Crochet Cotton Tote - In Progress

I'm making significant progress on the crocheted tote bag I've been working on.  I don't have much more to go with making the gusset, and then I have two side pockets and the straps to crochet. Then, it's time to play with the sewing machine to finish things off!

I figure I'll have this finished before the end of the week.  ^_^  I will definitely post pictures when I have it finished.  Look forward to it!

Ribbed Knit Scarf

Here's the other project I managed to finish in recent history.  This is a ribbed knit scarf I made, which measures about 48 inches long.  I would have made it longer, but I really didn't want to go through the effort of adding a new skein of yarn.  I figure I can make a second scarf from the full skein I have left.  ^_^

Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbed scarf

I've started another scarf in the same knit style, but with pastel ocean-ish colors.  We'll see how long it takes me to finish that one.

Happy crafting!

Crochet Rainbow Beanie

Yet another productive day!  I crocheted this beanie while running laundry at my in-laws this past week.  Overall, I'd say this was about 4 hours worth the crochet work, including the assistance I got from Felicia, the in-law's cat.  XD

Rainbow beanie, modeled by yours truly!

 I really like how this one turned out.  It's all double-crochet, following a very simple hat construction formula I got from a crochet magazine.  (I can't remember which one right now...I'll have to find it!)

Feline Intervention

I love my cats, I really do.  However, they have this wonderful knack of finding and bothering me at the least opportune times.  For example, I was working on a knit scarf last night, and one of my cats (Kai) decided she needed to perch on the arm of my chair to assist me.  She really wanted to place herself squarely on my lap, but I managed to keep her from doing so.

Why in the world they feel that I need their help or their supervision is beyond me.  I just know that I have quite the pair, between her and Jinx.  At least his method of helping me translates to him sitting beside me and yammering away at me to pay attention to him.  I swear, you can hold entire conversations with Jinx, that's how vocal he is.

Anyway, I believe it's time to try and get some more knitting done.  They're both asleep at the moment for their afternoon snooze fest.  ^_^

Rainbow Knit

I'm so happy with how this random project turned out!  I had one ball of rainbow dyed wool yarn that I received for free at a Stitch 'n Bitch session.  I tried crocheting with it, but the yarn was a bit inconsistent; I'm pretty sure this was handspun wool yarn.  I decided that since I was having trouble crocheting with it, I could practice knitting with it, and see what I ended up with.

Well, here's what I ended up with!

Seed Stitched Knitting - My first complete knit project!

I think it turned out very well for it being a first project.  Here are a few more photos of it, just because I feel proud and accomplished.  ^_^

 Happy crafting, everyone!  ^_^

Knitting Project

I'm so excited!  My first knitting project is almost complete!

It wasn't too long ago that a good friend of mine tried teaching me to knit, and I finally understood it.  In exchange, I helped her learn to crochet, which was a lot of fun.  Anyway, I had a ball of wool yarn that I randomly got for free at a local Stitch 'n Bitch session.  I'm seed stitching it, and I'm almost to the end of the ball of yarn.

I'll post pictures when it's complete!

Lacy Dishcloth Pattern

Here is the pattern for the third dishcloth in the sampler.  I used a green self-striping cotton yarn from Lily's Sugar 'n Cream collection.

Materials:  1 ball (2 oz) of cotton yarn; Size 5mm (US H or 8) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge:  14 sc and 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

Pattern Instructions:

Ch 41

Base Row:  1 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  1 dc in next 2 ch. *Ch 1, skip next ch, 1 dc in next 3 ch.  Repeat from * to end of row and turn.  (You should have 39 stitches)

1st Row:  Ch 2.  *1 dc in each of next 3 stitches.  Ch 1, skip ch 1 space.  Repeat from * to last 3 stitches.  1 dc in each of last 3 stitches and turn.

2nd Row:  Ch 2.  *1 dc in first stitch.  Ch 1, skip next stitch.  1 dc in next stitch.  1 long dc (insert hook in ch-1 space 2 rows below).  Repeat from * to last 3 stitches.  1 dc in next stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch.  1 dc in last stitch and turn.

