Throwback Thursday: Ink Blooms

Three years ago on April Fools' Day (wow, was it really that long ago?), I posted the pattern for these inky black earrings. I was in a large earrings phase at the time, and created a lot of pieces I probably wouldn't wear personally anymore. How we change! However, now that I've dug them out of the stash I'm thinking about wearing them to work one of these days. They're actually quite pretty. 

As an added bonus for this Thursday throwback, the pattern has been revamped and is now available for free PDF download on Ravelry and Craftsy! You can also find it below.

Materials needed:

-US 1.5 mm steel hook

-Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Size 10 in Black

-Yarn Needle

-Mod Podge Gloss Sealer and paintbrush

-Pins

-Wax paper-covered cardboard

-Pliers

-Headpins

-Silver beads

-Silver ear wires

For a list of abbreviations, visit Craft Yarn Council.

Note:

These earrings are crocheted from mercerized cotton thread into black flowers, and stiffened with a water-based sealer. Some jewelry knowledge is required to attach the ear wires and beads.

Bloom (make 2):

Ch 5, join with sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, (ch 5, 3 dc in ring) 5 times, ch 5. Join with sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 2: Ch 4, keeping last loop of each tr on hook, work 1 tr in each of next 2 dc, yo and pull through all loops on hook (cluster), *ch 4, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch 5 space, ch 4, work cluster over next 3 dc, repeat from * around, ending with ch 4, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 4. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing:

Using the paintbrush, paint a coat of Mod Podge onto blooms. Pin out to desired shape on cardboard and allow to dry. When stiff, flip over and paint reverse side with Mod Podge. Pin out again and allow to dry. Using pliers, make 2 eye pins with 1 silver bead on each. Join one end of eye pin to bloom, and the other end to the ear wire. Repeat for other earring. 

I hope you enjoy these unique earrings!