Caterpillar Pencil Case in Little Looms

July 18, 2022 by ·

We’ve designed an adorable caterpillar pencil case for Little Looms Magazine. Isn’t it sweet!

We love this little pin loom woven creature. It’s the little finishing details that make it so cute. And those are really easy to make because they are just bits of felt fabric glued to the assembled project. But, wow, do they give this insect so much charm.

The caterpillar pencil case measures approximately 9 1/2″ x 3″ x 3″. Keep reading to learn more about the pin loom weaving caterpillar pencil case.

Caterpillar Pencil Case in Little Looms

The Caterpillar Pencil Case made it’s debut in the Little Looms Fall 2022 issue. You can get the pattern by purchasing the digital issue of the magazine or becoming an all access member to Little Looms. Learn more at Little Looms website.

More about the Pin Loom Weaving Caterpillar Pencil Case

The caterpillar pencil case uses only 2 pin looms; a 4″ square and 2″x4″ rectangle. If you’ve needed an excuse to buy the 2″x4″ pin loom, than this is it! The materials list for this project are pretty minimal. Here’s what you’ll need to make the pin loom caterpillar pencil case:

  • Pin Loom Square: 4″
  • Pin Loom Rectangle: 2” x 4”
  • Needles: 6″ weaving needle, tapestry needle, sewing needle
  • YARNS: Lion Brand Yarns Vanna’s Choice (Acrylic, 170 yd/3.5 oz)
  • #180 Cranberry, 20 yd
  • #172 Kelly Green, 20 yd
  • #171 Fern, 30 yd
  • Zipper: green 8”
  • Washable marker
  • Fabric Glue
  • Straight Pins
  • Green Thread
  • Optional: fabric and thread for lining
  • Optional: Sewing machine

Caterpillar Pencil Case is Great for New Crafters

There are just a few techniques used to make the pencil case. If you’re new to crafting, than this is a great project to learn new skills.

First, the caterpillar body / the main portion of the bag, is made with a technique called pin loom weaving. The fabric is woven in plain weave which is the most basic form of weaving on a pin loom. You weave under one thread and over one thread across.

Second, there are embroidered French knots on the body to represent spots. Those are another great beginner friendly embroidery technique.

Third, is sewing a zipper into the project. This can be done by hand sewing a running stitch or back stitch. Both are sewing stitches everyone should have in their knowledge banks.

Fourth, and completely optional, is a lining. This can be hand sewn as well, but most people will pull out a sewing machine for this portion. Lining is added to the bag prior to attaching the zipper.

A lining is recommended because woven fabric has holes and it’s easy for additional holes and larger ones to be poked into it.

Filed Under: Animals, Bags, Child, Pin Loom, Publications · Tagged With: , , ,

Scrubby Dishcloths

December 17, 2019 by ·

Pros and Cons of Knit, Crocheted and Woven Dishcloths using Scrubby Yarn.

Though I enjoy using any of the scrubby dishcloths, there are definitely some pros and cons to each type. Let’s take a look at each one separately.

Knit

The Knit dishcloth was the easiest one to make. It was easiest on which to find the stitches. I made mine 25 stitches wide using the garter stitch with size H needles. I did not count the rows, so I’m really not sure how many there are, and it’s nearly impossible to count! It has the nicest drape and is stretchy. It is fairly thin and fits nicely in glasses and pots.

Crochet

The crocheted one was the fastest to work up. I also worked it 25 stitches across and the number of rows needed to make it a square using an H hook. It was very difficult to find the stitches, so I had to count my stitches every row. It was surprisingly not too difficult to pull out stitches if I missed a loop. It is the thickest dishcloth and has a moderate amount of drape. It feels bulky in comparison, but feels very sturdy for washing.

Pin Loom Woven

The pin loom woven dishcloth was the most difficult to make. I sewed four 4″ squares together. I wove the squares on the Zoom Loom, a 3-pin arrangement with 3 warp layers. The weaving needle often caught in the middle of a warp strand and was very difficult to pull through. I tried exaggerating the weaving motion, but that only helped a little. It was also very difficult to sew the squares together as it was hard to see the loops on the edges. The sewing needle often went through the strands and were difficult to pull through. It is the thinnest dishcloth and most static. It does not stretch. Because it is the thinnest, it fits into cups and bottles the easiest. And despite the frustrations to weave, it is fun to use.

