What an idea Sirji!!!

When i was very young I heard from elders "Treat every day as a new dawn & live your life to the fullest.Tomorrow will be more beautiful." Now a days i ask myself 'Is it true? ' Coz every day is as boring & typically same like the preivous one.

Its getting lonelier & boring day by day here in kuwait. Even though I try to be happy & keep my self occupied...Still its not all that easy. Isn't it?

One typical Lonely afternoon when i was sitting in my balcony watching the rains, an idea came to my mind. " So what if i am not able to pursue my career or studies , I can always pursue my hobbies & when time comes I can even turn them in my profession.:)" what a honey coated thought.
That was the day i started this blog.




Yesterday while talking to some friends on dinner heard them to be sercastically innovative about starting some business with skills LIKE KNITTING or cooking etc. Suddenly i realized that here everyone has this emptiness in their lives. Everyone is bored of the monotonous life in which they try to find humor...may it be their profession ,work or routine.They all are bored.Just that no one says it directly. :)
hmmm.


"A knitting business " Not a bad Idea at all Sirji. But on serious notes, what makes me better than others here is : I got a very beautiful HOBBY, Good SKILLS to pursue it along with Talent,Knowledge,Passion,. Whats say?





Thanks Mom for giving such a beautiful Hobby as heritage!
Thanks Maushi for a wonderful GIFT: My first Crochet Book !
Rest all my blog will speak for me !!
Enjoy!!!

Live Healthy Live Long!!!! Crochet More!!!! Knit More!!!!!!

Some time back i was going through an article on net which said Knitting & crocheting is very good for health. Being an addicted crocheter I was happy to read that but frankly I did not believe it. But 2-3 days later when I was watching CBS news(The Early show on 3rd April 2009) There was an article by Priya DavidKnitting For Your Health which actually made me believe the entire theory. (Please go through this Video report by cbsnews)

Knitting & crochet have following Health benefits:-

1) Lowers the blood Pressure ( Now I know why traditionally pregnant women is always seen knitting... :))

2) Reduces Stress :- you will know why it reduces stress when you will read the whole blog & see the video on CBS news.(Link is given above).

3) Yoga effect :- Resent studies indicate that knitting stimulates the same points in the brain which are stimulated during crochet & meditation.

4) Can delay memory loss:- I recently read an article on bbc's website titled
Knitting 'can delay' memory loss

It says "Those who had during middle age been busy reading, playing games or engaging in craft hobbies like patch working or knitting were found to have a 40% reduced risk of memory impairment." This is one article which is worth reading.


5) The last benefit is its a great Hobby which is also a very productive & satisfactory way to utilize your free time.


You can link all the above advantages in a loop Simply saying
"The rhythmic repetitive acts of knitting, and crocheting, can help manage stress, manage pain, manage depression and lower blood pressure, all of which in turn strengthens the body’s immune system. Knitting even provides a workout for the brain and that can possibly reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. When compared to yoga, knitting can give you the same ability to induce a relaxed meditative state and a serene tranquility, by providing focus and calm that allows you to think clearly and creatively. "

Happy Crocheting & Knitting!!!!

Crochet & Coffee : Thats what life is all about right now.

It has been a really long time since i last blogged. Meanwhile I have strted with many of my new projects & have completed some of it almost. But befor I start giving my project details I would like to tell you all about this cool site called Ravelry.com which is a boon for Knitters & Crocheters. please check this site if you are serious about crochet & sharing the information with others. After all sharing is caring right? I hope you will enjoy it.

Ok now something about the projects which i have done in last 3 months when i was not blogging.

1) Drops Crochet Top - Long :

This pattern i got from drops website.Details you will receive on following link.
http://garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=99&d_id=21&lang=en

2) Blanket of Roses Afghan

This is my long time favorate pattern. Finally I am working on it. But I dont know how successful I will be. I really thank the person who invented this pattern & also who uploaded it on net.

