Author Archives: Yuli

Wrap around crochet bracelet – Free pattern

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Yuli| Leave a comment
~New Wrap around crochet bracelet tutorial/pattern by Yuli ~ Free to share
 
You will need:
  • DK mercerized cotton;
  • 3,5 mm crochet hook;
  • 170 medium beads;
  • button;
  • needle;
  • tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
 
 
Tip for threading beads on to the yarn:
I split yarn in half and tread it into needle from opposite direction, this makes threading easier. 
 
Push beads along the yarn; picking them up and use them as you crochet along.

Step 1 – Chain 2.

Step 2 – insert hook under 2 loops of the 1st chain. Yarn over.
Step 3 – Pull yarn through 2 loops of the 1st chain
Step 4 – Yarn over and pull through 1 loop.
Step 5 – Push 1 bead close to hook, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook.
Your bead will be placed at the back of your work
Step 6 – insert hook under base chain (2 loops)
Step 7 – Yarn over, pull through 2 loops of base chain
 Step 8 – Yarn over and pull through 1 loop.
Step 9 – Push 1 bead close to hook, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook.

Your bead will be placed at the back of your work

Repeat step 6 – 9 with rest of your beads
This is how your work looks like on other side
After you finish with all of your beads, repeat step 6-9 with out using bead x 1 time.
Turn you work around (beads side) and slip stitch along base chains.

At the end of this side – chain 7 for a button loop and slip stitch along other side of base chain.

 

After you slip stitch to the end of this side, cut yarn + allowing enough thread for sewing button. Weave ends with tapestry needle. 

Bracelet ready.  Have fun … Love, Yuli xx

 P.S. – I made this pattern in PDF format, but unfortunately its to big to upload on my blog((  I’ll do my best to sort this out asap.
 
 

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Last day of summer holidays…

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Yuli| Leave a comment
 
Today been last day of school holidays… I can’t believe that 5 weeks flew by. I’m going to miss late morning and routine free days…
 
Tomorrow is the beginning of 6AMs rises, lunch boxes, driving, waiting, homework and all of that back to school business. But on the bright side…we still have great weather for afternoon beach & walks and of course more creative time for me!
 
Kids school bags packed, uniform all clean & ready, hair been cut, bathed, bedtime story read and they nicely tucked in beds…Phew!
 
I’m almost finished in the kitchen… just need to bake 2 loaf of Ciabatta for boys lunch…it was an order ;) P.S. – I’m not super woman))) I have bread machine ;). It helps a lot.
 
So while bread in the oven…I have time to catch up with my blog and share something with you.
 
Few months ago I went to building store to buy some stuff for Peter and rustic looking yarn/rope caught my eye… and it was only R10 a ball. Yes, please.
 
It was lying in my stash basket and I couldn’t think of anything I could do with it. And during summer siesta time I looked at my stash and Ta Da…I knew what I want to do this this yarn… It will make perfect summer sling bag with bright flowers. It took me 2 day (well, I meant 2 siestas) to make it.
 
 
I post this picture on FB page and got so many likes and complement…thank you.
 
It had such a positive feedback, so I would like to give something in return – my Free  Sling bag pattern. Enjoy!
 
I didn’t include flower patterns, I thought you would like to do your own thing… just let your creativity flow ;) Possibilities are endless…
 
To download this pattern in PDF, click on link bellow.
Free Crochet Sling bag patten
 
Sling bag
 
Size 24cm x 22 cm
 
You will need:
- 120g chunky cotton or any other chunky yarn;
- 5,5 mm crochet hook
 
Abbreviation (American):
ch – chain;
sc – single crochet;
dc – double crochet;
sl.st. – slp stitch;
tog – together;
 
Note:
3 chains in the beginning of every row as a replacement for dc.
 End each round with 1 sl. st. in 3rd ch from beginning of round.
 
Directions:
 
Crochet base chain: 29ch + 3 ch and work in rounds (around base chain).
 
