Hope

A year or so ago, I was going through a bit of a rough patch.  A customer gave me this, and I've kept it on my desk every day since.  She wrote a personal message on the back as well, and I hold this angel very close to my heart.

I've always been a hopeful kind of gal, but sometimes it helps to be reminded.

That said, I'm giving myself the summer off.  This should allow me time to complete and photograph some new projects to share with you in the fall.  I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

~OCB

Soon

Hey, y'all!

I'm finishing up the tail-end of a two-week business trip, and I just haven't had time to write a post for this week.

There's so much I want to share with you, and I'll be back soon.  Stay tuned for more crafty goodness!


'Til next time,
OCB

Super-Bulky Infinity Scarf in Little Rock Granite

Hey, y'all!

I'm writing in the middle of the night from California, where I'm working this week.  It's been hectic, but I have a few minutes, so I thought I'd share a recent project with you.

And without further ado, I give you the Super-Bulky Infinity Scarf in Little Rock Granite:

This scarf works up quickly using Lion Brand Hometown USA (a super-bulky yarn) and a plastic Q hook.  The tie is made using the same yarn and an aluminum N hook.  Both can be made from the same skein of yarn, so the total $ investment is quite low.

What do you think...do you want to learn how to make one?  I'm thinking of publishing a pattern.  You know, when I have time.  :)


'Til next time,
OCB

Photo Tutorial: How to Complete an Invisible Join

Ever get sick of those little bumps that you get when fastening off a piece you've crocheted in the round?  Through trial and error, I've found a way to join that last round invisibly.

Note: this works best if you're joining each round with a slip stitch throughout the piece.  If you're working in a continuous spiral, it's tough to get a completely invisible join.  I've found that it helps me to place a marker in the first stitch of each round to avoid accidentally adding or dropping stitches along the way.

1.  Work the last round of your piece.  Do not join with a slip stitch.

2.  Fasten off by pulling the tail end of the working yarn through your last stitch.

3.  Using a yarn needle, thread the tail through the first stitch of the last round, from back to front.

4.  Here's what your piece will look like when you've pulled the entire tail through the first stitch.

5.  Using your yarn needle, thread the tail back through the center of the last stitch (the one you fastened off).

6.  Pull to secure, but not too tight.  When done right, your join will look exactly like any other stitch on your outside round.

7.  Weave in the tail end on the back of the piece, and - voila  - you have a completely invisible join!

Thanks for visiting...hope you found this helpful!

'Til next time,

OCB

Simple Round Coasters

Hey, y'all!

Okay, so I've been looking for multicolor round coasters, and I've hit a dead end.  All of the ones I find are either too spendy or not quite right as far as the colors go.

The solution?  Make my own.

I've had a lot of fun making these little guys in a ton of different colors, and I have ideas for rugs, blankets and other things using them as motifs...stay tuned for more on that.

These were all made using super-bulky yarn (Lion Brand Hometown USA, for the most part) and an aluminum N hook.  I'll be posting a pattern before too long, which I'm really excited about.  There are so many things scribbled on napkins and note pads around here, and I'm starting to take some time to compile them into something that's legible to people who aren't already inside of my head.  ;)


'Til next time,
OCB

Chair Arm Remote Caddy

Hey, y'all!

As part of the redecorating process in our living room, I decided our old over-the-arm remote caddy simply had to be replaced.  I already had the yarn from the Lancaster Quilt throw I made, and I borrowed a striped granny stitch pattern from Bobbi Anderson's Simone Scarf & Blanket pattern in the May/June 2013 issue of Crochet Today! as a basis for this:

I worked the pattern until it was wide enough for my 5 remotes, fastened off and created the five separate pockets by slip stitching through both layers in matching yarn.  It definitely goes much better with the new color scheme than the old blue-and-red one did.


'Til next time,
OCB

Lancaster Quilt from Crochet Today

Hey, y'all!

Crochet Today! is the one print subscription I receive, and it's more than just a subscription for me...it's an addiction.  Remember how exciting it was to get mail when you were a kid?  I literally do a happy dance every time this magazine shows up in my mailbox.

That being said, I tend to make a lot of projects out of this particular periodical.  Today's project is the Lancaster Quilt throw blanket by Katherine Eng, which was featured in the November/December 2011 issue of the magazine.

Believe it or not, I followed the pattern exactly on this one.  The only changes I made were the colors.  The finished throw measures roughly 48" square and makes a great lap blanket.

We've just redecorated our living room, and I wanted to make some throws and other small pieces to help tie in some of the colors we've kept from the old scheme.  The variegated Red Heart Super Saver yarn in "Autumn" happened to have all of the colors I wanted, and I love the way it turned out.

Oh, and for those of you who aren't already acquainted with Butterscotch, he's one of my daughter's best friends.  A beloved uncle gave Butterscotch to The Princess for Christmas this past December, and he has quickly become an integral part of the family.  The only challenge is getting him to give up my favorite chair so I can crochet comfortably.  ;)


'Til next time,
OCB

Bulky Fiber Necklace: Dark Wash Denim

Hey, y'all!

Here's another color variation on my Bulky Fiber Necklace.  This shade of blue goes fabulously with every pair of jeans in my closet.

I used super-bulky yarn and a plastic Q hook to make this.  Pattern coming soon!


'Til next time,
OCB

Photo Tutorial: How to Make a Magic Ring

Hey, y'all!

Many times, a Magic Ring can work to your advantage when you’re starting a work in the round.  Since you can adjust the tension of the original round, it can be as loose or tight as you like.  I’ve found this to be a flawless substitution – even an improvement in many cases – over the “ch 2, work X sc in 2^nd ch from hook” method.

The problem?  It’s kind of a visual thing to learn.  No matter how many times I was told how to do this (verbally or in writing), it never really stuck until I saw it done. 

How to Make a Magic Ring

1. Hold the end of the yarn between the first and middle fingers of your left hand.

2. Wrap yarn down in front of your middle and ring fingers.

3. Loop yarn under ring finger and bring back up to rest between your first and middle fingers (now you’re holding both the end and the working yarn here).

4. Catch the working yarn with your thumb to control the tension. 

5. Insert hook under the yarn in front of your fingers and draw up a loop, yo and draw through that loop.  MR made.

6. Work the specified amount of sc stitches in the Magic Ring (most of my patterns will use 6).

7.  Insert your hook in the first stitch, getting ready for your next round.

8. Pull firmly on the end of the yarn to tighten the Magic Ring.

9. At this point, I usually carry the long end through my next round of stitches to secure it before trimming it off.

10. Continue with your pattern.

Hope you find this helpful!  

'Til next time,

OCB