This year I needed to add to our Christmas Stockings. We have had the same ones now for about 10 years, but I needed to add a new person this year (my daughters boyfriend). The problem is I actually have a fireplace that they get hung by every year so I want them to look really nice. I am picky and those basic red and white faux fur stockings just don't cut it for me. My first inclination was to find the same ones I already had. Of course it didn't take long to realize that they don't make them anymore. I really shouldn't have been surprised....so then I thought maybe something similar? And again it didn't take long to realize that was also not happening. Nothing was similar enough...the one 'new' stocking would stand out like a sore thumb (I am picky!). What to do, what to do..... Finally I decided I would have to start from scratch and buy all new stockings. OK, no biggie. I must be able to find something I like......that is until I saw the prices! What I actually liked started at about $12.99 each! Multiply that by the seven (Yes 7!) and well, you get the picture. This was definitely NOT happening! What now? Well, the only idea left to me: make them myself! This turned out to be the best idea because every stocking is different, yet they all match just enough to look great hanging on the mantle! I can also make more over the years as our family continues to grow! Best of all, I can take pride in my accomplishment as I sit on the couch and admire them as they hang by my fireplace this year and every year to come :-) To make all seven took about 15 hours (that included a lot of breaks!). It also required a few skills: sewing (by hand or machine), crocheting, and using the computer to create iron on transfers. Check out our video how to or see the written instructions below :-) Supplies:
Directions: The first thing I did was create a stocking template. I did this by tracing a stocking I already had onto an opened paper grocery bag. I added a quarter inch extra around the outside for sewing and cut it out. The finished stockings are approximately 17" long (top to bottom), the foot is 10" wide, and the top is about 7" wide.
Here is a quick slideshow of the seven different crochet tops I made. Note that you can make the tops any way you want and in any colors or combinations of colors!
Below is a FREE .docx file that you can download, copy, paste, and change as needed depending upon the name (or names) you want to make. JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST PRINT IT BACKWARDS. Heres how I Printed Backwards: On my macbook pro I was able to do this in the printer settings by going to "print", then under "copies and pages" choosing "layout" and then checking the box "flip horizontally." Print a test page first! Most printers have this option not matter what computer you are using. Note that some of them call it a mirror image instead :-) Thank you for visiting! Please like and follow us on Facebook :-) Also check out our DIY Christmas Ideas Board on Pinterest!
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Simple, simple, simple! Takes about an hour to make and is a gentle alternative for washing your back in the shower. Get rid of those awkward, rough, moldy brushes and give this 100% cotton, washable back scrubber a try! Supplies Needed:
Directions: This pattern uses the Front Loop Single Crochet Stitch.
Make handles:
Roll it up, and add a label to make it into a nice gift! Print out the pdf printable label by clicking the button below :-) Thank you for visiting!
Simple to make and cleans the dishes surprisingly well! They are also reusable because they can be washed over and over again! No more nasty, smelly, scrubby sponges! Pair it up with our 100% Cotton Reusable Dishcloth Pattern! They are made with a special yarn by Red Heart called Scrubby Yarn (affiliate link). The yarn was $3.99 on Amazon, but the shipping was $3.95! I consider that outrageous so went in search of it all over the internet and locally. I could not find it anywhere. If a store sold it, it was out of stock. If I found it online, the shipping was just as bad. After all the searching, I ended up just paying the ridiculous shipping charges on Amazon because I couldn't find what I wanted anywhere else for a better price. NOTE: Mary Maxim makes a 'scrub it' yarn, however it is $6.19 with free shipping and, in my opinion, NOT as good as the scrubby yarn by Red Heart which actually states on the label that it is great for dishcloths! Bottom line, price was ridiculous, but the yarn works wonderfully! HOWEVER - note that I found the yarn difficult and annoying to work with at first...after a little practice I learned to crochet a little looser so that working with it was easier. Hope that hint helps you! Make the Center: Chain 3 and create loop by connecting with slip stitch. Chain 1 and do 10 single crochets into center of loop and continue around in a spiral increasing the stitches every time around so that it lays flat (example: do two sc in one stitch every 1 stitch around, then do 2 sc every two stitches, etc.). Continue around in a spiral until it is approximately the size that you want (3-4 inches across). When it is big enough, connect to the last stitch using a slip stitch instead of a sc and then end with a slip knot. Don't know how to crochet a flat circle? Check out instructions on How to Make a Flat Circe at Pink Mambo. Optional Borders: Plain Single Crochet: Simply attach the color of your choice and do 1 or 2 rows of single crochet stitches around (adding stitches as needed to keep it flat). Scalloped Flower Look: Row 1: Do one single crochet in each stitch around keeping it loose. Slip stitch to connect. Row 2: Chain 1 and do one sc. Skip one stitch and do 5 double crochets in the next stitch. Skip a stitch and do a single crochet, skip a stitch and do 5 double crochets in the next, skip a stitch, and do a sc. Repeat all the way around and slip stitch connect and knot it at the end. If the numbers don't work out perfectly, just supplement as needed (skip two instead of one) etc. REMEMBER, it is just a dish scrubby and will be scrubbing old food off your dishes soon! It doesn't need to be a work of art! Reverse Single Crochet: This is really a cool look! This is also the first time I had ever tried it. All you do is crochet from left to right instead of right to left. Practice a little before you do it on the piece you are trying to finish! Here is the video I used to learn the stitch....
