Simple cord keeper crochet pattern

This is a great project for using up smaller amounts of yarn.. the larger size only uses about 6 1/2 yards.. the smaller one approximately 5 1/4 yards

 I used several different brands of yarn that varied from medium to a thicker worsted weight, 100% acrylic to give the cord keeper a bit of stretchability 

H 5 mm hook

Accurate gauge really isn't essential to this project as it is pretty easy to see the overall size.. 

That being said mine come out about 1 1/2 inches wide ( both the same  ) and about 4 inches long for the 16 row longer size and  approximately 3 inches long .. a tad under..  for the 13 row shorter size. 

This pattern is beginner friendly.... the hardest part is the beginning button loop with 3 SC going into the slip stitch joined loop .. which is made easier simply by making the first chain looser.. 

 it can easily be adjusted in length by adding or subtracting sc rows.... keep in mind the button loop when closed will add a bit of length as it stretches some what

The button loop can be adjusted as needed to suit the size of the buttons you choose..... I used buttons that are close to 1 inch or slightly over.. as the buttons are the main focal point have some fun choosing yours, I used a bunch of random ones I have picked up over the years

6 1/2 yards of worsted weight acrylic yarn 

H 5 mm hook

1 approximately 1 inch button 

American terms 

ch - chain

dec - single crochet decease in next two stitches 

inc - single crochet twice in next stitch

sc - single crochet

sl st - slip stitch

1) keeping first ch loose ch 8,  sl st into first ch made going through both loops of ch, ch 1    ... Check to see if loop goes around your button, you're looking for a easy slide over but not too loose, adjust loop size as needed 

2) in same stitch as the joining stitch sc 3, ch 1 turn ( 3 sts )

3) inc, sc 1, inc, ch 1, turn ( 5 sts) 

4) sc 5, ch 1 turn ( 5 sts )

For longer size 

5 - 15) do as row 4

Shorter size 

5 - 12) do as row 4 

 

or

Repeat row 4 untill you almost reach the length you want

For all lengths 

dec, SC 1, dec ( 3 sts) 

 

Fasten off..... 

I like to use the tail end to stitch down the button if you choose to do this leave a tail 10 to 12 inches long

Stitch button in center of second to last row, weave in ends

That's it fast and easy ... plus useful 

Pictured above is the shorter cord keeper, below is the longer one with the same cord ( 6 foot ) .. either would work for holding this size cord however the shorter one is pretty close to it's limit 

My take on chill pills

I was asked if I could make a chill pill by a friend.. I hadn't seen any up to that point but knew right away how I wanted to make mine.. quick and simple... what a fun idea to use up some scrap yarn.. so I set down my embroidery and and made a few ..

I have since seen some really cute ones, some with little faces, but much bigger than what came out with, so if you're looking for a bigger one do a quick online search, there seems to be quite a few out there..

They can be made with just about any size yarn and coordinating hook.. most of my scrap yarn is worsted weight so that's what I went with.. I had started with blue and white but the blue came up a bit short so I grabbed the next larger ball in a solid color, pretty sure it's mulberry by Red heart.. mix and match all your scraps

 

10 yards approximately of worsted weight yarn for both colors

G / 4.0 mm hook

yarn needle

exact gauge is not essential to this project

worked in a spiral so don't join throughout 

written in American terms

ch = chain 

dec = decrease, I use a invisible decrease described below with photos however you can use any decrease you like

inc = increase, two stitches in indicated stitch

sc = single crochet

sts = stitches

* * = repeat instructions between as many times as indicated

1 ) ch2, sc 6 times into the first st to form a circle ....( you can use a magic circle or any other startup for circles that you prefer) place a marker for easy   round counting, moving it along as you go

 

2 ) inc in each stitch ( 12 stitches )

 

3 ) *inc, sc1* repeat to end of round ( 18 stitches )

4-10) sc all stitches .. I tried making some with 8 rounds of sc but personally I think the slightly smaller one looks better..

after you reach the last sc,  stitch slip stitch into the next stitch, cut yarn and fasten off .. keep yarn tails on the inside, no need to weave in these

 

 

11-17 ) Picking up the next color put a slip knot on your hook, place your hook through the stitch three stitches before your last stitch, this will be the new starting point of each round so place a stitch marker in this stitch when the stitch is completed

