Sweater Addiction!!

Ahhh! Do you ever crochet something and then start planning the same item in a different color before you've finished the first one??? I made this white cardigan using the Patty Cake Cardi pattern from Ravelry.

(It was my first item on instagram to get more than 100 likes!!!)

This pattern is so quick and easy and you can vary the colors to make very unique sweaters.

Here's a second one I made, keeping the sleeves short:

I like using baby yarn (weight of 3 or 2) for baby items; that way they don't get so heavy.

Have a great crochet day and thanks for checking in!!

Collared Sweater

Good Morning! Happy Spring! It's so nice to see all of the snow melted and the grass turning green. I'm definitely ready for spring and summer! Today I'm sharing a collared sweater that I finished recently.

I love how the collar gives it a more "dressy" look. = )

You can find the pattern here.

(There are a lot of other cute patterns on the same site, Crochetncreate.com)

I used Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly yarn from Michaels...

it's very soft.

Enjoy! Thanks for checking in and have a great day!

Baby booties

Wow! Once I found this pattern, I 'hooked' (ha, ha!) on making 

them! 

The pattern is here.

You really can make them in 15 minutes or less!

The original pattern uses chunky yarn.

I didn't have any chunky yarn on hand, so I used 

I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby.

The fun thing about these booties is using a large hook,

so you're done before you know it!

The light blue pair was made using Loops and Threads Capri 

from Michaels. It's super soft, and a little thicker, so these

turned out beautifully.

Happy Crocheting!!!

March Doilies

 March is right around the corner, so why not decorate

with a few green doilies??? That's my philosophy anyway!!

 This is the same pattern, done with a solid color and then with

a solid center and varigated border.

You can find the chart here.

I hope you enjoy making this little gem...

think of all the colorful possibilities!! 

Braided Cowl

Oh! I love this cowl! It's certainly popular right now, especially if you follow @jonahhands on instagram. 

The pattern tutorial is on youtube here.

If you already know how to crochet, it's super simple.

I made mine over a couple of snow days we had in 

January.

First, you make the scarf with all of the loops.

Then, braid all of the loops and add buttons.

It takes 2 skeins of yarn...

I used Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn from Michaels,

in amethyst. (These skeins are 277 yds.) I like this yarn,

but find the softness varies from color to color...

this one is pretty soft; I also bought other colors that seem stiffer,

and not as soft. 

I've worn my cowl and received compliments on it...

it's very easy to make, but looks so detailed...it impresses

people with your crochet skills!! = )

Updated Crochet...

Hello! I thought I'd start updating my blog a bit with a few crochet projects and links to patterns.

 Who doesn't love buffalo check??? This is a pillow cover (not actually sewn on yet, just laid over the pillow in the picture) made using the c2c jayg.

The corner to corner, join as you go is a great way to make gingham, plaid, and buffalo check.

I followed this tutorial by the Patchwork Heart.

It does help if you know c2c crochet, but it's so quick and easy once you get the hang of it.

Stay tuned for more happy crochet updates!

October!

Hello! I can't believe it's been 3 months since my last blog post! I've been super busy with school...once it starts, my creative time takes a little dive! Also, I've been working on getting ready to run my first 5K EVER! It is next Saturday and I'm so super excited for it! (Actually, I should say "jog" my first  5K.)  Here are a few projects I've been working on or finished over the last few months:

 This is a granny ripple blanket; another crochet friend and I are putting together a basket of baby items for a silent auction coming up at school in November.

                                    The yarn is from Hobby Lobby: Hot Rose, Gray mist, and white.

       I use this chart for every granny ripple blanket I make. They are super fast and look beautiful!

You have to start with a chain that's a multiple of 25; I usually do 125 ch for a nice size baby blanket.

 I made this pinafore as a baby gift...I LOVE this pattern! It's from Ravelry and you can find the free pattern here.

                              One last baby blanket...another gift. The new mommy loved it!

That's about it for now!

The holidays are coming soon....I've

been working on the snowflake ornaments for

my class...I will post a picture of them soon.

Have a great day and thanks for checking in!

Just for fun

I did a little "just for fun" crochet this weekend...I have no plans for these items except maybe donate them to a good cause. ; )

It's hard to resist making cute baby items!! Here is the link to the hat pattern. 

And these booties are so quick, easy and cute!

I made a few pair...

 You can find the pattern here.

Have fun and thanks for checking in!

Spring

It is so nice to finally have spring weather! I celebrated by making 2 pretty doilies!

Doesn't everyone? ; )

This is the same pattern I used for the blue and gold doilies

I made for my son's graduation; and the rose doily I

made for my classroom. 

I love this pattern.

There are also several pretty versions on pinterest.

Thanks for checking in and have a great day!

A new doily!

Hello! I made this pretty doily this weekend!

So thankful for the chance to do a little crocheting. ; )

I love the solid look of this doily.

