The Dahlia Throw

The Dahlia Throw comes from "Crochet Today" magazine Mach/April  2012 edition.

This afghan features the popcorn stitch, a stitch for intermediate level crocheters. This stitch makes the flowers stick out giving the afghan a beautiful 3D look and delightful texture.

The blanket is 5 squares x8 squares, and is made with hook size K, and use yarn weight 4. The magazine suggests using coral and pink for the dahlias.

Crochet each square together by placing the wrong sides together, crocheting together, and opening so the right side faces hiding the seam. If crocheting together proves too difficult, you can also use yarn to sew them together.

The afghan will brighten any room just in time to welcome in spring! I plan to put this afghan on the patio.

Crochet Ornaments

Need a last minute Christmas project? Ornaments are the way to go! Each of these took about 30 minutes to crochet, and they make the perfect mini gift for anyone who has a tree!

This pattern was taken from the "Crochet Today" magazine November/December 2011 issue. Although the magazine pattern has them made into a garland, I like them better as individual ornaments.

"Crochet Today" is a discontinued magazine, but luckily there are may sites online with free ornament patterns. I like this site because there is a large variety of complete patterns.

With Christmas only a few days away, these snowflakes will be ready just in time!

Christmas Stockings

Here are some stockings Santa will never put coal in, guaranteed! Crochet stockings are a bit tricky since there are so many parts, but there are many patterns out there ranging from easy to more difficult.

This pattern I made up myself. The tow is the beginning of the top of a hat. The heal is made by adding stitches on one side, and neglecting stitches on the other. The cuff is the end of a hat pattern. (Actual pattern available on request)

The wooden tags add a focal point and extra holiday charm! These were picked up at the craft store for about $3.00. I used Red Heart yarn weight 4 for the stocking and cuff.

No matter what pattern you choose, now is the time to begin making a set of new stockings! Christmas is just around the corner. These stockings take about 6-7 hours each, so get crocheting!

Fingerless Gloves

Introducing the easiest crocheting project EVER! All you do is half double crochet a strip of cloth and sew it together leaving an open space for your thumb.

Depending on the size you choose, these could be finished in less than an hour! These particular gloves are 22 stitches wide and 23 rows long.

These are perfect for winter. (I like to wear them while I drink hot chocolate.) Fingerless gloves are great for craft fairs since they come together quickly, and make amazing stocking stuffers too!

I have more patterns to share, but for sure, this is the easiest design to work with. Good luck beginners; this is the craft for you!

The Brew

Here is a quick tip: if you like chai tea and apple cider, combine them! Although this isn't really a craft, it is a fun experiment just in time for Halloween!

The spices in the chai tea mix really well with the apple cider. I make mine with half apple cider, half water. I bring the mixture to a boil and then add apple slices. I let it simmer for 20, and then I add the chai tea. Leave the chai tea in as long as you want, but remember the longer it brews the stronger the taste. Then I place in jars and drink it up. This might taste good with sugar or honey mixed in too.

 

Spell Book

Need a fun Halloween craft? The idea for these books comes from Better After. When I find things like this, I worry it won't work. I want to make sure a real human being has tried to make the craft (we've all seen some awful Pinterest fails). This craft, however, is not one of them. Very easy to make, and the directions from the site are spot on.

 

Begin with an old book. The original site uses plastic Halloween directions, but I used wooden cut outs from the craft store. Otherwise, I followed the exact directions. (Note: used rub n' buff, not metallic craft paint. Both suggested on the site) 

Perfect for displaying at the Halloween party!

 

Pumpkin Bag

Perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just fall!
Make this bag big enough for trick-or-treating, or use it as a decoration. You can fill it with candy and give it to friends, family, or coworkers.


This pumpkin bag is made with a size I crochet hook, medium size yarn, and can be put together in about two hours. Making it was as easy as pumpkin pie.

