FREE PATTERN: Bunny Ears Ring

A little something to wear on Easter!

Crocheted in a straight line then tied to prop up the ears, this is not only customizable for most finger sizes, but it can also be used as a decorative napkin ring or around the silverware on your holiday table! 

Materials:                                                                                                                                            

F Hook

Scrap Yarns, photo was made with Premiere Cotton Yarns found at Michael’s

Notes:                                                                                                                                                 

Worked in a single line then tied together, the shape of the ears is made at each end of the chain, then slip stitched around the entire perimeter to add support to the ears and keep them from being too floppy.

Pattern:                                                                                                                                    

Chain 50 – this can be modified to fit all sizes of fingers; the remaining pattern should remain the same.

Sc into second chain from hook. In the next 9 stitches: 2 hdc, 2 dc, tc, 2dc, hdc, sc.

Sc into the next 30 stitches then in the next 10 stitches: sc, hdc, 2dc, tc, 2dc, 2hdc, sc.

Ch 1, sl st in each stitch all the way around and back again.

Sl st to join, fasten off, weave in ends.

When finished tie around finger, I used a simple knot and played with the ears until I was happy with them. If they are not long enough for pleasing ears or are too floppy, the beginning chain should be modified.

*** The PDF for this pattern is available in my Ravelry Store for $1.00 USD. ***

Happy Easter! 

LINKS: Valentine's Day Prep

Nerdist: John Huges' Movies Playlist
I love movies. I love music.

I know I'm not alone when it comes to John Huges's movies either: Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller... etc. These movies weave in and out, all through my childhood and into my young adulthood and I will always LOVE them!

The Nerdist posted this play list today found here on their website.

How did they do?


50 Shades of ... 
I know there is sooo much hype about 50 Shades of Grey releasing this weekend. I for one, will NOT be attending, haven't read the book, don't really want to. I read the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy (now to be a quartet) by A.N. Roquelaure, aka Anne Rice way back when and was quite pleased.

The hype around this just makes it seem like 50 Shades is the Twilight Saga version of Sleeping Beauty. Maybe I'm wrong, but yeah, still not interested.

For those of you, like-minded, people out there, I have included a clip of "50 Shades of Buscemi" - staring Steve Buscemi! Enjoy!


Interested in Learning New Stitches?
I can't remember how long ago I discovered the Stitch-a-Day newsletter & website, however I have been signed up and receiving their daily editions for quite some time now.

Every day I receive a newsletter with a description for a new crochet stitch (they also offer knit stitches too for knitters & bi-stituals). They also offer a weekly log which has both knit & crochet stitches that will be featured during the week ahead.

Check it out here!


How to Have People to Kiss your A** on Valentine's Day & They Will Thank you! 
Distractify posted this article about how you can get a chocolate, crystal, or bronze molding of your anus. ... Yeah, I know, I said, "anus."

Can you imagine taking a box of your chocolate anuses to work? Handing them out to people you secretly despise? Watching the look of happiness on their face as they eat it! OMG, I would definitely not keep a straight face during that interaction!

Such a devious act - this should absolutely be on the "to do" list for those of you anti-Valentine's Day people out there!


FREE PATTERNS: Repeat Crafter Me 
I LOVE this lady! She has crock pot recipes, free patterns for craft & crochet. I don't know how she does it, but this lady is totally Amaze-balls! Sarah is a mom of 3 young kidlettes and she still has time to make it all look easy!

I have made quite a few of her patterns and they're not only completely adorable but quite easy and effortless to follow.

Please make a point to check out Repeat Crafter Me and all her wonderfulness!


** Have a great Valentine's Day this weekend, remember to have fun, but keep it safe! For Amazing Adam and I it is our first Family Weekend in a long time where he actually has the weekend off! We haven't decided what we'll be doing with the kids, but I'll make sure to post about it later!

Month in Review: January 2015!

Beginning this year, a goal I have set for myself is to of course, blog more! 

In order to do so, I've decided to post interesting links, mostly crochet or geek related, sometimes both. I hope you enjoy! If there is something you’d like to see in the future, please let me know in the comments below.

