Halloween!

Candy Corn Potholder

This is a quick, satisfying project that I always fall back on during this time of the year. I pass out to family and friends alike! You can find it here.

Candy Corn potholder

My youngest son picked out a new decoration for the house this Halloween. Spiders. in general are not my favorite creatures, but I too, couldn't resist this super-sized creepy crawly when he saw it at Target!

A Better Harry Potter scarf

My DS wanted to be Harry Potter for Halloween this year (being the true fiber fellow, that I am thought at once: WooHoo, I get to crochet the scarf!), so I set about immediately scouring the web for all the current free Harry Potter scarf patterns. I tried a few out and tested them with various yarns and crochet hook sizes, but it just wasn’t grabbing me. I mean, I really want to love this project, because it’s the first time ever, my son actually wants something crocheted for him. So without further ado, I present my version of the Harry Potter Gryffindor First year scarf.

A Better Harry Potter Scarf

My version by Caroline Chrisco

1 skein of RHSS Burgundy
1 skein of RHSS Gold

Size H hook

Row 1-With burgundy, chain 22, half-double crochet in second chain from hook, then hdc in each chain(21hdc)turn, ch.1

Row 2- Hdc in each hdc across(21hdc)

Row 3-22 Repeat row 2

*At the end of row 22, do not complete your final hdc on that row, do your first YO and draw up a loop, YO again; draw up this loop, now with 3 loops on your hook, drop the burgundy(cut, leaving about a 6 inch tail for weaving in later.) and draw up the gold yarn through all three loops. Turn, ch.1.(Now tie the burgundy and gold loose ends together, weave in later.) This is how I make the color switch and it looks seamless:

Row 1-Continue using the gold and follow the same established pattern, (21hdc) turn, ch.1 for 22 rows.

I then switched back to burgundy and then back to gold. I did 5 repeats of burgundy(started and ended with burgundy and 4 repeats of gold.)

Finishing:

 Fringe: Using only burgundy, I cut 8, 16 inch lengths and attached them on both ends for the fringe. I like my imperfect perfect of way of deciding where to place the fringe. I find the middle of the scarfs edge and place one there. Next I place one each on the outer edges. Then I divide the section between the outer and the middle fringe in half, and place one there, ditto for the other outer edge. I keep dividing the spaces in half and place fringe until I can no longer squeeze any more in place. Repeat for the other end of the scarf. (Note: I use an overhand knot method of attaching the fringe to a scarf, you may want to use a slightly larger crochet to draw the fringe through.)

 Weaving in ends: Just note about weaving in ends, I know I mentioned the tying of knots as you switched colors. Since this was to be scarf, that may see a lot of action during various Halloween parades, Trunk or Treating, and Trick or Treating, I believe you should tie the ends together so you get a secure scarf, but if you can secure them buying crocheting them in nice and tight, do what makes you most comfortable.

My notes: This of course, is just my opinion and my version of what makes better HP scarf. The main reason why I think it is, is because, the HDC gives the scarf a thicker, richer feel and I only chain one at the turn of every row, which I think makes for neater edges. It's tricky to always find that last stitch before the turn, but I think the precise, squared edges speak for themselves.

Good luck!



Currently on my hooks......

Hello blogland and I hope you are having a super Saturday. Mine is starting out slow and I'm happy to see it stays that way. We go, go, go all week with school, teaching, piano lessons, homework, cooking, laundry, and dinners, its soooo nice not to have a schedule today. Am I right?

I have sorely missed updating my blog with the current little whatnots that I always seem to have on my hooks. You know me, unless there are 2-3 projects going my crochet ADD needs are just not being met so with further ado, here are some of my current WIPs and FOs:

I showed you the makings of one of these lil guys a few weeks back and here one is. I've currently made three and a pig, but they've all been snatched out of my grasp before I could even get a pic.

I am working on these two scarves. The first is a Harry Potter scarf for my middle DS. Halloween is fast approaching and he decided on HP. He will be really cute and I'm glad I finally get to crochet a costume part. The second is from a free pattern I picked up at Michael's a few weeks back. It's a really mindless pattern but look at how cute the stitch close-up is. Looks like I'm really doing something fancy, doesn't it. I am using the Michael brand yarn too...Impeccable from Loops and Threads.

Enjoy this beautiful Autumn day, your family, and your friends........

Caroline

The winner is........

Hi everyone! So sorry I didn't post on Wednesday. My mom went back into the hospital for a brief stay, but is now back home. Yay! I think, we're really on our way to recovery right now.

