Aaptyachi Pane, Bauhinia Racemosa leaves, Dasara Special Leaves 

Fig 1

Hi friends,
Today is a festival in India namely Dasara / Vijaya Dashami/ Dashahara. It is celebrated every year at the end of Navaratri. It is the 10th day of Ashwin, the month of the Hindu calender year. It is observed to celebrate the victories, one victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasur and secondly victory of Rama over Ravan. in short victory of Good over Evil.

The ways of celebrating Dasara are different in different parts of India. In Maharashtra the old tradition is to cross the territory of our village in the evening, till to get the Shammi tree or Aapta tree that is Bauhinia Racemosa  tree. The leaves of this tree are carried to home and it is customary to offer these leaves to elder persons of our family to express gratitude towards them or to the respectable friends to express your love and care for them. That day these leaves are symbolised as and also called as GOLD. This is also a medical plant and thus the day underlines the importance of this tree.
Also in ancient India, generally kings used to worshipped the wapons, called "Ayudh Puja", but now a days people worship their tools, for example equippments in farms, equippments at home.

I think that it is just the festival parallel to "Thanks giving day" in USA. Conceptually the both festivals we learn to respect elders and also we understand the importance of togetherness.

So on this occassion I made crochet Bauhinia Racemosa leaves. Hope that every one will like this innovative idea.

You can make these leaves and give these everlasting leaves to your beloved elder to express your everlasting love and respect towards them.
Pattern: 

Ch 8

R1: sc 1 in next two sts, dc 1 in next st, dc 2 in next st, tr 1 in next st, dc 1 in next st, hdc 3 in corner st, dc 1 in next, tr 1 in next, dc 2 in next, dc 1 in next, sc 1 in last.

R2: hdc 2 in corner st, dc 2 in each of the next two sts, tr 3 in next st, tr 2 in each of the next two sts, dc 2 in next, hdc 1 next, skip 1 st, sl st in corner st below, skip 1 st, hdc 1 in next, dc 2 in next, tr 2 in eachof the next two sts, tr 3 in next, dc 2 in each of the next two sts, hdc 2 in next, sl st below the corner.

R3: ch 3, dc 2 in same st, (dc 1 in each of the next 5 sts, dc 3 in next) repeat one more time, hdc 1 in next, sl st in next, sl st below next st,sl st in next, hdc 1 in next, ( dc 3 in next st, dc 1 in each of the next 5 sts) repeat one more times, dc 2 in next ch 2 join by sl st with the corner st below.

By slip st shift the yarn to other end, ch 5, BO.

The following video may help you,

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity

Ganeshji Made by Crochet Leaves Part 2

Fig 1

Hello friends, 

In the first part of this we have seen two types of leaves small size and middle size. In this part I have given the patterns for two types of big leaves, one for face and other for body.

Big Size Leaf:

Ch 31

R1: Sl st1 in each of the next 5 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 1 in each of the

next 4 sts, dc1 in each of the next 5 sts, dc 2 in each of the next 2 sts, tr 1 in each of the

next 10 sts, tr 9 in edge st, place marker in the middle st, tr 1 in each of the next 10

sts, dc 2 in each of the next 2 sts, dc 1 in each of the next 5 sts, hdc 1 in each of the

next 4 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, sl st in next 2 sts, turn

R2: Sl st1 in the next st, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 6 sts,

dc1 in each of the next 9 sts, (tr2 in the next st, tr 1 in the next st) 5 times, dc 2 in next

st, hdc 1 in the next st, sl st 1 in next 3 sts including edge st, place marker in the

middle st, hdc 1 in the next st, dc 2 in the next st, (tr 1 in the next st,tr2 in the next) 5

times, dc 1 in each of the next 9 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 6 sts, sc 1 in each of the

next 3 sts, sl st in next st, turn

R3: Sl st1 in the next st, 2sctog, 2sctog, hdc 1 in each of the next 16 sts, dc1 in each of

the next 10 sts, hdc 2 in each of the next 2 sts, sc 1 in next 2 sts, sc 1 below next st, sc 1

in next 2 sts, hdc 2 in each of the next 2 sts, dc 1 in the next 10 st, hdc 1 in each of the

next 16 sts, sc 2 in the next st, sc 1 in each of the next 2 sts, sl st in next 2 sts, turn