If you want to see the pattern for this project then see the following link:(A Free Crochet Pattern courtesy of Spinrite LP,© 1984 by Bernat Yarn & Craft Corp.Reproduced with permission from Spinrite LPDisclaimer: This site is not endorsed by Spinrite LP )

http://megan.kiwi.gen.nz/RosesBlanket/pattern.html

3) Spring blossoms Baby Set

The Baby Girl Top
This is one of my own design. I started it with making a simple top for my friend's daughter. I didnt have any pattern but just had a design in mind & I am so happy that the output is so beautiful.

I specially loved the Top.Its in simple trunesian crochet & bubble stich with 2-3 lines of dcs here n there. I have not written down the Pattern composition yet for it. But as soon as i do it i will sure make it available online.

The shoes again I got the design from Drops site. You can find it there. Thanks to drops for making so beautiful patterns available for learners like us.

The Cap I got this pattern from ExpertVillage.com. I have not followed any of these patterns blindly , I have made lot of changes also. But basic pattern is the one which i have mentioned.

About the blanket, What I had in mind while making it to join different croshet pattern patches together to make a blanket. But unfortunately the wool was not that solid to give a perfect effect. so I made a simple blanket with 1 sc & 1 dc & added a line of patchwork inbetween.

Flower work is always fun. It gives all the charm & life to a simple design. If you want to go according to fashion & experiement with your patterns then what you got to do first is learn these small & simple Flower & leaf designs. They give a really nice took to a simple dress & it is also in fashion wight now.

Basketweave Pillow

Basketweave Pillow

This was one of my favourate patterns. Ever since I started learning Crochet I had this thing in my mind to make something using this pattern , but to my surprice I found out that all the compositions of this pattern come from knitting n not crochet. Some time back while going through this site called www.expertvillege.com I came accross this video which explains this pattern very systimatically in a video. I just loved it. N thanks to expert village i made this pillow using basketweave pattern n that too on a single crochet hook.

I really had fun doing this project. Best was the ending part, the blossom tree i made on it. Actually it was never a plan but when i finished this pillow I discovered that due to black shade of the Wool the Basket weave Pattern was not visible on this side. So I decided to do some crochet embroidary on this black side n to keep the other side( Green Side) as it is. Now i can use both the sides of the pillow.

You can find this pattern on the following link.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4429463_finishing-row-1-basket-weave.html

Happy Crocheting…. :)

Loop Scarf

Loop Scarf

I wanted to experiment with some new patterns & check if i can read the patterns right. This was a difficult task to choose a right pattern for this kind of wool as it was too wavy….But trust me I love this wool. Once you find a right pattern it works wonder as it did for me.
I first tried a bubble stitch scarf pattern but it looked very old fashioned. so I opened it again n tried a spiral scarf; it was too fashionable for me….N also very heavy & requires a lot of wool, 1 skein is not enough.

I really dont remember from where I got this pattern. But i guess it was taken from someone's Blog. So here is the Pattern as explained in the blog from where it was adopted.

Introduction :

It may still be Winter, but a stylish scarf can take you clear through the cool nights of long-awaited Spring. This one will take you no time at all to crochet in a stitch that mimics the ever-popular knitted drop-stitch you see everywhere. Work it up in a soft wool and you'll be cozy while you catch snowflakes on your tongue; use a ribbon yarn for those warmer days we know are coming soon. Really soon. Really.

Materials List
3 balls of Lion Brand Incredible ribbon yarn
K/6.5mm hook
Finished Size
Gauge
Notes

This ribbon yarn looks the best when it is worked loosely. A very loose tension is recommended.
US Pattern Notations Used
( I have Used King Cole Waves as yarn & it gave a really nice effect. So the scarf you see is made up from King Cole Wave yarn.)

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
yo = yarn over
st(s) = stitch(es)
sp = space

The Pattern
Ch 10
Row 1 - Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1 turn
Rows 2 and 3 – sc in each st across, ch 1 turn
Row 4 – draw up a loop about 1 inch long, yo and draw loop through loop on hook, ch 1 (this locks the long loop in place) *insert hook in next st, draw up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook, ch 1 * repeat to end of row, turn
Row 5 - sc in each ch 1 sp between the loops (8 total) the last sc of this row is worked in the original long loop that was drawn up in row 4, put hook through the two loops of the yarn on the end and work a sc, ch 1 turn
Rows 6 and 7 – sc in each st across, ch 1 turn
Repeat rows 4-7 until the scarf is 70 inches long. Make sure that the scarf is finished with a row 7.

