First four blocks of Moogly CAL 2017

Slowly but surely I am continuing my progress with the blocks of the Moogly CAL 2017. So far seven blocks have been published. I nearly finished the fifth. It’s the first time I’m part of a CAL group and it really is a lot of fun working on a project together with a bunch of other people.

Next week we have a holiday – Passover – and I’ll have some time off from work. It’s going to be all about meeting with the family and having a good time. Hopefully, I’ll be able to catch up a little on my blocks.

Meanwhile, here are my four finished blocks. Not blocked yet, but still beautiful :)

Block #1

Block #2

Block #3

Block #4

Your also welcome to follow my progress on my FB page and on my IG account.

Thanks for dropping by :)

Moogly CAL 2017 - So what does 'CAL' mean?

In this post I want to talk about something that I only recently acknowledged - CAL.

For those of you who don't know, CAL means 'Crochet Along'. It works like this: at a regular point of time (could be every week or every two weeks or whatever is decided by the person who organizes the CAL) a pattern is published on the CAL organizer's blog (or other social media) with the pattern to the current step of the CAL for all to see and follow. There are many types of CALs - for blankets, for afghans, for mandalas, for a themed subject (Harry Potter, etc.), for amigurumi, well actually for every use of crochet you can find a CAL. It's a great way to learn some new techniques or to try on something new, and the best part is that it is often accompanied by a group of people, mostly on Facebook or Ravelry, so you can ask for advice on the pattern, the gauge, the colors or whatever you need help with. It's fun to share your work with other people who enjoys the same CAL as you at the same time.

C2C Crochet Baby Blanket in Purple

C2C crochet baby blanket

I am very happy to report about a project that I recently completed. It's a C2C crochet baby blanket that I started somewhere around November. My sister-in-law was pregnant with my soon-to-be new niece, so I was very keen on making something for her.

Was lost but now I'm found - and BACK!!

I've been away for quite a long time, I know. It's not because I haven't been working on things. Quite the opposite, actually. I started a new job and it took me a while to get adjusted to the new conditions. Going from being a full time mom for three years to working a full time job, having a nanny picking up my kids and generally speaking having a LOT less time, was so overwhelming. But six months after, I began to fill the itch of crafting again and so I've been trying to find time for creating here and there, whenever I can, and little by little I feel confident with the thought of writing here without disappointing my audience with the long pauses that might yet to come between the posts, because I now feel that this blog is really from myself to myself as a way to document my work. I hope you all still joiin me in my prolonged journey.

After this long introduction, I will not keep you from checking out my progress in my rainbow crochet blanket. I'm proud to say that all the squares are joined together and I'm now working on the border of the blanket. Here are some picture for you to enjoy.

Some of the squares

Some other squares

All the squares are joined. On to the border...

Three layers of border - two types of blue and cream

Wonderful crisp corner

I am continuing my work on the border and hopefully will finish soon and will be able to show you the finished blanket.

In the meantime, you're can check my progress on my facebook page or on my Instagram or Twitter, which I update on a much frequent basis.

It's great to be here again. See you next time :)

Progress Report: Colorful Rainbow Blanket

It was a long time since I started my Colorful Crochet Rainbow Blanket using Moogly's pattern. First I started with building my color scheme, which I change a couple of times and ended up with this combination:

Final Squares Combinations for my Crochet Rainbow Blanket

I took my time making the squares because I was busy with other projects all at the same time. But three weeks ago I had almost all my squares done and ready to be joined together.

Had only four more squares to finish for my Crochet Rainbow Blanket

Introducing My New Design: Nespresso Bookmarks

Remember my wonderful pile of Nespresso capsules waiting for something good to happen to them?
They are now turned into gorgeous and colorful bookmarks.

Here is a bunch of bookmarks in Blues and Greens:

Blue and Green shades of Upcycled Nespresso Bookmarks

And another bunch in Orange, Red, Yellow, Pink and Purple:

Orange, Red, Yellow, Pink and Purple Upcycled Nespresso Bookmarks

Starting Moogly's Rainbow Blanket

Look at these beautiful colorful sqaures. They make me so happy and excited.

Crochet Squares for Moogly's Rainbow Blanket

Done: Crochet Granny Squares Pillow Cover

One of the very first items I made when I first started crocheting was a little granny square pillow cover. This was at a time when I was fed up with the little projects that I experimented in while learning the different stitches and techniques. I felt like making something meaningful that I could show everyone and use everyday. Always practical...

At the same time I came across the famous granny square that has so many variations that even today I find myself amazed by it's beauty and versatility. I decided to start making squares in an attempt to make a blanket. After a few sqaures I realized that the squares are too small and that I would have to make a lot, A LOT, of squares for a decent size blanket, so I improvized and turned them into a pillow cover.

Granny Square Pillow Cover

Gold Crochet Wristlet

Finally I finished my other crochet purse after talking about it here. As you can see the flap of the purse has a lace-like pattern, and it adds a nice texture to the purse. It closes with a Vintage Orange Button from my private stash.

