Christmas Pin Loom Project Set

November 10, 2016 by ·

Pin Loom your Christmas decorations and gifts this year! All with only a 4″ square pin loom.

christmas-pin-loom-group1

These festive woven projects have you and your friends’ names written all over them. Who doesn’t love a gnome? Add a little snowman to your indoor collection. Decorate with a beautiful wreath and garden flag. Relax on these lovely pillows. It truly is amazing what you can create with squares with a little shaping and sewing.

  • thumbnail_christmas-pin-loom-group2

Each project is made with 4″ squares done in plain weave. (The pattern does NOT include how to plain weave.) Projects range from 1 to 38 squares, making them quick and easy to make.

The pattern includes:

  • Gnome
  • Pillow with Crochet Snowflake
  • Santa’s Belly Pillow
  • Santa’s Belly Wall Hanging
  • Snowflake Ornament
  • Bethlehem Garden Flag
  • Holly & Berry Wreath
  • Reindeer Squares
  • Snowman Squares
  • Santa’s Pants
  • Christmas Present
  • Miniature Snowmen
  • Step-by-step photos
  • Step-by-Step written instructions
  • Templates for the felt pieces

thumbnail_bethlehem-flag

Pattern also includes instructions on how to turn some of these things into magnets, little gift bags, greeting cards, and more.

Projects shown here are made with Red Heart Soft yarn. Not only is it soft, it also has a nice sheen. This is a great yarn for pin looming.

PDF Instant Download Available Now

The pattern and templates for the Christmas Pin Loom Projects are now available in our Etsy Shop.

Available on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy

Filed Under: Christmas, Crochet, Great as Gifts, Holidays & Special Occasions, Home, Home Decor, Patterns for Sale, Pin Loom, Toys, Yarn, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Pork Chop Pig Crochet Pattern

July 30, 2015 by ·

Hunting for Bacon?

Whether you need more bacon in your life or want to go on a boar hunt, this crochet pattern is PETA approved!

pig with collar

This pig can be accessorized with a sweater and a medal. He can be Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web, or a trophy piece for the hunters out there. We even made it in red for the Razorback fans!

I made several of the mounted pig heads for my students after we read Animal Farm. They loved them!

Pig Crochet PatternBe sure to download the free accessories pattern for the fun variations.

Pork Chop Pattern on Etsy

Pork Chop crochet pattern.

Pork Chop accessories pack (sweater, medal, Razorback).

Filed Under: Animals, Crochet, Father's Day, Great as Gifts, Home, Home Decor, Patterns for Sale, Pets, Toys, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Behind the Scenes: Granny Heart Clutch

April 3, 2015 by ·

Would you rather keep your hooks and supplies in a plastic sandwich baggie, or in a crocheted granny heart clutch?

For the longest time I used a zippered plastic bag. It was actually quite convenient. It could be rolled up and put in my crochet bag or sit beside me as I worked. But I had to use the gallon size bag and it seemed slightly bulky.

A Owl Bean Bag Deb Blanket

After making a few heart granny squares for the Granny’s Tree of Love afghan for the Owl Set (pictured above), I decided to try to make a little clutch. I decided to make a bright and colorful one first. Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice has many lovely colors and made a delightful clutch. I lined it so I could keep my hooks and supplies in it.

Owl Bean Bag pattern on Etsy.

Owl Crochet Set pattern on Etsy.

Granny’s Tree of Love Blanket Photo Tutorial pattern on Etsy.

This clutch appeared in Love of Crochet magazine. The editor suggest monochromatic colors and this grey and black version was created (pictured below in Knit Picks Shine).

Perfect purse for crochet hooks

I put a couple of magnetic clasps on it to keep my items safe inside. It has quickly become one of my favorite projects. It is beautiful and practical.

Learn more about the Heart Centered Granny Square Clutch.

Heart Granny Clutch pattern on Etsy.

Filed Under: Adult, Age & Gender, Bags, Behind the Scenes, Crochet, Great as Gifts, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , ,

Tips and Tricks: Color

April 1, 2015 by ·

Color Tips

One of the simplest and easiest ways to adjust a knit or crochet pattern is to change the color. There are several things to keep in mind before changing the color.

