Crocheted Rose Tutorial

Do you have a "go-to" crochet project if you want to make a quick gift? Well, mine is a flower brooch. I've been crocheting this same design for years! And it always works! I've given out so many of these as gifts that I have already lost count on how many I've done in many years of crocheting. The flower can also be used as an accent to a beanie or as a standalone clip.

Of course, I will show you how this could be done. Prior knowledge of some basic stitches is required.

For this project, I used 1 ball of DMC Natura Yarn and a 3.5mm crochet hook. A ball of DMC Natura can make several roses. This 100% cotton yarn is really soft and is also (more than being used for accessories actually) a great choice for clothing. 

This project involves the following stitches: chain (ch), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), and treble (tr). Please note that there is also a V-stitch, made of this sequence: dc-2ch-dc.

Begin with 48ch.

Now click the link below to see the rest of the tutorial!

It's Never Too Late To Learn

Lola Lolita is 88 years old. She's been crocheting for many years and usually creates projects by eye (unlike me who's a pattern follower!).

Lola Lolita, through her grandson Rob, sought my help to crochet a flower.

I didn't do much teaching at all, to be honest. I just translated the pattern for her and demonstrated the first few stitches of each round. She easily remembered those first few stitches and just continued the rest of the round on her own.

Lola Lolita really enjoys crocheting. She's done projects for her grandchildren. She's also looking forward to crocheting something for a soon-to-be-born granddaughter.

A few days after, here she is with more flowers all made from memory!

'Til our next crochet session, Lola Lolita!

They Got Hitched With A Crocheted Bouquet & Boutonnieres!

I don't even need to describe how wonderful these pictures are! The groom is Adrian and the bride is Rose. I am blessed to be part of their special day through the work I do. This project for me is one for the books.

I would like to thank Adrian and Rose and Paul Vincent Photography for allowing me to post these beautiful pictures.

The bride, Rose.

So far, I've thought of three advantages to having a crocheted bouquet. It doesn't wilt, therefore it will always look like that, and as the bride you will have that as a keepsake to remind you of that special day. You can apply your own scent to it. And it will never give you any allergic reaction. Oh, there's a fourth! It can be a good accent to your home! Won't it look lovely on a vase?!?

The groom, Adrian. And his posse. Adrian is wearing his crocheted boutonniere here. Of course, his is different from the male entourage.

The male entourage and their crocheted boutonnieres. Check out the boutonnieres up close here.

Rose on her way down the aisle. She is wearing a Veluz creation.

The bouquet's so pretty Adrian wanted to hold it (just kidding). Love the lighting background!

Cheers, Rose and Adrian!!! 

See the bouquet up close here.

Photo Credits:

Paul Vincent Photography

Website: http://paulvincentphoto.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/paulvincentphotographyphilippines

Crocheted Bouquet Is Here!!!

A lovely bride just held this while walking down the aisle this afternoon.

I was asked more or less 2 months before the wedding day to take on this challenge. I think it was a brave move for the couple to have their boutonnieres and bridal bouquet crocheted. I even think it's the first time a bride will be holding a full crocheted bouquet in the Philippines :p I'm glad they liked it. Good thing about this bouquet is, it won't wither!

The idea of crocheting a bridal bouquet was unfathomable for me. I mean, it's not just some crocheted bouquet. It's the bride's. It's that bouquet she will be holding when everyone's attention is focused on her while walking down the aisle.

I was asked to use coral-toned colors - in line with the wedding's theme. I also added pops of other colors to make it more "alive." I didn't shy away from crocheting different kinds of flowers. I think the variety added character to the bouquet.

Did you know that the biggest challenge in making this bouquet is not the crocheting? It's actually the assembly. I'm not a florist or floral designer (if there is such a term) so I had no idea how bouquets are put together. I didn't know how some of those bridal bouquets achieved that seemingly round shape. But I took the challenge one at a time. I did research and consulted experienced florists. In the end, it all worked out. The holder of the bouquet is even crocheted. Can you see it?

