Fruity Facial Scrub Set {Crochet Pattern}

Fruity Facial Scrub Set

I came up with this fun little facial set one night and can't wait to design more to add to the set!  They work up super quick and make great gifts, especially when you pair them with a gift of one of our great Sugar Scrubs or Coconut Baths!  Also, they're eco-friendly, after use, just toss in your wash and they're clean and fresh again!

Materials needed:

Small amounts of your favorite cotton colors, here are a few of mine!  

Lily Sugar n Cream in Ahoy Ombre

Lily Sugar n Cream Assorted Color Pack

Size H Hook

Apple Facial Scrubber:

 R1: with white, chain 3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook.  join to top of ch 3.

R2: Ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3. (24 st)

R3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next, *dc, 2dc**, repeat from * to ** around, join to top of ch 3, FO. (36 st)

R4: Join red or green with standing sc in any st, sc in same, 2 sc in each st around, join to top of standing sc, FO. (72 st) 

Stem:  Make a foundation sc chain 7 st long, FO.

Leaf: ch 5, sc in 2nd chain from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next, (2 hdc, picot, 2hdc) all in last ch.  Turn leaf so you're working in the other side of the chain, dc, hdc, sc.  FO.

Orange Facial Scrubber:

With fun use of color, this scrubber could also be a lemon, lime or grapefruit!

R1: with orange, chain 3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook.  join to top of ch 3.

R2: Ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3. (24 st)

R3: with white, standing hdc in any st, hdc in same, 2 hdc in next 3 st, spike hdc into center loosely, *2 hdc in next 4 st, spike hdc into center loosely** rep from * to ** 4 more times, join to top of ch 2. (48 st)

R4: with orange, standing hdc in any st, 2 hdc in next, *hdc, 2 hdc * around, join to top of ch 2, FO. (60 st)

Watermelon Facial Scrubber:

R1: with red, chain 3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook.  join to top of ch 3.

R2: with red, ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3, FO. (24 st)

R3: with white, standing sc in any st, 2 sc in next, *1 sc, 2 sc* around, FO. (36 st)

R4: with green,  standing hdc in any st, 2 hdc in next, *1 hdc, 2 hdc* around, FO. (48 st)

Enjoy your awesome new facial scrubbies!!!

Scouting Sunday: Craft Your Fitness Finds

Since this month here at This Crafting Life is all about New Year's Resolutions and New Projects, I thought I'd base my Scouting Sunday off of one of the world's most popular New Year's Resolutions:  Losing Weight, Getting Healthy and Fitness.  Today, I bring you crochet and knit projects from around Ravelry that all pertain to fitness in some way!

                                                         Yoga Socks

I really love yoga socks.  I love being barefoot, but I don't like it when I get cold.  I also love Yoga, so wearing these while I'm doing yoga makes it so my feet aren't as cold and I still have a great grip.  I love this crochet pattern and may have to try it out once my WIP's are all caught up!

To go with your yoga socks, you might as well make yourself a nice yoga mat carry case!  This way you can go in style and not have to carry that roll around!!!

Love listening to music while on the run, but hate the sweaty feeling of those neoprene bands?  Make your own out of soft yarn and a small strip of velcro and you'll be running in comfort in no time!!!            

Are you a cold weather runner?  Knit yourself this awesome run to live hat!

Here's another functional mp3 carrier, this time in knit!

 Need to wear a hat but hate the bulky feeling of your ponytail under the hat?  Here's one solution for you:

 And here's another!!!

And this clever hat has a built in pocket for those minimalist runners who only want to carry a key, and maybe a little cash.

Why not bring a little fancy and comfort to your bike at the same time?  I have seen a ton of great fancy yarns that would look awesome for those tassels!!!

Last, but not least, here's a great little carry case for your favorite water bottle when you're out at the gym or on long hikes!                               

Have you seen any great crochet or knit projects for the fitness fanatic?  If so, leave a comment below!!!!

WIP Resolution Mission 2015 Part 2

Work in Progress Inspiration Post Part 2

(there's more parts to come, it's bound to get scary)

When I left you last, I had shared 5 blankets that I had been working on and now are sitting in stasis in bins that are cluttering up my closet.  Now I'm moving along to wearable crochet in my quest to share with you the ridiculous amount of UFO's I have laying around my house and to clear them out.

