Custom

Hi Loves. 

I was commissioned to reproduce a 3 piece swimsuit from a picture.  I was a bit nervous as this was the first time I would be making something for this customer.  She sent me the picture and I studied it and did a little more research to ensure I was confident about taking on this job.

You may be wondering what's the big deal, right?  Well being a perfectionist and a believer that my work speaks volumes and is a representation of myself.  I tend to worry a lot about doing a great job.  With my confidence boosted, I began to ask the pertinent questions and request the measurements required to ensure I would get a good fit.  

My customer was not good at taking measurements so she decided it was best to drop by and allow me to take what I needed.  With measurements done and colours decided on. 

I started with the easiest of the three pieces the Bralette. I then went to the bikini (if I am being honest this is the piece I was most worried about).  Then finally the skirt and I am all done.

Can you tell she was satisfied with her order?

What she sent vs what I did... Did I do a good job?

Until next time, let's be friends! 

You can find me on Instagram 📷, Facebook 👍, Ravelry 🧶, Twitter 🐦, YouTube 🎥, and TikTok 🎵. I also have an Etsy page you can check out 🛍️. Please feel free to like 👍, share 🤝, and comment 💬 on my posts across all social media platforms.

 Thanks for taking the time to read this. Live, love ❤️, and laugh 😂 until next time! - Khenzuri

Foundation Single Crochet

Hi Loves

We will be learning about the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) stitch today.  This stitch has you completing the chain and single crochet rows in one go (2 rows in one).  Now, isn't that fun? 

This would be a great way to start a project that requires a lot of beginning chains.  Imagine not having to chain 200 and then single crochet (sc) across before you can start your project.  This stitch will have you completing these 2 steps in one go.  Not only would this make it easier to start working on that fun piece you can't wait to see finish but would lessen your beginning time.  Now that's a win-win for me.

How is it done?

To do this particular stitch we begin by chaining 2, then insert your hook in the first chain from the hook, yarn over pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over then pull through both loops.  To make another FSC, insert your hook into the V that was formed at the back of the first stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over pull through the first loop, yarn over then pull through both loops.  You would continue for the number of stitches you need for your project.

Let us get some visuals and for that, we would like to thank Evelyn And Peter Crochet for those visuals..

Until next time, let's be friends! 

You can find me on Instagram 📷, Facebook 👍, Ravelry 🧶, Twitter 🐦, YouTube 🎥, and TikTok 🎵. I also have an Etsy page you can check out 🛍️. Please feel free to like 👍, share 🤝, and comment 💬 on my posts across all social media platforms.

 Thanks for taking the time to read this. Live, love ❤️, and laugh 😂 until next time! - Khenzuri

Herringbone Stitch (crochet)

 Hi loves,

Today, I want to introduce you to the beautiful and unique crochet Herringbone stitch, which has a knitted version as well. Let's learn and create something beautiful together!

I recalled the name of the stitch I used a few years ago when making a doll top. As I was writing about different stitches for my blog, 🤔 I thought of it. However, I couldn't quite remember how to do it, so I decided to refresh my memory on YouTube. 🤔 I clicked on the first video that appeared.

Armed with yarn and needle in hand, started practicing, but something wasn't right... This was not the way I remembered it.  YouTube here I come again...

That's when I realized there was the half double crochet herringbone stitch and the double crochet herringbone stitch. Phew!! got to say I was a bit worried I'd bitten off more than I could chew.  I was worried, I'd only be able to talk about the basic easy everyday stitches.

Here we go, for the half double crochet (hdc)  herringbone we start as we would the hdc, by yarning over, inserting the hook, and pulling up a loop. We now have 3 loops on our hook... Here is where the fun begins. Pull the last loop through the second loop only... Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook... There you have it. The hdc herringbone stitch is completed.  For the tutorial this week I would like to thank Tiffany Hansen.

Double crochet (dc) herringbone stitch. 

To do the dc herringbone stitch, yarn over as you would when doing the dc, insert your hook and pull up a loop, you now have three loops on your hook. Pull the last loop through the second loop on the hook. Yarn over pull through two loops. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook and there you have it. You have just done the dc herringbone stitch.   
For this tutorial I would like to thank Hopeful Honey

Until next time, let's be friends! 

You can find me on Instagram 📷, Facebook 👍, Ravelry 🧶, Twitter 🐦, YouTube 🎥, and TikTok 🎵. I also have an Etsy page you can check out 🛍️. Please feel free to like 👍, share 🤝, and comment 💬 on my posts across all social media platforms.

 Thanks for taking the time to read this. Live, love ❤️, and laugh 😂 until next time! - Khenzuri

Butterfly Prom Dress (Part 2)

 

Hi Loves, 

As promised, this post will be showing the progress photos of my daughter's prom dress.

It's finally finished. 

Unfortunately, she is smaller than the mannequin so didn't want to stretch it out after adding the finishing touches.  Don't worry though the final post will be showing her in the dress going off to her Prom.

Until the next post...

Let us be friends, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry, Twitter, and TikTok   Check out my Etsy page as well.  

