Bella Dia

Lucky Shamrock Pins

I saw this great tutorial for crocheted shamrock's on
Everything Etsy and as soon as I saw it I wanted to start
making them! Ten quickly became twenty, thirty, forty, then I
thought why not make a hundred? They work up really fast,
weaving in the ends took longer than making the shamrocks.
I'm giving them to the local senior center and Meals On
Wheels program (along with a box of safety pins) so they
can be worn for luck on St. Patrick's Day. 

Modern Crochet "Doily"

I really don't know what to call this and though "doily" probably
comes the closest to what it is I really don't like to call it that,
"modern doily" sounds better. Anyway, it's something to go on
the table under a vase or plate or just to look pretty. I made up
the design as I went along. The trick to doing a circular design
is that you always have to be aware of the increase so it will
continue to lay flat. I did a few spike stitches which are always
fun, and finished with several rounds of single crochet
because I love the texture it creates. 


I like how the turquoise rows together look like an arrow pointing
to the center. It reminds me a bit of an Aztec sun motif. 

Round Crocheted Placemats

I recently organized my yarn stash and in an effort to use
some of it up, I started crocheting these round placemats.
There's no rhyme or reason to my color choices, I'm just
choosing colors that I like together. I want to have a whole
stack so everyone can pick their favorite. The yarns are all
acrylic so they'll be easy to throw in the wash and I also
won't freak if food gets on them. I think they look pretty
on my newly painted table also. The double crochet ones 
work up pretty fast but the single crochet seems to take 
forever and are harder to keep flat the further out you get. 
I was also thinking that a whole blanket of large, squared 
off circles would look pretty cool too. Check out what I've
been pinning to my crochet Pinterest boards if you
want to see what is inspiring me lately. 

Crocheted Stone

A new addition to my quarry: the crocheted stone! Inspired
by Resurrection Fern, I decided to give crocheting with thread
a try. I wanted to cover a stone like Margie and
I think it came out so pretty!

I used four colors of itty bitty thread and made three rounds
of each color. The stone is about 3" long and 2" wide. 

I wasn't sure how I would do the back so it was kind
of a spur-of-the-moment thing but I really like
the spider web look it has.

Collecting rocks is one of my summer past times and I'm
building up a stash of stones so I'll have plenty to work
with this winter. I'm going to experiment with
color and contrast next. 

Tiny Yarn Animals

Isn't my little hippo sweet?!  I made him from a pattern in Tiny Yarn Animals by Tamie Snow.  I've never really done this kind of amigurumi before but it was very simple and easy to put together and because of its small size it travels well too.  My kids and niece and nephews were quite taken with this little fellow and now I have a whole queue of tiny animals that have to be made!  Next up is the turtle, then the penguin, the lemur, the fox...

The beginning of the book has step-by-step photos of all the basic crochet stitches so even someone new to crochet has everything they need to get started.  For more inspiration and some free patterns visit Tamie's website too!

Happy Spring

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

Happy Spring everyone!  Our spring looks a lot like winter here just more brown and muckish.  We got a fresh layer of snow last night but it has almost completely melted. Now only four more feet to go! 

I made these carrots for the kids Equinox baskets.  They are posed with Sour Cream, my youngest sons lovey that he's had forever.  I used this pattern but modified it some.  The pattern calls for increases until you reach 32 stitches around but I stopped at 20 stitches and then kept going until I reached the length that I wanted.  I believe the smallest carrot is 12 stitches around.  I only printed out the first page of the pattern by mistake therefore I'm not sure how they did the green tops so I just improvised mine.  They are stuffed with poly-fil only since my kids are too old for rattles as called for in the pattern; they're really too old for these in general but they don't mind indulging their mama every now and then.

I've been working on a new project that I am planning to unveil next week.  I'm really excited about it and can't wait to share it with you so be sure to check back on Monday for the grand opening :)

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and Easter!

Works-In-Progress

I've been eyeing this pattern for awhile and finally decided to jump in.  I would love to make a traditional granny square blanket but at least for now I just don't have the patience to weave in all those ends. This one big granny square blanket is working up fairly fast and with only two ends to weave in per round it's not nearly as taxing.  It's made from Cotton Ease which is one of my favorite yarns.  Being a cotton blend it is much softer to work with than 100% cotton and rates high on the squeeze-ability scale.  I love the colors that are available, I just wish there were more of them. My youngest son has already claimed this blanket while Stripey goes to my oldest son. Next in the queue will be a blanket for my daughter.

My sister and I were talking the other day about what great gifts blankets make.  I love that I can make this for my 9 year old son and he will be able to use it just as well now as he will in college, his first apartment, married life, etc.  When you think of it that way then the time you put into it seems so minimal and worthwhile.

This is my other WIP that is just for me.  It's a long (about 6') and very soft shawl/wrap (shawl sounds so old lady-ish and wrap doesn't sound warm enough).  Done in shell stitch, I'm going to edge it with that rust color (in the picture it looks more orangey than rust but it's not).  I'm about half way on this project but it's moving along pretty quickly too.

For the wrap, I was inspired by the color combination of the Cafe Curtain (pictured above) from Vintage Crochet  - one of my many favorites from this book.

