Garden Flower Crocheted Mobile Phone Pocket

I recently got a new mobile phone (my old one was practically an antique and well past it's sell by date) and as my new one is actually a small computer in disguise, rather than just a phone I felt it needed something, a little pocket type protector to look after it.  I hadn't seen anything I really liked in the shops and all of sudden thought...hang on, why don't I crochet one!! Well of course!

So I looked for colour inspiration in my basket of odds and sods...

 ...and found a nice selection of Rowan Handknit Cotton DK.
I chose this particular wool as it can be crocheted up to be pretty sturdy.  Especially using SC (USA) stitches.

So I got busy.  Do you want the pattern?  You do?? Ah, OK then :D


The pocket is really easy.  It's just two stitches ~ chains and single crochet, so if you can do those then you can probably make this in an hour or less.


Choose your yarn.  I would suggest something fairly robust like a cotton but it's up to you.  I used a No. 4 hook and a selection of seven colours which were inspired by my Cath Kidston messenger bag.  The phone pocket is made up in stripes which consist of two rows of the same colour yarn in SC stitch.




The Pattern:


1:  Measure around your mobile phone.  Mine is a HTC and pretty small, so if you have an i-phone you may need extra chains to begin, and extra stripes to fit it height wise.  I will be giving the number of stitches that I used for mine, which may suit yours perfectly but do check before you begin.

2:  Ch 20 + CH1 

3:  SC in second stitch from hook. 

4:  1SC in each stitch all along the row to the end (20 stitches).  Turn for row 2, CH1 then in second stitch from hook, 1SC in each stitch til end of the row.

5:  *Finish off and add a new colour yarn

6:  Row 3:  Hook under 1st stitch of last row, CH1.  In same stitch, 1SC then 1SC in each stitch along the row to the end. (20 stitches).  Turn crochet piece for row 4, CH1 then 1SC in each stitch along the row to the end (20 stitches)*.
Repeat from * (step 5) for the rest of the pocket, until you have a rectangle of stripy crochet that fits just above your mobile phone.


Finish off, sew the edges of the pocket together (right sides facing) with yarn, leaving a space at the top to slide your phone in.  Turn the pocket the right way - almost done!

The flower...you will need to be able to do double crochet clusters (DCC) for this - see below flower tutorial for How To:

To embellish your pocket with a small flower, choose a contrasting yarn.

1:  CH 4 and join with a SS into first stitch
2:  *CH3, then 1DCC (see below), then SS into ring*.
3:  Repeat from * four more times, and finish off.
4:  Sew in ends and then sew the flower to your phone pocket, add buttons to finish.


Double Crochet Cluster stitch:  Here is an explanation of how to do this stitch - I hope it makes sense as there aren't any photos!


After doing your CH3, wrap yarn around hook and push hook through ring.
Pull yarn through (3 stitches on hook), wrap yarn around hook and pull through 2 stitches (2 stitches left on hook),  wrap yarn around hook (3 stitches on hook), push hook through thr ring, wrap yarn around hook and pull through (4 stitches on hook).  Wrap yarn around and pull through 2 stitches, wrap yarn around again and pull through remaining 3 stitches on hook.
Done.

So there you have it!

A pretty, protective, and unique little Mobile Phone Pocket!  I hope you like it, do have a go if you do, and please get in touch if you have any questions.


Love Julia x

Rediscovering Watercolour and a Promise

Hello!

I've made a new promise to myself this week.  As part of stepping back and re-prioritising my little life, and making it better and easier on myself, I realised that during the self imposed busy~ness I'd created, I had also neglected to do something very enjoyable.

Draw.

The realisation that I hadn't drawn in several weeks was a bit of a shock if I'm honest.  I'm an artist, I'm meant to draw, indeed I LOVE to draw!  I carry a tiny moleskine with me in my bag in case of emergency sketch missions, or if an idea comes to me for a painting or illustration whilst I'm out and about.  But even this has been left untouched.

As I realised how much time had gone by since I last drew or painted, I decided to make a promise to myself, and that was to try and draw at least one thing a day in one of my sketchbooks.  Now you might be reading this and thinking 'does she never learn??? - off she goes again, filling up her life with Stuff...won't be long til we're hearing about how tired and worn out she is etc, etc...(Yawn).'

I promise it's not like that.  This is a gift to myself, because I love making art and it's part of who I am.  Without it, I feel a little bit empty or lopsided.  It makes me whole.
So, for a few minutes a day, I am going to draw because it feels good to be in touch with that part of myself.  And if I get longer, I will paint too.  I can probably do a decent sketch of something in the time it takes to watch an advert on TV.

(brightened up in Photoshop - really like the effect of this)

Just this morning (after being inspired by Springwatch again) I decided to do a quick sketch of a little blue tit that was in my garden, sitting in the eucalyptus tree (which is sadly dead and needs cutting down following that extraordinarily cold winter).  The birds still like it though, and use it to cluster on with their offspring.  I was able to capture one little chap fairly quickly (you have to be fast when it's a live bird you are drawing) and render him in watercolour and ink.

