One of my favorite crochet stitches that I just discovered is the Even Moss Stitch. It's so simple, yet the end result is so beautiful. I'm planning on using this crochet stitch to make a crochet clutch that will be posted on my YouTube channel in a few days. In the meantime, if you're a newbie, practice making the Even Moss Stitch. Free pattern listed below. If you would like to follow along with me, please watch my video tutorial.
Yarn:
Caron One Pound in Off White
Hook: 5mm
Terms:
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
hdc - half double crochet
NOTE: You will always start a row and end a row with a sl st.
You want to chain in even numbers. In this sample size, I did a ch of 16.
Row 1: sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, then hdc in the next st. Continue to alternate between sl st and hdc. Continue to the end of the row.
Row 2: ch 1, sl st in the 2nd st, then hdc in the next st. Continue to alternate between sl st and hdc. Continue to the end of the row.
**Continue to repeat row 2 until you're desired length for your project.
I'm preparing to create a crochet clutch in the upcoming week. It's only February, but I'm already preparing for spring! This is definitely something you'll want to carry with you when the warm, sunny weather hits. It's going to feature beautiful crochet puff flowers, and the body of the clutch will be done in the even moss stitch (I will have a post for that soon). In this post I'll provide the crochet puff flower pattern. I also have a video tutorial on my YouTube channel for those who would prefer to make these flowers right along with me.
Yarn:
Caron One Pound in Medium Grey Mix
Loops & Threads Impeccable in Soft Fern
Hook: 5mm
Terms:
ch - chain
st - stitch
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
yo - yarn over
With the Medium Grey Mix yarn, Ch 4 and sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
Row 1: 12 sc within the ring. You will sl st in the first sc and switch to Soft Fern yarn. To do this, insert hook, drop the Medium Grey Mix, place Soft Fern onto the hook and pull through the loops.
Row 2: *ch 3 (considered first stitch), yo and insert hook into same st, yo and pull up loop as tall as ch 3. Do this one more time in the same st (3 sts total).
Then yo and insert hook into next st, yo and pull through, pulling up loop as tall ch 3. Do this two more times in this same st (3 sts total). Ch 2, sl st into the next sc* First petal made. Repeat * to * until you reach the end of the row. You'll sl st into the first st of row 2.
Hi everyone! Here is a new, free ear warmer pattern that I came up with, which utilizes the heart stitch. I wanted to create one last valentine inspired item for this month, and I love an ear warmer. It is very easy to follow. You will be working with single crochet, double crochet, and 3 double crochet bobble stitch.
Row 4 may seem complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy. I have made a video on my youtube channel that you can check out here.
You are free to use this pattern to create your own Heart Stitch Ear Warmer, but please link back to my blog and give me credit. Please do not post any pictures from my blog, or copy my pattern to yours. You can sell any ear warmers made.
Yarn:
Caron One Pound - Lavender Blue and Off White
Hook:
5mm
Terms:
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
yo - yarn over
sk- skip
**Create this stitch by chaining multiples of 6 + 1
Wth the main color, Ch 67
Row 1: ch 3, dc in 4th ch from the hook and all the way to the end of row (67 stitches).
Row 2: ch 1, sc in same stitch and all the way to the end of the row (67 stitches).
Row 3: ch 3 (will count as dc), and dc all the way to the end of the row (67 stitches).
Row 4: ch 3 (will count as dc), dc in the next 2 stitches. Before ending the last dc, switch out your yarn for the color you will be using for your hearts. Then ch 2. Skip the next 3 stitches and start the bobble/heart stitch in the 4th stitch (yo, insert hook into 4th st, yo and pull through yarn, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat 2 more times until you have 4 loops on the hook. Yo and pull through all 4 loops on the hook. Ch 2. repeat another bobble in the same st.)
*Ch 2. skip the next 5 sts. Heart stitch in the 6th st*. Repeat * to * until you have 10 heart stitches all the way across.
Switch to main color - ch 1 in heart stitch color, then pull main color in for 2nd ch. Skip 3 stitches. Dc in the next 2 sts and the top of the ch 3 from previous row.
Row 5: ch 1, sc in same st and next 2 sts, ch 1. Skip the next sc from row 3 and sc in the next 2, bringing up the loops up over the ch 2 space from row 4. *ch 2, sc in the ch 2 space between bobble/heart stitch, ch 2. sc in the 3 middle sts from row 3*, ch 2, sc in the ch 2 space, ch 2.
Repeat * to * until you pass the last heart stitch.
Sc in the last 3 sts from previously row.
