Crocheted Bracelets and Bookmarks

Well as you can tell by our lack of posts we have been much  too busy being crafty to actually post about our craftiness....at least that is the story we are sticking with....

Over the last couple of weeks I have been busy crocheting (shocking, right?!). However, most of it has been things that I have already blogged about. However, I do have a few new things in the works. On my last post I talked about purchasing crochet thread. I used it to make granny square bracelets. Since I have this new thread I figured I should figure out what else I can make from it. I have kinda been on a bracelet kick lately after my first successful attempt so I thought I would look for another pattern. I remembered seeing this pattern for a scarf  and thought I would try doing something similar with my crochet thread for bracelets.

It takes me about an hour to finish one, but I think they turn out even cuter than my granny square bracelets. I have also made several into bookmarks as well by making a smaller eyelet and attaching a ribbon to the end. I found the thread for sale pretty cheap at Walmart, so I look forward to trying out new colors as well.

 

I think I am really adapting to this smaller hook and thread. Can't wait to find other patterns to try! 

Granny Squares, Not Just for Granny’s Anymore…

Since Teresa posted the link to the Craftgawker sight I have been busy browsing and finding crafts I would like to try. I saw this one and thought it looked like something I could do. However, the link didn’t have any instructions attached. It is pretty much just granny squares stitched together to form a bracelet using crochet thread. 

Once I found out it required crochet thread and a really small hook I began to doubt my abilities. I tend to avoid working with tiny hooks and thin yarn…it usually does not end well. However, I gathered my courage and decided to give it a try. I figure that eventually I will be unable to do crafts like this because I will have bad eye sight and arthritis, so I better do it while I am still young!

So I went to Joann’s and bought the size 10 crochet thread and the size 8 (1.8mm) hook. I think that might have been the first time I spent less than $5 in that store. I was very proud. Now I had the supplies, but I had to figure out how to make a granny square. Odd as it may seem with all my crocheting I have never actually made a granny square. I think I have avoided it because to me if I wanted to take the time to actually attach multiple blocks together to form something I would just stick to quilting. Also, it is a pretty horrible name for a crochet pattern…Why would I want to make a granny square when clearly that is something old people make. I on the other hand am too young and cool for that.

However, I decided to ignore my fears and prejudices and give the pattern a chance since I liked the end result pictures I had seen. So I googled ‘granny square’ for a basic pattern and I proceeded to make my first granny square. After the first block I found the process was going pretty well. I was happy to find that the thin thread and the small hook weren’t as bad as I feared they might be! 

So I created four more blocks and then started slip stitching them together. Once I had them all together I went around the bracelet once with a single crochet for the border. I started in the middle of one of the ends so that once I got back around I could chain 8 and then slip stitch it back into the border to form a button holder. I raided my small button stash to find an appropriate button and I sewed it to the middle of the other end.

   

Ta Da! I successfully created a stylish bracelet! I made my first one near the end of last week and have already made several more! I am getting used to the crochet thread and have even made a few ornaments, which turned out pretty good too. I’m very excited for the possibilities this opens up and I can’t wait to see what else I can find to make! I’ll be sure and keep you posted on my future creations. Until then, happy crafting!