Simple Knitted Cowl Pattern

I whipped up this knitted cowl in just a couple of days, and I’m a slow knitter. I wanted to create something that would warm my neck, yet not have ends that hang down. When working on the farm feeding animals, etc it’s not too fun to have the ends of a scarf dragging around in the mud and the muck, so for me a cowl was a great option. I looked around the web and found a similar one to this one online, but the pattern required circular knitting needles and I have yet to be able to teach myself to knit in the round. So I decided to knit it flat and then sew up the seam. That worked great and I’m now enjoying my new cowl. Here’s the basic instructions for making one like I did:

Simple Knitted Cowl

Materials:
1 skein worsted weight yarn (I used Red Hart color #0931 Seagrass)
Size 10 Knitting needles
Yarn needle

Cast on 80 stitches.

Ribbing Rows:
2 knit, 2 purl across. Repeat for 1 inch

Body Rows:
stockinette stitch for 10-12 inches (depends on the size you want, I did 10 inches)

Ribbing Rows:
2 knit, 2 purl across. Repeat for 1 inch

Bind off. Sew seam using an invisible side seam (I used the mattress stitch). Here’s a video about how to do the mattress stitch:

Here’s what it looks like wearing

And my Dad found a couple of unique additional ways to wear it (love you Dad!):

Simple Crochet Beret Pattern & Creative @ Home Link-Up Party!

This is the most simple crocheted beret and it’s the perfect beginner’s project. I love making these berets as gifts, so I thought I’d share the pattern I created with you. Enjoy it and I hope it keeps your head warm this winter (that was hard to write/imagine with it now well into the 100’s here in Texas! LOL!)

Simple Crocheted Beret

Size:
One size fits most adults

Experience:
Beginner

Materials:
H crochet hook
1 skein worsted weight yarn (I used Red Hart color #0931 Seagrass)
yarn needle

Beginning:
Chain 4 and work 11 DC into fourth chain from the hook. SL ST into the top of the fourth chain to join.

Round 1:
CH 3, make 1 DC into same space as CH 3, make 2 DC into each DC around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 2:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into next DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.
Round 3:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next 2 DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into the next 2 DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 4:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next 3 DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into the next 3 DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 5:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next 4 DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into the next 4 DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 6:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next 5 DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into the next 5 DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 7:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next 6 DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into the next 6 DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 8:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next 7 DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into the next 7 DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 9:
CH 3, make 1 DC into the same space as CH 3, make 1 DC into next 8 DC, *make 2 DC into next DC, make 1 DC into the next 9 DC*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a SL ST in top of CH 3.

Round 10 & 11:
CH 3, make 1 DC into each DC around. Join with a SL ST in to of CH 3.

Round 12:
CH 1, SC in next 6 DC. Decrease–draw up a LP in the next 2 DC, YO and through all 3 LPS on hook –dec made. *SC in next 7 DC, dec in next 2 DC* reapeat around. SC into last 4 DC and join with a SLST to the 1st SC.

Rounds 13-17:
Ch 1, SC in each SC around. Join with a SLST to the 1st SC.

Rounds 18-21:
CH 1, SC in next 6 SC. Decrease–draw up a LP in the next 2 SC, YO and through all 3 LPS on hook –dec made. *SC in next 7 SC, dec in next 2 SC* reapeat around. Join with a SLST to the 1st SC.

Weave in ends and you’re done! Enjoy!!

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Creative @ Home Wednesday is a weekly Link-Up Party all about those creative things you do at home! We are looking for all your creative posts, crafts/hobbies, food/cooking/recipes, home decor/remodel, fun & games for the kids, homemaking, etc. If it’s creative, we want you to share it! Please join in the fun and do a little blog hopping! This is a fun way to discover new blogs and make some new friends. Leave a link to ANY AND ALL of your creative blog posts

Instructions:

1. Post a link to your creative posts to the linky below. Simply click on the text link that says: You are next… Click here to enter
2. Enter your DIRECT link to the post you wish to share and fill out the remaining information requested.
3. You may enter as many links as you desire.
4. You MAY link to other link-ups, giveaways, and reviews..
5. Once you post a link to your blog post, please place a text link or use the graphic below to link back to the Creative @ Home Link-Up Party. You should have a link to this link-up part on EACH post you share here.
6. Be sure to also click “like” on any article you liked to vote for that article. I will be featuring the most popular articles next week on the blog and my Facebook page!
7. Have fun! I can’t wait to see what links you leave behind!

