Yarn Bombing: Dallas' Winspear Opera House Has Me 'Hooked'

Like all of us with an eye for the crafty, I've been intrigued by yarn bombing over the past few years. There is something so whimsical and marvelously frivolous about putting all of that work into a piece of temporary art. It's like cake decorating to me in a way. Making a moment in time magical with something beautiful. So I couldn't help but take a 'million' pictures of the yarn-bombed grounds of the Winspear Opera House, an installation inspired by their latest production, Hair. It was just so happy and beautiful. Does this inspire you to 'bomb' something? Wouldn't it be fun to crochet up a sweater for your front yard Oak? Or surprise a Fall birthday friend with a granny-squared mailbox? Maybe that half-finished afghan would be enough to cover your lawn flamingo? No surface is safe!

See my gallery of yarn-bomb photos...

25 FREE Baby Blanket Tutorials {A Slideshow}

Looking to craft the perfect baby blanket? Try one of these 25 FREE baby blanket tutorials from talented folks around the web. Whether you sew, knit, crochet or quilt there is something here for you. There are a few here that I’m itching to make too! See the slideshow and links to all 25 FREE projects on Babble!

Crochet Party Chain

Back in February, Cornflower Blue's Rachel Hunnicut, a talented knitter, crocheter and embroider-er-errrrr, created a beginner embroidery tutorial for Prudent Baby. We were so blown away by it's AWESOME that we forgot that we had originally asked her to guest-post this fabulous Crochet Party Chain. We love it as party decor but even more-so for it's long life in your home after the cake is cut and the guests go home. Take it away Rachel!
Read more »

Granny Square Poncho

Tristin from Two Girls Being Crafty is here to share this Too-Cute Tute for a Granny Square Poncho. Hmnn. I think we might need her to do one for the hat too, right? Leave Tristin a comment here and you could win a yard of my pom-pom trim which I have been creepily petting for you until it ships off to it's new home. I love trim. Sorry, I'm sleep deprived. Take it away Tristin... please.

Hey Prudent Baby-Mommas! I am so excited to share a fun and funky granny square project with you today--so get your crochet hook ready! I glean so much inspiration from Prudent Baby and am happy to be able to share a project in hopes of inspiring you.

Get the full Granny Square Poncho Tutorial after the jump.

Read more »

Grannie Square Pin Cushion

Mandi from Common Threads is here to teach us how to make a Grannie Square Pin Cushion.

She says...
It was a quick little project and I think that they might just make cute gifts (Christmas or anytime) for my crafty friends and family!

Click here and learn how to make a grannie square pin cushion.

Read more »

Quick Crochet & Fabric Top

Do any of you sewers also crochet?  Or do crocheters also sew? (is crocheters a word?)  I've been getting the feeling these are one-or-the-other type hobbies.  Even so, I've just been learning crochet this year and i really like it, though for me it's a little bit of delayed gratification, since most projects seem to take longer then sewing.

That being said, I've tried to come up with projects that use crochet but are a little quicker, like this top. You just crochet the neckline, then sew the dress to it.  It's a lot like the Snappy Toddler Top, with a different neckline.   The cotton yarn is nice and airy for summer, and I ADORE this Eau de Mer fabric, Push Pin Green, which is on sale right now (along with all japanese import fabric) at Fabricworm.
Get the full Quick Crochet & Fabric Top tutorial after the jump...
Read more »

Wine Rack as Yarn Storage Part 2

I finally got around to filling my wine rack with yarn as Jacinda suggested in her mind-blowing post Wine Rack as Yarn Storage. Hers was empty because she moved all the wine to her fancy wine cellar. Mine is empty because I drank it all.

I'm so in love with my new little nook! I'm a super beginner at crochet, but this has inspired me to maybe give another go to the Crochet Pennant Garland, or try the adorable Crochet Baby Bonnet, or finally finish another Hot Water Bottle Cozy.

Super Quick Wrap Scarf Crochet Pattern

Y'all had a lot of fun with our first Chunky Scarf Crochet Pattern so maybe you'll like this one too.  It's shorter and just wraps twice, and works up SO QUICKLY.  You could use this pattern to make a crochet toddler scarf, I actually made it for Scarlet to wrap three times, but she just doesn't like scarves so I stole it back, sorry daughter.

Get the full Crochet Wrap Scarf Pattern after the jump...
Read more »

DIY Crochet Baby Beanie - Free Pattern

Back in my one child days, I crocheted an adorable sweater and hat from one of those free patterns from the yarn isle. Because I had no idea how to relocate the pattern, I was thinking that I would create something similar for you all but then I organized my yarn and found the pattern! And then I found that it was on the Caron website! Try out this pattern!, it introduces a few new stitches for beginner crocheters including Ribbing and Decreasing. And I highly recommend using variegated yarn for supreme cuteness and embarrassing riches of compliments. Adding the pom-pom as suggested in the pattern would also be adorable.

Wine rack as yarn storage

All of our talk of getting organized inspired me this weekend. We rearranged and finally moved our empty wine shelves out of the living room. There's nothing sadder than an empty wine shelf. Have no fear, the wine has found a new fancy home. But back to the lonely little shelf that was banished to the craft cave. Ta Da! A pretty rainbow of yarn storage. And more drawer space to boot! Ultimately, the shelves will be moving to a space where there is no direct sunlight. These little shelves would also be perfect for jars of notions and baubles. Now if I could only find a use for all those empty cigarette cartons. I kid, I kid.

