A Brimmed Beanie and Tunisian in the Round

This week I made a Brimmed Beanie for my 'Little Man'.  

I used this hat from A Load of Craft as my inspiration.
She used a basic beanie pattern and this Video by Crochet Geek to make the brim.

I think it worked out pretty well...I also think his hat will probably fit his Momma before it fits him. LOL

I also participated in a CAL hosted at Grammy Dirlam's

It is kind of a Mystery CAL...it started with a teaser posted January 21. It would require a Specialty Yarn, a size N Hook and a Size N Double-Ended Tunisian Hook.

My introduction into Tunisian hadn't gone so well but I was looking forward to learning a new technique. Maybe it was time to dust off the Tunisian hook and give it a go again. 

Becky released the first part of the instructions Saturday morning.

My double-ended hook was a size K instead of an N, so she gave me instructions adjusting for the different size. 

I really wasn't sure I was doing it right but I reached out to Grammy's Facebook support group and got it sorted quick enough. 

 My stitches were so much smaller using the K hook but I really liked what was developing. I decided to stop at what I thought was the perfect size for a headband since it wasn't going to be large enough for a cowl.

I'm calling it a Tunisian Win cause it turned out MUCH BETTER than my first attempt!  

Little did I know..I should have looked for the 2nd part of our instructions though. Apparently, I was supposed to pull the orange thread out which would have left a very lofty and beautiful drapy fabric.

I'm still really happy with it though. The fabric is cushy and it makes the PERFECT ear warmer! 

The best part though is that I really enjoyed the CAL. I hosted several last year but it is so much more fun just joining in and learning something new and different. Tunsian in the Round...yes, I will do it again :D

 *Check out the Parties I'm Linking Up with this week

Online Stripe Generator

I discovered this stripe generator quite a long time ago. What I didn't realize is how unique it is. This is the only one to be found!

Now I'm pretty good at finding things but I can't find another online crochet color stripe generator!  Every single reference links to this one at Biscuits and jam.

And now, Caitlin has written two versions of the tool for us...

"Original" Random Stripe Generator

"generates random stripe patterns for sweaters, scarves, blankets, etc. It'll give you an idea of what the finished object will look like, but it still leaves some unpredictability to the stripe pattern."

Random Stripe Generator "Weighted"

" This version of the Random Stripe Generator is useful if you have a limited amount of certain colors and want toweight the results to use more of one color than another. "

So good job "Caitlin" from Biscuits and Jam, we LOVE your Online Tools!

Don't forget to bookmark this page so you can return to use the link for the stripe generator tool!

Crochet Therapy

Crochet / Yarn Tattoo

I sprained my wrist..so I haven't been crocheting this week.  Sad..I know :(  ...and so hard to 'not' do!

With nothing new on the hooks, I thought I would share my tattoo with you instead. It is inked on the inside of my right wrist, which is also the sprained wrist, so how appropriate right?!

I got "Bliss" 2-3 years ago while on holiday with my friends in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We don't live near each other anymore so we try to spend a girls weekend together once a year. You know, just a few days just to be 'girls'..not mothers, wives, managers etc. It's wonderful! 

My own personal tradition during this weekend is to get a new tattoo. YES, I said t-a-t-t-o-o   LOL

This one is custom drawn for me by an artist at Red Beard's Living Canvas. They have done 4 tattoos for me..very professional, family friendly, terrific artists who take pride in their work! 

My next 'ink' will be to add a magenta colored crochet hook to this piece :D  Then I need to add a broom for the Owl on my ankle to perch on...and I plan to have a tiny little butterfly added to the top of my wrist for each grandchild as they are born. I also have a Celtic Mother's Love Knot on my back that needs my childrens' names added to it. 

*My husband says he can't believe he married a tattoo'd lady! LOL

The Girls and I haven't been able to meet up for the last 2 years...money of course.  And I'm VERY particular about where I get my tattoos, so I just haven't added those little touches I talked about yet. Tattoos are permanent and they are expensive folks, so it is absolutely something to be particular about! 

There is a shop I've been hearing good things about 'back home' Indepth Ta2. I'm thinking I will be checking them out for myself this summer when we visit for my grandson's first birthday. It will be the perfect time to get 'his' tiny butterfly done.

