Oh, hai.

When I was a child, my grandmother tried to teach me how to crochet.  I remember a few times learning how to 'chain'.  I would make feet, feet, and more feet of horrible, uneven chains but, that was it.  It didn't hold my attention and I wasn't interested in it.  I didn't learn how to crochet until years after she had passed away.  I wish that I had learned while she was here and we could have shared our love for crochet together.

I'm not quite sure why I wanted to learn how to crochet.  I started about two years ago.  I had picked up a little kit that came with a book, hooks, stitch markers, and plastic yarn needles.  I also brought home two skeins of 'Red Heart' variegated yarn.  I learned a new stitch every few days until I had mastered the chain stitch, slip stitch, single crochet, half-double crochet, double crochet, and triple (or treble) crochet.

I will admit it:  It is really boring to learn those first few stitches.  I hated every minute of those 'feet, feet, and more feet of horrible, uneven chains'.  But you know what?  It was worth it and I am so very happy that I stuck with it.

It was about a year later that I had started to sell my crochet goods to 'friends of friends' and eventually on-line.  Later, I started doing custom crochet work, which will always be dear to my heart.  It was fun to exchange new, creative ideas with my customers, and of course, the wonderful challenge and learning opportunities it provided me to be able to push beyond the limits of my crochet knowledge and abilities.

So, here we are today:  I shut down my on-line crochet shop about three months ago.  I'd had a bad year full of stress and medical issues and needed a break.  I am still having medical issues and the day-to-day drama of life will never end.  However, I am finally in the right hands and feel as though I am on the right path to managing my condition.  I've missed crochet so much and I am happy to say that I'm back.

I'm still not ready to go back into custom crochet work.  I have decided that I will make items for my on-line shop as I can, but it will no longer my main focus.  I want to write tutorials and patterns.  I want to make 'how to' videos.  I want to collaborate on designs and projects with fellow crocheters.  I want to teach others how to crochet so that they may experience the happiness that it brings me.

I've decided to start a blog so that I may share my love of crochet with you.  I would like to post about patterns, books, supplies, and crochet designers that I enjoy.  I would also like to get you involved in some fun contests and give you opportunities to show off your own crochet skills.

Are you in?

You can follow my blog to keep updated and join in on the fun.  : )

Coffee (or Tea) Mug Cozy

Materials:

- G hook
- worsted weight yarn
- stitch marker
- yarn needle

Optional:  embellishments


You will need to know how to:

- chain (ch)
- slip stitch (ss)
- single crochet (sc)

This pattern is worked in a spiral round (with no joining or turning) so, don't forget to mark your place with a stitch marker of some sort - I use a paperclip.

You can start in one of two ways:

- Ch 2 and then sc 6 into 2nd ch from hook.

OR

- Sc 6 into a 'magic ring' - do not join.

I prefer to use a 'magic ring' because it allows me to tug on the tail and make the round snug; beginners may choose to use the 'ch 2' method.

Round 1: 2 sc in each st around (12 sc)
Round 2: (sc 1, 2 sc in next)   (18 sc)
Round 3: (sc 2, 2 sc in next)   (24 sc)
Round 4: (sc 3, 2 sc in next)   (30 sc)
Round 5: (sc 4, 2 sc in next)   (36 sc)
Round 6: (sc 5, 2 sc in next)   (42 sc)
Round 7: (sc 6, 2 sc in next)   (48 sc)

 
Round 8:  Sc in backloops only. 
Round 9:  Sc around.

*  Check your work here.

This is the point where you want to see if your cozy will fit the bottom of your mug.  You will want to flip the mug upside down and lay the circle on the bottom.  Do you see the ridge that was made by the single crocheting in the backloops?  You should think of this cozy as a cylinder and the 'ridges' allow it to have a flat bottom.

So, if it fits, we'll move on.  If it doesn't?  You can unravel the sc in backloops and add another increase or so.  Then follow that round with the crochet in the backloops and a round of single crochet.

I am going to assume that your mug has a handle.  Place the mug on top of the cozy.  Line up the last sc with the left side of the handle and place a marker on the right side of the handle.  If your mug is similar to mine, you will have three sc in between the markers.  It doesn't matter if you have more or less, you will be able to adjust easily.

So, these three (or what have you) sc will not be used.  As we go, we will start a new row and will no longer be working in a spiral.  Confused?  Don't worry, it's easy...

Ch 1.  Turn.

Now, you will sc across until you have reached the stitch marker. 

Ch 1.  Turn.  Sc across.

I did 10 rows for my mug.  You may want to do more or less.  Once you have reached the height that you would like, stop.

Do not turn here.  You will be starting the trim. 

2 sc in the corner and sc crochet evenly across until you reach the other side and ss into the 1st sc of that corner.  Now, ch 15 and close the loop by ss-ing into the 2nd sc of that same corner.  Do you have a loop?  O.K.

**  If you want your loop to go over the handle, do more ch and then close the loop.

Fasten off.

It's time to try it on your mug and find out at what position you want to put the button so that it will fit snug.  Wrap the cozy around the mug and pull the loop to the other side.  This will help you to visualize where to put the button.

