Guest Post: Daisy Garland Crochet Pattern

Alright, alright... I'm writing you from Denver today. Since I last posted, I visited both LA and Vegas, and now here I am in Colorado, drinking in the mountainous views and open spaces. LA and Vegas were both pretty whirlwind-y and unfortunately I just haven't been able to post here or on my Instagram as much as I'd hoped. I just think that all too often, pinning yourself behind a camera/phone really detracts from your actual experience of a place or thing. 

This post is extra special because it comes to you from one of my favorite crocheters & bloggy friends, Tanya! Tanya is amazing and wonderful and takes the loveliest photos and crafts the cutest projects. JUST LOOK AT THIS GARLAND. You know how I feel about garlands right? Cause like, I can't get enough of them. I want to string them everywhere for every occasion and also no occasion at all. Enjoy! 

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Hey everyone! It’s Tanya from Little Things Blogged! I am so excited to be sharing a totally spring pattern with you today! When Monica got in touch with me I was so thrilled and immediately decided to crochet a daisy garland! After all spring is all about flowers!:)

You will need:

• Yellow, white & red 100% cotton yarn ( I used Catania)
• 4 mm (G) crochet hook

Pattern:

To make the daisies (make 5):

Using 4 mm (G) crochet hook and yellow yarn:

Ch6 sl st to form a ring

R1: 12 sc in ring, join to first sc with sl st

Change to white yarn

R2: 1 ch, * 1 sc, in first sc of previous round, 15 ch, join with sl st to base of sc* repeat from * to *11 more times. (12 petals in total)

Fasten off.

To make the red flowers (make 2):

Using 4 mm (G) crochet hook and red yarn:

Ch6 sl st to form a ring

R1: *ch 3(counts as first dc), dc in ring, ch 3 sl st in ring,* repeat from * to * 5 more times to form petals (6 petals in total)

Fasten off.

To make the yellow/red flowers (make 4):

Using 4 mm (G) crochet hook and red yarn:

Repeat the red flower pattern but change color for petals

Fasten off.

To make the yellow bows (make 4):

Using 4 mm (G) crochet hook and yellow yarn:

Ch 32 and sl st to first ch to form a ring.

R1: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next two sts, 2 dc in next two sts, 3 dc in next st (forms the first corner) dc in next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st ( next corner), dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next two sts, sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next two sts, dc in next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st ( next corner), dc in next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st (next corner), dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next two sts.

Fasten off and tie center together using yellow yarn.

For bow tie:

Ch 20 + 3 (counts as first dc)

Dc in next two sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 10 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts

Fasten off.

Attach to center of basic bow body by tying a knot with yellow yarn.

To make the garland:

You will always ch 25 in between the flowers and bows.

The sequence is: bow, daisy, yellow/red flower, daisy, yellow/red flower, bow, red flower, daisy (this is the center daisy of your garland). Repeat by following the exact sequence reversely.

Fasten off and admire your garland!

Thanks for having me and happy crocheting!:)

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...so cute, right?! I'm obsessed with those daisies, and can't wait to whip some up once I get my hook back in hand! I'm off for more mountain climbing, but y'all enjoy this pattern, and be sure to swing by Tanya's blog & Instagram feed for more uber cute crochet goodness!

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Crochet Shamrocks

Good news friends. I am 100% healed from my cold-of-death, woot! Now March is halfway over and I have no idea where the days have gone. I'm gearing up for a big trip that I haven't even told you about yet, but more on that later. Right now I want to show you these shamrocks I made from some crochet hearts. Look how cute! And super simple. Check out the full tutorial on the Think Crafts blog and leave some love! 

My birthday is in less than a week. The big 2-4. I'll have to accept that I'm officially in my mid-twenties... MID-twenties. I've been having a lot of dreams that I'm back in high school lately. What does that mean?? Like, I'll wake up and forget that college even happened. Weird, right? I wonder what it means... 

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Pillow Box Valentine's

I was wandering the aisles of Meijer last night, doing some late night grocery shopping while boyfriend impatiently pushed the cart alongside me, when I spotted the giant display of kiddie Valentine packs. I know I'm not the only one who misses picking out some uber cheesy Valentine kit featuring your favorite Disney character, AM I RIGHT? Of course, weirdo child that I was, I started DIYing Valentine's for my classmates around the sixth grade. Oh, to be twelve and have nothing but time for crafts... 

Now that I'm an adult (and by "adult," I mean that I have to pay bills, do my own laundry, and feed myself somehow, not that I'm like, responsible or that I have life figured out or that I've mastered time management) it seems like I have to scrape precious moments from each week to use for crafting. As a result, I always dream up projects that have inherent deadlines (like holidays) and don't actually make them, ever. Sorry family and friends, but let's be honest: As crafty and adorable as you think I am, you have not received a timely, cutesy gift like a Valentine from me in yearsss... THAT CHANGES NOW. 

As you may know, I made a bunch of these mini crochet hearts while developing a pattern for y'all. Then I remembered these cute pillow boxes I found in the Target dollar section a couple months ago and hatched a plan for some DIY Valentine's. If you, like me, have a handful of crochet hearts laying around now, or if you feel like whipping some up real quick, you can tie them onto some pretty boxes filled with chocolates. If you are more normal than I am and don't have a random stockpile of crochet hearts, you could easily cut some out of some cardstock, punch a hole the heart sides, and tie them on that way! 

I stuffed my pillow boxes with surprisingly tasty Hershey's Raspberry Hugs, tiny crochet hearts (get details in my old Crochet Heart Garland post), and sequins for a touch of pretty. I taped the ends with solid and glitter washi tape, and then wrapped each box with a length of sparkly thread (I used Vana's Choice Glamour yarn). On the final pass of the thread, I used a yarn needle to pass each end of the thread through the heart from side to side, tying the thread ends at the back. 

Are you DIYing any Valentine's this year? Tell me about that, friends. 

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Mini Crochet Heart Pattern

Everything's cuter in miniature, right? My crochet heart pillow had me longing for a mini version. It took some playing, as you well know if you follow me on Instagram, but I finally nailed down a pattern for y'all. A number of you mentioned that you had tried to make small hearts but were unsuccessful, so before I get into the pattern, let's talk about the basics of making a crochet heart... 

If you've made a heart pillow from my pattern, this will likely sound familiar to you. You are essentially making two "humps" that you will join by completing a continuous round of stitches on both humps as if they were one piece. From there you will start your gradual decreases. That step requires some math... Here is how you can figure out the math ahead of time: the max number of stitches in each hump x 2, then plus 2 will give you the number of stitches in the first joined row. To figure out your decreases, you will need to think about the multiples of that number. For example, if each hump has 12 stitches, your first joined row will be (12x2) + 2 = 26. 26 is an awkward number to start with, with only 2 and 13 as it's divisors. To get down to an easier number (like 24, for example), you'll need to get rid of 2 stitches. To get rid of 2 stitches, you'll need to do 2 single (or double) crochet decreases. To figure out that math, you'll divide the number you want, 24, by the number of decreases you need, 2, for a total of 12. This means that you will do 11 stitches followed by 1 decrease, and 11 more stitches followed by 1 decrease for a total of 24. A number like 24 is easier to work with, because it has plenty of divisors (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12). You can then decrease gradually by multiples of 4, for example, using the same formula. Each row would have 4 less stitches, meaning each row would contain 4 decreases. 

Okay, okay. I apologize for all that mumbo jumbo if you weren't interested. A good friend once told me that she tried to learn crochet, but it was secretly so mathy... I laughed, but she's totally right. Crochet like this definitely requires a brush-up on your multiplication and addition skills, right? 

All that said, I made up most of the hearts pictured here on the fly, using all those mathy basics. I did, however, write up a concrete pattern for you to follow if you don't feel like calculating your stitches. ;) 

Stuff You'll Need: 

medium weight cotton yarn (I used Sugar & Cream), size H crochet hook, yarn needle, scissors, fiberfill (optional)

*Note, I am using US crochet terms. 

Abbreviations: st = stitch, sc = single crochet, slpst = slip stitch, invdec = invisible decrease

*If you aren't familiar with the invisible decrease, you can easily substitute with a regular decrease/2 single crochets together.

This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining or turning. 

Rnd 1 - Make a magic ring, 5 sc in ring, pull ring tight and sew closed = 5 sc

Rnd 2 - 2 sc in each st around = 10 sc

Rnd 3 - 1 sc in each st around = 10 sc

Rnd 4 - *4 sc, 2 sc in next st,* rep from * around = 12 sc

With your first hump, cut your yarn as shown above and thread your yarn needle. Insert your needle through the next st, then back through the current st. Leave the tail for sewing later. 

Make a second hump (rounds 1 - 4), but do not cut the yarn. Instead you will begin round 5 in the first st of round 4 on the first hump. See the photos for details. 

Rnd 5 - sc in first st of rnd 4 on first hump, sc around first hump, sc again in first st of rnd, sc in same st as final st of rnd 4 on second hump, sc around second hump = 26 sc

Rnd 6 - *11 sc, invdec* repeat from * around = 24 sc

Use yarn tail from first hump to sew hole between humps together. Tie off and weave in end.

Rnd 7 - *6 sc, invdec* repeat from * around = 21 sc

Rnd 8 - *5 sc, invdec* repeat from * around = 18 sc

Rnd 9 - *4 sc, invdec* repeat from * around = 15 sc

Rnd 10 - *sc, invdec* repeat from * around = 10 sc

Rnd 11 - invdec around, fasten off without joining = 5 sc

Use yarn tail to sew end closed.

Like I said, I mostly made up these hearts as I went along, and you can easily tweak it to your liking. I went back and forth with the humps, some have 4 rounds while others have 5. For a deeper "v" in the center, add a fifth round with 12 stitches. You can also stuff the hearts if you like, though I personally like how they look unstuffed. If you'd like to stuff them, add fiberfill after round 9 or 10 at the latest. You can also use a G hook instead of an H for tighter stitches -- the white, pink (not purple), and orange heart is worked with a G hook. 

Wouldn't these make the sweetest little Valentine's? Little handmade, crochet hearts with a sweet note attached? What do you think, friends? Will you be hooking up some little hearts this week? 

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Crochet Heart Pillow: Pattern & Tutorial

If you've been hanging around here for a while, you may be like, "Girrrrl, you already posted your crochet heart pillow -- you cray?!" And you aren't wrong. Since I posted my original pattern a year ago, I have gotten a lot of questions about the pattern specifics and particular steps in the process. I have also tweaked the pattern a bit, and thought I'd put together an updated tutorial for all a y'all. I hope this makes things clearer, and please, let me know if you have any more questions! 

**Access the original pattern post here. I also have it posted to Ravelry here.**

Stuff You'll Need: size N crochet hook, 1 skein bulky weight yarn, 2 colors worsted weight yarn, scissors, large yarn needle, stuffing/fiberfill

Here is the basic pattern (I'll follow with details and photos below): 

*Note, I am using US crochet terms

Abbreviations: ch = chain, st = stitch, dc = double crochet, slpst = slip stitch, dc2tog = double crochet 2 together/double crochet decrease

Rnd 1 - Using all three yarn strands at once, make a magic ring. Ch 2 (does not count as st throughout), 7 dc in ring. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 7 dc

Rnd 2 - Ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 14 dc

Rnd 3 - Ch 2, *dc, 2dc in next st,* repeat around. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 21 dc

Rnd 4 - Ch 2, dc in each st around. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 21 dc

Rnd 5 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 6 sts, 2dc in next st,* repeat from * twice. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 24 dc

Fasten off, cut yarn leaving a tail of about 6", and set aside. Begin at round 1 again to make a second "hump." When you finish your second hump, do not fasten off. Instead, you will slip stitch into one of the Rnd5 stitches on your first hump, and start at round 6:

Rnd 6 - Ch 2, (working in first hump) dc in each of next 23 sts, 2dc in next st, (move to second hump) dc in each of next 23 sts, 2 dc in final st. Slpst to top of first dc (on first hump) to join. = 50 dc

Rnd 7 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 8 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 45 dc

Using your yarn needle and yarn tail from first hump, sew together hole formed between humps.

Rnd 8 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 7 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 40 dc 

Rnd 9 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 6 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 35 dc 

Rnd 10 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 5 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 30 dc 

Rnd 11 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 4 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 25 dc 

Rnd 12 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 3 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 20 dc 

Begin stuffing heart at this point. 

Rnd 13 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 2 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 15 dc 

Rnd 14 - Ch 2, *dc in next st, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 10 dc 

Add rest of stuffing so that pillow is firm, but crochet is not stretching. 

Rnd 15 - Ch 2, *dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 5 dc 

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew base of heart closed and weave in ends. 

Now for some notes about the pattern... 

The 2 chains at the beginning of each round are there to fill in the space formed by joining two double crochet stitches at the end and do not count as a stitch. You will basically work each round like those stitches aren't there, skipping over them when you join at the end. You can see this join more clearly in the photos above. Also important, the first double crochet of each round is worked in the SAME STITCH as the chains. You can see this above as well. (click the photos to enlarge if necessary)

These are some detail photos of the "hump joining" (HAAA). The joining of the humps... HAAA... Okay, anyway, the first photo shows the slip stitch from the second hump into the first hump. The second shows the beginning of round 6, working in the first hump. I always slip stitch into the first stitch of round 5 on the first hump, so that my yarn tail is in the middle for sewing (shown in the following photos). 

When you finish round 6, you will notice a hole between the two humps. If you don't notice it by then, you will certainly notice it soon. I instructed you to sew it together sooner than shown here -- I wanted the hole to be really obvious in photos, so I stuffed my heart first but it will be easier if you sew it while the heart is unstuffed and the base is still pretty open. All you're going to do is thread your yarn needle with the yarn tail from the first hump, sew together the hole, tie off, and weave in the end. I try to sew on the underside of the stitches so it's less obvious when the heart is finished. 

So there you have it, my updated heart pattern! I switched the decreases to all multiples of 5 because it's easier for me to keep it all straight. Crochet can be so math-y, am I right?? This ends up making the heart a bit narrower than the original, but I actually like it better. 

My favorite thing about this project is the marbled effect you get from using multiple yarns. Nope, I lied. It's actually how quickly this works up because you're using multiple yarns. But the marbled look is good too. ;) What do you think? Do these photos help those of you who've attempted the pattern before? Do you have any more questions? 

If you've made a heart pillow, please, email me at monmakesthings[at]gmail[dot]com, leave a link in the comments, or show me on Facebook/Instagram! 

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Basic Granny Square Tutorial

So. Many. Granny squares... Thanks to the Crochet Mood Blanket, I am freaking obsessed. I wanted to try my hand at the basic, old school granny, because truth be told, it has been years since I've made one. I've seen a bunch of people on the Mood Blanket social media pages bummin' out about their "basic squares" being "boring," and I'm over here like, "pfft, look at dem simple squares lookin' fab." I also saw some newbie crocheters struggling with their squares, so I thought a good photo tutorial may be helpful to some.

I'm sharing the full post at my side gig, ThinkCrafts. Check it out and make some squares with me! 

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Crochet Mood Blanket: Week 3 Reflections

Three weeks in, and I am loving this project. As I wrote about before, the social media groups surrounding the Crochet Mood Blanket project are so inspiring! I am loving interacting with other "hookers" around the world, and thanks to all their gorgeous blankets, I am jonesing to make a million more projects. I want to make squares and hexagons and stripes until I'm out of yarn! It's also given me the push to work on my ol' granny hexagon blanket from years past.. Remember that one?!

I am using Loops & Threads Impeccable for my mood blanket. I did not make a chart for colors and moods, but am instead choosing a color that I feel is appropriate each day. I didn't want to make a chart, because I think emotions are complicated and layered and fluid; I don't think a chart would properly map out my days, you know? I just don't think I can categorize a whole day as "angry," "sad," or "happy." I am, however, trying to categorize days as good or bad. I am adding a border to all my squares: white for good days, off-white for less-than-good days. I'm also keeping a journal to write down why I chose each color, though we'll see how long I can keep up with that. I wrote up my own square pattern and you can find the tutorial here. 

Something that has really surprised me about this project is how enlightening it has been to actively think about and reflect on my mood. Truth be told, I don't think I've given "mood" much thought until now, but if I had been asked, I probably would have said something about how mood is a choice or that mood is determined by the day's events. While I don't disagree with those statements, it has been really interesting to notice how I feel upon waking up, before any "daily events" have weighed on me and before making any "decisions" about my mood. There have been days when I have simply woken up cranky and I have no idea why; days that felt heavy or depressing despite being undeniably similar to many others that felt fine. 

Furthermore, when I wanted to do the "good v. bad" days with different borders, I thought I would have almost all white borders, because I consider myself such an optimist. While I still consider myself an optimist, I have realized that calling a heavy-feeling, so-so, boring kind of day "good" merely because it wasn't awful and because it's nicer to call it good than bad, is silly. I have realized that I don't like to call things "bad," but that doesn't mean they aren't... You know? I've been striving to be more honest about my mood with myself, rather than painting everything rosey because it's nicer. 

Like I said, I am loving this project. It has been both inspiring and self-revealing thus far, and we're only three weeks in! 

Are you participating? What do you think of the project? 

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Arden Granny Square Pattern

I played and played with square patterns for my crochet mood blanket. At first I wanted to do "Something Pretty" by Millie Makes. I loveee those squares, but I knew they were simply too time consuming for me to realistically keep up with for the whole year... So I'll save that pattern for a smaller project. For the mood blanket, I wanted my squares to be simple enough to finish quickly, but textural and interesting enough to keep me interested. This is what I came up with. I think they look kind of like snowflakes in a way! With some stitches worked in the back loop, the switch from a circle to a square, and some stitches worked in the front post, I think they look more intricate than they really are (which is baaaasically what I was going for). 

I'm using worsted weight yarn (Loops & Threads Impeccable) and a size H hook. *US crochet terms*

Abbreviations: ch = chain, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, st = stitch, sp = space, sk = skip, slpst = slip stitch, bl = back loop, fp = front post

*To work in back loops, insert hook from the middle of the stitch through the back loop -- see photo 3 for a close up.*

*To work around the front post, insert hook from front to back in the space before a stitch, then around from back to front through the space after that stitch. Basically, rather than working in a stitch, you are working around a stitch. You want your stitch to end up on top of the stitch you're working around, not underneath -- see photo 9 for a close up.*

Rnd 1 - Make a magic ring. Ch 4 [=1 tr], make 11 tr in ring. Slpst to top of ch4 to join. Pull ring closed and weave in end. = 12 sts (see photo 1)

Rnd 2 - Ch 3 [=1 dc] (see photo 2), dc in back loop of same st. 2 dc in bl of each st around. (see photo 3) Slpst to top of ch3 to join. = 24 sts

Rnd 3 - Ch 3 [=1 dc] (see photo 4), in sp between current and next st [dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc]. (see photo 5) *Sk 2 sts, hdc in next 3 sps. Sk 2 sts, [2 dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc] in next sp.* (see photo 6) Repeat from * twice. Sk 2 sts, hdc in next 3 sps, slpst to top of ch3 to join. Fasten off, weave in ends. (see photo 7) = 36 sts (not including 4 ch sps/corners)

Rnd 4 - In border color, begin with a standing dc in a corner sp. In the same sp, [dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc]. (see photo 8) *Sk 3 sts, 2 dc in next sp. Sk 1 st, dc around fp of next st. Sk 1 st, 2 dc in next sp. (see photo 9) Sk 3 sts, [2 dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc] in next sp.* (see photo 10) Repeat from * twice. Sk 3 sts, 2 dc in next sp. Sk 1 st, dc around fp of next st. Sk 1 st, 2 dc in next sp. Slpst to top of beginning dc to join. Fasten off, weave in ends. = 44 sts (not including ch sps/corners)

I'm doing the join as you go method for my mood blanket (good tutorial on Attic24). I'm also making a bunch of the colored portions ahead of time, so that on busy days, I can grab a pre-made middle that suits my mood and simply add the border! 

What do you think? Is the pattern more complicated than I think it is? I don't know that I'm a great judge of that sort of thing -- and writing out a pattern so that it's easy to read is tough! I'd love your feedback, readers. ♥♥

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Crochet Mood Blanket: Interview with the Creator

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already noticed me blowin' up your feed with crochet granny squares and hashtags about blankets. If you don't follow me on Instagram, you should probably start. ;)

I am beyond excited about this project. What IS this project, you ask? A "crochet mood blanket!" The idea is to crochet either a granny square or a stripe each day for the year, using a color that depicts your mood. The project was thought up by Instagram user mummy_stacey, AKA Stacey Wentford-Hall, and much to her surprise, it went viral! As of now, there are over 2,200 members of the Crochet Mood Blanket Facebook group, and over 4,800 posts under the #crochetmoodblanket2014 tag on Instagram. I don't even know how many countries are represented, but I'm pretty sure it's a lot. 

The project has grown and morphed, and is being interpreted in a number of ways. Personally, I think that's the beauty of this project; it's serving as a giant source of inspiration and the "rules" are loose! Some are doing one square a week (rather than each day), some have specified ahead of time what colors go with specific moods, some are journaling along to track their moods, some are doing a different square pattern each day, and so on! Several people are even learning to crochet via this project. Both the tag and the Facebook group have been inspiring me tremendously over the past week, and I hope that more and more people continue to join! 

As for me, I'll share more specifics on my blanket soon, believe you me... But this post is about introducing you to the project, and the project's creator, Stacey! I asked Stacey about her personal experience with crochet, her inspiration for the project, and her plans for her own mood blanket. She was so nice to chat with me, and I love her emphasis on the community that has emerged from the project! Read her responses below, and seriously... Check out the groups!

Crochet Mood Blanket Creator: Stacey Wentford-Hall

1. How long have you been crocheting? How did you learn?

After being inspired by some blankets a friend of a friend made for my eldest daughter and by all the stunning creations I had seen through my Instagram feed, I first picked up a hook in April 2012. I have crocheted near enough every day since! I taught myself using YouTube videos! I also had help from some IG people!

2. What is your favorite type of crochet project? (blankets, amigurumi, accessories, etc.)

I wouldn’t say I favour one thing really. I love making blankets, but also love making quicker projects like cowls, doilies, jar covers and cup cosies. I find that I mostly make baby blankets, but that’s due to the fact a lot of my friends and family have had babies since I first learnt to crochet! I’m yet to complete a big blanket which is one of the reasons I set myself the challenge of making the crochet mood blanket! I’d really like to get into doing some more yarn bombing this year too!

3. Do you crochet just for fun, or do you sell your products?

At the moment I crochet for fun, but I am aiming to have a website up and running in the next month or so where I’ll be selling products and also patterns. So watch this space!

4. How did you come up with the idea for the "Crochet Mood Blanket" project?

I get a lot of inspiration from the internet for both photography and craft projects. I have always admired the 365 projects Georgia from www.documentingdelight.com has done on her three gorgeous children and wanted to do the same. Sadly I have tried and failed to do so on numerous occasions. 

Whilst looking for inspiration on Instagram I came across the lovely @karensi1 who was doing a project with her friends over on a Facebook group called "For the Love of Yarnigans," where they were crocheting a scarf for 30 days and choosing a colour each day to reflect their mood. @karensi1 did hers differently by making hers a blanket. And so it all clicked into place!!! A 365 project where I crocheted my mood! That’s something I thought I could definitely achieve as I crochet every day anyway! We all have "For the Love of Yarnigans" to thank for this!

5. The project seems to have been interpreted in a number of ways, and is being approached with widely varying strategies. What is your personal "plan of attack?" (pattern choice, color chart for moods vs random color choices, solid squares vs multi-color, 365 vs 52, layout, journal keeping, etc.)

Well I was originally just going to do the 365 project, but somehow I seem to be doing both! For the 365 I am making simple solid coloured granny squares which I’m joining as I go with a cream border. I have ten different colours and I’m just picking the colour I’m drawn to each day. For my 52, I’m doing stripes using various stitches, 16 colours and a chart! I’m using a diary to keep track of what I’m doing so that I can look back at it in years to come! 

6. Now that the project has gone viral, has your vision for the project changed?

I had absolutely no idea that so many people would be joining me with this project! I think there must be 1,500+ people now taking part between Instagram & Facebook! I’m totally blown away by the response!  

I wouldn’t say that my vision for my own project has changed that much. Though seeing everyone else’s projects has tempted me many many times to go for a fancier pattern. I’ve had to give myself a talking to as I simply don’t have the time to do more than what I already am. 

What I wasn’t expecting to see was the amazing community the project has formed! It brings me great joy to see people who have never even picked up a hook having a go! And I’ve had people contact me saying that I have inspired them to start crocheting again! How touching is that! It’s just heart-warming to see people sharing what they have made, everyone supporting each other, sharing tips and just having a giggle! Long may it continue! 

7. How will you personally be sharing your progress, and how do you hope participants share their own progress throughout the year?

Now that the first week is in the bag, I will be posting on Instagram and Facebook once a week with a picture and info on each square. As soon as I have set up my website I will be doing the same on there and I’m aiming to do a little feature with what other people have been making in that week too!

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I can attest to the community. I check the Instagram tag and the Facebook group multiple times a day like a crazy person. There are soooo many fantastic granny square patterns, I want to make them all! I'll more about my own blanket very soon, but for now, this post is plenty long. ;) Link-up your own mood blanket posts below! I'm hoping to set up weekely or bi-weekly link-ups to share progress. What do you think of the project?

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Crochet Baby Booties

When I made this fab photo display board for the friend of a friend's baby shower, I wound up invited to said shower. I couldn't attend without a gift, right? So I whipped up these baby booties real quick the night before. I found the pattern on Ravelry and altered it slightly... Side note: If you crochet/knit and aren't on Ravelry, you are missing out. If you are on Ravelry, let's be friends! (My username is monmakesthings.)

Check out more how I made these and more photos over here on ThinkCrafts, and leave a comment from Mon Makes Things!

Anybody else panicking about Thanksgiving? Because it's jussssstttt hitting me that I have to cook a big ol' holiday meal for tomorrow. Oops. ;) 

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Holiday Crafting // Crochet Ornaments

It is officially November, which means Christmas will be here before we know it. Any fellow holiday crafters out there know that means it's time to start making holiday gifts. Or maybe you started months ago, over achievers... I wanted to share some handmade holiday ornaments in my Etsy shop right now! Along with these original ornaments, there are two original patterns available for purchase as well! 

We (my mom and I) started offering custom cat ornaments last year, made to look like your kitties (or however you want)! They are sooo cute; my mom is a crochet genius. I learned everything I know from her. She has been selling these teddy bear ornaments since long before I was born! 

We also love custom order requests, so if you've got an idea, shoot it our way! We've done a custom mouse, a rocking horse, custom colors, team bears, and more. I'm pretty sure my mom likes making new things more than making more of the old.

These two ornament patterns, Santa and the penguin, are available in our shop, so you can make your own! They are admittedly pretty involved patterns, and if you're not used to working with thread it will take some getting used to. But I am confident that you can do it, friends! There are step-by-step photos and we encourage you to email with any questions.

Check out the shop, and share with friends! These ornaments make great gifts, and there's just something about handmade products, am I right? Of course, maybe I'm biased. ;) 

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