R4: Sl st1 in the next 5 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 5 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 10

sts, (dc2 in the next st, dc1 in the next st) 6 times, hdc 2 in next st, hdc 1 in the next

3sts, sc 1 in next st, sl st in next, sl st below in next, sl st in next st, sc 1 in next st, hdc

1 in the next 3 sts, hdc 2 in the next st, (dc 1 in the next st, dc2 in the next) 6 times,

hdc 1 in each of the next 10 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 5 sts, sl st in next 5 sts, turn

Fig 2

Fig 3

R5: Join yarn skipping 27 sts from marker, (sc1, ch 3,skip 1 st, sc 1 in next st) repeat

till the symmetrical end comes.

See fig 2




Leaf For the Body of Ganeshji:
Ch 26
R1: Sl st1 in each of the next 4 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, hdc 1 in each of the

next 4 sts, dc1 in each of the next 4 sts, (tr 1 in next st, tr 2 in next) 4 times, tr 7 in edge st, (tr 2 in next st, tr 1 in next) 4 times, dc1 in each of the next 4 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, Sl st1 in each of the next 3 sts, Turn

R2: Sl st1 in the next st, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts,

dc2 in each of the next 3 sts, (tr1 in the next st, tr 2 in the next st) 7 times, 2 tr in each of the next 5 sts, (tr2 in the next st, tr 1 in the next st) 7 times, dc2 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 2 sts, Sl st1 in each of the next 1 sts, Turn
R3: Sl st1 in the next 2 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 2 sts, hdc 1 in each of the

next 3 sts, (dc1 in the next st, dc 2 in the next) 3 times, tr 1 in each of the next 21 sts, tr 2 in each of the next 9 sts, tr 1 in 21 sts, (dc2 in the next st, dc 1 in the next) 3 times, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, sc 1 in next st, sl st in next, turn

R4: Sl st1 in the next 2 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 2 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 2

sts, dc 1 in each st till last 3 sts to edge, hdc1, sc1, sl st 1 below, sc 1 hdc 1, dc 1 in each st (as on other side), lastly 1hdc, 1sc, 1 sl st, close.

R5: Join yarn skipping 27 sts from marker, (sc1, ch 3,skip 1 st, sc 1 in next st) repeat

till the symmetrical end comes. Fig 3.

Eyes: In a magic loop, ch 1, sc 6, sl st in first sc, close.
Make two such eyes.
For eye brow, Gandh and a line on trumk make chains of required lengths.
For four small leaves and two middle size leaves, please see my post published on 28th Sep.
Then arrange the 8 leaves as in fig 1.
The following video may help you in making these two leaves.

 ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Ganeshji Made by Crochet Leaves Part 1:

Fig 1

Hello friends,
In India, particularly in Hindu religion there are number of Gods, just as Shri Ram, Shivaji, Durga devi etc. But Ganeshji is the God who is worshiped before worshiping any other God. Also in Maharashtra there is great festival of Ganeshji for 10 days and the festival is celebrated both personally and publicly.

The history behind the birth of Ganapati or Ganesh may be found here,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythological_anecdotes_of_Ganesha
Also there are number of ways and variety of styles by which the Ganesh idols are created. Leaf Ganesh is one of them. You can view them at,
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/leaf+ganesha

So when I saw these photos of Ganapati made by leaves, particularly in Fig 2, I decided to make such Ganapati with

Fig 2

crochet and this is the result Fig 1. I change the leaves, instead of Pimpal leaves as in fig 2, I made Jaswand leaves because Jaswand is said to be the favourite flower of Ganesh. Then I also changed the Gandh ( the red spot at the centre of forhead) because male Gods are supposed to put Gandh in U-shape.

There are 8 leaves of four different types made for this Ganesh. Four small leaves, all of same pattern. Then two middle size, one elongated for mouth part and one wide for the body. I used 4 ply wool and 2.5 mm crochet hook.

