Ready for “Trick or Treat”? Here is the last minute easy Halloween project!

Are you ready for this year’s Halloween??

If you have kids and haven’t gotten the idea yet, you must be thinking what to do for them. Even if you don’t have kids, you might be thinking what to prepare at your house for the kids!!

It’s going to be my first Halloween to stay at home in California. Last year, I was back in Japan at that time of the year.
So, I’m excited to see how kids are dressed when they come to my house 🙂 I should get ready for the day, getting hundreds of candies!!

 

Today, I want to share my “within 1 hour Halloween project”. They are little cute pumpkin earrings.

If you wear them on Halloween, people will look at you and definitely notice that you’re in the mood and ready for the event!!
If you make them for your kids, your pumpkins will look brilliant with the pumpkins!!

You can also use this pumpkin as an applique. It’s only an idea but decorating a simple T-shirt with lots of these pumpkins will be really cute!! Using this pumpkin as a zipper charm is also a good idea 🙂

As usual, I’ve put many step-by-step photos in the pattern, so I hope lots of you will enjoy making them 🙂

Happy crocheting ♡

My FAVORITE Feminine Pearl Earrings

Today, I’ve added a new pattern on my pattern shop. This is how they look like 🙂 I think with those pearls and those elegant colors of tiny threads, they add an elegant atmosphere on you.

This is how it looks like on me. I love the beige color, so I pick up that color for myself.

I’ve made some other colors of earrings to one of my best friend and her mom ♡

I’ve poured a lot of efforts and love in making the 9 pages of PDF pattern files, so I’ll be happy if they will brings lots of smily faces on beautiful ladies all over the world!! I’ve explained every details of the crocheting part as well as the beading part with many photos, so I think this project is suitable for everybody 🙂 ♡

With just a little portion of threads and pearls and within a few hours of creative work, you will get a gorgeous earrings 😀

The easy-to-follow crochet pattern for the feminine pearl earrings is now available on Craftsy and Etsy!! If you are interested in, please come visit my shop below 🙂

Happy crocheting ♡

Let's make a bigger anchor with crochet :)

I spent quite some time to create this bigger anchor crochet pattern. If you like a smaller and simpler pattern, you can try to follow the pattern I uploaded in another article earlier. Today, I can finally share the pattern with you and I’m quite happy with that 🙂

I’ve decided to make this pattern because I’ve got a request to make a bigger anchor pattern which fits on a baby blanket. (I’m so happy to get some feedbacks, so I was really happy to receive a request ♡ ) If you follow the instruction below and use size H hook (5mm) and medium weight yarn, the size of the finished work would be around 17cm x 17cm (6.7 inch x 7.6 inch). Of course, you can use whatever crochet hook you have and whatever yarn you would like to use! 🙂

This is how I use the applique. It looks good on my crochet bag 🙂 ♡

 

This time, the instruction will look slightly complicated (but not so difficult to follow), so I made a diagram to explain the pattern. I also wrote how to proceed the pattern in the picture just next to the diagram. For those who don’t like reading symbols, I will also explain in words. My tutorial “step” numbers are synchronized with the numbers written in the picture below. Well, let’s get started 😀

◆Anchor pattern in a crochet diagram◆

 

 

◆Abbreviations◆

• ch(s): chain(s)
• ss: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tc: treble crochet
• dt: double treble

 

Step 1. Make a double magic ring. Ch 2. (1 hdc in the magic ring, 1 ch) three times. Close the loop of the magic ring. Ss to the 1st hdc.

 

Step 2. Ch 12. 1 dc in the 4th st from the hook. 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

 

Step 3. Ss to the point A (shown in the picture below). (1 sc, ch 1 and 1 sc) in the next st.

 

Step 4. Ch 12. 1 dc in the 4th stitch from the hook. 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

 

Step 5. Ss to the point B (shown in the picture below). Ss in each st for the following 10 sts.

 

Step 6. Ch 3. 1 sc in the 2nd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next st. 1 dc in the next st. 1 tc in the next st. 1 dt in the next st. Ch 1.

 

Step 7. Ss in each st to get to the point A. (for 12 ss)

 

Step 8. Ch 1. Ss in the following 3 sts. Ch 1.

 

Step 9. Ss for the following 8 sts.

 

Step 10-1. Ch 5. 1 tc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st.

 

Step 10-2. Ch 3. 1 sc in the 2nd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next st. Ss to the bottom.

 

Step 11. Skip the next st. Ss to the following 8 sts. (You are now back in the point B.)

 

Step 12. Ch 14. 1 hdc in the 3rd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next 3 sts.

 

Step 13. Ch 6. 1 dc in the 4th st from the hook. 1 dc in the next 2 sts.

 

Step 14. Ch 6. 1 hdc in the 3rd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next 3 sts.