And the winner is......

Knittingdancer....Congratulations!

Please email me with your mailing info!

P.S. Blogger is acting up again and I'm having trouble leaving comments on your blogs this week, don't worry, I'm still reading just can't say so!

Edited on Mon. 10/17.11:  knittingdancer received her package today!!! Yay!

A new design......Santa ornament/package topper

Santa Ornament

Original pattern by Caroline Chrisco

Materials:G hook
Small amount of red yarn
Polyester stuffing
Small amount of pink and white felt
Needle
White & pink & black embroidery thread

Work in continuous spiral, do not join rounds

Magic circle and sc 4 into center.
Rd. 1 sc in each stitch around
Rd. 2 2 sc in each sc around(8sc)
Rd. 3 sc in each stitch around (8sc)
Rd. 4 sc in next stich, 2sc in following stitch; repeat around (12sc)
Rd. 5 sc in each stitch around(12sc)
Rd 6 sc in each of next 2 stitches then 2sc in following stitch; repeat around (16sc)
Rd. 7 sc in each stitch around (16sc)
Rd. 8 sc in each of next 3 stitches, then 2sc in following stitch(20sc)
Rd. 9 sc in each stitch around(20sc)
Rd. 10 sc in each of next 4 stitches then 2sc in following stitch(24sc)
Rd. 11-16 in each stitch around
Arms(make 2):
Using white
Magic circle and 6 single crochet into loop.
Rd. 1-Switch to red and single crochet in each stitch around(6sc)
Rds-2-5 sc in each stitch around(6sc)
Fasten off.



Work on face:
Using the pattern I provide for you at the bottom of the page. Trace the face onto the pink felt and cut out. Repeat with the beard pattern except use white felt. Attach face onto beard; sew entire beard/face onto ornament. Using black embroidery floss, create eyes, using the French knot stitch. (Working from wrong side, draw needle and thread up through desired location on face. Wrap thread around needle twice and insert the needle back through almost the same exact spot. Keep tension on the thread in front and back of fabric as you pull through. Fasten off. Repeat for second eye.)

Pom-pom: Attach pom-pom of your choosing to top of ornament. I have made my own and used store-bought as well.

Hanging loop: Chain 24 (or desired length of chain) Fasten off. Sew both ends into top of ornament, right behind pom-pom, that way the ornament will always face forward.

An Etsy treasury with a little uglee twist!

'Ugly is Beautiful' by MoonBeansGifts

These items are so ugly, they're kind of appealing!

Ornament Angler Fis... digitsdesigns $40.00	Bright Pink Fleece ... Maddiessockmin... $18.50	a WEEk oF mOnSTeRs ... art4barewalls $50.00	ClaM named Beckham ... buttuglee $89.00
Veri Uglee CarolineChrisc... $12.00	Papier mache witch ... Jevgeniamasks $43.00	Cute Pencil Topper uglyclothes $10.00	ACEO waiting for a ... mariannat $4.00
Keychain Ugly Bunny... RenataGatica $12.00	Bambaks, books love... Bambaks $4.00	Halloween Prim Grun... MysticHillsNga... $55.00	Vintage Kelly Green... judemallorymar... $35.00
ON SALE Zombie Devi... PsAndQs $100.00	Cute Monster JERRY ... PinkSprinklesP... $21.00	Halloween Bat with ... ItCameWithTheF... $10.00	Finger Puppet Plush... Wingsical $3.75

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

I'm baaaaack!

Hello everyone! Thank you all so much for the well wishes for my dear mom. It was touch and go for awhile but this Monday, we finally saw some improvement and by today we've made leaps and bounds towards recovery. She is going to make a full recovery. It will take time, but thank goodness we now have plenty of that!

I have not really been working on any projects. I did finish 3 Red Angry Birds but didn't take any pictures of them. I finished one of the pigs from that same game too.

I have been thumbing through all my patterns and leafing through all my magazines, but I haven't gotten insspired by anything yet, soooooo I decided how about a giveaway?

I have a great packet of yarn that I tried to give away in this post. The winner never emailed me or contacted me again(Shucks!) So I am going to try and give it away again!!!!

Here it is:
3 skeins of RH Baby Sport and 2 skeins of Moda Dea Daisy.

All you to do to enter is: Leave a comment telling me you want to be entered and then please check back to make sure you know if you won or not.

The comments will be open from today October 6 through Tuesday, October 11. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, October 12.

Good luck to all! And thanks again for all the well wishes and positive support!