Flame Beanies

Flame Beanies

Substitute Yarn. Use the colors suggested by the designer. If the exact yarn is not available, be sure to substitute with the same weight yarn. If the pattern calls for a light weight yarn (3), try to find another light weight yarn. Substituting with a medium could significantly change the size of the finished project. In the case of beanies pictured above, if the yarn used is larger / heavier than suggested, the hats may end up too big. If gauge is not important, feel free to substitute with any weight and adjust the crochet hook accordingly.

Flame Beanies pattern on Etsy.

Turtle Family

Turtle Family

Fit a Theme. You might want to change colors to fit a theme. Sometimes you want to change the color to a person’s favorite color or you want to match the colors of a person’s room, like a nursery. Notice where the darker colors are used. If you like the original pattern, try to keep the darker colors where the darker colors are used. Keep in mind, some patterns will look fabulous in a different order as well. The turtles pictured above show the same pattern with various color schemes. I went for traditional, then attempted to make one similar to the blue and white porcelain of the 14th century.

Turtle Rattles and Blanket pattern on Etsy.

Houndstooth Shrug

Houndstooth Shrug

Notice Stitch Patterns. Some patterns don’t look good in all color schemes. Sometimes a solid color will look better than a variegated color and vice versa. Sometimes the designer chose odd colors but the pattern is beautiful. Look at the stitch work itself and decide if it’s something you like. Houndstooth is often done in black and white, but it would look equally stunning in various colors. I did see a project in lavender and grey. Because the colors were so close, the houndstooth pattern was almost invisible. The stitch work is great, but more contrasting colors would be better.

Houndstooth Shrug pattern on Etsy.

Owl Bean Bag Set

Owl Bean Bag Set

Go Whimsical. Realism has its place, but sometimes fun and fanciful color schemes can work just as well.

Owl Bean Bag pattern on Etsy.

Owl Complete Set pattern on Etsy.

Granny’s Tree of Love Blanket photo tutorial on Etsy.

Perfect purse for crochet hooksGo Tonal. Working in tones can make for striking projects. Work from light to dark or dark to light, or vary the tones for more stunning transitions.

Heart Centered Granny Clutch pattern on Etsy.

Hiking Buddy

Hiking Buddy

Notice the sheen of the yarn. Some yarn has a matte look while others are shiny. This can impact the appearance of the final project as well. Would a doll look better shiny or dull? Perhaps the doll would look better in matte colors while the dress is shiny. This hiking buddy pictured above was done in shiny Caron Simply Soft.

Hiking Buddy purse pattern on Etsy.

Frog it! Sometimes one color doesn’t look as good as we’d like. It might be worth ripping out and trying another color.

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , ,

Fair Isle vs. Intarsia

February 25, 2015 by ·

Fair Isle vs. Instarsia

Many knitting patterns involve color changes while most crochet patterns do not. Why is that? Having changed colors in knitted and crocheted projects I will say that it’s not because it’s easier to do when knitting. I actually found it easier to change colors while crocheting. There are two ways to change colors when knitting or crocheting, Fair Isle and intarsia. I have used both methods and the method I use depends on the project being made.

Fair Isle

Fair Isle, also called “stranded colorwork”, has several characteristics.

  1. It’s usually done in the round, like hats and sweaters.

    Flame Hats and Mittens

    Flame Hats and Mittens

  2. It traditionally uses only two colors per round. Other rounds may use two different colors, but each round uses two.
  3. The yarn is not cut but is crocheted over or dropped (to the back/wrong side)and picked up when needed. This leaves a strand of yarn on the back. For mittens, it is easy to snag the strands on the inside with a finger when putting the mittens on.
  4. The Flame Hat and Mittens are great for learning Fair Isle as the color work is only along the brim of the hat or the fingers of the mittens.

Mittens

Pictured left is a pair of mittens from our Flame Beanies and Mittens Set. The mitten on the right shows the wrong / inside of the mitten. Strands of yarn are carried along the inside until it is needed again.

