Dreamcatcher: Crocheter's interpretation

I decided to make a dream catcher a month or so ago.  Well, it was actually a project I'd had in my mind for awhile, I just wasn't sure how to execute it.  I'd found many inspirations on Pinterest, ranging from traditional to interpretive with vintage doilies.  I decided to just go for it and picked up an embroidery hoop from the thrift store for a few dollars and some yarn (I threw away the package, so I need to go back to the store to find out the exact color).

First I wrapped the whole hoop in hemp.  It took forever because I wanted it tight so you couldn't see wood through gaps. 

Then I went to work on my center piece.  I've done very little crocheting in the round.  Like, a few hats and some tiny flowers.  I did it all by guess-work and figured that once it was stretched on the hoop it would be alright.  After a few rounds I wove in two layers of hemp and then crocheted three more.  This was the hardest part.  I think I took it apart a few times when the hemp was too loose or tight.

Then I stretched the whole thing with hemp as tightly as possible and bound it to the hoop.  

I made a whole bunch of stuff to hang from the bottom of my dreamcatcher.  I crocheted chains and made braids and tassels from hemp and yarn and strung them through the hemp on the hoop. I wanted to add feathers, but decided even though that's a traditional dreamcatcher feature, they might be overkill on my interpretation.

I added a chain on the top to hang the piece from and it was done!  This was one of my favorite projects in a while.  It was challenging because I had no idea what I was doing, but I practiced some new skills, took my time, and wound up with something that I love to have hanging on my wall!

Hemp pouch necklace.

So, one of the things I saw and liked at Craftstravaganza last weekend was a crocheted necklace pouch, but Mark convinced me that I could make one on my own for free.  So, the other night I pulled out some hemp from Sho and attempted a DIY project.

I used an earring for the clasp.  (I have a growing collection of single gauged earrings as a result of losing/breaking one from the pair so I've been trying to find uses for the lonely pieces.)  I added some matching green beads and hemp tassels. 

I pretty much winged it for the pattern.  Just some double crochet stitches and improvisation and it was done.   The only challenge was in regards to the actual hemp- it varies a lot in size, from very thick to quite thin.  I decided I really like this about the end result.  It's not perfect... in a good way. 

Also, I wore leaves in my hair today.