Going Lovey crazy!!!.....and FREE ladybug lovie pattern :)

 I have been making a ton of crochet lovie/ security blankets lately. What a fun quick project! The ones above, Hello Kitty and the owl one are from here! I got the free pattern for a basic granny square from here. If you would like to purchase a ready made item, my creations are listed here.

I wrote up my own pattern for this ladybug one, and I'm happy to share that here. As always, my disclaimer still applies: I am not a professional crochet pattern writer!

LADY BUG LOVEY BLANKIE PATTERN:

Cascade yarns 60% acrylic, 40% merino (you can use any worsted weight yarn)

1 SKEIN RED, SCRAPS OF BLACK, SCRAP OF WHITE.

Sz H/ 5.5 hook

Ch 5, sl st to form ring,

Rd 1: ch 3, 15 dc in ring

Rd 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc after, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 3: ch 3, 1 dc in same st, *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 4: ch 3, 1 dc in same st,  *1 dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 5: ch 3, *1 dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 6: ch 3, *1 dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 7: ch 3, *1 dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 8: ch 3, *1 dc in next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 9: ch 3, *1 dc in next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 10: ch 3, *1 dc in next 8 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 11: ch 3, *1 dc in next 9 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 12: ch 3, *1 dc in next 10 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 13: ch 3, *1 dc in next 11 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 14: (Do in black) ch 3, *1 dc in next 12 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 15: 3 ch, sl st in 2^nd dc, repeat till done around entire edge. FO.

Lady bug (Black):

 Rd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st to form a circle.

Rd 2: ch1, 2 sc in each sc (12 sc), sl st.

Rd 3: ch1, *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end, sl st (18 sc).

Rd 4: ch1, *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end, sl st  (24 sc).

Rd 5: ch1, *1 sc in next 3  sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end, sl st (30 sc).

Rd 6: ch1, *1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end (36 sc).

Rd 7: ch1, sc in each sc (blo), sl st.

Rd 8: ch 1, *1 sc in next 3 sc, sc 2 tog* to end, sl st

Rd 9: ch 1, *1 sc in next 2 sc, sc 2 tog, 1 sc in next sc, sc 2 tog* to end, sl st

Rd 10: ch 1, *1 sc in next sc, sc 2 tog* to end, sl st

Rd 11: ch 1, sc 2 tog  each 2 st , sl st

Sew on eyes, and stuff at this time (do not overstuff). Then sew opening shut and sew ladybug in the middle of the lovie. Attach optional red chenille stem antenna or crochet ch antenna.

EYES: (white) : ch 2 , 6sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st to 1^st sc.

Ch1, 2 sc in each sc, sl st (12 sc).

Sew black button in the middle of each. (MAKE 2).

SPOTS (black): MAKE 6: ch 3, in 3^rd ch from hook- 12 dc, sl st to top of 1^st dc,

Rd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each dc, sl st to top of 1^st dc, FO leaving tail to sew.

Space out your 6 spots symmetrically around ladybuy body and sew on. Weave in your ends , take cute pics and SHARE ON FB, INSTAGRAM, YOUR BLOG, PIN IT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO LINK BACK, LEAVE ME A COMMENT :) KEEP ON CRAFTING, WORLD!!

Yay, free pattern for horse scarf!!

I made about 4 of the horse scarves before I moved onto fresher pastures :) You can see the photos of my horse scarf in my previous post. This time around I wrote down my directions. 

Disclaimer: I saw this scarf first shared on The Crochet Crowd FB page, and do not know who is the original creator of this pattern. I just looked at some of the pictures shared by people and came up with my own directions based on inspiration from those photos. If you are the original creator, please contact me via this blog, and I will give you credit on my blog/ link back to you as the original creator of this design. Also, I am not a professional crochet pattern writer, so this is my amateur attempt at putting together followable directions. Please use EXTREME CAUTION when attempting to follow my pattern , and do so at your own risk (or the risk of messing up a skein of yarn and wasting an hour or so of your time??).

That being said, I was able to follow along and create 3 more scarves with no issues. Plus, if you leave me a comment/ question, I will try to help you out :) Lastly, if you do succeed in making one, I would be THRILLED BEYOND MEASURE to hear from you!!

