Frilly Scarf Tutorial

First of all, I have tried to write this blog several times...every time I sit down to type someone needs me! :)  It is wonderful to be a needed wife and Mom though!!

I'm sure you have seen the 'frilly' scarves that became quite popular last year.  I always wanted to make one, but the price per skein of the yarn was more than I was willing to pay... I can be rather cheap sometimes! :)

Not to long ago I found the yarn on clearance!!!  Yay!  So, I purchased several skeins (with intentions to make one for myself and a few for gifts or to sell).  Then, they sat in my craft closet for several months.  Sadly, I had to take a break from crocheting during the second half of my pregnancy.  My fingers would go numb (from slight swelling in my hands and wrists) if I did to much...since grading papers and typing lesson plans was what I was getting paid to do, I had to put those things ahead of the fun stuff!

Now, I am finally back to crocheting and crafting and I am loving it!!!  I certainly missed it!  I finally sat down to make the 'frilly' scarves and oh my goodness!  They were so much fun to make!  It does not take much time to make them at all! I had all of mine made in two afternoon nap-times! (I now measure thins by nap-times!)

I looked at several tutorials (I am a visual/hands on learner) and I still had a couple questions.  So, after I figured it out I  took a few pictures of my own to share with you!

I used a size 'h'crochet hook.  If you spread the first part of the yarn out, you will notice that the two sides are different. You will want to work in the side that is more open...has holes for you to work in.

You are going to run your crochet hook through every other hole/space until you have cast on 10.   In the picture below you can see my crochet hook going through every other space.

After you have cast on 10, you will gather all except the one closest to the hook, and pull the single strand through the group.

Stitch markers were suggested in at least one of the tutorials I looked at, but I chose not to use them, and had no problem.  I believe they were suggested so that the whole scarf would not unravel or you would not lose your place if you had a mishap and dropped the stitches you were currently working on.

Now, I do not claim to be a super knowledgeable crafter/crocheter.  So, if something I have said does not make sense, please comment below or message me and I will do my best to help you out!  

Enjoy your new 'frilly' scarf!!!

Coffee Mug Cozy - #2

 

I really liked the first coffee mug cozy I made, but I saw this one and had to try it as well!!  Oh my!  I cannot tell you how much of a hit this has become! I sold a dozen in a day!  They are also not terribly difficult to make!  I found the pattern on Pinterest of course!  Also, it was a FREE pattern.  If you like to crochet, but want a quick project you need to check this out!!  It takes me about 30 minutes to make one, and I love the stitch pattern in it - this will be appearing in some of my future projects!!

 

 

The pattern can be found here.

As always, if you would like to purchase one or more of these please message me for details!!  They can be made in colors of your choice!

Ruffled Purse

I pinned this purse on Pinterest just because I thought it was cute!  Then, awhile later I had someone send me a message asking if I could make it for her. So, I told her I had not made one yet, but I would try it and get back to her.  I absolutely loved the pattern as soon as I looked at it.  It included pictures and step by step directions!  It is made up of very simple stitches and could easily be done by someone who is still learning!  However, this project did take me a couple days (spent mostly crocheting - with breaks to eat, clean and such).  Check this out and let me know what you think!!

 

 

This week's Projects...

So, it's Fall Break time!!! I absolutely love my job, but I also absolutely love having my own schedule and being at home!!  So, I have made myself a list of projects I hope to get accomplished this week!!!  They are:

1)  Made homemade body wash (mine finally ran out!) -

 



2) Make up some Crock Pot Freezer meals -

3)  Finish the Master Bathroom Remodel Project -
      The floor has been laid and all of the stationary pieces have been placed...now for painting and decorating!

 

 

4)  Try a different mug cozy pattern -

 

 



So, here's to a busy week!!  Be sure to check back and see how these projects are going! :)

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 15

Amidst my time with family here in North Carolina I found time to work on a project for today!!  It has been a full day!  I did the first part of the project this morning, then we went to visit some family, ate lunch at Hardees, and spent some time in the pool!!  So, this afternoon I was able to finish my project for the most part.  I did have to make a stop at Wal-Mart to pick up the final detail!  I recently found a simple crochet pattern for a coffee cup cozy on Pinterest.  So, I figured that would be rather simple to make with the partial skein of yarn I brought with me!  The pattern recommends using cotton yarn, but I had acrylic and it worked just fine!!

If you are interested in making one of these, you can find the pattern at Ravelry for free!  Or, if you would like to purchase one, please check out my Etsy shop!!  As with my other products, this can be made in custom colors, just message me for details!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 13

Yesterday I had a friend ask about a project that I had pinned and had not yet completed.  So, today I worked on that project.  It took me a little while to get it the way I wanted it.  The project is a crochet flower.  The pattern is very simple, but because of that simplicity, lacking details.  I am a person who likes to know the details....so, it took a few tries, but I finally came up with a crochet flower that I think is acceptable!  The original pattern shows a cute button as the center of the flower, however I don't have any buttons that will work, so I suppose I will just have to go Hobby Lobby and get some!! My friend wants to use this to make a hair clip for her daughter - which I think will be adorable!

If you are interested in the patter it can be found on my Crochet-Knit Board on Pinterest.  Or, if you would like to purchase one please check out my Etsy Shop for more information - as with the other projects this can be made in custom colors, just message me and let me know!