Child 'Coming Home' Poncho

This was in last may when i started doing crochet again after a long long time. I was going to have my baby girl. This was then when i came across this easy n fast free pattern on lionbrand.com & i felt it will be a perfect gift for my daughter for coming winter.
Its also somuch fun to make it & at the same time it is easy n fast to make. Just that you should use a good quality Yarn with a great color combination. This will work as a magic for you. Its also a quick to make gift.

Hope you will Njoy this.
( I made some mistakes while making the end row of the pattern which changed the look of the pattern but, hey no regrates. I m totally happy with the end result. Just that I dont know what mistake i did :) )


you can go to http://www.lionbrand.com/ & search for the pattern number 70367AD

Ofcourse you need to register to log in. But its worth it n wont cost you anything.

Happy Crocheting.....

Crochet Rose Ruffled Centerpiece

Hey,

This is my first blog as a crocheter.

I have been keeping myself busy now a days with this wonderful Hobby of crocheting N trust me I am loving.

My first Pattern is a wonderful Vintage Pattern which I found on net as a Free Vintage Pattern. I dont know who is the author of this, But I would definately thank the person who made it available on net. As this project is improving its giving me more n more joy. Hope You will also like this Beautiful Crochet Rose Ruffled Centerpiece. So here is the Pattern.


Crochet Rose Ruffled Centerpiece


This lovely centerpiece makes an elegant display on even the finest tables.



Materials:

DAISY Mercerized Crochet Cotton, Art. 65, Size 20: 1 1\2 skeins each Lt. Pink and Shd. Pinks; or Lily MERCROCHET Mercerized Crochet Cotton, Art 161, Size 20: 2 balls each Baby Pink and Shd. Pinks. No. 12 Steel Crochet Hook.

SIZE — 20 inches

ROSE With Shd. Pinks, ch 7, join with sl st to form ring.
Rnd 1 Ch 5, dc in ring, (ch 2, dc in ring) 6 times, ch 2, join to 3d st of ch-5.
Rnd 2 In each sp around make sc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, sc.
Rnd 3 Sl st around bar of starting chain in 1st Rnd (inserting hook from back to front), ch 6, (dc around bar of next dc in Rnd 1, ch 3) repeated around; join to 3d st of ch-6.
Rnd 4 In each sp around make sc, ch 1, 5 dc, ch 1, sc.
Rnd 5 Sl st around bar of starting chain on last dcrnd, ch 7, (dc around bar of next dc in previous dc rnd, ch 4) repeated around; join to 3d st of ch-7.
Rnd 6 In each sp around make sc, ch 1, 7 dc, ch 1, sc. Fasten off.
Make 8 Roses Sew tog. into a circle, with 2 free petals between joinings on each Rose on inside of circle, and 4 free petals on each Rose on outside of circle. Make a 9th Rose. Attach Lt. Pink to center dc on 1 petal. To join this Rose in center of 8-Rose circle, ch 7, sl st in lefthand petal of 2 petals on 1 Rose in circle, * ch 4, sl st in 1st petal on next Rose, ch 7, sc in next petal on center Rose, ch 7, sl st in next petal on same Rose on circle; repeat from * around; join, fasten off, Make a 2d circle of 16 Roses. Sew tog. by opposite petals into a straight row then sew end Roses tog. To join to 1st circle, attach Lt. Pink to 2d petal on 1 Rose in 1st circle, ch 7, sl st in center petal on 1 Rose in 2d circle, * ch 7, sc back in next petal on same Rose in 1st circle, ch 12, sl st in center petal on next Rose in 2d circle, ch 12, sc back in 2d petal m next Rose on 1st circle, ch 7, sl st in center petal on next Rose in 2d circle; repeat from * around; join, fasten off.

