Last minute blanket for Connor

Hubby has been working an unordinary amount of hours the last few days in preparation for baby Connor. This has left me with less than great amounts of energy for nesting, but plenty of time. So I have decided to put some of this stagnant energy and discomfort into a productive project.

I am making Connor a granny square blanket! The colors I chose remind me so much off my beloved ocean! I decided that because it is likely to get dirty, and any number of random bodily substances on it (it is a baby blanket, after all...) That I'd use the traditional "grannys choice" blanket yarn. Red heart super saver. I am using frosty green, light blue, and buff for the squares main colors, and boardering them in a multi tone called aspen print. So far, we are at almost 2/3 of the squares being done. Just 6 more in blue, and another 18 in buff. I'll post photos and process updates when I get more finished...

Many new items in my Etsy Shop!

I have added a great many things to my etsy store! Please go check them out! I'll post a few photos here, but to see the rest, you'll need to go visit!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheOwlsNestBoutique

 

IceCream! (Pattern)

I think these pregnancy cravings are very largely the power of suggestion. I am not an ice cream fan under normal circumstances, but I have been making ice cream cone rattles for Saturday Market, and I have been craving ice cream like there is no tomorrow...

Here is the culprit!

Pattern is improvised, and very popular!

Edit: 3-21-12

So popular, in fact, that I have written up the pattern.

This piece is made in 2 parts which are then single crocheted together. It is created using amigurumi basics, and is crochet in a spiral, so don't connect your rows.

Any yarn will do, just use 1 hooks size down from recommended for a tight material that won't leak the stuffing.

Cone: (bottom up)
Row 1
Option 1: 6sc into magic loop (link goes to "crochet me" tutorial) (6)
Option 2: ch2, 6sc into 2nd chain from hook (you will need to sew this gap closed in the end.) (6)

Row 2: sc in each of the next 6 sc (note: place marker in last st of this row)(6)

Row 3: 2 sc in each sc to marker, move marker (12)

Row 4-5: sc in each stitch to marker, move marker (12)

Row 6: *2sc in next sc, 1 sc in next* to marker, move marker (18)

Row 7-8: Sc in each sc to marker, move marker (18)

Row 9: *2sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc* to marker, move marker (24)

Row 10-11: sc in each stitch to marker, move marker (24)

Repeat this process of increasing every 3rd row until you have 36 sc around, complete 2 more rounds of sc in every sc to marker, sl st in next, pull through, cut tail at approx. 3 inches.

Scoop:
Complete rows 1,3, 6, 9, etc until you reach 36 sc around. sc in each sc for 5-6 rounds (until it look the right size of scoop for you)

Note: if you want sprinkles or swirls, this is the time to do it.

Have stuffing and rattle insert (jingle bell) ready to go.

Finishing:
Insert hook through next stitch in scoop, AND through any stitch in cone, sc these together, repeat around, try to pick up and tuck in the strands from cone tail. when you are approx half way around, fill with stuffing and bell, then finish sc'ing around.

Embellish with scallops or picots to show dripping, or leave plain to look clean. tie off and weave in end.

Enjoy!

Less fattening than actual icecream!





 

Invasion!

Crochet monsters!

Crochet Aliens!

They're INVADING!

But at least they are cute!

 

cupcakes!

Do you ever get tired of simple patterns, that costs you an arm and a leg?

Thats how I feel about the popular cupcake and owl patterns. how can you charge for something so simple? The argument is that you put thought into it, and people are not interested in putting their own brain to the task of working the pattern out. They are willing to pay for the convenience of having this pattern written out for them to use.

I honestly just want to spread the joy of knitting and crochet to the masses.

This is crocheted with two tones of Caron Simply Soft, and an I hook. You can use any yarn you want, and any hook that coordinates with it.

This is a newborn- 6 months, but you can also size it however you want, just keep expanding the pattern, until it's the size you want it.

Special stitches:

double puff: yo, insert hook in next stitch, pull loop through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo insert hook in same stitch, yo, pull loop through, yo, pull through 2 loop son hook, yo, pull through all loops on hook, you have just made 1 puff.... sounds complicated, I promise, it isnt.

Alternative: just use regular dbl, as you would normally start a hat.