Gold Crochet Wristlet with Vintage Orange Button

 As I originally planned, I didn't make a long shoulder strap. Instead I added a short handle and made it into a wristlet.

Gold Crochet Wristlet - Full View

This wristlet can be used as en evening wristlet or an everyday wristlet. It's quite roomy and can hold many things, like your keys, phone and credit card. 

Gold Crochet Wristlet - Can Hold All Your Everyday Things

As promised, I also added lining with matching fabric which I hand sewed to the purse. As I thought it helped in making the wristlet more durable. It also helps to keep your things inside the purse, so you don't have to worry about losing anything.

Fully Lined with Matching Colors

You can also carry it around as a clutch. It so versatile!!

Can Also Be Used As a Clutch

Like always, I used 100% cotton yarn and 100% cotton fabric so you can wash and dry the wristlet with no worries.

It is now for sale at my shop, as well as many other pouches and bags.

What do you think? Do you like the color?

Thanks for stopping by,

Shimrit

Done: A Cute Crochet Purse For My Daughter

I like making bags and purses. I'm always looking for the perfect bag to fit my needs. That's why I often end up making my own :)

My daughter is too young to have a real need for a purse (she's 7 years old), but also likes them and uses them to keep her little things in.

Recently I made her a little crochet purse. It is very cute and light and made from 100% cotton yarn in Marsala color, which makes it trendy too.

Cute Crochet Purse for Girls in Marsala

Photo Tutorial: How to Crochet a Triangle and a Diamond (plus a sc2tog mini tutorial)

In the time passed since I published my Vasarely Bag I've been asked about the pattern a number of times. The answer, like most things in life, divides into three: a triangle, a diamond and a 3D cube.

In order to make the Vasarely 3D crochet cube that you see in my Vasarely bag, you need to have three crochet diamonds. In order to make a crochet diamond you need to know how to make a crochet triangle, and that's why I decided to make this tutorial.

For the purpose of the tutorial I used cotton yarn and a 3 mm hook, but you can use whatever yarn you have available and a hook that match your yarn. The only thing that will be different is the finished size of your triangle. If you'll use a thicker yarn and a 5 mm hook, your triangle will be bigger than mine. The gauge is also not important, as long as your crochet work is consistent and you keep the same tension through out the work. This tutorial will show you how to make a triangle using single crochet stitches. Note that you can use the same pattern to make a triangle using double crochet stitches. Simply replace sc with dc everywhere in the pattern.

Abbreviations for this tutorial:

ch = chain

st = stitch

sl st = slip stitch

sc = single crochet

sc2tog = see further in the tutorial for a special mini tutorial on this stitch

What's on my desk #1

Starting today, I'm opening a new series on the Shimra Designs blog. I'm calling it "What's on my desk" at it will feature a snap shot of my desk and all or some of the things I'm working on these days. I hope that this little peek to my work desk will be an inspiration for you as well as a way for me to keep track of my ideas and projects.

So, let me proudly present my very first post in the new "What's on my desk" series:

What's on my desk #1

1. Crochet Flower Coin Frame Purse - Work in progress. The light green version is finished and you can find it in my shop, right here. There's also a Fuchsia version in my shop.

2. A new idea for bookmark that I'm trying out - Did these two samples and I'm working on a tutorial for you. Wait for it!!

3. I made these nice gold & raspberry mandalas with an initial idea to turn them into smaller coin purses than the flowery ones in no. 1, but I think they're two small, so I'll have to find another way of using both the mandalas and the frame. Thinking, thinking... Maybe you have an idea??

That's it for now, thanks for stopping by :)

Done: Crochet Bulky Bowl In Dark Grey And Purple Ribbon - Free Pattern Included

Bulky Crochet Bowl in Dark Grey and Purple Ribbon

I made this bowl a while ago from bulky acrylic yarn in dark grey. It has a lovely texture because of the FPTC (front post double crochet) that I used all around it.

At first, it was just plain and grey (without the ribbon) and I was very happy with it the way it was, but after a while I got bored with it and wanted to add a splash of color to it. I didn't have other colors of the same exact kind of yarn I used (I did have that same particular yarn in light grey but I wanted to add COLOR), but I had an idea that will add not only color but also texture. I searched in my ribbon stash and found a beautiful rich purple satin ribbon and decided to thread it through all around the FPTC stitches. I tied up the loose ends with a little bow knot, ET VOILA! A splash of color in less than a minute.

Isn't that much better??

How to join a new skein of yarn in the middle of your work + a sneak peak at what's currently on my desk

Let me start by asking what's wrong with this picture?

Is it gone already?

You got it - I'm almost out of yarn and I'm in the middle of the row. How ANNOYING!!

As you can see I'm working on something new. A ripple blanket for a baby that is due in about two months. The pattern is from Attic24 and I love it. It's flowing and easy to follow and the photographed tutorial is absolutely wonderful.

