Thursday, September 29, 2016

Flower Wreath

As promised here is my version of a flower wreath.  So far this is the most in demand project I had. It's so cute and looks so nice not just on a little girl's head but also for grown ups.   For this toturial I am using a worseted yarn, but the actual wreath is made of crochet thread like that of Aunt Lydia's. I am making this pattern as if I am using a crochet thread. 

But the pictures you will see is of a worseted yarn. I was having a hard time taking pictures of those so little thread. So I made this tutorial with a bigger yarn for better visual. So here's the pattern:

Materials:
  • Yarn - For this tutorial I made it with a worsted yarn.  But for the actual wreath it is made of crochet thread like the one of Aunt Lydia's.
  • Crochet hook - 1.5mm. But for this tutorial it is a G/4.0mm
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry Needle

Stitches Used:
  •  st(s) - stitch(es)
  • ch - chain
  • sc- single crochet
  • dc - double crochet
  • sl  st - slip stitch

Instructions
Chain 20. Sl st in the first chain to creat a loop. 

This loop will serve as our adjuster.  Then ch20 again, plus ch 5. Sl st in the 6th chain from the hook. 


 Then Make 12 sc into that small loop.

 Sl st in the first st. *Chain 2, skip 1, sc in the next st. * Repeat this process until you will have 6 small loops around. 



Sl st in first st. *Sl st into the loop, ch 1,  5dc, ch 1 and sl st back into the loop. * Repeat this process again on all 6 small loops, this will be the first set of petals for our flower.












Then ch 1, and insert your hook in between the first and the last petal. Like this one.
And make a sl st, then ch 4 and sl st again to the next in between the petals.
Make the all around and you will end up again with 6 small loops, a little bigger than the previous one. This is where we are going to make our second set of petals for the flower again.  

Then sl st in the loop, ch 1, dc 7 into the loop, ch 1 and sl st back into the loop.


Make the petals around until you will have 6 a little bit bigger petals on the second row of your flowers.
This is how your flower will look like. Then ch 1 and sl st on any st you can find at the back of your flower just to add up some height just before you continue to work on your next flower again.


The after that. Repeat all the process once again until you reached the desired length  of your flower wreath. 
This is how it looks like with crochet thread.




And now for the leaves. You will just have to chain whatever length you like and attached your chain to the flower wreath and make some small leaves. For the leaves I only chain 5, sc in 2nd st from the hook, hdc next, hdc again in next and sc in the last chain, then sl st back to the "stem"  of your wreath... You can just place the leaves anywhere and chain whatever you like, for this flower, in every chain 12 I make a leaf.


That's me modeling the wreath. Excuse my gray hairs.. hehehe.


So that's it. I hope you all learn something and enjoy this post. If you have any questions, comments or suggestion just leave a message on the comment box and I will gladly answer them. Thank you and God bless!


xoxo

Nanay Madel



Don't forget to share on facebook, pinterest , twitter and more... Please bear with my pictures, I just took them using my phone. Thanks! 

**Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish all photos from this blog as your own. You may make and sell products from my pattern. Please also link back to my post. Any link back will be much, much appreciated.Thank you very much. **
I always make sure to share also because I learn crochet for free and I got all of my patterns from all over the internet from some very generous bloggers. So please also click the links and support the bloggers.



Thought of the Day

September 29, 2016

When trials come our way, we're not to fret, complain, rebel or worry ourselves out of the hand of Christ. But humble our soul before God. - DA



Monday, September 26, 2016

Flowers


While almost half of the whole world is now getting colder, here in the Philippines it is still hot as summer. But sometimes the cold winds blow also. I really wish I could make all those beautiful Autumn outfit, I love the colors of autumn. But I don't know what to do with them if I will  make one it's too hot for a chunky cowl or even an ear warmer.

 It's no wonder why I cannot find much chunky yarn here in our country. It's no use for us here. The most popular yarns we have here are made of cotton. I even grow up thinking that I can only use crochet thread for crocheting, never thought that a yarn can make a lot of difference and would open a lot of possibilities on crocheting. So you might still wonder why I am not making anything for the coming cold for it never gets here. 

