Crochet Headphone Cord Cover - FREE TUTORIAL

As a homeschooling family, we just a few online curriculum as we educate our children. As such, we have a pair of headphones for each kid! They used to break them fairly regularly, and so I finally started getting the more expensive bluetooth headphones to help prevent breakage. HOWEVER! I can't justify throwing away the headphones when the only problem with them is a split cord. You know... from each head phone ALLLL THE WAY to the jack? Do you know what I'm talking about? Look at the picture below....

My kids have done this to several pairs, and this was always my solution in the past:

Laugh all you want! But it worked! at least, it kept the cords together, not necessarily increased the longevity of the headphones. I feel like knotting the cord will weaken it over time and so when I looked at this sad pair of headphones I had an epiphany... I'LL CROCHET A COVER! and that will keep the two wires together!!!!!

Crochet Rainbow Shooting Star Key Chain - FREE PATTERN & TUTORIAL

So, after I made the super cute heart key chains, I just couldn't stop and had to make some stars. But I couldn't just use ANY star pattern. WHY? Because I looked all over Pinterest and couldn't find one small enough, sturdy enough, or pointy enough! Even my previously designed Shooting Star Crochet Pattern wasn't small enough. I seriously went through like 6 versions of this petite little star before I was satisfied with the design. THEN, I just couldn't help myself and I added RAINBOW TAILS and I just fell in love.

Yarn Color Organizer - FREE TUTORIAL

As a designer, I try to use a wide variety of colors. There are only so many colors available in the yarn that I like to use. I had tried to just eyeball my design colors on screen, only to be disappointed when the color on screen didn't exactly match the yarn colors I was actually going to use. The design turns out so different!

Since I mainly use one brand when I design my Corner to Corner blankets, I decided to make a catalog of sorts so that 1) I could see what each color looked like IN REAL LIFE, and 2) I could easily see how much of it I have in stock (optional), and 3) where I could buy it if I needed more.

So this post is to explain how I put together this lovely organized binder to sort my yarn colors!

I started by comparing a few different websites and local stores to see which stores had what colors. I was surprised to see the differences in what yarn colors the stores like Michael's and Joann carried in stock. It is super helpful to see which yarns were easily accessible in-store, and which colors HAD to be ordered online, either from those two companies or other websites.

Click here to download the catalog!

When you click above, you will get the printable catalog I put together, complete with the Caron Simply Soft Solids available at the online stores at Michaels, Joann, Herrschners, Yarnspirations. When I go into my local store, I put a mark on the ones available in store (will vary based on your location). For this option, I also included an option for Walmart, since they have some options available (especially when I am desperate!)

What I did to put together my binder is print two copies of the catalog. I went into my local Joann, Michael's, and Walmart and filled out the local availability of each color. YOU ONLY NEED TO DO THIS ONCE! This has saved me SO MUCH TIME looking for which store would have the colors I need. I cut up one copy of the filled out catalog to make a little card for each color yarn and slid them into a trading card holder plastic binder sheet. I put the second copy of the catalog in page protectors in the back. This was just for easy reference and quicker lookup without the bulk.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item through one of the links on this site, I may receive a small percentage of that sale at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure policy.Thank you for helping support this blog!

Get some Trading Card Binder Sheets

Cutting the "cards"

Then, since I wanted to have a REAL sample of the yarn color, I bought some embroidery yarn bobbins to hold the yarn. For this project, I needed two of these 28-packs to have enough for all the yarn colors.

Get your Embroidery Yarn Bobbins

I took about a yard from each color and wound it around the little bobbin neatly. You need it to be as flat as possible so that they don't fall out of the little pouch, and so it doesn't make the binder excessively bulky.

Winding up bobbins

After cutting the yarn and tucking in the tail, you just slip the coordinating color into the right pouch for that color.

Slide bobbin in place

And as you do that for EVERY COLOR, you get a beautiful, gorgeous spread of all your color choices!

I found it to interesting to see how well some of the printed colors matched the yarn.... or didn't! This is exactly why I put together this binder. I needed to be able to see the TRUE colors to match them up in my designs more accurately. Screens and printers create so much variation that I just HAD to have the actual yarn available to refer to. This was the perfect solution!

I hope that you have found this tutorial helpful!

DIY Hair Bow Holder

Remember way back when I made a bunch of hair bows for my daughter? If you thought that was a lot, guess what?! They multiplied!!

Now that I have two little girls living in my house I needed to come up with a new storage solution for all those hair bows. Here's why...

In times past, I tried to make one out of foam board, but the ribbon I used stretched out and the foam board quickly collapsed and didn't work for us anymore. We resorted to keeping the hair bows in a clear box storage container. We thought it was a good solution until the kids started dumping the hair bows on the floor every. single. day. I had to come up with a solution fast...