I'm hoping to have some things in my shop for Easter too but with it so early this year and my studio a huge mess it won't be easy.  I do have plans for Mother's Day though!

Sweet Heart Crochet Pattern

 
A valentine gift for you - a free tutorial
for a crocheted heart!

This pattern is completely free but if you would like to
make a donation to support my work and show your
appreciation then I will send you an 11 page PDF version
that you can download to print or be able to use when
you are not on-line. The PDF version also includes a
complete text version of the pattern for a simple black
and white printing option (just print the last two pages).
Donations can be made through Paypal, and truly, any
amount is appreciated, no amount is too small :) As soon
as I receive notification of a donation I will email your
Sweet Heart Crochet Pattern PDF to you. Your pattern will
be mailed to the email connected to Paypal unless
otherwise noted in a message to me. Thank you so much
for your consideration and I hope you
enjoy this free pattern!

Sweet Heart Crochet Pattern

Stitches Used:
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
decrease: join 2 sc stitches to make one (video here)
increase: do two sc into one sc space (make two stitches
where you would usually make one)

Materials:
•any yarn, any weight; the bulkier the yarn the larger
the heart and vice versa
•crochet hook recommended for yarn that you’ll be using
•embroidery needle for weaving in tails

Finished Size: Depends upon yarn used, but using
worsted weight yarn with a size H (5mm) hook the heart
is approximately 4" wide and 3" tall.

Pattern: The heart begins from the bottom point.

*Tip: after each row is completed, count your stitches
to make sure you have the correct number.*


Foundation chain: 3 chains plus 1 turning chain.


Row one: 3 sc then make one turning chain; turn work.
There is a single turning chain at the end of every row
and you always turn your work at the end of each row.
Total stitches in the row is 3.


Row Two: One increase in the first sc, sc in 2nd sc
and another increase in the last sc.
Total stitches in the row is 5.

Row Three: One increase in the first sc, sc in each
previous sc and do another increase in the last sc.
Total stitches in the row is 7.

Row Four: Repeat as above with an increase in the first
and last sc and do regular sc for the middle stitches.
Total stitches in the row is 9.


Row Five: Repeat same process as previous rows.
Total stitches in the row is 11.

Row Six: No increases. One sc in each previous sc.
Total stitches in the row is 11.

Row Seven: One increase in the first and last sc and
regular sc for the middle stitches.
Total stitches in the row is 13.

Row Eight: Repeat as above with two increases.
Total stitches in the row is 15.

Row Nine: Repeat as above with two increases.
Total stitches in the row is 17.

Row Ten: No increases. One sc in each previous sc.
Total stitches in the row is 17.

Row Eleven: One increase in first and last stitch with
regular sc for middle stitches. This is your last increase.
Total stitches in the row is 19.


Rows Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen: No increases
just three rows of 19 sc each.

Now you will start making the right lobe of the heart.


Row Fifteen: 9 sc, chain 1 and turn. Remember,
at the end of every row you need to chain one
for your turning chain.

Row Sixteen: One decrease (combine the first
two sc into one). Finish row with sc.
Total stitches in the row is 8.

Row Seventeen: Begin and end with a decrease.
Decrease with the first two stitches of the row and
decrease with the last two stitches of the row and
regular sc for middle stitches.
Total stitches in the row is 6.

Row Eighteen: As above, begins and ends with a
decrease and regular sc for middle stitches.
Total stitches in the row is 4.


Row Nineteen: Only two decreases.
Total stitches in the row is 2.

Snip your yarn and weave in the tail.
(See picture below for weaving in the tail).

Now to make the left lobe of the heart.

Put a slip knot on your hook.


Row Fifteen Part II: Sc into 9th sc from the left side.
There will be one unused sc in the middle of row fifteen.


Complete row with 8 more sc, chain 1 and turn.
Total stitches in the row is 9.

Row Sixteen Part II: Sc into first 7 sc then do a
decrease (combine two stitches into one) with the
last two stitches.
Total stitches in the row is 8.

Row Seventeen Part II: Begin and end with a
decrease. Decrease with the first two stitches of the row
and decrease with the last two stitches of the row and
regular sc for the middle stitches.
Total stitches in the row is 6.

Row Eighteen Part II: As above, begins and ends
with a decrease and regular sc for the middle stitches.
Total stitches in the row is 4.


Row Nineteen Part II: Only two decreases.
Total stitches in the row is 2.

♥

The heart part is done but don’t snip your yarn yet!


Starting where you just finished your last decrease, sc all
around the outer edge of the heart. (One sc in the space
at the end of every row. Sometimes it is hard to find the
right space, just do your best and try not to make two sc
into one space.) When you reach the tip of the heart do
3 sc in one stitch to make a nice point. (Remember your
original three sc in your first row? Stitch your 3 sc
increase into the middle stitch of those three.)


When you reach the cleavage of the heart do a decrease
(combine two stitches into one) to gather it in a bit.


When you get back to your starting point snip your yarn,
pull the tail through and weave it in.


Your done!

Leave it plain or have fun experimenting with different
edgings. You may need to add some increases at the
widest part of the heart when you are doing edgings.


Blocking:
This is how I blocked my hearts:
*Spread a towel over a firm pillow.
*Use straight pins to shape the heart.
*Mist with water and pat down.
*When completely dry remove pins.