written by threadslinger

It is barely fall and already I couldn’t wait to start crocheting again. I am not very professional with my crochet directions because I still have no idea how to do all the super cool crochet stitches (see this post for my directions on how to make a hat if you don’t know how to read crochet patterns). I basically just think with my head I want to make “x” whatever that is and then I play around with the yarn until it is made. So, here are my very limited crochet instructions, but I suggest that you use your own judgement for your own feet. These are tailor made to my own foot, (ie as I was making it I kept on trying it on) and I suggest that you do the same thing if you want your toes to be super cozy.

Materials needed

2 kinds of soft yarn
1 6 MM crochet hook
1 9 MM crochet hook

Directions

1. Do a single crochet chain, for my foot I did 8 crochet stitches across.
2. Flip and repeat doing a single crochet stitch until you have about 4 rows.
3. Then do a single crochet stitch and the loop yarn around hook without going through a crochet loop. Repeat process for the next 3 rows.
4. Continue going back and forth doing a regular single stitch (step 2) and then do the skip stitch (step 3). While you are doing this keep on trying on the “sock” and fitting it around your foot. This should be done until it gets midway up your ankle.
5. Now, your sock is essentially done but I made a little crochet heart for the ankle. I also reinforced the heel (cause those always wear out the most) by crocheting a little rectangle and then stitching it to the sock. And, after that you are done! Welcome to cozy feet city.

written by threadslinger

I started to make crochet animals (also called amigurumi) a few weekends ago. I just envisoned what kind of animal I wanted to make and there it was. I think that this is the best way to do this since the animals you dream up should have your own creative flare. However, I will write a tutorial for the mouse I made as well as the turtle so you have an idea of how to get your creative juices going.

You will need:

Yarn
crochet hook (k101/2-6.50MM)
Felt
Thread/needle

Mouse directions (this is really easy so its good for beginners)

1. Start your crochet with the usual slip knot. Then do a single crochet stitch and then just loop the fabric over without going through the loop for the second stitch. Repeat these steps for 9 rows, it should start to grow out like a circle.
2. Once you are satisfied with size of your mouse go back to a single crochet stitch. After 4 rows start to drop 1 stitch until it forms the point for the mouse nose. Just before it gets to the point where it will close put stuffing into your mouse. I used toilet paper and it worked fine though I am sure cotton would be better.
3. Cut out a strip of felt and then stitch to the end of the mouse. Then cut out two ears (half circles of felt) and stitch to mouse head, take a little dot of felt and stitch on for a nose. Now you have a little mouse friend (I’m planning on using mine as a kitten toy.)

Turtle instructions

1. Start with the head the same way that the mouse started; a single crochet stitch, then a stitch without going through the loop. Do this for 6 rows and then switch to doing only a single crochet stitch. Once you get to the 6th row drop 2 stitches each row. When you get about halfway make sure to put stuffing in your animal. The key with amigurumi’s is to shape as you go along, yarn is very pliant so take your fingers and bend it the way you want it to. If you think about how you want your animal to look as you go along it makes it easier.

2. Once the head is small enough that the two ends touch it is finished and set it aside. Now, for the shell do the start the same way you did with the head but this time do that for 15 rows. At the 15th row do a single crochet stitch dropping 2 stitches a row until you get to the end. Stuff shell before it closes up. Don’t forget to shape as you go along.

3. After the shell is finished you stitch the head to the top of the shell using thread that doesn’t easily show.

4. All you have to do now are the feet and tail. Flip turtle over and do a single crochet stitch in a small circle for about 6 rows or until the legs seem long enough. Repeat this in four places on the bottom of the shell to form all the legs. For the tail do a crochet chain about 4 rows long and tie onto turtle. Now you are done and you have your own ninja turtle.

written by marieann

I got the idea to make this neck warmer from a girl in my crochet group. I was excited to try it out because it’s just like a scarf only smaller (so it takes much less time!), and you don’t have to worry about wrapping it. I also love the cute little curl like a turtleneck. I was worried that it would be too warm to wear before I finished it, but this baby barely took any time at all. So when it snowed yesterday, I was prepared!

This is a very easy project and strongly suggested for a beginner because it is much quicker to do than a scarf or a long-time crocheter could finish in just a few hours.

Supplies
Yarn, one small skein

Tools
Scissors
Medium-sized crochet needle
Large eyed sewing needle

Instructions
1. Chain until you’re chain, lightly stretched, is about 12-14 inches long. This will be the width of your collar.
2. Double crotchet, in the font loop of the entire chain. Chain one, turn.
3. Double crochet, in the back loop of the entire chain. Chain one, turn.
4. In this way alternate the front or back loop until you’re piece is big enough to go around your head. This alternation makes a nice pattern with the yarn.

(It doesn’t show up that well in the photo, but I think you can see there is some variation).

