Timberland EathKeeper Boots

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Fashion Trend

A unique and breathtaking collection inspired by the courage and strength of women affected by breast cancer took to the runway in Toronto at the Seventh Annual White Cashmere Collection 2010

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Weekly Inspiration_03: Longing for a 'blue 'spring 2013

Blue shades are part of the Spring 2013 colors. See here plenty of examples. Get inspired!!!

Top Pictures 1, 2, 3, 4
Bottom Pictures, 5, 6, 7, 8

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7 Tips for making your business card a memorable one!!

As a designer I would like to pass on some tips in making your business card look appealing and catchy.

Business cards are an essential way to show your blog or online shop. Don’t negletct this fact. Of course you can use an online business, like vistaprint.com but if you have already created your blog logo or shop logo, you better make sure to keep the same house style. In this case you could easily design it yourself.

Here are 7 tips to make your business card a memorable one.... after the jump:

1. Use standard dimensions:           

_8.5cm x 5.5cm (3.35inch x 2.17 inch), in Europe this is the most common one as it has the same size as a credit card and can easily fit in someone’s purse.

_ or 9cm x 5cm (3.54inch x 1.97inch)

2. Add your logo and work in the same atmosphere / colors as your online blog or shop, to create a strong brand identity

3. Accompany your logo with a short tagline

A tagline comes in handy if your logo is not expressing clearly what you are doing or selling.

Like this next time someone takes out your card, the slogan will help people to remember what you sell or blog about.

  

4. Do not forget to Include your blog /website address and your email address

Do add one email address relevant to your blog or online shop.

The same for phone numbers, add just one to make things more clear for everyone.

5. Make your card readable Use simple fonts and font sizes that are big enough to be easily readable without using a magnifying glass. Be sure the type color stands out against the background of the card, too. Your goal isn't to produce a work of art. It's to produce a business card that clearly communicates what you do and how to reach you.

6. Have your business cards printed on good card-stock.

The best of course is to let it print professionally but if this is not the case make sure your print quality is high enough and you are using proper card paper, to express quality in every sense of the word.

7. Why not add a QR code?

This last tip is not a must but it could show you are up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends. You could use the back of your business card to integrate a QR code from your shop or blog. So many people, worldwide,  are using smartphones, a QR code might facilitate the initial access to your shop or blog without typing in your URL.

I have found this website where you type your blog’s or shop’s URL and it will give you a QR code that you can easily download and integrate at the back of your business card.

http://qrcode.littleidiot.be/

Check it out:  

Good luck!!!

Alex

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Your personal businesscard holder

Nowadays, so many people have their own blog or even their online business / shop and it is a necessity to advertise in order to stand out from the crowd. You could start really simple by making your own business cards  to make at least your direct environment aware of what you are up to. In my next blog post I will put all the Do’s and Don’ts on a list of how your business card should look like, what it should contain, including the latest trends to stay up to date with the  latest technology.

But of course once your business cards are ordered you can start thinking of how to carry them around. Why not DIY your own business card holder?! :-)

What you need is:

-  some cotton yarn (this stays nice specially knowing that this holder might be laying around in your bag or in your back trouser pocket, in that case better not opt for light colored materials)

-   a small piece of fabric, I have recycled a cushion cover that I wanted to through out and went well with the orange yarn I had chosen ;-) (let’s go at least 50% green!!)

-   needle and some thread (or you can use your sewing machine like I did)

Find instructions after the jump... 