So today I am making flowers. Yes! even if spring is so far away I can still make flowers and it is my most demanded project so far.  As much as I hate to work with crochet thread, I get yarn burn on my finger all the time, I have no choice because they look so lovely especially if you are making flowers. Below are some crocheted flowers I have found around the web and also later I'll be posting about my flower wreath and how I did it.


So here are my TOP 10 beautiful flowers around the web. So far these flowers are the ones that really caught my eye and all of them are free pattern as of writing. 
  1. Double Crochet Flower 
  2. Crochet Flower 
  3. Crochet Hydrangea Flower  
  4. Double Flower 

  5. Easy Rose Crochet Pattern 
  6. Cherry Blossom Flower 
  7. Popcorn Stitch Crochet Pattern 
  8. Small Flowers 
  9. The Crocheted Flower Wedding Bouquet 



Of course if you are making flowers you needed some leaves too. As a bonus here is a beautiful collection of crochet leaves free pattern by Attic24. Just read on the blog and you will find the links of the patterns for the leaves. The entry was about the beginning of making a winter wreath and by the looks of it, this wreath will be gorgeous.


And if all those flowers are not yet enough here is a Playlist in Youtube from Sheruknitting. So many video tutorials about crocheting flowers.


So that's it. I hope you all learn something and enjoy this post. If you have any questions, comments or suggestion just leave a message on the comment box and I will gladly answer them. Thank you and God bless!


xoxo

Nanay Madel



Don't forget to share on facebook, pinterest , twitter and more... Please bear with my pictures, I just took them using my phone. Thanks! 

**Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish all photos from this blog as your own. You may make and sell products from my pattern. Please also link back to my post. Any link back will be much, much appreciated.Thank you very much. **
I always make sure to share also because I learn crochet for free and I got all of my patterns from all over the internet from some very generous bloggers. So please also click the links and support the bloggers.



Sunday, September 25, 2016

Bobble Beanie


I've always wanted to make bobble stitches. It's so nice although it consumes much yarn but I love it. I tried to make a bobble bag but failed and ended frogging everything. This Bobble Beanie would be my first ever project using bobble stitches.

Materials:
Size -  Adult size

Stitches Used:
  • st(s) - stitch(es)
  • ch - chain
  • sc- single crochet
  • dc - double crochet
  • dc2tog - double crochet two together
  • Bobble Stitch  or dc5tog - double crochet 5 together
  • sl st- slip stitch


Instructions

* Note: In making the band of the beanie we are working here on back loops only.

Row 1 . With Pine color Chain 8, sc in back loop only in second chain from the hook. SC all the way till end only in back loop  (7 sc). Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2. SC in first st on the back loop only ( since you are working now in the wrong side, this back loop I am talking about is the same back loop when you are working on the right side. in this row this loop is the one in front of you, but still the back loop on the right side. I hope you get what I mean :)) SC all the way till end only in back loop. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 3. Right side. SC in first st, sc all the way till end. (7 sc). Chain 1 and turn.

Row 4-52. Just repeat Row 2 and 3.  Ending up with Row 2.

Row 53. Join both ends of the band by slip stitching together, wrong sided facing each other. Sl st the loops that are free or the front loops. Chain 1.

Making the beanie up:
Round 1. Sc all the way around. (52 sc's) then change to Marigold. Chain 1

Round 2. Turn (working on the wrong side), sc the last stitch from the previous round. *Make a bobble st in next st or dc5tog. Sc in next 3 sts* Repeat all the way around ending with just 2 sc in the last stitches. Chain 1 and turn. (right side).  We are working in the wrong side since the bobble stitches, bobbles on the wrong side. 

Round 3. Chain 4, dc in same st skip 2 sts, *dc in next chain 1, dc in same st, skip 2 sts.* Repeat all the way around. Sl st on top of chain 3.

