Head Warmer Video Tutorial

  Someone had asked me to make a video tutorial for my Easy Headwarmer Pattern, so I finally got around to doing it. The kids are visiting with my parents so it was the perfect time to do a video without so much background noise. So here is the final cut. I hope everything is clear and easy to understand.

Show & Tell

  Somehow I forgot to get this posted. This is Catherine's beanie made from my pattern, Quick Easy Winter Beanies. Looks like a great hunting beanie to keep someone warm. Awesome work, and thank you for sending the picture, Catherine!

  I love seeing finished products from my patterns. If you want to be featured on my blog with your finished items, just shoot me an email. If you don't want to be featured but are still willing to share your pics, that's great too! Just let me know in the email if you want me to post your pics or not.

daperfectmix@gmail.com

More Headbands

  Here are a couple more Tunisian Stitched Headbands and a knotted headwarmer. The headwarmer is for my neighbor's daughter. Hopefully it will fit. If not, it's a quick project that I can remake with a smaller hook. I made mine not as wide as the pattern calls for, but I think I will make another that is wider. I found the pattern as I was looking through Pinterest. The Knotted Headband pattern can be found here.

Tunisian Bamboo Stitch

Tunisian Simple Stitch

Knotted Headband

Tunisian Headbands

 Here are some more Tunisian projects. I made these headbands using Tunisian crochet stitches in the round with a double ended crochet hook and two different colors so you can really see the effect of the different stitches.

 This one is the honeycomb stitch. This is the same stitch that I used to make the blue scarf in the previous post. It is made by alternating Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) and Tunisian Purl Stitch.

  The next one is made using a Tunisian Rib Stitch. You make this pattern by alternating TSS and Twisted Tunisian Simple Stitch. To make the twisted one you enter your hook into the vertical bar from the opposite direction as you would normally do with TSS. This pushes the two stitches together making vertical rows as you can see  below.

  My last headband is made using a Tunisian Cross Stitch. To make this pattern you skip the first bar, work a TSS in the next one then come back to the first bar and work a TSS, doing this for every pair of stitches. This crosses the stitches as you can see below.

  I didn't know there were so many different things you can do with Tunisian Crochet. I'm still experimenting and learning new stitches.

Tunisian Crochet Scarves

  Lately I've been experimenting with Tunisian crochet. The first complete project I finished using a Tunisian stitch was this sparkly scarf. The pattern is called "Scarfaroo" from the book, Crochet Lace Innovations by Doris Chan . It has a pocket on one side to conveniently stash small objects with a couple snaps to close it up. The other side is supposed to have fringe according to the pattern, but I ran out of yarn at that point. I used Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn". The drape of this scarf is really nice. I need to buy this book. I borrowed the book from the library a long time ago and never got around to posting a picture.

  The second project is from Annie's Crafts. It is called Honeycomb Scarf, made with the honeycomb stitch. If you know how to do tunisian simple stitch and tunisian purl stitch, this will be a breeze. You just alternate simple stitch and purl all the way across each row. As I got used to doing the pattern, my stitches got a little more loose and the "honeycomb" was easier to see. I used Lion Brand's Hometown USA yarn. It's super bulky and I think I used a size K or L hook. I would suggest using a bigger hook for this yarn. It is kind of stiff, really thick, and super warm. 

Lacy Shirt

  This was a really quick work up. I found the pattern on Ravelry. You can find it on Lion Brand's website, it's called Crochet Bronze Beauty Top. The original pattern has long sleeves, but I think I will keep it just like this. I want to make one in another multicolored yarn with the sleeves.

  This pattern didn't give me any problems, I just followed along and everything fell into the right places. It starts off with a foundation single crochet which they call a base ch/sc. The wording through me off a little, but once I realized it was just a foundation sc, it was fine. If you don't know that stitch, they have an explanation in the pattern stitches section to tell you exactly how to do it. Piece of cake! Let me know if you try this pattern.

