My Very First Big Crochet Project

I have always done small crochet projects. Dolls, baby shoes, hats, flowers, etc. For a while now, I have wanted to make something big but was afraid I would get sick of it and abandon the project. The way I have abandoned many other large projects. 

Recently my hubby and I moved to Los Angeles.  I am without a car all day and my studly husband works far away so I have a lot of time at home since I work from home. I needed a project so, I have decided to make a blanket!!! I am very excited about this blanket... three exclamation points worth, apparently.

It is a ripple pattern. I am doing thick stripes of leafy green and dark royal blue.  They are looking a bit like the chevron stripes that are so popular these days and it's turning out very nicely. I will post pics when it gets closer to being done. It is not one of my patterns but here is the link to the pattern that I am using: http://www.handcraftingwithlove.net/yarn/pat-ripple.html

Adventire time, common grab your friends. Let's go to a very distant land with Jake the Dog and Finn the Human, the fun will never end. It's Adventire Time.

Adventure Time with Jake and Finn

Finn:

Using flesh colored yarn, Ch 7.

Row 1:  SC six, starting in the 2^nd Ch from hook, Sc 3 then turn 180° and continue to work a second SC into each Ch so that you are working all the way around the Ch to make 12. 

I have included some pics to help you understand because when I first came across a pattern like this, I was dumbfounded.  I had no idea what they were talking about so I tried to make it in as clear English as possible in case anyone else out there has a brain dead moment like me.

This is a picture of how it will look when you are finished crocheting 6 across the chain.

This is what it will look like when you insert the hook to keep going around the chain.

Then you just keep crocheting across as normal.

Row 2:  Inc around to make 24.

Row 3:  *Sc 2, Inc; repeat from * to make 30.

Row 4:  *Sc 4, Inc; repeat from * to make 36.

Rows 5-8:  Sc in each stitch around then Sl St. 

-Attach the eyes and embroider mouth to liking. 

Rows 6-9: Sc in each stitch around.  Joint light blue.

Rows 10-22:  Sc in each stitch around and add a Sl St in the end.

For shorts (using dark blue):  Chain 36 then joint last Ch to the 1^st Ch to make a ring.

Row 1-4: Sc in each stitch around.

Row 5: Sc in back loops on each stitch around.

Row 6:  *Sc 3, Dec; Repeat from * to make 30.

Row 7:  *Sc 2, Inc; Repeat from * to make 24.

Row 8:  *Sc 1, inc; Repeat from * and continue until the hole is closed.

-Stuff head/torso and the bottom then sew together. 

For the arms, I started with a Ch 2, Sc 6 I the second Ch from hook method.  You can do a magic ring here if you prefer… My feeble mind could never get the hang of getting a magic ring to lay flat so I cheat.

Row 1:  Sc 6 in 2^nd Ch from hook.

Row 2:  Sc 1, Inc; repeat to make 9 stitches.

Row 3: Sc in each stitch around.

Row 4:  Sc, Ch 2 and Sc 8. (Do not Sc in the 2 Ch stitches that you made.  Leave those loose so that they form the thumb. At this point I snicker a lot because the thumb is just so cute!)

Rows 5-10: Sc in each stitch around Joint light blue yarn.

Rows 11-15: Sc in each stitch around.

-Sew the arms onto the body. Aren’t they so incredibly awesome? These are the first crochet hands that I really liked and I made the pattern for them up so I am just so amused whenever I seem them completed.  It doesn’t take a lot to entertain me.

For the feet, in black, use the Ch 2 method or the magic ring and make Sc rows of 9 the same way you would for the arms.  I did six rows but do whatever looks best for the yarn and gage you are using. 

For the socks: Ch 9 and joint the round then do 2 rows of 9. 

Legs:  Ch 9 with flesh color and joint at the round then Sc in each stitch around for 9 rows then switch to the dark blue for 5 rows. 

Sew the shoes, socks and legs together then sew the legs to the body.

For the backpack, start with light green and Ch 7.

Row 1:  Sc 1 in each stitch around (same way as head) starting from 2^nd Ch from hook to make 12.

Row 2:  Inc around to make 24.

Row 3:  *Sc 2, Inc; repeat from * to make 30.

Row 4:  *Sc 4, Inc; repeat from * to make 36.

Rows 5-9:  Sc in each stitch around then Sl St.

In darker green, repeat the same steps you just did for the light green.  Stuff and sew together. Then Ch 18 and attach to one side of the backpack twice.  Sew on button then slide onto Finn’s arms.

For the hat use white yarn and Ch 7.

Row 1: Starting in 2^nd Ch from hook, Sc in each stitch to make six, then continue around to the other side and make 6 more Sc in each stitch to make 12.

