Category Archives: Hand Crafts

Crafty Goodness for the Holidays

x-posted from my personal journal…these are stores that belong to my friends and my friends’ friends!

Please comment on this post if you’d like your online shop listed. Please remember that I want your shop. Referrals are great, but please have the person that owns the shop comment. This makes it easier for me to know who to contact if a question arises.

Thanks! and Happy Shopping!

Marissa Charlotte Creations

Sells: Embellished Envelopes, Upcycled Bulleting Boards
Price Range: $8 – $25 for current listings

Witch & Wizard Quilt Patterns by Cat Magraith

Sells: Original Paper Pieced Patterns
Price Range: $3 each

Caitirin Critters

Sells: Custom Ordered Crochet Critters
Price Range: Varies by order

Handcrafts & Original Designs by ofenjen

Sells: Hand Crafted Odds & Ends as well as custom buttons
Price Range: $1.50+

kristen paulsen photography
Sells: photographs, prints, calendars, mugs, mousepads, cards, etc
Price range: $5-$50

Turn around, Granny!

6 Replies

add this pattern to your ravelry queue

Printable Pattern

An, granny square! For years I loved to hate you. When I would try to make you, you were wonky, crooked and twisted. How could something so simple, so classic and so seemingly straight forward be so frustratingly difficult?

One day, a little bird whispered in my ear to turn the granny square after each row. Aha! That was the answer.

By turning on every row, the twisting disappeared. An added bonus is that the granny square does not have a “right” and a “wrong” side when it’s worked this way.

So turn, turn, turn and stay square, square, square!

Note: Yarn weight and hook size are up to you. Change colors at any row and make the square as small or large as you like.

With this method, you can make a Granny-ghan by continuing to crochet until you reach the desired size.

Chain 4, sl st to form loop

turn, sl stitch to the corner

Round 1 – ch 3 (ch 3 = dc throughout), 2dc, [ch 2, 3 dc], rep [ to ] 2 times, ch 2, join to the top of ch 3 with a sl st. TURN, sl st to ch 3 corner.

ch 3

Round 2 – Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in ch2 space. [ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in ch 3 space], repeat [ to ] 2 times, ch 1, join to top of ch 3 with sl st. TURN, sl st in ch 1 space.

Round 3 – Ch 3, 2 dc, [ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 space; ch 1, 3 dc in ch space], repeat [ to ] 2 times. Ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 1, join to top of ch 3 with sl st.

Finish as desired.

Granny Square close up

Granny-ghan for a baby, donated to The Linus Connection

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

Photobucket

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter

Crafts: Buy handmade for the holidays

Leave a reply

Shopping for handmade items can be daunting and if you’ve been to etsy recently, you know there are about a zillion people selling there, which can make it very hard to know where to start.

In a continuing effort to make, buy and give handmade, I’m collecting a list of my friends that sell handcrafted items.

In a few days, I will take all the collected names and post a big ole list of online shops with the hopes that my all friends will benefit.

If you make items to sell and would like to be in the “My Friends Sell Handmade Stuff” post, please comment with the following information:

Link to where items are for sale
Example List of items available
Price range (example $5 – $50)
Sample Photo, optional (just one please)
Other pertinent information

Please only share links to your own handmade items for sale. If you have friend that also sell their own handmade items and you think they’d like to participate, please direct them to this post so they can add their own information.

Happy Crafting!

also posted on my personal blog

Crochet Hogwarts Hat & Scarf for a Plushie

Leave a reply

At some time during 2005 or 2006 during a frenzied Harry Potter craft session which happened to coincide with the height of my children’s Build-A-Bear obsession, the thought occurred to me that my daughter’s lion needed to be, no must be, a Gryffindor.

Fun, fast and free crochet at it’s geeky best!

add this pattern to your ravelry queue:

Printable Pattern

Supplies:
2 colors worsted yarns (Red Heart used in example)
N – hook

Hat:
Crocheted with two strands of each yarn throughout.
Row 1 – with burgundy, ch 6. Sl st in first ch to form ring. Ch 3, 11 DC over ring, sl st to join. Finish off.
Row 2 – join gold to in any st, ch 3, DC in same st, 2 DC in each st around. Sl st to join. Finish off.
Row 3 – join burgundy in any st, ch 3, DC in next st and each st around. Finish off.
Row 4 – join gold in any st, ch 3, DC in next st, ch 3, sk 3 dc, dc in next 8 sts, ch 3, sk 3 st, dc in remaining sts. Finish off.
Row 5 – join burgundy in any st, sc in each st around, sc over ch 3s. Finish off, weave in ends.

