Wee Crown Photography Prop {Crochet Pattern}

You know how sometimes life gets away from you?  Well, I have a photography business that I run, as well as all of the crafts, websites and raising children, so I can get quite busy and sometimes leave something behind a little bit.  Usually in my life, the two things that suffer are my websites and my crafting.  Well, thus is not the case with the crafting this time - I've been working on lots of great projects, but I haven't posted about any of them!

Today, I'll share with you one of the simple things that I made while I've been absent!

I knew a friend was giving birth to a girl, so I worked out this adorable little crown for her to wear during our shoot:

It was super easy and took maybe 15 minutes.  Here is the pattern!

Wee Crown Photography Prop {Crochet Pattern}

Special Stitches:  V-stitch: (dc, ch 2, dc) all in same st.

Materials needed:
Small amount of worsted weight yarn (you can also go dk or sport, but adjust your hook size accordingly and expect it to be smaller)
Size H crochet hook

Pattern:

Ch 30, join to make ring.
R1: ch 3, dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3 with sl st (30 dc)
R2: ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), dc in same space, skip two dc, *V- stitch, sk two dc* around, joining with sl st to 3rd ch of ch 4 from beginning of round.
R3: sl into ch 1 sp,( ch 2, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 3 hdc) all in ch 1 sp, sl st in next ch 1 sp, *(3 hdc, 2 dc, 3 hdc) in ch 1 sp, sl st in next ch 1 sp* around, join with sl st to top of ch 2 from beginning of round.

Hope you all like it!  Feel free to leave a comment below!!!

Beautiful Leaves Crochet Scarf {Crochet Pattern}

Not all of my crochet projects get an introduction... but then again, not all of them are as beautiful as this one turned out.  This was the last of my favorite lovely blue and white ombre indie dyed yarn from Stitches Midwest, and it worked up so beautifully.  I made this one as a gift, but I'm going to have to make myself one for ME!   I hope you love this pattern the way I do!

Leaves Crochet Scarf

Materials Needed:

H Hook or larger depending on how tight you want the stitches and what yarn you use

Worsted, Sport or Fingering weight yarn

FSC  30
R1: ch 3, sk 1st sc, (2dc, ch1, 2dc {called cluster from here on through pattern}) in next sc, ch 1, sk 2 ch, dc in next 5 sp, sk 2 ch, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 3, sk 2 sp, dc in next 3 sp, ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next 5 sp, ch 1, sk 2 ch, cluster in next, dc in last sc of row. Ch 3 and turn.

R2: cluster in ch 1 sp of previous cluster, ch 1, sk ch sp and next dc, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, sk ch sp, 2 dc, dc, 2dc, ch 1, dc in ch 4 sp, ch 1, 2dc, dc, 2 dc, ch 2, sk ch sp and next dc, dc in next 3 st, ch 1, cluster in ch 1 of previous rows cluster, dc in last dc.  ch 3 and turn.

R3: cluster in ch 1 sp of previous ros cluster, ch 1, sk ch sp, sk dc, dc in next, ch 2, sk ch sp, 2 dc in first dc, dc in next 3, 2 dc in last, ch 2, sk ch sp, 3 dc in dc, ch 2, sk ch sp, 2 dc, dc in next 3, 2 dc, ch 2, sk ch sp and dc, dc in next, ch 1, cluster in ch 1 sp of previous rows cluster, dc in last.  ch 3, turn.

R4: cluster in ch 1 sp of previous rows cluster, ch 2, sk ch sp, sk dc, sk ch sp and next dc, dc in next 5 sp, ch 2, sk last dc and ch sp, 3 dc in 1st dc, ch 3, sk dc, 3 dc in next ch 2, sk ch sp and 1st dc, 5 dc in next 5 sp, ch 2, sk ch sp and cluster in ch 1 sp from previous rows cluster, dc in last.

Continue on by repeating rows 2-4 until scarf is desired length, ending on 4th row.

To finish, ch 1, turn, sc across in each st and ch space.

There you have a beautiful new pattern!  I hope you enjoy working it as much as I did, and please feel free to leave me comments below!!!

Long and Lengthy Cowl {Knitting Pattern}

Long and Lengthy Cowl
Use a medium weight yarn, size 8 circular needle.