As mentioned above, these are crocheted in the round. The beanies have a similar stranded look inside.

Flame Beanie and Mittens pattern available on Etsy.

Intarsia

Intarsia has several of its own characteristics.

  1. It’s usually done in rows on flat pieces.

    Panda Set

    Panda Set

  2. A ball or bobbin of yarn is used for each color section and is dropped and left dangling until is it picked up and used on the way back.
  3. The yarn is always dropped to the project’s wrong side. Because it is worked in rows, sometimes it is dropped to the back and sometimes it’s dropped to the front.
  4. The Bamboo Blanket has only two color sections, black and white, making it a great beginner piece for Intarsia work. That means there are only two skeins or balls to keep track of when crocheting. The bamboo stalks are crocheted separately and sewn on.

Panda Set pattern available on Etsy.

Both Fair Isle and Intarsia use charts/graphs instead of written out instructions. Generally one box in the graph equals one stitch. Graphed work looks best in single crochet though half double crochet can work, depending  on the graph. Keep in mind, stitches in crochet do not line up one on top of another like knitting does. When trying to make vertical lines and things like letters, they will end up looking a little wavy. The stitches will line up a little more when working in rows. A vertical line will tend to lean right when working in the round.

There are just a few other tips for creating a successful piece of color work.

  1. When changing colors, you should use the new color for the last YO that is pulled through the loops on the hook.
  2. Tension can be a problem. If part of the project changes colors and part of it does not, sometimes one section is tighter than another. Be aware that you may need to relax during the color changing section.
  3. It is also easy to make a tighter section if there are long sections where a color isn’t used in Fair Isle. Crocheting over the unused yarn every 2-3 stitches helps keep the tension relaxed. Imagine trying to put on a hat that has no give because the strands are too tight.

My first projects were hats and scarves. They were small enough to practice on and I could pull them out and try again if something wasn’t quite right. With a little practice, it is possible to get into a rhythm with dropping and picking up the different colors. There is no reason Intarsia and Fair Isle can’t be just as popular in crochet as it is in knitting.

For a fun Fair Isle project, try the Flame Hats and Mittens.

Flame Hats and Mittens available on Etsy.

For a fun Intarsia project, try the Bamboo Blanket.

Panda Set available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Crochet, Crochet Technique, Fair Isle, Tips & Tricks, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Crochet Cup Cozy Patterns

October 20, 2012 by ·

Crochet Cup Cozy Patterns – Something for Everyone & Every Season

We decided to make a crochet cup cozy or two. But once we got started, we couldn’t stop! As you can see, we made animals, holidays and seasons, not to mention wild, crazy and elegant. There’s literally something here for everyone and something for most every season!

Cup Cozies

28 crochet cup cozy patterns with recipe or craft included!

Every design we came up has modifications to fit cups, mugs and mason jars….cause you never know when you want the design for tappered cups or mugs with handles.

As we were creating our designs we thought it would be fun to create cute gifts in mason jars. So, every other week for one year, we created a mason jar cozy gift. We’ve consolidated all the cozies, included all three sizes (mugs, cups and jars), added the gift idea (recipe or craft) and created an 80+ page ebook!

Includes 3 NEW patterns, too! We have a vampire, dracula and blue jeans cozy not seen in the Mason Jar Series.

The ebook is now available in the store:

Available in the Store

Skill Level: Easy (with a few intermediate stitches)

Vanna’s Choice yarn – worsted weight (4) – was used for our cup cozies. We love the color options in this line. Most cozies were made using a H or J crochet hook, but we used hooks as small as a C and as large as L.

animalsCrochet Cup Cozy Patterns – Animals

When you make one animal crochet cup cozy…more are sure to follow. That was true for us, anyway. These are fun for Easter, Bosses Day, Summer, Thinking of You and Just Because

Here are the designs and their recipe or craft:

  • OWL – Soap Dispenser
  • BUNNY – Robin Eggs Candy
  • DOG – Puppy Chow
  • BEAR – Chocolate Covered Graham
  • LADY BUG – Greek Salad Dressing

Crochet Cup Cozy Patterns – Holidays

holiday-coziesSome holidays are super fun to crochet into a cozy. We’ll be decorating for several special occasions with these cozies. These are fun for traditional holidays like Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, 4th of July, Memorial Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Thanksgiving.