Green Bay Logo

Someone inquired about the pattern for the Green Bay logo that Debi made on the last Show & Tell. If you missed that post, here is a picture. She used my headwarmer pattern and made the logo to adorn it. The person inquiring also happens to be named Debi! Thank you to both of you! 

  So I emailed her and asked if she would be willing to share her pattern and this is what she said:

"Oh my, it's not a pattern but I'd be happy to tell you how I did it. I just crocheted a circle with the gold in single crochet, 4 rounds, then trimmed that in green to form the patch. I then half double crocheted a strip of white long enough to shape into a G and then attached that with needle and thread to the patch. That was it! I hope this helps."

  Let's see, I will try to break it down and make a pattern from what she said. Before I get into that I want to tell you that after making this, I googled the logo and noticed that the green should be on the inside and the yellow on the outside. I will incorporate that into the pattern, so don't think I'm confused or have my colors mixed up even though I did it the other way. Either way looks fine to me, but I'm no expert. Now lets get started..

Notes: I used two different size hooks, I and F. I didn't join my rounds, making a continuous spiral, but you can join if you'd like. 

Using size I crochet hook, start with Green, make a slip knot and chain 2
Rnd 1: 7sc in 2nd chain from the hook 
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each of next 7 stitches of previous round for a total of 14 sc
Rnd 3: (sc in next st , 2 sc in next st) repeat for a total of 21 sc
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) repeat for a total of 28 sc
Here's where we change colors
Insert your hook into the next st and cut yarn as shown

Tie the green and yellow in a knot close to your work

You can crochet over the tails so you won't have to weave them in later. 
Sc with yellow all the way around
Join to first sc
Fasten off and weave in ends. 

To make the "G" change your crochet hook to size F
Make a chain of 30, turn
Hdc into 3rd chain from hook and each ch across
Slip stitch into last chain (you will have a hdc and sl st in the same ch)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

With wrong side facing, position your white strip into a "G" shape and pin in place.

Using white yarn and a yarn needle, sew the "G" in place. When finished, I tied my two ends together just to make sure it won't come loose.

Now we are ready to adorn a hat, bag, or headwarmer for a special fan. 

Order Up

  I'm happy to say that I just shipped an order out to a customer. He ordered some wrestling gear, boot fringe and arm bands - Ultimate Warrior style. He might be a wrestler, or it might just be for a Halloween costume. Either way, I was excited to get an order. It always makes me happy when I see comments on my blog, online store, or even my facebook fanpage. I get even more excited when I get an actual order!

Here's what was shipped out today:

Show & Tell

  Debi send me a picture of her Green Bay Headband made from my Easy Headwarmer pattern. It looks awesome! It's a Christmas gift that I'm sure will be loved. Thanks for sending the picture, Debi!

 I love seeing finished products from my patterns. If you want to be featured on my blog with your finished items, just shoot me an email. If you don't want to be featured but still want to send me pics, that's great too! Just let me know in the email if you want me to post your pics or not. 

daperfectmix@gmail.com

Another Freeform Technique

  Here is another freeform technique from Myra Wood's book. This one is called Doodle Lace. I used a scrap cotton yarn and a G crochet hook. I think this would look nice as an applique on a bag or maybe a shirt. I must say I do like the randomness, or I should say freedom of freeform crochet.  The only thing you really have to worry about is keeping your work flat. Other than that, let your imagination run wild. This swatch started with 12 dc in the ring, then in the next round I made random chains and sc in every other dc. In the next round and throughout, I made random stitches into the loops of the previous rounds and chained in between, being sure to check that my work stays flat. Another option would be to stop and turn, instead of completing the round, leaving one side flat (creating a half circle), which could eventually become a shawl or scarf.

Freeform Crochet

 

   I found this interesting book at the library recently. Creative Crochet Lace by Myra Wood. I didn't get through the whole book yet, but I just wanted to share my first freeform swatch with you. This technique is called "funky filet." In this exercise, I took groups of 5 double crochet and did whatever I felt in each grouping as long as I had 5 stitches in each group. It could be 5dc, or 3chains and 2dc, or 5chains, or 1ch 2dc and 2ch... You get the picture. The point is to keep the work flat which is why you keep track of your stitches. I did about 6 rows and here is my funky filet swatch. There are four other techniques for freeform in the book that I have yet to learn.