5. When you finish, knot the yarn, and cut the end.
6. Use the sewing needle and some yarn to stitch the ends of the collar together to make a complete circle.
7. Be ready to be cute and warm!

written by threadslinger

I made this ipod cover after I was tired of seeing my boyfriend nearly ruin his ipod everytime he threw it in his backpack with no protective cover. The great thing about this is that the colors I chose are very Valentines-y so if you are looking for an easy, simple and inexpensive gift for your significant other for the big V day, look no further.

Materials
Yarn (I used thick wool yarn, both red and white.)
Medium size crochet hook (I used the gray plastic one that is the 2nd biggest hook I have seen)

Directions

1. Do a single crochet in a line. I did 14 loops but my yarn was quite thick so if you are using thiner yarn you may want to do more. Attach the ends together to form a loop.

2. Continue to do single crochet for 21 rows, this is long enough to reach the top of the nano.

3. When you get to the end of the 21 rows you should have a little tube. Close it off by crocheting the ends together.

4. Make the heart by doing a single crochet line (about 7 stitches) and attach it to the ipod cover. Now you have a lover ipod cover.

written by threadslinger

These were a present for Miss Marie (modeling them above) for Christmas and awesome gloves because your digits are free to do things. I realize it is pretty cold outside for some people to expose bare fingers, but I still think these gloves rule.

Materials
Yarn (2 kinds)
Crochet needle (I use the second biggest one because I use fat yarn)

Instructions
Do a single crochet stitch and measure it to your wrist, then loop the end of the yarn around making a circle. Continue to crochet until it gets above the bottom knucles of your fingers.

Then poke your thumb through the stitches and snip a piece of the yarn to make the thumb hole. (This part is tricky, you may have to do some knotting to avoid your whole glove coming undone).

Then around the hole do a single crochet stitch until it goes to the top of your thumb. Go back to the glove (switch colors if desired) and stitch until it is above your second knuckle. To see how to do the flowers check out this post I did awhile back.

written by threadslinger

Since it is finally starting to get cold in New York I decided it was time to start wearing winter gloves, scarves and hats. Except that if I wear one of the awesome beanies I learned how to make (in non-crochet speak) then my hair is all messed up for my professional job. So, I invented this headband/ear warmer. It has buttons underneath so you don’t have to slide it on your head but instead can just button it on over your ears. Plus, it has a flower cause thats just pretty.

Materials needed:

Yarn
Crochet needle
Thread
Buttons
Sewing needle

Directions

Step 1:

Crochet (single stich) a rectangle long enough to touch behind your head and wide enough to cover your ears.

Step 2:

After you are done crocheting that you need to sew two buttons to one end. Loosen the yarn across from the buttons so that it loops around the buttons.

Step 3:

For the finishing touch I crocheted a little flower. Do this by doing a crochet chain and then link together to make a loop. Then keep on building off of that loop (same method) until you have a flower. Attach with a different color of thread by hooking to headband to make flower middle.

Done, no more cold ears or hat hair

written by threadslinger

I went to high school in the NW where it was the coolest thing ever when you could make beanies and give them to your friends. Problem was, I could never read the patterns. All the sc’s and ch’s got me confused. Even with a key that explained the words I would always get overwhelmed and give up. So finally, 5 years later, I decided to try again. First, I learned how to crochet by just messing around with yarn and a crochet hook until I could figure out how to make a scarf, and still when I am around my friends that crochet they say I “do it weird”. To me it isn’t weird, it is the only way. I searched online for an instruction manual in english as opposed to crochet speak and alas, there was none to be found. Luckily, I was able to mess around long enough until I figured it out. So, I now give to you instructions on how to crochet a hat in complete sentences! Hopefullly it will help someone!

Materials needed:

Yarn (any kind, I use think wool yarn usually but anything works)
Crochet hook (this also can be any size, but you should usally match size of yarn to crochet hook, ie fat yarn = fat needle, ect.)

Step 1:

Start out with the normal knot around your crochet hook.

Step 2:

Do 6 single crochet stitches in a line (chain), then go back over them once so you have two rows of 6 stitches.

Step 3:

Join one end of the chain with the other end so it is in a little loop.

Step 4:

Do a normal single stitch once, but then instead of doing another one, loop the free yarn around the hook without going through a hoop. This is the trick because instead of making your yarn curve in like a basketball it will go out like a doily.

Step 5:

Measure on your head/ head of person you are making hat for to see when you need to stop doing the skip loop trick (my made up name to make it sound cool).

Step 6:

When your doily-like object is big enough go back to regular single stitch crochet until the end of the hat. (This is the curve part of the hat). I don’t believe there is a magic number for rows or anything so I just put it on periodically to see if it is the right size. If you want at the end you can make a “brim” by changing the color of yarn for the last 3-4 rows.

Step 7:

When finished, wear your awesome hat, get used to getting compliments. (Or, in my case statements of the obvious, “whoa, you guys have matching hats”).