Stitch Marker Pattern and Other Things

By -

Were you impacted by Hurricane Sandy? The Eastern seaboard, especially the New England states, were devastated. Power outages in some of the coldest temperatures we've seen this year. Here in my area we were lucky. We got, depending on your elevation, between 18 and 29 inches of snow in just over two days. And yes, some people were without power and heat, somewhere in the neighborhood of 200,000 homes. That's not nearly what New England saw but it was enough.

My family was extremely blessed during this crisis. We only lost TV, Telephone and Internet for four and a half days. Our power and heat continued to work! I became reacquainted with my DVD collection and since there was no school for those four days my children became reacquainted with one another (no fights! Yay!). 

And that's why there was no post last week. Just in case you're wondering.

On to happier thoughts!

I finished five Christmas presents and thought up several more projects for myself in case we're without TV or Internet again anytime soon. I can do without a phone; I know, I know, not normal . . . so what?

Here are the items I made with links to the patterns where appropriate. Enjoy!


My oldest daughter is dating a guy that has two small children from a previous marriage. And I'm one that believes all small children should get something when they visit during the holidays. This is for his daughter (if you couldn't tell by the pink). After I made the hat it was so painfully plain that I had to do something, so I went to Hobby Lobby and got this adorable little bow. The bow is on a clip making it removable, she can wear it on this hat or whatever she'd like. Personally, I think that bow adds an extra dose of cuteness!



This is a "Grumpy" Bird hat I made for the son of a friend who is apparently on an Angry Bird kick. I followed this pattern from Teresa Richardson's Crochet Geek website. The son of my daughter's boyfriend will get one of these as well.


This is an ornament made from the Crochet Shell Cross pattern, also from the Crochet Geek website. She has a video tutorial on this pattern available here. I got lucky with that shaft of light coming through the mini-blinds when I took this photo.


This ornament is from a book called Big Book of Thread Ornaments to Crochet. My mother got that for me a couple of years ago and I've used two or three patterns from it every year since then. They make great hostess gifts or can be used on the packaging of a gift. This one still needs some embellishment but the hard part is done!




And my final project, a set of stitch markers for my mother. I made these myself, crochet isn't the only craft I do!

Simple project; here are the directions . . .

Materials: (this makes 4 stitch markers)
  • 4 lobster claw clasps
  • 4 jump rings
  • 4 head pins
  • 4 larger or focal point beads
  • 8 small beads
  • round nose pliers
  • cutting pliers
  • flat nose pliers 
On a head pin, add one small bead, one focal point bead and a second small bead. Bend the head pin and make a loop, attach a jump ring, add the lobster claw. Close the jump ring. Ta-Da! A set of unique stitch markers for the yarn crafter in your life!


Have a wonderful week!







  

Popular posts from this blog

How To Frame Your Crochet Art

By -
Image
I got to thinking about last weeks post and realized I didn't give a step by step "how-to" for framing your own work. So this week, with the help of my daughter Maeghan, we put together a quick guide for framing your work. Step one: Block the work that's going to be framed. Blocking will allow the work to maintain it's shape. I used a paper towel between the doily and the cardboard to keep it from leeching any of the ink off the box. You don't have to have expensive mats or special equipment for blocking. As you can see I used a cardboard box that we got from Sam's Club and some T-pins from Hobby Lobby. You can use regular sewing pins but they might rust, so I highly recommend getting the stainless steel. They were about $3 for 50 pins. If you don't have a cardboard box like this one, use the non-greasy side of a pizza box, a stack of 2 or 3 towels, or a kids' foam play-mat and you will get the same results. Step 2: Gather y...
Read more

My #1 Tip for Using Elastic on a Headband/Ear Warmer

By -
Image
Cold weather is fast approaching here in my neck of the woods and while the days are still hitting the 70's and 80's, the nights are dipping down into the 50's. Break out the sweatshirts and ear warmers. Grab a scarf and some gloves for the football game and don't forget the thermos of hot chocolate and that cozy crochet afghan! Autumn is almost here. I made a few of these headband/ear warmers last year and I've already had orders for more this season. This is one I made to try out a covering for the elastic hairband used in the back. I like using the elastic hairbands in this sort of project because it allows the finished piece to be worn by more people. Sometimes it can be hard to fit the head of a person you've never met and this little addition allows for greater flexibility with the finished piece. Finished headband/ear warmer with a blue sewn-on flower and coordinating blue trim. Finished piece without trim or embellishment. An ear war...
Read more

Crochet Comfort Doll Pattern

By -
Image
A week or so ago, I came across this video by LoomaHat and really enjoyed watching it. I have a set of looms that are buried somewhere in my closet and since I didn't want to dig them out, I decided to crochet a version. Here's my take on a Crochet Comfort Doll. Comfort Doll before adding extras Materials: Worsted weight yarn in the colors of your choice I used 5 different colors in this sample doll small amount of black yarn for eyes small amount of pink yarn for lips extras such as buttons, lace, beads, etc for decorating FiberFill or ClusterStuff for the stuffing Pom-Pom maker of your choice (commercial, cardboard, fingers) Size I/9 5.5MM crochet hook Scissors Yarn needle Advanced beginner level project due to the color changes and needlework. Notes: For the color changes I followed this diagram posted on LoomaHat.com . The eyes, nose and mouth were all done by following the directions from the video link posted above. Chain 1 in each row does not c...
Read more