Crochet Pattern: Easy Elegant Hat Band

"A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armor, and the badge of femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothing and wearing a costume; it's the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat." (Martha Sliter)

I made another hat using this free pattern found on the Coats and Clark website: Decorated Crochet Hat & Scarf Project #WR1065 the pattern is a free PDF download direct from their site and suitable for crocheters of all skill levels.

I'm always looking for something to make my projects unusual and fancy as well as feminine and I think this hat band fulfills those requirements just fine.  I added the beads (purchased at Walmart, I'm pretty sure) after the band was sewn on the hat but the beads aren't necessary because the band dresses up the hat nicely on it's own, especially if you add a crocheted flower or three.  ;-)

 I started by measuring the circumference of the hat where you want the band to lay and start chaining your thread (I used a size three thread and an 11 steel hook) ending up with a chain that is in multiples of 6 plus 1 ch for turning.  (The stitch patten requires 6 stitches).  It's better to have the band be a bit too long than too short and make your hat bunch up.  You can always overlap the band where it meets, if necessary.  You'll end up making over 220 chains to begin, depending on the circumference of your hat.

For Row 1:  sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn
Row 2:  ch 3, **skip 2 sc, (dc, ch 5, dc) all in next sc, sk  2 sc, sc in next, repeat from ** across, turn
Row 3: ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 5, dc in fifth ch from hook, sc in next ch 5 loop, ** (dc, ch 5, dc) all in next sc, sc in next ch 5 loop, repeat across. After working sc in last ch 5 loop at end, work (dc, ch 2, dc) all in last sc of row 2. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Easy peasy?  Yes.  Just a bit time consuming at first but once you get past row one it goes along quickly and it ends up looking like you spent days on it.  ;-)

Crochet Pattern: Hat Junk

 "I myself have 12 hats, and each one represents a different personality." Margaret Atwood

Here's a hat I crochet, and patterns for the "junk" I added to it.  I wrote the patterns after I made the "junk" so if there's anything wrong with the patterns let me know but they're simple enough that you could probably do them on your own but just in case, or to give you ideas to make your very own "junk", here's my patterns...

For starters I crocheted the hat for which the pattern can be found for free PDF download from the Coats & Clark website HERE as t.v. project #WR1065.
  The hat is fun and easy to make, takes no time at all.  They go great with Fat Bottom Bags, by the way, in case you were thinking of Christmas gifts for someone special...  I gave a few sets of hats and bags away last year for Christmas and everyone said they really loved them a lot.  ;-)

Patterns For Hat Junk:


1.  (Can't remember where I learned this pattern a long time ago, will post credits as soon as I figure it out.  Posting from memory, as I crochet it from memory.)


This is for the swirly leafy thingies on either side of the rest of the hat junk:


With size 10 thread and size 11 steel crochet hook, ch 28.  sc in second chain from hook and in each ch across to last ten chains, then 2 sc in every other ch to end.
Row 2: ch 4, (skip 1 sc, dc in next) across (work will have bend in the end you increased sc's)
Row 3: ch 1, (sc in next dc,  3dc in ch 1 sp, sc in next dc) across end with sc in last dc .  Fasten off, weave in ends but don't trim  - use them to sew onto hat.


2.  White Flower: ch 6, join to first ch with sl st.  ch 4, (dc, ch 1) X 11 inside ring, join to third ch of beg ch with sl st.  Round 2: ch 1, (sc, dc, sc) all in next ch 1 sp around, join to  first sc with sl st.  Round 3: ch 2, sc in BACK of first petal made (in Round 2) using two dc posts, ch 3, **sc in back posts of next dc (in next group), ch 3, repeat from ** around, ending with sl st into first sc made.  Round 4: sl st into first ch 3 sp, ch 1, **(sc, hdc, 3dc, hdc, sc) all in same ch 3 sp, repeat from ** around end with sl st in first sc made to join.  Fasten off, weave in ends.  Don't trim off center tail (beginning thread) so you can use it to sew flower onto hat.

That's it for now, I can't seem to bring myself to write anymore patterns right now, these were written before my mother passed away.  Another one I had written is for a hat band, posted following this post.  Thank you for your understanding, support, and encouragement in this very difficult time for me. 

cyndi

Crochet News: Flowery Snowflake For Mom; Free Pattern

Here's my first snowflake pattern, I made this for Mom with flowers, she loves flowers so much.  (And she's learning to love snowflakes, thank goodness!  ha ha)

Flowery Snowflake To Crochet
by Cynthia Luciene copyright October 2011


You may share the pattern but you may not sell it.  You may, however sell anything you make from this pattern.


