Daily Inspiration: Pressing Forward.

Hello there! I hope you had a grand weekend. Lately, I have been flipping through online Fall Lookbook/Catalogs like Anthropologie and Free People for everyday inspirations. It is one of my favorite methods to do when I need a bit of a creative boost or when I just want to look at some pretty sweaters and things.  Glancing at lovely color combinations or how to layer with your crochet or knit wear with other store bought items. It is entirely a huge push for me, though sometimes a really big push because I end up wanting to create so many things which can cause a creative overload! Though who wouldn't want that? :)

This week, I have my crocheted item finished from, What's on my Hook? can't wait to show it! Also, there is a DIY tutorial, I will be sharing, which is an accessory featuring crochet and leather! I am enjoying pushing myself into creating new projects, some that I have always wanted to create and ones that have just popped into my head. Though I do admit those are the very best kind. 

Below, there are a few of the images that have caught my eye this past week and have motivated me to keep pushing new handmade projects!

 First photo>>anthropologie//Second photo>>free people.

Inspiraton: The Welcoming.

Hello to you out there, hope you are doing quite well and had a lovely weekend. With Fall being just one day old, I must say, the inspiration for me personally, to create has blossomed as if it was the first day of Spring. Oh so elated that these ideas are truly sprouting about and the passion to create, brings me such tranquility and excitement all at once. It's a wonderful feeling! The idea of creating items I have never challenged myself to make, like chunky sweaters, granny cardigans (coming soon!) and even crocheted jackets! I find to be honest, that it is sincerely vital in life,  to do things that make You happy and have something that develops You as a person daily. With 

this being said, I am excited to share some of the projects I will and have created so far. Also, I wish you such inspiration as well, to create whatever it may be!

 Oh and this little crochet floral headband I made on a whim, they were extra ones left over from my sheepish bloom drop bouquet and I thought it would be fun to make! 

Inspiration: Mixing The Seasons.

Hello there! Lately I have been inspired by the idea of Fall heading our way, (not entirely for us Texans, but hey, I'm pretending) and the colors that surround the most loveliest season! I've been so wrapped up with the orange, gold and greens that I wanted to step outside and bring in some light Springish colors to mix into the pot. Currently, my eyes have landed lots of pink and cream projects that will defintely be created not only in my crocheted items, but in my daily wear! The items that I have selected are inspiring pieces that will entirely influence some future projects in some sort of fashion!

 

A knitted cardigan, oh how I would love to create this cardigan along with the little hearts splattered about the piece. Could entirely be a great layering piece for the Fall. >> found here.

 

Another knitted item! Love love the pink and the slight lime green yarn mixed about this hat. Plus, it has a pom pom perfectly attached at the top. >> found here.

 

Chevron striped bag, I've made one before (here) and I'd love to implement brighter or bold colors for the Fall other than the usual seasonal colors. >> found here.

I'm a huge fan of this sweater, I would probably utilize more of a cream or off white color for the yarn. Would be quite a nice addition to the sweater weather crocheted pile! >>found here.

Inspiration: Crocheting and The World Of Knitting.

Hello there! When I am just browsing about, being inspired and all by lovely crochet items, I tend to look upon the "other side", (so to speak/write) to the world of knitting for a bit of inspiration. Now I have never attempted knitting before, though I would love to try one day, but I love glancing at the items and have them influence novel ideas for crochet projects. There are tons of techniques crochet wise, to emulate the look of knit and I find that to be quite fascinating and something I would love to strive towards creating, especially for the Fall/Winter seasons. I picked up The Best Of Interweave Crochet and it is chocked full of techniques to assist in setting your crochet projects to appear like knitted wear which is pretty educational! Here are a few knitted items that have caught my hook, which I relate some crochet stitches that might be similar to the technique!
Great site for diverse crochet stitches.

The color of this cardigan is very pleasing to the eye, I could see it set together with grey tones to phase it into the Fall! I can entirely see this cardigan being an inspiration on the crochet side, there are a few techniques like an open stitch like Filet Crochet Lacet or a Lacy Interrupted V Stitch that would suit it perfectly. >>found here.

What caught my eye was the colors involved in this sweater, reworking it into crochet, multiple techniques could be utilized in order to create its' own effect! >>found here.

I actually just purchased this shade of lavender, planning in a few projects time to start a crochet sweater and this item is definitely pushing me to want to create it now! A crochet technique utilizing the faux cable stitch (a tunisian stitch or using a front post triple crochet cross stitch) would be perfect for this project! >>found here.

Love love this hot pink sweater, it is already on my to make list. I believe a basic crochet stitch, such as a HDC (half double crochet) or SC (single crochet) would fit this technique that was created by knitting. >>found here.