********************************UPDATE*************************************

Here are some of the haribows that I have made using this flower!!  If you are interested in purchasing please check out my Etsy store, or message me - these can be made in custom colors!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 12

First of all, there are SO many great projects to do, and it can be so difficult to pick one!  For that reason I have actually worked on a couple today.  So far, I have one completely finished...and I love it!! Today I decided to make a cover for my Swiffer Sweeper Mop .  It turned out absolutely great!! I actually found a couple different types of covers to make and I chose to make the one I thought seemed most useful!  This one is double sided, you have the dusting side, and then the other side is better for using as a damp mop.  My favorite thing about this, is that it is reusable!!  The pattern can be found by checking out my page in Pinterest http://pinterest.com/luv2teach216/, or at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversible-swiffer-sock.

This side is for dusting.  The entire cover is made with acrylic yarn, which is great for dusting.

Turn it over, and you have a great side for using as a damp mop!

Now there is no more need to buy those Swiffer covers, you can simply crochet or purchase ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplySweetbyCori?ref=si_shop) one of these!  After each use simply shake off the dust into a trashcan (or outside) and toss in the washer.  Wash and dry with your towels and you are good to go!  You might even crochet or purchase a 2nd one so you always have a clean one on hand! 

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 10

I have been in a crochet mood here lately!  After making the infinity scarf, and the 'One Hour Scarf' I decided to try one of my own.  I don't generally sit down for one hour and just crochet...if I sit down for that long it is because I am in church, or watching a movie with my husband.  So, I decided to make the 'One Movie Scarf'.  A scarf I can sit down and make while watching a movie.  It took me a couple tries to get it turn out how I wanted...here is what I came up with!

I used yellow and gray Red Heart yarn (about a 1/2 skein of each color), and crochet hook size 'P'.  Holding both strands together chain approximately 100 (or desired length), turn, double crochet in the third chain from the hood, double crochet across.  Turn and repeat until scarf is desired width.  I did 5 rows.  Enjoy!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 8

Today I decided to try to make the 'One Hour Scarf' that I pinned awhile back.  It takes four strands of yarn and a 10mm crochet hook.   I'm not exactly sure if I used the right size crochet hook because my biggest one does not have a size printed on it, but it worked great!  I used four fall-like colors this time, to try the pattern out, but next time I am thinking of using two colors, two strands of each color. I really liked how this turned out.  I do have to admit it took me two days to complete my 'One Hour Scarf' - crazy right?  But, I started it, and worked off and on amidst laundry and housework. Then, left for dinner, planning to come home and finish, but got caught in the storm and didn't make it home until after 11:00, so I finished when I got up this morning.  I do think if I were to sit down and work continuously that I could complete this scarf in an hour or an hour and a half at the most!  I also did not modify this pattern at all!  The pattern can be found at: http://laughingpurplegoldfish.blogspot.com/2008/03/one-hour-scarf.html.  If you try it, let me know how it goes!!

This is my finished scarf and the crochet hood I used.  I got this crochet hook at Wal-Mart for a very decent price!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 7

I didn't actually do this project today.  I am actually away from home and am in Memphis at the National Association of Free Will Baptist.  Since it is quite difficult to travel with all my favorite crafting supplies, I thought I would post about a project I have already completed...and actually I have done this project many times. It makes a great gift and every one who has received this has been very grateful! :)  There are many different patterns you can use, either crochet or knit and these are the most useful things you will ever make!!  I have pinned many patterns on my crochet/knit board on Pinterest - the one below I actually found in a book I had bought years ago...the main thing is that you use cotton yarn!   I have found that it is cheapest at Wal-Mart unless you use a 40% coupon at one of the crafting stores like Hobby Lobby or JoAnn!

I am actually talking with a local shop owner about putting some of these in her store on consignment, as well as perhaps some scarves or other hand made items....so, all prayers are appreciated! :)

Also, if you don't want to make your own...check out my shot at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplySweetbyCori?ref=si_shop!!  You can even request custom colors.  Enter the coupon code 'Project10' for a 10% discount!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 5

I decided to do one of the crochet projects today.  On Tuesday my Mom and I went to Cross Plains to have lunch at Thomas Drugs, a pharmacy and soda shop. While we were there we checked out a couple of the local shops.  I spoke with one of the shop owners about selling some items on consignment and we discussed my hand crocheted dish rags and scarves.  So, I have been looking at different types of scarves that are comfortable, cozy, not overly difficult to make, and attractive.  I got the basic idea for today's scarf from a pin on Pinterest (http://brookeanndove.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html).  However, it called for a thick yarn, which I don't keep on hand.  However, the next time it is on sale at Hobby Lobby (or I have a 40% coupon) I plan to get a skein of the thick yarn to try it out also!  So, of course, I modified the pattern given on the website to make the scarf work with the yarn that I did have on hand.  I do not own, and I have never made one of the infinity scarves...so, that is what I made today! 

(please excuse the shirt that does not match the scarf...)

My modified version:

Red Heart yarn (I only used less than half a skein to make this)

Crochet Hook I/9 - 5.5mm

     * Chain 150

     * Connect to beginning chain with a slip stitch, chain two (this will count as your first double crochet - on this row and each row throughout)

     * Double crochet in each chain, connect to ch 2 with a slip stitch.

     * Repeat double crochet until scarf is desired width.

         (this picture is with 7 rows of Double Crochet....I plan to go back and add at least one row)

Good Luck! Let me know how your projects turn out!! :)