written by marieann

I used the tutorial linked by this post to make this little crocheted mushroom. I think if I made it again, I would stuff the whole thing and not let it open (see below). But it was a really easy pattern to follow which means a lot because I am horrible at reading crochet patterns. I think the hedgehog is really cute but mine turned out too ugly to give away. I gave it to the kitties for a cat toy instead of giving it to my swap partner.

written by marieann

I used the pattern featured in this post again to make a scarf to match the coat I featured in this post. This pattern is seriously such a breeze. It’s all double crochet in a stitch called front and back post (maybe you can find a tutorial online; my mom taught me how to do the stitch). This was the first time that I weaved in loose ends and it was actually pretty quick. This is why I love making scarves — you can make them to match your winter wear perfectly.

written by threadslinger

I made this little strawberry shortcake doll for Marie for Christmas. This is both because she loves strawberry shortcake and because it is very hard to make something for a craftster that she can’t make herself. With yarn dolls/animals I felt pretty safe

I am not really sure how to write a “how to” for this doll because I made it up as I went along and did a lot of looking at pictures of her to figure out how to do it. But, I figure you all can enjoy her cuteness.

written by marieann

I used this pattern to make a scarf for my friend from high school. It was a really soothing pattern. The finished scarf looks kind of like it was knitted. It’s an easy pattern once you get the hang of it. Ignore my squirrelly facial expression in the photo, please.

written by threadslinger

Marie and I are trying to make a quilt out of threadless shirts like this rocking’ one. As result, this requires a lot of shirts donated to us from fellow threadless folks. As an incentive to get people to donate I agreed to make them a thank you gift, noting my particular skills/patience with crocheting just about anything in the world. See also here and here.

So, one guy took me up on my skills and requested a Darth Vader Helmet. This is what I ended up with:

I wasn’t very happy with the way that it turned out because it didn’t look like a Vader Helmet that much. So I turned to Craftster a website that is amazingly helpful and addicting and asked for some help. From the helpful insight of one other girl I was able to add to it and come up with a much better helmet. Hooray for the internets!

written by threadslinger

I made these ornaments last year and they were fun and very simple to make. Plus, you can really add your own touch by adjusting the size, colors or even adding some hanging beads. Here is a quick tutorial to show you how to make your own.

Materials needed

Yarn
Bendable Cardboard (I found that cereal box works best)
Scissors
Decorative Paper
Tape
Glue
Crochet hook
Beads or any other embellishing desired.

Directions

1. Cut out three rounded edge diamond shapes from the cereal box cardboard. You can cut different sizes to make different shapes.

2. Cut out paper to cover the cardboard that is the same shape. Glue to the cardboard.

3. Tape together the diamonds starting on the sides and moving up to the point. It will form a 3-D diamond shape eventually. Don’t worry about it showing too much tape because you are going to cover this with yarn.

4. Make a single crochet chain long enough to go along the edges of the ornament. Then glue around the edges.

5. Now decorate as desired, have fun with it! I am planning on making more this year with dangling beads or maybe modge podge a few. Happy ornament making!

written by threadslinger

In anticipation for the release Super Mario Galaxy™ and because I am übernerd I made this crochet Luigi for my boyfriend. I think he turned out pretty cute and it was super fun to make. I will write out some quick instructions of how I made him so you can make your own. Hey its Luigi!

Materials

3 colors yarn (black, green, white)
1 small piece felt
2 buttons
string and needle
Something for stuffing (I used toilet paper but if you have cotton it is preferable)

Directions

The clothes: (All done using a single crochet stitch)

1. Start out by making the overalls. I began with the top by making a square doing a single crochet stitch. Then I crochet two chains on either side of the top of the square that are the straps of the overalls. I then crocheted another square like the one on the front.

2. Next, do the waist of the overalls. Along the bottom of one of the squares continue on until it connects to the other square. Go down for 3 rows until you have a solid waste. Then, on one side crochet a tube (pant leg). Finish this and tie it off. Repeat the same steps on the other side. Now your overalls should be complete. Stitch two buttons on the top of the overalls.

