No more getting lost when crocheting in the round.

Just a quick tip  want to share today. Have you ever lost count of your stitches while you were crocheting in the round ? Well here is a little help for you.
The lady who owns this blog has figured it all out for us and she make a nice list were we can constantly check how many stitches there should be in each round. It is just brilliant.


https://pixelsandpins.com/2015/07/22/crocheting-in-the-round-and-stitch-counts-a-chart-for-the-mathematical-hooker/

Crochet angel

I made this for my miniature tree.

Angel shown with my fingers for scale. But if you do not feel like mini crochet do not run off.........this pattern can be made with thicker thread and a bigger crochet hook as well.  The sky is the limit size wise !

Several of my angels in the tree on the left in this photo.

I have been a very good girl today and right  after breakfast I sat down, made two angels and wrote down how I made them

The angels are done in crochet and please note that if you have not got a bit of crochet experience it would be best to first try making one with regular yarn and a matching crochet hook first , Size does not really matter as long as it is bigger than the really tiny stuff . Believe me this is fiddly stuff even if you are used to mini crochet.

For mine I used :
crochet hook 0,60 mm
DMC tatting thread in white or a similar thread
Tacky glue
Needle
Small pearl bead.
 ultra fine glitter ( optional )
Fabric stiffener of your choice ( optional)

Angel is worked in rounds. Rounds are not closed so please use  a marker ( like a piece of colored thread) to keep track of your rounds.  They are supposed to look like a little bell shape when they are finished. Another comment : I have made tons and even though I follow the pattern  they all look different just like real angels would !

Start with a magic  circle and work 6 sc into the circle.
Close the circle by pulling the thread and working  slip stitch.
Round 1 : work 2 sc in each stitch. Take your time ! And yes saying bad words is allowed.
Don't close the round !
Row 2- 6 :  This is going to be easier : work 1 sc in each stitch and do not close the rounds.

Row 7 :  2 sc in each stitch. , finish off and cut thread. This will add a ruffle to the skirt.

Feel free to experiment with the number of stitches and the number of rows and even the tip of stitches. This is just a very basic pattern to start with. The possibilities are endless.

                                             Showing the basic shape for the angel.





I did use some fabric stiffener on mine for I wanted them to stand up and look a bit crisp but you can use them as they are.
Weave in all lose ends before you add the fabric stiffener.  Leave to dry.

For the head : Glue a tiny pearl bead to the top of the bell shape. The hole in the bead can be used to add a loop for hanging your angel. Just thread a piece of  yarn through the hole and the body and back and tie together.. To camouflage the hole in the head ( also when you are not doing a loop) apply some ultra fine glitter to the head for hair. You can also use bunca or yarn for hair.

To make the wings :

Chain about 16 chains. Check on your angel if you feel this is the right size for your angels wings . If you want them smaller 14 chain will be nice, if you want them bigger,  try 18-20 chains,

Make the chain into a circle using a slip stitch. Fasten off and knot the threads together. I always add a little bit of glue to the knot.

Glue the knot to the back of your angel and then glue the top of the circle to the knot so you end up with two loops one at each side of the body.


And there is your tiny little angel.

Marianne's Miniverse: Make a miniature cradle purse for your doll.

Marianne's Miniverse: Make a miniature cradle purse for your doll.:  This link will take you to the pattern of my mini cradle purse.

  For those who have never heard about a cradle purse, it is a  little purse that holds a doll when closed, and when it is open, it is a little be for a small doll.

 This photo shows the purse open and closed.

The pattern is for the mini version. But it you use a bigger crochet hook and matching yarn you can make a bigger purse using the same pattern.

A whole year of outfits for Eric. ( clothes for 12 th scale baby)

This year a little porcelain baby boy called Eric has helped me model  my patterns.

The patterns were done for American Miniaturist  magazine and have been published allover 2014 

The patterns are all done in crochet and would fit a standard porcelain baby. But each pattern comes with tips to adapt the pattern to both bigger and smaller babies. 

 This is Eric in spring. His outft plus the seed pod and flowers are all done in crochet.

I adapted the pattern to fit a little rubber baby and placed the whole ensemble in plastic bauble .

Eric's winter outfit was the first in the series.  I think he looks really snug.

This Christmas version is part of the same article in AM. He is wearing the white suit but with a fabric hat  . The sleeping bag in the shape of a christmas stocking is fabric too.

For summer Eric got a 4th of July outfit to celebrate in style.

The pattern has the bunting, top hat and beanie.

And then ofcourse there was autumn. We had a real Indian Summer and  Eric loved it.
I love this outfit especially the tiny shoes.

Eric showing off a blanket and cap I made .

Tips for free form crochet.

I did get quite a few questions from people about free form crochet. Of course for this kind of crochet there is no pattern that you can share. But there are some people who have taken the trouble to write and photograph some very good tutorials to give you some idea about what  free form crochet is , how it works and how to get started.

