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.

Outfit for a 2 1/5 inch baby doll

Romper , bootees  and  beanie hat for 2 1/5  inch baby doll.

This outfit is meant for a little dollshouse baby.

You will need :

0,60 mm ( number 14  ) crochet hook

Blue and white DMC tatting thread special dentelles  nr. 80 . Or similar.

sc = single crochet

dc= double crochet

st. or sts = stitch or stitches

ch = chain

Romper :

Begin at the neckline in white.

1. chain 23 , work 1 sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across.  ( 21 sc)  Chain 3 and turn.

2. 1 dc in the same st,  2 dc in each stitch . ( 42 dc) chain 3 turn.

3. shaping the armhole.  1 dc in each of the next 7 dc, chain 5 and skip the next 5 stitches, 1 dc in each of the next 16 dc, chain 5 and skip next 5 stitches, 1 dc in each of the next 8 dc, turn.

4. change to blue thread and chain 1,  1 sc in each dc, chain 1 and turn.

5. 1 sc in each sc, chain 1 and turn.

6- 17. Repeat row 5 .

18. 1 sc in each sc,  close round with slip stitch.

19 . Make the right leg . With back opening facing you, skip the next 21 sts, work a slip stitch to close the leg. Chain 1 and work 1 sc in each of the 20 sts of the leg. Close round, chain 1

Row 20. 1 sc in each sc, close round and chain1.

Row 21. 1 sc in each sc , close round and finish off.

Row 22. Left leg. Attach yarn with front of suit facing you with a slip stitch to the crotch. chain 1 and work 1 sc in each sc. Close round and chain 1.

Row 23. repeat row 20.

Row 24. Repeat row 21.

Sleeves :

1. With right side facing you, attach blue with a slip st. to the bottom of the armhole. chain1. Work 16 sc evenly spaced around the arm hole. Close round with slip st. and chain 1.

2. work 1 sc in every sc , close round with slip stitch and finish off.

Repeat for other sleeve.

Please note :  the collar is not included in this pattern.

Beanie hat.

1. In blue. Chain 2, work 8 sc in first chain. Close into circle and chain 1

2.   2 sc in every st. around. close round and chain 1

3-4.   1 sc in same st., 2 sc in next st, *  1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* . repeat from * to* till end of round. Close round and chain 1

5-13 . 1 sc in every st all around, close round and chain 1

14. 1 sc in every st all around, close round and finish off.

Weave in all ends.

Bootees:

Starting at the sole with blue.

1. Chain 5, 1 sc in second chain from hook, 1 sc in each of the next 2 chains, 5 sc in the last chain.  Work on the other side of the starting chain to make 1 sc in each of the last 3 sc. Chain 1 and turn

2. For the sides : 1 sc in the same st, 1 sc in each of the next sts. Chain 1 and turn.

3. Repeat row 2

4. Repeat row 2 but close the round. Finish off .

5. Repeat row 4 in white.

For the little heart shapes :

In white. Chain 4 , slip st in first chain, chain 3 slip st. in the same chain as before. Finish off and weave in threads. Sew or glue to front of bootees.

To finish :

Weave in all thread ends on the romper . Put romper on your doll and close the seam at the back.  .

Bootees : close the seam at the sole and back and put on your doll.  Weave in threads. You may want to use a little bit of glue to keep them in place on the little feet.

Beanie hat: weave in threads and roll up rim. Put on your doll.

Marianne's Miniverse: Crochet cake dome

Marianne's Miniverse: Crochet cake dome: . This pretty cake dome is perhaps more decorative than practical .


This link will take you to the pattern for my dollshouse version. If you want to make a full scale one to use for a real cake you can use the same pattern but you will have to change to thicker yarn and a matching crochet hook.
 I think bedspread type crochet thread would make an awesome dome. But you may have to experiment a little for the best result.

Still working on my mandala but I am getting there.

Slowly getting to the end of my Mandala challenge. It has been a very interesting experience . Learning a lot of new stitches and also learning how to read  and deal with the pattern description.
I am still finding it a bit of a challenge to work with this pattern.

Now I have one question : what will I do with the finished Mandala ? I am thinking about making it into a bag. Or perhaps a wallhanging ??? Can't make up my mind just yet.

I much happier with the colors I used for it than with the funky colors I used for the trial version.

Would love to hear what you think about it and about what to make from it.

De tweede mandala /mandala second version

Hier is de tweede versie van de Mandala en ik ben met deze een stuk meer blij. Niet alleen begin ik het patroon nu door te krijgen maar ook de kleuren bevallen me veel beter. Ik heb het patroon uitgeprint en alle overbodige informatie weggestreept. Een hele klus maar het haken gaat nu wel een stuk makkelijker.

Here is the second version of the Mandala and I admit that this one is looking way better. Not only am I beginning to understand the pattern but I am also much more happy with the colors. I printed out the whole pattern and then crossed out all the information that I did not need to work the pattern. it was quite a job but I am happy I did for I am much more comfortable working with it now.

De proef mandala heeft nu ook een bestemming.  Taeggi is er dol op.
Trial mandala has made Taeggi very happy.....it is a perfect cat mat.

Marianne's Miniverse: The crochet feather tutorial.