Materials:  Size 11 steel crochet hook, size 10 (bedspread weight) cotton crochet thread


Instructions: ch 10, join with sl st to form ring
Round 1: ch 5 (counts as 1 dc plus 2 ch).  *dc inside ring, ch 2; repeat 10 times more, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 5.
Round 2: sl st into next ch 2 space, ch 1, *sc, ch 1, sc in same ch 2 space; repeat from * 11 more times, join to first sc with sl st.
Round 3: sl st into first ch 1 space, ch 12, * tr in next ch 1 sp, ch 7; repeat from * around to last tr then instead of ch 7: ch 3, tr into 4th ch of beg ch 12.
Round 4: ch 11 (counts as 1 tr + ch 7) ** all between () in next loop: (3 sc, ch 7, sl st into 6th ch from hook, *ch 5, sl st into same 6th ch; repeat from * three times = four petals made, ch 1, 3 sc ), ch 7, tr in next loop, ch 7; repeat from ** around until last sc worked and then instead of last ch 7: ch 3, tr into 4th ch of beg ch 11 to join.
Round 5: ch 9, sl st in 3rd ch from hook,
** ch 9 sl st in 8th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 11, sl st in 5th ch from hook, ch 8, sl st in 7th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in 5th ch from hook, ch 8, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 9, sl st in 8th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, tr in next loop,
ch 16, sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch 7 sl st in 4th ch, ch 4, sl st in same 4th ch,
ch 12, tr in next loop, ch 5 sl st in 3rd ch from hook; repeat from ** around until last ch 12 then instead of tr in next loop, sl st into 4th ch of beg ch 9 instead. 
Fasten off, weave in ends.


Soak in liquid fabric starch diluted with water 50 %.  Squeeze out excess water, lay snowflake flat on dry bath towel and roll up tight to squeeze out even more moisture.  
Place waxed paper on top of box top.
Using rust proof pins, carefully pin the outer points of snowflake to the furthest positions they will go without disfiguring them.  I liked to make every other one roundish, the others pointy for variety (see photo).  
Allow starch to dry completely before hanging.
Store in tissue rather than plastic baggies so your snowflake won't mold.
I use a piece of fishing line for hanging on the tree, sometimes I add a red ribbon to the top of the fishing line.  For hanging in a window and when I can't find my fishing line (MIKE!) I just hang it with those suction cup thingys you can get real cheaply this time of year at the Home Depot or Joanne's.  
Beads and crystals can be added if they aren't too heavy.  I would keep heavier crystals toward the center of the snowflake where it's stronger and use seed beads toward the perimeter of the snowflake so the points won't droop when it's hung on the tree.

Have fun!  

Crochet News: Working A Cross Stitch Pattern Into Your Granny Square

I guess I was extra bored with making squares to enlarge my boyfriend's afghan (which will never be large enough for him!) and I got off on a creative tangent.  I presented myself with a challenge and for once I ended up with something I am proud of.


Today I pulled out my dog-eared copy of Leisure Arts little books #75009, Beginner's Guide Crochet Stitches and Easy Projects. 

I love this book when I want to refer to an old school stitch pattern.  The cross stitch is my favorite, and having a half-worked square made for my boyfriend's afghan that I didn't really feel like finishing, I wondered if I could incorporate my favorite stitch into this square that was burning the palm of my hand and seemingly making my hook shiver at the very idea of hooking another stitch for it.


I assured my palms and hook we'd not finish the square as usual but try something new and different and, well, a bit wild (for us, anyway) and we'd forget the afghan for now.  The other two of us cheered and danced about while I reviewed the cross stitch instructions to be sure it would work with the number of stitches on each side of the square I had started.  One side proved to be in a multiple of three stitches so I went for it, not caring if the others would be in threes or not.  I would make it work or die.  I simply could not make another afghan square right now, and that was final.


Here's the result of our experiment, the three of us (my palm, the hook and I) are very pleased with it:

I showed a closeup for two reasons:

1. I finally remembered how to make the macro setting work on my digital camera so I'm showing off,
and
2. I wanted to show anyone whose never made or seen a cross stitch just how very cool it truly is, in detail, um, closeup.  ;-) 

A tutorial on how to incorporate the cross stitch into your granny square is HERE or can be found in PDF format which is more printer friendly HERE

Crochet Tutorial: Working The Cross Stitch Into Your Granny Square

 Tutorial For Using A Cross Stitch Pattern In Your Granny Square
Before beginning please read instructions all the way through.


For same instructions in a more printer friendly format, go HERE  (free PDF download)

The cross stitch works in sets of three stitches so your rows must be in multiples of three.  The sides of this square are 12 stitches across, counting the middle stitch in the corner group.
That is important for later.


