December 17, 2014

Crochet Christmas Elf

Mango Tree Crafts
Crochet Christmas Elf
Thank you very much for your support of my Ice Queen Crochet Hat Pattern. I appreciate all your questions, comments, tags on Instagram and shares on Facebook! Thank you very much again.

I also got asked about the elf on my Facebook profile picture, if I could publish more photos of her and share the pattern. So here we go: meet Lily the Christmas Elf! She spent most of the last year in my Christmas storage box, but a couple of weeks ago I took her out of it, and now she is doing silly things over the night, just like any elf on the shelf.

When I saw this free pattern from Yarnspirations about two years ago I found it so pretty, so I knew I NEED to make one! I used Lily Sugar and Cream yarn as the patterns suggests and my favourite 2.75mm hook. The pattern calls for bigger hooks, but when making dolls I prefer to crochet really tight, so that the polyfill can not be seen through.
Mango Tree CRafts
Crochet Christmas Elf

I modified the pattern a little and made her hands and legs longer. She is about 16" long. I was not very happy with the pattern for her head: it turned out to be egg-shaped while I would prefer it to be round. Otherwise she turned out great! My kids love her and so do I.
Mango Tree Crafts

I wish you all a happy Merry Christmas!
Lili

November 11, 2014

Ice Queen Crochet Hat Pattern




Elsa hat pattern
Ice Queen crochet hat




Since movie Frozen and queen Elsa are very popular in my house, my neighbourhood and my country, here is my version of the Frozen Elsa inspired crochet hat. Almost every little girl that I happen to know likes the pretty Ice Queen with her long white braid and her magical ice powers...

*Hat shown in picture is a 3-6 Years size on a 6 year old model.*

Updated February 2015: I added two more sizes to this pattern: 7-10 Years old, and 11 Years old - Adult. Enjoy!




Yarn used: Caron Simply Soft Acrylic yarn in colours “Blue Mint” and “White”. Any worsted weight yarn would work.
Hook used: 5 mm (H)

Abbreviations:
CH – chain
ST – stitch
SC – single crochet
Sl ST – slip stitch
Cl ST – cluster stitch
YO – yarn over

In this short video I show and explain how to crochet a Cluster Stitch. (Written explanation following).
To work Cluster Stitch – YO, insert hook in next ST, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO, insert hook in same stitch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Pattern: 

Updated Oct. 13, 2016: I have created a short video showing how to start the hat and make the first round:

Size 0-6 Months
Use hook H
Round 1: With aqua colour CH 4 (if you can start with a magic loop use that rather than CH4). Cl ST 11 times in 4th CH from hook. Sl St in top of CH4 to complete round. (11)
Round 2: CH 3. Cl ST 2 times in each ST around. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (22)
Round 3: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in next ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (33)
Round 4-6: CH 3. Cl ST around. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (33)
Round 7: Place marker. For the ribbing work *two SC in first stitch, one SC in next stitch*, repeat around (50), do not join, continue working in spiral.
Round 8-10: SC in each stitch around in back loops. Crocheting in back loops gives your ribbing a nice ribbed look.
Round 11: Change the colour to white and work one round of SC in each stitch around in back loops.  Join with SL ST at the end of the last round. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Size 6 -12 Months
Use hook H
Round 1: With aqua colour CH4 (if you can start with a magic loop use that rather than CH4). Cl ST 9 times in 4th CH from hook. Sl St in top of CH4 to complete round. (9)
Round 2: CH 3, Cl ST 2 times in each ST around. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (18)
Round 3: CH 3, *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in next ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (27)
Round 4: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in each of next 2 ST*. Repeat from * to *. (36)
Round 5: CH 3. Cl ST around. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (36)
Round 6 – 7: Repeat round 5 (36)
Round 8: Place marker. For the ribbing work *two SC in first stitch, one SC in next stitch*, repeat around (54), do not join, continue working in spiral.
Round 9-12: SC in each stitch around in back loops. Crocheting in back loops gives your ribbing a nice ribbed look.
Round 13: Change the colour to white and work one round of SC in each stitch around in back loops. Join with SL ST at the end of the last round. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Size 12 Months - 2 Years
Use hook H
Round 1: With aqua colour CH4 (if you can start with a magic loop use that rather than CH4), Cl ST 10 times in 4th CH from hook. Sl St in top of CH4 to complete round. (10)
Round 2: CH 3. Cl ST 2 times in each ST around. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (20)
Round 3: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in next ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (30)
Round 4: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in each of next 2 ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (40)
Round 5: CH 3. CL ST around. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (40)
Round 6 – 8: Repeat round 5 (40)
Round 9: Place marker. For the ribbing work *two SC in first stitch, one SC in next stitch*, repeat around (60), do not join, continue working in spiral.
Round 10- 14: SC in each stitch around in back loops. Crocheting in back loops gives your ribbing a nice ribbed look.
Round 15: Change the colour to white and work one round of SC in each stitch around in the back loops. Join with SL ST at the end of the last round. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Size 3 – 6 Years
Use hook H
Round 1: With aqua color CH4 (if you can start with a magic loop use that rather than CH4). Cl ST 11 times in 4th CH from hook. Sl St in top of CH4 to complete round. (11)
Round 2: CH 3. Cl ST 2 times in each ST around. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (22)
Round 3: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in next ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (33)
Round 4: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in each of next 2 ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (44)
Round 5: CH 3. Cl ST around. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (44)
Round 6 – 9: Repeat round 5 (44)
Round 10: Place marker. For the ribbing work *two SC in first stitch, one SC in next stitch*, repeat around (66), do not join, continue working in spiral.
Round 11-18: SC in each stitch around in back loops. Crocheting in back loops gives your ribbing a nice ribbed look.
Round 19: Change the colour to white and work one round of SC in each stitch around in back loops. Join with SL ST at the end of the last round. Fasten off and weave in ends.
 
