December Feature: O Christmas Tree!

O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree, how lovely are thy branches!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/161448181/amigurumi-christmas-combo-christmas-tree


http://annemarieshaakblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/monday-pattern-day-christmas-tree.html


http://www.craftpassion.com/2009/12/crochet-pattern-christmas-tree-ornaments.html


https://www.etsy.com/listing/207956891/christmas-tree-decoration-crochet


http://www.petalstopicots.com/2013/12/cone-christmas-tree-crochet-patterns/


http://leartidiminerva.blogspot.it/2014/09/albero-di-natale-alluncinetto-crochet.html


http://www.thelazyhobbyhopper.blogspot.in/2014/10/crochet-christmas-tree-free-pattern.html


http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-tree-crochet-ornament

10 ways to decorate (hide) a tree stump in your yard

I was doing yard work and I was trying to think of some ways to avoid getting rid of a certain tree stump in our front yard. Tree stumps are one of the harder features to remove from a yard. They take a lot of money and effort to remove completely. So I have decided for this month's feature to collect 10 different ideas for how to decorate (or hide) a tree stump. Enjoy!

1. Use the stump as a planter

http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Gardens/You-Can-Teach-An-Old-Stump-A-New-Trick/detail.esi?oid=523282

http://thegardeningcook.com/creative-gardening-ideas/

2. Grow climbing plants up the stump to hide it

 

http://herbscraftsgifts.blogspot.com/2013/09/pine-tree-stump-as-planter.html

3. Carve a decorative centerpiece

http://thegallopinggardener.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/official-start-of-spring-today.html

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2012/03/05/stump-sculptures-12-amazing-altered-tree-trunks/2/

4. Carve it into a CHAIR

http://sugwekar.com/tree-stump-chair/2011-08-14

5. Turn it into a fairy garden

http://stitchesscrapsandtidbits.blogspot.ca/2012/05/fairie-garden-progress.html

6. Use it as a base for a bird bath

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/82563686/tree-stump-bird-bath-toad-house-custom

7. Or as a base for any décor (Video)
http://www.howcast.com/videos/316222-How-to-Disguise-a-Tree-Stump-as-a-Lawn-Ornament

8. Chess/ Checkers, anyone?

http://bohemianpages.blogspot.com/2012/07/more-garden-art.html

9. Modern Tree Stump Table

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-create-a-tree-stump-table/index.html

10. Hide it with a raised bed (See tutorial for before and after photos)

http://www.wildmanfarm.com/?p=597

2 Minute Leaf- Free Pattern

I needed a quick leaf to go with some of my other designs, like my petite rose pattern, and other flowers I crocheted. The design was simple, and it was so fast to crochet. After I practiced the pattern a few times I could whip one out in 2 minutes. Seriously. I timed it. I took me 2 minutes to make this leaf!

It's cute, quick, and embellishes any flower beautifully!



*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. See my full disclosure policy. Thank you for helping support this blog!

Materials:

Size F crochet hook (This is the set I use)
Light Worsted or Worsted Weight Yarn (I use Caron's Simply Soft Yarn - Pistachio)
Sewing needle

Gauge:
Works out to be 1.5 inches wide using materials listed

Pattern:
Ch 6.
Row 1: sl st in 2^nd ch from hk. Sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, 4 dc in next ch, turn slightly to continue working on the bottom of the foundation chain and dc 3 more (7 total in that chain), dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next, fasten off.

Pumpkin Beanie - Free Pattern

Just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving, make yourself a pumpkin beanie!

Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn
Size H Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle

Pattern Notes:
The pattern for the beanie is worked in rows and then stitched together at the ends and tied together at the top. WORK IN BACK LOOP ONLY
The green stem is made in the round, in both loops.

Gauge:
 4 rows and 9 sts make 2" square

Pattern(Newborn size only):
Beanie:
In Orange
Ch 32
Row 1: (Working in back loop only) Sc in 2nd ch from hk, sc in next 4 sts, then hdc across.
Row 2: ch 2, turn. Hdc in each hdc, sc in each sc.
Row 3: ch 1, turn. sc in each sc, hdc in each hdc.

Repeat rows 2-3 until you have 28 rows total. Then stitch row 1 to row 28. Gather at the top (the sc end) with orange yarn. It should gather really nicely because of the single crochets.

Stem:
In Green:
ch 3
Round 1: hdc 6 into 3rd ch from hk. do not slip stitch to join
Round 2: hdc in each hdc
Round 3: hdc in each hdc
Round 4: 2 hdc in each hdc around
Round 5: 2 hdc in next 2 hdc, *1 hdc in next, 2 hdc in next, repeat from * around.
Round 6: start by doing a sc in the next st, and then a sl st in the next st. Then *ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hk, hdc in next, then sk the next hdc in the stem, and sl st. Repeat from * Around. Fasten off, leaving a long tail to fasten on to beanie.

Attach the stem

Roll up the bottom to appropriate height for infant.

Crochet Fall Pumpkin or Halloween Jack-O-Lantern

Before I design a pattern, I always take a look at what is out there. When looking up pumpkin crochet patterns, I decided the best one was located at Planet June's site. However, I am never satisfied with patterns, and always have to adjust patterns to my own liking. Here is my version:

This pumpkin is worked as a (sort of) rectangle, which is then stitched together to make a pumpkin.  This version of the pattern ends up being about 2.5 inches wide, and 2 inches tall (including stem) using worsted weight yarn and size E hook.

ALL stitches are worked in the BACKLOOP!!

Leaving a long tail, Ch 13.

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hk, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next st, sc in last 3 sts. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2:  Sc in 2nd ch from hk, hdc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, hdc in next st, sc in last st. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 eight times, (you should have completed rows 1 and 2 nine times) and fasten off.

When you have finished, take the starting chain's tail to stitch the ends together, the starting chain to your last worked row. Then stitch the side closest to that thread closed. The trick is to only stitch to the "bump" part of the ridges. I'll post a picture up of what I mean when I make my next pumpkin. Circle the side a few times, so that when you pull it tightly, it is closed. You will pull the thread through to the top to tie a knot later. 

Now is the time to stuff the pumpkin and put in any bead decorations. Then take the thread from fastening off the last row, and stitch the top of the pumpkin in the same manner described for the bottom. Once you are finished, pull one of the remaining threads through the pumpkin to the other end to tie a knot. Don't worry, the stem will cover this knot.

To make the stem: (no longer need to work in back loop only)

ch 4 and sl st to form ring.

Row 1:  Sc 5 in loop. sl st with first sc. Ch 1.

Row 2-4: Sc in each ch. sl st with first sc. Ch 1. (You may do additional rows to increase the length of the stem)

Row 5: (sc, ch 2, sc) in each sc, the last one ending with a sl st. Fasten off.

Now stitch the stem to the pumpkin to finish your masterpiece!

Here is a photo of my Jack-O-Lantern:

Crochet Cherry Applique

Little cherries are so cute, and are very versatile when it comes to appliques or embellishments. They can go on bags, hats, and just about anything for the kitchen. They are so easy to make- the putting together can be a little challenging, but they turn out so cute!

Works out to be 1.25 inches wide, 1.75 inches tall using size 10 crochet thread and a size 7 hook.


Cherry:
With RED yarn
Using the Magic Ring, 12 DC. Fasten off.

Stem:
Attach Green yarn to any CH on cherry. Ch 10 (or to desired length), sl st in 2nd ch from hook, and each ch back to the cherry. Fasten off.

Leaf:
ch 9, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, *sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, 2 dc in next two ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch. Ch 1 Work around and repeat from *. Fasten off

Make two of each piece and stitch them all together!