 

Step 15. 3 hdc in the next space. Ss to the next st.

 

Step 16. Turn the work and ss for the next 3 sts.

 

Step 17. 1 dc in the following 8 sts.

 

Step 18. Ss to the point C (shown in the picture below).  Cut the yarn and trim the end. The bottom part is done 🙂

 

Step 19. Ch 10. Ss to the 1st st.

 

Step 20. Ch 2. 1 hdc in the bottom st. 2 hdc in each st of the row. (19 hdc)

 

Step 21. Ss to the 1st st of the row. Cut the yarn, leaving some length for the sewing purpose. Attach the top part to the bottom part of the anchor motif with the left yarn.

Now, this is done 😀

 

Thank you if you are with me till here 🙂

Enjoy decorating things around you!! 😀

If you have a blog, I’ll be definitely happy when you write about this pattern and your achievements. At that time, I can never be happier if it would have a link to my blog ♡♡♡

*** Added on November 2015 ***

I have opened a jewelry shop on Etsy. I try to make jewelry that I also can use in any occasions. Please have a look there by clicking the photo below.

How to make double magic ring!!

How do you start your crochet rounds? I see lots of people start with making chains. For example, when you want to make 6 single crochet as a first row, you will make 2 chains and make 6 single crochet into the 2nd chain from the hook. That is an easy way to start with, but it might not be the best way to make a hat or an amigurumi. You can see the difference in the picture below. Apparently, double magic ring looks better without a hole or gap in the middle.

I always use “double magic ring” to start a round. I’ve also tried “standard magic ring”, which was easier compared to “double magic ring” but more fragile. Especially when I work with a thinner yarn, I prefer “double magic ring” because it will add durability. So, I’ve decided to give a step-by-step tutorial about the double magic ring with lots of pictures.

 

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1. Wrap the yarn around your fingers twice. Take the tail with your dominant hand (in my case, right), and wrap it onto your non-dominant fingers from the front to back twice. Some people just wrap it only around the index finger, but I prefer wrapping around the both index finger and middle finger. Now, you have the tail end pointing up.

 

2. While you have 3 lines of yarns around your fingers, grab the joint point of the yarn and take the circle yarn out of your fingers. Turn the circle yarn for 180 degree, and now hold the yarn how you feel comfortable to sustain with your non-dominant hand. Make sure the tail should be in front and the working yarn should be kept back. Here, please do not forget to press the joint part of the yarn with your thumb and middle finger so that they won’t move.

 

3. Insert your crochet hook into the loop and grab the working yarn from its back and bring it back to the front. Now you have a loop on the hook.

 

4. Wrap the yarn over again and pull it back through to the front (this time, you wouldn’t go through the big circle but just through a loop you made in the previous step), and now you have created a chain stitch. Some people consider this chain as one of the starting chains, but I would take the method, saying until this 1 chain is considered to be a foundation of “double magic ring”. So, tighten the yarn here.

 

5. Depending on your stitch pattern, you will make starting chains here. Normally, you will need 1 chain for a single crochet pattern, 2 chains for a half double crochet pattern, 3 for a double crochet pattern.

 

6. Crochet as many stitches as needed for the first round.

 

7. Gather the stitches close to each other (pull the last stitch towards the first one).

 

8. Pull the end of the yarn and see which yarn is pulled. (Normally this is the front loop.)

 

9. Pull the yarn (which you’ve checked at step 8, front loop) towards left so that the other loop gets smaller. Pull it until you close up the other loop.

 

10. Pull the yarn tail to  close up the loop.

 

11. Slip stitch into the first stitch to join round. Or if you prefer seamless surface, you may keep working onto the next row.

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Now you have the magic ring and the first row is done 🙂 ♡♡♡

You may need to practice making a magic ring for a few times, but once you master the method, it will be more enjoyable to work on a round.

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Elmo Strawberry manufacturing :)

Let’s decorate your cake with some fancy strawberries!! I’m sure everybody will love them!!

Prepare all the ingredients and tools, and let’s get started 🙂

 

◇ Ingredients ◇

• Strawberries
• White chocolates chips (for eyes)
• Orange button shaped chocolates (for noses)
• Dark colored chocolates (for the eyes and mouthes)
• Whipped cream

 

◇ Tools ◇

• Knife
• Baking sheet
• 2 bowls

 

◇ Recipe ◇

Step 1. Wash strawberries very well. Then, take off the stem and cut the bottom part of the strawberries slightly diagonally (so that strawberries can stand by themselves and they can show their faces).

**In the picture below, you will notice strawberries slightly tilting toward their back.

Step 2. Put 2 white chocolate chips and 1 orange chocolate nicely on the strawberries, using whipped cream as a glue.

