Hacky Sacks for the Kiddos

My nephew asked me if I could crochet him a hacky sack.  So I searched the internet for patterns.  I found all sorts of free patterns for crocheted hacky sacks.

They don't take much yarn to make, so this is a great project for using up scrap yarn.  I even have some that I used several small pieces of yarn to make 1 hacky sack.

The ones using varigated yarn are great.  But my favorite look is the spiral one.  It is more complicated and takes 2 different colors of yarn, but it looks great.  (Spiral - top pic - it is the one in the bottom, right corner:  grey and burgandy;  in the bottom pic - it is the one in the top, left corner:  red and peacock blue).  Spiral pattern can be found here.)

I tried several patterns that I found and my favorite pattern for a regular hacky sack can be found here.  I modified it slightly to get the look I wanted (will try to post modifications later), but I did several exactly like the pattern and they look great!  She even has instructions on how to fill them.  She used old pantyhose (I used trouser socks.  I could get 4 hacky sacks out of 1 pair of trouser socks.)  Use what you have or what you can purchase cheap!

So then as I began to make one for my nephew, my boys wanted one and then I began to think it might be neat to give all my nieces and nephews one at Easter time.  So I kept making them.  (I think I made even more since the pictures were taken.)  They are fun and easy to make.  

The first few I stuffed with rice and then I found a bag of Poly Pellets that I had purchased awhile back and it was just laying around.  They boys and I have decided that we like the weight and feel of the ones stuffed with Poly Pellets best.

Note:  I had my Poly Pellets for awhile and when I went to my local craft store to purchase some more, they no longer carried them.  They called another one of their stores to see if they still had some in stock and they did so I was able to get more, but when they are gone, they are gone.  I did a quick search on Amazon and you can purchase some there.

These also make great stress balls.  Would be good for someone in a hospital, nursing  home, or hospice, someone that has to have therapy.  Can you think of other uses?

Crochet Scarf

A friend of mine saw a scarf online that she asked me if I could make her.  I said I would give it my best shot.  She brought me this blue yarn (chunky) and a jumbo button.

The yarn is Yarn Bee's Effortless Chunky in blue jean.

This is a chunky yarn, but I wanted it to be really chunky (like the pic she showed me).  So I used 2 strands of yarn and crocheted them as they were one.  (I used yarn from both skeins at the same time.)  It took almost both skeins, but there was some left over.

I love this button!

I put a penny next to it so you could see how large the button really is.

Here is the finished scarf.  I wish my friend were here to model it for me.

For not having a pattern, I was really pleased at how it turned out.  It was really close to the picture she showed me.

Boot cuffs

I have seen people wearing these adorable accessories called boot cuffs.  I have really been wanting a pair.  So when we have had some snow days and really cold days, I decided to peruse the internet and Pinterest and find some patterns.

The red ones were a free pattern that I found on Ravelry (you must have an account to view patterns, but the account is free) - the name of the crochet pattern is 'Sincerely Pam's Chunky Boot Cuffs.'

The above boot cuffs I just knitted a row (using Lion Brand Yarn - Thick and Quick) as long as I wanted the boot cuff to be tall (I knitted it horizontally and then when I finished I turned it vertically).  I knit several roew using the knit stitch - until I thought I had enough to go around the calf (it will stretch).  Then cast off and use the ail to "sew" the two ends together to form a tube.  Add a button for decoration.

Made a couple of pair like that (lost pic to other pair).

The ruffled boot cuffs I saw a picture of and fell in love with them, but there was no pattern.  Tried to crochet a pair similar to what I saw, so this is my version.  I am learning that I need to crochet tighter (to minimize stretching or to make them smaller than I think I need them).

I have 2 or 3 more pair that I forgot to take a pic or lost the pic and they were gifts.  These are a quick and easy project that is really fun to do.  Great winter project when you just don't want to go outside.

There are so many free (and for purchase) patterns out there.  Check the internet and check Pinterest.

Owl Lap Afghan

This was originally a baby blanket (I purchased the pattern here), but I really loved it and didn't have any babies anymore - so I changed the colors to something more grown-up (Chocolate, Beige, and Cranberry) and use it as a lap afghan.  I really like how it turned out.  You can do this yourself in an array of colors (Abby Cove gives you lots of ideas on her Etsy shop, or you can come up with your own color combo as I did).   You can even purchase a finished blanket from her Etsy shop if you don't crochet yourself.

Here is one of the owls before it is sewn onto the afghan.  The owls are applique.  I have crocheted a couple of extra owls for a friend - she wants to embellish a purse with them.  I used chocolate yarn for her owls (she wanted her owls brown).

