Bouncing Baby Blanket

April 12, 2024 at 5:50 pm (Crochet & Crafting, Learn something new)
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I like to offer flexibility in my patterns when it comes to choosing colours, so I’ve indicated the yarn colours as just “light” and “dark” so that you can choose whatever coordinating colours that you’d prefer. I made my blanket with light and dark coral colours, along with an ecru-tinged cream.

Materials:
Blanket is approximately 30” x 30” / Each square is approx. 7”
Yarn: Colour A (light colour); Colour B (coordinating dark colour); Colour C (white or cream)
8 mm hook
Make 8 squares with Colour A, and 8 squares with Colour B.

Circle in a square:
With Colour A, ch 4, use sl st to join last ch with first ch to make a ring.
Round 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc in ring, sl st to 3rd ch of ch-3 to join (12 dc)
Round 2: ch 3, 1 dc in same sp as ch-3 (counts as first “2 dc”), 2 dc in each sp around until you have 24 dc, sl st to 3rd ch of ch-3 to join.
Round 3: ch 3, 1 dc in same sp as ch-3, *1 dc in next sp, 2 dc in next sp; repeat from * around until you have 36 dc, sl st to 3rd ch of ch-3 to join.
Round 4: ch 3, 1 dc in same sp as ch-3, *1 dc in each of the next 2 sps, 2 dc in next sp; repeat from * around until you have 48 dc, sl st to 3rd ch of ch-3 to join. Fasten off Colour A and attach Colour C.
Round 5: With Colour C: ch 6 (counts as dc + ch-3) (place a marker in 3rd ch of ch-6 to mark the top of your first “dc”); 2 dc in next sp (first corner made), *1 dc in next sp, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sps, 1 sc in each of the next 4 sps, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sps, 1 dc in the next sp, (2 dc in the next sp, ch 3, 2 dc in the next sp—corner made); repeat from * around until you reach beginning ch-6, dc in same sp as ch-6, sl st to marked ch-3 to close.
Round 6: (will use sc around to finish): *(sc into ch-3 sp, ch 2, sc into same sp—corner made), sc in each sp across to next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, sl st to beginning sc to close. Fasten off and weave in end.

Seam the squares together as shown in chart below.

Border: Attach Colour B with sl st in any corner sp, 2 sc in corner sp, *sc in each sp around, with 2 sc in each corner sp, join with sl st in first sc and fasten off. Attach Colour C and repeat with sc around, then attach Colour A and repeat around. Fasten off and weave in end. Block blanket to 30” x 30” to finish.

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Fabric Art Sweatshirt

March 21, 2024 at 7:59 pm (Creative arts, Learn something new, Stitchery)
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Some bleach splashed on the front of one of my favourite sweatshirts and instead of tossing it, I decided to mask the bleach stains with some fabric art. I’m a person who hates throwing stuff out…I like to try and come up with repurposing solutions instead, if I can. This project turned out to be a lot of fun… and now I have a brand new sweatshirt to wear!

To begin, I drew a butterfly template and then selected the different colours of fabric that I wanted to use for each piece. I used my template and carbon tracing paper to draw all of the little pieces onto my fabric, as well as drawing the base butterfly shape onto a piece of black fabric.

Then I cut out all the pieces and used a dab of fabric glue to set them into place on top of the black butterfly base. Unfortunately, the fabric glue seeped through on a couple of the pieces, but as I like to say whenever I make a mistake, “It’s not perfect, and neither am I!”

Next, I used a the smallest zig zag setting on my sewing machine to sew around the edges of each little piece. Was planning to do it by hand using a blanket stitch, but got impatient and just used the machine instead. Once all the little pieces were stitched down, I sewed the body of the butterfly into the middle, then attached some tiny black leather antennae to the head. I also stitched around the entire edge of the butterfly with a copper metallic thread, and added a few sparkly beads here and there. Last, I set my finished butterfly applique over the largest bleach stain, and hand-stitched it securely in place.

Next, I decided to make a fabric flower to cover the other stain. Again, I drew out a template of a sunflower, then chose the pieces of fabric that I wanted to use. As I did with the butterly template, I paired it with carbon tracing paper to trace all of my pieces onto the fabric.

