Y(arn) O(ver) Mama

Re-Useable Crochet Tampon (Link to Pattern)

2011-11-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

I didn't follow a pattern for these. I looked at a picture from someone else's pattern and then sort of crocheted. Also, I just used cotton yarn I had on hand instead of natural un-dyed cotton which I think would be healthier. I'll let you know how well it works.

My inspiration for it came from this free pattern: CLICK HERE

It opens for easier cleaning...

Re-Useable Cloth Menstrual Pads

2011-08-28T02:42:00.000-06:00

After trying a few free patterns online, a friend generously emailed me her pattern and tutorial. I like her pattern for two reasons - one, she had bigger sizes. The free ones I tried were on the small side. Two, the liner (seen in green/brown) is separate from the pads themselves rather than being all-in-one or pocket-style. This way, if the flow is light, you can change the pad without changing the liner. This comes in handy because the waterproof fabric I used for the liners is PUL. PUL was created by Satan, and Satan hates me. It is a P.I.T.A. to sew. Using it in a few liners instead of a few dozen pads is nice.

This particular set is going to a friend who paid me to make them (hurray!). I also now have a few different ones to use for myself. The pads are made from organic cotton/hemp fabric with what I think is purple velour. I got it free from a friend so I don't know for sure but it is super soft.

Now that my vulva has experience this fabric, I've decided I also need to make my own panties with velour(?) lining. It's divine, as is my vulva.

Kick-Ass Crafting

2011-08-21T00:46:00.002-06:00

To my 33 loyal fans - YOU cannot crochet and be a tough girl at the same time. Apparently. Saith random stranger Peg Aloi on the Huffington Post.

"Maybe "having it all" was a silly fantasy that ultimately made women feel exhausted and inferior. Maybe we just wanted to sit on our asses and knit and eat cupcakes in our Hello Kitty jammies.

And now that so many women have seemingly retreated from our reign of awesomeness to immerse themselves in the feminine past-times of yesteryear, it does indeed appear that we've lost sight of what it means to be a badass, strong, tough woman...

...This weird retro world of cooking, heirloom tomatoes and Jane Austen is starting to feel a bit smug and smothering. Where's the fun?"

Peg goes on to extol the virtues of such shining examples of feminist bad-assery as Courtney Love, a drug addict who lost custody of her daughter because she couldn't grow up and take responsibility, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, a non-existent television hero who battles imaginary creatures. Dude, seriously?

"There are tough times ahead, and we need to be tough bitches to face them. Growing vegetables is useful; but so is learning how to shoot a gun, hot-wire a car, and manipulate our way into a bomb shelter."

(rolling my eyes at you. this is a kindness)

So, ladies, behold your "girly" and "complacent" inability to be "tough," "intelligent," and "no-nonsense."

Hmm. Creative and creepy, but since it involves sewing, it's domestic and therefore girly. Keep trying.

Physics cupcakes from quaint_idea. VERY intelligent, but Peg specifically said, "Women are girly. Again. Don't believe me? The proof is in the blogosphere: Women who blog about cupcakes." You made cupcakes and then posted them on the internet. You can't possibly rock.

Pattern and kit from Subversive Cross Stitch. Incidentally, Peg mentions Xena: Warrior Princess, and in "The Black Wolf" episode, it comes out that Xena does embroidery.

Diomedes: You embroider.

Xena: I have many skills.

Never mind that 2 days after this tutorial and recipe were posted, the INVENTOR of the Rubik's Cube emailed her about how he liked the cake. It's a CAKE, honey. Made in a KITCHEN. Possibly while BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT.

A collection of knitting patterns from a Roller Derby team? What the hell???

Artist Shauna Richardson crocheted this mofo. CROCHETED. What a waste of skill and "tough gal" spirit.

Dude, you can't put "Sew" and "Subversive" in the same book title unless that title is "How Sewing Automatically Excludes You From Being Subversive."

Don't even get me started on GARDENING. How can a woman who runs her own farm and magazine and food business and delights in sewing APRONS be badass?

"She's an organic farmer who grew up canning garden-fresh food and wearing hand-sewn clothes. After stints as a single mother, carpenter, and wilderness ranger, MaryJane purchased a five-acre homestead in Idaho, sight unseen. Since then, she's been farming this land — and then 100 more adjacent acres, after she married a neighbor farmer — in high style." (source link)

Harumph. That's not so tough. Anyone can run a farm. Your overweight mom can run a farm. It doesn't take a genius to cut wood and build things with it. Aprons are are wimps. Wimps who COOK. In that previously mentioned KITCHEN.

It's a knitting tattoo. A KNITTING TATTOO. Only girly girls get tattoos, especially big ones in a prominent place.

This badass quilt is brought to you by the wimpy craft of quilting.

You can't actually CALL your cupcake business Kickass Cupcakes, Sara Ross! That's CHEATING!

Not only did artist Therea Honeywell knit over a perfectly serviceable and badass motorcycle, she knit it PINK. Only a woman made to feel "exhausted and inferior" would stoop to such levels.

Oh, for crying out loud! Is that a knitting cake??? Edible dessert that looks eerily like a real basket full of yarn?? The women at The Artisan Bake Shop are wasting their feminist heritage!! You can't just up and own your own business by utilizing your talents to BAKE!

Mmmmm ... sexy werewolf cross stitch ... I mean (ahem) GIRLY cross stitch. As in, many of the girls I know would appreciate this cross stitch chart.

As you can see, the world of crafting and baking is flooded with women who would rather sit on their couches playing with yarn than become an alcoholic or ignorant Huffington Post freelance writer. "Feminine pastimes" are mere distractions from wearing leather and committing grand theft auto.

"“Dear Peg Aloi,

I was an officer in the Army Reserves for 11 years and an ROTC cadet in a male dominated organization for 4 years before that. I have two college degrees plus a 3rd degree black belt in karate and a 2nd degree black belt in kobudo. I'm a podcaster, artist and writer and happily self-employed. I also sew, knit, bake, craft, and let my girls wear pink whenever it suits them.

The last I checked, being feminist meant making I made my own decisions and did what I wanted to do without having to live up to other people's bull-crap artificial standards.

So bite me, fan girl. I am a feminist.”" - (commenter on Peg Aloi's article)

Elf Hat with Disobedient Curl

2011-05-18T21:17:00.000-06:00

This would be 100% more adorable if I could get the curl on top to not flop to one side. When I figure it out I'll post the pattern.

Another Gnome

2011-04-11T00:11:00.000-06:00

I am much more pleased with how this cape turned out but managed to do weird things to the hat. It's cute but not where I want it. I have a renewed respect for pattern makers - much trial and error has gone into this gnome pattern and I'm STILL not done tweaking it.

My New Homesewn Baby Carrier

2011-03-24T04:07:00.000-06:00

I made this following THIS tutorial (CLICK HERE)

I forgot that my ginormous baby weighs ginormous pounds and is ginormous inches tall, so I should have made the hood many inches longer. Nevertheless, I am in love, and getting the hang of this carrier.

The fabric was a gift for an entirely different project, but I love it so much I could not resist it. Also, I haven't added the little tabs that hold those hood strings up.

I was really eager to get this done because I gave away my Moby Wrap to a total stranger. Not saying this to toot my own horn, but I ran into a single mom in the ER room a few weeks ago with an infant recovering from hernia surgery. She asked me where I got my carrier and without thinking I gave mine to her and showed her how to wear it. Moira was starting to get too heavy for it anyway, but it definitely left me scurrying to make a replacement.

This one is not as comfortable as my Sutemi Pack but it it is definitely easier to use. Moira and I are still trying to master the back carry without Daddy's help. The important part, though, is that it is stinkin' adorable.

Felt Play Mat

2011-03-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

I stitched up this felt forest play mat this week. It's dimensions are just right to fit some plastic shelves in the kids' play room.

These things look much cuter when you hand stitch the applique with a blanket stitch, but I am short on patience and not very good at that stitch. So, I just used the "H' setting on my sewing machine to put the pieces on.

Connor inserted some Lego mini figures for your enjoyment. That one on the tree is supposed to be hiding behind it.

I plan to make two more, a sea scape and planets in space, and then attach them with velcro to the tops of the shelves (which I have separated out so they're more like tables - I'll post a pick when I'm done). That way, if and when we finally get wood shelves, they'll be easy to remove.

Free Slouchy Hat/Beret Pattern

2011-02-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

I made this slouchy hat using Cats-Rockin-Crochet's free pattern as a guide. I used homespun yarn and instead of cable stitches I threw in two rows of v-stitches. In retrospect, that was stupid because on a windy day I get a chill through those rows.However, it's my new favorite hat and I wear it every chance I get.

