Caution scarf and Babette style afghan

I loved the way the Babette afghan had a variety of size granny squares all put together. I didn't feel like doing the square pattern that was suggested though. I just did a basic granny square instead. I used black to sc the squares together. I like how it makes it look like the black is a border around the squares. I sent this to my step-son (18) in Connecticut for Christmas. This bad boy took 95% of my guy colored yarn...guess that means I just have to go and buy some more.


When I saw this on Knitty Gritty I knew I would be making one! The pattern calls for it to be knit, but I don't like to weave in color change ends in knitting. I always feel like they will work themselves back out. So, I decided to crochet it instead. I did it in smaller sections and then whip stitched them together. I thought all those bobbins for the color changes would get too tangled if I did it all at once. I can see the joins when I look at it, but hopefully when he wears it it won't be too obvious.


The pattern called for it to be knit from end to end, but I thought the letters would look better if I crocheted it from side to side.


I used this knit pattern for the caution scarf:

http://www.magknits.com/Aug05/cof.htm

Here is a link to the knit pattern for the police line do not cross scarf:

http://robotclothes.com/projects_policetape.html

Star afghans on Etsy

I love the variety of starghans you can find on Etsy.
These are fun to make and just as much fun to look at! Click on the pic to follow through to the Etsy shop where you can buy or admire them.


This one looks so soft and cuddly for a little girl:




My favorite color PURPLE




So bright




Great color combo




My all time favorite...I have had this on my to-do-list for a long time now

Etsy finds

While wandering around Etsy today I found these:














Click the pics to find more beautiful pendants like these! There are so many wonderful pendants in this shop that it was hard to choose a favorite!

The EYES have it

Ever feel like someone is watching you? Well....here is the perfect purse for you! I found this over on Etsy. Click the pic to follow the link to Electricbluebird's Etsy shop. I wonder if this makes lots of noise when you walk?

Bob-B-Q

Bob-B-Q
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

You are all cordially invited to a Bob-B-Q !!

Bob (from Mochimochiland) has decided to celebrate Thanksgiving with a bar-b-q since the weather in Florida is so gorgeous right now.

He will be celebrating with family and friends this year. His two best buds Little Weed and Big Weed will be joining him for this wonderful day!

Bob is planning on serving steak and grilled veggies. There will also be plenty of snacks and drinks to keep everyone happy!

I decided to crochet Bob in an amigurumi style instead of the suggested knit in the round. I made Little Weed following the actual pattern, but converted it to crochet for Big Weed.

Treat bags for the doc's office

Front:



I made these Halloween bags a few weeks ago. Just needed to line them and fill them. Two went to my doc's office and hubby took one to his office.



Back:














I added a bunch of reversible headbands plus lots of candy and gum to keep everyone happy (at least for a little while).

What's old is new again...

When my kids outgrow or just don't want their old clothes anymore I hate to just toss them. Sometimes I will take them up to Goodwill or pass them on to someone else. Before school started, we purged their closets and dressers of things that didn't fit or they would never wear again. Now that I have started sewing, I thought these would be perfect to use for our grandson Jacob. I used t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans. I turned them into jammies, sweatpants, jeans, and lounge pants. I also made some pants from purchased material. It's a great way to practice making things and to try out new ideas or stitches. If they aren't perfect, Jacob (1) won't complain! He outgrows everything so fast anyways...



Yankee sweats from a sweatshirt




fun jeans




t-shirt lounge pants or jammies





Christmas lounge pants




Halloween jeans



from t-shirts

Shark Mitts

Another project I finished up this past weekend...












These were from an old Coats & Clark pamphlet I found among a bunch of pamphlets I won off Ebay awhile ago. These were the only things that interested me. The rest were very outdated items. These were very easy since they are knit on two single point needles! They consist of knit-purl-increase-decrease stitches. The teeth are French knots. It couldn't have been simpler! The one in the pattern had button eyes... I upgraded to my trusty wiggle eyes. Much easier!

Bags, Bags, and more Bags

Awhile back, I purchased a few patterns from Maggie's Crochet. I finally got around to crocheting a few of them. I thought these would make fun stockings for the little ones this Xmas. They also would be good for the "big" girls to carry around their cell phones and money and some of those other necessities. I lined them all with matching felt to hide where I stitched the details onto the front. It is a little time consuming to hand stitch the lining, but I actually enjoy the calm, simple stitching!


Flower... the pattern called for orange and yellow...not a big fan of those colors, so I went with my tried and true faves.



The hearts were supposed to be lollipops, but I surveyed the family and they said to skip the lollipop sticks. I think the hearts look fine just as plain windows...



The next time I make this, I think I will add a black hat. The poor snowman looks naked without one!



lining...



This one is my favorite so far....Rudolf. He even has jingle bells on his harness!

Back to School

It's that time of the year again. A time when parents let out a sigh of relief...school is back in session! Of course I love my kids....but it has been a very long summer! They are at the ages (8-16-19) when all they do is fight and annoy each other! My kids love the routine of school. When they are given day after day of "free" time, they go crazy. No matter how many things we plan, or how many things they have to do...they are always BORED!! The poor things, they live such a horrible life.

Now that school is back, it means waiting at the bus stop with my third grader each morning. I like to use this time to work on simple projects. Since we don't have to drive to the bus stop this year, I plan on making scarves. Simple patterns, easy to knit standing up, and a great way to get a start on Xmas stuff. I started on this scarf a few weeks ago. I usually work on it at the doctors office. Now hopefully I can get it done so I can start on another one.