3rd Row:  Ch 2.  1 dc in first stitch.  *Ch 1 , skip next ch-1 space, 1 dc in each of next 3 stitches.  Rep from * to last 2 stitches.  Ch 1, skip next space, dc in last stitch.  Turn.

4th Row:  Ch 2.  *1 dc in first stitch.  1 long dc over next ch-1 space.  1 dc in next st.  Ch 1, skip next stitch.  Repeat from * to last 3 stitches.  1 dc in next st, 1 long dc over next ch-1 space, 1 dc in last stitch.  Turn.

Repeat 1st to 4th rows until work from beginning measures approximately 11 inches (28 cm).  Fasten off.

Edging:  Work 1 round sc evenly around outer edge, having 3 sc in the corners.  Slip stitch in 1st stitch.

Next Round:  Ch 2.  1 dc in each stitch around, having 3 dc in the corners.  Sl st in top of turning ch.  Fasten off.

As I stated earlier, I used self-striping yarn for this pattern.  I just like the way it turns out!

Circular Dishcloth/Coaster Pattern

Hello again all!  Just in time for the holiday season, I present to you my pattern for the circular dishcloth in the sampler.  It's very quick and easy to make, as long as you can work in the round.

Materials: Cotton yarn, crochet hook of choice (I prefer a US G or H, but you can use pretty much any hook you want)

Pattern Instructions:

Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a loop

Round 1:  Ch 3 (this counts as your first double crochet), 11 more dc in loop for a total of 12 stitches.  Join with a sl st in top of ch 3.  DO NOT TURN.

Round 2:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 1 dc in top of previous round's ch 3.  2 dc in each dc around (24 stitches), join with sl st in top of ch 3.

Round 3 and on:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 1 dc in top of previous round's ch 3.  Increase stitch count of round by 12 stitches, spacing as desired.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.

Finishing: After joining last round with sl st, fasten off.  Hide ends, and you're good to go!

My average coaster is 3 total rounds.  The dishcloth in the sampler was 4 rounds.  Obviously, you can change this pattern up to suit your tastes.  The important thing to remember is that whatever number of stitches you use in your first round is the number of stitches you increase by in each subsequent round.  (This is also very handy when making beanies, by the way.)

Enjoy!

Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

I found the patterns that I used to make the dishcloths in the dishcloth sampler, so I have decided to share!  Today's pattern is a very basic dishcloth pattern that was used to create the purple/red/green/cream dishcloth in the sampler.  Enjoy!

Materials: Size 5mm (U.S. H/8) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge; 1 ball (2 oz) of cotton yarn

Gauge:  12 sc (single crochet) and 13 rows = 4 in/10 cm; Gauge is not a huge deal for this project

Pattern Instructions:
Ch (Chain) 37
1st Row: RS (Right Side).  1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. *Ch 1, skip next ch, 1 sc in next ch.  Repeat from * to last ch.  1 sc in last ch and turn.  (You should have 36 stitches)
2nd Row: Ch 1.  1 sc in first sc. *Ch 1, 1 sc in next ch-1 space.  Repeat from * to last sc.  1 sc in last sc and turn.
3rd Row and on: Repeat 2nd row for approximately 10 in/25.5 cm and fasten off
You can also add an optional sc border at the end of this project.

This pattern was taken from the label of a ball of Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn.  Any cotton yarn can be used for this project.  Self-striping yarn is recommended for an unique and fun look!


Enjoy the pattern!

Dishcloth Sampler

As you can see, I have a dishcloth sampler!  The patterns for all three of these are really simple.  The two square dishcloths were patterns I got off of the labels of the Sugar n' Cream yarn I used for each.  The circular dishcloth is just a simple double crochet in the round that increases by 12 stitches each round, starting the first round with 12 stitches.  It can actually double as a coaster or hotpad as well.

If anyone is interested in the actual patterns, I can definitely post them.  Of course, if you don't want to make these yourself and you'd like to have a few, I'm more than willing to make a few on commission for a reasonable price.  ^_^  All you have to do is ask!

Welcome!

Welcome to Hikari's Handicrafts!  This blog is all about crafting; specifically knit, crochet, and some sewing as well.  I look forward to sharing with everyone and getting feedback on things as well.

Happy crafting to all!