Friday, December 27, 2013

Wonder Woman


Made using this pattern, via Etsy. Wonderful pattern, full of awesome pics!

Poodle

This is another pattern from "Knit Your Own Dog", knit on commission. I really like the way it turned out.



Friday, December 13, 2013

Chicago Bears Baby Booties




I just think these are TOO cute! I love the stripes! 

The pattern is easy and free, and can be found here.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Knight In Shining Armor Hat


I had a commission for a knight hat, so  made this one up. I love getting to use my imagination to come up with something cool :)

This hat is for sale on my Etsy page.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Springer Spaniel

This is my latest pup in the litter, a Springer Spaniel named Edward. I am pretty pleased with him :)





The pattern is from the book, Knit Your Own Dog. You can purchase the pattern here.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Knit Dachshund Pups!

I knitted up these sweet Doxies today, and just had to share. I think they are too sweet! I used Mama4Earth's pattern, found here.






Friday, November 15, 2013

Free Very Vanilla Cupcake Hat Pattern


This pattern is written in a newborn size, great for photos or just one who is as sweet as a cupcake. This pattern uses simple knit and crochet stitches. If you dont know how to crochet, a good knit cherry pattern can be found here.

Materials:
Bulky weight yarn or two strands of worsted, held together, One "wrapper" color, one "icing" color, about 50 yards of each. I recommend using an acrylic or wool/acrylic blend
Size 10 DPNs
Seed Beads in sprinkle color
matching thread to "icing" color
A small amount of cherry color, worsted weight
One cotton ball or small amount of Polyfil
Very small amount of stem color, worsted weight
G hook
E hook

Gauge:
12 sts=4 in

Pattern:

Hat:
co 40 sts with "wrapper" color
PM for start of round
work 2x2 rib for 2” 
Next Row: purl  
two rows 2x2 rib 

* change color to "icing" here

Row 1: knit  
Row 2-3: purl 
Rows 4-7: knit 
Row 8: knit row, dec 6 sts evenly around.
Row 9: purl 
Rows 10-12: knit 
Row 13: knit row, dec 6 evenly around.
Row 14: purl
Row 15-16: knit 
Row 17: Knit row, Dec 6 sts, evenly around
Row 18: purl  
Row 19: knit  
Row 20: knit row, dec 6 sts, evenly around
Row 21: purl 
Row 22: K2TOG around.
Row 23: purl 
Finish off, thread yarn needle with working yarn, then pull thread through all stitches. knot and weave in end.

Cherry: (This part is done in crochet)
Using G hook, work 6 SC in MC, PM for start of round.
Row 1: Work 2 SC in each SC around
Row 2: *SC, 2 Sc in next St. Repeat from * around.
Row 3-5: Work even
Row 6: *SC, SC2tog. repeat from * around.
Stuff cotton ball into cherry
Row 7: *SC2tog repeat from * around.
Finish off and sew to the top of the hat.

Stem:
Using E hook, attach stem color to cherry top
Ch 5
finish off.

Using thread, randomly sew beads onto hat. I like to use bugle beads or seed beads, for more realistic "sprinkles". Sprinkles are a potential choking hazard, so I would recommend using them if the hat is for a photo prop or under parental supervision.

Feel free to share the pattern, and sell the hats, but please give me credit for the pattern. Thanks!

This pattern is currently being tested, if you find errata, please comment below. Thanks!

Easiest Crocheted Christmas Stocking EVER Pattern!

I've knit a few stockings in my time, and I feel like most are needlessly tedious. My construction is basically a seamless top down sock with an afterthought heel, but in crochet. So without further ado, here's the pattern!

PM-place marker
HDC-Half Double Crochet
SCDec-SC two together
HDCDec- HDC two together
SC-Single Crochet
St- Stitch
Sl St-Slip Stitch

Materials:
J hook
200 yards worsted weight yarn

Pattern:
Ch 43
Row 1: HDC in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch thereafter.
Row 2: Bring ends together and HDC around, to begin working in the round. PM in beginning st. (There will be a small gap, sew closed with the end of your yarn.)
Row 3: HDC in each st around
*Repeat row 3 until you have reached 10 inches in length from start.