Cast on for the length that you want it to be, in my case I made it extra long- I can wrap the cowl three times around my neck.

R1: K around
R2: P around
R3: K around
R4: P around
R5-9: K around
R10: P around
R11-15: K around
R16: *YO, k2tog* around
R17: *k2tog, YO* around
R18-20: Repeat R16-17
R21-25: K around
R26: P around
R27-31 K around
R32: P around
R33: K around
R34: P around
R35: K around
Bind off with last row using the three needle method.


This is one of the first cowls that I ever made, it works up very quickly and very easily.  This is a great beginner project.  Enjoy!

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!

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.

Table Topper Doily {crochet pattern}

Table Topper Doily

Blocked Size:          18"
Materials:  1.75 steel crochet hook, size 10 crochet thread


Special Stitches: 
Picot: ch 4, sc in 4th ch from hook.
Beginning shell (bshell): Slip stitch to center of shell or next ch-2 space, work (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc). 
Shell: work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in space or stitch
Beginning shell increase (bshell inc): Slip stitch to center of shell or next ch-2 space, work (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc). 
Shell increase (shell inc): Slip stitch to center of shell or next ch-2 space, work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc).
 
Pattern
R1:  Ch 8, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 23 dc in ring, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 dc) 
R2:  Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), * dc in next dc, ch 1; repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4. 
R3:  Ch 3, dc in next ch-2 sp, (2 dc in next ch-1 sp) around, join to top of beginning ch 3. (48 dc)
R4:  Ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc; repeat from * around, ending 2 dc in last st, join. (72) 
R5:  Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, * 2 dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts; repeat from * around, join. (24 ch-2 sps) 
R6:  bshell (see Special Stitiches), shell (see Special Stitiches) in each sp around, join. (24 shells)
R7:  bshell, * shell in next shell; repeat from  * around, join. 
R8:  bshell, * ch 1, shell in next shell; repeat  from * around ending last repeat with ch 1, join. 
R9:  bshell, * ch 2, shell in next shell; repeat from * around ending last repeat with ch 2, join. 
R10: bshell, * ch 3, shell in next shell;  repeat from * around ending last repeat with ch 3, 
join.
R11:  bshell, * ch 4, (2dc, ch 5, 2 dc) in next shell, ch 4, ** shell in next shell; repeat from *around ending last repeat at **, join. 
R12:  bshell, * ch 3, 9 tr in ch-5 sp, ch 3 **,  shell in shell; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join. 
R13:  bshell, * ch 2, tr in first tr of 9-tr group, (ch 1, tr in next tr) 8 times, ch 2 **, shell in next shell; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join. 
R14:  bhell, * ch 3, sc in first ch-1 sp, (ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp) 7 times [7 loops], ch 3 **, shell in next shell; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join. 
R15:  bhell, * ch 3, sc in first ch-1 sp, (ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp) 6 times [6 loops], ch 3 **, shell in next shell; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join. 
R16:  bshell inc (see Special Stitches), * ch 3, skip next sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp) 5 times [5 loops], ch 3 **, shell inc (see Special Stitches) in next shell; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join. 
R17:  bshell, * ch 2, shell in next ch-2 sp, ch 3, skip next sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp) 4 times [4 loops], ch 3 **, shell in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join. 
R18:  bshell, * shell in next ch-2 sp, shell in shell, ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 4 times [3 loops], shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R19:  bshell, * ch 2, (2 dc, ch 5, 2 dc) in next shell, * ch 2, shell in shell, ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 3 times [2 loops], shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R20:  bshell, * ch 3, 9 tr in ch-5 sp, ch 3, shell in shell, ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 2 times [1 loop], ch 3, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R21:  bshell, * ch 3, (tr, ch 1) in each tr, ch 3, shell in shell, ch 3, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 3, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join.  
R22:  bshell, * ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp next to tr, ch 3, (sc, in next ch-1 sp, ch 3) 8 times [9 loops], sc in next ch-3 sp close to tr, ch 3, (shell in shell) twice; repeat from * around, join. 
R23:  bshell, ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 9 times [8 loops], (shell in shell) twice; repeat from* around, join. 
R24:  bshell, ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 8 times [7 loops], shell in shell, ch 2, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R25:  bshell, * ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 7 times [6 loops], shell in shell, ch 5, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join.    
R26: bshell, * ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 6 times [5 loops], shell in shell, ch 2, (shell in 3rd ch of ch-5 sp), ch 2, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R27:  bshell, * ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 5 times [4 loops], (shell in shell, shell in ch-2 sp) 2 times, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R28:  bshell, * ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 4 times [3 loops], shell in shell, ch 2, (shell in shell ch 1) 2 times, shell in shell, ch 2, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R29:  bshell, * ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 3 times [2 loops], shell in shell, ch 2, ([dc in next dc] 2 times.  In next ch-2 sp work {2dc, ch 2, 2 dc} dc in next 2 dc) 3 times, ch 2, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R30: bshell, * ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 2 times [1 loop], shell in shell, ch 2, dc in next dc ([dc in next dc] 3 times.  In next ch-2 sp work {2dc, ch 2, 2 dc} dc in next 3 dc) 3 times, dc in next dc, ch 2, shell in shell; repeat from * around, join. 
R31: bshell, * ch 3, sc in ch-3 loop, ch 3, shell in shell, ch 1, turn. 
R32:  bshell, shell in shell, ch 1 turn. 
R33:  Sl st to ch-2 sp, 2 dc in last dc of 1st shell, picot (see Special Stitches), 2 dc in 1st dc of next shell, sl st in ch-2 sp, finish off. 
Repeat R31-33 to finish off all pineapples, block.

