New York Noro Plaid

MMMmmm, Noro. I love the colors of this yarn, but I’m a bit disappointed with the feel of it. I guess since I’m very allergic to wool, no wool yarn will ever feel yummy to me.

I originally bought this skein of yarn for the wavelength, but it was just taking me too long. The thing kept twisting severely, and every row I’d have to spend 5 minutes straightening it. Luckily, I found I way to both show off the lovely colors, and also use nearly 100% of the skein! Basically, I capitalized on the natural gradients of the noro, and made a sort of ‘plaid’. The results are easy and beautiful!

Here is the super simple pattern, sized so it uses as much of the skein as safely possible:

Noro Plaid Scarf

1 skein Noro Kureyon Sock

Size f crochet hook

Finished measurements: approx 7 in. x 51 in.

Row 1: ch 43

Row 2: dc 2nd ch from hook. *ch 1, skip next st, dc 1* repeat across

Row 3: ch 4 (this counts as first dc and ch). *dc 1, skip next st, ch 1* repeat across
(Basically, you are making a dc mesh, like in filet crochet)

Repeat rows 2 and 3 just row 3 (thanks emy!) until the scarf reaches about 51 inches long.

Now, there are many ways you can do the vertical weaving. I chose to make long chains, to keep the integrity of the gradient, but you could replace the chains with 2 or 3 stands of yarn. It is your choice whether you want fringe, but remember, this scarf uses most of the skein, so keep that decision until the end.

If you are weaving in chains here are some options:

• Chain one super long chain, and wind into a ball to use, cutting the length as you go
• Chain single lengths and make them as you need them
• Chain double lengths and weave both ends, so you have two less ends to weave in

Basically, take the chains or strands of yarn, and weave them in and out of the mesh boxes, lengthwise. Make sure to alternate the starting direction for each column. Secure the ends of the chains by making a knot, and weave in the loose ends of the chain back into itself.

This all sounds much more complicated than it actually is! Here are some more pictures. NOTE: These pictures are of the unblocked scarf! I will try to replace them with better quality ones when I get a chance.

Filed under Crochet, Free Patterns, Hats and Scarves, My Projects | Comments (15)

Where I wonder if I’ll ever feel warm again

Ripple, ripple, ripple, and so on

Well, my ripple blanket is coming along nicely! I know I’m pretty late to the game, but even if I started during the “ripple craze,” I still wouldn’t be finished by now:P I’m using the Soft Waves pattern by Jan Eaton, and it is definitely my favorite ripple pattern I’ve seen yet.

So far, my ripple is about 25% finished. I want it to be around 6 feet long, so I can cover my legs and feet, unlike some throws I have.

Ali just HAD to get in on the photo shoot… 

The colors are inspired from a vintage coaster set that my mom gave me when I moved into my first apartment (this one). When buying the yarn, I brought the coasters to the yarn store, and spent about 2 hours trying to find the perfect match   I’m using mostly Vanna’s Choice, but also Simply Soft. This blanket is so fun to make!

Brrraaaains?

I’ve never been a good blogger, and as free time becoming more sparse, my ‘internet time’ shrinks more and more. Sadly, my crafting time also shrinks:(

But, I have managed to whip up a few things, and even managed to make a few Christmas gifts in time!

I made a Brain Slug from Futurama! I sewed some hair clips to the bottom, so my brothers can wear them when they want to escape the drudgery of thinking. They each came with a mini bottle of ‘garlic’ shampoo, with a custom label.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of the brain slugs sucking the brains out of my brothers, since it lasted only a few seconds before they ran dry

I used this brain slug pattern.

Taking Pictures of your Hands is Incredibly Difficult

Pretty much exactly what the title says! I made some fun lacy fingerless gloves to keep my hands toasty while I type at work. I’m wearing them right now, and I have to say they are quite effective. I used this pattern and made them using the instructions to make them smaller. I guess I have incredibly small hands, because I had to remove two rows of shells! One from the palm area, and one after the thumb opening. I used the same Lion Brand Cashmere Blend yarn from my slouchy hat, and this stuff really is bliss to crochet with. It takes about one skein of the yarn, so this pattern is a great for a nice-but-pricey yarn!