1st LEAF SPRAY Attach Lt. Pink to 2d petal on 1 Rose in 2d circle, ch 17, * sc in 3d ch from hook, ** on chain make 2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 2 dtr, 2 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc and 1 sl st; * (ch 25, repeat from * to *) twice; (sc in next 8 ch between leaves, ch 17, repeat from * to *) twice (5 leaves); sl st in same st on Rose, fasten off.

2nd SPRAY Attach to 2d petal on next Rose, ch 16, join to last leaf on previous Spray, sk 1 st of ch-16, sc in next ch; repeat from ** around Doily (16 Sprays), joining 1st and last leaves.
BORDER

Rnd 1 Attach Lt. Pink to tip of 1 Spray, ch 1, sc in same place, * ch 15, sc in next leaf, ch 13, sc in joining of Sprays, ch 13, sc in next leaf, ch 15, sc in next (center) leaf; repeat from * around; join to 1st sc.

Rnd 2 Ch 1, 3 sc in same sc, * 16 sc in next sp, sc in next sc, 14 sc in next sp, 8 sc in next sp, join with sl st in 8th sc up previous sp, 6 sc in bal. of sp, sc in next sc, 16 sc in next sp, 3 sc in next sc* repeat from * around; join to 1st sc.

Rnd 3 Ch 5, * (dc, ch 3, dc) in next (center) sc, ch 2, dc in next sc, (ch 2, sk 2 sc, dc in next sc) 7 times, sk final 2 sc on same sp, dc in 3d sc on next sp, (ch 2, sk 2 sc, dc in next sc) 7 times, ch 2, repeat from * around; join to 3d st of ch-5.

Rnd 4 Ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc in next sp, sc in next dc, * sc in next (center) sp, 3 sc in 2d st of same sp, 1 sc in bal. of sp, (sc in next dc, 2 sc in next sp) 8 times, sk 2 dc in angle, (2 sc in next sp, sc in next dc) 8 times; repeat from * around; join to 1st sc.

Rnd 5 Sl st to center sc on next point, ch 1, sc in same sc, * ch 10, sc in same sc, ch 19, (sc, ch 10, sc) in same sc, (ch 8, sk 5 sc, sc in next sc) 4 times, (ch 8, sc in next sc) 5 times, (ch 8, sk 5 sc, sc in next sc) 4 times to center st on next point; repeat from * around, making ch 4, dc in 1st sc for final lp.

Rnd 6 * (Ch 8, sc in next lp) repeated to center long lp at next point, ch 10, sc in same lp, ch 19, (sc, ch 10, sc) in same lp; repeat from * around, making ch 4, dc in dc at end of previous rnd for final lp.

Repeat Rnd 6 twice.

Rnd 9 Repeat Rnd 6 except make ch-10 lps instead of ch-8 lps; join, fasten off.
Edge Attach Shd. Pinks to 9th st of ch-19 lp on 1 point, ch 5, tr in same st, ** (ch 6, sl st in 5th ch from hook for a p) twice, ch 2, holding back the last lp of each tr on hook, make 2 tr in next (center) ch, yo and draw thru all 3 lps on hook at same time (2-tr Cluster), (ch 6, p) twice, ch 2, 2-tr Cluster in same ch, * (ch 6, p) twice, ch 2, 2-tr Cluster in next ch, ch 6, sc in next lp, ch, 6, 2-tr Cluster in 5th ch of next lp; * repeat from * to * 9 times; ch 4, sk 5 shells, join with sl st in 1st p on next shell, ch 2, sk 2 ch of ch-4, sl st in next ch, ch 4, sl st in next p on same opposite shell, ch 2, sk 2 ch of ch-4, sl st in next ch, ch 2, 2-tr Cluster in next ch of same lp, ch 6, sc in next lp, ch 6, 2-tr Cluster in 5th ch of next lp, repeat from * to * twice; (ch 6, p) twice, ch 2, 2-tr Cluster in next ch, ch 6, sc in next lp, ch 6, 2-tr Cluster in 9th ch of next ch-19 lp; repeat from * around; join to 1st tr, fasten off.

Starch Doily, stretch and pin, right-side-up on waxed paper and block as illustrated. Leave until dry.