Round 1 – miss 4 ch from the hook and crochet 1 dc into each of next 27 ch; 3 dc in to last ch; Now work on other side of the base chain: 1 dc in to each of next 27 ch, 2 dc into next ch and sl.st into 3rd ch from beginning of round. You should have – 3 dc on each end of base chain and 27 dc on each side of the base chain. Total = 60 dc.
 
Round 2 – ch 3, 1 dc into same space, 1 dc in each of next 27 st, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st., 2 dc in next st, crochet 1 dc in each of next 27 st, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st. Sl.st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 68 dc.
 
Round 3 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 67 st. Sl.st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 68 dc.
 
Rounds 4 – 6 – Repeat 3rd round.
 
Round 7 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 31 st, 2 dc together, 1 dc into next 32 st, 2 dc together.  Sl.st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 66 dc.
 
Round 8 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 30 st, 2 dc together, 1 dc into next 31 st, 2 dc together.  Sl.st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 64 dc.
 
Round 9 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 29 st, 2 dc together, 1 dc into next 30 st, 2 dc together.  Sl.st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 62 dc.
 
Round 10 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 28 st, 2 dc together, 1 dc into next 29 st, 2 dc together.  Sl..st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 60 dc.
 
Round 11 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 27 st, 2 dc together, 1 dc into next 28 st, 2 dc together.  Sl..st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 58 dc.
 
Round 12 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 26 st, 2 dc together, 1 dc into next 27 st, 2 dc together.  Sl..st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 56 dc.
 
Round 13 – ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 25 st, 2 dc together, 1 dc into next 26 st, 2 dc together.  Sl..st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 54 dc.
 
Round 14 -  ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 53 st. Sl..st into 3rd ch from beginning of the round. Total = 54 dc. Done, but don’t cut your thread yet;)
 
Round 15 row (Edging and strap) – *ch 1, sl..st, * 3 times, then chain 250 ch for stap (or as long as you want your strap to be) and sl..st to the other side of your bag 33rd  dc from beginning of the round.
Turn and crochet 1 sc into next 250 st, sl..st into to bags edge. Turn your work and again crochet 1 sc into next 250 st of your strap, sl.st to other side of bags edge. One more time turn your work and now sl.st along your 250 st strap, sl..st to the bag and carry on along bags edge with *ch1, sl..st* to next strap; sl..st over base of the strap and continue with *ch1, sl..st* to beginning of your round..
Now you can cut thread;) Weave in tails on inside of the bag.
 
Your bag is ready to decorate as you wish…
 
Let me know if you have any problems… mistakes are possible, I’m not perfect ;) And please don’t forget to share your finale result with me…would love to see it.
 
My bread is baked and I’m ready for bed…tomorrow is early start ;)
 
Keep well…Love, Yuli xx
 
 
 

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Happy New Year and Ojo de Dios Mandala

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Yuli| Leave a comment

Hey hey and Happy New Year!!!

I hope you having a great time with people you love and New Year will bring you luck, light and hapiness!

2013 Moto

~ Live Now ~ Be Kind ~ Share ~ Enjoy ~ Create ~ Smile ~ Laugh ~ Help People ~ Love ~


Its summer here and my boys on school holiday!!! LOVE IT… we having such a great family time… We trying to stay at home, especially this time of the year…people everywhere and its gets a little too crazy for us. Thankfully we live in small holiday village and beach closest to us is huge and it’s doesn’t get over crowded, enough space for every one.

For a last 3 weeks most of our days been in this order:

Sleeping in! Well mostly me, I’m not a fan of early morning and I have to wake up at 6 am most of the year… so this is what my body needs and its getting it))) My boys are early birds… they up and busy from 6 am, but they so good and independent…always keeping themselves busy, making breakfast and letting mama sleep a bit;) Lucky me!!

