Crochet Pattern: Chunky Doll Blanket

Quickly hook up a cozy doll blanket with this simple, contemporary crochet pattern.

After completing the Chunky Library-Book Lapghan, I had a large sample swatch plus a few skeins of yarn left over...the beginning and finishing of a doll-sized version of the same blanket. So I made one up for The Peanut. Then I remembered my mama-to-all-dolls niece was about to turn two, so I pulled the softest yarn off the store shelf and made another one just for her. You can, too.

Crochet Pattern: Chunky Library-Book Lapghan

Quickly hook up a cozy lapghan throw blanket with this simple, contemporary crochet pattern.

After working in long rows of color-changing, tight single-crochet for over a year (what? some of us take longer to finish a year-long temperature afghan than others), I was ready for something quick and rhythmic in a monochromatic neutral. How about you?

Crochet Dishcloth Christmas Tag!

Oh dear. You started the Crochet Along Afghan and only got a few squares done. Now what do you do with them?! Make them into Christmas-gift Dishcloths -- that IS what you meant to do all along, right?

Border! Crochet Along Afghan Sampler

And ...we're back! Time to add a border to our Crochet Along Afghan Sampler. Simple. Contemporary. Complimentary.

Join the Squares: Crochet Along Afghan Sampler

You've waited (extra long; a week and a day too long) for this moment! It's time. Let's put our afghan together...squee!!!

Square 10! Crochet Along Afghan Sampler (October)

It's here! It's here! It's the very last square! It's time for Square 10 (of 10!), October, of the Crochet Along Afghan Sampler: Spider Stitch.

Square 9! Crochet Along Afghan Sampler (September)

It's time, my hooking peeps, for Square 9 of 10, September, of the Crochet Along Afghan Sampler. Cables; what more can I say?

Square 8! Crochet Along Afghan Sampler (August)

It's time for Square 8 (August) of the Crochet Along Afghan Sampler, hooking friends! Grab your hooks and get ready for some Waves.

Square 7! Crochet Along Afghan Sampler (July)

It's time again! Square 7 (July) of the Crochet Along Afghan Sampler, Bobbles, is here. Get ready to hook!

Square 6! Crochet Along Afghan Sampler (June)

It's that time! Ready? Square 6 (June) of the Crochet Along Afghan Sampler, Broad-Striped Moss Stitch, is waiting for you, my friends. 

Contain It! Blog Hop & Giveaway (Closed)

Happy Saturday! I've got a giveaway for you! Click on through for your chance to win a signed copy of Contain It! English Paper Pieced Accessories by Linda Chaney and Laura Gerth of Prairie Sewn Studios.

Couch Craft: Holiday Crochet Planter Cover (with Pattern!)

Take an inexpensive house-plant and make it special with the Holiday Crochet Planter Cover pattern!

It's almost time to deck the halls with red and green! (I know last week I was all "Halloween, YAY!," and now I'm all "Christmas, WooHoo!," and you're all "I'm getting whiplash over here and what about Thanksgiving anyway?" Welcome to my brain.) The end of November means it's time to change out the crochet planter covers in my kitchen. This month while watch-listening to TV I crocheted up a few Santa-inspired sleeves so my plants can spread the Christmas cheer, and I've written it down so you can, too.

Couch Craft: Bright Felt Ornament

Since July I've been wanting to try my hand at creating my felt Christmas bauble ornament in bright, non-traditional colors. I started October's couch craft making pumpkins (as yet unfinished), but the itch to get those ornaments out of my head grew too strong to ignore. So this past weekend I sat down in front of the TV with my glue gun and got them out of my head.

Couch Craft: Tiny Crochet Hat, Perfect (and Quick!)

Brand new babies are the best. I know one scheduled to arrive in less than a week. Eight months ago I made a pair of too cute pants for this not-yet-newborn. But as his arrival gets closer I couldn't help but make him a little something else. 

Couch Craft: Spiral Crochet Planter Cover (with Pattern!)