WIP #7 and WIP #8

Curly Scarves

These two each get their own number, because they are individual scarves, though I'll talk about them together because they are in essence, the same type of item.  I made the blue one and ran out of yarn before I finished and never went back with more yarn or a second color.  

the purple one, I wanted it to have a black core so it peeked out through the purple, but I got scared after I did a row of purples because I didn't think that the black would still show through.  So I said, I'm calling it done.  Then I didn't like it.  I need to either go back with purple or do another row of black and then a row of purple. 

WIP #9

Gator Scoodie

This is another woeful story of running out of yarn.  I was making this gator scoodie for my daughter (probably about a year or two ago) because her school mascot is a gator.  I got the hood part complete and went to work on the scarf part only to run out of yarn.  When I pulled this out, she remembered it, and I told her I was going to finish it and she was blunt and told me she didn't really want it anymore.  Kids.  I will still finish it because I want to see the idea carried out, but might sell it in my shop or gift it this year.

WIP #10

Katniss Cowl

So I love the Hunger Games.  I also Love Love Love the cowl that Katniss wears in the second movie.  I've seen several renditions of it - such as this one:

or this one:

But am not a fan of either one of them completely.  I like the body of the first one (though I would make it a little longer so it would swing lower) and I like the cowl off of the second one.  So I set forth to try and make one, combining the factors that I liked from each of them.

When I finished the cowl:

I tried it on and I was disappointed.  I don't think I made it thick enough, and I also think I made it too wide because it tries to come down over my shoulders when I put it on.  I had barely cast on the body part:

when I discovered this and by then it was too late.  It went in a box and got shoved in my closet.   I want to try to make this again, but I'm going to have to frog the cowl (hopefully I can just knit from it) and will have to make the body piece.

WIP #11

Spiderweb shawl

I am not sure at all what pattern this is, if I messed it up, nor can I remember what I was making it for.  It's this random half finished shawl that I found at the bottom of one of the bins.  When I put it over my shoulders, it's kind of a cute little caplet.  I think it needs an sc trim on the flat edge, and some buttons.  I also may try to dye it to give it some life.  Then, on to gifting or selling.  :)

So there you have 6 more WIP's that I have to work on this year, and that brings me up to 11 UFO's.  There's much more to come!  Have you tried any of these patterns?  Are you working on UFO's this year?  Leave a comment below!

Diamonds in the Square Granny Afghan block {Crochet Pattern}

I wrote this pattern for a unique Granny square while trying to match a pattern from a picture.  I am working on a blanket for my older daughter (she wanted a blanket just like her little sister has) and I had found this picture that I really liked.  I tried this square, and realized it wasn't quite right for what I wanted, but realized that I had created a new granny square that would be really unique to piece together into a full sized afghan.

Diamond in the Square Crochet Motif

Materials:
Several colors of worsted weight yarn.  I used Red Heart because that's what I had available and I have lots of it.  You can use more or less colors than I did and achieve a different effect.
Size H hook or to achieve your desired gauge

Center Square Section:

Ch 3
R1: 2 dc in first ch, ch2, 3 dc in same ch again, ch2, 3 dc in same ch again, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch again, ch 2 and join with top of ch 3.
R2: sl st over to the first ch2 space.  ch 3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc, ch 1, *in next ch 2 space, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1* repeat around, join to top of ch 3
*Join next color in any ch 2 space (these will be the corners for now)*
R3: ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1, *in next ch1 space, 3dc, ch1, in "corner" ch 2 space, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1* repeat around, join to top of ch 3
R4: sl st over to corner ch2 space, ch 3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1, *in next ch1 space, 3dc, ch1, next ch1 space, 3dc, ch1, next "corner" ch2 space, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1* repeat around, join to top of ch3.


*Join next color in ch1 space that is in the middle of one of the square sides- this will make one of the triangle sections to form the new square*

Triangle attachment (work on each of four sides of the Center Square Section)

R1: in same space as joining, ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc.  sl st into a space on the wall of the square (be careful not to stretch it too far, you want the triangle to match up on the side as far as length goes.

R2: ch3, turn, in same space, 2dc, ch1, in ch2 space, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1, in top of ch3 from previous row dc in this manner:  YO, insert hook through top of ch3 from beginning of prior row and through a point in the wall of the square equivalent to where you attached the top of the row on the other side, YO, pull through both square and top of ch3, progress with dc as normal. 2dc more in same space, then join top of the row to a suitable place on the "wall" of the square to attach.

