This lovely cowl is named after my friend Patty who I really have to give a lot of credit to.  She is pregnant (yea!) and she decided to learn to crochet so she could make her own special baby blanket! What better reason could there be to learn how to crochet? Anyway, she was doing a new stitch I had never tried and of course I had to figure out how it was done and what it would look like!  So I used this simple new stitch and made this cowl I named after her :-) 

​Enjoy!

Supplies:

• 2 skeins Charisma Loops and Thread yarn (109 yards, 3.5 oz.) Color is Bouquet.
• 9 mm crochet hook Susan Bates Bamboo handle Hook (affiliate link)
• Steel Yarn Needle (affiliate link)
• Small Scissors
• Three (3) 1.75" Carved Coconut Buttons from Amazon (affiliate link)​

Directions:

• Chain 19.
• Row 1: Skip first chain, and sc into the second one, dc in the next, then sc in the next repeating across the row.  You should end with a double crochet.
• Rows 2 - 55: Chain 1, turn and repeat row one, again starting with a sc and ending with a dc.
• Knot off and weave ends using yarn needle.
• Approximate finished dimensions are 9" wide by 32" long.
• Sew decorative buttons on through both ends as shown. The buttons do not work as they are for show only. The cowl is simply pulled over the head when worn.

Super simple!
Check out our two other FREE cowl patterns:
​(click the picture to go to pattern)

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Oh so simple! Love this circle vest. I will attempt to write out directions, but know that it really depends upon the stitch, the yarn used, and how much you increase each time around. The more you increase, the more of a 'bustle' you will end up with in the back.  

Supplies:

• Size 6.5 mm crochet hook
• 4 skeins of Loops & Threads Charisma Yarn in Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Color (3.5 oz. each)
• Yarn needle
• Small scissors

The Basic Pattern:

• Round 1: chain 8 and connect
• Rounds 2 through about 8 (depends upon yarn) so go to 13" diameter: crochet rows around, increasing to keep the circle as flat as possible for a basic vest. The more you increase the more 'bustle' it will  have at the end.  I did rows of one or more double crochet with one or more chains in between, single crochets, etc. I did it randomly for fun. You can do the same stitch all the time if you want. You will continue until the vest is approximately 13" in diameter.
• Round 9: the next round will be single crochet all the way around one time
• Round 10: You will add armholes now: Armholes should measure approximately 10-12 inches diameter. Single crochet 5 stitches and then chain 30, skip about 35 stitches (10-12 inches) and connect with single crochet. Continue single crochet for approximately 34 more stitches (should be about 12") and then chain 30, skip 35, and attach with single crochet. Continue single crocheting all the way around and connect.
• Rounds 10 - 16 or so (about 10" width): continue crocheting around increasing regularly to keep as flat as possible (remember too much increase makes a lot of "bustle" in the rear).  
• Rounds 16 - 20 or so: single crochet around until it is approximately 3 -4" wide.  
• Finishing: weave in all loose string ends. 
• You can add a chained string as a tie in the front or even a button, but I just like the way it hangs loose like in the pictures below :-)

I love this vest because it is so simple that I can work on it while watching television with my husband!

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Thank you to my good friend Vicki for sharing this wonderful idea with me!  
This cowl is super simple to make and looks great on! What a great winter accessory. I love wearing mine with simple matching long sleeve t-shirts from Amazon.
The buttons are carved from coconuts which makes it even better!
The yarn is Loops & Threads Charisma - a nice soft somewhat bulky yarn made for scarves.  It is also machine washable and dryable!

Supplies:

• ​4.5 mm crochet hook
• 2 skeins of Loops & Threads Charisma yarn - a nice bulky yarn that is machine wash and dribble!
• Yarn needle
• scissors
• Three 1.75" coconut carved buttons available on Amazon (see link at bottom of page)

Pattern:

• Chain 21
• Rows 1 - 42: single crochet in second chain from hook. Continue for a total of 20 across. Turn, chain 1, and repeat for a total of 42 rows (more or less depending upon how long  you want it).
• Finishing: At the end of the last row, single crochet 2 more times in the corner (total 3), then 42 sc down the side, two more (total 3) in the corner, then sc 19 more, then 2 more in the corner (total 3) then 41 down the final side (sides may vary depending upon how many rows long you made the cowl). Knot off and weave all loose ends.
• Add buttons - buttons are decoration only and are sewn through both ends of the cowl creating a loop that goes on over the head.

