Crochet: Scripture Tote

Scripture Tote

Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn
Hook size U.S. H/8
Scissors
Yarn Needle

Stitches used:

ch: Chain

sl st: Slip Stitch

sc: Single Crochet

dc: Double Crochet
Shell is "3 dc in same st"
*Beginning Shell is "ch 3, 2 dc in same st”

Starting out: Ch 71. (leave a tail long enough to stitch bottom seam of bag closed.)

Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Continue working sc in each ch st to end. Join w/ sl st in 1st sc. (70 sc) You will now be working in rounds.
Rnd 1: Beginning Shell* in same st as join. {Skip 2 stitches, then Shell in the next st.} Repeat between {} around. Join in top of ch 3. (23 Shells)
Rnd 2-13: Repeat round 1.
Rnd 14-15: Ch 1. Sc in next st and in each st to end. Join in top of first sc. (70 sc)
Rnd 16: Ch 1. Sc in next 10 st. Ch 15. Count 15 and sl st to 16th sc. Sc in next 20 st. Ch 15. Count 15 and sl st to 16th sc. Sc in next 10 stitches. Join in top of first sc. (70 sc)
Rnd 17: Ch 1. Sc in next st and in each st across including each ch stitch to end. Join in top of first sc. (70 sc)
Rnd 18-20: Ch 1. Sc in next st and in each st to end. Join in top of first sc.

Finishing off: Tie off. Whip stitch bottom seam of bag together with the long tail. Tie off. 

Crochet: Amber's Basic Beanie Pattern

Amber’s Basic Beanie

Supplies:
Medium weight yarn (I use Red Heart Saver yarn)
“H” hook (5.0 mm)
Scissors
Yarn needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations used in this pattern:

ch: Chain

sl st: Slip Stitch

sc: Single Crochet

dc: Double Crochet

2dc: Double Crochet increase (2 dc into same stitch)

Round 1: Magic circle, ch 2, dc 8, sl st into top ch. (9 stitches)

Round 2: ch 2, dc into same stitch, 2dc into each stitch, sl st into top ch. (18 stitches)

Round 3: ch 2, dc into next stitch, 2dc, dc, continue pattern *dc, 2dc*, sl st into top ch. (27)

Round 4: ch 2, dc into next 2 stitches, 2dc, continue pattern *dc, dc, 2dc*, sl st into top ch. (36)

Round 5: ch 2, dc into next 3 stitches, 2dc, continue pattern *dc, dc, dc, 2dc*, sl st into top ch. (45)

Round 4: ch 2, dc into next 4 stitches, 2dc, continue pattern *dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc*, sl st into top ch. (54)

Round 5: ch 2, dc into next 5 stitches, 2dc, continue pattern *dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc*, sl st into top ch. (63)

Continue increasing rounds until you have reached the diameter that you want for the top of your beanie.

To figure out the diameter you want for the top of your beanie:

*Measure the size of the head: Wrap a measuring tape around the head (forehead, back of head, above ears) to find out the circumference of the head. Then you have to divide this measurement by 3.14 (pi).

*So for example, if you want to crochet a hat with a 17-inch circumference. You have to divide this measurement by 3.14 (value of pi).  So, 17/3.14 is approximately 5.41, which can be rounded off to 5.5 or 6.

Round 6: ch 2, dc into each stitch, sl st into top ch. Repeat.

Continue repeating this round until you have reached the length that you want for your beanie (about as many rounds as you did for the top part of the beanie).

*At this point you can add a decorative edge like a shell stitch or ear flaps.

Final Round: sc in each stitch, sl st, cut yarn leaving a short tail, weave in ends with your yarn needle to finish off. All done!

{All of these pictures feature beanies that I have made using this pattern, all of them have added embellishments.}

Tutorial: Pillowcase Sleep-mats

Materials:

4 pillows

4 pillowcases

coordinating thread

coordinating ribbon
and a sewing machine

Step 1:

 Take 2 of your pillowcases and line them up, so that the openings are on the same side. Sew along one of the long sides.  Then take another pillowcase and line it up along the unsewn, long side. Make sure that the openings are on the same side.  Sew together along the long side of the pillowcase. Repeat the process again with the last pillowcase.  

Step 2:

On the final pillowcase, on the unsewn side, attach a ribbon (to tie-up your sleep-mat, when you are not using it).  I used my arm span to measure out the ribbon (not very scientific, I know).

Step 3:

Stuff your sleep-mat with your pillows.

Step 4:

Add kid and enjoy your new, comfy sleep-mat!

Tutorial: Freezer-paper stenciled tees

Materials: 

a t-shirt

freezer paper

an iron

craft knife and a cutting board or self-healing mat

fabric paint and a sponge brush

Step 1:
Pick the design that you want to use for your shirt. For this shirt I just typed up what I wanted my shirt to say in Word.  Than I held my freezer paper up to the screen and traced it.

Step 2:

Cut out your design, using your craft knife and cutting board or self-healing mat.

Step 3:
Iron your freezer paper stencil onto you t-shirt.

Step 4:
Before you start to paint, I always put a piece of cardboard inside the shirt, just in case I'm a little heavy handed with the paint, I don't want it to bleed through.  Then paint over your stencil.

Step 5:
Let your paint dry just a little, before peeling off your stencil.  I have discovered that if you let it dry too long, the stencil is harder to peel off.

For a double-sided shirt, just do one side at a time.  Let the first side dry before starting the other side.

Step 6:

Enjoy your new, super-cute, completely customized shirt!

Tutorial: carseat canopy

Ahhh...my first tutorial, let's see how this goes. I'm starting with something pretty easy, so hopefully I don't mess it up. I know that you can already find quite a few "carseat canopy tutorials" on the internet, but this is Amie's version (that I'm stealing for this tutorial). 

 Materials: 

2 pieces of fabric, 1 yard each 

some coordinating thread 

some coordinating ribbon 

something to mark your fabric with 

a large plate 

scissors 

and a sewing machine 

 Step 1:
Lay out your fabric wrong sides together. Trim edges if needed, to make both fabrics the same size.

Step 2:

Use the large plate to trace a curve around all four corners (of both fabrics).  Cut rounded corners.

Step 3:

With wrong sides still together, sew around edge, leaving a 1" seam allowance.

Step 4:

Lay your canopy over the car seat, so it is positioned how you want it. Mark where you want the ties to be. Then lay your canopy out flat and line up your ribbons with the marks that you made.  Pin and sew your ribbons to the canopy. (I just sewed back and forth several times to make sure the ribbon was secure. And I always seal the edges of my ribbon by melting it a little with a lighter)

Step 5:

Clip around the edges of your canopy (careful not to clip through your stitches) and wash to fray.

If you do accidentally clip through your stitches (like I did, twice), just mark where you did it.  Then when you are done clipping, go back to your sewing machine and sew back and forth over the spot a few times.

Step 6: 
Tie your new carseat canopy onto your carseat and enjoy! :)