Crochet Bauble Ornament Patterns

Crochet ornaments are the rave. Make them in any color combination or solid using crochet cotton or DK weight yarn like Stylecraft. I just made one in red, green, and white. It is hanging by our Christmas tree.  I love that they are quick to make, fun, a really special keepsake, protects glass ornaments with favorite colors.  I don't think I could ever get tired of crocheting ornaments. 

Just use your favorite crochet hook, I used my G size Clover hook and my yarn. 

Here are some patterns that you might find useful: 


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1. Crochet Christmas Bauble through Craftsy (paid pattern)

2. Little Bits of Christmas Crochet Thread patterns through Leisure Arts

3.

 4. Granny Square Christmas 

Hope you find these useful! 

~ Fabi

    

Sunny Sky Star Stitch Crochet Coaster

This rainy Sunday afternoon I got to sit on my new bed and crochet the afternoon away. It was blissful! My husband was doing some reading on the couch and my children were napping. It was just me, my hook, and yarn.  

I chose Sugar and Creme's Hot Blue color and contrasted with their Sunshine color.  The names of these colors just resonate summer to me. :-) Just like my Summer Breeze dishcloths, this coaster screams summer, sunshine, pool time, and clear skies. 

Once I took the yarn out, I started with the typical slip knot and made a quick chain. I was going to need a quick project, one that I could complete during that Sunday's nap time because *I just needed to crochet. Period.* Ever have those times?

Finally I decided to make something using the Star Stich (Punto Estrella). It creates creates such cute bumps that make this stitch look intrinsic when in reality,  it's really not complicated. :-) 

To make this coaster, I used the following materials:

Lily Sugar n Cream cotton yarn - or your choice of cotton yarn. 

Crochet hook H (Clover hooks are my favorite!)

Abbreviations:

Check: What do the abbreviations mean?

Instructions: 

For this pattern, I changed colors every 4 rows. 

1) Crochet a chain of 25 stitches. 

2) On the second ch from the hook, pick up a loop and in each of the next 4 ch (6 loops on hook), yo and through all loops on hook, ch 1 (this forms the eye of the star), *pick up a loop in the eye of the last star, pick up a loop through the back of the last loop of previous star, pick up a loop through same ch as last loop of previous star, pick up a loop in each of next two chains.  At this point, you should 

have 6 loops on your hook. 

Okay, so now that you have the 6 loops, yo through all 6 loops, ch 1, repeat*. When you get to the last ch, finish with a hdc on the last stitch. 

Turn your work. 

3) Ch. 1, 1 sc in hdc (from previous row), 1 sc in eye of star st, 2 sc in star of each eye across. Finish this row with 1 sc on top of the turning chain.  

Turn your work. 

4) Ch 2, pick up a loop in the front part of the second chain from hook, then pick up a loop in the back part of the same ch, pick up a loop in each of the next 3 sc, yo through all 6 loops, ch 1. *pick up a loop in the eye in the of the last star, pick up a loop in each of the next 2 sc, yo through all 6 loops, ch 1, repeat. * Finish this row 1 hdc in last sc. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until coaster measures 5 inches approx. 

Hope you enjoy this pattern! What colors will you make your coaster? 

Have a wonderful day and find some time to crochet, it's good for the soul! 

Fabi 

Pick Your Craftsy Prize Giveaway!

I loooooove Craftsy! I have watched several of their classes and I keep on referring back to them as needed especially because once you get one class you will have it for a lifetime.  

Craftsy is giving you a chance to enter to win a prize of your choice from the Craftsy site, worth up to $100! Giveaway begins 4/2 @12:30am MDT and ends 4/30 @11:59pm MDT. Enter to win a prize of your choice from Craftsy!

Restrictions: Giveaway open to residents of U.S. and Canada only.

Click HERE to enter to win a prize! 

Fabi

Beyond the Traditional Granny Square

Once learning to crochet the basic granny square, you'll be ready to learn to make new styles. You can mix-match them in blankets, pillow covers, or for home decor.  Granny Squares are just too much fun to make!

Hope you enjoy this list of books with raving reviews:

1. The Granny Square Book

2. Granny Square: 20 Crochet Projects with a Vintage Vibe

3. Granny Squares and Shapes

4. 10 Granny Squares: 30 Blankets

5. The Big Book of Granny Squares: 365 Crochet Motifs


Happy Crocheting!

Fabi


          

How to Wet Block Crochet and Knit Granny Squares Tutorial

How to Wet Block Crochet and Knit Granny Squares

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Why Wet Block Crochet or Knit Granny Squares?

Crocheting the puff square was an enjoyable process! Picking out the colors, understanding the pattern, sewing the crochet ends. But it looks wonky on the sides. I had originally intended these squares for a pencil case but I know that if kept this way, all the hard work would be in vain. 