Row 6: ch 3 (will count as dc), and dc in the next st and all the way to the end of the row (67).
Row 7-8: Repeat rows 2-3.
Bring the ends together and sl st across. Weave in the tails.
Hello everyone! It's been too long since I have been on this blog. Let me catch you up.
I've been heavily involved in my YouTube channel these last 2 months, and I've been meaning to get back on my blog as well. Time eludes me! I've been a busy bee this last year since becoming a nurse, but I've finally have the time to get back to what I love best (besides nursing), and that is being creative. I crave it, need it, want it. And so I'm back.
In this post I wanted to provide you with this free crochet pattern for the Crochet Sweetheart Ear Warmer that I created. You are free to use this pattern to create your own Sweetheart Ear Warmer, but please link back to my blog and give me credit. Please do not post any pictures from my blog, or copy my pattern to yours. You can sell any ear warmers made.
Terms:
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
hoc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
tr - treble crochet
NOTE: Chain 2 in the beginning of each row is not considered a stitch.
Hook: 5mm
Crochet Heart
Ch 3, sl st in the first ch.
Row 1: Ch 4. Crochet in the center 2 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, ch 4.
NOTE: for smaller heart, fasten off at this point and weave in the tails. Or continue on for larger heart.
Row 2: Ch 4. Hdc in the top of ch 3 from previous row and in the next 6 stitches. 1 sc in the next 3 stitches. Then hdc in the remaining 7 stitches, last one at the top of the ch 4. sl st in the center of the heart. Fasten off.
Ear Warmer
Ch 15.
Row 1: Hdc in the 2nd chain from the hook. Continue to hdc until you reach the end, turn (14).
Ch 2. Hdc in the same stitch and all the way across. Last hdc is in the ch space from previous row. Turn.
Row 2 - 48: Repeat row 1.
sl st the ends together to complete
NOTE: I did 48 rows, but this may vary depending on your size. Mine turned out to be 19.5 inches. You can make this longer or shorter as needed.
Please be sure to check out my video if there are any questions you may have. I go through step by step, so this can be done by a beginner with ease. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me either commenting here or on the video.
I look forward to being able to make more creations to share with you. Thanks for watching and stopping by!
The evolution of my YouTube channel is quite noticeable. I went from crocheting to now watercoloring, and in between various DIY crafts. I never claimed to be only a crocheter or only a crafter on my channel, I just let my creativity take me wherever it needs to go.
I only recently got into watercoloring. I dabbled in it in previous years, but quickly gave up. I always felt I was never any good with painting in general, whether watercolor, acrylic, or oil, but this time around something stuck. I can't seem to let a day go by without doing a little bit of watercoloring. And if I'm not physically watercoloring, I'm looking up new and better techniques. Bottom line is I love to watercolor!
Recently I posted a video to my channel which had viewers come along with me as I doodled. I used a mixture of watercolor and Copic pens. There was no planning prior to this video, I just let my creativity take me where it wanted to go.
I started off with handwriting the phrase, "Live Wild Flower Child". I absolutely love this phrase. I am also learning more and more about hand lettering, so this allowed me some more practice. I started off with pencil and then when I was happy with the placement and style of the letters, I went over it with a Copic pen.
I still need lots of practice with hand lettering, but that just means more fun and creativity to be had. After I got the lettering done, I went ahead and started putting down some color with the watercolors. I wanted this to be whimsical and carefree, so I just put down watercolor anywhere. It looks rather messy at first, but after it dries I go back with the Copic pen and start drawing in the details.
And here is the final product. I ended up rounding the corners in the end as well. I think I'm going to give this to my sister-in-law. If anyone is a flower child living wild, it's her.
Products:
*Strathmore STR-361-9 Watercolor Class (24 Pack), 9 by 12": http://amzn.to/2l8Tx51
*Artists Loft Fundamentals Watercolor Pan Set, 36 Colors: http://amzn.to/2l94gfB
*Heartybay 10Pieces Round Pointed Tip Nylon Hair Brush Set, Blue: http://amzn.to/2l97cIW
*Copic Markers 9-Piece Multiliner Inking Pen Set B-2, Black (MLB2): http://amzn.to/2l97OhI
As mentioned earlier in this post, I made a video of this whole process. You can check that video out here.
Comment down below and tell me what you've been working on. Are there any areas that you feel need improvement that you have been working on?
