Pouf What?

So there are 3 different definitions to the word pouf

1. A woman's hairstyle popular in the 18th century, characterized by high rolled puffs.

2. A part of a garment, such as a dress, that is gathered into a puff.

3. A rounded ottoman.

Although all of them are still in style...

hair pouf

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flower pouf dress

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This post is about the ottoman pouf. These things are so cool! They not only add so much style to your room but people can actually sit on them!

I have a lot of people over all the time and even though we can fit quite a few people on our L-shape couch, it is just not enough. This is my solution for more seating.

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This one I am going to be making this week (look for my mini post later on). Here is the pattern for this on pickles.no

drawstring pouf
I can't imagine this would be too hard to crochet instead of knit...

pouf cover
So I went to Ikea not that long ago thinking I would get one of these poufs I saw in the magazine...They were so uncomfortable and stiff! I didn't think I could do something like this with them!

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These are knitted and very pricy but if you click the link they show you how to make a similar one for a lot less!

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This is not a pouf but it is a really cool idea for a round ugly stool you might have. It would be perfect for a small outdoor space.

Happy crocheting!

Crocheting a Rug...Is it Worth it?

I really wish I had the time to crochet a rug. They can be so pretty! There is so much time and patience that is needed to make one. What do you think? Is it worth it?

round rug
This rug makes me so giddy and I really want to make it but I will have to find yarn less than $124 to make it! Yikes!

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This round doily rug is so pretty and unique. I would love one of these in my bedroom.

I love the colors of this earthy rug! Jodi from keepingofdays.com shows you how to make this rug and gives tips.

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giant granny squars
These would totally be awesome in my living room so people can sit down on them!

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owl rug

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This is so feminine!

In the end, I think it is totally worth it to crochet a rug. Not only are you adding texture and style to your home but you get the satisfaction that you made something so awesome! I am going to put it on my list of "must make" things.


Happy crocheting!

Spring Fashion

So I am looking forward to making some spring things for myself and this morning I have gotten so wrapped up in looking at all the new spring crochet stuff out there! I am feeling so inspired!

I really want to get a hat like this and embellish it with a crochet strap!

Spring dress by Chanel.

Spring dress by Rena Lange

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I love belts!

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And Shoes

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So my mom just purchase a book called Adorn by Linda Permann (picture below) and it has this pattern on how to adorn your flats like these. How-Tuesday on etsy.com has this pattern for free. I suggest looking into this book though. It has awesome idea's!

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And Bags!

Ralph Lauren Tote

Burberry Prorsum spring/summer collection
(this makes me giddy!)

Mini Post of the Week - Beard Hat

So one of my friends has been begging me to make him a beard hat for quite a while. I finally got some time this week to figure it out without a pattern and made him one.

Here it is!!!

Hehe! I know I look funny in this picture. I really wanted to get a pic of a man in this hat but I will just have to do :) Of course it is big on me and I had to tuck the beard in a little bit and pull the hat back a little as well but I am really happy with how it turned.

Here is a pattern for the beard. It is on here for a limited time before I start selling the pattern so take up the offer and copy it fast!

Beard Hat

Yarn Used: Lion Jiffy, espresso brown (bulky) and Sugar' n Cream warm brown (medium 4)
Hook size: 6mm

Using both brown yarns, Ch 25

Row 1: In third chain from hook, 1 hdc in each ch across, ch 2 and turn

Row 2: 1 hdc in each st across, ch 2 and turn

Row 3: 1hdc for 8 st's, chain 6, skip 6 st's, 1hdc in the next st and each of the remaining 8 st's, ch 2 and turn

Row 4: 1 hdc crochet in each st across (including chain 6), ch 2 and turn

Row 5: hdc decrease in the first two st's, 1hdc in each st across until the last 2 st's, hdc decrease in last 2 st's, ch 2 turn

Row 6: hdc decrease in the first two st's, 1hdc in each st across until the last 2 st's, hdc decrease in last 2 st's, ch 2 turn

Row 7: hdc decrease in the first 4 st's and last 4 st's (hdc decrease in the 1st 2 and then hdc decrease in the 2nd 2), 1 hdc in the middle st's, Ch 2 and turn

Row 8: hdc decrease in the first 4 st's and last 4 st's (hdc decrease in the 1st 2 and then hdc decrease in the 2nd 2), 1 hdc in the middle st's, fast off and weave ends.

for tabs to connect to hat:

Row 1: In the first chain on the top side corner insert hook into first chain and hdc 3 st's down, ch 2 and turn

Row 2: hdc in each st across, ch 2 and turn

Row 3: skipping the first st, hdc in each st across, ch 2 and turn

Row 4: again, skipping the frist st, hdc in each st across, fast off and weave ends.

Attach a button inside of the hat to attach beard or sew beard to hat.



Also...

I finally finished the afghan I started in August! I would like it to be a little longer but that can happen at a later date :)




And...