R3: ch3, turn, in same space, 2dc, ch1, 3dc in ch 1 space, ch1, (3dc, ch2, 3dc)in ch2 space, ch1, 3 dc in ch 1 space, ch 1, in top of ch3 from previous row dc in this manner:  YO, insert hook through top of ch3 from beginning of prior row and through a point in the wall of the square equivalent to where you attached the top of the row on the other side, YO, pull through both square and top of ch3, progress with dc as normal. 2dc more in same space, then join top of the row to a suitable place on the "wall" of the square to attach.  FO.

Repeat Triangle Attachment on each side of the square.   On last side, do not break off yarn.  Your yarn should be in the point of what was the square after the first section.  Continue on with this next round:

Final Round: ch3, 2dc in same sp, ch1, (3dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1) twice, *in ch2 space, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch 1, (in next ch 1 space, 3dc, ch 1) 5 times*, repeat from * two more times, (3dc, ch 1) in remaining two ch 1 spaces.  Join to top of ch 3 from beginning of round.  FO.

Two Ways Boot Cuffs {Crochet Pattern}

Two Ways Boot Cuffs {Crochet Pattern}

This is a unique pattern as you can adjust it for your needs, in fact, it's necessary to have good measurements prior to starting and if you're making them for yourself, try them out as you go to make sure that you get a good fit!

Hook Size: H
Worsted or sport weight yarn (go to a G hook if using sport weight)

Pattern:

Determine the height that you want on your ribbed section.  You can choose to have them short, as pictured above, or long, so that you are able to fold the ribbed section over.  Chain as many as you need to obtain the height that you desire.  For the example above, I chained 11.  Make sure to make a note about how many you used for when you make your second cuff.

R1: sc in second ch from hook and each ch to end, ch 1, turn
R2:  (in back loops only) sc across the row, ch1, turn.
Repeat Row 2 until you have enough length to stretch around your calf.  Remember that you want it slightly smaller than the place on your leg where you will wear it, so that it stays snug and doesn't slide.
FO, leaving a long tail for finishing.
join the first row with the last row to make a tube, sewing them together with your tail.

* If you just want a ribbed cuff, you can stop here. For the shelled side, continue on.

Join yarn to one of the sides and continue as follows:

R1: ch 1, sc, *ch 3, sk 2 st, 6 dc in next sc, sk 2 st, sc in next st*  repeat around, joining with sl st in top of first sc.  Pay attention to where you are, as you may need to adjust the length of one shell depending upon how many rows you ended with to fit your calf.  You don't want to make it too snug either as the shell doesn't stretch as well as the rib.
R2: sl st to top of 4th dc of first shell, ch 1, sc in same.  *7 dc in sc between shells from previous row, sc in 4th sc of next shell* repeat around, joining with a sl st in top of first sc, FO, weave in ends.

Make a second using the same chain amount from the beginning of the pattern to ensure they're the same.

Enjoy your new boot cuffs!

My Pattern Experience: Bernat Diamonds and Tweed Blanket

My Pattern Experience: Bernat Diamonds and Tweed Blanket

This was one of my first large crochet projects.  I started it YEARS ago.  Literally YEARS.  I enjoyed the pattern of the blocks because it was unique yet easy.  I remember getting through a large chunk of the squares and then putting it aside.  When I picked it back up, I finished the squares but never seamed them.  Then, about a year ago, I started seaming but I chose to be lazy and try and cover up a bunch of ends with my seaming.  It didn't work so well, so I ended up setting it aside. I pulled it back out when I was going through all of my WIPs that I had thrown off to the side, knowing that if I could just buck up and finish it, that I would have a complete blanket with minimal effort.  I ripped out all the seams, sewed in every end, and reseamed it.  I still don't like how the seams turned out, and if I were to start it all over, I know that I would be able to do it better this time around with many more years of experience under my belt.  I gave it away though, got it out of my house and hopefully the recipient likes it, because I don't want it back in my house!!  Pretty pattern, but so glad to be done with it! :)

Oval Pig Trivet {crochet pattern}

My mother loves pigs.  She had asked me a couple of years ago to make her an oval trivet and I kept trying to make one work, and finally got something I more-or-less liked with this one.  It really looked ok for a while, but I made it double thick(for heat tolerance), and when I added the second layer, I don't know if I just did a poor job of joining them, but I wasn't as pleased as I could have been with the edges.  Mom loved it though (as a good mom should), and all is well.  

This pattern is really rough, I didn't write things down as I went along and am now writing them from memory.  If you notice any errors or find any solutions to problems, feel free to leave me a comment and I'll make the appropriate corrections.