Everything went well until I got to the off-white yarn. I started this part not with a new skein of yarn, but from a half used skein I had lying around (I mean, off-white color is always lying around in my studio, it's so useful!). And so, in the middle of my 6th row I noticed that I was going to run out of yarn. Lucky for me, I didn't have a problem with getting new skeins, because I have plenty of those, but I wasn't sure about the right way to introduce the new yarn into the work.

Since this problem occurred in the middle of the row I was scared of having to tie threads together in a bulky way and also was worried I'll have to weave the ends at such a visible location. I even considered ripping out the entire row until the beginning and attaching the new skein to the edge of the blanket. Lucky for me, I didn't!

Done: Black Cosmetics Crochet Pouch

Black Crochet Pouch - All Done!!

Today I finished my second crochet pouch, and I LOVE it!!
The first cosmetics pouch I did was the turqoise pouch. This second one is made with black cotton yarn with a metallic string which makes it very festive and suitable for every occasion.

Black Crochet Pouch - A Closer Look

The flower motif is made using a cream cotton yarn with the same metallic string, to match the body of the pouch. It is sewed to the back of the pouch about third way down.

Done: Crochet Bag with Orange Stripes and Gold Chain

Orange Stripes Crochet Bag

A few days ago I finished another crochet bag. This one is smaller than the Vasarely bag I did awhile back. First, because of the colors. This bag is striped in orange and stone colored yarn. I chose those colors because I wanted to make a very happy and sunny kind of bag.

Orange Crochet Bag

I wasn't sure on what kind of strap would be best for the bag (I always have this problem...). My original design involved crocheting a strap, but I wanted to add a little spark to it. That's why I
eventually decided to go with gold plated chain that complements the orange nicely. The chain is detachable.

Fully lined with 100% cotton fabric in matching colors

The bag is fully lined with a 100% cotton fabric in a nice pattern of sweet little animals in orange, green and brown.

I've also attached a magnetic clasp to keep the content secured. I searched the web for guidance on how to install a magnetic clasp and found some here and here, but since I needed to attach the clasp to a crochet bag I ended up here and used her genius idea to make crochet circles as a base for the clasp.

Magnetic clasp attched using crochet circle base

The bag is decorated with a pin of a flower made from three crochet circles in red, yellow and white and it adds a nice touch of color and breaks the orange a little without completely escaping out of the color scheme.

What I'm Working On These Days

I have a lot of projects that I'm working on right now and a lot of ideas that I want to make. This really creates a problem for me because I'm always jumping from one project to the other and often working on several projects simultaneously. What can I do? I can't help it...

I decided to give you a little taste of what I'm up to these days, so you'll have something to look forward to. Shall we begin?

1. A sparkling cosmetic pouch:

Sparkling Cosmetic Pouch

I finished the body of the pouch and now I'm working on the flower motif that will be the cover (much like my finished turquoise cosmetic pouch)

How To Mend Holes Using Crochet Patches

If you have children, you are no stranger to knee holes. And if you're still a stranger to knee holes, don't worry! Your kids are probably too young and you'll get your chance.

From my experience, knee holes are the kind of holes my child gets when he plays soccer with his friends and he REALLY has to stop that ball from getting in the goal. So he slides on the ground (or the grass, if I'm lucky) because he simply HAS to, even at the cost of ripping a hole in his pants, right at knee level. And after stopping the ball and saving his team he comes home, and I immediately spot the hole and say "Again??". But no worries there, I just pull out my trusty crochet hook and in no time at all I have the hole all patched and done. This is how it looks from the inside:

Done: Crochet Cosmetic Bag with a Romantic and Feminine Feel

My Vasarely Crochet Bag took quite a long time to make, and I wanted to do other side projects simultaneously so I wouldn't get crazy too bored. I tried to keep my side projects small and simple, because handling too endless projects could be quite nerve wracking.
One of the ideas I had was to make a little pouch to be used as a cosmetics or makeup pouch, a feminine pouch (to hide in style all your tampons and hygienic feminine stuff) or even an evening pouch for a girl's night out. I wanted it to have a retro feel and a romantic look and finally I had a design in mind. Something floral and girly and feminine.

Done: Vasarely Crochet Bag

Today I finally finished a crochet bag that I've been working on for quite a long time. I crocheted it using a design by Victor Vasarely and it has a nice 3D look. And here it is hanging proudly on my bedroom door:

It all started with Pinterest (Daaahhh...). I stumbled upon a gorgeous blanket that was done using this design and I really liked it. I immediately started working on my own version for such a blanket, according to the colors I had lying around. I quickly realized that it's gonna take me a small forever to finish an entire blanket, so I decided to turn it into something that will take a little less time to finish and will also be more useful than a blanket. At first I was still under the illusion that it will be more simple to crochet a bag than an entire blanket, but I didn't take into account that I will have to make a strap, find a way to close it, not to mention make a lining for the bag. But, all well that ends well and I'm very pleased with the end result.