Easy Twisted Headband

Easy Twisted Headband

This formula can be used with any weight yarn and corresponding hook size, as such no sizes are given as well as yardage or gauge.

The photo is showing Hometown USA by Lion Brand super bulky weight ( 6 ) using a L11/8.00mm hook

I have used single crochet, double and half double all with good success.

Written in American terms

Stitches

Ch = chain

hdc = half double crochet

1) Chain as many stitches needed to go around your head keeping it just a bit snug, chain one more for your turning chain



2) hdc in all chains.. you can use the bar or top loop I've done both but like the looks of going through the bar... turn

3) ch 1, hdc to end, turn



repeat row 3 as many times as you like to reach half the thickness you want



once you have half the thickness you want, fold in thirds with the live stitch in the center of the folds. Place a marker at that fold. See photo below

Hdc to the marker, count how many stitches you have undone, chain that many plus 1 for turning chain.

Turn, hdc into second ch, hdc to end of row

Repeat row 3 until you have the same thickness as the first half.

Fasten off leaving a tail about 12 inches long for seaming.

Seam edges to the beginning edge, making sure to “twist” them.. placing the top panel of the split side along the bottom part of the beginning edge and the bottom panel over the top panel. See photo.

Weave in ends.

Sashay yarn ponytail holders

 

I was gifted a rather large box of Red Heart Sashay Boutique yarn among many other brands of similar yarns.. I made a couple of scarfs with it..

while they claim to work up fast, that was not my experience

  it never failed that I would have to set it down and walk away.. pick them up and pull the stitches out .. ugh.. way too much effort for an item that wasn't selling anymore..

 

I got so tired of it I used many skeins as bulky yarn and crocheted it on an Q hook.. looks cool enough but takes a lot of yardage

I still had dozens of skeins left.. many just a single skein of each color.. not enough to make a bulky scarf or ruffled for that matter, some of the colors just didn't go together well enough to use on one item

 

I had seen how ponytail holders were being made from them.. but they were always finished off in my opinion.. rather sloppy..

Pulling the whole yarn through the last stitch and just leaving the end hang loose.. or tied in a big knot ..

both of which come undone with wear..

 

I just didn't like the look.. plus I dislike making anything that can't stand up to wear ..

truthfully one of the big reasons I dislike the ruffle scarfs patterns out there as well, if you pay for an handmade wearable item it should hold up for at least a washing..

I just don't like it..

 

I don't wear my hair up ever.. so the though of the ponytail holders passed pretty fast lol..

Until my sister came over wearing one.. with ends tied together.. making a pretty item look half done..

 

ok fine time to make a few..

if nothing else something to put on the table for market.. or a quick gift

 

I have sewn the ends of all of the ruffle scarfs I made in the past.. with the end kind of tucked under itself.. another reason they took me longer ;)  I'm telling ya I don't like loose ends LOL ..

 they still didn't look great to me..

 

with working in the round I hoped seaming them together would give it a more "finished" look

 

 

Sewing thread was too thin to do a good job..

crochet thread size 10 however works great..

 

I have many colors to match up with the Sashay yarn but not quite enough..

so embroidery floss for those.. ( 3 strains not the full 6 )

 

takes more time to sew them than to slip stitch around elastic band.. but worth the effort..

  

 

 I used about four yarns of Sashay yarn, size H8/5.00mm hook to slip stitch each..
some yarns looked better with less.. some more..
I just worked until they looked full..

 

Next I seamed the ends together.. after tying the end of the thread or floss I was using to seam with to the last slip stitch "live" loop .. I sewed a few stitches around that slip stitch just to be sure it wasn't coming undone..

 

 making sure to "capture' all of the loose ends ... I tucked them in a bit as I seamed.. making sure not to get too bulky

 

  I also trimmed of the longer edge of the Sashay yarn so it would sew up evenly.. and not hang lower

 

that was it.. nice and smooth.. no worries about hiding the knot under the ponytail .. not as fast as other methods I am sure but hopefully they hold up well... now to get someone to try them out and maybe even a photo with one in use

 

 

Lemon peel hood

Still playing with the lemon peel stitch.. put together this quick hood

 

Super easy .. this one is child sized..


