Red poppy rope beaded necklace and earrings jewelry set

Hi all, Have been through hard times lately and to take things easier decided to try crochet with seed beads. Found online gorgeous necklaces and bracelets but didn't have any idea how to make such beautiful pieces of jewellery. Floral patterns caught my eye especially ones with red poppies as red poppy symbolizes remembrance of those who died in war. In Ukraine red poppy is also widely used in traditional folk embroidery and paintings. I used the pattern created by Helgla to make a beautiful jewellery beaded set with red poppies. The pattern can be found here The bead rope has 22 seed beads in circumference, one rapport (a repetitive motif) consists of 61 rows and 1349 beads in two shades of green, three shades of red, yellow, white and black. Instead of white background I made a black one.

If you are a crocheter I suggest give it a go with seed beads to create such a beauty. Thanks Helgla!

Bright 3D crochet flowers lariat

Got new variegated crochet cotton in pretty yellow-pink-green colours and decided to make a bluebell lariat for the spring season. Added some bright green balls embellishments and sparkly green leaves and here is my new addition to the collection.

Crochet cotton lariat with pretty bluebells

Have recently finished a lariat in one of my favourite designs. It features bluebells in salmon pink with pretty green leaves and other embellishments. A colourful piece of neck jewellery for spring and summer.

New crochet jewelry video

Hi all.
A few days ago I uploaded a new video showing off my latest crochet jewelry projects. Watch it here or visit my channel on youtube where you'll find more ideas for your own projects.
You are welcome to subscribe to my channel as I will keep posting new videos!
You might find some more jewelry ideas and other cute stuff in my Flickr photostream

Crochet flower lariat

Crochet and knitting are everywhere in fashion, especially in jewellery and accessories. 
Flower/floral lariats are fun to wear. With the mixture of colourful 3d flowers, leaves and other tiny embellishments they will brighten your day and add personality to your wardrobe.


I had great fun making them, choosing different colour combinations. And I love what I've managed to get at the end.

I like combination of dusky/hot pink with purple and mint in this one.




This lariat is really bright with lilac/purple and fuchsia colours.



Reminds me bright autumn day in the park.




Early and tender spring is coming with these pastel colours.

Crafting on holidays

Hi, Just returned from long holidays. I caught myself thinking that I could not pass by the wool shops. I have my favourite places that I always try to check while on holidays. As the result, new thread - and new necklaces. Gold and silver are always in fashion, especially for special occasions.











I like the coral one. This shade is created by combining the two strands, so looks bright and at the same time gentle. I presume my sister enjoyed modelling it.

How to make a necklace cord

Recently I was asked to show how I make a cord for my crochet necklaces/chokers. Sorry for delay, my computer has been down for a while but now I'm ready to share with you some of my secrets :-)

I’m more used to American crochet terms, so the pattern is given in American terms.

Here is a crochet terms conversion chart to UK crochetters.
US                                     UK

chain(ch)                           chain(ch)

single crochet (sc)             double crochet (dc)

double crochet (dc)           treble (tr)

half double crochet (hdc)   half treble (htr)

triple crochet (trc)             double treble (dtr)

slip stitch (sl st)                slip stitch (sl st)


First of all you need to make a slip ring or a magic ring or magic circle, the same thing just having different names. I found this picture which was very helpful for myself.






But if you need more help here is a video from youtube uploaded by tjw1963

Round 1. For slip ring leaving 4” end of thread, make a loop, insert hook through loop from front to back, yarn over (see picture 1) pull through loop to form ring, yarn over, pull through loop on hook (picture 2), make chain 3 and 7 dc in a ring, pull end of the thread tightly to close ring having 8 dc including chain of 3 stitches at the beginning. Do not join rounds, continue in spiral.

Round 2. Working this round in back loops, sc in top of chain 3, sc in each dc around (8 sc). Turn stitches of rounds 1 and 2 wrong side out, bring 4” end through center of ring, Backside of stitches will be on outside of work. Stuff 4” end inside the cord.

Continue working round 2 in back loops, making sc in each stitch around, do not join rounds! Finish when you get desired length. I normally make a 20 - 21" long cord.

