Mangal Kalash Part 1: Kalash (Puja Item / Rukhawat Item)

Fig 1

Friends,
Last week in India we have one festival known as "Akshay Trutiya". Akshay means never ending, so prosperity, happiness and success should never end. Mangal Kalash, shown in fig 1 is places for SANKALP. It is also the day of remembering our dead beloved persons.
For details, plase read,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akshaya_Tritiya

Fig 2

On this auspicious day, I made this "Crochet Mangal Kalash" which is very important in every special worship of God. Kalash or Kalasham is a metal pot (copper, silver etc) filled with water which holds coconut and mango leaves as shown in fir 2 (by courtesy of Wikipedia).
In this post I will write about Kalash only. Coconut and Mango leaves will be in next post.
Material: For this I used Caron One Pound yarn with light yellow colour (though it looks white in photo 👿). Crochet hook 3.5 mm (though recommended is 5 mm) so that it should not get loose.
 or it should remain tight.
Pattern: R1: In a magic loop , ch 1 and sc 6, close by slip[ stitch in first sc. (6 sts)
R2: ch 1, sc 2 in each st, cl, (12 sts).
R3: ch 1, (sc 2 in one st, sc 1 in next st) repeat, cl, (18 sts)
R4: ch 1, sc 2 in one st, sc 1 in each of the next 2 sts) repeat, cl, (24 sts).
R5: Ch 2, (hdc 2 in one st, hdc 1 in next 3 sts) rep, cl, (30 sts). See fig 3, base is ready.

Fig 3

Fig 4

R6: Work this round in back loop. ch 3, (dc 2 in one st in back loop, dc 1 in each of the next 5 sts all in back loop) cl, (35 sts), fig 4.
R7: ch3, (dc 2 in one st, dc 1 in each of the next 6 sts) rep, cl, (40 sts)
R8: ch3, (dc 2 in one st, dc 1 in each of the next 7 sts) rep, cl, (45 sts). See fig 5.
R9: ch3, (hdc 2 in one st, hdc 1 in each of the next 8 sts) rep, cl, (50 sts)

R10: Work only in back loop.

Fig 5

Fig 6

ch3, (dc 2 in one st, dc 1 in each of the next 9 sts) rep, cl, (55 sts). Fig 6.
R11: ch3, (dc 2 in one st, dc 1 in each of the next 10 sts) rep, cl, (60 sts)
R12: ch 2, hdc 1 in each st, cl (60 sts)
R13: Work only in back loop. ch 2, (dc 1 in 4 sts, 2dctog next) rep, cl (50 sts)
R14: ch 2, (dc 1 in 8 sts, 2dctog) rep, cl (45 sts)
R15: ch 1, (sc 1 in one st, 2sctog next) rep, cl, (30 sts)

Fig 7

Fig 8

Fig 9

R16: ch 2, hdc 1 in each st,, cl, (30 sts)
R17: Same as R16, (30 sts)
R18: ch 1, (sc 1 in each of the next two sts, sc 2 in next) rep, cl, (40 sts)
R19: ch 2, (hdc 1 in each of the next 3 sts, hdc 2 in next) rep, cl, (50 sts)

The following video may help you.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Crochet Lace Edging 2, for handkerchief, Napkin, Dupatta, Curtain etc

Fig 1

Hello friends,
Lock down period is really very hard. I can't imagine that if I am not engaged with crocheting, knitting then how boaring my life would be! Thanks God and thanks my Mom who developed my hobbies like these.

Yesterday I made this lace edging to the handkerchief. It really looks so beautiful that no one could dare to use it and lost it by chance 😂. But I made it for gifting to some one.

The thread used here is Hobby India thread by Ganga. It is nice and little silky so, have some glaze also.

I used 1.5 mm steel crochet hook.
The handkerchief has already picot made on all four sides.

Fig 2

Fig 3

 Pattern: R1: (sc 1, ch 2 skip some space as required for ch 2), repeat till end. Note that by little adjusting the distance we make sc 1 in each corner.

R2: ch 3, dc3 in each ch 2-gap, at corner dc 3 extra, cl

R3: ch 1, sc 1 in same st, [ch 5, skip 5 sts, shell in next st

Fig 4.