Mary and Baby Jesus Nativity Amigurumi Pattern

2011-01-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

I made this Mary and Baby Jesus couple from a free pattern available from The Crafty Cattery.

I used Lion brand Homespun yarn, which is my most favorite acrylic yarn in the whole wide world. I also haven't added any hair yet.

But, I love her because she is holding Jesus instead of staring down at him in the manger. We all know that as soon as he was born, she held on to him and never let go. That's how birth works - the baby comes out, you snuggle it for several months before you start letting it out of your sight for more than a few minutes at a time.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Copyright Infringement

2010-12-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

So, I'm wasting time browsing through Ravelry while breastfeeding my Adorable, when suddenly I come across someone's really awesome Brain Slug hat. I click on it to add it to my queue, and low and behold, not only is she selling it for a profit, she also had the audacity to add the tag line "You may not sell the finished product."

No, actually, I CANNOT sell the finished product. Know why? It's a copyrighted character from an animated television series and you are breaking the law by profiting from the reproduction of the character.

She may as well have pirated the whole Futurama series, offered it up for sale, and the added "Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited."

This does not fall under Fair Use, as Etsy clearly states, which is where the Brain Slug hat pattern is for sale.

I wanted to report it, but both Etsy and Ravelry only take complaints from the copyright owners, and frankly I'm sure Matt Groening has better things to do with his time. It still makes me angry that someone is taking advantage of Futurama fans and trying to make money off of a stolen character.

Another person who created an amigurumi pattern even had the nerve to claim her crochet Brain Slug pattern is the original.

So, for Futurama Brain Slug Fans everywhere, here is a link to a FREE amigurumi pattern for a Futurama Brain Slug. And, here is another link to another free amigirumi Brain Slug pattern.

And if you want a Brain Slug hat, just find any ruffled hat pattern, attach two antennae and make them stand out by putting extra stuffing in them, crochet a white circle for the giant eyeball, and then add a small black circle or a big black button for the pupil. Then post a picture on Ravelry and make sure your pattern is FREE.

Also, I'm saying Brain Slug a lot so that people googling crochet Brain Slug will find this blog post more easily.

Brain Slug.

Also, here's a free crochet TARDIS pattern, a free crochet Dalek pattern, a free crochet Bender pattern, and a free crochet Cthulhu pattern. I don't even know what a Cthulhu is, but it appears to be popular.

Brain Slug. Brain Slug.

FREE PATTERN: Crochet Gnome-y Elfish Hat For Babies, Version 1.0

2010-10-22T21:26:00.002-06:00

This adorableness, Moira Elizabeth born on August 14, is why I have not been posting much. But, as you can see by the crochet hat I designed, I have been crocheting a lot!

My sister requested a baby hat like this one. There are a few knit patterns for a similar hat, but I haven't found any for crocheted ones, so I made one up. I used 100% wool yarn and a size K hook. The hat actually stands up completely by itself, so I will probably make my next one with a softer, sport weight yarn. Not that it's not cute like that, but the one my sister wanted had a softer "drape" to it.

Now I am not a professional pattern maker, so if I'm missing important details, let me know. Also, my abbreviations may be off, but it should be apparent what I mean.

Size – about 15 to 16 inches around (fits my two month old but she’s big)

Hook: K

Yarn: Worsted Weight wool (any will do, but a smaller yarn requires a smaller hook and will yield a smaller hat)

Chain 51, connect to make a circle without twisting the chain upside down

Round 1: Ch 2, Half-Double Crochet in each ch around, join at the top of the first hdc. Do not turn – 51 stitches

Rnd 2: Ch 1, Front Post Half-Double Crochet around the first hdc, then back post for the next hdc, then front post, then back, around to the end, join with a slip stitch at the top of the first hdc – 51 stitches

Rnd 3 – 5: Repeat Rnd two, putting front posts around front posts and back posts around back posts

Rnd 6: Ch 1, single crochet in same space and top of each hdc around until the last two – crochet those together with a single crochet decrease. Do not join with a slip stitch – 50 stitches

Rnd 7 – 16: Single crochet into the first single crochet and each sc around (note: or more if you want this part longer. I am finding that making it a few more rows longer fits my daughter's big head better!)

Rnd 17: SC decrease, sc in next 8 stitches, repeat pattern around – 45 stitches

Rnd 18: SC around – 45 stitches

Rnd 19: SC dec, sc in next 7 sts, repeat pattern around – 40 stitches

Rnd 20: SC around – 40 stitches

Rnd 21: SC dec, sc in next 6 sts, repeat pattern around – 35 stitches

Rnd 22: SC around – 35 stitches

Rnd 23: SC dec, sc in next 5 sts, repeat pattern around – 30 stitches

Rnd 24: SC around – 30 stitches

Rnd 25: SC dec, sc in next 4 sts, repeat pattern around – 25 stitches

Rnd 26: SC around – 25 stitches

Rnd 27: SC dec, sc in next 3 sts, repeat pattern around – 20 stitches

Rnd 28 - 32: SC around – 20 stitches

Rnd 33: SC dec, sc in next 2 sts, repeat pattern around – 15 stitches

Rnd 34 – 39: SC around – 15 stitches

Rnd 40: SC dec, sc in next st, repeat pattern around – 10 stitches

Rnd 41 – 46: Sc around – 10 stitches

Leave a long tail and weave in last five sc’s and pull closed. Finish off.

This can then be finished in several ways, such as with a pompom, tassel, cord or braid. I pulled 9 strands of yarn through the end part, made a knot, and then braided them. You can make it as long or as short as you wish.

Copyright Alisa Elizabeth King Terry 2010. Please do not sell this pattern or copy it without crediting me and linking back to this blog.

Please Do Not Crochet This

2010-10-13T00:59:00.000-06:00

I don't follow blogs that mock crafts, partly because sometimes the things they post as No-No's are things I actually think are cool. I happen to like that kid's crocheted squid costume, thank you very much!

However, some things cross over that fuzzy line of questionable taste into the definite territory of "offensive."

Please do not crochet this Native American tissue box cover.

This token of decapitation is available FOR PURCHASE, not for free. It's listed as a Thanksgiving crochet pattern. You put this emblem of Native American hospitality OVER A TISSUE box, from which you withdraw things used for blowing your snotty nose.

Do not crochet this. This is many, many levels of wrong.

Crochet Mermaid Doll is Now 20% Off

2010-08-22T23:11:00.002-06:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52419464/om-sale-20-percent-off-one-of-a-kind-13

Crochet Infant Mary Janes

2010-08-02T03:47:00.000-06:00

I got this pattern from a booklet of booty patterns called Precious Baby Booties. Here is one finished booty - I'm working on the second one. The color combo matches a dress I'm making her.

Mermaid Doll now For Sale on Etsy

2010-07-26T23:48:00.000-06:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52419464/one-of-a-kind-13-inch-crochet-mermaid

More Gnomes

2010-07-26T01:36:00.000-06:00

I made this as a thank you for a friend who gave me two boxes of fabric she didn't want anymore. I had a hard time with the hats - as you can see on the green/earth tones one, when you crochet a head in the round, sewing the hat on goes kind of crooked, because the head is spiral shaped. I tried something different for the pink one but it turned out even worse, hence the bubble-stitch band to hid the bottom of the hat. So, from now on, head need to be crocheted with obvious rows.

Peg People For Fairy Day: Free Tutorial and Patterns

2010-06-24T01:59:00.001-06:00

I whipped up these cuties this evening in honor of Fairy Day, June 24. We are still deciding whether they need hair or pointy hats. meanwhile, though, I wrote down the patterns for the wings and took photographs. Even while stopping to write and rewrite patterns, they only took me about an hour.

I started by taking some thin pattern fabric (you can buy it at fabric stores for tracing paper patterns) and wrapping it around a peg. I then took a blue pencil to try and trace a shape. I'm sure other people are better at this than me, but this is what I came up with:

I pinned it to some fleece and then glued the fleece around the peg person. This is how it looks from the back:

This is how it looks from the front:

I have a notebook where I write down patterns as I try them out. My first shot at butterfly wings came out too long in the back.

In the end I settled on two different wing patterns, ones that looked like a butterfly and ones that look like leafy wings. If I make those second ones in black, I bet they'd make great bat wings.