Super simple!

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This is a simple crochet cowl that can be completed in just an hour or two while watching television at night.  So quick and simple and so many compliments when worn!

This pattern is a great one for beginners because it only requires two stitches: chains and double crochet. New to crochet and need help? Check out the Crochet Guru on You Tube. She has video tutorials on just about every stitch you could ever want to know!

Supplies Needed for Simple Cowl:

• 9 mm crochet hook Susan Bates Bamboo handle Hook (affiliate link)
• 2 skeins Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn (color is Natures Way) (affiliate link)
• Lion Brand Steel Yarn Needle (affiliate link)
• Small Scissors
• Three (3) 1.75" Carved Coconut Buttons from Amazon (affiliate link)​

​Directions for Simple Cowl:

• Row 1: Chain 68
• Row 2: Double crochet in 4th chain from hook, and continue dc in each chain accross.
• Rows 3 - 9: chain 3, turn and dc across. 
• At end of 9th row, knot off and weave all loose ends.
• Fold over and sew on three buttons as shown in the picture. The buttons are just for show only and are sewn through both sides. And as you can see from the other cowls below, the buttons can go on either side. Your Choice! The cowl is simply placed over the head to wear.

Super simple!
Two more FREE cowl patterns coming soon:

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I simply had to have it. I couldn't find this size, and type, to-go cup anywhere else. All the 24 oz to-go cups I could find were more like thermoses with insulating properties, handles, and weird shapes and lids. I wanted a cup that is light weight, easy to clean, and was as close to being like the styrofoam cups with lids that I was so used to using for so many years. Yup, I am talking about the Dunkin Donuts 24 oz reusable to-go cup. To my knowledge they only offer it once a year and I knew I had to have it despite the fact that I am not fond of Dunkin' Donuts coffee. I simply wanted their cup so when they became available again, we went there with our coupon in hand and purchased it! It is  my absolute favorite to-go cup! I use it every morning on my way to work when I stop at the local gas station and fill it up for $1.25 - less than what Dunkin' Donuts would have charged me! 

The only problem with the mug was, well, it says Dunkin' Donuts on it. Of course I had to change it with a nifty little crochet cozy! It was super simple to make using some of my leftover yarn around the house.  

Supplies needed:

• 4.5 mm hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• About 5-6 ounces of any color yarn (I used Red Heart that I already had)
• About 1 ounce any other color yarn for top and bottom

Here is the basic pattern made with red heart yarn:

• Chain 30 and connect to make a loop (Bottom diameter measures approximately 3.75".)
• Single crochet in each stitch around, mark your start, and continue around and around with the single crochet. Every 3 rows increase by one (just do 2 single crochet in one stitch)
• Continue for approximately 37 rows (this will depend upon how tightly you crochet). You basically want it to about 7.5" inches high. You can try it on the cup as you go. You want the holder to fit very tightly because it will stretch out over time (top diameter measures approximately 6.0".).
• When it is the right height, knot off. Turn it inside out (the back side will show). I did this because I wanted a different look. If you prefer the other side, then use that instead!
• Using an alternate color slip knot to attach to the top and single crochet around as follows: do two regular single crochet in the next two stitches, then do one long single crochet (go down 2 rows and insert). Repeat pattern all the way around.
• Connect, chain one and single crochet around one more time. Knot off.
• Turn the holder around and do the exactly the same thing around the entire bottom of the holder.
• Use the needle to weave all loose ends. 

Super simple and I love it!

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These crochet hair bows are so simple to make and absolutely adorable! The finished bow is about 2.25" high by 4 inches wide. When the center was completed I wrapped in a scunci hair band! So simple!

