Hello there!

Welcome to my little hobby nook, a space where I curate my hobbies and (hobby) challenges that I set for myself.

[hobbynook]

May 2026 DIY - Daisy coasters

Heading towards summer, but not yet willing to let go of spring!! So, made these daisy coasters - the last of the flower patterns? Maybe!

This is actually a granny square - the same one used for the daisy headband, but I worked a couple of extra rounds, to make it bigger, since the original daisy granny square is too small for a coaster.

Making the square bigger: To make the granny square bigger, you need to increase it's height/width. So, I worked extra rounds, after completing the basic granny square. I didn't want to again go look for a video to show me how, instead I wanted to try and think of something by myself, and I'm quite happy with the result!

For the big coaster - I worked 1 extra round of 1 treble crochet (1TC) in each stitch. You could also work 1 extra round of 1 double crochet (1DC) in each stitch, if you want lesser height. For each of the 4 corners, in each of the 4 existing corners, I made 2TC, CH2, 2TC. For the small coaster - I worked 2 extra rounds of 1 single crochet (1SC) in each stitch. I found this to be much neater rather than working 1 extra round of 1 treble crochet (1TC). For each of the 4 corners, in each of the 4 existing corners, I made 1DC, CH2, 1DC. I found this to be a bit tight though, so you could also do 2DC, CH2, 2DC - you just need to experiment and see what feels right! I would recommend to work extra rounds of a 1 single crochet (SC) in each stitch, to increase height, neatly and systematically, rather than doing 1 treble crochet (1TC) in each stitch which makes the height suddenly jump. . . . Needless to say, these squares ARE very easy to work with and ARE super addictive and fun to make!! Oh and I have fallen in love with the daisy puff stitch! . . Enjoy the start of summer and ending of spring! . . Materials used: Yarn used - 3-ply wool for all colors, although the green is a bit thicker Hook used - 3 mm crochet hook Small scissors Darning needle . . Tutorials referred: For making the squares - click here Instagram handle - @ericaarndt

[hobbynook]

April 2026 DIY - Daisy headband

Continuing in the spring season, inspired by the lovely weather and blooms all around, and my newfound interest in headbands, I made this daisy headband!

This is very easy to work with, and not just easy, it's such a delight to work with!! You can go on crocheting the squares, non-stop, its that simple and addictive!! I did indeed end up making extra squares and had to then stop myself!

Square versus circle?

I am a square rather than circle lover, so I automatically drifted towards granny squares - i just absolutely LOVE them!! They are so versatile, and can be customized very easily!

Serendipitous choice?

Truth be told, I was initially going to make daisy coasters, and not a headband, but after I made one square, I realized its a bit small for a coaster, however, it can easily be customized to make a bigger coaster, by doing a couple of more rounds. I was also very happy with the first headband I had crocheted months back, so then I thought why not, I love making headbands now, so let's make this one into a headband too!! . Enjoy the spring! . Materials used: Yarn used - 3-ply wool for both colors Hook used - 3 mm crochet hook Small scissors Darning needle . . Tutorials referred: For making the squares - click here Instagram handle - @ericaarndt

For joining the squares - click here Instagram handle - @shana_pd

[hobbynook]

Memories etched in wood

As part of the European Artistic Craft Days, on Friday, I attended a food workshop in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where we burned our food memories/favourite foods into wood. There were multiple techniques like decoupage, drawing on wood using stencils or transfer/rice paper, coloring with watercolor pencils and writing with fineliner/calligraphy pens and finally wood burning using the wood burning torch.

I, of course, chose Indian foods like rice, curry and chai! I think the wood burning was more fun than the transferring of images onto the wood (especially since we did not draw the images ourselves), but I enjoyed coloring with watercolor pencils too! It's nice to let your subconscious take over, to bring to mind your food memories, nostalgia and childhood memories.

Payal is a skilled illustrator, she was very patient with her instructions and encouraged us to think of different possibilities. Instagram: @ dishdoodler

[hobbynook]

When time stands still…

Time indeed does stand still, when you are at a hand loom, working with your hands in a cozy, warm studio.

As part of the European Artistic Craft Days, yesterday I attended a weaving workshop by KORU Handcrafted, a weaving studio in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where I hand-wove a small sampler, to be connected later on with samplers made by other participants, on a small wooden hand-held loom (and no, I did not know that looms come in small handheld sizes!).

The textures of natural fibres and materials - wool, jute and wood instantly make you one with nature. The rhythmic and repetitive actions of the weft interlacing the warp, while maintaining the tension and structure in the piece, evoke feelings which are both relaxing and introspective, at the same time! Similar to crochet and knitting, weaving is sublimely addictive, relaxing, calming, introspective and rhythmic, all at once.

I love borders - on saris, blouses, paintings, photos, you name it. So, of course, I was pleasantly surprised when my design took on the form of a border! Serendipity or sub-conscious choice? Another serendipitous choice was the colours - I just went with my intuition, turned out to be the colours of spring!