Peg Person Crochet Butterfly Wings

Size H Hook (or larger if your stitches tend to be tight)

Worsted weight yarn

To begin, chain (ch) 2. Single Crochet (sc) 4 times in the beginning ch

Round (Rnd) 1: (sc, half double crochet, sc) in each sc around - 12 stitches total

Rnd 2: Slip Stitch (Sl St) and sc in the next sc, 3 hdc in the next hdc, sc and sl st in the next sc. Repeat this pattern one more time. Sl st in the next sc, 3 hdc in the next hdc, sl st in the next sc. repeat this pattern one more time. - 24 stitches total

Rnd 3: Sl st in the next st, sc in the next st, sc and hdc in the next st, dc in the next st, hdc and sc in the next st, sc in the next st, sl st in the next st. repeat this pattern only once more and then finish off (tie a knot and then weave your ends into the butterfly with either a small hook or yarn needle to hide them. I prefer a yarn needle, myself).

Peg Person Crochet Leafy Wings

Ch 2, 3 sc in the beginning ch

Row 1: Ch1, turn, 2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next sc, 2 sc in the last sc - 5 sts total

Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across - 5 sts

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc decrease the first 2 sc's together, 1 sc in the next sc, sc decrease - 3 sts

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across - 3 sts

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc all 3 sc together (insert hook in first sc, pull up a loop, insert hook in the next sc, pull up a loop, insert hook in the last sc, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook)

Finish off.

Go back to the beginning of the wing, sl st into it, and ch 3 in that space (here's a picture)

Repeat rows 1 through 5 to make the second wing. You can either finish off for the jagged look I have, or continue on and sc evenly around the outside edge for a smoother finish.

Glue wings to peg people.

These wooden peg figures can be found at most craft stores and fit nicely into a German birthday ring.

Notice the added facial features on that bee, courtesy of my 2 year old and a permanent marker.

Nesting Like Crazy

2010-06-16T20:52:00.000-06:00

I finished 3 projects in the last week. The first was a bed liner to put under my 4 year old at night. He wears a thick cloth diaper at night, because he's a deep sleeper and doesn't always wake up to use the potty, but lately he's been waking up, taking it off, and coming back to bed, all without remembering that he did it. After washing the bed twice I decided to sew a pad. It's only 2 layers - Polar fleece and terry cloth. but, it does the trick. I just sewed the two pieces right sides together and left an opening to turn it right side out and then top stitch all around.

Connor picked out the fleece.

I had a little terry cloth left over, so I also made a portable changing pad to keep in the diaper bad. The blue water-proof layer is PUL. The terry cloth is in the middle. The outside is a pretty fat quarter I bought a few years ago. I just couldn't decide what to do with it. In the end, I've decided to let my newborn pee all over it. That makes sense, right?

Here's a close up of the pattern.

Last but not least, I tried a free Lion Yarn crochet pattern for a bunny snuggly. It's supposed to be done with wool yarn and then felted. I used some organic cotton that I received for free from a friend. In the end it wasn't the best choice because it made the bunny larger and heavier, which will be fine for an older baby, and not the light, wash-cloth size more appropriate for a teething infant. Still, it's cute, so I'll put a face on it and set aside for when Moira is older.

Home Sewn Breastfeeding Pillow Cover

2010-06-03T01:02:00.000-06:00

I made this with a Simplicity pattern. I took less than an hour from start to finish.

Most covers for breastfeeding pillows are pretty but completely impractical. My old ones didn't protect ANYTHING. Fleece, on the other hand, repels liquids and can be washed on hot. Plus, we picked out this adorable monster fabric. Soft AND awesome.

Crochet Wool Diaper Soaker

2010-06-03T00:55:00.000-06:00

I just finished this small sized crochet wool diaper soaker for my little unborn Moira. Normally, I try to avoid pink, but this particular skein was on clearance for about 1/3 of what commercially made wool yarn usually costs.

Wool is an excellent choice for a diaper cover because it is SUPER absorbent. I use wool pants over my children's diapers at night and they keep even the most volumous, stinkiest pees off the sheets. Wool is also naturally anti-microbial and very breathable, which cuts back on rashes. The downside, of course, is that it must be washed on cold, or else it shrinks. I have shrunk more than one wool diaper cover.

This pattern is available for FREE on this website: CLICK HERE

Incredible Crochet Patterns for Sale on Etsy

2010-05-27T02:50:00.000-06:00

I just discovered this crochet pattern designer's Etsy shop. Her Etsy name is Skymagenta and her patterns amaze. A few of my favorites (hopefully she doesn't mind me taking her photographs since I am singing her praises!):

Fire Extinguisher and Fire

Piano

Strawberry Tea Set

Christmas Log (Yule Log)

Electric Fan

She has over seven pages of patterns. Click Here for some delicious eye candy and unique crochet patterns!

First Two Crochet Mermaid Dolls Are Done

2010-05-18T22:51:00.002-06:00

The blue mermaid on the right was my first attempt. It is now my daughter's toy. The second, purple mermaid is a gift for a niece. They stand 14 inches tall and have over 200 strands of yarn for hair.

I made my niece's doll a little more modest, but that also made her long too long; a bit tube-like. You can see the difference in the next picture. I tried to break up the top half and bottom half by adding a shell on her chest, but it ended up looking awful. So, I'm going to leave her the way she is and hopefully my niece will still love her. I also made her tail(s) bigger, which looks a lot better.

While it looks like the blue mermaid is also wider, she's not - just more hugged!

Eye-Spy Bags

2010-05-11T00:39:00.000-06:00

Two down, five more to go!

First of all, I have no idea why my new digital camera takes such crappy pictures. And yes, I'm blaming the camera.

Second, I read somewhere how a woman went to a dollar store and found a plastic make-up bag to use for the windows. She seemed pretty proud of her find. I went to Joann's and bought an entire roll of 5-inch wide vinyl for about 60 cents. I've cute out seven 5x5 squares and still have a lot left over. If you want to recycle, or only want to make one or two, by all means, maybe hit a second hand store. Otherwise, buy some vinyl at a craft store. I'm sure I'll come up with something awesome to do with what I have left over.

To make these, I followed basic instructions from this website (CLICK HERE) and used dyed rice to fill the bags. My bags are 7x7 squares of fleece that I already had on hand. 2 cups of rice was a little too much, so for the second one I used 1-2/3 cups. To see how I dyed the rice, CLICK HERE.

I bought little novelty buttons from Michaels for the toys inside. I also added pennies, and for my kids, I added guitar picks. I'm too swamped to make a list of what to look for, so I'm hoping the kids just enjoy manipulating them and seeing what pops up!

Baby Grip Balls to Sew and Crochet

2010-05-02T17:05:00.000-06:00

These are Christmas presents for my youngest nieces and nephews. You mean next Christmas already? Nope, I mean LAST Christmas (sigh).

For the sewn baby grip balls I used fleece and followed a free pattern I found online. The stupid thing is, I'm missing the link, and can't find it again, so I feel bad not giving the blogger the credit she deserves.

After two of those, I got the brilliant idea to crochet one. The large one on top is the result. It took 3 times as long to make and ended up very heavy. That one will have to go to my own year old nephew.

The bottom one is a smaller crocheted grip ball. It was still very time consuming, but something I could do while watching Lost of Doctor Who.

Kiss-Up Gnome

2010-04-21T02:17:00.000-06:00

What is a kiss-up gnome, Alisa?

A kiss-up gnome is a gnome you crochet for a friend when you promise to swap heirloom seeds, and she sends yours to you right away, and you find the ones you were supposed to mail to her on your counter two months later...

The good news is, I am almost 100% satisfied with the pattern. I am now happy with everything but the cape, and when I get that down, I will share the whole pattern for free!

Loom-Knit Easter Eggs

2010-03-29T00:00:00.000-06:00

I made these following a free pattern on Loom Lore (Click Here!)

You fill them with a plastic easter egg to help maintain the shape, but the eggs I found this year were either really big or really small. I finally found the perfect size at Michael's - they were tan colored paper mache, $1.99 for a pack of 6 or 8 - can't remember because the kids opened the bag and may have lost a few.

They are made with two strands of yarn at a time. Ours are now at the center of our German birthday ring/holiday ring.

Crochet Leprechaun

2010-03-17T00:46:00.000-06:00

First Trimester's over and I'm picking up the crafting again. Gaining some energy back, don't feel like throwing up all the time, and feelin' the green. Both my husband and I have Irish ancestry (his family name, Terry, is Irish) so St. Patrick's Day is a big holiday for us. To help invite the little ones into the celebration, I whipped up this cutie crochet leprechaun.