Instructions for cross stitch: 
Skip two stitches, tr in next stitch, ch 1, tr in first skipped sc (skip 1 sc going to the right and tr in next stitch to the right)

Start by attaching the contrast yarn at any corner with a sl st. and ch 4 (counts as a dc + ch 1)
Work the cross stitch across the side to the end.
**Ch 1, dc in corner st (last worked st), ch 1, dc in same st, ch 1, work cross stitches across side of square to end, repeating from ** around until you reach last corner.  After making last cross stitch on last side of square, dc, ch 1, sl st into third ch of beg ch.  If using contrast yarn, fasten off, weave in ends.

Attach contrast with a sc in ch 1 of cross stitch. (If not using contrast, ch 1, sc in next st)  Sc in each tr , dc, and ch 1 spaces across all sides in all corners as well.  Fasten off, weave in ends.










The photo below shows what the corner group looks like when finished.

You can make a more defined corner, of course, if you add two sc to the corner st of the square, which I did not do because I didn't think of it till I saw this photo and noticed how round the corners were.  I would put the two extra sc in the first dc of that corner.

The cross stitch makes a great border for a granny square or a wash cloth or dish rag.  If you're more talented than I you can probably add granny square rows following the cross stitch rows.

Crochet Review: Snowflakes Galore!

I stumbled upon a great site for snowflake pattern lovers everywhere!  Oh boy!  heh heh!  If you look around for snowflake patterns at all you may have already found it but just in case let me share it with you.


Snowcatcher's Snowflake Directory has a multitude of free crochet snowflake patterns that are beautiful and unusual.  I get tired of snowflake patterns that look just like the snowflakes I saw everywhere else.  These snowflakes are very unique and absolutely gorgeous.


There's a pink ribbon snowflake I would like to make that incorporates the pink ribbon symbol (not just tying a pink ribbon around the flake) into the pattern.  There's three dimensional flakes of several types, and beautifully colored ones as well.  There's solid flakes, lacy flakes and in between flakes.  There's beaded flakes and flakes without beads that don't really need beads because they're so pretty without the beads.


I am so grateful to people like the Snowcatcher for offering such beautiful patterns to us!  My favorites on this page are the Third Red Mug Snowflake,  the Pink Ribbon Snowflake,
and the Century Snowflake.   Go check it out and share which ones you like best, if you've made any of the snowflakes on this site, etc.  I am just about to start the Third Red Mug Snowflake - as soon as I post this~


Here's another snowflake I made - not from Snowcatcher's site, it's from Trish Kristoffersen's booklet South Maid #1410 Winter Jewels  Snowflake 6. Winter Lace:

PLEASE don't pay attention to my dirty windows!  hee hee! 

Caregiver Notes: It's Funny How Things Work Themselves Out

Have you ever had something work itself out when you were at odds as to what to do about it?  Just when you thought you would forget the whole thing or you were too overwhelmed to do anything at all, everything somehow fell into place just the way it was supposed to? 


It rarely happens that way for me, mainly because I forget to pray about everything.  Really.  When I do remember to pray about something, I'm so desperate and frantic, I'm practically screaming and crying my prayer to God and He answers my prayers just to shut me up!  No, not really, that's an exaggeration but not too much of one.  heh, heh.  If I sound like a tantrum thrower it's probably close to my reality.  I somehow never really outgrew my two year old tantrum throwing phase, and it's okay if you now go "Euuuuww!" because my reaction to that revelation is the same as yours... Euuuuww! 


All that aside, I did remember to pray about my questions regarding hospice for Mom recently and today I received an answer to my prayer.  I was about to call Mom's insurance company because of a comment I read on my post about hospice that suggested I do so, and my sister called before I could make my call to SCAN. 


My sister said she was talking to her doctor about the situation here with Mom   and he said he would be happy to come out to the house to see Mom and to send someone out to take care of her medical needs AND her daily living necessities such as bathing, etc.  I would still be here to sit with Mom, do the shopping, fix simple meals, etc., but the nursing care would be in the hands of professional people who would be getting paid for their services and the burden (and the stress) would be lifted from my shoulders.  It would free me up a bit and make me feel less depressed and I believe I wouldn't hear voices quite as bad as I have been.  (The more stress I experience the more voices I hear.  I also tend to lay a lot of guilt on myself for not doing things exactly perfect, or for not doing enough, etc. which makes voices worse.)


It will benefit both Mom and myself to have medical professionals come help me take care of her, thank God for this wonderful answer to prayer!  It's funny how it just kind of fell in my lap without me even having to make the call to Mom's insurance.  It's like my sister knew what I needed and it all came together at just the right time, when I need it the most.