Fig 5

(shell: dc 2, ch 3, dc 2), ch 5 , skip 5 sts, sc 1 in next st] repeat till end, at corner sc 1 on sc. For corner please see fig 5.

R4: [ sc 1 on ch 5 space, (tr1, ch 1) 7 times in ch 3-space of previous round shell, ch 1, sc 1 on ch 5- space, ] repeat till end, cl

R5: sc 1 in each of the four spaces, [(ch 5, sc 1 in 4th ch, join by sc 1 in next gap) repeat 5 times, sc 1 in each of the 4 gaps of ch 1 in between 2 trebles] repeat, cl.

Bind off.

The beautiful handkerchief lace edging is complete, see fig 1.
The following video may help you.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Katekoranti, Barleria Prionitis, Porcupine Flowers

Fig 1

Hi friends,
Here are new crochet flowers. We call these flowers Katekoranti (as the plant has thorns in Marathi Kate). Fig 2. The idol shown in the photo is the dancing pose of Lord Shiva, called Natraj. Details about it can be seen here,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja
This sclupture is the symbol of Lord of Dance and Dramatic arts. We can say that the symbol is also the Lord of all arts in general including our knitting, crochet etc. Hence I adore him by offering my creation, "Crochet Porcupine Flowers".

These flowers are found in every next door in India. They are found in different colours which are very attractive among which yellow, white and purple are most common.

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig 4

The flower is small, 2" in height. So I used 3 ply yarn (white, yellow and purple colours) for this and 1.5 mm crochet hook. I also tried with usual 4 ply wool the flower looks beautiful but it's height became 2.5 mm.
My first try was in round, so I made 5 chs and make a ring but being 3 ply yarn and only 5 sts, it became very hard. So I decided to work it in rows and then sew.
Pattern:  White white yarn, make 6 chains.
R1: sc 1 in each st starting from second, (5sts). Join purple yarn. ch 1 turn,
R2:sc 1 in each st, ch 1 turn (5sts). Fig 3.
R3 to R8 same as R2. (5 sts). Fig 4.

Fig 5

Fig 6

Fig 7

R9: (sc 2, sc 1 in next st) twice, sc 2 in last st, ch 1 turn, (8 sts), fig 5.R10: (sc 1 in next 2 sts, sc 2 in next) twice, sc 1 in last 2 sts, (10 sts) ch 1 turn, fig 6.
R11: (sc2, sc 1) repeat till end, (15 sts), ch 1 turn, fig 7.
R12: sc 1 in each st, (15 sts), ch 1 turn,
R13: same as R12.

Fig 8

R14: Work only on 3 sts to make first petal, [(sc 1 in each st, ch 1 turn) two times, sc 1 in each st, ch 2 turn, incomplete dc in next 2 sts, YO and pass through all 3 sts on hook. BO. First petal made. Fig 8.
Now join new yarn at 4 th st in R12 and make second petal. Then join at 7th, 10th and

Fig 9

Fig 10

13th sts and make remaining petals.
Then sew it, first two sts with white yarn and then by purple yarn till the 13th row.
Now for filaments, I simply make a knot and passed the yarn through tapestry needle and just passed inside from centre and then hide the yarm. Made such 2/ 3 filaments.
The beautiful flower is ready. 
ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.
The following video with English subtitles may help you.

Tambya Bhand: Water Vessela for Lunch / Dinner

Fig 1

Hi friends,
This time I have made a very different item, Tambya - Bhand. Many of my friends out side India may not know, what is this. So it is just a pot for water water or water container at the time of meal (either lunch or dinner). For digestion it is very important to drink water during meal or after meal. Due to water only we can absorb nutrients in our meal. In Maharashtra, to make the whole arrangement for lunch or dinner is called "Pat-pani", means other than food items we have to take Pat (for sittingon ground (in old days there were not dinning tables, so people used to sit on ground on Paat, see fig2, that wooden red thing on which they sat is called Pat) and the white square marked is the water container, called Loti or Tambya and Bhand means metal glass to drink water.