Once everything was traced, I cut out and basted down the stem and leaves onto the sweatshirt to keep them in place until I was ready to sew them permanently. As you can see in the photo above, I had cut out each little petal piece, intending to sew around them while they were laid out in place, but then I realized that it would be a bit of a nightmare to blanket stitch around the edges of each piece by hand, while also trying to keep them in place, so I ended up trashing all of those and starting over. I redrew all the pieces onto more fabric. Then before I cut anything out, I used the smallest zig zag stitch on my sewing machine to sew around each drawn piece on the fabric. THEN I cut each little piece out, around the outside of the finished zig zag stitch. All I would have to do now is position them, baste them down, and sew them into place by hand. Once I finished sewing the stem, leaves and petals into place, I sewed brown coconut shell buttons in the center of my sunflower. I also added little wasp and ladybug buttons.

I wanted to fill a bit more space on the sweatshirt to balance things out, so I decided to embroider a saying beside the flower. I chose a beautiful nature-themed saying to go with my butterfly and flower. Using a white dressmaking pencil and a small ruler, I used the simplest of fonts to hand-draw the saying right onto the sweatshirt. Then I embroidered the outlines with a straight stitch and filled in the spaces with a back and forth chain stitch. I used tiny beads for the punctuation.

My perfectly imperfect sweatshirt is now ready to wear again!

3 Comments

Crocheted Winter Cowl: Chardonnay & Merlot

February 11, 2024 at 12:59 am (Crochet & Crafting)
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This Chardonnay & Merlot cowl is deliciously warm and also looks great! You can style it in a couple of different ways. Read on for the pattern…

Materials:
Feel free to use any Chunky yarn (3.5 oz/100g/180 yds/164 m), one ball each in your choice of two complimentary colours (A) & (B) (I chose one ball of cream and one ball of deep wine)

6 mm hook

2 medium-size buttons to match either of your yarn colours (instead of having to make button holes, your button should be able to fit through any space in the cowl)

Finished size approximately 18” L x 9” W

Instructions:
Using Colour A: Ch 34

Row 1: 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, *sk 2 chs, (sc, 2 dc) in next ch; 
repeat from * across, sc in last ch, ch 3, turn.

Row 2: 2 dc in first st (same sp as ch-3), *sk 2 sts, (sc, 2 dc) in next st; 
repeat from * across, sc in last st, ch 3, turn.

Row 3+: Repeat Row 2 until piece is approximately 18”. End last row with sc in last st, but don’t ch 3. Fasten off. Now you’ll crochet the other half of the cowl.

Attach Colour B to sc just made, and ch 3. Then continue with Row 2, repeating the same pattern until this piece is also approximately 18”. Fasten off and weave in any loose ends. Sew on buttons as shown in photo above.

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Whoa… There’s a snowman on my head!

December 12, 2023 at 5:14 pm (Crochet & Crafting)
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I like experimenting with new ideas, so in the spirit of the snow-filled season ahead, I decided to have some fun making this wacky hat.

Not much yarn was needed—just a half-skein of white Bernat Softee Chunky (150m/164 yds/100g/3.5oz.) yarn, along with a bit of scrap yarn in orange (for the carrot), red (for the scarf), and black (for the hat). I used a 7 mm hook for the snowman, and a 4 mm for the carrot, scarf, and hat.

You can use any beanie-style hat pattern that you have on hand to make a plain white hat—mine was made very simply with enough rounds of half double crochet to fit my head. For the last few rows, I switched to some white Homespun yarn to add a textured border. Once the hat is finished, you’ve made the snowman’s ‘body.’

For the snowman’s head, I used the same chunky yarn to crochet a ball the size of a large pom pom, stuffed it with fibrefill, and stitched it to the top of the hat.

Next, I crocheted a tiny carrot with some scrap orange yarn and sewed it mid center on the snowman’s face. Then I sewed on two black buttons for the eyes. I sewed three larger black buttons down the front of the hat to mimic ‘buttons on a snowman’s body.’ 

Next, I crocheted two rows of red Homespun-style yarn to make the scarf, and tacked it down around the neck with a few stitches.