Thank you Susan for thinking of me and Mom so much, thank you God for answering my prayers, thank you Anonymous commenter who told me what I ought to consider for Mom's care, it really helped all this kick in.  God bless all who pray for us!

Crochet Review: A Great Snowflake Pattern Booklet

Last year I found a great snowflake pattern booklet called Winter Jewels: 16 Snowflakes To Crochet, a South Maid article J-14, Book 1410, CC-C.  (It's five books down in the list from that book link on her site and costs only $2.50 plus S&H from her site.  The South Maid books are listed under the Coats & Clark category)

The snowflakes in this book are designed by one of my favorite designers, Trish Kristoffersen and by ordering it from her website, I got it for a great deal and sent to my home within a few days of placing my order, autographed by Trish herself.  How very nice that was to see!


Here's Snowflake #6. Frosted Rose.  I added beads and crystals and more beads to the thread before I started the project.  The book says you can add beads and glitter later on but I happened to have some crystals I wanted to use and haven't had much luck trying to marry glue to crystal.  In fact, I could never get the glue to stick at all except to my fingers and anything else I didn't want it to stick to but that's just me.  It would probably work well for you. 
The lower photo shows the beads and crystals a bit better... I think...

I am finding the snowflakes in Trish's book fast and easy to make, and they come out really beautiful, are strong enough to hold up the little crystals I add to it.  They even look beautiful before I stretch and starch them (which I haven't done yet..)



Go check out Trish's website if you crochet - or even if you don't.  Her designs are outstanding and beautiful to look at and enjoy no matter what your crochet skill level is.

Crochet News: Snowflakes In September

As I said in an earlier post, Christmas is not that far away and now is the time to start making gifts and decorations.  Really, if you're more efficient than I, you probably started your Christmas crocheting months ago.  I normally put everything off till the last minute but after what I went through last year, trying to finish all the gifts I made at the last minute, I am determined not to put myself and my family through that stress again.  When I get stressed out like that my whole family suffers.  Not nice, but true.

I made this snowflake last night and finished it up this morning while Mom ate breakfast.  It's a gloomy day outside so Mom is sad today.  The weather affects her greatly I noticed.  On a sunny day she's up and cheery and smiley.  On a gloomy day like today she's down and out and can't say why, it's just that way for her.  Hopefully the sun will come out later on but until then we're stuck in the house so crocheting keeps me busy while we are confined to the living room again.

I may write out the patten for it, depending on requests I get for the pattern.  It'll be easy and won't take as long as the pattern I wrote for the bikini top, lol.  This one is beaded but easy enough it can be finished in less than a day.  I think it's kinda cool with the flowery middle that's round, turning into a squarish snowflake.  I wonder if snowflakes are ever square?  I don't know why they wouldn't be but I'm sure I can look it up on Google.  It seems like Google has links for answers to any question under the sun.


Off to Google, gotta find out more about snowflakes before I make any more of them.  There must be some kind of "snowflake rules" or something that a person ought to follow when making snowflakes, don't you think?


It's a low energy, high coffee intake kind of day so sorry for my babbling and rambling.  I'll start working on the pattern for this snowflake now, forget Google.  I am the creator of my snowflakes so I can follow any snowflake making rules I want and can make up my own rules as I go along.


Yea, it's a weird day alright, and it affects me a lot, which is very apparent in my writings today.  yikes.  Time to put away the keyboard.


Hope your day is sunny and warm,
cynthia

Crochet News: Snowflakes In The Works

 I found a beautiful snowflake pattern, well, actually two very similar patterns for snowflakes, in an old Crochet World magazine (12-2008 issue).  Since Christmas is coming faster than I am ever ready for, I decided to start my Christmas crocheting for decorations and gifts.

I haven't starched this yet, I'll wait till I have three or four snowflakes and do them all at once.  I just hate cleaning up anything at all so starching each one as I go along is something I wouldn't even consider.  heh, heh. 

The original pattern (which you may be able to get in the Dec. 2008 issue of Crochet World at your local public library, I'm thinking) did not call for beads but I am a lover of crystals and added them on my own:
Before I started this snowflake I counted the picots around the perimeter of the flake and noticing the group of three and then the single picot in between the 3-picots groups, I strung the crystals as follows:
(One tear drop, three small diamond shaped) six times.  I added the crystals to my stitches in the third ch of each picot so it would come out at the tip of each picot.
It'll be interesting to see if the starch I use will hold the crystals up properly.  I'll let you know about that after I block and starch it.

Sorry to bring up Christmas so soon, I can't help but wonder what everyone is making for gifts this year?  I have so many people to make gifts for I'd better get on the ball!