Check out our other FREE CROCHET PATTERNS or follow Crochet Only or Crochet for the Kids boards on Pinterest... Thank you for visiting!
Have you ever accidentally grabbed the wrong cord and tried to shove it in the port only to realize it's the wrong one? What about the kids or your spouse....have you or they ever argued over whose cord or charger it is? This is very annoying, especially when you know it is yours!I recently solved these problems by simply crocheting all the wires, cords and cables that go to all my personal electronic devices around the house. Now nobody can tell me they're not mine! Here are SIX GREAT reasons why crocheting your wires is a good idea:
Heres one that's not on the list: It's a great way to use up all those small scraps of yarn left after other projects! How To Crochet Your Wires: Most wires take between 5 and 10 minutes to crochet. It is so quick and easy that I covered two wires as stocking stuffers in the 13 minutes it took to hard boil my eggs for the week! Simply start with a loop and single crochet from one end to the other. Crochet right around the hanging end! If you switch colors, use a square knot to connect and simply crochet around the hanging ends as you go (see pictures below). When you are done just use a yarn needle to weave in the last remaining thread. Snip off any extra thread pieces hanging out and you are done! It's that simple! What wires can be crocheted?
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Here is the FREE Pattern I promised! Inspired by the famous Cookie Monster, this adorable 100% cotton lovey blanket is sure to please any little boy or girl! Many of you already know, but for anyone new, please note that I have poor pattern writing skills....for some reason it just never clicked with me. For this reason I supplement with links to video tutorials that can be watched on tube. However, note that the stitches are all pretty basic and if you have crochet skills you should be fine. Please remember to feel free to contact me with any questions!
Make the Head: (I strongly suggest reading all the directions first and then watching the video tutorial if this is your first time making a ball shape).
Make the Mouth:
Make the Eyes:
Make the Arms:
Make the Blanket: This is a basic granny square blanket with16 rows and 3 rows of single crochet around the edge. If my directions are confusing, check out this granny square video tutorial. It is slightly different, but comes out exactly the same! The final blanket is 20" x 20".
Finish the lovey blanket by weaving in all loose ends! Check out the FREE pattern for our Little Lamb Lovey Blanket too! Just click on the picture below to go to the post... Check out the our other FREE crochet patterns here! Also check out the many crochet project patterns on our Pinterest Boards Crochet ONLY and Crochet for the Kids! Thank you for visiting. Please like and follow us :-)
This 100% cotton laptop case is a quick and easy project that is not only useful, but makes a great gift as well! It's also a great way to use up all those small leftover scrap lengths of yarn! Supplies Needed:
You need to measure your laptop case and determine how many base chain stitches you need. Note that the case will, and should, fit tightly so that it is not easily able to slide or fall out!
