The Shtick I Do

I find that I love making cowls, I've made several since the leaves changed colors and fell from the trees. They are (usually) simple and (usually) quick to make. Here's one I dashed out for my daughter a few weeks ago using only one skein of chunky yarn.  This will easily slide over your head and sit lightly around your neck. I had decided to make one without a pattern and since she wanted one, here's what we came up with!  Materials:     One skein Deborah Norville Red Ochre Serenity Chunky Yarn   Size K crochet hook Scissors Embroidery Needle Stitches used   Chain Stitch Single crochet ( SC ) Double crochet ( DC ) Half Double crochet ( HDC ) (For a refresher on these stitches just click the link!) **Special Stitch** 4 DC cluster : YO, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop, (3 loops on your hook), YO and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain on your hook). Repeat this 3 more times, you will have 5 loops on your hook. YO a...

As promised, here's my pattern for a " Grouchy Greenie " who, surprisingly, looks like the Grinch . I hope you like him! Stay safe and warm, Merry Christmas and God Bless!                   (( NOTE : you can use any cap/beanie pattern you choose.                        As long as it's a tight weave and fits, it's okay! o.~)) Materials 1 Skein Red Heart Super Saver - Spring Green small amount of black and yellow yarn for the face Size I/9 (5.5 mm)  and H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook Scissors Embroidery Needle Pattern NOTE: Join each round with a slip stitch to the beginning stitch of the round, unless instructed to do differently. Cap Pattern   Using size I crochet hook and Spring Green yarn. Row 1 . Chain 2, 8 hdc in second ch from hook. Join . Ch 2 and turn. ...

I had a regular green beanie that I'd crocheted a few weeks ago and was seriously thinking about frogging it. Now I'm glad I didn't! I've turned it into a unique hat for a Christmas gift. Here are the pics, I will work up my pattern for you later and post it. Not feeling well this week and I've kinda been laying around on the couch trying to get my joints to work better. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday ! Remember the Reason . . . and don't be a Grinch!

Here's a last minute gift idea if you find yourself in a crunch. This cost me $5 for a total of 4 gifts! That's only $1.25 per gift and it's something you can personalize as well. It doesn't get much better than that. First a picture to get your creative juices flowing : Here's what I used and what I did: Materials : Set of (5) Wooden Kitchen Utensils - cost $5.00 Crochet Potholders - cost $0 (already had on hand) Recipe Cards and Recipes - cost $0 (already had on hand) Raffia or Ribbon for bows - cost $0 (already had on hand) I tried to make the recipe something that the recipient would like. For example, I used the 7-Up Biscuits for an uncle of mine that likes to cook. I found the recipes online and I'll list those for you later. I used a hole punch to make a place to secure the card to the utensil, using raffia because it's literally what I had in reach. I tried to pair up the utensil to match the recipe also. I dug out the pothold...

As promised here's the pattern for the snowflake! If it's confusing I apologize ahead of time; do what I do - don't question the steps just follow them through. Enjoy! Materials : #10 Crochet Thread in the color of your choice size 4/2.00MM hook (can also use a 3/2.10MM hook) embroidery needle scissors Gauge is not important to this project. Stitches used: chain = ch slip stitch = ss single crochet = sc double crochet = DC half double crochet = HDC Pattern: (words in red have a corresponding pic for clarity) Chain 6; join with a slip stitch to the first chain to form a circle. Ch2, 12 HDC in circle. Join to top of ch2.  Ch12, skip next stitch, sc in next. Repeat around for a total of 6 loops. In the loop, 6sc, ch6, 6sc. Repeat in each loop around. At the last sc in the last loop ss in the sc of Row 2. SS along the next 6sc, ss across the base of the ch6 space to the next sc , **ch8 and join to the top of the next loop in the sc, ss across the b...

There are so many snowflake patterns out there I debated on whether or not to even do one for a post. I was going to use other peoples' patterns and make a post about those, sorta like a rating system as to whose was easiest, most time consuming, etc. I guess I'll have to do that one later (as in I will remember it this time next year).  I got several patterns together and started working through them. What I discovered was this: they were very confusing! One pattern reads ... ".... Round 1: CH 2, DC in CH. *CH 3, DC Cluster, repeat from * 5 times total. CH 3, join in beg cluster. Round 2: SL ST to center of CH 6 ..." .  I was completely confused as to wher e the " CH 6 " in Round 2 came from. All of the ones I printed off had confusing areas like that in the directions. I muddled through some, frogged several others and finally threw up my hands in frustration. My husband ( who thinks I'm D a V i nci in the wor ld of crochet ) has told me sev...