Starflower mandala from Zootyowlcards.....So addictive :)

So I finally tried out the Starflower mandala pattern from http://zootyowlcards.blogspot.com/2014/04. /starflower-mandala-pattern.htmlWhat a fun project! Even though I have crocheted several hundreds (??) of doilies, doing one in yarn, and with such colorful ones at that, had a totally amazing result. So of course, I couldn't make just one...I started about 4 of these together, and just kept working in assembly line fashion, reading one line of the pattern and doing it on all of my pieces :) This sample was just the first one to get done. It turned out to be huge, 23" in diameter. Perfect to use on a side table, or even on the coffee table! Go ahead and try it out, if you haven't made one yet!! It's a great scrapbuster project.

Thanks for stopping by!!

My first pattern, and did I mention FREE????

Alternating Shells Afghan:

Materials: 3 colors of your favorite yarn. Hook size appropriate for the yarn you are using. You can use as many different colors as you wish. This would make a great afghan to use up your scrap yarn!

I used Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn Neon, in the colors of Pink, White, and Gray, and a size H crochet hook.

Special Instructions

Shell: 2 dc, ch 5, 2 dc in indicated stitch or space.

To change color: work last dc at end of each row up to final yo, yo with new color and draw through to complete stitch.

Multiple for this pattern is: 9+7. With this in mind you can make afghan in any width you choose. You could even make a scarf out of it.

With first color, make desired number of chains to start, making sure your chain is divisible by 9, then add 7 more chains.

Row 1: dc in 4^th ch from hook. Ch 2, sk 2 chs, shell in next ch. * Sk 2 chs, dc in next ch. Ch 2, sk 2 chs, dc in next ch. Ch 2, sk 2 chs, shell in next ch. Repeat from * across, ending ch 2, sk 2 chs, dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: With next color, dc in first dc, ch 2, shell in next ch 2 sp between next 2 dc.* Ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of ch 5 of next shell. Ch 2, shell in next ch 2 sp between next 2 dc. Repeat from * across, ending with sc in 3^rd ch of ch 5 of last shell, ch 2, dc in top of turning ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: With next color, dc in 1^st dc.* Ch 2, Shell in next sc. Ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of next shell. Ch 2, shell in next sc. Ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of next shell. Repeat from * across, ending ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of last shell, ch2, dc in turning chain of previous row.

All remaining rows: Following established color sequence, work row 3 from now on, changing colors at the end of each row until blanket reaches desired length. At the end of the last row, fasten off.

Border: any kind you like. You could do shells or several rounds of sc followed by a final row of sc and picots.

Please go ahead and try it :) I would love to know how it goes for you. If you find any snags, I would appreciate hearing from you so I can fix them. 

Some intricate thread crochet...for a change :)

Soooo, it was too hot in New Delhi for me to do any work with yarn. Switched to thread crochet and embroidery due to that. I picked these patterns from a vintage Magic Crochet magazine.....My mom also gave me company, she made the red doily. I made the other two. The pink one has Irish crochet leaves....

I also made a ton of torana/ bandhanwar/ door blessings with sparkly yarn, after being inspired by the patterns in Gujarat temples....I have been planning to write up some of those patterns and share with all the wonderful people who have been stopping by my blog :), but it just hasn't happened yet....One of these days!

Summer embroideries....

Just came back last week from a 5 week vacation, spending time with family in India. Got quite a few projects done over there as well.... I was really excited to make this "Kalash" embroidery. I found the pattern as a coloring page, came up with the stitches as I went along, trying to use as many different filling stitches as I could think of. A kalash is a copper pot, topped with mango leaves and a coconut. According to Wikipedia, "The Kalasha is believed to contain amrita, the elixir of life, and thus is viewed as a symbol of abundance, wisdom, and immortality". The swastika on the kalash is not to be confused with Hitler's, since it is a 5000 year old Hindu symbol, distorted and given all sorts of negative connotations by him.

My 16-yr old's first attempt at quilting..

My younger one wanted to try her hand at quilting but wanted to make something small. When I suggested a tote bag, she said she would rather make a drawstring bag since she would actually use it! So she sewed up a bunch of these pre-cut quilt squares till they were the size of a drawstring bag, and I added a layer of lining fabric and a back to it, cut up and strung 2 pieces of cord, and VIOLA! Here we have it.... a useable drawstring bag!

What do you think? I would love to hear....

Summer time = Embroidery time!

OK, the yarn doesn't feel as good to work with anymore, and you can't really enjoy spreading the WIP baby blanket over yourself in the summer.... :( So, it is time to move onto......TA DA...hand embroidery! My favorite thing to embroider is a dish towel....Here's a pattern that sells well for me, and also one I love embroidering....

I have trouble deciding whether that is a peacock or a partridge. It's pretty either way. You're welcome to leave me a comment if you know :)

Some more dish towels ready to be embroidered!!

8-day road trip plus 2 crocheters = 10.5 Little Sweetie dresses.

Just came back from an 8 day road trip to Yellowstone, and we were PRODUCTIVE!!!! When I said I planned on making TONS AND TONS of the Little Sweetie dresses, I guess it actually happened. We even had to make an emergency "yarn-crisis" trip to the Bozeman, MT- Walmart since we underestimated how much yarn we would use up :D

I made some minor changes to the basic pattern as I went along.....Now, I just need to do the remaining headbands, and sew buttons on the back. I might add some ribbon accents to some of them :)