My Experiments with Kutch Work / Kutch Embroidery

Kutch is a traditional embroidery form of Gujarat, a state in India.
Kutch Work or Kutchi work as known among the locals involves the use of lots of mirrors and cotton or silk thread and is worked on cotton or silk fabric.

There are different kinds of Kutch Work depending on the materials used and the type of stitches or even patterns used.

The six types of Kutch Embroidery are:

Soof Embroidery
Kharek
Paako
Rabari
Garasia Jat
Mutava
(source wkipedia)

Each type of embroidery is a distinct form involving various stitches and/ or mirror work.

When I started learning Kutch Work few days back, I had thought that it involves only interlacing stitches and mirror work.

After much research, now I know that there is more to it. Other stitches that are done in Kutch Work are- Satin stitch, Buttonhole, chain stitch etc.

Finally, after some trial and error I succeeded in working  few motifs.

The perfect single diamond among the lot.

This is my favourite.I love the way it looks.

This would make an elegant border for any embroidery project.

Kutch work is a type of interlacing stitch where in, interlacing is done on foundation stitches. These foundation stitches are similar to either herringbone stitch or cretan stitch.

Lot more to learn.....

DIY Journal Cover

I have always wanted to decorate my journals beautifully.

Years back I have even used scrap fabric to make covers for my notebooks.

This video is one such simple and easy to make journal cover that even kids will love making it.

Happy Crafting!

Heart Friendship Bracelet

An easy to make bracelet that requires readily available and very few materials would make a wonderful gift to anyone on this Valentine's Day.

It will make a great DIY for kids

Here is the video that explains How to make this bracelet.

Cecilia Rose Needle Painting

I was part of the stitch along conducted by Amina at Stitch Floral . Her version of this rose is simply awesome.

Stitches used here are:

• Long and Short stitch
• Split Stitch
• French knots

I had posted about needle painting on this blog some years back.

• The Tulips
• Long and Short Stitch

Another view of this fabulous piece.

Happy Stitching!!

Heart Doily Crochet Pattern

After I got some requests for this pattern I am posting it now. The introductory post can be found here and know why I am posting the pattern bit by bit.

Disclaimer: This is not my pattern. I am trying to figure out the pattern from a doily crocheted by me few years back. If there are any questions or mistakes in the pattern, feel free to write to me.

So, here we start with the Crochet Heart Doily pattern.

The Center Flower

Crochet terms (US terminology)

• Dc cluster- dc5tog with an extra chain
• Shell stitch- dc5, ch3, dc5
• Ch- chain
• Sc - single crochet stitch
• Dc- double crochet
• Sp st- split stitch

Chain 15, join to form a ring.

Row 1 - ch 8, 3dc in the ring, ( ch5, 3 dc in the ring) 10 times, ch5, 2 dc, join to 3rd chain.

Row 2- slip stitch twice into the ch5 of previous row, ch5, dc cluster into the same ch5 of previous row, ( ch5, dc cluster into next ch5) 11 times, ch5, join with 3 rd ch of beg ch3

Row 3- slip stitch into the first ch5 space of previous row, ch3, dc 4 into the first ch5 space, (ch5, dc5 into the next ch5 space)  11 times, ch5, join with the 3rd chain of beg ch3

Row 4- split stitch into the 1st 2 dc, ch1, split st into next 2 dc and into the ch5 space, ch3, dc4, ch3, dc5 into the first ch5 space of the previous row, (sc into the 3rd dc, shell stitch into the next ch5 space)
11 times, join with the beg ch1 and also to 3rd ch of next ch3.

Row 5- split stitch into 1st 4 dc, split stitch twice into the ch3 space, ch12, (sc into the next ch3 space, ch11) 11 times, split stitch twice into the beg ch12 space.

Row 6- (split stitch, ch3, dc 12) in the 1st ch12 space, (dc 13 in the next ch 11 space) 11 times, join to the 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 7- slip stitch in 1st dc, ch3, dc in Back loops only of next 10 dc, ch2, skip 2 dc, (dc in Back loops only of next 11 dc, ch2, skip 2 dc) 10 times, dc in back loops only of next 11 dc, ch2, skip 1 dc, join to the 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 8- slip stitch in 1st dc, ch3, dc in Back loops only of next 8 dc, ch2, skip 1 dc, dc in ch2 space of previous row, ch2, skip 1 dc, (dc in Back loops only of next 9 dc, ch2,  skip 1 dc, dc in ch2  space of previous row skip 1 dc) 10 times, dc in Back loops only of next 9 dc, ch2, dc in ch2 space , ch2, join to 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 9- Ch5, ( dc in Back loops only of next 7 dc, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2 ) 11 times, dc in back loop only of next 7 dc, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2, join to 3rd chain of ch5 of previous row.

