Crochet Summer Slippers

Even in summer, my feet get cold, so I often wear socks or slippers around the house. These are light, sock-like slippers that are great for warmer weather.

Pattern notes

• The free pattern for Pozy Toes Crochet Slippers is on Moogly.
• The green yarn is Red Heart Super Saver (color 0624, Tea Leaf). The off-white yarn is a wool yarn which is also a medium weight yarn, but it was thinner than the acrylic yarn, so the stripes don’t stand out like they should.
• The flowers are crocheted right into the slipper, rather than being sewn on at the end. It’s a neat technique that I haven’t tried before. That being said, I had a heck of a time making them, which might have been because that yarn is so thin or it might have been because the flowers are so small (or a combination of both).
• There are different instructions for the right and left slippers – the slipper body is the same, but the flower pattern is different for the two sides.
• If I get the urge to make another pair, for a different look, I might skip the flowers and stripes and sew on a larger flower at the end.

Not a slipper person? Take a look at these crochet-embellished flip flops!

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Crochet Reversible Swiffer Cover

I’m all about crocheting useful things, so this sweeper cover was up my alley. I love my Swiffer, and I do buy the cloths, but I prefer to use this cover on my wood floors. When you’re finished, give it a shake outside and then toss it in the laundry. I recommend hanging it to dry rather than putting it in the dryer.

Here’s the loopy side. I didn’t take a photo, but you can turn it inside out to use the smooth side.

Here’s how it slips on to the sweeper.

The pattern shows how to make this using two colors, but I wanted to use up this yarn, so I stuck with just one color. The bright green is the perfect thing to brighten up a cleaning session!

Pattern notes

• The free pattern is available here on CraftStylish.
• The pattern starts out working in rows to create a rectangle with alternating rows of double crochet and loops (4 chains and a slip stitch). Next, the pattern switches to working in the round to create the part that holds the cover onto the sweeper head. The photos at the bottom of the pattern are helpful.
• If you have a different brand of sweeper, you might need a different size rectangle. Finished size will depend on the yarn you use and your gauge, so check along the way to make sure the rectangle will be a little smaller than your sweeper head.
• I was confused by the instructions for round 3 (this is when you’re working in the round, after finishing the rows). Here’s how I would explain it: on the long sides, sc 7 and then decrease in the next 2 sc; repeat until you’re 2 stitches from the corner. On the short sides, starting two stitches before the corner, decrease in the next 2 sc; repeat until you’re 2 stitches past the corner. So, you’re decreasing a little bit on the long sides and a lot on the short sides. Round 4 works the same way, but you sc 6 before decreasing on the long sides.

Crochet Helmet-Style Hat

Another hat! After I made a hat for myself, I made one for my husband. This one is a helmet-style hat that has a back flap that covers the ears and the back of the head. That extra protection, plus the thick yarn, makes this a nice warm winter hat. He gave the hat a thumbs-up and said that it feels light but is very warm.

I used Lion Brand pattern L32053, Havemeyer Helmet (the pattern is free, but you may need to log in to view it).

Pattern notes:

• I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in the Spartans color (dark green alternating with dark green & white stripes). I only had about 48″ of yarn left, so one ball was cutting it really close.
• The pattern calls for a size P crochet hook; I used size N. I usually go up a hook size, so going down two sizes was very unusual for me. There were a couple of unfavorable reviews for this pattern, and I think the recommended hook size must be way off, so people are having trouble with the gauge. I had to try a few different times to figure out what size hook to use.
  Once I did, though, it was an easy pattern to follow.
• To make the pom-pom, I used the technique shown in this video.

Crochet Snowbelle Trapper Hat

This was the first time I crocheted a hat, and I’m happy to say that it was easier than expected and just as cute as I hoped it would be. I don’t love wearing hats, but it’s been quite a winter, what with the Polar Vortex, and seemingly constant snow, so hats do come in handy.

You can see more about the pattern, including photos of the hat on someone’s head here, and you can purchase the pattern here on Ravelry. I was lucky to get a copy of the pattern when she was giving it away for free, but it’s only $4.00 to buy it, and I think it’s worth it. 

Pattern notes:

• I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn and a size K crochet hook (one size larger than called for, but I usually do that because I crochet with a lot of tension).
• The pattern is very detailed and I found it easy to follow.
• She includes links for making the braided tassels and pom-poms. I had some trouble with the pom-poms, so I used the technique shown in this video (I wrapped the yarn around 3 fingers to make a smaller-sized pom-pom).

Crochet Bath Mitt

This is a quick and easy crochet project that would be a nice gift along with some shower gel or a bar of soap. Or do like I did and make it as a gift for yourself!

At first, I wasn’t too sure about using crocheted items in the shower, but I’m really enjoying the crochet soap saver I made a while back, so I thought I’d give this a try to use with shower gel instead of a nylon “pouf.” I added a hanging loop to the corner of the mitt. Without a loop, what are you going to do with that wet mitt?!

The pattern is included in the set of Crocheted Bath Accessories on Lion Brand’s website (pattern # ckc-bathAccessories). The pattern is free, but you may need to create an account and log in to see the pattern.

