Moving Mahem

I am moving (I will have a 77 second walking commute).
Because of this I have realized I have a LOT of crafting stuff.

Much to much.

On the plus side, I was given most of it. On the minus side, I have to pack it, move it and organize it and store it. I am working on a sweet idea for storing my yarn in a visually interesting way so that is exciting. I will post pictures of my new craft space as it is developed. Currently it is just cardboard boxes and stacks of stuff.

Sock Monkey anybody??

Sock Monkey hats are the bees knees.

Seriously, I had so much fun making this and have even more fun wearing it. Who wouldn't want one.

 

  I rarely (ok maybe a few times a year) create something that I want to keep for myself, and then do keep for myself. I will make more of these, but this one is mine.

 My school kids love it and it is super comfy. If you want any tips on how to make one ask. If you want to own one... go to my etsy store.

How to make a simple flower

      Making a simple flower to add to a hat, scarf, headband or Barret clip only takes a few minutes. If crocheting isn't your thing, but you want some flowers to accessorize with you can find them in my etsy shop.

First pick a yarn and the appropriate hook for that yarn. I used a J hook and a nice grey 4 ply yarn.

 Chain 1 normal chain stitch and 2 very tight chain stitches

Crochet 10 Double Stitches in the normal chain stitch

Put your hook in the first double stitch, (indicated above)

Do a slip stitch, just pull the yarn through the double stitch and the yarn on your hook

You get a lovely circle.

In the first Stitch crochet one half stitch, 5 double stitches and 1 half stitch, then in the next stitch crochet on single stitch. There should be eight stitches left to work with which leaves you with five petals total.

And there you have one simple flower. add a button, or a border or both.

                                 If this is confusing in any way, let me know so I can clarify.

Flowers

Flowers are fun either as a stand alone clip, part of a headband or an embellishment on a hat. These flowers were ordered by friends for their girls.

If the color of the inside of the petal contrasts with the outside of the petal you get a pleasant country flower.

Purple and yellow (Lakers colors?) makes a good match.

These headbands had bouncy huge ribbons on them and Jess wanted them to be a bit more simple. So sweet little flowers were the ideal replacement.

This simple design ruffles because I put three stitches in each stitch on the second row. I like the soft look of the cloth button.

This reminds me of an inside out stained glass window. Slightly pointed ends are easy to make, just use double stitches at the tip of your petals and single stitches around the rest of your petals.

A double flower and a double button. I start most of my flowers with 10 stitches in the beginning circle. This gives space for five petals with a slip or single stitch to separate them. If I wanted more petals I would add more stitches in the center.

I utilized the front loop of the first row (in white) to make a spiral that follows around. This is a lighter and more dainty flower clip because it used baby yarn and fewer stitches. 

Fourth of July or a baseball team this flower is based on the Cubs but is a standalone color combo as well. Team flowers are a cute way show your team spirit without looking too sporty.

Flowers don't always need a button, a tight center of a different color adds interest.

I love mixing yarn when making flowers. This white yarn is a shiny soft baby yarn and the pink is a wool/acrylic blend. The two textures go well together.

Sometimes I design a flower to look good with an awesome button.

A bigger red white and blue flower. Mixing petal shapes adds interest too.

Matching the button to the back petals calms down a girly theme and helps add sophistication.

Most of these flowers had alligator style clips, but I switched to this style because it holds on to hats and headbands a little more securely adding some versatility to the flowers. 

If you are looking to make flowers and need a tutorial I am working on one for some of my more simple flowers. If you would like to buy one, click on over to my etsy shop. If you want to know where I get some of my supplies, check out oriental trading for clips and polka dot buttons and find your local thrift store, they are often full of vintage buttons. Have a wonderful day!

Headband with a flower

This Headband is a big thicker and gives more coverage for ears.

For this headband I rotated rows single stitch and double stitch working in the back loop to make the horizontal ridge

The flower is my simplest option, but I will post about flowers later in more detail.

Finished Result, ready for sale!

 I sell my non-custom crocheting at a conference ground and canopy tour in their gift stores. It is a good outlet for my extra crocheting. I also sell at Etsy. enjoy experimenting with colors and patterns for those stores.

The Bow Headband

     This idea came about because headbands are very popular in the area I am selling in and I wanted a quick and easy way to make them more girly and cute.

I like the stitch in the blue and pink better than the simple double stitch in the gray. I think it adds more frill. I don't use patterns for anything that I make, and I have yet to write a pattern out fully. But if anyone is interested maybe I will figure out how. I will add some variations that I have come up with for this headband later.

Introductions

Hello World!
I figured I should start out my blog with a nice informative post. Who doesn't like to peer into other people's lives and laugh with them, hope for them, and shake their head at them. Well, here I am ready to laugh, hope, and shake.

        This is me, Kaity. I work in a redwood forest teaching kids about nature and stewardship and themselves. My life is an adventure and I share it with my husband, Justin. Maybe if I get his approval I can post some pictures sometime. He works at camp too.

We have a newly adopted Greyhound named Maggie (because she is a magnet) she is very sweet and funny. Maggie is a retired racer and she loves to run. Recently she ran right into a wheelbarrow and learned a lesson about running in the dark. Now she is sure the wheelbarrow is going to attack her again and keeps an eye on it. We also have a funny little hamster named Stella!. Stella! is adorable and tiny, she is a robo dwarf hamster and we got her because I need furry creatures in my life and our apartment at the time didn't allow dogs. Boo. But, we did get Stella! because of it. 

        The main purpose of this blog is to share my creations (most of them are going to be crochet but some needle felting and sewing and painting and house organization will eek in as well). I don't sit still well, so I am usually crafting or creating in some manner. As I type I am supposed to be on vacation. We are visiting family in MN. As we currently live in Sonoma County, CA the snow is a nice alternative to rain or fog.