Hence, the NEW UPGRADED HAIR BOW HOLDER:

As you can see, the hair bows multiplied exponentially! I made them a beautiful rainbow assortment to match any outfit.

Here are the instructions to make your own MASTER hair bow holder.

Materials needed:

- Two 6' pieces of 1x2 lumber (to make a 2'x4' frame as shown)

- Four L corner brackets (see photo below)

- Two Sawtooth picture hangers (kits usually come with two or four)

- Wood Glue 

- Saw to cut wood

- Paint of color choice

- 35 yards of ribbon (I used satin white)

- Hot glue gun

- Staple gun

Instructions:

1. Cut each wood piece into a 2' and 4' piece (or whatever size you decide to make yours).
2. Screw the L brackets (as shown below) to connect the two pieces.
3. Use wood glue to secure the wood in the corners.
4. Paint (I used two coats).
5. Cut ribbon into pieces long enough to reach the back of the wood (for mine, it was 30", but PLEASE measure yourself before cutting [measure twice, cut once])
6. I spaced the ribbons 3" apart (my average bow size) and attached the ribbon with hot glue.
7. Staple the ribbon to reinforce.
8. Attach sawtooth hangers, checking the wall for a stud to place the hanger where it will line up with a stud for secure hanging. 

This picture sums up instructions adequately.

       9. Put your hairbows on, and ENJOY!!

This solution has worked great for us!

**New** Pattern Tutorials

I have decided that in order to help support my family (rather than just my charity efforts), I will be producing a series of step-by-step photo tutorials for some of my more popular patterns. These patterns contain high resolution images and tips throughout the pattern to help you complete the project, available to you for a small fee, $1.99

Yes, I know. A fee. I have decided to keep all of my blog patterns for free. If you thoroughly enjoyed the availability of my awesome patterns, please consider purchasing the pattern tutorial as a token of appreciation.

If you genuinely need assistance completing one of my patterns, see if it has a photo tutorial available for you to purchase.

They are available for purchase at my etsy shop (LivingTheCraftLife.etsy.com) or through my etsy-mini located in the side bar

Thank you for your continued support. I continue to make comfort scarves and donate them to our local shelters here. That work will not cease.

The Birth of a Crochet Pattern

Ever wonder how people come up with crochet patterns? What exactly is the process? How long does it take? Well, here is one designer's attempt to answer those questions. I have been writing patterns for over two years now, and I simply love to crochet and share my creations with everyone!

 

Here's the process I go through to make patterns available to you:

Inspiration
Something sparks an interest, whether it is finding something on Pinterest, seeing someone wear something, catalogs, TV, etc.
Research
I will look around on the internet to see if there is already an existing pattern. I glean from similar patterns, search through my books of crochet stitches to figure out which stitches work for my idea. Be careful that your pattern doesn't infringe on any copyright like for trademarked characters (Disney, Pixar, etc.)
Experimentation
I will try out my initial idea and see if I can translate it directly to crochet. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, depending on the complexity of the stitches being used. I will write down what I did and make changes as I evolve the pattern and create a "final product". The image above shows my experimentation to create the Peacock Feather Applique free pattern
Rough draft
Then I type up a rough draft of the pattern. I check it for errors and make sure it seems clear enough.
Self-test pattern
I test the rough draft pattern myself first. I want to be sure it produces exactly the same results every time. I make sure the stitch counts are correct and that all the numbers add up and the text is clear.
Take photos
Since I already have a few sample products, I choose the best ones and take photographs. I've learned that the best way to take photos is with natural light and a simple background.
Write up final pattern
I make any last minute revisions to the pattern, add the photographs and finalize the pattern.
External Pattern Testers
I request some pattern testers from various boards on Crochetville.org and Ravelry.org. I try to get 2-3 people to test the pattern for clarity and accuracy (and type-o's).
Revisions
I will review recommended revisions by the pattern testers and make any final revisions to my pattern.
Post
Then I start to do the happy dance because everything is just about ready! I transfer the pattern onto Blogger and pick a day/time to post the pattern.
Share
After posting, I'll make a post on my Facebook account to let my friends know I've added a new FREE PATTERN! I'll post some pictures onto Pinterest, and then add the pattern to Ravelry. This is just about all the "advertising" I do. My awesome patterns make it irresistible to share and I will watch over the next week as my blog visitors increase due to the interest in my new pattern!

Cleaning Carpets

Here is the key to cheap and easy carpet cleaning: ELBOW GREASE!

Seriously, I rented a carpet cleaner for $30 hoping it would do a decent job with ease. Let me tell you, my fingers hurt and came close to blistering from having to hold the trigger down the ENTIRE TIME, and moving the machine around is a work out.