Size 7-10 Years
Round 1: With aqua colour: CH 4 (or Magic Loop+CH3), Cl ST 9 times in 4th CH from hook (or in magic loop), Sl ST in top of CH4 to complete round. (9)
Round 2: CH 3, Cl ST 2 times in each ST around. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (18)
Round 3: CH 3, *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in next ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (27)
Round 4: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in each of next 2 ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (36)
Round 5: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in each of next 3 ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (45)
Round 6: CH3. Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST in next 21 stitches, Cl ST 2 times in next stitch, Cl ST in next 22 stitches. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (47)
Round 7: CH 3. Cl ST around. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (47)
Round 8 – 9: Repeat round 7 (47)
Round 10: Place marker. For the ribbing work *two SC in first stitch, one SC in next stitch*, repeat around (71), do not join, continue working in spiral.
Round 11-18: SC in each stitch around in back loops. Crocheting in back loops gives your ribbing a nice ribbed look.
Round 19: Change the colour to white and work one round of SC in each stitch around in back loops. Join with SL ST at the end of the last round. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Size 11 Years – Adult
Round 1: With aqua colour: CH 4 (or Magic Loop+CH3), Cl ST 10 times in 4th CH from hook (or in magic loop), Sl ST in top of CH4 to complete round. (10)
Round 2: CH 3, Cl ST 2 times in each ST around. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (20)
Round 3: CH 3, *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in next ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (30)
Round 4: CH 3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST 1 time in each of next 2 ST*. Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (40)
Round 5: CH 3. Cl ST around. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (40)
Round 6: CH3. *Cl ST 2 times in next ST, Cl ST in each of the next 3 ST* Repeat from * to *. Join with Sl ST at top of CH 3. (50)
Round 7-10: CH 3. Cl ST around. Join with Sl St at top of CH 3. (50)
Round 11: Place marker. For the ribbing work *two SC in first stitch, one SC in next stitch*, repeat around (75), do not join, continue working in spiral.
Round 12- 18: SC in each stitch around in back loops. Crocheting in back loops gives your ribbing a nice ribbed look.
Round 19: Change the colour to white and work one round of SC in each stitch around in back loops. Join with SL ST at the end of the last round. Fasten off and weave in ends.


Elsa hat pattern
 
For the snowflake appliqué I used this great free pattern by Attic 24.
I left a long tail and sewed the snowflake to one side of the hat. 

 
To attach the hair cut about 30-40 strands of yarn that are about 2 yards long. I suggest wrapping yarn around some piece of furniture (I used a chair).
Secure strands (two or three at a time) by looping them around the bottom single crochet edges where you want your braid to be – I suggest using the same side where you sewed the snowflake appliqué. Then add more strands above the bottom edge strands.


Braid yarn, tie bottom of pony tail with another strand of yarn – I used an aqua piece of yarn.



 Enjoy!
 Lili

A matching Ice Queen hat pattern for American girl doll is now available on my blog.



***Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***
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November 10, 2014

Crochet pumpkin and more

Crochet pumpkin pattern
Crochet Pumpkin
Fall is about pumpkin everything. So I could not resist and crocheted this little pumpkin. I used this free pumpkin crochet pattern for my inspiration.