No decent artist will touch you for less than $50 no matter what size the tattoo is  (if they will, don't let them touch you..I'm serious).  I would hate to pay $50 for a tiny blue butterfly the size of a large pea..so it should also be a great time to get my crochet hook and broom inked too.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Do any of you have a crochet/yarn related tattoo you would like to share?  If you do, let me know with a comment below. If there is enough interest I WOULD LOVE to do a post featuring all of our yarnie ink!

Color Combo Generator for Granny Squares

I found this tool completely be accident! I was surfing about the net looking for something completely new...and I found it at the blog of two sisters from Athens, Greece!

Hiding behind a tiny little * is the 

Color Combo Generator for Granny Squares.

It was designed by their father for the girls use..but you know how crocheters are, they like to share.

This is how the generator came about.

" I knew I wanted to make a colorful crocheted blanket, I knew granny squares were my style, I knew which colors to pick, but I had another type of problem. How should I combine the colors in order to have the same amount of each color across the blanket? ...My dad had the solution, he would make a program for me!!!"

Color Combo Generator by George Famelis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

*Click HERE for a list of Parties I Link to

FREE Pattern-Bearded Baby Beanie

I made a couple of Baby Bearded Beanies this year and I just wanted to show off my grandson's beautiful blue eyes peeking out above that bearded beanie!

I didn’t really use a pattern for the hat but I used measurements listed by Bev’s Country Cottage website to get the right size.

If you would like to make your own Beard, I used a Free Pattern by Jen Spears. Hers is the full-size version. To make mine Baby-Sized, I just used a smaller hook...I used a G hook and it came out perfectly.

Jen's Beard Pattern is the best one I’ve found so far..and I’ve worked 4 so far trying to find one that fits right. The pattern is well written and didn’t require any ‘tweeking’ by me. 

3 a.m. Fiber Craving...& How Red Heart is Made

How Red Heart is Made

If  your favorite yarn is mass produced or manufactured, you should enjoy this video by Red Heart and  "The Double Stitch Twins".

Personally, I think Red Heart often gets a "bad rep".

We are not talking about the scratchy, day-glo fibers your mother crocheted with in the '70s!
Yarns have come a long way since then and Red Heart has been leading the pack for a very long time.

You just can't beat their variety of color choices and availability.
While I love to visit, and buy from, my nearby JoAnn's store, (and do so far too regularly)  Red Heart is just a few minutes away at nearly any Wal-Mart store too. So if you've got that 3 a.m. craving that can only be satisfied by Red Heart Pink Camouflage varigate...well, it's no problem!

Ahem..ok, that's kind of a me thing ..but to my defense, I have a "yarn room" now and that pink camo has been staring me down from my Stash Cabinet for days! My resolve is weakening. While I tell myself  to finish blocks for the Designer Spotlight Challenge, I am being drawn very strongly to that Rose Trellis WIP. 

I think my Stash moves closer every time a look away!  

EEEK.. don't blink, don't blink, don't blink!

How to Fix Foundation Chains

Have you ever finished your Row 2 and discovered that you have chains left over? Of course you have .. we all have. :)

I found this wonderful tutorial in my inbox this afternoon and just had to share it. Enjoy!


 

Pattern w/Every Post!

[caption id="attachment_3706" align="aligncenter" width="150"] BlueberryPie Scarf Pattern by Ionyka[/caption]

Gift Giving Guide

A Gift-Giving Guide for Non-Yarnies

Unless you are a "Yarnie", "Fiber Freak" or "Crochet Crazy",  you probably find Crocheters to be difficult people to shop for.

Let me "clue you in"...We want gifts related to our beloved craft.

Does that frighten you? Are you afraid of buying yarn we already have or don't like? Don't know the difference between a hook and a needle?

Don't worry...we are a forgiving and understanding lot.

 

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BUY US YARN!

Nothing makes us happier!

Some yarns can be quite expensive..keep the receipt & let us know that we can exchange it if you happen to have bought something that won't work for us

1.  Choose one of these brands for a nice, solid choice.

• Lion Brand .. Pretty much anything Lion Brand is a good safe bet.. Good quality and reasonable pricing.
• I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby stores
• Vanna's Choice sold at JoAnn's
• Loops n Threads from Michael's
• Red Heart *some people love Red Heart (I'm a lover) and others can't stand it..if Red Heart is the brand most available in your area, try to purchase from their "Red Heart Soft" line if possible.