3. To make the shirt do a crochet circle for about 4 rows so it is like a fat tube. Then make a small crochet circle off the side of the tube on either side, finish until you have your arms.

4. For the hat do a small crochet circle by doing a single crochet stitch and then skipping one loop while hooking the yarn across. It will fan out until your desired size, but I would suggest waiting until you have made the head to complete the hat.

5. For the head. Do a crochet circle (same directions as above) and once it gets to about the size of the bottom of a drinking glass go back to a normal single crochet stitch for 3 more rows. Then begin dropping a stitch a row until it starts to form a circle.

6. For the face I stitched two pieces of black felt for eyes, did a crochet chain for the mustache and a small piece of red felt for the surprise mouth. For the hair I did the same crochet circle just in black and sewed it to the head. Attach the hat to the top and you should be done and have a cute little Luigi.

written by threadslinger

I wanted a new crocheted hat that would be very distinctive when I hit the slopes this season (so I can’t get lost) and I came up with the most girly hat known to humankind. I posted a tutorial here about a year ago (can’t believe we have been around that long!) that is a good tutorial for those of you who (like myself) cannot read crochet patterns. I will do a quick write up of how to do the ear flaps as well.

Materials needed

2 kinds of yarn
large crochet hook

Directions

1. Follow the steps outlined in the previous post until you get to the end.

2. Switch the color of your yarn and do 3 more rows.

3. Start on the side of the hat and go about 15 stitches. Double back and continue down for 2 more rows. The drop a 2 stitches each additional row until there is no more and it turns to a point. Then to a crochet chain. If you want you can do a little yarn poof ball at the end but I figured my hat was girly enough. And you are done and have a very warm, awesome hat.

written by marieann

I love my Swiffer. But I hate throwing away the little rags. Especially when you’re floor is dirty and you need to use two for a single cleaning of your kitchen floor. I saw this link on craftster and was I so happy there was a solution. I don’t knit and I wanted an easier version so I whipped this up. I was using little leftover yarn balls so that’s why it’s funny colored. I am shocked how much it works. It picks up hairs and dirt and pushes the large dust bunnies like a broom. I made this watching an episode of Joey. So each!

Materials:
Yarn remnant(s)
Safety pin

Tools:
Large crochet needle

Instructions:
1. Chain a bunch so that you’re along as long as the swiffer head.
2. Double crochet a couple of rows.
3. Drop some stitches so that you have little envelopes on the corners to tuck around the swiffer head.
4. Double crochet a bunch more rows.
5. Add some stitches at the end again to make little envelopes on the corners.
6. Make a long braid of three pieces of yarn.
7. Tuck the corners around the swiffer head. Tie the braid to one back side of the swiffer rag and wrap it around. Safety pin it so that you can remove it to wash it.

written by threadslinger

Being a native Oregonian, activist and lover of the environment (these are all practically synonyms where I grew up) I am always looking for ways to do crafts that are fun but also help me reduce the amount of waste that I put into the world. Sometimes this means doing the little things, which is why I was super excited to see this post on Ready Made about crocheting (or knitting) coffee cozies. To be honest, I think a better way to cut down on waste is to bring your own reusable coffee cup and that is what I usually do (hence the picture). But, if you are a “grab n’ go” coffee person this is a way that you can save on waste while also not burning your hand.

Materials needed

3 colors of yarn
crochet needle

Directions

1. Single crochet stitch about 25 rows depending on the size of your hand and cup. I did it about 30 stitches long.
2. For my cup I crochet the words “Earth first” around it but it is pretty impossible to take a picture around a cup so you will have to use your imagination. But, if you are interested I created the letters by dong 2 rows of a single crochet stitch formed to the letters I wanted. And, you are done, quite possibly one of the easiest crochet projects on the planet.