Treasury Tuesday

There’s most likely no way around it: when you’re a crocheter you accumulate not only lots (and lots) of yarn, but hooks as well.

I doubt it’s just me who started out with a simple steel crochet hook – it worked just fine at the time.
However, once it turned out crochet was not an occasional fling for me, and I was seriously hooked, I began looking for hooks that were a bit more comfortable on my hand.
Soon enough I found my very favorite: this kind, by Prym.
When I discovered Lanagrossa carried a whole set of hooks that looked and felt exactly like my favorite hooks, I invested in this beautiful bunch a few years ago: one of the best investments ever!

These hooks have a simple soft grip, just how I like it. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t hook a stitch with the more sophisticated, ergonomic hooks like “Addi Swing” or “Clover Soft Touch”, even though I know there are many fellow crocheters that swear by these.
Talented blogging friend Shelley once wrote an interesting article about her quest for the perfect crochet hook (here‘s where you’ll find it). It’s all a matter of personal preference, isn’t it?

I realize this is a rather lengthy intro to the point I’m trying to get to ;)….
I’m sure you’re all the owner of more than one, two….. ten crochet hooks, but: do you have a case/pouch/bag that keeps them nicely in one place as well?You can always try the free “Bobble Square Hook Case” pattern I shared here not to long ago (you’ll find it under “Crochet Miscellaneous”), but how about a little more crochet hook case inspiration? An all new “Treasury Tuesday” has 16 lovely alternatives!

Lover of color that I am, this week I opted for two favorites that both have more muted colors. I like the classy touch they have…..

Happy hooking!
Love,
Marianne xx

“Bobble Square”-hook case and cushion

This is probably not the first time you’re reading here about my crafty fears!
The first one I overcame about a year ago, when I took lessons, and actually mastered the art of sock knitting. However ridiculous this may sound: it’s something that to this day still makes me very happy …….

Another crafty fear is – or better: was, HA! – sewing in zippers!
Having been asked by the lovely CraftKitchen-people to come up with a crochet hook case/pouch design for the month of May, it quickly dawned on me that the time had come to face my zipper-fear. You see, I wanted to crochet the outside of the pouch, but fancied a solid (read: fabric) lining, and consequently a zipper seemed in place.

And so, I started reading up on how to do this, but more importantly, began to practise.
I practised a lot ;)……. as you can see↑ – but it surely paid off.
Not only has my zipper-fear vanished, I’ve also written a tutorial with photos and all, that I hope – and think – will now help you zoom through the zipper-sewing-part.

You might remember this project I was working on some time ago; during my zipper-sewing-hook-case-making-quest these bits and bobs were turned into a pouch as well, and I love how it turned out. I’m especially proud of the checkered fabric lining …..

Like I said ….. I did a whole lot of practising …..quite a bunch of zippered pouches were made …..
The tutorials for the “bobble square”, the hook case, including zippered lining, as well as some tips on how to turn 16 “bobble squares” into a cute cushion cover can be found in the updated “Crochet Patterns”- section of the blog, and/or here.

Happy making, may you zip through these projects!
Love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday

No visits to the museum, no meetings with colleague-bloggers – this week was full of plain old crocheting, crafting and coming up with new design/patterns, and I could not have loved it more!

As happens every Thursday, a new CraftKitchen-project went live on the CK-site, and it was my turn again. Third project already, and I sure hope you’ll love it as much I do …..
This one is actually: projectS – plural, because in the “Bobble Square”-tutorial I not only give you a new granny square to crochet, I also tell you how to crochet a hook case with it, AND show you how to sew the zippered lining for this case.

As an added bonus you’ll find some tips at the end of the tutorial on crocheting the “Bobble Square Cushion”.
I’m sure you already know all CK-tutorials and patterns are in Dutch, and if you don’t want to call on Google Translate’s help, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until Monday, when I’ll be able to share this multifold tutorial with you in English here on the blog.

It was fun to read a non-Dutch Instagram follower’s comment this morning, saying she already zoomed through the “Bobble Square”-pattern, and had no problems it being in Dutch, so if you don’t want to wait for Monday, this is where you want to go (and click on “werkbeschrijving” for all details)!

In other news:• (only) three more squares were made for the “Rustic Lace Square”-blanket;

• I adjusted my “Rose Granny Square”-pattern, and we now have a “Rose Granny Triangle”, perfect to use in a bunting (pattern will follow soon, I promise);

• I made these two wall decorations, using the wonderful DMC Natura XL; pattern/design by Lisanne/Draad en Praat;
• I’m working on my CK project for June, and that’s a fun one again: recycling and pimping an old pair of jeans into a summery beach bag;

• ideas for my August project – tunisian crochet à la Pip Studio – are already flowing ……

So ….. I’d better get cracking on the “Bobble Square”-tutorial, and have it ready for all you lovely English-speaking people right after the weekend!

Wishing you a great one,
love,
Marianne xx