ShelleysCrochetOle – https://www.etsy.com/shop/shelleysCrochetOle
Take a moment, relax with your favorite cup of tea or joe and do some window shopping!! It will help rejuvenate your “little grey cells” and maybe you will find that perfect something for that special person!!
HAPPY CREATING!!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “Commissions Earned”
Working on ideas for updating my blog to include guest bloggers/guest ravelers and maybe setting up some type of give away program. Still working on these ideas but feel confident that new things are heading this way.
As always, crocheted more donation beanies for the Headhugger organizer and our local hospital’s maternity ward. Actually, designed a beanie which I really love to crochet beginning at the bottom edge and working your way to the crown. Planning to share that as a free pattern soon. Also created a pretty cool looking loopy embellishment for beanies that will be available soon as a purchased item from my mysticmeems profile on Ravelry.
Found a super fun crochet bootie (free pattern) from crochethooksyou.com that makes a lovely little gift item. I tweaked the pattern a little but works up fast and is also perfect for baby dolls and/or stuffed animals too. Little ones always love to put booties on their favorite animals!! Take a moment and visit Paula Daniele’s blog (click on above link) to see her other items too. Here’s a few pairs that I have done and now trying to decide how I want to embellish them.
Enjoy the remaining “dog days” of summer — grilling yummy brats, hamburgers, corn on the cob, munching watermelon (I miss seed spitting contests, since seedless watermelons arrived on the scene), and preparing fresh tomatoes and green beans from the garden. Don’t forget about those prolific zucchinis too that I’m always trying to find different ways of using them!!
Take time to enjoy the warmth and friendship of family and neighbors. Squeeze a ball of yarn or run your fingers down a new bolt of fabric (something to add to your holiday “wish list”) and let your creative juices flow.
HAPPY CREATING!!!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “Commissions Earned”
I started with 12 chains and completed my first SC in the 2nd chain from the hook. Insert your hook in the single top loop only of the chain to complete your actual first single crochet. You will have 11 working stitches when that row is completed. At the end of the row, I will chain 1 and turn and begin my next row of SC stitches inserting through both loops in new row.
HERE ARE STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO DO THE SC:
You will have one loop on your hook and insert it through both loops on the first stitch of the new row. Remember, you do not want to go into the chain that you just made. Once your hook has been inserted, yarn over (yo) your hook and bring that loop back through the double loop. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over (yo) again and pull that loop through both of the loops on your hook which will leave you with just one loop left on the hook.
You have just completed one single crochet (sc) stitch. Continue in this fashion for a total of 11 stitches. When you come to the end of your row, chain 1 and turn your work and repeat the above stitch information for another 11 stitches. Keep repeating this process.
Making a single crochet swatch is fun and you can create many things from just doing this one stitch. A simple scarf, headband, bracelet, baby blanket whatever you want to make.
This is also a wonderful stitch to teach a child who wants to learn to crochet. Use a large hook size, maybe H or I for a beginner or child, and a worsted weight to chunky yarn (category 4 or 5). Easier to see the different loops that are created and easy to work with especially for little fingers and hands.
HAPPY CREATING!!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “Commissions Earned”
crocheting projects, in my work space for paper clips, housewarming gift filled with cookies, etc. you get the picture.
My yarn of choice is to crochet with two strands of 100% cotton for these fun bowls but sometimes they can be difficult to stay in their shape. I have done research and looked up different ways to help a crochet item retain its desired shape. Tried a few but not all. Not really into cooking a mixture to put on my crochet project; like the sugar (afraid of attracting ants too) or cornstarch recipes.
I have used water and Elmer’s glue which works good. I use a mixture of about half water and half glue thinning to a paint consistency. Works for me because I actually use a paint brush to apply the glue mixture. Most of the time I don’t feel like my project needs to be dipped entirely into the glue mixture. I will just paint the mixture on the inside bottom of the bowl to ensure that it stays flat. I also will use a spray bottle with plain water in it and dampen the bottom first with water, then apply the glue mixture. Air dry on waxed paper. Just putting the glue stiffener on the inside of the bowl, keeps the entire outside of the bowl the same soft consistency of the yarn.
Just made a clever medium-sized handled crochet basket. This time I sprayed the entire basket with water then used regular spray starch (coated thoroughly) on the outside first, let dry and then repeated process for the inside of the basket. If you want a stiffer basket, I would suggest using heavy-duty spray starch.
One of the hardest parts is finding that right shaping container for the drying procedure. I used a ceramic utensil keeper, covered it in plastic wrap and placed my basket on it to shape and dry. You just have to be creative when looking through your cabinets for: bowls, Tupperware containers, measuring cups, plastic yogurt or cottage cheese containers, all potential drying shapers depending upon your specific project.
The cotton basket that I just crochet was found on Ravelry as a free pattern, which took me to the designers blog, crochetincolor.com. Really enjoyed her blog and liked the way she used the HDC (half double crochet) stitch to create a good flat bottom design. Take a moment and click on the link to check it out!!
I have also thought about taking a small piece of cardboard, covering it in coordinating fabric to match the yarn and placing it in the bottom of a bowl or basket for even more stability.
Anyways, have fun creating your own bowls and baskets and using them around your home or giving them as gifts filled with little goodies. Let me know your ideas for stiffening crochet projects too!!
HAPPY CREATING!!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “Commissions Earned”
I found a free Easter crochet pattern beanie that I liked and thought I would crochet it in a toddler’s size.
I used 100% cotton yarn and a size H hook for the hat. I made mine all in one color and pulled up the front edge of the beanie and attached a big, funky rose. I might have added an extra row or two for the brim but was enjoying a glass of wine while crocheting and forgot exactly what I did.
I used a size G hook and same type of cotton yarn for the big rose.
Anyways, check out her blog and all that is offered there, I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
HAPPY CREATING!!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “Commissions Earned”