PATTERN:

This pattern is based on following business card dimension (standard):

8.5 cm x 5.5cm (3.35 inch x 2.16 inch)

Chain 27  (your rectangle crocheted piece will be slightly bigger, around 1.5cm (0.6 inch) than your actual business cards)

Row 1: 1sc in 2^nd ch from hook, *1sc in next ch*, repeat *-* 23 more times, 1ch, turn piece  = 26sc

Row2: *1sc in next ch*, repeat *-* 25 more times, 1ch, turn piece  = 26sc

Repeat Row 2 until you reach approximaely 6.5cm - 7cm (2.6 inch)

Your final piece will be 10cm x 6.5cm  (3.9 inch x 2.6 inch). Finish off and sew nicely your yarn in on both sides.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut your fabric 10cm x 7.5cm

2. Fold your fabric on one of the long sides with 1cm towards the inside as this will be the top of the fabric you will see at the open business card holder and sew this part nice and straight.

3. Place the right side of your fabric and the right side of your crocheted part on top of each other.

4. Sew now on the 3 remaining sides and leave a seem of 0.5cm on the 3 sides

5. Turn the little bag inside out, like this both right sides are now outside.

Your business card holder is now ready to use.

If you think it is a little big you could crochet a little hook which you sew at the back and a button at the front so you can close it.

In my case the holder is tight enough to keep the business cards nice at its place.

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Weekly Inspiration_02:: Getting ready for Valentine

This week is Valentine, therefore I would like to get everyone in the mood and share some ideas of how to spend the coming days!! :-)
Happy Valentine to you All!

Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

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Striped decorative bed end cover (+ pattern)

A few months ago I came across this crochet bedspread at the Purlbee website which looked modern and didn't have this old fashion crochet feeling. And this sparked the idea of not making a bedspread but one of those small bedcovers, which you usually find at the end of your bed in those fancy hotels, to bring some warmth and personality to your room.

Well, I have tried to create the same feeling back home. I have worked with grey and beige as these are the main colours in my apartment but of course you can give it any twist you want.

PATTERN:

Crochet hook 5
Total Length: approximately 1m65
Total Width: approximately 50cm
I lost track of count, but I think with around 450 gr you should be able to finish this bed end cover.

Stitch count is a multiple of 3, plus 3 stitches.

#Main colour : grey yarn
Chain 111
Row1: 1 double crochet (dc) into 3rd chain from hook, *skip 2ch, 3 dc into next ch* repeat until the end, turn
Row2: 3ch (count as 1dc), 1 dc into very first stitch, [3 dc into next space between dc groups] repeat till last space, 2 dc into last space and then 1 dc into 3rd stitch of ch 3 from previous row.

Repeat Row2 23 more times.

Insert colour: beige yarn
Base Row Insert colour:  1 single crochet (sc ) into each dc till end, turn
Finish Row Insert colour: 1 sc into each sc till end.

Repeat from #  5 more times, and finish off.

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Weekly inspiration_01:: Black & White stripes

Moodboards are a must for designers that is why I would like to propose every Monday 'inspiration' from a different angle, to start the week well. :-)

This week: Black & White stripes

Row 1 from left to right: 1, 2, 3

Row 2, from left to right: 4, 5, 6

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Fan like Earrings make a great gift!!! (+ pattern)

Don't you have this sometimes where you think ' I have crocheted or knitted this scarf/jumper but wish I had some earrings to go with it'? Well, if you have some yarn left, a couple of earring pieces from a craftshop and of course 15mins of your time, you are ready to go.

These are easy earrings but they will look, for those who can not crochet, rather complicated and exotic. They are ready in now time and you can make as many as you want. Come to think of it, they would even make a great present.
I have even added a little template you could use to hang the earrings on when you give it out as a present!! ;-)

PATTERN:
chain 8  and form a ring finishing with a sl st in 1st ch
Row1: 2ch (counts as 1hdc), 8 hdc in circle space ( = 9hdc in total), turn
Row2: 3ch (counts as 1hdc +1ch), *1hdc in next hdc, 1ch * repeat 7  more times (= total of 9hdc ), turn
Row3: 1ch, *1sc in next one-chain-space, 3ch, another sc in same one-chain-space*, repeat this 8 more times, finish off.

Repeat this pattern one more time.