Step 3. Melt dark color chocolates. Put dark color chocolates in a bowl, and you will put a warm water into another bowl below that bowl. (Make sure not to let the water come into the chocolates bowl!!)

Step 4. Roll one sheet of baking sheet nicely into circle so that you can use it as a chocolate pen. It will be better if you roll the edge sharp with just a tiny hole for the chocolate to come out. Pour melted chocolates (made at step 3) into the pen-shaped baking sheet.

Step 5. Draw black eyes with the chocolate pen made at step 4 in the white chocolates. You may also draw their mouthes.

Step 6. You will put whipped cream on your favorite cakes, and put your sweet Elmo strawberries!! Done ♡

Aren’t they too cute to eat?? It’s a little bit of effort, but your cup cake will look a lot more prettier than just normal strawberries on, isn’t it??
Happy tea time with extra smiles 😀 ♡♡♡

Here Summer Comes!! Ponytail With A Pretty Bow??

This week, it was hot here in California. According to the weather forecast, it reached up to the mid-90 F… Oh, I couldn’t stand staying under the sun, so I’ve dedicated a lot of my time to do another tutorial here.

Since it’s getting hot recently, I put my hair up in a ponytail almost everyday. So, I assume that there are lots of girls who need this hair bow now!! I’m trying to put more effort on making it easier for everyone to understand. I hope you will like it! Well, let’s get started 🙂

◆Materials◆

Worsted Weight Yarn (Medium 4)

• Red: BERNAT Satin (CRIMSON)

Size G(4mm) Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
(Safety pin)

◆Size◆

If you follow the instruction below, it will be around 4″ width. If you want something bigger, you can increase a number of ch in the step 1 and increase the number os sc in the following rows.

◆Pattern◆

*** It’s easier to start every row with 1 ch and to end each row with a slip stitch since you will see where you started the row which you are working on.

*** I like the seamless surface, so in this tutorial, I take this method. You just have to keep going, but it may be difficult to see where you started the row (especially when you are working on even rows). So, it’s better to use a safety pin to mark the first stitch of each row.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

1. ch 9
   • Ch 8 as a foundation of the oblong, and the extra ch 1
   • You will treat “the 2nd ch (from the hook)” and “the last ch” as “the increasing zone”
   • You will just make 1 sc for the middle 6 st

   

2. 2 sc in the 2nd st from the hook, 1 sc for the next 6 st, 5 sc in the next st, 1 sc for the next 6  st, 3 sc in the next st (same st with the st you made 2 sc at the beginning) (22 sc)
   
3. 2 sc around in the increasing zone. (2 sc for the 1st 2 st,  1 sc for the next 6 st, 2 sc in the next 5 st, 1 sc for the following 6  st, 2 sc for the next 3 st) (32 sc)
   
4. 2 sc, 1 sc around in the increasing zone. ((2 sc, 1 sc) twice, 1 sc for the next 6 st, (2 sc, 1 sc) 5 times, 1 sc for the following 6  st,(2 sc, 1 sc) 3 times) (42 sc)
   
5. 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc around in the increasing zone. ((1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc) twice, 1 sc  for the next 6 st, (1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc) 5 times, 1 sc for the following 6  st, (1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc) 3 times) (52 sc)
   
6. 1 sc around (52 sc)
   
7. 1 sc around (52 sc)
   
8. 1 slip stitch (sl-st) around (52 sl-st)
   
9. Cut the yarn and bring the yarn to the very center of the backside with a yarn needle
   
10. Shape “M”, leaving the center and the both ends to low, and making somewhere in the middle (around Row 4) high. Sew a little bit with the yarn to keep the form.
    
11. Here, we’ll work on the center ring. ch 14 and make a loop by joining to the 1st st with sl-st
    
12. 2nd row: sc around (14 sc)
    
13. 3rd row: sc around (14 sc)
    
14. Cut the yarn, leaving some length (enough with 10″). Trim the both ends with a yarn needle. Leave the long end yarn.
    • I recommend to tie  those two strings together, just in case, before cutting off the short yarn (shown in the picture).

    

15. Put the oblong (you made at Step 10) through into the center ring.
    
16. Insert a string of elastic hair band into the center ring and bind it up.
    
17. Sew the backside of the bow with the yarn needle. At this point, it’s better to hide the joint point of the hair band.
    
18. Trim the rest of the yarn, and it’s DONE!!!
    

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If you are with me till here, thank you so much for your patience!! It was challenging for me to explain the flow with lots of photos, but I hope many people will find it easier to understand this tutorial and eventually enjoy making a bow for the summer!!

You can also use the bow as a decoration of your bags, clothes or hats!! Please enjoy customizing it as you like!!