I couldn't make it to the wedding, unfortunately. I'm really looking forward to the official wedding pictures!

Now I'm wondering what my next crochet challenge will be :p I think by now I can say, I'm up for anything!

See my work in progress for the bouquet here.

To Crochet A Bridal Bouquet: Check!

I just turned over the bridal bouquet and boutonnieres for a lovely couple's wedding. Just like my previous wedding projects, I will only get to reveal the finished product (the bouquet) after the wedding on the 1st week of May. Here's what I can show you though :)

Turning over a project can be bittersweet. While you are able to put a smile on your client's face, you are also letting go. I am always thankful I am given opportunities like this one to work with and for people who appreciate what I can do and have faith in what I can deliver. It's been a year of firsts for me in crochet. I am looking forward to many more. 

Check out the bouquet when I was still starting to make it here.

Boutonnieres Galore!!!

Just finished crocheting these boutonnieres for the entire male entourage of a coming wedding! See the leaves I featured in my previous post?!

The crocheted bridal bouquet will be revealed after the wedding! I'm super excited to share it but I have to hold myself back from doing so because the bride deserves to see it first :)

I also made a special boutonniere for the groom. Just like the bride's bouquet, it will be revealed after the wedding :)

Sometimes, Crochet Is Not Enough

Even if you think you used the right crochet hook with the type of thread that you have or even if you are confident enough with your crocheting skills, sometimes they just end up like these. These are crocheted leaves for boutonnieres for the male entourage of a wedding of a client (same client for the crocheted flower bouquet I am working on). The curling would have been ok if I was going for the "fallen leaves" kind of look. I want them sturdy and flat enough to be worn.

Thank you, secret substance.

Well, it's no secret really...it's just starch :)

Cannot wait to show you the finished boutonnieres soon!

Wish Granted! Finally Making A Crocheted Bouquet!

I've had so many firsts in my crochet career these past few months. Just these last few weeks though, I had crochet firsts in weddings: a crocheted bride & groom cake topper and a crocheted arrhae pouch.

Last December, I debuted my first sample crocheted bouquet. I've been wanting to make a full-blown and legit one for a bride.

Jut this month, I got commissioned to crochet one! I am super excited for this project. I like how my crocheting skills are being challenged by each client. I am grateful for the opportunity to show how great this craft is. I am grateful as well for the trust being given to me to make projects that become part of one's special day.

Here are my initial pieces for the bouquet. I'm feeling really good about the outcome. This is probably only 15% of the entire bouquet. I am itching to finish this already. It's a lot of hard work but it will be worth it :)

One good thing about having a crocheted bouquet is that it won't wither! You can even add your own scent to it because it's made of fiber. I also got commissioned to crochet boutonnieres for the male entourage and for the groom. This wedding will be a crochet showcase!

Of course, I can only reveal the completed one after the wedding on the 1st week of May. I cannot wait!

Baby Maya + Crochet = Super Adorbz!!!

This is adorable baby Maya wearing my crocheted headband and flower accent. Believe it or not, it's because of her that I decided to crochet baby headbands and beanies :) Thank you, Louie Arcilla of *nyaps for the lovely pictures! This is definitely not your average baby picture :)

She's too cute!

Reminds you of an Anne Geddes picture, noh?

The crocheted headband and flower is definitely not getting in the way of her sleeping :)

Definitely.

She's too cute. Yeah, I said that earlier already :p

 Again, I would like to thank Louie Arcilla of *nyaps for the wonderful pictures. Of course, my thanks also goes to Maya and Marga! Great job! She's a pro! :)

Also, check out baby Lima Bean having fun wearing my crocheted pieces here!

For orders, proceed to this link for details.

My Bedspread On An Actual Bed

Thank you, Tyzia (of Noah's Nest), for taking this beautiful picture of the bedspread I made on an actual bed! 

There's no such thing as a color overload when they all look so good together!

Check out my previous post on my bedspread here.