Once you have crocheted the 2 fan like patterns in your favourite pattern/colour, you can start putting it all together, the crocheted fan, the connection ring and the actual earring piece (as you can see in the picture below) and you will be wearing them in no time ;-).

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
sl st = slip stitch

Template to use as packaging for your earrings.
Place the mouse on the picture and click on the right mouse button, save the pictures so you can reopen it and print it.
Glue it on some cardboard and you have your own original packaging ;-)

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What's new??? Crocheting with cassette tapes

I came across this great idea which I just had to share this with you. Maybe you have already seen it or tried it but for me it was new... crocheting with old cassette tapes. Honestly I never even thought of this but it is such a great idea and look at all the fun stuff you can create with it, going from doilies to jewelry to even art installation. So inspiring if you ask me. So let's get creative and look for those old cassette tapes and recycle them into something completely new ;-).

 Links: Cassette tape doily - Bracelet

 Links: Flower  - Clutch bag

Link: art installation

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White crocheted bracelet/ necklace

I have made this simple bracelet/necklace the other day. Unfortunately I only took pictures of it being a bracelet though. Of course, I'll give some guidelines but you can make this bracelet/necklace as long as you want.

So, do you have some yarn laying around? Because it is honestly as simple as that. If you are not happy with your yarn , you can always spice it up with some simple sewing thread to make this yarn more fancy looking, more jewely like looking. In the picture below you can see that I have used white cotton mixed with some light grey sewing thread.

You don't need to know much about crochet to be able to make this jewelry. But you know as they say, simple is always the best. ;-) It could even be a great idea for a present.

What you will need is yarn (cotton or acrylic ), some sewing thread and a button.
(I would prefer cotton in this case as it is a bit more heavy and falls more neater around your wrist).

INSTRUCTIONS:

Use both yarns at the same time and create a chain of 2m long, slip stich in the 1st chain and finish off. (make sure your chain is not twisted before finishing off)

You have actually made one big circle.

Take the circle and turn it into one straight line. On one ending (u-turn looking) you can sew the button and on the other end (the other u-turn)  create a loop opening big enough to serve as button opening. Use some extra yarn and turn it around the chain to create the button opening.

You are now able to turn the chain up to 4 or 5 times around your wrist or at least 2 times around your neck.

P.S.: Don't forget still one day to go, so leave a comment here and win a FREE Giveaway from my Shop.

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What's new??? Spring colours 2013

For those who haven't seen it yet, Pantone announced it's top 10 fashion spring colours for 2013 a while ago. See here the overview and the names they gave them. They are not that different from last year but they seem a bit more intense and optimistic than spring 2012. The 'It' colour  for 2013 is suppose to be Monaco Blue. Hope this will help you to decide what to wear, crochet or sew for the coming months. :-) 
Which of those 10 colours would you like to wear this Spring???

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FREE Giveaway!! I have passed the 50!!! -:)

No, no, no, this is not my age, but as some of you might know I have opened my Etsy shop 2 months ago and I have been working hard to stock up my shop and I have now reached 50 items with which I am very pleased.

I have to admit, Etsy seems such an easy place to start your business when you are designer and want to show your creations to the world. Indeed it is easy to start but it is not so easy to get found as the customer gets overwhelmed with other amazing products on this site.

I will keep you informed about my endeavors on the Etsy platform. At the moment it is all still exciting in the hope it will pick up one day soon.  :-)

HOW TO ENTER:

Well, to celebrate I have reached 50 items I would like to offer to one blogger a FREE HEADBAND with FREE SHIPPING, from my headband section in my shop. A headband of his/her choice. Leave a comment here, and tell me what is your favorite fashion accessory!!!!
Make sure I can contact you, if you are the winner, by leaving an email, website etc. (the winner will be chosen randomly). You can leave a comment from now till January 23rd and the winner will be announced on January 24th 2013. GOOD LUCK!!!