This link below will take you to no less than 15 free tutorials. From the very easy ones for beginners to amazing complicated looking ones that I am not sure I will ever be able to do. But all of them are inspiring  and will help you understand more about free form crochet.

http://craftscrazy.com/learn-freeform-crochet-15-free-tutorials-to-get-you-started/

Some people seem a bit scared by the fact that there is no pattern to follow but actually that is the fun part of it. Once you get started it is so relaxing and liberating.

No counting stitches and nothing is wrong or right really.........as long as you are happy with your result that is the only thing that matters.

I did get some comments about there being too many colors involved and too many types of yarn. But you can do free form crochet in one color or one type of yarn if you prefer. The sky's the limit and  that is what  makes free form crochet so brilliant.

Here is a combination of knitting and free form crochet motives :

Does not that look stunning ?

Finally finished....my mandala

Finally finished. I did add a few little changes for I did not like the corners . I wanted to make a bag out if it but the size really was not right for that so in the end it became a pillow.
And I am pleased with the result.

I like the colors for my room and I learned tons of new techniques and stitches. Would I do it again ? Yes but I think I would write my own much easier to work pattern.

For now I am thinking about making one for my dollshouse.

Crochet no calorie mini pie. ( can be made in different sizes)

I am giving the pattern for 12 th scale but you can make it bigger or smaller by using thicker or thinner thread and a matching crochet hook.

What you will need :

0,60 crochet hook

DMC fil dentelles no. 8o or another thread of the same thickness. Colors for Cherry pie : light brown, red and white . 

Needles for sewing up.

Tacky glue.

Tiny bit of stuffing.

Sc = single crochet

Ch= chain

Dc = double crochet

Bobble = 3 dc in one st worked together for cherry pie filling

and 4 dc in one st. worked together for meringue topping and peach pie

St= stitch

 The Cherry pie is

made in  3 different parts : crust, filling and the cream swirl.

Pie crust for the cherry pie slice :

Bottom and lid of the pie are worked in one piece.

Row 1 : with light brown chain 2

Row 2 : work 2 sc in first chain, chain 1 and turn.

Row 3 : work 2 sc in each sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 4 : 1 sc in every sc, chain 1 and turn

Row 5 : work 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, 2 sc in the last sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 6 : 1 sc in every sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 7 : Work 2 sc into the first sc, 1 sc in each sc until last sc, 2 sc in last sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 8 : 1 sc in every sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 9 : Work 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each sc until las sc, 2 sc in last sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 10 : 1 sc in every sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 11 : work 1 sc in every sc. using only the back loop ( the loop farthest away from you at the top of the crochet), chain 1 and turn.

Row 12 : work 1 sc in every sc, using both loops again, chain1 and turn

Row 13 : work 1 sc in every sc, using only the back loop as before, chain 1 and turn.

Row 14 : work first 2 sc together, 1 sc in every sc until last 2, work last 2 sc together. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 15 : 1 sc in each sc, chain 1 and turn.

Row 16 : as 14

Row 17: as 15

Row 18: as 14

Row 19 :as 15

Row 20 : work last 3 sc together. Do not finish off.

Finishing row of sc around the pie crust : chain 1 and work 1 sc in every st. around the pie shape. At the points work 3-4 sc in the same st to make a nice shape. Fasten off and cut thread .

To add the scalloped rim to the pie top :

Attach thread to the unused front loops of row 11 and work : * 1 sc in first loop, 2sc in next loop * repeat * to * till end.

Cherry pie filling

. I wanted it to look like berries so I used a bobble st. for this. But you could also omit the bobbles and just work sc if you do not like the berry look.

Row 1 : chain 21 in red.

Row 2 : work 1 sc in second chain from hook. 1 sc in every chain till end, chain 1 and turn.

Row 3 : work 1 sc in every sc ,chain 1 and turn

Row 4 : for the bobbles work : 1 sc in first sc, * work a bobble in next sc = work 1 dc but do not pull the yarn through the final loop, work 2 more dc like that and finish them by pulling the yarn through all 4 loops on the hook at once , 1 sc in next sc * repeat * to * till end. Fasten off and cut thread leaving a tail for sewing.  

Cream swirl :

With white chain 15 .

Row 1 : 1 sc in second chain from hook and 1 sc in each chain till end.

Row 2-3 : work 1 sc in every sc using only the back loop. (= the one farthest away from you at the top of the work). This will add a rib to you work . Fasten off and cut thread.

Making up the pie :

You will find that the pie crust will fold at the two rows where you only used the back loops so you will have a bottom, side and top of crust. The filling has to be sewn to the inside of the bottom piece first. So hold right side of crust and filling against each other and whip stitch in place. Do not use the sc row around the crust so it can form a little rim on the finished pie. Then sew the filling to the top of the crust once again not using the sc row around the crust. Leave a little opening for filling the pie with some stuffing and close the opening. Weave in all lose ends.

Now to make the rim of the pie stand up nicely : thread your needle with a light brown thread. Attach to the pie at the side near the scalloped edge. Make small stitches all through the pie following the edge and finish off.

For the cream swirl :

Take your white strip of crochet and twist it around a few times till you get a nice swirl. Sew the swirl together so it keeps its shape and weave in all ends. Glue to top of pie.

There you are, place on a nice plate and admire your home made crochet cake.