Coffee Grinder Appliqué: a free pattern by Kokopelli Design

Yarn: Drops Paris in two shades of brown (100% cotton, Aran weight)

Hook: 3.5 mm/E

Size: With Aran yarn and a 3.5 mm hook, this turns out approx.. 6 cm x 7 cm.

Pattern is written in US terms.

Sl st = Slip stitch

Ch = Chain stitch

Sc = Single crochet

Dc = Double crochet

2dctog = 2 double crochet together

4dctog = 4 double crochet together

Fdc = foundation double crochet

Row 1: With light brown 14 fdc, turn work.

Row 2: 3 sl st in the next stitches, 3 ch, dc in the next 9 stitches, turn work.

Row 3: 3 ch, dc in the next 9 stitches, turn work.

Row 4: Repeat row 4, cut yarn.

Row 5: Join dark brown into the last dc of row 4, 5 ch, dc in 5^th ch from hook (2 dc increase made for the lid), dc in the next 10 stitches, 2 fdc (2 dc increase made for the lid), turn work.

Row 6: Sl st in the next 5 stitches, 2 ch, 1 dc (counts as 2dctog) in the next 2 stitches, dc in the next 2 stitches, 2dctog in the next 2 stitches, turn work.

Row 7: 4dctog.

Crank: 10 ch, 2 dc in the 4^th ch from hook. Cut yarn and weave in all ends.

You can embellish/embroider the coffee grinder with details like a drawer and a knob for the drawer or add a button. Possibilities are endless.

If you have any questions or need help, leave me a comment or send me a message. :)

A stack of handmade clothes......

A stack of handmade clothes.....knitted, crocheted, sewn.....handmade by me with one exception: the brown knitted Norwegian cardigan at the base of the stack. My Mom made two of them (one for her and one for my Dad) back in the early 1970's, when wool wasn't readily available through online shops and couldn't be shipped all over the world. Her aunt ordered it for her, as she had contacts in the knitting and embroidery scene. My Mom gave me that cardigan some years ago, as she knew I''m attached to it and the memories woven into it. A heirloom piece! (And scratchy as hell! *LOL*)

Why I do tell this story? Because this was the cardigan that started my journey of handmade clothes and I'd love to encourage others to try and make their own garments, too. So prepare for some reading. ;)

Around the same time I got the cardi I took a sewing class and tailored myself a pair of linen pants (third from top) which has the perfect fit for me (a seamstress was teaching the class and she did a great job!). At home I sewed myself a blouse (fourth from top). And then I came across Crochetverse's Garden Party Jacket CAL (fifth from top), so why not crocheting a piece of garment? The pattern was great, while the fit, due to my curvy outine, wasn't that great. But what? I was so proud of that first crocheted piece, that I immediately started another one: KT & the Squid's Kram Cardi (second from top). And boy do I love that cardigan! Warm, cosy, perfect loose fit, great yarn and so easy to make due to a great pattern. And those buttons! Perfect find!

A bit later I came across the Drops Garnstudio page........don't ask, but I saved dozens of patterns on the first days. *LOL* Then I decided to give the Christel Vest (top of the stack) a try. What I absolutely love about the Drops patterns is, that they are available up to sizes XXL or even XXXL, so curvy ladies don't have to do their own math and can start right away. The Christel Vest was made during a camper holiday in beautiful October last year and again I found the perfect buttons for the vest. And then my love for Norwegian/Scandinavian sweaters hit in......you know the heirloom cardi Mom gave me........

The Arctic Circle Sweater was born, made from another Drops pattern and the lovely original yarn Drops Nepal, and I never ever had a sweater fitting so perfectly. I love, that's all I can say. Of course I had to practice the Fair Isle knitting on another piece, which led to the Winter Berry Cushion, but otherwise I never knitted anything else than socks.

Next in line became Linda Skuja's Convergence Top (5th from bottom). I saw it and had to have it. Skinny model with almost no curves.......ok.......I think I can do that. With some help and tips from Canadutch and her version of the top, some online research about how to shape crochet garment and trial and error I made it. I noted my changes on the Ravelry project page linked above, so others can use them, too. I do this with all my projects, as it's a great tool to use. Next one in line was the Drops Country Dream Tunic, which I made more a casual sweater than a tunic. Loved the effect the variegated yarn adds to this piece.