Sew button.

* Check your work here.


Now hide ends and try on your new cozy.

If you are feeling crafty, embellish to your heart's content.  Here, I used some scrap pieces of felt and sewed them onto the cozy using embroidery floss.  Of course, do whatever you wish to make your cozy truly your own.

Now, pour something delighful into your cup and sip.  <3

** Of course, what you make from this pattern is your property: sell it, donate it. However, do not steal my pattern and please give credit where credit is due - a quick little link is always appreciated. ;)

Rainbow Chain Necklace



Materials:

-  H hook
-  worsted weight yarn
-  yarn needle


You will need to know how to:

-  chain  (ch)
-  single crochet  (sc)


This pattern is quick and easy.  You can do this, I promise.

Choose six colors.  I used red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple yarn.

Yes, I know that is not how it works when we think of ROYGBIV...


Make one chain of each color. 

**  Be sure to leave a little extra yarn at the beginning and end of each chain for when you tie them together.


I did my chains as follows:

Red                                                       Ch 80.
Orange                                                  Ch 90.
Yellow                                                  Ch 100.
Green                                                    Ch 110.
Blue                                                      Ch 120.
Purple                                                   Ch 130.


I should mention that, the higher the number of chains, the longer the chain it will be.

Now, you are going to tie the strands together.

**  I do not recommend that you tie the ends together before tying each end's ends together.  Does that makes sense?  Hold the six strands together and line up the ends before you tie.  Do this with each end and then, tie those ends together.  O.K.  You're probably really confused now...



Tie it tightly and then trim the ends to about an inch.  Don't worry about these ends too much.  You are going to cover them with a little strap.

Here's how to make the strap:

Ch 9.  Sc in first ch and across.                                      ( 8 sc )

   

Row 1:   Ch 1 and turn.  Sc across.                                ( 8 sc )

Repeat for rows 2-6. 

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

You now have a little rectangle that will be used to cover the knotty ends.  Fold it around those knotty ends and sew the long sides together to form a little tube around your necklace.



**  If you choose to modify this pattern to have more strands, you will need to add rows to the strap to be sure it can fit snuggly around the extra chains.



Hide ends.  Put on.  Smile.

**  Of course, what you make from this pattern is your property:  sell it, gift it, donate it.  However, please do not steal my pattern and give credit where credit is due - a quick little link is always appreciated.  ;)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Materials:

- G hook
- worsted weight yarn
- stitch marker
- yarn needle

You will need to know how to:

- chain (ch)
- single crochet (sc)
- single crochet two together (sc2tog) or decrease (dec)

This pattern is worked in a spiral round (with no joining or turning) so, don't forget to mark your place with a stitch marker of some sort - I use a paperclip. It drives me nuts to fumble with those teeny, tiny plastic rings...

You can start in one of two ways:

- Ch 2 and then sc 6 into 2nd ch from hook.

OR

- Sc 6 into a 'magic ring' - do not join.

I prefer to use a 'magic ring' because it allows me to tug on the tail and make the round snug; beginners may choose to use the 'ch 2' method.

Round 1:  2 sc in each st around   (12 sc)
Round 2: (sc 1, 2 sc in next)      (18 sc)
Round 3: (sc 2, 2 sc in next)      (24 sc)
Round 4: (sc 3, 2 sc in next)      (30 sc)
Round 5: (sc 4, 2 sc in next)      (36 sc)
Round 6: (sc 5, 2 sc in next)      (42 sc)
Round 7:  sc around                (42 sc)

Pull up a long loop with your crochet hook so you don't lose your place; it's time to take a break from crocheting so you can embroider the chocolate chips. Use a yarn needle and some brown yarn to make as many chocolate chips as you like. No need to worry about properly hiding the ends here, they will be hidden inside of the finished cookie.

O.K. - back to crocheting: put your hook back inside the loop and tighten it up so you're ready to continue...

Round 8:  (sc 5, sc2tog)          (36 sc)
Round 9:  (sc 4, sc2tog)          (30 sc)
Round 10: (sc 3, sc2tog)          (24 sc)
Round 11: (sc 2, sc2tog)          (18 sc)
Round 12: (sc 1, sc2tog)          (12 sc)
Round 13:  sc2tog around          (6 sc)

Fasten off with a longish tail; flatten and use yarn needle to sew remaining 6 st closed and hide the end inside of the cookie.



Enjoy! You now have a finished chocolate chip cookie and you didn't have to even sew two pieces together - it's perfect. Use your imagination to make sugar cookies with sprinkles, macadamia nut cookies, or whatever kind of cookie suits your fancy.

If you want to make this into a sensory toy for a baby, cut out a piece of crinkle material (ie.: a clean potato chip bag) and place it in the middle of the cookie anywhere between rounds 8-11. I would consider this toy to be safe for babies and children of any age but, as with any toy - be sure to check occasionally for wear and tear.

** Of course, what you make from this pattern is your property: sell it, donate it. However, do not steal my pattern and please give credit where credit is due - a quick little link is always appreciated. ;)