I will always be happy to see your works ♡ Please feel free to leave comments or questions 🙂

Handmade time!! My First Tutorial to My Knotty Friends :)

I thought you would be interested in making beanies by yourselves. So, as a first project of my crochet tutorial, I’ve picked up Hello Kitty beanie which I’ve already uploaded in the previous blog. If you like it, please feel free to make one by yourself 🙂 I will also be happy to see your works once they are done!! Then, let’s get started 🙂

◆Materials◆

Worsted Weight Yarn (Medium 4)

• White: CARON SIMPLY SOFT (WHITE)
• Red: BERNAT Satin (CRIMSON)
• Black: CARON SIMPLY SOFT (BLACK)
• Yellow: Sugar’n Cream (YELLOW)

Size G(4mm) Crochet Hook
Size H(5mm) Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle

◆Size◆

If you follow the instruction below, it will probably fit for 1 year old baby. But everyone uses a different tense when we crochet, so the outcome might be in a different size. If you want something bigger, you can just add an increase row and some even rows. I strongly recommend to check before stepping forward to the even rows (in this instruction, it’s at the end of Row7) if it fits the head size. You can always adjust the size as you like 🙂

◆Pattern◆

*** It’s easier to start every row with 2 chains and end each row with a slip stitch since you will see where you started the row which you are working on. If you take this method, please don’t forget to count this 2 chains as 1 hdc. (So, you need to skip 1 “hdc” in the instruction below, starting from Row 2.)

*** I like the seamless surface, so in this tutorial, I take this method. You just have to keep going, but it may be difficult to see where you started the row. So, it’s better to use a safety pin at the first stitch of each row.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

◇Step 1: Face with Size H hook, White yarn◇

1. Row 1 : Make a double magic ring (magic loop). Ch 2, and 7 hdc in the magic ring. (8 hdc*)
   • An easy tutorial on magic ring is introduced here: “How to make double magic ring”
   • You will count Ch 2 at the beginning of the row as 1 stitch
2. Row 2 : 2 hdc in each stitch around (16 hdc)
3. Row 3 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next stitch around (24 hdc)
4. Row 4 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 2 stitch around (32 hdc)
5. Row 5 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 3 stitch around (40 hdc)
6. Row 6 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 4 stitch around (48 hdc)
7. Row 7 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 5 stitch around (56 hdc)
   • You may adjust the size here.
8. Row 8-16 : hdc in each stitch (56 hdc)

 

◇Step 2: Ears with Size H hook, White yarn◇

1. Row 1 : Make a double magic ring (magic loop). Ch 2, and 5 hdc in the magic ring. (6 hdc*)
   • An easy tutorial on magic ring is introduced here: “How to make double magic ring”
   • You will count Ch 2 at the beginning of the row as 1 stitch
2. Row 2 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next stitch around (9 hdc)
3. Row 3 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 2 stitch around (12 hdc)
4. Row 4 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 3 stitch around (15 hdc)
5. Row 5 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 4 stitch around (18 hdc)
6. Row 6 : 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc in the next 5 stitch around (21 hdc)
7. Cut the yarn long (around 10″) for sewing purpose.
8. You will make two of these ears and sew on the face with the yarn you left.

 

◇Step 3: Eyes with Size G hook, Black yarn◇

1. Row 1 : Chain 4
2. Row 2 : Sc in the 2nd stitch from the hook. 1sc, 3sc, then 1sc in the following 2 stitch. Finish with slip stitch at the 1st stitch of the row.
3. Cut the yarn long (around 5″) for sewing purpose.
4. You will make two of these eyes and sew on the face vertically.

 

◇Step 4: Nose with Size G hook, Yellow yarn◇

1. Row 1 : Chain 4
2. Row 2 : Sc in the 2nd stitch from the hook. 1sc, 3sc, then 1sc in the following 2 stitch. Finish with slip stitch at the 1st stitch of the row.
3. Cut the yarn long (around 5″) for sewing purpose.
4. You will sew the nose on the face horizontally.

 

◇Step 5: Whiskers with Yarn Needle, Black yarn◇

1. Embroider whiskers with a yarn needle just as you like. You can adjust the length and angles of them, which will make a difference of the expression of the Kitty.

 

◇Step 6: Bow with Size G hook, Red yarn◇
*I posted a tutorial on making a bow in the other article. I introduced very much in detail with step-by-step photos. So, please check the instruction.

Here is the title of the article:  Here Summer Comes!! Ponytail With A Pretty Bow??

◇◇Make oblong & Center ring

◇◇Put together

Insert the oblong into the center ring and sew not to move around. Then, sew it onto the right side of the ear (from your view point).

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♡♡♡ Thank you so much if you follow the instruction all the way till here. ♡♡♡

Now it’s done!!! I hope you liked how I made Hello Kitty!!
If you find some difficulties to understand some parts, please just leave a comment!! Enjoy making “lovely handmade things” by yourself 🙂