Beach twice a day…salty hair and lots of vitamin D. We make our way to the beach at about 9ish…before its gets cooking hot; and second session at about 4ish… warm water and gentle sun. Our house only few blocks away from the beach, so we only bring our towels and water to drink…simple. Times of big beach bags with kids goodies, snacks and other things that we mite need (and hardly ever use) is over! Yay!

Mid day siestas! Its too hot outside… we keep ourselves busy around our house  playing, reading, drawing, baking, watch movies or just taking easy and enjoying lazy time!

In the evening we make braai, South African word for BBQ; yummy meal around the fire with sound of waves and night sky.

Life is Good and I feel hugely grateful and blessed! So nice to know that it’s still another 2 week of holidays…Yay!

My creative side also been on holiday, I hardly touched my crochet and my head and hands deserved a little brake ;) I have whole New Year ahead.

But there is something that I made with yarn and would love to show you.

I love mandalas and was searching for crochet mandala patterns on the web…instead I found this – Ojo de Dios or God’s eye Mandala!

Love it! That afternoon I got my colorful yarn and kebab sticks (love to work with what I have at home, no need to go and buy stuff). It was very easy to follow tutorial and I found it very meditative & calming, which is always NICE! So here is my Mandalas:

 

 

Our friends invited us for braai/BBQ on New Years day and it was perfect little gift to give as thank you and Happy New Year!

I’m looking forward to make more Mandalas with deferent colour and patterns!

If you wish to make one or more…here is a links to Ojo de Dios tutorials

Tutorial in English:

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-weaving-a-complex-ojo-de-dios/

Tutotial in Russian / Мастер Класс на русском:

http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/3909035/post132913811

http://bestia-wm.ru/handmade/50-santimetrovaya-12-luchevaya-mandala-master-klass.htm

http://oberegi.blogspot.com/2009/09/ojo-de-dios.html

Big Thanks to amazing people that made & shared Ojo de Dios tutorial with us!

And Big Thanks to you for visiting my blog and reading my post;)

Happy New Year!!!

Love, Yuli xxx

 

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Chevron Waves crochet pattern

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Yuli| 3 Comments

Hi again,

My second post in the last few days…I think I’m pushing it))))))

Yesterday I promised to share with you  Chevron Waves pattern! OK girls or maybe even boys…  Get your hooks and yarns ready! Here it is:

Chevron sample

 Chevron Waves pattern

Info:  This pattern written using American Standard crochet terms.

 Abbreviations:

ch – chain;

sc- single crochet;

tch – turning chain;

tr – treble;

st – stitch;

sts – stitches;

rep – repeat;

Multiple – number of stitches required for one complete sequence.

 Formula for this base chain is  Multiple of 11 sts. + add 2( 1 ch for turning chain/tch and 1 ch for even out pattern).

After an hour of trying to do this with my crochet software (I’m new to it) and with no results…I went handmade route! Its not a picture perfect, but its best I could do at the moment…please forgive me;)

1st row – chain needed amount of ch.  Sample – 11 (multiple) x 2 rep + 1 tch + 1 even out chain = 24 chains.

2nd row – 2 sc into 2nd ch from the hook, * 1 sc in each of the next 4 ch, miss 2 ch, 1scin each of the next 4 ch, 3 sc into next ch*; rep from *-*, ending last rep with 2 sc into last ch. Turn

3rd row (crochet this row into a back loop) – 1 ch (tch), 2 sc into first st, *1 sc into each of next 4 sts, miss 2sts, 1 sc into each of next 4 sts, 3 sc into next st; rep from * ending last rep with 2 sc only into last st, miss tch. Turn.

4th row  – 1 ch (tch), 2 sc into first st, *1 sc into each of next 4 sts, miss 2sts, 1 sc into each of next 4 sts, 3 sc into next st; rep from * ending last rep with 2 sc only into last st, miss tch. Turn.

