Merry Christmas!

Well, I know it is late for Christmas day, but this post is delivered within the 12 days of Christmas, so here it is, my gift to you!

I designed this scarf as a gift for a friend. It is an adaptation of a pattern found in the Leisure Arts Little Books Beginner's Guide to Crochet Stitches and Easy Projects (green book) that I got at Walmart some years ago. I know that Hobby Lobby still carries this book. I have worked this scarf twice now, both times in Red Heart Worsted Weight and a size G hook. Use any yarn and hook combination that catches your fancy.

Xmas Scarf

Ch. 25

Sc in 2^nd ch. From hook. 1 Sc in each Sc across. Ch. 1, turn (24 Sc)

Row 2. Working in Front loop of each stitch, 1 Sc in each Sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3. 1 Sc in each Sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 4. (Right Side)1 Sc in first 2 Sc. FPdc in 3^rd Sc of row 2. 1 Sc in each of next 18 Sc. FPdc in Sc of Row 2. Sc in last 2 Sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 5. Repeat Row 3. (Work this row every other row)

Row 6. 1 Sc in first 2 Sc, FPDC in FPDC below. Sc In first 2 sc, work Fptr arround first sc (next to Fpdc) on third row below, skip next 4 sc on third row below, work Fptr around next sc on third row below, *skip next 2 sc from last sc made, sc in next 4 sc, work Fptr around sc on third row below, skip next 4 sc on third row below, work Fptr around next sc on third row below.* repeat * one more time. Fpdc in Fpdc below. 1 sc in last 2 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 7. Repeat row 3

Row 8. Repeat row 4

Row 9. Repeat row 3

Row 10. 1 sc in first 2 sc, Fpdc in Fpdc below. Work Fptr around third sc on third row below (row above last set of Fptr) Skip first 2 st, sc in next 4 sc. *work Fptr around next sc on third row below, skip next 4 sc on third row below, work Fptr around next sc on third row below, skip next 2 sc from last sc made, sc in next 4 sc. * repeat from *, ending with a Fptr and Fpdc around Fpdc below. 1 sc in last 2 sc. Ch. 1, turn.

Continue working rows 3-10 until scarf is desired length.

Last row. Working in front loop only, sc across.

Weave in ends and add a fringe if desired. Enjoy!

Book Review: Crochet Stitch Bible

Hello again Dear Friends!

It's time to add a new feature to this blog, a weekly post of a book review!

This week I am going to talk about one of my favorite crochet stitch resources, The Crochet Stitch Bible by Betty Barnden.

This book features full color photos of each stitch along with clear written instructions and easy to follow charts, a true gem when trying out a new stitch! With over 200 stitches included, you're sure to find the perfect stitch for that scarf or afghan you have been trying to design.

I have been using this book for several years and always have my beat up copy nearby when I begin a new project. This book can be hard to find at smaller bookstores, though most full size book stores have a copy on the shelf. Best bet? Buy it below in the AStore on this site.

Stay tuned for more great book reviews and crafting updates!

I Voted Free Pattern

Hello Again Everyone!

With the presidential election just under twenty-four hours away, I have come up with a free cross stitch pattern perfect for the day. This is small enough to be made into a button, as I did.

What a perfect way to show your pride in voting and remind others to go vote as well. This took me about an hour and a half to stitch, then I mounted it on a circle of cardboard and added a safety pin to the back since I had no pre-made button forms on hand and no time to go get some before tomorrow.

 

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween! Free Pattern

Hello again Everyone!

While I don't celebrate Halloween as most people do, I do enjoy the dressing up part. Here is a very quick and easy costume for last minute.

 




Skill Level Beginner

Supplies for Ears
Small amount of fluffy yarn of your choice
Hook of your choice to create a nice tension on yarn
Needle for weaving in ends
A few bobby pins

Ears (make 2)
Ch. 4, join with sl. st. to form a ring
Row 1: Ch. 3 (counts as 1 dc for whole project) 3 dc in ring. Ch 3, turn
Row 2: 1 dc in first dc and in each of next 2 dc. 2 dc 3rd ch. of previous row. ch. 3, turn.
Row 3:1 dc in first dc and in each of next 4 dc. 2 dc in 3rd ch of previous row. ch 3, turn.
Row 4: 1 dc in first dc and in each of next 6 dc. 2 dc in 3rd ch of previous row. ch. 1 turn.
Row 5: 1 sc in first dc and in each dc across. tie off and weave in ends.
Pin to hair with bobby pins and have fun!