Crocheted Flower Bouquet

I've been experimenting on a crocheted flower bouquet. I have two flower designs so far: a rose and a pansy. I love crocheting flowers. Most of the stuff I have done are flat (see my collage of flowers here) and are more suited to be used as brooches or pins. These ones can be gathered up to make a pretty bouquet.

I'm still working on the flower arrangement part and planning to add leaves for a cuter look.

I can imagine making this (of course something way prettier than this) for an actual bride or bridesmaid someday :) These flowers won't wilt for sure.

Crocheted Beanies and Headbands with My Story Photography

This is somewhat my "soft launch" for my made-to-order crocheted beanies and headbands for babies and kids.

My Story Photography captured all these images of (uberly cute) baby Lima Bean wearing my crocheted pieces. Warning: You might experience an overdose of cuteness here. 

Lima Bean is wearing a white headband piece with a medium-sized flower. Photo courtesy of My Story Photography.

Adorbz. These flowers are detachable from the headband or beanie. They have clips on them so you can interchange flowers (using the same headband or beanie) to get different looks. You can even clip them directly to your kid's hair.

Lima Bean is wearing light khaki (left) and white (right) headband pieces with the large flower (left) and the small flower (right). Photo courtesy of My Story Photography.

Her cuteness makes you want to cry. She wore this beanie for the longest time during the shoot and probably forgot she was wearing one. The yarn used is soft and won't leave any marks on your baby.

Lima Bean is wearing a fuschia beanie with a large flower. Photo courtesy of My Story Photography.

More beanies with Lima Bean!

Lima Bean is wearing lime (left) and light khaki (right) beanies both with large flowers.
Photo courtesy of My Story Photography.

Yep, she even played with the flowers. The colors seemed to have gotten a lot of her attention.

Photo courtesy of My Story Photography.

I am already accepting orders for the beanies and headbands. They are sold in sets. To get more information on these, please click this link which will direct you to my Facebook album.

Good News Kasama Si Vicky Morales: Going Gantsilyo!

Gantsilyo in the limelight! Woot! Woot! The segment was shown earlier in "Good News Kasama Si Vicky Morales" on GMA News TV.

Got the (surprise) call more than a week ago about the feature on gantsilyo for this show. We shot my segment just last Monday. I'm happy that gantsilyo is being featured!

Here are some "behind the scenes" pics. Can't believe my more than a minute part took almost 5 hours to shoot! We shot the scenes in the La Mesa Ecopark.

All-out for all of my crocheted creations.

This is me attempting to explain how to make a crocheted flower petal. Since explaining and demonstrating a pattern on video can take so long, my line was practically reduced to just "crocheting a chain and single crochets" to make my spiel fit the limited air time.

The segment (on the last part) also debuted my crocheted African Flower Bed Throw! Although it was already shown in the video, I'm still holding back from showing pictures in its entirety (as if I have not killed the suspense already).

Thanks to the "Good News Kasama Si Vicky Morales" Team of GMA News TV for the feature! Thanks to my brother Genesis as well for being our impromptu production assistant for the shoot.

Here's the video! My segment starts on 0:34. You can also see my African Flower Bed Throw on 4:35. This segment also features crocheters Shannen Chua and Milli Reyes.

Another hooray for crochet! 

I'm Calling It a Bed Throw. Here's a Peek!

Just a peek of the reverse side :) I will only be able to share the entire spread, in all its crocheted glory, when I have given it already to the owner. It's almost time to say goodbye to this project!

Thirty and Crafty

My friend, Alessa Lanot of Life After Breakfast, celebrated her Big 3-0 with fellow crafters and bloggers last Saturday at The Brgr Project along Jupiter St. in Makati City. It was an afternoon of good food, good vibes, good conversations, and good crafting :)

Alessa prepared canvas bags for the crafters to design during the party so one can be exchanged with another crafter and one to be auctioned off to benefit a school in Masbate.

Click the link to continue reading to see what I crocheted for the canvas bags!