To Make the 13 x 9 Inch Laptop Case:
Create The Handle:
Finish by using the yarn needle to weave all loose ends into the work. Create the Strap/Button Closure (If desired):
Thank you for visiting! Please like and follow us... Check out our other FREE Crochet Patterns here Check out more crochet and craft ideas to make for children on our Pinterest DIY FOR THE KIDS AND GRANDKIDS
What child wouldn't fall in love with this adorable 100% cotton Little Lamb Lovey Blanket? Whether it becomes their favorite sleepy time toy, or their security blanket, it is sure to be loved by whoever the special child is! Supplies Needed:
Make the Head: (I strongly suggest reading all the directions first and then watching the video tutorial below if this is your first time making a ball shape). Round 1: Start with a magic circle with 5 single crochets. Round 2: Single crochet two stitches around in each of the 5 original single crochet stitches. (at this point you should basically have a circle). Place a marker at your last stitch. Round 3: Do one single crochet in the first stitch, then two in the next, then one in the next, and then 2. Complete the pattern around. Round 4: Do one single crochet in the next two stitches, then two single crochets in the third, then one sc in each of the next two, then 2 sc in the next one. Repeat pattern around until you come to the marker. Round 5: 3 sc, then two sc in one, 3 sc, then two sc in one (repeat around to marker) Rounds 6 - 8: Basically with each round, you will increase the the number of single crochets in each stitch by one, then do two in one stitch, then repeat the same number of sc again. You can continue the pattern by adding rounds and increasing the sc by one each time until the bottom of the head is the size that you want. Rows 9 & 10: single crochet in each stitch around without increasing. Rows 11 - 18: Start decreasing by one for each round. Before you finish be sure to fill it with stuffing. NOTE: I did not close the ball at the bottom - I left an opening about 3/4" in diameter (you can see this in the picture below). Watch this excellent video tutorial to see exactly how to make the ball for the head. She shows how to increase and how to decrease. But remember not to close it up completely when done! Make the Face: Cut two 24" lengths of black yarn. Using one 24 " piece, crochet 6 chains and end off. Be sure to leave a long piece on each end of the chain. This is what you will use to attach it to the face and create the lashes and mouth. Using the yarn needle and one of the long ends, sew the first chain on in a curved eye shape. Then do 4 stitches for lashes. Do the same with the other eye and then using the remaining hanging yarn stitch the nose with two 'v' shape stitches, and the mouth with one vertical and two horizontal stitches. Knot off inside the head and tuck in all loose threads. Crochet the Ears: Row 1:chain 3 and connect into circle. Crochet 5 single crochet around and connect with slip stitch. Row 2: do two single crochets in each stitch around (you could place a marker here if necessary) Rows 3 - 14: do one single crochet in each stitch around. Finish with a slip knot but cut the remaining string at least 12 inches long. Thread the hanging string onto a yarn needle, flatten out the ear and sew the bottom closed. Pull in a little tight to create a small pucker. Keep the remaining string hanging to use to sew it onto the head later. NOTE: Ears get flattened. They DO NOT get stuffed. Create the second ear the same way! Crochet the Arms: Repeat the same pattern as the ears up to row 10. Finish with a slip knot and cut the hanging string so there is approximately 12 inches attached to the arm. At this point stuff the arm with stuffing. Using a yarn needle, thread the hanging yarn and sew around the end of the arm. Pull it taught so that the end of the arm is closed. keep the remaining string hanging. Make s second arm. Connect Ears and Arms to Head: Use the yarn needle with the hanging string to connect the ears and arms to the head. When finished, knot and hide ends inside the head. Crochet the Blanket: In the picture you see I made the blanket 30" x 30". This is the correct size for a baby blanket. However, as adorable as it is, it came out quite heavy. So heavy that it almost feels like the head of the lamb will pull off. Since the purpose is more of a toy than a blanket, I have decided that from now on I will be making the blanket smaller by at least 5" in all directions. I may even change the stitch of the blanket to a simpler pattern that requires less yarn so that it is not so heavy for a small child to carry and drag (literally!) around. The stitch is a cross over double crochet. If you don't fully understand how to do it (I know I am not good at writing directions) then watch I strongly urge you to view the video below.
30" x 30" blanket: Chain 100. Row 1: single crochet into second loop from hook. Sc into each stitch to end (99 stitches). Turn work. Row 2: chain 2, yarn over and double crochet in second stitch from hook (so skip first one). Yarn over and double crochet backwards into the stitch you skipped. Yarn over, skip stitch and double crochet into next stitch. Yarn over, and double crochet backwards into the stitch you missed. Continue this crossed double crochet to end of row. You should end the row with one last double crochet with no backstitch. Turn work (99 stitches total). Row 3 - 70: Repeat rows 1 and 2. After last row, turn work. Border: Row 1: Do one single crochet in each stitch across. Do 3 single crochet in the corner stitch. Turn and continue around the entire outside using single crochet stitches (always with three in the corners). Slip to connect to first stitch. You should end in one of the corners. Row 2: Do one single crochet into the center stitch of the corner. chain 4, skip 2 stitches and single crochet into the 3rd. Chain 4, skip 2, sc into the third stitch. Do to end of row. It should work out so that you are doing a single crochet in the center stitch of each corner group. Complete this around the entire outside of the blanket. Slip stitch connect and knot off. NOTE: To make the blanket smaller I will make it 80 chains by around 60 rows. Finishing: weave all hanging threads. Connect the Head: Use matching yarn to sew the head to the center of the blanket using the yarn needle. Be sure to go around several times so that it is secure. Knot and weave in hanging threads. All done! Thank you for visiting! Please like and follow on Facebook! Check out more crochet and craft ideas to make for children on our Pinterest DIY FOR THE KIDS AND GRANDKIDS!