Small leaf: 

Start with ch 16

R1: Sl st1 in each of the next 3 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, dc1 in each of the next 5 sts,  dc 5 in edge st,  place marker in the middle st, dc 1 in each of the next 5 sts,  hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, , sc 1 in each of the next 2 sts, sl st in next st, turn

R2: Sl st1 in the next st, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, (dc1 in the next st,  dc 2 in next st) 7 times,  hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts,  sl st in next st, turn

R3: Sl st1 in the next st, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, (dc1 in the next st,  dc 2 in next st) 4 times, hdc 2 in each of the next 3 sts,  (dc2 in next st, dc 1 in next st) 4 times, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts,  sl st in next st, turn

R4: Sl st in each of the next 4 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, hdc 1 in each st till edge st (These are 8 hdc), sl st in next, sl st in the below st to next, sl st in next st, hdc 1 in each of the next 8 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, Sl st in each of the next 4 sts. BO

R5: Skip 10 sts from the edge st (that is middle slip st on edge) join yarn, (sc1, ch 3,skip 1 st, sc 1 in next st) repeat till the symmetrical end comes. Fig 3.

Fig 3

Fig 4

Middle Size Leaf

Ch 21

R1: Sl st1 in each of the next 4 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, hdc 1 in each of

the next 4 sts, dc1 in each of the next 7 sts, dc 5 in edge st, place marker in the

middle st,dc 1 in each of the next 7 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, , sc 1 in

each of the next 3 sts, sl st in next st, turn

R2: Sl st1 in next st, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts,

(dc1 in the next st, dc 2 in the next st) 4 times, dc 2 in each of the next 3 sts, (dc

2 in next st, dc 1 in next st) 4 times, hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, , sc 1 in each

of the next 2 sts, sl st in next st, turn

R3: Sl st1 in next st, hdc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, dc1 in each of the next 4 st,

(tr 1 in next st, tr 2 in next st) 5 times, tr 2 in each of the next 5 sts, (tr 2 in next

st, tr 1 in next st) 5 times, dc 1 in each of the next 4 sts, , hdc 1 in each of the

next 3 sts, sl st in next 2 sts, turn

R4: Sl st1 in each of the next 2 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 1 in each of

the next 4 sts, (dc1 in next st, dc 2 in the next) 6 times, hdc 1 in each of the next

4 sts, sl st in next st, sl st in the st below next st, sl st in the next, hdc 1 in each of

the next 4 sts, (dc 2 in next st, dc 1 in the next) 6 times, hdc 1 in each of the next

4 sts, sc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, sl st in next, BO.

R5: Join yarn skipping 20 sts from marker, (sc1, ch 3,skip 1 st, sc 1 in next st)

repeat till the symmetrical end comes.
Make such two leaves. See fig 4. 

The following video may help you.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Some Food Items on Banana Leaf Part 2

Fig 1

Hello friends,
The remaining items on this banana leaf, (fig 1) particularly sweets, I will explain in this post.

There are three sweets in the plate, first Modak, second is Shrikhand in bowl and Jalebee. Then one bhajee in the bowl also yet to make. So first we shall see, how to make those two bowls, generally used for liquid items in the plate.

Katori: Vati: Small Bowl for Sweet:

R1: In a magic loop ch2, dc 12,close by slip stitch in the first dc, (12sts)

R2: Ch 2, dc 2 in each st, (24 sts),close

R3: ch 2 dc 1 in each st, close (24 sts)

R4: Crab st in each st.

Putsome small pieces of yallow wool in that katori as sweet dish, "Shrikhand" then cut 2-3 dark orange coloured wool pieces and put it on shrikhand as "Kesar" Saffron.
Actually bowl in fig 2 is small but because of close up it looks big.

Fig 2

Fig 3

Big Bowl for Soup: 

R1: In a magic loop ch2, dc 12,close by slip stitch in the first dc, (12sts)

R2: Ch 2, dc 2 in each st, (24 sts),close
R3: Ch 2, dc 2 in same st, (dc 1 in next, dc 2 in next) repeat, (36 sts).


R4: ch 2 dc 1 in each st, close (36 sts)
R5: As R4

R6: Crab st in each st.

Put yellow and green fine pieces of wool as daal then again 3-4 pieces of green wool as coriandor, and make one peanut as follows,
Ch4, incomplete 3 dc in first ch, YO and pass through all of them. See fig 3.