And I knitted this little pumpkin hat for a baby girl:
Knitted pumpkin hat pattern
Knitted Pumpkin Hat
Knitted pumpkin hat pattern
Knitted pumpkin hat
I used this free Berry hat pattern
And I am very proud of this craft pumpkin my daughter made at school:
Lets celebrate fall! :-)
Lili

October 23, 2014

Crochet Baby Blanket


Handmade baby blanket
Crochet Baby Blanket
I started crocheting this baby blanket about ten weeks ago. This was my first ever motif project, and as you can see, it took me quite a while to finish it. I have never made an afghan or anything out of squares before, but I got so inspired by Dragomira's blanket that I knew immediately - I need to make one too!

Handmade baby blanket

September 24, 2014

Baby Knits: Booties and Hat

Knitted baby pixie hat
Knitted baby hat and crochet blanket squares
A friend of mine is expecting a baby girl in December, so I am busy knitting all kinds of pretty baby garments: a crochet baby blanket (I posted about it earlier and it's almost finished! Can't wait to show you the finished blanket), baby booties and baby hat.

Knitted baby booties

September 22, 2014

Knitted Slipper Boots

Snitted Slippers
Knitted slipper boots

Fall has arrived here in southern Ontario, and we already had a couple of cold and rainy days. So when a lady on my local Facebook group posted about similar knitted slipper boots recently and her post got more then 100 comments, I got so inspired that I needed to make them.

I knitted them with Red Heart brand bulky yarn.

I used this free pattern by Yuko Nakamura to make the slipper part. And I used this free pattern by Garnstudio to knit the cuffs.

Knitted slippers

Knitted slippers


The good thing about them is - they would fit any size from pre-teen to ladies size 9 as they are very stretchy. I added two chocolate colour buttons as a little finishing touch. Let me know how you like them :-)

Lili
*Please do not re-publish photos as your own.*



September 08, 2014

Ukrainian Style Pickled Tomatoes

Ukrainean style pickled tomatoes
Ukrainian style preserved tomatoes
I am feeling very excited about my blog post today :-) It is a recipe of Ukrainian style preserved tomatoes (with vinegar, sugar and salt).

Almost every mom and baba (grandma) in Ukraine makes these in summer. I have been making these Ukrainian style pickled tomatoes for three years now. My family loves them, and there is never enough for the winter.

I make these at the end of summer when I can get a bushel of really nice roma tomatoes. I got mine from a local farmer this summer.

August 24, 2014

Crochet Fox

Frochet fox pattern
Crochet fox with link to pattern
This crochet fox is so handsome - I fell in love once I saw him online. In fact, I was so obsessed of making him, that I managed to crochet him within 24 hours. The author of this toy is Maria Chuchkalova from Russia, and here is the free pattern in Russian on her great blog (use "translate" button if you are using Google Chrome). I was among the lucky crocheters who tried out her pattern first.
My daughter gave him a name: Mister Whiskers even though I did not make any :-) And look - he has some clothes to wear too:
Crochet fox patternCrochet fox pattern

Crochet fox pattern
Have a great day!
Lili

August 11, 2014

Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

free crochet dishcloth pattern
Free crochet dishcloth pattern
This crochet dishcloth pattern is so simple yet beautiful! It uses three basic crochet stitches (chain, single crochet and double crochet) and is perfect first project for a beginner crocheter. I love the rich texture of this pattern!

I used Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn and hook F (3.75 mm) to make this dishcloth.

Abbreviations: ch - chain, sc - single crochet, dc - double crochet

Ch 25
Row 1: insert the hook in the third ch from hook and work *1sc and 1dc in the same stitch, skip next stitch*, repeat around, turn
Row 2 -21: ch1, skip one stitch, *1sc and 1dc in the same stitch, skip next stitch*, repeat around, turn

Work 21 rows or until desired. Fasten off and weave in ends. Enjoy! Yes, it is that easy to make!

Lili

*Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.*
Free crochet dishcloth pattern



August 07, 2014

Free Crochet Square Pattern


Free crochet square pattern
Free crochet square pattern
I would like to share this free crochet square pattern with you. With all the fall projects popping up all over the internet lately, is it too late for a summery project? :-)

No, said I, and designed this simple and colorful crochet square pattern.

August 01, 2014

Knitted Flower Bookmark

Knitted Flower
Knitted bookmark with link to pattern

During last week I felt melancholic and I felt like knitting :-)

I was thinking about the difference between crocheting and knitting for me personally. These crafts are so similar and different at the same time.

And I was finally able to verbalize it: knitting is a much slower process, more personal, whimsical, an act of meditation and relaxation. Crocheting in my personal world is much more energetic, faster, straightforward, optimistic.

So maybe that is why I like to crochet with optimistic cotton and knit with whimsical wool? :-) I also found myself choosing the colors accordingly to the above attributes.

