Brim Beanie

This is what started it all. I made this brimmed beanie for my son a couple years ago and posted it on my family blog. It was a hit so I started making them for friends and family.

People encouraged me to sell them and one friend told me about selling handmade items on Etsy (something I'd never heard of before) so I set up a crochet shop there with this one item that was customizable.

It was such a thrill to sell to someone I'd never met before! I don't think I'll ever forget the name of my first buyer.

But of course I got tired of making hats and opened a new shop where I could make whatever I wanted whenever I got bored of something :)

But nevermind all that! Let's get to the how-to...

Most crocheters probably already know how to make a beanie (if not, check out The Happy Hooker) but I learned to do the brim from this video on YouTube by Teresa from The Art Of Crochet. I changed it up a little bit the more I practiced and got the hang of it. I increased a little more at the edges of the brim's 1st row and didn't make it as wide as hers but everything else was the same (oh and I didn't do the backwards single crochet at the end either).

Happy "Hooking" lol!

Tutorial: How To Make A Headscarf

If you haven't noticed... I'm finding LOADS of uses for my jersey fabric lol :)

I was making more Loop Scarves to sell in my shop when I noticed that the fabric store cut my jersey a little too long so I trimmed about 10" off the end and viola - my new favorite accessory was born!

I don't get to just pull my hair back when I'm having a bad hair day since it's so short so this has been a lifesaver for me. Plus I've seen it on long-haired ladies with their hair up and I love it.

SO here's another tutorial that's so easy I feel silly even calling it a tutorial :) My fabric was 60" wide to begin with so it was already the perfect length and you could do it however thick or thin you prefer.

Notice that my grey one is more curled at the edge because I've worn it over and over stretching it out, whereas the others are brand new.

What do you think? Is it time to move on to something new already? Geesh! Sorry.

I told you I get obsessed.

And you thought I was exaggerating didn't you? :/

Featured On UCreate!!!

Earlier this week my Loop Scarf Tutorial was featured on my all time favorite craft website UCreate! I'm amazed at how many visitors I had from Kari's site! She really is the "Oprah of craft blogs". A big huge thanks goes out to her for featuring me! I'm still getting a few coming by from there so if you're one of them WELCOME! Please feel free to take a look around at past tutes... I hope you like what you see! To all those who have become new followers THANK YOU SO MUCH! I feel so honored :D I'm motivated to get my butt in gear and post some great new ideas as well as fill up my Etsy shop that has been pretty bare for way too long! Thanks for your support and comments everyone... I'm having a blast!

Ear Flap Beanie

I've always posted tutorials or links to tutorials for EVERYTHING that I sell in my Etsy shop and I plan to keep it that way. Well today I listed an Ear Flap Beanie that I actually learned how to make from a book (not the computer... can you believe it?)! SO I wanted to share the name of it with you so you can go get yourself a copy! In fact, I learned everything I know about crochet from this book. You gotta love its title too; The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller. Here are a few of the projects I've made from patterns in the book (the author is so cool too - I emailed her with some questions and she actually got back to me and was nice as could be!)...

Garden Scarf

Granny's No Square (Granny Square Purse)

Seija Set (Car Seat Blanket and Ear Flap Beanie)
Fat Bottom Bag
Lil Monkey (Beanie)

One-Skein Scarf

Some of these photos are 2 and 3 years old and they kinda make me wanna crochet something again... I used to be really into it but I burned myself out by obsessing. Something I always do. In fact the reason I chose the non-specific, all-inclusive name, A Load Of Craft, was because I knew I'd jump from one thing to another. Anyone else ever do that? Or is it just me?

Tutorial: How To Make A Loop Scarf

Edited to add: This tute was featured on Ucreate! Wahoo!!

I saw a scarf at the store the other day that was made from jersey knit and sewed together at the ends creating a loop. I loved it and decided I had to make one of my own with my jersey fabric leftovers.

It's so simple... have you noticed that's my new "thing" lately btw? The easier the better I think. Hope that's okay ;)

So I cut mine to be 94" X 10" but you can do any size you like. If you make it wider it can even be worn as a hood. I just sewed the 10" ends together with a small seam allowance (about 1/4") and called it good. With jersey fabric the ends wont ravel.

That's really all there is to it! I just bought some cute cream fabric that will be perfect for these so I will be adding them to my Etsy shop soon :)

Thanks for reading!!

Tutorial: How To Make Earrings

Supplies:

Fragments

Drill

Diamond Glaze

Mod Podge

2 hoops for earrings

4 small jump rings (circles not ovals)

2 pairs of pliers

These are a sinch to make. Just get these fragments by Tim Holtz:
Drill a hole
Glue the back of the fragment to some cute scraps of paper using Diamond Glaze Sand the edges of the paper and Mod Podge over the back (on the paper) to seal it

Poke a hole in the paper where you drilled but DON'T FOLLOW THE PICTURE, instead, do it from the back so it doesn't push the paper off the fragment. Learn from my mistake ;)
Push the jump ring through the hole from the back so you don't push the paper off the fragment but then continue pushing it though until the opening of the jump ring is in the back.

Add a 2nd jump ring and close the first one with your pliers. At this point make sure you're kids aren't around because if you're like me you may curse a little. Open the 2nd jump ring, add the hoop to it then close it with your pliers. Harder than it sounds. At least for me anyway!

The 2nd jump ring will make it so the earring dangles correctly. And there you have it!