Monday, March 30, 2015

Crochet iPhone (6 Plus) Bag

Recently, I crocheted a bag that allows me to carry my iPhone at work. Sadly, I'm still wearing my "bigger" clothes because losing the baby fat this 3rd time seems to be an uphill climb! I was pretty excited about how it came out (The blue one was a gift).


Fast forward to St. Patrick's Day (darn that day!) I went to pump at work and didn't bring my handy little bag. Without thinking, I put it in my back pocket (which I never do!) and went to the ladies room.... do you see where I'm heading with this? I'll get to the point. My phone fell into the toilet. I didn't even realize what had happened when it happened. In the split second, I decided to grab it (ewe, ewe, ewe!) Wrapped it in paper towel and washed my hands (and arms) THREE times. Scrubbing HARD. I wasn't able to turn it off. The screen started doing funny things. I went back to my desk (still upset) and put it in a bag of rice. I notice the phone was HOT. Yes, I had uncooked rice at my desk. I have a rice sock in my drawers ^_^ I waited a long 6 days and it didn't work. 

I tried to use my iPhone 4 but it was so slow and didn't work well. I decided to upgrade and get an iPhone 6. It was so hard deciding between the 6 or 6 Plus. I heard good and bad about the plus because of the larger size and small female hands etc. I had just purchased an iPad (you bet I crocheted a case for that too!) so it was hard for me to have to spend the money to buy a new phone.

After going back and forth and still annoyingly doing so at the store, I went with the iPhone 6 Plus. I've had it for less than a week but I like it so far. My old bag was larger than my iPhone 5 but not big enough for the new phone. So, I decided to make a new one. 

I LOVE the star stitch. I practiced it before and it was so cute. I looked for a video tutorial on YouTube and found this tutorial

I only used the tutorial to get started. I didn't complete it as she did. I think hers was for an older iPhone so instead of chaining 15, I chained 17 (I think). I finished off with single crochets on top. I didn't make the flap. I like to be able to slip it in and out without having to deal with a flap. I added a little button to hold the little strap. 



I know I should get better protection when buying a case but I was never into the bulky ones. Isn't this chevron case so cute though? I didn't know parts of it was clear when I ordered it but it's cute.


Monday, March 23, 2015

Crochet Baby Sandals

A month ago, my friend posted a picture of these adorable crochet sandals on my facebook. There's a free pattern so I made one in blue & cream since the original was grey and pink. I'm sure daddy will thank me when I'm not putting pink sandals on our baby boy! Ha!

The good thing about getting better at crocheting is that you can look at a photo and get an idea of how to make one.  If you know the basics, it's pretty hard to screw up (I still manage to screw up sometimes!). What I mean is it's easy to figure out the pattern if you know the basics. :) if you're interested in the pattern, you can find it here. If you're more of a visual person, she has a link to her video tutorial too.

Getting a photo of my son wearing the saddles was a challenge since he is nonstop kicking and flapping his arms. Haha. After many, many attempts (and getting kicked in the face) I gave up. Looking through the photos, I was able to use one of them. Yay!

I tried the sandals without the top blue straps but it didn't stay on so I added it and it was much better. I may double up on the soles next time to hold the shape better. I liked the soles I used for the Crochet Baby Flip Flops. I would probably make the back straps shorter too so it's more snug (1 or 2 less chains would be sufficient).

 


Crochet Baby Flip Flops

So I saw this really cute chubby crochet flip flop pattern and I wanted to make one! I love the idea of stitching two soles together. It creates the thick sole and it also holds its shape better. I was all excited because I'm getting better at reading patterns but for some reason, I wasn't getting the right number of stitches and I started to get really frustrated. I was determined to finish it so I just moved along and pretended like I knew what I was doing! Ha! It worked out anyway. 




Saturday, March 21, 2015

Crochet Teething Necklace


There's so many teething remedies out there and I feel like none of them has worked for my boys. Now that the 3rd baby is about to break his first set of teeth, I decided to try the teething necklace. I also made another wooden teether using scrap fabric. 

