Archives for September 2013

Puppy Chow Recipe & Crochet Dog for Boss’s Day

September 27, 2013 By

Puppy Chow Recipe & Crochet Dog Cozy for Boss’s Day (October 16, 2013)

puppy chow recipe

Need a fun gift idea for Boss’s Day. Show the big dog how much you appreciate him (or her) with this puppy chow recipe and a crochet dog cozy. Gobble up the left over chocolate goodness yourself or share this treat with your coworkers and watch them drool in delight.

Let’s start with the puppy chow recipe…that way you can nibble on it while you make the crochet dog cozy!

Puppy Chow Recipe

puppy chow in a jarYou’ll have the boss eating out of your hand (or mason jar) with this puppy chow recipe! He will lap it up and return begging for more. (PS: if you don’t bring a doggie bag to refill his jar, you can always share the recipe with him instead).

INGREDIENTS:

  • 14.25 oz   Chocolate Chex cereal (9 cups)
  • 1 ¼ cup    dark chocolate chips
  • ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons  creamy peanut butter
  • ½ teaspoon  vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cup  powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

  1. mason jar of puppy chowPlace cereal in large pot. Set aside.
  2. Melt chocolate chips in small pot on medium low heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  3. Stir peanut butter and vanilla into chocolate until smooth.
  4. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal. Stir until evenly coated. Allow chocolate to cool for 5 – 10 minutes.
  5. Pour powdered sugar over cereal and stir until evenly coated.
  6. Store in mason jars or tight fitted containers.

Recipe is inspired by:

http://www.chex.com/recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=45860

Crochet Dog Cozy

boss's day dog cozyThis crochet dog cozy is great for Boss’s Day or as a special gift for a dog loving friend. They’ll dig it and the treats that come with it.

These hounds are a great stash busting project. We’ve used Vanna’s Choice yarn. This line of yarn has lots of fun brown tones to choose from.

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet, Double Crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in Rows, Crochet in the Round, Increase, Decrease

SUPPLIES:

  • Mason Jar
  • Vanna’s Choice Yarn: Wosted Weight (4)
    HONEY, CHOCOLATE, BEIGE, BLACK, WHITE
    (Grey: Charcoal Grey, Silver Grey, Black, White)
    (Blue: Aqua, Colonial Blue, White)
  • Crochet Hook: H
  • Yarn Needle for sewing
  • Stuffing

dog cozyCOZY INSTRUCTIONS

  • Honey
  • Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-10: Sc around. (34)

Sl St. Finish off. Weave in end.

SNOUT INSTRUCTIONS

  • Beige
  • Hook: H

Ch 9

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (8)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (8)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc dec, 4 sc, sc dec. (6)

Row 4: Repeat Row 2. (6)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. sc dec, 2 sc, sc dec. (4)

Row 6: Repeat Row 2. (4)

Rnd 7: Turn to sides of Rows 1-6. Work sc across (a sc on the end of each row). Turn to foundation chain, sc across. Turn to sides of Rows 1-7. Work sc across (a sc on the end of each row). Join with a sl st. (20))

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

3 cozies flat

NOSE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Black
  • Hook: H

Ch 3

Rnd 1: In the 3rd ch from hook work 2 hdc, dc, 2 hdc, ch 2, sl st to same st as all other sts. (7)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

SPOT INSTRUCTIONS

  • Chocolate
  • Hook: H

Ch 3

Rnd 1: 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st. (12)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

EYE INSTRUCTIONS (make 2)

  • White
  • Hook: H

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with a sl st. (5)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

dog earPUPIL INSTRUCTIONS (make 2)

  • Black
  • Hook: H

Ch 2

Rnd 1: Work sc and sl st in 2nd ch from hook. (2)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

EAR INSTRUCTIONS (make 2)

  • Make one Honey and one Chocolate
  • Hook: H

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2-3: Sc around. (6)

Rnd 4: *sc, sc inc* around. (9)

Rnd 5-10: Sc around. (9)

Rnd 11: Sc dec. Pinch ear closed so there are 4 sts across. Work sc through loops of two sts opposite each other to close the ear. (5)

Finish off leaving a long tail. Whip st from inside to outside of all front loops and cinch closed.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pin Snout to Rnds 1-5 of the cozy. Stuff lightly and sew. Weave in ends.
  2. Pin then sew Nose to center of Snout.
  3. Embroider a mouth on Snout below the Nose. Weave in ends.
  4. Sew Spot to cozy above Snout with right edge of Spot about centered. Weave in ends.
  5. Sew Pupils to Eyes. Weave in ends.
  6. Sew reflective spot to each Pupil with tails of Eyes If desired.
  7. Pin then sew Eyes just above Snout – one to be sewn on the Spot. Weave in ends.
  8. Sew Ears to the sides at Row 10.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this dog cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 dogs pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Animals, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe Tagged With: , , , ,

Crimson Cowl in Love of Crochet Fall 2013

September 26, 2013 By

Crimson Cowl in Love of Crochet – Fall 2013 Issue

Crimson Cowl Love of CrochetWe have another scarf / cowl featured in Love of Crochet Magazine. The Fall Issue 2013 is available in stores until October 21.

