Felt Nest with Robin Eggs

This little nest with robins eggs measures about 3 inches across. I sewed on a pinback so I can wear it. Can these count as Easter Eggs?

Felt Food - A Mixed Baby Greens Salad

Yum, yum. I wish I had thought of making this. What a great idea for kids AND grownups. So much more fun to play with than plastic food from the big box store, don't you think? I found this handmade felt salad at dashingBean's shop on Etsy. Her stuff is currently all sold out, but hopefully not for long. I'm hungry for more (sorry, couldn't resist...)

Free Felted Coasters Crochet Pattern

I saw something similar to this somewhere and thought it might be fun to make up a set. The coasters and their case make an easy project for the beginning crocheter - they work up fast and make an unusual gift. You'll need:

• about 3 oz of 100% wool medium weight yarn. (Make sure it's wool - otherwise it won't felt.) I like Lion Wool Brand and Paton's Classic Wool. If you are using 2 colors like I did, a couple oz. of each color should be enough.
• a size F or G crochet hook
• a 28-30 oz can of vegetables (say, a 28 oz. can of tomatoes)
• a zippered mesh laundry bag (like the kind you wash delicates in)
• a tennis ball or a pair of jeans

You're going to do all the crocheting in a spiral rather than end each round and start a new one. I think working in spirals is SOOO much easier, plus it's going to be felted in the end anyway so who will know?


THE COASTER (Make 4 of these):

1. Make a circle of 6 SC. You can do this one of two ways. You can CH 2 and then make 6 SC in the second CH from the hook. Or, you can use the 'Magic Adjustable Ring.' Check the video I have for this if you don't know what I'm talking about.
2. Make 2 SC in each SC around (12 SC total.)
3. (SC 1, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (18 SC total.)
4. (SC 2, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (24 SC total.)
5. (SC 3, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (30 SC total.)
6. (SC 4, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (36 SC total.)
7. (SC 5, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (42 SC total.)
8. (SC 6, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (48 SC total.)
9. SL ST to next stitch and finish off.

THE CASE:

1. Repeat steps 1-8 of the coasters.
2. (SC 7, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (54 SC total.) If you want a two-toned holder, here is a good place to switch to your second color.
3. SC in each stitch all the way around (54 SC total.)
4. Repeat step 3 for 9 more times.
5. SL ST to the next stitch and finish off.

FELTING:

Now you are ready to felt this stuff. Put everything in that mesh laundry bag and put it in your washing machine with that tennis ball or pair of jeans. The tennis ball (or jeans) will help agitate the wool and get it to felt up. Set the wash on the lowest water setting, the highest agitation setting and use hot water. Run it through a wash and rinse cycle. If the pieces aren't felted enough to your liking, you can wash 'em again. Trim any loose ends. Now to shape everything. It should be pretty easy to get the coasters flattened out - just stretch with your hands, if needed . As for the case, put it over the end of the vegetable can and tug it into shape. You make have to pull a bit on this one. It should look something like this (can you tell I live in Texas?):

Once you get it evened out, let everything just sit until it's dry. This could take up to 24 hours but overnight usually does it for me. That's it! Here's my set going for a test drive.

Let me know how yours turn out!

When crochet is art

This is what I aspire to as a crocheter. This is one of the many beauties that can be found in the 'Museum of Useless Objects' over at Etsy. I've loved Sarah's crocheted felted creations for awhile now. Be sure and check out all her other great stuff.

Flower Power!

My friend Erin got me making these little flowers. She wanted something small and felted to go on a project she's working on. They turned to be so easy and so much fun to make (probably because they are so easy) that I ended up with way too many. No bother. I took a picture and entered them into the 'Flower Power' contest over at Craftstylish. So there is no need to feel guilty about making so many, right?

Trick or Treat!

As was suggested, this little bowl needed a face. Not exactly scary...

Happy (Early) Halloween!

Maybe it's a little early to start getting excited about Halloween. But it was always my favorite holiday growing up - who doesn't love dressing up in a costume and then getting rewarded with candy? Of course, I also enjoy admiring the costumes and passing out the candy. Maybe that's why this little pumpkin bowl popped into my head yesterday and I had to stop everything to make it. Or maybe it was just an excuse to stop everything? (Nahhh...)