I found this book shelf across the street in my neighbors trash and had to turn it into something useful so I put legs on it and painted it. I think it turned out just fine!

Keeping Warm

Last night I had a few girls over to teach them how to crochet. It was a lot of fun and I am glad my mom was there to help as well!

Cowl's are so easy to make and it is the perfect beginners project because you are repeating the same stitches over and over and over and working on your tension. Try this one out, it is super easy and so soft and will definitely keep you warm in the cold winter air!


I got this pattern from here

She does not write abbreviations but here they are:
ch- chain
dc - double crochet
sc- single crochet
sl st - slip stitch

Here are some links for those who don't know how to do the stitches ( just pay attention to the stitchs, not anything else)

dc - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1txJLRPfuE
sc - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqhaQQajt0U
sl st - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJE1UTuUjxM

Soho Crocheted Bulky Cowl Pattern

Yarn: Sensations Yarns Sumptuous (100% acrylic; 86 yards [79 meters] /198 grams [7 oz]): Purple, 2 skeins. You can get this at Joann Frabrics or find something really bulky.

Hook: Q (15.75mm)

Gauge: 5 sts/4″

Finished Dimensions: 8″ wide by 64″ long (in a continuous loop)

Directions:

ch 80. Being very careful not to twist, connect the beginning and end of your chain with a sl st. Ch 2. (Do not turn your work. This cowl is crocheted “in the round”)

Row 1: dc into each ch of your foundation row. (80 dcs completed.) Sl st into top of ch 2. Ch 1.

Row 2: sc into each dc of previous row. (80 scs. completed.) Sl st into top of ch1. Ch 2.

Repeat the last two rows three (3) more times. Repeat Row 1 one more time. (Your cowl should nine rows of alternating dc rows and sc rows, beginning and ending with a dc row.)

Finishing: Break yarn and weave in ends.

Can't Have Valentin's Without a Little Heart!

I will be making these awesome jars of homemade butter for the special people in my life (with the help of my 3 year old) and will add crochet heart tags with top off the love. Maize Hutton also has great printable tags (shown in pic below) to download free.

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To make heart: Chain 4
Row 1: sc across, ch 1 and turn (3 )
Row 2: sc increase in first and last sts, sc in each previous sts, ch 1 and turn (5)
Row3: sc increase in first and last sts,sc in each previous sts, ch 1 and turn (7 )
Row 4: sc in first (no not increase) and rest of sts, ch 1 and turn (7)
Row 5: sc increase in first and last sts, sc in each previous sts, ch 1 and turn (9)
Row 6: sc increase in first and last sts, sc in each previous sts, ch 1 and turn (11)
Row 7: sc in the first st (do not increase) and next 4 sts, ch 1 and turn (5 + ch 1)
Row 8: sc decrease in first and last 2 sts, sc in each previous st, ch 1 and turn (3 + ch 1)
Row 9: sc in first st, sc decrease in last 2 sts, fast off and weave end
Row 10 (other half of heart): sc in 5th st from left end and work 4 more sc to end, ch 1 and turn
Row 11: Repeat rows 8 & 9, sc a border around heart and do not fast off but make a chain of 18. fast off and weave end

There you go! You have an easy made crochet heart to adorn whatever it is you want to use it for - heart garland, tags, heart tree, gift accents, hats...

I made this hat yesterday just because I couldn't resist!

Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January - Jim Gaffigan.


All photo's were taken by me :)

Mini Post of the Week - Cocoon & Hat's

I finished the football cocoon I am making for a friend and of course I get so distracted and instead of making a bag (I'm still going to make), I made a hat for my mom and my up coming spring collection.

Speaking of a spring collection, in February/March look out for our new etsy shop and also on weebly.com!

The lines are so crooked on the cocoon and so I will be fixing them before I give it to my friend. Learning how to do new things is fun but also can be frustrating when you have to redo it (sometimes several times).
Football cocoon and hat patterns coming soon! I typed it all up and my computer froze and I lost everything I typed out. I will update this blog today or tomorrow with it.

I will get in my normal post hopefully this week as well. I have been a bit behind on everything lately... :)

Happy crocheting!

My 2012 Crochet Resolution

Crocheting has become something I really love and there are so many things I want to do and it can be so frustrating some times that I can't do everything I want to do because of time. This year I hope to do many things with my new hobby/talent.

Starting this month I will be working on mostly things I would like to sell in the spring. I have been starting to get a few orders for winter things so I will also be working on those. Hopefully I will have my website up soon to start selling me patterns and items. My mom and I will be setting up an etsy account to sell our things on there.

I really look forward to sharing fresh crochet ideas and patterns and my work with all of my readers! I also look forward to hosting others on my site and hope that you will benefit from it all!

Here are two things I will be working on in the next couples weeks:


This cute football cocoon I will be making for a friend when her baby arrives! I am really stoked about this one!


This felted bag is a great on the go bag and I can't wait to make it and tote it around!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Years!