6/11/2017

Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet | Canada Day Accessories

6/11/2017
Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet | Canada Day
"I am Canadian", a popular Molson beer ad in 2000 starred a man named Joe: an average Canadian, standing in a movie theatre, with a cinema screen behind him showing different images relating to Canadian culture.
This year on July 1st is Canada's 150th birthday and I am a proud Canadian.
The family will be up north at the cottage celebrating my brother-in-law's milestone birthday and a nephew's engagement. Good times!
The project patterns in this post show off the flag and the beautiful maple leaf.
A coffee sleeve for our famous "Timmies" to enjoy with Timbits on the way up to the cottage.
A beanie to wear on boat rides and cooler evenings and an Ipad cover.
Small quick projects to inspire you to stitch some Canadian pride.
Click on images of past posts featuring easy sweater patterns for beginners
Top 20 Posts | Click on image below for posts
Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

6/04/2017

Needlecrafts - Crochet Happy Baby Blankets

6/04/2017
Needlecrafts - Crochet Happy Baby Blankets
Canadians love their cottages and the summer trek "up north". Even though my husband and I have never owned a cottage, we are lucky enough to be in a large family and have friends where many opportunities come our way to enjoy the "cottage culture". This is a perfect time to enjoy reading a good mystery novel (I love them) and working on small portable crafts.
Making squares of joyful colors is indeed the life, sitting on a dock, sipping on wine and catching up on news. In the dead of winter these little blasts of color will be cheerful, sunny and welcome.
Pick the brightest shades, kids love them and are instantly attracted to saturated color.
Choose from all the simple shapes. Make a large granny square or eye catching bullseye squares. It's all good!
Read further for ideas, free patterns and tutorials. Helpful videos also will help you to make that happy blanket.

5/30/2017

Needlecrafts | Vintage Inspired Knit Pattern

5/30/2017
Needlecrafts - Crochet - Messenger Bag
Inspiration is everywhere...vintage patterns have always been a great source.
Ultimately it's not about reproducing the same shape or overall design but inevitably something catches your eye inspiring you to express what you see in a fresh, new way.
In this instance, the large diamond pattern became my point of interest but not in a heavily repeated design.
Using the pattern as the border along a boat neck allows the lovely line of diamonds to be the focus and flatter the neckline.
Choosing which way to work the lace diamond was another consideration as each method produces a slight variance in the lace.
Everything else in the design is kept simple and easy to knit.
The free pattern is written in one size, ample for a small/medium or a slightly more fitted large in a worsted weight.

They say that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Enjoy!
Video Tutorial | K2tog - knit 2 together
Video Tutorial | yo, k1, sl1, psso - yarn over, knit 1, slip 1, pass slip stitch over
Click on images of past posts featuring easy sweater patterns for beginners
Top 20 Posts | Click on image below for posts
Happy Crocheting!

5/05/2017

New | Daria McGuire Crochet Patterns

5/05/2017
Needlecrafts - Crochet - Daria McGuire Patterns

Design ideas and implementing them has been a way of life for me or rather a life force. Creative stitchery, sewing, knitting, crochet and jewelry were always important outlets for my creativity.
Diary of a Creative Fanatic started as a vehicle to find and curate projects throughout the web that looked at traditional crafts in a fresh way.
All this exploration inspired me to start designing again starting with crochet.
Well here is the first installment of four garments for the summer, but worked in blends or pure wool will take you into the cooler seasons.
Boulevard | a flowy, swing-style cardigan with a generous shawl collar you'll wear with everything.
Brooklyn | a flattering hi-low style with an eyecatching central cable and raised boatneck collar.
Rosegarden | a poncho pullover with feminine roses trailing up the front yet casual enough for t-shirt and jeans.
Reflection | two colors in open, lace patterns in a t-shirt shape makes it easy to wear out for date night or casual.

Links on the images below will take you to the patterns on Etsy .
Purchase patterns by clicking on images below
Happy Crocheting!

3/26/2017

Needlecrafts - Crochet, Messenger Bag

3/26/2017
Needlecrafts - Crochet - Messenger Bag
After six years of solid posting, this break was certainly welcome.
Posting is a joy, exploring the web for new ideas for crafting and being able to provide free patterns to support those designs.
Taking time to recharge one's batteries is also vital for maintaining the creativity involved.
The decision to create a collection of crochet patterns has been on my mind for some time.
Even though I enjoy working and designing knit, crochet and needlepoint, I decided to start with crochet designs.
This undertaking takes time, discipline and energy which is why my posting has been somewhat sporadic.
In the meantime I'm posting a free pattern for a messenger bag, which I find to be one of the most useful bags to own.
You will note the shoulder strap is not crocheted although you could work one up easily.
In previous posts I've mentioned how much I love thrifting so this happens to be a strap from a thrifting expedition. We're lucky in this city to have so many large thrift stores such as Value Village and Talize.
The strap cost me all of 3 bucks, a bargain.
The button is vintage, again part of my vast collection of buttons.

Make your new spring bag out of the suggested yarn or any bulky yarn you like. Enjoy!
Video Tutorial | Front Post Single Crochet Stitch
Click on images of past posts featuring different styles ofbags
Top 20 Posts | Click on image below for posts
Happy Crocheting!