New | Daria McGuire Crochet 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!

Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet - Messy Bun Hats

Multicolor crochet bunhat | free pattern available here Grey back seam knit bunhat | Pinterest - inspiration only Blue ponytail crochet bunhat | free pattern available here

There's a new hat fashion in town - The Messy Bun Beanie. Styles have cropped up all over social media in a big way. It's always amusing to see something old become popular again with a sexy new name. Doesn't a "messy bun beanie" sound so much more interesting than an old ponytail hat. As a kid I wore these hats and remember all too well in my teaching days the little girls at recess with "holey hats". Like all fashions, they come and go waiting to be re-invented or as we say today "rebranded". There are 3 styles - a hat without the last few rows on top, a hat with a back seam partially sewn up or a few stitches in a row at the back, cast off or chained over to create a simple hole. But in the end all these styles serve a purpose allowing long hair to swing freely and not be bunched up inside a close-fitting hat. Read further for patterns that may inspire you to knit and/or crochet different versions of this holey hat.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Bagging Scraps of Fabric

Inspirational images | Pinterest

The past three months have been extremely busy with me getting back to designing crochet patterns. Posting has been somewhat erratic as the process of getting creative and educational craft posts ready takes a lot of energy. Happily, this will be corrected as the patterns start to become completed to my satisfaction. It's wonderful when life comes full circle - I am back to designing, which is my first love but (with a big sigh!) there's a learning curve once again to be disciplined in my work. This particular post highlights how I feel about certain designs - Daniela Gregis bags are so creative and colorful, they make you smile. Precious is not a word you would use in describing these bags but make no mistake they are heirlooms. Recycling is definitely something to consider when you decide to make one of these bags- old jean shirts, sheets, fabric you've hoarded. There's no mystery as Gregis uses very basic patterns for these bags. A small crocheted rug or a larger basket can become a special market bag you'll be proud to carry. Read further for inspiration, free patterns for guidance, helpful tutorials and videos to get you started.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Poncho with Flare

Frills and long, loose peplums on garments seem to be a style everywhere in fashion from t shirts to jackets.
Looking at my previous posts, I decided to repost a pattern that has been a very popular, repinned image on Pinterest. My idea of comfort is an oversize garment and a design that can be adapted for different seasons and types of yarns.
Inspiration struck when looking at a blouse with a very loose flare or flounce and a loose body.
Since poncho styles seem to be popular, I decided to design a very easy garment with a flared band or skirting.
As I looked around for yarn, I came across an unfinished project which consisted of a few crocheted squares, probably intended for a shrug.
This was an excellent starting point where I didn't have to start from scratch.
You may also want to think of this pattern for the spring or summer crocheted with a lovely soft cotton.
This design is very easy to customize either in the squares and also in the skirting as this is your waist.

Read further for the pattern instructions, schematics and also a thank you to Erin, a colleague and a very patient model.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Bralettes and Halters

All images | Pinterest

Crochet is everywhere, partly due to the popularity of the boho chic look, and that includes a lot of crochet whether it's dresses, vests and bikini halters.
As a result, at various music festivals like Coachella, crochet bikinis, bralettes and halter tops have never been more popular.
That free-spirited flower child lives on in cut-off jeans, floppy hats and long fringes fluttering in the wind. Shades of Woodstock, free love and rock and roll. In a previous post (click here or on image below), there were many requests for the pattern featuring a bustier on the inspiration page.
This post features several different pattern designs for bralettes and for those who want a bit more coverage, cropped halter tops.

Be sure to read further for helpful, visual diagrams and charts for bralettes, free patterns as well as video tutorials on how to crochet different halter tops.

Click on image of past post featuring over top bustiers.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Bagging Boho Style

Inspiration image | Pinterest

Give me fringe, colored beads, patches and especially, mirror work and I'm all over it when it comes to flea markets and vintage stores. For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by the gypsy, ethnic, tribal and boho look. This was especially true of accessories such as bags, scarves and jewelry. No wonder this style is enduring and now a whole new generation has given it their personal spin.
Fringed vests, floppy hats and destroyed, cutoff jean shorts are not new. Sadly, I wasn't one who looked good in these but accessories gave me that bohemian spirit. In my travels, I have collected all kinds of accessories which are now considered vintage but just as fashionable today as they were back in the day. Read further for a variety of ways and types of bags that you can crochet, adding your own bits and pieces to end up with one heck of a unique piece .