I think it would make a great carpet, too, if it was made

with a bigger hook and thick cotton yarn.

You can find the pattern here.

Thanks for checking in and happy crocheting!!

Star Mandala

Isn't this a lovely pattern?

I saw so many of them on instagram,

I just had to make one!

You can find the pattern HERE.

2017...a year of crochet!

I recently read Coco Rose Diaries  year end post...summing up her creative endeavors for last year.  (I lover her blog, by the way...and the way she writes and shares her story...) That got me to thinking...how many crochet projects did I complete in 2017? I went through my photos for the year... It was fun to look back at all of them!

From top to bottom, January to December, 2017...a few doilies, 2 blankets, the snowflakes I give to my students, the wrist warmers I gave as gifts, a scarf or two, and the red hats I donated to the Little Hats, Big Hearts project...I ended up making eight red hats to donate. The hats and the wrist warmers were probably 2 of my top faves for the year!! Thanks for checking in...it's fun to take a look back...plus I already have finished a couple of things in 2018! Happy crocheting!

Little white hat

Happy  Tuesday! I had a little crochet time in the car this weekend, and made this baby hat:

I used this pattern and added a little pom pom at the top....

Have a creative day!

Just for fun

I don't know about you, but I've been glued to the Olympics every night! It's a win-win, because I can watch the Olympics and crochet! = )

Isn't this a great pattern??

You can find it HERE.

Lots of beautiful crochet projects and yarn inspiration on her blog!

Thanks for checking in and have a great day!

Snow day crochet...

We had a snow day yesterday.

I needed it.

School has been stressful.

This little project done in thread was just what I needed.

Hope your day was creative, too.

You can find the chart here. 

Gift idea...

Like most crafters (I hope, anyway!) I decided rather late...as in a week before Christmas...to make pretty wrist warmers/fingerless gloves as gifts.  I made myself a pair and have gotten several compliments on them. I decided to make them for the women in my family, plus a co-worker. 

Let me say, I absolutely LOVE this pattern! You can find it here. They are very quick and easy to make...and everyone who gets them will be impressed by your handiwork!! I printed the handmade tags here, and put them in a little cellophane bag.

I have to admit..the pair I gave to my co-worker was very last minute...I ended up finishing the pair for her on the last day of school before Christmas break, while my class went to p.e.!! Hey...that's how it goes, right??? 

Thanks for checking in and stay warm!!

A blanket stack...

Most crocheters will get this...the beauty of handmade blanket stack. I love the Instagram images of beautiful, crocheted blankets. So today I finished my third crocheted blanket...the perfect way to spend a below zero day in MN...

3 blankets:  officially enough to make a "stack" (in my opinion, anyway!).

Thanks for checking in and have a great day!

Random Projects...

Here are a few things I've been working on... my class snowflakes are packaged and

ready to go! Our last day of school is Dec. 21. I used the same pattern as last year.

I'm working on a few red hats for the Little Hats Big Hearts project. 2 friends from school

are also making hats. So far I have 6 hats finished. I like knowing they are going to

a good cause.

 I am trying to make a few pairs of wrist warmers/fingerless gloves.

Not sure I'll get them done in time for Christmas. I need to make 3 sets!

I made this Christmas card using the stable image from Lori Whitlock. Very simple, but

sweet, I think! = ) The word "peace" is embossed with glittery embossing

powder.

Thanks for checking in and have a great day!

Flower market bag

Hello! How are you?

I can't believe how fast summer is flying by!

My husband and I enjoy going to our local

farmer's market on the weekends. I saw a

pattern for a cute bag...perfect to bring along to the market.

My goal was to use up some of the cotton yarn  I have on hand.

I started with yellow...but didn't have enough to both sides.

So I switched to white for the other side...

...but kept the center yellow.

The pattern is very easy!

You can find the chart here.

Thanks for checking in and have a great day!!

Lacy Lantern

Hello! Have you seen these pretty crocheted lanterns?

I think the light shining through the crochet pattern is gorgeous!

I just had to try making one! They are perfect for a little LED tea light.

Quite a few of the lanterns I saw were made out of individual
motif's. I wanted something a little more simple...

...after a little research,
I saw this one. It uses 2 doilies. 

 I started with a doily I already had.

Then, made another one to match.

I stitched them together along the sides (right sides facing out), connecting
them mainly at the top of the

scallops. I wanted the sides to have a large enough opening to slide in the tea light.

I mixed glue and water (about equal parts, but it really isn't too fussy!)

and soaked the doilies in it.

I slid the ballon in the center, and blew it up, leaving the
knot on the outside. I used a 12 inch balloon.

I hung it up to dry...waiting for it to try was the hardest part!!!

When it was dry, I popped the balloon
and added a LED tea light.

Oh my gosh, I just love it!!!!
Thanks for checking in and have a great day!