I want to point out a common misconception, which is true even for crochet and knitting - that it’s not just a ‘winter’ activity! Because it’s not just weaving/knitting/crocheting apparel, but also decor items, knick knacks, accessories, etc...you get the drift right?

Romy, the owner of the studio, was very kind, patient and gentle with her instructions, she gave us the freedom and encouraged us to choose whatever design evolved from our feelings, emotions, etc. She is a very skilled weaver and wood carver, highly recommend her!

Do visit her warm, cozy studio if you are in Eindhoven. Instagram: @ koru.handcrafted, @ romy_celeste. Click here for website.

Weaving is certainly something which I can take up and look forward to doing so!

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Design and colours - by me (no reference taken), freeform

Tools used:

Small frame wooden loom

Wooden needle

Thick wool for the weft

Jute for the warp 

Small needle to finish the remaining rows

Small scissors 

[hobbynook]

March 2026 - cherry blossoms headband

Spring is in the air and so are cherry blossoms! This is a cherry blossoms inspired headband, although the original pattern is a daisy headband.

These are pretty easy to work with. I first preferred a bigger flower, hence I worked one more round (a 3rd round), reducing the number of petals from 6 to 5 (which also corresponds to the number of petals in a cherry blossom). So, if you prefer a bigger flower size, you can start with 5 chains instead of 6, and work 3rd round (for each petal - 3 double crochets in 1st loop of the petal, 1 double crochet in each of the double crochet stitches, again 3 double crochets in the 2nd loop of the petal) . These are the big flowers in the background (refer to photos).

Now, after I crocheted the big flowers, I also crocheted the original small 6 petal flowers - I found these to be more dainty and pretty, especially for a smaller head or a child's head. So, in the end I stuck to the small flowers itself.

You can choose which size you prefer. How pretty are these white and pink cherry blossoms??

Yarn used: 3 ply, acrylic + polyamide yarn Hook used: 3 mm

Link to tutorial video - here

[hobbynook]

Feb 2026 - Cute coasters and hearts

Bye bye month of love, and with it the cold, drab weather maybe? :)

Anyway, aren't these the cutest coasters?? Do they look more like a teddy bear or a kitty to you? Mind you, crocheting these coasters and hearts is so addictive, it can turn you into Santa's elves, crocheting these the whole night!

This time, for the coasters, I used two sizes of hooks with the same yarn (as 3-4 mm is what was recommended on the yarn label). I found the 3.5 mm hook to give a tighter fit, compared to the 4 mm one. I also crocheted 2 more rounds, as I felt the coaster size in the video was too small to accommodate a large mug - it's ok for a small cup or glass. I will also recommend using thicker yarn, as it gives the coaster more thickness, structure and depth.

I also used two different yarns and hook sizes for the hearts - I enjoyed both, although the chenille yarn gives a nice soft, bulky feel! I feel that ch5 is too much for the center (magic ring) of the heart - it can be reduced to ch3, especially since the ring did not close on pulling the tail. Hence, all my hearts have a small hole in the center, although I consider that as a cute design too! . . . Coaster materials: - Yarn - Soft, thin yarn (thickness not indicated on the label) - Hook - 3.5 mm and 4 mm

Heart materials: - Yarn - Soft, thin yarn (thickness not indicated on the label) for the small hearts, Skinny chenille yarn (medium 4) for the big hearts - Hook - 3.5 mm for the small hearts, 5 mm for the big hearts . . . Follow me on Instagram @hobbynooknl Coaster tutorial:

Hearts tutorial:

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Jan 2026 - Red crochet doily

This crochet doily is finally complete! Making it took me back to my school days, where I loved working this type of yarn! However, this time around, I found it more time consuming (as compared to what was told in the video). I also found it a tad bit tedious, perhaps because my yarn is very thin as compared to the one used in the video. I should also have used a smaller hook; I just used the smallest hook I had at home. Maintaining tension in thin yarn is tricky - requires more patience. Crocheting circular pieces does give one the heebie-jeebies, because you can't fully see the circle shape, as the yarn keeps twsiting (atleast in thin yarn), and you wonder if it is ever going to look like a circle? All is well, however, once you block it! The end-result is overall quite nice and pretty, imperfections and all, don't you think?

Yarn used: Cotton, Anchor No.8 Crochet hook size: 3 mm Size (diameter) of finished doily: 18 cm

I followed a pattern from 'Hopeful Turns' @hopefulturns Refer video here

[hobbynook]

DIY Challenge 2026

In Fall 2025, I attended a Crochet meetup, which re-ignited my (beginner) crochet skills and led me to crochet a twisted hairband!

I then decided to tackle my unfinished stash of crochet and knitting projects, by making a challenge - I will crochet or knit atleast 1 piece a month.

For the twisted hairband, Yarn used: Skinny chenille/Chenille mince Crochet hook size: 8 mm

I followed a pattern from 'CJ Design' - refer video here