I've made three crochet "gnomes" with this pattern, but I'm still not entirely happy with it. This one had a lot of chaining and turning and it left a seam up his side. His head is also a little oblong, but that part is hidden under the hat. Next time I'll stick to crocheting in the round, and hopefully make a more round head. once I'm satisfied, I'll post the pattern for free.

I know I've promised quite a few patterns by now - don't give up on me! Growing a baby really takes it out of you!

Crochet Christmas Gnome

2010-01-20T23:55:00.000-07:00

You just now finished a Christmas gnome? Yes. My first trimester has been yucky. I still haven't finished Christmas presents, either. It's going to be Christmas at Easter.

He was actually supposed to be an improvement over my winter gnome pattern (you can see him standing on the left there), but I think my first pattern was better. I hope to copy it down and post it sometime in the next ten years. I also hope to make lots of him for every holiday, but that will have to wait for the massive cloth diaper marathon I'll be attempting after Christmas gifts are finally done!

Crochet Winter Gnome

2009-12-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

I want to tweek the pattern a little, and then I'll post it!

This Mermaid's Hair Wants to Eat Me

2009-11-10T04:41:00.000-07:00

I finally got the head in a proportion that I like, then added hair. Lots of hair. Way, WAY too much hair.

Should I just put it in pony tails, or remove the bottom five rows of it? Or both?

Meanwhile, DH and I think that I should make the tail fins longer. After that, I need to design arms and decide whether or not to add a simple face. Also, it occurs to me that I will need to knot every single one of those yarn ends to keep them from fraying.

Thoughts?

Crochet Mermaid Body is Complete!

2009-10-28T03:06:00.000-06:00

I've been stressing over the shape and finally have something I really like.

Bryan and I also think this shape would make a great shark or whale...which would solve the problem of what to make the non-mermaid loving nieces and nephews (with the exception of one who loves horses, and I found a free horse purse pattern I want to try for her).

Crochet Pumpkin Pie Slice

2009-10-26T01:52:00.000-06:00

I'm not happy with how the crochet whipped cream turned out, but this slice of pumpkin pie is still stinkin' adorable.

Crochet Boy's Hat - Pattern To Follow Later

2009-10-26T01:50:00.000-06:00

Okay, this could be a girl's hat, too, but there aren't enough boy patterns out there, not in sewing or knitting or crocheting or anything. I crocheted this hat to donate to my local Head Start program, and people are always making and donating cute girl hats with flowers and poofy pinkness and lace. There are never enough boy things to go around.

I used Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn. It needed to be very washable, but I also wanted it soft, and her yarn is softer to the touch than Red Heart Super Saver.

This is how it looks with the bottom edge folded up, if they don't want it down completely over the ears. I used a v-stitch in one row to make it easier to fold. A v-stitch leaves lots of gaps, so there's less yarn in that row and less resistance when folding.

Become a Follower of This Blog!

2009-10-22T23:29:00.000-06:00

That's not an announcement, it's an order! ;-)

I tend to think of follower gadgets as bragging, but lately I've felt lonely on this blog, so I'd like to know; are you reading it regularly? Has it inspired you at all? Should I put more time into it or just let it die? Are you mad because there's too much sewing and not enough crocheting? Would you rather remain anonymous and don't want to bother becoming a follower but at the same time don't want to see the blog disappear, either?

Boost my ego a little and leave a comment or become a follower or both!

There's really no label to fit this post - should I create a Mindless Babble label? Put it under "Children" because I'm whining? Maybe "Eco Frienndly" because no trees died in the making of this follower gadget?

Wool Longies From A Sweater

2009-10-12T23:53:00.002-06:00

"Longies" are wool pants used as diaper covers. That's right, you put them over a cloth-diapered butt. Wool is incredibly absorbent and makes an excellent diaper cover.

The favored way of making them is to knit them, but I can't knit, and I have never found a crochet longies pattern that made a good fit. Buying them is cost prohibitive, and for good reason - 100% wool yarn is not cheap, and it is time intensive to make them.

So, what's a cloth diapering mama to do?

Sew them from a thrift store sweater.

I bought a sweater at Value Village for $4.00 - normally $6.99, but when I donated a small box of items, I got a $3.00-off coupon in exchange.

I made my 4 year old son's longies with the sweater sleaves. You just take a pair of pants that fit, fold them in half, and line them up on a sleave with the bottom of the pants lining up with the cuff. You cut from the crotch up to the top and over, leaving 1/4-1/2 inch for a seam on the side and 1-inch for a seam on the top (to leave room for elastic).

After you cut two sides, turn one inside out and place the other one inside it, so right sides will be facing inside. Pin, and sew the side and crotch area (don't sew the top!).

I did it once with a straight stitch and then again with a zig zag.

The next pictures didn't turn out, but once you sew the crotch, you turn the pants out and fold the top over an inch to make a casing for the elastic. Voila! I always try the pants on with the elastic just safety-pinned together to make sure it won't be too loose.

These are Deirdre's longies:

I used the front and back of the sweater for hers, with a Butterick pattern I have. They are baggier, and have a bigger backside than front area, which she needs because Connor will usually get up at night and only needs a fitted diaper "just in case." Deirdre needs lots of doublers at night.

Plush Candy Corns

2009-10-06T16:58:00.001-06:00

...because it is one of my most favorite candies ever. Except, they don't stay on my nature table. The children love them and slept with them last night.

The felt is made from recycled bottles.

Quilt Patterns I Actually Like

2009-09-27T04:59:00.001-06:00

Frankly, I'm not a huge fan of patchwork quilts. I appreciate the care that goes into them, but the look does not normally appeal to me.

Every once in a while, though, I find a bed quilt or quilted wall hanging that speaks to me.

This one is called "Cirque De La Mer," but was translated as "Jewels of the Sea." It actually says "Circus of the Sea," and I think its real name changes the feel of the quilt. This pattern is free.

Another unusual choice for me. I'm not a fan of modern style, either, but I really love this quilt and hope to attempt it someday. This pattern is also free.

This one is called "Twiggy," and I could absolutely have it strung over my bed or up on a wall, though with less plum coloring. Free Pattern.

I don't like the fabric in this picture, but with the right soft colors, I could throw this on my bed. It feels less grandmotherly than the typical quilt pattern. Free pattern.

I could not put this one on my own bed, even with sages and soft browns, but I could put it on a child's bed. Once I figure out how to cut and sew perfect circles. I'm not very good at them. Also a free pattern.

Felt Placemats

2009-09-15T23:04:00.000-06:00

I whipped up these simple felt placements in about 20 minutes, start to finish.

I traced a fork, a small cup, and a DVD for the dish.

I demonstrated the placemats just once to my 21-months old daughter and she had it down. Nice and easy!

How I Learned To Crochet, or, Happy International Crochet day!

2009-09-12T02:40:00.000-06:00

In honor of International Crochet day, I thought I'd let you in on a little secret - I learned how to crochet because of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Bryan and I were both layed off from the same company soon after these events (and because of them - our department was reduced and moved across country) and spent a lot of time at the Magnolia Branch of the Seattle Public Library. We both decided to pick up hobbies to keep ourselves from going crazy, and I specifically wanted something to help distract myself from self-injury, since I was unmedicated and prone to scratching myself obsessively under stress.

I picked up a crochet instruction video on VHS and learned to crochet by watching it. It was very easy to follow and the instruction was fantastic. Granny squares are actually a great beginning project.

It was hard for me when I started doing solid squares- one time I even threw my whole project across the room - until I learned to always count my stitches. I'd stop short of the last stitch because it looked different from the others and ended up with trinagles instead of squares. Once I picked up the habit of counting, I learned one of the great secrets to crochet - count your stitches, count your stitches, count your stitches. I still have to do it, with my backpacks, with hats, with butterfly wings.

It just so happens I've been able to find that video I used online:

Classic Crochet - Granny Squares With Dianne Hills

It isn't made anymore and when you search for it, only one tiny picture comes up, but that's her, and wherever she is, thank you.

From Curtain to Kitchen Mat

2009-09-08T23:04:00.001-06:00

Remember this curtain we made for a kitchen rack we no longer have?

Well, I really like the fabric, and really needed a floor mat for my new little kitchen, so I recycled it.

Voila!

I had the denim fabric already. The middle is an old towel that was fraying on the edges. I cut the curtain to the size I wanted, pinned it to the towel, and then cut the towel to fit the fabric.

I then "quilted" it, more or less, by sewing straight lines across them both.

Then, I pinned that part, right side up, to the denim, right side down. The denim was an inch or two longer and wider. I folded the denim over the edges to make "binding."

