I just received my bamboo knitting needles and crochet hooks from eKnittingNeedles.com .  I had to find something to work right away to test it out. 

Found this “Crocheted Baby Sweater” at BundlesOfLove.org and got started.

I loved using the bamboo hook. It fit very comfortably in my hand and is very smooth along the yarn.

A quick project and here are the results.

There is no little boy in my family circle, so I will set it aside for now.

I think this might fit a teddy bear too. At least I am going to try it.

How to Crochet a Cat Hat

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
With these instructions, you can crochet a charming hat for your kitty. You’ll probably spend a lot more time making this hat than your cat will spend wearing it (unless your cat likes playing dress-up, or is highly tolerant!), but it’s still a fun, easy project for a beginning crocheter (and avid cat lover). To follow these steps, you’ll need to understand crochet patterns.

Steps

1. Make a slip knot, and crochet 4 Ch (Chains); Slip stitch in first ch made. This will make your ring that you’ll crochet into.
2. Crochet 7 sc (single crochet) into the ring, use slip stitch to join sc into first sc made: 7 sc.
3. Ch 2, work first hdc (half double crochet) in same stitch as the ch 2; work 2 hdc in each stitch around in circle; Slip stitch in first hdc made: 14 hdc.
4. Ch 3, dc (double crochet) in same stitch as ch 3, 2 dc in each stitch around, slip stitch in first dc made: 28 dc.
5. Ch 1, 8 sc in circle, ch 13, skip 4 stitches, re-attach using slip stitch. (This will create the first ear hole.) sc 10 more stitches in circle, ch 13, skip 4 stitches, re-attach using slip stitch, sc 3 more stitches, slip stitch in first sc made. By now your hat should start to curve a little bit, which is what you want.
6. Ch 1, 7 sc in circle. Note: You will be working into the ‘ear hole’ now, so you will be working in the space under it, but it’s basically like working a normal stitch. 16 sc in the ‘hole’, sc in in each stitch until you hit the next ear hole, 16 sc in hole, 3 sc, slip stitch in first sc made; cut yarn and tie off. Weave in yarn ends with yarn needle.Alternate explanation:Ch 1, sc in next 7 sts.16 sc around ch of 13.Sc in each st up to next ch.16 sc around ch of 13.Sc in next 3 sts, slst in 1st sc made.

In Other Words

1. ch 4, slip stitch to first ch to form a ring.
2. ch 1, 7sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc. (7sc)
3. ch 2 ( this will be the first hdc) hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each st around, join with sl st in top of ch 2. (14 hdc)
4. ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in ea st around, Sl st in top of ch 3. (28 dc)
5. ch1, sc in same st and in next 7 dc, ch 13, skip 4 dc, sl st in next dc, sc in next 10 dc, ch 13, sk 4, sl st in next dc, sc in next 3 dc, sl st in first sc.
6. ch1, sc in same st and next 6 sts, 16 sc in ch 13 loop, sc in ea st around till next loop, 16 sc in ch 13 loop, sc in last 3 sts. Sl st in first sc. Fo weave in ends

Tips

• You can make a chin strap but this is only for the most patient and mellow of cats, and definitely not recommended if there are children who’ll be trying to put this hat on the cat. Cut a 6 inch piece of yarn, and tie it onto the middle of the ear hole, try the hat onto your kitty to determine how long the chin strap should be, hold the spot and cut off the extra yarn, but leave an inch so you have room to tie it loosely. If the cat is clearly stressed, tying the hat on with a chin strap is not a good idea–it’s rather cruel!

Things You’ll Need

• Size H 5.00 mm crochet hook
• Yarn
• Yarn needle

Related wikiHows

• How to Crochet a Granny Square
• How to Hold a Crochet Hook
• How to Crochet a Hat
• How to Crochet a Snowman
• How to Repair a Crochet Blanket

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Crochet a Cat Hat. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

The May issue of Creative Knitting offers up some nice lace projects. I set out to make the Lace Kimono found on page 42.

I decided to try the project in black “I Love This Yarn” super sport weight. It knitted up very quickly. The feather and fan stitch looks very smart and the black, I hope, is slimming.

When I received my March/April issue of Crochet Today, I flipped through and found a cute applique of a T-Rex head, crocheted and attached to a t-shirt.   With my grandson getting ready to turn 5, I had to make one.

It was fun and easy to make. I then washed the t-shirt and the applique before stitching it on.

Here is the finished product with a smiling little boy that loved it.

This project looks like fun.