NEW PATTERN RELEASE!!!                                                                           (New Paid Pattern)  

I released my very first paid pattern just before Super Bowl Sunday this year! Links are posted under the picture below.

Amanda's Super Bowl Scarf

This pattern is available for $3.50 USD on both Ravelry and on Craftsy.

I am super excited about this one! One of my amazing cousins, Amanda, created a leaf pattern inspired by the Seattle Seahawks 2015 uniform… here’s a pic:

Yes, it is a butt, however we're supposed to be looking at the green stripe!

Since Amanda is super sweet, she gave me the graph to create my own pattern from!

I had never tried a pattern with a lot of color changes until I created this one, and you know what? It actually ended up being a lot of fun! It was quite intimidating at first but I've learned a lot from looking around on the interwebs investigating different techniques to improve my work and color changing is something I must have retained!

What I have been working on: (Please forgive the dark pictures, I’m surrounded by inadequate lighting for proper photography in my home)

Cubone                                                                                                                 (paid pattern)            

Pattern Link:    https://www.etsy.com/listing/154708735/cubone-amigurumi-pattern-pokemon-crochet

My eldest son, Riley, is really into Pokemon, so much so that it has infected the rest of my family! I’m up to my ears in what I have deemed “poke-lingo” it sounds so strange when you have NO IDEA what is going on let alone being talked about… and yes, it has taken Amazing Adam too. *le sigh*

Riley usually has his profile pic as one of Cubone; to which I found out has a seriously HORRIBLE back story:

Team Rocket (I remember some of them from the cartoon) killed his mother in front of him when he was just a baby and now in honor of her death or in order to exact revenge or something, he WEARS HER SKULL! What. The. Heck! This is for kids? Really???

Anyway, I had wanted to get Cubone done in time for Christmas, unfortunately I decided to NOT stress myself out this year (last year?) and do what I could, so I spent most of January still working on Secret Squirrel Projects! This was the first one – seems as if I’m always making things for his younger siblings, so I put Riley on the top of the list.

This little critter has so many stinkin' parts! I stuck to the pattern like glue too, I had to seriously! Apparently, I switched the back spikes, but it doesn't seem to matter, he LOVED it! I was a happy mama!

Squirtle!                                                                                                                 (paid pattern)           

Pattern Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/214644384/crochet-pattern-amigurumi-chubby?ref=related-0

Squirtle went to Aurora. After she saw that Riley got Cubone, she started dropping hints – like a typical Scorpio, trying to manipulate my will – that she wanted Pikachu; and like the Capricorn I am, gave her Squirtle!

Only modifications I made to the pattern were using 15 mm buttons instead of 15 mm safety eyes; which I would have had to make a special trip to the other side of town to purchase. Also, instead of 3 pipe cleaners in the tail to help hold the curl, I used 2 folded in half. Not only did it make it easier to crochet the end of the tail, but it made sure that sharp bits were definitely not going to poke out, as well as not ruining a pair of scissors cutting the ends off!

Assistance for selling projects & not underselling yourself!                                       Free Link       

I know a lot of people are always wondering what their craft items are worth if they were to start selling them. Well I found a link to a Craft Calculator – it seems as if it is also available in both the App Store and on Google Play as an app, making it completely convenient to use on your phones and tablets!

 Craft Calculator:                http://www.craftscalculator.com/

Faux Crochet Boots:                                                                                                        Free tutorial  

Not exactly a crochet item, but I LOVE the way these boots turned out! Created by Glamour 4 You, she turned a pair of boots into wearable crochet art, even out in the Washington weather, these would be adorable!

Faux Crochet Boot Tutorial:         http://www.glamour-4-you.com/blog/faux-crochet-outdoor-boots

FREE Dragon Scarf Pattern                                                                                           Free Pattern  

I love dragons, and I've been eye-balling some scarves around there, but this one is not only super cute, but it’s also free! Posted by Six Little Mice, this one is definitely on my To Do List!