It has many flaws. It's technically my first sewn quilt, since I tied the one I made for Deirdre instead of sewing it. You have to constantly smooth out the fabric pieces to keep them from bunching, and my corners are sloppy. But, it makes me happy every time I look at it, and it catches spills from the kids trying to get their own water.

Crochet Purse With Knitting Loom Flower

2009-08-16T00:13:00.003-06:00

I did the flower on this crochet purse using the Knifty Knitter Flower Loom. It's fairly easy and took about 10 minutes.

What I'd like to know is - what other flowers can I make with it besides the one in the included instructions? Anyone out there in knitting loom land do other flowers on the flower loom? Not that this one isn't stinkin' adorable...

Super Aislin's Crochet Purse

2009-08-13T01:57:00.002-06:00

I LOVE How This Triceratops Applique Turned Out

2009-08-07T23:18:00.003-06:00

I made this backpack for my nephew, Oliver. It turned out awesome.

I tried a crochet dinosaur, but they kept turning out too big or too much like a horny toad. I finally asked DH to cut me out a shape from felt, and tried sewing it on. It turned out better than I imagined it would. So pleased!

I used the "F" stitch on my Babylock sewing machine. I don't know what the name is, but it stitches 5 times, then stitches once over the edge. With felt, I don't have to worry about the edges fraying, and the look is slightly quilted. This opens up many more possibilities because applique shapes are limitless and much easier than trying to make intricate shapes with crochet.

FREE PATTERN: Simple Little Crochet Mermaid Doll

2009-07-25T21:34:00.006-06:00

I whipped this 5-inch cutie mermaid up while my daughter was sleeping. It's a simple crochet doll without too many extras so that she can be made quickly for the small child who will soon move onto the next obsession. Right now, my daughter loves mermaids.

Simple Little Crochet Mermaid Doll

You will need:
Sport weight yarn (scraps can work great for this!). I chose 3 colors of yarn – one for the mermaid's body/tail, one for her head and arms, and one for her hair and extra embellishment on her tail
F or G Hook
Your choice of stuffing
Optional – yarn needle (it really is easier with a yarn needle, and they are not that expensive, but it can be done without it).

Mermaid Body and Head

Chain 2 with your choice of yarn for the tail and body.

Sc, hdc, dc, triple crochet, dc, hdc, sc and slip stitch in that first ch. Repeat this pattern again in the same stitch, and then pull on the tail of yarn hanging down to tighten the gap in the middle.

Turn this upside down and slip stitch in that first slip stitch. The next stitches will all be in that same stitch.

Ch 1, 8 sc in the sc.

Turn this over and slip stitch back into the first sc to make a circle.

Ch 1, 2 sc in this first sc, 1 sc in next stitch, repeating this pattern around until you have 12 stitches total. Do not slip stitch or turn.

Sc crochet in the next stitch and each stitch around, and keep going for about 2-1/2 inches, or however short or long you would like your doll’s lower body.

When you’ve reached a length you like, you can leave it there or curve out a little by increasing every other stitch so that you end with 18 stitches around. If you want a little bust you can also just increase on one side but not the other, which is what I did in my example.

Finish off (cut your yarn about 2 inches out and tie a knot down at your last stitch) and gently stuff the lower body with fiberfill, cotton balls, small yarn clippings or fabric scraps. Use small pieces instead of big ones for better control of the shape. Be careful not to stuff it so much that the stitches start to stretch out and the inside because very visible. Tuck the tail into the body to hide it.

Switch to your choice of skin color and slip stitch in the next sc from where you left off.

Ch 1, sc in same stitch and each stitch around.

If you increased your stitches to 18, decrease completely around until you have 9 stitches. If you have 12, decrease every 3rd stitch, which will also leave you with 9 stitches. Pull tightly after each decrease to close gaps.

Decrease every other stitch so that you have 6 stitches left.

Using a larger crochet hook, pencil, chop stick, or anything thin but not sharp, tuck a little more of your stuffing choice into the mermaid’s body.

We will now begin her cutie patootie little mermaid head.

2 sc in the next sc, 1 sc in the next sc, repeat this pattern around – 9 stitches.

2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc, repeat this pattern around – 12 stitches

2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, repeat this pattern around – 15 stitches

Sc in each stitch around – 15 stitches.

Repeat the last row.

Decrease, 1 sc in next 3 sc, repeat this pattern around – 12 stitches.

Decrease, 1 sc in next 2 sc, repeat this pattern around – 9 stitches.

Stuff the head with your choice of stuffing.

Decrease every other stitch – 6 stitches.

If you have a yarn needle, finish off here, leaving a long tail. Thread your needle and weave your yarn in and out of the 6 stitches, then pull tight to close the head. Tie a knot and weave in your tail to hide it, or poke it through to the other side of the head and cut off the excess.

If you don’t have a needle, decrease one more time to close the hole and finish off. Insert your hook into the head and slide it up to poke out next to where you finished off. Grab the yarn tail and pull it into the head to hide it.

Optional – Arms.

The doll would still be cute without them, but if you want to add them:

Choose a stitch on one side right above where the body ends and the shoulders/chest begin. Slip stitch in, ch 1, and sc in the same stitch.

Ch 5, sc in the first ch from the hook and all the way down, slip stitching back into the body. Finish off. Repeat on the other side, and sew or hook your ends into the body to hide them. Very simple arms!

Flowy Mermaid Hair

Take your yarn and cut it into 2 dozen (or more!) strips 6-7 inches long. Insert your hook into the back of the head and snag the middle of a strip. Pull it back out and up about an inch. Take the 2 loose ends and pull them through this loop. Pull them tight to make a knot. Do this all over the top and back of the head.

Optional – Tail Embellishment

The tail looks cute the way it is, but you can make it longer by using the same color of yarn or copy mine and use the hair color.

Slip stitch into a stitch where the tail meets the body, ch 1, and sc in that same stitch. Place two stitches in the next stitch, 1 in the next, repeating this patterns around and making the stitches as long or short as you like depending on how long you want the tail. I increased up to a triple crochet and then came back down again in the middle, then repeated my pattern on the other side.

I’d actually like them even longer so I will probably add another row, making my longer crochet stitches out toward the ends of the tail fins and shorter as I get closer to the body. Finish off and weave in your loose ends.

For home use. Please do not repost portions of this pattern without linking to me and giving me the credit.

Need Testers For My New Children's Crochet Backpack/Purse Pattern

2009-07-08T01:16:00.004-06:00

I need two people who would be willing to make my children's crochet backpack/purse pattern in a 2-week period and give me feedback.

The backpack takes me about 4-5 hours to make and requires some basic sewing skills for adding the sides, straps, and button. The pattern is a PDF file that will be emailed to you. It will contain lots of photos and (hopefully) easy-to-follow instructions.

The purse is essentially the same pattern but with one strap as a purse handle instead of two straps.

If you would like to test the pattern for me, please leave a comment with a way to contact you. I will be using a random online tool for selecting 2 people this Saturday, July 11th.

If you win, you agree to test the pattern and get back to me by Saturday, July 25th. You also agree not to give free copies of the pattern to people, post any of it online, pass it off as your own, or sell backpacks or purses made from the pattern. Usual fair use of a pattern is to use it to make gifts for your own children or for friends.

The finished backpack fits toddlers and preschoolers. The purse can be used by anyone who wants a small purse.

This will be my first commercial crochet pattern and I'm very excited about it. It will also be my first PDF pattern, so hopefully it works!!!

Children's Crochet Backpack 2.0: Deirdre's Strawberry Backpack

2009-06-30T18:09:00.004-06:00

This is my second variation of my original children's backpack pattern. I haven't added a button yet - can't decide what would look good there. However, I like the longer straps, and I put them on before adding the sides and top flap, which hides the seems better and makes it look more finished.

This yarn is 100% wool, which means it has to be washed on gentle and air dried or it will felt up. That would look nice, but the backpack would end up way too small!

A quick view of the inside - roomy enough for a board book.

The back. I'm ready to turn this into a pattern to sell in my Etsy shop, and hopefully people will want to buy some finished ones, as well! the possibilities are endless. There are some beautiful Celtic knot buttons at Joanns that would look nice on a green backpack, and I want to do a pink and black one with a skull and crossbones. Maybe butterflies or cars. Who knows?

Experimenting with a cloth training pants pattern

2009-06-15T21:52:00.008-06:00

Instead of buying a whole new pattern, I decided to try and convert my Very Baby AIO pattern into a training pants pattern. I cut about 3 inches off of the wings, left 1/4 inch extra on each end of the fleece (my choice for the outer fabric) and then sewed as usual, adding elastic, etc, but left both ends open for when I turned it inside out.