5th row – (crochet this row into a back loop) – 5 ch (tch), 1 tr into first st, * 1 tr into each of next 3 sts, miss 4 sts, 3 tr into each of next 3 sts, 3 tr into next st; rep from * ending with 2 tr only into last st,miss tch. Turn.

6th row – 1 ch (tch), 2 sc into first st, *1 sc into each of next 8 sts,  3 sc into next st; rep from * ending last rep with 2 sc only into last st, miss tch. Turn.

Repeat from 3rd to 6th rows.

I hope you will make something beautiful with this pattern and don’t forget to share your work with me…I would love to see it!

P.S. -  Please let me know if you have any problems with this pattern…its my first try…so mistakes are possible.

Love, Yuli xxx

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Needle felt… exploring new creative grounds

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Yuli| Leave a comment

Few months ago on one of my numerous Internet surfing for new creative inspirations I stumbled upon beautiful work made with needle felt technique. Most amazing thing you can do with this technique…life like flowers, toys, 3D sculptures, accessories and I can go on and on. So of course I decide that I’ll give it a try at any given opportunity.

Here is a little description about needle felting from Wikipedia:

“Needle felting is a popular fibre arts craft created without the use of water. Special needles that are used in industrial felting machines are used by the artist as a sculpting tool. While erroneously referred to as “barbed” needles, they in fact have notches along the shaft of the needle that grab the top layer of fibers and tangle them with the inner layers of fibers as the needle enters the wool. Since these notches face down towards the tip of the needle, they do not pull the fibers out as the needle exits the wool. Once tangled and compressed using the needle, the felt can be strong and used for creating jewelry or sculpture. Using a single needle or a small group of needles (2-5) in a hand-held tool, fine details can be achieved using this technique, and it is popular for 2D and 3D felted work.”

I hope it gave you an idea and if you still not sure what I’m talking about – well Google is your oyster;)

Unfortunately I couldn’t buy stuff I needed in our local wool shops (don’t forget I live in small coastal town ) and I could’t find much on SA online shops either…unless I wasn’t looking in right places. If you know were I could get it locally (SA)…please, please, please let me know, I’ll really appreciated!

My search for wool and felting needles brought me home, my first home – Kiev. Wow…there are so many online shops that supply with everything you need for needle felting…Paradise!!

With help of my parents, thank you mama and papa xxx  I did some shopping over there and luckily for me… Russian friend of mine was visiting Kiev and she brought for me my parcel with wool and needles.

feltting wool

my wool treasure xx

I did more “Googling” and researching on this new craft that I “felt” in love with…so much to learn!!! And made me think that we are so lucky to have all this knowledge at our fingertips… thanks to Internet!

my first needle felt - Orchid

And here is my first flower… it was fun making it, but need more practice…I poked my fingers few times((. I’m sure I’ll get better at aiming))

Have few other felt thing that I almost finished with…so hopefully will post by the end of this week.

I’m off to bed now… tomorrow is another day to create.

Love, Yuli xxx

 

Posted in Handmade

Finally…!

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Yuli| 1 Comment

Finally… I received email with pictures of a crochet matric dress that I made for Mrs. R’s daughter!!!

Wow, wow, wow!!! She looks SO beautiful and happy…see for yourself.

Yay! I did it! My first crochet dress and definitely not last.

Love, Yuli xxx

 

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‘Love’ crochet necklaces

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Yuli| Leave a comment

Hello))

In about a month time summer officially will be here…I can’t wait for hot days,  ice cold lemonade, sandy toes and colourful dresses…

Summer dreaming inspired my latest work  …’Love’ necklaces – crochet with cotton & beads in a variety of colours.

Woudn’t you like one?! I hope you do

For more info and to order… please email me (yuliya@yuli.co.za) or visit my FB page for more info

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Make your own crochet hook handles

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Yuli| 1 Comment
Hi;)
Its almost a month and a bit since I started working on Matric crochet dress and its looking good!!! I feel like a kid with new puzzle, can’t wait to see final picture.
 