If you would like to use the graphic below, simply cut and paste the html coding out of the box below the graphics to quickly link back to here.

Upcycled Maxi T-Shirt Dress Tutorial & Creative @ Home Link-Up Party

Don’t forget to join in the Creative @ Home Link-Up Party! To find it, simply scroll down to the bottom of this post! We’d love to have you join us! Link any and all the creative things you do at home!

I love creating new things out of stuff that would normally be thrown away and end up in the landfill. This is one of those type of projects. A few weeks back I found this beautiful maxi crinkled skirt at a garage sale. The asking price was $2, which I though was fair. But I’ve found in the past with these skirts, that often the elastic in the waist has gone bad. I checked this skirt, and sure enough, the elastic was shot. So I pointed it out to the seller and asked if they would take less. Ended up bringing the skirt home for $0.25. My original thought was to just put in new elastic, but let it roll around in my brain for a few weeks and was inspired to make a dress out of it instead. For this really cute and simple Maxi T-Shirt Dress, you will need the following:

• A long skirt (maxi skirt) – you want a long skirt here if you want to make a maxi dress. This skirt was originally about ankle length.
• a matching t-shirt that fits you (for the best look, choose one that is a bit clingy).  You can also use a tank top, but I chose a t-shirt for modesty.
• sewing machine
• basic sewing supplies

First of all you are going to want to cut off some of the shirt.

What I did was to measure a dress with an empire waist to get how long I wanted it and added half and inch for the seam.  For me, this was 16-1/2 inched from the seam in the shoulder of the t-shirt.    I marked the length and then prepared to cut.

I marked the length with chalk and then used my rotary cutter and ruler to cut off the bottom of the shirt.

Now that the t-shirt is the right length, I needed to cut off the waist band of the skirt.

Now you are ready to assemble the skirt.  This goes quickly and you can easily make a dress in under an hour!  That’s always a nice bonus!

Now you just need to gather the skirt onto the bottom of the t-shirt.  There are lots of different ways of doing this, use your favorite.  But for me I like gathers best when I pin the gather evenly onto the skirt.  I get a much nicer finish this way as I am terrible at gathering any other way.

Sew the skirt to the bottom of the t-shirt using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Ta-da!  You’re done and now have a CUTE new dress to wear!  What I love best about this dress is that it cost me under $5 to make AND it’s cool and comfortable in this Texas summer heat!

This dress also came together really quickly that I was able to wear it to church the next day.  Seriously, it took under an hour start to finish.

Creative @ Home Wednesday is a weekly Link-Up Party all about those creative things you do at home! We are looking for all your creative posts, crafts/hobbies, food/cooking/recipes, home decor/remodel, fun & games for the kids, homemaking, etc. If it’s creative, we want you to share it! Please join in the fun and do a little blog hopping! This is a fun way to discover new blogs and make some new friends. Leave a link to ANY AND ALL of your creative blog posts

Instructions:

1. Post a link to your creative posts to the linky below. Simply click on the text link that says: You are next… Click here to enter
2. Enter your DIRECT link to the post you wish to share and fill out the remaining information requested.
3. You may enter as many links as you desire.
4. You MAY link to other link-ups, giveaways, and reviews..
5. Once you post a link to your blog post, please place a text link or use the graphic below to link back to the Creative @ Home Link-Up Party. You should have a link to this link-up part on EACH post you share here.
6. Be sure to also click “like” on any article you liked to vote for that article. I will be featuring the most popular articles next week on the blog and my Facebook page!
7. Have fun! I can’t wait to see what links you leave behind!

If you would like to use the graphic below, simply cut and paste the html coding out of the box below the graphics to quickly link back to here.

