12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 12 Reveal

Wow. Can you believe that 12 weeks has already flown by? I sure can't. When I first decided to do this, I had no clue that it would go so quickly. Yet, here it is...the reveal for Week 12. The free pattern given for Week 12 was the Christmas Balls pattern in small and large. The large is one that can be customized the most for characters of animated movies or other such embellishments. The colors I chose (especially for the large one) may indicate the character I am going to embellish mine for.

There will be just one more post in 2014. Please come back on December 24th for a look back on this year at Dande Creations. If you just came here for the countdown, I would like to thank you for joining me on this journey. It has been a pleasure to do.

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 10 Reveal

If you are like me, the week before Thanksgiving everything tends to get much busier. You find yourself running around attempting to accomplish last minute things like buying gifts, making cookies, packaging gifts, and cleaning. So when I decided to do this holiday countdown, I knew that the ornaments I wanted near the end of the countdown needed to be simple and quick. What that led me to was creating a few new patterns myself to offer. It wasn't a hard job as I love to create and design new things.

What inspired this pattern was the wreath we created in Week 8 and a few doll hair patterns I have seen. Who doesn't enjoy the thought of bouncy swirls? Okay...maybe there is a few of you. That's why it also doubles as an icicle in an abstract sort of way.

This last weekend has been a bit crazy. Holiday shopping. A Christmas party. Preparing for another Christmas party. In the midst of all that, I forced (without any reluctant behavior) to sit and prepare some of these for my own tree and for my mother. Here are the results:

Simple and to the point, this is a no thought, no focus pattern. What I love about it is that it falls down in a bit of a cascade. Here's some pictures.

This pattern will be used in 2015 for a doll pattern here at Dande Creations. Look for it soon.

We have only 2 weeks left. It's crazy to think that we are only a few weeks away from 2015. Get your hook ready for Week 11 and 12.

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 8 Reveal

When I saw this pattern, I knew it was adorable. What I wasn't expected was how easy, quick, and fun it was to make. I found myself preening at the completed project. A few times, I even went back to look at it after I had put it away for our Christmas party. I am pretty sure that this pattern will be made again and again to fill my own trees out.

Without further ado, here is the finished product.

I chose to do this pattern with a Size I/9 hook simply because the hook was the closest to me. It probably made it slightly bigger than what you would normally get if you followed her directions. The ONLY thing I did was add a hanger. To do this, I chose the green color (as it was at the top) and attached it. I chained 16 and sl st-ed to the same space. Then I wove in all ends.

It really looks like a Christmas wreath. I chose red and green to give contrast, but if you want a green one or a red one or whatever color you want, feel free to do so.

Isn't that the beauty of crochet? We can change things to match what we like without much difficulty.

Sarah

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 8

Week 8

Mini Wreath

(http://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/mini-wreath-ornament/)

In recent months, I have become slightly obsessed with the swirl type ornaments as you probably guessed. One of my most recent patterns involved creating an icicle looking ornament (based on the color you choose) with one of these swirls. I absolutely love how they look. It's like little ringlets. So when I happened to stumble upon Planet June's Mini Wreath pattern that incorporated something I am so enjoying, I knew that I had to include it in my countdown. So here are the stats:

Project Type: Scrap buster

Skill level: Easy/Beginners

Hook Size: G or H hook (I used size I/9.)
    Recommended - H, but G will make it slightly smaller.

Type of Yarn: Worsted Weight - I used Red Heart in Medium Thyme and Burgundy.

Extra requirements:
Scissors
Stitch marker (if you need it)

Uses for finished product

• gift
• ornament
• Attach to a mason jar gift

Check back on Monday to see the reveal!

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 6 Reveal

There is something so wonderful about a pine cone. I remember taking walks with my mother and sisters when I was younger. We would walk down our country road enjoying the scenery and nature. Every once in a while I would watch my mother swoop down and pick something up. She would eagerly show us what she found. Sometimes it was a small pine cone. Sometimes it was an interesting rock. At that younger age, it was interesting to view them. Looking back as an adult, I see it as a connection to my family that shared a memory.

Perhaps that is why I am so drawn to this pattern. It reminds me off times gone by. As I am trying to fill up my tree with homemade ornaments, this fits the bill. One made from a memory.

The changes I made are:

• I did a chain 18 first and sl st to the beginning chain. This creates the hanger without having to add it later.
• I did not weave in ends. Instead, I used them to create a bow at the top so I could reduce my work. If you don't like the look, please go ahead and weave them in.
• I also slip stitched the final stitch to the same chain to create a uniform top. 
• I used a size I/9 hook instead of the suggested G hook. This created a bigger, fuller pine cone.

It is such a quick and easy pattern for experts and beginners alike. If you want a more natural looking tree, you could make these and add them. I also thought you could go back in and add some white yarn to create a "snow" capped pine cone.

Next week, we will be doing my newest pattern - The Beanie!

See you then,

Sarah

12 Weeks of Christmas List

The 12 Weeks of Christmas is a great way to become connected to that sense of spirit that catapults our minds and hearts into the child zone of the holiday. Each week, I offer a free ornament pattern and show you what I have done to make it my own. Think of it as a "crochet"-a-long. Here's the list:

Week 1: Stocking Ornament

Week 2: Crochet Mitten

Week 3: Hot Chocolate/Coffee Mug ornament

Week 4: Lion Brand Snowman

Week 5: Granny Square Star

Week 6: Pine Cone Ornament

Week 7:

Week 8:

Week 9:

Week 10:

Week 11:

Week 12:

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 5

Week 5

Granny Square Star

(http://ahappyone.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/free-pattern-friday-granny-star-ornament-netflix-freebie/)

I recently found a cute little pattern that works up rather quickly and will look fantastic on the Christmas tree. It can be made in various colors to suit your own personal color scheme. The colors I chose match the type of theme I go for on my own tree. I was actually in the hospital waiting for my sister to deliver crocheting these. It is easy to pay attention to other things and crochet them once you have the pattern down. Anyone who has crocheted a granny square shouldn't have an issue with that.

Project Type: Scrap buster

Skill level: Easy/Beginners

Hook Size: G or H hook (I used H.)
    Recommended - H, but G will make it slightly smaller.

Type of Yarn: Worsted Weight - I used Red Heart in Burgundy.

Extra requirements:
Scissors
Stitch marker (if you need it)

Uses for finished product

• gift
• ornament
• Attach to a mason jar gift

This pattern is so cute! I can't wait to see if you like it.