Then, I used the black yarn to crochet a top hat in 2 pieces. First, I did a few rounds to make a circle for the ‘brim.’ Then I crocheted the top part of the hat in rounds (same process as if I were crocheting a tiny basket). Next I centered the top part of the hat atop the circle, then sewed the pieces together. Last, I sewed the hat to the top of the head.

It was a fun project to work on because I had no idea how it would turn out, but I have to say I’m pleased with the results. 

I think I may need to be dared to wear it out in public, though! LOL

5 Comments

I Love My Crocheted Sock Monkey Hat

November 2, 2023 at 12:39 am (Crochet & Crafting, Learn something new)
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You’re never too old to wear a sock monkey hat! This adult size is so easy to make, I finished it in one evening while watching the World Series game. It would be easy to resize for kids by just reducing the number of rounds. You’ll find the pattern below.

Materials: Worsted weight yarn: one ball each light grey, cream, and dark red /
6 mm hook / stitch marker / Note: Use a stitch marker to work in continuous rounds.

With Grey yarn, ch 4 and sl st in first ch to make a ring.

Round 1: 8 hdc into ring (place stitch marker in first hdc to mark beginning of next round and move marker to do the same with the first stitch of every round) (8)

Round 2: 2 hdc in each st around (16)

Round 3: *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (24)

Round 4: *hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (32)

Round 5: *hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (40)

Round 6: *hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (48)

Round 7: *hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (56)

Round 8: *hdc in next 13 sts, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (60)

Round 9 to Round 18: hdc in each st around (60) Fasten off at end of Round 18 and attach Cream yarn.

Round 19 & Round 20: Using Cream, sc in each st around. Fasten off at end of Round 20 and attach Red yarn (60)

Round 21: Using Red, sc in each st around. Fasten off and attach Cream (60)

Round 22 & Round 23: sc in each st around (60). Fasten off and weave in end.

Optional: Make a pom pom with your Red yarn and attach to hat. Enjoy!

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Crocheted Chocolate Tweed Sweater

April 19, 2023 at 9:34 pm (Crochet & Crafting)
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This is one of the easiest sweater patterns I’ve ever attempted. And I’m beyond pleased with the finished results—this sweater fits like a glove. 

The sweater is created using a basic V-stitch. You crochet the back panel first, then the two front panels, seam everything together, add the sleeves, then add the cuffs and a border. I followed the given pattern to make the back and front panels and the sleeves, but I just made up my own simple sc in BLO border around the sweater and for the cuffs. 

I used 2-1/2 skeins of Bernat Premium Tweeds (each 360yds/379m/7oz/198g) in Chocolate Tweed. It’s a super nice yarn to work with and is a good weight for a sweater.

I like this sweater so much, I’ll definitely be making another one in a different colour.

You can find the free pattern at https://wilmade.com/v-stitch-cardi/, with many thanks to Wilma at Wilmade.

Enjoy!

5 Comments

Sunset Shawlette

April 4, 2023 at 12:08 am (Crochet & Crafting)
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I discovered a Loops & Threads yarn called Facets—the striking variegated colours really caught my eye. I used it to make a shawlette from a lovely pattern I found on All Free Crochet  (https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Shawls/Orange-Blossom-110213) designed by Carmen Heffernan (you can look her up at: https://www.anniedesigncrochet.com/easy-crochet-triangle-shawl-2/), but I tweaked it a bit, as described below.

I used 2 balls of Facets (279 yds/256 m each), and a 5 mm crochet hook.

For the edging, I switched to a 6 mm hook, and used Loops & Threads Woolike yarn: a bit of Pumpkin Spice (A), and a bit of Golden Yellow (B). To make a larger shawl, simply continue crocheting rows until you reach your desired size.

Here is the edging pattern I used: 
Once shawlette is complete, use 6 mm hook to attach yarn A in the right corner of the bottom edge.

R1: Sc in each sp across, until you reach the mid-point ch-2 sp, [sc, ch 1, sc] in the ch-2 sp, and continue with sc in each sp until you reach the opposite end corner, turn.

R2: ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 6, sk next 6 sc, sc in next sc, rep from * to mid-point, [sc, ch 1, sc] in ch-1 mid-point sp, continue * across to end, turn. Fasten off A, attach B.

