How to Make a Pompom

Every time I go to the craft supply stores I see fancy tools that help you make pompoms. I say, don't waste your money on those gizmos. I learned this technique when I was at the elementary schools and you don't need any special tools to make any size pompoms.

What you will need:
sturdy paper (I used a card that came in the mail with some ads), desired color yarn, sharp scissors, compass (or anything in circle shape - I used a glass that I traced around).

Technique:
Trace and cut two identical doughnut shapes and lay them on top of each other. The width of the doughnut will be the radius of the pompom. Wrap the yarn tightly around the width of the doughnut. The more yarn you add, the fuller the pompom will become. Find a spot to separate the yarn and insert scissors between the two layers of paper. Cut the yarn all around. Insert a yarn string where your scissors were and tie a knot. Make sure your knot is tight, otherwise the pompom will loose its fullness quickly and the yarn will fall out. Remove/tear out the two paper doughnuts. Use scissors and cut any strands that stick out. And there it is, a cute pompom to top hats, beanies, gloves, booties, etc. No special tools required.

Crochet Tawashi Scrubbies

They've been the online talk lately - beautiful crochet Tawashi Scrubbies. I believe the original purpose for them was to scrub pots but I make the for more of a personal use - to clean my face. To make sure only the fines touches my skin, I use 100% cotton yarn. They are just wonderful for all my soaps, washes, peels, and other beauty products.

The original pattern can be found on a Japanese website and my English translation of it is as follows:

Materials: worsted weight yarn in two different colors.
Hook: H-8 (5mm) - I do believe smaller hooks could be used as well

Using color 1: 
Ch19 - from now on you will be working ONLY in BACK loops.
Round 1: Sc in each ch. (18)
Round 2: Ch1, sc2tog, *sc in next sc. Repeat from * 15 times, 2sc in last sc. (18)
Using color 2:
Round 3: Ch1, 2sc in first sc, *sc in next sc. Repeat from * 15 times, sc2tog at the end of the row. (18)
Round 4: Ch1, sc2tog, *sc in next sc. Repeat from *15 times. 2sc in last sc. (18)
Round 5-20: Repeat rnds 3 and 4, alternating color at each odd row.

To finish off, either ss the last row with the first, or simply sew them together. Run a stitch on each side and pull it tight to close. Manipulate the Tawashi into shape with your fingers, if necessary. What a great project! Superb addition to any beauty or housewares gift basket!

Large Crochet Flower

There are many crochet designs that show you how to make flowers. Here's my recent take on a girly headband. I love how they all look together.

Stitches used: slip stitch (ss), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc).
Materials: worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors (one or three also possible), #5 hook

Ch6 into a magic circle, ss into the first ch to close the ring.
Rnd 1: 2sc in each ch
Rnd 2: sc in next sc, ch2, skip one sc and sc in next sc, ss to first sc - 6 petals formed
Switch yarn to second color, if desired.
Rnd 3: sc, 3dc, sc in each chain space
Rnd 4: working at the back of the piece, sc into the "stem" of the first petal, ch3, sc into the next stem, ss to first sc - 6 petals for the second layer formed
Switch yarn back to first color, if desired.
Rnd 5: sc, 6dc, sc, in each chain space
Rnd 6: working at the back of the piece, sc into the "stem" of the first petal, ch5, sc into the next stem, ss to first sc - 6 petals for the third layer formed
Rnd 7: sc, 8dc, sc, in each chain space, ss into the first petal, finish off, weave in the ends.

The possibilities are endless. Can't wait to make more colors! Happy crocheting.

Bunny in Easter Eggs Basket

As Valentine's Day has come and gone, and Lent is around the corner, I'm beginning to think about Easter decorations. I found the pattern for the eggs on Crafty Anna's page. From then, I thought, eggs needed a basket and maybe a bunny?

Here's the design for the one I made:

Materials: yarn in white, pink, burgundy (or other color for the vest), light green (or other color for the scarf), black - for the eyes.

Stitched used: single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), single crochet 2 together to decrease (sc2tog), slip stich (ss).

Head:

I used one of the eggs I made in white for the head.

Body: 4sc in magic circle, close the circle with ss into the sc

Rnd 1: 2sc in each sc (8)

Rnd 2: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times (12)

Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times (18)

Rnd 4-8: sc in each sc (18)

Rnd 9-10: switch to burgundy yarn, sc in each sc (18)

Rnd 11: (sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog) 3 times (15)

Rnd 12: (sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog) 3 times (12)

Rnd 13: (sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog) 3 times (9)

Rnd 14: (sc in next sc, sc2tog) 3 times (6)

Finish off leaving a long tail, weave it through the 6 sc and pull tight together to close.

Legs (make 2) - 4sc in magic circle, close circle with ss into the first sc.

Rnd 1: 2sc in each sc (8)

Rnd 2: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times (12)

Rnd 3-4: sc in each sc (12)

Rnd 5: (sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog) 3 times (9)

Rnd 6: (sc in next sc, sc2tog) 3 times (6)

Rnd 7-9: sc in each sc (6)

Finish off leaving a long tail, weave it through the 6 sc and pull tight together to close.

Arms (make 2) -  4sc in magic circle, close circle with ss into the first sc.

Rnd 1: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 2 times (6)

Rnd 2-8: sc in each sc (6)

Finish off leaving a long tail, weave it through the 6 sc and pull tight together to close.

Ears (make 2) - Ch10 with pink yarn

Rnd 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch

Rnd 2: switch to white yarn, sc in each stitch around the ear.

Scarf - ch35,

Rnd 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch.

Sew all pieces together. Use pink yarn to add the nose, and black for the eyes.

Happy crocheting!!!