Crochet - A Brief Encounter

Most of the time my desire to learn a new craft comes from pure boredom. I get bored so I start Google-ing for new projects or browsing through Pinterest to see what sparks a creative light. Last year, I taught myself how to crochet. You can pretty much figure anything out with some YouTube videos! I started off just using free patterns I found online at different yarn websites. I found this adorable Easter basket pattern on the Lion Brand website.



I’m honestly not sure how I came across the Oodles4Noodles blog, but I did and I volunteered to test out a couple of patterns for her. This helped me learn how to do some things that I might not have otherwise tried & I got the patterns for free for testing them out J This sweet hat came from my testing adventures with her. You may purchase the pattern thru her etsy story if you would like to.

Up until I found the RAKJ patterns page on Facebook, I vowed that I would not pay for a pattern. Of course, her ridiculously cute patterns swayed me into purchasing a couple that I simply could not resist. This giraffe is to absolute die for! I just love it! You may purchase the pattern here or here.

I tried to adapt the giraffe pattern and turn it into a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer hat… I think I just need to stick to following a pattern. Cute, but not GREAT – LOL! I should have purchased this pattern :)

When I was dabbling in crochet, I just wanted to get good enough to make a sweater. I just thought that would be a master achievement if I could make my own sweater. So I tried this one. It is so far from perfect it isn’t even funny, but I did it. I accomplished my crochet goal! I even wore it a couple of times when it got really cold.

I made several scarves, shawls & hats for Christmas gifts for the family too. Some turned out cuter than others. If I do another homemade Christmas again, I must start much earlier in the year than I did last year. That’s another story for another day though J  

Fruity Pebble Scarf #2

A fruity pebble scarf for a sweet little lady. These are so fun & easy to make! It only takes 1 ball of chunky bright multicolored yarn, size 10.5 or 11 knitting needles, a yarn needle, and a couple hours! Cast on 15 stitches, then knit 1, twirl 1 (most people call this a yarn over), then knit 2 togther until the end of the row. Every row is the same until the end. When you have it as long as you'd like it, cast off, thread the remaining yarn through with a yarn needle to hold it in place. Cut and make your fringe from the left overs! This one measured about 55 inches long (without fringe) and 3 inches wide.

#1 - Fruity Pebble Scarf

This year started off with several projects. I taught myself to knit just before Christmas and didn't have time to make gifts for everyone - just wait until next year! I have a feeling people will be tired of scarves!

My teddy bear is modeling the scarf I made for my niece. It was the first I'd done with fringe! I love the colors & she seemed to like it too :o)