HORSE SCARF FREE CROCHET PATTERN:

USE SZ 5-5.5 HOOK, WORSTED WEIGHT YARN 1 SKEIN, AND SCRAPS OF CONTRAST COLOR. 

GAUGE IS NOT IMPORTANT FOR THIS PATTERN.

YOU START THE HORSE SCARF FROM THE SNOUT/ NOSE PART, END WITH THE LEGS, THEN CROCHET ALL THE LITTLE PIECES TO SEW ON LATER. MAIN BODY OF SCARF:

SNOUT (DO IN WHITE OR YOUR LIGHTER COLOR)- 10 ch, HDC in 2^nd ch and each after that (9 hdc)

Next row- 11hdc (one increase at each end)

Next- 13hdc

15hdc

15hdc

13 hdc

13hdc, fasten off,

tie rust color (OR DARKER COLOR OF YOUR CHOICE)

3 CH (1^st dc), 12 dc (one in each hdc),

13 dc

(one incr at each end) 15 dc

17 dc,

19dc,

21 dc,

21 dc,

23 dc,

23dc,

decr at each end for next 3 rows (17 dc),

17dc for next 3 rows,

1 more decr- 15dc- for next 75 rows (main length of scarf),

Starting legs-

Increases at each end for next 3 rows (23 dc),  split into half- do 2 rows as such, then 2 rows of decr, 7 more rows, last 2 rows white – 1 decr in each.

Ear: Leave a 9-10” long tail at the beginning for sewing the ear on. ch 7, dc in 4^th ch from hook, and in every ch after ( 5 dc total)

Dc incr, dc in each, dc incr (7 dc),

9 dc

7 dc

5 dc

3 dcr,

3 hdc tog

white ear inserts: Leave a 7” long tail at the beginning for sewing the ear on. 6 ch, dc in 4^th ch from hook, and in every ch after (4 dc total)

6 dc

8 dc

6 dc

3 dcr

3 hdc tog

WHITE SNOUT TOPPER- Leave a 12-14” long tail to sew. 7 CH, DC IN 4th ch from hook, 4 more dc,

Incr (7 dc), 3 more rows of 7 dc, 1 decr, 6 rows of 6 dc, done.

Nostrils: ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, join rd and leave a long tail to sew ( make 2)

Eyes: 8 ch, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc

do one row of sc on top with one incr

Mane: Cut 5” pieces of yarn, about 30, and hook up for mane.

Make a tassle for the tail, and YOU’RE DONE!

A horse scarf, another owl and a couple patterns tested :)

Still on a Zooty owl kick, so I decided to make a couple of them into pillows. I figure they will make good gifts for little girls! So here's one that I finished. I backed it with 2 layers of random gray colored fabric from my stash (Yay for stash-busting :))

 

 The Crochet Crowd folks posted on FB that these horse scarves were selling like hot cakes, so of course, I had to jump on the band wagon and make some! I was my true cheapo self (and of course, super talented self too), and decided to figure out the pattern just by looking at photos of this scarf. I am happy to report that the outcome was not too shabby, especially given that this particular scarf sold within 3-4 days! So yes, now I am making another one. I did write down a pattern of sorts, so I would not have to do all the figuring out every time, but my pattern is currently such that it would probably make sense only to me. :(

 Lastly, I tested 2 patterns - the Ode to Winter scarf and the Bohemian Hat from Sheri Ann Weber of thecountrywillow.com......Turned out beautiful, if I might say so...love the fringe along the long side of the scarf.....Listed here on Ebay in my store RetirementFunned!!!

Stay warm, if you are in a sub-zero Tundra zone like me :) Drink lots of masala chai :)

Some more finishes!

 This turtle blanket is my first finish being shared for 2016!!! The inspiration for this blanket came from here, she used a Ravelry pattern for the turtles, but me being the cheapo I am and not wanting to spend $4.99 for the pattern....or let's give it a positive spin and say, me being super talented where I can look at a crochet item and come up with my own pattern....I decided to make my own. It has been shared earlier on my blog....just scroll down :) Well, this one got sold in no time at all, so now I need to make another one!

