Flower Scoodie {Crochet Pattern}

I wish that I had a better picture for this scoodie, but unfortunately, it was one of those projects that I finished and then wrapped right away.  I made this for my pre-teen neice, who I thought would enjoy the bright colors and unique design.

Flower Scoodie:

Hook Size: I
Worsted weight yarn, three colors

Chain 16, dc in third ch from hook and next 13 st (14 st)  *you can make this wider if you like, just add more chains and st across the row.
R2: ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc in next 13 st.
Repeat row 2 until your scarf is a desired length for your recipient.

For the hood:
Find the center stitch of the scarf and place a marker.  count from the marked stitch outward on either side and place a marker at 17 st.

R1:  Join MC with a sl st to one of the outer marked st.  Ch 2, dc in each st across to the other outer marked st, moving center marker up a row. Turn.
R2: ch 3, dc in each st until one before marker, 2 dc in next st, dc in center marked st (move marker up), 2 dc in next st, dc to end.
R3-8: repeat row 2.
R9: Ch 2, dc in each st until 2 before marker, dc2tog, dc in center, dc2tog, dc to end, turn.
R10-15: Repeat Row 9.
R16: Fold hood in half and either sl st across through both sides or FO and use a long tail to sew the seams together.  Weave in ends.

For Scallop Border:
Attach contrasting yarn to one of the corners of the scarf with sl st
*Skip next 2 st, 7 dc in next, sk 2 st, sc in next*  repeat around.  You may have to adjust the length of one of the shells depending on the length of your scarf.  Make sure that you finish a scallop at the corner, then turn the corner and start another scallop.  Work this way around the whole scoodie, FO and weave in ends.

Flower:
Round 1 : ch 2 , 6sc in second chain from hook, join in beg sc
Round 2 : ch 1 , sc in same sc as beg ch 1,ch 2 (sc in next sc, ch 2) around, join in beg sc
Round 3 : ch 1 ,( sc, 3hdc,sc) in each of ch-2 spaces around, do not join
Round 4 : working behind petals, bpsc around first st of round 2, ch 3 , ( bpsc around next st of round 2, ch 3) around, join in first bpsc
Round 5: ch 1 , (sc,5 dc, sc) in each ch-3 spaces, do not join
Round 6: working behind petals, bpsc around firt bpsc of round 4, ch 4 (bpsc around next bpsc of round 4 , ch 4) around, join in beg sc
Round 7 : ch 1 , (sc,7 dc, sc) in each ch-4 spaces, fasten off.

Sew buttons to center of flower and attach flower to scoodie.

My Pattern Experience: Bohemian Shawl

My Pattern Experience: Bohemian Shawl

I made this shawl in about three days, near the end of fall getting ready for winter wear.  I love it!  I get a million complements on it, no matter which way I wear it.  I used just one color instead of a variegated yarn to bring out the pattern and love wearing it with a greatly contrasting shirt underneath.  The pattern is really easy, and when I made it, I learned a technique new to me- a single crochet foundation row.  I love this technique now and often not only use it, but also double crochet foundation rows to start large pieces.

After you get the first five rows worked, it's just three rounds repeating which decreases as you go, which means that it gets easier as you go along.  When you're done, you just work the edging and you have this beautiful shawl to show for it!  

I used a larger hook, I think it was an "I", and I used Caron Simply Soft and love the way the shawl drapes.  The other great thing about this pattern is that you can wear it in many different ways and it is quite warm.

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!

Encouraging Children in Crafts- No Sew Pillows and "Baby" Quilt for the Beginner

As someone whose life is so totally entrenched in the arts- from photography, drawing, printmaking to yarn art and sewing, I encourage my children on a daily basis to create and think creatively.  When they're bored, I try to set them up with arts and crafts.  Sometimes I have a lot of time and we make something elaborate, and others it's a fleeting learning experience made from popsicle sticks, toilet paper holders and glue.  

One of the most important things to remember when teaching your children (or other people's children) about art is that it is one subject that is totally subjective.  What is aesthetically pleasing to one person is not to another, what meaning I draw from a painting will probably differ from the meaning you draw from it.  This is not to say that either is wrong, with most art it is the reaction, the discussion, the feeling that determines the success of the art.

It is ok to make mistakes, it is ok to draw a purple ladybug (c'mon, many artists have had a weird streak!), and it is ok if it doesn't look like it could sell at a gallery, let alone a shelf at walmart.  It is the creation, the exploration and curiosity that make teaching art so much fun.

Here are two examples of where I had to let go of perfection (the kind I would expect from myself) and let my kids have fun with it.

Zebra Pillows

We were at the craft store one day and I always have to go to the clearance section- sometimes you can get great swatches of fabric for super cheap just because it's small or the last of a roll.  I found this awesome zebra fleece which I estimated from the measurements should be enough to make two small throw pillows.  I set this fabric aside for a rainy day and when it came, it was the easiest craft ever and the girls were both totally entertained.  

How it's made:  

Cut two squares of fleece about 4-5 inches bigger than you want your pillow.  Cut 1" strips about two inches in all the way around the squares (holding them together).  Tie matching strips together around three edges, lightly stuff with poly fil and tie knots around half of the remaining row.  Add more stuffing if needed, finish tying knots around.

How to encourage your children to help:

I have a 3 year old and a 7 year old.  I pretty much let my 7 year old do her entire pillow by herself.  She was able to cut the strips, tie all the ties and stuff the pillow.  (I think she did need some help with a few ties but she did 99% of the pillow by herself)  For my little one, I cut all the strips and it was a good lesson on how to try to tie knots.  She especially enjoyed stuffing the pillow.  They both love their pillows and display them on their bed, and it makes them proud to show someone what they made!

Simple "Baby" Quilt for the Beginner

I had been sewing up a storm and my 7 year old girl had been watching me begging to do a project of her own.  I set her down with some different fabrics, told her to cut some squares of matching sizes and that took her about an hour.  We packed everything up and the next day she began making rows.  It's a simple straight stitch to make a row of four blocks, three times. Then, she sewed the three strips together.  She picked a solid fabric for the backing and I attached the border for her.  Then, she picked a zig zag stitch and "quilted" all over the blanket.  (I think this was her favorite part)

No, it doesn't look perfect, but it's a great first try.  She loves it, and "gave" the blanket to her baby, who sleeps under it on her zebra pillow in bed at night.  

I love encouraging my children to develop themselves through art- Whether they want my yarn scraps from when I'm weaving in ends, or if they're using our old toilet paper rolls, I want them to explore their creativity, discover their likes and dislikes, and find yet another way to express themselves.

Is there a way that you encourage your children through crafting? Leave me a comment!

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!