Hooked Hoop Finished

  Here is how I completed my hooked hoop. When I finally finished crocheting, (it took forever) I pulled the crochet tube onto the hoop. To close the hoop I used a 3/4th inch insert coupling, which can be found in your local hardware store, and looks like this:

    You want to use the coupling size according to the size tubing you have. My tubing is 3/4 inch round. To insert the coupling, you have to warm the ends of your hoop. Some people use a hair dryer, some use boiling water, I use fire. Be careful not to burn/melt your hoop or yourself! When the hoop is warmed it makes it more pliable. You can then easily insert the coupling halfway into one side of your hoop. Then warm the other end and insert the other half into that side and close up the hoop like so:

  I left a long tail on the end of my crochet work so I can use that to sew it up. I just used a whip stitch to sew the ends together.

  Now I have a new colorful hoop! I need to practice my moves.. 

Hanging Plant Holder

  I had this stand for hanging plants for a while. I didn't like the look of the plastic hangers and hooks, plus they break easily. I found a pattern on Ravelry.com and adjusted it for what I was working with. Click for the free pattern.

  I used this Natural Jute from Hobby Lobby and a size N crochet hook. I only had one skein so I was only able to complete one and some of another one. I need to make two more to fill my stand. Sounds like a trip to Hobby Lobby is in my near future. 

Now what kind of plants should i put in them?

Hooked Hoop

  Sometimes I get bored and try to learn other crafts, or maybe it's that I get excited about some new craft then I get bored of it. Well, either way, at one point I was making hula hoops. They were cool, but I think I was the only one who thought so. I still like them, and it's actually a really good, low impact workout for your core.

  This is a hoop that I made for one of my best friends, a while back. I personalized it with her name, hand cut with an exacto knife from duck tape. That took some patience, but I really like how it turned out!

  If you'd like to make your own hoop, there is a great tutorial here. I've tried different combinations for taping and decorating the hoops, but one thing I've been meaning to try is to crochet a cover for the hoop instead of decorating with tape.

  So this is what I'm doing.. In order to do this I had to leave the hoop open so the crochet can slip over the hoop. This is my polyethylene tubing. It's 3/4" in diameter and 100 psi. It can be found in your local hardware store, Lowe's or Home Depot.

  Using a size F hook, I made a ring that will fit around the hoop. It came out to a chain of 15 then I joined. I didn't want it too tight to where I would have trouble slipping it on, and I didn't want to so loose that it would  move around while hooping. So it's just right.

  Then I single crocheted around in a spiral, changing colors about every inch, so I wouldn't get bored to death.  Here's what I have so far.

 Click HERE for the final hooked hoop, and how to finish off!
 

Bonus!

  It was this video from Hoopnotica that got me sprung on hooping:

Pink Floppy

I just wanted to share the final image of the floppy sun hat that I made while making the video for the pattern. I used ribbon to adorn it, just weaved through the last row of the main part and tied it with a simple knot. I really like the contrast of the colors.

More Beanies

I found another great beanie pattern. It's called Reversible Strands for Men by Nancy Smith. It's a free download on Ravelry. I really like how this looks and it is very warm and cozy. You can wear it with the ridge side out or the smooth side out. I like the ridge side. I made the green one with Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn and the blue and gray one is made with Caron's Simply Soft. I'm going to make another beanie with black and gold for my husband, a huge New Orleans Saints fan.

Lovely Yarn

I found this multicolored yarn at Big Lots this weekend! They were $1 a piece. I love the colors. What should I make with it?