Then a bit of sewing to share! An upcycle/ reuse/ refashion project.....a garage sale pillow recovered with a felt leaves applique cover! UMM, yeah, why spend $8 on buying a pillow insert? Who does that... not me, that's for sure :)

 And my last finish to share today. It is the Zooty Owl Trivet from here. Turned out super cute, I must say, and was easy enough to put together, and a fabulous scrap buster to boot :) Could it get any better?
Of course, I will need to make a ton more of these! Listed here on Ebay.

I'm looking forward to more sewing projects, and then planning my summer projects! What crafty endeavors are you planning? Do share :)

Back to sewing!

My younger daughter is home for winter break, and expressed some eagerness to be part of my recent "sewing for myself" kick. And of course, me being the doting mom that I am, I was more than happy to oblige! Partly because it meant that I could go fabric shopping after a really long self-imposed hiatus of about 12-13 years not buying any brand new fabric!
So the S R Harris fabric outlet had opened in Burnsville, close to my house, and this meant that it was finally time to go check them out. I have to say that I was not disappointed. They have a great selection of knits, brocades, sweater fabric and lots of other goodies :) My daughter picked one of their City Prints knit fabric for this dress, and I dug through their remnant table and found some exquisite sequin fabrics to make more of the clutches that I seem to be currently creating!
I did not use a pattern for this dress, I just drafted it from one of her existing dresses, made a circle skirt bottom, gave it sleeves and pockets (which she is thrilled about!). I had purchased 2 yds of fabric for $12, and after making the dress, I still have enough to make a tunic for myself! I'm thinking an asymmetric hem or hankie hem one! Check back for that one soon :)

Newest wristlet clutch!!

So YAY for another super short post! I am totally having fun sewing for myself! That hasn't happened in a long time! Perks of being an empty-nester now, I guess! Hey, I'll take it!
So exciting, I can actually go buy fabric again :) I have pinned so many dress/ top tutorials and can't wait to try them out. Of course, I'll remember to share with you wonderful folk of blogland!
Till that happens, here is my newest finish- a bow wristlet clutch made with taffeta fabric. I am being able to use my sequin appliques from India (justifying buying these by the pound during my trips there!!).
The tutorial for the clutch can be found here. Great tutorial!!

Turtle crochet applique- FREE PATTERN!!

My daughter wanted to make the turtle blanket from here (you might have to scroll down quite a bit). Very cute- shows baby turtles making their way from the beach sand into the water. The blogger used a generic ripple blanket pattern for the base, and paid for the turtle pattern on Ravelry. Me being me (aka cheep cheep), I decided to try my hand at making a turtle myself. It turned out fairly OK, at which point, my daughter said she needed me to write down the instructions, so she could make the rest of the batch.
AND, this led to the evolution of a FREE pattern for you :)

Turtle crochet appliqué pattern

Sz 5 hook

Worsted weight yarn- 2 shades of green- need scraps

With darker green, ch2.

6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, join round with sl st.

Attach lighter green. 3 ch (works as 1^st dc), 2 dc in same sc, 3 dc in each sc (18 dc), join with sl st to top of 3 ch.  Cut off light yarn.

With darker yarn, sc on top of 3 ch, *do spike st (pick up st from sc row), 2 sc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc* repeat 5 times. Sl st at end of row.

Making feet and head- 4 ch, sc in 2ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in base sc row (1 leg made). Sl st to next sc, 6 ch, 1 dc in 3^rd ch from hook, 3 more dc in eac ch to end, sl st to base sc row (head made), sl st to next sc, 4 ch, sc in 2ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in base sc row (2nd leg made). Tie off leaving a tail long enough for sewing your appliqué on.

Skip 6 sc from leg made on left side, attach dark yarn, 4 ch, sc in 2ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in base sc row (3rd leg made). Sl st to next sc, 2 ch, 1 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st to base row, sl st in next sc, 4 ch, sc in 2ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in base sc row (4th leg made).

My daughter tried it out once, so I'm hoping that you are able to follow and get the same results. But again, I am by no means a professional pattern writer, so this is my amateur attempt- Try it at your own risk :D

Do leave a comment if you are successful!