Creating A Simpler Life Blog

MAKING A BIRCH BARK BASKET CENTERPIECE

1/23/2019

PART 1 OF 2
DESIGNING THE TEMPLATE
Part 2 - Making the Basket - is down below!

This is only my second basket to date, but I am really happy with the results!

I learned how to make these baskets by watching videos and visiting blogs but they were all pretty complicated, but I like things to be as simple as possible! So, basically I just took some of the simplest parts from everything I saw (and I honestly have no clue where I saw anything) and read (or where I might have read it) and designed my own process to create my own original baskets! And it's simple as can be!

I even designed the templates for all my baskets myself and they can be downloaded for FREE by clicking the button below. It is a pdf file and you will get the templates for three baskets shown here (Large oval, Medium oval, and small round):

PDF BIRCH BARK BASKETS TEMPLATE

Check out my video to see how I designed the template so simply!

WATCH THIS VIDEO BELOW TO SEE HOW WE HARVESTED THE BARK WITHOUT HARMING THE TREE AND HOW I MADE MY FIRST BASKET EVER!

Thanks for visiting :-)
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Sincerely,

1 Comment

CROCHET ADIRONDACK WINTER HAT

1/6/2019

12 Comments

FREE PATTERN!

This hat is super soft and warm....especially on those cold Adirondack winter days!
Beginner Level Pattern!
Finish in under an hour!
Easily modified for larger or smaller ADULT sizes OR more or less slouch!
Machine wash and dry with a removable pom pom!
VIDEO TUTORIAL & WRITTEN DIRECTIONS!
NOTE: directions for leather tags will be coming soon!

Supplies Needed for hat without Leather Tag (affiliate Links)

Bernat Blanket Yarn in Vintage White (makes 2) https://amzn.to/2VwJABi
9 mm crochet hook https://amzn.to/2SFbgBV
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Genuine Raccoon Fur Pom Pom 5" 2 pcs with snaps https://amzn.to/2Astu2A
Waxed Thread (optional) https://amzn.to/2LQbSlT
Leather Tag/Label (check out our video here)

Stitches Used:

Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Single Crochet Back Loop Only (scblo)

Video Tutorial (written directions below):

It is strongly suggested that you watch the full video and/or read the full directions before beginning!
(video for children's size hat below!)
Please reach out if you have any questions. I am here to help! Thank you so much for your support :-)

Directions:

Chain 25 (chain 23 for less slouch, or 27 for more slouch) (leave a 4-5" tail)
Row 1 - Turn work and single crochet 24 across
Row 2 - Turn work, ch 1, scblo 24 (back loops only - see video below)
Rows 3 to 28 - Repeat Row 2 (adjust the number of rows by 2 for larger or smaller adult head size but you must end with an EVEN number of rows).
When you finish your last row, cut a 2 foot long tail and pull it through your last loop to create a knot.

Thread the end of the 2 foot tail onto your yarn needle and holding the two sides together, overhand stitch the two sides together so that you end where your beginning 4-5" tail was.
Tie the two ends together in a knot. DO NOT CUT ANYTHING YET
Once again using the long tail with the yarn needle, you will now cinch the top of the hat closed by using a very long overhand stitch every other row around and pulling it tightly closed. You may still have a small opening in the center when you are done that you can do an "X" stitch across to close. Then pull the both the long and short tail inside the top of the hot and tie into a knot together.

Now you can either use the yarn needle to weave the ends into the inside of the hat and then clip them off, or you can use the long tail to sew on the snap for the pom pom. I use waxed cotton thread to sew the snap on, however the yarn would most likely work too.