Today’s project combines two of my favorite mediums: Yarn and clay!
The buttons on this cowl (neck warmer) and the donut beads are made with polymer clay. I learned a trick to making buttons, donuts and cabochons so they turn out perfect every time and you have what you need right in your kitchen cupboard, watch the video to see how:
Here is a closer look at the buttons:
Not bad for a humble piece of plastic wrap eh? As I promised in the video here is the pattern (instructions) for the neckwarmer or cowl. A beginner knitting student of mine wanted to make one on her first class. She did not know how to knit or crochet so I gave the the option of either. I told her that crochet is faster and a but bulkier which would be good things for this project so we went with crochet. I used a size J hook and worsted weight yarn. You could also knit this, if you do work a 4″x4″ swatch and see what you need for stitches and rows to equal the size of the crochet peice and use a non rolling stitch pattern.
Chain 28 stitches. We are going to work this in double crochet (dc) so at the end of each row you need to chain 3 stitches to turn and insert your hook in the 4th chain from hook and dc (wrap yarn around hook, place hook through your work and draw up one loop. Wrap yarn around hook and draw through 2 loops. Wrap yarn again and draw through remaining two loops) in each chain to the end. Be sure to chain 3 to turn each time. Work in dc until you have made a rectangle that is 32″ long, cut the yarn leaving a 6″ tail and pull the tail through the loop on your hook to secure.
Oh no! What about the button holes!?! Relax, young grasshopper. I did not know where I wanted button holes when I made this so that is one of the reasons I picked dc as a stitch. The holes in the crochet will be ample to push a button through. Fold your crochet rectangle like this and sew your buttons on with yarn:
Put the buttons through the nearest hole and remove it. Use a yarn needle to overcast stitch all around the hole you made. Viola, perfect unplanned button hole! Do this for each button.
Use the yarn needle to weave in any loose ends (I know you know better than to cut them.) and you are done! Look how proud I am in my snazzy new cowl:
Note to self, orange is not my color, it looks way cuter on my daughter:
If you have any questions on the buttons or crochet pattern just leave a comment and I will get back you you! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
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