What's On My Hook!

Hello there! So what's on my hook? Well, currently I have been bitten by the Fall bug and I am all over the idea of crocheting projects geared toward my favorite season! The project that I am crocheting at the moment is a pretty decently big project that has no pattern and was inspired by a past post of Inspiration. Seeing as there is no pattern and I am entirely attempting to figure out how it was made, has left me trying this project for the 3rd time! Spending a handful of days on the first attempt until I finally opened my eyes and realized it was all wrong! It was a bit of a letdown, but I knew I had to pick up another ball of yarn of the same color and try again. So I did, in between working and crocheting the second attempt, I realized again this method was not going to work. Le sigh. Luckily, I wasn't in too deep with the second one, that I could start my 3rd! I do, truly feel confident this time around and well, they do say the third times the charm. Hopefully, this will be it!

I must say, that even through this fumble of repeated mistakes, crocheting teaches me patience and I am quite thankful for that. It teaches me that even if I get that one row wrong, I can pull it out and try again until it's right and that's what I have been doing with this project. :) Well, now I'm off to continue with this project and with hope, the next time you see it, it will be alive, complete and successful!

Inspiration: A Touch Of Fall.

Hello there! Here are another batch of lovely crochet items that have caught my eyes! With the Fall season, still on the brain, I can't help the desire of creating a list of projects I simply cannot wait to make. For the Fall, I truly want to aim for the whimsy, vintage inspired projects that I can mix and match with other outfits. These items are not so heavily Fall/Winter items, these are too slowly guide myself into the layering pieces. Though I must state, living in Texas, (heatwaves and all) kind of puts a hold on that idea, but I'm an East Coast girl at heart, I'll make it work!

The detail on this sweater is so delicate and beautiful, I can entirely see myself wearing this deep into the fall. >>found here.

Love love this granny square inspired purse, with Fall inspired yarn, it's definitely a project set for the future. >>found here.

The mix of fabric and utilizing yarn throughout the sweater has me quite intrigued. I adore the idea of this item! >>found here.

The color and the drape of this sweater, could see it in a variation of colors. Also, that bag! I think I might put that on the list as well! >>found here.

Inspiration: Ready For Fall Projects!

Hello there! As a lover of needlework we all know once the holiday fall/winter season hits, we are preparing handmade goods for the ones we cherish and adore. So the inspiration for this week, is getting a head start at creating those items. Truthfully, so that I am not in a bind, staying up super late perfecting goodies for everyone! Plus, I must admit, it leaves a bit of time so that I can crochet up a few items for myself of course! So these items reflect some personal items that I would love to make for the fall/winter times! Found all on Pinterest.com!

Crochet a striped sweater:  I cannot fight wanting a black and white striped sweater, truthfully, a striped anything! Oh, I have to make this sweater! Wait, no, I am going to make this sweater!

Crochet a cape: Oh my word. Yes, I am putting every project, I have on hold and making this right now. Okay, okay, maybe I'll wait a bit, but geez louis this crochet cape is the bee's knees! It's from superstition vintage.

Crochet a jacket: This is a wonderful chunky jacket esque item, I love the idea of it having a hood as well. I can entirely see it in multiple colors as well and adding pockets!

 

Crochet a dress: I must say this dress is quite inspiring, I love the color of this dress, one of my favorites for the Fall. For sure, dresses will be on the roster for my to create list!

How To Guide: Crochet Your Own Dress.

Hello there! Awhile ago, a lovely individual asked me on my arts/crafts tumblr if I would post a how-to on How to crochet your own dress and I have finally created such a post! This will be an inspiration, how to go about creating a crochet, purely from my perspective. After this post, I will be sharing a pattern/tutorial on how I created my most recent crochet dress, that I am currently working on! It is entirely just the creative process I go through in order to make a crochet dress!

Having a notebook or a journal that compiles your idea for the dress or any other item for that matter is truly a great idea. It is the best way to organize your thoughts and to figure out how to go about crocheting an item. Here, I usually break down the dress in separate parts. (Exp: Top section of the dress, the bodice/the lower half of the dress, the skirt section and the straps.) There are many methods to go about crocheting a dress, the particular dress I am working on, I worked in rounds, for me it is a quite simpler way to create this particular dress. Also, drawing a depiction of the dress as well, assists in the process. Now I am not the most realistic artist when it comes to draw items, but I do try!

Having a dress that you own in your closet, to draw your inspiration from helps quite a bit. Usually I take a dress that might be similar to the item that I am creating and loosely follow the structure for assistance. Finding a dress that is right and that suits you perfectly, has the best fit, the right style that will mirror the dress you are going to crochet.