This is why I am sharing how to wet block your crochet (or knit) granny squares. 

Blocking is the final touch to your crochet project which will ultimately enhance every stitch and color patterns in your square.  

Related:

How to Crochet Granny Squares -

See 10 FREE Patterns to Crochet Granny Squares
How to Crochet a Granny Square Blanket with a Border
Reference Books to learn to Crochet Granny Squares - Beyond the Basics

Check out my Favorite Crochet Tools used to crochet the puff granny square. 

Benefits of Wet Blocking Crochet or Knit Granny Squares: 

• every square will be symmetrical squares
• everything will be the same size 
• square will hold their shape for a long time

What is needed to wet block crochet or knit granny squares?

You will need:

• Blocking Board  -- this one measures 12inx12in which would be large enough to block several squares.
• T-Pins -- the pins are easy to push through the blocking board and can be easily removed. The sharpness is perfect for holding the squares in place. 
• Spray bottle - optional

How to Wet Block Crochet and Knit Granny Squares

1. First of all submerge your squares or use a spray bottle to wet your granny squares. 

2. Then set your squares on a blocking board. Use pins to hold the squares in place. The blocking board will help you achieve symmetrical squares. When you use it all your squares will have the same measurement. This is exactly what is needed when it is time to sew the squares together to make a blanket or complete the desired project. 

3. While wet, ;ay the piece flat on the blocking board, hold it in place with the T-Pins until the desired measurement.

When you block your crochet or knit granny squares, your work will look even and will be a piece to keep for a long time.  

Hope you have enjoyed this quick tutorial!

Fabi

Daniel Tiger Birthday Ideas

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My bouncy toddler just turned three and celebrated his birthday with a Daniel Tiger themed birthday. For his first birthday, we did an Ocean Themed Birthday and for his second birthday, we did Mickey Mouse. 

My oldest child and I browsed on Pinterest for cake inspiration. We found some cute cakes made in fondant and we even found a video of a cake decorated as a tiger. Super cute, but cake decorating is not really my skill, hopefully some day. For now, I can get by with my buttercream frosting for cupcakes. 

Decoration Ideas:

* red and yellow balloons
* red tablecloth and red plates with yellow napkins 
* cake - a road in red and yellow or a tiger 
* topper - use the trolley if you already have it
Well, in the end, the birthday boy and I went to the grocery store to pick out a cake. Did you know there isn't a themed cake in that large booklet?  I knew I wanted to include the trolley from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and the little figurine of Daniel we had at home so we just needed a somewhat plain cake where we could use what we had as toppers.  Besides, using a real toy for a topper is practical when already owning the toy or when already planning on getting it anyway. 

About the cake: 


Fortunately, the lady at the store was so helpful and kind and willing to work with me, that when we saw the Curious George cake we realized it could work really well for my theme.  I'm trying to keep it simple, here. The Curious George cake comes with trees, the sun, and a railroad track. I needed a track, or more like a road for my trolley.  She said she could make a road instead where we could fit the trolley.  Oooo that was just perfect!!!!

Food Ideas: 
* Striped Candy Pretzel Rods 
* Veggie Trolleys 
* Striped Yogurt Parfaits 


Gift Ideas: 

As far as gifts, we finally got him a Daniel Tiger mini plush he can keep in his room and it's just the perfect size for him, only 7 inches and it washes well. Yep, in less than 7 days of having it, it already made it to the wash. :-) There's also a larger size available here. 

For the big gift, we got him Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood 3-in-1 Transformation Treehouse . All three kids have enjoyed playing and imagining different stories with it. The best part is that it comes with all the characters (figurine set) from the show and it plays a song from the show. 

He really enjoyed his birthday party and so did I! He enjoyed his cake, gifts, and balloons in red and yellow. He was so content looking around while talking about his special Daniel Tiger cake.  It was so especial to see him play with his trolley while saying he loves Daniel Tiger. 

What theme are you doing or have you done to celebrate a 3rd birthday? Let me know in the comments, I can't wait to read your responses. 

Happy party planning! 

Fabi

February Goals - February Reading

My goal for February is to read 3 books. Here's the first one I read. Now to get busy to read a few more! 

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The Chance: A Novel - Best friends Nolan Cook and Ellie Tucker were separated when they were only 15 years old across the country. They didn't know anything about the other and the only thing that kept them going was a promise they made while teenagers.  They keep wondering if the other one remembers the promise. Meanwhile, so much other stuff goes on and different family matters keep them apart.  Seriously, if you want a story on forgiveness and how God can heal broken up families, this is it.

As for me, I would really like a second book to continue this story. 

Have you read this one? What other Karen Kingsbury books have you read? 


Happy Reading! 

~ Fabi