The original idea for this bag came from the "Repeat Crafter Me" Facebook page, but I made up my own pattern. I began using the same technique used to make beanie hats. Working in rounds:
1. Sc 4 and make a loop

2. Chain 2 (counts as 1 Hdc. Should do this at the beginning of every round.), Hdc 11. Should have 12 Hdc all together for first row.

3. 2 Hdc in each stitch of first row. Should have 24 Hdc all together for second row.

4. 2 Hdc in first stitch, 1 Hdc, 2 Hdc. Repeat all the way around. Should have 36 Hdc all together for third row.

5. 2 Hdc in first stitch, 1 Hdc, 1 Hdc, 2 Hdc. Repeat all the way around. Should have 48 Hdc all together for fourth row.

For the following rows, stop adding stitches. Crochet as tall as desired by repeating rows of 48 Hdc stitches.

When you've reached the desired size, change color to brown, double crochet 5, chain one, double crochet 5. Repeat all the way around. Then do 3 more rows of 48 Hdc stitches in brown.

Make the drawstring out of dark green. Chain drawstring to desired length and hdc one row. If you want to make the ends curly, Hdc, skip 3, and Hdc in 4th stitch.

Halloween Bling

Time to get ready for Halloween, and there is no better way to be festive than with some new seasonal bling. Come October, the craft stores are filled with cute charms, décor, and Halloween crafting guides.

The easiest jewelry to make is bracelets made with memory wire (above). First, cut a piece of memory wire to desired length and add the color beads you want, and then put a charm on each end of the wire. This is an easy craft for beginners, but will impress everyone at the annual Halloween party.

Black cat cross your path? If not, here is some good luck for you: many craft stores sell unusual pendants for every occasion. If you want a quick, fun craft, choose out a pendant, make some adjustments, and attach it to a necklace (left). Fast, easy, and ready in time for Halloween!

A Texture in Neon

Color is everything. I talk a lot about patterns, but never underestimate the power of a good color combination. Although combining many colors into one afghan can be fun to look at, simple color patterns can be just as impressive too.

This pattern requires three colors (AB&C). I suggest two of the colors be white, grey, or black  (A&B). The third color should be bright (C). To complete a similar look to this one, crochet two rows with A, two rows with B, one row with C, two rows with B, then repeat.

The afghan has a timeless look and will brighten up any room in the house. Grab a good book, a cup of your favorite hot beverage, and snuggle up in what is guaranteed to be the best fall day blanket.  

Crochet Tactic

This site is all about giving you tips to make your projects better, but this tip is possibly one of the best. If you enjoy crocheting, and you want to take on bigger projects like afghans, putting the lightest color in the center can be the difference between a nice afghan and an amazing afghan.

This tactic draws in the viewer's eye. It gives your project that "wow" factor. You want onlookers to admire your work, and using little tips like this will put you above the rest.

This afghan is made from alternating colors. 16 rows alternating between light yellow and black, 16 rows of alternating between yellow and black, etc... until you make it to your darkest color. This traditional granny square blanket will take over 20 hours to make for people who crochet casually.


While this granny square obviously has the lightest color in the middle, it is not so obvious in all afghans. It is easy to use this tactic discretely.

Lighter color discretely in the middle

Daze Spent in Purple

I love the traditional granny square, but as you can probably tell, this is not a square! It shares the same pattern as the traditional granny square and is identical in texture, but this blanket is rectangular. This means it makes the perfect blanket for a bed.

Purple is a strangely underappreciated color. A dark purple blanket will add a regal touch to your home. If you are thinking about making a blanket like this please note the lightest colors are in the center of the blanket and the darker colors are around the edges. This will draw in your viewer's eye.

A small blanket like this one takes 10-15 hours to make, and I suggest using a medium sized hook.

The Wand Shop

Everyone loves Harry Potter, but nothing says you are a true fan like having your own wand. Unfortunately, buying a wand can be very expensive. However, you can make your own wand for under five dollars.



<<<< Begin with a dowel rod. This one here is .79cm X 91.44cm. Then follow these simple steps.



