The Shtick I Do

I thought today I'd share some of the cute little crochet Christmas Elf patterns that I've come across in recent weeks! Here goes: 1. This pattern from Heart & Sew is done so well that he should last for years to come and maybe even be able to be handed down to the next shelf lounging Elf lovers out there! Photo by Heart & Sew 2. These gorgeous little guys from AmigurumiBB look like something from a childhood Christmas movie! Who wouldn't want one of these to play with? Photo by AmigurumiBB 3. This cute little elf (or gnome or ...) from Owlishly is perfect for practicing the art of amigurumi. And you can place them as ornaments on the tree! Photo by Owlishly 4. Although this pattern by  Anastasia Eisenberg   is available for purchase via Ravelry, I thought I'd include it because he's just too stinking cute! Those huge ears did it for me and I can't help but grin when I look at him. Photo by Anastasia Eisenberg 5. And f...

As you can tell by the title of the post I have one gift completed and ready for Christmas! Of course, if I keep looking at it I'm going to want to put beads or buttons or something  else on it. But what crafter doesn't do that? This is the Granny Cocoon Shrug that recently went viral in several Facebook groups. I decided I wanted to make one - I also decided that instead of making it for me I was going to gift it! I kinda sorta  followed >> THIS << video but I changed a couple of things - the arms for one. However, I LOVE the way it turned out and I think the recipient will love it too!  Stay safe this Halloween and remember it's all about FUN!  Peace and blessings. ~~Karen~~ 

Are you busy making your gifts already? I am, too! And I want to share one with you today. I've looked at these lovely dishcloths for some time now and I finally decided to make one (well two) for one of my aunts for Christmas. Here's the one that's completed: I just LOVE how it turned out! I used a crochet thread #10 for the eye and embroidered it on and yes, as you can tell, I didn't have any yellow cotton yarn so her beak is made of regular ww acrylic. But it still looks great! Here's a link to the pattern that I (sorta) followed. Hen Potholder/Dishcloth The site is in French but the pattern is a diagram that you can follow. I think I'm going to write out the pattern for myself though, since I had to make some adjustments when I was following the diagram. I am going to ask that if you're the praying sort, to add some prayers for my family in the mix. We've lost another loved one to cancer last night, my cousin Mark. He will be miss...

This is a short week for me since I'm speaking at the Women's Emmaus Walk starting on Thursday. That's why I'm posting a day early =D  This week I've been practicing my talk and working on something that's near and dear to my heart: cancer caps. I've made several and if you follow me on Instagram you've seen the ones that I posted. Here's a few for you to see. LOVE the elephant button on this color blocked hat. Plain and simple but oh so soft and warm! This is a pattern I hope to have ready next week and may not be given to the Cancer Center since it's so seasonal. This is made in the same style as the Pumpkin Hat but is more appropriate for the Cancer Center since it can be worn at any time. I really like this variegated yarn with the orange. Simple orange and cream hat with a single crochet edging. This one is made with #8 thread and has flowers made with #10 thread. Really like how this one came out. ...

Since the Walk to Emmaus is happening over the next two weekends (this weekend for the men and next weekend for the women) I thought I'd repost this great hat! Perfect for the cold weather days ahead! To celebrate the Walks I'm offering a coupon code that will last until the Women's Walk ends on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 4PM. Use coupon code FALLWALK2015 at checkout to get the pattern at half price! Click >>HERE<< for the pattern with coupon already loaded and ready for check-out. ======================================================================= ======================================================================= Delores DeColores Slouch Beanie My beautiful daughter Maeghan models for me. The body of the hat has a lot of room and give for those with long hair while still laying nicely for those of us with shorter locks. This hat is quite easy to make and will match a myriad of styles and colors. The small heart-shap...

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks because of some things happening in the family: I had an aunt (only 5 years older than me) to pass away from a sudden illness. We grew up more like sisters than aunt and niece. I can even remember arguing over who got to play with what toy. Memories like that bring a smile to my face every time I think of them. I just wanted to let you know that I hadn't fallen off the face of the Earth and that I am still crocheting. I'm working on a new pattern today, as a matter of fact. It is available as a downloadable PDF through Ravelry. Just click >>HERE<< to be taken to the pattern. Time will make the passing of my aunt less painful and I will always remember her as my older sister. Peace and blessings to you all, ~~Karen~~

I've been sick this week and haven't completed any projects to share with you but I do want to reshare a simple and quick pair of fingerless mitts that you can whip up in just a couple of hours. It's a downloadable PDF from Ravelry! Now I'm headed back to my cough drops and tissues ... you guys stay safe. ~~Karen~~ ==================================================================== ==================================================================== This time of year I'm a bit prone to achy joints, especially my wrists. You can guess from that how much I love fingerless gloves. This is a pair I made last night. I was just crocheting while watching TV and <BOOM> they were done! It took about 2 hours including the time it took to weave in all the ends and make adjustments for a better fit. Now these are no where near glamorous but they are comfortable and they will keep your wrists nice and warm and loose for hours of crafting work! The instr...

