Dog Crochet Basket

A while back when I made the crocheted owl basket and small cat basket I sent a picture to the fam and Macey made the comment that if I made the cat one in black it would look like her dog Nahla - so I did. And it does hahaha. I added a bit of fringe at the ears this time to make it resemble a yorkie, isn't it cute? It's much bigger than it looks, it's about 10" wide and tall. 

I combined the pattern for the owl basket found at bhg.com, and the cat basket pattern found at woolstreeet.ca to come up with this dog basket. 

Crochet Cat Basket

 2 things happened for me to make this basket:

(1) I still have leftover yarn on my desk from making the cutie owl basket, and I'm too lazy to put it away.

(2) I made a few masks to send to my friend Janis (who is also a cat lady - not so much a 'crazy cat lady' but more a lady who likes cats hahahaha) and the idea to crochet her a cat basket to send the masks in popped into my head. 

At first I was just going to wing it and make up a pattern based on the owl but then I googled 'crochet cat basket' wondering if anything would come up and sure enough - I'm not the only person who had the idea! I based mine on a pattern found here  at Woolstreet.ca, but I didn't add the face and I did half double crochet stitches. 

This was very easy to make and came together quickly, and it's pretty cute too. The ears remind me of Sarge so I'm going to make a black one next and see if I can make it look like a scottie :)

Oh, and Brooke is the one that came up with the idea to keep masks in a basket by the front door after seeing my owl (and my craft room full of masks and mask-making supplies hahah). Good idea BL! 

Here's the instructions in case the link doesn't work:

The yarn is held double to make the basket sturdy.

The finished size is about 8 inches wide and 6 inches deep.

Materials used:

-10 mm crochet hook
-125 grams of Cozy Wool™ Yarn By Loops & Threads- held double in the colour of your choice (any chunky wool can be used in place here )
-Worsted Weight yarn for nose and whiskers in the colours of your choice
-Tapestry needle
-Scissors

*This pattern is crocheted in spirals except for the ears.

Pattern:

1. Holding yarn double, sc 6 in magic ring (6)
2. *inc * repeat around (12)
3. *sc, inc* repeat (18)
4. *sc 2, inc* repeat (24)
5. *sc 3, inc* repeat (30)
6. *sc 4, inc* repeat (36)
7. sc tbl all around

8-16 sc all around.

DO NOT FASTEN OFF

Ear 1:

1. sc 5, ch 1, turn (5)
2. sc 5, ch 1, turn (5)
3. dec, sc, dec, ch 1 turn (3)
4. dec last 3 stitches together (1)
5. FO

Ear 2:

Skip 5 stitches starting from bottom left of Ear 1.
Connect yarn using slip stitch and repeat instructions for Ear 1.

Finishing:

Holding a single strand of yarn, starting in the bottom left corner of Ear 2 (left ear), slip stitch all around. As you reach the ears, single crochet 2 in the points of each ear.
FO and weave in all ends.
Embroider nose, whiskers and eyes if you wish.

Crochet Owl Basket

True story:

I was crocheting in the car and Dave asked what I was making, I said an owl basket. 

Dave: why?

Me: why? Uh, 'cause - hello, owl basket! Why wouldn't I? Duh. 

I'm not going to reprint the instructions, you can find them on bhg.com or click here. For the record, the headline reads "this easy crochet owl basket is the perfect project for beginners" and I beg to differ. I've been crocheting for years and had to google a couple of things - I've never heard of a picot stitch and even after googling not sure I did it correctly but the owl looks cute so am not going to overthink it. I also didn't know how to hdc dec (half double crochet decrease) or what a 'double treble' stitch is, thank goodness for google and youtube hahaha. I could not figure out the instructions for the left eye so I just made 2 right eyes and turned it so it was placed like the sample picture/instructions. 

Isn't it cute?! 

Here's the directions in case the link doesn't work:

Step 1: Crochet the Basket 

The basket is worked in a spiral, so joining rounds is not necessary. Mark the beginning of each round.

Rnd 1: With 2 strands of yarn held together, chain or ch 3 (2 chs counts as half double crochet or hdc), hdc 7 times in beg ch (8 hdc).

Rnd 2: Hdc-inc in each stitch or st (16 hdc).

Rnd 3: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next st; rep from * 7 more times (24 hdc).

Rnd 4: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 2 sts; rep from * 7 more times (32 hdc).

Rnd 5: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 3 sts; rep from * 7 more times (40 hdc).

Rnd 6: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 4 sts; rep from * 7 more times (48 hdc).

Rnd 7: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 5 sts; rep from * 7 more times (56 hdc).