For the afghan, I crocheted the owls and branches in Taupe (a brownish/grayish color).  I wanted them to coordinate with the colors of the blanket, but I didn't want them to blend in with the brown used in the blanket.   For the leaves I used Dusty Green in Vanna's Choice yarns.  I used all Vanna's Choice yarns.  The yarns worked up really well, the blanket is soft and holds it's shape.  I keep it on the back of my couch.

Vanna's Choice yarns are machine washable and dryable (this is really important for a baby blanket).  This was the first time that I have used Vanna's Choice on a project.  I love all the color options and I really like how the blanket turned out.  I also liked how it felt in my hands while using it.  (I have used other yarns that were scratchy and dried my hands out while I was using them - my hands felt horrible by the time I was finished with the project).  Haven't washed the blanket yet to see how it holds up in the washer and dryer.  Curious to know.

What is your favorite yarn to use for a project?  I know - it depends on the project.   (Example:  my fave yarn for dishcloths is I Love This Cotton!  My fave yarn for blankets (so far - I haven't crocheted too many afghans) is Vanna's Choice.  Sometimes, I chose the brand of yarn based on the colors available (I have certain colors in mind for a project and have trouble finding those colors in certain brands).  How do you choose your yarns?  How do you choose your colors for a project?  Let me in on your creative secrets.

Whenever I crochet something for someone, I cut the care instructions off the paper yarn label and attach them to a blank business card size piece of card stock and attach to item that I am giving them.  On the opposite side of the card I can write my sentiments.  That way they know how to care for their item.  This works really well with a blanket that uses several skeins of yarn, but what about an item that uses less than a skein (dish cloths, etc.)?  I simply type/write the care instructions on a card and attach to the gift.

Do you crochet for yourself or others?  How do you give your items as gifts?  Do you attach care instructions, do you package/wrap them in a special way?

Crochet Dishcloth set

Here is a set of 3 dishcloths (orange trimmed in white, aqua, trimmed in white and an aqua, orange and white striped one).  I topped them off with an aqua flower and used an orange chain stitch to tie them together, so I can give them as a gift.  I loved the colors, it reminds me of a warm summer day.

Like yesterday's post, I got my color inspiration from somewhere else (a summer dress I had a few years ago, not sure where that dress went to - I really liked it).

Where do you get your creative inspiration?

Where do you get the inspiration for your projects? Whether it is sewing, knitting/crochet, etc. I look around at what pleases me and go from there.

Here is a granny square that I crocheted. The colors are white, brown aqua and burgandy/dark red (yes, I know it looks bright red, but trust me - it is not - don't know if it was the camera or the computer).



I got my inspiration from my favorite tote bag.  It has the same color scheme.



Here they are together.



The colors may not be an exact match (fabric and yarn do not always match), but I like the color scheme anyway.

So where do you get your inspiration?

Yarn Fun

A friend of mine was cleaning out her yarn stash this past summer and let me have A LOT of it (I was tickled pink). She is a knitter and I am a crocheter and a learning-to-knitter.

When I first received the yarn, I wasn't able to crochet or knit much this summer (due to time constraints and such). Now that the weather is getting cooler the autumn colors are beautiful, the leaves are falling and the air is crisp I am really in the mood to crochet and knit, so I am making time.

Here are a few scarves that I have crocheted this week. (I am slower at knitting since I am still new at it, so if I want to see results fast - I'll crochet. Also, knitting requires me to concentrate more, so I am unable to do it as often - with 4 boys around, my concentration seems to get broken a lot.)


Pink lattice scarf with white trim.


This yarn was a medium blue and white twisted together so when crocheted together it resembles faded denim to me. [Hard to tell in the picture, but very pretty.]


This is a multi-colored skinny scarf. I really like the colors in it.

I have loved working with these yarns and making these scarves. Now, do I give them as gifts (X-mas and such) or keep them to myself?????????????

MOPS Retreat

We just had our MOPS Steering Team Retreat this past weekend. That is our planning session. We work for about 24 hrs (with just a few hours of sleep) to plan our whole up-coming MOPS year.

It's pretty intensive, but it is also fun. We (the Steering Team) really get to know each other (which makes working together the next year easier).

As Coordinator for our group, I want to thank the ladies that are willing to take on the responsibilities of the ST and are willing to server other mothers and make MOPS possible. They also give up a weekend in the summer to plan the next year (thanks girls - I really appreciate it), plus so much more. So here is what I did for my ST.

I personalized buckets (using my Cricut) with their last name and crocheted a cotton dish cloth to go with it.







It's hard to tell from the picture, the colors of the buckets are cherry red, hot pink, teal, and country green.

