Before performance and competitions, Aina and her ballet friends have this tradition of giving a good luck gift. For the next week’s competition, since I have been on a-crocheting-roll for a while, we decided to make a Mini Pointe Shoe charm for the girls.
Since we didn’t have much time, and I had to make 16 tiny shoes, I googled for a simple crochet pattern for pointe shoe charms. And I found a video tutorial! Thank you Valerie! The pattern was super easy and the result was very cute!
However, after trying to make one, it didn’t curve to form the foot arch the way I had in mind. So, I had to come up with a slightly different way.
So, after filling the shoe with stuffing and before sealing it, I put a little piece of bendable wire, so that I can bend the shoe to create the so-important pointe shoe arch.
I had to curl the end of the wire so that it doesn’t poke through the crocheted fabric.
We also had to make the charm hanger almost from scratch. I was thinking of buying those used on cellphone charms, but I couldn’t find it. So, Ari and Aina ended up making the charm.
Aina had fun, though. I guess it was good quick break from studying and ballet stuff.
After making a few, then I realized that there is Leo, the only boy who joined the competition… He wouldn’t be interested in getting a pointe shoe charm! I knew it was a bit lame, but I ended up making a white soft shoe for him. Didn’t have time to think about other more interesting gift at that time!
But Aina and I were pretty happy with the rest. They ended up a bit fat, but I think they look kinda cute that way. I really hope the chain for the charm would be strong enough, though. It was made for jewelry… I think charms and keychains need stronger and more durable chain, but I didn’t have time to look for it. Oops.
