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I love to make yo-yo’s but I hate how long it takes to make them. I have made so many of them during my life. Then a while back I wanted to make a quilt top using the yo-yo’s as little flowers. My sister bought a Clover Yo-Yo maker. Using this Clover yo-yo maker tool is a huge difference maker. I was able to make about 50 yo-yo’s in no time at all. There are lots of other shapes also, like hearts, butterflies, flowers, besides the round ones.
I just put up a YouTube Video tutorial showing you how easy it is to use this tool. I hope you will enjoy it.
To purchase your own yo-yo makers here are the link:
These little Crochet Jewelry / Small Containers are so fun and easy to make. They are a great way to use up your yarn scraps. You can choose any type of yarn. Here I used some cotton yarn in shades of purple and lilac. You can make them larger by just using more cording. The method is still the same. Using silky yarn of nylon also works well. You can embellish your finished containers with flowers, buttons, etc.
Do you want a chance to win this little container? Simple become a member of this site and write a comment below. Winner for various items will be chosen twice a week.
You will need cord piping (about 80 inches), scarps of yarn, crochet hook/ H, sewing needle, Matching thread, clip or something to hold the end of the cord (safety pins work well) Fray cheek (optional).
I purchased my cord piping at Joanns but you can probably find them at any fabric or craft store. I used an H hook but you just need to use a hook that is appropriate with the type of yarn you are using.
Step 1: Gather supplies
Step 2: Cut 2 strips of cord piping about 40 inches each
Step 3: Single Crochet over the cording until entire length of cord piping is covered. Do this for both strips. I did the bottom piece a solid color and combined 2 colors for the lid.
Step 4. Cut off the white tip of the cord (you can add a little fray check).
Step 5: (For bottom piece) Row your strip in a circle and begin to sew the strips like you would a rug, like a coil. For the bottom piece you will row around 5 rounds.. then on the next rounds you step to lay the cording a little over the previous row to shape into a bowl as you continue stitching.
Step 6: Repeat as with bottom piece, except that now you will shape you bowl in the opposite shape. To shape the handle I fold the first couple inches of cording next to itself and then continue coiling it around and sewing.
Step 7: Sew in your tails. The collage below shows some of the steps. You can also view the video tutorial below for a is step-by-step tutorial.
Do you struggle with keeping the edges of your work straight? In this post i will show you how you can #Crochet straight edges/rows. Meaning, your stitch count will be consistent thru out your work. For example if your first row calls for 20 stitches and you need to repeat until you have 10 rows (or whatever number) Your first row and 10th row will all have the same number of stitches.
There are 2 ways that I usually use but I’m sure there are others. The first method (my preferred) is as follows:
After completing your required number of chains for your foundation row, I crochet the extra needed chains to turn my work. Usually for a dc I crochet 3 more chains and begin my first dc into the 4th chain from the hook. (See photo below). These 3 chains will count as the first stitch of the row in this case a dc. Then I will complete 1 dc in each chain across the row. Now to go up to my next row I will chain 3. These 3 chains will count as your first dc of row 2.
Now your first stitch of the row will be in the next stitch. (See photos below)
Now you will do 1 stitch (or whatever number called for in your pattern) across the row. Your last stitch for the row will go INTO the top of the 3rd ch. (see photo below.) To move up to your next row you will just chain which number is required for the following row.
For Method 2 we will begin our first dc stitch into the same stitch as when you chained 3. (It will look like an increase). Then you continue doing your dc (or whatever stitch) as called for in your pattern (see photos)
Now you will finish doing your stitches across your rows. The last stitch goes over the top of the previous rows dc post. You will NOT be working into the top of the 3rd chain since that stitch was completed in the beginning of the row.
Both methods will give you even stitch count. Any weird shape will be minimized when you add a border. This is a way that I keep my #Crochet Edges straight / even.
Crochet S’mores are so fun to make, look yummy and best of all have no calories. I enjoy making things just for fun and crochet food fits the bill for me. I wanted to make something that my granddaughter would like. I made her these Crochet Smores. They are easy and work up very quickly. I am sharing the written pattern along with a link to a free YouTube video if you are a visual learner or just prefer to watch a video tutorial. Enjoy!
This is a product review of Kristin Omdahl’s new book “Crochet So Lovely” and her yarn ” Be so Fine”
This past weekend I was so blessed to be able to attend Stitches West. I posted about it here. The experience was really great and the best part was all the people I got to meet. It was so nice to finally put a face to these people’s names. Oh sure, I had seen their videos, read their books etc., but finally meeting someone in person makes it real. One person who I have long admired is the fabulous Kristin Omdahl. If you haven’t heard of her she is a fantastic designer. She designs both knit and crochet items. I have purchased previous books and have really enjoyed making shawls (I made 3 so far) and so it was a real treat to meet her. Guess what? She is as nice and gracious in person. You see Kristin has always been my friend…. let me explain what I mean by that… She has been my friend in my head only, hahaha. I’m sure we all have those people we think if we met we would be friends. I’m so happy to report that yes, now I think we will be friends.
Anyway, back to the review. Kristin Omdahl had a booth at Stitches West 2015 held in Santa Clara, California. Her booth was so serene and lovely. What I really liked about her booth was that she had displayed finished garments to give you an idea of what could be made with the yarn. She sells her yarn which is 100% bamboo. It is spun, milled and hand dyed right here in the USA. She had the yarn organized in little bags. Either silver or gold bags. Depending on which bag you chose that yarn would be enough to complete the projects that were displayed above them. Silver would give you enough to complete shawls and other items and the gold bags had enough for smaller items such as cowls. The colors were so rich and luscious. The yarn is super soft. Kristin has personally selected each yarn color and type to ensure they meet her strict standards. I would totally recommend this yarn. I purchased the Amyethst. If you follow me on youtube and facebook you will know that my favorite colors is Purple (and shades of purple) and Pink (and shades of pink, including Magenta). I would have bought the bag just for the yarn but she also included along with the yarn a little package of “wrapture” which is her no rinse delicate wash. The fragrance is jasmine. With the purchase she also includes a pattern e-book which normally retails for $6.99. You can find instructions (and coupon) code for download on the back of the label. She also includes washing instructions on the label. To purchase yarn you can either go to her site styledbykristin.com (lots of other goodies available on the site) Click here for yarn purchase. She also has an etsy store Kristin’s Etsy store where she also sells the yarn and project bags. (P.S.- the project bags are made with fabric that has the drawings/art done by Kristin).
Not only was she selling her yarns,project bags and other goodies she also had her new book available for purchase. The title of the book is “Crochet so Lovely”. It retails for $24.99 which is a great value when you consider it contains instructions, diagrams and photos for 21 beautiful lace designs. That’s just a little over $1 per pattern. That’s a bargain. The book has very clear easy to understand written instructions along with diagrams and beautiful color photos. If you purchase thru her etsy store she will sign each copy and ship internationally. The book isn’t available in the UK yet thru amazon so this is a great way to order and get a signed book.
I highly recommend both the book and the yarn. This is quality stuff and I love to share with everyone when I find a good deal and good products. Please visit her sites and take a look at all of the goodies. I’m sure you are going to love them.