Row 2:  Inc around to make 24.

Row 3:  *Sc 2, Inc; repeat from * to make 36.

Rows 4 & 5:  Sc in each stitch.

Row 6:  Sc 3, Ch 13 and attach 9 stitches away from where your Ch started with a Sc and continue Sc around until you reach the Ch, which should be 30 stitches including the first 3 Sc before you made your Ch.  Then to finish this round, Sc 1 into the Ch.

Row: 7-10: Flip 180° and Sc in each stitch around and 1 Sc into the Ch.

Rows 10-12:  Sc in each stitch around; 36 stitches.

Ears:  Ch 2.

Row 1: Sc 6 in 2^nd Ch from hook.

Rows 2-3: Sc in each stitch around; 6 stitches.

Sew the ears onto the hat and then sew the hat onto the Finn head and wala, you have your very own Finn!

Jake: 

Using a mustard yellow yarn.

Row 1:  SC six, starting in the 2^nd Ch from hook, Sc 3 then turn 180° and continue to work a second SC into each Ch so that you are working all the way around the Ch to make 12.

Row 2:  Inc around to make 24.

Row 3: Sc 2, Inc; repeat to make 30.

Row 4:  Sc 4, Inc; repeat to make 36.

Rows 5-15:  Sc in each stitch around; 36 stitches.

Row 16: Sc 2, Dec; repeat to make 30.

-Start stuffing.

Row 17:  Sc 1, Dec; repeat.

Row 18: Dec around until closed.   

-For the arms Ch 7.

Row 1:  Sc 6 in 2^nd Ch from hook.

Row 2:  Sc 1, Inc; repeat to make 9 stitches.

Row 3: Sc in each stitch around.

Row 4:  Sc, Ch 2 and Sc 8. (Do not Sc in the 2 Ch stitches that you made.  Leave those loose so that they form the thumb.)

Rows 5-12: Sc in each stitch around.  Make two. 

Sew onto the body.

-For the legs Ch 9 and joint to form the first round.

Row 2-13: Sc in each stitch around; Ch 1 and flip.

Rows 14-15:  Sc 3; Ch 1 and flip and Sl St on the last stitch.  Make two.

Sew onto body.

-For the ears, Ch 5.  Sc 4, turn 180°, continue through on the other side and Sc 4.  Sl St.  Sew onto the body.

-For the snout, Ch 2.

Row 1: Sc 4 into the 2^nd Ch from hook.

Rows 2-9:  Sc into each stitch around and then Sl St on the last round.  Sew onto face then embroider mouth.

-For the tail I made a Ch of 5 and joined them to make the first round then on each row, Dec 2 until it is closed. 

For the eyes, I just used black and white felt and used fabric glue to adhere them.  I think they turned out well!

I have more pics of the backpack and some closeups of the face but for some reason my USB port is not reading my camera. I will figure it out and post the pics later.

The Princess and the Overlord

It has been a while since I have posted a short story so here is one.  I wrote it for a friend in a jiffy so it may not be great but I assure you it is entertaining!








 Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Ashlee Harper.  She lived in a magical land called Utah.  Ashlee loved living in her grand palace in Utah where everyone was golden of hair, rosy of cheeks, and silicone of breasts. 

Everyone was happy in the land until one day an evil retail store named RC Willey came along.  From the outside RC Willey seemed like an okay place; they offered electronics, appliances, furniture, and more.  From the inside, though, the people who worked there knew the truth about the dreaded RC Willey.  They would advertise for a sale and jack up their prices for two weeks before then lower the prices down to just below what they were asking before and their customer’s would say, “Oh my, what a reasonably priced love seat.  I must buy that for my home even though I don’t really need it.” 

RC Willey would say, “Don’t you have the money to buy that love seat? No, well here is a line of credit that will give you 18 months interest free.” 

The customers would say, “How generous of you.  I would love to pay my love seat off in 18 months.”

RC Willey would say, “Oh darn, you have to have $2000 or more to use the 18 months no interest.  I guess you have to pay interest on the love seat making it 21% higher in price than it was originally.”

The customers would say, “Oh well then, I guess I have no choice in the matter,” and then RC Willey would suck them into a never-ending cycle of bill paying. 

RC Willey was not only mean to the customers but to the people who worked there too.  It would hire desperate people to work long hours with no windows or joy and pay them very little.  Every day the people who worked there would come home and feel angry but not really know why.