Here are the designs and their recipe or craft:

  • HEARTS – Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  • LEPRECHAUN – Sweet / Sour Grapes
  • AMERICAN FLAG – Apple Pie
  • CUPCAKE – Turtle Cake
  • PUMPKIN – Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
  • MUMMY – Mummy Pretzel
  • SANTA – Peppermint Bark
  • TUXEDO – Chocolate Covered Almonds

Crochet Cup Cozy Patterns –Seasons & More Holidays

cup coziesIt’s fun to get into the spirit of the seasons, even sports seasons. With these cozies we’re celebrating Spring, Mother’s Day, Earth Day, Football (Baseball and Basketball) Season, I {heart} Yarn Day, Administrative Professionals Day, Chinese New Year and more!

Here are the designs and their recipe or craft:

  • DAISY – Planter
  • BASKETBALL –Caramel Corn
  • FOOTBALL – Party Mix
  • PLUM BLOSSOM – Fortune Cookie
  • FLOWER – Bath Salts
  • HEART – Yarn Ball Bowl
  • CAUSE RIBBON – Potato Soup

Crochet Cup Cozy Patterns – Wacky and Crazy

facesWe had so much fun creating cozies that we couldn’t resist making some quirky designs as well. Some of these designs are season and just for fun like Halloween, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Father’s Day, Casual Friday’s and Just Because.

Here are the designs and their recipe or craft:

  • SMILE – Sugar Cookies
  • MUSTACHE – Beef Rub
  • JEANS / PANTS – Smores
  • PIRATE – Strawberry Lemonade
  • VAMPIRE – Red Velvet Truffle
  • DRACULA – Goulish Popcorn

Crochet Cup Cozy Patterns –Available in the Store

This crochet cup cozy ebook is now available in the store. All the patterns mentioned above are included plus Fall Leaf (dirt and worms) and Radioactive (spiced tea) cozies not pictured! What a screaming deal!

The mason jar versions of these patterns are highlight free on this blog in our Mason Jar Series (except Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and blue jeans which are only available in the ebook). You can get your copy of the ebook in the store.

Available in the Store

Ebook includes 28 Designs.

  • includes Cup cozy directions
  • includes Mug cozy directions
  • includes Mason Jar cozy directions
  • includes a delicious recipe or fun craft for each design
  • 3 New designs not seen in Mason Jar Series – Dracula, Vampire and blue jeans
  • 80+ pages in ebook with step-by-step instructions
Filed Under: Adult, Animals, Boy, Child, Christmas, Crochet, Cup Cozies, Flowers, Football, Girl, Great as Gifts, Halloween, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for Sale, Thanksgiving, Yarn, Yarnitect, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Baby Announcement in Crochet

July 3, 2012 by ·

We’re happy to announce the newest member to the Yarnovations family, crochet style! Yarnovator (and husband) welcomed the arrival of their baby boy in May 2012. Naturally, no big event like this would be complete without a little bit of crochet.

It's a Boy Pillar Cozy

What better way to announce the arrival of a baby or share some big news with your neighborhood than with crocheted pillar cozies! You can custom make cozies to fit any pillar size and announce most any occasion in letters or appliqués.

Utilizing the two pillars in front of her house, Yarnovator used classic colors and large bold letters. These cozies vividly proclaim the arrival of Yarnovator’s newborn son. Here’s how she did it.

The “It’s a” cozy was done in short rows alternating single, half double, and double crochet. The letters were crocheted separately and sewn on.

The “Boy” balloons were crocheted separately in the round using half double crochets. To help the balloons hold their shape, the circles were sewn onto plastic canvas. Like the “It’s a” cozy, the letters were crocheted separately and sewn on. Because the balloons do not wrap around the pillar, separate short cozies were crocheted that match the pillar color. The balloons were then sewn to the cozies at the desired height.

