Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Make a simply sweet home for your crochet hooks...

It was interesting reading my blog comments over the weekend because Judithann was telling of the gifts she was in the process of making for a dear friend. One of those gifts was a roll for storing crochet hooks.
I had a little giggle to myself because in my blog planner this week (I try and plan my blog posts a week in advance so I can free up more stitching and kitchen time...) I'd penciled-in to share a simple idea for keeping your crochet hooks all together in one pretty place!
I love Judithann's idea of a hook roll, but a couple of years ago I made this design for Patchwork & Stitching magazine's 'recycle' issue, and thought you may like to make one yourself.

The project needs no actual material instructions because you'll see just how simple it is, but I'll take you through my own basics.

One of the features in this particular project was a gift I received back in 2011 from Vicki in Canada.
She sent me these two pretty handkerchiefs, and her note said, "I know you'll come up with an idea on how to use them in a design!"...

Well, I popped one in my very special "handkerchief" bag, and the second hankie was used on this crochet hook storage hanger...


I'd had the floral fabric for a while, and just loved it. Some was used for a cushion cover, but the rest waited patiently on my shelf for a couple of years until this idea formed one afternoon when I couldn't find any crochet hooks to make a face-washer for one of my little grandsons.

All I did was make a quilt sandwich with a 12" square of fabric for the top, 12" square of leftover cotton quilt wadding for the middle, and a 12" square of the fabric for the backing - then fused the three pieces together to make a 'mini quilt'.

I cut a 10" x 12" piece of fabric and folded it in half along the wide side, before laying it along the bottom of the mini quilt to create a large pocket. I secured the bottom raw edge of the pocket to the bottom raw edge of the mini quilt with a scant 1/8th inch seam.

I machine quilted lines "up" the pocket, 1" apart, to make twelve smaller pockets that would house my crochet hooks!


I cut the handkerchief in half on the diagonal, and sewed the fancy half across the top of the mini quilt with a scant 1/8th inch seam, then stitched on a sweet vintage button...

Using more of the lovely fabric I made a binding strip and attached it all around. 
Last steps were to make a hanging sleeve and sew it down, before turning the binding over to the back of the mini quilt and hand stitching in place.
It's the prettiest thing!

With winter almost here, and even though the days are still 27C,  I've pulled out my crochet cottons to plan some more face washers...

There's something rather comforting about crochet and knitting in the winter don't you think?

hugs



20 comments:

KimM said...

This is SOOOO darling! Love the colors - how creative!
hugs
xxx

Robin in New Jersey said...

Those handkerchiefs are lovely!

Annie said...

Super-cute idea! I've been planning to make a crochet hook holder and this is just perfect!

janice15 said...

I love the idea.. It looks so sweet.. with love Janice

Victoria said...

I knew you'd come up with an idea for those hankies I sent! Now that is just the cutest idea!!!
Well done you!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I had to keep one aside, just for me, though, Vicki. xxx

Anonymous said...

Guess who'll be making another crochet hook holder, love your idea Jenny, (and I do have some gorgeous hankies aside for crafts and I'm sure to find some pretty material in my stash) one for the craft room and the roll to take on outings/travel/caravanning (as my friend does for 3 months each year to Gold Coast for winter), then there is myself of course, can I keep up. You continue to inspire me, give me lots of ideas with your creations (and reminding me of others), which is great for gift making too.
Thank you, have a wonderful day, Judithann :-)

miss~nance said...

Lovely pattern, when I finally learn to crochet I will make on of these, maybe i should make one now to encourage me to learn.....

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Great idea, Gail! :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I think we all have special fabrics, or hankies, or linens that could be made a feature in things like this, Judithann. :-)
Now I'm making one for knitting needles! x

Cindy said...

Very pretty design!

Jenny said...

I love crocheting and knitting but cannot read a pattern to save my life! Googling helps. But this crochet hanger is beautiful. I have 2 crochet hooks so would have to buy more just to fill it up!

Anonymous said...

what a lovely idea and so pretty,thankyou Jenny for sharing.xx

Christine M said...

Such a lovely idea, Jenny.

Melody said...

This is beautiful. I've actually got some crochet hooks now as I plan to learn to crochet. I'll be making one of these to keep them in. Thank you so much.

Tammy said...

This turned out absolutely beautiful!!

Keltic said...

New to your site here. Waves hello, :) You have some mighty pretty things.

Bren said...

Thank you for sharing this with us. I love sewing, crochet & hankies, so this is a homerun for me.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

That's wonderful Bren! Enjoy your creative time. :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Why thank you so much! :-)