Of course, as soon as I finished my happy little display I found another GIANT tub of yarn. I have a vice, y'all and it isn't wine. Must step away from Michaels.

Note: as requested by Alix from Modern Kiddo, here is where you can buy your very own inchworm. Isn't he an adorable blast from the past?

Chunky Scarf Crochet Pattern

So last week I posted my Top Five Hot Mess Mommy Tips and commenter  Jaimie (who has a gorgeous name) said she liked the knit scarf in the picture.  
Well, Jaimie, that made my day, because I MADE that scarf!  It's actually crochet and it took about 30 minutes, it was so simple I thought it wasn't worth posting, but since you liked it, I thought I'd share.  It's actually one long tube that I wrap around my neck three times.
Get the (crazy easy beginner) Chunky Crochet Wrap Scarf Pattern after the jump...

Read more »

Crochet Vase

Here's an easy and simple way to spruce up a vase: crochet a cover for it.  I had actually crocheted this tube to make another Crochet Hot Water Bottle Cozy, but I used a wool yarn that was just too scratchy for that purpose. Then it occurred to me to slip it on this vase. I love the crafty vibe it gives the living room.

The super-simple Crochet Vase Cover pattern is this:  chain your yarn until it fits right around the vase snuggly, slip stitch into first stitch to join, ch 3, DC into third chain from the hook, DC in each chain across, slip stitch into first stitch to join, and repeat until your crochet vase cover is the length you want.  Coziness!

Crochet Neck Cuff / Scarflette Pattern

My best GF's and I implemented a $10 or less holiday gift policy about 5 years ago and it's been entertaining to see what we come up with every year (Malice got me a Barney's leather wallet for under $10!!  so what if it's a weird size that can't accommodate a bill, it's gorgeous!).  Anyhow, now that I'm learning to crochet I decided to make some of these neck cuffs/scarflettes for them over the holidays, and to share the crochet pattern with you.

I even found a crazy button store on my street - all kinds of wild vintage buttons that wardrobe people from the studios use to make sure Angelina Jolie has just-the-right-time-period button on her coat in The Changeling - and the owner gave me a whole button tutorial!  Did you know about backing buttons?  Do you want to?  Get the neck cuff pattern and some mad button knowledge after the jump...

Read more »

Crochet Pennant Garland Part 2

I made a Crochet Pennant Garland in pink and purple using Jacinda's pattern.  NOTE:  Updated for safer pennant garland placement.  With bonus Carleton Curtis cameo...

Get the pattern here!

DIY: Crochet Bonnet

Last week I made this little fleece bonnet inspired by Quinn's baptism cap and you were all seriously so sweet about it but the underlying message was... "um, we really like the original, where is the tutorial for that?" So, because we love you, here it is!
Find the crochet pattern after the jump...

Read more »

Crochet Ruffle Scarf

I made this as a gift for a certain mother-in-law who looks very pretty in blue and I think might like ruffles.  This is a very simple pattern, it takes under an hour to crochet these fun ruffles so you could totally whip one out today for your MIL too!

Since this crochet scarf pattern uses about half a skein of yarn it only costs around $2.50 so it fits into our under $5 category.  If you're into ruffles it could make a nice addition to your hot mess mommy wardrobe.  Get the pattern after the jump!
Read more »

Crochet Wreath Part 2

I made another crochet wreath last night. This time using Lion Brand Hometown USA, it's a really thick yarn (like Lion Brand Thick and Quick) and it's perfect for super speedy little projects. Then I just clipped an ornament peacock on there, tied a ribbon and called it a day. It would look really cute with some pom poms or a big crochet flower, I think. But I'm done. Now on to baby Quinn's stocking. There's still time!

25 Blogs of Christmas

Amazing blog Dos Family (recently named by the London Times as a top 50 design site) is hosting a Christmas Calendar blog tour!  I'm honored that Prudent Advice is featured today as Day 21 with some snippets from the upcoming book.
  
But you simpy must check it out for all the amazing how-to's from other crafty bloggers, including Day 19, a pattern for this crochet christmas ornament from Erica Laurell...

Or Day 13, this super-cute Christmas embroidery from Meet Me at Mike's...

There's so much more stylish international goodness going on at Dos Family!  Go check it out!

Crochet Hot Water Bottle Cozy

For The Season of Cozy i bring you this crochet Hot Water Bottle - a little retro, a little sweet.  This crochet hot water bottle cozy is very quick and simple to make, if you have access to a hot water bottle it's a great last minute gift. I ordered the hot water bottle for $10 on amazon here and used my favorite Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn.

 Get the pattern after the jump...

Read more »

Handmade Hanukkah Day 8: Simple Sparkly Crochet Bow Headband

You can whip one of these crochet headbands out in ten minutes.  I want to make a jillion crochet headbands with or without bows.  It's basically another version of Jacinda's Hot Mess Mommy headband.  Make it longer or shorter to suit you or your giftee's head.

Get the Crochet Bow Headband Pattern after the jump...

Read more »