The inside fabric is sherpa.

The "plan" was to add elastic and then fold the extra 1/4 inch of fleece over the top of the elastic, but it really didn't work out well, as you'll see a few pictures down, because once I sewed the fleece over, it made the elastic stretch out. Plus, I needed a 1/2 inch.

I added a 2 layer soaker by sewing it on top at one end. This is so it will wash better and dry faster. I've made all-in-ones with a sewn in soaker and they take forever to dry.

There I am sewing the fleece over - the 1/4 inch was not long enough.

Because I had added the elastic first, I wasn't able to center the soaker very well, and everything stretched out, making the elastic useless. On my next attempt, I'm just going to tack the elastic down at both ends and then leave the middle free, and sew a casing around it. If you've sewn cloth diapers before, then you know what I mean. If you haven't, I'll be posting pictures.

I added velcro to the sides. This is so my daughter can pull the training pants up like underwear, but I can still open the diaper up for washing. We've had regular training pants before and if we don't remember to turn them inside out, the waterproof outer layer keeps the inner fabric from coming clean. We NEVER remembered to turn them inside out, so we were always washing them twice.

When I tried this experimental version on my daughter, the legs were too tight, so in the next version I need to add about an inch for her chubby little legs. That's the best part about sewing your own training pants - you can customize the fit.

New Children's Crochet Backpack Pattern, Version 1.0

2009-06-10T22:05:00.004-06:00

Connor chose the wolf button himself.

It works fine and looks okay, but I'm making changes to the pattern to make the seems less visible and the straps a little longer.

Lots of space for holding a book, sippy cup and a few cars. When I'm happy with the final design, I'll be trying my hand at writing a sellable pattern and selling some wool and organic ones in my Etsy store.

Is "sellable" a real word?

Crochet Dalek Plush in Progess

2009-05-21T04:32:00.004-06:00

There is much that is wrong with my little crochet Dalek, but when he is done, he shall still be AWESOME.

He is a Dalek from Doctor Who, and his coolness shall negate his wonkiness.

The New Summer Butterfly Doll is Done

2009-04-29T20:51:00.003-06:00

Organic Yarn and Bamboo Stuffing

2009-04-29T01:10:00.003-06:00

This is organic cotton yarn. It is super soft, but not as durable as acrylic, which is probably one reason they also make a cotton/acrylic blend. I broke the yarn while pulling on a knot. Not sure if that means I shouldn't use it for toys. I will definitely double-secure everything.

It's been crazy trying to find an eco-friendly fiberfill that doesn't carry an astronomical price tag. I found this bamboo stuffing at Joanns, and it is undyed and super silky, but it isn't organic. Hopefully that won't spoil the finished product, because if I buy certified organic online, the cost of my products are going to become prohibitive.

I have lots of ideas in line for these yarn, so hopefully I gain a few fans with it. In the picture, I've started a butterfly wing. I also have bean bags and a mermaid doll in mind, and possibly a ball and playblocks.

Summer Butterfly in Progress

2009-04-29T01:08:00.002-06:00

First Apron, In Progress

2009-04-29T01:00:00.003-06:00

This is a Sewing for Dummies Pattern, and I still find some of the instructions annoying. Hand baste? Why would I want to do anything by HAND??

I've been eyeballing this fabric and bought it at 70% off because it's considered a holiday fabric. I'm using flannel for the pocket because I want to be able to dry my hands off on it.

I used to think that aprons were quaint and unnecessary, until I started baking bread. Now I need several to keep in rotation.

Easter Bunny Egg Cozy

2009-04-29T00:53:00.004-06:00

I got this pattern for free over at Lyon Brand Yarn. It's supposed to have an opening at the bottom to fit over a plastic egg, but I stuffed mine with yarn and closed it. I was going to do the ducky egg cozy, too, but I ended up in the hospital the week before Easter to have my gallbladder removed, and it was difficult to crochet with the IV in the crook of my right arm.

I think next time I'll use black yarn for the eyes and nose instead of white.

My First Curtains, Made With Velcro Tabs

2009-04-24T01:45:00.004-06:00

BEFORE: The blinds have been falling apart and finally just fell off completely, so we've been using this sheet, which looks awful.

AFTER: My mother helped me finish these by adding the leaf fabric (I recently had surgery to have my gallbladder removed). I've been so excited to hang them up because the leaf fabric makes me happy, and the green is my favorite color. Sewing has been so liberating, because I can customize things to my taste instead of relying on what's in the store. I didn't follow a pattern - I just cut rectangular fabric and hemmed the edges.

I added velcro to the tabs, which made a simple sewing project become a LONG sewing project. I like them because it's easier to hang the curtains now. I cut 5" x 10" fabric pieces, sewed a 1/4" hem all around, then folded them in half wrong sides together and topstitched. Then I added 1-1/2" velcro pieces (1 smooth side, one scratchy side) on opposite ends of the same side of the tab, and sewed one end to the top of the curtains.

Why didn't I think of that???

2009-04-19T01:14:00.003-06:00

Craftyanna's Flickr photostream is to die for. I'm quite envious of her creations. Click here for a delicious run through more of her crochet masterpieces.

The Knitting Loom Vortex of Yarn

2009-03-26T00:28:00.004-06:00

Notice how, as I knit along, the yarn starts to relax and move in, creating this funnel of yarniness. This is something to keep in mind during the creation process - your finished item will have a smaller diameter then your knitting loom.

The edge curls, but this is temporary. After the first wash, the edge straightens out a little and doesn't want to stay curled anymore, at least on this particular yarn, so I can't count on it as a brim.

This was supposed to be a larger hat for my niece, but I ran out of yarn and NO ONE is stocking this yarn in this color combination. So, for the third time, I have restarted a hat, this time with completely different yarn. I should make a preemie hat with this yarn, or possibly a tiny sweater.

March is National Crochet Month (and Craft Month)

2009-03-09T02:12:00.040-06:00

In honor of National Crochet Month, I am making a hat to donate to charity.

This is a great month to use your powers of creativity for good instead of evil. Whether you crochet, knit, sew, cross-stitch or just scrapbook (that's right, I said "Just" scrapbook), there's a need you can fulfill. And if you don't have the time or inclination, you can donate yarn, hooks, needles and other supplies to charitable organizations.

Here's just some of the places that can use your skills, even if they are those of a beginner. I have tried to pick out charities that are nationwide (or international) instead of just one area, but you may want to find someplace close to you that can use your help:

P2 Patterns

A directory of free patterns (sew, knit and crochet) for items frequently requested by charities.

Hugs and Hope

(For the crafty-impaired - you can write letters or send little gift to a hospitalized child)

Children fighting for their lives have very little to smile about. You can change that by sending them some "Happy Mail." Cheery cards give these kids a few more smiles, a little more hope, and a reason to get out of bed each day.

Color a Smile

Color A Smile collects crayon drawings from school children. Every month we distribute these drawings to Nursing Homes, Meals on Wheels Programs, and Individuals all across the country. Our goal is to make people smile!

LDS Humanitarian Services

Sends diapers, toys, clothing, food and care packages all over the world. Includes guidelines for putting together a basic, inexpensive hygeine kit, newborn kit, school kit, orphanage care package or medical kit. Also includes free patterns for diapers, quilts, clothing, toys and other needed supplies.

Giving Hands

"What I do is collect crocheted items or finished products and donate them to charities. The items I collect are partial pieces such as granny squares, that are assembled into items such as afghans and baby blankets. The finished products are then donated to the charities."

One Square At a Time

(Serves one area, but crocheters can always use a good home for those gauge swatches and practice squares)

Can you help? The Items that are needed are:

3" knit or crochet squares in baby colors.
6" knit or crochet squares in baby colors.
These squares can be any pattern that you like!
Any weight acrylic yarn in baby colors (no wool please as some babies are allergic).
I have had many people ask if I accept squares made of other colors not just baby colors, they have yarn left from a project or two and could use this yarn to make squares and would I accept these squares also. The answer is YES..........these squares can be stiched together to make lapgans for seniors...or blankets for children....They can be donated many places locally....So yes, squares made from leftover yarn in 6" squares would be fine.

(Includes instructions for making a square on a knitting loom - huzzah!)

Children In Common

Children In Common is a charitable program of Adoptions Together, Inc. Children In Common solicits donations of funds and supplies for orphanages. Year around, we pack and send boxes overseas with parents traveling to adopt.