Thanks love for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Until next time. Khenzuri

Ari's Purse

 Hi loves, 

Happy New year to you. I would love to wish you all a wonderful and prosperous 2023, filled with good health, wealth, happiness and all your hearts desires.  On January 18, 2023, I was browsing YouTube and found a very easy to follow tutorial of a cute purse.  I watched the entire video and decided, hmmm I am going to make my little girl one.

I usually don't pay much attention to the type of yarn and sometimes the needle size.  I just use what I have and make modifications where necessary, and this time was no different.  I had this yarn , I unfortunately don't know the brand as it was a completed item I was asked to unravel to make something for my daughter's god mother, she however did not give me the go ahead and she has since past.  

I did the number of chains the pattern required but since the yarn and needle were different, my piece was small so I doubled the number of stitches. It was quiet an easy pattern to follow, I was in the rhythm minutes after starting.  After completing the number of rows she did, I decided to do another repeat which gave me the size that would be perfect for my 2 year old.

This was the amount she did.

This is what I did.

With the front being completed, I went and did the back panel.  Can you believe I modified the pattern to my liking and almost forgot what I did (😀😁😂😃😄).   I did another modification to the pattern by joining my pieces together then did the strap separately.  I did a 6 stitch knitted I-cord strap, attached my strap and cleaned the edge of the bag up, add a button and closure. My bag was all done. This took me 2 days to complete.  It would have been done in 2-3 hours but mama had a ton of things doing in between.  The straps took the longest if I'm being honest. 

@ACraftyConcept how did I do with my version of your cute bag?

I took a few pictures of the bag and also of her wearing it.  She loved in instantly.  I was however instructed to take other pictures to post by my eldest, so that's what I did.  Side note, I normally get  some form of opposition to enter the shower (then to get out) but all I had to say was; "Lets shower to take pics with your bag".

 

Trying to close it.

Do you all see that leg? Baby know how to pose.

Can you tell that she loves her new bag?  I didn't attached the tassels because I was ordered by her sister to make another and wanted to ensure I had enough of the yarn to do so.  I was given some specific instructions to follow when doing the 2nd bag:

"Mommy can you make me one as well, but make it so my phone and other things can go in it!" "And it needs to go across my body, like so (demonstrating with her hands)".  So loves look out for the sequel.  

Lets be friends, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry, Twitter and TikTok   Check out my Etsy page as well.  New items to be added.

Thanks love for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Until next time. Khenzuri

Loopty Loop

Hi Loves, 

Tis the season for giving and for that reason, I would like to share this easy cross-body bag pattern with you.  I know this post is not like any I've done before in terms of writing style but as we grow as individuals I would like to grow as a blogger.

In this blog, I am going to provide you with the full details of the written pattern which is quite easy for you to follow, as well as the yarn type etc.

I do hope you love this bag as much as I did.  The yarn was one carried by Ice Yarns, though the colour I used is out of stock there are still a few colours you could choose from.  This bag is completely customizable so you could also use just about any yarn you like.  The size would then be different.

As promised here is the full written pattern.

Yarn Information:

Ice Yarn Woolfine in the colour Gold fnt2-58305

1 ball

Fiber Content: 50% Wool, 50% Acrylic

Weight: 50 gr. / 1.76 oz. per ball

Length: 350 m. / 382 yds. per ball

Yarn Thickness: 2 Fine: Sport, Baby

You will need to know how to do the loop stitch which is quite easy. There are also many easy-to-follow videos on YouTube. I used one skein but held 2 strands together for the bag. The pattern is done in one piece then folded and joined in the side and base to make the bag.

Loop stitch – insert your hook as you would to sc, loop the yarn over your finger and stretch it to the length you desire. Put the hook under both strands of yarn and pull both through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the loops on the hook. 

Abbreviation:

sc – single crochet

sl st – slip stitch

ch – chain

hdc – half double crochet

The bag is 7′ without the loops and strap, 9′ with the loops, 30′ with strap un-stretched… 34; when strap is stretched (when loaded).

Pattern:

Chain 61.

row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in all stitch.

row 2: 1 loop stitch in all stitch 

Repeat rows 1-2  5 times for a total of 12 rows. 

Next step:

sc in each stitch for a total of 30 rows.

Construction:

Fold your piece in half with the right side on the inside. Ensure all your loops are inside. Start at the top of the bag slip stitch along the side and base. For re-enforcement sc from the base, along the side back to the top of the bag. Turn your bag back on the right side.

Strap... Option A:

Cut the yarn after you finish sewing the side and base.  Attach the yarn in any stitch on the side... sc in 6 stitches ensuring you have 3 on either side.

ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (6 sc) - repeat for the length of your straps.

Or 

Option B: After sewing up your bag, do not fasten off.

Sc in 3 stitches from where the yarn is connected... Ch 1 turn sc in the 3 stitches you just made, then hdc in the next 3 stitches (this will ensure it levels out) 

ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (6 sc).  repeat for the length of your straps.