Dragon Scarf Pattern:     http://sixlittlemice.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/dragon-scarf-pattern.html

Stitch I’m dying to learn: Crocodile Stitch                                                                   Free Pattern  

Saw this purse posted on Craft Passion and thought it would be a great way to learn how to make the oh-so versatile Crocodile Stitch. I’ve seen those scales on shawls, cowls, booties, slippers, scarves, blankets and so much more! Can’t wait to give this one a shot too!

Crocodile Stitch Drawstring Purse:   http://www.craftpassion.com/2013/08/crochet-drawstring-crocodile-stitch-purse.html/2

A pattern for those you love!                                                                                         Free Patterns  

One of my all-time favorite patterns has got to be the Circle of Love Afghan by Moogly. It’s a free pattern posted on her blog and it is gorgeous! I originally made it in colors she suggested (reminded me of the school colors for Washington State University), then because I did enjoy working the pattern I followed the original with a Seahawks colored afghan:

Circle of Love Afghan:            http://www.mooglyblog.com/circle-love-afghan/

There you go! Links of January is complete! Please let me know what you think. I’d also love to see if you complete any of the projects posted above!

Remember to visit my Facebook page and let me know you came by to visit!

New Years' Surprise!

Just a quick post to share with everyone that, thanks to all of you, my Supernatural Moonlight Infinity Scarf has been included in the TOP 100 PROJECTS OF 2014 according to FaveCrafts.com!

Here's a pic of their homepage showing my cowl:

See??? Look, right there, it's my project!

I have posted the links to the pattern on, and pinned the post at the top of, my G33k Squ33 Crochet Facebook page. If you do stop by please remember to Like my page and feel free to leave me a message!

Now, I haven't received an award or anything, but it's still unbelievably AMAZING! It honestly wouldn't have been possible without everyone downloading or saving a copy of that pattern, no matter how you found it.

So as my first blog of 2015, I want to say thank you. Thank you to all of you who visit and follow, and have liked my little blog here.

Continuing on this amazing feeling, I've bought myself a separate crochet calendar so not only can I keep track of my projects, plan ahead for holidays, but hopefully I'll be able to schedule pattern writing time and start a weekly? monthly? post of some of my favorite patterns I have squirreled away.

If you have any requests for types of patterns you'd like to see, please leave me a comment below. I always want to hear from you guys!

Thanks for visiting in 2014, don't forget G33k Squ33 in 2015!

Have a great New Year everyone!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!

Greetings!

I promise I have yet to fall of the edge of the earth! Just being extremely busy lately; including crocheting my butt off!

I started - and completed - the Circle of Love Afghan from Moogly (the link will take you to the free pattern). I love it! It was definitely a time suck for me as it took about a month of me working on it - sometimes only a row a night, but it is now beautiful. One thing I'd make sure you take note of if you're thinking of starting this project - make sure you use Red Heart With Love as suggested. I initially grabbed Red Heart Soft - similar colors - since my Michael's and Joanne's didn't have Red Heart With Love in the right colors, but way different in the project! The Red Heart With Love is great and makes the blanket really plush! I plan on making another one - with different colors. If you decide to make this afghan, I would love to see your finish products!

As I mentioned above, I bought the quantity of yarns in Red Heart Soft for the Circle of Love Afghan, to which I didn't have a project for them, until this last weekend. I got a new car!

1980 Plymouth Volare (aka: Veronica) - she has a slant-6 :)

What does this have to do with crocheting? Well, as with any other 34 year-old car, the upholstry is original, and slightly trashed, especially the driver seat part of the front bench. Then (tick... tick... tick... ding!) Inspiration! I'm going to yarn bomb it! The colors of Red Heart Soft are going to be great with the rest of the colors in the car - white, gray and 3 shades of red/red-ish. I've already made about 5 squares in various color sequences. It will take some time, as I'm considering not only large squares but smaller squares with some rectangles mixed in. I'll have more detailed pics later including the before and after shots.

In addition to all this, I've stopped taking my brain candy - saw some information from my pharmacy about how the meds I was taking could lead to excessive menstrual issues (just what you wanted to hear about on a crochet blog, right?) It hasn't been too bad, I'm fussier, but I can feel the mood swings coming so that I can warn everyone! I'm not sure if being off them is good or bad, I was starting to think the meds had hit a plateau anyway, so I'm absolutely easier to distract - especially if it is pretty yarn related stuff. Amazing Adam and I have even had syncronized snarky moments together! It was a pretty amazing moment! 