Ah.  Watercolour and Ink.

I used to paint in watercolour very regularly, and then over the last few years I have been working in acrylics more or less constantly.  Now sadly, due to neglect or lack of use (which amounts to the same thing really) most of my watercolour tubes had dried up.  I know you can cut the tubes open to use, but I was feeling frivolous so I ordered myself some new ones (which I'm still waiting for and am going beside myself with excitement about).  However, there were still some that were useable, and my palette still had a few decent colours left on it too!

It's a strange feeling, using a different medium after spending so long with something familiar.  It's a bit like being back in the classroom again, learning and stretching yourself and watercolour is so different to acrylic paint.  The fluidity, the transparency...I'd forgotten just how delicate they can be, but I was soon in the swing of it again.  It's a wonderful paint medium and I think it's fun to step out of the box and test your levels of comfort with something forgotten or new. 


So I'm on my art journey again.  I feel much happier.  My days also seem extra spacious of late and I'm certainly feeling better for the changes I've been making.  I'm making time for healthy breakfasts (although I still need my coffee kick lol)...

...and little bursts of retail therapy (well, when we've been a bit over-run with stuff, and feeling fed up it's nice to cheer ourselves with a small treat, isn't it?)
So I was super delighted to discover this Sarah Smith apron on sale at just £2.50!

Which will complement this, when it arrives:

 (image from Amazon)

By all accounts, this book is one of the best of the moment.  I had a peep whilst I was in Waterstones at the weekend, and I knew it was one of those books that I Just Had To Have on my bookshelf.  You know the kind I mean.  If you click the Amazon link under the picture, you will be able to see some of the mouth watering treats inside!


Well - it's time for some lunch, might even manage to sneak in another crocheted flower in between bites of my sarnie!  The shawl/wrap is coming on great, I'm really pleased with it and it's nice to be using up some of those remnants of wool from my basket at last. 


Right, I'm away!  I look forward to catching up with you soon, sending love
Julia x
 

Crochet and Relaxing Times

Hello to you!

I'm making the most of the half term holidays, and this sudden, abundantly glorious sunshine that has appeared over Yorkshire (which up until now has been rather cool, wet and subdued).  There is something rather luxurious about sitting in the early morning sun with a cup of coffee, in jammies, listening to birdsong and the musical sound of the river as it tinkles over the stones...

 (at the bottom of my garden...a magical river can be found)
 
 ...and knowing it's going to be one of those magical, bright blue sky days...

I've been reaquainting myself with my wool stash, and my crochet books in an effort to relax and switch off from the mayhem that I'd created in my life of late.  I know I'm not the only one who does this, and it's gently reassuring to know I'm not alone in swamping myself with projects, ideas and new ventures; loading up my proverbial little ship with far too much Stuff and then wondering why it starts to leak and sink.  So gentle pursuits were the order of the week, and oh how lovely it has been!

Anyway, some of you may be familiar with this book:

It's called Motif Book 4 - Japanese Crochet Book, and it's wonderful.   I spent a lovely hour or so drinking up the gorgeous patterns in this book, and also the pictures on Attic 24's Blog here.  I then spent an equally lovely hour sorting through my odds and sods basket, and managed to accumulate the above wool to begin my very own flower shawl.  I may have to add to the stash as I'm not sure how far what I've got will go, but it's not going to cost alot (maybe two or three extra balls for what I have in mind).  I kknow I'm probably a bit late in the day joining in with the trend for flowery crocheted shawls and scarves as many of you have already made your own, but once I'm tempted, that's it!

So I got busy.  PJ's on, comfy sofa, surrounded by wool, listening to Spring Watch on the television:  Heaven.

And occasionally, a bit of outdoor Table Hooky Time with a nice cuppa in my seaside cup was called for:

As well as this, I've been getting out and about with my family, enjoying the warm spring rain, cups of tea and large chunks of carrot cake in cosy cafes, wild flowers and wildlife...

 

...and I've also been spending time in remote, quiet places where all you can hear is the sound of the breeze, and the call of the curlews...

 (beautiful places like this, not twenty minutes from my own front door...)

These simple times and simple pursuits are a tonic for a weary soul ~ what do you do to relax and switch off when life gets Over Full and Overwhelming?  Share your simple pleasures here with me, I'd love to here how you find delight in the ordinary as a way to rebalance and slow down!  I will look forward to hearing from you, and also to sharing pictures of my shawl/wrap with you when it's done.  I hope you all have a super weekend, thank you so much to the dear souls who left such kind comments on my last post - they were all very much appreciated (you are such a delightful bunch). 

Sending you love, thank you so much for stopping by today.
Julia x