Picking out yarn, finding the right hook are two major components in crocheting a dress of your own. When I am creating a dress for the first time with a new pattern, I usually go with Red Heart just to test it out. I have also tried Caron Simply Soft as well. It truly depends on how which texture suits you and the dress you are going to create. Experiment is the best way to go about discovering which brand of yarn you want to use for the dress and that goes for the crochet hook you want to use as well! Personally, I prefer either a H/8-5.00MM or I/9 - 5.50MM.

 My most favorite part, Experimentation! Just go for it, try new techniques, mess up, start over. Create something perhaps, you haven't seen yet, but have always wanted to create! That is truly what I adore about crocheting is that you can take some yarn and make whatever you desire out of it!

Here are some tips that I have learned along the way of crocheting a dress:
//When crocheting a dress, depending on what kind of yarn you use, take consideration in that it might possibly stretch or be quite stiff! Depending on which yarn I use, I wash the dress to soften the feel of it! Here is a tutorial on how to soften brands like Red Heart! Click here!

//Forming the dress to your body, doing your measurements before creating the dress is quite imperative! Just going off a dress that suits you perfectly is awesome, though keeping in mind of your exact body form to rely on will truly make the dress a one of a kind!
// Think of the environment you live in and ensure that your dress fits the climate!
// Trial and error, I have noted before, it won't always come out perfect, especially for your first time, but as long as you make it fun for yourself. The next time, you can improve! Plus, its crochet, so you can always do the dreaded unraveling of yarn!
// Know your yarn. Research, look at reviews, go out to Michael's or your favorite craft store and feel out the yarn you might possibly want to use and do a dry run with it!
//Patience is key. I know for me personally, wanting to get it done and wear it truly feels me with such a feeling that I have to tell myself to not rush through it. Mistakes are unfortunately made when rushing is involved!
I hope this little post helps anyone out there who wants to try crocheting your own dress, it is truly fun for me and I will have my tutorial/pattern for a crochet dress up quite soon! 

Inspiration: Crochet Blankets.

Hello there! I have always been quite inspired by crocheted blankets and creating many for my current place as well as my future place. From grandma squares to chevron stripes, my love for crochet blankets simply grows and grows. Plus, I'm always freezing, (even in the summer!) so starting a little collection, with no rush, of crocheted blankets is something I want to begin to create! Here, I have a few crocheted blankets featured that have caught my eye and will most definitely be in my queue to make! P.S. I found all of these blankets, under Pinterest, search crochet blankets!

 From Left To Right:
1// Absolutely adore the texture and creativity that lies in this blanket, as well as the colors that are set in it. It's entirely a creative project, I would love to explore!
2// Chevron! I love chevron stripes, they are too groovy for words and I love them more when they are beautifully crocheted into a blanket like this one. For sure, I am going to create a chevron crochet blanket!
3// Granny squares! I do not care if they are old fashioned or what have you, I find them to be quite charming and love the feel and the experimentation that one could create with the squares. 
4// Once again, this crocheted blanket, emulates the chevron stripes, though the color scheme is what truly caught my eye and I cannot help myself, but to truly want to drop the projects I'm on to make this blanket! It's a little dramatic, but hey, it was at first sight! ;)

Inspiration: DIY Hair Acessories.

Hello there! One of my favorite things to do, is to draw loose inspiration from, is to window shop (on the internet) at different items that I could possibly make into a diy project. Instead of paying 20 bucks and purchasing an item. I would rather attempt to figure out how the item was made and if I could recreate it at a much inexpensive price. Plus, it feels a bit more fulfilling making something on your own, either from your own mind or inspired by something you have perceived! Seeing as hopefully, I am planning to re open my etsy store, starting off with hair accessories, here are a few of inspirational hair pieces that have caught my eye! (down below) my pom pom barrette clip, that will be in my store!

 From Left to Right: 
1// I love the idea of having a bun flower holder, have had this idea in my head for awhile! I am definitely wanting to recreate this idea, but with crochet flowers instead.       forever21.com
 2// Flower cat ear headband! Too lovely, this is entirely a marvelous diy project for the future, the only thing is, I can't imagine ever taking this headband off!    modcloth.com
3//  These flower esue little bow clips could entirely inspire different variations of this concept, but all result in a fun clip to throw in your hair! anthropologie.com
4// Another bun holder, utilizing a few strips of different, but complimenting fabrics. I love the feel of this bun holder, in all its uniqueness, I can imagine myself making a handful of these lovely doo dahs!  
freepeople.com