Have any of you used your crafting skills to bring new life into old items? if so, what was the item? I'd love to hear about it - and see pictures if any of you have them!

Remember you can always find me on Facebook feel free to stop by and drop me a note, I'd love to hear from you guys! 

Until next time, keep those hooks flying! 

FREE PATTERN: Supernatural Moonlight Infinity Scarf for "I Love Yarn Day!"

Happy I Love Yarn Day!

I know it has been a long time. And let me tell you, chaos reigns! There has been a lot going on – but then again, who’s life doesn't have chaos?  Over the last few weeks I've been in quarantine due to a nasty cold that has been kicking my butt (hopefully, I’m on the mend now). Plus a nasty of creative block; I’d start a few patterns then unravel everything I’d done in the day. It just wasn't grabbing my attention and it was all lacking passion and enthusiasm.

This last weekend I was again sequestered into the bedroom as to not contaminate the rest of the family I watched Supernatural Season 8! Oh, I had finished Seasons 1-7 a few months back and had been wanting to catch up on Season 8 as it was the current season, but my cable provider (you know who you are) sucks and wouldn't provide them in any helpful order. Imagine my thrill when I was notified by Netflix that it was now available on instant streaming! Heck, yes!

almost too much squee for one geek!

Thus I was inspired by a healthy (and much needed) 2-day session of Season 8; which was luckily prior to the premiere of Season 9 this week. Lately, I’d been trying to do something with a “granny square” stitch and I had been collecting sparkly yarns over the past few months, knowing that I’d find the perfect project someday. Well, that someday happened!

To not only celebrate the rampant geek squee that is Supernatural, but to also celebrate I Love Yarn Day, I present to you my new pattern:

worn the long direction - bad selfie, sorry!

in this pic i have folded it to double up as a cowl
another bad selfie!

Materials 

N Size Crochet Hook

Yarn:

     Loops & Threads Charisma – Black, Purple & White (5 Bulky)

     Loops & Threads Dewdrops – Amethyst & Diamond (6 Super Bulky)

Yarn Needle & Scissors for cutting & finishing off ends

Notes:

• Each round will finish with a slip stitch to the beginning cluster of the row.
• Beginning Cluster:- ch 2 + 2 dc in the same stitch (the ch 2 will count as a dc for the beginning cluster only)
• Pattern Cluster – 3 dc in same stitch
• Do NOT chain any stitches between clusters.
• It was my intention as I created this scarf that the clusters remain close, not too much space between as a more traditional cluster stitch may be, as I wanted this to be plush and cozy.
• As you’re working or even when you’re done, I found that tugging the stitches both vertically and horizontally across the rows & columns helped to seat the clusters between other clusters making sure they settled where they were supposed to.
• For changing colors I found it easiest to just tie off and cut the yarn mostly due to the number of colors in use and their mass to move around each other. It is your decision if you want to carry through or tie off.

Foundation: (Use your first color; see below for an outline of the color scheme I used.)

I found that there are two basic ideas to starting off a project. For this one, due to the amount of stitches required I preferred the beginning chain over the foundation row – here are both for you to decide:

• Beginning Chain - chain 131 stitches, sc in 2^nd stitch from hook, sc back to the beginning (130)
• Foundation Row - Foundation sc for 130 stitches; sl to join to 1^st stitch, careful not to twist the chain when you join to the beginning. (130) YouTube has videos on how to stitch the Foundation Single Crochet.

Supernatural Moonlight Color Scheme

Foundation              Charisma Black

Row 1                     Charisma Black

Row 2              Dewdrops Amethyst

Row 3              Dewdrops Diamond

Row 4                    Charisma Purple

Row 5                     Charisma White

Row 6                    Charisma Purple

Row 7              Dewdrops Diamond

Row 8              Dewdrops Amethyst

Row 9                     Charisma Black

Row 10 (sc)             Charisma Black

Pattern:

Row 1: (Black) ch 2, 2 dc in same st, skip 2 stitches, 3dc in next stitch. *skip 2 stitches, 3dc in next stitch* continue repeating from * to * until you reach the beginning cluster, sl st to join. Tie off & cut.

