Vintage Suitcases

I've decided that I'm going to "upcycle" a vintage suitcase on my own. I've been wanting to make something like this and I stumbled upon this idea. I love the thought of making an old and ugly object into something that is newly redecorated and pretty. Jennifer Perkins converted a vintage suitcase into a laptop case. She gives a great tutorial.

 

I went to the thrift store yesterday and found one just like in the picture for $5.99. Not bad right? I gave it a thorough cleaning; might I add that it smells very old!! I plan on tearing out the inside and reupholstering it over my spring break. I'm going to paint it and then cover the side panels with fabric. I'm drawn to amy butler's designs so I'll have to see what I can find.

The unattractive and old interior

I also found another example of a re-vamped vintage suitcase. Anyway, here is the link for the suitcase pictured below. Betty did a great job!

I was so excited when I had finished this toddler owl hat over winter break. I saw a pattern on ravelry just like this but I was not willing to pay for the pattern so I created it on my own. I think that they look really similar. I know that my picture isn't high quality but I wanted to share it anyway.

My Version

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owl-earflap-beanie

Another Free Pattern

I was extremely surprised with the popularity of my very first crochet pattern. Because of this I have decided to offer another FREE crochet pattern. This cowl will definitely keep you warm this winter/spring. You can find this pattern on ravelry here. I would love to get your feedback. Thanks!

 Enchanted Orchid Cowl

Created by Brittany McKelvie

Materials

Size 6.5 (k) mm crochet hook

1.5 skeins of worsted weight yarn (I used Caron Simply Soft)

·      470 yards/255 grams

Abbreviations

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

tr = treble crochet or triple crochet

sl st = slip stitch

Instructions

After each row, join with a sl st into the top of the chain 1, 2 or 3.

Chain 180

Row 1 & 2: chain 2, dc in the round

Row 3: chain 1, sc in the round

Row 4: chain 3, tr in the round

Row 5: chain 2, dc in the round

Row 6: chain 1, sc in the round

Row 7: chain 2, dc in the round

Row 8: chain 3, tr in the round

Row 9: chain 3, tr in the round

Row 10: chain 2, dc in the round

Row 11: chain 1, sc in the round

Row 12: chain 2, dc in the round

Row 13: chain 3, tr in the round

Row 14: chain 1, sc in the round

Row 15 & 16: chain 2, dc in the round

My Very First Crochet Pattern

Hey Everyone!
I just wanted to share a crochet pattern that I created today. I have been making a lot of cowls lately because they are so easy to make and felt like making my own. This pattern is for personal use only. If you have questions feel free to ask. You can find my pattern on ravelry.com here. Enjoy!

  

@ Under An Hour Cowl ?

 

Materials

Size 9mm (N) crochet hook

1 skein bulky/12 ply weight yarn, 109 yards/100 grams
(I used Loops & Threads "Charisma")

Abbreviations

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

tr = treble crochet, or triple crochet

sl st = slip stitch

Instructions

Chain 74

Join together in the round with a sl st

Row 1: Chain 3, work tr in each chain space around. Join with sl st to the top of chain 3.

Row 2: Chain 2, work dc in the tr spaces from the previous row. Join with sl st to top of chain 2

Row 3: Chain 1, sc across in the dc spaces from the previous row. Join with sl st to top of chain 1

Row 4: Chain 3, tr across in sc spaces from the previous row. Join with sl st to the top of chain 3.

Row 5: Chain 1, sc across in tr spaces from the previous row. Join with sl st to the top of chain 1.

Row 6: Chain 2, dc in the sc spaces from the previous row. Join with sl st to the top of chain 2.

Row 7: Chain 1, sc across the entire row. Join with sl st to the top of chain 1.

Despite being busy with homework and school, I have found a few minutes every day to work on my current projects. I'm working on a crochet scarf right now and am almost finished with a blanket that I have been crocheting for quite a while now. I'll post a picture when I am all finished, which should be within the next week or so. It's going to be the size of my queen size bed, which will be plenty long for my tall frame. I followed a pattern tutorial that can be found here. The creator, Mikey, has 10 video's posted on youtube.com that show you step by step instructions. This jumbo catherine pinwheel stitch is very fast to crochet and is a nice pattern. I used teals and purples...two of my favorite colors. Truthfully, the reason why I have not completed this blanket yet is because I am always starting new projects, which my roommate can attest to. Haha. It will be finished just in time to utilize it for the few months us Southern Californian's have of "cold" weather.