Scallop: 6dbl in 2nd st from hook, *skip 1 st, sc in next, skip 1 st, 6 dbl in next stitch* to end

Additional Materials:
about 36-50 small beads, if your yarn is too thick for your beads, you will need to find coordinating or matching thread.

This hat is made in two parts, the "cake" and the Frosting.

Cake:
Foundation: Chain 11
Row 1, hdb in back loop of 3rd chain from hook, hdb in back loop only across, chain 1
Row 2: repeat row 1 until piece measures the circumference of the head of the person you are crocheting for. Note: if this is for an older child or an adult, increase your beginning chain, the cake section should be about half the distance from the forehead edge tot he crown of the head.

When you make this long enough, sc the edges together, making sure there are no twists in the "cake" section, the part that has the ridge from the sc will be put inside.

To ease connecting the 2 pieces later, sc around edge as evenly as you can, you only need to do this on 1 edge.

Frosting:

You will either a) string the beads onto the yarn, don't cut the yarn or tie it off, just leave it on the skein, and string the beads straight onto it, or b) if the yarn is too thick, string your beads onto the thread, you will crochet the thread along with the yarn for the desired sprinkles effect. Just move the beads up to the hook as desired... confused? look up any video on youtube for "crocheting with beads"

Foundation/ Round 1: Chain 2, create 1 puff in 2nd chain from hook, chain 1, create a 2nd puff, chain 1, until you have 6 puffs, chain 1, connect to top of the start chain with a sl st.

Round 2: sl to 1st ch 1 space, chain 1, *create 1 puff, chain 1, create 2nd puff in same ch sp, chain 1* repeat between *-* to end, connect to top of start with sl st.

Round 3:  sl to next ch 1 sp. Ch 1, *create 1st puff, chain 1 create 2nd puff in same ch sp, ch 1, create 1 puff in next ch sp, ch 1* around, connect to top of start chain with sl st.

you will continue this pattern, doing 1 puff, ch 1 in each single puff from the previous row, and 2 puffs with a ch between and after them in the "v stitch" sections from the row behind. This will cause the piece to expand outward in a hexagon, stop this increase when your top is as close tot eh circumference of your base "cake", from here, you will omit the increase stitches.

Creating height: sl to next ch sp, ch 1, create puff in same stitch, ch 1, *create puff, ch 1* to end
Repeat this row until it is the same distance from row 4 to the edge as the base "cake" is from top to bottom.

Putting them together:
Lay the "cake" inside the "frosting" the seam should be against the inside of the frosting and the sc'ed edge should be against the last row of "frosting".

Using the same yarn as you used for the frosting part, sc around the 2 pieces, making sure to pick up the stitch from both pieces, this will attach them to each other, and give you a base for the scallops. when you get to the end, slip to first stitch, do not ch 1.

Scallop around edge, fasten off, weave in ends.

Note: to save time, crochet ends from "cake" by tucking it inside the stitches connecting the two pieces., then you only have 1 end to weave in in the end.

Finishing: Add a large red bead or sew a red pom pom on top for the cherry.

If this was confusing, let me know in the comments, I'll try to explain it better, or put up pictures, or something.

Ravel it... http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/with-a-cherry-on-top


 

Winter begins and I miss the Flowers!

There is this wonderful trend that has been getting stronger every winter in my area, those lovely headbands that keep your ears warm and cozy, and are super cute to boot! Every pattern I have found that made me happy, but none of them were the "right" one... so I designed my own, and I worked up several and tried to sell them at the market I mentioned in my last post. The one thing I couldn't get right was the flower...this one was too flat, that one takes too long to make, the next one is look large and poofy, it's unstable on the headband... so I finally figured it out... I'll make my own pattern.

Chain 25, dbl in 4th from hook (counts as dbl and ch 1) chain 1, dbl in next chain, chain 1 repeat to end. chain 1 turn,

dbl in ch space, chain 1 2 dbl in same chain space, v made, *2dbl, ch 1, 2 dbl* in next ch space. repeat to end.

chain 1, 3 dbl in chain sp, ch 1, 3dbl in same space (petal made), *3dbl, ch1, 3dbl* in next chain space, and in each across. chain 1, fasten off, leaving about 10-12 in tail.