*It might be easier to weave a 2-warp square, as there will be fewer layers around which to maneuver, though I’ve not tried this. Some weavers have found it much easier to warp the loom in cotton, and only weave with the Scrubby yarn. That would most certainly take away almost all of the difficulties I mentioned before. Continuous weaving would also be much easier, like on the Turtle Loom or other continuous weaving looms. Speaking of which, now I want to see how a hexagonal dishcloth works up!

All of the dishcloths were made using Red Heart Scrubby yarn. The woven one used the least amount of yarn and will make 11 squares, enough for 2.75 dischloths. The knit dishcloth used slightly more yarn and will easily make two dishcloths. The crocheted dishcloth used the most yarn, but you should still get two scrubbies of 25 stitches wide using an H hook.

Filed Under: Adult, Crochet, Dishcloth+ Series, Great as Gifts, Kitchen, Knit, Pin Loom, Review, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Pin Loom Corn

September 10, 2019 by ·

Corn

The scarecrow may have a hard time keeping the birds away with this delicious corn ready for the picking!  The corn itself is made from texture 4” squares, while the husk is made from 2” x 6” rectangles (which could easily be substituted with 4” squares folded in half.)   

SUPPLIES:

Loom: Schacht Zoom Loom – 4″ pin loom, Wunderwag 2” x 6” rectangle pin loom

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver: Lemon; Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice: Kelly Green

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Stuffing

Chopstick

Textured Weave:

All odd rows: Plain weave

All even rows: *Under 3, over one* across ending with under 3

CORN

  1. Plain weave four 2” x 6” rectangles in Kelly Green.
  2. Texture weave four 4” squares in Lemon using the texture weave.
  3. Sew the 4 textured Lemon squares together to make a 2 x 2 square.
  4. Fold the square in half with the wrong side facing and sew along 8” side to make a cylinder.
  5. With Lemon, cinch the top of the corn by passing the needle and yarn through each loop along the top, then pulling tightly to close.
  6. Turn right side out. Tuck the top right and top left corners in about 1 cm and use whip stitches to create a tapered top. See photo.
  7. Stuff. (I add a foam ball in the middle so I can stick the chopstick/skewer into it to make a yard pick.)
  8. With Lemon, cinch the bottom of the corn by passing the needle and yarn through each loop along the bottom, then pulling tightly to close. Weave in ends.
  9. For each husk/leaf, tri-fold just the top 2”. Use Kelly Green and make small stitches to sew the folded area down to the husk/leaf on both sides. This is just to create a more tapered end of the husk/leaves. Make 4.
  10. Sew all four husks/leaves together along the bottom half to make a 1 x 4 rectangle.
  11. Fold in half so that the unsewn ends are all in the same direction. Sew along the bottom 3”.
  12. With Kelly Green, cinch the bottom of the husks together by passing the needle and yarn through each loop on the bottom of each leaf, then pull tightly to close.
  13. Place the corn in the husk as far as it will go and tack into place with Kelly Green.
  14. To make a yard pick, insert a chopstick/skewer/wire approximately 2/3 the way up.

Patterns for the Scarecrow, Pumpkins, and Ghost are available in the Shop here. They are also available in my Etsy shop here.

Filed Under: Halloween, Home, Patterns for FREE, Pin Loom, Yarnovator ·

Crochet Stars!

June 18, 2018 by ·

Seeing (Crocheted) Stars!

You are a star! And now your projects can light up like them too, with these quick, fun and beautiful crocheted stars. They are so fun to make, you will want to put them everywhere! They are great for greeting cards, wall hangings, pallet art, and so much more! Add sparkle to your stars by using glittery or sequined yarn.

I’ve written the instructions for multiple sizes, so you can add stars to any project. No yarn size or hook size is listed as you should use the yarn and hook size that most fits the size project you are making. For the smallest stars, I recommend using crochet thread and size 2 hooks. Otherwise, I use size 3 or 4 yarn with a C-E hook. Medium stars are great for size 4 yarn with size F-J hooks. The large star looks great in size 4-6 yarn using hooks sized G and up. The size of yarn and hook really will depend on the project you are making.