Items Needed: Band-Aids,otoscopes,blood pressure cuffs,Stethescopes,burn ointment,antibiotic ointment,toothbrushes,new shoes,new underwear (size 12 months up), rattles, teething rings,
jacks, matchbox cars, jump ropes, small balls, hairbands or barrettes, small cosmetics for the teens or caregivers

(Also accepts cash donations - crafters can find free shoe patterns online, or sew underwear, crochet or knit rattles and teethers, or decorate hairbands and barrettes)

Hat Box Foundation

Similar to other cancer cap or chemo cap organizations, Hat Box foundation was established in the Winter of 2007 as a volunteer-based non-profit organization with a mission to make and distribute free hand-made hats to people fighting the tough battle against cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

(Includes free patterns for adults and children)

Binky Patrol
We make blankets and give them away to children in need of comfort. It's as simple as that.

(Includes free patterns for blankets)

Operation Bundles of Joy

Our mission is to provide newborns of our military servicemen and their families with "Bundles Of Joy" packages that include handmade and new baby items. We also provide stuffed animals, dolls and books to older children of our soldiers, through our Buddies And Books program.

The Knitting Connection

We are looking for donations of yarn, needles and books, so if you have any resources of yarn, knitting needles or books on knitting, we would love to have your donation. We are looking for volunteer knitters and crocheters, so if you have the time, we have the yarn, and would love to use your talents for a good cause. We also accept finished knitted/crocheted items. See the contact page for our address and contact info.

(Also accepts cash donations)

Warm Up America

Warm Up America! (WUA!) is an organization made up of volunteers who create handmade afghan blankets, clothing and accessories to help those in need. These items provide warmth and comfort to people who have lost their homes, fled abusive relations, or are being cared for in hospices, shelters, hospitals, and nursing home.

(Includes free patterns)

Project Angel Kisses

"Project Angel Kisses is a ministry, built on a foundation of faith and prayer, to help meet the very special needs of precious preemies and full-term babies whose parents are in need of help. We want each family to know,without a doubt, that there are people who love their tiny angels, are praying for them, and want to help by crocheting, knitting, quilting,and sewing hats, booties, afghans, mitts, angel layettes (burial layettes), diaper shirts, gel pillowcases, etc. We have a LOT of fun and make cherished friendships as we make angel gifts for "our babies."

(Includes free patterns)

Afghans for Afghans

Afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan.

Caps For Kids

Providing needy children with cozy hats to keep them warm is what Caps for Kids is all about. Nearly one million caps, along with other children's accessories, have been knitted and crocheted by volunteers since the program began. The hats are given to non-profit, non denominational agencies in the communities of the donors.

(Includes free patterns)

Care Wear
Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who knit, crochet, and/or sew, providing handmade baby items to hospitals. All Care Wear items are given free to infants, children and their parents.

(Includes free patterns)

Snuggles Project

The Snuggles Project was founded by our president and founder, Rae French, in 1996 because of her heartfelt need to do something for the innocent victims who find themselves in animal shelters without a bit of comfort to call their own. Picturing them in their hard cold cells made her heart ache to do something to help. So she got the idea of security blankets for shelter animals. The security blankets are called "Snuggles." Each animal would get a Snuggle to cuddle up with to feel warmth and comfort. Most shelter animals are kept in areas with stainless steel braces and hard plastic flooring or even bare concrete floors. The Snuggles would allow them to have a little reprieve from the coldness of the pen they are kept in.

(Includes free patterns and guidelines for pet snuggles)

Love Quilts (For You Cross-Stitchers Out There)

We are a cross stitch group that creates cross stitched quilts for children with life threatening or life long illnesses. Love Quilts began in February 1999 and in the fall of 2003 we passed our 100th quilt made! We passed our 200th quilt and as of 2007 we finished 346 quilts total and by the end of 2008 we will have passed 400!

(Includes an expansive directory of links to counted cross-stitch patterns, both free and for sale)

Newborns In Need

Newborns in Need, Inc. (NIN) is a 501(c)3 charity organized to take care of sick and needy babies and their families; and in cases of crisis, to help where help is needed.
In 2007, we donated out 557,970 items! A great big thank you to all of our volunteers, donors, and sponsors.

(Also accepts cash donations)

Quilts For Kids

Transforms discontinued designer fabrics into quilts that comfort children with cancer, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses, as well as battered & abused children.

(Has specific guidelines for donated quilts)

Teeny Tiny Treasures

This is an all-volunteer organization. The goal of this project is to be able to give every premature baby in hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) their own preemie sized blanket, hat, booties, and outfit to use while in the hospital and at home.

A Small Victory

A Small Victory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing hospitals and other birth professionals with CARE (Compassionately Alleviating Regret Everyday) Packages which gently guide newly bereaved parents in creating memories with their children that will last a lifetime.

Barb's Caring Touch
Barb's Caring Touch is a group of volunteers who crochet, knit, and /or sew, providing handmade baby items to hospitals. All items are given free to infants and their parents.
Each year thousands of babies are admitted for care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Because of the extremely smll size of these infants, it makes it difficult to find clothing tiny enough for them. When babies die it is the most heartbreaking need that we must provide for. We must provide for the beautiful, tiny layettes for the babies who die and only need one last outfit and blanket to snuggle in. And we make every effort to make the grieving process as painless as possible. The beauty and caring workmanship of the outifts are a comfort to the bereaved families. Hopefully this makes the memories a little less painful.

Fast And Simple Baker's Rack Curtain

2009-02-28T00:24:00.003-07:00

Before

After (sorry about the blur - I was holding a squirmy toddler)

I didn't follow a pattern - I just sewed a seam around the edge of a rectangle and added some tabs with velcro closures.

As with all my pattern-free projects, I didn't make it wide enough. I'm always underestimating how much fabric I should use on things. This really needed something customized, though.

It still serves it's intended purpose - to bring color and a sense of order to this part of the kitchen.

I have some extra fabric and I hope to make my first hot pad and oven mitt.

Adorable Little Fat Quarters Blog With Free Tutorials

2009-02-21T04:15:00.002-07:00

The Moda Bake Shop is a relatively new blog with many adorable, well-photographed patterns and tutorials, included the Burp Cloth and Bib set you see pictured here.

I am a collector of pretty fat quarters without a project, so hopefully this will inspire me to use them!

I-Cord For a Future Rug On My Knitting Spool

2009-02-11T23:49:00.002-07:00

Eventually, this long cord will be part of a huge rug. I have a long way to go and have given myself until the end of the year to finish it. When I am done with this skein, I will add some solid colors.

Crochet Sunflower Hot Pad

2009-02-11T23:47:00.002-07:00

This is a really late Christmas Gift for a sister-in-law. The square is actually part of a Leisure Arts sweater pattern. I just pieced four of them together and then added a loop for hanging it on the wall.

Crochet Winter Butterfly

2009-02-11T23:37:00.004-07:00

Connecting the two large wing pieces together.

Adding the small wing pieces.

The wings get connected at the bottom of the head, and then sewn down the back.

How the wings look from the back.

How the butterfly looks from the front.

I am not as pleased with how this one turned out, because I used finer yarns, so the body stretched out and doesn't keep it's shape as well, and the wings turned out smaller. I'll be offering a discount to the person who ordered it.

Objects In Loom Are Smaller Than You Assume

2009-02-11T23:30:00.005-07:00

I did this pink hat for one of my nieces. She has a 20 inch head, so I used the red Knifty Knitter loom. However, the loom represents the maximum stretchiness of your finished project, and as you knit, the project actually becomes more narrow off the loom.

So - even though it fits my son just fine (he also has a 20 inch head), the stitches are really stretched out, leaving gaps. She lives in Kentucky, so I want her to have a warmer hat with less gaps.

I've started over on the green loom with a tighter stitch (you pull your loop over two loops, not one).

Crochet Hats For The Boys

2009-02-11T23:27:00.002-07:00

I actually made these a few months ago but I am just now getting around to photographing them. Bryan brought home the yarn one day and asked me to crochet a hat, and of course Connor wanted one just like Daddy.

I didn't follow any patterns. I just measured heads and went until they fit.

Crochet Cheesecake For Imbolc

2009-02-02T20:58:00.002-07:00

Since Imbolc is the time when pregnant ewes prepare for lactation, it is often celebrated with cheese and other dairy products. So, I crocheted this slice of cheesecake for my children.

Eventually I will post a pattern but I made many mistakes so I need to adjust some things. Nevertheless, it is pretty cute!

The strawberry is not my pattern - I used this pattern here and then tweaked it a little, but not enough to claim it as my own. It was very easy.