Gauge is not essential

size can be changed by sticking to a even count of foundation chains plus one turning chain, adding as many or few rows as you like

Written using American terms

Worked in the Lemon peel stitch = sc1, dc1 every row ( a known stitch pattern )
Use any yarn you like with corresponding hook size... I used worsted weight ( a bit on the light side of the scale though ) and an I/9-5.50 mm hook


Stitches

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet


1) ch to the length needed ( make sure it's a odd number ) .. from middle of the back od head, where seem will be to the front edge around face.. with mind I added a couple of rows of dc's after seaming if you choose to do so adjust length accordingly .. mine was 29 stitches

2) sc into second chain from hook, dc next stitch continue with sc one, dc one to end 

3) chain 1, *sc 1, dc1* repeat to end of row 

repeat row 3 until you reach the size you want folded in half

seam up the back

add two rows of sc around the front edge

I did the ties using a size Q hook with three strands held together, chained 25 and fasten off

fasten off weave in ends


Tips

each sc will have a dc worked in it, as each dc will have a sc worked in it

you will always end row with a dc 

Texture Stitch Headband free knit pattern

Texture Stitch Headband

Can be made to any size and width you like by sticking to the multiple of 2+1 for width and knit until as long as you want.
Any yarn will work just use appropriate needle size for said yarn, if unsure check label.

The cool thing about this stitch other than it's ease is it is reversible, not sure which side I like better lol

the stitch is as follows
1) right side: purl
2) k1, *yf, sl 1 purl wise, yb, k1* to end

that's it... super easy

I cast on 19 for this one.. didn't pay attention to gauge or yardage just worked until it was the right size for me and cast off..... seamed it wove in ends and good to go.. super fast ...

Stitches
yf= yarn forward
yb= yarn back
sl= slip one
k= knit
 

Color pooling scarf

Part 1

color pooling scarf

 

Talk of color pooling has been every where for some time now.. I love the look ut never got around to trying..

Came across some clearance yarn the other day.. $1.50 for a skein of Red Hearts Super Saver in Earth and Sky color way..

 

I love the way it looks so far..

Although I would not do the purl on each end next time.. tends to curl along the edges.. thinking a black edge will make the colors pop however so I'm not frogging.

 

I cast on 37 stitches using a size 8/5.00mm needle ( long tail )

knit the first row

purl one, knit one to the last stitch, purl one, repeat these two rows

nothing else to it ..

 Will update as soon as I get the edging done

 

small crochet flower

I came across some clearance embroidery floss the other day.. 10 cents each.. down from 43 cents.. in perfect colors for flowers... way too good of a deal to pass up..  fits in to the cuff style bracelets out of crochet thread beautifully...

here is one of the flowers so far

gauge isn't important, just try to keep your stitches even

I used a size B1/2.25mm hook for both the center and outer pieces

The outer flower petals are made with DMC 3608, center petals are made with 3689 .. I did not separate the floss as I was happy with the thickness, if you do you may need to go with a smaller hook size

in the center of the flower I stitched in one bright pink size 6/0 seed bead

Stitches
ch= chain
sl st= slip stitch
dc3tog= yarn over hook, insert hook into ring, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops..  yarn over insert into ring, pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops....  yarn over insert hook into ring, pull up a loop,  yarn over, draw through two loops... yarn over pull through four remaining loops

tr3tog= yarn over hook twice, insert into ring pull up a loop pull through two loops, yarn over pull through two loops.. yarn over the hook twice insert into ring, pull up a loop, pull through two loops, yarn over pull through two loops... yarn over the hook twice insert into ring, pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loop, yarn over pull through two loops, yarn over pull through four remaining loops