Row 10- Ch5, (skip 1st dc, dc in Back loops only of next 5 dc, ch2, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch2, (dc, ch2, dc) in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2) 11 times,  skip next dc,  dc in Back loops only of next 5dc , ch2, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch2, (dc, ch2, dc) in next dc,  ch2, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch5.

Row 11- Ch5, ( dc in 1st dc, ch2, dc in Back loops only of next 3 dc, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2, 4dc in next ch2 space, ch2) 11 times, dc in next dc,  ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in Back loops only of next 3 dc, ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2, 4dc in next ch2 space,  ch2, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch5.

Row 12- Ch5, ( dc in 1st dc,  ch2, dc 3tog in Back loops only, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 4 dc, 2dc in next ch2 space , dc in next dc,  ch2) 11 times, dc in next dc,  ch2, dc 3tog in Back loops only, ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  2 dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 4dc, 2dc in next ch2 space,  join to 3rd ch of the beg ch5.

Row 13- Ch3, [ 2dc in next ch2 space, dc in next dc,  ch2, (dc, ch2, dc) in the dc 3tog of the previous row, ch2, dc in next dc, 2dc in next ch2 space, dc in the back loops only of the next 10dc] 11 times, 2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2, ( dc, ch2,  dc) in the dc 3tog of previous row, ch2,  dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space , dc in Back loops only of next 9dc, join to the 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 14- Ch3, dc in Back loops only of next 3dc,  ( 2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 16dc) 11 times, 2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 12 dc, join to the 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 15- Ch3, dc in Back loops only of 1st 5dc, ( ch2,  skip 1 dc, dc in ch2 space of previous row, ch2,  skip 1 dc,  dc in Back loops only of next 20dc) 11 times,  ch2,  skip 1dc, dc in previous ch2 space, ch2,  skip 1 dc,  dc in Back loops only of next 14 dc, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 16- Ch3, dc in Back loops only of 1st 4dc,  [( ch2,  skip 1dc, (dc,  ch2, dc) in next dc,  ch2,  skip next dc,  dc in Back loops only of next 18dc) 11 times, ch2,  skip next dc,  (dc, ch2, dc) in next dc,  ch2,  skip 1dc,  dc in Back loops only of next 13dc, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 17- Ch3,  dc in Back loops only of next 3dc, (ch2,  dc in next dc) 2times, ch2,  dc in next 2dc, ch2,  dc in Back loops only of next 16dc] 11times,  ( ch2,  dc in next dc) 2 times, ch2,  dc in next 2dc, ch2,  dc in Back loops only of next 12dc, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 18- Ch3,  dc in Back loops only of next 2dc, [(ch2, dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in ch2 space of previous row, dc in next dc,  ( ch2,  dc in next dc) 2times, ch2, dc in Back loops only of next 14dc] 11 times, (ch2, dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in ch2 space of previous row, dc in next dc,  ( ch2,  dc in next dc) 2times, ch2, dc in Back loops only of next 11dc, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 19- Ch3,  dc in Back loop of next dc,  ( ch2,  skip 1dc,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 4dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2,  skip 1dc,  dc in Back loops only of next 12 dc) 11 times,  ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space dc in Back loops only of next 4dc, 2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  skip 1dc,  dc in Back loops only of next 10dc, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 20- Ch5,  dc in next dc, ( dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space , dc in Back loops only of next 10dc,  2dc in next ch2 space, dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc, ch2, dc in Back loops only of next 10dc, ch2) 11times,  dc in next dc,  ch2, dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 10dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in Back loops only of next 9dc, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch5.

Row 21- Ch5 ,( dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 16dc, 2dc in next ch2 space dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc , ch2,  dc in Back loops only of next 8dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2), 11times,  dc in next dc,  2dc in next ch2 space dc in Back loops only of next 16dc,  2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in Back loops only of next 8dc, ch2, join to 3rd ch of the beg ch5.

Row 22- Ch3, ( 2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in Back loops only of next 22dc, 2dc in next ch2 space,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in Back loops only of next 6dc,  ch2 , dc in next dc, ch2) 12times,  join to 3rd ch of the beg ch3.