This past week has been pretty rough. I have an aunt (who is only 5 years older than me) that is in critical condition and on life support - we've been to visit her and the family in Charlotte, NC. It isn't looking good. I've been keeping busy by finishing off a couple of projects that have just been laying around the house waiting for me to pick them back up. First up we have that contagious Virus Shawl . The pattern has been around for ages but lately it seems like everyone has jumped on the proverbial bandwagon. I made mine with Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in Parrot. I love how it turned out.    My next one was a ripple blanket with a matching hat for a baby girl. No one I know is having a girl (everyone is having boys) but when one comes along I will be ready! The ripple pattern comes from Attic24 and I just made up the hat as I went along. And a friend has ordered a Cat in the Hat photo prop set that I've started on. I have to make the b...

Well, it's finally finished and ready for you to follow along here on the blog <OR> you can go to Ravelry and download a PDF to keep for your very own! Click this link >>HERE<< to be taken directly to the Ravelry page for your free PDF. Start with a Magic Circle ((or chain 4 and join to form a circle, ch 1.)). Rnd 1 8 HDC in circle, pull tight. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1. Rnd 2 2 HDC in each stitch around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1. Rnd 3 *1 HDC in first stitch, 2 HDC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1. Rnd 4 *1 HDC in the next 2 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch.  Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1. Rnd 5 *1 HDC in the next 3 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch.  Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1. Rnd 6 *1 HDC in the next 4 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch.  Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1. Rnd 7 *1 HDC in the ne...

Are you ready for some football?!?!?!?!?!?!? Who else hears Willie Nelson, Jr singing that on Monday nights? Do they still use that song? My husband and I got rid of cable quite a while ago and watch things on Netflix and Hulu instead. I'm out of touch with Monday night football but not when it comes to crochet! I made this adorable beanie and glove set for someone who's 3 year old daughter is starting cheer-leading this year for the Pee-Wee league players. It's so stinking cute! The photos don't do it justice at all. I'll be writing up the pattern for these little gems this week so watch for it soon!        Peace and blessings, ~~Karen~~

When do you start on your Fall and Winter crochet items? Now, of course! I'm linking my Free Tomas Turkey Beanie (for adults) that's available on Ravelry as a PDF download. Just click   >>HERE<< and you'll be taken right to it. There is also a photo tutorial on how to make the tail feathers! This hat is great for those Fall Turkey Trot runs! It's also a great time to get started on other hats as gifts and items for selling at craft fairs. And these little things will sell fast IF you can get them ready for the Thanksgiving holiday season - so get busy now! =D Here's a link (and a coupon!) for my Delores DeColores Slouchy Hat, click >>HERE<< ! You can get this hat for FREE until Monday, August 10 - it ends at 12noon. Use the coupon code >> FALLCROCHET << at checkout to get the PDF for FREE. Don't wait until the last minute to get started on those holiday and craft fair items! Get bu...

Camera tricks are sometimes necessary when taking pics of kids and infants and there are so many out there to choose from. One easy way is to have cute little "pets" on your camera lens! I made one just for fun (and to give to a friend of mine that's wanting start her own photography business).  This is a really SIMPLE and QUICK project that will take less than an hour for the intermediate crocheter. So you advanced peeps will be able to whip one out in no time at all - but here's the great part - this pattern is also perfect for beginners. Materials: Scrap yarn in the color of your choice size I/9 5.5MM crochet hook elastic hair band yarn needle scissors Attach your yarn to the elastic hair band with a slip stitch and chain 1. Round 1: 30 SC around the elastic hair band. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1. Round 2: Double Crochet in each stitch around. (30) Join with a slip stitch. Chain 3. Round 3:   ** 1 Double Crochet in the next 2 stitche...

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...

I finally finished the project I started last week. The hubby and I made a trip to Hobby Lobby in the pouring rain, no less, to get the supplies I needed. I over-bought on the fabric and got a half yard when in reality a much smaller amount would have worked. (The fabric was on sale for 30% off!) Since the project turned out so well, I think I'll make a couple more! The frame we got is a 12"x12" picture frame with real glass (not plastic) and real metal framework. That was on sale for 50% off! I love project making when supplies are on sale! =D Materials for this project include a finished doily, fabric, frame, scissors, and a ruler. I used the back of the picture frame as a template when cutting the fabric to size. The doily looks fantastic in the frame and the fabric background just makes the work pop! I'm completely in love with how it turned out. The hubby is pretty impressed, too. I've already gotten another doily finished and I'll be putting ...