A UFO is spotted...

I will admit it - sometimes I jump two feet in to a project without really thinking about how much time it will actually take. Or whether or not I will want to finish it. That is the case with this scrap yarn blanket.

The idea was simple: use up a bunch of my very small balls of yarn by making yo-yos then connect them in to  a decent sized blanket to throw on the couch or scrunch up and let the dogs lay on. FOUR HUNDRED yo-yos later, I've gotten right around a quarter of them connected and I'm just sick of it.

It's not that it's difficult to do, it's just tedious and mind numbing. I'm sure I will get it done at some point, I just need to figure out a better way of attacking it so it won't seem so soul-draining.

Does anyone out there have a craft like this one? Something you are excited about until you get in to the middle of it? If so, let me know!

Amigurumi Resources

So did I get you anxious to try some amigurumi? The patterns are simple and take only a few hours for experienced crocheters. For beginners wanting to try dolls and stuff animals, these are great starter projects.

If you want to try out a pattern or two, but don't necessarily want to invest in pattern books, there are lots of great free resources online. Here are just a few or the ones I really like:

Lion Brand Yarns: While it requires a free registration, you will have access to loads of patterns. There are lots of adorable amigurumi patterns, along with afghans, clothing, accessories and home decor items.

RoxyCrafts.com: This is Tamie Snow's home on the web. You can find both crochet and knit patterns, her blog, and patterns for sale.

Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns: This is a great resource blog for patterns scattered all around the web. There are more than just adorable animals, there are also patterns for food, dolls and other toys.

Pretty Penguin

This rolly-polly penguin was super easy and took around four hours from start to finish. The pattern was a free download off the Lion Brand website. While the Lion Brand amigurumi patterns generally call for Vanna's Choice yarn or Lion Wool, I used what I had on hand - Red Heart worsted weight yarn - and it worked out perfectly.

Happy Crafting All!

Unbelievably Cute Beaver

Yet another adorable pattern from Tamie Snow's "Tiny Yarn Animals" that I couldn't resist making. He was a little more intricate to make simply because of all the little pieces that had to be made. Each tooth and cheek was individually crocheted. Even with the extra pieces, I was still able to finish this little guy in an afternoon.

Even his little tail is adorable.

I would suggest using embroidery on this little guy for the facial features. Otherwise you will need three 6mm doll eyes, which will leave you with an odd number left over in your stash. Unless you plan on making at least two of these little guys.

Happy Crafting All!

A Cute Koala

Once the little lemur was finished, I just couldn't help myself. I had to make a couple more of the adorable little animals. So I flipped through my copy of "Tiny Yarn Animals" and decided on this cute little koala bear.

He took me all of an afternoon to complete. The best part about the patterns in this book is the materials are fairly inexpensive. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn, and was able to make several of the little toys with each skein. If you don't want to invest in the snap-on doll eyes, you can opt to embroider the eyes, and on some the nose and mouth.

Happy Crafting All!

Lemur...

When I posted last week about an unfinished amigurumi lemur, I had every intention of finishing the little guy before the end of the month. As it turned out, I finished him the same day he was posted and I couldn't resist making a few more little critters to keep him company. So this week will be Amigurumi Week.

The pattern for this little guy can be found in Tamie Snow's "Tiny Yarn Animals" book. It is one of my favorite patterns in the book because the face just has so much personality. He's easy to make, as are most of the patterns in the book, and for experienced crocheters, he can be completed in an afternoon. Provided you don't set him down and forget about him!!

Happy Crafting All!

Almost a Lemur....

This little guy is all in pieces, and missing a few! The pattern for this crochet lemur comes from the book Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Friends to Make and Enjoy by Tamie Snow. The pattern is actually pretty easy to follow and there is no real reason why this poor little critter hasn't been finished.

All he needs is his tail, his ears and to be put all together. This is another project that should be easily and quickly finished. Of course with those large pleading eyes, it will be hard to resist finishing him at last.

Happy Crafting All!

Luxurious Face Cloths

Face cloths are so easy and versatile. They make a great addition to gift baskets or combined with scented soaps for a quick simple gift. Similar to dish cloths, face cloths are a basic crocheted square made of luxurious chenille yarn. Watch for store brands and sales to stock up on skeins of chenille as it can get a little spendy. I use the smaller skeins and will usually get one cloth from each skein.