Foot:
Row 1: HDC in the next 21 sts, Ch 21. skip next 21 sts, HDC in next st.
Row 2: HDC around to the center of heel gap. PM.
Row 3: HDC in the next 10 sts, HDCDec, HDC in next 19 sts, HDCDec, HDC to the end of the row.
Row 4: HDC in the next 10 sts, HDCDec, HDC in next 17 sts, HDCDec, HDC to the end of the row.
Row 5: HDC around.
*Repeat row 6 until your foot measures 5 inches.

Toe:
(Change colors here if you are doing contrasting heel/toe)
Row 1: SC in the next 9 sts, SCDec, PM, SC in next 16 sts, SCDec, PM, SC to the end of the round.
Next Row: SC until you reach first Dec marker. SCDec, SC until you get to the next Dec marker. SCDec. SC to the end of the round.
*Repeat row 5 until you have 19 stitches left. Pinch the toe together and Sl St across the opening, joining the top and bottom together. Finish off.
Weave in ends.

Heel:
(Change colors here if you are doing contrasting heel/toe)
Row 1: SC around the opening of the heel, skipping corner stitch. Place markers at corners of heel. There should be 41 Sc.
Next Row: SCDec at markers, Sc around
Repeat until there are 21 sts.
Pinch top and bottom together and Sl St across, closing the heel.
Weave in ends.

Hanging loop:
Ch 15, sew on to stocking.

Here you can get creative and add a fancy cuff, appliques, names, whatever you would like! Also, feel free to share the pattern, just please give me credit :)



In this particular stocking, I've cut out letters and logo out of felt and made it Batman themed. 

Monday, November 11, 2013

"EAT" Sign, Made From Old Cheese Graters!!


This project was very simple. I already had the graters on hand, ive collected them from thrift stores for a while now. I used colors in my kitchen and stenciled on the letters. They look pretty fabulous sitting above my sink :)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Ammo Crate Table

I found this old ammo crate at an estate sale. My dad and I made it into a table with old tobacco sticks. I am completely in love!





Friday, November 8, 2013

Snowman Christmas Ornaments

This is a group of snowman Christmas ornaments, made for a woman to represent all the members of her family. The littlest son has a heart condition, so I made his hat and scarf red, for the CHD color, then embroidered a heart on the side. 


Nightmare Before Christmas: Jack Skellington





Jack Skellington is for sale is my Etsy shop.


Thursday, November 7, 2013

The Penguin




I spent a lot of time on this one, wanting it to be just right. I made a pointy nose, fat belly, monacle, top hat, bow tie, umbrella, overcoat, and striped pants. I am really pleased at the way it turned out. 

The Penguin is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Happy Holidays Sign


This sign is made from an old sewing machine table leaf. I spray painted on the letters and stenciled on the poinsettias, adding vintage buttons for the berries. Using the original hinges, I threaded some fabric through the holes for a hanger. So simple, but cute!

Joker Stocking

I have an order for 10 Batman themed Christmas stockings. This is the first, Joker.

I added a picot edging to the top, crude stitches to the heel and toe, and a metal clip for the hanger. I based it off Red Heart's pattern, Holly & Berry Stockings, found here.


Robin


Robin is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Tobacco Stick Flag

While searching in my Dad's barn, I found a pile of century-old tobacco sticks, gnarled from weather and use...and perfect. I quickly shimmied up the rickety old latter up to the hay loft and threw a bunch out the loft window, onto my truck bed below. A flag seemed the perfect project for these old warhorses, perfectly sturdy, perfectly southern, perfectly American. 