These are 5 pointed stars, though you can make more points if desired. Because the stars are individual points, (as opposed to connected points), the points tend to curl. Pin and spray starch them to lay flat, unless you are sewing, gluing or stapling them to a project!

The large star uses a special linked stitch so there is not a big gap between the center circle and the bottom of the point. Linking the point is not necessary. I only linked it on projects where I didn’t want what appeared to be a hole.

Special Abbreviation

Linked double treble crochet (Ldtrc): YO 3 times, insert hook in stitch indicated, YO and pull through, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, skip a stitch on Rnd 2, insert hook in next st of Rnd 2, YO and pull through and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook.

SMALL STAR

Ch 2 or use magic circle/magic ring
Rnd 1: Work 10 sc in second ch from hook or in magic ring. Join with a sl st. (10)
Rnd 2: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 4, work in back bump of ch sts, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, skip a st on Rnd 1, sl st in next st* (on point made), repeat 4 more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing on a project.

 

MEDIUM STAR

Ch 2 or use magic circle/magic ring
Rnd 1: Work 7 sc in second ch from hook or in magic ring. Join with a sl st. (7)
Rnd 2: Work 3 sc in first st, work 2 sc in each st around. (15)
Rnd 3: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 5, work in the back bump of the ch sts, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, trc in next ch, skip two sts on Rnd 2, sl st in next st* (one point made), repeat four more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing on a project.

 

LARGE STAR

Ch 4, join with a sl st.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 dc in ring. Join with a sl st. (10)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (20)
Rnd 3: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 7, work in the back bump of the ch sts, sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next, trc in next, ldtrc in last st, skip a st on Rnd 2, sl st* (one point made), repeat four more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing it on a project.

Filed Under: 4th of July, Appliques, Crochet, Events, Holidays & Special Occasions, Home, Home Decor, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , ,

Santa Hat for Chocolate Oranges

December 23, 2017 by ·

Chocolate Orange Santa Hats for Everyone!

This Santa hat for chocolate oranges works up so quickly, it’s the ultimate last-minute gift to make! Need a gift for family, friends, teachers, neighbors? This is the project for you! And just in case your friends don’t like the chocolate orange, there are raspberry and mint flavored chocolates (shaped like oranges)!

Santa Hat Chocolate All Small

This hat is crocheted from the top down. The pattern is rather simple and quick to follow. I include my hook size and row count, but you should check your hat on the orange to make sure it fits as you go. Let’s get to it!

Materials:

Chocolate Orange (I used Ovations Break-A-Parts)

Hook: J

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice, medium (4), colors shown include: Scarlet, Cranberry, Raspberry, Fern, Sapphire with White (Colorado hat: Colonial Blue, White, Lemon, Scarlet)

Pompom maker of your choice (I used a fork.)

2 large googly eyes

Glue

Scissors and yarn needle

Work in BLO or both loops (light red in BLO, dark red is both loops)

Work in BLO or both loops (light red in BLO, dark red is both loops)

Santa Hat Pattern

Hat color of your choice

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 4 sc in second ch from hook. (4)

Rnds 2-17: (Crochet in the back loop only or both loops.) Sc around making 2 increases in each round in different places (so you don’t get an increase line up the hat). (6-36)

Check the hat size by placing it on the chocolate orange. Continue making increase rounds if necessary.

Sl st into the next st. Cut yarn and weave in end.

Turn the hat upside down so you will be working in the opposite direction. Attach white to the back loop of any st.

Rnds 18-19: Work in both loops, sc around making one increase. (37, 38)

Rnd 20: Sc around. Join with a sl st. Cut yarn and weave in end. Fold up white to make a brim.

Make a small pompom and glue or sew to the top of the hat.

Glue googly eyes to the center front of the hat.

 

Colorado Hat Variations

Work Rnds 1-15 like above in Colonial Blue. Do Rnds 16-17 in White. Finish the hat in Colonial Blue.