Ensure the strap is not twisted once you have achieved your desired length. Connect to the other side of your bag using your desired method.

For closure, I attached my yarn to the centre of the opening on one side of the bag,  chain 15, sc in the 6th chain from the hook(buttonhole made) and in every chain back to the middle of the bag. Fasten off and hide the yarn tail. Sew a button a few rows down from the opening on the other side of the bag.  Feel free to close your bag however you like.

If you do make this bag please tag me on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry and Twitter.   

Thanks love for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Until next time.

Half Double crochet

Hi loves, 

Today we will be doing the Half Double Crochet (hdc).  This stitch is taller than the single crochet but shorter than the double crochet, hence the name half double crochet.  It is also a slightly dense stitch that is good for clothing like skirts and shorts.  Your projects work up faster than doing single crochets.  There is much to be said about the half double crochet but without further ado, let's learn how to do the HDC so we can start making beautiful pieces.

How Is It Done?

To do the HDC you would begin as you would for the double crochet by yarning over before inserting your hook into the desired stitch.  Then this is where the difference takes place.  With three loops on your hook, you yarn over and pull through all three loops and there you have it, one hdc completed.  Easy as pie don't you think?

You are a visual learner

No issues there... Let's get some visuals for you.

The finished swatch

not so close up.

Yarn over (yo)

Insert your hook into the stitch. Yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yo and pull through all 3 loops on the hook

Having issues with my pictures.  Hope my video will help.

Hdc on a current WIP

Hdc from the starting chain.

I would like to hear from you.  Let me know what you think in the comments.  Until next time.....

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.

Spiderweb

 Hi loves, 

2021 started with a challenge presented to me by my mother.  She sent me a pic and requested the item for her birthday in February.  I was like wait a minute mama, I have never just looked at a pic and replicated it... I was about to back down but told myself this year, I will definitely step out of my comfort zone and really try to get my business off the ground as this is what I really love doing.

This is what she sent me.

I honestly went searching on the net for a possible pattern.  I typed in the search engine what I think this may be called... I search for images, I checked the page on Facebook, where she got it from, and no such luck. 

She then made another request....... Lady are you serious right now????   I am still trying to locate a pattern for your requested top.  You see, that item was made out of yarn but she hates yarn as she thinks all yarn is scratchy (trust me. I've tried telling her otherwise).  So, she wanted her's made out of crochet thread, you know that thin thread they used for doilies.

Yeah, that's the one... Aunt Lydia's size 10.. yup.. this same one.

On a side note, before you tell me there is one that was made for fashion (Aunt Lydia's Fashion 3, that's thicker), I found that out recently, but not available where I live.

Now back to the scheduled programming.....

I had to decide:

• How many chains I needed to do to get her size (which when asked for her bust measurement she replied... "measure yourself and add about 4")
• For the spacing how many stitches to skip etc.

With my picture, thread, and hook in hand I started to replicate... 

I also decided to hold 2 strands instead of two.  After working out how many chain stitches were needed. I started the easy part... Double crocheting the top section.

Now...... Here comes the hard part.... How am I going to start the design without a pattern now? Sighs!!!   Well, I did a thing.... It looked almost like the picture, but when I got to the end of the first round... Sighs again!!! there were too many stitches left, which means the last stitch will be too wide.. 

Aaaawwww!!!!

ok Melissa, think...... I counted the last stitches.. and did a little math and just perfect... I got equal spacing.. 

Working, working, working.. Crocheting, crocheting, crocheting... not feeling what I'm doing... Pause! Pause! Pause!

I finally got to the desired length... But something was off... Bummer!!!!!!!

This is what it looked like.

I wasn't feeling this look... then I did a thing... I slip-stitched the last row and felt that it looked better.. If you know me... I could not leave the others so I ripped back all the stitches back to the beginning of the pattern.  OMG, you say... That was easy to do... It's what followed next.. I did each round twice... 

What? How so?... Well after completing each round I do through each stitch and slip stitch around. That, in my opinion, thickens the strands and it looked better to me.  Let me know what you all think.

The end product.

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.

 

Single Crochet (sc)

Hi again loves, 

In this blog, I would like to tell you about single crochet.  The single crochet though being a basic stitch is by no means unsophisticated.  It can be done in rounds or rows and creates a very dense crochet pattern with hardly any gaps or holes.  It can be used for items like coasters, dish/washrags to name a few that need no draping, etc.  Making a few modifications to the way in which you do the single crochet can give you some amazing results.  

How to do the single crochet (sc)?  Follow along...

Do a chain of say 15...

Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook

yarn over and pull up a loop

Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook... and just like that the single crochet is completed.  Quite easy don't you think.

Here are a few pics of a swatch being worked up...

Inserting the hook into the next stitch.

Yarn over (yo) and pull up a loop

yo and pull through both remaining loops.  

SC completed.

Here are a few things that you can use the single crochet for:

 

This crossbody bag was made using single crochet and the loop stitch (the base of the bag).

earring

Toys

bag

baby headband and slippers

bookmarks

keyrings

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.