Ok, now for the how-to. Very simple, really. I started with 9 sticks, painted 5 red, 4 white. The red ones started out as blue (oops), but then quickly got a coat of red on top. I LOVE the way it looks, the blue peeking out, highlighting the grooves, bends, gnarles in the wood. The white, I brushed a coat of Americana craft paint over with a foam brush, leaving some wood to show underneath. I blocked off a square and spray painted that blue. For stars, I tore white rags and tied them on, in an alternating fashion, three on each stick. I took another stick and sawed it in two pieces, arranged the painted sticks on top, drilled pilot holes and screwed in the screws. I made sure to use mismatched screws for that eclectic feel. That's it people! SO SIMPLE and CUTE! 



Tobacco Stick Buttons

My dad and I made these buttons today from an old tobacco stick. He cut and drilled, I sanded and polished. Like an assembly line. I love the wood grain and the rustic feel. Also, the history behind the half century old oak. They were used on my Granny and Poppie's tobacco farm, year after year, stacking the tobacco for dying in the barn loft. The sticks are hard and weathered from use, so each button is unique in shape, width and texture.

They are for sale in my Etsy shop. $.75 each. Measures 1" By 1" approximately.



Sunday, October 27, 2013

Copper Duck

If you know me, you know i LOVE copper. So when I found this duck head, I was in heaven! I mounted it to a blank copper plate and stamped "Quack" underneath. I LOVE it!




For sale in my Etsy shop, $29.

Henry Hugglemonster: FREE PATTERN!



A commission piece for a friend. There were no patterns for him that I could find, so I improvised!

Henry Hugglemonster is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Here is the pattern!:

Materials Needed:
F Hook
120 yards of worsted weight yarn in body color, I used Sugar'n Cream in Sunshine.
Small amount of blue and green
Small amount of white felt
Safety eyes
Red button
Two blue pompoms

Gauge is not important, just be sure to use a hook small enough to where the stuffing will not show.

When crocheting amigurumi, I always recommend using a Amigurumi Invisible Decrease, tutorial found here

Magic circle tutorial found here.

SC-single crochet
HDC-Half Double Crochet
Dec-Decrease, using the Invisible Decrease technique
Sl St-Slip Stitch
Ch-chain
St-Stitch



Feet: (Make 4 pieces)

*Each foot is made of two pieces that are then SC around to sew together. Leave two pieces with long tails for connecting together. 

Sc 6 into magic circle.
Row 1: 2 Sc in each St around (12)
Row 2:  *Sc, 2 Sc in next st. Repeat from * around (18)
Row 3: * Sc in next two Sts, 2 SC in next St. repeat from * around. (24)
Row 4: *2 DC in next st, DC, HDC, Sl St, Ch 1. Repeat from * around 
Finish off.

Take one piece with a long tail and one piece with a regular tail and stack them together. pieces should line up nicely. SC around piece, Sl St between each toe. Leave a small opening and stuff with a little polyfil or cotton ball. Finish connecting and weave in ends.

Sl St on the top of the foot to make leg, Ch 20, finish off. 

Hands: (Make 4 pieces)

* Each hand is made by crocheting two circles, then adding fingers while sewing the two together. Leave two pieces with long tails (about 36" in length) for connecting together.

Sc 6 into Magic circle 
Row 1: 2 Sc in each St around (12)
Row 2:  *Sc, 2 Sc in next st. Repeat from * around (18)
Finish off.

Sandwich two pieces together, one with long tail. With that long tail, Sl st the two pieces together. 
*In next st, Ch 2, DC, Ch 2, Sl st. Sl st in next st. Repeat from * three more times.
Sl st around the hand to close. Weave in ends.

With new yarn, Sl St to the "wrist" and Ch 15 to make arm. Finish off.