Row 2:-9: Repeat Row 1 – changing color with each new row, following the color scheme listed above or a color scheme of your own choosing. 

Row 10: (still using black) sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the beginning stitch, bind off.

Finish off any remaining loose ends.

That’s it. Super simple really, but I LOVE this scarf! I’ve got rave reviews about it from work and family. Have fun with this pattern, use colors that speak to you… I’m already thinking of what other color schemes I can come up with!

Feel free to sell the items made from this pattern, just please don’t replicate the pattern, if anyone wants the pattern for themselves, please direct them to my blog!

Also, if you find any errors or discrepancies, please let me know!

Hope you enjoy making your Supernatural Moonlight Infinity Scarf, I’d love to see your finished projects!

employee snapped what i hope is a better pic?

It had been my original plan to spend all day crocheting at Starbucks while the kids were in school. However because I've been ill and missed too much work and then the kids don't have school due to a teacher professional day. I'll be at work, but I'll be yarning in my heart!

Anyone do anything fun to celebrate?

Just Keep Swimming? Just Keep Swimming!

I must offer my most sincere apologies for my extended absence. It was never my intention to let posting lapse this long, but I’m sure I’m not the first blogger that this has happened to.

I have been quite busy with not only crocheting, but getting kids ready for school, keeping my head up at work, and finding time to keep my yarn moving on my hooks, all on top of increasing anxiety/depression issues. I don’t know what the deal is but sometimes it feels as if my golden chaos has barbs!

I have been spending a lot of time testing patterns for KT and the Squid and Cuddle Me Beanies (both can be found on Facebook). I love testing patterns, but as I've been testing, I find that keeping to the required timeline has become increasingly difficult. Therefore, I’m pledging to be more selective in the items/timelines I test. Testing patterns is a truly honorable thing to do and I find great joy in it, however living up to your end of the test is of utmost importance.

Other than that, I've finished a family of Seahawks football hats (pictures available on my Facebook page, hopefully), a few other hats as test patterns, including a skirt, and a few bags and owl cuddlies. I hope to post pictures in the near future.

Being that I’m backing off of testing patterns, I hope to dedicate more time to quality blog posts. Some ideas flowing through my brain are:

·         Posts detailing my personal opinion of very inspirational blogs or great access to patterns, some pay for and some for free

·         Posts of techniques that I find useful…

·         My experience with expanding my color acceptance… not everything has to be paired with black – I know shocking huh? J

·         Links to posts/patterns that I've used the in past and my personal opinions on their structure and finished product.

I’m in the process of becoming more organized (seriously, I have a pile of notebooks on my couch as I speak!) and am seriously trying to figure out this blogging thing!

I'd love to hear any comments or recommendations you have including your suggestions for links, designers to check out or ideas for blog posts!

Hidden Projects!

I have been remiss in posting ALL my little projects that I have crafted between other projects. This is my attempt to rectify that.

I have attempted to enter links to either the inspiration for or the pattern for the projects I have done. If you find that I have missed something, please let me know in the comments area after this post.

Cherry Blossom Necklace - Crochet Today Magazine, July/August 2011

Pattern by Crafster, Sandy Meeks

I saw this pattern featured on the Crochet Today Magazine website and loved it! I made it for a co-worker's birthday and now, my Mom wants one with a matching bracelet!

Not only was this pattern adorable, but it was easily completed in just a few hours, mostly after work during the week. Very easy to follow instructions that also allow for your own customization of the pieces. I loved it.


Cat Butt - Inspired by Crazy Socks Crochet

The feared One-Eyed Unicorn!!!

After seeing this idea on the blog for Crazy Socks Crochet, I couldn't get it out of my mind! It was too hilarious! So, after a few trial runs and a bit of unraveling this is what I ended up with. I made 5. One for each of my co-workers/employees and one for myself. This is defiantly one I'll end up making again!