Stitches used

• Chain (c)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Half Double Crochet (hdc)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Slip Stitch (ss)

Supplies:

• 4 ply cotton yarn
• 4.5 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Large 4mm scunci's

Directions:

• Chain 9, connect with slip stitch in 1st chain. Chain 8 and connect with slip stitch into the same original first chain so you have two loops.
• Row 1: All of the following go into the loop: *sc 4, hdc 2, dc 1, hdc 1, slip stitch, hdc 1, dc 1, hdc 2, sc 4, *Repeat same into second loop.
• Row 2: *sc 4, hdc 1, hdc 2 in next stitch, dc 2 in next stitch, hdc 2 in next stitch, ss to center of loop, hdc 2 in next stitch, dc 2 in next stitch, hdc 2 in next stitch, hdc 1, sc 4, *Repeat same around other side.
• Row 3 finishing: slip stitch in each stitch (22 times), ss to center, ss 22 times, ss 11 times, ss to center. Knot off, but leave the tail approximately 2.5' long.
• Finishing: place the scunci hair band at the back of the bow and wrap the yarn around and around leaving approximately 8".  When you have about 8" left, put the needle on the end and weave it around the opposite way on the back only. Knot off, weave in the ends, and knot off again to make it sturdy. Weave in any remaining ends.

Alterations:
Make it larger or smaller by using a different size crochet hook and thicker or thinner yarn. Have fun!

Thank you to Rebel Skein for the original pattern! I did make some changes on the second row so the hearts would be more 'full" but you can find the basic pattern I started from here: Crochet Hearts Hair Bow.
​​
Check out our Free plush hearts crochet pattern: 
Just click on the picture for the link below!

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Simple, light duty, rope trivet....so simple it literally took me about 10 minutes to make and it fits my sauce pot perfectly :-) 

Supplies:
6 mm hook
1 pkg. of 1/8" x 45', 20 lb cotton/poly rope.

Directions:
Crochet 5 chains and connect for center loop
Row 1: Single crochet 8 times into center and mark the last stitch
Row 2: Single crochet twice in each of 8 stitches around (total 16)
Row 3: Single crochet in next two stitches, then do two sc in next, then one, then two - repeat around
Row 4: Single crochet in next there, then two sc in next, repeating around until near the end of the rope. Finish off by doing a loop stitch and knotting off.

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So our Christmas went a little differently than planned for this year.  Unfortunately my mom fell leaving my house to go to my sister's on Christmas Day.  As she lay on the ground we weren't sure how bad it was or what to do.  It didn't take long however to realize that it was worse than we thought.  As we waited for the ambulance to arrive we slipped a mat under mom, covered her with blankets and put pillows under her head and leg.  I have to say that she maintained a great attitude the entire time!  Look, she is even smiling!

NOTE: Feel free to skip the post and scroll to the bottom for the FREE pattern!

After five (yes, 5) hours in the emergency room, several x-rays, and even a cast, mom returned home to share the news that she had broken her ankle and her lower leg...not the big bone in the lower leg, the smaller one (we found out later that she actually has three breaks!). But still, it's her leg! She was told surgery would be required within about a week.  And still, she continued to maintain a positive attitude! This is also where she shared that she wanted to go home for the surgery.  

Now, after just watching my mom struggle into my house on crutches I just knew this wasn't going to work.  She had also twisted her other ankle and could not put all her weight on it.  I just couldn't picure her using the crutches up in the Adirondacks on ice and snow!  But where on earth could I locate a wheelchair at 8:00 PM Christmas Day night?

I sent out a personal 'Wheelchair Needed' post on facebook and so many friends responded with ideas and even offers for wheelchairs.  See how social media can be beneficial? Anyway, the big problem was that mom and dad were leaving at 7 AM the next morning.  Mom, with her amazing positive attitude, was still following through with her original plans to visit my sister and her fiance in Riverhead, then take the Orient Ferry to New London and visit my Aunt Terri in New Hampshire! A broken leg and ankle was not going to stop my mom - go mom! But I needed to get her a wheelchair because the crutches were not happening.

Well, here's a FREE shoutout to the 24 hour CVS in West Islip and the young lady who answered the phone.  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  She was extremely patient with my distress and after putting me on hold several times, she finaly located a portable wheelchair that could be purchased.  My husband and I immediately drove there and it was absolutely perfect!

This small, foldable, portable wheelchair was a Godsend.  It's easy to fold and unfold, fits in any car, and simple to push around on any terrain. There were only a few small problems that, with my mom's independance and positive attitude, needed to be resolved.  

The first was the brakes.  They were difficult for mom to reach so my cousin Billy in New Hampshire cut a small PVC tube she uses to reach back, slip over the lever, and put the brakes on. We call this apparatus the "Billy Club" in honor of my cousin Billy who invented it (with my dad's help!). Once she had the Billy Club, now it needed to be transported around with her so I just 'crocheted' a small base and holder strap that allows it to be hung on the front of the chair. Easy access for mom to put it in and take it out. So simple!