Put it on the daal.

Fig 4

Fig 5

Jalebee: Make an i-cord with orange colour yarn with length 12", see fig 4 then place it circularly as shown in fig 5. 
Fir crochet i-cord, you may refer the youtube,

Modak: Another sweet item which I have already explained in my one of the previous post,

https://alkaandart.blogspot.com/search?q=Modak

So the whole dish is served, now ready to eat 😋.

You may also refer this video for bowls and sweet and soup in them.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Some Food Items on Banana Leaf Part 1

Fig 1

This is one more wedding Rukhawat item. It is Naivedya taat. In India in all rituals after the prayer (puja) food items are served to God before we eat. Many people dailly also first serve it to God and then they eat. Generally in rituals it is done on banan leaf.

Please read my post,
https://alkaandart.blogspot.com/search?q=Banana+leaf

So in above post I have already shown that how I made crochet banana leaf. Now different food items on that are also made.

In Indian culture, how to place all items in the plate or how to serve the food items has also some rules or science behind it. For details of this please read,
https://www.facebook.com/full2knowledge/posts/3424859891127074/ (in Marathi)
http://www.madhurasrecipe.com/healthy/How-to-serve-food-in-plate----Marathi-Recipe

Fig 2

Fig 3

Rice is offered always in a special shape called (Rice- Mud)

Rice: Bhatachi Mud:

R1: In a magic loop ch2, dc 12,close by slip stitch in the first dc, (12sts)

R2: Ch 2, dc 2 in each st, (24 sts),close

R3: ch 2, dc 1 in same st, (dc 2 in next st, dc 1 in next) repeat till end, close (36 sts)

R4: ch 2, dc 1 in each st, (36 sts)close

R5: ch 2, dc 1 in same st, (2dctog, dc 1 in next st) repeat till end, close, (24 sts)

R6:ch2, 2dctog repeat till end, close (12 sts)

Pass yarn through all sts and BO. See fig 2

Daal being in liquid form when offered with rice it always goes down as in fig 3.

Daal: Varan: 

 R1: In a magic loop ch2, dc 12,close by slip stitch in the first dc, (12sts) 

 R2: ch 2, hdc 2 in each st, close(12 sts) ch 3

R3: ,dc 1 in each of the next 2 sts, ch 3 turn,

R4: As R3

R5: dc 1 in each of the next 2 sts See fig 2.
Attach it to rice by 3-4 invisible stitches with yellow.
Put some fine white pieces of white yarn as a ghee on rice and daal as in fig 3.

Fig 4

Fig 5

Potatos are boiled and then cutting in pieces it's bhaji is made.

Batatyachi Bhaji:

Ch 5, tr 3 in first ch, (4sts)

ch 3, turn,

incomplete tr in each st, YO and pass through all sts Join with the first ch cast on.

Make such 5-6 pieces

Spread 2-3 small pieces of red and green wool on this. See fig 4

Rotis are not offered as a whole, generally it is cut in 4 pieces and two are offered at a time.

Roti: Poli:

With cream colour make ch 4 dc 3 in first ch, (4 sts)

R2: ch 2, dc 2 in first and last st, dc 1 in all middle sts, (6sts) ch 2 turn 

R3: ch 2, dc 1 in same st,(dc 2 innext, dc 1 in next) repeat, ch 2 turn,(9sts)

R4: ch 2 dc 1 in same st, dc 1 in next st, (dc 2 in next, dc 1 in each of the next 2 sts) repeat ( 12 sts) ch 2 turn,

R5:  ch 2 dc 1 in same st, dc 1 in next 2 sts, (dc 2 in next, dc 1 in each of the next 3 sts) repeat ( 15 sts) ch 2 turn,

R6:  ch 2 dc 1 in same st, dc 1 in next 3 sts, (dc 2 in next, dc 1 in each of the next 4 sts) repeat ( 18 sts) ch 2 turn,

R7:  ch 2 dc 1 in same st, dc 1 in next 4 st, (dc 2 in next, dc 1 in each of the next 5 sts) repeat ( 21 sts) ch 2 turn,

Jalebee:

Make i-cord    inches and round it to form jalebee.

Put some white pieces as salt.then green piecesas chatani.