Worst part: it didn't do a good job!

 

The photo above was my carpet in our rental apartment after living there a year. It was brand new when we moved in. They were thrashed from my 3 children who always had to eat the messiest food on the carpet. Here's my method from getting carpets cleaned:

Supplies:

• Bowl
• Hot water
• Dish soap
• Scrub brush
• White towel (I don't know if colored towels will spread their colors onto carpet)

Procedure:

1. Locate test subject. (Nasty stain that occurred sometime in the last few months)

 

2. Fill bowl with HOT water, add a small squirt of dish soap (Seriously, like one small squirt per 2 cups water).

 

 

3. Scrub stained area up and down, then side to side.

 

 

4. Use towel to scrub off excess moisture

 

 

 

5. Allow spot to dry. Admire the results. Resist urge to clean entire carpet.  

 

 

Seriously. The hardest part of this method, besides some simple scrubbing, is keeping enough white towels in stock to do the entire floor at once. I had to do the living room floor in 4 days.

Hair Bow Holder

So my daughter's hairbow collection has continually been growing, and we needed a new place to store them. So, instead of storing them in the box in the drawer, I made a hair bow holder.

It was so easy, here is how I did it:

Materials:

• Foam board (at the dollar store!!)
• pretty material (enough to cover board)
• lots of ribbon

Instructions:

1. I just took my hot glue gun and glued the material to the back edges of the entire foam board. Then I took my ribbon and cut it to fit the board vertically.
2. I decided with the size of my bows, that a 3" space between each line would be enough. So I started by measuring 1.5" from the edge, then every 3 inches from that mark to the end. (3" divided evenly into the length of my board).
3. Glue the ribbons where marked.
4. Take one more ribbon and glue it to the top in two locations for it to hang. and DONE!

It almost looks too pretty to put bows on!

DIY hanging folder organizer - Tutorial

So, I REALLY needed something to organize my mail and/or things that I use regularly in my living room, but needed it to be out of kid-reach. I saw a few different tutorials for file holders on Pinterest, but I didn't like them, so I made one up on my own that is quick and easy, yet very functional!

Here is what you need:

• File folders
• Glue
• Staples
• Scissors (or paper cutter)
• hole punch
• string/yarn to hang

1. Take your file folders and cut them down to 8" tall. Keep the scraps!

2. Crease your folder bottoms. I did mine at 1/4", or two creases away from the bottom.

3. Take the scraps and cut TWO 2.5 inch thick strips. Longer is better!

4. Fold the strips in half with the color inside, then back to make the shape shown. Make sure the folds are as wide as the bottom of your folder.

5. Glue the strips to the FRONT of the folder first. Then glue it to the back, making sure the sides are even. Secure the side piece with staples to ensure no accidents happen.

6. Repeat for however many number of folders you want your organizer to be!

7. Space the folders about 3 inches apart and staple them together. I did two staples on each side, and should have done one more above the side piece to keep it flat. (as you can tell in the picture, mine look like they're falling apart - this staple should prevent that!)

8. Hole punch the tops and tie the string and hang where you are in need of paper organization!!

Link to your finished products so I can see!!

Seamless Stripes in Double Crochet

Okay, so I was working on a project and noticed the huge gaps that exposed where my seam was. I knew there had to be a way around this ugly mess, so I went and tested out various methods to hide the double crochet seam, especially when doing stripes, or continual color changes. I came across this tutorial:
http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/seamless-symmetrical/
Which explained very nicely how to hide your seams by cutting and starting over. However, with my method, you do not need to cut, and your seam will be completely invisible. Not convinced? Check out the following photos:

The left photo shows the exposed seam. See how the gaping holes kind of curve around the project? It's hideous! You can see exactly where I joined!

So I searched online forums and tutorials on how to join. I tried a few of the suggestions...

1. Don't count the starting chain as a stitch. In essence, you chain 2, then double crochet in the same stitch (but not through the slip stitch), and form the first double crochet that way. This is the result:

Yes, the holes are mostly gone, but there is still an ugly line from the slip stitches. the seam is still visible!!!

2. Slip stitch through the back loop only. I came across this one looking through "how to join rows" instructions. They say you should slip stitch through the back loop  and top of the chain before it. I know it may sound confusing, and it kind of is:

I'm still making progress, the gap is hardly visible, but you can still see the slip stitches and only doing it through the back loop made horizontal bumps from the left over loop. And the chain looks a little mangled.

3. Take out the crochet hook and pull the loop that was on the hook through the stitch you want to join. I didn't find any tutorials on how to do this, especially with changing colors, so I made it up as I went:

Check out that seam.... Or can you?

I feel like I've struck gold!!! No more hideous seams!!

Here's how to do it.