Marley Tam

   I got inspiration to make this tam from watching "Marley", it's a documentary about the King of Reggae, Bob Marley. He was an amazing man. When he passed, there were so many Rastafarians wearing a tam like this one, so I decided to make one and call it the Marley Tam. I know it's very un-original, but obviously that's not what I was going for. You can find it in my online store, PerfectMix Creations.

~One Love~

Garment in the making

  I found my next crochet garment in Interweave Crochet Magazine's summer issue. It's called Lauren Sweater by Mimi Alelis. I actually started this garment a few months ago but set it down for a while because I realized that it was turning out too big for me. I was following the pattern for the medium size. I also think my gauge might be off a bit because I am substituting the yarn with a sport weight yarn. I dreaded frogging the whole thing, I hate to feel like my time and energy was wasted, so I just didn't do anything for a long time. Finally, I took it apart and started over. Well, not completely over, but I took it out until the ribbing was short enough to make the smaller size. (The pattern starts with the bottom ribbing.) It's better than doing nothing and I really want to make this sweater. So I will post pics and updates as I go along.

Trendy Nail Wraps

  My daughter and I went to Sally's Beauty Supply yesterday and we found these cool nail wraps. They are basically stickers with designs on them that you put on your nails. We bought some and gave them a try. They look pretty cool, but if you look closely at the nails you can kind of tell they are stickers. Here is what they look like before applying.

 
   I think it's a really good idea and makes manicures less messy and less time consuming. You just stick them on, trim, then file them down to fit your nail perfectly. I applied a top coat in hopes of making it last longer. Isabel loves them and I'm sure she will be showing them off on the first day of school on Tuesday.

Pinoy Rasta Hat

     My cousin asked me to make a small Rasta hat with the Filipino colors. The colors were the easy part, but to make it more interesting, I wanted to put a sun on it, somehow. It was actually much easier than I thought it would be. I started with the colors, making the yellow first to make the circle, then I added the rays after finishing the rest of the hat. I am thinking of making another one with the rays extending across all of the colors and instead of one line for the rays, I'll put three, more like this:

    I am happy with how it turned out. This is my prototype, so the next one is always better. Here is the back of the hat:

Show N Tell

  Tia sent me this picture of her floppy hat that she made with plarn. If you don't know what that is, it's plastic yarn cut from plastic bags. She made adjustments to the pattern for the brim and added a very cute flower from a pattern that she found on Ravelry.com. It came out beautiful! Thanks for the pic, Tia. 

    I love seeing finished products from my patterns. If you want to be featured on my blog with your finished items, just shoot me an email. If you don't want to be featured but still want to send me pics, that's great too! Just let me know in the email if you want me to post your pics or not. 

daperfectmix@gmail.com

Refashioned Tee

  This old tee shirt was stretched out and way too low cut for me. I decided to give it a makeover. I made a few cuts, keeping the neckline in tact, for the most part. I cut off the sleeves and the top part of the back piece, then sewed the edges. I had a little trouble sewing because the material is so stretchy. I really need to get some sewing lessons so I know how to deal with that. I'm still contemplating putting words or an image on the front. Maybe some embroidery or crochet. What do you think?

Lime Rasta

   Here is a custom hat made for my cousin. The pattern for this hat is found in the book "Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats & Cool Caps" by Afya Ibomu. It is called Kinky Reggae. This one is made in size small. I love these hats, especially when going to the beach or the pool. It is so easy to put my hair up in it and not have to worry about how it looks after being in the water. It's also great for "bad hair days" or those days that I just don't feel like doing my hair. 

Show -N- Tell

  This is Sara's Floppy Sun Hat. She made her's a little larger by starting with 8 puff stitches instead of 6 and adjusting the pattern as necessary. I know some people were saying that the hat was coming out too small so, here's proof that starting with more puff stitches can work well to make it a bigger size. Also, if you still feel like you're making baby hats, make sure that starting in round 5, you are adding an extra chain between the puff stitches. It will feel like you are chaining 2. Thank you for the picture, Sara! It looks great!

