Category: throwback

Throwback Thursday: wrap bracelet

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

This is a wrap bracelet that I made for my sister in April of 2015. It is made from red leather cord, 4mm garnet and quartz beads, and beading thread. The remarkable thing about it is that it was sitting next to my chair next to the fireplace when the house caught on fire in March of 2015. I had been working on it and it was in a project bag. I needed to give everything a rinse to get rid of the ash, but I was able to complete the bracelet.

Photo description: red wrap bracelet with four wraps of natural garnet and quartz beads sewn between two leather cords

I really missed an opportunity to do a morse code message in the beading.

Throwback Thursday: Driver cover

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

In February 2015 I finished crocheting a driver cover for my Dad, in the shape of a black Labrador head.

Photo description: Crocheted black lab head with safety nose and eyes, on a golf club

The neck is a crocheted rib, the ears are single crochet triangles, and the rest is single crochet in the round with a small hook in the style of amigurumi (although I don’t think I knew that word at the time). The nose is stuffed, but the skull is provided by the head of the golf club.

Throwback Thursday: Basket weave crochet

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

In February 2015 I finished a crochet project for my Dad that has a basket weave looking texture for a hat and scarf.

Photo description: black scarf and hat crocheted with black wool yarn

The technique uses front post and back post double crochet stitches in sets of three. It is actually an easy texture to achieve, but I recommend not using black yarn while trying to learn to count the stitches and rows. Also, size up any wool hats, as wear causes light felting, which shrinks the hat.

Throwback Thursday: ribbon bookmarks

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

Here is a great throwback for Thursday! I used to make so many of these braided bookmarks. This picture is from December of 2014, and I love the way the red and white book marks have a secondary pattern effect.

Photo description: six green and yellow braided bookmarks, and four red and white

I make these with 1/4” flat ribbon and usually braid a long length, then iron the long ribbon before applying more ribbon as a band with some white glue and cutting sections a good bookmark length, usually about 8”. The trick to these is that the ribbon is never folded as I braid. The seven-strand plait stays flat and the bias weave of the ribbon lets it lay in smooth curves.

It is a fun braiding project, and inexpensive. Materials needed are: 1/4” satin ribbon, scissors, white glue, parchment paper (to protect the ribbon while ironing), and an iron.

Throwback Thursday: combo craft

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

Back in December of 2014 I decided to combine crochet and jewelry making to create a light weight but bold necklace with pearlized cotton in shades of purple.

Photo description: crocheted circle necklace with hand made button clasp using four shades of purple pearlized cotton on a leather couch cushion

In 2014 I really had started to embrace taking pictures of my creations. I even took a picture of the CD case I repurposed into a guess-thwarting jewelry box.

Photo description: same purple crocheted necklace in a clear double CD case to keep it flat and give the recipient a moment of “hm?” before opening

I’m pretty sure since this is purple it went to my Mom. I’ve done more crocheted jewelry since. It is much lighter than traditional bold jewelry pieces, but does have to be laundered, starched, and laid flat to dry on occasion. I can personally tolerate a crocheted necklace for a little longer, if it isn’t too tight.