Collar Supplies
small amount of yarn
Hook for yarn
1 button and one bell

Make a chain long enough to go around your throat and overlap by a few stitches plus 3 ch.
work 1 dc, ch. 1, sk next ch. 1 dc across. cut thread and weave in ends. attatch button on opposite side from button hole and bell near the middle. Add any other fun things to your collar to make it your own!

I hope you enjoy this project!

Crunch Time

Hello again everyone!

I've been busy preparing for my first ever craft fair. It's just one week away and I feel (know) that I don't have enough items made for the event. Oh well. We'll see how things go. Here's a look at what I've made so far. Sorry for all of the dangling ends.

                                          I've posted plenty of pictures of the hats, so I'll just
                                         talk about the other items. First, some cuff bracelets.

                                          Then some flower barretts, finished and half done.

                                          And finaly, some chokers. I plan on adding some
                                              sparkly pendants to the middle of these and
                                                                making a few more.

                                                  The fair is at Herritage Park in Slidell.
                                       I'll be sharing my table with my sister and two family
                                         friends. Here's some pictures of my sister's artwork.

 

Ya'll be Blessed!

Lots of Work

Hello everyone! So sorry for the long silence, I promise that I have been busy at my crafting and here is the proof!

First up, some hair ribbons that I made for my sister for her birthday.

Now for the hats! I have made several of these in the past few weeks. The red Thing 2 hat is for myself. I started this hat back in April as a set of Thing 1 and Thing 2 hats for myself and my twin brother. So much for keeping that deadline *sigh*. The set of two was a commissioned job, the yellow one is being worked from my first attempt at hand dying thread (The results were amazing, if I do say so myself), and finaly the red one is being worked on while I am not home since the yellow one feels like it will tangle too much if I bring it out of the house.

        And the last item that I came up with today was a set of flower hair clips. Aren't they cute?

 

Ya'll be Blessed!

 

Lots of Work

Hello again!

So sorry to have not posted in a few weeks. my first excuse is that the work i should have had done in one week, still isn't done. sorry, still no photo of the cross stitch piece.

But I do have pictures of other projects!

First up, a painting project I started in my spare bedroom. Let me explain something about this picture before I post it. The room was white when I bought the house and I decided that pale yellow walls would be happy and gender nuetral. Unfortunatly, when I went to buy my paint, I ended up with a returned can of paint that ended up being about ten shades brighter than what I wanted. We have since dubbed the room "Sponge Bob's Brain." I decided to add some other colors on the wall to hopefully bring down the brightness of the yellow. The colors are purple, blue, green and my favorite, orange!

Next up, an awesome hat that I made from a mohair I picked up on sale the other day. I still need to weave in the ends.

And finaly, a hat that I started yesterday.

Ya'll be blessed!

Crazy Patchwork Cross Stitch Part 2

Hello again everyone!
It's Sunday, which means it's time for the next installment of my SAL.

First off, here is my interpretation of part one.

And now for part two. This is designed to fit just under part one beside the little line of purple. Sorry, there is nothing to go along the side of this, so have fun adding a small border or solid blocks under the purple part.  Again, have fun with the colors!

Random Patchwork SAC Part 1

Hello again!
I have begun work on a crazy patchwork cross stitch piece and have decided to share my pattern with everyone as a stitch-a-long! Here is part one.

The idea of this piece is to have fun with it. each block is worked in whatever color you decide on. Add stipes, chevrons, flowers, or random swirls. Add or remove lines to create your own pattern, or keep up with everyone else.

I'll post a picture of my own work with part two next week, so as not to spoil your own creative juices.

Have Fun!

A Long Overdue Post

Well, it has been a long time since I last updated this old blog. Hello again to everyone! I have been very busy crafting lately.

Let's start with some fun crafts I've done, then I'll post about some things I'm working on for Christmas. Warning! If you are a member of my family who wishes not to know what those projects are, please skip the end of this post! First up, a lovely snood I made for my 10 year old sister.

Next is an early birthday gift for my 11 month old sister, who will turn one on July 4th.

And the final fun project is some Amigarumi Kitties that I found Here I have named the Blue/brown one Maximus and the pink/purple one Kitty.

And now to Christmas! Here are two finished shells for some hats with a third in progress.

And some material that I found on sale at Hancock Fabric for a no sew fleece blanket. Not sure when I'll have time to work on it, but at least I have it when I am ready.