Use tail to weave in and out of base chain. your flower should curl up, pull tail tight, and use to tack the spiral in place how you like it, start the curl super tight int he middle, and loosen the flow as you work to the outside. tie off once you have it steady how you want it. Stitch this to your hat, headband, purse, or blanket. Or glue it to a hair clip for interchangability on your hairstyle or hats and such.

Pattern is untested, let me know if you are confused, or I made a mistake.

Wristwarmers and Earwarmers

Pattern is up! Need to sell this one, sorry I can't give it away for free, but I gotta pay my bills somehow.

Check it out! And help a Poor College kid pay for her Ramen!

Etsy:http://www.etsy.com/listing/85124977/pattern-crochet-pattern-for-earwarmer
Ravelry:http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/perfect-fit-earwarmer-and-wristies

 

Patterns and etsy!

I am working on putting together some PDF patterns to put up on etsy! I am a full time college student, and need to make some money for the holidays! Keep an eye out!
 

Every knitter has a story

I started reading a book today, called The Knitting Circle,  by Ann Hood. I like a book that makes me think, and within the first 3 chapters (that's as far as I have gotten) I was asking myself a wonderful, deep thinking question.

What is it that makes each knitter, or crocheter, pick up the needles, or hooks, and yarn?

Every fiber worker has her, or his, story.

A grandmother spends lazy afternoons teaching a young child to knit, and they lost that Grandmother was laid to rest a few year later, they remember their Gran by knitting.

A mother of two picked up the craft when she was pregnant as a way to unwind, or a woman picks it up as a distraction, while trying to quit drinking, smoking or drugs... it busies their hands.

I picked it up because my sister had brain cancer. I learned to loom knit, and I told my sister that I would knit her a "real knit" hat, "like in the movies"...I promised to teach myself after Thanksgiving 2009. She passed away October 23, 2009. I kept my promise, and taught myself to knit that fall. I made hats and donated them to the children's ward at the local hospital, knitting until my fingers blistered and callused.

I picked up crochet because my Grandmother did it. I always loved the blankets and pillows in awful 70's colors with cheap acrylic yarn that she used to snuggle me up in. After Grandpa passed, she moved in with her daughter, and I never heard or saw her again.

She passed away a week ago. And while she didn't get to see me grow up, and I hadn't talk to her in years, I found myself picking up the hook, and just working each stitch and thinking of her voice as she taught me the stitches.

"Like building blocks in your life, the chain you create here will be the foundation of your project!"

What's your story?
 

Don't Panic: It's Midterms Week!

While I have been working my but off to get a few posts done.. I have not gotten very far!

I am busy studying for midterms! But, that doesnt mean my crafting is ont he back burner, I gotta give myself a break every once-in-a-while... So I have designed a pattern for some ear-warmers head bands and some wrist warmers... look for those in the next few days... in the meantime.. back to business seminar and accounting!
 

Mascot

As this blog is called Gnomes at my homework, I think it's high time to get myself a GNOME! Now, I know that to most people, gnomes are a thing of fairyland, and imagination... and while that might be true for you, must it be true for all people? I think gnomes deserve to go on adventures with people, big people adventures!

He or she could have gone on a wonderful 5.5 mile bike ride today with me, and sat in an outdoor shopping mall for a while!

I will be making a gnome army! I will gift one whenever I can, and I will travel with the 1st one, as leader of my gnome army! I do not have him home yet, but I will post pics when i finish him, or her!

I am doing the leader in a great and fashionable outfit of green and brown! Using Impeccable yarn, by Loops and Threads!

The colorway looks like this:

 

Sabrina Gloves!

Got a custom order today, decided to write a pattern!

Well, more of a recipe...I do those a lot!

Here it is: the Sabrina Fingerless Gloves

Sabrina Glove

This is a very simple, easy, nearly-mindless crochet project. Very little counting, and several rows of repetition.

Start with your favorite yarn, make sure that it is comfortable against the inside of your wrists. Chain until you feel it is long enough from the webbing of your fingers (if you are going to add the individual finger holes) to wherever you want it on your forearm, or from about the first knuckle of your fingers to wherever you want it on your forearm...