After making the birthday card for my mother using watercolor paints, I decided to continue to practice. I was happy with the end result, but I wasn't happy with the process, and a lot of that had to do with the fact that I just don't have enough or any experience with watercolor paints. In this post I'm going to present 3 more greeting cards that I made using watercolors. As I went on, you can see that my technique has indeed gotten better. Albeit I'm not an expert, but I definitely see some improvement.
I've been having so much fun using watercolor paints. It has opened up a new world for me. It has sparked some new creative ideas and I can't seem to stay out of my art room!
Here is the first card that I made for Valentine's Day:
As you can see the red and purple are very dark. I hadn't yet achieved the skill working with water. I still liked the way it turned out, but as I continue on, you can see that I get a little better with blending the colors.
The next card I created for Valentine's Day, I wanted to deviate from the traditional colors of red, pink, and white. And I used sequins. Lots of sequins. Now looking back, maybe too many sequins.
Again, a little heavy handed with the watercolor paints, but I had hope and continued on with my quest!
Lastly I made this gem. Sorry for tooting my own horn, but I am in love with this card. I again deviated from the traditional Valentine's Day colors with these warm yellows and oranges. I was inspired by a vintage Valentine's Day card that I saw on Pinterest. I wanted to recreate it, but with my own twist. I also didn't have any specialized tools or stamps to work with. Everything was drawn out by hand. I am so proud of this card and the work I put into it. And glitter. As you could probably tell, I love shiny objects like glitter. I didn't go so overboard, though, as I did with the sequins in the previous card. This is what I came up with:
As you can see, the colors blended nicely and I think that has a lot to do with me getting a bit better with watercolor painting, and allowing water to be my friend not my enemy.
In the end, all that matters is the fun and love you put into your projects. I hope this gives motivation to others who feel they're not good with art. I was having a conversation the other day with a friend of mine who is taking an art class. She keeps sending me pictures of her projects/homework assignments and ending the message with, "I'm horrible!". I honestly thought she was doing a great job. There were some tips I offered, but I reminded her that some people are naturally gifted in the arts, while others have to practice. I'm one of those ones who need practice. So if you're ever thinking you can't paint, draw, etc., just remember practice makes perfect. And in all honesty, is art ever perfect?
It's been about a year since I last posted a blog. I've been very busy studying as a nursing student and I'm happy to say I've graduated! I will sit for the boards very soon, and I'm so very excited to get back to my creative side.
My mother's birthday is coming up, so I figured this would be a great opportunity to come back to my creative side and make her a birthday card. I absolutely love making greeting cards; being able to pull in each persons individuality and make it truly special. Since my mother loves green, I decided I wanted to incorporate that color. I had some watercolor paints lying around that I never used, because I've always felt incapable of painting. But I have to say this card came out looking quite nice. Just goes to show what can happen when you step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.
Start off by taping down the watercolor paper. This will make things easier when you apply water. The water will cause the paper to warp, so having it taped down keeps it flat and easy to work with.
After your watercolor paper is taped down, go ahead and apply some water to the paper with your paint brush. Mix some water with the paint color of your choice. Note: that the less water you use, the darker the color and the more water you use the lighter the color. I find keeping the paints well mixed with water gives better results, but that's just my preference.
Since my mother's favorite color is green, I used two types of green, some blue and yellow. I honestly had no idea what I was doing at this point, I just made sure to have fun in the process and not get frustrated if what I envisioned in my head was not being translated on paper.
After I put down some color and got the affect that I was looking for, I went ahead and used my heat tool to dry it down. This is important especially for the next step. After it was dry, I went ahead and stamped, "Happy Birthday" and used embossing powder. If you don't dry completely, the embossing powder could stick in places you don't want.
Use your heat tool to set the embossing powder. It's going to end up looking like this:
Next the fun really begins. I wanted to add some sparkle to this card, so I used this iridescent confetti and star glitter that I picked up at Michael's Craft Store.
I went ahead and applied the confetti to areas of the card where I felt needed some sprucing up. I used Aleene's Tacky Glue to accomplish this. I put down some glue, and then just sprinkled the confetti on top. Using my fingers I set the confetti in place.
Next I applied the star glitter. I used a dotting tool with a little bit of glue on the end to help pick up the tiny stars. I just placed them all across my work.
When that was completed, I went ahead and got some green glitter card stock and cut it down to size to fit the front of a card. I placed some 3D adhesives to the back of my work and placed that on top of the card. This is the end result!
I just love this card so much. I think it looks magical! And I know my mother is going to love it just as much as I do. I'll be sure to list the supplies that I used down below. I also made a video tutorial on how I made this card. Please go ahead and check it out and subscribe to my youtube channel if you haven't :) See you in my next video!!