Rnd 8: * Hdc-inc, hdc in next 6 sts; rep from * 7 more times (64 hdc).

Rnds 9-17: Hdc in each st around (64 hdc).

Rnd 18: *Hdc-dec, hdc in next 6 sts; rep from * 7 more times (56 hdc).

Rnd 19: *Hdc-dec, hdc in next 5 sts; rep from * 7 more times (48 hdc).

Rnd 20: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 5 sts; rep from * 7 more times (56 hdc).

Rnds 21-26: Hdc in each st around (56 hdc).

Single crochet or Sc in next st, slip stitch or sl st in next st to finish off. Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Buy It: Plastic Crochet Hook Set ($12, Michaels)

Step 2: Make the Eyes 

Each eye is worked in a spiral, so joining rounds is not necessary. Mark the beginning of each round.

First Eye

Rnd 1: With 2 strands of yarn held together, ch 2 sc 6 times in beg ch (6 sc).

Rnd 2: *Sc 2 times in each st; rep from * 5 more times (12 sc).

Rnd 3: *Double crochet or dc 2 times in each st; rep from * 11 more times (24 sc).

Rnd 4: *Dc 2 times in next st, dc; rep from * 5 more times, treble crochet or tr, dtr, picot; fasten off.

Second Eye

Rnds 1-3: Rep First Eye instructions.

End 4: Picot, dtr, tr, *dc, dc 2 times in next st; rep from * 5 more times, hdc, sc, sl st to finish off eye; fasten off and weave in ends.

Step 3: Add Eyes to Basket 

Position the right eye on the basket at the point of the last st. Using two strands of yarn and a tapestry needle, tack down the center of the eye; using the center hole as a guide, bring the needle up through the center and then back down in the first round of stitches. Continue until the center is secure.

Using two strands of yarn and the outside stitches of the eye, tack down the eye securely, leaving the picot stitches unsewn. Weave in all ends. Repeat with the left eye.

Buy It: Large-Eye Blunt End Needles-6/Pkg ($7, Walmart)

Step 4: Add the Beak 

Using two strands of yarn and long straight stitches, embroider a beak between the bottoms of the eyes. Once you've mastered the technique, you can modify the basket to make it as big or tall as you desire by adding or subtracting stitches. The finished design makes a heartfelt DIY gift or keep it for yourself and use it to stash office accessories or crafts supplies.

Crocheted Messy Bun Hat

Tesha and I were talking and I can't remember why but she told me she has to wear her hair down when she walks outside because a hat doesn't fit over her ponytail. I said she needed a 'messy bun' or ponytail hat. She'd never heard of it so for Christmas I made her one - patterns are very easy to find online, I picked this simple (and free) one and whipped it out quite quickly. I made orange so she's more visible when walking down her road (she lives in Michigan and between the trees and snow, and early disk, sometimes it's hard to see good!).

Here's the pattern I followed, I added a few more rows to make it longer - note I didn't use the yarn called for in the pattern and that apparently changed the scale, the circumference was fine it just wasn't long enough. I used Joann yarn 100% acrylic (but very soft) medium #4 weight and K hook.

DECEMBER 9, 2016 BY CRAFT COALITION TEAM

Simplicity Messy Bun Hat 2-in-1

Yarn – Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice, worsted weight, 3.5 oz/170 yds – Silver Blue

Materials – K/10 1/2 – 6.50mm

Difficulty –  Easy

Size – 20” circumference, fits 24″

Measurements in Pattern – 4.5” inch diameter

Gauge – 4” = 9 rows, 11 stitches

Stitch Guide in American Terms:
HDC – Half double crochet

Special Stitches:

HDC in the 3rd loop – Yarn over, insert your hook in the loop behind the back loop, yarn over, pull up a loop, 3 loops on hook, yarn over, pull through all 3.

Notes – Worked from the top down in rounds. Chain does not count as a stitch. Do not turn your work.

Instructions:(To Make a Full Beanie- Start with a chain 3, HDC 6 in the 3rd chain from the hook, slip stitch to form a loop. Round 2: chain 1, make 2 HDCs in each stitch around for a total of 12 stitches. Round 3: make 2 HDCs in each stitch around for a total of 24 stitches. Now, skip to the instructions below starting at Round 1.)
Chain 24, slip stitch to form a loop, chain 1Round 1: HDC in each chain around, slip stitch, chain 1, do not turn – 24 HDCs total.Round 2: 2 HDC in each stitch around, slip stitch, chain 1, do not turn – 48 HDCs.Round 3: HDC in each around, slip stitch, chain 1, do not turn – 48 HDCs.Round 4: * HDC 7, 2 HDC in the next, repeat from * around 6 times, slip stitch, chain 1, do not turn – 54 HDCs.Round 5 – 15: HDC in each around, slip stitch, chain 1, do not turn – 54 HDCsRound 16-18: Using the 3rd loop only (VIDEO below – behind the stitch) HDC in each around, slip stitch to the top of the chain to join, chain 1, do not turnRound 19: Still using the 3rd loop only HDC in each around, slip stitch, fasten off.Finishing: Sew in the ends.