 

Linking To: Penny Pinching Party, Wise Woman Link-Up, Homemaking Link-Up, Encourage One Another, Wisdom Wednesday, Women Living Well Wednesday, Works For Me Wednesday, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Hearts 4 Home, Natural Living Link-Up, Proverbs 31 Thursday, Beautiful Thursdays Link-Up, Making Your Home Sing Monday, Mama Moments Mondays, Welcome Home Link-Up, Better Mom Mondays, Monday’s Musings, Motivate Me Monday, Make It Yourself Monday, Meet Me Monday, Making Monday Marvelous, Modest Monday, Craftastic Link-Up Party, A Round Tuit, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Titus 2sday, Making a Home, Thankful Homemaker Link-Up, Titus 2 Tuesday, Tackle It Tuesday, Living Green Link-Up, Sew Cute Tuesday,

Mexican Tile Dish Cloth Pattern & Creative @ Home Link-Up Party!

Don’t forget to join in the Creative @ Home Link-Up Party! To find it, simply scroll down to the bottom of this post!  We’d love to have you join us!  Link any and all the creative things you do at home!

I love to crochet dish cloths.  They are simple and easy and make for perfect “busy” work while watching TV or just taking a breather on the couch.  This is a pretty and simple dishcloth that I whipped up over the weekend.  It’s very quick and easy, yet I think it’s pretty stunning!  I showed it to my husband and he thought that the border made it looked like a Mexican tile.  I’m so glad to be able to share it with you!

Here are the instructions for making it:

Mexican Tile Dish Cloth Pattern

Materials:
1 ball bright blue cotton yarn
1 ball tomato red cotton yarn
1 ball yellow cotton yarn
Size I-9 Hook
Yarn Needle

Chain 30 with the bright blue cotton yarn.

CLOTH:

Foundation Row

SC in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across (29 stitches)

Row 1:

Chain 2 and turn.  SC in first SC,  *skip next SC and work in the next stitch 1 dc and 1 sc.* repeat from * across to end.

Row 2-24:

Repeat Row 1 until end of row 24.  Do not fasten off.

EDGING:

Round 1:  Chain 1 and turn.  Working 3 SC in each corner and 29 SC across all 4 sides (128 stitches).  Slip stitch to first stitch to join.  Fasten off.

Round 2:  With right side facing, join the yellow cotton yarn into the center stitch of any corner.  Chain 1, 3 SC in same stitch.  *SC in each SC across to next corner, work 3 SC into the center of SC of corner * Repeat around (136 stitches).  Slip stitch to first sc to join. Fasten off

Round 3:  With right side facing, join the red cotton yarn into the center stitch of any corner.  *skip next SC, 3-DC Cluster in next SC, chain 1 across to last SC before center SC of corner, skip last SC, work 3-DC cluster, chain 2 -3 times in center SC of corner; repeat from * around.  Slip stitch in first stitch to join.  Fasten off.

Round 4: With right side facing, joins yellow cotton yarn in any chain space, chain 1, SC in same space, chain 2, SC in next chain space, chain 2 around.  Slip stitch to first stitch to join.  Fasten off.

Weave in ends to finish off.

3-DC Cluster: *yarn over, pull up a loop, pull through 2 loops* 3 times, yarn over and pull the yarn through all loops on hook.

Today I have a brand new feature here at Susan Godfrey Blog! It’s one of three BRAND NEW link up parties! I’m excited today to present you to the Creative @ Home Wednesday Link Up Party!!

Please join in the fun and do a little blog hopping! This is a fun way to discover new blogs and get to know some new friends. Leave a link to ANY AND ALL of your Creative @ Home blog posts. Link up your favorite blog posts about something creative you’re doing in your home. This could be crafts, remodel projects, refurbishing projects, food/cooking, homeschooling, you name it! If it’s creative and fun, we want you to share it!

If you participate, please don’t forget to link back to the Creative Link Up Party by either using a text link or the graphic below. You can cut an paste the html coding out of the box to quickly link you back to here! Be sure to also click “like” on any article you liked to vote for them. I will be featuring the most popular articles next week on the blog and my Facebook page!

Have fun! I can’t wait to see what links you leave behind!