Outer flower petals
ch 6, join with a sl st to form ring
*ch3, trb3tog, ch3, sl st into ring* five times, fasten off

Center flower petals
ch 5, join with a sl st to form ring
*ch3, dc3tog, ch3, sl st into ring* four times, fasten off

seam smaller flower petals to the inside of the larger outer petals, add bead







 

mindless knit shawl even easier with color changing yarn

 

 

There are times when you want to make things without a lot of thought.. well at least there are for me lol..... a few years back I started make these shawls.. lost count on how many long ago .. I needed to try the new Lion's Brand Mandala ... fell for their color ways hard.. got just one..

thinking I could just make one scarf size I started out.. then I came across just one more... in another color way on sale.. half price..  at this point I was liking how it was working up so much I didn't want to stop, so I grabbed it up thinking about half of the colors would work nicely but the other colors not so much.. I did me some cutting.. kept the darker colors and later added them to another skein I got on clearance.. I thought it was a pretty good match up

 This is a top down crochet shawl pattern by Red Heart..

get it free here top-down shawl

 

 I then came across just one skein of the first color way I used .. all at the same store.. at this point I am thinking what a mess their store room must be to keep coming up with these one at a time lol.. but half price no way I could pass on it.. so now it must become a large shawl.. scarf be damned ;) ..

 

I love the look of it .. the super soft feel of the yarn.. the drape ( used a 10.5 needle so a bit larger then called by the yarn maker ) ..

 

a day after getting the last skein my mom comes by with two more for me.. full price :( .. I happened to go back to the store the next day and the rest of them were marked down.. got me a few more lol.. thinking more shawls are on the way :D

 

 

 

the pattern can be found on the link below

 

 

 

shawl pattern idea mindless knit

Basic dish cloth, scrubby and small round cloth/coaster pattern set

 
                                   Basic dish cloth, scrubby and small round cloth/coaster

I have recently been gifted some 2oz. size skeins of 100% cotton yarn, worsted weight.. as I am sure they most likely will bleed when washed, I decided to make simple dish cloths and scrubbies for home use .... although I have made these for gifts and for sell with color fast yarn they go fast..
Each set uses less than one skein of the cotton and a few yards of Tulle. I have used the scrubby yarn by Red Heart and love it.. either work well, but if you want a lower cost option go with the Tulle, I buy it by the yard and cut into 2 inch wide strips, no need to worry about perfect cuts as it won't show when done..
here's the basic patterns...
gauge doesn't matter

cloth
H/8-5.00mm
the cloth is worked it double half crochet, with a single crochet trim
mine is 7.5 inches wide and about 9 inches long with trim

chain 24, double half crochet for 21 rows or so.. I had enough left over to do another row or two, ( I do crochet on the loose side.. )
instead of cutting the yarn and fastening off to do the trim I passed the skein through the last loop to fasten off and chained one doing a single crochet ( 3 around corners ) around the whole thing..

scrubby
I used 3 sizes crochet hooks
N-9.00mm for the Tulle.. if you cut it into smaller strips you can get away with a smaller hook size but I find it tends to break if you pull your stitches to snug them up..

size J/10-6.00mm for the first round off cotton

and size K/10.5-6.50mm for the single crochet trim


using tulle and size N hook
chain 4, slip stitch join into the first chain
chain 3, double crochet 11 into ring
fasten off.

I switched to size J hook and cotton yarn using 3 strains at a time check out how to with one skein here .. in any of the double crochet stitch of the last round join the cotton chain 3 and double crochet in the same place.. 2 double crochets in each stitch going around, join with a slip stitch
for a smooth trim without the need to increase I went to a larger size hook.. size K
chain 1, single crochet around and fasten off...

