Caring for My Chaos

These are face scrubbies that I have made in the past. The pattern for these is the basis of all circle patterns I use, it seems. It is extremely simple and you can make them as big or as little as you like, which is what I like about the pattern. It is very versatile. I usually use either the 100% cotton yarn or 85% cotton 15% polyester. Both work well and are extremely durable. I have noticed that the polyester cotton blend is better at not absorbing the soap though. I figure they have to stand up to many washings, or there isn't a point in making them, right? Yarn of your choosing, either cotton or cotton blend Size G crochet hook Row 1 Ch 4 sl st to join Row 2 Ch 3, 8 dc in circle, sl st to top of ch 3 Row 3 Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch 3 Row 4 Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch 3 Row 5 Ch 3, dc in same st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) Repeat () around. Sl st to top of ch 3 Row 6 Ch 3, dc in same st...

I came up with this little cutie when I was looking online for a little Christmas ornament to make a couple years ago. I took a little bit from here and there and then threw in my own spin on things and came up with this pattern which you can do in under half an hour. I made 6 of these and by the last one I had it done in 15 minutes. I attached the little jingle bells to them and little red bows. Won't that be cute? I made them for a couple of people for Christmas over the years. I think they are darling! Ch 8, sl st to form a ring. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1 *3 dc, ch 1* repeat from * 4 more times, sl st to join to top of ch 3. Turn work. Ch 3, 2 dc in ch 1 sp, *ch 3, 3 dc in ch 1 sp* repeat from * around, sl st to join top of ch 3 Turn work. Ch 3, 6 dc in ch 3 sp, *sc in middle dc of previous row, 7 dc in ch 3 sp* repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch 3. Ch 25, sl st to first ch to form hanger. Fasten off. And that's it! Easy peasy!

I came up with this pattern late last year because my middle daughter has a thing for scarves and requested one. I had bought some of the really chunky yarn from JoAnn's that I couldn't really work anything else with. I can't remember the name of the yarn right off the top of my head. I totally just made this up and it's not really precise but I also made one for my niece and she didn't take it off for a month, so it's a good pattern! =) Instructions Make a chain of stitches as long as you need it. The way I figured it out was I kept chaining until when I wrapped it once around my daughter's head, it still hung down past her waist. Remember, with an infinity scarf, you want the option to be able to loop it around your head, so the longer the better. When you reach the length you need, skip 2 ch, (dc in next ch, ch 1, dc in next ch), repeat from ( to ) all the way across, turn. Repeat for 2nd and 3rd rows. I only needed to do 3 rows with how thick this ...

My newest project has been making hats for our local cancer center. This is some of the hats that are done. I wanted to share my hat pattern with you that I have adapted from different patterns I've read over the years. This pattern can be adapted to make whatever size hat you need, small or large. You would just stop at round 2 or 3 for small hats or you can even add more increase rows after the 7th round. For average heads, I stop increasing at the 7th round. Ch 4, sl st to make ring Rd 1--Ch 3,(Does not count as stitch) DC 8 times in ring, join with ss to top of ch 3 Rd 2--Ch 3, 2 dc in each st around, join with ss to top of ch 3 Rd 3--Ch 3, 2 dc in st, 1 dc in next st, repeat around, join with ss to top of ch 3 Rd 4--Ch 3, 2 dc in st, 1 dc in next 2 st, repeat around, join with ss to top of ch 3 Rd 5--Ch 3, 2 dc in st, 1 dc in next 3 st, repeat around, join with ss to top of ch 3 Rd 6--Ch 3, 2 dc in st, 1 dc in next 4 st, repeat around, join with ss to top of ch 3 Rd...

This is the view from my front door. As you all know, we moved back in December. Our new house is still a work in progress. We have a lot of wall space that we didn't have in the old house and are taking our time filling it up. This wall has been on the top of the list since it is the first thing you see as soon as you open the front door. Hunny and I have gone back and forth trying to figure out what we want to put here- a clock, a mirror, who knows. Nothing felt right. Then my genius of a husband came up with the most spectacular idea! I sent him a picture the other night of squares that I am working on for a new afghan. (He's a good husband, He doesn't really care about yarn but puts up with the pictures! lol) His idea was for me to crochet something and we frame it for that wall. Of course, I went straight to researching a pattern. Twist my arm to crochet, right? I think I found the pattern today! On Ravelry, I found a pattern for a gorgeous mandala by Frank O'Ran...