Row 23- Ch3, dc in back loops only of next 27 dc, ( Ch2, dc in next dc, Ch2, dc in back loops only of next 4 dc, ch2, dc in back loops only of next 28 dc) 11 times, ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in back loops only of next 4 dc,  ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2, join to 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 24- ch3, dc in back loops only of next 27dc, ( ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2, dc4tog, ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2, dc in back loops only of next 28 dc) 11 times, ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2, dc4tog, ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2, join to the 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 25- ch3, dc in back loops only of next 12dc, ( Ch2, dc in back loops only of next 13dc, ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,( dc, ch2, dc) in the next dc4tog of the previous row, ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in back loops only of next 13dc) 11 times,  ch2, dc in back to loops only of next 13dc, ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2, (dc, ch2, dc) in next dc4tog of the previous row,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  join to the 3rd ch of beginning ch3.

Row 26- ch5, ( skip 2dc, DC in back loops only of next 7dc, ch2,  skip 2dc, dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  skip 2 DC, dc in back loops only of next 7 DC, ch2,  skip 2 dc,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2) 11 times,  skip 2dc, dc in back loops only of next 7 dc,  ch2,  skip 2 dc, dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc, ch2, dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc,  ch2, join to 3rd ch of beg ch5.

Row 27- Ch5, [ (dc in next dc, Ch2, skip 2 dc) 2 times, (dc in next dc, ch2) 3 times,  (dc in next dc, Ch2, skip 2 dc) 2 times, dc in next dc, (ch2, dc in next dc) 6 times, ch2] 11 times, ch2, ( dc in next dc, ch2, skip 2 dc) 2 times, ( dc in dc, ch2 ) 3 times, ( dc in next dc, ch2, skip 2 dc) 2 times, ( dc in dc, ch2) 6 times, join to 3rd ch of beg ch5.

Row 28- ch5, ( dc in next dc,  ch2) 2 times, DC in next dc, [Skip next ch2 space and dc,  ( 4 dc, ch3, 4 dc) in next ch2 space,  skip next dc and ch2 space,  (dc in next dc,  ch2) 4 times, dc in next dc ] 11 times,  skip next ch2 space and dc , (4 dc, ch3, 4dc) next ch2 space, skip next dc and ch2 space, dc in next dc,  ch2, join to 3rd ch of beg ch5.

Row 29- ch5, DC in next dc,  ( ch2,  dc in next dc,  skip next dc and ch2 space,  dc in back loops only of next 4 dc, ch3, dc in next ch3 space, ch3,  dc in back loops only of next 4 dc,  skip next dc and ch2 space , dc in next dc,  ch2,  dc in next dc) 11 times, ch2,  dc in next dc,  skip next dc and ch2 space,  dc in back loops only of next 4 dc, ch3, dc in next ch3 space,  ch3, dc in back loops only of next 4 dc, skip next dc and ch2 space,  join to 3rd ch of beg ch5, 2 sp st into the adjacent ch space of the previous ch5, sp  st into nxt DC.

Row 30- ch3, ( skip ch2 space and dc,  dc in back loops only of next 4dc, 4 dc in next ch3 sp, dc in back loops only of next 4dc,  4 dc in next ch3 sp, dc in back loops only of next  4 dc, ch2, skip next dc and ch2 space,  sc in next dc,  ch2) 11 times, skip next ch2 space and dc,  dc in back loops only of next 4dc, 4 dc in next ch3 sp, dc in back loops only of next 4dc,  4 dc in next ch3 sp, dc in back loops only of next  4 dc, ch2, join to ch3 space of beg ch3, so st into same ch3 space.

Row 31- ch1,  [ ( sc in back loops only of next 2 DC, ch1) 3 times, sc in back loops only of next 2 dc,  ch3, dc4tog, ch3, ( sc in back loops only of next 2 dc, ch1) 3 times, sc in back loops only of next 2 dc,  sc in next ch2 space,  skip next sc,  sc in next ch2 space ] 11 times, sc in back loops only of next 2 DC, ch1) 3 times, sc in back loops only of next 2 dc,  ch3, dc4tog, ch3, ( sc in back loops only of next 2 dc, ch1) 3 times, sc in back loops only of next 2 dc,  sc in next ch2 space, join to ch1 of the beg ch2.

Happy Crocheting!!!!