Origami Booties & a Guest Blog post!

Yes, here I am! I know, it's been a while. Life has taken me down some rather interesting avenues in the past 5 months. Yes, it's been that long!

First I was asked by a friend if I would write a guest blog post for her blog. I thought about it for a while and finally decided that I should. It would explain a lot and heck, it would be fun! So head on over to Susan's blog and have a read. I hope you enjoy!

I've also taken this opportunity to introduce a brand new pattern! I've always liked the thought of baby booties but have never had the patience for the increases, decreases, twists and turns so have avoided making them. But now a young friend of mine is expecting! What to do?!? Well, of course that meant that I would have to sit down and figure out how to make super cute booties with a super simple pattern. I think I've succeeded :)

Here for your enjoyment, my Origami Booties!

I created what I feel is the easiest way of making baby booties. One strip of crochet fabric, how much simpler can it get?

The fun comes with the folding of said strip. Hence the name Origami booties. There is a photo tutorial with the pattern to show you step by step how to fold the strip that becomes the cutest pair of booties around.

The other feature that I love about these, no buttons! baubles, etc... I've been designing clothing and accessories for children since my children were very young and one of the big things I avoided was adding anything to a design that might cause a choking hazard for the child wearing it. The way these booties are made, there is no need for buttons or strings. The booties stay on those wee footsies quite nicely by themselves. And if baby decided to have a chew on them, no problem!

As a part of the pattern, I have included the formula to calculate the length and number of stitches to make in order to create booties of any size, even for adults if they would like some!

Duckie booties!

And just for the heck of it, I decided to figure out how to turn these cute booties into duckie feet booties! Now how many toddlers do you know that would just love to waddle around the house quacking while they look down at their duckie feet?!? 

 

Aren't these the absolute cutest booties??!!?? 

 

This pattern is available for purchase from my Ravelry store. Please use the button below to go directly to my store. Thank you and have a great day!

Starstruck Dish, Wash cloth incl. Hotpad, Makeup Scrubbie & Coaster options

Dishcloth with coaster and makeup scrubbie

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

Dishcloth with coaster and makeup scrubbie

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

Yes I know, that's quite a mouthful for a pattern. But I believe in giving all the options up front so you know exactly what you are getting in this pattern!

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

Who doesn't love stars! So many gorgeous stars and they whip up in a jiffy! I've made several in an evening while watching a DVD. Once you are familiar with this pattern, they just seem to fly out of your hands.

I found this pattern scribbled on a piece of scrap paper tucked between the pages of my grandmother's sewing pattern book. It was done in size 10 crochet thread for which I have very little patience. So I cleaned it up, switched it up by using worsted weight cotton yarn, a bigger hook, less rounds and Voila! A cloth for many uses.

Yes, you have read it right. These cloths depending on where you stop will make super cute coasters, makeup scrubby pads, dishcloth, washcloth and hotpads! There probably are a lot more uses for these such as turning this into a super cute baby blanket by just continuing to add rounds.

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

This is a fairly simple pattern and I would recommend it to beginner crocheters. The instructions are fully written out with abbreviations explained. The only crochet stitch you need to know is the single crochet. And by listing it for only 1$ it's affordable for everyone!

The yarn used is Bernat Handicrafter worsted weight (#4) cotton for dishcloths, scrubbies, and coasters. The Samband Lopi in worsted weight pure wool was used for the hot pads as wool is more resistant to heat than cotton and will not scorch. I used dark grey, light grey and cream.

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

As for the approximate amounts used for each type:

• coaster and makeup scrubbie 15 grams
• medium dishcloth/washcloth 35 grams
• large hot pad (2 layers) using wool 130 grams total for both
• large hot pad (2 layers) using cotton 75 grams total for both

The finished sizes are approximate, as everyone crochets tight or loose, are measured from star tip to opposite valley.

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

• Coaster & Face (makeup) Scrubbie 12cm / 5 inches
• Medium dishcloth/washcloth 19 cm / 7.5 inches
• Large washcloth/dishcloth 21.6 cm / 8.5 inches
• Hot pad (2 layers) 23 cm / 9 inches 

A starry teaser!

Starstruck teaser

I've been working on these little lovelies all week. I had a fellow crocheter ask me for the pattern and then someone else messaged me asking if I was going to publish the pattern.

Well, I've been working on writing out the pattern diligently. I have taken photos, checked and double checked my figures and all that's left is testing the final piece.

Everyone who's received these this Christmas have fallen in love with them. I hope you will like them too. So bear with me one more day so I can finish testing the final piece and a brand new pattern will be available!

You will need worsted weight cotton yarn, crochet hook, wool yarn in as many colours as you want. So get ready because once you see these, you will want to make some right away!

Star Shine Bangles (Crochet Pattern)

The bangle tree!

 This instalment is continuing on the theme of bangles as jewelry and wristwarmers for all seasons. And now that Christmas is staring at us, and we know we haven't got all the stocking stuffers! Here's a quick project for you to make.

I'm not big on lots of jewelry, but I also like to keep my wrists warm. This pattern is one of those flashes of genius that hits when needed the most. Make a fashion statement and keeping your wrists warm; these double as actual wearable jewelry!

Perfect fit for all wrists

Add beads or just make them plain. The star stitch makes a very pretty bangle on it's on. Also a fantastic way to use those super special mini skeins we all keep in our stash. I hope you enjoy making this bangle as much as I have.

As requested by a friend

And it's so quick! You can dash off several in an evening!

Please follow this link or go to the one in my sidebar to purchase this pattern for only 1$!!

Braided Bangle and / or Wristwarmer

Beautiful Rainbow colours!

I love wearing wrist warmers. They cover a section of the arm that usually gets left out in the cold between the mitten and the sleeve.

And what better way to have an accessory that does double duty as a bangle!

Also works great as a pulse warmer to keep hands warm in those air conditioned offices .

The braiding is done before the bracelet is seamed together. For those of us old enough to remember; the same braiding technique is used to make those ever popular leather bracelets in the late 60's and early 70's.

The pattern itself is fairly simple once you master the tunisian linked stitch. I have included a youtube video detailing how to make this stitch.

Made with 11 wpi Yarn (click here for pattern store)

STITCHES USED

(pattern written using north american crochet terms)
ch - chain                                                                                                Click here for pattern store
sc – single crochet
yo – yarn over
tunisian linked stitch
HOOK 3 mm
Darning needle

YARN Patons Astra Bright Ideas dk – Paint Box – small amount.
Any dk or sport weight yarn with 11 to 12 wpi (wraps per inch) can be substituted.

DIFFICULTY Advanced beginner who likes a challenge to Intermediate

GAUGE Finished bracelet measures 17.5 cm (7”) unstretched (20.25 cm (8”) before braiding) by 2.5 cm (1”) wide

The final braiding also includes a how to youtube video to walk you through the process. Once you start making these little gems, you will not want to stop. These would make great gifts for a co-worker, a teen, yourself to keep your wrists warm and stylish.

I have proof, I've made all these bracelets in one evening!!

 

Braided Bangles Pattern (click here to purchase pattern)

I look forward to seeing these bangles worn this winter. I may even wear 2 or 3 together to be totally original!