You know all those annoying little pieces of soap? Well they will no longer annoy you with this handy little soap pocket! From a full bar of soap to small leftover pieces, you can soap up with this 100% cotton, environmentally friendly soap pocket. Use it to wash yourself clean in the shower or bath and wash and dry as needed by hand or on the delicate cycle! Fill it with a bar of soap, add a label and it makes a really nice gift! Free printable label below :-) Supplies Needed
Directions (P.S. I am not very good at writing directions for crocheting so please feel free to contact me with any questions!)
Make it into a gift! Use the FREE printable label below. Download the pdf file, print out on 8.5' x 11' paper, cut out on the outside of the dotted line, wrap it around a soap filled pocket and tape to hold! It's that simple! Just click on the example below or the button to download the FREE pdf file! It prints seven labels per page.
Thank you for visiting! Check our our CROCHET ONLY Pinterest page for more great ideas! Don't forget to follow and like us :-)
No more nasty plastic bath poufs! Spoil your body with this 100% cotton pouf to use in the shower or bath and wash it as needed! Simple to make and worth every penny because not only is it good for you, but it's environmentally friendly too! This pattern was changed out of the desire to use only one skein of 2.5 oz. Lily Sugar'n Cream yarn per pouf. The original pattern is from Daisy Cottage Designs. The pouf can be washed and dried on the delicate cycle. Supplies:
Directions:
Finishing: Use the yarn needle to weave all loose ends. Presentation: Make it look professional by adding a handmade label! The label below is a pdf file that you can download for FREE - no strings attached! Just click on the example picture below or the button to download. Designed for 8.5" x 11" paper. I used KRAFT Brown Bag Paper from Amazon (affiliate link). Print the labels out (16 to a page) and cut between the dotted lines. Cut them in half and then fold the longer end around the handle and tape in place. Thank you so much for visiting! Please remember to like and follow us! Check out our Pinterest board "CROCHET ONLY!" for more great ideas!
Save and reuse your plastic grocery bags in an organized and neat way with this quick and easy crochet project! FREE directions and printable label included! Supplies needed to make the two color Plastic Bag Holder:
Crochet the bottom: In second color, connect to bottom using slip stitch. Row 1: chain 2 and double crochet in the bottom of each chain around. Slip stitch to top of first double crochet. Row 2: Scallop Trim: double crochet 5 times into second stitch from hook. Skip one stitch and connect with slip stitch in second stitch from where you did six double crochets. Skip a stitch and double crochet 6 times into the second stitch from hook again. Continue pattern (slip, skip, 5 doubles, skip, repeat from slip) all the way around and finish with a slip stitch where you started. Finishing: Weave all hanging yarn ends using the yarn needle. Cut a piece of elastic the same width as the bag holder (about 4"). Put a safety pin in each end of the elastic. Weave the elastic in and out through the double crochet stitches around the bottom. Bring both elastic ends to the inside of the holder and sew together using the needle and thread. Presentation: If you want to give these as gifts you can print out the free printable label below. A handmade gift is really from the heart :-) The picture above shows the plastic bag holder folded up nicely and paired with a set of reusable/washable crochet dishcloths. Find the pattern and free dishcloth printable for the Dishcloths Here! Print the label by clicking on either the picture or the button below. It's a pdf file designed for 8.5" x 11" paper. I printed mine on KRAFT Brown Bag Paper from Amazon (affiliate link). Print the labels out (5 to a sheet) and cut between the dotted lines! FREE PRINTABLE LABEL!
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Hi there! I'm Kathie, the author behind Creating A Simpler Life blog. I'm excited to share our longterm projects (and planning) toward building our future retirement homestead in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. In the meantime I will be sharing all the other little things we do that are part of creating our simpler life!
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