Oval Pig Trivet

Materials:

1 skein Pink worsted weight yarn- probably best to use a cotton or other heat safe yarn, but I knew my mom would never use it for more than either decoration or as a table trivet after things had cooled a bit, so I used Red Heart)

Small amount Black worsted weight yarn

Small amount White worsted weight yarn

Size H Crochet Hook

Embroidery needle (for weaving in ends)

Instructions:

Body (Make 2)

*For the body, think about working a circle, but you are inserting a straight section into the middle of two opposing sides of a circle.*
chain 11
R1: 4 dc in 2nd chain from hook, dc in each of next 7 ch, 5 dc in last chain. working on other side of chain, dc in next 7 ch, sl st in top of Ch2.
R2: ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each of next 4 dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, 2 dc in next 5 dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, join to top of ch3.
R3: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next *2 dc, 1 dc* repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc, 1 dc* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R4: ch 3, dc in same, dc, dc, *2dc, 1 dc, 1dc*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc, , 1dc, 1 dc* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R5: ch 3, dc in same, dc, dc, dc *2dc, 1 dc, 1dc, 1dc*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc, , 1dc, 1dc, 1 dc* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R6: ch 3, dc in same, dc, dc, dc, dc *2dc, 1 dc, 1dc, 1dc , 1dc*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc, , 1dc, 1dc, 1dc, 1 dc* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R7: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next 5 st *2dc, dc in next 5 st*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc, dc in next 5 st* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R8: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next 6 st *2dc, dc in next 6 st*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc,dc in next 6 st* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R9: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next 7 st *2dc, dc in next 7 st*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc,dc in next 7 st* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R10: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next 8 st *2dc, dc in next 8 st*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc,dc in next 8 st* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R11: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next 9 st *2dc, dc in next 9 st*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc,dc in next 9 st* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R12: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next 10 st *2dc, dc in next 10 st*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc,dc in next 10 st* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R13: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next 11 st *2dc, dc in next 11 st*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc,dc in next 11 st* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.  FO, leaving a tail for sewing two body pieces together.

Snout:
In pink:
R1: 4 dc in 2nd chain from hook, dc in each of next 7 ch, 5 dc in last chain. working on other side of chain, dc in next 7 ch, sl st in top of Ch2.
R2: ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each of next 4 dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, 2 dc in next 5 dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, join to top of ch3.
R3: ch 3, dc in same, dc in next *2 dc, 1 dc* repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc, 1 dc* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.
R4: ch 3, dc in same, dc, dc, *2dc, 1 dc, 1dc*repeat from * three more times, dc in next 7 st, *2 dc, , 1dc, 1 dc* five times, dc in each of next 7 dc, and join to top of ch 3.  FO, leaving a tail for sewing on to face.
Lines on snout- attach a strand of black yarn through the middle of the piece.  Surface slip stitch crochet two vertical lines for the nostrils.

Eyes:

Whites (make 2)
Using one size larger hook than you did for the body:
R1: 4 dc in 2nd chain from hook, dc in each of next 7 ch, 5 dc in last chain. working on other side of chain, dc in next 7 ch, sl st in top of Ch2.
R2: ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each of next 4 dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, 2 dc in next 5 dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, join to top of ch3.  FO, leaving a tail for sewing to face.

Blacks (make 2)
Using smaller hook:
ch 3 and join to make ring, ch 1, 12 sc in ring, join to top of first sc, FO, leaving a tail for sewing.  If you stitched over the starting yarn tail, you can pull tight to close the hole in the center.

Ears and Legs (make 4)

Chain 10
R1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and next 7 st. Ch 3, turn.
R2: dc2tog four times.  ch 3, turn.
R3: dc in each of 4 st. ch 3, turn.
R4: dc2tog twice. ch 3, turn.
R5: dc2tog, fo, leaving tail for weaving in.


Assembly:

Sew the black part of the eye onto the white part of the eye.
Position your snout, eyes, ears and feet with pins until you're happy with the placement.
Sew each piece on to the front piece of the body (not both pieces yet!)  When you place the ears and feet, sew them about 1/4" below the top/bottom of the piece on the back side.  When you join the back body piece, it will enclose them within.
After all body parts are attached, sew the front piece to the back.  I recommend also stringing your yarn into the center parts of the pig and tacking the front and back together throughout.

Tiny Ponyo Amigurumi {Crochet Pattern}

I gave my daughter Ponyo in her little green bucket. :)

My daughters love Ponyo.  My little one especially.  Given the opportunity, some days she will want to watch it on repeat.  I actually don't really mind.  It's a stunningly beautiful movie and well worth having as part of a kids collection.  For Christmas, I like to make gifts that are really personal for people.  I like my receiver to know that they got a gift that was from my heart to theirs.  This last year, I made my little lulu her very own tiny ponyo doll.  I wanted her to be able to hold Ponyo in her hand the way Soskei held Ponyo in his.  So here it is, my tiny ponyo pattern!