I also personalized totes (embroidered their first name on the tote) so they could have something to carry their MOPS stuff back and forth to MOPS meetings, ST meetings, etc.







In the totes, I had their notebooks (used Cricut to make the cover). Each notebook had the title of their position, our theme for next MOPS year (starts Sept. 2011) and inside I had a pencil pouch with pen & pencil, a gift card, a coupon for a free hamburger, and post it notes. Inside each binder was the handbook for their specific position, our meeting dates for the next year, a calendar with all pertinant info (ST b-days, MOPS meeting dates, ST meeting dates, etc.) filled out and highlighted. There was paper for them to take notes at the ST Retreat and anything else that they might need. They should be able to use the notebook through out the whole next year.




I want my ST to know how much they are loved and appreciated. I have a fantastic group, otherwise I would not be able to be a Coordinator. They make my job easier. This is just a small token of my appreciation. There just aren't words to express what I feel for this special group of women.

Taste of Summer (Sort of)

In the June issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine on page 38, she showcased Watermelon pot holders, suggesting collecting and then displaying them. I loved the idea, but I didn't have any. Since I am all about instant gratification, I decided that finding them and collecting them could take quite awhile (after all I do not have a full staff and resources like Martha does) - it still sounds fun and is something that I might do, but for now - I made a couple myself.

I had some cotton yarn (bought a little more) and I perused the internet for free watermelon crocheted pot holder patterns. There are several out there, I chose a couple and made them (I can continue to add to my collection each month or every year). I thought it would be cute to decorate the table with them this summer or to use them on picknicks. Watermelons definitely make me think of summer.

While I was making the watermelon pot holders, something in the back of my mind kept nagging me. Something else summery. I remember seeing a pattern for this...



I searched my favorites files and found the pattern here. An orange slice potholder in bright cheery orange yarn. It too is very summery. (You could take this pattern and run with it, do it in bright green for a lime or in bright yellow for a lemon.) Lots of fun!

A Tiny Green Gift

Remember these tiny shamrocks? Well, I found an Irish blessing, typed it up and cut it out. Pasted it on green construction paper and pinned the shamrock to it. Anthony gave one to his teacher and her student teacher. (Yes, we did it this week because we have spring break next week and won't be in school.)

How to trap a leprechaun

Anthony's assignment was to build a leprechaun trap. I had done some research on line and found some traps to give him an idea, but he and his brothers wanted to come up with one all their own.

This is what they came up with...



They did it all by themselves (Anthony's 2 older brothers helped).



The green crayon is attached to a string which is attached to the gold stick. When the leprechaun goes to get the "gold coins", you pull the string and trap him under the box.

What is a leprechaun trap without a leprechaun?



I saw this cute little guy and crocheted him for Anthony's trap. (Forgot to get a picture of him near the trap.) He is larger than the trap. I wanted Anthony to make this leprechaun trap, and he would have fit in it. Since that was the trap I had in mind, I began to crochet the leprechaun. As I mentioned, the boys had their own idea and my leprechaun didn't fit. I had fun making him though. You can find the leprechaun pattern here. Note: I did follow the pattern directions, but my leprechaun is not in the same proportion as theirs. I was hurrying up, trying to finish it in the car at school the day he was to turn in his trap (I may have over stuffed him and that might have something to do with it.)

Thank goodness (before I overstuffed him) Anthony asked me to make him look like he was hugging someone. Unintentionally (unless my sub-conscience took over) he looks like he has outstretched arms.

Nature's First Green is Gold

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

There's a lot of green going on with St. Patrick's Day coming up. I normally don't do much on St. Patrick's Day, but I thought I'd give it a go. I crocheted this cute Shamrock Dish Cloth (pattern here).



I had knitted and crocheted a couple of heart dish cloths around Valentine's Day and then the one above. Which got me to thinking, if I made one each holiday, at the end of the year I would have a whole set. If I made 2 each holiday then I would have a set to keep and a set to give away. If I make one as each holiday comes around, then it doesn't seem too overwhelming, not like trying to make a dozen all at once.




While I was at it (maybe I did it before the Shamrock Dish cloth) I made a few small shamrocks or clovers. I found the directions here. These are so super simple and whip up really quick. I added a safety pin to the back of a couple of them to make them to wear on St. Patrick's Day.

More Valentine Hearts

I crocheted this heart using a red cotton and a pink cotton crocheted together (talked about it first here). It is thick enough that I think it could be used as a trivet. You can find the pattern here.



To knit this, I used the pattern that I found here.

I am really enjoying knitting, but crochet is faster. Not sure if it is really faster or if is just me because I have crocheted for so much longer and knitting is still pretty new to me. It is fun either way, but if I want a quick project - I crochet.