30 Minute Crochet Infinity Scarf

When the weather gets cooler, it puts me in the mood to crochet.  I was looking for a quick and simple project that would use one skein of yarn.  I have been really into infinity scarves this season, so I thought I would try my hand at crocheting one.  I scoured Pinterest for inspiration and saw tons of different infinity scarf patterns.  I couldn't really settle on one, so I made up my own version.

Here's what I used:

1 skein Lion's Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick

Crochet Hook Size N

Scissors

I crocheted this in the round.  You could crochet it as a long rectangle and then sew it together, but I found it easier to work in the round.

1.  Chain 75 stitches.  For more of a cowl chain less.  To be able to double loop your scarf chain more.

2.  At the end of the chain, slip stitch through the first stitch to make a circle.  Make sure your chain isn't twisted.

3.  Chain 3.  For round 1 double crochet starting at the 5th stitch from the hook (including your chain 3) Continue to double crochet in each stitch in the round.

4.  When you get to the end of the round slip stitch through the top of the first chain of three to join the circle.  

5.  Continue steps 3 & 4 for as many rounds as you like until you get to your desired width.  I did nine rounds in total.

6.  Once you get it to the width you like, tie off your ends and hide it in your work.

7.  For the tie I used the extra yarn left and chained another 20 stitches.  I then double crocheted back and forth until I ran out of yarn.  I sewed on a button and buttoned it on.

It took me about thirty minutes.  I love the thick and chunky yarn and a big crochet hook.  It makes for really quick work.

Can't wait to hear what you think.

-Judy

  

It's All in the Details - Crochet Edge Pillowcase Tutorial

I don't know about you, but I find myself going through Pinterest often for inspiration.  Over time I have pinned many, many things.  One of the boards I have on Pinterest is called Things I Want to Make.  I have almost 300 pins on that board alone!  Today's project has been on my "to do" list for months.  I finally got around to trying it out this past weekend.

This project turned out to be easier than I had expected.  

Rather than yarn, this project calls for crochet thread.  I have never crocheted using this and picked up a smaller crochet hook to make sure I had the right tools to do the job right.  As it turns out, working with crochet thread is just as easy as working with yarn.  I had two solid pillowcases that matched the duvet in my guest room that had never been used.  They were perfect for this project.

I started by making a light mark, using a pencil,  every 1/2" on the inside of the pillowcase, about a 1/4" from the edge, all around.  Next I threaded a needle with the crochet thread.  I made the thread 5x the length of the width of the opening of the pillowcase, that way I could make it all the way around with the ladder stitch.  The ladder stitch serves as the base to crochet the shell edge.  After I sewed all the way around, I knotted off the end.  Next I crocheted a single crochet all the way around.
 For the shell, I used this basic shell pattern:

Ch1, SC in first st, *skip 1 st, 5 DC in next st, skip 1 st, 1 SC in next st; Rep from * to end, SC in last st.  Fasten off.

Adding this crochet edge made a plain jane pillowcase into something a bit more special.

These new pillowcases make a wonderful addition to my guest bedroom.

Can't wait to hear what you think.

-Judy

Crochet Door Hanger

Hurricane Sandy is really hitting us hard right now.  While staying safe and sound inside from the storm, I decided to try one of the crafts I have pinned. 

Here is my finished project.  I followed the tutorial from this blog.  

 I have been wanting to try this for sometime, but I didn't have a plastic bracelet.  While cleaning out the kids toy closet today, I found this heart shaped bracelet.  Perfect.

I had to adjust the tutorial to fit the bracelet.  I crocheted a single crochet all around the perimeter.  

I slip-stiched to the first stitch when I made it all around.

I then crocheted a double crochet into each stitch all the away around.

I then skipped two stitches and then crocheted seven double crochet into that stitch, then skipped two stitches and slip stitched into that stitch.  I continued this all the way around and then slip-stitched when I got to the beginning.

I then went to my Silhouette machine and created this (my daughter's initial) to insert in the frame.

I then crocheted a chain to create a loop to hang on my daughter's door.
I can't wait to hear what you think.

Don't forget to stop back tonight for my Fall into Fall party.