I still had a bit of yarn left over .. not wanting it to get mixed in I decided to use it up with a small round cloth, about 4.5 inches
can be used as a face cloth or coaster ( after testing for color bleeding if using this yarn )

size J hook
1) chain 2, single crochet into the first chain 10 times, slip stitch join into the first single crochet
2) chain 3, double crochet into same space, 2 double crochet into each stitch, slip stitch join into the top of the chain 3
3) chain 3, double crochet in same space, *1 double crochet in the next stitch, two double crochet in the next* repeat* to end join into the top of the chain 3
4) ch 1 single crochet into the same space, 2 single crochets in each stitch around fasten off

  

Red Heart booties

I've wanted to make some booties.. easy fun simple to change up ... got this pattern awhile back from Red Heart.. very easy and cute..

little miss booties

were they easy to change up... YES .. here I added two rounds... following the pattern to the end next round ch 3, dc8, dc2tog, dc9.. last round ch1, sc to end fasten off... they are so easy.. this is not going to be the only pair I make :D

 

Boot slippers crochet

 My mother asked for a warm pair of socks with a wide ankle .. thinking slippers would keep her warmer.. I put these together.. very easy ..can be made to any size using any yarn and hook
 I used two strains of worsted weight yarn for added thickness and a N 9.00mm hook with these

Make your foundation chain long enough to go around the bottom of your heal and up to the height you want them on both sides.. I went with 15 inches as she didn't want much above her ankle
single crochet until you have the width needed to reach around your ankle/heal, to the upper part of your foot,  she said loose so I went pretty wide, 13 rows


   with out cutting the yarn, fold in half slip stitch the seam together leaving the bottom part open enough to fit your foot through..
Single crochet around the opening to make the foot/toe part.. single crochet 2 together the last two rounds fasten off.. slip stitch the back heal part .. make another to match.. helps to write down how many chains you started with and rounds you did if you're like me and forget by the time you've been interrupted a million times lol .. think I'm going to go make me a pair or two...

Ruffled Crochet Wrist Warmers

 

 

I didn't count gauge or yardage, as I was making these for me I wasn't thinking of writing up the pattern.. but I love them so much I thought I'd share anyway... I crochet on the loose side, the 16 foundation stitches fit my wrist ( just over 6 inches ) a bit loose... adjust the amount of chains to fit your wrist or the size needed.. I used less than half a skein of Icelandic Jewels ( bulky weight, 129 yards per skein ) now discontinued ( using up my older end pieces ) .. as far as bulky yarn goes it's on the lighter side

both warmers made the same
First chain 1 does not count as a stitch, make first stitch in the same space, joining with the first stitch not the chain 1 through out the pattern

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet

1 ) ch16 join with slip stitch
2 -5 ) ch1,  sc to end using the back loop only, join
6 ) ch1, sc twice in first stitch, sc to end of round, join
7)  ch1, sc twice in first two stitches, sc to end of round, join
8)  ch1, sc twice in first stitch, sc 2 stitches, sc twice in next stitch , sc to end of round, join
9 ) ch1, sc to end, join
10 ) ch3, skip 5 stitches, sc to end, join
11 ) ch1, sc 2 around ch2 stitches of previous row, sc to end, join
12 - 15 )  ch1, sc to end, join fasten off. ... I wanted the fingers covered a bit more.. check to make sure you like the length.

trim
using the chain foundation ( front loop ) ch2 in same space dc once, dc 2 in each stitch around join with the top of the ch2 stitches, fasten off. weave in all ends.

 

easy knit cowl

Made a knit stitch cowl for my friend... used size 15 US needles.. cast on 55 stitches and just knit flat until I was almost out of a full skein of Lion's Brand Home spun... seemed together.. came out so comfy and looks great on her

Quick crochet hat

Using Red Heart Super saver ( worsted weight ) in dark blue and a size K us hook...

