Learn to Crochet Series Lesson 1: Slip Knots & Chains

The Vivian Cap

Instant Download price: $5.50

The Vivian Cap- Crochet Pattern PDF

skill level: intermediate
project time: 3-5 hours depending on experience
finished size: adult 21-22" head

Full instructions for the beanie version and the slouchier visor version. I give step-by-step instructions and video links for the stitches used and even if you're a beginner, this is a great way to learn a new stitch technique and get a pretty hat out of it too!

The yarn types/brands I recommend in the pattern are readily available at most major craft stores (Michaels, Jo-Ann’s, AC Moore).

You will receive The Vivian Cap Crochet Pattern, including an Appendix featuring:
• finished pictures
• clearly written guide of all stitches used
• list of resources for supplies and online tutorials

© 2007-2009 White Paw Craftworks - All rights reserved. Copying, selling, sharing, trading, or posting of this pattern is strictly prohibited.
*You may not use this pattern, or the item(s) produced from the pattern for commercial/retail purposes.

Oatsy Bear Crochet Pattern

Meet Oatsy Bear... a fuzzy little amigurumi teddy with a red scarf.

He reminds me of a warm bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter day.

Instant Download Price: $4.00 USD

 
skill level: beginner - easy
project time: 3-5 hours depending on experience
finished size: 4" sitting

You will receive the Oatsy Bear amigurumi crochet pattern PDF including:
• finished pictures
• step-by-step stitch explanations
• list of resources for materials and online help videos

© 2007-2009 White Paw Craftworks - All rights reserved. Copying, selling, sharing, trading, or posting of this pattern is strictly prohibited.*You may not use this pattern, or the item(s) produced from the pattern for commercial/retail purposes. 

The Christie Cap Crochet Pattern

I love this hat and you will too! Less than 2 hours start to finish.
Perfect last minute gift idea. Teens love em!
Hat comfortably fits an average adult 21-23" head.

Instant Download Price: $5.50 USD

skill level: beginner
project time: 2 hours depending on experience
finished size: adult 21-23" head

The yarn types/brands I recommend in the pattern are readily available at most major craft stores (Michaels, Jo-Ann’s, AC Moore).

You will receive the City Girl Cap Pattern, including:
• 2 mini patterns for optional embellishments (button and flower)
• finished pictures
• clearly written explanations of all stitches used
• list of resources for supplies and online tutorials

© 2007-2009 White Paw Craftworks - All rights reserved. Copying, selling, sharing, trading, or posting of this pattern is strictly prohibited.*You may not use this pattern, or the item(s) produced from the pattern for commercial/retail purposes. 

The Julia Hat Crochet Pattern

Instant Download Price: $5.50 USD

A romantic open weave skullcap design, perfect for a windy spring day.

A little rose bud adds just enough frill without going over the top. So pretty!

An advanced beginner level crochet project.

I give step-by-step instructions and video links for the stitches used and even if you're a beginner, this is a great way to learn a new stitch technique and get a pretty hat out of it too!

The yarn types/brands I recommend in the pattern are readily available at most major craft stores (Michaels, Jo-Ann’s, AC Moore).

You will receive The Julia Hat Crochet Pattern, including:

• mini rosette and leaf patterns for optional embellishments

Appendix featuring:

• finished pictures

• clearly written guide of all stitches used

• list of resources for supplies and online tutorials

© 2007-2009 White Paw Craftworks - All rights reserved. Copying, selling, sharing, trading, or posting of this pattern is strictly prohibited.*You may not use this pattern, or the item(s) produced from the pattern for commercial/retail purposes.  

The Ava Hat Crochet Pattern

The Ava Hat - Beret or Applejack 2 hat styles in 1 - Crochet Pattern PDF 

Instant Download Price: $5.50 USD

 

skill level: easy

project time: 2-4 hours depending on experience

finished size: child-adult 19"-23" head

Perfect last minute gift idea. Teens love them! Adult and Child sizes included to fit head sizes from 19"-23". 

The yarn types/brands I recommend in the pattern are readily available at most major craft stores (Michaels, Jo-Ann’s, AC Moore). 

You will receive The Ava Hat Crochet Pattern, including: 

• instructions for making a beret or applejack style hat with a visor 

• 2 mini patterns for optional embellishments (button and strap) 

• finished pictures 

• clearly written guide of all stitches used 

• list of resources for supplies and online tutorials  

© 2007-2009 White Paw Craftworks - All rights reserved. Copying, selling, sharing, trading, or posting of this pattern is strictly prohibited.*You may not use this pattern, or the item(s) produced from the pattern for commercial/retail purposes. 

DIY Fabric Labels...

For anyone looking to put a personalized label on their handmade work, these products are just great...

This is not an iron-on transfer kit, the cotton satin fabric sheets go directly into your ink-jet printer. Just design your labels on your computer and print up a multitude directly on the cotton satin sheet. Soak them in luke warm water for 10 min and peel off the protective layer, let dry and cut and sew your little labels to your soft toys, garments, etc. Available at Jo~ann Fabrics Or... This PhotoFabric Roll is 8.5" x 120" in length and can be cut to various sizes and printed on directly.

Available in Cotton Poplin, Cotton Twill and Silk at Jo~ann Fabric

Iron-on ink-jet T-shirt transfers are also great if you want to use a different fabric for your labels.

