Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Bohemian Crochet Bracelet

Front of Bracelet with seed beads
Button closure for Bracelet

The Bohemian look is everywhere!! With it's rich colors, a playful spirit and then add a little gypsy soul, one can be transported to another place especially on rainy, cold, gray days which happens to be  the weather here as I write this blog post.   But since we live in Texas, today it is 59 and rainy but by Thursday we will be 80 and sunny!! As promised earlier in one of my blog posts, I wanted to give y'all my crochet pattern for a bohemian inspired bracelet.   I feel in love with a similar bracelet on a website called Crochet Rising.  This site features  designers who use crochet elements in their designs.  Sometimes the patterns are given and sometimes it is just eye candy for us to be inspired.  And so it was with the inspired piece - no pattern just an inspiration!

To create the bracelet, I set out to find just the perfect yarn.  I decided that I would use multiple yarns- one variegated (meaning a yarn with different colors, where ombre is varying shades of one color) and one to two solids that would either blend or standout.  This is where your creativity with color can take off or you could choose one solid color  The size of the yarn is a 3  and the hook I used was an E.  Again if you would like a thicker bracelet you could go up on the size of the yarn to a 4 and use a G.  In the pattern you would adjust the number of stitches based on the size of yarn, the hook and your wrist size.

For the beads, I chose turquoise seed beads, strung on the yarn before I began to crochet.  You could also hand sew beads after the bracelet is finished.  This bracelet has 3 rows of beads which is around 120 beads.  For the closure, buttons are my first choice.  Choose the buttons before you begin, so you will know how big to make your button loop.  They are easy to sew onto the crochet cuff and do not disrupt the integrity of the piece.

What makes this bracelet stand out is not only the choice of vibrant colors but the addition of the motifs that are crocheted separate and then attached to the cuff.  The motifs on this bracelet are graduating sizes of circles, using the variegated yarn and then alternating with the solids.  You could also crochet flowers as in the other pictures below.  There are two methods to attaching motifs and the choice is yours.  One is to crochet the motifs and then once completed join with coordinating thread and sew them in place.  The second method is on the last row of the motif, join to the top of the bracelet and continue to crochet the row.  For this bracelet, I will give directions for the circle motif and then you may choose how to join.

The other element to this pattern is the size of your wrist.  So the number of stitches will be different for everyone.  Measure carefully and then stick accordingly.  So with all that in mind, gather your yarn, beads, hook and your inner gypsy soul and let's get started.


I would love to see your finished Bohemian inspired crochet bracelet!! Leave a comment or find me on Facebook and we will share our inspirations together!!

Gather

1-2 skeins of  yarn, size 3
Seed beads (around 120)
small needle for stringing or dental floss threader
Size E crochet hook
3 buttons

Begin
** For the single crochet beaded row, as you insert your hook into stitch to draw a loop, push the bead up and draw the loop around the bead and then continue the single crochet stitch. 

**To create button loop, chain number of stitches that when formed in a loop will wrap snuggly around the button.  (BLC) 

1.  Using small needle or dental floss threader, string all seed beads onto the main yarn.

2.  Measure wrist.  

Foundation row: With that measurement, chain appropriate number of stitches. Add one more chain to count as turning chain. Turn.

Row One:   (First beaded row) single crochet in every chain, drawing a bead at each stitch.  At the end of the row, chain BLC, slip stitch in last single crochet of Row one, chain 1 and turn. 

Row Two:  Single crochet in every stitch (no beads).  Chain 1 and turn.

Row Three:  Repeat Row one but without a BLC.
Row Four:  Repeat Row Two
Row Five:  Repeat Row Three without a BLC
Row Six:  Single crochet in every stitch and create a BLC.
Row Seven- Twelve:  Changing to color B, repeat Row Two
Row Thirteen:  Repeat Row Six 
Row Fourteen - Nineteen:  Repeat Row Two

As with all patterns, the width of the bracelet can be changed to have less or more rows.  Changing yarns can be done as well as the number of beaded rows can be increased.  **With beaded rows, they are done with alternating a row without beads in between so that the beads are on the right side of the bracelet**  This it the basic pattern and can be varied depending on your style and creativity.  

For the circle motifs-

Foundation Row: Chain 4, slip stitch into 1st chain to form ring.
Row 1: Chain 1, crochet 8 single crochets in ring. slip stitch into first single crochet
Row 2: Chain 1, crochet 2 single crochets into each stitch from previous row.  Slip stitch into 1st single crochet.  (16 single crochets)  Fasten off or follow Row 3 for a larger circle.

To create a larger circle, 
Row 3:  Chain 1, Single Crochet in same stitch *2 single crochet in next stitch, single crochet in next stitch* slip stitch in first single crochet. Fasten off.


*Every effort was made to create an easy to follow accurate pattern* 

Here are a few more that I have made with varying yarns, motifs, beads and buttons. 

Added buttons to center of motifs to create interest and sewing blue rocaille beads by hand.

Using varying sizes of motifs with one large circle with picot edging as center motif

Denim theme with one row of pink with 3 larger circles with varying stitches
Until next time,  bring out your colorful side with these one of a kind crocheted bracelets!!


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Exciting News to Share...

Today was a first for me..I did a google hangout.  It was a fun time to get together with friends and co-design team members but the overall purpose was to become an ICE Resin ® Certified Instructor!!  Yes, that's right - a certification to be able to share all the wonderfulness of ICE Resin and ICED Enamels, the techniques and the products that will fuel your creativity!!  I love being on the ICE RESIN ® Design Team and now to be part of this aspect is just ICE-ing on the cake!!  So here it is in full color!!  I may have to print this out and frame it on my Studio Wall :)



I hope to be teaching and planning workshops and classes in the Dallas are very soon.  For now (on the calendar),  I will be teaching at the Bella Craft Connections in Minnesota at the Mall of America in September.



Let's make plans to be there together- I would love for y'all to join me as I teach along with many incredible teachers, artists and designers for a fantastic 3 day weekend. And of course I  will have to take in the sights and the sounds and the shops  of the Mall of America!!  Here's the link for more details...registration begins May 5th. 

Thank you for sharing in this creative journey with me and of course sharing in the joy of daily living.  

Until next time, 

May you find joy in your daily routine and see the blessings of life, even in all the ups and downs.



Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Butterflies in my pocket....An ICE RESIN Design Team project



Nurture and Nature Project 3 -The Butterfly pocket and a special little pocket of flowers
Happy Wednesday to everyone!  My 3rd project for the ICE RESIN® Design Team is up on the ICE RESIN® blog today!! I loved making this pocket with handmade paper, Resined paper and a little sewing and embellishing to put it all together.  This has a touch of everything for those of us who love so many areas of the creative life.  It has paper, metal, fiber and fabric; sewing, stamping, ICE Resin and ICED enameling and of course from me, sentiment.  Always sentiment.

The techniques are easy but when it is all put together the finished piece is amazing!!

For full details and instructions, click here   Later this month, my video for sewing the ICE RESIN® paper will be on the ICE RESIN® you tube channel.  I'll post an update for the link.

I hope you are inspired to create your own "butterflies in my pocket."  Adding your own personal touches and sentiments, your pocket could hold so many different treasures.  So tell me, What's in your pocket?

Until next time,
A pocketful of poises- 1890's paper that has been resined and sewn to canvas paper.

Inspire, Create, Dream 




Coming soon to the blog.. ***Stay tuned for an announcement  with details where I will be teaching this fall and a
**A personal crocheted pattern for this bracelet- so fun and easy to make.