 ( this pattern can be made using any size hook and corresponding sized yard by just adjusting  increase rows to fit size needed, it also works well with the half double crochet stitch for a thicker hat )

chain ( ch ) 4 join with a slip stitch to from a ring, chain 2, double crochet ( dc ) until the ring is full ( not bunched up though ) in this one I did 13

join each round with a slip stitch and start the next with a ch 2 ( counts as your first dc )

the second round dc into the same space as your starting chain 2 ( counts as your first increase ),  dc twice into each stitch

third round increase in the same manner as last round, dc 2,  increase the next stitch, dc 2 repeat your increase followed by 2 dc's to the end of round

fourth round do the same as the last round with 3 dc's in between increases ( if any extra rounds are needed just add another dc in between increases for each round )

I found this to be big enough to fit ( most ) adults without adding any more increase rounds using the larger need size

from here I just dc in every stitch for each round... this one I did 7 more rounds of dc's... stop when you get to the size you want.. add a few extra rounds to made one that can fold up along the brim

Added note... if after any given round you find you just need the hat a bit bigger .. try just adding a few increases evenly across the round..  depending on size needed I've found that either 4 or 6 more stitches work nicely

Super thick and easy fingerless gloves ( crochet )

I wanted a pair of supper thick fuzzy fingerless gloves to wear over thin gloves ( or alone )... the quicker the better... these only take a few minutes to make and are very warm, because they only cover the hand they are still easy to move in even though they are so thick... by adding or removing the number of dc's for the thumb gusset and rows before and after they are easy to adjust size...
I used two colors of Yarn Bee's Luscious ( bulky weight ) and one of Redheart's super savers ( worsted weight) I didn't count yardage but it didn't take much...

Medium ladies size

Make 2

Size N US hook ( didn't bother with gauge, adjust hook as needed )

using 3 strains of yarn through out ( 2 of bulky, one of worsted weight )

chain 16, join with a slip stitch

chain 2, double crochet 15, join with a slip stitch into top of chain 2

chain 2, double crochet 15, join with a slip stitch into top of chain 2

chain 2,  double crochet 4 times into the base of the chain 2 just made ( thumb gusset ), double crochet 15, join with a slip stitch into top of chain 2

chain 1, skip the 5 thumb gusset stitches, join in the next stitch with a slip stitch, chain 2, double crochet 14, decrease in next stitch with stitch over thumb gusset

chain 2, double crochet 15, join with slip stitch, fasten off, weave in ends.

One button Cowl

I didn't count the yardage with this pattern.. I just grabbed two balls of yarn one bulky, one worsted weight.. the closest needles and started knitting... I wanted something mindless to work on.. come out with this very easy quick cowl...












Size 15 US needles
gauge is not essential for this project 
( made with bulky and worsted weight yarns held together )

One button ( about 1 and 1/2 inches in size )

k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
k3tog = knit 3 stitches together
yo = yarn over needle

Cast on 15 stitches, using both yarns held together through out the pattern
knit all stitches until you reach 24 inches or the length to go around your neck

start decreases for button loop

1 ) k2tog,  k11,  k2tog
2 ) k2tog,  k9,  k2tog
3 ) k2tog,  k7,  k2tog
4 ) k2tog,  k5,  k2tog
5 - 15 ) knit
16 ) k2tog,  k3,  k2tog
17 ) k2,  k2tog,  k1
18 ) k2tog,  yo,  k2tog
19 ) k3
20 ) k3
21 ) k3tog
bind off weave in ends, sew on button using photo for placement

 

Infinity scarf

Very easy, quick knit, great for last minute gift giving..

I was watching tv a few nights ago and saw this really cool infinity scarf ( a old Twilight Zone )... and decided to make a few..... looked like it was made with size 1 or 2 needles very wide and long, fingering weight... loved it and maybe some day I'll have the time to make one just like it, but with Christmas right around the corner... now is not that time lol
I still thought it cool enough to give it a go... using much thicker yarn and needles I was able to make 2 so far and a few other things... I did like how long it was.. long enough to wrap around the keck / head or let hang in front like a traditional scarf...

gauge is not essential for this project

any sized cable needles will work but the larger sizes will speed things up, I used size 15 US

same goes with the yarn any size will work ( as long as you adjust your cast on number and needle size accordingly ) for the first one I used 2 strains of Playful by Yarn bee, Glittering Ombre ... the yarn is discontinued now but I had it in my stash and the colors worked...