The link opens at 8pm EST.  

Hope to see you then.

-Judy

Crochet Hangers - Copycat Challenge

Debbie-Doos  is hosting a Fall Copycat Challenge today.  My Grandmother passed away over nine years ago.  She was an avid crocheter and one of her specialties was crocheted hangers.  I have many of the hangers she made and think of her each time I use one.  

A few years ago I taught myself how to crochet.  I wish I had let her teach me, but I didn't have any interest in learning until recently.  She did beautiful work.
All of her stitches are even and everything is perfect.

  It was time for me to attempt to copy these.  For starters on this project I tried to find straight wood hangers like she used.  I searched everywhere and could not find anything like that.  I remember my mom used to buy the hangers for her at Caldor (anyone else remember that store?).  Well Caldor is gone and so is any store that sells such a hanger.  

If anyone out there knows where to find these hangers, please let me know. 

 In the meanwhile, I bought basic wood hangers and had to "make up" a pattern to get it to fit.

Here is my version.  Ugh...not quite the perfection of my Grandmother's, but a decent first attempt.  

One of the biggest issues was right up by the hanger where it is wider than the rest of the hanger. 

 Like I said, I made up a pattern.  I chained 120 and then I skipped the first 3 chains and did five double crochets in the next, then skipped three and did a single crochet.  Then I skipped three and did six double crochets and then skipped three and did a single crochet and continued until I got to the end.  Then I flipped it and did six double crochets in the half shell from the other side and then one double crochet in the single crochet from the other side.  I made two of these and started to attach them when I realized it was not going to cover the section by the hanger.
 I added a few rows of single crochet on either side to make up the difference, but I'm sure there are crocheters out there who are cringing right now. 

My shells are not nearly as uniform as my Grandmother's, but part of that was because I just couldn't get the darn thing to fit the hanger and had to stretch it here and there.  

I'm sure it would be much easier with a straight wooden hanger.

Here's my version next to my Grandmother's.  

Sometimes it's harder than others to be a copycat!! 

-Judy

Scrapbook Paper Tray

I love pretty scrapbook paper.  My new favorite place to but scrapbook paper is Home Goods. 

 I bought this 90 page book of scrapbook paper for just $5.99.  

With new paper in hand, it was time to come up with a new project.  

I took two coordinating sheets and glued them together using a glue stick

 to make a single double-sided sheet.

Then on all four sides I folded the paper in (about the width of a ruler).  

I also used the ruler to score the paper to make a perfect edge.

Once all four sides were folded in, I took the corners and punched a hole.

Using pretty brads I had in the house, I attached the four corners.

You could just call it a day here, but of course, I can't leave well enough alone.

Instead, I punched holes all around the top spaced approximately one inch apart.

Then with yarn I had (that matched exactly), I crocheted an edge all around the tray.

Once I was done crocheting, I didn't love how the corners looked poking out.

So I just tucked each corner into one of the holes I had made for the crocheting.

You could use these pretty paper trays for anything.  I am using mine on my bedside table and filled it with all the essentials I use each evening before I go to sleep.

I can't wait to hear what you think of my pretty paper tray.

Don't forget to stop back tonight for my Swing into Spring party.

The party opens at 8pm EST.  Hope to see you then.

-Judy

Crochet Edge Basket

Hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was busy from start to finish with parties,

 kid's sporting events and homework projects for the kids too. 

 I did have time to sneak in a small decorating project in the midst of my weekend.  

I started off with a wire basket that I had that came from an assortment of nuts 

(walnuts, almonds etc) that we had at Christmas.

I thought it would be nice to add a crochet trim.  I picked up a great color yarn last week, which I was anxious to use on a project.  My favorite crochet projects are the quick ones.  

I simply crocheted all around the top and then added a scallop border.  Then I added a crochet rosette.  You can check out here how to make one of those.

Then I added burlap and two bunches of flowers I had to the wire basket.

Simple project that really dressed up a plain wire basket.  The clock is a Home Goods find from a few months ago.  I just had to have it.  I love the rustic look.

Can't wait to hear what you think!!
I always love and appreciate your comments.

-Judy