2.  Stick to a Medium Worsted Weight yarn, it is the most common size for our projects.

Sizes are printed on the labels -you are looking for a Size 4

• 
  

  Purchase Acrylic or Wool ..blends are fine

• 
  

  There a lot of different fibers available, and you might be tempted, but along with natural fibers comes allergies so unless you know what those are for your crocheter..stick to common Acrylic or Wool fibers

3.  Buy at least 700 yards.

• 400-500 yds makes a hat
• 500-700 yds makes a scarf
• 1700-3500 yds makes a sweater
• 3500-4500 yds makes an afghan

 

WE LOVE COLOR..

Colors can be tricky, but they don't have to be.It is likely there are several opportunities in our homes, and on our person, to figure out what we like.

• Take a picture of her favorite garment (t-shirt, blouse, etc) and use it as a shopping guide for picking colors
• Does your crocheter have a collection of anything..use the predominant colors as a guide.
• Curtains, pillows, bedspreads/comforters are all indications of favorite, or pleasing, color choices for your crocheter
• What is your crocheters favorite season of the year? Pick colors that match that season..ie Fall, choose oranges, russets, browns and greens

*Don't use a purse or wallet as color inspiration..we are often far too practical when choosing these items

WE NEED A PLACE TO KEEP THAT LOVELY YARN

• 
  

  Buy a basket to sit by our chair where we crochet

• 
  

  Buy a large bag or tote to carry our yarn and project with us when we leave home

• 
  

  If you really want to splurge, buy a cabinet, chest, or even a set of rolling drawers

Check this Pinterest page for a lot of really Great Ideas for Yarn Storage

 

BUY HOOKS

All brands are not created equal!  We  have our favorites and there is a reason it is our favorite!

• 
  

  Take a picture of the hook your crocheter uses all the time.

• 
  

  Take the hook if you can manage that without causing panic for your crocheter. Use it to help you with your purchase.

1.  Buy a SET of these Hooks

2.  If a set is out of the budget, buy at least 3 of these favorite hooks in these sizes "G", "H" & "I"

 These are the most standard sizes used for our projects.

Sizes are marked on either the shaft or the thumb rest of crochet hooks.

BUY BOOKS

This one is tough but I'm about to make it very easy for you.

We LOVE our pattern books, but we are picky about them as well.  It is likely that we already have what is available off the shelf from most craft stores and the selection for crochet in most book stores is insulting .. and NO, knitting is not the same as crocheting !

1.  There are two books that every crocheter should own and will love having their own copy of.

[gallery columns="2" ids="5774,5775"]

1. Crochet Saved My Life: The Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Crochet by Kathryn Vercillo
2. Hooked for Life: Adventures of a Crochet Zealot by Mary Beth Temple

2.  Ask your crocheter to go to www.amazon.com and create a wish list to make it easy for you.  Login and purchase with confidence.

 

FIND A CROCHET ARTISAN & PURCHASE A GIFT CARD

*Artisan items are non-returnable and non-exchangeable...I really encourage the use of Gift Cards

They are available in limited quantities and are often one-of-a-kind.  This makes them extremely Special gifts.

[caption id="attachment_5770" align="alignleft" width="137"] Ed Jenkins..Jenkins Woodworking[/caption]

1.  Artisan Hooks

• 
  

  Handmade or Custom hooks can be very pricey and may be something your crocheter has dreamed of owning. Most of them are "one of a kind" and many are made for each individual by order only

• 
  

  Make sure you check the average pricing of the Artisan hooks so your card limit is enough to purchase one. Some are as expensive as $70 + and up.

2.  Artisan Yarns

• 
  

  Look for anything that says "hand-spun" or "hand-dyed"

• 
  

  Choose colors using hints as above

Many artisans also have pictures of their animals that their yarns come from. Include a photo with your gift!

*Check with your crocheter about fiber allergies before purchasing

TAKE US SHOPPING

If you are an instant gratification kind of gifter, I'm sure you hate the idea of giving Gift Cards. Here's an option you can both enjoy.

• 
  

  Give us the cash before we go inside. We like having the freedom of knowing and being in control of how much we have to spend.

• 
  

  Don't "hover"..go next door to the game store if you must or find some other way to occupy yourself

• 
  

  Don't be a cheapskate..we need $50 to have a decent experience.