Crochet News: My Favorite Washcloth Pattern

If you've been following any crochet news you probably know that I found a fabulous washcloth pattern HERE and liked the pattern so much I used it to make my boyfriend an afghan for Christmas last year.  I'm still adding to the afghan because he wants it "King size" and right now it's only a double-bed size.  Hmph! 


I take my crocheting, anything I'm working on, everywhere I go.  Usually it's something small that doesn't require a pattern so I don't loose anything important.  One day I grabbed a ball of Peaches And Cream 100% cotton (which is what I'm using for Mike's afghan) and threw it in a bag.  I thought I had the right hook (H hook) but discovered half way down the road in the car that I had a "J" hook instead.


Needing to crochet because Mike was driving and I can't stand being in the passenger seat, wondering if he saw the old lady stepping into the crosswalk, wondering if he is going to stop at the red light or go through it - not that he would, it's just the way he drives that makes me want to stomp on the invisible brake pedal on my side of the car.  It stresses me out to see someone else drive so I distract myself with crocheting the entire car ride.  It has saved the relationships I have with my boyfriend, my daughter, and anyone else I've been a passenger with in my car.  lol.  Really.

Since I had to crochet to save my sanity I went ahead and used the J hook to make the washcloth pattern I have made so many of for Mike's afghan.  I'm really glad I made the mistake of grabbing the wrong hook because the end result was not suitable for Mike's afghan but it produced a beautifully soft, supple washcloth that is a nice large size for body washing. 

I've made several washcloths to give as gifts with body wash and lotions, but I always felt they were kind of "hard" feeling.  Using the J hook resolved this problem and made the cloth a bit bigger, which is great too. 
Once again, this is where you can get the free pattern:  Spa Necessities on the Red Heart website. 
Have fun!
cynthia

O,T. Easy Recipe For No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

This has got to  be the easiest, quickest cookie recipe on the face of the earth.  Another plus is that in this hot weather we're all having, you don't have to heat up the house by using an oven to cook these cookies!  Here ya go:

Recipe:  No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies


In a heavy sauce pan, mix:
1/2 cup milk
2 C sugar
Cook on high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to boil.  Boil for one minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  (that's all the cooking you will have to do)


Add:
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 C peanut butter (I used creamy but chunky would be great too)
3 C quick cook oatmeal

Mix together well.
Roll into 1 " balls or you can drop by the teaspoonful onto waxed paper or parchment paper.
It only takes one cookie sheet as you can place the cookies close to each other, they will not be spreading at all.

My daughter likes them best when they're still warm.  When cool they have a fudgy quality that is very good - and somewhat good for you too.  ;-)

Crochet News: Free Pattern; Toddler Ballet Beret

When I missed my great-niece's third birthday party I felt so sad I had to do something constructive and creative to make myself feel better and to give my little niece a handmade gift by Great Aunt Cyndi.  (Emphasize the GREAT!  j/k)

Since Emma wants to be a ballerina (along with my grand daughter Madison and about every other  toddler out there!) I decided to make her a pair of ballet leg warmers (pattern coming soon!) and this little beret to match the leg warmers.  Winter IS coming, it's just around the corner and that means CHRISTMAS! (Let me be the  first to be so mean as to remind you how close Christmas really is, especially if you hand make all your gifts.)

Here's the pattern for the beret, as I said a leg warmer pattern to match is on it's way.

Make It In A Day:
Crochet Toddler Ballet Beret
copyright 2011
by Cynthia J Luciene

PDF download for this pattern is here
*Note:  You don't have to download the file, it is possible to just open it to view using Adobe Acrobat Reader.   (Choose the "view" option when the download  window pops up)
The file is hosted by Mediafire which has turned out to be a very reliable and stable file host for me...  And it's free, you don't have to register to download my files.

Have fun, send photos of your completed Ballet Beret projects to me HERE 

I can't wait to see my little great-niece wearing her beret and leg warmers with the ballet dress and tutu my mother got her for her birthday this year!

Crochet News: Bikini Top Pattern Finally Here

Finally, now that summer is almost over, I finished writing the pattern for the lacy bikini top, what I call Booby Traps.  heh, heh.  I'm trying to think of what to call the bottoms?  Butt hatches?  Not.  I dunno.  Anyway, here's the pattern for free, for the yellow top by request.

As I said in an earlier post, I don't recommend wearing the top like this, with a tee shirt underneath but I'm too bashful to show anymore skin than you see here.  heh heh.


(pattern is also available free of charge as a PDF download on HERE)


Please link to this page when sharing this pattern, thank you.











Lacy Bikini Top Pattern
aka
Boobie Traps
crochet
copyright 2011 by Cynthia J Luciene
You may share this pattern but you may not sell it.
You can however, sell anything you make using this pattern.

