Christmas Yorkie

For all of my nieces and nephews I've crocheted them a special friend. (like this little turtle.)  It was time for my newest niece to get one of her own. 

My in laws happen to have a Yorkie named Sugar that my niece loves.  So of course I made her a little Sugar of her very own.

I based the pattern off of this one. 

Owl Love you Forever

A little weekend project of little owls!  I found the pattern on pinterest here.

Then I made a little video on Vine with them.

See it here!

Boutique Splurge: Inspired Crochet

This winter I splurged on this Wai Ming Sweater.  The short sleeved cropped sweater looks awesome over my long maxi skirt and a long sleeve shirt.  I love the way it looks when my coat is buttoned up over the sweater revealing a dramatic cowl neck.

Therefore, I decided to crochet a black and white chevron neck warmer that is reminiscent of this sweater!  Winter is not quite over either as you can see from the winter wonderland behind me!

I made up my own pattern, here it is and be sure to let me know if you don't understand something about it because it has not been tested.

Crochet Hook:  J
Red Heart Worsted Weight Yarn:  Black and White
Starting with the white yarn...
1.  ch 34
2.  In third st from end hdc, 1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn
3-4.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn
Change yarn to Black.
***5-7. Ch 2.  1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn
Change yarn to White.
8-10.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn ***
***Repeat 8 times.
Change yarn to Black.
59.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last 2 st.  Turn.
60.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last 2 st.  Turn.
Circle the scarf around to make a ring.
61.  Ch 2.  sl st into the first st of the white section you began with. hdc in next black st, sl st in the next white st. repeat til the end of row.
tie off
Single crochet around both circle edges, 2 rows.

Crochet Peter Pan Collar

I've seen a lot of variations of the Peter Pan collar, and as I lean toward Uber Feminine, I wanted to make something with this trend in mind.  I saw on Smile and Wave a crocheted version.  I'm a little bit of a crochet fanatic, so looking at the necklace I figured out a pattern that is probably similar and thought I would share the chart with you!

I used crochet hook E/4-3.5MM

Personalized Art

I had an extra canvas laying around and wanted to do something with it.

I got out some white paint, extra fabric and yarn.

I wrote some lyrics that have some meaning in my relationship.  These very words sparked a conversation between two college kids that stemmed into something beautiful.  This became the only song that was sung at our wedding.  I sewed on some crochet doodles and now have this in our bathroom.  I love the reminder.

Latest Craft Project

This one is for me!

This past winter I made some covers for two pillows we have in the living room.   I've been thinking that I want to crochet some new pillow covers for the spring.  My mom ripped a picture out of a magazine that she reads that looks something like this...

Found here.

So a long time ago I started making flowers.  You may remember it.

So here is what came from it...

I made a basic granny square the size of the pillow.  I attached all of the flowers to it.  It looked almost like the inspiration.  Then I had to stretch it around the pillow and the flowers don't look as dense as I'd like.  But here is what the back looks like...

Chevron!  I love this side!  For the next pillow I'll definitely make a chevron side.  

I think I may take off all of the flowers and make the chevron side the front.  I'll just have to find another use for all of those flowers!

I'll post the next pillow I make too.

Here is the pattern I used for the chevron.

Make a Chain for however long you would like.  Keep it a multiple of 5.

Turn, 1 dc in first stitch.  *1 dc in next stitch 3xs. decrease twice.  1 dc in next stitch 3xs. 2 dc in next stitch 2xs*  Repeat as many times as you need to.  Turn.

new project

I've been crocheting a little here are there.

I'm really trying to figure out a way to use my surplus of yarn and fabric.  So I decided to crochet a bunch of flowers out of the left over white and off white yarns that I have.

I'll let you see the final project whenever I get around to finishing it.  

Here is the pattern that I'm using if you are interested.

Ch 2

sc 12 in first ch

slip stitch to join

*ch3, skip one stitch, sc next st* repeat 5 times

in loop made by chain stitches *1sc, 1hdc, 1dc, 1hdc, 1sc* repeat in next 5 loops.

*sc around post ch4* repeat 5 times

in loop made by chain stitches *1sc, 1hdc, 3dc, 1hdc, 1sc* repeat 5 times.

Pedro the Daniel

Meet Daniel the lion!

Remember this post?  I actually finished the lion a few days later.  I think crocheting something with a pattern is MUCH faster than trying to make it up as I go. It's pretty cute isn't it.

Valentine Garland

I have been in such a crochet mood this winter.  Winter is the best time to crochet!  Today I whipped up a fun quick project that I got from the craft blog.

VALENTINE'S HEART GARLAND

It reminds me of all of the cute thing Attic24 makes.

An Off Day

I love days that I don't have to work!  (Who doesn't)
My man came home I was crocheting, watching Harry Potter on our new Blu Ray player!, and had a pioneer woman recipe simmering on the stove.  That pretty much means my day couldn't have gotten any better!

I made Pioneer Womans Chicken Tortilla Soup for dinner.  It was delicious as always.  My marlboro man knows to expect yummy food with PW Cooks.  It's when I have the cooking light mag out, that he worries sometimes.

I also started a new crochet project!

It's going to be a lion!  The pattern is here.

Cleaning?

Ever since I got married I've wanted to crochet some swiffer covers.  In my cleaning routine I use so many disposable products.  I use paper towels to do windows and mirrors, disposable toilet bowl cleaners, swiffer dry and wet clothes.  I'm trying to cut down on it.  I do love the ease and convenience of those toilet bowl cleaners though...
Anyways, I finally crocheted myself a swiffer cover.  I found the pattern here.  I did alter the back some.  Instead of crocheting in the round I just created the two flaps on either end that can be stretched around the swiffer.

Now if only I could make time to use it...(wink).

