12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 11 Reveal

Since snowflakes are my favorite holiday symbol, I was so pleased to share Simply Sweet's snowflake pattern. I found it so quick and easy. There is no issue with being able to crochet multiple ones in a hour. I have crocheted them in dark blue, pale blue, and white, but you do not have to stop there. If you have a red tree and want red snowflakes, go for it! This time, I did crochet the snowflake in white.

Here's the photo:

The only changes I made was to add a holder. Like all my previous hangers, I usually ch 16 and sl st in the same stitch.

You can use a glue mixture to stiffen and glitter it if you wish. You would just soak the snowflakes in the glue mixture and pin it to a piece of board. There are plenty of tutorials on stiffening yarn and string ornaments. I personally do not care if the snowflake isn't stiff.

We have just one more week. I have a treat and a gift for each of you. Please stay tuned for Week 12 for yours.

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 11

This week's pattern is my all time favorite snowflake pattern. What is so unique is that this pattern is actually an applique attached to a small child's beanie. The original designer is Simply Sweet. I found it one day scrolling through Pinterest. Since then, the designer has removed it from her blog; however, you can find the pattern (free) as a Ravelry download by clicking HERE!

I have made this snowflake previously. Multiple times because it is just so darling. It is quick, simple, and versatile. Add it to a wine cozy, a hat, a blanket, or make it into an ornament. Which is what I am going to do this week. Below is a picture of my previous attempts. This one is done in pale blue.

Project Type: Scrap buster

Skill level: Easy/Beginners with a little advanced knowledge about sewing

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  White.

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

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 9 Reveal

I hope that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. I spent my week having a wonderful get together with my extended family and a private dinner with myself, my husband, and our roommate. I used my lone pumpkin to make our pie.

This week has been a fun and easy time with crochet. Small snowflakes are not only the perfect way to decorate the tree, but this pattern is super easy and quick. That means you can spend less time crocheting gifts and ornaments and more time with your family. Especially in the week of Thanksgiving, having some extra time to spend with friends and family is amazing.

Despite the small issues I mentioned in the first post about the pattern and lack of a holder, these things are simple to correct. It worked up very easy and I had no issue understanding the pattern as a designer. If the corrections were done, this would be a perfect snowflake pattern to rely on.

Now, I am going to show you the photo of my completed ones.

If you were to crochet these with a sparkly yarn, they would glitter in your tree! You could also string them together between chains of yarn and make a garland. Such a versatile pattern!

Looking forward to Week 10. We only have 3 more weeks to go. 

12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 9

Week 9

Snowflake Ornament

(http://flowergirlcottage.blogspot.com/2013/11/easy-crochet-snowflake-pattern.html)

I have mentioned previously that I absolutely love snow and snowmen. I may not like to get out in it, but it's beauty is something to behold every year with a breath of anticipation and reverence. So when I crochet ornaments, one kind I love completing is a snowflake. Who doesn't enjoy snowflakes? Imagine that on your tree...snowflakes covering a green tree, simulating actual snow. Well...maybe not, but you can imagine right?

So this week's pattern comes from a blog called Flower Girl Cottage. It is a quick and simple pattern without much frills. What makes this pattern so great is the versatility it provides. You can use any color you wish (light blue, white, even silver) and still have wonderful snowflakes.

One note before you start the project. Part of the pattern is written incorrectly. The woman of the blog states in the comments that she is not a professional pattern designers, which is more than fine. As I am able to write patterns, I did spot an issue.

Her Pattern: 
Round 1:
Ch 4 (this counts as as hdc, ch 2) Hdc, Ch2 (5 times) into the circle or magic circle

Correction:
Ch 4 (counts as hdc, ch 2), hdc, ch 2 (5 times) sl st to 2nd st in ch 4. This creates 6 clusters.

The only issue was closing the round.

Project Type: Scrap buster

Skill level: Easy/Beginners with a little advanced knowledge about sewing

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  White.

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

Uses for finished product

• embellishment on a present
• ornament
• hat embellishment
• garland

For a hanger: On final sl st, ch 15 and sl st to the same spot. Fasten off and sew in all ends.

Come back on Monday to see the finished product! I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving here in the U.S. Please have a safe holiday and a holiday weekend. If you do your shopping, be wary of the mass amount of people and kind to others.

Clothespin Snowflakes - Photo Heavy

I recently saw a pin on Pinterest for a cute and inexpensive ornament that had my heart aflutter. Snowflakes, snow, and snowmen are my most favorite ornament and Christmas decoration out of everything. I can pass up Santa for a good snowflake! So when I saw this cute little pin, I knew I had to try it. I already had the glue sticks. I had the ribbon. All I needed was the clothes pins!

A few weeks ago, I found myself in the craft section of my local Walmart looking for clothespins. They had a set of 18 or so for almost 4 dollars. That makes this project less budget friendly. So I headed to the laundry section to see if they had a better pack for cheap. They did! A 50 pack for about $0.97. That is more than budget friendly as I could pick up 3 packs of 50 for the price of 1 in the craft section.

Materials:
50 pack of Wooden Clothespins from Walmart ($0.97)
Glue sticks (In stock)
Glue Gun (In stock)
Ribbon (In stock, but cost $1.00 per spool)

Optional: paint, glitter, craft glue, paint brushes


Now, for the instructions. I will be posting a set of pictures with the instructions below it. Please view all the instructions before beginning the project.

Here's the materials. I chose to not use paint and glitter, although I am looking into adding that later.

Twist the clothes pin until the twisted one pops out the spring.

Lay the one side off and pull off the spring.

It should be relatively easy. I have no use for the spring, so I just toss them.

Now you are let with both sides. Lay the sides with the straight sides up. Make sure the cut outs are facing the same way.

Place a line of glue along the pin.

Now that it is on, place the two sides together. Match up the cut out.

Here you can see what the glued pin looks like.

Tie the ribbon. I am going to show pictures of how I do it, but feel free to do it how you feel comfortable.

I actually added my ribbon into the pin as I glued it for the most stability. It is about an inch from the top of the pin.

Next, add some glue to the bottom of one pin and attach another completely opposite.

In the center, add another bead of glue and attach another pin.

Repeat for the other side.

Now, in each area between two pins, add glue and another pin. I did have some issues getting the pins to completely adhere due to the angle, but I just added some glue up the sides so the angles attach.

Here's the completed snowflake.

From one half of the package, I got three snowflakes. These are unpainted, but still beautiful.

One thing I would caution you about is that the glue does snow, but can be covered with paint and glitter to mask. I do not have a problem with the view of paint, but some may. The original pin shows these snowflakes stained as more of a vintage look. What I say is to do what you like with them!

In about 30 minutes, I had all three completed including taking photos for this post! That is a quick and inexpensive ornament. The cost breakdown is below.

Costs

8 clothes pins  -   $0.16
1/2-1 hot glue stick   -   $0.10
Hot glue gun  - free
Ribbon     -$0.16
_____________________
Total Cost - $0.42


Each pack of wooden clothespins (50) can make 6 snowflakes.

Happy Crafting

Sarah