Materials:
1 Ball (less than 1) 100 % cotton crochet thread size 3 (I like Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet or Royale Fashion Crochet Thread because it has a nice sheen)
Size F hook

NOTE: Work in U-shaped rows
Terms: sc ; single crochet
dc; double crochet
ch; chain
dc group; 2 dc worked in same stitch
st; stitch
rem; remaining
Instructions: (Make 2)
ch 14
Row 1: sc in 3rd ch from hook and in next 11 chs across. 3 sc in 12th ch (end), turning work 90 degrees,
sc in each of the unused loops from beginning ch 14. ch 1, turn. (25 sc total in u-shape)
Row 2: 1 sc in each of next 12 st, 3 sc in next (middle of 3sc group in end), sc in each 12 rem st. ch 1,
turn. (27 sc)
Row 3: sc in next 13 st, 3 sc in end sc; sc in rem 13 st (29 sc) ch 1, turn
Row 4: sc in next 14 st, 3 sc in end sc; sc in rem 14 st (31 sc) ch1, turn
Row 5: ch 2 more, dc in same st as ch 3 – dc group made - , (skip 1 st, 2 dc in next – dc group made - )
repeat 14 times, dc in last st, ch 3, turn.
Row 6: (2 dc between dc in next dc group) 7 times, 2 dc in next space between dc group just worked
and next 2 dc group, 2 dc between next 2 dc, (2 dc between dc of next dc group) 7 times, 2 dc between
last stitch and turning ch 3. Ch 3, turn.
Row 7: sc between first 2 dc, (ch 3, sc between dc of next dc group) repeat around: 17 ch 3 loops. Ch
1. turn.
Row 8: sc in first ch 3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop) 17 times. Ch 3, turn.
Row 9: sc in first ch 3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop) 16 times. Ch 1, turn.
Row 10: sc in first ch 3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop) 16 times. Ch 1, turn. (16 ch 3 loops)
Row 11: 3 sc in first ch 3 loop and in each ch 3 loop around.
Turn work so you can make following row using ends of rows 1-11.
(This will be the bottom edge of cup)
Row 12: ch 3, work 29 dc evenly across the ends of rows 1-11. Turn.
Row 13: ch 4 -counts as 1 dc plus ch 1- skip 1 st, dc in next, (ch 1, skip 1 st, dc in next) across (14 dc
and ch 1 spaces) (This makes a “casing” for the tie that goes underneath the boobies.)
Row 14: ch 1, turn. Sc in first dc, sc in next ch1 space, (sc in next dc, sc in next ch1 space) 13 more
times across, sc in top of turning ch. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Ties
Measure your midriff and make a chain that long plus enough to make a secure bow tie in the middle of
your back. Everyone's trunks are different sizes, it's best to figure this part out yourself and to how
long you prefer the tie in back. I made mine quite long, which irritated me because the ends of the ties
tickled the small of my back. If they were too short the tie in back could come undone easily and then
your boobies would no longer be trapped! Yikes!
Once you've got a chain the length appropriate for you and before you weave the ends in, string one
end (single strand at end of your chain) into a yarn needle and use that to weave the chain length in and
out of the “casing” you made in Row 13.
Neck Ties:
Find the middle of Row 11 at the top of the cup (rounded side). This ought to be the space between 2
of the 3-sc groups.
Attach crochet thread with a slip stitch, ch 1, sc in same space and start chaining until you get a
satisfactory length to suit you.
Make a long enough chain that will reach from the top of the bikini cup, reach the middle of your neck,
and have enough to make a secure bow tie at nape of neck. I tried very hard to count how many chains
it took but was not able to keep track of my stitches, I am sorry. That's the way things are in my house,
lots of interruptions and needy humans and animals.
Repeat instructions above for other cup.
Weave in ends and you're done. Now you just have to be coordinated enough to get those ties tied
without help. Good luck. I found by putting the top on backwards, with the cups in back first, and
tying the bow for the middle of my back, turning the top around, placing the traps (cups) where they
should be, (and placing my boobies where they should be!) then I pulled the neck ties up and tied a
bow at the nape of my neck. Whew!
Enjoy your Boobie Traps! It is easy to make this bikini top larger (I”m SO jealous!) by adding rows
after row 11. Just keep working the chain 3 loops around in a u-shape as you'd been doing and you will
do fine. If you have questions about this pattern or any other I have posted on my blogsite, you can email me  HERE

For The Love Of FBBs!

F.B.B. = Fat Bottom Bag
This is a lined, purple FBB #2, with a few add ons that I'll explain below...