Marianne's Miniverse: The crochet feather tutorial.: A few weeks ago I showed this little box of memories on Face Book. Several people asked me about how to make the feather. I said I would do ...

Deze blog is vernieuwd. New direction for this blog.

Mijn  haak blogs werden veel beter gelezen dan mijn andere blogs over zelfmaken. Vandaar dat ik besloten heb om verder te gaan met een haakblog.  Op verzoek van veel lezers in het vervolg ook in het Engels.


Ik hoop jullie snel te zien op Marianne Haakt /Marianne goes crochet.

My blogs about crochet are far more popular than my blogs about making anything else. So from now on this blog will be a crochet blog.  For my English speaking friends  I will add English text and patterns as well.

I hope to see you all again at Marianne Haakt/ Marianne goes crochet.

Crochet cake to celebrate. Gehaakte taartjes om het te vieren.

Mandala 2

Ik heb weer een stukje toegevoegd aan de mandala. Nog steeds wat moeite met het patroon. Echt verbazend hoe onduidelijk je dingen kunt opschrijven.

Ben nog steeds bezig meet restjes katoen en nog niet echt tevreden over de kleuren. Maar het is maar een proef je dus  ga ik vrolijk verder. Voor het  "echies"ben ik wel  op zoek naar mooie kleuren.
Toch ben ik wel blij met  mijn eerste mandala poging.

Mandala haken.

Halverwege mijn allereerste mandala . Ik gebruik  het Sophie's garden patroon. Moet zeggen dat ik best een ervaren haakster ben, maar dit patroon vind ik echt een ramp.

Vandaar dat ik eerst werk met restjes en elke toer in een andere kleur doe, zodat ik later dit werkstuk als voorbeeld kan gebruiken naast het patroon. Ben aan het haken met katoen en dat vind ik toch niet zo fijn als wol. De volgende keer ga ik wol proberen.

Vooral vanwege het slechte patroon wel een uitdaging om te maken, maar ik vind het ontzettend leuk en weer eens iets heel anders. Het lijkt me nog mooier een verschillende tinten van een kleur en ik ben al op zoek naar garens.

This is my first Mandala. I am using the Sophie's garden pattern. I am a pretty experienced crocheter but I am having big trouble with the pattern. So much extra tips and info written into the pattern that it is very confusing for me.

I have started by using yarn remnants trying to figure out the pattern. I am not too keen on the colors yet but once I understand the technique I want to try another version in different colors. I have used cotton so far but I think I will try wool for the next version.

restjes tasje

Meestal zie je granny squares in katoen of gewone wol. Maar ook  met restjes van verschillende wol soorten zoals mohair, haartjes garen en glitter garen kun je aan de slag.

 Het is wel verstandig om garen te kiezen dat je met dezelfde haaknaald kunt haken zodat er een niet te groot verschil is tussen de verschillende toeren anders blijft je werkstuk niet plat.

Door kleuren en soorten te combineren , blijft het haken toch weer meer een uitdagen en het resultaat  blijft een verrassing.
.

Ik maak van deze vrolijke granny squares kleine tasjes, die heel leuk zijn om weg te geven.

Tas van mislukte top

Vol goede moed begonnen aan een granny square top in Amy van Zeeman.  Helaas vond ik de kleur toen ik het voorpand af had helemaal niet leuk voor een top.

Uithalen daar had ik ook niet zo'n zin in dus maar eens op Pinterest gekeken wat je zoal kunt doen met een grote granny square.

Ik vond een aantal leuke tassen en dit is het resultaat.
Als inspiratie heb ik deze blog pagina's  gebruikt

: https://easy-crochet.blogspot.nl/2015/04/crochet-bag.html
en

http://zootyowlcards.blogspot.nl/2014/01/giant-granny-square-bag.html?m=0

Ik vind de kleur nog steeds saai maar mijn vriendin is er helemaal weg van, dus krijgt zij hem als cadeautje.

Om van een vierkant van 50- 50 cm een tas te maken, is eenvoudiger dan het lijkt.  Door langs 2 zijkanten een rimpeling te maken krijgt de tas zijn model. Dit doe je door steeds  1 vaste te haken en 1 vaste over te slaan.

Ook langs de twee andere zijkanten maken je deze rimpeling maar dat doe je vaker dan een toer om de bovenkanten van de tas te maken. Naaien is niet nodig. Twee  lange stroken voor de handvatten en klaar ben je. Op de 2e  foto zijn de  gerimpelde delen en de handvatten te zien in groen.

Niet gek voor een mislukt project toch ?

Mini haaksels.

  Ik kwam wat foto's tegen van haakwerkjes die ik gemaakt heb voor mijn  poppenhuizen , het leek me wel leuk om ze met jullie te delen.

Het lijkt me ook leuk om te horen of er mensen zijn die belangstelling hebben voor (koop)patroontjes.

Popje van 5 cm in gehaakt pakje met muts en ook de zaadpeul is gehaakt.

Super klein popje : pop voor poppenhuis meisje. Gehaakte muts, jurk en ondergoed.

Een winter pakje voor  een popje van 5 cm

Oma's spelden kussen voor het poppen huis. Naast het popje staan de bolletjes DMC die ik er voor heb gebruikt.

Speldenkussen oo de tafel in het poppenhuis.

Gehaakte taarten.