How to Crochet a Toy Hammock

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Do you or the special kids in your life have a favorite toy or doll who could use some time off its feet after a busy day of play? Is it time for a toy to "retire" after a lifetime of hard work? This hammock can be made to any size depending on the yarn and hook and how many stitches you make.

Steps

1. Choose yarn or string to make this project. It can be any color and any thickness you think will look good with your toy. You may find you prefer cotton yarn or string, so that it isn’t too stretchy.
2. Tie a slip knot and chain 8.
3. Chain many more stitches, according to the length (head to toe) of the toy who will inhabit this hammock. Hammocks dangle down, so make the chain longer than the toy. This chain will form one side of the finished hammock. In this example, there are 108 chain stitches at this point.
4. Chain ten more stitches. There are now 118 stitches in the example.
   • The first eight and the last ten stitches will form the loops at either end, which is why they’re listed separately.
5. Work a slip stitch into the tenth chain from the hook.
6. Chain five.
7. Count five stitches from the last slip stitch and work a slip stitch into it.
8. Continue this pattern back along the row. Chain 5, slip stitch into every fifth stitch, until you have the original 8 stitches remaining.
   • Don’t worry if you don’t find exactly eight stitches here. Just try to leave more than five and fewer than ten.
9. Chain three. Slip stitch to join in the first stitch of the original chain.
10. Turn the work. This will start the third row.
11. Chain five. Slip stitch into the third stitch from the chain of five that forms the loop you’re over.
12. Repeat this pattern, chain five, slip stitch into the third chain all the way down the row. The last loop will be different.
13. Chain five and join with a slip stitch low on the last loop.
14. Turn. Chain eight and join in the third chain from the last slip stitch in the previous row.
15. Repeat row three as many times as necessary to produce the desired width. Chain eight and turn.
16. On the last row only, chain four between each slip stitch, joining as before.
    • This matches the very first edge and makes the edge a bit straighter and tighter.
17. At the end of the row, after joining the last chain of five, chain eight. Loop around and join to the corner of the fabric with a slip stitch. Tie off and sew in the ends. This produces a final loop for the corner.
18. Count the number of loops at the end of the fabric and, stretching the fabric about to the dimension you intend for the hammock, also measure the fabric. This will tell you how many holes you will drill in the dowel and how far apart to drill them. This hammock will have holes every half inch. The fabric is stretchy, so the interval between the holes can be approximate, but the number of holes must be correct.
19. Cut dowels to the length desired and drill the appropriate number of holes in a dowel, evenly spaced.
    • This is a 7/16" dowel with 1/8" holes every 1/2", but use whatever size and spacing seems right for your fabric.
    • Drill the holes larger than you will need for just the yarn or string. It will make it much easier to assemble and hang the hammock.
20. Clean up the edges of the holes with a craft knife or small round file. Also do any sanding that the dowels or the corners require. Jagged edges on the dowels will catch on the string. If you wish to apply any sort of finish to the dowels, do that now, too, and give the finish ample time to soak in and dry before proceeding.
21. Run a string through each loop and double it. Leave the strings long so that you have leftover length.
    • It will help to hold the opposite end firmly. Here, it’s wrapped around the other dowel and weighed down with books and things.
22. Thread both ends of the string through the corresponding hole in the dowel. Repeat for each loop and each hole.
23. Bring all the strings from one end together. Center the bundle over the middle string if there are an odd number of loops or between the two middle strings if there are an even number of loops. Pull the strings gently so that they all have approximately even tension when the bundle is held in the middle.
    • It’s important to get everything centered and even here so that the finished hammock will balance.
    • When gathering the second end, measure the distance along the middle string from the edge of the fabric to where you are holding the bundle and tying it.
24. Twist the bundle of strings together and tie a knot.
25. Create a loop or tie. For the one shown here, divide the strings into three (or more) groups and braid them. Wrap the loose ends of the braid back around the base of the braid. Tie another knot. Trim the ends to an even length.
26. Secure the hammock to hooks or build a frame for it.

Tips

• If in doubt, make the hammock a bit too large for the toy it will hold. This hammock behaves just like the real thing, which means that your doll or toy may have a tough time balancing if the hammock is too small.
• If you would rather not crochet, you could use any stretchy piece of fabric, such as a rectangle cut out of an old t-shirt and hemmed.
• Add large wooden beads to the ends, if you have them, for an extra touch.

