of weeks ago, but my ladybird fell ill and as she was recovering, she developed ear ache as the aftermath of her illness. Then the school reopened and I was held up with my routine tasks as well. I almost lost the track. Excuse me for that, (I am sure my readers would do that, thank you so much). However, I didn't sit idle these days. Tried to snatch some time in between the schedule to learn new a couple of new things about crocheting a curtain, a new stitch, made couple of earrings, worked out on cushion cover (continuing that, these are the pending ones that I had to give it to my brother) etc. Shall soon post about it.

 

See you soon in my next post, until Kala signing off for the day.

Self gifted crochet travel case

Doesn't that title seem to be weird?? But I don't. Because, this is an unexpected, unplanned gift that I presented to myself on my birthday two days back.

 

Two weeks ago when my kids went out with their dad for weekend shopping to buy groceries, they bought a cute cylindrical case of sweets. They were so happy that their dad bought it for them as both of us don't show much interest in buying sweets. We don't like their little teeth get harmed. But once in a while we do buy them some. When they came back home and showed it to me, though I was crossed at first, I was also happy to see their joy they put on their faces and joined them in their happiness.

 

I then asked them what they were going to do with the case. Each came up with their own ideas, Boy M said he will make a rocket out of it, Little V said he will make submarine, (wowwww, that's an awesome thought for his age, I felt. But he said he would definitely ask for his big brother's help. That is anyway expected, hahahahaha). My ladybird obviously had no choice other than copying her brothers. so she said she will make both of them. Permitted.

 

Later, I saw in their playroom the sweet case lying on the floor ignored. I asked them if they are not making any of their ideas to which they paid least attention. I then confirmed if they are not using it, then I might want to. Little V asked me what was my idea. I came up with my thought of using the case to put my crochet essentials while travelling. Kids liked my idea and immediately gave it to me for my purpose. Aaahhh, kids are so generous, aren't they????

 



I took some time to crochet a case cover wherein I can put my essential crochet accessories while travelling or waiting to pickup my kids until they finish off their school club sessions. To add details, I crocheted a multi layered two toned flower also. I crocheted a lid cover too and stuck it to the case lid. My cute crochet case cover is ready to use. You know how handy it is when you put it in your handbag or the crochet bag itself. You just need to take that case alone where you can find your crochet hook(s), tiny pair of scissors, tape, stitch marker, a couple of buttons, or beads etc. Thanks to my kids and hubby that they bought this. I have been looking for such a handy case while travelling when I don't need to take my entire box or just scatter it in my bag.

 

What a lovely gift I got !!! You know something. You can use it as kids' pencil case, or put agarbathis in the pooja room, or use it as a corner designer in your living room or hall with a couple of artificial flowers in it,  makeup brushes (kit).Options are endless. Tell me what would you like to use it as. Love to hear from you. Until then, bye from Kala.

Crochet cover for an almost to recycle travel clock

Coming up with a sudden thought, attempting it and the outcome becoming too awesome accompanied by much appreciation makes one person so happy that words become too short to express it. Wondering why I am saying this?? Yes, because it was me who came across the same situation yesterday when I showed my family this cute little crocheted cover for a travel clock which was somewhere lying in the house unused for past three years. See, how a plain travel clock is transformed ..... isn't it adorable ????

The situation arose when I very badly needed a wall clock for our bedroom upstairs in the new house in Leeds. Every time while shopping, I forget to buy one. So in order to avoid that, I amended it in the shopping list too, but unfortunately, I fail to take that list with me and as usual, I don't buy any clock. I then felt like buying a clock is not destined.
 

 

Yesterday morning, I decided I should at least do a temporary fix to this. Guess what??? Yeah, this little travel clock came to my rescue. I thought of replacing the wall clock in kitchen with a travel clock which has been unused for past three years, see the left side picture (almost at the verge of recycling in Glasgow, thinking it won't work). I had bought it from 99p in London which I had always visited in the beginning. Suddenly, an idea flashed in my mind, why not I crochet a cover for it. I didn't wait much longer. Grabbed some random colours of yarn and hook and started crocheting it. My sweetie pie also was feeling sleepy (good opportunity, hahahaha). She cuddled down by my side and I started concentrating on my work.   

 

I didn't have any clear idea of what to do. I started with the foundation chain and did single crochet stitches. All it happened in a jiffy that I was so surprised, hey what's going on ??? So I said to myself- no hurry, please slow down. Some instinct in me was saying to look into the work closely. It was turning out to be a bracelet type or bangle. No, that is not what I want, how did it happen? Then I realised, I forgot to make corners.