Ashlee heard of this injustice and decided to apply to work there and destroy it from the inside.  She worked there for months gaining intell and coming up with a plan.  She decided the best thing to do would be to shut the power down for if there were no power to the store it couldn’t run.  She found out who the power supplier was and she paid them a great deal of leprechaun gold in order to shut the power off just at the perfect moment.  Her plan was to shut the power down exactly three minutes after the store opened on Black Friday.  This was the busiest day of the year and it would surely destroy the store. 

RC Willey spent thousands of dollars advertising for the big day.  It said, “Come one, come all to RC Willey on the Black Friday event and we will give you prices that you’ve never seen.  Also lunch is on us!”  RC Willey prepared its slaves… er employees… for the big day.  All of them were very nervous.  People would run into the store and be vicious about getting that last blue ray player that their 8 -year-old needs and then they would stand in a three-hour line and complain at whoever was helping them about the length of the line.  The employees… yes… employees, not slaves, were very nervous about this day.

Ashlee wanted to tell them that it would be okay and that they would never have to deal with the woes of this evil empire again but she could not for fear of RC Willey learning of her plan.

The big day came.  Ashlee came to work like normal.  She had butterflies in her stomach as she drove up and saw the line wrapping around the building 17 times!  She forced her way through the crowd and into the door.  She got herself all set up at her station and nervously waited with her cohorts.  They talked in hushed tones and tried not to throw up.  Then they heard it, “Attention RC Willey Associates, the store is now open,” and then a terrible shrieking sound as the intercom went off line.  They heard the hoards of people running through the store, pushing, slapping, tripping, and guillotining as they went.  They ran to the electronics department with their early bird coupons and ran around the furniture section like chickens with their heads cut off.  Soon they started to line up.  The cashiers shouted, “If you have to use your RC Willey Credit Card you need to stand in the credit line,” then it happened.  The whole store went pitch black.  All of the computer screens, TV’s, mp3 players, portable DVD players, and karaoke machines shut off simultaneously.  There was a gentle hum of the electronics shutting down then panic spread.  Every associate grabbed a flashlight and then the madness set in.

Customers started screaming and managers came out of their holes and tried to calm them down.  They said, “Here is a free hotdog.  Please come back at a later time and our power should be on,” but the power never came back on.  All the employees sat there asking when they could go home but RC Willey would not let them go.  They had stay until the store closes at 9 o’clock.  Ashlee did not see this coming.  She had to revert to plan B.  She closed her eyes, said a little prayer, and then blew the place up with the bomb strapped to her chest.  The place was obliterated and everyone died.

The End.

Bertrand the Crochet Monster Pattern 

Rawrrrr!

SNARL!!!!

CUTE!

Want to make this cute little guy? Bertrand is about 6 inches tall and he is fierce! He has a lot of personality and would be a great toy for a boy of any age.  I have included a step by step pattern to make this small but mighty creature.  I hope you enjoy.

Key:  

Ch= chain

Sc= single crochet

inc= increase

dec= decrease

sl st= slip stitch

Supplies:  Blue and green yarn, black and white embroidery floss, doll safety eyes in two sizes, white felt, embroidery needle, 3.5 mm hook, thread and needle, and scissors.

Prepare by threading your needles.  Also cut out the teeth for the mouth.   

I like to make the body first incase my gage is different that day so when I go to attach everything, it all looks like the right size.    

Head and Body

Round 1: Ch 2, sc 6 times in the second Ch from hook.

Round 2:  Increase around to make 12 stitches.

Round 3:  Sc then inc. Repeat around to make 18 stitches.

Round 4:  Sc twice then inc. Repeat around to make 24 stitches.

Round 5:  Sc three times then inc. Repeat around to make 30 stitches.

Round 6:  Sc four times then inc. Repeat around to make 36 stitches.

Place eyes and embroider with white embroider floss around the small eye embroider mouth and use fabric glue to attach teeth.

Round 7:  Sc five times then inc.  Repeat around to make 42 stitches.

Rounds 8-17: Sc around to make 42 stitches.

Round 18: Dec then sc in next five stitches.  Repeat to make 36 stitches

Round 19:  Dec then sc in next four stitches.  Repeat to make 30 stitches.

Round 20:  Dec then sc in next three stitches.  Repeat to make 24 stitches.

Round 21:  Dec then sc in next two stitches.  Repeat to make 18 stitches.

Begin stuffing and add in more as the hole gets smaller.

Round 22:  Dec then sc in next stitch.  Repeat to make 12 stitches.

Round 23:  Dec around to close off body.

Spikes:

Ch 31, sc in second stitch from hook, hdc, dc, hdc in next stitch, sl st.  *Sc, then hdc, dc, hdc all in next stitch, then sl st; repeat from *

Tummy:

Round 1:  Ch 7, sc in second stitch from hook for the next five stitches and continue around to make 12 stitches; sl st to close round.