Last round. (Sc in next stitch and skip the next one) repeat 4 times (4 stitches left).

For the clasp make a chain of 13 stitches and slip stitch to the 3-rd stitch in previous round.  For clasp bead cut 4" long tread and wrap it tightly around the beginning of the cord (1/2" from the end). Secure all ends (I use some fabric glue to keep ends safe).

For my necklaces I use 100% mercerized crochet cotton size 20 and a hook size 1 - 1.25 mm. I do my stitches quite tight, if you are used to make it a bit loose, use size 1.25 mm. I would say try and make a test piece to check you tension, if the tension is too tight use larger hook, if the tension is too loose, get a smaller hook. Do experiment! Some charts that I’ve found in the internet refer metric size 1.25 mm to size 4 (UK) and 10 (US).

Any maker of thread will do – DMC Chebelia, Aunt Lydia, Whoosh, Lesur Empress, Crochetta, Twilleys Southern Comfort, Coats. If cotton is slightly thicker (size 10) it is still fine for a necklace. I prefer mercerized cotton as the cord comes stiff enough to keep its shape.

Then just add some motiffs - flowers and leaves, make them in solid colours or variegated ones,





and your necklace is done! You’ve made one of a kind piece of handmade jewellery! It’s a perfect gift for a girlfriend, a friend or maybe a treat for yourself.













You'll find more ideas for necklace designs here or watch my video on youtube

The same cord can be used as a bag handle, depending on the size of a bag, you can make a thicker cord. I suggest using thicker thread (DK cotton) for handles, it’ll make them stiffer. If you want really thick handles, follow the above instructions but make more dc in a slip ring in round 1 and use larger hook. And then just stuff handles with toy stuffing.

Have you heard about Leeds Kirkgate Market?

Leeds Kirkgate Market is a market in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK. With over 600 stalls this is Europe's largest covered market. It attracts around 250,000 visitors every week.

It first opened in 1822.

It was a founding location of Marks & Spencer. Michael Marks opened his "Penny Bazaar" in the open air market here in 1884.

Since then the market has been refurbished and here is how it looks like nowadays.

Since last year it has been hosting 'How Bizaar', a big market stall, providing an opportunity for starters of new businesses to display and sell their products. Starting a new business can be risky but now having an opportunity to test demand and get market feedback before fully launching their product, service and idea, is less stressful.

'How Bizaar' provides a low risk trading opportunity for a wide range of businesses e.g. arts, crafts, clothing, food, electrical goods, toys.

You ask me why I'm giving you all this information? Because since April my crochet embellishments and jewellery are displayed in Leeds Kirkgate Market! I'm having my own display space. It's quite big but it's never enough when you start arranging it. Since it's YOUR space you can do there what you want.

This week my space is arranged this way.

I have wonderful neighbours who are displaying and selling their gorgeous products - handmade cards, clothing, bags, unusual jewellery, items of home decor. They all are of high quality and are very popular among visitors of the stall.

So please do come in to check our handmade products!

Playing with felt

I'm still trying something new. This time new type of flowers using dry felting technique. I used the same dyed in beautiful colours wool fleece as I used for my wet felt flowers. What I like in felting is that you are in total control of what you are doing and actually nothing can go wrong. The only thing is barbed needle that is used to make a dry felt. Having small experience you better be careful while punching the fleece otherwise you will stab your fingers. Yes, it hurts :(

So first I made a flower.

It is quite nice on its own and can be used as a brooch pin or a corsage flower. But I decided to use mixed media - crochet balls, rings, wooden beads - and make a necklace.

So here it is!

I love pansies!

These little flowers are adorable. I like to crochet them and use in my crafts.

Crochet Jewelry Video

Just uploaded my new video with my latest creations - crochet jewelry - necklaces, chokers and brooches. I've spent quite a while to find the music for this video and my choice is Waltz of Flowers from the Nutcracker. Perhaps this was the best-loved work of a genious Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. In Western countries the ballet has become popular and performed mostly during Christmas season. The music is so light and tender but at the same time vibrant and emotional. I hope my floral crochet designs do not spoil the impression of this masterpiece.



Want to see more? Just click on the photos below