Easter Bunnies! - Pattern by The Green Dragon Fly
I wanted to make something special for each of the kids this last Easter. It was already postponed for about 2 weeks because all the kids were with their other parents for the holiday & we waited for our Family Weekend.

When I saw the pattern for these adorable bunnies I figured that not only would it be adorable, but it would also give me a chance to use the pom-pom makers I received for Christmas!

Riley's bunny was based on a Star Wars idea I had. Riley normally wears a lot of black, but the red represented the Dark Side and the blue the Jedi side. Here's a front and back of his bunny:

Little bunny nose!

Cute red pom-pom tail!

Aurora's bunny I nicknamed "Neapolitan" because the colors of the yarn reminded me of the strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream! Which lead to reminding myself of the "Ziggy Piggy" ice cream scene from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, but that's another story!

Starting to show slight loving, it may get a twin !

Love how these colors worked together!

Then darling little Jacob, his bunny was "garbage truck" colors, greens and browns etc. I saw a quote somewhere along the interwebs this week that said "boy" was noise with dirt on it. That is totally Jacob. Here's the bunny he received:

 

Crooked ears, I stitched them on before he was stuffed.

Still loving the sunburst patterns on them.

Yes, these bunnies may get twins, mostly so they can have something from Amazing Adam and I at their other parent's houses. Just so they remember that we love them no matter where they may be. 

TEST PATTERN: Aviator Hat - Cuddle Me Beanies

This last weekend I took on my first TEST PATTERN!!! I volunteered my time to test the pattern to an Aviator Hat for Cuddle Me Beanies. I had about 48 hours to stitch up the pattern all the while looking for typos or anything that may help the potential customers follow the pattern easier. It was a lot of fun!

Jacob's birthday is this week and fortunately he has a large noggin, so I agreed to the Adult sizes and when I was done, I had both Amazing Adam and Jacob pose for pictures:

Instructed to give me his best "to infinity and beyond!" pose!

So excited to have his hat, he was practically VIBRATING!

I had a lot of fun with this pattern and found that I loved testing patterns! I just have to keep my eyes open on Facebook to see who else is wanting help!

There you go folks, my last few busy weeks in between other projects. I have finished Part 1 of Jacob's birthday presents, pictures and all, but I'm hoping to make another post of just those - after I finish Part 2... if only I knew what I was making next!

Please let me know what you think about these projects - I'm dying to hear any feedback you can give and thanks for reading!

17 Days, 2 Deliveries, a Cold & Tech Issues

Coming out the surviving end of a stupid cold, coughing and snotting for 4 days now is NOT my idea of fun, let alone is it conducive to crocheting! I spent 2 days in the throws of a NyQuil coma. 2 days wasted, thank you. Not fun at all. I blame the grimey little vermin called children bringing mysterious illnesses home. Sheesh! Love them, I do, but dang, is they only thing they share germs???

17 Days until the River Ridge Craft Fair ... I'm quickly running out of time! I've purchased nice soft hat yarns, haven't really started them though. But, I completed a single hat in general sizes from Newborn to Adult for people who may be interested in placing an order at the Craft Fair. That's a good idea I thought. I swear any orders I take will not be able to be delivered by Christmas due to the fact that I have family to craft for before then; then what do I do? Take an order for a cuddly cthulhu! I'm insane!

2 Deliveries ... Delivery #1: I ordered primary and secondary colors from Red Heart last week and received it on Saturday. Loved it! They're the brightest most awesome rainbow colors - I'm hoping to make a few rainbow scarves inspired by the one done on Crafty is Cool website. I have the main scarf done on the first one and one of 10 circles for the clouds done. MUST FIND MORE TIME!

Delivery #2: I received my order from Vista Print with my new business cards, vehicle magnet, banner for the display area at the Craft Fair (went with a non-holiday-y theme so I can keep using it) and a few other things. I'm so excited, I was beside myself waiting for the UPS guy to get here today.

