Simple Crochet Napkin Ring

Nov2

Here’s an easy pattern for a crochet napkin ring which gives you lots of creative options to make it match your decor or crochet this design in holiday colors.

Stitches used:

CH – chain

SC – single crochet

HDC – half double crochet

SL – slip stitch

Any type of yarn will work for this pattern.  My sample I used a 4 ply cotton yarn for napkin ring body and a size 10 thread for the edges.  I crochet body using a size G hook and the edging I used a size C.

Begin by doing 20 CH stitches.  Join with a SL stitch to form a ring  making sure your chain doesn’t twist.

Rnd 1:  CH 2.  Make 19 HDC in each chain stitch,  join round by making a SL into top of beginning CH 2.

Rnd 2:  CH 2, turn.  Make 19 HDC, join round by making a SL into top of beginning CH 2.

Rnd 3, 4, and 5:  Make exactly like Rnd 2.

Fasten off and weave your ends into your work.

Wow, you have a wonderful napkin ring just the way it is but the fun really begins now because you can do so much to personalize your project.  You could simply tie on a unique button with some thin satin ribbon centered in the middle of your HDC.  Or maybe you would like to add a small crochet rose or a different kind of flower design, or heart, or  star.  Making a design using sequins and beads is another creative option to give your napkin ring the personality that you are looking for.  The ideas are endless.

Using a smaller ply yarn for your accents will give you some nice depth or texture to your finished project.  For the holidays, think about using a bamboo thread that has some sparkle to it.

In my sample, I just edged the napkin ring in some red and green size 10 thread.    I began by making a SC into any of the HDC stitches.  Then I chained 3, made another SC in that same stitch,  CH 3.  Made a SC in the next stitch, CH 3, made a second SC in that same stitch, CH 3.  I continued in this fashion until I reached the end of the full round of the napkin ring then I fastened off.  Did the same stitches on the other side of the napkin ring using the other color.

If you would like a more sleek look, just do a SC in each HDC around the ring and fasten off.  I suggest using a size 3 or 4 ply yarn for that look.

This is also a simple project that a young person could easily crochet and make as a gift for someone special.  Crochet using a variety of different colors – shades of brown, green, yellow, orange, red – would look beautiful for a Thanksgiving table.

  • TIP:  When adding yarn for your edging, I like to make my starting place at the point where I joined each round.

HAPPY CREATING!!

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OoLaLa Self-Healing Cutting Mats

Oct23

FINALLY, after 12 years of almost everyday use,  I disposed of my old self-healing mat by Olfa and purchased a brand new smooth, shiny one!!!  So now my pictures will have a pretty background.  Still has that new “stinky” smell, which I will help alleviate by rubbing it down with 1 part water to 1 part white vinegar.

I just love having ready access to this mat.  The one I use consistently is the 18″ x 24″ size.  My serger table, designed by me and built by my talented hubby, has an extended side which this mat fits on perfectly.  So I have it readily available for trimming seams, cutting out fabric, designing patterns, working on crafts, whatever is happening in my sewing room.

I have the small version and the extra-large mat too.  Can you tell that I just love using these mats.  The smaller size is great for any sewing/quilting classes, fits easily into a tote for commuting and doesn’t take up a large space when sharing a table with other people in your class.

The extra-large mat is a good to use for actually cutting out your fabric and patterns.  Works great on a kitchen table, especially if you have limited space for preparing sewing projects.

These mats store away easily but you do want to insure that you don’t fold or bend them.  They will stand nicely behind a storage bin or slid easily behind a bookcase.  You don’t want them to come into direct contact with the hot sun or a heating vent.  If left in a car, for example, the hot sun can actually distort the mat causing it to bend out of shape and you can never, I mean never, get it back flat again!!

If you have the space, there is a very, very large self-healing mat that is wonderful for doing drapery treatments or cutting out several patterns at once.  The measurement size on the mat itself is 44″w  x  92″ long, marked off in 1 inch block increments on the entire face of the mat.  The actual mat itself measures 48″ x 96″.  Feel free to check out Megamat Pro and Sew Fit Cutting Mat for these very special mats.

Off now to cut out a new tote on my new mat!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Trick or Treat Pumpkin Applique

Oct8

HAPPY

HALLOWEEN!!

I know Halloween is really just around the corner but I thought I would share these applique designs with you.  Here are fun pumpkin faces that can be created and appliqued to the front and back of a sweatshirt or a tote bag used to collect all those goodies for that special spooky night!!   This would be great to showcase on two cute Halloween pillows  for your home decor too.

Felt works great for this applique  –  doesn’t fray and is easy to sew onto your project  –  or whatever scraps you may have in your fabric stash.  Refer to the pictures shown here to design your applique or “be creative” and make a different pumpkin face using circles or squares for the facial features.  I made bubble type letters but you could use square-shaped letters if you decide to applique words.

My design is approximately 10  1/2″ wide by 11  1/2″ in length and my letters are about 2  1/4″ square.  You can make your pumpkin face whatever size you need to fit your specific project.  If you don’t want the words “trick or treat”, you don’t have to use them or maybe you want your applique to say “Happy Halloween”.   Have fun with this design and make it your own!!

My applique design was created using orange felt for pumpkin, black felt for facial features, green felt for stem and gold felt for letters.  Sketched my pumpkin onto tracing paper so I could see how it would fit onto my project material, which was a black tote bag that I made.  Then I drew the facial features to fit the size of my pumpkin.   Using the tracing paper as my pattern, I cut out my shapes from the appropriate colored felt.   I appliqued the pumpkin onto a black twill fabric, first, using a small satin stitch.  Then I appliqued the facial features, did the stem and finally the letters.  Added satin stitches to give the pumpkin some dimension. Here’s a link to how I use wonder under to prepare my pieces. https://stitch4ever.com/2012/06/05/attaching-fusible-adhesive-to-your-applique/

I hope you enjoy all the possibilities with this design and can make it work for your own Halloween projects.

