One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish

I was waiting to finish the clutch before posting again. Right now the clutch is ready for the final step, sewing the insert.There it will remain for a while. I have been in a frenzy crocheting new projects and expanding my skills. I will post about some of my new projects with the promise that when I finish the clutch I will post it and complete the tutorial. Hopefully it is sooner rather than later as the clutch is perfect for the fall.

September has been a happy month! I welcomed my nephew, Elliott, into the world a couple weeks ago and have been working on Elliott inspired works ever since. 

E is for Elliott!

The first project was Alphabet Blocks. This was the first and after making it and playing with it, I decided to make the other blocks smaller. I am also making all the squares for all the blocks before crocheting the squares together. Six sides times seven blocks equals 42 blocks! I am about a quarter of the way done.

One Fish, Two Fish

The other project I am working on is a water themed mobile for Elliott's crib. This is the second mobile I have made. For my niece I made a bird inspired mobile. It was hard work, but the end result was worth it. This time I am working without a pattern. I hope that it comes out and my nephew will fall asleep dreaming of happy fish and colors. The plan is to have fish, turtles, bubbles and attached to a corral base at the top. Fingers crossed I can pull it off!

Shell Crochet Clutch Tutorial Part 1

Supplies for the Shell Crochet Clutch

Here is the pattern/tutorial for the Shell Stitch Crochet Clutch. This first part will cover the crocheted outer shell and is written with American terminology. I will add the fabric lining tutorial in another post.

Supplies:
Crochet Hook US size I
Small amount of worsted weight yarn
Yarn Needle


Abbreviations:
sc= single crochet
dc= double crochet
sk=skip stitch
st=stitch
sl st=slip stitch

Shell Clutch Side (make 2)
Loosely Ch 38
Row 1: Turn, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each ch across (37 sc) turn,
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *sk next 2 st, 5 dc in next sc, sk next 2 st, sc in next* Repeat across ending with sc in last st, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in same st, *sk next 2 st, sc in next st, sk next 2 st, 5 dc in next* Repeat across working 3 dc in last st, turn.
Rows 4-9: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 3 times.
Edging: after finishing last row ch 1 continue working down the side work in 9 sc along side, work 2 sc in bottom corner, sc in each ch along bottom side, 2 sc in corner, work 9 sc up the side sl st in last corner and fasten off. DO NOT SC over shells at the top of the piece.

Sew sides together by sc them together

Assembly: After finishing both sides, lay pieces on top of each other. Join yarn with a sl st to one of the top corners. Make a seam by working a sc through the edging of both pieces and then continuing in each of sc around the 3 sides. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Completed clutch

Congrats! You have made the outer shell of your shell crochet clutch. Next up will be the fabric lining tutorial. You will need a small amount of fabric, a purse zipper, thread, needles, and a sewing machine.

This is a free pattern/tutorial, permission is not given to sell finished products.

From purse to clutch

My first sold purse!

I loved this crochet purse. I found the original pattern in the May 2010 Crochet Today Magazine (the pattern did not include the fabric lining). I made a purse for myself, and my hubby suggested that I sew a lining to help it keep its shape and prevent keys from falling through. After making one for myself, I started making them for friends and family. They took a lot of yarn, time and patience so I started making clutches. They are small, quick and fun to make. 

Polka Dot Clutch

And did I mention cute! I am writing a pattern/tutorial on how to make them right now. It will be posted soon.

New Blog, New Project

To kick off my new beginnings I decided to start a new project. An Afghan. I have only ever made one afghan. Only one, ever. This was way back when I was in college and my roommates and I all learned how to crochet. I made one blanket. There are a couple reasons that I have only made one. One is that they take forever, and a second is that you don't know how they will turn out until it is finished. Most of my projects take a couple hours to a couple days to complete. I like finishing a project and getting on to the next. I have started several blankets but lack of time and loss of interest always seem to take over. I still have a half finished blanket I started crocheting my husband when we were engaged. We have been married for 5 1/2 years now. I am hoping that this one will be different. I am going to pace myself and work on it between projects. I will post picks from time to time to show the progess I make. I found this project on a really fun blog  Attic 24. If you are interested you can find it here hexagon pattern/tutorial.

New Things

I finally decided now was the time... The time to start new things and share them with others. I think this blog will mostly be about my adventures in hooking. Crochet hooking that is! Crocheting for me started as a past time in college, but then life got in the way. I started again when my husband demanded that I pick up a hobby. Apparently he wanted things other than him to occupy my free time. I am not sure he realized how addicting yarn can be. Now a couple years later I find myself crocheting almost everyday and searching for new projects for family and friends. I look to blogs to find inspirations for new projects and hope to receive comments and suggestions from other crocheters. Some of the things I post can be found at my etsy shop. Oh and I might also post about travels, family or books.