Come rain or shine, cold or heat, I need to be able to create. Working on a project, makes me feel grounded and secure. Crafting gives me a sense of belonging and helps me connect with who I really am. Through my crafting I express myself. It is, therefore, a means of communication and essential for my co-existence with others. Crafting helps me focus on the beautiful things my hands can create… something that I need greatly in my life.
Therefore, if am to craft all year long, however, I need to adapt to my environment. These adaptations include working on projects that require lightweight materials over the summer months. I also choose projects that are smaller and that don’t put extra heat on my body because they are more satisfying and relaxing during these hot, muggy days.
For those of you who feel the need to ignore your desire to create when the heat goes up, I have compiled some ideas for great summertime projects to keep you motivated.
For those of you who feel the need to ignore your desire to create when the heat goes up, I have compiled some ideas for great summertime projects to keep you motivated.
1) Crochet jewelry. A quick google search for crochet jewelry will offer you a world of ideas for small projects that can be made for yourself or prepared as gifts for the upcoming birthday or special occasion.
This summer I worked on spherical earrings shown below. ( Refer to https://mspremiseconclusion.wordpress.com/2010/03/14/the-ideal-crochet-sphere/ for patterns for making the perfect sphere and use the spheres to make earrings, necklaces or bracelets.)
The earrings shown below were made by crocheting a sphere in the smallest size, using a 1.25 mm crochet hook and LB Collection® Wool Stainless Steel in the color Khaki. I added a 10 mm wooden bead inside before the last 2 rounds of the sphere were completed. Then I inserted crafting wire through the sphere and the holes of the bead leaving enough wire to create a closed loop at the bottom and a wrapped loop at the top. You may add bead caps at either end before creating the loops if you desire. Once the loops were made, I added a bead dangle at the bottom (you may also add them to the top) using small beads on wrapped or unwrapped loops. All in all, you will have beautiful new earrings for yourself or to gift, in more or less an hour!
This summer I worked on spherical earrings shown below. ( Refer to https://mspremiseconclusion.wordpress.com/2010/03/14/the-ideal-crochet-sphere/ for patterns for making the perfect sphere and use the spheres to make earrings, necklaces or bracelets.)
The earrings shown below were made by crocheting a sphere in the smallest size, using a 1.25 mm crochet hook and LB Collection® Wool Stainless Steel in the color Khaki. I added a 10 mm wooden bead inside before the last 2 rounds of the sphere were completed. Then I inserted crafting wire through the sphere and the holes of the bead leaving enough wire to create a closed loop at the bottom and a wrapped loop at the top. You may add bead caps at either end before creating the loops if you desire. Once the loops were made, I added a bead dangle at the bottom (you may also add them to the top) using small beads on wrapped or unwrapped loops. All in all, you will have beautiful new earrings for yourself or to gift, in more or less an hour!
2) Crochet a summer hat. Working with the right cotton yarn and the correct yarn and hook gauge you can surely express your creativity through a summer hat. The trickiest part is getting the hat to firm up correctly. But there is a lot of information sharing over the Internet about how to stiffen crochet. This summer I worked on the pattern found at http://interunet.com/crochet-summer-hat?page=1
I crocheted my hat using DMC Petra Cotton #3 held double in Grey and Drops Belle in white and a 2.75 mm hook. It is important to read the questions posted by readers of the blog because there is a lot of information in the answers. For example, if you have never stiffened crochet before, you will find good advice on how to do so.
I crocheted my hat using DMC Petra Cotton #3 held double in Grey and Drops Belle in white and a 2.75 mm hook. It is important to read the questions posted by readers of the blog because there is a lot of information in the answers. For example, if you have never stiffened crochet before, you will find good advice on how to do so.
3) Crochet socks. Socks are convenient projects at any time of the year because they are small and can be worked on anywhere, anytime. If you can’t even get close to wool in the summer, try your hand at the new cotton and silk sock blends that promise you a comfortable and durable fit.
This summer I created my “Just Chilling” Socks which are a spin-off of My Sweet Sock pattern found here. These are crochet socks I made this summer using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and a yarn set that I purchased as part of the June installment of Crafternoon Treats' Yarn Club (https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrafternoonTreats) . You can hear all about this make on my the last two episode of my podcast that you can find here: mind-and-muse-craftsepisode-29-the-gray-one-7262019.html
This summer I created my “Just Chilling” Socks which are a spin-off of My Sweet Sock pattern found here. These are crochet socks I made this summer using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and a yarn set that I purchased as part of the June installment of Crafternoon Treats' Yarn Club (https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrafternoonTreats) . You can hear all about this make on my the last two episode of my podcast that you can find here: mind-and-muse-craftsepisode-29-the-gray-one-7262019.html
4) Crochet market bags or purse. If you have been keenly observing the crochet crowd you will have noticed that crochet purses are all in. They are quick to make and can be embellished to your hearts’ desire.
This summer I worked on the Mama Moon Bag by Emily of https://www.makeeshop.com/ . Emily has written a great pattern that is easy to follow and provides attractive results. I purchased 5mm macramé chord from Amazon and used a 10 mm crochet hook. The project can be made in a day (if you have strong elbows and shoulders). However, I am still waiting on a Catch Tuck Lock clasp and handles and I'll take my bag out on the town!
This summer I worked on the Mama Moon Bag by Emily of https://www.makeeshop.com/ . Emily has written a great pattern that is easy to follow and provides attractive results. I purchased 5mm macramé chord from Amazon and used a 10 mm crochet hook. The project can be made in a day (if you have strong elbows and shoulders). However, I am still waiting on a Catch Tuck Lock clasp and handles and I'll take my bag out on the town!
5) Crochet summer shoes. There are many patterns out there that instruct you on how to crochet a pair of outdoor shoes using flip flop soles as a base to crochet on. Several of them can be found at https://makeanddocrew.com/tag/flip-flops/ Jess, the principal designer of this site, also provides videos and photo tutorials to help you complete your project.
This summer I worked on the Summer Tide Slip-on Shoes using her pattern with a 3.5 mm hook and Sanibel Yarn (42% Cotton, 58% Viscose) in the French Lavender colorway held double. This is a yarn from deep in my stash and it has since been discontinued yarn. You can hear all about how I made my shoes on my the latest episode of my podcast that you can find here: mind-and-muse-craftsepisode-29-the-gray-one-7262019.html
This summer I worked on the Summer Tide Slip-on Shoes using her pattern with a 3.5 mm hook and Sanibel Yarn (42% Cotton, 58% Viscose) in the French Lavender colorway held double. This is a yarn from deep in my stash and it has since been discontinued yarn. You can hear all about how I made my shoes on my the latest episode of my podcast that you can find here: mind-and-muse-craftsepisode-29-the-gray-one-7262019.html
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