Tutorial Thursday: Spring Cleaning Scrubby

Hello! Welcome to Tutorial Tuesday Thursday! The next few weeks are all about Spring Cleaning! Not so exciting perhaps, unless you consider cleaning out your yarn stash equally as necessary as scrubbing down the kitchen, which I do.

So to start with, you can clean out the stash AND clean the house with these lovely scrubbies! One in knit, the other in crochet, depending on your preference. Now you have an excuse to go for the yarn stash before scrubbing!

Tutorial Tuesday: a man hat

Hello! It's been ages since I posted anything...

Well, I survived finals, and now I am busy making hats for the (little) men in my life.

I scoured the internet for visor hat patterns for my nephews and this is the one that I decided to go with.

Photo from www.redheart.com

It is the Streetwise Hat pattern from Red Heart Yarn - it's a free pattern on their website. I sized it down a bit for my nephews, or I should say nephew, because I have only completed the hat portion of one so far. I wanted something that was a little more interesting than just single crochet hat, but also something that would be simple to make.

You can follow the hat-making process on Instagram if you like - @themadewithloveproject

I am starting another cap too, a knitted one, but that one is top secret until after Christmas...

Happy crafting!

Stephanie
MWLP

Tutorial Tuesday: Crochet Bow Headband / Ear Warmer

Searching through various blogs for cowl patterns a couple of weeks ago I stumbled on this cute headband. I decided to try my hand at one with the leftovers from the navy cowl I just made (you might have seen the pictures on Instagram). I think that this will be a great gift for one of my sisters - I won't say which (I have three).

I found the free pattern and tutorial on People Webs blog, right here.

Photo from peoplewebs.blogspot.com

She includes detailed instructions and step-by-step photos for you, which I think is great!

This is another great project for a beginner because it is all single crochet! This makes it a nice relaxing project too because it doesn't require a ton of concentration or counting... I have been making mine while I ride the bus.

This could also be done in a knit version using either garter or seed stitch...

I am going about mine a little bit differently - rather than working the length of the piece, I am working the width. When I make a second one I will work the length instead, and then let you know what I think of the two methods... My reason for working the opposite way is that I am not sure about the suggested length and want to make sure that it will be the right size. But, like I said, we will see how it turns out.

If you don't want to make your own, she does sell them on her Etsy shop!

Be sure to check out her blog and shop - she has a ton of great stuff!

Tutorial Tuesday: Beanies and Breast Cancer

As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as someone whose family has been touched by the decease, I thought it would be appropriate to encourage all of you to make a beanie for a breast cancer patient this month.

There are lots of patterns out there, so I will feature a new one each week, but if you want to look ahead I have pinned a few of both knit and crochet patterns.

This one is a favorite of mine!

Photo from AllAboutAmi.tumblr.com

I haven't tried it yet, but I hope to really soon - it's such a cute slouchy beanie pattern! I found it through All About Ami, which is the lovely blog that inspired me to start crocheting (she has a ton of cute amigurumi patterns)!

After looking at a bunch of patterns, I am going to try my hand at my own knit pattern using some pink yarn that I have. I will try to keep track of what I do so that if it works out I can share the pattern here.

Happy crafting!

P.S. Can you believe it is already October?!

Tutorial Tuesday: Crochet Kitty

Meet Priscilla! She is my first amigurumi, and my first completed crochet project. I think this makes her perfect for this week's Tutorial Tuesday.

I found the pattern a while back on Bethsco Blog, and have been meaning to try my hand at it. Her directions are clear and easy to follow, so that a beginner like me had an easy time of it (thanks Bethsco!). The only part that was a little frustrating was attaching the pieces. I wasn't really sure how to go about it, so I did the best that I could. I probably should have looked up a YouTube tutorial, but it all worked out.

Amigurumi, or knitted/crocheted stuffed animals, are really fun to make - it's easy to get hooked (wow, a lot of puns today)! It's pretty exciting watching everything come together, piece by piece, and finally having a cute little guy that you made!

These would make great gifts, and would be a wonderful thing to donate to family shelters, etc., especially with the holidays coming up (just make sure the place you are donating to takes hand-made gifts - some places require new, store-bought toys)!

Can't wait to finish my next amigurumi!

Happy crafting! 

(P.S. Priscilla was made with Vanna's Choice yarn in Dusty Grey-Brown, with a size G hook)