Head:

Sc 6 into magic circle.
Row 1: 2 Sc in each St around (12)
Row 2: *Sc, 2 Sc in next st. Repeat from * around (18)
Row 3: *Sc in next two Sts, 2 SC in next St. repeat from * around. (24)
Row 4: *Sc in next three sts, 2 Sc in next st. repeat from * around. (30)
Row 5: *Sc in next four sts, 2 sc in next st. repeat from * around. (36)
Row 6: *Sc in next five sts, 2 sc in next st. repeat from * around. (42)
Rows 7-10: Work even (42)
Row 11: *Dec, Sc in next five sts. Repeat from * around. 
Row 12: *Dec, Sc in next four sts. Repeat from * around. 
Row 13: *Dec, sc in next three sts. Repeat from * around. 
Row 14: *Dec, sc in next two sts. repeat from * around. 
Row 15: *Dec, sc in next st. Repeat from * around. 
Finish off.

Cut two eye shapes out of white felt. Cut tiny slits in them where the safety eye should go. Insert the safety eye through the felt and through the head where the eye will go. Snap on the back to the eye. Repeat for the other eye. Hot glue the felt down to head. Stuff head firmly. Sew on the button for the nose, and then dab some hot glue on the back. This is not necessary but if you are going to give it to little ones, it's good to do. 

Body:

Sc 6 into magic circle.
Row 1: 2 Sc in each St around (12)
Row 2: *Sc, 2 Sc in next st. Repeat from * around (18)
Row 3: *Sc in next two Sts, 2 SC in next St. repeat from * around. (24)
Row 4: *Sc in next three sts, 2 Sc in next st. repeat from * around. (30)
Row 5: *Sc in next four sts, 2 sc in next st. repeat from * around. (36)
Row 6: *Sc in next five sts, 2 sc in next st. repeat from * around. (42)
Rows 7: *Sc in next six sts, 2 sc in next st. repeat from * around. (48)
Rows 8-10: work even.
Decrease three stitches each row evenly around until you reach 18 sts.
Work 3 rows even.
Finish off and stuff firmly.

Sew the body to the head, then the arms and legs to the body.

Wings: (make 2)

ch 12
sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 sts
next st: sl st, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in starting ch.
hdc in next 2 ch
next st: sl st, ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook, sl st in starting ch.
DC in next 2 sts, sl st in last ch, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in starting ch. 
finish off, leaving long tail for sewing to body.


Horns:

Work 8 SC into magic circle.
Work even with blue for 3 rows.
Switch to green, work even for 2 rows. Dec at the end of the row.
Switch back to blue, Pinch together and SC 3 Sts across, turn and SC 2 sts. Finish off. Sew and glue one pompom to each horn. sew them onto the head.

Spikes:(Make two blue and one green)

Work 6 SC into magic circle.
Work even for 3 rows. pinch together and work 2 sts across top. finish off. sew them onto the head.

Belly Stripes:

with green, ch 4
sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (3)
ch 2, turn. work 2 dc in first st, dc in next st, 2 dc in last st (5)
ch 2, turn. DC in next two sts, 2 dc in next, DC to end. (6)
switch to blue, ch 2, turn. dc in first 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc to end (7)
ch 2, turn. work DC across. (7)
switch to green, ch 2, dc in first 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc to end (8)
ch 2, turn. work Dc across to end. (8)
switch to blue. ch 2, work DC across to end. (8)
repeat last row
switch to green. ch 2, work Dc across to end. (9)
ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, HDC in next st, TR in next two sts, hdc in next two sts, sc in last st.
finish offand weave in ends. leave long tail for sewing to the body.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Hook Set, With Vintage Forks and Reclaimed Cedar Shingles

Remember those funky forks I got? Well, I bent them into hooks and mounted them onto some old cedar shingles. I love that you can see the outline of a door handle that was once there. Attached with mismatched screws, the look is slightly primitive/industrial chic. I love it :)




For sale on my Etsy page, $8.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Junking Adventures

Just a few of my latest junking finds!
Vintage Morton's Salt Tin


Vintage Copper Fireplace Scuttle Bucket


Metal Star


Chinese Calligraphy Brush, Goat hair and bamboo handle


1950s Cowboy Pin Up Set