it’s our 1st wedding anniversary!

October 17, 2016 by 11 Comments

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Can’t believe it’s already been a year!  Seems like the time’s flown by.  At the same time it also feels like we’ve been married forever.  Weird.

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I also loved that Izumi wrap I made, but I haven’t worn it since!  It’s staying safe and folded in a box, even though it would make a great scarf!

If all goes as planned I’m taking my husband out to eat at our favorite restaurant tonight and I’ve got some paper stuff I’ve made for him as well.  I’m excited!

Well that’s all for now.  Thanks for stopping by!  Back to our regularly scheduled program next time!

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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!

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Grandma’s Doorknob Cozy – free pattern!

October 3, 2016 by 1 Comment

Hello everyone!  I do have some FOs to share with you all but today I want to share a new free pattern I’ve written up.  It’s called “Grandma’s Doorknob Cozy” because it was literally inspired by a doorknob cozy that my grandma had:

Me as a little one with my uncle at Grandma's house. You can see the doorknob cozy there.

Me as a little one with my uncle at Grandma’s house. You can see the doorknob cozy there.

I’d completely forgotten about the doorknob cozies she had around the house until I saw that photo a few weeks ago and noticed it there in the background.  Then I remembered how the cozies would sometimes slip on the doorknob if it wasn’t secured tightly enough, and I remembered wondering why on earth they were even there.  Well, now I suppose that since metal doorknobs are cold in the winter (especially if you’re only heating a room or two at a time), a cozy makes sense.  Don’t want to make your hands colder than necessary!  I do also think that they add a sort of farmhouse/cottage charm, so naturally I wanted to make my own.  So without further ado, here’s my modern take.  I hope you like it!

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Click here to download the PDF!

Materials:

  • Small amounts of worsted yarn in 3 colors
  • G/400mm hook
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry needle

Finished Size:

Adjustable to your doorknob.  Also removable so you can wash it and replace it.

Notes:

  • This pattern is written in US terms.
  • This is a free pattern. Do not sell or distribute it as your own. However, feel free to sell projects made from this pattern!
  • This pattern has not been tested, so if you find any errors or have any questions please let me know!

Not Your Average Crochet - Grandma's Doorknob Cozy

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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!

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it has begun.

August 5, 2016 by 2 Comments

Christmas.  It is time.  I’ve been wanting some crochet projects to do but didn’t have enough to do something big like a blanket, so I figured I’d just make some African flower motif potholders out of my drawer of Berroco Vintage & Vintage Chunky.

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I started with 10 yellow centers and continued working them at the same time.

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Before long they had their little khaki/tan borders (and I literally had about 6″ left of yarn — that was a close call)!

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The dark ones are purple, even if they look almost black in the photos.

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I love African flower motifs — they’re fun and easy to make.  With this chunky yarn and a J hook it feels like they’re just flying by, too!

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This was my first one and I ran out of the light blue to do the ruffly border called for, at least in that ball.  I have more, I was just too lazy to attach it & continue on.  I might do it anyway though because the ruffle just makes them look a little more finished:

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I completed both of those today & I don’t plan on stopping there.  More are on the way!

And if you’d like to see some different shots & some videos check my blog Instagram (and if you want to check out the adorable office bunny that is making a home under my desk, check out my personal Instagram too).

Well that’s all for now!  Gotta get back to crocheting!  I actually had a really bad day so I’m doing my best to keep busy, and this does the trick.  Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

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