HAPPY CREATING!!

  • TIP – Print out coloring pages for pumpkin designs or use coloring books to help with your patternshapes.
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Simple Crochet Scalloped Edge Scarf

Sep27

Wow, can’t believe how fast winter is approaching so here’s a pretty easy crochet pattern for a cozy scarf.  It’s simple because it is repetitious and a good design that can be worked while watching TV.   Also, you will have a lot of design flexibility with this pattern to fit your specific needs.

My example is made using one skein (50 grams/183 yards) Plymouth Yarn, Dreambaby DK, and a size G (4.00mm) hook.   I am crocheting my scarf for a toddler (2-year-old) so my width is only about 4″  but you can design your scarf to any width as long as your chain stitches are a multiple of 3 (any number of chains that can be evenly divided by 3).

I used the single crochet foundation chain for my beginning base.  For my example, I completed a total of 15 single crochet foundation chains.  Do not turn your work.

15 SC foundation chains

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 3rd chain from hook, you will work 2 double crochets (DC), 2 chains, and 1 single crochet (SC) in that one chain (2 dc, ch 2, 1 sc).   * Skip the next 2 chains and crochet your pattern again (2 dc, ch 2, 1 sc) in that chain.  Repeat from * until your first row is completed.  Do not turn.

Crochet 2 chain stitches and now you will begin working along the back side of your foundation chains.  In first stitch *(2 dc, ch 2, 1 sc),  skip next 2 chains and repeat from * until you reach the end of the row ending with your (2dc, ch 2, 1 sc).  Turn.

**Chain 2, skip the first SC, and in the ch 2 space work (2 dc, ch 2, 1 sc), *skip the next 2 dc and 1 sc, and in next ch 2 space work your scallop stitch (2 dc, ch 2, 1 sc) again.  Repeat from * until the end of the row.  You will skip the last 2 dc, turn, and repeat from **.  Continue this crochet pattern until you have the finished length that you want for your scarf.

Pattern design

For the toddler pattern, I like to have my length around 40″ so the scarf can be folded in half and slide the two ends through the fold to loosely secure it around the child’s neck and tuck inside their coat.  Remember, the length can be whatever fits your design.

Quick ‘n Cozy Winter Beanie with the Scalloped Scarf

Perfect way to stay snuggly warm for the upcoming winter season.  Makes a wonderful gift set too!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

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A Quick ‘n Cozy Crocheted Fun Winter Beanie

Aug26

There is nothing like a cozy crocheted beanie hat for winter, especially to hide those “bad hair” days!!  This pattern is super simple and can be crocheted to your own designs very easily too.  You can make one of these cute beanies in an evening while watching TV!

I begin the beanie by “working in the round” to create the crown piece for the hat using a double crochet (DC) stitch and continue working  in the round until I fasten off.  For an adult beanie, I use a crochet hook (Size I), crocheting in the round completing through the fifth round.  Please refer to blog post Crochet Designing Tips – Working in the Round for complete instructions on how to create your circle.Example of DC crown piece

Once I have completed the fifth round of increases for my crown piece circle, I join with a slip stitch, CH 2 and continue making my DC rounds (no more increases) until I get to the finished length that works for me, which is an additional 13-15 rounds.  NOTE:  At the end of each DC round, I join with a SL stitch and CH 2 and then proceed with my DC.  This helps to keep the shape intact.   I like to be able to fold up my beanie a couple of inches on itself for extra warmth for my ears.  You have creativity here based on your desires and likes, if you don’t want to be able to fold up your beanie than only crochet an additional 12-13 rounds and if you want a deeper fold maybe crochet 16-17 extra rounds.  It really is a personal preference.

After completing my DC rounds, I like to give a finished look to the beanie by crocheting another 3 rounds of single crochet (SC) stitches. Sample beanie

Just remember when working in the round to be sure to place a marker to indicate a row/round so you know where you are in the pattern and to help with counting your rows/rounds.

This is a very easy pattern that can be adjusted to fit many different sizes for babies, children and adults.  Just change your crochet hook size and the number of rounds after making your crown piece circle.  Hook size recommendations and suggested rounds for different sizes  once you have your crown piece circle completed are:

  • Size F for newborn (maybe D or E if you’re making for a preemie) and  7 DC rounds plus 3 rounds of SC
  • Size G for toddlers and  10 DC rounds plus 3 rounds of SC
  • Size H for children and 12-13 DC rounds plus 3 rounds of SC
  • Size I for adults and 13-15 DC rounds plus 3 rounds of SC

Again, the rounds are a personal preference thing depending upon what look you want from the finished beanie.  Once you have made one or two, you will know what works best for your needs.

Have fun with this pattern and experiment with different stitches too.  You could crochet this pattern is all half double crochet (HDC) stitches if you want.  Just remember it is a shorter length stitch and you might need to increase your rows/rounds to get the length desired.

Another look would be to complete  your crown circle piece in DC and then alternate your rounds between DC and HDC finishing off with a couple of rows of SC.  Adding crochet motifs to your beanie will give it a truly custom look too.

This is a truly wonderful beanie pattern for making extras to donate to schools, hospitals, etc.

FYI:  I like to use a 4 ply worsted weight yarn that has some lamb wool blended in for good warmth.  One skein will complete an adult beanie easily.

 HAPPY CREATING!! 

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