This is my newest go to pattern! This is the pic of the gigantic one that I just finished for Hubby about 2 weeks ago. I just started another for Bubby yesterday, but it's going to be throw size, not bed size. This is literally the easiest and most adaptable pattern I've ever used! Use any size hook you would like and I used regular worsted weight yarn. Ch 6. Row 1 :  Dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch; turn – 1 block made. Row 2:  Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch, (slip st, ch 3, 3 dc) all in ch-3 space of previous row changing to CB in last dc; turn – 2 blocks made. Row 3:  Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch, [(slip st, ch 3, 3 dc) all in next ch-3 space of previous row] twice; turn – 3 blocks made. Row 4:  Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch, [(slip st, ch 3, 3 dc) all in next ch-3 space of previous row] 3 times; turn – 4 blocks made. Continue in in this manner, increasing 1 block on each ro...

I have re-opened my Etsy store, Not My Mama's Crochet! I am steadily working to get more stock up but I do have some in there. Please come by and check it out! Not My Mama's Crochet  I always have free shipping in the US!

It's been a long time since I shared a crochet pattern. I kind of got in a slump and didn't crochet for a long time until recently. I wanted to share my go-to crochet pattern that I use all the time for dish cloths. It's a really simple one and they stand up to a lot of washings. These are all I use now to wash dishes. My sister in law even uses them! I use Premier Home Cotton yarn. You can catch it on sale at AC Moore sometimes for a dollar a ball! It's 85% cotton 15% polyester. I love the colors it comes in too. On to the pattern---- Chain 28. In 4th ch from hook DC. First 3 stitches count as a ch 3. DC across. Ch 3 turn. Repeat until the dishcloth is the size you want. I usually go about 11 rows. When you reach the size you desire, you can either end there or to make it look a little more professional, you can single crochet around the square for a border. That's where those ch 3's come in. Just do 3 sc in the corners to turn the corner. Fasten off. Se...

If you are in the Rustburg area on Monday evenings, I am having a crochet class at the public library in Rustburg! It is at the main branch in Rustburg every Monday at 6. Come out with your yarn and needle! Any skill level welcome. Show off your work, ask questions, get help, or just learn a new skill!

Crocheting relaxes me, so I've been doing a lot of it lately. Plus with my dad in and out of the hospital, I take my crochet with me most times and work on it. This is an afghan pattern that I made up as I went along because I couldn't find one I liked at the time I started it! I used Caron Simply Soft in Purple and an I needle. Here's what I did- For the beginning chain, chain in even numbers. I chained around 172, but then you add 3 for your turning chain, so it was 175. Row 1--Then in the 4th ch from hook, dc and dc across. Ch 3 turn Row 2--(Dc in next ch, ch 1, sk dc, dc in next) Repeat across Then you just alternate 1 and 2 until you reach the size you want. I don't do complicated afghans, can you tell??

  At least the ones near me! I am going to be teaching a Beginner's Crochet Class at the Rustburg Public Library for 6 weeks starting June 22. Very laid back kind of class. Just bring yarn and a crochet needle or whatever project you're working on and need some help with. It'll be every Monday starting June 22 at 6 pm at Rustburg Library! Come join me! And be sure to check out the new products at Not My Mama's Crochet !

One of a kind handmade crochet presents are wonderful! My store Not My Mama's Crochet has afghans, baby blankets, dishcloths, cup cozies, scarves and hats in stock ready to go! Shipping is always free in the US and if you're international, just contact me before purchasing for a shipping quote. Remember, Mother's Day is coming soon!

I just finished this round afghan for the shop and wanted to share! This turned into one of my favorite patterns. It was so easy and you can make it as big as you want! I edged it in a creamy white. It was a challenge because I was going along and had gotten about 30 rows in when I realized my skipped stitches hadn't lined up right and had to take it apart down to about the 5th row. But, I think it came out okay after all. What do you think? Check it out on Not My Mama's Crochet.

I have been working on getting an Etsy shop up and running and I finally did! I only have a small inventory right now, but it will grow! I promise! Come check out Not My Mama's Crochet !

This actually started out to be just a pillow cover. The yarn in the center was in my fun pack from Red Heart and is a wonderfully soft yarn.

*I received this product free in return for my review Opinions are 100% my own* See this scarf? It's one of those neat scarves you see everywhere that looks like bunched up fabric. Know the ones I'm talking about?

*I received this product free in return for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.* I am just loving all this wonderful yarn from Red Heart! This one is Red Heart Reflective, which means it has light reflective yarn woven in!

*I received this product free for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own* Remember when I had the yarn giveaway I told you how I am now working with Red Heart? Well, when they sent me the yarn I gave away, they also sent me others to play with!

I figured with the yarn giveaway, I would go over some crochet basics!

Remember how I told you all about my friend and favorite photographer at LSS Photo?