For the Colorado C, use Lemon to make a small circle by chaining 2 and working 8 sc in the second ch from the hook. Join with a sl st, cut and weave in the end. Attach Scarlet to the back loop of any st. Work 2 sc in 4 sts, work 3 sc in the next st. Finish off. Cut yarn leaving a tail for sewing. Sew on the White section of the hat.

Filed Under: Patterns for FREE ·

TURTLE Loom Review

August 4, 2017 by ·

The TURTLE Loom Hexagon Pin Loom

I received the Turtle Loom as a gift from my sister and I will say, first impressions are not always right, in this case, pleasantly so! I’ve become an avid 4″ square pin loomer (or should I say addict), and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the hexagon TURTLE pin loom.

IMG_0104First, I’m used to using a pin loom where the pins have no heads. The TURTLE Loom uses nails with heads. I thought I’d HATE that. Turns out, I don’t! Because the first several rows are done using bias weaving, the heads are actually very important! I think I would hate it if it didn’t have heads!

Second, I wasn’t sure I would like bias weaving. I’ve woven thousands of squares, but never on the bias. Turns out, I really enjoy it! It feels faster to me. Weave the top strand, and the bottom strand is magically done when you pull the “warp” strand down!

Third, I love the base. I like that the wooden base is round, has a nice thickness, and it’s easy to maneuver. I do like to turn it to weave with my dominant hand, it just feels smooth to use. It’s pretty too!

Fourth, I really appreciate the different colored nails, especially as I’m learning to weave on it. Two white pins, one at the top and one at the bottom, make it easy to see where to start. The four black pins are a quick visual for seeing where the bias portion of the weave stops and where the plain weave section begins.

IMG_0102

Other impressions, the loom comes with a comb, but I’ve nearly done away with combing as I pin loom weave. If I want to comb the woven strands, I just use the crochet hook or weaving needle to gently push the strands as needed.

The last bias weave round is a little tricky as it comes right to the pins, but I think there’s no getting around this. At times, I also found using the crochet hook to weave a little cumbersome. The hook would sometimes get caught between nails. Mostly I avoided this by holding the hook above the nails while weaving, but sometimes it would still get caught. If the hook was a little narrower all around, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but it’s not a deal breaker. I think over time, it will become less of an issue for me, though I admit, right now I find it very annoying!

One delightful thing I learned about bias weaving is how easy it is to unweave a few rows! Simply remove the yarn from the last nails used, and the yarn can be pulled out! (It felt a little like crocheting, just rip it out.) Unweaving the plain woven section is not quite as easy.

I did try to do a little texture work in the hexagon. I’m going to go ahead and chalk it up as a FAIL. Though I can see how it is possible to do stranded work, it will take a little planning to do it well. The nice thing about stranded work in the bias portion is the pattern is automatically repeated on the bottom once warp strand is brought down. Once you get to the middle weaving section, you have to establish the pattern for the first half, then repeat it in backward order for the second half, if that makes sense. Here’s my attempt! Can you see the texture?

All-in-all, I really enjoyed the TURTLE Loom by Bluebonnet Crafters, LLC.  As a bonus, my 5 year old learned what a hexagon is!

IMG_0103

 

Filed Under: Review ·

Little Looms 2017 Patterns

May 6, 2017 by ·

Two New Pin Loom Patterns

Two of my pin loom patterns appear in the 2017 Little Looms magazine by Handwoven. You are going to love them.

Pin Color Flow Rug

First, the Color Flow Rug. I call it Color Flow because the colors transition nicely due to the quadrant squares between the solid squares. Because you change colors during the warping and weaving process, part of the square is solid, and part of the square is a mixed color. The twisted cord tassels really finish off the rug nicely.

Pin Geo Waves Scarves

Second, the Geometric Waves Scarves. These striking scarves are actually just solid squares sewn with a dark color on one half and a light color on the other. The lines are all embroidered on. If you use wool, it can be felted. Just be sure to make it extra long as it will shrink in the felting process!

Check out these and more great patterns in the 2017 Little Looms magazine.

What are you weaving?