Blocking the Doily

 

Basket Weave Washcloth {crochet pattern}

The Holidays are Coming!!!

This means that I'm in full out crafting mode, creating lots of awesome new things that I can't share yet... which is killing me!!!!  After the holidays are over, you'll be treated with lots of new patterns, projects and the like, and for now, you just have to be patient. To ease the wait, here's a simple washcloth pattern that you can whip up in less than an hour, and it's easily taken with you for working on while riding in a car or bus or waiting for an appointment.  They're great for lots of uses, I have a whole stack in my bathroom :)

Basket Weave Washcloth

Copyright 2010-2012 LiLu Studios: This Crafting Life, by Lori Steffens. {http://www.thiscraftinglife.com/} Make it, Wear it, Love it, but above all, Share it, don't Sell it!

Materials needed:
Cotton yarn, I use Sugar and Cream or Peaches and Cream
Size "I" Hook

Instructions:
Ch 26 (last 2 ch form first dc)

R1:  dc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch to end, turn (32 st)
R2:  ch 2, FPDC, * BPDC in next 4dc, FPDC in next 4dc* repeat 2x, BPDC in next 4 st, FPDC, dc into turning chain from previous row, turn.
R3:  ch 2, BPDC, * BPDC in next 4dc, FPDC in next 4dc* repeat 2x, BPDC in next 4 st, FPDC, dc into turning chain from previous row, turn.
R4: ch 2, FPDC, *FPDC in next 4 dc, BPDC in next 4 dc* repeat 2x, FPDC in next 4 st, BPDC, dc into turning chain from previous row, turn.
R5: ch 2, BPDC, *FPDC in next 4 dc, BPDC in next 4 dc* repeat 2x, FPDC in next 4 st, BPDC, dc into turning chain from previous row, turn.

Repeat Row 2-5 until your piece is square.

Finish off and weave in ends.

I hope you enjoy making these for your family and friends!

What I've been working on....

I've been busy busy busy!

With St. Patrick's day coming up, Lily and I have been working on decorations for the house, along with one wicked leprechaun trap (to be finished today).  It's been fun, but taken a very long time for her.  We've really had to go bit by bit with this activity.

I finished up clue 4 on the Bernat Mystery Crochet Along on Sunday, and so with two free days I've been knitting like crazy! I've got just over 3 weeks to finish up on the girls Easter sweaters, and this CAL Afghan just keeps getting in the way!  With the two days I was able to very nearly complete the body of Lily's sweater, which means that all I've got left to do with them is sleeves... and since this is my own pattern, I really have no idea what i'm doing for the sleeves yet!  Eeeeek!  I'm thinking just simple 3/4" will be just fine, but who knows, when I get that far, I could hate it.

I've got another crochet potholder pattern coming out this week, as well as hopefully getting the picture uploaded for my newest knit cowl pattern.  So look for those coming sometime this week :)