Super Versitile Wavy Flower Pattern

I like big happy flowers.  I also like flower patterns that can be used with multiple types of yarn.  This pattern comes from lots of practice and trial and error.

The pattern:
Into a magic circle, 10 DC and slip stitch to join.

Chain 1 and SC into the same stitch as joining.  *Chain 2, skip 1 stitch, and SC in the 2nd stitch.* Repeat from * 3 times, chain 2 and end with a slip stitch into the first SC.

Into the first chain 2 space *1 SC, 1 HDC, 6 DC, 1 HDC, 1 SC*  Repeat from * to * in each chain 2 space around.  (5 petals)     Quick note: You can make your petals more "ruffled" by increasing the number of DCs in the space.  I've done 8 DC in place of the 6 DC from time to time.

You could stop here, if you like, but you can also continue the flower to give it more depth.

To continue, slip stitch into the first SC of the round before and again into the next open chain space from your original circle.  Chain 1 and SC into the same stitch.  Then, *chain 2, and SC into the next open chain space.* Repeat * to * around and end with a slip stitch in the first SC.

Into the first chain 2 space *1 SC, 1 HDC, 6 DC, 1 HDC, 1 SC*  Repeat from * to * in each chain 2 space around.  (5 petals) Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

You can leave your flower as is and add a button in the center or you can use the ruffle shape to create a different design.  Use the long tail to sew together the 2nd row of petals at the SCs.  Slip you needle through the yarn above the SCs and go around from in a complete circle.  Pull the yarn tail tight and fasten off.

Be creative about how you sew the petals together.  You can create all kinds of different patterns and shapes of flowers.

Ruffle Phone Wristlet

In two weeks, my friend, Nikki, and I are sponsoring a table at our school's trade fair.  Half of our profits go to MSCF, the student charitable fund at our school.  I've made a bunch of things: flowers, E-Reader bags with wristet handles, and phone wristlet bags.  Most have been very simple, but tonight, I had a thought.

I was working on a ruffle scarf pattern and made it about 14 inches in when I decided I was bored.  So I folded the piece in half and started the ruffle portion of the scarf in the front loops.  I continued to ruffle in a spiral pattern AROUND the piece, effectively closing the two pieces together to form a bag.  This is the result:

Ruffle Phone Wristlet

Adorable, right?  I want to make a purple one! 
I finished this in about an hour and a half.  I'm so excited.

Make your own quick heart necklace!

Need a quick Valentine's gift for someone you love?

Crochet them a heart necklace!

I recently came across a pattern for a small heart that you can make in exactly 90 seconds.  And you know what?  You can!  Since then, I've made over 100 of them.  They are now a part of a garland decorating my house and are awaiting bobby pins to be used as Valentine's gifts.

One thing I discovered while making these is that the magic ring used to shape them leaves really long tails, if you let it.  On a whim, I decided to make a heart necklace.  Here are 2 methods you can try:

Method #1:

Begin by taking your yarn and forming a magic circle approximately 12 inches from the start of the yarn.
Chain 2, then 5 DC into the circle, followed by 1 TC, then by 5 DC.
End by chaining 2 and slip stitching into the magic ring.
Pull the ring tight, but before you pull completely closed pull the tail through the last loop on your hook in a slip stitch. Pull the ring completely tight. (Heart formed)
Cut the yarn the same length as the original tail and tie the two tails together using a square knot near their ends.

Method #2:

Chain 50 - 70 (depending on how long you would like your necklace to be).
Slip stitch to join the two ends of the chain.
Chain 2.
In the same stitch (where you joined the two ends of the chain), 5 DC, 1 TC, 5 DC, ch 2 and slip stitch into the stitch to finish the heart.  Fasten off.

Enjoy your heart necklace!

Teeny Weeny Heart

I've been experimenting with heart patterns, trying to find one that could create the ideal hair clip.  I've liked a lot of the patterns I tried, but only one gave me the clean look I wanted. I ended up adjusting the pattern by adding one more DC on each side of the heart.

Still, I needed a pattern for a really tiny heart.  So, I came up with my own.

Teeny Weeny Heart

Hook: H
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Yarn Solids

Using a magic circle,
CH 1, 4 SC, 1 DC, 4 SC, CH1
Slip stitch into the magic circle.
Pull tight and fasten off.

Done!  Isn't it adorable?  The heart is about 3/4 of an inch high.  Slip a bobby pin through the back and you have a quick cute clip!

Flower Pillow #2

I created a flower pillow last year and I was very proud of it.  Lucy of Attic 24 has her own pattern and I decided that I wanted to try to do it on my own!  I decided I wanted a happy, bright colored pillow.  I had a bunch of 100% cotton yarn and decided to use it on my own flower pillow.

It started simply.  Fifteen double crochets, followed by a row of 30. 

Then, the petals.

As I went from row to row,

the flower began to take shape.

I used whatever color seemed the next logical to use.

Eventually, there were 10 rows of petals.

Finally, I crocheted a huge circle for the back and put in the pillow.

Isn't it lovely??

It is so bright and happy.  I just love looking at it!