Crochet Notes:

• I used Lily Sugar’n Cream yarn in Ecru. It’s a cotton yarn and is easy to work with.
• To make the hanging loop: sc 20; in 2nd chain from hook, hdc in each chain across. Sew to corner of mitt.
• My mitt came out larger than it needed to be. My gauge was off, because it turned out to be 10 inches long instead of 8.5 inches. The next time I make one of these, I’ll hold up my hand as I go along. The thumb hole is at row 14, so if it’s long enough to fit the top part of your hand before you get to row 14, just skip crocheting some of the rows in the row 4-13 series and jump ahead to row 14 to make the thumb hole.

Crochet Tom Turkey

I made Tom Turkey a few years ago, and it’s always fun to put him on display in November.

The pattern is Tom Turkey (#80744AD) from Lion Brand. It’s a free pattern, but you may need to log in to view it. Be sure to look at the reviews – there are photos of other cute turkeys that people have made using the pattern.

Crochet Christmas Bulb Garland

I made this garland last year and finished it just before Christmas.  I decided to hang it over the patio door, so I just kept making bulbs until I had enough to span the door.

I started out with a pattern for a Christmas bulb that I found online, but used just the pattern for the bulb part and made my own pattern for the base. If you look closely at the photo above, you can see that the top part is spiraled, which gives it the effect of a screw-in bulb.

Instructions:

For each bulb, follow the instructions for the ornament body from this pattern.

For each base:

• Ch 15
• Starting in the 2nd sc from hook, 3 sc in each chain. You’ll see it start to curl up like a corkscrew.
• Finish off. Sew to the bulb.

To make the garland, crochet a chain and slip stitch the base of each bulb to the chain, chaining an equal amount between each bulb. Finish off the chain.

Project notes:

• I used a 3.5mm hook instead of the 3.75mm hook called for in the bulb pattern.
• The base and bulb are medium-weight yarn; the garland is a thinner, silver yarn.

Crochet Petite Scarf

Here’s a crochet scarf for that in-between weather when it’s chilly but not quite deep-freeze weather. It’s quick to make because it’s not very long, plus it’s worked with a size N hook, which is large. The flower is made separately and sewn on.

Note the button on the left side – quite a few people commented on the pattern saying that there were no instructions for fastening the scarf. Some people added a button and buttoned it through the center of the flower. I decided to keep the button behind-the-scenes. I thought I’d be able to fasten the button through the back of the scarf behind the flower, but that didn’t work too well. Instead, I made a short chain that I tied on as a loop behind the flower.

Here’s a close-up that hopefully shows what’s going on. The loop fits over the button and secures the scarf, but the button and loop aren’t visible.

Project notes:

• The scarf pattern is Petite Scarf from Lion Brand Yarn. The pattern is free, but you may need to log in to access it.
• Instead of the flower that’s part of the pattern, I made the flower from an ear wrap I had just finished making. I liked the flower so much, I thought I’d use that one instead.  It goes great with the scarf and is just the right size.

Crochet Ear Warmer / Headband

Ear warmer, headband, head wrap…whatever you call it, it’s a good way to keep your ears warm in chilly weather. It’s also a super-easy and quick crochet project.

I have a stretchy fleece ear warmer that’s very functional, but not very cute, so I’m looking forward to being a bit more stylish this winter. And I’ll be coordinated, because I used the same yarn that I used for this scarf.

Next, I made a green one to give as a gift; this one includes the (very cute!) flower that’s part of the pattern. I also gave this one a ribbed effect by crocheting through the back loop. I love how this one turned out and plan to make another one for myself, maybe in a bright color.

On both of the ear warmers, I added two buttons, figuring that after a while it might stretch out and then I can switch to the other button (washing it should help it shrink up a little bit too). The two-button technique is good if you are giving this as a gift and don’t know the exact size of the person’s head (I don’t know about you, but I don’t know anyone’s head measurements!).

Project notes:

• I followed the instructions at Frayed Knot, but instead of counting the rows, I wrapped it around my head as I was making it and kept going until it was long enough. I made the green one a little shorter than the brown one; it’s a gift, and I think my friend’s head is smaller than mine.
  
• If you have a button in mind, have it handy and make sure that the buttonhole is the correct size. If you buy a button after you make the ear warmer, take it to the store so you can be sure you’re buying the proper size button.
• If you’re not familiar with crocheting through the back loop, check out this post to see examples of both loops, front loop, and back loop.
• The brown yarn is Lion Brand Quick & Easy Mohair Look in color 403, Camel Spray. I bought it a couple of years ago, so I don’t know if it’s still available. The green yarn is Red Heart Super Saver in color 0624, Tea Leaf. The green one is stretchier.
  

Crochet Candy Corn

Is it too late for candy corn? I have a bag of it in my pantry, so I think it’s still the season.

This is an easy, cute crochet project for your fall décor.

I made a bunch and put them in this Halloween cat basket.

The pattern, called Amigurumi Candy Corn, is here on Lion Brand’s website. (The pattern is free, but you may need to create an account and log in to see the pattern.) I also saw a bunch of other cute candy corn patterns on Ravelry.