Then another I HAVE TO MAKE THIS moment came with Fran Morgan's Granny Stripe Top (2nd from bottom). I did like the overall idea and the look of this top, but I knew I had to add some shaping to it to make it wearable for me. So I did it (notes again on the Ravelry project page) and it turned out perfect. I didn't wear it yet, but fall and winter will be here soon, so I'm looking forward to wearing it for the first time.

Did you read all through it? Looks like a straight journey, right? But no, it wasn't. There were struggles with the fit, with gauge swatches, with finding a substitute yarn and there were failures like the beautiful Lilla Bjorn Sweater. I loved this sweater, the look, the idea, all........and then, almost finished, I had to frog it, as I couldn't make it fit to my body, not for the life of me. But in the end I have 10 finished pieces on my list (and two WIPs) and they are all wearable.

So if you always thought about trying and making your own piece of garment, just get started, with a first simple piece, sewn, knitted, crocheted, whatever you like. They won't be perfect in the beginning, but with every piece you will learn and you will get better. So do it! :)

My first Scheepjes Whirl!

Als ich Morben Design's Waldläufer gesehen habe, habe ich mich sofort auf die Suche nach einem schönen Bobbel in Waldfarben gemacht. Bei den üblichen Händlern und Wicklern ist mir leider nichts Passendes untergekommen und auf die Zusammenstellung einer Wunschwicklung hatte ich keine Lust.

When I saw Morben Design's Waldläufer vest, I immediately went oline searching for a yarn cake in wood colors. The usual online shops and yarn cake manufacturers didn't have anything I liked and I didn't have the time and lust to combine my own colors for a customyarn cake.

Dann habe ich ein Angebot von den Scheepjes Whirls gesehen und der Pistachi Oh So Nice war genau die Farbkombi, die ich gesucht hatte. Schaut selbst! :)

Then I cam across a sale for Scheepjes Whirls and the Pistachi Oh So Nice was exactly what I was looking for. Have a look! :)

Fran Morgan's Granny Stripe Top: Taaa-daaaahhh!

Als ich das Granny Stripe Top von Fran Morgan zum ersten Mal gesehen habe, musste ich es unbedingt haben. Auch wenn weiß nicht wirklich meine Farbe ist und ich Klamotten aus reinem Acrylgarn nicht mag. ;) Also habe ich mich auf die Suche nach einem passenden Garn und anderen Farben gemacht. Am Ende ist es mal wieder ein Garn von Drops geworden und zwar das Cotton Merino in zwei Grün- und zwei Pinktönen.

When I saw Fran Morgan's Granny Stripe Top, I had to have it. Although white isn't really my color and I don't like 100% acrylic yarn for clothes. ;) So searching for a yarn substitute and alternative colors was next on the list. Again I found a very nice yarn at Drops and chose to got with two shades of green and two shades of pink of the beautiful Cotton Merino.

Nachdem ich mich entschieden hatte, an einem passenden Shirt entlang zu häkeln, ging es eigentlich recht flott und das Muster ist perfekt bei der Hitze - ohne viel Nachdenken. Ich habe noch ein paar Änderungen an der Taille, Schultern und Halsausschnitt vorgenommen, um den Sitz zu verbessern und auch am Hals und Bündchen Abschlusskanten gehäkelt. Alle Infos zu den Änderungen findet ihr hier.

After deciding to crochet the top after one of my favorite polo shirts, it was going fast. The pattern is a perfect no-brainer pattern, which works up without thinking during this hot summer. I made some adjustments to the hip part, neck and shoulders and added trims to the neck and the bottom. The information for the changes to the original pattern can be found here.

Und hier ist es nun! Kann es gar nicht erwarten, dass es kühler wird und ich es tragen kann. Ich habe sogar ein passendes Langarmshirt im Schrank gefunden, so dass es auch im Winter getragen werden kann.

And here it is! Can't wait for cooler temps, so I can wear it. And I even found a matching long sleeve in my stash, so I can wear it in winter, too.

Mollie Makes Markets Bags: Think.....Green!

 

Beide Mollie Makes Market Bags sind nun fertig und kommen in meinen Geschenkevorrat, falls ich mal ein schnelles Geschenk oder eine hübsche Verpackung für ein Geschenk brauche. Und eine schöne, wiederverwendbare Alternative zur Plastiktüte sind sie auch. :)

Both Mollie Makes Market Bags are now finished and I put them in my gift stash, when I might need a quick gift or a nice gift wrapping. They are also a great reusable alternative for plastic grocery bags.