Filed Under: Great as Gifts, Home, Pin Loom, Publications, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs, Uncategorized, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , ,

Crochet Cable Dishcloth and Tea Towel

December 29, 2016 by ·

Dishcloth+ Series: Celery Stalks Dishcloth and Tea Towel – pattern with crochet cables.

Dishcloth and Tea Towel with crochet cables

Create stunning cables in these two lovely kitchen accessories.

Dishcloth and Tea TowelWhether you’re new to working post stitches or an old hat, the post work dishcloth is a must for your kitchen. The columns of stitches create a bumpy texture perfect for scrubbing pots and pans.

The tea towel takes crochet cables to a whole other level. Create a stunning tea towel as a house warming gift or for your own home.

Buy Now on Etsy

The Cabled Dishie and Tea Towel are available in our Etsy Shop.

Available on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy

This set is crocheted with  Fibra Natura Good Earth distributed by Universal Yarn. This cotton linen blend is perfect for going from sink to washing machine and back again.

Filed Under: Dishcloth+ Series, Kitchen, Patterns for Sale · Tagged With:

Pin Loom Woven Gift Bags

December 21, 2016 by ·

Weave your own gift bags!

 

img_3526

Christmas is four days away and I decided today that I just had to weave 8 little drawstring gift bags for family members! Shouldn’t be too hard with a toddler and preschooler around. Not to mention that there is paint involved. What could go wrong?

I love these bags because they can be personalized to match the recipient and can be made for any season or reason. The color of yarn and stencil do all the work!

What you need:

Yarn

4 inch pin loom (I use the Zoom Loom)

Stencil and paint brush

Paint and some form of paint tray

Scissors, yarn needle

How-to Make a Drawstring Gift Bag

Plain weave 8 four inch squares per gift bag. I sewed the squares together so they were 2 x 4, then folded it in half so it was 2 x 2 with the top open. I always sew on the inside and use the double overcast method. It seems to make the nicest looking join on the front (in my humble opinion) and is sturdy for holding things in the bag.

Next I made a twisted cord. (I started with about 16 feet of yarn, twisted it, folded it in half and let it twist on itself.) Then I turned the bag inside out, folded the top of the bag over the cord, and sewed it to the bag making sure not to sew through the cord. I centered the cord in the bag and tied a knot about eight inches from the bag and trimmed off the rest.

img_3525

I bought several stencils at the store making sure they were small enough to fit on a project 8 inches square. I turned the bag right side out, inserted a piece  of paper in the bag (so the paint wouldn’t soak through to the other side), and painted the desired scene. To give it extra pizzazz, I used a Sharpie marker to add shading.

img_3523

 

 

And voila, I was on my way to making the gift bags I needed. Excuse me now, I need to weave more squares for the rest of the gift bags!

 

Filed Under: Accessories, Bags, Birthday, Bridal Shower, Christmas, Easter, Great as Gifts, Halloween, Holidays & Special Occasions, Home, Home Decor, Patterns for FREE, Pin Loom, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Dishcloth and Plant Holder Pattern

November 24, 2016 by ·

Who says dishcloths have to be square? This month’s dishie pattern is a beautiful pentagonal cloth made from FibraNatura Good Earth distributed by Universal Yarns. Though I stopped with an 8″ dishcloth, it could be made in any size. It’s the perfect dishcloth for washing and scrubbing as well as gift giving.

This lovely dishcloth would also be great as a doily or as a hot pad.

thumbnail_star-dishie

I fell in love with this design so much, I decided to turn it into a plant holder! The plant holder starts with a pentagonal base, with the side supports crocheted around that. Because of the design, it can hold various sized pots a little smaller or larger than 1.46 quarts.

thumbnail_holding-plant

Plants make a house so homey. Plant some ivy or perhaps some spices. Turn your kitchen into a living space!

Finished Measurements:

  • Dishcloth: 8″
  • Plant Holder: 26 x 4 1/2″, holds a 1.46 qt pot

PDF Instant Download Now Available

The Dishcloth+ Series: Pentagonal Dishcloth and Plant Holder is now available in our Etsy Store.

Available Now on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy
Filed Under: Crochet, Dining, Dishcloth+ Series, Home, Home Decor, Kitchen, Yarn, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , ,
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