 

    

                                              yarn over and pull up a loop,

yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook to complete the stitch

 

 

 

sc until you get to the slip stitch of the previous round,sc in the top of that stitch

 

 

  being careful not to single crochet in the bottom of that stitch but going to the next stitch, for beginners it can be a bit harder to spot and easy to add an extra stitch here, sc as normal for the rest of the rounds

 

This round starts the two decrease rounds

18 ) *dec, sc1* to end of round ( 12 sts ) see below explanation of  dec

 

I use a invisible decrease, do this by sliding your hook through the first loop only of the next stitch then repeat with the following stitch without doing a yarn over for either,

 

then yarn over and pull the loop through both loops on your hook

 

Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook decrease completed

After the first decrease round add your stuffing

19 ) dec to end of round, cut yarn leaving about 6 inches, fasten off, place yarn tail on yarn needle,

weave with through front loop of each stitch, pull snug 

 

Take your needle down through the center of the stitches you just pulled tight and pop out the side, go back in ( keeping to the same color as tail ) and pop out again on the other side, cut yarn close to the side of chill pill

 

 

I did a quick back stitch in contrasting color to spell out chill

That it your done

Yarn Scraps

 I make a lot of multi colored hats and scarfs during the holiday selling season leaving me with lots of smaller amounts of yarn .. along with being gifted a lot of leftover yarn from family and friends.. 

 

I put them aside until I pretty much have to do something with them lol 

I do use up whatever I can when I can, still however manage to end up with a fairly good sized amount of balls of varying weights and lengths.. I keep them sorted by weight or length

I save the tail ends also

 

and trims after making pom poms or weaving in ends

 

I've shared a few of the ways I use them over the years,..

when making my multi colored hats I add the tails to the pom poms or make small pom poms for other projects

 

small pom-poms can be used in many ways but these guys are one of my favorite ways 

           scrap yarn pom pom critter 

Used to get critters something like this in gumball machines when I was a kid.. so darn cute

I also use small and tiny scraps in some of my sewing and other projects to add texture, interest, high lights ot details.. like this haunted house brooch. I added green yarn for bushes and brushed out white yarn for a hazy cloudy look.. 

as well as stuffing small projects of course and as hair for small dolls or random ties for things like cords.

 I have been using so many of the two inches or less ones,  I haven't added much to my ball of knotted yarn ends..  it is only few inches thicker than the photo 

 

I made a really fun long tail hat with one of my knotted balls of longer lengths .. going to give that another try soon, working on writing the pattern.. 

I really don't have many cotton left overs either as I have been using them to make scrap cloths so often.. just a simple single crochet or knit stitch as wide and long as needed..

while looking for the photo of the knotted yarn ball I was reminded of this can cover.. I used it for ages .. the ends added so much thickness to it not only did it keep drinks cold longer but it soaked up the condensation from the can better.. 

Super simple knit pattern

inside-out-scrap-yarn-can-cover

So I have several projects in the works that are geared towards using up my scrap yarn right now... 

I am reminding myself to keep photographing the steps as I go.. 

I tend to start strong until I get caught up with the actual crafting.. realize a few steps later how many I skipped.. this is why I haven't posted any of them yet.. ugh photography is not my strong suit lol 

My scrap bag will be a multi posting as I'm planning on doing some light applique work on it..   the body of the bag is similar to this one I made my mother last year.  

 

She has been adding many of the brooches I have made for her to it .. I will have to try a catch a current photo if possible..

 

I just finished another hdc scrap scarf that is really a great scrap yarn project.. need to take a few photos of it finished .. for that posting.. 

 as it's really not my strong suit my son takes most of the finished project photos when time allows.. 

 this one was made using the same technique.. see why he takes the photos...

  

I love that scrap yarn projects are all one of a kind items.. 

The next few months are going to have a lot of fun simple ways to use up scraps of different sizes .. stay tuned 

Scrap yarn

Another use for small bit of scrap yarn.. 

 

 

 ... use a fork to make small pom poms, mix and match colors

 

 

 

glue on some googly eyes ( clear drying craft glue )

 and some felt feet and you have a new yarn critter lol

 

 

 

add craft magnets or leave as is.. 

I might try adding a key chain to a few