Since this will be in his mouth, I used cotton yarn.

Using a wooden ring, I created a slip knot and single crocheted around the ring and slip stitched to the beginning single crochet. 

I then single crochet around a smaller wooden ring.

Next, I chained as many chains as I needed to get the desired length of the "necklace".


I slip stitched back into the base of the larger ring.




Friday, March 13, 2015

Crochet Four Leaf Clover


I've been obsessed with crocheting things for my backdrop. I found a tutorial here for a 4 leaf clover. I made it using different hook sizes in 2 different colors.

Aren't they so cute?




Crochet Bow Tie


It's been so busy that I didn't have time to crochet matching hats for the boys for St, Patrick's Day photos. So I decided to make bow ties. I even got lazy and did not make the straps to go around their necks. I added a safety pin on the back to attach to their shirts. 


Materials
I used Red Heart Worsted Weight 

5 mm hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Safety pin

Stitches used
Double Crochet - dc
Single Crochet - sc
Chain - ch
Slip Stitch - sl

Round 1 - ch as long as you want  so that when you join, it's the length you want. sl into the first ch (careful not to twist chain)

Round 2 - ch 2, 1 dc in each stitch around (including the same ch where you ch 2). The ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch so the first one will look like there's 2 chains, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 

Round 3 - ch 2, 1 dc in each stitch around (including the same ch where you ch 2). The ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch so the first one will look like there's 2 chains, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 

Fasten Off. If you want your bow tie bigger (taller) Do more rounds.

Changing Colors. sc into each side and fasten off. Weave your yarn into your work.

Using the same color for the sc, wrap the middle squeezing it a little too. Tie at the back and add a safety pin. 

You may choose to add a strap to attach around the neck. Just chain the length you want it and do a half double crochet back into the 3rd stitch from the hook; continue all the way back to the beginning. Add a button to attach it.









Monday, March 9, 2015

Crochet iPad Air Cover


I decided for years if I wanted to buy an iPad. I have issues justifying spending that much for things I don't need. For some reason I have no problem buying little things (mostly junk) that adds up anyway! UGH! 

Anyway, it was really hard to decide between the iPad Air or the Mini. I love the size of the Mini but thought maybe I needed something bigger. So I purchased the iPad Air. I knew right away that I want to make a case for it since anything I order for it won't come in right away.

I used Chunky Yarn with a 9mm hook because I figured it would provide extra padding (and the project will be quicker to complete). It's pretty simple. I found the tutorial here

It's snug so if you want it snug, you'll have to measure your device while crocheting.



Thursday, March 5, 2015

Crochet Granny Hat with Flower


I love this hat because you can still wear it when it's a little warmer outside. I followed the video tutorial here. The hat is for 12 months - 3 years. My circumference ended up being 19 inches. It has a little bit of a stretch. Mine measured smaller than the tutorial. If you follow her, you'll know that her tension is very loose. 


The flower I added is the same pattern I've used on my other hats. The tutorial is found here. You can almost just google, pinterest or youtube it and you'll find endless tutorials.



Sunday, March 1, 2015

Crochet Bag



My sister's birthday is coming up and I made her a Crochet Slouch Hat. I decided to make a matching bag. She wanted plain things but I just had to add a strip of pink because I'm girly like that. Haha

NOTE: In the beginning of each round, the ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch. You will always start your first stitch in the same stitch as the ch 2.

Materials
I used Red Heart Worsted Weight 

6 mm hook
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

Stitches used
Double Crochet - dc
Single Crochet - sc
Chain - ch
Slip Stitch - sl

Round 1 - You have 2 options. I like to use the magic circle (option 2).  