Repeat R2 using B. At the end, fasten off B and attach A. Repeat R2 using A, to complete one last row. Fasten off and weave in end. Block shawl to enhance shape.

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Don’t throw out your old CDs…

March 27, 2023 at 9:22 pm (artwork, Creative arts)
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Repurpose them by painting colourful mandala designs on them!

I used acrylic paint and dotting tools and painted one per afternoon. Talk about a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours!

There are tons of pattern ideas on the Web for inspiration, or just use your imagination.

I mounted them on a fabric background, but it was a bit of a pain,
so I think I’ll try just painting the background next time.

I placed a clear, crystal stone in the center of each CD, but I’ll definitely be experimenting
with other ideas in the future.

4 Comments

My most recent makes + a free pattern!

March 4, 2023 at 7:38 pm (Creative arts, Crochet & Crafting, Learn something new)
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I LOVE the craft of crochet. It’s easy once you’ve mastered the basic stitches. It’s portable, so you can take it anywhere. It’s inexpensive–there’s always a sale on yarn somewhere. It’s a truly relaxing pastime, as are most arts and crafts. And there are endless pattern ideas to engage in. I love it!

Here are some photos of my most recent makes over the past winter months. I’ll also include a pattern for my pocket scarf at the end.

MAKE #1: I felt like making a “straw bag” to tote around this summer. I picked up a couple of rolls of cheap jute string from the Buck store, got out my hook, and started crocheting simple sc stitches around and around. Also had some jute ribbon that I sewed around the top and tied into a bow. Then added some purse handles that I’d picked up at Fabricland a while back and had in my supply cupboard. On the back of the bag, I added an extra pocket that I’d embroidered with a ribbon flower. Voila…a durable straw bag.

MAKE #2: I had a ball of brightly coloured yarn in my stash that kept drawing my eye, so I decided to make a triangle scarf with it. It’s much prettier in person than in the photo and reminds me of a Caribbean sunset.

MAKE #3: Felt like doing something super-easy one evening in front of the TV, so I worked on this infinity scarf. The black section folds in half to make a collar, and the colourful variegated bobble stitches provide some texture. Looks great tucked into a black coat.

MAKE #4: I saw a simple pattern for a striped hat on the Web, so I chose a bunch of different colours to pair with white for this slouchy hat. It’s basically a simple rectangle crocheted with row after row of colour alternated with white… then either end seamed together… then the top end gathered closed. A pom pom is optional…I just preferred to leave it as is.

MAKE #5: I love pocket scarves. The pockets are so handy for carrying your phone or any other necessities when going for a walk or running errands, instead of having to bring a purse along with you. This is a very easy scarf to make. You can use your preferred colors in your choice of any worsted yarn. I’ve provided the pattern right below the image.

Three-Color Pocket Scarf
8” x 67” / 3 balls of any worsted yarn (157 yds each): A-1 ball navy, B-1 ball cream, C-1 ball blue/green variegated / 6 mm hook / Vst: (sc, ch 2, sc) in sp / Terminology: sc-single crochet; ch-chain; st-stitch; sk-skip; rep-repeat 

With yarn A, ch 36 (or any multiple of 3).

Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, sk next ch, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch, sk next 2 chs, rep from * to last 2 chs, sk next ch, sc in last ch, turn.

Row 2: ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in first sc, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, rep from *, sc in last st, turn.

Rep Row 2 until piece is approx. 23” long. Fasten off yarn A, attach Yarn B. 

Rep Row 2 until piece is approx. 21” long. Fasten off yarn B, attach Yarn C.

Rep Row 2 until piece is approx. 23” long. Fasten off. Weave in end.

Optional: Can add fringe or tassels to either end if you like.

Pockets: Make one pocket with yarn A, and another one with yarn C.

Ch 21, and follow same pattern as above for scarf. Crochet enough rows to measure 5.5” long.

Make each pocket approx. 5.5” W x 5.5” L and position as shown in photo, then whipstitch around edges to attach to scarf.

4 Comments

Best way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

January 15, 2023 at 10:08 pm (Kitty Cat, slice of life)
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Otis knows how to do it right.

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