 

I just finished this FBB and I'm very happy with it, so much so that I decided I'll keep this one for myself.  I think I've made about twenty FBBs in all and have given away most of them, gladly so.  There's a few technical flaws I made when making this purple bag so I wouldn't feel exactly okay about giving it to someone anymore than I would give someone a dead plant for the birthday.  It's just not right, and could be considered downright mean.  heh, heh.  

Starting with the pattern which is found in the book called Stitch N Bitch Crochet; The Happy Hooker, I improvised a little bit because I had the yarn and hook but not the pattern so I was making it from memory and probably made a few or more mistakes.  

I purchased this embellishment at Joann's Yarn & Craft Store for a few bucks and thought I would also use the beads that came with the big purple shell heart but forgot about them and made the round buttons you see on each side with yarn.

I lined the bag (check out THIS LINK for a photo tutorial for lining the FBB, or see a few tips and photos about lining a FBB by me HERE.  One of the technical flaws in this bag are the way I stitched the lining.  There are ways to make the stitching look neater and less visible but I was too lazy to get up and look for different  thread and take out the entire side I stitched already.

For the cell phone/ID pocket (in photo above) I crocheted two rectangle pieces and slip stitched them together.   I used a bead that came with the large heart (outside bag) for a closure.


The handles I purchased were only $4.99 at Joann's and of the light, bamboo type wood and did not go very well with the silky, dressy looking lining and the outer embellishment.  Having already sewn the handles into the handle flaps when I decided this, I was trying to think of a way to make the handles match the style of the bag better. 
I am pretty proud of myself for thinking of using single crochets all around the handles, as many single crochets as I could squeeze onto the handles so no wood would show underneath.  Changing the handles in this manner made the whole bag come together nicely.  I am thinking of using a spot of glue here and there to anchor the yarn to the handle so it doesn't twist about but changed my mind when I realized the glue would just pull on the yarn and look funky.   =)   I made the photo below extra large in hopes you'd be able to see how the sc looks when worked onto a handle.  For a photo lesson about single crocheting onto a ring or bar, check out an earring pattern I posted HERE.  The tutorial for doing this is at the bottom of the Dangly Earrings post. 

If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comments below, I'll do my best to answer you in a short time but keep in mind I have mental disorder issues and I am taking care of my mother who is seemingly worse every day.  Thank you for being patient and understanding while waiting for my replies.


signing off at a surprisingly reasonable hour of the night,
cynthia
p.s. Please check back soon, I'm working on designing bikini tops and bottoms for a company I am trying to get going and will post photos of my creations and possibly have a vote from my readers as to which one would be most desirable if you were to buy and wear one. 

Purple Lined Fat Bottom Bag

Yea,  I'm back to that.  The Fat Bottom Bag (pattern available in Stitch N Bitch, The Happy Hooker) has taken over most of my crochet time.  I made this one with  myself in mind but I'll probably give it to someone as I've done with all of the other FBBs I've made.  I can't help but want to see someone smile when I give a FBB to her.

I used a velveteen material to line this one with and found I do like it very much as it gives the bag body and structure or form.  Granted, it was a bit more difficult to do the gathering row because the material is so thick but I managed to gather it nicely by pulling my gathering stitches tightly as I went along.

I purchased dark purple handles at Joann's that would match this bag perfectly, only trouble being that the handles were cheaply painted and the paint kinda chipped or rubbed off easily and made the handles look used and junky.  I wanted a more elegant look for this bag because of the lining I chose the clear handles which go nicely with the shiny embroidery in the fancy lining material.

Adding a jeweled barrette I found at a 98 cent store to the outside as an embellishment completed the fancy look I was working on and I'm very pleased with this bag.  It'll cause me  a bit of pain to give it away but I'm sure making someone else happy with it will ease that pain and make me feel great.  lol.


One thing I'd like to point out for all Fat Bottom Bags - I was using magnetic snaps as closures on some of the FBBs I've made in the past.  I found the clasps to be more of a bother than they're worth.  They tend to not open easily and pull on the crochet yarn too much.  One bag that I gave to a friend of mine actually unraveled because of the way the snaps pulled on the yarn when she opened her bag each time.  I am going to repair her bag and add a different type of closure, probably a crocheted strap to go over the top with a button hole and a nice looking button or will make a yarn button for closure.

Crochet News: The Find Of A Lifetime! Crochetology.net!

I had the pleasure today of stumbling across a site I've never seen before and I'm sorry to say I have no idea how I got there, just that it was what I like to call a "God shot".   (A God shot being something that happens only due to divine intervention.)  I know God knows my heart and my desires and what makes me happy in my little world.  He knows I've been trying to put ideas together that lay in my heart and my mind's eye but I do not have the crochet intellect and experience to put my ideas and longings to hook and thread.  I've tried, believe me, and I've got a dozen or so projects that I started and then had to stop because I hit a hitch in the road and could not progress to complete the projects.   Crochetotology.net put an end to the end of my projects.  Fatima opened my eyes, taught me things I thought I knew.  Now I have guides to the following (and a lot more!)