The one in playful I cast on 128 stitches, joined in the round being careful not to twist them

knit 2 rows
purl 1 row
I repeated these 3 rows until I got the thickness I wanted... I think I did 3 repeats.. bind off weave in ends..

it's about 5 inches wide and 30 long

 

Using Yarn bee's Icelandic Jewels in Black Pearl

I cast on 150 stitches join twisting the cast on stitches twice

I did 30 rows in knit stitch as I wanted it to curl in... showing the purl side

this one is about 9 inches wide and 34 inches long 

Just got done making a ruffle scarf.. love the colors of this Patons Pirouette shimmer in deep wine

Find the free pattern at
ruffle scarf pattern

More crochet drawstring bags

I just love little bags... they are so much fun to make, have so many uses... can be worn around your keck on your belt, hang in your car or any place for that matter... I charge many with reiki energies, by doing so you can send reiki to some one by writing down their name on a slip of paper and placing it in the bag... charge crystals or other small items...
I'm planning on selling a few these reiki charged bags at a up coming fair. I've been making them out of many types of yarn. So far this is my favorite pattern for crocheting them... they can be made in any size by adding more increases at the start of the pattern as well as adding rows...

here is the basic idea...

single crochet 8 times in a magic circle, slip stitch join

chain one, single crochet into base of last stitch, single crochet twice into each stitch

(    if a larger bag is wanted
 *single crochet twice into next stitch, single crochet one stitch* repeat to end
 *single crochet twice into next stitch, single crochet two stitches* repeat to end
 *single crochet twice into next stitch, single crochet three stitches* repeat to end     )

 single crochet all stitches until you reach the size you like

to make the area where the drawstring is threaded through do a round of twisted double crochet join with a slip stitch

chain two, *single crochet, chain one* repeat to end slip stitch to join and fasten off.

I made a simple chain stitch cord for the drawstring, weave it through the space created by the twisted stitches
I added beads to some charms to others :)

these are very similar to my other drawstring bag crochet pattern.. the difference being the way the area for the drawstring is constructed...
you can find that pattern here 
drawstring bags

Cotton crochet sachet

I'm not a fan of canned "air fresheners"

I do love the smell of many herbs and flowers and making bags :D

with bits of end pieces of cotton I put this small very quick and simple

sachet together 

for use in my car

 

 

I used a size H US hook and a few yards worsted weight cotton yarn... I put it on a hook style key chain with a button closure... it's made so it doesn't close tightly on top but can hold a couple of crystals while hanging from my dashboard..

this pattern can be made to any size you'd like using whatever hook and yarn you have laying around... just keep the stitches loose enough to let a bit of air flow through but not so loose the your crystals pop out :D

I chained a few stitches ( any number you like to get the width needed ) for the foundation, double crochet ( dc ) into the second chain from the hook, dc until you reach the first chair stitch, dc 3 times into that stitch going around to the other side of the foundation row, dc to the end of those chain stitches, dc into the last one 3 times... from there dc all stitches until you reach the size you want.. dc haft the stitches turn ( making sure you are at the start of a new round ), dc half of those stitches ( so 1/4 of over all stitches )  chain enough stitches to go around your button, dc to end of row fasten off.... if you'd like a longer flap add a few more rows of dc's before making the chain stitches for the button closure... weave in ends, sew on button, either make a chain cord to hang form or add a key chain hook... add a charm or 2... I added a silver feather to this one    

 
 

Sari silk skirt/cover up

This is a Sari silk draw string skirt/cover up... a large rectangle... it's all double crochet stitches to the length ( about 14 inches ), after chaining to the width I wanted ( about 31 inches at the top and 36 on the bottom ) I started from the bottom and did a few decreases going up... used a size K US hook... took about 300 grams of yarn ( didn't get the yardage )... I made the draw string long enough to crisscross along the side opening...