Beaded Crochet Bracelet Pattern

Normally I crochet jewelry using wire and beads, however I thought crocheting a bracelet out of thread and wooden buttons would be good for summer wear.

The beads are very light and although the bracelet is heavily beaded, it is not too bulky or uncomfortable to wear.

This is easy to crochet. The instructions to make this can be found here. Do let me know what you think!

Crochet Barefoot Sandals

Barefoot sandals - you either love them or hate them, but they are definitely popular at the moment.

There are lots of crochet patterns available for making them. I've posted my own instructions here, but they really are the most simple of things to make, and you can keep them as plain or fancy as takes your fancy.

Take a look at this cute pattern at the BeadWrangler, for a beaded version.

Make Accessories

How about making knitting and crochet accessories - these are all quick and easy to make .

Other crochet accessories which need to be bought (unless anyone has any idea of how to make...!!)

Hands free reading - either for patterns or reading novels etc whilst crocheting.

Head Torch - ok, you might look strange - bit like a crocheting miner. But I find a head torch useful for working where the light isn't too good, or when I don't want to flood the room with bright lights. Oh, and of course it gives everyone something to laugh at!

Felted Crochet Bags

I reviewed the Interweave 'Felt' magazine for Suite101 (see the article here). It's a great magazine with lots to inspire and instruction, however no crochet patterns. There is plenty of technique in the magazine to help a crocheter better understand the felting process and this could be put into action on your own patterns.

Thinking about felting crochet - here are three great free patterns.

Felted Bag at Straw.com

Felted Crochet Rainbow Bag - Moda Dea

Irma's Felted Drawstring Bag

Harry Potter Frenzy

With the latest (and last) Harry Potter book being published at the weekends, queues of eager readers were camped out at at book stores in eagerness to get the book and find out who it was that didn't make it though to the end.

Of course, any really keen crocheters would have be armed with crochet hook and yarn, and whiled away those hours creating some wonderful crochet.

However it isn't too late to get into a Harry Potter crochet frenzy. Take a look at the fabulous Leaky Cauldron for plenty of HP inspired crochet ideas.

Sunbonnet Sue

SunBonnet Sue crocheted decorations for handkerchiefs.

What a cute idea. These are normally more known in Quilting - however this is a really nice crochet idea too. The sunbonnet ladies are crocheted onto the corner of the hankie. So much more elegant that a scrunched up paper tissue!

The instructions and more information can be found at the sunbonnetsue.com website. If you are into quilting then there are some other lovely things on this website - plus lots of free designs.

August Crochet World Magazine

The August 2007 issue of Crochet World features 17 classic crochet designs in a 48-page, full size, full-color format. These include a patchwork quilt afghan, a variegated sash, a trimmed-collar jacket and a variety of bags and accessories. Patterns range in skill levels from beginner through intermediate.

'Hurt Book' Sale

Interweave have started their annual Hurt Book sale - a sale of damaged and unwanted books. Take a look at their website and start ordering - remember first come, first served...!

http://www.hurtbooksale.com/Hurt/default.asp

Using Sewing Templates with your Crochet

Using sewing patterns as a template for your crochet opens up some new possibilities. I've written about this at BellaOnline. Taking a look at sewing patterns can be quite useful when you are starting to design crochet garments as it gives an insight into garment construction, for instance sewing patterns demonstrate clearly the use of darts and other shaping techniques.

After reading that a well shaped top can take pounds off you - I am now committed even more to making fitted and shaped garments. Lily Chin's latest book - Crochet Couture Workshop covers the fitting of garments in lots of detail. I reviewed the book here.

New Writing Job

I am now also writing the Sewing and Needlework site at Suite101. This is a good opportunity for me to extend my writing, over more needlecraft subjects.