Jan 3-4, 2015 - Reversible Boot Cuffs

I have been wanting a pair of red boot cuffs so I looked in my stash and found a deep red Vanna's Choice yarn and thought, "Perfect!"  

I have a boot cuff pattern that I designed but I am always looking for new inspiration.  I searched Pinterest and found this free pattern!  I started doing the ribbing part of the pattern but my ribbing had hardly any stretch at all.  So I took it out and instead of double crocheting in the top of the sc below, I crocheted around the post, which gave it extra texture and stretch.

Once I got the length I needed, I matched up my ends and slip stitched to join instead of sewing them together.  At this point, I still didn't cut my yarn.  I single crocheted around the bottom edge of the cuff and started working the textured part of the cuff.  It took a few tries to get the sizing right but I finally got it.  I worked in the round to give it a clean look and slip stitched twice at the end for a smooth ending.

I love the end result and with the temp being below zero a few days already this month, they have come in handy!

Jan 1-2, 2015 - Crochet Slippers

I started off 2015 making slippers.  Here is the link to the slipper pattern!

I had made a pair once before but I wanted to revisit this pattern again.  When I went looking through my yarn stash, I pulled out a few different acrylic yarns (my usual go to yarn) but nothing was striking me.  The last pair I made was done in wool just like the pattern suggested but I didn't have much wool on hand.  I really didn't want to buy new yarn...after all, my goal was to work through my stash.  Finally I pulled out a cotton yarn and thought to myself, "Why not?"

So I dove right in!  Since my yarn was thicker (and I have fairly small feet) I adjusted the pattern down a little.  I chose an acrylic to go around the top and then finished it off with some buttons I have been saving for a rainy day.

So naturally, I am wearing them around the house this weekend and my 3 year old sees them.  She asked for a pair in pink.  Challenge accepted!

I scaled them down once more and used a smaller hook.  She didn't want a strap on hers.  Don't they look adorable?!

Let's Crochet Through 2015!!!

For Christmas 2013, I received a 2014 Crochet desk calendar (that I asked for) and immediately made the resolution that I would work every pattern in the calendar during 2014.

That year long commitment lasted for about a month.  I quickly found that I had no interest in making some of the projects, some I had seen or even attempted before, and several I was able to find FREE on the internet.

At some point in the middle of 2014, I had an epiphany...I have a ton of patterns that I have found free on the internet that I haven't had time to work on yet.  I should make my own crochet calendar!

Well here it is!  My 2015 crochet calendar

I created a Pinterest board with all the patterns I have found ABSOLUTELY FREE...no membership required.  I found 111 patterns that I will be working on throughout the year and I plan on blogging my journey (to keep me accountable)!  Anyone want to join me?