I chained 35. It should be an uneven number.

hdc in the 2nd chain from hook, (this first chain counts as your first hdc, now and throughout) *skip a chain, 2 hdc in the next* to end (I messed up on my start chain, I chained 34, should have chained 35.. if you do this, don't worry, you can fudge it, just do 2 hdc in the last oddball chain.) chain 1 turn

repeat last row, until you get to the length you want it before your thumb

OR

Keep going until it wraps around your wrist comfortably. we can create the thumb hole when we stitch it up.

If you have chosen the 1st option, you will 2hdc until you reach where you want your thumb hole, and you will chain 6 and then 2hdc where you would normally 2hdc, continue to end with pattern. chain 1, turn

on the way back, continue pattern, and when you reach the thumb hole chains, do your normal pattern into the 2nd, 4th, and 6th chains. then continue onto the normal location for your hdc's. to end.

continue in pattern until you reach your desired length to go around the wrist.

here you have 2 choices as well.
1) you can whip stitch the gloves up the side, if you have chosen to do your thumb now, then leave out about an inch unstitched and then continue the stitching when you get to the end of your thumb hole.

2) you can single crochet or slip stitch the edges together. if you are doing a thumb in this step, leave about an inch open for your thumb.

if you are doing fingers, sc around the edge closest to your thumb hole. I did 2 rounds before I started my fingers.

This might get confusing, and I am trying my best to explain it, so I am sorry if it's hard to understand.

count how many stitches around the edge. You will divide this number by 10. Then you will take that number and figure that the fingers will be two of that number in the middle, and 3 on the outside edges. sc around to the thumb edge, then sc #, sc across the opening into the corresponding sc. sc # stitch across to coresponding sc, making 4 finger holes total.

Stripe Pattern here: 4 blue, 1 purple

When you get all 4 holes finished, begin sc around 1 finger hole, in each stitch, until you get the length you want, then slst in next stitch, leave about 3 in tail, and cut off. you will weave this tail in later.

Attach your yarn to the next finger hole, and repeat the finger hole process.

weave in ends.

Now, here is the fun part, embellish how you want. Ribbon. Buttons. Beads. Or, leave it plain...

NOTE: If you chose to do stripes, as I have, make sure to a)crochet over your ends to avoid needing to weave in later, or b) weave in VERY well when you are done, Your hands get a lot of beatings, so make sure your ends wont fall out and unravel your hard work!

For an extra finishing touch, you could do a few rows around the back edge in an accenting color. Just make sure that you do not crochet it too tight to fit over your forearm.

 

Hometown Proud, but hometown cold.

Last year, at the time of the census, in my hometown, 24.5% of the population was under 18, of that, 10.5% of all of the population was living UNDER poverty levels. If you figure that is a population of 71,892 People, that is 17,614 children, and 1850 of those children are living under Poverty..... I think we should see what we can do to help these children.

I have asked my friends and family to knit, crochet, sew, or purchase as many kids hats as they can, to donate to the Family Access network in our area.. I can only hope to make their lives a little bit warmer!
 

Burning Man Hammocks, A Wedding, and My stash busting project

Yesterday, I want to a wedding. The coolest wedding EVER! It was full of street performers, and great music, and lots of alcohol (I don't drink beer, but hubby was happy) and homemade chicken burritos, and a variety show and live bands, and lots of fun stuff.

One of the coolest things, for the time before and after (it was a 4 day campout) was a gazebo set up that was constructed entirely of wood, no bolts, screws, nails, or metal reinforcements... It was well engineered, and the cross bars and frame was held together with 2 in wide 10 in long wooden pegs, driven into the frame pieces. From it was strung 10 hammocks, and a swinging chair. I fell in love with one style of hammock, and I wanted to get myself one. I have been researching buying or making and mounting a hammock in our new house... BTW, we are moving.. again.

I found the style of hammock that I used all afternoon yesterday (Mexican or Mayan)... and realized I do not want to pay that much for one, so I have decided to take their design, and create my own... wish me luck.. I will post pics and pattern when I am done.

Here is where it all comes together. The Gazebo set up is the bride and groom's own burning man camp setup. The groom designed it for the Burning Man event in particular. I fell in love with the hammocks, and decided to make my own using the acrylic and cotton stash I need to use up. See, it all works out!

So far, I have decided on a design concept, and am figuring out how to make it work.. I feel 550 paracord will be involved... and perhaps climbing style carabeners for mounting in my garage, or on my new back porch...