All told, this is a fun, simple and informative project.

Yarnovator Baby

Congratulations, Yarnovator. Welcome, baby!

PS: Newborn Baseball Set coming soon!

Filed Under: Baby, Crochet, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , ,

FREE Sachet Bag Crochet Pattern

December 5, 2011 by ·

sachet bagsFREE Sachet Bag Crochet  Pattern – Such Adorable Bags

Make your own Sachet Bags with this FREE Crochet Pattern and see what all the fuss is about. Why the new craze for sachet bags? Are they really all that special? Many people use them as soap savers. Do they really save on soap? Seeing is believing. Download the free pattern and see for yourself.

sachet iPod cozySoap isn’t the only thing these draw string bags are good for. They make great gift card holders! You can also use these as pouches for storing electrical devices such as an iPod and cell phones. These mini bags are most notably recognized as potpourri sachets and scented sachets or as wedding favors and bridal shower favors. These make great gift wrapping for smaller gifts like chocolates and jewelry. You’ll be so delighted with your sachet, you’ll come up with a lot of little uses for it.

FREE Sachet Bag Crochet Pattern – The Details

crown edgingYour sachet bags will vary in size depending on the size hook you use. We used hook E with Red Heart Eco-Cotton yarn and our bags measure 2 3/4 inches x 6 inches.

Skill level: Easy

This bag is crocheted using the filet stitch (dc, ch 1 skip a st). It’s topped with a beautiful crown edge and tightens with a cord draw string. It’s simple yet elegant.

The pattern includes detailed written instructions (for the bag, crown edge and drawstring). It has lots of photos, materials list, gauge info, check box to mark your progress and more.

FREE Crochet Patterns

Free Patterns Page: Download the pattern from the FREE Crochet Patterns page.
Store: Add the Filet Sachet with Crown Edge Pattern Free to your cart in the Store.

FREE Sachet Bag Crochet Pattern – There’s More!

Caution: Sachet bags are addicting to make. We made one sachet and couldn’t stop. In our case, one bag led to seven! Here is a small sampling of them.

Crochet Soap Saver Collection

Blog: See all seven of the bags on our Crochet Soap Saver Collection blog post
Store: Also available in the store at Crochet Sachet Soap Saver Collection.

Etsy: Crochet Sachet Soap Saver Collection

This set has a nice blend of both feminine and masculine designs. Check out the bonus Mary Jane style Wash Mitt. It’s perfect for liquid soap users!

Filed Under: Adult, Bags, Bath, Crochet, Great as Gifts, Patterns for FREE, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , ,

Crochet Soap Saver Collection

December 2, 2011 by ·

Crochet Soap Saver Collection – Fun and Diverse

Soap Saver CollectionCaution: this crochet soap saver collection is a lot of fun to make. Once you make one, you’ll be hooked and find that you can’t stop until you’ve crocheted them all! And each one takes only an hour or two to whip up! These are great last minute gifts. (Oh, and check out the bonus wash mitt below…)

Traditionally, soap savers are used a couple of different ways.

  1. Instead of throwing out your old leftover mini bars of soap, toss them into a soap saver and get every last ounce of clean out of them! The soap saver acts as a wash cloth with a bar of soap wrapped inside.
  2. Save on soap by putting a new bar in the soap saver. You’ll use less soap this way. When your bar runs low, just stick in another one!

The pattern includes photos of the soap savers used as a cell phone pouch and iPod cozy. But these are also great for bridal shower gift bags, Wedding Favor Sachets, Mini Draw String Gift Bags, Potpourri bags or Scented Satchets and more.

Crochet Soap Saver Collection – The Details

film strip of soap saversWhy is this crochet soap saver collection so much fun? It could be because each pattern uses a different stitch (shell, moss, filet and more). Or maybe it’s the other little details such as unique edging (heart, crown, button top and more) or the diverse types of draw strings (flower, heart, leaf and more).The collection includes both masculine and feminine designs.