1) Cut dowel to desired length. Usually around 12 inches.

2) Use hot glue, beads, chain, or string to decorate you dowel. Design the handle using multiple materials, and make sure the wand's handle fits in your hand comfortably.

3) Wait for glue to dry.

4) Paint the dowel. Before painting, the wand will look pretty silly, but don't worry. Use an acrylic paint (color of your choice) to cover the dowel. The paint will add texture and make your wand look like a wand.

The glue, beads, chain, and string will texturize the wand and look pretty cool once it is covered by the paint. In the end, you have an awesome HP wand to show off.

Oceans and Lakes: A Reflection of the Summer

This afghan is a beautiful tribute to a fabulous summer. The colors of the afghan are the same colors I saw reflected in the waters. (tan, pink, blue, green, and grey/purple)

This is a queen sized afghan made from the Devin Square in "The Granny Square Book" by Margaret Hubert.

Since it is tightly stitched with soft yarn, this granny square makes an incredibly snuggly blanket. Personally, it is my favorite pattern for blankets.

The colors are randomized, and the yarn is Big Twist, weight 4. You can find this yarn in Joanne Fabrics stores, or you can look online. The afghan took 10 skeins of yarn. I used a crochet hook size I, but the yarn company recommends using size H.

I started this afghan while vacationing in Canada, and I finished a month later. Attempting an afghan this size takes a lot of time and commitment. By the end, each row took an hour and a half to complete. Nothing helps you relax more in the fall and winter than an afghan you made while relaxing in the summer.

The Test Square

 

The test square is vital for testing the yarn, needle, and pattern. If you are crocheting many squares to sew together or one large individual square, a tester square helps you get a feel for the process. You may try out a square and discover you dislike it, or you may find that the pattern needs adjusting. There is no need to use the matching colors of the pattern unless you want to see how they come together, but it is important to use the same weight of yarn. Once the test square is complete, make adjustments accordingly and continue happily crocheting!

 

The squares shown above are the beginnings of my Poppy Field blanket. The pattern and colors are taken from the "Crochet Today" March/April 2012 magazine. It is titled the Dahlia Throw. They consider this pattern to be intermediate level, and after working through these two squares, I suggest only attempting this pattern if you have crocheted for a while.

 

Full blanket coming soon!  

Paisley Peacock

Painting is one of my favorite pastimes, if not the most relaxing, but finding something worth painting can be difficult. Sure, landscapes are beautiful and abstracts are easy, but I prefer to make something unique and pleasurable to the eye.

This is the paisley peacock. I painted it for my mother. Although it is plain and simple, it is also unusual and fun to look at.

I am no pro by any means, but here are a few tips.

1) Mix your paints for stunning colors. Don't just use the green from the bottle, mix blue and yellow to get it.

2) Paint light colors before dark colors. Once you add a dark color, it is harder to add a light one.

3) Use the 1/3, 2/3 rule. Don't just put your painting in the center of the picture. Instead put it at a 1/3 or 2/3 mark. (This is a good photography tip too)

This painting is made from acrylic paint.

The Pocket Scarf

Pockets on a scarf? It may seem strange, but truthfully pockets on a scarf are crazy useful. How often do you forget your mittens at home? How often do you get stuck wearing cute pants with "girl pockets" that are 1 inch deep? This scarf gives you a place to put your hands or phone when the weather is cold and your girl pants let you down.

This pattern comes from Reader's Digest's book "Crochet in No Time" by Melody Griffiths. I would not recommend this book for beginners since the patterns are difficult to read. However, this book has many great ideas.

I used lion brand yarn, and I made sure it was extra bulky to add unique texture to this unusual scarf. The pockets are sewn on. The button is not in the original pattern, but I enjoy a little extra bling.

Struggles of Beach Life: So Many Shells

If you go to the beach regularly, sea shells tend to build up, but who can blame you? Sea shells are beautiful gifts from the sea and fun to collect. Many of my seashells piled up in a box, but there are many fun, cute ways to display your treasures.

