Joining Blocks using Raised Zipper Stitch Method

I accidentally found this new stitch while working on my crochet ball projects and I was quite happy with the way my project turned out after using it. The first ball project I used needle and thread but I wasn't very happy as it looks a bit weak although technically it is quite strong as I double both the thread and the stitches was done twice. Here is the first ball I made...

... and here is the second ball.

Which one do you like better?

I have created a video tutorial on how to do the stitch if you would like to learn.   I am not happy with the quality of the video, it's blurry although on my iPhone it was ok and it was just cut off near the finish line. Obviously I need o learn more about videography and uploading Youtube videos. That being said, I hope you still get the idea how to join this stitch. The pattern for the pentagon and the ball is free till September 26, 2014 from  Ravelry. Included in the pattern is the chart and step-by-step pictures to guide you in making the pentagon and to stitch them together to form a pretty crochet ball.
If you have been crocheting for a while chance is you might not need to buy new yarns for this project. 25 meters in total is approximately what you need to make one pentagon and you only need to make 12 of them.

If you like what you see and made something from my free pattern, all I ask is that you credit me by mentioning my name and my blog and provide the link to my blog. Please DO NOT re upload my files by any means to another blog or website. All my photographs are copyrighted. Thank you.

Crochet Strawberries

I promised some friends in FB group that I will post the instructions for this strawberry crochet fruit. This fruit pattern is part of the pattern I wrote for the strawberry crochet bag available in Ravelry. 

Below are the step by step pictures. Hope my instructions are clear enough and help those who is making this for the first time. I have used yarns of different thickness in making the fruits using the same pattern and the result are different sizes.

Pattern

The crocheted fruit begins in center down, and spirals outward and up. There is no increase in the

number of stitches after round 6 when the stitches reach 30 sc. Place marker on the last stitch of each round.

Materials: Yarn size 3 in red and green and small amount of size 2 cream or light yellow. Small amount of toy stuffing. Hook C/2.75 and a yarn needle.

Using red, ch 2

Round 1: 5 sc into 1st ch—5 sc

Round 2: 2 sc into each of 5 sc—10 sc

Round 3: (2 sc into next st, 1 sc into next st) repeat around —15 sc

Round 4: (2 sc into next st, 1 sc into each of next 2 st) repeat around —20 sc

Round 5: (2 sc into next st, 1 sc into each of next 3 st) repeat around —25 sc

Round 6: (2 sc into next st, 1 sc into each of next 4 st) repeat around—30 sc

Round 7: 1 sc into each of next 4 st—30 sc

Round 8: 1 sc into each of next 4 st—30 sc

Round 9: 1 sc into each of next 4 st—30 sc

Round 10: (sc2tog, sc in next st) repeat around—20 sc

Thread a yarn needle with cream, stitch around the fruit from the inside out starting from the bottom

skipping one round alternatively. 

Dump the remaining threads inside then insert the stuffing. Place any

left over yarn on top layer of the toy stuffing to prevent the needle pulling out any hair. Thanks Lola Pool  of Lagos Crochet Group for this idea of dumping the thread inside.

Round 11:Round 11: sc2tog front loop only all the way around—10 sc

Round 12: sc2tog front loop only all the way around—5 sc

Stitch around to tighten. Cut yarn.

The leafs

Ch 2, 6 sc into the first ch, join with sl st.

*Ch 4, slip stitch into 2nd ch from hook, sc into each of next 2 st, sc into next sc) repeat from * 6

times. Cut the yarn leaving 20 cm tails. Sew the leaf into the strawberry.  

Cut the yarn leaving 20 cm tails. Sew the leaf into the strawberry.

If you like what you see and made something from my free pattern, all I ask is that you credit me by mentioning my name and my blog and provide the link to my blog. Please DO NOT re upload my files by any means to another blog or website. All my photographs are copyrighted. Thank you.

Bag Base Board - DIY

A bag base board is a piece of stiff material which is cut to the shape of your bag's base to avoid it looking shaggy. It also makes the bag easier to organize. There are several types of them from permanent to removable boards, and from economical to more pricy boards. Some boards are made to fit the size of the leading brands. They are available online and some online stores even offer custom cut acrylic boards to your requirements.

The one I am showing you is the removable version and you can make it from the materials you might already have at home. The board I am using is an old plastic cover from my kids' school notebook.
To make one just follow the step by step pictures below. Some types of glue require you to work in a well ventilated area so read the instructions carefully before working.

You need a piece of white copy paper or tracing paper and the items shown in this picture: a piece of fabric, acrylic or sturdy plastic, scissors, measuring tape, glue, and a pen.

Pictured on the left is before inserting the base board, and the right picture is with the board inserted.

If you like what you see and made something from my free pattern, all I ask is that you credit me by mentioning my name, my blog and providing the link to it. Please DO NOT re-upload my files by any means to another blog or website. All my photographs are copyrighted. Thank you.

Mum and Daughter's Crochet Bag and Backpack

We have been busy crocheting in Lagos. We are finishing various type of bags for our young one and for us, their mums. It is still in the same motif, strawberry :-)
Below is our latest models. Strawberry litle princes backpack and Mum's tote.  Patterns are bing finalized and will be coming soon to Ravelry, InSyaAllah.

Backpack above by Mee Leng and Mum's Tote by Lola

Please stay tune for more items we are making. Love from all of us in the west of Africa.

Me at Homespun Australia

Hi everyone, hope you are as excited as I am this morning!

Yay, my design was published in Homespun Australia. I hope I am not making you all bored with this strawberry stitches again. On the contrary I hope you will make something out of it. Ok enough said, here is the image of the printed magazine with my Strawberry Crochet Bag in it. Patten can be found in here...Strawberry Stitch Pattern

Photo credit: Homespun 

Yay, I was Featured in a Crochet Magazine

Hi everyone, I have been wanting to share this with you for ages.  I am very excited. My design was featured in Dec issue of Entwinemagazine. It's the strawberry crochet bag at the bottom. Also a leading craft magazine in Australia (Homespun) recently contacted me wanting to publish the stitch design in their print and web publication. Alhamdulillah, thanks all to my fam and friends for your support in doing what I love to do. It's the crochet strawberry bag at the bottom.

Entwine Magazine