One tip: don’t bother cutting the yarn after the wrist ribbing. Simple slip stitch one stitch over, and begin the shells from there. The seam is barely noticeable, and then you have four less ends to weave in.

It’s Official

I’m a crochet pattern “designer“. No, I would never consider myself a designer:P BUT, I did hook up my Ravelry account to my ‘patterns’, which is fun! Now I have to get around to finally posting that Owl I made so long ago!

Long Time No See

Crocheted Bone, originally uploaded by craftypants.

I’ve been terrible, and haven’t been crafting as much as I would want. Having a “real life” job takes some getting used to!

I did however make this wee crocheted doggie bone for my co-worker’s dog, Romeo. Here is the “recipe” since it is really just a teensy tiny modification of another pattern.

Crocheted Dog Bone
worsted weight yarn
F or G hook depending on yarn weight

1. Crochet Pepika’s 3D Heart, but stop at rnd 9
2. Continue crocheting in a spiral for about 10 rows
3. Crochet another 3D heart, also stopping at rnd 9
4. Stuff both pieces and sew together!

That’s it! Alternatively, you can crochet both halves for 5 rows after rnd 9, so the seam is in the middle. Your choice.

Romeo is a teeny timy dog, so he couldn’t chew through this thing. However, I would supervise larger dogs to ensure they can’t get to the polyfil inside.

Thanks to much to Pepika for posting the original heart pattern.

Here’s some in action pictures:

Stumpy the Swab Stasher

Remember Owly? Well, he now has a buddy that is adept at hiding cottony stuff too!

Along with my cotton puffs, I use cotton swabs quite often for makeup application. So of course, I had to make myself something to hold those, too. Who wants an icky cardboard/plastic box on your counter?

I made stumpy using Lionbrand Lionsuede, which has a great texture and gives a very sturdy result. The pattern is quite easy, so here it is, incase you’d like a stump to hide your cottony treasures in:

Stumpy the Swab Stasher

Yarn: Bulky (Lionbrand Lionsuede)
Hook size: G

Special stitch: Bpdc, Fpdc

Main Stump:

1: With light color: ch 4. In 1st chain (4th from hook) dc 15. Join with sl st. (this makes a circle).

2: With main color: Bpdc around each post of each dc [15]. Join with sl st.

3: Fpdc around each post of each dc [15]. Join with sl st.

4: repeat row 3 until the stump is the height you like. Mine was 7-8 rows. Finish.

Little Branch:

1: With light color: ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, sc 5.

2: With main color: sc in each st around until branch is the length you desire. Sew branch to stump

And that’s it! I’ll try and get the owl pattern up soon, but I want to experiment some more, possibly with felting, or using lion suede…

Whoooo Hid My Cotton Puffs?

What secret is he hiding, sitting there on the edge of the cabinet?

Why, he’s hiding my cotton pads! I was looking for those!

I diligently use a toner every night, and I have been keeping my cotton puffs/pads in their original bag, in the bathroom cabinet. The only problem with this is that the bag is oddly shaped, and it is a bit annoying having to repeatedly open and re-seal it every night and morning. So, I experimented and made myself a cotton pad holder. The yarn was way too soft and thin, so I had to starch him with white glue. I also crocheted some wire circles to the edges to keep him nice and round. I’m thinking I want to make another go at him, but with thicker yarn so that he wouldn’t need starching or wire. I also plan on making a matching stump Q-tip holder…

Cuppa Tea?

So I really failed at thing-a-day… I started strong, but with a weekend ski trip, and late nights till 10pm+, I really haven’t the gumption to be creative each day. Honestly, I’ve had to save all that creative energy for work lately. But, I did use day one to complete a project I had been meaning to get around to. I LOVE my tea, but I am in reduction mode, so I refuse to buy more than three or four types of tea, and I have to finish one before I can buy another. I had three ugly tea tins that I was re-using, so I decided to cover them in some beautiful Amy Butler paper.

The brown/blue one is black tea, the pink one is red tea, and the green flower one is green tea!

The penguin is my teaboy. I LOVE him! He automatically lifts my tea from the water when the timer goes off, so I never over-brew my tea again!