Round 2: Ch 1, inc in each stitch around to make 24 stitches; sl st to close round.

Round 3: Ch 1, *inc in first stitch then sc in next three.  Repeat from *; sl st.

Arms: 

Round 1:  Ch 2, sc 6 in second ch from hook.

Round 2-4:  Sc in each stitch.

Legs: 

Round 1:  Ch 2, sc 6 in second ch from hook.

Round 2:  Inc, sc in next two; repeat to make 9 stitches.

Round 3-7:  Sc in each stitch around.

Tail:

Round 1:  Ch 2, sc in next four stitches.

Round 2:  Inc, sc in next stitch; repeat to make 6 stitches.

Round 3:  Sc in each stitch around.

Round 4:  Inc around to make 12 stitches.

Round 6-7:  Sc in each stitch around.

Round 7-8:  Inc, sc in next two stitches; repeat to make 18.

Round 9:  Sc in each stitch around.   

Sew on the legs, arms, tail, and spikes.  Once you have all of these sewed on enjoy! 

Monster Baby Booties

This is a pattern that I developed from a picture of some booties that were knitted.  A friend of mine sent a picture of them to my phone and asked if I could make them for her. I took a quick glance at them and said sure no problem-o.  Later on when closely looking at them I shortly realized that they were knitted.  I do not knit.  I find it too complicated for my smallish brain so I figured that I could crochet them... Roughly nine consecutive days later, I had the pattern worked out.  My hands were sore and so was my smallish brain. It was grueling but it was worth it because I did it! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do... or as much as I will before I hand them off to my friend. 

Key:  Ch: chain.                         YO: yarn over              sc: single crochet            

Dc: Double crochet                    sl st: Slip stitch            inc: increase           

Hdc: Half double crochet

Supplies:  Yarn in two colors, pink for the mouth and the color of your choosing for the shoe.  White and black felt.  3.5 mm hook.  Pink felt and thread and needle.

Round 1:  Ch 5, YO, Insert hook into third ch from hook and dc, then increase in the next two stitches. around to make 6 dc.  Then continue around to the next side and inc in the next three stitches to make a total of 12 stitches.   Sl st to close round.

Round 2:  Ch 3, * dc twice in each st to make 24.  Sl st to close round.

Rounds 3-6:  Ch 3, *dc in each stitch around; makes 24

Rows 7-10:  Ch 3, dc 14, turn.

Row 11:  Ch 1, 5 sc in next 5 stitches.  Ch 3, 6 dc to make 7 dc, turn.

Row 12:  Ch 3, dc in each stitch across to make 7.

Row 13: Ch 1, hdc across.

Round 14: Sc in each stitch around to, making sure to joint the three edges together, sl st to close round and join the pink.  This row is going to even out your work, getting the shoe ready for the mouth.

Round 15:  Ch 1, sc around and sl st to join the round. 

Weave in all the ends and then take some matching thread and sew down the end of the yarn to hold it in.

Cut out eyes and sew together the pupil onto the eye.  Sew eye onto the shoe.  Weave in the pink and hold it down with some fabric glue.  Then take some matching thread and sew it down. 

Cut lining into the same basic shape of the shoe (before the edges were crocheted together).  Sew the lining so that the edges are together then sew the lining into the shoe. 

As always if you have questions feel free to ask and do not sell these or post this pattern without linking this page!

Picture Frame Collage

I found these picture frames at a local thrift store. They ranged in price from $0.75 to $1.50. I decided to get them and see what fun I could have with them.










1. I sanded them down to remove any deformities. Since they were second hand they had many scratches and dings in them. Some may prefer to keep these to give extra character. I was looking for a more uniform look and since they are all different frames, I wanted them to all have a newer look.

2. After sanding, I applied a base coat of white paint. You can use a primer or just regular white paint. I have not found much difference. If you are using the frame on a table top or a high traffic area, primer may keep the paint sticking to the wood longer than white paint will.

3. While waiting for the paint to dry I cleaned the glass in the frames. Since the frames were mostly older, they had a thick film of dust on them. You can use a glass cleaner to clean them but I have found that a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part cider vinegar works very well without streaking.

4. I painted a base coat of black (or color of your choosing). It will take more than one coat to cover the wood completely. If there are unpainted spots on the surface this can lead to peeling and it will not look proffessional.

5. While the first coat of paint is drying I used my die cutting machine to cut out the images. For image size, you will measure the glass of the frame and decide what size of image you would like from there. If you are going to use patterned paper, I find it is best to use very subtle patterns. If you cannot resist a strong pattern, try alternating the prints. Use a bold pattern for the background a faint pattern for the design. Using a bigger pattern paper for the cutout can be distracting. It can also make it so the pattern on the paper is lost.