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Happy Holidays

As the end of the year is fast approaching, I would like to thank you all for your support and kind words of encouragement.
My never ending quest for fresh and new ideas doesn't stop, so keep on reading in the New Year.
For those of you who may have missed a post or two, below are my blog's
ALL TIME TOP 20 - click on the image to read the entire post.
To all a wonderful, safe and happy holiday. See you back here January 5, 2015.

Needlecrafts - Crochet, Poncho with Flare

Peplums on garments seem to be a style everywhere in fashion from t shirts to jackets.
Unfortunately, this style is not always easy to wear, especially if the body itself is formfitting.
My idea of comfort is an oversize garment and a design that can be adapted for different seasons and types of yarns.
Inspiration struck when looking at a blouse with a very loose flare or flounce and a loose body.
Since poncho styles seem to be popular, I decided to design a very easy garment with a flared band or skirting.
As I looked around for yarn, I came across an unfinished project which consisted of a few crocheted squares, probably intended for a shrug.
This was an excellent starting point where I didn't have to start from scratch.
You may also want to think of this pattern for the spring or summer crocheted with a lovely soft cotton.
This design is very easy to customize either in the squares and also in the skirting as this is your waist.

Read further for the pattern instructions, schematics and also a thank you to Erin, a colleague and a very patient model.

Continue reading...

Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet - Triangle Scarves

Images | Phildar 77

In the movie "Le Divorce", Glenn Close is describing French women to Kate Hudson and their fondness of scarves, to which she adds "A whole chapter could be written about the French woman and her way with scarves."
The next scene breaks into scenarios where you see a parade of women wearing scarves tied in a multitude of ways.
My bulging "scarf department" is bursting in agreement but I believe there's always room for one more to squeeze in.
Shawls have been worn as scarves over the shoulder on coats. A version of this triangle is called a "shawlette", a baby version of the original large shawl.
Tied like a neckerchief, the ends come back to the front, either left hanging or tied into a loose knot.
Tassels of all sorts are being added to the corners and often more ornate ones at the front corner of the triangle.
My preference is the crocheted half granny-style as it adds a bohemian vibe to an outfit, a look I adore.
There are several free crochet patterns available as well as attractive free knit versions.

Read on and be inspired by the decorative tassels and how to make them. Well I guess that wraps it up!;)

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Retro Style

Purchase actual vintage pattern | here

When I first saw this image, nostalgia set in. In the mid-seventies, I had just started to think about going to New York and selling my designs to editors who worked on, what I believe, some of the best knitting and craft magazines.

There was Family Circle Great Ideas Fashion and Crafts, Ladies Home Journal Needle and Craft, McCall's Needlework and Crafts, Good Housekeeping Needlecraft and my absolute favourite, American Home Crafts.
At that time, American Home Crafts took risks in what they featured in their editorials and for that reason stayed ahead of the pack.

After I finally decided to follow my passion and design needlework, whether it was knitting, crochet or some sort of needlepoint, I would make a trip to New York every few months and do the rounds.
Those initial few years were very exciting, learning from the best about what the royal "they" determined would be popular with their readers.
I will always be thankful to these wonderful women for their "supportive mentoring" as I like to think of it.
They gave me a beneficial education that helped me prepare for my future jobs in the yarn industry.

Read further for the adapted version of the 70's style vintage crochet pattern featured above.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Aran Style

Copenhagen Jacket | free pattern here

It amazes me how many women solely crochet or knit. Yet, there are a few of us that enter the "dark side" and do both.
This may also be the reason why I'm not a master class knitter or crocheter. I dabble in both and am pleased with my "dabbled" accomplishments.
Aran garments have predominately been designed for knitters who love the challenge of beautiful and complex cable patterns.
Crocheters have always had their pick of aran afghan and pillow patterns but not many garment designs.
Perhaps this was due to the finished bulk of the fabric and that crochet patterns are quite long when written in words.
Finding simple, yet interesting patterns with some detail and a bit of challenge, but not so overwhelming that you got a headache looking at the pattern wasn't easy.
Hopefully, you'll find the five patterns I found interesting, useful and fun to crochet.

Read further for the other four free patterns besides the one featured.
Video tutorials show how understanding post stitches and how they work will help when working any cable stitches you attempt in the future.
Also featured are several simple cable stitch patterns to add to your library.

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Needlecrafts

Crochet Pillows designed by Kelly Hunt at Etsy | www.etsy.com/shop/Paravent
Black and White Pillows | www.envelop.eu

Geometric prints are very popular at the moment in decor, whether it is in fabrics, home accessories or created with tile. An easy way to add a decorative accent to your decor is to crochet a pillow top. Basically it is like sewing patchwork squares and sewing them together. I was inspired by a beautiful graphic, drew the colours from the image and made a pillow design.

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