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Make your own bow tie ring

I can imagine that you have crocheted a scarf or even several scarves this winter. And in most cases you have some yarn left. So how about making a bow tie ring in the same yarn as your scarf. This is so easy and can be done in no time so that you can make even different rings in different colours to match different outfits.

Before going over to the pattern and the 'Hows' of how to make this ring I would like to make a small announcement.

I know most of you are amazing crafts people and you all know to crochet well. But I would like to thank you for all the visits my blog had over the past 2 months therefor I would like to organise a FREE Giveaway coming from my Headband section in my shop The New Crochet. So hope to see you all at this Blog on Wednesday, January 16th and hope you'll be the lucky one for this 1ST Free Giveaway on this site.

Well enough about this, back to our bow tie ring.

To make this ring you will need to crochet 3 little strips.

 I have used rather thin acrylic yarn and used hook 2.5.

Sc= single crochet

Part 1 (ring):

PATTERN:

Chain 3

Row 1: skip 1 chain, 1sc in each of the 2 remaining chains, chain 1 and turn

Row2: 1sc in the each of the 2sc, chain 1 and turn

Repeat this until your crocheted strip is long enough to go around your ring finger, when long enough finish off and sew the ends together. In my case it was around 6cm long (2.3 inch)

Part 2 (part to tie the bow to the ring):

PATTERN:

Chain 3

Row 1: skip 1 chain, 1sc in each of the 2 remaining chains, chain 1 and turn

Row2: 1sc in the each of the 2sc, chain 1 and turn

Repeat until the strip measures 2.5 - 3 cm (around 1.2inch) (depending on the thickness of your yarn) and finish off.

Part 3 ( bow):

PATTERN:

Chain 4

Row 1: skip 1 chain, 1sc in each of the 3 remaining chains, chain 1 and turn

Row2: 1sc in the each of the 3sc, chain 1 and turn

Repeat until the strip measures approximately 7cm (2.75 inch) and finish off and sew the ends together.

Now place the bow on the ring and fix them together by using Part 2. Ring and bow are placed on top of each other in the same direction while part 2 is placed in the opposite direction.

Have fun with it!!!

 

 

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What's new??? Spring Fashion 2013

To think of what to crochet for your home or for yourself will need some research, of course what is your taste but at the same time we all like to be up to date with the latest trends. That's why I decided to dedicate Wednesday to 'What's new???'. Every Wednesday I would like to go into one topic briefly which could inspire you to continue searching on the internet or it might give you ideas of where to go from here. I hope you will enjoy it and look forward to hearing your feedback.

For those of you trying to figure out what to start crocheting or knitting, which colours to buy etc, well, have a look here. I've picked up 3 interesting ideas, tips of how fashion is going to evolve this year. For sure, colours are in!!! We don't seem to be depressed because of the global economic situation but we rather want to make a statement to show 'life goes on and we are enjoying it, despite of everything ...'.

Here are some of the remarkable trends for the months to come.

1. Curvy Colour blocking

Colour blocking has always been fashionable but going back to curvy colour blocking reminds me more of the 70's, we might not be using the same colours but there is that hint!

2. Flowers are everywhere

Jewelry is no longer subtle but as I said earlier, colours are in and so are flowers, for fabrics, prints but also for Jewels. Wear the flowers around your neck and be proud to be able to show your masterwork of a necklace.

3. Asian influences

Last but not least, lots of Fashion designers sought there inspiration, in Asian traditional fashion, for their spring collection, translating this into lots of layers and lots of interesting pattern combinations!!

All trends for Spring 2013 can be found here at Accessories Magazine online. 

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Infinity chain scarf (+ free pattern)

First of all I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and may your year be filled with plenty of happiness and lots and lots of beautiful and creative moments!!!

The festive season is a time for family and there is hardly any time for ourselves but this is all behind us now and a new year with new resolutions has started. This is day 2!!! So time to be creative.