Linking to: Penny Pinching Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Women Living Well Wednesday, Homemaking Wednesday Link-Up, Encourage One Another Wednesday, Simple Living Wednesday, Wisdom Wednesday, Wise Woman Wednesday, Proverbs 31 Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Hearts 4 Home Thursday, Thrifty Thursday, Beautiful Thursday, Frugalicious Friday, Inspiration Friday, Weekend Bloggy Reading, Friday Homemaking Link-Up, Big Family Friday, Friday Flair, Friday Fun Party, Faith Filled Friday, Consider the Lilies Homemaking Link-Up Friday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Make It Yourself Monday, Monday’s Homestead Barn Hop, Modest Monday, Mama Moments Mondays, Better Mom Mondays, Monday’s Musings, Welcome Home Monday Link-Up, Meet Me Monday, Made With Love Link-Up, Making Mondays Marvelous, Craftastic Monday, A Round Tuit, Monday Meet Up, Titus 2sday, Making a Home, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, Thankful Homemaker, Titus 2 Tuesday,

Patchwork Maxi Skirt

This is such a simple skirt to make up and SO cute.  Took me only about 2 hours to make and it’s so cute on!  Here’s how I went about figuring out how to build it. First of all, I bought 1 yard of 3 print fabrics and 1 yard of a solid blue fabric, and a grossgrain ribbon to match the fabrics. I hope these instructions make sense!!

First of all, I needed to figure out how big to make each of the panels. I had decided to make the skirt a 6 paneled skirt. So I took my waist measurement and then doubled (this allows the skirt to gather).  I divided that number by 6 and to that number I added 1 inch for the 1/2 inch seam allowance on either side. I used a 1/2 inch seam allowance through out.  Decide on the length you want, I used 29 inches here.  Cut 2 panels to width and length out of each of the 3 print fabrics.  (BTW, 1 yard of print fabric allowed me to actually cut out 4 panels out of each of the 3 print fabrics, so I could actually make 2 skirts, but you would need to buy more of the solid fabric than 1 yard to make 2)

Then out of the solid fabric for the bottom of the skirt, I cut 2 – 31Wx14H panels.

Okay, all of the pieces are cut out, time to assemble the skirt. The first step is to sew together all the  print fabric panels along the long side (length sides)….

I sewed together all 6 of the panels and then I sewed together the 2 – 31×14 inch panels for the bottom of the skirt along the 14 inch sides….

Okay, the next step is to sew the solid color panel to the print panel…

The next step was to sew a seam in the top of the skirt, allowing for room for the elastic. I used a 1/2 inch elastic.

My next step was to feed the elastic through the seam at the top.

Then I tacked down the elastic on either side of the top of the skirt

Now I sewed on the grossgrain ribbon over the seam between the print panels and solid panel.

Now, I sewed the side seam to form the skirt (like a tube)

I pressed the seam I just made open

The final step was to put in a rolled hem at the bottom of the skirt.

And here it is all finished!

I hope this little tutorial makes sense to everyone! This may not be the “proper” way to assemble this skirt, but it worked for me!!  I also think this would be cute with the solid color bottom being a gathered ruffle and use lace over the seam between the patterned and solid fabric.

Linking Up with: Works for Me Wednesday, Women Living Well’s Wednesday Link-Up Party, Homemaking Wednesday Link-Up, Encourage One Another, Proverbs 31 Thursday, Frugalicious Friday, Frugal Friday, Inspiration Friday, Feature Friday Free-For-All, Feminine Friday, Modest Mondays, Mama Moments Monday, Make-It-Yourself Monday, Titus 2sday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday

Puffy Flower Granny Square

This is an original Granny Square that I created a while back.  I just love the texture of it.  I’m really wanting to make an afghan with this pattern and use different colors for the flowers and the same solid color for the border part.  I think a pretty green would imitate foliage and make for a gorgeous afghan.

Puffy Flower Granny Square
Designed by Susan Godfrey

You may use this pattern for your own personal use only. You may not claim it as your own or post it on your website or blog. You may not sell this pattern or include it in any form for personal gain. You may post a link to download a copy of the pattern on your blog or website.