Attach Pom-Pom (optional)

Scarf:
Crocheted with two strands of each yarn throughout.
ch 5
Row 1 – sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. Ch 1 turn.
Row 2 – sc across, ch 1 turn
Row 3 – sc across. Attach new color at top of last st. Ch 1, turn

Repeat 1-3 in alternating colors for a total of 13 blocks of color. Add fringe.

Ravenclaw Kitty

This pattern also available on The Leaky Cauldron

Happy Crafting!

Coconut Candy Baby Blanket

Leave a reply

The striping in this blanket reminds me of Neapolitan coconut candy.

queue this pattern on ravelry!

Printable Pattern

Suggested hook: I

The finished size varies based on the weight of yarn and hook size used. The sample was made with 5 skeins of different colored sport weight yarn (sample uses purple, yellow, green and pink pastels along with a skein of white)

(pattern is a multiple of 6 + 3)

Chain 116

Row 1 – In 5th chain from hook, *(2dc, ch 1, 2dc) in 1 stitch, sk 2 sts, (1dc, ch 1, 1dc) in next stitch, skip 2 sts*, across , (2dc, ch 1 2dc) in 1 st, 1dc in last st.

Row 2 – Rep row 1, beginning with ch 3 and inserting hook in ch 1 spaces of prev. row.

Rep Row 2 for pattern.

For Coconut Candy Pattern: Crochet 5 rows in Pink, 5 Rows White, 5 Rows Green, 5 Rows Yellow, 5 Rows Lavender. Attach pink to BACK of beginning row and follow pattern going the opposite direction.

If desired, sc around with a single color.

When the blanket is complete, weave in all ends.

pattern detail

This pattern was created for The Linus Connection of Central Texas in 2005.

Happy Crafting!

Crochet Turkey

7 Replies

Printable Pattern

Download it from Craftsy!

The date I wrote on the original copy of the pattern for this cute turkey is November 1999. The creation of the turkey came right on the heels of the Jack-O-Lantern Finger Puppet. I still think this little guy is too cute to be allowed. His appearance can vary based on what color of yarn you choose for his feathers and body.

I made the one in the photo in a little under 10 minutes. Make one or a lot and share with your friends!

Makes a Fridgie, Pin, Finger Puppet or Pencil Topper

This is a very versatile pattern for a Thanksgiving Turkey. It works up very quickly and is cute, cute, cute!

worsted weight yarn – small amounts of tan, red, yellow, orange, dark orange (or seasonal colors of your choice)
H hook
pin back or magnet (optional)
2 small google eyes

Body – with tan, ch 4, 11 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with sl st. Finish Off

Back Feathers – with rust and orange together, join with sl st to back loop only of any dc, (ch 6, sl st in same st, sl st to next dc) rep until six feathers are made. On last feather, do not sl st to next dc. Finish off, 6 back feathers
made.

Front Feathers – with orange, sl st in front loop opposite back feathers, (ch 4, sl st in same st, sl st to next front loop) repeat to last feather, do not sl st in next loop. 6 front feathers made. Finish off.

Head – with tan, ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook, sl st in first sc. Leave several inches of yarn for sewing to body.

Wattle – join red to head with a sl st in back loop of any sc, ch 4, sl st in same loop, finish off.

Beak – using yarn needle, sew yellow directly above wattle in a “T” shape, leaving top half of head free for eyes. Finish off.

Assembly – placing head on top center of body, sew using yarn left on head. Finish off. Using low melt glue or Tacky Glue, attach 2 small google eyes.

For Fridgie or Pin – glue magnet or pin on the back after eyes have dried.

For Finger Puppet or pencil topper – crochet another body and attach to back of completed turkey by stitching around. Leave four dc open at the bottom for finger or pencil. Finish off.

Visit the Turkey Craft Round Up and the Turkey Craft Round Up flickr group for more fun Turkey crafts.

Happy crafting!

This is part of my “Way Back Craft” series; patterns, crafts, tutorials and general crafty memories before the days of the blog.

“Mellocreme” Pumpkin Earrings

3 Replies

Mmmmm, mellowcreme pumpkins, the yummy little sugar bombs that are really just candy corn kicked up a notch! In homage to these tasty Halloween treats, how about a fun, easy craft that is cheap and makes enough to share with your friends?

I made the cute pumpkin earrings for a Halloween swap I was recently participated in. You can make one pair or several!

makes 10 -12 pair

1 block orange polymer clay
small amount green polymer clay
toothpick or skewer
hook ear wires (aka French hooks) (2 for each pair)
eyepins (2 for each pair)
jump rings (size of your choice)
jewelry pliers (I used one round nose and one chain nose)
Sculpey Glaze (gloss)
small, soft paint brush
parchment paper
baking sheet
optional: business cards and decorative bags for gift giving

Separate the orange clay into enough pieces for 10 – 12 pairs of earrings. Roll each piece into a rough ball shape.

