The Rainbow Collection…

Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what’s on the other side….I have had that darn song stuck in my head all afternoon! Well, it’s no wonder given my latest experiment:

Rainbow string jewelry! When I spied a skein of Royal rainbow crochet thread for .99 cents at Mardens (an awesome Maine discount store) I immediately thought “Ah-Ha, rainbow tassel earrings!!!” yes, with 3 exclamation points, if you must know, and I think they are just FAB (and so did my daughters because they promptly confiscated them along with the bracelets and I must say they look even better on.

The bracelets were an experiment (hence I am using plastic beads rather than glass) and I like them OK but I think I might have to delve into Macrame for this one. I am really liking the feeling on the macrame cord these days (notice another pipe knot pendant) so I’ll have to keep you updated on this rainbow bracelet experiment.

I crocheted a simple chain to hang the pendant on, I like it!

Tonight I am going to refine my tassels while sitting in front of the TV catching up on Red Dwarf on Netflix, yep, another wild Saturday night at Lindsay’s… and I might have a video for ya when the said tassel is refined (oh joy!) but I thought you might want to see a prototype, I usually share my projects after I have fixed them up a bit and here you can see the wobbly beginnings, we all have them, especially when we are trying something new. The process is fun even if the end result needs a little work. We all have to start somewhere, remember that 😀

Well, so long for tonight, it’s time to get the smeg of the computer and go work on that couch dent. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Free Crochet Tutorial: Lip Balm Amulet

OK, I think we all need to buy shares in the Chapstick company! Man, I am constantly buying and doling out tubes of lip balm to my kids. where does it go? I think it ran off with socks that always go missing. Am I the only one with this problem? Well, I for one have had enough of the kids losing their chapstick (oh and for those of you who say “just have the kids carry it in their pocket” you obviously have never experienced the chapstick-in-the-dryer scenario) so I crocheted them chapstick holder necklaces:

These were fun and easy to make! I used sock weight yarn (#1 weight) and a #3 (C or D) crochet hook. I also added a ribbon drawstring, beads (to keep the drawstring from pulling through), fray check (or you can use clear nail polish) to keep the ends of the ribbon from fraying and a homemade tassel.

This project is worked round in a spiral  I don’t often use patterns so my writing of one might be unconventional. I will explain how I made it and if you have any questions you can leave a comment. Really, though, you can kinda make it up as you go along, I always do. 🙂

Round 1. Start by wrapping the yarn around your left index finger (if you are right-handed, if you are a leftie I have no idea), slip the hook between the yarn and your finder and draw up a loop. Now single crochet 12 stitches in the finger hole. This is starting a round with the magic loop method. Once you master this you will never go back to making a chain and joining it for a foundation round!

Note: If you are using thicker yarn, use fewer stitches!

Round 2. OK folks, here is where it gets real easy. Double crochet in each stitch until you have made a tube a bit longer than a tube of chapstick, you are working in a spiral, you don’t need to join rounds with a slip stitch (you can if you want to, it’s your bag) and do not increase, you want the sides of your pouch to go straight up.

Step 3. Once the bag is as tall as you need it make a chain of crochet long enough to slip over someones head. This is all worked as one piece so you want to start this stitch straight from the last double crochet you made.

Step 4. Join the end of the chain on the opposite side of the bag with a slip stitch. You will notice that one side of the bag is a bit lower than the other because we worked in a spiral so to even it out make a row of slip stitches on that edge, as a bonus it will make the necklace more secure. Cut and secure the end.

Step 5. Add a tassel. Use the string hanging from the bottom to bind the tassel so it is strong and secure.

Step 6. Use your hook to insert a length of ribbon to the top of the bag. Tie beads on the end and add a drop of fray check (or glue) to both the ribbon ends and the knot. Insert the lip balm and give it to your daughter.

So, if you have boys I will be making a camo belt loop pouch later and I will share that with you after I work it out!

Again, if you have any questions (you should probably consult a reputable crochet website LOL!) just leave a comment. It is really easy. I plan to sell these at next years craft fair. I was working on one at a basketball game yesterday and the other moms thought it was brilliant, so it gives me hope that they will sell! thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!