PotHolder/Duster

I crocheted a simple design pot holder. I used Novita's Natural Collection Cotton feel yarn (100% cotton, of which 50% is recycled) (50g = 120m). The pot holder is thin so if wanted you can use it as a duster instead. 

I crocheted it just without any special design but you can find similar type from Tove Fevang's book. I wrap it with matching tea towels in a Christmas gift.

Totally Simple Crochet

Tove Fevang's book Helt enkel hekling was published on 2010 in Norway, Totally Simple Crochet in USA on 2011 and in Finland "Nyt virkkaamaan" on 2011. It is excellent book for beginners. If you plan to start to learn to crochet and have no idea which on book to buy to get started; go to second hand, charity or good will shop or try to find this on internet. Pictures and instructions are great. It introduces smaller and bigger projects and doesn't let you down. It has very practical ideas. Also blanket and shawl can be find there. Really; worth of buying.

I made a pot holder from the book and actually used it when learning to crochet on 2011. (Before I had refused to do any crocheting despite I already then did everything possible what comes craft making.)

Old storages of mine

For some time I've been thinking what to give my aunt on her birthday. No any idea. Totally empty head. Then I went through (again) parts of my old craft storage. I found a plastic bag with old loose ends for weaving. There was a bobbing that seemed interesting. Then I remembered Tove Fevang's book. The result (pot holder) is at Crocheting site.

I am going to give this pot holder to my aunt with some herbs I have grown from seeds. The design and idea for the pot holder is from Tove Fevang's Helt enkel hekling (Totally simple crochet) but I have just picked up thicker yarn and the result is pot holder instead of duster. It was a bit difficult to crochet this because the yarn was so thick but if I managed you will too.

Good books lead you forward

Now the whole shawl I designed is finished. The shawl feels warm and luxurous. I am sure I will use it many times in the future. But I do my best not to spoil it in the daily use.

The book that helped me to learn crocheting is Norwegian Tove Fevang's Helt enkel hekling. It's English version is called Totally simple crochet and it is brand new translation in English. I think it comes out in May 2011.

I have other books about crocheting. Also one given me years ago by my grand mother who did a lot crochet. But all these books are so complicated and confusing. I really can recommend this Tove Fevang's book if you need to learn to crochet. It has very simple and easy instructions with good photos. It includes very first basic skills but has also challenging projects if you want more. What is the best in this book? Well, in it everything needed is explained in the way I can understand it all. This book helped me to design my own shawl and what's the most important -to make it.
 

This is the shawl I designed and knit to fit with my dress to warm my shoulders. The size is  approximately 46cm x 115cm. It weights almost 150g. Even though I used expencive materials total cost is 36€ which is relatively small mount of money when we talk about shawl made of silk and mohair. If you do it yourself you save a lot of money. This is easy project to make and anyone who can or want to learn the basics of knitting and crocheting will succeed well. You just need to deside how wide and tall you want it to be. And because it comes to your shoulders it will suit well anyway. Shawl is also multi useable and last forever if you won't wash it in the wrong way.

Crochet edges make the last finished impression and good contrast to furry mohair knit. The yarn I used for crocheting has not mohair or any other furry material at all so it is also easier to crochet. Black shade is a bit demanding for a beginner but if I managed -you can make it too!