For remaining items please wait till my next post.....
The following video may help you to make this banana thali.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Night Flowering Jasmine, Parijat Flowers

Fig 1

Hello friends,
Here are night flowering jasmine flowers. It's Indian name is Parijat. They are beautiful and delicate too. There are so many stories about this tree and it's flower in Indian mythology. This tree is supposed to come out from the ocean at the time of Samudha Manthan. About Samudra Manthan you can read here,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudra_manthan

The colour of the stem orange, is used for formation of Natural colours. This is also medicated plant. On request of subscribers of my channel "Kalopasak",  I made these flowers.

Fig 2

Fig 3

Pattern: With orange colour, make ch 1 and sc 6 in magic loop and close with sl st in first sc.

Add caption

Petal: Join white yarn, [make ch 7 and sc 1 in each of the 5 sts starting from second st, then sl st in the last ch (5 sts).
Sl st 1 on the first white st, sc 1 in each of next 2 sts, sl st 1 in next turn,
Sl st 1 in next, sc 1, sl st 1,
Sc 1 in the next orange st.] See fig 2
Repeat from [ to ] and make 4 more petals. See fig 3 to start second petal.
BO and pull the yarn on back side, hide the thread.
With orange yarn make ch 4 and sc 1 in each st starting from second.
Then make 1" i-cord with orange colour for stem. For i-cord you may refer,

 I have inserted the piece of plastic tooth pick, you may insert small iron wire.BO.
The following video may help you to make these flowers.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Crochet Kumkum Box: Kuiri:

Fig 1

Hello friends,

This is another item of my aarti plate. (For aarti plate explanation please see, 

https://alkaandart.blogspot.com/search?q=aarti+plate

In Indian culture and in religeous rituals (Puja). Vermillion and turmeric (called haladi - kumkum) have special importance. Medically also termeric is very useful antiseptic and supposed to be most pure substance. Moreover it's yellow colour stands for sacrifice and sesuality. Vermillion or kumkum is made from termeric and lead. It's red colour symbolises power and energy of woman.

There are variety of designs and shapes for the pots, containing haldi kumkum but traditionally the three in fig 2,3 and 4 are most common. Attached pots or two seperate karande (boxes) or kuiri (what we made)

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig 4

Among all these shapes what we call kuiri, is the last one which has two or three compartments. If it has three compartments then Akshat is places in the third one. But we made here kuiri with only two compartments.

Pattern: Start with ch 5
R1: sc 2 in the second and last ch from hook, sc 1 in each of the middle 2 sts (6sts), ch 1 turn,
R2: sc 2 in first and last st, sc 1 in each of the middle sts, (8 sts), ch 2 turn,
R3: hdc 2 in first and last st, hdc 1 in each of the middle sts, (10 sts), ch 2 turn,
R4: dc 2 in the first st, dc 1 in all other sts, (11 sts) ch 2 turn,
R5: dc 1 in each of the nine sts, 2dctog in last two sts, (10 sts), ch 2 turn,
R6: 2dctog in first two and last two sts, dc 1 in all middle sts, (8sts) ch 1 turn,
R7: 2sctog in first two and last two sts, sc 1 in each of the middle sts, (6 sts), ch 1 turn,
R8: 2sctog in first two sts, sc 1 in each of the remaining sts, (5 sts), ch1 turn,
R9: As R8, (4sts), ch1 turn,
R10: As R8, (3sts), ch 1 turn,
R11: sc1, hdc 1, dc 2 in last st. BO.

Join yarn at the centre of the starting 5 chains, make ch 3, slip stitch in second and third st, BO.

Make two such pieces.
 Then make chains whose length equals to the outline of the above part in fig 5. Make sc 1 in each st. That will be the side wall, see fig 7. Then make the chains of length equal to the required compartment. See fig 6. Here also make sc 1 in each st. Sew these two parts to the proper places.Then sew another mango shape only at the top of this. For sewing take the help of following video.

Fig 5

Fig 6

Fig 7

Fig 8

If the lead of the box is closed then it will look as in fig 8.

Now make very fine pieces of scrab yellow and red yarn and put it in two different compartments. See fig 6.

The following video may help you to make this.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.