Basketweave Slouch Beanie

It’s amazing how satisfying a small and simple project can be. I absolutely struggled with getting the right slouch beanie for this gorgeous girl. I ended up with 3 beanies. This was the third and I knew she would choose this one. It felt right! 

This is a very well written pattern and is easy to follow and FREE! I added a few rounds to give it a slouchy effect. Kudos to the designer!

This pattern can be found here.

Boot Cuffs for Tabitha

I made these boot cuffs for Tabitha and I really like how they turned out. I especially like her button placement (she added the buttons since I don't like to sew).

Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover (Free Pattern)

Worsted weight cotton or wool yarn

Size I hook

I don't recommend acrylic yarn as it is more flammable. I made the first few with acrylic because I happened to have the scrap yarn in the colors I wanted in my stash. 

Remove before using skillet in the oven.

Hold 2 strands of yarn together throughout

Ch 3, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1

Round 1: 5 sc in ring, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (5 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (10 sc)

Rounds 3 - 6: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (10 sc)

Round 7: Sc over first 2 sc (decrease made), sc in each sc around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (9 sc)

Round 8: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (9 sc)

Round 9: Sc over first 2 sc (decrease made), sc in each sc around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (8 sc)

Round 10: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (8 sc)

Round 11: Sc over first 2 sc (decrease made), sc in each sc around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (7 sc)

Round 12: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (7 sc)

Finish off.

I'd love to see your pictures if you make some of these. I've had lots of questions on how well these protect. I have had no problems with using those made with 100% cotton. Acrylic is just a bad idea for this project!

Feel free to sell your finished product but please do not publish or sell my pattern elsewhere.

Star Alpaca Rug

I was given some lovely alpaca yarn to make items to sell for our church. I used some of the rug yarn for this star rug. It was a something new for me to try as I have never crocheted with such a heavy yarn before this. Using a large hook and this amazing yarn was a challenge and I really love the finished product. I have no idea how to price items for sale as I only make things as gifts. If anybody has any suggestions on prices I'd like to hear them. I used 85' of yarn. The rug is 28" in diameter.

Coffeeology

What better way to relax with a crochet project than with a wonderful cup of coffee....for me, preferably hazelnut.

Avalon Top

This is a Doris Chan pattern. The body was quite simple. The yoke was very difficult for me. It was my first Doris Chan pattern and it wasn't so easy for me to follow. It was so worth it though! I love my top! This was one of my Ravelry 2010 Ravelympics projects and I actually finished it within the alloted time.

Beanies Galore!

I've been making so many beanies and with all the excitement of my two favorite holidays upon us I've not had much time to work on any other crochet projects. Here is a picture of, LJ, a young man in our church and his son, Trey, wearing their Mountaineer beanies.

The Nic Beanie

The Nic Beanie

I've not yet had anybody test this pattern although I've made it myself. Please understand that there may be mistakes. If you decide to try the pattern and have any comments I'd be happy to hear them as well as any mistakes that might be found.

My son began wearing a beanie I made for him when he was in high school. It has become an extension of him! When he went to college he requested a new beanie in his school colors.

I've now lost count of how many beanies I have made for his friends but I love doing it! I've modified my pattern many times and I think this is the best.




The Nic Beanie

Yarn: worsted weight in 2 colors
Crochet Hook: I/5.5

Rnd 1: Holding 2 strands of yarn at once, ch 5, join with slip stitch to first chain to form a ring, ch 1, work 10 sc in ring, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each sc around, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. (20 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc in joining sc, 2 sc in next sc] rep around, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. (30 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in joining sc and next sc, 2 sc in next sc, [sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] rep around, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. (40 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in joining stitch and each of next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc, [sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc] rep around, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. (44 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in joining stitch and each of next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc, [sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc] rep around, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. (48 sc)
Rnd 7 - 9: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. .
Rnd 10: Ch 3, dc in each st around, join with slip stitch in 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.
Rnd 11: Repeat Rnd 7
Rnd 12: Repeat Rnd 10

Continue in this pattern to desired length.

