Christmas gifts ctd.: crocheted ornaments

October 16, 2016 by 2 Comments

There’s a crochet group on Facebook that I’m a part of and sometimes I see some really inspiring things.  A while back someone made some beautiful Christmas ornaments and I decided I had to get the exact pattern (it’s from an old, hard to find Annie’s Attic booklet called “Springtime Satin Balls” that can be expensive unless you find a deal).  I got some KnitPicks Curio crochet thread in a navy color and a silvery grey, some pearl head pins and pearl beads from my local chain craft store, and some satin wrapped styrofoam ornaments that I had to order online from Wal-Mart.  Here are the results:

My first attempt with a smaller hook and no beads

My first attempt with a smaller hook and no beads

 

Attempt #2 with beads and a hook size up from #1

Attempt #2 with beads and a hook size up from #1

 

Attempt #3 with a larger hook size than #2 and XL beads

Attempt #3 with a larger hook size than #2 and XL beads

 

Attempt #4, back to the middle hook and regular beads, which I think I like best

Attempt #4, back to the middle hook and regular beads, which I think I like best

 

These aren’t actually completed yet — I also got some ribbon to put voluminous bows on the tops and some silver thread to actually hang the ornaments with.  I’ll add those things last though once I complete the next few ornaments and figure out how to make pretty bows…

Well that’s all for now!  Hope you enjoyed the crochet, and thanks for stopping by!

Filed Under: crochet Tagged With: , , , ,

Christmas gifts ctd.: more hats?!

October 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Hope you guys are liking the doorknob cozy pattern I posted a couple of weeks ago!  I knew I’d get to some crochet after those knitted Christmas hats.  Well, I maaaaay have gone on a hat making spree… Here’s what I’ve done since then:

Ribbed Waffle Hat #2

Ribbed Waffle Hat #2 – 153 yds of Lion Brand Wool Ease in Cranberry

 

Ribbed Waffle Hat #3

Ribbed Waffle Hat #3 – 153 yds of Lion Brand Wool Ease in Avocado (will make a yellow pom-pom so it’s John Deere colors, for my husband’s younger brother)

 

Lace Rib Hat

Lace Rib Hat – 105 yds of Lion Brand Wool Ease in Gold, will probably add a furry pompom

 

Ribbed Waffle Hat #4

Ribbed Waffle Hat #4 – 153 yds of Lion Brand Wool Ease in Ranch Red

 

Ribbed Waffle Hat #5

Ribbed Waffle Hat #5 – 154 yds of Berroco Vintage in 5176

pattern links:

Ribbed Waffle Hat (free)

Lace Rib Hat (free)

Well, as you can tell I’ve been not only on a knitted hat kick but more specifically a Ribbed Waffle Hat kick.  I did go up a needle size for those just to make extra sure they’d fit the heads of all of the men they’re going to for Christmas, and they fit my husband so they should be fine.  I went up a needle size for the Lace Rib Hat too but even so the cast-on was a little tight even for my smallish head — I’d definitely go up 2 needle sizes just for the cast-on if I make this again.

That’s all of the knitted gifts for now.  There are some crocheted ones coming up and a couple of things I’m keeping!  😉  Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

Filed Under: knitting Tagged With: , , , ,

and it has ended.

August 20, 2016 by 5 Comments

I made so many potholders in such a short amount of time — in fact this post is super late!  Here are the 10 Christmas gifts:

not your average crochet - african flower potholders

not your average crochet - african flower potholders

not your average crochet - african flower potholder

not your average crochet - african flower potholder

not your average crochet - african flower potholder

not your average crochet - african flower potholder

I used this pattern but you can pretty much do this however you like.  I tried a slightly different one as well with the yarn I had left (it’s mostly just scraps now, which was the point anyway):

not your average crochet - african flower potholder

not your average crochet - african flower potholder

not your average crochet - african flower potholder

The gray backing on this one is slightly wonky but you can’t tell from the front and it works great (a nice size, too)!  This is probably my favorite one.

So do you make potholders for people for Christmas?  I feel like it’s a bit of an older tradition but it seems to still be going strong — I’ve gotten a couple from family members & a fellow counselor, as well over the past couple of years.

Well that’s all for now, thanks for stopping by!  I’ll have another ta-da moment soon, as soon as I can block my latest project & get good lighting for some photos!  See you soon!

Filed Under: crochet Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

ready for Christmas 2016!

December 21, 2015 by 10 Comments

Well, almost…  I got this Annie’s Attic pamphlet for about $8 counting shipping on Ebay:

IMG_5006

Springtime Schmingtime (does that work?), I’m using these for Christmas ornaments that I will give as gifts next year, since I’m too late for this year.  I was inspired by these gorgeous creations and I aim to get close to those, although I still have some supplies to buy.  Well, all I have are the pins, actually, so I’ll need the beads, ribbons, crochet thread, and ornaments.

And speaking of, where on earth do I buy 3″ satin ornaments?  I found some old ones for sale on Etsy in a gold color and I found some on Wal-Mart’s website, but that’s it!

Another question: these patterns call for size #30 crochet thread and a #11 steel hook.  Well, I have a #12 steel hook and a 1.15mm steel hook, do you think one of those would work?  Also there’s some really pretty #10 crochet thread that I’d like to buy for this, but would that be too much of a difference?  I’ve never really done thread work before so any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks a bunch, and thanks so much for stopping by!  See you soon!

Filed Under: crochet Tagged With: , , , ,

counter turn hat: ta-da!

November 3, 2015 by 2 Comments

The Counter Turn pattern is one in a set of three similar knitted cabled hats (the set of patterns costs money) that are great for gifts and work up relatively quickly.  I’ve made this one in Berroco Vintage (52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon) in red:

counter turn hat

I was too lazy to do the recommended cast on, and its sloppy finish demonstrates that lapse, but overall I’m happy with this.  It’s very stretchy and I plan on giving it to a man for Christmas.  I might take the pompom off, actually… do guys like pompoms?

Well, that’s all for today, short and sweet!  Thanks so much for stopping by, see you soon!

Filed Under: announcements Tagged With: , , ,
Next Page»
%d bloggers like this: