Homesteading Artistry

I know I have changed the name of my blog a few times in the past. I suppose it is a reflection of my ever evolving sense of crafty/home making skills that I find myself getting into. But this time I suppose the name has become about as inclusive as it could possibly even be for quite a while. So hopefully this will be the last name change for a while. I have updated my Etsy store to reflect the change so readers and shoppers will not get confused or lost during this transition.

Thanks for reading, and Happy crafting (homestead, home making, whatever it is)!

New items coming soon!

Today I am introducing my newest  item up for sale on my Etsy store page. It is an ear warmer headband.

I have made a few of these in the past and  they seems to be the latest trend. This headband ear warmer is cute and functional. Over the next few weeks I will be posting more items that I'm hoping will attract customers. As always I would like for you to know that you are welcome to request personalized items (whether on my store or not). You may find examples of some of the things I have completed on my Ravelry page. Please visit my store and if you have questions definitely send those on to me so that I may address any concerns.

Happy crafting!

Thready goodness is now on ETSY

Da da da DA!!! Introducing..... my new Etsy store, Thready Goodness.This is really a tentative name, since I have recently begun dabbling into things other than just threads and strings. Many people have told me time and time again that I should do this. I never had much success (nor demand for that matter) to consider doing such a sales gig. However, on the request of some, I am compromising and giving this a try (again). On the right side bar, under my "about me" box, you will find a preview of what is currently available on my Etsy store. I want you to understand this is not a comprehensive list, nor is it the only items I am willing to offer. Everyone has to start somewhere, today there happens to be 2 listings. Maybe within the next few months I can add more listings. I am open for suggestions or special requests.

Since I briefly mentioned it above about things other than things with yarn and threads. I have recently discovered the art of handcrafted Lye Soap and candle making! Oh my gosh it is heavenly. The soap is just wonderful and can be fully customized. I am so excited to debut my soap (available soon) on my Etsy store.

As always...
Get creative and Happy Crafting!

Crochet Mason jar cozy with lid cover

First a disclaimer: Although this pattern looks a lot like one already posted on the Internet for sale, I did not purchase, nor borrow, nor acquire this pattern in anyway I simply looked at a picture and created my version of it.

This is for a quart size jar. To alter for a pint sk R6, continue to r7, and complete r8-12 in pattern. 

Ch 3,  sl st in first to make loop

R1: 2 sc in each st, 6 sts

R2:  rep r2, 12 sts

R3: *2 sc, 1 sc, around

R4: 2 sc, sc in next 2 around

R5: 2 sc, sc in next 3

R6: 2 sc, sc in next 4

R7: sc around -bottom made

R8: ch 6 (ch 3 counts as st), dc around the post of the 3rd sc, *ch 3, sk 2, dc around 3rd st post*, around. Sl st in 3rd ch

R9-13: ch 6, dc in next dc around.

R14: ch2, *hdc in middle ch, hdc in dc* around -23 hdc, sl st to ch2

R15: ch1, sc around

For lid:

Ch 2, 6 sc in first st.

R1: 2 sc in each st, 6 sts

R2:  rep r2, 12 sts

R3: *2 sc, 1 sc, around

R4: 2 sc, sc in next 2 around

R5: 2 sc, sc in next 3

R6: 2 sc, sc in next 4

R7: sc around -bottom made

R8: ch 6 (ch 3 counts as st), dc around the post of the 3rd sc, *ch 3, sk 2, dc around 3rd st post*, around. Sl st in 3rd ch

R9: ch 1, *2 sc, hdc, 2 sc in middle chain, sl st in dc* around

For the bean contents I used a recipe called vegetarian bean soup mix, it can be found here: http://backtoherroots.com/2012/12/03/handmade-holiday-vegetarian-five-bean-soup-mix/

Tea kettle cozy

Ww yarn and "J" hook

Ch 3, sl st, 2 sc in each ch-6sc. Use stitch  marker to track rnds

1. Odd: 2 sc in each -12 sc
2. Even:  sc around
3. 2 sc in each -24 sts

Cont. in pattern for 8 rnds  (end with sc rnds)

9-11: sc -48 sts at end of end 11

12: sc in next 5, 2 sc in next, rep

13: sc in next 3, 2 sc in next, rep around.

14: sc around, sl st in first-70 sts for bottom

Begin upper:

15: ch 3, dc in each st

16: sc in next 3, dec  in next, rep around. -56

17-22: sc around, do not join

Row 23: In last st of previous rnd, ch 1 turn, s to 5th st from rnd marker, ch 1 turn leaving 5 sts unworked

24:sc around, ch 1 turn

25: sc in next 8, dec, rep around, ch 1 turn

26: sc in next 3, dec, rep around. Ch 1 turn

27-29:ch1, turn,  sc around

30: do not ch1, do not turn. sc down side of spout opening- 6 sc down side, 5 across lower, 6 side, sl st in next 2. Ch 2, hdc in 2nd sc from hk,*ch 1, sl 1 st hdc* around. Sl st in next sc,

31: ch 1 sk sl st. Sc across

Fasten off.

Crocheted Cookie Monster

With worsted weight yarn, I used Caron simply soft. I am unsure how much I used however it was less than half of the skein.
Size "F" hook

Make 4: Ch 2, 6 sc in first st. 

R1: 2 sc in each st around, 12 sc 

Sc around for 10 rnds, at end of rnd 10 sl st to 1st sc. (Leave long tail on 2 arms for sewing) 

When you have 2 legs, do not fasten off 2nd leg. Move marker, Cont. onto leg 1 with sc in same st as sl st. Sc around, 24 sts. 

Next rnd: sc 

Body inc rnd: 2 sc in marker st, 1 sc in next 4, 2 sc in next 3, 1 sc in next 4, 2 sc in next, 1 sc in next 4, 2 sc in next 3, 1 sc in next 4 -32 sts 

Sc for 10 rnds 

Neck shaping: dec, 1 sc in next 2 around -24 sts 

Neck shaping rnd 2: dec around -12 sts 

Head: 

Rnd 1: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from around - 18 sc. 

Rnd 2: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; rep from around - 24 sc. 

Rnd 3: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc; rep from around - 30 sc. 

Rnd 4: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc; rep from around - 36 sc. 

Rnd 7-11: sc around 

Rnd 12: Sc2tog, sc in next 4 sc; rep from around - 30 sc. 

Rnd 15: (Sc2tog) around - 6 sc. 

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave tail through last rnd and gather tightly. Knot to secure. 

Stuff and sew arms to body. 

Eyes: 

With black and magic ring: sc 4 in ring, pull tight- 

R2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st in first, fasten off 

R3: join white in same st as sl st. 2 sc in first, sc in next around 

R4: 2 sc in first, sc in next 2 around 

R5: dec in first, sc in next 2 around 

R6: dec in first, sc in next around 

R7: Dec around. Fasten off leaving long tail. Weave tail in and out of sts and pull tight. Then use the tails to see eyes in place on head 

Mouth: 

R1: ch9, sc in 2nd and across 

R2: ch 1, turn, dec, sc in next 4, dec 

R3: ch 1, turn, dec, sc in next 3, dec. fasten off leaving long tail. 

Sew arms, eyes, and mouth into place. Sew small hole closed between legs also.

Recent projects

Well although it has been almost 4 months since my last post... I don't have much to share with you. This year has been really busy... It is my last semester for my undergrad (Bachelor's) degree and I am trying to stay on top of assignments as best as possible.
Today I made a hanging closet organizer for my Miche bag shells... Miche sells them, but why buy one when you can make one? I'm sure there are plent more uses that can be thought of for it.. Such as diaper organization, small toys, or something else?
 Well that is what I did today. Yesterday I learned fair isle knitting and made my first fair isle project, a knitted mug cozy (yes I have one of those already, but I needed an excuse to try fair isle). It wasn't all that difficult once I got into the groove. I also have a couple more things I'd like to share... I dressed up this wipe case using material, ribbon, jewels, and a hot glue gun. I found the tutorial on Make it and Love it! (You can find a link to her page on the right --->)