Note: Due to the detailed nature of labels (small font type, small space) you'll want to use the best quality ink in your printer. I have an old HP psc 750 that I use strictly for junk printing and I load it with cheap ink refill cartridges. I use a professional quailty Epson printer for fine are and photography prints, it only takes the best ink. So if you want crisp type on your labels, use the best ink for your printer. I suggest doing a test print of only 1 row of labels on the top of a sheet to be sure you're happy with the quaility before you proceed.

DIY Drop Spindles

If you've never tried spinning your own yarn, an easy and inexpensive way to start is with a drop spindle. Drop spindles come in a variety of sizes and materials but the most common is the basic wooden spindle. The drop spindle can be either top whorl (whorl on the top, hook on the top) or bottom whorl (whorl on the bottom, hook on the top). Here is a very simple and inexpensive way to make your own drop spindle from common materials found at any craft, hobby or hardware store.

Materials

• 2 inch or larger wooden toy wheel with an 1/8 inch opening ($1.75) Michael's • 1/8 inch wide dowel rod (3 ft. for $.48) Michael's • 1/2 inch brass cup hook (6 for $.99) Hardware store • small saw, hammer, sand paper or emery board • carded fiber • 18 inch length of yarn Wherever you buy your wooden toy wheel, the store should have a selection of dowel rods. This will be your shaft. Depending on the size wheel you find, the center may or may not be 1/8" so take your little wheel to the dowel section and try out different sizes until you find a snug fit. Rods are sold in 3 foot lengths so you can make 3 spindles from 1 rod. You'll also have extra incase you split your wood. Instructions Cut your rod into (3) 12" lengths. Now you must decide if you'd like a top or bottom whorl spindle... a bottom whorl spindle spins slower and will produce a thicker chunky yarn. A top whorl spindle has a faster spin and is used for spinning a thin yarn with softer fibers. Top Whorl Drop Spindle

After you have the dowel rod cut to a 12" length, push it into the center hole of your wheel allowing about 1 inch to stick out of the bottom. You may need a hammer to tap it in. Use a bit of sand paper to smooth the cut edges (an emery board will do just fine too). The hook will be placed in the top of the rod closest to the wheel (the wheel is actually your whorl if you want to get technical). If you have a steady hand you can twist the little cup hook back and worth to start your hole and screw it in by hand, making sure to keep it centered. If it goes in on an angle your wood will split. When in doubt, drill a small starter hole in the center of the rod end, with your tiniest drill bit. Saw a slight notch on one side of your wheel and sand it smooth. Your yarn will pass through this so you don't want it to be rough. This notch is optional so you may try spinning without it and add it later if you like.

Start Top Whorl Spinning When your top whorl spindle is assembled and sanded, you are ready to start spinning. First you will need to add your "leader" yarn. You will need about 18 inches of yarn. With your hook pointing upwards, tie your leader yarn around the spindle just underneath the whorl. Wrap the yarn and tie a loop. Bring the looped end up over the whorl and wrap it a couple of times around the hook. Leave at least a 5" length to start spinning your fiber. As you spin your fiber, it will collect on the spindle in a cone shape below the whorl. Bottom Whorl Drop Spindle

After you have the dowel rod cut to a 12" length, push it into the center hole of your wheel allowing about 1 1/2 inches to stick out the bottom. You may need a hammer to tap it in. Stick the 1 1/2 inch end of the rod in an electric pencil sparpener to give it a dull flat point and sand the edges smooth. The point allows you to spin your spindle like a top on a flat surface. Use a bit of sand paper to smooth the cut edges (an emery board will do just fine too). The hook will be placed at the top of the rod, farthest from the wheel. If you have a steady hand you can twist the little cup hook back and worth to start your hole and screw it in by hand, making sure to keep it centered. If it goes in on an angle your wood will split. When in doubt, drill a small starter hole in the center of the rod end, with your tiniest drill bit.

Start Bottom Whorl Spinning

When your spindle is assembled and sanded, you are ready to start spinning. First you will need to add your "leader" yarn. With your hook facing upwards, tie about 18 inches of leader yarn to rod right below the wheel. Next take the leader yarn and wrap it once around the section of rod under the wheel and then bring it up to the top and loop it onto your hook. Leave at least a 5" length to start spinning your fiber.

Finishing

Add a creative touch to your new spindle by painting or staining the wood, or even burning your own designs onto the edges of the wheel. Have fun and give it a whorl! A few great books to get you started:

Spinning in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts

Spin It: Making Yarn from Scratch by Lee Raven

Hands On Spinning by Lee Raven

Washcloth Puppies!

This little washcloth puppy has been trying to wiggle his way into my blog for sometime now... I was waiting until I found just the right terry cloth for the final pattern but alas, I've been too busy for fabric hunting :( So Pup is just peeking in to say hello and I'm sure you'll see him again soon when he introduces all his new friends ;)Have a great Monday...

Scales

I finally invested in a scale to weigh my packages at home. I always over estimate weight because I figure "better to ship with more postage than too little", but as a result, I end up paying for some of the shipping cost myself... no more! This little scale cost me a whopping $5.00 at Linens n' Things and is perfect for my needs since most of my items are under 1lb. Here is little Swimmy weighing in at just under 1/2 oz. Most of these kitchen scales are no more than $5-20 and up to $40 for the fancy digital ones, making them a super duper alternative to a pricey postal scale. This one is surprisingly accurate and it would be perfect for anyone selling jewelry, clothing accessories, stuffed animals, etc. Yay!