Drops Country Dream Tunika

Als Urlaubsprojekt hat sie angefangen und zwei Wochen nach dem Urlaub war sie endlich fertig. Mehr legerer Freizeitpullover als Tunika ist es geworden, aber ich liebe die Country Dream Tunika von Drops (obwohl ich sie bei der Hitze nur kurz anprobiert habe). Das Garn heißt Alize Cotton Gold Batik und eignet sich hervorragend für Übergangspullover, da es nicht so warm wie Wolle ist, aber durch den Acrylanteil eben auch ein wenig kuscheliger als reine Baumwolle.

Started this as a holiday project and finally finished after being at home for two weeks. The tunic turned out more a casual sweater than an elegant tunic, but I love it so much already (although I only wore it a very short time for testing in this heat). The yarn is Alize Cotton Gold Batik and is perfect for spring or fall sweaters, as it isn't as warm as wool, but with the acrylic content also a bit more cosy than pure cotton.

Um Häkelteile mit Stäbchen an den Seiten zusammenzunähen, empfehle ich immer gerne die Methode von Edie Eckman, da diese Technik eine unsichtbare Naht ergibt. Alle anderen Infos zu NS, Anpassungen, verkürzte Reihen etc. zur Tunika findet ihr auf meiner Ravelry-Projektseite.

For joining the side of crocheted dc pieces I use this method by Edie Eckman, as it makes for a clean, invisible seam. All other info for the tunic, e. g. size adjustments, short rows for the bust, hook size etc. can be found on my Ravelry project page.

Mollie Makes Market Bag

Meine Mollie Makes Martkttasche ist fertig und habe dafür Baumwollgarnreste in Meeresfarben verhäkelt. Die Tasche dehnt sich nicht sehr stark, so dass ich das Muster nächstes Mal mit einer größeren Nadelstärke versuchen werde. Mir gefällt die Tasche sehr gut. Das Muster gibt es hier: http://www.molliemakes.com/interiors-2/crochet-bag-pattern-crochet-shopper/

I finished my Mollie Makes market bag with cotton yarn scraps from my huge stash of cotton yarn. This time I used ocean colors, which are perfect for summer. The bag doesn't stretch very much, so I think next time I'll use a bigger hook. Love how this turned out. :) The pattern can be found here: http://www.molliemakes.com/interiors-2/crochet-bag-pattern-crochet-shopper/

Kleine Bestellung aus Jeans/Little order made from jeans

Eine kleine Bestellung fertig gemacht. Die Freundin meiner Nicht möchte unbedingt auch so eine Jeanstasche haben, wie ich sie für meine Nichte vor einigen Jahren gemacht habe. Kein Problem! Man hat ja eine ,,kleine" Auswahl an abgelegten Jeans vorrätig. Bärchen, handgewebtes Band, und Knopf dran und schon ist das Einzelstück fertig.

A little order fulfilled. My niece's friend asked for a jeans bag for her birthday, the same kind I made for my niece years ago. No problem, as I have quite a collection of worn out jeans at home. Little bear, handwoven ribbon and a button were also in my stash.

Bilbie and Friends CAL: Block No 11 Iris Cables

Obwohl dieser Block ein wenig kniffelig war, liebe ich ihn sehr. Einfach schön in Cream.

Although this block was a bit tricky to make, I really love it. Beautiful in cream.

Sommerspaß bei Kokopelli Design/Summer fun at Kokopelli Design

Warum ich im Sommer weniger blogge? Na, weil der Garten ruft. Da gibt es immer viel zu tun und zu beobachten, so dass ich meistens wenig Zeit für andere Projekte habe.

Why do I blog less in the summer months? Because I hear my garden call me. Many things to do and many things to explore, so there's only a wee bit of time left for other projects.

Aber und zu habe ich doch ein wenig Zeit und kann mich hinsetzen, den Garten genießen und ein wenig handarbeiten. Wie hier den Plane Trip Scarf von Zooty Owl. Diesen tollen Schal durfte ich bereits im letzten Jahr probehäkeln und nun entsteht ein weiterer für meine Nichte.

But every now and then I have time to sit down, enjoy the garden and do a bit of crochet. Like the Plane Trip Scarf by Zooty Owl. I was honored to be among the people who did pattern testing for this beautiful scarf.