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start considering gifts and crafters love giving what they make. Simple gift baskets are a great way to combine small items like face cloths with other home made and store bought items for memorable and useful gifts!

Happy Crafting All!

Dish Cloths

Dish cloths are the amazing little towels that everyone needs but few people actually ever think about. What makes them fabulous for crocheters is they are the perfect medium for trying new stitches and patterns. The dish cloth is essentially a swatch of material - for crochet and knit, think about a 10"x10" square.

What makes them practical is that they don't need to be out of a fancy, high-end yarn. A worsted weight or 100% cotton yarn will work the best. Lily Original Sugar 'n Cream is what I used for the cloths show above, though I've heard a worsted weight such as Red Heart works great as well for scrubbing.

Every one needs dish cloths. They may not be practical to mass produce to sell at a show, but they can be personalized to fit a friend's kitchen decor and given as part of gift basket or house warming gift.

Happy Crafting All!

Scarves, Scarves, Scarves

Maybe the middle of September is the wrong time to start thinking about this, but I love scarves! I love to crochet them and give them as gifts. They are so simple and quick to make, and now is really the perfect time to start thinking about them - and making them!

Holiday craft shows are right around the corner, and a what better item to offer is scarves that you've crocheted or knit by hand. Think of all the possible variations - school colors, fashion colors, so many different yarns offering different weights and textures. Not to mention, they whip up in no time!

Patterns for scarves are in abundance, but I couldn't help but write my own. Hopefully it will get you motivated to make some of your own! This is a one skein project, using Homespun yarn. I love Homespun yarn for scarves because it is so soft and warm, and it stays soft even after several washings. Watch for sales at your favorite craft stores and you should be able to find it fairly inexpensive.

Materials:
One skein Lion Brand Homespun yarn (6oz)
Size K (2.5 mm) crochet hook

Abbreviations:
ch= chain
dc= double crochet

Ch 21

Row 1: Dc in fourth ch from hook and in each ch across. .
Row 2: Ch 3*, turn. Skip first stitch, dc in next stitch and in each dc across.
Repeat Row 2 until you run out of yarn. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Fringe is optional.

*= ch 3 is the first dc in each row

Happy Crafting All!

Free Crochet Patterns

I'm always looking for new and fun patterns to work from. And free patterns are the best! Recently, I came across a great resource for crocheters in search of fun, functional patterns. Free-Crochet.com has a diverse collection of patterns for crocheters of all skill levels. Patterns are searchable and downloaded in PDF format, which makes them easy to keep track of and print. I love browsing their selection and downloading patterns for future use.

Check out their site: http://www.free-crochet.com/

Happy Crafting All!

Crochet For The Baby, Updated

There it is, the completed baby afghan that I first posted about last week. I love the way the colors play off each other and give the blanket a little more personality. It is just four granny squares, slipped stitched together with two rounds of accent border and finished with a round of single crochet. The only thing left for me to do is snip the stray tails and weave them in.

It took me about a week to complete this blanket. I'm not entirely sure who will be receiving this blanket yet, but I know it will be going to a loving home sooner or later!

Happy Crafting All!

Crochet For The Baby

No matter where you are or what time of year it is, it seems everyone knows someone who is expecting. My stepdaughter is expecting her second child in Sept. A co-worker of my husband's just found out they were expecting a little girl. There is always someone, and there is always a need for a gift.

I love to crochet baby blankets for the expecting couples because even though they will probably have a ton blankets of all types, on that was made by hand and with a lot of thought and consideration seems to mean more. Anyone can go and pick up a gift set, but to be able to give a that shows that much time put in to it really makes a statement. More often than not, the crocheted blanket turns into a child's favorite blankie and then a cherished keepsake.

The blanket pictured above is about half finished, but will be a total of four granny squares and a border in white, pink and green. The soft tones will work well in any little girl's nursery. If you don't know if the blanket will be for a boy or girl, or just want to make some to have for future gifts, yellow, green and white also make a great combination.

I'll post new pictures when the blanket is finished. Until then...

Happy Crafting All!