 

How can a square travel clock have no sides??? That's ridiculous. I unravelled the stitches, added an extra sc in the every corner in the foundation chain, counting exact stitches. When I finished my second row, it was taking the shape of a rigid square. I continued with it, alternating colours until it met its desired measurement. Then I felt why not I cover the area at the back just above the buttons and the battery cover.

 

 

Yes, that sounded good. So I worked on it too and it turned out to be a good sturdy cover. Of course, the sc itself gives a tight stitch pattern. I used a hook size lesser too for the back cover. So it was obviously tight enough for the cover. The picture on the left side shows the back side.

It was a bit difficult for me to crochet back panel, fiddling with the yarns maybe. However, interesting too. I couldn't wait to finish off the cover to see how it would look in that tiny timepiece.

I feel it should get a more definition, too reddish, isn't it??? But that's ok, it kind of blend with other colours. I am so happy with the unexpected outcome.


 

I just wanted to place it in the corner shelf, but it was too small to see the dial from a long distance. So I had to hang it. And eventually it turned to be a cute little hanging too. I threaded the same colour yarns in a big eyed pony needle, found out the centre leaving required stitches along the sides on the top, leaving desired length to hang, knotted on the top AND..... made a hanging item out of it.  

 

Ohhhh, I really loved it. How an unused item is transformed into a cute, adorable wall hanging within no time. Indeed an upcycling, isn't it??? This is how it sits on the wall of corner shelf in the kitchen. And the advantage is that it doesn't take much space. I can grab things from or place things on the shelf easily. Earlier it was really difficult and no space with a round wall clock. (And that too had a crocheted cover around it. I shall show it along with my two others later). But now, it isn't. Aweee, how elegant it is!!! You also should give a try. I have one more of the same travel clock, don't know where I have put it away. But I am now sure that I will make one more cover for that too once I find it. Again, a reason to crochet. May be will add more details to it.

I couldn't wait for showing it to everyone. In the evening, when the little men returned home, I showed them my new creation. They were taken aback seeing that. Maybe this was its destiny. My sweetie pie took it in her little hands holding it like a precious gem. She might have understood the value of it, and the effort her mum has put to make a cover. My hubby was amazed to see this cute little thing hanging in the corner shelf. (Ssssshhhh, I don't know if he is expecting similar things from me, wink). I know this isn't any new invention. Several others are there who come up with brilliant ideas, but for me what I do is boundless.

 

Do you want to know some more ideas on this. I came across of using it as a wall hanging, kids room décor (wall hanging in their room), study table piece, window sill piece, as a gift to your friend on moving to a new house, a birthday gift to kids, if you are travelling in scooter, you can stick it in the handle bar too (a wild thought, you don't have to divert your attention to see the watch in your hand though. sounds funny isn't it, but worth a try though). Wowww, amazing ideas, aren't they?? What do you think ?

 

Please leave your suggestions in the comment box below. See you in the next blog, until then its bye from Kala.

Crocheted multi-coloured butterfly keychain

Hi there lovelies, good to see you all after a long time. Settling down in Leeds took considerably more time than I expected.

 

Getting admission in school was the main overhead, but luckily, though I have to walk almost two hours a day, (yeah, pick up and drop is my responsibility), kids got admission in a good school. Other problem I faced was the intermittent access to internet. There was some problem with underground wiring which the BT person very lately detected. So it caused some delay in my addressing to the blogland.

 

You know what, after moving to Leeds, I felt like time is too short for me to do anything. I couldn't spend much time with my crochet work. I feel so guilty for that.  Is it because of the new place or kids are becoming bigger and they have new demands everyday, I had to meet it or I get tired walking up and down two hours a day, there are a couple of small steeps, so pushing the pram with little girl is tedious for me.  I don't know. Maybe it will be resolved in course of time, I feel.

However, I managed to help myself with learning a couple of new stitches and designing couple of dresses. I am so happy that even though I could spare very little time with crochet, I was able to do something which had given me confidence in designing dresses, identify mistakes, provide room for improving my skills etc.

Now coming back to the routine, today's post is about a multi-coloured butterfly keychain.

 

I liked this very much in this variegated colours. so apt for a butterfly to be. Its some time back I had made this which I misplaced somewhere at home. While shifting the house, I happened to see my old creations. I relived those moments when I was struggling to learn basic stitches and make some crochet cuties....

 

And guess what, I came across a bag which I first learned to make from youtube. It was half way done as I ran out of the yarn and suspended the work until I bought a new one. But eventually, I forgot about that. Now that is in my to-do list. I shall post on it sooner. I have a draft of posts which I have to and I don't forget about it. May I request you all to share your comments about my creations. I love to hear from you. Also please share your creations too. Love to see yours. So until then, its Kala saying bye, have a great week ahead.