I Made Some Boot Cuffs

I find when I wear skirts in the winter, my legs get cold between my boot and my skirt.  The solution I came up with was making a pair of "boot cuffs".  Of course boot cuffs are awesome with leggings and skinny jeans too!!

My first attempt was with a chunky yarn...  I didn't like the finished look of the cuff because I found it to be too "chunky" for my chicken legs (the cuff is nice though, just not suitable for me).  Since this was only a test, I didn't make two;  I  only crocheted one to see what it would like on me.  See the difference between the chunky yarn and the 4-ply below:

I thought a 4-ply yarn would be more delicate looking and I was right.  It looks way better for my leg size.

How did I make these?

Any 4-ply yarn, a size 5.5 hook, scissors and a wide-eye needle.

Make a chain of 23 stitches (or however wide you want your cuff);

Single crochet in the second chain from the hook (into the back loop of the stitch only- this is what makes the ribbed effect and it also makes it stretchy);

Single crochet each stitch in the back loop, chain 1 at the end of your work, turn and repeat until you have your desired size;

When you've reached your desired size, slip stitch the seam (this will make a nice almost invisible seam);

With your last slip stitch, chain 1, and single crochet all around the opening, slip stitch at the end.

To make your little frilly, scalloped finish:

Begin with 5 double crochet stitches in one stitch, single crochet in the next and alternate all the way around.  Slip stitch at the end and tie off (make sure you leave enough tail to weave in).

Finished!

Button Scarf For Hubby

My husband wanted me to make him a scarf with buttons.  I chose this lovely, acrylic/wool blend, roving yarn in this gorgeous cobalt blue color.  This scarf can be worn 2 ways: first it can be worn by buttoning the two lower buttons which gives you a looser fit around the neck as he is wearing it in the above picture, or with the extra button, you can also wear it so that it covers your neck more.  See pictures below to see what I mean.  

I personally am loving this scarf!!  Do you want to replicate this look, find the yarn here, and the large wooden buttons I purchased them here.

*My blog contains affiliate links.  When you make a purchase via these links, I may be compensated.  Please note:  I only brag about items I have researched or I have purchased myself.  Than You!

Finished Adult Messy Bun, Ponytail Hat

I finished the adult-size, messy bun/ponytail hat in black with an oversized flower.  I'm loving this hat!!

Notes about making this hat:  Instead of only using the elastic in the circle, I also added a chain which I slip-stitched into a loop (I thought this might be a good idea in case the elastic ever broke).

Another thing I did, was use a chainless double crochet stitch when I did the slipstitch with each new row (this makes an almost invisible seam).  

I doubled my yarn (I used two skeins of 4 ply yarn, which makes the hat stiffer and a bit heavier).

My flower is oversized with 7 petals (I love the fullness of 7 petals as opposed to only 5).

I just purchased this amazing book on how to crochet different stitches.  You will enjoy the many photographs and clear instructions.  Enjoy!

Working On Adult Messy Bun Hat

I made a cute, messy bun hat for my granddaughter which turned out to be perfect for her mounds of curly hair!  Of course, she makes everything look cute in my eyes (lol).  Now, I'm working on an adult size messy bun (ponytail) hat in an adult size S/M.  Here is what I got so far.  It's going well.  I will be done shortly and will add a lovely crochet flower to the side to give it that glamorous look!

I'll post the pattern when I'm done.  Please take a moment to click on the FOLLOW button (up on the right of the page.  If you love DIY and handmade, you will love the Handmade-Korner!

Here is the one I made for my granddaughter (below).

Rustic Rings His and Hers

These, rustic copper bands are hammered to a beautiful finish and then layered with a rich brown patina and sealed for a lasting finish.  I make these rings out of re-purposed copper pipe.  

It's interesting to completely transform an object into something else, to re-invent it and make it into wearable art.

Although copper does not look great on my skin tone, I love working with that metal; it reacts beautifully to the torch and it's so versatile! Plus, it looks amazing with silver.   

One of the techniques that blows my mind is "torch painting".  

In the future, I will write a post all about the process.  It's fascinating and mesmerizing all at once!

These rustic bands sell as a set.  You can get them via my online store here.

Crying Eye Pendant, Custom Order

A customer sent me the picture below of a crying eye (eye with tear) and asked if I could replicate the design for his girlfriend.  

Below, you can see my design from this original photograph (with my personal touch). 

First, I made a sketch with the measurements needed for the pendant.  

Second, I chose sterling silver and solid silver as my preferred metals because that's what I had on hand.  

Third, I chose a lavender color cz stone for the tear (as was required by the customer).