Round 4.  Chain 4, dc in chain 1 space, *dc, chain 1, dc in chain 1 space.* Repeat all the way around. Sl st on top of chain 3.

Round 5. Chain 1, sc in each st around. Join chain 1.

Round 6. Turn (working on the wrong side), sc the last stitch from the previous round, sc in the next. *Make a bobble st in next st or dc5tog. Sc in next 3 sts* Repeat all the way around ending with just a  1 sc. Chain 1 and turn. (right side). 

Round 7. Round 3. Chain 4, dc in same st skip 2 sts, *dc in next chain 1, dc in same st, skip 2 sts.* Repeat all the way around. Sl st on top of chain 3.

Round 8.  Chain 4, dc in chain 1 space, *dc, chain 1, dc in chain 1 space.* Repeat all the way around. Sl st on top of chain 3.

Round 9. Chain 1, sc in each st around. Join chain 1.

Round 10-17 . Repeat round 2-9.

Round 18. Chain 4, *dc2tog, with the first leg of the dc2tog in chain 1 space of the previous round, and the other leg on the next chain 1 space*. Repeat all the way around. Join with a sl st. Chain 1.

Round 19. Sc in each st around. Join chain 1. Fasten off leaving a long tail.

With your tapestry needle, sew all the stitches and pull them together to close the hat.

Make a small pompom using the Pine colored yarn. There are many ways to make a pompom. I did mine with a pompom maker, the smallest pompom maker I have.  But if you don't have a pompom maker here is a great tutorial from Repeat Crafter Me - here.




That's me modeling the hat. Excuse my gray hairs, because I am not getting any younger. hahaha.

So that's it. I hope you all learn something and enjoy this post. If you have any questions, comments or suggestion just leave a message on the comment box and I will gladly answer them. Thank you and God bless!


xoxo

Nanay Madel



Don't forget to share on facebook, pinterest , twitter and more... Please bear with my pictures, I just took them using my phone. Thanks! 

**Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish all photos from this blog as your own. You may make and sell products from my pattern. Please also link back to my post. Any link back will be much, much appreciated.Thank you very much. **
I always make sure to share also because I learn crochet for free and I got all of my patterns from all over the internet from some very generous bloggers. So please also click the links and support the bloggers.



Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Free Pattern: 12 Crochet Backpack for Kids!


I've been looking for inspiration for a backpack. I am planning to make one for my 2 year old niece. And as I browse the internet (most of all Pinterest), I've so many beautiful crochet backpack and most of them are free patterns. Here are some that I have found. All free Pattern as of writing. Aren't they all gorgeous?

  1. Lily Sugar 'n Cream 'My Stuff' Drawstring Bag from Yarnspirations. Good for little boys and big boys alike.
  2. Lady Bug Backpack of Red Heart. This one is really cute. Really suites my 2 year old niece. I might do this one.
  3. The The Out & About Backpack by Love Crochet. This one suites not only for the little ones but also for the big ones! It's so pretty I can use them myself.
  4. Drawstring Backpack to Care-A-Lot By Stitch11. So easy to make and I love the sparkle!
  5. The Wee Back Pack Pattern by Lion Brand. I could do this also for my niece. It's fast to make.

  6. Lily Sugar 'n Cream Frog Backpack by Yarnspiration again. It's a frog! Who doesn't love a backpack frog? My boys will be ecstatic if I will make this one.

  7. Busy Bee Backpack by Fave Crafts. This one is great for school age. A wonderful bag for your busy bee.

  8. Floral Fiesta Crochet Bag by My Little City Girl. I've been eyeing this bag for so long. Just need some time to make this amidst my mountainous work-in-progress project! It's so perfect for a little girl.

  9. Building Blocks Crochet Backpack by Tamara of Moogly Blog. It's a great backpack for the boys! My eldest loves block, so this one is for him.

  10. CROCHET PATTERN CHILDRENS' BACKPACK by Yarn Plaza. This is cute for school girls and also for school boys, just change the color that suites your boy. And skip the flower motif.