July 27, 2014

Crochet Dinosaur Hat Pattern

Dinosaur crochet pattern
Free dinosaur hat pattern
I was recently asked by a friend of mine to crochet a dinosaur hat for her son. Here is what I came up with. Doesn't he look friendly? :-) The hat shown in picture is for a child (4T-8Y). I would like to share this crochet dinosaur hat pattern with you. 

Crochet Dinosaur Hat Pattern

July 20, 2014

Pink Sock Monkey

Sock Monkey
Crochet sock monkey with link to pattern
Everybody seems to love sock monkeys! While sewing one is still on my to-do list, I love how this crochet one turned out. I used this free pattern and Caron Sipmly Soft yarn to make him. The colors are: Baby Pink for the body, and Red, Off White and Mango for stripes and head. I embroidered his smile instead of crocheting red lips as suggested in the pattern. I used a 3.75 mm hook (seems to be my favorite hook to crochet :-)

Happy sock monkeying everyone!
Sock Monkey
Lili

July 13, 2014

Crochet Owls

Crochet Owl

I crocheted these owls last year as a handmade addition to my daughter's teacher's gifts. I used this free pattern to make them. The pattern is in Russian, but easy to translate with Google translate. I added crocheted eyes instead of using felt.
I made several owls later using the same pattern for body, but I crocheted wings differently.
Crochet Owl

Lili

June 30, 2014

Free Crochet Coasters Pattern



Crochet Coasters
Free crochet coasters pattern

These bright crochet coasters are easy to make and they make me happy just looking at them.

I used Lily Sugar and Cream yarn in colors Warm Brown, Hot Green, Tangerine, Hot Blue and a 4 mm hook to crochet these coasters.

Coasters are worked with two strands of yarn together. They measure approx. 4 in across.

June 29, 2014

Crochet Market Bag

Crochet Market Tote
I crocheted this market bag using Lily Sugar and Cream Soft Violet yarn and 4 mm hook.
The pattern is by Daisy Cottage Designs. I changed the way the handle is made as I didn't want to cut off the yarn in the middle of the handle.

I really like how the bag turned out, it matches the colors of my daughter's room perfectly.

Crochet Market Tote

Lili


Crochet Cupcake Pin Cushion


Crochet Cupcake
I love cupcakes and I love pin cushions. And I love to crochet. Check out this cupcake pin cushion I recently made.
I used Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton yarn in Warm Brown, Robins Egg, Red and White and hook 3.75mm (F).
For this crochet project I used a free pattern available here


Crochet Cupcake

Crochet Cupcake

Crochet Cupcake
Lili

June 27, 2014

Free Mason Jar Cozy Crochet Pattern



Mason Jar Cozy Pattern
Free Mason jar cozy crochet pattern
I would like to share this crochet mason jar cozy pattern with you. It would make a great crochet teachers or hostess gift. Or brighten up your own kitchen or craft room with these happy colors.

This crochet jar cozy is for standard 500 ml (2cups) mason jar. I used 3.75 mm hook (F) and Lily Sugar and Cream yarn for this pattern.

Colors are as follows:
Color A: Hot green
Color B: In Motion
Color C: Hot Pink
Color D: Tangerine

Abbreviations: R – round, ch – chain, sc – single crochet, sl st – slip stitch

The first five rounds are worked in spiral. Use a stitch marker to mark the end of the round.

With color A.
1R: Start with a magic ring. 8 sc into ring (8)
2R: 2sc in each sc around (16)
3R: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next stitch*, repeat from * to *around (24)
4R: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in each of next two stitches*, repeat from * to *around (32)
5R: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in each of next three stitches*, repeat from * to *around (40)
6R: ch 1,*2sc in next stitch, ch1, skip one stitch*, repeat from * to *around, join with a sl st to the first sc of the round (60)
7R: ch1, *2sc in the space between two sc, ch1*, repeat from * to *around, join with a sl st to the first sc of the round (60)
8R-9R: same as 7R

Change the color to B.
10R-14R: same as 7R

Change to color C.
15R – 16R: same as 7R

Change to color D.
17R-21R: same as 7R

22R: Working from left to right work one reverse sc in every other sc around. Fasten off and weave in ends.
*Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.*


Mason Jar Cozy Pattern

Mason Jar Cozy Pattern

Mason Jar Cozy Pattern
 Enjoy your new jar cozy!

Lili





June 25, 2014

Welcome to Mango Tree Crafts

I am passionate about crafts and all things handmade. I  have done handmade things for most of my life. My mom thought me how to knit and crochet. I remember hand sewing toys from an amazing pattern book: dash hounds, monkeys, puppies - I repurposed old sweaters and dresses to make them. I made a big knit clown and a crochet snake when I was a teenager, and  put them on my bookshelf and on my bed as room decor.
I will be sharing my crochet and other crafts projects with you, and I hope you will enjoy them!

Lili