Initially we wanted to use a piece of beach glass as the tear drop but my sea glass pieces were too big for this project (and I didn't want to have to cut a piece of glass for it was just too small to handle).

In my original design, I had the idea of using PMC silver clay, which is a precious metal clay (a wonderful product because you can work it like clay then fire it in the kiln so that it burns off the clay and you're left with a solid piece of sterling silver or pure silver depending on the clay type you use).  Actually, you can also purchase this clay in less precious metals like copper, bronze, and of course you can also get it in PMC (precious metal) gold.  I've never used any other clays other than the PMC3 silver and the Art Clay 950.  Although silver clay is available on Amazon.ca I noticed the others are only available on the Amazon.com site.

If you are like me, and love to learn about new techniques, then you will enjoy learning about how to use silver clays with this how to book (it's worth knowing what you're doing because this clay can be tricky). Here are a few good books from the Amazon.com site 

*My blog contains affiliate links, which means that when you make a purchase via these links, the company may compensate me for promoting their products.  I only promote products I use or that I know are of the best quality.  Thank You.

What happened to my initial idea of using PMC3 Silver, you might ask?  Well, I did the entire pendant with the exception of the bail and everything looked beautiful (I was quite proud of myself especially since I was using the Clay 950 for the first time).  

After removing it from the kiln, I was giving it a good polish to get the metal to glisten like it should, and it looked amazing.  I knew the client would be very pleased!  

And then, to my horror, during the last shining, the pendant got caught in the polishing bit, twisted, under the pressure of the Foredom machine, broke into pieces that were flung across my studio (I have yet to find one of the pieces)! 

I had no time to be emotional, no time to panic, nor to give up.  The pendant was a surprise gift and my client was counting on me.  He was on his way to pick up the pendant the very same day.  I had to use my plan B (yes, I most of the time have a plan B with this type of project).

I took a breath, gathered what I needed to construct the eye (using silver .999 sheet and sterling .925 heavy gauge wire) and got to work.  

To my relief, in no time, the eye came together quite nicely; I was satisfied with the overall look.  

After cleaning and polishing it up, I added the cz stone and placed it in the jewelry box ready for pick-up.  

Results:  Happy client and a very happy recipient, the girlfriend!

Quote:  Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success!

Professional Finish To Handmade Hats

I found these awesome, little pyrographed, wooden tags with the word "Handmade" on them.  I absolutely love them!  They will add a professional finish to my handmade knit and crochet projects. 

What do you think?  You can find these tags here.  

Shop some of my hats here.

*I promote affiliate links so that if you click on them to make a purchase, I could be compensated by the company.  Thank You for supporting me.

A Happy Customer "Ponytail Hat"

My first attempt at a ponytail hat and it was a success!  I added a flower because let's face it, this little girl is a "DIVA", and a plain hat just won't do.  She loved the hat (which is a big deal because she's got style and she is quite particular as to what she decides to wear).  My ponytail hat (messy bun hat) passed the "Diva Test." Hooray!

I'm a happy grandma!

If you want to order a hat, leave a message in the message box and I will custom make you one via my Etsy shop.  

Neck Warmers For My Girls

Decided to make a few neck warmers for my girls.  I love the turquoise, teal, squiggly yarn; it's so soft! It's another lovely yarn by Red Heart.  You can find it here on Amazon (delivered right to your door).   I used a very simple crochet stitch to make the cowl (neck warmer).  It's a bit tricky because the yarn is so bumpy that it makes it difficult to know where your stitches are, but eventually I found a way by using my fingers to feel the stitch instead of relying on my eyes alone.  

*I promote affiliate links on my blog, this means I may receive compensation when you click through and make a purchase via those links.  Thank You.

The dark pink one is made of this super soft, velvety yarn (it's nice and think).  You can find this velvety yarn here on Amazon.  To make this neck warmer, I started with a chain (the width I wanted the cowl to be and then I crocheted  in the back loop (when you do this, you get that lovely ribbed effect that looks just like knitting but way faster).  I basically make a rectangle, joined both ends and then crocheted the seam closed.  I used a large hook for crocheting this cowl, hook US #8.  I got mine here for a good price.

Crochet Ponytail Hat or Messy Bun Hat

My granddaughter wanted a ponytail hat or messy bun hat.  Since she's a real little "Diva", I decided to add a large flower to make the hat a bit more glamorous!  

I achieved this look by combining a lovely grey yarn with a white yarn.  I love how the specks of white comes through just enough to create a lovely pattern throughout.  

You can replicate this look with these yarns, here on Amazon.

*I may receive compensation when you make a purchase via the link you click through.  Thank You for your support.