Fig 2

we have already seen, how to make crochet banana leaf and the food items on that. Please read my previous post,
1. Bananan leaf:   https://alkaandart.blogspot.com/search?q=banana+leaf
2. Food items on banana leaf part 1:
https://alkaandart.blogspot.com/search?q=some+food+items+banana+leaf
3. part 2,
post on 20th Sep 2019.

Fig 3

Fig 4

Fig 5

Fig 6

Fig 7

Fig 8

So in this post I told you, how I made this water container and glass, fig 3.For this we use 6 ply thick yarn, 3.5 mm crochet hook.
Pattern:
R1: In a magic loop make ch 1, sc6, cl by sl st in first sc, (6 sts).

Fig 9

R2: ch 1, sc 2 in each st, cl (12 sts).
R3: ch 1, (sc2, sc1) repeat, cl, (18 sts)
R4: ch 1, (sc2, sc1 in 2 sts) repeat, cl, (24 sts). Fig 4.
R5: ch 2, (hdc2, hdc1 in two sts) repeat, cl, (32 sts). Fig 5.
R6: ch 3, work in back loop, (dc1 in 3 sts, dc2 in next), repeat, cl, (40 sts). Fig 6.
R7: as R6 (50 sts)
R8: ch2, hdc 1 in each st, cl, (50 sts). Fig 7.

Fig 10

Fig 11

R9: work in back loop, ch 3, dc1 in each st, cl (50 sts).
R10: ch 3, dc1 in each st, cl (50 sts)
R11 and R12 same as R10.
See fig 8.
R13: ch2, hdc1 in each st, cl, (50 sts)
R14: work in back loop, ch 3, dc 1 in next 5 sts, (2dctog, dc 1 in next 6 sts) repeat till 2 sts remain, dc 1 in each of them., cl, (44sts).
R15: ch2, (2dctog) repeat till end, cl, (22 sts). Fig 9.
R16: ch 2, hdc 1 in each st, cl (22 sts).
R17: work in back loop, hdc 1 in each st, cl (22 sts).
R18: ch1, (sc 2 in next st, sc 1 in next) repeat, cl, (33 sts). Fig 10.
R19: ch 1, sc 2 in next, sc 1 in next 2 sts) repeat, cl, (44 sts)
Bind off. Hide the yarn ends. See fig 11.

Fig 12

Fig 13

Fig 14

Fig 15

Bhand / Glass:
R1: In a magic loop make ch 1, sc6, cl by sl st in first sc, (6 sts).
R2: ch 1, sc 2 in each st, cl (12 sts).
R3: ch 1, (sc2, sc1) repeat, cl, (18 sts)
R4: ch 2, (hdc 2 in next st, hdc 1 in each of the next 2 sts,) repeat, cl, (24 sts)
R5: ch 3, dc 1 in back loop of each st. (24 sts). Fig 12.
R6: ch 3, dc 1 in each st, cl, (24 sts).
R7: same as R6. Fig 13.
R8: ch2, hdc 1 in each st, cl, (24 sts)
R9: ch3, dc 1 in back loop of each st, cl, (24 sts). Fig 14.
R10: ch 1, (sc2, sc 1) repeat till end, cl (30 sts). Fig 15.
ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.
The following video may help you.

Finger Puppet: Bunny (Specially for Kids in "Stay at Home" Period)

Add caption

Hello friends,
 Now it comes the turn of Bunny which is famous for running fast. But I caught him and made similar finger puppet.
Material: White and some other color yarn (I used 4 ply left over yarn), crochet hook 2.5 mm, 2 beads, tapestry needle, embroidery yarn red color and embroidery needle.
Pattern: Bunny face:
R1: In a magic loop make ch 1, sc 4, close by sl st in first sc. (4 sts)
R2: ch 1, sc 2 in each st, cl, (8 sts)
R3: ch1, (sc 1 in next 3 sts, sc 2 in next) twice, cl (10 sts) Fig 2.
R4: ch 1, sc 1 in each st, cl (10 sts)
R5: We make ear: (ch 1, sc 1 in next 2 sts, ch 1 turn, sc 2 in first st, sc 1 in second, (3 sts), ch2,