• 
  

  DO be an enabler..spend at least 5-ish min. in the yarn aisle with us. Touch the different yarns, pick out OUR favorite colors and say "hey this is awesome"..then wander elsewhere and leave us to shop and enjoy ourselves amongst the yarnie goodness

• 
  

  Take us to lunch afterwards and enjoy the glow on our faces. Please, try to listen to us "go on" about our purchases and our plans for them.

Ok, that about does it!

This is a small list of Artisans where you can find custom hooks and yarns. See, I made it easy for you!

 

Handcrafted Wooden Crochet Hooks by Brain's Barn

One of a Kind Wooden Artisan Hooks by Jimbo's Front Porch

Jenkins Woodworking .. Fine wood tools for fiber artists.

 

Ozark Handspun .. Artisan-Crafted Natural Yarns

Handspun by Black Sheep Goods

Darn Good Yarn

Newborn Hats Gift Set

Now and Later Newborn Set

Last Fall I was asked to make a gift for one of my son's High School teachers. He was becoming a brand new, first-time father and my son's class wanted to do something special for him. NICE HUH? I was impressed :D

So I got volunteered ..

I whipped up this set over the weekend and wanted to share it with you.  I call it the 'Now and Later' set because there is one hat for Now and one hat for Later. :)

The first little hat I made,'Valentine', worked up much larger than expected .. too large for a newborn, but it will be perfect this winter. Next I made a beautiful 'Butterfly' hat which was just the perfect size and added a couple of flowers to each hat.

  

I should have been done but it just didn't feel finished. I didn't have a gift bag handy, so using the
magic and versatility of crochet, I made one!  It's a mesh-style bag so the new mother can keep those tiny little baby socks in it and throw the whole thing in the laundry .. no more losing them :)

Crochet Hearts Scarf & Gift Bag

This week I've been hooking the Crochet Heart Scarf by Alice Merlino & Little Hearts Drawstring Bag by Esther Chandler. 

Cari Plunk is easily my best friend. We met 10+ years ago and quickly became sisters..like we have known each other for many lifetimes..and truly, maybe we have.

We have followed each other across town and across state lines, raised our kids on the same street, loved & disciplined them together. We have survived suiters and beaus and even a marriage or two. 
We even lived together for a year..with a husband and teenagers under roof. :) 

Cari's birthday is Feb.05 and this year she is having an 'official' party. I want to bring something festive. 

Cari also has a 'thing' for hearts.
We are always on the lookout for something unique that she doesn't already have and when we find it, it goes into the Cari basket for when she needs a smile. 
Maybe I should have been more original in my choosing this year, but I almost feel like she would be disappointed if I didn't crochet her something with hearts.

I picked these in her favorite colors.

 Crochet Heart Scarf by Alice Merlino

Little Hearts Drawstring Bag by Esther Chandler.

My heart scarf is made using worsted weight I Love This Yarn and a size H hook. The pattern calls for DK or fingering weight but I wanted the worsted. I knew this would make it a little bit bigger and probably require blocking, but it is what I wanted.

Sure enough, it definitly needed blocked..but I hate blocking. So I just rolled it up good and tight instead. This worked great..no blocking required..LOL

I'm not so sure I worked the bag correctly.

I wasn't understanding the pattern very well..no fault of the designer. Sometimes, and some  days, directions just aren't clear in my brain. I decided to just look at the pictures and 'wing it'.

I also changed up the top a bit where the drawstring/cord is woven through.

I made the cord so the bag could be easily carried or hung for storage or convenience.

All in all, it worked up pretty neat. It's going to make a handy little bag to carry or keep things in!

The scarf worked up in an evening and the bag also was finished in another evening. Both patterns were well written and included a lot of pictures to help. And they are both FREE! 

These projects qualify as Stash-Busters so I'll be Linking them up at Linda's 2014 Stash-Busting Challenge :D

If you decide to make one of these yourself, I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

*Click HERE to see Linky Parties I participate in.

Online Color Wheels

 

As much as I am in love with color, I have the skill of a '70s wild child for choosing them in combinations. Thank goodness for techno-geekery!

The links below will all lead you to fantastically wonderful online color wheels. Set aside some time to play and explore to find the ones that work for you.

• Interactive Color Wheel
• Color Wizard - Color Scheme Generator 
• Online RGB Color Wheel
• Color Scheme Designer 3

FREE Pattern-Aesthetic Hooded Scarf by CrochetDreamz

I stopped by Thursday Handmade Love at Crochet Addict UK this morning. She has the most encredible collections of Hoods featured today.  You should REALLY stop by and see for yourself..totally AWESOMENESS!