 

Mission Stashbust!

So, summer term is almost over, I have the worst sunburn of the season, and I have made the commitment to participate in a holiday show in November. Lots going on.

Here is my plan!

I have a large plastic tote of yarn, 3/4 of it is cheap acrylic that is uncomfy to wear. So I making it into purses, and Christmas stockings.. at least... thats the plan.

After my last final...

And I'll post pics as we go!
 

Tundra: a pattern

I posted about Tundra, Caramel, and Woodland hats.

I promised a pattern for each of those hats... and so here they are!

I will post 1 pattern each day until I have them all up.

Tundra:

Round 1: ch 3 (counts as base, and first dbl) 11 dbl in 3rd chain from hook, slip into top of start chain.
Round 2: chain 2 (counts as first dbl) dbl in base of chain 2, 2 dbl in each stitch around, slip to top of first stitch.
Round 3: chain 2, dbl in base of chain. *dbl in next stitch, 2 dbl in next* to end, slip to top of start chain
Round 4: chain 2, dbl in base of chain, *dbl in next 2 stitches, 2 dbl in next* to end, slip to top of start chain
Round 5-8: repeat previous round, EXCEPT, add another dbl between each 2 dbl for each row.
Round 9-10: chain 2, dbl in each stitch around, slip to top of begin ch.
Round 11: (decrease rounds) ch 2, *dbl in each of the first 6, dbl2tog* to end.
Round 12 - ?: repeat round 11, decreasing the number of stitches between the dbl2tog
Round ?-?: Building your brim, details below

The hat pictured above has a simple, 2 in dbl brim. For this, you dbl in each remaining stitch, sl st to top of chain, dbl around, fasten off, weave in ends.

There is also the option of a more stable brim, from the end of your dec round, you will sc in each stitch around, NOT connecting the end of the row, but continuing the spiral.

OR you can do a sturdy Tunisian style brim, this give stability and fashion. and offers a better base for extras such as buttons or ribbon.

You will finish your decrease round, and sl st to first ch.
chain 4 (5), then start your Tunisian.
insert hook in first loop, yo and pull loop through (2 loops on hook)
insert hook in next loop, yo and pull loop through (3 loops on hook)
insert hook in next loop , yo and pull loop through (4 loops on hook)
If you only chained 4, follow this, if you chained 5, do the last step 1 more time, then move on to this.
insert hook in first stitch of hat base, yo and pull loop through.
yo, pull through 2 loops, yo pull through 2, until only 1 loop remains.
repeat this process using the "bars" you will see forming on the front of the work to build into. This stitch will cause a mild curl to form, but when you are finished, you will not be able to tell.

Do this last step until you reach the last stitch before the hat brim began, fasten off, and cut leaving about 10-12 inch of yarn left. use this to sew up the 2 edges, and add some accent to hide this seam if you'd like.

This pattern can easily be made for a small head, by following the pattern, but only going to to 5 or 6 rounds before starting decreases.

If there is anything that I need to clear up, message me on Ravelry or leave a comment!

Want to track your progress?

Ravelry: Tundra Tam

Also, when in need of a photo prop to hold the hat... and there is no willing child or roommates, I can always rely on my hubby's Nalgene to stand perfectly still.
 

HATS HATS HATS HATS! And a Hair clip or 20!

I have been a hat making maniac the last few days... I took a look around the WWW, and didnt find ANYTHING I liked. So what's a girl to do?

MAKE HER OWN PATTERN!

This is what I came up with:

This is Tundra, crocheted with Lion Brand Tweed Stripes... a super soft, super warm 100% acrylic striped tweed... (go figure read the name) I bought it at Wal-mart for 3.95 a ball or so.

This is Caramel, same details as above, but in the Caramel colorway (discontinued)

This is Woodland, same details as above, slightly different pattern (not by much) and this yarn is also a discontinued colorway.

That's what I have for now, however, I will post the patterns over the next week or so.

I have another pattern all together on the hook now. Still need to try to knit this yarn, just to see how it looks that way.

Tomorrow, you'll see my hairclip madness. I have 4 shops in the local area who want to consign my hair clips, so I am crocheting them up like a crazy woman! I'll have a pattern for the clips, and a tut for the boards I have backed them with in just a day or two.