Crafting Hiatus

Well, crafting is on hold, for how long, I do not know. As many may have already heard, on March 7, 2012, my house burned. We lost pretty much everything, including all my crafting supplies…all that yarn! All my pattern books. All I managed to save of the crafting supplies were some hooks and needles. Everything else is gone. Thank goodness I posted some of my own patterns here, or those, too, would be gone.

So, though I was quiet for a while, it’s looking like I’ll be quiet even longer while I wait to get back home (remodeling/reconstruction is under way) and then work to build my stash back up to its former glory.

Take care,

Heather

Supplies Chasing

The hunt is on. My 8y/o son has a special project for Reading class due Oct. 15th. He has to pick a book to read then create a collage depicting said book. So we’re doing our best to come up with a list of supplies he can use to come up with his masterpiece. The subject for the book he picked? Star Wars, which isn’t all that surprising, really. So far, this is what we have:

• sequins
• ribbon
• felt scraps
• fabric scraps
• construction paper
• hole punch and brightly colored paper (we’re recycling his school newsletters)
• paper clips (plan to make “droid” mock ups with these)
• 4 crocheted circles he can put faces on for character “heads”
• lace (not sure this one will be used, but I have it anyway
• glittery pipe cleaners
• pencils (plan to make light sabers with these)
• paint pens
• markers
• colored pencils
• crayons
• colored foam sheets
• glue/glue sticks/hot glue
• yarn (as if THAT one wasn’t a given, LOL)
• embroidery floss
• plastic canvas
• rubber bands

I have no idea what else we’ll come up with during our search. I’m not done trying to come up with supplies. Anything I come across that could be useful, I put in a bag with his school supplies. We plan to sit down and start working on it this weekend, when we’ll have plenty of time to focus on it. That is, after hubby’s company picnic on Saturday. Free games and prizes and ice cream and food. What’s not to love about it? Wish us luck that hubby wins some cash this year rather than more golf balls, especially considering neither of us cares for the sport.

I’ll be sure to post a pic of the collage when it’s done. He’s eskited (excited, though he used to say psychic, I kid you not) about the whole thing. There’s no telling what this will look like once he’s done, though. LOL

Basic Purse Free Pattern

Materials Needed:

WW Yarn – 1 skein (7 or 8 oz) should be plenty, though barely since there wasn’t much left when I finished it. If you do the flap closure, you’ll need 2 skeins.

Yarn Needle

Size “H” hook

Medium to Large Button (optional if you pick the flap closure)

Zipper (optional)

Fabric for Lining (optional)

Needle and Thread (used for lining and zipper or button)

Basic Purse Pattern:

chain 36

add 4 dc to each end to form corners (80 dc total) slip stitch to beginning dc.
row 2: chain 3 then dc evenly until 4 “end” stitches  then 2 dc per stitch for those 4  to round out ends (88 dc total)
row 3 – 13: dc evenly until end (with chain 3 for beginning of each row of 88 dc)

Add liner (optional)
Add zipper (optional)
Closure alternative :

chain 16, turn and chain 3
Row 1: dc across evenly, turn chain 3 repeat for rows 2-7
Row 8: dc in first stitch decrease, then dc in next 10 stitches, decrease, dc in last stitch (14 dc total)
Row 9: dc in first stitch, decrease then dc in next 8 stitches, decrease, dc in last stitch (12 total)
single crochet all around the piece, when you get to the 12 dc end, 5 sc, chain 5, skip 2 stitches, sc to end. This gives you a button hole. With same color yarn, sew to center of purse side, fold over, mark where the button should be, and sew it on.

strap:

chain 8
In 3rd loop from hook, dc and in every stitch across (5 dc total)
row 2 – 50: (begin with chain 3 or pull up a tall loop and dc in first stitch rather than chain 3) dc across evenly, tie off and weave in end at end of row 50.

Using extra yarn of same color, sew each end of the strap to the corners of the purse.

If you have any questions or anything is unclear, feel free to ask. This pattern is untested. I counted everything out from the completed purse.

Roll-Up Hook Case Free Pattern

Materials Needed:

WW yarn (your color of choice)
Size “H” hook
Yarn needle
sewing needle and thread
Elastic
3 medium to large sized buttons

Begin by chaining 31.

Row 1: In first loop from hook, sc and then across to end (30 sc) chain 1 & turn
Row 2 – 49 (worked in back loop only): sc across (30sc total each row)
Row 50: sc across (30 sc) then sc down edge until you get to the beginning chain. On the beginning chain row (this row is where you’ll make your button holes), 3 sc, chain 5, skip 1 stitch, sc in next 9 stitches, chain 5, skip 1 stitch, sc in next 9, chain 5, skip 1 stitch, sc in next 3, turn and work sc up the edge, tie off and weave in end.

When you’re done, there should be ridges and grooves in the crocheted section. This makes deciding where to put the hook “slots” so much easier.

Take the elastic and measure out a length that stretches from just before the 3rd “groove” from one end to the 3rd “groove” from other end. You’ll need 2 elastic straps.

The first hook “slot” will go into the 3rd groove from the edge. Sew elastic to ridge before hook slot and to the ridge after hook slot on both the top and bottom elastic bands. Then repeat for each ridge across until you have a total of 20 hook slots.

Roll the case up, and use stitch markers to mark where the buttons need to be placed to line up with the button holes. Sew them on and there you have it. One handy, dandy roll-up hook case. Enjoy!

Finished product holds 20 hooks from sizes “B” to “N”. There’s also enough space at the ends to hold a yarn needle and safety pins or stitch markers.

T&T: Makeshift Stitch Markers

If you’re like me, you despise the little round, plastic stitch markers they sell in the hobby section of the store. I cannot stand the things. I don’t like how they attach, not to mention, they just look and feel cheap. I refuse to use them, even though, yes, I do own some.

So what do I do for stitch markers when I need them? I use makeshift ones, that’s what I do. I use safety pins. They come in all sizes and different colors or, as my husband is threatening to do, you can spray paint them. I use large safety pins as stitch holders and smaller ones as stitch markers. Saves me a headache, and they’re quick and simple to use. They’re also small and easy to carry plenty of. I just pin them to my crocheted hook case, which makes toting them around really easy.

I tried making myself a stitch marker, but the fasteners I bought aren’t quite right and they ended up catching on the yarn. Since I can’t find the type I’m looking for as replacements, I’ve given up on that idea. What’s left of the supplies I bought to make stitch markers will be used to make myself some bracelets and maybe some necklaces, because I really like ones made out of beads, and I bought some rather nice beads.

So, if you find yourself in the same boat I did and don’t like those cheap things from the store and maybe never thought about safety pins, give them a try.