  • Filet with Crown Edge Soap Saver measures 2 3/4″ x 6″. The filet is simple to crochet and the crown edging is quite elegant.
  • Heartfelt Filet Soap Saver measures 3 1/4″ x 5 1/2″. This pattern is full of love with a filet heart bag, heart edging and heart draw string.
  • Pretty Shells Soap Saver measures 3″ x 6″. The stitch is gorgeous and is topped with a crown edge and decorative draw string.
  • Leaf and Vine Soap Saver measures 4 1/4″ x 3 3/4″. It’s understated simplicity make the leaf enhanced drawstring quite striking.
  • Moss Stitch with Flower Soap Saver measures 3 1/4″ x 6″. The beautiful stitch is enhanced with a simple frill top and draw string with a pretty flower.
  • Button Top Soap Saver measures 3″ x 4 3/4″. It’s bold and simple with a button top closure and durable handle for attaching the soap saver onto your hand.
  • Reversible Ridges Soap Saver measures 3″ x 4 3/4″. Deep ridges are great for a deep clean. Or turn it inside out for a smooth surface for a simple scrub.
  • BONUS: Mary Jane Wash Mitt measures 4 1/2″ x 8″. Slip your hand under the strap and put your fingers and thumb into the pockets and you’re got a liquid soap – soap saver!

Many of these soap savers are crocheted with Red Heart Eco-Cotton blend yarn. One skein will make three or more soap savers. Some sachets were crocheted with Hemp Cord or Twine as seen in the photos.

The pattern calls for crochet in the round. The pattern includes materials list, abbreviations, special stitch instructions, photos, gauge info, check boxes to help mark your progress  and more.

Crochet Soap Saver Collection – In the Store

These crochet sachet soap savers are available now in the store. When you purchase through our website, you’ll immediately receive a receipt which includes a link to download the PDF pattern.

Crochet Sachet Soap Savers pattern on Etsy.

Order today and start crocheting right away! Bath time will be a whole lot of fun.

Filed Under: Adult, Bags, Crochet, Great as Gifts, Yarnitect, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Holiday Gift Bags

November 7, 2011 by ·

Holiday Gift Bags – Perfect for Religious and Non-Religious Celebrations

holiday gift bagsNo doubt you’ll need a few holiday gift bags this holiday season. Add a personal touch and a bit of whimsy with some hand crocheted bags! These are perfect for gift giving, to decorate for the holidays or for use as totes and purses.

These bags are great for both religious and secular holiday celebrations. The turkey bag will help you gobble up some fun this Thanksgiving. The Bethlehem and reindeer bag will help you ring in a little Christmas cheer.

Holiday Gift Bags – Ornaments

turkey and reindeer ornamentAs a bonus, this holiday gift bags pattern includes instructions on making the turkey and reindeer appliques or as Christmas ornaments! The ornaments will look cute hanging on a Christmas tree or as decorations on gifts.

The turkey measures measures 6.5″ (width and height). The Reindeer measures 4.5″ (width and height) when crocheted with an H hook and medium worsted weight yarn (4). We used Red Heart Super Saver.

Holiday Gift Bags – The Details

all holiday gift bags and ornamentsThese holiday gift bags are easy to crochet and fun to make. The body of the bag is made with a half double crochet which makes it whip up quickly. The edging is beautiful with a reverse double crochet. Of course, the turkey and reindeer applique make the gift bags simply adorable.

The gift bags measure 6.5″ x 4″ x 9″ (not including the handles). The pattern includes:

  • Turkey bag instructions
  • Bethlehem bag instructions
  • Reindeer bag instructions
  • Applique and Ornament instructions
  • Bonus Bag: The Bethlehem bag using bulky yarn (5)
  • Photos, detailed instructions, gauge info, materials list and more…

Spread a little holiday cheer with homemade holiday gift bags now. They are now available in the store.

Holiday Gift Bags pattern on Etsy.

Filed Under: Bags, Christmas, Crochet, Holidays & Special Occasions, Patterns for Sale, Thanksgiving, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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