click here for original source

Mug Cozy

You've heard of the whole "Christmas in July" thing, right? Getting a head start on Christmas gifts, especially if you are planning to give homemade gifts, is a great idea - one that I rarely plan ahead for and end up frantically crocheting at the last minute! Not this year...I'm determined to get going with plenty of time to spare (we'll see how long that lasts haha).

I crocheted these easy mug cozies after seeing them on our trip to Ireland - I purchased the cute sheep on a stick there, but the crochet part of the cozy is so simple there was no way I was going to spend like $15 on one! This was a super quick project, just a matter of minutes to crochet a rectangle long enough to wrap around a mug - then hold it closed with the stick. I like this better than the more fitted cozies I've seen because it's adjustable to many different sized mugs - clever.

Now since I only bought 2 of the sheep, I don't have more of the stick things here and I'm either going to have to figure out how to make them, or use something else as the closure. A large pin would work and be pretty cute actually, or I'll find little things to hot glue to the top of a short dowel.

For the crocheted body I played with different yarns and simple stitches - all single crochet, all double, all half-double, creating a pattern with single and double...it really doesn't matter. Just crochet whatever looks pretty to you!

I'm thinking big safety pins like these would make good closures too...I'll let you know what I make or find to keep the cozy on the mug!

Crochet a Dish Scrubby

I found a package of polypropylene twine in the hardware section at a dollar store, I didn't know what I was going to make with it but figured I'd find something...with the yellow I made this scrubby and with the other two colors (blue and green) I made a hanging fruit basket for the Turtle (RV). Click here to see that post. For the scrubby I used this pattern (but didn't do the whole cutting net into strips and tie together part - I just used the twine), it crocheted up quickly and I used it all the way across the country on our road trip is exactly what I wanted it to be.

I have a portable craft box for when we travel in the Turtle - I usually
bring along a small jewelry project, something to crochet or cross stitch,
 coloring book and colored markers...small things to stay busy while riding for days. 

taking photos while riding in the back of the rv is difficult, it's super
bumpy back there! I know this isn't the best scrubby picture I could
have taken, but you get the idea!

Crocheted Beanie for B

As predicted, here is a post about the beanie that I made for Brooke to wear Halloween night - this hat works up pretty quickly (don't tell her that, I made it seem like I stayed up nights working on it for her haha) and is a simple pattern. I've changed the pattern a bit of course -  I like it longer than what the instructions are, sometimes I change it up by doing a different stitch for a few rows, I usually add a pompom (seems everyone wants a pompom on theirs!), and I use a size I hook and whatever yarn I feel like. I've made a few of these hats lately, every time I make one I get another request for one so it's keeping me busy crocheting - which I love and am happy to do!

I don't have a picture of Brooke wearing her hat, but here it is on my "model"...

Crocheted Bracelets

These bracelets are pretty simple to make, I don't have the pattern to share but if you can do a single crochet you can make them no problem! 

String some beads (approx 50) onto thin cotton yarn (make sure the holes in your beads are big enough to thread onto your yarn. I tried using embroidery floss but there isn't enough in a skein to complete the bracelet and with the beads strung on before you start it would be hard to add on). Chain 7 with a very small hook; turn, skip first chain, sc in remaining 6 chains, chain 1, turn. SC across 6 chains, chain 1, turn, repeat until you have an area big enough for your button closure. Then pull up a bead to your hook and crochet it into your sc's, I alternate 2 and 3 beads per bead row so they look a little more random. After you do one row with beads and turn, just do sc's across the next row (the "back side"), turn and do another bead row. Repeat alternating a bead row with 6 sc no bead row until it's as long as you want (mine are approx 7"). Last row I chained 5 (or as many as it takes to fit the button for a closure, slip stitch into last stitch and finish off. Sew button on the area with . Weave ends in. Done. Doesn't take long at all and I think they are a nice easy project - I'd wear them alone or pile 'em on my wrist. Note: you could make this as narrow or wide as you want, just add more or less chain/sc's and beads.

I wouldn't wear these 3 together normally, just showing you how they all look on!