Sara's Floppy

 I love seeing finished products from my patterns. If you want to be featured on my blog with your finished items, just shoot me an email. If you don't want to be featured but still want to send me pics, that's great too! Just let me know in the email if you want me to post your pics or not.

daperfectmix@gmail.com

I am a Zumbaholic

  I have to admit, I am addicted to Zumba. I love to dance. I used to go out to clubs, but I'm too old for the drama that goes along with going out. Zumba is perfect for me. I can dance and get a good workout at the same time. I love the music. I wish I would have thought of it a long time ago so I too could be reaping the benefits of this worldwide craze! I'm still happy just dancing in a class though.

  My cousin got his Zumba license recently. He asked me if I wanted to make a video with him to submit to Dizzy Feet Foundation for National Dance Day. All he had to say was ZUMBA! So that's how I spent my weekend. I learned the coreography for the Zumba song and the rest is history. I meant to bring my digital camcorder, but ended up forgetting it so we had to work with what we had, which wasn't much. Tell me what you think!

  For more information on National Dance Day, visit dizzyfeetfoundation.org. It's not too late to participate!!

Fire Cracker Mesh Bag Pattern

  This bag can be made with any worsted weight yarn, nylon, or twine. It would make a great beach bag, or make it longer to carry your yoga mat. It could even be a laundry bag. Whatever you want to use it for. The strap makes it easy and comfortable to wear. Mix and match your favorite colors or just make it in a solid color.

Materials:

• size L crochet hook
• size I crochet hook
• worsted weight yarn, colors A, B, and C
• yarn needle for fastening off

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• dc = double crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sp = space
• rep = repeat

Instructions:

Mesh Bag:

 Note: You will join to the top of first chain at the end of every round. 

 With color A and size L hook, ch 4 and join to make a ring.

Rnd 1: ch 2 (counts as first dc), 9 dc in ring, join in top of ch 2 (10 dc)

Rnd 2: sl st in next sp between dc, ch2, dc in same sp, 2dc in between each dc around, join (20dc)

Rnd 3: sl st in next sp between dc, ch2, dc in same sp, *dc in next sp, 2dc in next sp*, rep around (30dc)

Rnd 4: sl st in next sp between dc, ch2, dc in same sp, *dc in next 2 sp, 2 dc in next sp*, rep around (40dc)

Rnd 5: sl st in next sp between dc, ch3, *dc in next sp, ch1*, rep around, join (40dc)

Rnd 6: sl st in next sp between dc, ch4, *dc in next sp, ch2*, rep around, join(40dc)

Rnd 7-12: repeat round 6

Rnd 13-14: change to color B, repeat round 6

Rnd 15-27: change to color C, repeat round 6

Rnd 28: ch2, *2hdc in next sp, 1hdc in next dc* rep around, join, fasten off.

Drawstring:

 With color B and size I hook, ch about 200. (This can be longer or shorter depending on your preference). Trim ends evenly

Weave the chain in and out of the hdc round of bag. 

Shoulder Strap:

 With color B and size I hook, join yarn in a sp on the top of the 5th round of bag (bottom), on the opposite side of your drawstring opening. (You can adjust your drawstring if it isn't exact.)

Row 1: ch2, hdc in same space, *hdc in next sp* 7 times, ch2 turn (9hdc)

Row 2: hdc in each hdc across, ch2 turn

Row 3: hdc in back loop only of each hdc across, ch2 turn

Row 4-40: repeat row 3

Join in top of last dc round of bag (row 27), sc across hdc of strap and in the spaces between dc of bag

Fasten off and weave in ends.


Enjoy your new bag!

bottom of strap

top of strap

I'd love to see your finished projects! I can even feature them on my blog if you'll allow it. Just email the pics to daperfectmix@gmail.com. If you don't want the pics to be on the blog, just let me know, but I would still like to see your projects.

~daperfectmix