Fig 2

Fig 3

incomplete dc in each of the 3 sts, YO and pass through all 4 sts on hook, bind off), skip next st, join yarn in next st and make another ear, bind off.Fig 3 and 4.
R6: Join yarn in middle of front side, ch 1 sc 1 in each st, make ch 2 behind both the ears, cl
R7:ch 1, sc 2 in first st and then sc 1 in each st, sc 2 in ch2 space behind the ear (both ears), sc 1 in each of the remaining sts. (12 sts)

Fig 4

Fig 5

R8: ch 1,(2sctog) repeat, cl, (6 sts)
Fill fiber in the face of bunny and sew by tapestry needle to close. Fig 5.
Finger Cover: ch 14, sl st in forst ch, ring made,
R1 to R8: ch 1, sc 1 in each st, cl, (14 sts)Fig 6.
R9: ch 1, (2sctog) repeat till end, cl, (7sts), fig 7.

Fig 6

Fig 7

Join this part with the 6 sts of face by tapestry needle. Also sew the gaps behind the ears.

Neck belt: Make ch 19, sl st in second, sc 1 in each st, sl st in last, bind off.

Bunny is ready to jump!!


ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Finger Puppet: Doll (Specially for Kids in "Stay at Home" Period)

Fig 1

Hello friends,
As I said in my last post, I am making these finger puppets for the children who are in a phase of "Stay at Home" due to Corona, all over the world.
You already saw Lion, Dogy and Ely. Now the tern of Doll.
Material: Left over yarns, mainly pink and brown then any two different colours of your choice, crochet hook 2.5 mm, tapestry needle, 2 beads for eyes.
Pattern: R1: In a magic loop, ch1, sc 8, close by slip stitch in first sc. (8 sts)

Fig 2

Fig 3

R2: ch 1, sc 2 in each st, cl, (16 sts), see fig 2.
R3: ch 1, sc 1 in each st, cl, (16 sts).
R4 and R5 same as R3. Fig 3.
R6: ch1, (2sctog) repeat till end, cl (8 sts)
R7: ch 1, sc 1 in next 2 sts, 2sctog, sc1 in next 2 sts, 2sctog, cl, (6 sts)
Then join shirt colour (red) yarn but don't cut this yarn we shall make hands by this colour.

Fig 4

Fig 5

R8: ch 1, sc 2 in each st, cl (12 sts)In next round we shall make hands of the doll by skin colour.
R9: ch 1, sc 2 in next st, (now with skin colour make ch 6, sl st in each st starting from secnd st) hand made, with red colour make sc 1 in next 6 sts, again with skin colour make another hand, sc 1 in each of the remaining sts, sc 2 in last st, cl, (14 sts). At the end of this round cut the skin colour yarn. See fig 4.

Fig 6

Instead of slip st for hand, we can also make single crochet in each st.
R10: ch1, sc 1 in each st, sc 2 in last st, cl (14 sts)
R11: ch 1, sc 1 in each st, cl (14 sts)
R12: same as R11.
Join another colour for skirt.
R12 to R 17 same as, ch 1, sc 1 in each st, cl (14 sts). Fig 5. 

Now we have to make her hairs. 
Hairs with two ponies:
One simple method is cut 20-25 pieces of 4" brown yarn and paste them by fabric glue.
But in this method kids may pull the yarn ends while playing so better to apply second method.
Second method:
Round1: In a magic loop make ch 1, sc 6
R2: ch 1, sc 2 in each st, cl (12 sts)
R3: ch 1, sc 1 in each st, cl, (12 sts)
Next we work in row and not in round.
Row4: ch 1, sc 2 in first st, sc 1 in next 2 sts, make one pony ( ch 3, dc 2 in first ch, ch 1 sl st in first ch), sc 1 in next 5 sts, make another pony, sc 1 in next 2 sts, sc 2 in last. Bind off.
Make chains 8 with skirt colour and wrap around her neck.
Fill fiber in the face of the doll.
Sew two beads in place of eyes then with red yarn make her leaf by embroidery.
The beautiful doll is ready.
ETC: Enjoy the Creativity
The following video may help you to make this.