The Beginnings of My First Quilt

2009-01-23T01:36:00.003-07:00

Deirdre LOVES kitties. Kitty is one of her first words. It was hard for me to find something kitty-ish that wasn't really cheesy. I'm pleased with this find, which is available at Joann's.

To start with, you have to cut all the pieces to be exactly even, which I worked on over and over and still didn't get to my satisfaction. Then when I actually started sewing in the batting (which I cut out as precisely as possible from an old childhood quilt of mine), the materials went through at different speeds and some ended up too short and some too long. I did it over and over and then my mother volunteered to do it for me. OY!

When she's done, she'll show me how to tie it in a way that hides the yarn ends so that all you see on both sides is a tiny knot.

Knitting Looms / Knitting Spools / French Knitting / Corking

2009-01-13T21:15:00.022-07:00

I bought a little $6.00 knitting spool with my Christmas money. It is really easy and very fun. Some mamas have taught children as young as five to use them.

Then I became so addicted, I bought more looms. MORE!

In this picture you see the Knifty Knitter Flower Loom. I experimented with making a butterfly body. The stitches aren't as tight as with crochet, and the knitting doesn't hold it's shape as well so the stuffing looks more lumpy. But, I really love the way this texture looks (it's an inside out u-stitch). It just looks more like a butterfly body to me. So, when I finish this for the mama who ordered it, I'll offer her a discount since it's a first run, or offer to redo it with crochet.

Knitting spools and looms create knit tube shapes, and it seems that all they are good for are hats, purse handles and toy snakes. Patterns are few and far between online. I have been searching far and wide and posting in craft forums so that I can collect links to share here.

Voila, my discoveries:

Provo Craft Knifty Knitter Projects - Provo Craft makes the knitting spool I bought (actually, factories in China made it) and they have 41 projects using this type of circular, tubular knitting. The snowman on page 2 looks adorable, as do the pumpkins on page 4.

The Purling Sprite - Check out the free patterns and the tutorials. I also love her videos. This is where I learned to do a u-stitch on a knitting loom.

Loom Knitting Help - The links on the right of the page contain lots of patterns.

Spool Knitter Blog - a collection of posts and photographs about the history and evolution of knitting spools.

A Knifty Knitter's Journal - A blog about knitting and loom knitting. Lots of pictures, which is what I look for in a craft blog.

Loom Lore - A blog with cute patterns and lots of knitting loom links (say that five times fast)

Bev's Loom Knitting Patterns - I've already sung the praises of Bev. These are free patterns.

Musings from The Loomy Bin - A blog about crochet AND loom knitting. What's not to like?

Free Amigurumi Animal Patterns From Joann's

2008-12-30T16:45:00.005-07:00

Joann Fabrics has posted their free 2009 projects and they include the patootie amigurumi animals you see here. I have fallen madly in love with the giraffe and must crochet it soon!

Connor's New Bedspread

2008-12-30T00:41:00.003-07:00

This is a duvet cover, which is essentially a giant pillow case. I'm going to add snaps along the bottom just as soon as I find my snap press...

He couldn't decide between the pirates and the sea life, so we did both. I sewed the blue pillow case to match.

Now I'm working on my first actual quilt for Deirdre, because it's my goal to learn to quilt this coming year, and because she keeps stealing Connor's quilt.

Love To Be Felt

2008-12-07T22:17:00.004-07:00

Facebook has put me in touch with lots of high school friends, and this one needle felts beautiful wool dolls. Check out Tania's full shop of warm fuzzies on Etsy!

Work In Progress (WIP) - Winter Butterfly

2008-12-05T22:25:00.002-07:00

Links To Free Sewing Patterns

2008-11-21T13:04:00.008-07:00

In honor of my sister TC, who just bought her first sewing machine, here are links to my favorite free sewing pattern websites.

Sewing.org

A fabulous place for anyone to start.

Craftster.org

The best craft community in the entire internet world. Lots of free patterns and tutorials for every kind of craft.

How To Do a Hidden Stitch For Finishing Stuffed Projects

A Craftster tutorial for a very useful skill.

Quilting Tutorials

Speaks for itself

How To Make a Kid Size Apron

I haven't tried this one yet but I intend to make one or two for Connor as Christmas presents.

Binky Patrol

This is a charity group that provides homemade blankets for older children. Lots of crafters donate baby blanbets. It's harder to find people willing to make the larger blankets for the big kids. This is a link to their links page of free patterns. Charity patterns are usually simple so that people can whip them up more quickly.

Jan's Baby Patterns

Baby slings and carriers, nursing pillow, high chair and grocery cart covers, nursing bra, toddler bed sheets, and myriad other useful patterns for mommies.

Tacking Living's Baby Shoes

Free pattern AND tutorial, including how to adjust the size.

Mormon Chic's T-Shirt Dress

I used this to make Deirdre's first T-Shirt Dress. I have some Strawberry Shortcake fabric that I'm going to use to make her another one.

Purse From a Fat Quarter

2008-11-13T03:18:00.006-07:00

This is the very first purse I ever made. I use the pattern and tutorial from THIS WEBSITE.

I didn't like how my handles turned out so I made them wider and longer on subsequent purses.
My sister M poses with a purse. I have never seen it again after this day. I've turned into one of those crazy crafting aunts who makes useless Christmas gifts. I should start crocheting toilet paper roll covers and cross-stitching old wives' tales.

My niece E didn't want her picture taken so this is blurry, but I loved this butterfly fabric.

My niece A with her kitty cat purse.

Purses I made for my sisters-in-law.

None of these, nor other ones I made for other people, have ever turned up again. I think the butterfly one is still around - I saw it once or twice in their toy closet. But now, whenever I get ambitious plans to make holiday oven mitts or crochet ornaments or decorative pillows, I remind myself of these purses.

I did have fun making them, though. I learned a lot!

I should channel Mrs Weasley and crochet everyone tacky sweater dresses and then every Christmas I'll say "So, where is your dress? It's cold outside! You should put it on RIGHT NOW for EVERYONE TO SEE!"

Speaking of Charities...

2008-11-13T03:13:00.002-07:00

This is the first project I ever donated. I didn't make the blanket but I crocheted the hat and booties.

Free Patterns From Bev's Country Cottage

2008-11-13T02:58:00.004-07:00

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/patterns.html

Bev has TONS of free sewing, knitting and crochet patterns for charity and personal use. She is part of an online charity group called All Crafts 4 Charity that I belonged to BC (Before Children). Her links include her original patterns as well as other people's free patterns.

I cannot speak highly enough of her website or the ease of her patterns. Definitely bookmark this one!

Go to Savvy Seams While They Still Exist!

2008-11-12T00:08:00.004-07:00

http://www.savvyseams.com/

This website of free sewing patterns and tutorials is no longer being updated and says "The patterns will still be available here for some time to come," which means she may decide one day that the time has, in fact, come. I went there for a free oven mitt pattern (pictured here). And who knew you could buy Mylar batting to make your oven mitt heat resistant? I didn't!

Free Crochet Carrot Teether Pattern

2008-11-10T13:34:00.004-07:00

See my free pattern for this crochet carrot by clicking here!

Found: Crochet Easy Bake Oven

2008-10-31T05:00:00.004-06:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22800884@N06/2605545864/in/photostream/

This person did an amazing job. What a fun project!

Now, the eternal question - what one or two word label should I use for when I post pictures of other people's projects? Hmmmmm...

Crochet Carrot Toy/Teether

2008-10-30T02:30:00.003-06:00

This has always been my most popular toy. Deirdre is only two months old in this picture. She still loves it. It makes a great, quick baby shower gift.

Crochet Pumpkin Trio

2008-10-30T02:26:00.002-06:00

Adapted from a pattern by Leisure Arts (I did single crochets instead of slips stitches, which made them less shapely but was easier and thus faster). Acrylic Super Saver yarn.

The Flame Diaper

2008-10-30T02:24:00.001-06:00

Flame flannel on the outside, birdseye cotton on the inside, using the Very Baby AIO pattern.

Recycled Fitted Cloth Diapers

2008-10-30T02:19:00.002-06:00

Sewn from the Very Baby AIO pattern, but made as fitteds (without a waterproof layer) instead of All-In-Ones. These are some of the first things I ever sewed. I used birdseye cotton on the inside and my husband's old Polo shirts on the outside.

Crochet Summer Harvest

2008-10-30T02:11:00.003-06:00

Zucchini, eggplant, banana, tomato, peach, and cherries. Acrylic yarn.

Currently Under Construction

2008-10-29T01:18:00.001-06:00

Check Back Soon