Tiny Ponyo Crochet Pattern

Materials Needed:
Size E Hook
Red Heart Worsted Weight Yarn in Orange, Red, White, Black and Creme.  (Smallish amounts)
Embroidery needle

Special Instructions: Place marker at beginning of every row, do not join.

Head:

R1:  In creme, ch2, 6 sc in 1st ch (6 st)

R2: 2 sc in each st around (12 st)

R3: *1 sc, 2 sc* in each st around (18 st)
R4:  1 sc in each st around (18 st)
R5: *1 sc in each of next 4 st, sc2tog* around (15 st)
R6:  1 sc in each st around (15 st)
R7: *1 sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st* around (18 st)
R8: 1 sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next, 2 sc in next, sc in next, 2 sc in next, sc in next, 2 sc in next, 1 sc in next 4 st (19 st)
R9:  1 sc in each of next st around (19 st)
R10:  1 sc in each of next st around (19 st)
R11:  1 sc in next 4 st, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, 1 sc in next 4 st (15 st)
R12: *sc, sc2tog* around, FO, leaving long tail for weaving.

Body:
R1: In red, ch 2, 6 sc in 1st ch (6 st)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (12 st)
R3: *1 sc, 2 sc* around (18 st)
R4: *1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc* around (24 st)
R5-R9: 1 sc in each st around (24 st)
R10: *1 sc, 1 sc, sc2tog* around (18 st)
R11-R12: 1 sc in each st around (18 st)
R13: *2 sc in next, 2 sc in next, sc2tog* around (30 st)
R14: *sc, 2 sc, sc, sc2tog* around, ending at second sc repeat.
R15: *1 sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next * around, sc in last st, FO, leaving long tail for weaving.

Bottom:
R1: In white, ch 2, 6 sc in 1st ch (6 st)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (12 st)
R3: *1 sc, 2 sc* around (18 st)
R4: *1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc* around, FO leaving long tail for weaving. (24 st)

Tummy:
R1: In white, ch 2, 6 sc in 1st ch (6 st)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (12 st)
R3: *1 sc, 2 sc* around, FO, leaving long tail for weaving. (18 st)

Eyes (make 2)
R1: With white, ch 2, 6 sc in 1st ch, FO, leaving long tail for weaving (6 st)

Arms (make 2)
R1: With red, ch 2, 4 sc in 1st ch (4 st)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (8 st)
R3-4: 1 sc in each st around (8 st)
FO, leaving long tail for weaving.

Assembly:

Embroider pupils onto eyes.

Attach Arms to body.

Stuff body, attach white bottom piece to body.

Attach eyes to head.

Embroider smile onto face.

Stuff head, attach to body.

Add hair with short pieces using a latch hook method.

Love your little Ponyo!!!!

Tote Bag {crochet pattern}

{I found this pattern in a box of random vintage crafts that I received from family.  I figured I would share it here in it's original form.  Please note that I have typed it exactly as it was listed and have not worked the pattern yet myself.  I'll probably work it up at some point and post my comments and adjustments too :)  Enjoy!}

NO TT-1 from This 'n' That Leaflet 2538 - 1971, Columbia-Minerva

MATERIALS:  6 skeins Columbia-Minerva Washable Rug Yarn (1-3/4 oz. pull skeins).

"Boye" Crochet Hook, Size K

GAUGE:  2 sc 10 1"; 2 rows to 1"Note:  Work with double yarn throughout.

SIDES:  With Scarlet, ch 23.Row 1:  Starting in 2nd ch from hook, work 22 sc across, ch 1, turn.Row 2:  1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 2 for 48 more rows.  Fasten off.Gussets:  Ch 10.  work on 9 sc for 20 rows.  Fasten off.  Make 2.Straps:  With Black, ch 26.  Starting in 2nd ch, work 1 sc in each ch to last ch, 3 sc in last ch, then working back on other side of chain, 1 sc in each st. Fasten off.  Make 4.Handles:  With black, ch 38.  Work same as straps.  Make 2.  Baste gussets in place.  On right side with Black work 1 sc and ch 1 in every other row along sides and bottom as shown.  With Black work 2 rows of sc on top edges only of back and front.  Sew straps  in place as shown with 3" extending at top.  Join handles to straps with 1-1/2" metal rings.