•  More About The Square  details how to use a square motif to make a long sleeved top.  Includes a motif pattern in diagram.  (You'll have to follow the previous link to see the top Fatina constructed and how to do it yourself.)

• From Doily To Dress An excellent post explaining her procedure for turning any crochet doily pattern (new, vintage or antique) into a wearable dress or other garmet.  This is something I've had in my mind to do but couldn't quite "get it".  Thanks to Fatima I'm going to be able to use some very old (possibly antique) doily patterns to make beautiful wearables!

There's also wonderful, beautiful stitch and motif patterns available such as one of my favorites:

• Georgiana a hexagonish motif that  I think would make a beautiful top or skirt, or scarf.

Crochetology.net : The Art, The Pattern, And The Language Of Crochet.  That it definitely is!

If you want to learn, go there.  If you want to make something beautiful, go there.  If you're curious as to what I'm so excited about, GO THERE! 

How to Crochet Star Stitch (Daisy Stitch) - wikiHow

How to Crochet Star Stitch (Daisy Stitch) - wikiHow

The link above will take you to an article I wrote on wikiHow with instructions for making the
"old school" star stitch that I used when making the Duck Bath Mitt below:

Free Pattern: Lacy Heart Earrings With Beads

The download PDF file can be found here:  Lacy Heart Earrings


If you print the patten from this site, chances are it will print a black background with white text.  If you are like the rest of us and don't want to spend all your money on black ink to print this pattern, please open the PDF file and print it from there.  You'll be happy you did and your printer will still have black ink when you're done printing.  ..  And you won't be cursing me for having a stupid black background.  heh, heh...


Lacy Purple Heart Earrings w/Crystal Beads
copyright 2010
by Cynthia J. Luciene

Materials:
Size 7 steel crochet hook
Size 10 cotton crochet thread; bedspread
weight; small amount
Two crystal beads that will thread onto your
crochet thread
Two hooks for pierced earrings, or two posts,
if you prefer

Stitches Used:Chain stitch (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Picot (ch 3, slst into first ch of same ch 3)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Double Triple Crochet (dbl tr) : YO 3 times,
insert hook into indicated stitch, (YO, pull
through two loops on hook) X3 – there'll be
just one loop on hook when finished with
stitch.

Skill Level:
Advanced Beginner (one who is able to read and follow pattern instructions closely and accurately)

Instructions:
Begin by stringing any beads you are going to use. I strung mine as follows:
First the drop bead, that you see at the bottom of the earring, you'll be using this one last
Second, the larger bead that is in about the middle of the heart because you'll be using this one first
Whatever beads you decide to use ought to be strung onto the crochet thread before beginning your
work and in the opposite order of the order you'll be using them in. One way to avoid confusion is
using beads that are all alike so it won't matter which comes first.

With steel crochet hook size 7 and size 10 crochet thread:
• ch 7, dbl tr in first ch of ch 7 just made sliding larger bead up and work into 2nd YO of dbl tr stitch, pull stitches tight to secure bead, ch 7, sl st into same first ch as last stitch.
• Sl st into bead loop closest to hook, work 4 sc on this side of bead loop, ch 7, work 4 sc into
opposite side of bead, in the bead's loop. Sl st into nearest ch 7 loop.
• (ch 3, sl st) into each ch of same ch 7 loop, in top of dbl tr, and in each of the 7 ch opposite side of dbl tr.
• Turn, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop) X 5, ch 3, picot, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop) X 6, sl st into last
ch 3 loop, just before dbl tr of first round.
• Continue working around, (ch 3, hdc in next ch 3 loop) X 2, (ch 3. sc in next ch 3 loop) X 3. , 3 sl st inside the first ch 3 of the picot loop, sl st three times around picot, 3 sc in the next ch 3 of picot loop, (sc in next ch 3 loop ch 3) X 3, (hdc in next ch 3 loop, ch 3) X 2, ch 3, sl st into
lowest point of “V” at top of heart.
• Fasten off, weave in ends inconspicuously.
• Attach hooks or posts to middle, top of heart, at lowest point of “V”
• Email questions, comments to anitalite@gmail.com
• or visit  Cynthia's Cynfully Spiffy Stuff

You may not sell this pattern but you may sell anything you make from this pattern. Please use the following link to distribute online:
http://anitalite.blogspot.com
Thank you I hope you enjoy making these earrings.