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. ...

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...

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...

Have you heard of SYS2015 ? No? Well now you have!  This is a pattern I came up with for a Summer tutorial series called SYS2015 hosted by Alida from Tweety Loves Quilting . SYS stands for "Stretch Your Skills" and I was so excited when I was asked to participate! Take the time to look over the various postings of quilting, paper piecing and crochet - later this summer look for a knitting tutorial from my daughter Katrina! This is a perfect project for beginners wanting to make their first amigurumi toy and interesting enough to keep the experienced crocheter entertained. And it's a great summer crochet project! Alida has been great in getting everything together and posting the tutorials for everyone to enjoy. You can find the Pet Rock pattern in my Ravelry store as a free PDF download! And feel free to share your Pet Rock family with me over on my Facebook page, Crochet2002 ! Click HERE for the link to the free PDF. Keep on crafting and let...

Today I'm reposting a popular bookmark pattern I made last summer. It's perfect for your warm weather crochet itch! And with the join as you go method you don't have to worry about sewing anything together! ============================== ============================== This project is a cute Flower Motif bookmark. The motifs are joined as you go so there's no need to go back and sew them together, although you could certainly do that if you're so inclined. The bookmark was made with a 7" to 8" long book in mind. It also lies flat and has an optional tail and tassel for some added whimsy. Gather your supplies and let's get started! Materials : #10 crochet thread in your choice of color size  4/2.00 MM crochet hook (it's small) scissors needle for weaving in the ends Stitches used : (American terms -  converter ) Magic Circle  starting technique (optional) Slip Stitch (sl st) Chain (ch) Single Crochet (sc) Double Crochet ...

I think I've mentioned before that several ladies in my circle of friends are pregnant - well, when one delivers another one announces that she's expecting! LoL  I love that all these lovely women are having children and will love them to the ends of the Earth and back <3 One expectant mother asked me to make her a pair of booties for her soon-to-be-here baby girl; the pattern is available for a fee on Etsy. When ordering look for the pattern name: Crochet Baby Booties Pattern #3 by PatternMa . The cost is $5.50 USD. However, when you get the pattern PDF the name on it is "Snuggle Baby Booties". Let me begin by saying that this is NOT a paid advertisement for this pattern or the shop owner. This is my experience with the pattern and my opinion only. Booties I made using "Crochet Baby Booties Pattern #3" available on Etsy.com Rating: 4 out of 5 hooks (Let's use hooks as a rating guide and not stars, shall we? =D ) I really like the pat...

My youngest niece, Anna, has her first birthday coming up in May. When I asked my sister what would be a good gift, she reminded me that I hadn't crocheted anything for her ... at all! Shame on me! So I decided on a soft lovey that she could cuddle anytime! We also have a bath towel that looks like a duck that we're going to send her but this thing is just too cute! I'm in love with it and I'm glad he gets to stick around for a couple more weeks before I have to mail him off. Do you fall in love with your works like that? Just can't seem to let them go? I do it all the time. Especially when it's animals. I hope you have a good yarn-y week and may you complete those WiP's you have floating around! Peace and blessings, ~~Karen~~

Here's an adorable Bunny Hat I completed this week for a friend of mine that has a 9 month old daughter. I followed the pattern for the ears from this pattern by Ira Rott available on Ravelry. (This is a paid pattern) However, I did not use the hat pattern in this download because it seemed way too small when I was working it up. The hat pattern I used is a basic HDC stitch and I followed the sizing from Bev's Country Cottage hat sizes . Her sizes are more accurate in my opinion. I was (I thought) following the pattern for the flower but it somehow ended up with six petals instead of five. That's what I get for watching Netflix and crocheting, huh? =D I did make the flower detachable so it can be used as a hair clip (which is what it's glued to) or as an accessory for a scarf, purse, basically anything you want to clip it to.   My yarn choices are: Red Heart Super Save in White for the hat and part of the ears I Love This Yarn Metallic i...