Option 1) Fish bowl. Boil your shells to clean them and add them to your fish's tank. (or get a fish bowl--literally.)

Option 2) Shadow box. Shadow boxes can be found at any craft store for as cheap as $10. I Glued down my shells with crafting glue. Jewelry glue works well too. Then I added a caption "Gifts from the Sea" to draw in the eye.

Option 3) Mason Jar. Mason Jars are very popular these days because of their vintage look. Displaying multiple jars filled with shells is an attractive centerpiece for any room.

Waste Not Want Not

The Patch Kid

After I finish a project, I never throw away the scrap yarn. Instead, I save it in a big bin and use it in other projects.

All of the afghans here were made from left over yarn from other projects. The Patch Kid and Flower Puddles are many pieces sewed together, but the Colors of the Wind blanket is one large traditional granny square. Either way, saving scrap yarn is a cheap way to make a lovely afghan.

The Patch Kid is made from a pattern in a "Crochet Today" magazine which has unfortunately been discontinued.

As I said before, Colors of the Wind is a traditional afghan with a color change each round. Flower Puddles is square #14 from Margaret Hubert's book "The Granny Square Book," but the square is slightly adjusted to fit the heavier weight of the yarn.

All of the afghans are made out of Red Heart yarn.

Colors of the Wind

Flower Puddles 

Robin's Nest

This beautiful nest is easy to make, and all it takes is beads, wire, and pliers.

Begin by stringing the wire through each bead. Then wrap the wire around all three eggs until they appear to be sitting comfortably in a nest. The final step is to use the pliers and twist the wire around itself, cut it off, and tuck it in.Be sure to leave a space in the wiring to attach a chain for a necklace.

Nests are a great gift for mom. Number of eggs=number of kids.

Have fun choosing colors fitting to your personality, and don't forget to show it off to all of your friends, It takes only a few minutes make, and is fitting for casual or business dress.

1) All materials needed shown here.

2) String the wire through each bead as shown.

3) Wrap the wire around all three eggs to begin forming the nest.

4) Wrap the wire around itself between each egg to secure it. Use the pliers for a tighter bind.

5) In the end you have a beautiful nest. The wire in our example is very thin. It might be easier to use thicker wire, and it will look more like a nest if you wrap the wire around more times than shown here.

Owl Bag

Bags are easy to make. In fact, they are a good project for beginners. Simply choose a color, make a chain to the size of bag you want, and crochet in a circular pattern instead of back and forth, or crochet back and forth, make two panels, and sew them together.

Handles are tricky. If you crochet the long way, the handle will curl up. Crochet the short way instead, and do not make your stitch any bigger than a half-double crochet for strength purposes. (the handle in this photo is 8 stitches long hdc)

The owl face is simple: two circles and one triangle. You can find patterns for circles and triangles in almost any crochet book, and then sew them on.

Pot Holders

Easy, simple, yet beautiful. Experienced
crocheters will be able to make one pot holder in about an hour. Use any tightly-stitched granny square (right and left in photo) or back and forth rows (center in photo) to make a high-quality product.

I like to match the colors in the pot holder to the colors in my kitchen, but remember: not all yarns are created equal. Use the yarn "Sugar 'n Cream," "Peaches 'n Cream," or any other yarns sold as dishcloth yarn.

These make perfect gifts!

Christmas in July

Celebrating Poinsettias  

This blanket is a beautiful twist on a vintage Christmas look. The bright green beside the traditional red draws in the eye. It is easy to make, and comes together quickly.

The blanket is 6 squares x 8 squares. The square is #66 from Margaret Hubert's book "The Granny Square Book," and although the square looks complicated, it is considered to be intermediate level.

I found the book on Amazon. It is a good book for anyone who crochets, beginner or experienced. I use this book for most of my projects.

This is the perfect blanket for Christmas, but if you crochet slowly, start now so it is ready in time for the holidays!