Funny how I got into this. I honestly wanted to learn to crochet – so that I can make a bag from plarn using my collection of colourful department store bags. My mom even got me a size J crochet hook (it’s a huge size 10)
I went to our local craft supplier shop – Lé Mar Arts & Crafts – my domestic worker was ill, so I took her to the doctor, and since it was right around the corner, I popped in quick-quick.
The owner was busy unpacking some bookmarks she had made. I was charmed – right there I decided that I want to make my own. I went back that afternoon to raid the shelves.
There was a variety of bookmark bases: from long weird looking arms, dolphins, feather type design with paisley – I liked the mermaids: 2 in a packet for R20. This makes the base that you place inside the book; Then you add whatever you want to the ring. I wanted to take a look at her original ones for some inspiration – but they were all sold out by then 😮 So I used one of the key chain/handbag charms as a guide.
Of course I needed some more paraphernalia other than beads, charms and a chain. Got round nose pliers and side cutter – both about R17 each, some head pins and jump rings.
The owner’s daughter was doing the afternoon shift that day; I asked her how to do a few things, like attaching a bead to the chain {i had no idea ok}, how do attach a ribbon to the chain – without the obvious ‘make a knot’ option.
After Amelia went to bed and the one-pot-meal was simmering {did I mention that I am not fond of cooking}, I started beading {more jewelry making technique though}. I black one is for me {surprise it’s not orange!}. The pink one is for a special lady who’s birthday is coming up soon. I made them chunky, cause that’s what I like. There is also a lot of little ‘hidden’ charms that you might not see at first glance – that’s the whole idea. I wanted it to be that everytime you look at it, you see something you missed the last time.
What do you think?
Those are beautiful!! I’ve done a bit of bead work making some jewellery, so I feel all inspired looking at your bookmarks!!!
And I LOVE the idea of making a bag out of the ‘plarn’. I used to know how to crochet. I think I might start saving any coloured plastic bags I get.
Thanks for this post – very motivational.
Thank you for the compliments Annie!
I really love how they came out. I made a keyring last night, will scan that in too and post it – it’s super chunky and full of little charms for my cousin to find. She’s having their first baby, also a little girl, and I wanted to make something especially for her new Mommy – people tend to focus so much on the new baby, that mommy sometimes feels a little neglected 😉 s’true.
I’ve been playing around with the idea of a plarn bag since I started my list last year October. But I couldn’t find a proper size crochet hook. My mom managed to get one at the grandaddy of all haberdasheries. Now to find the saved browser bookmark with the step-by-step pdf illustrated instructions on how to crochet. I get confused with al the stitch names, cause I’m used to knitting and there is only plain and purl.
aAnd the confusion gets worse in Afrikaans cause they talk about ‘long legs’ and ‘short legs’.
[…] This time I made a keychain 2010 March 6 by Tracy Following on the post where I learned about beading and made two bookmarks. […]