Sponge Bob

Sponge Bob
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

My little Grandson Jacob is turning ONE next month. His Mommy tells me he goes NUTS for Sponge Bob. Since Grammy loves to spoil the Grandkids...I made him his very own, one of a kind, crocheted stuffed Sponge Bob. Good thing he is mainly a rectangle! Actually, I wrote the pattern in one evening. It took a few days to get him all put together though! I am sooo slow when it comes to getting the features on. I have to keep asking my DD (16) how it looks. My stuffies always end with a little extra "character" in their faces!

Snake scarf pattern

A fun crocheted snake scarf pattern......


Supplies:


I hook
F hook
yarn needle
ww yarn:
1 skein green (I used around 3 ounces for a child's size scarf)
small amounts of red, black, and yellow

Stitches used:

sl st
sc
hdc


Starting at tail with green:

with I hook ch 3

row 1: 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2sc in last ch, ch1, turn
row 2: sc across, ch1 , turn
row 3: 2sc in 1st sc, sc across until last sc, 2sc in last sc, ch1, turn
row 4: sc across, ch1, turn


repeat rows 3 & 4 until desired width. For this child sized scarf, I increased until there were 14 sc.

For body of snake:

sc across, ch1, turn until desired length. For this scarf, I sc across for 38.5 inches from tip of tail or a total of 137 rows.

Head:

row 1: sc decrease in first 2sc, sc across to last 2sc, sc decrease in last 2sc, ch1, turn
row 2: sc across, ch1, turn
row 3: 2sc in first sc, sc across to last sc, 2sc in last sc, ch1, turn
row 4: sc across
row 5: sc across
row 6: sc decrease in first 2sc, sc across until last 2sc, sc decrease in last 2sc, ch1, turn
row 7: sc across

repeat rows 6 & 7 until 4 sc remain. Fasten off and weave in ends.


Tongue


with F hook attach red with a sc to 2nd sc from right

...ch 15, sl st in 2nd ch from hook
...sl st in next 5 ch (first fork of tongue made)
...ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook
...sl st in next 4 ch plus 1 sl st in same ch as first sl st for first fork of tongue
...sl st in next 8 ch (this is the beginning portion of the first ch 15 you started with)
...attach with sc to next sc on the snakes nose
finish off and weave in ends


Eyes

Make 4 (this will make the scarf reversible)

F hook

With yellow, ch 4

...sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, 3sc in last ch. Working along back of chain... sc in next ch, 2sc in last ch changing to black

...ch1, 2hdc in each sc around, sl st to top of first hdc. Leaving a length for sewing, fasten off.

note: If you would like smaller eyes, use only one hdc in last round of black. You could also use felt for the eyes.

Sew eyes to head of snake.


The scarf pictured measures 43 inches from tip of nose to tip of tail. It is 4.5 inches wide.


This pattern hasn't been tested. If you see any errors, please contact me and I will make any needed corrections.



You may sell items made from this pattern, but do not sell the pattern itself. Please link back to this post.

Pink elephant tote

Pink elephant tote
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

These little totes are getting very addictive! I like the two shades of pink together on this little girl! Just the right size for a little girls treasures...or Mom's stuff too.

You can find it here in my Etsy shop.

Rubik's cube pincushion

Rubik's cube pincushion
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

I finally finished my entry for the Etsy Sewuseful contest!! YIPPEE!

Check out my first tutorial here:

http://www.instructables.com/id/EWXX99IF3YIJGU2/

inside of knit cable pouch

inside of knit cable pouch
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

Jess is really a big Yankees fan...so I lined it with some Yankee fabric I had in my bits-n-pieces bin. It closes with a zipper.

knit cable pouch

knit cable pouch
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

This is the result of my first try at knitting cables. It was just as easy as everyone has said. It measures 7 inches X 4 inches. A nice little size to carry a cell phone, driver's license, etc. Or it can just be used as a change purse. this will be heading up north to Jess as a just 'cuz gift.

orange alien girl

orange alien girl
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

I was just playing around the other night and came up with this little lady. She is a cross between an octopus and a pac-man ghost.

Unicorn

My granddaughter Mariah has a b-day (9th) coming up in July. I decided a unicorn would be nice for her. This is from Annie's Attic Door stoppers booklet. I added some gingham pink ribbon around the arms and legs and horn. I used the same ribbon to tie bows in her mane and tail. Under the mane, I stitched a felt heart with her born on date (remember the Cabbage Patch dolls) with a heart and "Grammy". This way she will always remember who made it for her and when she received it. The actual unicorn was easy....the mane and tail was a pain. I have never been too thrilled to make fringe....I think this guy used more "fringe" yarn than yarn to actually crochet the actual unicorn! I even cut back on the amount they called for!

Still she came out cute and I'm sure Mariah will fall in love with her new friend.

glazed chocolate cake

glazed chocolate cake
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

Mmmmmm delicious chocolate cake. I made this today during my marathon of baking. It has become one of my favorite go to recipes.

donut pincushions

donut pincushions
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

Finally got around to making some donut pincushions. I complained the whole time...but I love them! I will definitely be making some more of these.

baseball jon-jon

baseball jon-jon
Originally uploaded by rsislandcrafts

A few weeks ago I was rummaging through one of my favorite local thrift stores (Kiwanis) and found two pillow cases. The main portion was this fabric and then there was a red and also a blue strip on the end. Then someone had embroidered their boys names on the cases. I didn't even think to snap a pic. Anyways...I took them both apart and used part of them to make this cute little jon-jon. I think it would be great for a little brother to wear to cheer his older siblings at their b-ball games.