Using the round nose pliers, twist the eye pins into a curly shape, making sure each is approximately the same length. Make the same amount as the orange balls in the last step.

Squish the curly part of the eye pin into the orange ball. Cover wire completely with clay, rounding with your fingers as you go.

Add a small amount of green clay, gently pressing it around the wire into a stem shape. Make sure to leave the “eye” in the pin visible. If necessary, use a toothpick or skewer to clean out the hole.

Use the toothpick to gently roll creases into the orange ball.

Wallah! A tiny pumpkin! Repeat steps for each earring.

Place earrings on parchment paper lined tray and bake according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Pumpkin charms, all baked. They look a little dull, so…

Place earrings eye pin side down in Styrofoam. Gently brush on Sculpey Glaze. Allow to dry upside down. Once they’re turned over, add a little more Glaze around the top if needed.

Attach the ear wire (French hook) with a jump ring and pliers. (how to open and close a jump ring)

Repeat for each pumpkin charm.

If making enough to share with your friends, poke holes in a business card with a pin, then slide the ear wire through. Fold the top end of the business card down and place in a cute little bag.

Happy Crafting!

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Way Back Craft: Paper Piecing Evolution

1 Reply

Livejournal user lady_whitehaven turned on the Way Back Machine for me today when I found this post over at the Livejournal community quilting.

The dragon is an old design that I came up with way back in 2006 for a project that never quite made it to fruition. That was probably a year after I started designing. When I look at the original pattern, I can really see how much my design skill has evolved.

Sometime in 2007, when I had finally tested the dragon and realized how complicated it was, I pulled it off of sewhooked to be redesigned and then (apparently!) forgot about it. I have since tried to be more careful about what patterns I post untested. If I’m even a little unsure of the pattern design, I’ll hold onto it until I’ve had the chance to test it myself.

New, cleaned up and simplified version:

“Green Dragon” Pattern

The original version looks okay, but the pattern is scary, messy & has too many pieces!

First scary dragon pattern

When I woke up this morning, I had no intention of redrawing or reworking a pattern. I had kids to get to school (done!), a hubby to drop off at the airport (done!) and groceries to buy (um…not so done!). Thank you, lady_whitehaven, for inspiring me to have a second look and give the “Green Dragon” a second life.

“Green Dragon” is now housed on the Paper Pieced Pattern page at sewhooked. If you give it a try, or any of my other patterns or projects a try, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the Friends of Sewhooked flickr group.

Have a happy weekend!

coming soon – Guest Designer profiles!

This is part of my “Way Back Craft” series’; patterns, crafts, tutorials and general crafty memories before the days of this craft blog.

Snuggly Car Seat Blanket

7 Replies

add this pattern to your ravelry queue!

Printable Pattern

It’s been many a moon since I had my own baby to crochet for, and while I do regularly make blankets for The Linus Connection, those are of the garden-variety baby blankets and afghans….definitely without holes!

My aunt recently had her second baby boy and was looking for a specific style of car seat blanket. It’s a tiny blanket with a hole for threading the car seat straps through. My understanding is that the blanket stays in place better, keeping the baby toasty and warm. She sent me dimensions and a photo of a blanket she already has and I went to work.

The goal is a blanket that is both simple to make and warm to use. The one below worked up in just a few hours, design time included.

2 – 6 oz. skeins of Caron Simply Soft (315 yds each)
K hook

finished approxmiately 18″x21″

With two strands of yarn held together, chain 50
Row 1: hdc in second chain from hook and in each sc across (48 hdc)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, hdc across
Row 3 – 10: rep Row 2
Row 11: hdc in first 20 st, ch 8, sk 8 st, hdc in last 20 st. (48 hdc)
Row 12: ch 1, turn, hdc in first 20 st, hdc in 8 sc, hdc in last 20 st
Row 13: ch 1, turn, hdc across
Row 14 – 44: Rep Row 13

Optional: Sc evenly around or add a decorative border

Finish off, weave in ends.

Happy crafting!

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

Photobucket

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter

Recycled Craft: Leo’s Sock

3 Replies

My family and I spent last weekend in Alpine, Texas for the wedding of my husband’s youngest brother, Mark, to his lovely new bride, Allison. It was a genuinely wonderful weekend, with lots of food, family and happiness all around.

While visiting, I came across a recycled creation made by my father-in-law, Leo. He took an old wool sock that was in much need of darning, cut off the toe and hung it with a bit of wire hanger. This previous-sock is now the home to plastic bags for even more recycling. The bags go in the top and come out the bottom.

I’ve, of course, seen similar commercial creations as well as make-from-scratch patterns, but I am very much drawn to repurposing and am now on the lookout for my own long sock that is in need of recycling so I can make one for myself!

Happy Crafting,