Next rnd: Ch 2, hdc in joining stitch and in next 14 sts, sc in next 18 sts, hdc in next 15 sts, join with slip st to 2nd ch of beginning ch-2
Final rnd: Ch 2, hdc in joining st and in next 14 sts, sc in next st, slip st in next 16 sts, sc in next st, hdc in final 15 sts, join with slip st to 2nd ch of beginning ch-2, finish off.

The longer part of the beanie is the back.

Latch Hook?!

I'm taking a break from crochet to.... latch hook!! I can't believe it either. Nic, my 19 year old, was cleaning out his closet last evening and came across an ancient latch hook that he had never finished. He still thinks it's pretty cool and would like to have it finished so, of course, Mother will do it for him. I hope to finish it up today or tomorrow though as I have a couple crochet projects I really want to dive in to!

Yes... I did say my 19 year old son was cleaning out his closet. LOL

Ravelympic Scarves

They are completed!

Ravelympics

I've been crocheting so aggressively to complete my Ravelympics projects that right now I'm actually sick of crocheting. I've completed one of the three scarves and am about 95% finished the Avalon Top.

Ravelympics

I have to say I'm pretty excited about the Winter Olympics this year. Partly because I do enjoy watching them and because Ben will be able to be home some to watch them with me. I'm also excited about the start of the Olympics because this year I have joined the Ravelympics! I have 4 crochet projects that I will attempt to complete in the 2 weeks of the Olympics. Projects may be started at the lighting of the cauldron and not before. The 4 new WIP's in my sidebar are the projects I've chosen.

I've joined Team West Virginia and will be working on the Avalon Top in the Sweaterboard Cross Event.




For Team Scarfstreet I will be making 3 scarves to use up some novelty yarn I bought on ebay in the event Scarf Super-g. I can't enter this in the Stash Compulsory Dancing Event because I've not had this yarn for at least a year.

Crochet Bookmark

I love to crochet and love to read. I often like to make notes in a book or underline a good point. I usually don't have a pen handy and hate to jump up to find one. I designed this bookmark with a pocket to hold a pen and have found it to be very useful! I jotted down the pattern but have not yet typed it up or had it tested.

Nic's new beanie

Nic has nearly worn out his navy and white beanie (which was originally meant to be a basket). He requested a new beanie in his new school (Marshall University) colors. So here he is will his spoiled cat in his green and white beanie.

Winterfest Beanies

I made 18 beanies for our group to wear to Winterfest 2009. This actually turned out to be a great idea because it was easy to spot each other in the huge crowd - much better than matching tees. It made me feel really good too that the kids were pleased to wear something I made! We received a lot of comments on them. I probably could have paid for our trip if I had made enough of them to sell! I love this picture and had it printed as a poster.

Honeysuckle Purse

This purse is made from Mary Jane Hall's Sari Silk Purse pattern from her book "Positively Crochet". I used Bernat Haven yarn in Honeysuckle. I altered the pattern a bit by crocheting the handles, button and button flap.

Felted Tote and iPod Cozy

These are definitely favorites! I get so many compliments on the tote and then I have to pull out the iPod cozy and show it off too.

Patterns are from Mary Jane Hall's "Positively Crochet".

Crocheted Choker

This choker is also from Mary Jane Hall’s book, Positively Crochet. I chose not to add any beads. I love the simple elegant design. It worked up very quickly.

Coffee Lover's Scarf

I love this scarf! What a great pattern! It can be found in Mary Jane Hall's book, Positively Crochet. The coffee cups are crochet in thread and sewn on to the scarf.

Casserole Cozies

These were pretty simple to make and a very useful item if you carry dishes to pot luck dinners. They are made with several strands of yarn held together at once so it requires a large crochet hook.