Warnings

• Only give this hammock to a child who is old enough to understand that it will only support the weight of a toy, not a child. Better yet, use it to display a special toy who has "retired" already.
• When drilling holes in dowels, clamp them securely and keep fingers, hair, and loose clothing clear, and wear safety glasses. Use a drill press if you have one.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Crochet a Toy Hammock. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

I have a teddy bear addiction that surpasses my knit/crochet addiction. Oh, don’t worry, I don’t suffer. I enjoy every minute of it.

Unfortunately this house is not big enough to support both habits. When hubby and I moved to this smaller home 3 years I brought along many boxes of teddy bears. Unfortunately many are still boxed so I am donating many to loving homes.  I just packed up my first box to send to a friend to share with military families.

Reducing my teddy bear supply, however, does not reduce my love and desire for them.  So this free pattern I found at “Becky’s Touch of Crochet” to make a teddy bear lapel pin is just right.  It doesn’t take up much room and I can wear it near my heart.

If you’d like to crochet one, grab a hook and some scrap yarn and check it out.

Looking for new ideas of projects.  Check out YOU CAN MAKE THIS DOT COM . A newsletter offering a wide variety of projects.

Need craft ideas for a baby gift? Got it.

Want to make some jewelry?  Got it.

Handbags? Clothing? Kids projects?  All there.

Some patterns are free and others are at a minimal charge.

Take a moment and check it out. After all, YOU CAN MAKE THIS !!

After you spend hours working a beautiful lace shawl you want to take the time to complete the process with blocking to truly bring out the decorative design. But how?

Knitting Daily, an online knitting magazine with many excellent tips and ideas has a step by step process to block your exquisite work using blocking wires.

Check it out, click here.

Ever wonder how to join yarn without tying it together? Without the long tail to weave into the finished stitches?  Check out this video on the “Russian Join”. 

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-do-a-russian-join-4575/view/

While rummaging through my stash I came across a couple of yarns that looks nice together.  A purple chenille and purple novelty yarn. I started knitting and came up with this:

I am going to fill it with some smal items like l Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway - Gordon The Big Express Engine or  Ty Backyardigans Beanie Baby Set of 5 Beanie Babies (Tyrone, Uniqua, Pablo, Austin & Tasha)

Here is the pattern:  You may download a PDF version (click here)

Toddler’s Purse

by TerryAnn Porter bearyann@gmail.com

During a recent stash bust I started knitting and came up with a purse for my “soon to be two years old” granddaughter.

Finished Size: 3 ½ inches by 5 ½ inches

Gauge : Not important for this project

Materials:

small amounts of: Chenille Yarn and Novelty Yarn

(for this project I used Chenille Yarn by Sterling Collection and a novelty yarn called Flag by Dark Horse Yarn)

Size 10 ½ needles

Crochet Hook size H or use DPNs

Instructions:

Working the 2 yarns together, cast on 18.

Row 1: Knit across

Row 2: Knit across

Row 3: K2, (yo, k2tog) to last to stitches, K2

Row 4: Knit across

Row 5: Knit across

Row 6: Knit across

Row 7: Purl across

Repeat row 6 and 7 (stockinette stitch) until ½ the length desired for purse. (I did 12 rows)

Over next 4 rows, continuing in stockinette pattern, increase first and last stitch (26 stitches)

Over next 4 rows, continuing in stockinette pattern, decrease first and last stitch (18 stitches)

Continue stockinette stitch for another 12 rows (or matching your alteration).

Repeat row 3.

End with 2 rows Knit across, then bind off loosely.

Bottom reinforcement:

With Chenille only, cast on 20 stitches. Work garter stitch (knit each row) for 8 rows. Bind off loosely.

Attach this piece to the inside section(wrong side) where the triangle increase/decrease is. This is the bottom of the purse. Stitch the 2 short sides and one long side. Slide a piece of plastic canvas cut to fit this area into the piece and stitch the other end. This give some firmness yet retains flexibility to the base of the purse.

Sew the side seams.

For the handle:

OPTION 1:

using a crochet hook (I used size H) chain 96 or any to obtain the length desired. SC in 2^nd from hook and in each chain across.

Chain 1, turn and SC across for 2^nd and 3^rd row. Fold piece in half and stitch together.

OPTION 2:

Using DPNs, make an i-cord to desired length.

Slide the completed handle through the holes created by the YO stitches at the top. Stitch the handle together (if desired).

Stuff with small items to please the little one and watch for smiles upon receipt.

copyright 2009 TerryAnn Porter      bearyann at gmail dot com

Download a PDF version, click here