Bring some fall-like texture and color into your home! Crochet cozy sweaters for your plants with this quick Spiral Crochet Planter Cover.

I'm not the best when it comes to keeping plants. I certainly don't have a green thumb. But I have two hardy little guys that sit on my kitchen windowsill. And they have sat there in their original, basic brown plastic containers for over three years now. As the plants have grown and kept me happy company, those straight-from-the-store, bland containers have irked me. It was time to do something about it. But I'm fearful of re-potting. And the windowsill is too narrow for an outer decorative pot. Inspired by this adorable image on Pinterest, I sat down one afternoon to figure out a crochet cover for my plants. I wrote it out to share here with you.

The two kitchen plants are not as photogenic as this plastic Ikea plant from the window-less guest bedroom. But even plastic plants can don sweaters!

Felt Christmas Ornament, A Perfect July Couch Craft (with Tutorial)

At the end of June a Facebook post reminded me that there was already less than six months until Christmas. Soon after, Deby at Sew So Easy reminded me via email that I agreed to join in the Fab Felt Christmas Tree Ornaments blog hop. I wasn't ready to clear my sewing table of summer to make room for winter holidays, so I took to my couch.* This seemingly simple felt ball took three mock-ups(!) before I was able to translate the classic paper sphere ornament into felt with a tiny bit of bling. I'll save you the stress of trying to figure it out for yourself with this quick step by step tutorial illustrating how to create your own handmade Felt Christmas Bauble. Bonus: you can recreate this ornament with thread or with hot glue!

*It's the third Tuesday of the month by the way, and you'll be forgiven for not knowing that means this is the correct day to share a Couch Craft. After all, even though I've published my editorial calendar for all to see, I don't think I've kept to it very well. Surprisingly, no one has called me out on that yet.

Mini-Us, A Cross-Stitch Pixelated Family Portrait

I have decorating block whenever it comes to my home. I know! A graphic design background! A love of sewing! What the what? My husband agrees with you. I’m paralyzed by taupe walls, by indecision, and by some wishy-washy ideas with a lack of follow-through. Drives Mr. Wren crazy. 

After I mentioned this (in those exact words) here on the blog, I decided to start doing something about it. I'm starting small, a piece here, something-hung on the wall there. I want my home to reflect my less-is-more, God-is-in-the-details style and the people who live here.

I also needed a new Couch Craft [defined as that which you create with your hands while sitting on the couch in the evening watching, or rather listening to, TV]. I found one in an old UFO (unFinished object) begun in 2012. A perfect reflection of those who live in my home. Including my inability to spot spelling mistakes.

Mr. Wren said, "it adds character to the work." I eyed him skeptically and moved on.

Couch Craft: Broad-Stripe Baby Blanket (with Pattern!)

As part of a group of on-line crafters from across the country (a small segment of a much larger, amazing group of close friends), I get the fun of participating in various crafting gift exchanges. For our current "Spring Free for All" exchange, I'm crafting for a mommy-to-be. I'm sewing up a couple of things just for her, but I wanted to make a little something for the baby-to-be, too. I was feeling the urge to tackle another blanket, so I took to my couch to crochet this bold-stripe blankie, great for a boy or girl. I made it up as I went, but it's quick and simple and something I would crochet again, so I wrote it down. Then I realized I could share it here, too.

Couch Craft: Crochet Hearts

I get on kicks where I make one tiny crochet piece and feel the need to make many more! During February I fell in love this crochet heart pattern. Made one and just kept on going.

Couch Craft: Cowl & Hat

During the Great Pumpkin Crochet Frenzy of September 2013 I spent a month creating a tiny family of stuffed pumpkins. There were adorable little stems and twirly green vines on squishy little pumpkins. And then I completely lost steam for my favorite Couch Craft, crochet. [Couch Craft: That which you create with your hands while sitting on the couch in the evening watching, or rather listening to, TV.] I even had the plans and the yarn to crochet up some ornaments for Christmas gifts and it never happened. Momentum completely gone.