Magic with hook and needles: 2018

December KnitCrate review

By Vendulka - December 29, 2018

Hi, my dears,

so with the last das of the last month of the year, it comes the last review of KnitCrate in this year. Yeah!

This time the package was wandering a really long time, I get it almost at the end of the month, but it worth all waiting. The last one of this year was really special. Look at this yarn - isn't it wonderful? The colorway is named: Copperfield

December KnitCrate review by Vendulka Maderska

When I opened my KnitCrate, I was surprised so nicely. This time, I get the Artisan crate ♥

I found there this lovely yarn by Yarnbrary and a cute set of pompom makers in 4 sizes.

I also found a lovely magazine with plenty of patterns for knitting and crocheting. You can also download the patterns and get the digitals of course. But this little magazine look really amazing. So much effort is included in every package I get from the KnitCrate.

Oh, back to the yarn. A lovely mix of 40% SW Merino, 30% Mulberry Silk, 30% Baby Alpaca. It sounds good, right? There is about 200 g / 300 yards of happiness in total.

I already prepared the yarn for work to a nice ball and I can't wait I will share with you my project made by this beautiful KnitCrate. It so smooth and pleasant and the colors are just amazing for my winter mood. You know, I like it bright in the winter! :-)

My conclusion:

It was for the first time, I get the Artisan crate and all I need to say is - thank you :-) This yarn is just perfect! I get also a lovely magazine with the patterns of hats, scarfs, socks, super cute pompon makers and extra sale code for my next purchase in KnitCrate shop and this all for 34,99 USD including shipping. If you like that kit, pick your KnitCrate HERE now. The December kit is available at the end of the current month as always, but you can also buy the yarn in the KnitCrate shop, if you like it! You can also choose from another type of subscription e.g. by the month (a one-time purchase), 3-months, or even a full year etc. The KnitCrate offers the sale for my followers and friends :-) Using this unique code: MAGIC20, you will get 20% Off the first month of your subscription. I love the sale codes! Thank you very much, KnitCrate!

The note: I need to say, that if you will subscribe to KnitCrate through my link, I will get some small commission.

Thank you for reading, my dears, and happy crocheting or/and knitting ♥

Yours,

Vendulka

0 Comments

amigurumi

Still on the patchwork wave - crochet patchwork pear

By Vendulka - December 11, 2018

2 Comments

amigurumi

Just one bite :-)

By Vendulka - October 28, 2018

3 Comments

KnitCrate

On the autumn wave

By Vendulka - October 27, 2018

Hi, my dears,

it is almost the end of October and you are missing my regular Knitcrate review. Well, don't be sad please, it is here :-)

The October 2018 KnitCrate topis is:

★ V E R D I G I S ★

"The patina of the time, faded, peeling paint and rubber-down boards, the play of the shadow and light on the everyday surface". This is the mood of this kit.

The partner of this kit is my favorite Audine wools again. In this kit you will find 200 g / 236 yards of yarn: the mixture of 50% Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool and 20% Nylon, in DK weight.

The name of this yarn is Halo DK and I get nice autumn shade: the Olive.

This KnitCrate is very special, because, except a lovely yarn, you get also the small magazine, on very nice paper. And there you will find all patterns of this month crate, really interesting information about yarn in this kit, dryers and about designers. The patterns of your subscription are available in digital form too.

And now, to the patterns! :-) They are two patterns in my subscriptions. One crochet and knitting as always. So you can decide if you will take the hook or needles. They are on the intermediate level, this time.

The crochet pattern is called: Mossy Boss by Breann Mauldin. And as you can see alone, it turned pretty nice :-). Breann offers also the sale 30%OFF in her Ravelry shop. This is so kind of you, thank you!

The knitting pattern is called: Huerta by Pearl Knitter. This shawl is so lovely.

And some of the other patterns from the magazine.

My summary:

The yarn, I found in my KnitCrate was very pleasant. Always perfectly fit the season. I have already made the cowl and I am very satisfied with the result :-) In a lovely magazine, I found 6 patterns, not only from my subscription - KnitCrate Membership, but from Artisan Crate and Sock Crate and Sock crate membership as well, but with no additional fees. My huge thank you, Knitcrate! The retail value of KnitCrate Membership is 63 USD, but you will pay only 24,99 USD and it includes - 200 g of Audine Woll yarn, 2 patterns, and 4 extra patterns and postage. Just WOW!

And I have a new. The KnitCrate has a new yarn partner - the fanfare, please: the Malabrigo yarns, yes! So WOW for the second time!

If you like that kit, pick your KnitCrate HERE now. The October kit is available at the end of October! So hurry up, not much time left! :-) They have many types of subscription e.g. by the month (a one-time purchase), 3-months, or even a full year etc. The KnitCrate offers the sale for my followers and friends :-) Using this unique code: MAGIC20, you will get 20% Off the first month of your subscription. I love the sale codes! Thank you very much, KnitCrate!