This Crimson Cowl is a great 1 skein project! We’ve used Boutique Changes by Red Heart. There are 6 different yarn fabrics in one skein.

For anyone learning how to do broomstick lace, this is a great first project. This stunning cowl looks more complicated than it is because of the yarn changes.

Update 5-15-2014

We have the rights back on this beautiful cowl pattern. You can now get the free Crimson Cowl pattern in the shop.

Magazine Errata: On Row 3, the ch 1 is only done at the beginning in order to lock your yarn at the top of the loops. Here’s the correction:

Row 3: (broomstick lace row) insert hook in 5 loops, yo, pull through loops, ch 1, work 5 sc in same group of loops. *work 5 sc in each set of 5 loops* across.

Please also note that the tassels are just one strand of yarn folded in half and attached with a lark’s head knot.

Filed Under: Publications, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs Tagged With: , ,

Lil Pumpkin Halloween Outfit Crochet Pattern

September 17, 2013 By

Lil’ Pumpkin Halloween Outfit Crochet Pattern – Pumpkin Hats, Pants and Trick or Treat Bag

Dress up your Lil’ Pumpkin this fall in this adorable pumpkin set. It’s perfect for cool fall weather and special occasions like Thanksgiving, Harvest Parties, Halloween and trips to the pumpkin patch!

Lil-Pumpkin-looking-at-pumpkin

We’ve got the whole family covered with pants for babies and hats for everyone in the family. The bag is one size fits all…perfect for trick or treating.

Pumpkin Pattern Includes:

  • Pumpkin Hats: 6 sizes (newborn to men)
  • Pumpkin Pants: 3 sizes (up to 24 mos)
  • Pumpkin Bag: One size fits all – trick or treat size

pumpkin outfit

Skill Level: Intermediate

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet, Double Crochet, Treble Crochet, No Chain Foundation Single Crochet, No Chain Foundation Double Crochet

Lil-Pumpkin-wth-VineTechniques Used: Crochet in Rows, Crochet in the Round, Crochet in Back Loop, Increase, Decrease

Crochet this design for a fun photo prop or as a cute outfit for taking the Lil’ Pumpkin to a party.

The pattern is available in the store! Learn more about the Lil Pumpkin crochet pattern.

Lil Pumpkin Set pattern on Etsy.

Filed Under: Accessories, Adult, Baby, Bags, Boy, Child, Girl, Halloween, Patterns for Sale Tagged With: , ,

I Love Yarn Day Cozy and Mason Jar Yarn Keeper

September 13, 2013 By

I Love Yarn Day (October 11) – Heart Cozy and Yarn Keeper Jar

Yes, I have “I love yarn day” on my calendar. A few years ago I would have scoffed at such a “silly” day. Not so any more. This is an important day to celebrate!

I Love Yarn Day Cozies

In support of this momentous day, I’ve created a special mason jar cozy and yarn keeper. Let’s get started with the mason jar then work our way to the cozy.

Mason Jar Yarn Keeper

heart cozyThis mason jar yarn keeper is similar to yarn bowls and yarn keeper bags. The mason jar version has the added benefit of looking adorable on a shelf stuffed with yarn in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Benefits: A mason jar yarn keeper helps keep remnants of yarn clean and tangle free. It can hold a small ball of yarn that has either a center pull or is pulled from the outside. The biggest benefit is that the ball of yarn won’t roll away while you work. The tail is fed through a hole in the lid which helps it unwind smoothly which will help with consistent tension.

We have filled our jars with hand wound balls of yarn. We’ve written a post on how to make a center pull ball of yarn by hand if you’d like to create balls with your remnants.

There are three options for the lid. Supplies and directions for all three are listed below.

3 styles of lids

SUPPLIES:

  • Wide Mouth Mason Jar
  • Wide Mouth Lid

Option 1:

  • Crop-A-Dile Big Bite

Option 2:

  • Crop-A-Dile Big Bite or Hole Punch
  • Plastic Packaging
  • Marker
  • Scissors

Option 3:

  • Cardstock
  • Hole Punch
  • Pencil
  • Scissors

mason jar yarn keeper with clear lid

INSTRUCTIONS:

Option 1:

This is the quickest method. It works great for papercrafters who already own the Crop-A-Dile, a special hole punch and grommet setter that can reach 6”.

  1. Set the Crop-A-Dile to the 3/16 setting and punch a hole in the lid (either in the center or where desired).

punch hole in lid

Option 2:

This is a fun option if you want a transparent lid. You can us use the fancy Crop-A-Dile tool or a single hole punch.

  1. Trace the wide mouth lid on a piece of plastic packaging with a marker.
  2. Cut out the shape with scissors. For a better fit, cut off (cut on the inside of) the traced circle.
  3. Use Crop-A-Dile or hole punch to punch a hole.

