Crocheted Hook Case

Hi friends,

In my last post I showed you the two crochet hook cases made with the help of my sewing machine. I thought it was time my hooks made a home for themselves. Yes, I mean a crocheted crochet hook case.

I had saved a wonderful pattern for many years for a Aluminum hook case by Priscilla Hewitt (Click the link to go to her Free Patterns page which has some really wonderful patterns). It is a beautiful pattern but looked slightly complicated. I had a set of homeless aluminum hooks and now seemed like a good time to try the pattern.

My latest crochet hook case, Ta-dah...

Isn't it wonderful?!! The beauty of this pattern is that the hook pockets are formed as you crochet and there is no stitching/seaming involved (YAY). I have to admit I was skeptical about this and wondered whether I could manage it. But believe me it is easy peasy.

The pockets take form and close automatically as you crochet.

The outer side has a cross stitch pattern but you can use any favorite pattern.

I have used Laura Knitting cotton and a 3.50mm crochet hook. While the cotton yarn did give the case some stiffness, I wanted a firmer case so I cut up a (perfectly good) plastic table mat and inserted the pieces in between the fuchsia and sky blue layers... much to the  horror of my husband. Cutting up a functional household item for crochet!!! He is now convinced that he has married a crochet lunatic and has now started hiding his files and folders....haha  :)

A lovely case needs a beautiful button.

The pattern even produces a "spine" for the case on the outside making it look like a paperback.

So that is the story of how these hooks,

end up in their own little homes.

Here is the link once again for the pattern. Do give it a try along with the other fantastic patterns by Priscilla Hewitt.

See you soon. Until then, Happy Crafting.

Crochet Hook Case

First Sewing project of 2014

Hi friends. Hope you had a great weekend.

Once again, putting my fears aside, I have boldly gone where I usually don't go!! Sorry...I think watching William Shatner everyday in "Boston Legal" is affecting me...  :D

Now on to my latest project, which is a sewing project. Yes, finally gathered courage to go near my sewing machine once again. My last sewing project was eons ago!! And here is my latest creation:

A crochet hook case. Yes, even my sewing has to be in connection with crochet!! 

I had purchased a set of crochet hooks from Ebay some time back. I think they are from China...or maybe Hong Kong. My first Ebay purchase  :)

I wish I had step by step photos to show you. But believe me, you don't want to see my haphazard process....which usually involves a lot of cursing under my breath, along with walking away from my sewing machine a couple of times!

So anyways, here is the finished product;

 Eight pockets for the hooks and one for the measuring tape...or scissors.

A flap so that the hooks don't slip out of their nooks.

My obedient hooks tucked into their beds.  :)

Finally put the magnetic snap I had purchased ages ago to use. 

I think the two fabrics match each other very well. What do you say?

I love the fabric on the outside which is a Bandhani print. I say "print" because real bandhani is a highly skilled and time consuming process of tie n dye. It is very popular in Gujarat, the state where I am residing at present.

As my last crochet hook case was a roll up, I went for a wallet style this time. With the help of various sewing blogs and YouTube videos, I think my sewing machine and I are becoming friends....hehe.

Next, I am going to try and sew linings for a couple of crochet purses I made recently. So until then, Happy Crafting. Wish you a great week ahead.

My first sewing project

Hi friends, how are you? This post is coming after a long gap as I was busy breaking my head over a new project.
Yes, my first sewing project!

But, first of all, a warm hello to our new friends Debi from Dly's Hooks and Yarns , Priya from Now Serving ... and Maria Filomena from Filomena Crochet e Outros Lavores . Thank you for joining me.

My husband gifted me this wonderful sewing machine  around 10 years back. I use the machine for mending and hemming towels etc. Sadly, the machine does not have a user manual and as I was working full time, I never had time to take a proper sewing class. But I am going to remedy that and sign up for one soon.

Anyway, since non-stop crochet was causing a pain in my wrist I decided to put down my hook and try my hand at sewing. I wanted a small project so I decided to make a case for the crochet hooks I had recently purchased. 

Yeah... even a sewing project had to be related to crochet...!!

So let's go over the materials:

My hooks which needed a case

My wonderful brother sewing machine 

The fabrics and binding

 

My colourful sewing supplies box

The trays can be clipped on to the sides. Isn't that a cute looking box.... I think it was the lovely colours that prompted me to buy this box.

There are dozens of tutorials on the internet on how to make a crochet hook roll. Usually a case was made by stitching parallel lines on the flap to make pockets for the hooks. But that was not how I wanted to make it, why keep it simple.....yeah, a real glutton for punishment, that's me! With my limited knowledge of sewing, I took inspiration from this Pencil Roll Tutorial at You Go Girl .

I wanted pop up pockets  as the hooks had thick handles. To make matters worse, each handle was a different thickness!

There was trouble from the word Go! The bias binding was just not turning and it was too narrow and fiddly for me. So, I cheated a bit there, but I am not telling anything. Then I made the pockets by keeping each hook to measure.

Finally got my pockets in order!

I managed to get the case done after spending the whole Sunday on it.
And ta-da here it is:

I wanted the outside of the case to be plain and not show the ridges. I think I achieved it.

Now what remained was to crochet a length of chains to make a cord, to tie up after the case was loaded with hooks and rolled. But then, you see I had taken a vow to make this as difficult as possible! I decided to try the Romanian crochet cord, a new technique. If you would like to know more about this technique visit Wendy at  Sunshine's Creations. Vintage Threads. She makes beautiful lace using this cord.

This was the first time I was trying this and after crocheting one inch I was ready to give up! But when I read that Wendy's teenage daughters were making yards of this cord I decided not to quit. Well, it was definitely worth it as you can see.

I curled the ends in to make small discs.

 Here is my crochet hook case duly completed, loaded, rolled and tied.


Phew!... no more sewing projects for me. Well, at least not in the near future. Maybe after I take a few lessons.

A cute scene from my balcony, birds of different feather..... chatting together!

The rain gods have sent the clouds, but have forgotten to send the rains! Hot sticky, clammy weather.... well, there is just no pleasing us, is there? We always find something to crib about!!!

 

In this concrete jungle the greenery is a soothing sight...isn't it?

I am going back to my hooks and happy hooking to you too. I have a new project to show you, so see you tomorrow.

Bye,
Love xxx

P.S. The binding is stitched on the top side but on the inside, I got fed up and just stuck it with fabric glue.... so much for my sewing skills, ha ha.