The technical note: I need to say, that if you will subscribe to KnitCrate through my link, I will get some small commission.

Thank you for reading, my dears.

I am totally hooked in my autumn projects. I will share them with you soon. Until then - have a lovely autumn time, my dears :-)

Yours,

Vendulka

1 Comments

free crochet pattern

The sugar skull - free crochet pattern

By Vendulka - October 16, 2018

Hi, my dears,

how are you? I am on the creative wave and well, I have a new free pattern for you. And this time, it will be the sugar skull. I designed my first my sugar skull in 2013.

And I always knew that I would like to write a free pattern for you. After 5 years, here we go. So if you are in the right mood, take the yarn and the hook and make one or two for yourself :-)

Sugar skull

Design by Vendula Maderska

October 2013 - pattern written October 2018 :-)

What do you need:

• fine yarn/ sport/ 5 ply/ 12 wpi/ calls for 3 mm hook
• hook 3 mm
• scissors, common sewing needle and threads and the tapestry needle
• the mix of embellishment: beads and spangles,
• 2 buttons average 6 and 8 mm

I used this yarn:
100% mercerized cotton Catania Solids by Schachenmayr SMC
Yarn weight: Sport / 5 ply (12 wpi), Yardage: 136 yards (124 meters), Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces), Gauge: 26.0 sts = 4 inches – using one thread. You can buy the yarn HERE

I used these colors: 6 g of the little bubblegum pink number 225, 4 g of light blue 376, the small amount of 110 black and 116 purple.

Hook: 3 mm

The measurement of the finished sugar skull:

The finished applique is 8 cm tall and 6 cm width in the widest point. Please remember, that the size of the finished project depends on the used material and your own style of crocheting.

Needed skills: easy

Abbreviations used – US terminology:

Chain (CH)

Slip stitch (SlSt)

Single crochet (SC)

Treble crochet (TC)

Increasing (inc): crochet 2 stitches in one stitch

Decreasing (dec) crochet 2 stitches together

[ ] ...x times = repeat instructions in in brackets ... times

( ) = the number of the stitches at the end of the row/round

This pattern is written in the English language, in US terminology.

If you will need the assistance feel free and write at vendula.maderska@gmail.com

Instructions

Head

Use bubble gum pink yarn, hook 3 mm and two threads and crochet continuously in spiral circle rounds – it means that you will NOT join the rounds and you will not turn the work at the end of the round.

Round 1: CH 2, 7 SC in the second stitch from the hook (7 SC)

Round 2: inc in each stitch around (14 SC)

Round 3: [1 SC in next stitch, inc] – repeat it 7 times totally (21 SC)

Round 4: [2 SC in next stitch, inc] – repeat it 7 times in total (28 SC)

Round 5: [3 SC in next stitch, inc] – repeat it 6 times in total, 1 SC in next 4 stitches (34 SC)

Row 6: CH 3 as a first stitch, 1 TR in next 5 stitches, end the work. Neaten free threads.

Eyes

Use black yarn, hook 3 mm and one thread of yarn

Beginning: CH 6, join the first stitch with 1 SlSt.
Round 1: [CH 4, 1 SlSt in the middle of the ring] - repeat 7 times in total, end the work.

Hat

Use light blue yarn, hook 3 mm and two threads and crochet in flat rows.
Beginning: CH 6, CH 1 for turning the work, turn
Row 1 -2: 1 SC in each stitch from previous row (5 SC), CH 1 for turning the work, turn

Row 3: dec, 1 SC in next stitch, dec (3 SC), CH 1 for turning the work, turn

Row 4: 1 SC in each stitch from previous row (3 SC), CH 1 for turning the work, turn

Row 5: CH 4, turn the work, insert a hook in the second stitch from the hook and crochet 1 SC in next 3 CH, 3 SC in next 3 SC, continue CH 4, insert a hook in the second stitch from the hook and crochet 1 SC in next 3 CH 1, 1 SlSt in the row 1, end the work. Neaten free threads.

Finishing

Sew the eyes on the head, add the buttons, beads. Use tapestry needles and black yarn embellish the nose and mouth. Embellish the hat, use beads and spangles and make your sugra skull unique. Sew the had and head together.

And your Sugar Skull is finished :-) Congratulation!

Enjoy the creating, my dears ♥

If you would like to wear this applique like a brooch, just easily sew a little piece of felt to the wrong side and add the pin :-)

P.S. When I was creating this one, I was thinking about my father, who passed away exactly a half year ago. So this one is for you, dad. I am so sorry, you can't hear her playing the piano. She is much better than I was. You would be so proud of her, maybe. Just if you stay here a little bit longer, just if I tell you, that someone worthy of it. It is so sad, you didn't take care and didn't know it alone. But you made me speechless and I just didn't say it. So absurd conversation we had. I should say it! Maybe it would change something. I am so sorry.

If you would like to say something important to your closest, my dears, just say it! Because someday, it simply could be too late and all these unsaid words could be haunting you...