Love is in the air!

Well, maybe not quite yet.  However, I put a new tab up for Valentine's Day (see above).  I collected a bunch of stuff and will be adding more too.  I love Valentines, the colors, the hearts, and did I mention chocolate?  So much fun, check it out!

A Beautiful Box Made Just for Me...

For Christmas my husband made me the most amazing yarn box, I just had to share it with you!  It is made from a gorgeous cherry wood...

And look at those dovetail joints, marvelous!  He did the entire thing by hand, no power tools used here.  Also, a natural shellac finish to show off that fabulous wood grain.

 I love the idea of using something made by hand the old way to make other things by hand, so incredibly neat!

A yarn ball rolling around on the floor drives me absolutely crazy, and now my yarn will be housed in a pretty box while I'm working on a project and stay put and be debris free.  Yay!

A Pretty Orangey Mobius

I finished this mobius scarf/cowl the other day as a gift to someone...It's from this pattern:

Click here for the Cloudy Sky Mobius Cowl pattern

I made the longer version, and perhaps a bit longer than even that because I went ahead an used the entire skein...I just love that color...it reminds me of pumpkin pie!

Oh, and the recipient loved it!

Well, this is flattering...

A few days ago the editor from All Free Crochet contacted me to let me know that two of my patterns, the Celebration Scarf and Blueberry Pie Scarf were chosen by their readers as two of the top 100 crochet patterns of the year!  Neat-o!

Quite flattering, indeed!  Here's those patterns and others that were selected, check them out!

2012 All Free Crochet Popular Patterns

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

Free Crochet Pattern... Friendship Boot Cuffs!

These boot cuffs will keep you feeling nice and cozy and keep the drafts out of your boots, while looking super cute.  This idea was shared with me by a special friend, and from it came the Friendship Boot Cuffs!

The cuffs have an optional decorative edge on top and can be accented with a special button.  They work up extremely quickly in the round for looking fabulous while out and about.


Friendship Boot Cuffs
By Jennifer Dickerson

Materials:

• 1 Skein Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Color shown is "Lemongrass")
• N (9.0 mm) Crochet Hook
• Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends and seaming
• 2 Buttons (Optional)

Sizing:

• 5 inches tall
• 15 inch circumference

Instructions:

Basic Boot Cuff:

Ch 24, join in the round with a sl st.
Round 1: ch 2 then dc in each chain space, join with a sl st to complete round.
Repeat round 1 five more times for a total of 6 rounds.
If you'd like a simpler straight-edge top, fasten off and weave in any ends...if you'd like to add a decorative edge, continue below:

Optional Edge:

In the first space, *(sc, ch 2, sc) all in the same space, then skip the next space and repeat this sequence to end of round.  Join with a slip stitch and fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Finishing:

Weave in any ends and stitch on buttons as shown in the picture.  Cute as can be!

© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages).  Thank you!

Free Crochet Pattern...Crochet Pet Collar Sleeve!

If you're dog or cat is not into wearing clothes, here is a fun alternative...a crocheted pet collar sleeve! Simply slip it over their collar and your furry friend will look festive in no time! Sized for your own pet's collar, it can also be made in any color for any occasion.  

It is important to note that the sleeve does not join to make a ring...this allows the collar clasp and tags to still be visible for safety purposes. Kind of like a pet "scarf" that wraps around their neck!

Crochet Pet Collar Sleeve
By Jennifer Dickerson

Materials:

• Small amounts of yarn in colors and weight of your choice (note: it is advisable to use a machine washable hard-working yarn, as dogs like to roll around, etc...nothing too delicate!)  This is a great project for yarn leftovers!
• Crochet hook of your choice (check your yarn label for hook recommendation)
• Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends and seaming

Sizing:

• Completely customizeable (instructions below)

Instructions:

*Note: This sleeve is crocheted lengthwise, folded in half and seamed.  I used two rows of each color for the candy stripe effect.

Start by making a chain the length of the collar, plus two.

Sc in the second ch from the hook and make a sc in each ch across row.

Ch 1, turn and work a sc in each space until you reach the end of the row.

Repeat this row until collar is desired width.  I checked it with the collar as I went to get the best width and fit.  I made it have a slightly wider fit so the collar would easily slip into it.

Finishing:

Weave in ends and seam it up lengthwise up the side (but not the openings on either side).  Slip your pet's collar in and you're all done!  You can also give the sleeve a twist after it's on for a candy cane effect too if you wish.


© Jennifer Dickerson 2012
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.
If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Eleventh Hour Weekend Projects (One Skein or Less!)

Good Morning Lovelies!  So...Christmas is just a few days away!  No need to panic...let's all take a deep breath...if you still have a person (or people) still hanging out on your list, let me assure you there is still time!  I've collected some patterns (both knitting and crochet) to help you shrink your to-do list in no time at all.  The patterns below are all one skein of yarn or less, so grab a skein and let's go!  

Cloudy Sky Mobius Cowl (Crochet)

Baby In Bloom Hats (Knitting)

Butternut Squash Neckwarmer

Super Pink Toddler Hat (Knitting)

Rock Candy Hats (Knitting)

Luggage Blossoms (Knitting)

Blueberry Pie Scarf (Crochet)

Bubblegum Cowl (Crochet)

Matilda Hat (Knitting)

Baby Bear Hat (Knitting)

Cotton Candy Hat (Knitting)

Kitchen Lovelies (Crochet)

Baby Doll Hats (Knitting)

Granny Berry Dishcloths (Crochet)

9 Ways to Add Handmade Extras To Gifts

I'm up to my elbows in holiday preparations!  Baking, wrapping, crocheting, and knitting!  This week mostly just wrapping, wrapping, and more wrapping!  If you're in the same boat as me, here are 9 different ways to give each gift a special handmade touch this season.

Knitted I-Cord Gift Bows

Stitchy Gift Tags (Crochet)

Happy Hearts and Stars (Crochet)

Pom Pom Gift Topper

Make your own gift wrap!

Crochet Chain Gift Bows

Holiday Rosette Pins (Knitting) Attach one to a gift, recipient can wear it later!

Tassel How-To

Easy and helpful way to tag hand stitched gifts...