Option 1 ch 4, sl into the first ch. This creates a circle.
Ch 2, then 12 dc into the middle of the circle, sl to join in the top of the beginning ch 2. 
Option 2 (what I did): Starting with a magic ring, Ch 2 & 12 dc into the ring. The ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2, pull tail to tighten (12 dc)

Round 2 - ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch around (including the same ch where you ch 2). The ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch so the first one will look like there's 3 chains, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2  (24 dc)

Round 3 - ch 2,  *1 dc in the first stitch, 2 dc in next stitch,* repeat from * around, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 (36 dc)

Round 4 - ch 2, *1 dc in the next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch* repeat from * around, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 (48 dc)

Round 5 - ch 2, *1 dc in the next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, repeat from * around, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 (60 dc)

Round 6 - ch 2, *1 dc in the next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch* repeat from * around, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 (72 dc)

Round 7 thru 11 - ch 2, 1 dc in each stitch around, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 (72 dc) 

I changed colors here. If you choose not to, you can continue the dc for another 3 rounds. So it will be from rounds 7-14.

Round 12 - ch 1, sc in each stitch around. sl into the top of the beginning ch 1 (72 sc)

Round 13 & 14 - ch 2, 1 dc in each stitch around, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 (72 dc)

Changing back to the first color

Round 15 - ch 1, sc in each stitch around. sl into the top of the beginning ch 1 (72 sc)
Round 16 - ch 2, 1 dc in each stitch around, sl into the top of the beginning ch 2 (72 dc)

Round 17 (starting the handles) - ch 1, 1 sc into the next 10 stitches, ch 16, skip 16 stitches and sc into the next stitch, 1 sc in the next 20 stitches, ch 16, skip 16 stitches and sc into the next stitch, 1 sc into the next 10 stitches, DO NOT SL in the beginning. You will work in a continuous round now. Place a stitch marker here. 

Round 18 thru 21 - 1 sc in each stitch around for 4 rounds (or however thick you want it). Move your stitch marker if needed at the end of each round. 


sl when you're done. Fasten off and weave yarn into your work.



Crochet Slouch Hat


Crochet Slouch Hat - Average adult size. Size can be adjusted slightly by using a smaller or larger hook.

NOTE: In the beginning of each round, the ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch. You will always start your first stitch in the same stitch as the ch 2.

Materials
I used Red Heart Worsted Weight 

6 mm hook
Tapestry Needle

Stitches 
Double Crochet - dc
Single Crochet - sc
Chain - ch
Slip Stitch - sl st

Round 1-  

Option 1 ch 4, sl st into the first ch. This creates a circle.
Ch 2, then 12 dc into the middle of the circle, sl st to join in the top of the beginning ch 2. 
Option 2 (what I did): Starting with a magic ring, Ch 2 & 12 dc into the ring. The ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 2 (12 dc)

Round 2 - ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch around (including the same ch where you ch 2). The ch 2 does not count as a dc stitch so the first one will look like there's 3 chains, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 2  (24 dc)

Round 3 - ch 2, *1 dc in the first stitch, 2 dc in next stitch,* repeat from * around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 2 (36 dc)

Round 4 - ch 2, *1 dc in the next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch* repeat from * around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 2 (48 dc)

Round 5 - ch 2, *1 dc in the next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, repeat from * around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 2 (60 dc)

Round 6 - ch 2, *1 dc in the next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch* repeat from * around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 2 (72 dc)

Round 7 thru 15 - ch 2, 1 dc in each stitch around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 2 (72 dc) 

Round 16 thru 25 - ch 1, sc in each stitch around. sl st into the top of the beginning ch 1 

NOTE: You may choose to go on a continuous round for the single crochets using a stitch marker to mark your start of each row.(72 sc)

sl st when you're done. 

Cut yarn and weave in ends with tapestry needle. Add buttons if you'd like. I used a coconut button on the brown hat.  


Add a button!

Crochet Lulu Pom Pom Scarf

Let's face it. Kids things are cute. They're miniature and the kiddos look good modeling anything! Anyone who knows me knows ...