Wristlet - final version

I think maybe I got the wrist strap finally worked out. This little extra loop for the wrist strap evens things up.

Pattern available at my Etsy store.

True Love

This is the cutest use of my felted bowls yet - as a nest for two little hand felted mice. These mice were made by talented fiber artist Barby Anderson. You can purchase one of her creations, as well as kits and patterns if you want try hand felting yourself, on ebay or at her etsy store.

Problems with Pink

Some wool yarn just refuses to felt. This pink 100% yarn is apparently one of them. Yes, it has felted a little bit, but this was after THREE passes throught the washing machine. I hate seeing the little holes in the crochet. I noticed the same thing with a white yarn that I had. Is there something about pale colors?

Tote or wristlet?

I saw a cute little tote/wristlet and decided to try to do something similar. The result is this little bag which measures about 7" tall (not counting the straps.) I tried to work out a strap solution that didn't involve any separate sewing. This closure is close, I think but still needs a little tinkering. I am not much of a handbag person, but this may be just what I need for carrying around some yarn and a crochet hook. The yarn felted much fuzzier than usual - not quite sure why that happened.

Final Version of the Oven Mitt

After about 5 versions, I finally finished the oven mitt crochet pattern. DH had the most suggestions/complaints - the crook of the thumb was too tight, it didn't reach long enough up the arm to protect him from the heat of the grill, and (most problematic) it was in the wrong color. There is only one acceptable color for a graduate of the University of Texas. So here it is in all it's burnt orange glory. Now it's DH's turn to stress-test it on his manly grill. (Note to self: put steaks on the grocery list.)

Pattern available at my Etsy store.

Amigurumi anyone?

I recently crocheted and felted this little mouse from an amigurumi pattern I bought on etsy from thebirdsandbees. She has lots of great little crochet animal patterns. It was surprisingly easy (although I think I overstuffed him.) Made with worsted weight Lion Brand Wool Yarn in the 'natural' color. If you've never heard of amigurumi, it is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. I especially like that this one is felted.

Felted Crocheted Wool Oven Mitt

My good friend Ellie suggested that I try making an oven mitt. Here is my first attempt. (Note to self : stop using purple yarn for prototypes - too hard to photograph!) The thumb is a little too long (ok, way too long) but I can fix that. Haven't tried it out yet on a hot casserole dish, but Ellie assures me I will be pleased.

Felted Elf Slippers - beta test

I saw a cute pair of felted 'elf' slippers online and since then I have been kind of obsessed with figuring out a crochet pattern to make them. Here is how far I've gotten. (The only reason they are gray is I was using up some extra yarn. The finished product HAS to be in a bright jewel tone, yes?) Anyway, close but no cigar. Still a few refinements needed...

Container with Lid

Speaking of hats, here is a funny one for a bowl. My sister had suggested crocheting pasties and this was (one of) the result(s). I think I'll use them as bowl lids instead.

Embroidery and Felt

I tried embroidering some of my little felted bowls and am very happy with the result. I think it adds a little extra, don't you? And the embroidering was fun...

How about a purse?

I have seen so many cute crocheted felted purses lately that I thought I'd take a shot. This one came out kind of nice - it's small, can hold a cell phone, keys and a few other things. The gray yarn really felts up nicely and I love the color. I'm not totally satisfied with the shape, though. I'm going to take another shot at it. Maybe in a more bold color, too.

Pattern available at my Etsy store.

Crocheted Felted Coasters

These coasters were made with the same wool yarn I used for the bowls. Since they are wool, they are great insulators and I would think they would be perfect for protecting a surface from heat. Plus, they are pretty cute.

The Joy of Crochet

I've always enjoyed crocheting in the winter when it's cold and dark outside. Usually I'm working on yet another afghan to give to someone. But I recently discovered wet felting and love the way the finished object feels. What got me started is crocheting and felting small bowls. Then, after advising several artist friends to check into selling their items on etsy, I decided to list a few bowls myself (just to find out how etsy works, of course...) Now I'm hooked - there are so many creative and wonderful handmade items there.

Pattern available at my Etsy store.