Option 3:

This is a cute option for coordinating the lid with elements inside the jar. This also uses common elements you’ll find around the house.

  1. Trace the wide mouth lid on a piece of cardstock with a pencil.
  2. Cut out the shape with scissors. For a better fit, cut off (cut on the inside of) the traced circle.
  3. Use a hole punch to punch a hole.

Feed the yarn through the hole, place lid on jar and screw the lid to lock it in place.

yarn keeper and lidI Love Yarn Day Cozy

I couldn’t resist creating a heart shaped yarn ball for I Love Yarn Day. This quick cozy will help you flaunt your love of yarn.

Though we’ve used Vanna’s Choice for this project, this is an awesome stash buster. If you love yarn, then no doubt you’ve got a stash!

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Double Crochet, Treble (Triple) Crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in Rows, Crochet in the Round, Crochet in Both Loops, Crochet in Back Loops Only, Embroidery

COZY SUPPLIES:

  • Vanna’s Choice: Worsted Weight (4)
    RADIANT LIME, TERRACOTTA
    (Mug: Colonial Blue, Mustard)
    (Cup: Chocolate, Pink)
  • Crochet Hook: H/8/5.00 mm
  • Yarn Needle for Sewing

3 heart cozies

COZY INSTRUCTIONS:

Radiant Lime

Hook: H

Ch 5

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc across. (4)

Row 2-28: Working in the back loops only, sc across. (4)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew ends of cozy together with whip st across.

embroider heartHEART INSTRUCTIONS

Terracotta (shown here in Silver Blue)

Hook: H

Leaving a long tail: Ch 5

Rnd 1: In the 5th ch from hook work: 3 trc, 4 dc, 1 trc, 4 dc, 3 trc, ch 3, sl st into the same stitch. Pull tail tightly to close the hole. Finish off leaving a long tail for to drape across cozy. (17)

With tail from beginning ch, sew yarn ball looking stripes (sewn in groups of four or as desired). Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew heart to cozy covering up the whip st join. Weave in ends.

With tail left over from Rnd 1, create a curl in the yarn and sew to cozy as desired.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this heart cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

The ebook includes 3 new designs – Dracula, Vampire and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Cozy, Cup Cozies, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE Tagged With: , , ,

How to Make a Center-Pull Ball of Yarn by Hand

September 5, 2013 By

How to Make a Center-Pull Ball of Yarn by Hand

how to make a center pull ball of yarn by hand

We’ll show you how to make a center pull ball of yarn by hand…no tools or special gadgets required. This simple technique will keep your yarn stash neat and your yarn tangle free.

yarn wound in various forms

A center pull means that the yarn can be pulled from the center of the ball or skein. The ball stays stationary and does not flop around like it does when yarn is pulled from the outside of the skein.

Yarn comes packaged in several different ways.

Ball – Yarn wound in a round shape that has a center pull (purple ball top left in photo above).
Hank – A loose coil of yarn wound in a large circle with no center pull (red hank bottom in photo above).
Skein – An oblong ball of yarn with a center pull (yellow skein top right in photo above).

yarn in various states

There are several reasons for making a ball of yarn:

  • The skein is 3/4 used up and its shape is floppy and starting to turn into a tangled mess.
  • The hank is easier to work with as a ball of yarn.
  • A project has been frogged (ripped out) and needs to be turned into a ball.
  • A previous ball of yarn is starting to unravel.

How to Make a Center Pull Ball of Yarn by Hand

thumbs up for making a ball of yarn

1. Lay a yarn tail across your fingers with your thumb pointed up and the tail of the yarn dangling below your little finger. Close your fingers around the yarn. You’ve now got a thumbs up to go ahead with the yarn ball.

first wrap

2. Wrap yarn around your thumb at and angle…I usually wrap it on an \ angle. Wrap the yarn around approximately 10 times.

3. Twist that group of yarn about 1/4 turn to the left (clockwise).

2nd wrap

4. Wrap yarn around your thumb at the same angle \ as you did in step 2, again wrapping the yarn around your thumb about 10 times.

almost done wrapping yarn

5. Repeat steps 3 and 2 alternately until your ball of yarn is made.

how to make a center pull ball of yarn by hand

6. Remove your thumb from the center of the ball and that is where your center pull is.

Note: There are a lot of alternatives for this method of making a center pull ball of yarn.

  • You can wrap around two or three fingers instead of your thumb.
  • You can wrap around a knitting needle or crochet hook instead of your fingers or thumb.
  • You can twist your hand/thumb instead of twisting the yarn.
  • You can wrap the yarn around a piece of cardboard or plastic bobbin.

We use this center pull ball of yarn method ALL the time. We often find that after the center pull ball of yarn has been used a while, we will need to remake it. The partially used center pull ball tends to collapse and tangle (as seen in the black ball in the photo above).

 

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks, Yarn Tagged With: ,