I keep saying I'll post pictures as soon as I can - well I'm having tech issues with my beloved tablet. My original one decided to stop charging correctly so that when I took it in to BestBuy to figure out what was going on, they decided it was the prongs in the tablet - not the charger. Poop! They confiscated my tablet and ordered me a brand spanking new one. I'm in to it for about a week and a half now, getting my games back up and running -ish and now there's issues with this one where the screen scrambles and makes a horrible noise. *Sigh*

Rather than continuing using this tablet and risking the loss of updated information, I'm wanting to wait until I can take the pictures and make sure they're not lost. Now I'm planning on heading back to BestBuy to take care of this issue - again. Don't get me wrong, they've treated me really well over there; I was able to prorate another Geek Squad warranty for the new tablet, the new tablet was free because I followed through with the warranty registration. Hopefully, I'll be able to get this screen issue fixed without losing my baby again for a week.

FREE PATTERN: Cup Cozy & Coaster Set

Materials:
Yarn of choice, I prefer Sugar & Cream 100% cotton yarn because it is absorbent and easy to clean.
I Crochet Hook
Stitch Markers

ABBREVIATIONS
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
st - stitch
sc - single crochet stitch
dc - double crochet stitch

COASTER (both loops throughout)
1. Ch 4 sc, insert hook into the 1st st, sl st together to form a loop (you can also use a magic circle instead of chaining four together).
2. Ch 2 (do not count this st), crochet 16 dc into the loop, sl st into the 1st st to close the round. (16)
3. Ch 2 (do not count this st), crochet 2 dc into the same st you joined the round in, then in each dc from the first round, sl st to the 1st st to close the round. (32)
4. Ch 2 (do not count this st), crochet 1 dc into the same st you joined the round in, 2 dc in the next st, *1dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st* until you reach the beginning of the round, sl st to the 1st st to close the round. (48)
5. Ch 1 (do not count this st), sc in each dc from the previous round, sl st to close the round.
6. Tie off and hide your ends!

COZY (both loops throughout)
1. Rows 1 & 2: Chain 11, sc in each st, ch 1, turn
2. Rows 3 - 30: sc in each st, ch 1, turn.
3. At the end of Row 30, turn the rectangle sideways so the long side is towards your left hand, you're now going to sc along the edge. Ch 1, then start in the 10th st of Row 30, push the hook through both loops & pull the yarn over the end, pulling it over the side. Sc 29 more sts along the long side of the rectangle until you reach st 1 of Row 1, completing the sc.
4. Ch 1, slip hook into the first st of Row 1, pull the tail over the hook, then push the hook into the 10th st of Row 30, yarn over into a sc. Continue joining Row 30 to Row 1 with sc until you reach stitch 10 of Row 1. If you keep pulling the tail into your stitches at this point, it will line it up better to finish off your ends later.
5. Ch 1, now finish off the other end of the sleeve with 30 sc st (do not join any further or it will seal off the sleeve making a pocket). Once you reach the end of the last long side, sl st to the 1st st of the row.
6. Tie off, finish off your ends. I usually turn the sleeve wrong side out, pull the last tail through to the back and using the back of the joining stitches pull the tails under the joining stitches midway and tie off in the middle. Turn it right side out.

I love this pattern, and cannot for the life of me remember where I found the ideas for it. I learned circles from a crochet book from the 70's that my mom gave me a few years back. Another benefit to this pattern is that it is endlessly customisable. Use different yarns, change colors on rounds/rows or on the last round of single crochet on the coaster or joining the cozy, I've even used fun fur yarns on the edging on both the cozy and coaster.

I Love Yarn Day!!!

I found out about I Love Yarn Day a few weeks ago through a craft blog that had this link posted for their website: I Love Yarn Day.

I was excited to see that they had October 12th planned for this year's events. It seems that there are a lot of events going on all throughout the interwebs and various locations. Super cool!

So, this year, now that I have this blog, I've decided that instead of just one day, I'm going to celebrate all weekend - goodness knows I can use the time dedicated to my preparation for December's craft fair!

That is why I plan to post my first free pattern on this blog over the weekend! Now, just to get it from my head to the screen in a way that will make sense to everyone.

Wish me luck and stay tuned!