Supplies:

Size G crochet hook
CA – Flower Center
CB – Flower Petals
CC – Background
Yarn needle

With CA, Ch 6. Sl st in first ch to form ring

Round 1:
Ch 2, 15 hdc into ring. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off.

Round 2 (Popcorn Round):
Attatch CB with sl st into any hdc. Ch 4, 4 tr into same hdc, sl st into top of ch 4. * Ch 2, sk next hdc. 5 tr into next hdc, sl st into top of 1st tr * around to last stitch. 8 popcorn made. Sl st to top of 1st popcorn. Fasten off

Round 3:
With CC, Sl st to any ch 2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc) – 2 dc – ch 3 – 3 dc in same space you attached to (1st corner made). Ch1 * 3 dc in next 2 ch sp, ch 1. 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 2 space (corner made), ch 1 * Around until you have four (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) corners and four 3 dc clusters. Sl st to top of 1st ch 3.

Round 4:
Sl st into next 2 dc, sl st into 1st 3 ch sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in same space (1st corner made). Ch 1 * 3 dc in next two 2 ch spaces, ch 1. 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 2 space (corner made), ch 1 * around until you have 4 (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) corners and eight 3 dc clusters. St st to top of 1st ch 3.

Round 5:
Sl st into next 2 dc, sl st into 1st 3 ch sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in same space (1st corner made). Ch 1 * 3 dc in next three 2 ch spaces, ch 1. 3 dc, ch 3, dc in next ch 2 space (corner made), ch 1 * around until you have 4 (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) corners and twelve 3 dc clusters. St st to top of 1st ch 3. Fasten off.

Weave in ends and you’re done!! I hope you enjoyed making your Puffy Flower Granny Square!!!

 

 

African Flower Afghan

After all of the crochet hats I made this winter, I had a TON of scraps left over.  Generally my go to scrap crochet project are granny squares.  But this time I wanted to do something a bit different.  What I love about granny squares is that they are very portable and don’t take a lot of time to do.  But when sewn together, you can work up an afghan pretty quickly.  So last week why surfing the web, I ran across the African Flower motif and fell in love.  I knew immediately what my next scrap crochet project was going to be.  I love this simple pattern.  It’s easy and portable–just like granny squares.  This pattern makes a very nice hexagon motif that can easily be sewn together to create a truly gorgeous afghan.  Here is how I do them.

African Flower Motif

4 colors worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart).  Use 3 colors for the motif and 1 color you will put the afghan together with.  In this instance, I used a lavender, an aqua, and a teal for the motif and white to put the afghan together with.

Size “H” crochet hook
yarn needle

Chain 6 and slst to beginning chain 1 to make a ring (or use magic ring)

Round 1 – with color 1, Ch 3, 1 dc into ring.  Ch 1.  *2 DC into ring, ch 1 * around until you have 6 groups of 2 dc groups.  Sl st into top of ch 3.  Tie off and weave in ends.

Round 2 – Using 2nd color, start in any 1 ch space.  Ch 5, 2 dc in same space, ch 1.  In all other spaces, work *2 dc, ch 2, 2, dc, ch 1* around.  End with 1 dc in beginning space and slst to 3rd ch of 5 ch.

Round 3 – ch 3, 6 dc into 2 ch space, ch 1.  *7 dc, ch 1* in each space around.  Slst into top of ch 3.  Tie off and weave in ends.

Round 4 – Attach 3rd color, ch 1 and sc around, making a long stitch down in round 2 between each flower petal.  Send with a ss to 1st sc.  Tie off and weave in ends.

Round 5 – Attach 4th color (white).  Ch 3, dc in each stitch except for long stitch  and working *1 dc, 1 sc, 1 dc* into the “top/center” st of each petal, around.  Slst into the top of ch 3.  Tie off and weave in ends.

This is how I’m attaching them to each other.

It’s going to be a baby afghan or a small throw.

Close up of the front of the attached motifs.

This is the back of the afghan.  I am attaching the motifs to each other by single crocheting them together.  It’s working up really quickly and it’s looking so pretty!