Felix's Turtle

For Christmas I made my nephew a turtle.  His shell even comes off!  It was based off of a LionBrand pattern, but I maded it much bigger and changed somethings, so it would be AWESOME.

It's some of my finest work, just saying.

road trippen it

Today the hubby and I decided to take a road trip and do some furniture shopping along the way.
We hopped in the car and headed towards the windy city.  We got some deep dish pizza.  We were frost bitten while walking from the car to the restaurant.  We experienced Chicago to say the least.
Tomorrow we say hello to ikea!

On the way here I brought along my crochet hook and have been crafting for someone I love...

Here is a sneak peak...

shhh it's a surprise.

A-Z

I'm working on making something more out of  my A-Z blog posts.  Here is some background if you don't know what I'm talking about.

My last summer of college I lived in a 5 bedroom house and all of my roommates were gone for most of the summer.  I got pretty lonely and bored.  I decided to do a series of something to keep me motivated and give myself a goal for the summer.  All previous summers I had always picked up a new hobby.  That summer I decided to crochet finger puppets; one for every letter in the alphabet.  I then took pictures of them around town and made up little personalities for them.  It was really fun.  I'm trying to expand on that a little bit.  I'm not sure what exact road I'm going to take, but I have something in the works....

Here are links to the posts if you are curious...
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

let them eat cake

here

here

here

here

a little more

I still want to crochet!  Here are some free patterns that I found that I want to make... you know, if I ever have time again.

I want to make a vest like this.  Don't make fun of me.  I feel like I would only wear it at home until I was brave enough to wear it to the grocery store.  I would make it in one neutral color and that would help.  It just looks so cozy!  I found it here.

I like the colors in this.  I like it just the way it is and I think it would be super cute on me.  I found it here.

I like this one too.  It's a little different and unique.  I think it would be fun to crochet the bubbles.  The color is beautiful and would look great with my brown coat.  I found it here.

I miss it...

With all of the wedding stuff going on, I miss crafting for crafting sakes and for other people.  I miss crocheting.  We all know that crocheting decreases immensely in the summer in general.  This happens because who wants to tote a lot of yarn around and have half of a wool blanket on you while your at the pool.  The nights are finally starting to cool down and I would love for crocheting to come back in my life.

Here is a blanket that I made earlier this year for this special guy, Oliver Feltes.  I love making blankets but I don't own any myself because I always give them away!

I would love to make a blanket for Brian and I like the one from Parks and Recreation.  It looks like one Urban Outfitters used to sell.  I can tell that the hook and yarn used are smaller than I like to do blankets.  That means it will take more yarn and more time!  I think it would be worth it to make something special for my home.  I like all of the colors too.

I'm constantly inspired to make beautiful things like the ones Attic24 makes.  Her blog is amazing and she takes pictures of the English countryside that are very inspiring.  Her colors are not my taste but they sure are pretty.

Check out this yarn collection!  I'm drooling a little bit.  I never think to use so many colors in something that I've crocheted.  When I make a blanket for myself I will!

If only I had neices....

I went to a friend's baby shower last week.  She is having a girl!  Everyone in my life for the past 5 years has had boys.  So for boys I can only crochet so much; an animal here and a blanket there.  I always thought if I knew someone with a girl I would sew cute clothes.  So this was my chance to try it out.

I went to Hancocks and found this fabric first.  I found a pattern for a romper that was only $1 (awesome).  This fabric was on sale too for $4.  What a great deal!  I had thought in the past that only Amy Butler had cute fabrics and places like Hobby Lobby, JoAnnes, and Hancocks have 90s style fabrics and nothing cute at all.  I was SO wrong.  There was a ton of great choices.  I probably stood in front of the woven cottons for 12 minutes before I had one of those thoughts "If I'm having so much trouble they would all be good choices so JUST PICK ONE."  I kept seeing fabrics that would fit perfectly with some of my favorite couples styles.  So if they ever have baby girls  I'll be able to make clothes I know they would love.

I know my friend loves owls.  We worked together as fashion merchandisers so of course fashion and our fashion influences was something we talked about often.  She told me this very endearing story about her grandmother.  Her grandma has themed bathrooms in her house.  One is filled with owls and another is filled with tiny mirrors.  My friend had always loved the owls and the idea of collecting something and making themed bathrooms!  I saw this fabric and thought it was kind of expensive the first time around.  After I found out that my $11 pattern was only $1  I went back to get the "expensive fabric" that I knew she would love.

I couldn't help but crochet something, too!  I found this pattern for little tiny baby girl headbands.  They button at the back so it can grow with the baby.  I made all of these flowers and put them on safety pins so that they can make any combination of colors.  I made these while at work which was an awesome use of time!

I was so glad to finally make something for GIRLS!  I had a ton of fun doing it.  Too bad I have 3 nephews and probably only one more eventual child on my side of the family.  Luckily I'm about to marry into a family with 4 sibling-in-laws that haven't even thought about kids yet.  So I still have a big chance for nieces someday.

It's beginning to look a lot like

I went to Anthropologie the other day and started to admire their awesome Christmas stuff, so handmade looking!


So I thought, gee I can have my own awesome homemade looking Christmas too!


First I crocheted these snowflakes. I saw them on one of my favorite blogs. I made them into ornaments by adding loops with red yarn.


Then I got an idea for my gift tags this year. I sewed on buttons to tags and tied red yarn in a bow at the end.

When I looked at my little Christmas tree in my room, it needed a topper. So This morning I crocheted a long piece of fabric and tied a bow topper for my tree.

This afternoon I sought my embroidery thread and felt and made this cute little bird ornament. I want to make more of these, so who knows if I will.

I'm kind of thinking of giving my Christmas ornaments away as Christmas gifts too. I haven't decided yet.