If you do not have a die cutter, you can use pictures of flowers, or birds, or free stencils for download online. After you have the images of your liking, take the glass from the frame and trace it on the back of your background paper. If you have a square or rectangular picture then you can just measure and cut with a paper cutter. After you have the traced image on the back of your patterned paper, cut it out.

6. After the first layer of paint is dry, you will want to paint a second coat. Make sure you cover it well. I have often just tried covering the spots that didn't get covered well the first time but inevitably, I always miss spots. I like to use a nice even layer so that the paint doesn't gather in one spot or dry unevenly.

7. After the second coat is dry, I like to take another color and gently dry brush it over the detail work on the frame. This makes the detail pop and gives it more visual interest.

8. Once the frames are completely dry, assemble and hang.

Reupholstering a Chair

I have reupholstered this chair. I found it at the local thrift store. When I saw it, I almost passed by it because it was just a boring blue fabric but when I took a closer look, I noticed it had a really simple frame that gave a retro modern style. When you buy a second hand chair, make sure to check that all the joints are solid, i.e. that the wood is not split at any joints, that they are not wobbly, and that they come firmly together. Also, you want to make sure that the cushions are in good condition. You can replace them but in order to give it a more professional look, you want to use the originals.

Supplies you will need:

• Staple Gun
• Quilt Batting
• Fabric
• Metal Upholstery Buttons (make sure kit if you have never bought these)
  
• Power Drill
• Decorative Upholstery Tacks (If back of chair shows)
• Spray Adhesive & Fabric Glue
• Screw Driver (flat head or Phillips)
• Rubber Mallet
  

1. First, I removed the seat from the frame. This particular chair had four screws holding the seat on and three holding the back on. The seat cushion and the back cushion on this chair were connected. This made it easier to reassemble in the end. Do not throw out the fabric or the cheesecloth (if applicable) because you will use it as a pattern.

2. After I removed the fabric I used the pieces as a pattern for the new fabric. This chair has three upholstery buttons on it. This helps give the chair some shape once it is fully upholstered. I used the previous back cushion fabric as a guide in marking the location on my new fabric for the buttons. You can use a fabric pencil or a regular ball point pen to do this. Repeat steps for the back for re-attaching the chair to the frame.

3. Once I had the pieces cut out, I began attaching them to the chair. I laid the batting out smoothly over the foam cushion. I attached the batting to the chair. Using the manual staple gun took some getting used to. There is a tension adjuster on it. I tightened the tension all the way and tested an area that was hidden to see how far it would go into the wood. The harder the wood, the stronger the tension you will need.

4. I Covered the upholstery buttons in a matching fabric. There will be instructions on the the packaging. Then I threaded some strong twine through the whole in the button.

5. The fabric is the next step. I started with the seat back because that was easiest for me. Again you want to make sure to lay the fabric out smoothly. I stapled one complete side and then did the opposite, smoothing after each side and then did the same for the seat cushion.

6. Once the back cushion was upholstered, I took a power drill, with the drill bit already in motion, I drilled three holes in the areas I marked previously. Make sure to have the drill going before you touch it to the fabric. If you do not, the fabric will just get caught on the drill head and rip. I took an embroidery needle and threaded the twine, attached to the button, and then pulled the twine through the drill holes. I took the staple gun and in a zig zag pattern, stapled the twine to the back of the chair. Repeat process for other buttons.

7. Once I had the seat and the seat back covered, I began ironing the edges of the back of the seat back fabric. To make a good line, you will want to use steam. Once those were folded, I just used fabric glue, you can use any brand of your choosing, and then followed the fold. Once that was dry, I attached the fabric and the batting together with spray adhesive. I used this on only the back of the seat back so that when I was attaching it later, the two pieces wouldn't slip around.

8. I used the spay adhesive to attach the batting and fabric to the back of the chair to hold it in place while I attached the decorative upholstery nails. Once the glue was tacky and holding the fabric in place I used a ruler and marked the areas I wanted to use the nails in. I chose to space mine because I liked the look better. You can always use them all the way around. I took the drill, using a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the nail, and drilled holes through the wood and fabric. Again make sure the drill is going and in full speed before you touch it to the fabric. You will want to make these starter holes because the decorative nail heads are weaker than regular ones and you can break them too easily. Once I had drilled starter holes for all of the upholstery tacks, I can began hammering them in.

9. Once the nails were in place I drilled the holes in the back for the screws to go through and then attached the chair to the frame.