The only other big problem was the 3 steps into my parents' house in the Adirondacks.  A ramp that folds sideways solved it. It's actually two pieces of a snowmobile ramp that my parents already had. We just affixed it to the porch and fold it open to get the wheelchair down or up it. Since it is for snowmobiles it has a slip 'proof' surface.  Perfect! All problems solved!

After all of that my mom jokingly said that she had seen a lot of wheelchairs where the women have little holders for their phones and things and I immediately said, "I can do that!" It took less than an hour to crochet up a perfect little tablet holder and sew it onto the arm of the chair. Of course it is permanent, but I was in a rush.  Feel free to alter this simple creation in any way!

Materials:

• 4.5 mm crochet hook
• 1.5  skeins of Sugar n' Cream 4 ply 100% cotton yarn
• Large needle
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Chain 28  (last 3 count as first stitch) - this will fit an 8" tablet on it's side perfectly. Adjust as needed for larger or smaller tablets.
• Row 1:  Double crochet in 4th stitch from hook and in each stitch accross
• Rows 2 - 17: Turn, chain three, dc in each stitch accross, repeat 16 more times (adjust as needed for thickness of wheelchair arm)
• Rows 18 & 19: Turn, chain 1, single crochet accross, repeat one more time
• Rows 19, 21, 23: Turn, chain 3, dc accross
• Row 20, 22, 24: Turn, chain 3, dc in next st, chain 1, skip 1 stitch, dc in next and repeat pattern accross (repeat rows 19 and 20 two more times each)
• Rows 25 & 26: Turn, chain 3, dc in each stitch accross, repeat one more time
• Border: Turn, chain 1, single crocet accross, do three stitches in corner and turn and single crochet down the side. At this point you can either finish off, or you can weave the yarn through the bottom to get to the other side.  Either way, you need to single crochet up the other side and end with an additional two stitches in the upper corner. 
• I then used the needle with some yarn and sewed the two sides together with an overhand stitch.  This creates the pocket that the tablet fits into sideways.
• Lastly, using the needle and thread, the top of the pocket was folded over the arm of the wheelchair and sewn to the back of the pocket in place. Wala! 

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I wish everyone a safe, happy, and healthy New Year in 2017!
​Sincerely,

Need a simple heartfelt last minute gift? Then this is perfect!  Want a nice throw for the holidays? Then this is perfect too!  The fleece blanket is sold by Rite Aid and is very reasonably priced.  And of course, if you are like me, you don't buy anything for the marked price....you wait until it is on sale! These fleece blankets were not only perfect to crochet a border on, but they were a great deal at 50% off!  

What makes them even better is the fact that they already came with a stitched edge that was so easy to just start crocheting into and around.

I simply crocheted a single crochet border around all sides, adding a few extra stitches at the corners.  This blanket was 2 single crochet rows of cream colored cotton, 2 single crochet rows of green cotton, 1 single crochet row of red, and finaly the last row was 1 single crochet, chain 5, skip 2 and single crochet again. The same pattern was repeated around.

So simple, and really so nice!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Check out our Christmas Stocking Post - they match the red throw I made for our couch above!
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As most of you know I recently turned 50 and my husband threw me a wonderful backyard pool party at  our house.  I already posted about the DIY Bubble Favors we gave out, so check that out if you get a chance.  Anyway, call me old fashioned, but I still believe in sending out thank you cards and of course, if you know anything about me by now, I can't just send out any card.  It has to be extra special!  And that is what todays blog post is about - the magnetic thank you's I recently made and sent out to everyone that celebrated my 50th birthday with me! 

Since nothing goes to waste in our house, I already had all the materials.  In fact, I had been waiting for a good reason to use some of them! The only thing I had to buy was stamps :-)

Supplies:

• Small round magnets (left over from an old 7th grade science lesson)
• 4" x 6" photo paper (You know - all that free stuff you get with printer ink!)
• 8.5" x 11" card stock paper (any color)
• 4 ply cotton yarn (any colors)
• Computer with Microsoft Word
• Color Printer
• Scissors
• Single hand held hole punch
• Size 7 crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Craft Glue
• Double sided foam mounting tape
• Black sharpie marker
• Invitation envelopes

How:

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