I LOVE Hoods...no idea why, I just do..so I couldn't help but link up my Aesthetic Hooded Scarf by CrochetDreamz 

I made this one in 2012. It was awesome to make, easy pattern to follow and a very attractive finish.

It's also a FREE Pattern and you can't beat that :D

FREE PATTERN, Simple Headband w/Bow

Just finished headband made w/Lion Brand Woolease chunky.
Not my prefered color but I didn't pick it and I don't have to wear it so ...meh, I hope she likes it :D

I chained to a length of 21 inches, then joined the ends and SC in the round to a width of 5 inches.

The bow is a single layer. I did basically the same thing, only this time, I didn't measure...I 'eyeballed' it. Just a little bit shorter and narrower than the headband. I pinched it in the center and tacked it using yarn and a really large needle, then wrapped the yarn around the pinch till I was happy with it. After that, I used the same yarn and needle to attach the bow to the headband in the center. Then I tacked all four courners w/yarn...clipped and wove in the ends.

That's it! Simple Headband completed :)

Crochet Headbands and Wrist Warmers

Crochet Headbands and Wrist Warmers

Now that everyone has received their Christmas Gifts and are busily enjoying them, I thought it was time to share them all with you!

Cozy Autumn Cowl by Svetlana Andrianova

Isn't this a beautiful stitch?

This is a cowl made by Natalia at http://rukodelkino-n.blogspot.ru/2014/01/cowls-2013.html

The original pattern is  Cozy Autumn Cowl    and is the design  of  Svetlana Andrianova.

You can find her pattern on Ravelry...HERE

It's so pretty, I just want to get out my hooks and whip one or two or three up!

Crochet Therapy

Joy is Always Present

Guess what I found this morning? SNOW..great big huge white heavy flakes whipping about in the Tennessee wind and piling up on the fence and outdoor chairs.

By the time I got my camera, they had turned into tiny spots that don't show up in a picture, but I thought I would share with you anyway.

The weather here in middle Tennessee is always so mild .. it was just a really fun thing to wake up to!

Here is to counting our Blessings, every single day in 2014. Joy is always there waiting for us to find it :).

Speaking of JOY...this little guy brings it with him and love to share. Thank You Owen Wade :D 

Crochet Happy Dishcloth-FREE Pattern

Say Goodbye to Ugly Dishcloths

Crochet Happy Dishcloth

My Mother absolutely loves cotton dishcloths..lucky for her, she has a daughter who can and will make her as many as she wants. That fact alone is where we both start and end in agreement about them, however. 

She is very particular about her cotton washcloths. She wants them made in a Double Crochet Mesh Pattern and nothing else is acceptable. She says they must be made in this mesh pattern because they dry faster and, if they aren't made like this, the cloth will "sour".

Now I love my crochet..but I hate making those dishcloths. Mom doesn't care what they look like, but I'm the one who has to make them..and they are UGLY. My mother doesn't believe in throwing anything away so these get pretty UGLY!

Last Spring, no longer able to compromise, I designed a cloth we both can agree on. The Crochet Happy Dishcloth is a generous size and it is pretty, because that is what I like.  It's design uses V Stitches to create a mesh-like cloth that dries well because that is what Mom likes. I've made dozens of these for friends and family and everybody loves them. I Hope You Do Too...

Crochet Happy's Dishcloth

• ch 32
• dc in 3rd ch from the hook
• dc in each st across, ch3 & turn
• dc ch1 dc (v-stitch) in first st, skip a st, [dc ch1 dc, skip st]  across
• dc in last st, ch3 and turn
• repeat last row until your total rows of v-stitches reaches 13
• 2 dc in first stitch, sk st, [2 dc sk st 2 dc] across. end this row w/dc in last st then ch3 and turn
• dc in ea st across, finish off and weave in ends

The v-stitches do create a "wide middle" that is balanced at the top and bottom by the use of the dc rows and on the sides by the dc on the end of each row. It creates a "frame" for the v-stitches. It's a very pretty cloth.

Please feel free to make and gift these cloths as you wish. You may not sell the pattern itself without written permission from me.

© Copyright Tracy Joyner 2012

Happy New Year!