New project new challenges: I’m not a big fan of fine hooks, because I hold my hook like a “knife” and after a while my fingers become sore and I have to put plaster on my ring finger:(. Yes, I know there is very nice hooks with comfy handles out there, but unfortunatly not in my area:( and I don’t have time to wait for few week for delivery. But there is always a plan!
 
After few weeks into my fine work and sore fingers I couldn’t “handle” it anymore… so I bought baking clay, got my pasta machine out, hooks, and camera.  And in an hour I had made my own crochet hook handles.
 
Here’s how I did it:
 
You will need:  Oven Bake Clay and crochet hooks.

Clay is very stiff in the beginning, so use pasta machine or rolling pin to make long & flat piece.

Trim clay piece to right  size… place your hook on one side of your rectangle.

Roll  your hook tightly …just like sushi roll;)

To smooth out handle – roll it gently in your palms. It should look like this.

Trim edges and finished it off with your fingers.

Please don’t forget to mark size of your hook on the handle!!! I did mine with little screwdriver or use stamp if you have one.

For extra fun and cuteness – I couldn’t resist using rubber stamps from my boys art stash.
Fold paper plate and place hooks into the grooves. Set your oven to 130C and bake for 30-40 min.

Let them cool… Ready Ta da!!

Easy and inexpensive way to make your crochet work comfortable. I have been using them for couple of weeks and no more sore fingers and plasters…Yay!
So now you know how to make your own hook handles and I really hope my instructions &pictures were helpful.
Love, Yuli xxx
P.S. – please visit my FB page for Matric dress updates;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Today is The Day!

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Yuli| Leave a comment

Today is the day I starting to work on new project/order…I’m excited and scared at the same time. Why?! Because I start working today on the crochet Matric dress for young lady from Cape Town and its something that I never made before…like many things in life for a first time – scary, right? But I’m ready to rock and can’t wait to see end result.

Here is the dress that girl have in mind for her Matric dress…

Original dress  designed by Rebbecca Taylor…beautiful photo from catwalk

After a day or two of surfing Russian/Ukrainian web… why?…well because there is lots of info on crochet/knit subjects, also its my mother tongue;P and in my opinion most talented ladies come from that part of the world…hehe.  And  Ta Da …I got this patten from Kulya from Kiev, she worked very hard to figure out this pattern from photos and I’m very grateful to Kulya for sharing it xxx Spasibo bolshoe!!!

 There is so many beautiful versions of this dress…short, layered, with long sleeves and in many different colours…. have a look at some of them

I like this top idea!

Mmmmm…my favorite

And what I love the most that when I was searching for more info on this dress I came across of so many pictures of this dress made by brides to be. How special to make your own wedding dress and pass in to next generation…romantic… Wow!!! 

  Today is really cold outside…great for Pj all day and lots of tea day:) I been working on the dress since early morning and here is result so far…

 and I have long way to go, but I’ll keep you posted.

Enjoy your weekend.

Love, Yuli xxx

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Shwe Shwe Laska Dolls

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Yuli| Leave a comment

Hello…

I would like to introduce you to my New Laska Dolls made with local South African Shwe Shwe fabric.

Dolls been selling  very well here in SA and I even got few orders from England, Germany, US, Australia and I’m busy making one for my friend in New Zealand.

I just love Shwe shwe fabric…amazing patterns and colours…so much fun to work with. Simply irresistible…

All my Laska Dolls comes with little story and her favorite recipe, and if you wish you can choose one you like.  It will make your doll more special and personal.

Most of them made to order, but I have few of them in our local Village shop in Hoekwil. So if you in the area please come and visit…Vanessa, shop owner, has a beautiful selection of local food and handmade goodies to choose from.

 And big thanks to Jenya Zhivaleva from Unravel Surf Travel for beautiful pictures xxx

See you soon.

Love, Yuli xxx

 

Posted in Laska Dolls and other softies

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