Crochet necklace tutorial by mahlicadesigns

I thought I’d make a quick and easy crochet necklace for a girlfriend’s birthday.

Here’s how to do it.

Supplies: Bernat Matrix trellis yarn or similar. Size J or similar crochet hook. One coordinating button. Scissors.

Measure out a 12 inch tail of your yarn and then make your slip knot to begin your crochet. Simply chain stitch for 15 inches. Keeping your hook in the last chain, measure out another 12 inches and cut your yarn. Pull your 12 inch yarn tail through your last loop to secure your chain and remove your hook. Repeat this process to make three strands for your necklace.

Group your three strands together and make a knot at the beginning and end of your chains.

To make a closure, we will add the button and create a loop. Thread one side of your yarns through your button. I had no problem fitting three yarns through a standard button. Now drape your necklace around your neck to a length you would like and adjust the button along the yarns to fit at the back of your neck. Make a couple knots to secure your button and trim the excess yarn. For the loop, measure the length of your yarns to match up to your button side, make a loop around your button to make sure it will fit and knot off your loop. Trim your excess yarn.

How to make a monogram top for baby by mahlicadesigns

I came across a really cute appliqued top by Dana at made and was inspired to make a monogram onesie for the new guy on his way to our family. Since the Onesies I purchased came in a 5 pack, I’m challenging myself to use them all in a creative way. Let’s see how I do.

Here’s how to make the monogram.

Notes: You can skip the fusible part and attach the letter directly to the top using your outlining stitches in the step starred below**

Supplies: Onesie or other top, craft felt approximately 2in by 2in,  embroidery floss, fusible interfacing**, letter templates, fabric marking tools, large eyed needle, scissors, iron.

Choose a letter template that fits the area on your top or trace it out free hand. Place your letter template (right side down) onto the wrong side of your craft felt, trace the outline, and cut out your shape. Repeat this step for the fusible interfacing, the non-fusible side should be face up when looking at your letter.

Now, start adding running stitches to the interior of your letter using the embroidery thread. Fill up the middle area first, we will use the last row of running stitches along the outer edge to baste on your interfacing. This is a great way to use up those short lengths of threads you’ve been keeping.

I placed all my knots to the back, but you could have them on the front for more texture if you like.

Attach the fusible interfacing to the back of your letter using one last row of stitches around the outer edge of your letter. **(Alternately you can use this last row along the outer edge to attach the letter directly to the top and skip the fusible.) All those knots should now be covered and the fusible side should be facing out.

Center your letter onto your top and pin in place. Set your iron to the setting recommended for the fusible interfacing. From the inside of the top, press to fuse the letter in place.

These instructions and your finished project are intended for personal use, please do not resell.

The Obi Belted Skirt in minty green by mahlicadesigns

I created one of my Obi Belted Skirts this weekend as a custom order from my etsy site. This one is in a lovely minty green.

I would never have thought to pick this color myself, but it really is pretty.

Spa Cloth: a crochet test pattern

With a baby on the way, I’m mulling over how many layette pieces I can and want to make for myself. So far, I’m pretty sure on making a crochet blanket and a quilt.

This weekend, I took a practice run using the Blue Lagoon Spa Cloth pattern tutorial by Heather over at The Good Life.

I worked up her pattern with a  scrap ball of worsted weight acrylic and an H hook. For the real deal, I would use a cotton for a softer hand and a larger hook for a more open look to the pattern.

I did some extra rows of the edging to use up all my yarn.

I now have a very nice addition to my dish cloth drawer.

Need a little help with a half double crochet stitch like I did? check out theknitwitch on YouTube.

The Sweet Treats Top by mahlicadesigns

The Sweet Treats Top is a one of a kind creation; hopefully one of many more to come as I work on my resolution to use up my stash.

I used two purple fabrics from my stash to create the body and bib.

My mother, a garage and estate sale champion, let me pick through some of her goodies recently. The binding and vintage lace are thanks to her.

The buttons are from a great score I made this summer at a neighbors garage sale.

The Sweet Treats Top is available in my etsy shop.

The Split Front Skirt by mahlicadesigns

The Split Front Skirt is here… after much rumination.

 

I pretty quickly assembled the skirt and then set it aside once I got to the peak seam at the bottom. I added a lining in a lightweight pink cotton that was to be the peak of color through the opening I left in the front seam. The pink lining was too light and just looked like a slip showing by mistake or bad taste.

So the skirt was on hold while I auditioned more pinks, decided if I was going to insert a godet or ruffles into the lining in the new color, and if I was going to make a top to go along with this.

Well last night I was just fed up at looking at the sad stack of the unfinished project. Decision time. I chose a pink print, a godet as the insertion, and to forget about making a coordinating top.

Then to wrap things up I used a new-to-me technique from the recent edition of Threads Magazine to attach the lining to the zipper opening in the back. Essentially the raw edges are staggered, so the lining is offset from the zipper to avoid it catching in the teeth.

All done…right.  Well, not quite. With the lining, the bottom really flared out looking quite trumpet like.

As a final update I cut out the bottom portion of the lining and inserted the godet into the split front of the denim.

Pretty cute, I think. I love the pockets and the peak of color at the hem.

Coming soon to my etsy store.

Tre Fiori Broach

Recently my sister-in-law came home with a dress that was just the right price, but needed a little something extra.

I worked up the Tre Fiori Broach by starting with a couple of flowers that I had made in the past, felted a third flower, and created a new assemblage.

Let’s see if she likes it.