Another Secret Keeper
So I know I’ve made 2 already, but here’s a third for the perfect trifecta - my other friend had a birthday and needed a bed buddy of her own. (= Every girl needs one really, so pick up a copy of Naughty Needles and make your own! This one is to-be-named still, but oh so cute!
The hot pink feet and spikey hair really make this one a keeper in my book! Plus I did a combination of Simply Soft Bulky and a novelty yarn - very cute. Felt beak, eyes and wings complete the look. Make it your own!
A Felted Crochet Hook Case
So my post a while back about my first felting adventure is finally complete - took way too long between, mostly because I have a hard time getting myself to pull out the sewing machine, even though it isn’t that big of a deal. Point being, I finally finished it off - after the initial felted rectangle, the project just needed a crocheted piece to put the hooks in, which was sewn on one side of the felted piece. Then I glued ribbon along the sewn edge, attached a button, and filled it up! I think it turned out pretty cute, not to mention a great way to organize my bamboo crochet hooks!
So orderly. (=
Pattern from: Kluster Happy crocheting!
My New Student - Have to Brag
So I taught a friend of mine to crochet 3 weeks ago, and she has taken off!! Not surprising, given her personality - in her own words, “My team never loses!!” So with that mentality, she took my instructions and ran with them - armed with her own hooks and yarn, and the Happy Hooker book, she completed a dish cloth and a purse already! So I’m here to brag and post the picture of her cute pink purse. (= Hope she doesn’t mind.
Pattern same as the one I used for my green purse from the Happy Hooker. If you are learning to crochet, I recommend this book very highly - just beware that unfortunately, it is error filled, but you can find the corrections on their website. Now if only I got paid for every time I mentioned this book. (=
Go Colleen, go!
A Tall Order - Crochet Giraffe Experiment
For my aunt’s birthday, I knew I wanted to make her a giraffe. Problem: no matter where I searched, I just couldn’t come up with a pattern for a crochet giraffe. So it was time to improvise! While on a road trip up the west coast and back, I sat in the passenger seat during my driving breaks and created her giraffe. He had some good times peaking out at the cars beside us on I-5 and came together (after a few rip outs) very nicely.
And here he is again with my road buddy. She was mighty proud of me. (=
So my aunt adored him and it was so fun to give her something she loved so much with all that she does for me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to replicate it, since my note taking during production hit a bump with the body - giraffes have a funny body shape and it took multiple attempts to get the shaping to work - and in the many tries, I stopped taking notes. If I ever make a written pattern, I’ll be sure to share. (=
On my needles
Graduation is behind me and the real world awaits - which means moving, some travels and finding myself a J-O-B. Gotta pay the bills somehow! Oh no!
But in the meanwhile, I’m taking advantage of this freedom to get some new projects going, but nothing done yet. While I keep my needles clicking away to get some new projects to share, check out what I want to whip up! Both are patterns from Knitty Gritty, a yarn show on HGTV or DIY Network. Their website is a bit difficult to navigate, but there are some great ideas. Have fun exploring and finding inspiration. (=
A knit garter - wanted it for holding my phone and camera during graduation, but finals kind of got in the way of its completion. Whoops. Still fun and gotta finish it.
Knit boots! I have been looking for a pattern like this for ages and finally found it. I will certainly be extending mine more to below the knee, but so exciting. I’ll keep you posted on the progress!
Crochet A Tiny Turtle - A Little Procrastination
It’s the middle of finals week for me - everyone else I know has finished their finals, and I’m stuck with 2 more taking me all the way to Friday of finals week and the afternoon before I graduate to finish college. Can’t be a slacker in the end apparently - meaning this week has been filled with lots of studying (virology, immunology and physics - nothing light about it), some packing for my big move next week, and definitely some yarn work to keep me sane! I found a new favorite project that brings a smile to anyone’s face during these stressful times, and works up so fast it is the instant satisfaction I crave right now.
A tiny turtle! The shell is made in the round, in one complete piece. The head, legs and tiny tail are all spirals, and work up so fast you’ll have a herd of them (bale of turtles, apparently) before you know it! They are easy to make and perfect way to use up bits of yarn. I’ve made mine from Simply Soft and Sugar n Cream. Already have 2, and can’t wait to get going on a third. Any suggestions for names for these two little guys? Happy crocheting!
Source: Tiny Striped Turtle
She has the best patterns!
Finally finished! Cabled Hobo Purse
So it took me seemingly forever, but the cabled purse I have been promising is finally complete! And I’m just so happy with it. Funny story about this purse: I was at my local yarn store making an exchange, when I saw a cabled purse hanging that looked similar to one I had a pattern for. I picked out some beautiful Alpaca Yarn (by Berroco) in a dark green color. It is similar to Cascade 220, but different fiber content. I came home, hunted frantically for that pattern, and when I finally found it, I had magically picked the exact yarn (color excepted) that the pattern called for! It was pretty exciting - I am one of those that rarely uses the right yarn purposely, let alone by chance. I tell you, this purse was meant to be!
So this was my first cabling adventure - and for those of you that have only admired cables from afar, try it! It is so much easier than it looks, making you very impressive. Once you get the idea, it is just fun and breaks up the monotony of stockinette. The only drag is when you get to the gusset, because that gets a little boring, but it is worth it. I also made mine with a changable handle by adding snap closures to the gusset instead of sewing it closed. I don’t really like the handle right now, but will be making a perfect chocolate brown one soon, so I needed a way to switch it out. Very exciting, or at least I think so. I will definitely be lining this as well, but I bet it would be interesting on slightly larger needles with light felting. Experiment! And certainly give cables a go.