  11. Owl Back Pack at Ravelry. So cute. What is it with crochet/knitting and owls? I don't know. But I love them.

  12. Rainbow Dragon Backpack by Abc Knitting. Last but definitely not the least. It's so pretty. The colors and the crocodile stitch are so pretty. I bet this is not for kids only.



I still can't make up my mind on which to make. But I might do my own version based on all the backpacks that I've seen so far. Who knows. One thing for sure I will share it here when I am done making it.


So that's it. I hope you all learn something and enjoy this post. If you have any questions, comments or suggestion just leave a message on the comment box and I will gladly answer them. Thank you and God bless!


xoxo

Nanay Madel



Don't forget to share on facebook, pinterest , twitter and more... Please bear with my pictures, I just took them using my phone. Thanks! 

**Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish all photos from this blog as your own. You may make and sell products from my pattern. Please also link back to my post. Any link back will be much, much appreciated.Thank you very much. **
I always make sure to share also because I learn crochet for free and I got all of my patterns from all over the internet from some very generous bloggers. So please also click the links and support the bloggers.


Monday, September 19, 2016

Chocolate Cupcakes

I do bake! Yes I do. I'm a frustrated baker, a graduate from Youtube Academy. LMAO! But there is this one recipe that I've been doing all time. It's a chocolate cake. I forgot where I got this recipe and could not find it anymore in the web. It's in my file for so long already. I am a chocolate lover and this recipe really got me. 

Yesterday was my son's birthday and he asked me to bring some cake for his classmates. And this is what I made.  CUPCAKES!

Everyone was so happy. But most of all my birthday boy was so happy. He was so overwhelmed when I came over to his school during recess and forgot to take one for him, he just roam around and make sure everyone of his classmates is eating. Good thing his cousin won't eat anything offered to him, so he ate his share instead, Ah! Time flies so fast! My eldest is now in Grade 1 and just turned 7 yesterday! 

I might as well share this recipe with all of you and tell me about it. I am not gonna hide it from everyone since it is not my own recipe also. And please if anyone knows who owns this Recipe please tell me so that we can credit the owner. It is called Moist Chocolate Cake! It has a frosting but I don't do the frosting at all. I don't like it. 

When you are making cupcakes just bake it from 13-15 minutes on the same temperature as the recipe suggest. And sometimes when baking this cake I'll add 5 or 7 more minutes if the toothpick doesn't come out clean. It depends, I don't know why, sometimes 35 minutes is just so right, sometimes it is not. And please follow the instructions on letting it stay cool for 10 minutes or letting it cool completely before removing it from the pan. It will be a mess if you will take it out immediately. Enjoy the recipe below!




Moist Chocolate Cake
·         2 cups white sugar Ingredients
·         1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
·         3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
·         1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
·         1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
·         1 teaspoon salt
·         2 eggs
·         1 cup milk
·         1/2 cup vegetable oil
·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract
·         1 cup boiling water
Directions
1.        Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
2.        Use the first set of ingredients to make the cake. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, mix for 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Stir in the boiling water by hand. Pour evenly into the two prepared pans.
3.        Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.
4.        To make the frosting, use the second set of ingredients. Cream butter until light and fluffy. Stir in the cocoa and confectioners' sugar alternately with the milk and vanilla. Beat to a spreading consistency.
5.        Split the layers of cooled cake horizontally, cover the top of each layer with frosting, then stack them onto a serving plate. Frost the outside of the cake.





So that's it. I hope you all learn something and enjoy this post. If you have any questions, comments or suggestion just leave a message on the comment box and I will gladly answer them. Thank you and God bless!


xoxo

Nanay Madel



Don't forget to share on facebook, pinterest , twitter and more... Please bear with my pictures, I just took them using my phone. Thanks! 

**Please do not re-publish all photos from this blog as your own. Please also link back to my post. Any link back will be much, much appreciated.Thank you very much. **