Just before the holidays I have made this chain scarf. It is the simplest thing ever, it is beginners level but I think any level will enjoy making this as this is a good reason to get rid of little bits and pieces of yarn from last year. Like this, your scarf could turn into a colourful item and at the same time you have created some new space to stock up on Spring colours :-).

With the length I have chosen you can wrap the scarf an additional time around your neck. Of course you can test this out and make it longer if preferred.

PATTERN:

Row1: 200ch, finish circle with a slip stitch and fasten off.

Repeat this 32 times (less or more depending on your yarn thickness or the thickness you would like to give to your infinity scarf).

30 chains are for the actual scarf, the 2 additional ones I have used to turn around the 30 chains to keep them nice and need together and finally sewed them slightly to the bunch of chains to keep them in their position.

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Merry Christmas to you ALL. See here my Christmas gift to you. 20% discount on everything in my Etsy shop during the next few days to come.

Don't hesitate to ask for custom orders. 

Happy Shopping!!

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My Christmas gift to YOU

Happy Holidays to you All and your families.

May the coming year bring you lots of love, a good health and plenty of creativity!!!

Alexandra

As my Christmas gift to you All:

Sign up with my Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/alexandra.fraraccio.5  and get a coupon code send to you which you will be able to use in my Etsy shop: Thenewcrochet, from December 26th 2012 till January 2nd 2013.

 

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Easy unisex cowl (+ pattern)

It is not easy to find some crochet patterns for men. For some reason, crochet always seems to have this feminine side. But I recently made this unisex pattern (very easy) for my partner. I have used a basic stitch and created some ribs to make it more 'tough' looking.

So if you still want to surprise someone with your own home-made Christmas present, this is maybe one on your list-to-do as it will take just a couple of hours to have this one ready and gift-wrapped.

For this cowl I crocheted with double yarn (acrylic yarn) and used a crochet hook of 8mm.

PATTERN:
Ch 112 and form a ring with a sl st in 1st ch (make sure you keep the string of chains straight and not twisted before forming a ring)
Row1: Ch 2, skip first sc and add 1sc in following ch, *1sc in following ch* and finish with a sl st in 2nd ch of beginning, turn piece
Row2: Ch 2, skip first sc and add 1sc in back loop of following sc, *1sc in back loop following sc* and finish with a sl st in 2nd ch of beginning, turn piece

Repeat Row 2 until achieved the desired height of your cowl.
Tip: by using just the back loop of each sc and turning the piece at the end of each round, you will be creating ribs. 

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch

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Flower choker necklace (+ pattern)

I have realised from all your comments the past 2 weeks, that everyone is busy preparing Christmas decorations or even Christmas presents. Maybe this little bracelet could be part of your preparations, for yourself or for someone else. You could make it in the same colour as your outfit. You could even make a bracelet to go with it, to have a matching pair.
The whole bracelet is done in crochet.

I have used cotton yarn for the flower and for the actual string I have crocheted lace that I bought at a DIY shop, which is used for necklaces.

To fancy up the flower I sewed a bead in the middle of the flower.

Hope you like it or even better, I hope it gives you some inspiration to fancy up your outfit during the festive season. And all this in a very cheap and fun way!!

PATTERN:

String:
Depending on the size, necklace or bracelet you crochet the amount of chains necessary and finish off. (you could also use a thin leather strap to replace the crocheted string)

Flower:
chain 5 and form a ring with a sl st in 1st ch
Row1: 3ch, 1dc in same ch, *2dc in every ch*, repeat 4 times, finish with a sl st in 3rd ch from beginning
Row2: 4ch, 1dc in same ch, *1ch and 1dc in next dc*, repeat 9 times, finish with a sl st in 3rd ch from beginning
Row3: 1ch, 1sc in 1st ch space, 4ch, 1sc in same ch space, *1sc in next ch space, 4ch and again 1sc in same ch space* repeat 9 times, finish with a sl st 1st sc.
Finish off

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