Pattern from: Berroco
Knit Log Cabin Style
While talking about knitting log cabin style may cause you to imagine yourself curled up in a comfy chair with a fire roaring in the fireplace, in some cozy cabin in the woods, it’s actually a technique! A friend of mine just completed a baby blanket in that style, so I decided to tackle it myself. I was just playing around with the style, using up some random bits of Sugar n Cream to make a dish cloth in this style. I made 2 pieces and attached them together, because the backside didn’t turn out so pretty. Gotta perfect my stitch pick-up technique.
For directions on this technique, see the Mason-Dixon Knitting site. Scroll about half way down to the section called “This Old Log Cabin.” The site is really great - take some time to explore the other posts.
The basic technique is just knitting a small piece, then turning and picking up stitches along its end, knitting some rows, and doing it again - bind off, turn, pick up stitches, knit. It’s a fun way to keep it interesting and use up scraps of color. I think I’m going to be doing this quite a bit to make those bins of yarn I have shrink!
Projects on the Hook
I promise, in a matter of weeks, you won’t be able to keep up with how many posts I’ll be doing. Just have to get through finals! So close to end of my college career and can’t wait to get more yarn in action. Currently I’m working on all kinds of odds and ends, anything to keep me sane amidst all the studying.
New thing I learned - working on a simple knit or crochet project while reading (this would work with any reading material, but I’m referring to text book reading) helps keep your focus on what you are reading. It honestly increases your reading comprehension. It’s like you keep the distractable part of your mind on the knitting, so you can actually maintain focus on the material without your mind wandering. Pure magic. And it makes you feel less pained about studying because you get to knit at the same time. Even just doing some simple garter stitch with left over yarn - the goal is the process, not the end project.
Check out the patterns I’m using right now for my random projects or things I hope to start soon. I’m a little too all over the place to actually get anything done, but I’m getting there. Join me and put these projects on your hook too! (=
Dog Toilet Roll Cover - one of those things we all swear we’ll never make, but then it is just too funny not to. I’m making one for my friends’ new apartment as a house warming gift. (=
Hippo! - This woman has the most amazing animal patterns. I want to be her. That is my new goal. I have been wanting to make this little guy for so long - it’s time to just do it. Probably one of those afternoon projects - doesn’t seem too complicated. And a great way to use up extra yarn! Check out her too-cute turtles too.
Chihuahua - I have been meaning to make this little guy for months. He is just so goofy. I’ll probably make the head a little less tall, but that’s just me.
Happy crocheting and check back soon for my versions of these projects!
Crochet Handbag - an oldie, but a goodie
I found a picture of an older project of mine that I never posted, so during my project lag time, here’s another purse to ponder. It’s just a little bag, good for nights out more than the day-to-day necessities.
I made it out of Cascade 220, in a tweedy-sort of green. I then lined it (not pictured) with this great fabric I bought in Tanzania last summer and a pretty green ribbon wound through the eyelets. You could make it without lining, but it will be a bit stretchy. Another great idea would be to make it a bit bigger and felt it! The pattern is very adaptable, as really it is just a rectangle of half-double crochets. The only added intrigue are the rows for the handle - basically like making a giant button hole. It really is one of those weekend (or even long evening) projects that are highly satisfying in how quickly they work up. Make one this weekend!
Pattern from: Happy Hooker, by Debbie Stoller (great book - for beginners and beyond!)
Crochet a Dragon - The Friendly Sort
So how cute - a crochet baby dragon! I saw this pattern months ago and just loved it, so when my mom’s birthday was coming around I decided it was the perfect gift (especially during my crochet animal binge at the time!). My mom has always had a love for the mystical and metaphysical, and dragons are a favorite. Tada!
Pattern source: Baby Snow Dragon
He’s made of Sugar n’ Cream cotton, in a cool sea foam green color. I know in the picture he looks a bit of a sad grey, but I promise, he’s green. The only thing I’m not happy about are his eyes, as my embroidery skills leave much to be desired, but for the future I have purchased tiny black plastic eyes, as I used for the crochet horse. They give a much nicer finish - live and learn I guess. My next adventure is making this little guy take flight - my mom and I decided he would be even cuter with wings, so that will be an experiment for sure!
Go Green! With a knit beverage sleeve
Hopefully by now you’ve heard how we all need to do our part to turn our environmental crisis around - if you haven’t, it’s time to start thinking about what you can do. Join the Green movement!
It may seem silly, but with Starbucks on every corner and the daily needs that people have for coffee, why not knit your very own drink sleeve so you don’t have to use the paper ones that come with your drink? Not only does it work better than the paper ones and keeps your drink hotter for longer, you can save some waste while looking stylish. (=
Knits up super fast and so far I’ve gotten a lot of unexpected compliments on it. I’ll probably be making them for everyone I know. All you have to do is slip it in your purse, backpack, briefcase, car, or whatever else you have with you day to day (or make many and keep them everywhere!) so you always have one handy.
I make mine from Sassy Stripes, a fabulous, self-striping light (3) weight yarn. It can sometimes be tricky to track down, but I’ve found it at some Michael’s. Sometimes it is a little frustrating to not be in control of how it stripes, but it sure beats changing colors and is kinda fun to constantly be surprised as to what color is coming next. I also found that the green pattern is the best, as it starts and ends with seed stitch, which helps with the rolling, as does the crochet lash yarn border (I trimmed the edges so you aren’t drinking fur!)
Pattern from: Mag Knits
I changed the pattern quite a bit, but certainly got the idea from this site. I found that 50 stitches made it too loose, but then I didn’t check my gauge either.
When your drink sleeve inspires you to go green in other ways, check out these sites I found about how else you can play your part - we only have one planet - let’s make it better!