Das Garn heißt Stylecraft Batik Swirl ,,Stargazer" und passt perfekt zu meinem blühenden Sempervivum und meiner Häkelnadel. ;)

The yarn is Stylecraft Batik Swirl "Stargazer" and perfectly matches the beautiful sempervivum blossoms and my hook. ;)

The Adriatic Squares: Nummer 23/Number 23

Clare Trowbridges Diamond Square ist Nummer 23 in meiner Adriatic Squares Serie. Wenn ihr mehr darüber wissen wollt, dann schaut auf der Ravelry-Projektseite vorbei.

Clare Trowbridge's Diamond Square is no 23 in my Adriatic Squares series. If you like to learn more, check my Ravelry project page for these squares.

The Adriatic Squares: Nummer 22/Number 22

Clare Trowbridges Stripy Square ist Nummer 22 in meiner Adriatic Squares Serie. Und verkehrt herum fotografiert habe ich es auch noch. ;) Wenn ihr mehr darüber wissen wollt, dann schaut auf der Ravelry-Projektseite vorbei.

Clare Trowbridge's Stripy Square is no 22 in my Adriatic Squares series. Accidentally took the photo upside down. ;) If you like to learn more, check my Ravelry project page for these squares.

Bilbie and Friends CAL: Block No 10 Varda Cables

Rechteck Nr. 10 wurde in der wunderschönen Farbe Storm Blue gehäkelt. Auch die breiten Zöpfe finde ich sehr schön.

Block no 10 was crocheted in the beautiful color Storm Blue and I'm in love with those wide cables.

The Irish Hills Blanket Project Page

The Adriatic Squares: Nummer 21/Number 21

Nummer 21 ist das Sun Wheel Square von Jackie Carreira.

Number 21 is Jackie Carreira's Sun Wheel Square.

The Adriatic Squares Project Page

Bilbie and Friends CAL: Block No 9 Sharon N Cables

Rechteck Nr. 9 kommt in schönem Dunkelbraun daher. Die Farbe hatte ich in einem Garnpaket bekommen, aber sie war mir für das Projekt zu dunkel. In die ,,irische" Decke passt sie jedoch wunderbar.

Block no 9 was made in a beautiful dark brown, which I got in a yarn pack. It was too dark for me in the original project, but it fits the "Irish" blanket perfectly.

Wurfmessertasche/Throwing knife roll

Eines meiner Hobbys ist Messerwerfen (nein, außer irgendwelchen Zombies muss ich niemand fürchten ;)) und nach sechs langen Monate ist endlich meine Wurfmessertasche fertig.

One of my hobbies is knife throwing (nope, only zombies need to be afraid ;)) and after six long months I finally finished my throw knife roll. 

Und natürlich musste auch wieder ein Tier samt Spuren mit von der Partie sein. Diesmal ist es ein Waschbär,.......

Of course there needed to be an animal with its tracks on it. This time it's a raccoon,.....

....der seine Spuren auf der ganzen Tasche hinterlassen hat. Süßes Gesicht, gell?

....which left his tracks all over the roll. Cute face, isn't it?

Bilbie and Friends CAL: Block 8 Miki Cables

Bei diesem Rechteck hat leider das Garn nicht ganz gereicht und ich musste die letzte Runde in Petrol statt in Teal häkeln. Aber da die beiden Farben so ähnlich sind, sieht man es kaum und die letzte Runde verschwindet sowieso beim Zusammenhäkeln.

I lost yarn chicken crocheting this block and had to do the last round in Petrol instead of Teal. But both colors are very similar and so it's almost invisible plus the last round will vanish in the joining stitches.

Bilbie and Friends CAL: Block 7 Mayaan G

Block Nr. 7 habe ich in Bottle Green gehäkelt. Das Knäuel war eine Probebestellung, um zusehen, ob mir die Farbe gefällt. Das tut sie. :)

Block no 7 is crocheted in Bottle Green. I ordered the skein as a test skein to see if I lke the color. And I do.

Bilbie and Friends CAL: Block no 6 Karen Cables

Ich liebe diese Zöpfe mit vier Strängen, gehäkelt in Storm Blue.

Love those cables with four strands, crocheted in Storm Blue.

Auf dem Bild ist ja auch ein winziges Stück blauer Himmel zu sehen. ;)

There's a wee bit of blue sky in this photo. ;)

Bilbie and Friends CAL: Block no 5 Michal Cables

Ich glaube, Rechteck Nr. 5 ist mein absoluter Favorit und auch die Farbe Pistachio finde ich super. Was meint ihr?

I think block no 5 is my absolute favorite so far and I'm also in love with the color Pisatchio. What do you think?