So this was a busy month but I was super excited to make some crafts that would be helpful for my snowier, colder living environment and to help protect my gadgets. I love making practical crafts!
1. Kindle Cover
I really enjoyed learning a new stitch to make this. This Tunisian stitch is very stiff (doesn’t give to much in either direction) and is also fairly thick which made it the perfect cover for my Kindle. Plus, it just looks so nice and neat. Love it!
This pattern was originally intended for an iPhone but I really needed something to keep my Kindle safe. The pattern called for an initial chain of 12, but I created a chain of 22 to start (just slightly longer than my Kindle was wide). From there I followed the pattern making my crocheted piece long enough to cover my Kindle when it was folded in the middle.
2. Ear Warmer – Turban/Bow Style
I’m a practical crocheter and now that I’m living in Boulder, CO I need some cold weather gear. This cute ear warmer fits the bill don’t you think?
Modifications? None needed on this pattern. Just followed it directly but I think if I did it again I would add a few more rows to get better ear coverage and to make the length to width look a little more balance (my head is bigger than the original patter writer’s)
3. Ear Warmer – Basic + Button
So my first ear warmer was a little bit skinny and also worked in the round which was a learning experience for me, but I wanted to try working up a wider ear warmer that was more easy to adjust while working it up. I was tired of taking out an entire round of stitches because my chain was too short/long once I got the first row done and had figured out my stitch tension.
Modifications? Made a few modifications to make this super easy pattern even easier! Once you worked up the length of the ear wrap, it calls for a round of stitches to give it a nice edge, I decided to forgo this step. I also left off the flower because I didn’t really want a large flower stuck to my head. Other than those changes, followed the pattern to a T.
What do you think?
4. Cat Toy
Took out the toilet paper roll to show the stitches
My cat Marcus has been such a trooper with the move and then me traveling I thought it was time to make him something fun!
Modifications: This pattern I followed pretty closely. I didn’t add on the 11th row of double crochet because I had already gotten the length I needed to cover the toilet paper tube. I also only did 2 double crochet in each chain to create the curlicue. It got crazy curly when I was putting 3 in each chain. Also, bells are really annoying especially when your cat decides it’s play time in the wee hours of the morning, so I added a different type of cat bobble. I just used some nylon thread and needle to attach it to the end of the curlicue. Add some catnip to intrigue your cat and your all set!
My main tip is to follow your stitches in each round CLOSELY. My first attempt decided to casually get wider as I went and ended up being too loose for the tube. As I finished a round on my second attempt I would put the stitch marker in the last double crochet I did for that round to make sure I wasn’t adding and that helped me track better!
First attempt.
I see you playing there Marcus!
Overall, this was a great start to the year! Every time I complete a new project I learn something new about my crocheting and how different stitches look. I can’t wait for the day when I can write my own patterns to make fun new things!
Next month I thinking about hand warmers and maybe a some fun Valentine’s day crafts!
If you want a preview of things I might be making, check out my Pinterest board!
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