From a belt to a headband }{ diy

And the boxes are still crowding almost every room...

On the other hand, I'm taking this move as an opportunity to purge, clean out, de-clutter. With that comes some reorganizing and considering the fate of many possessions. I'm no hoarder, but I also don't like to waste. I see potential in a lot of random odds and ends. If it sits in my to do list for too long however, it's time for it to go.

So, this month's theme on the blog will be reorganizing and repurposing.

As part of that theme, today's post is about changing a fabric belt into one (or many) headbands. It's so simple and easy, you can even do it without a sewing machine (although the machine makes it that much faster).

Materials: your old belt, some elastic, measuring tape, scissors, needle/sewing machine and thread

Steps: 

1. Measure your head around the area you want to wear your headband.
2. Measure your belt from one end to about 4 inches less than your head's measurement and cut it.
3. Cut about 2 inches of elastic (depending on how stretchy it is, you may want to make it a bit shorter or longer).
4. Fold the raw edge inward twice (1/4" * 2) and iron (optional but makes it neater).
5. Place one short side of the elastic in downside of the folded edge and pin. Sew edge.
6. Place the other side of the elastic on the downside of the other edge, pin, and sew it in place.
7. Wear your band.

I asked my sister who's living with us to model the headband for me. She's a little shy but reluctantly agreed. Thank you, sis!

Won't you share your repurposing projects?

Headbands for Christmas }{ crochet pattern

I'm thinking this will be the last in a series of crochet and knitting posts I've been writing.

Following the headband and the scarf, today I'm sharing the pattern I used for the flowers I used in the girls' headbands for Christmas. It's a modified version of a flower pattern I learned a while back, but I can't remember where I got it from.

The pattern itself is simple and easy, but I wanted to share it because of the scalloped edges it creates. Making scalloped edges in crochet projects creates a cute little detail and it's so easy. The secret is to crochet some double or half double crochet stitches in the same stitch, then skip the next and slip stitch in the following stitch. Easy, right? You'll see what I mean in the pattern below.

In terms of yarn and hooks, I used an E hook and sport weight yarn, but that can be changed. Play around with different weights and hooks to find the results you like best.

CH = chain
DC = double crochet
SL = slip stitch

Pattern for base:

1. CH 17
2. Row 1: In 5th ch from the hook (including the chain on the hook, count 5 backwards), DC. *ch 1, skip the next ch, then DC, ch 1, DC in the following chain*. Repeat steps between ** until you reach the end. 
3. Row 2: CH 3, turn. This will be your first "DC" in this row. 5 DC in first ch 1 space, *SL in the next ch 1 space, 6 DC in the next ch 1 space*. Repeat steps between ** until the end of the row.
4. Tie it off leaving a long tale for sewing the flower together with a tapestry needle, then attaching it to the headband.

Pattern for second layer:

1. CH 17
2. Row 1: In 5th ch from the hook (including the chain on the hook, count 5 backwards), 5 DC. *skip the next ch, sl in the following ch, 6 DC in the next*. Repeat steps between ** until you reach the end. 
3. Tie it off leaving a long tale for sewing the flower together with a tapestry needle, then attaching it to the flower base.

The princess asked me to add a "jewel" to the middle and I let her pick one for me to attach with hot glue. Done! Then reluctantly, the dragon modeled the finished headbands.

what's this you've got on my head, mom?

Easy scarf and headband }{ Knitting

Remember the scarf I mentioned back in September? I realized I never shared the finished product with you. I added some pockets at the end of the scarf in a simple way, made this headband, and added a bright flower to the headband. I quite like it and decided it was worth sharing the pattern for it.

Materials:

• Size US 13 knitting needles 
• Bulky yarn

I didn't measure the gauge because I feel like scarves are so flexible. It's really up to you to decide what feels most comfortable in terms of width and length. So follow these instructions with the caveat that length and width can and should be adjusted to fit you and your taste.

What I did:

1. Cast on 14 stitches (this is where you would adjust the width - anywhere between 10 and 18, with 10 being very, very thin)
2. Rows 1-12: knit straight through
3. Row 13: purl
4. Row 14: knit
5. Row 15: purl
6. Row 16: knit
7. Rows 17-28: purl
8. Row 29: knit
9. Row 30: purl
10. Row 31: knit
11. Row 32: purl
12. Repeat rows 1-32 until you're satisfied with the length.
13. Once it's as long as you want it, repeat it one more time (to have enough scarf for pockets). Bind off and weave loose yarn. Fold both ends on their wrong sides, just enough to form two pockets that fit your hands. Sew the sides and turn them right side out. 

I'd share a self-portrait wearing them but the Dragon doesn't let me sleep enough, or wear clothes long enough without spitting up to allow for a decent photo. Maybe soon.

How are you keeping warm this Fall? 

Quick crochet headband

Fall still has me in the mood for the needle arts, but this time the little misses got to choose the color (well, the princess did). So pink it is!

This headband is so easy and quick, I've been making it left and right for different girls in my life. It truly is the "genius" headband as the original designer calls it. By the way, that designer is Elizabeth Alan of the Lovely Crow (you should check out her facebook and Ravelry pages). She offers this pattern for free with youtube videos to help you along (though it's an easy pattern to begin with).

The original was a bit wider than I like, however, so I modified it slightly. Here's how my modifications ended up:

before weaving in the loose ends

1. chain 7
2. Row 1 - slip stitch on the third chain from the hook and chain 3, slip stitch on the last chain and chain 4
3. Row 2 - slip stitch through the first oval and chain 3, slip stitch through the last oval and chain 4
4. repeat row 2 until you're happy with the length. Finish your last row without the chain 4.
5. Tie the two ends together by: chain 2 from the end of the last row, slip stitch through the first oval in row 1, chain 2, slip stitch through the first oval in the last row, chain 2, slip stitch through the last oval in row 1, chain 2, slip stitch through the last oval in the last row, chain 2, slip stitch through a chain on the edge of row 1.
6. Weave in loose ends with tapestry needle.

That gives you a headband that's thinner and with only two little oval loops on each row. Here's the princess modeling hers for me:

Any quick and easy patterns/crafts to share?

Goals and headbands, but not together }{ WIP Wednesdays

I'm sure many of you have read tips and advice for achieving success in your endeavors, right? Or am I the only one who seems to notice these things popping up everywhere?

Well, I do appreciate them and try to follow the ones that make sense to me and my context. One of these, probably the most common, suggests (actually it's more like commands) that we must make short term goals that lead to long term goals. They must be realistic and measurable goals with a deadline. That way you can keep yourself accountable to them - another well repeated tip.

Where am I going with this? I need to refocus my time on my goals. This blog is part of the picture, so this isn't a "I'm spending less time on this" kind of post. In fact, I use my blog to keep me accountable to my dreams. I have much respect for the written word, and once I write it down it's like a contract with myself. I don't want to write down exactly what I'm working on this summer because I think it may be too premature. But soon.

I need to rethink my strategies and stop being afraid of failure. I have this sign hanging on top of my craft space that says "a man is not finished when he's defeated; a man is finished when he quits." I need to take these words to heart.

I have less time now to work on my goals, what with the husband gone. Still, that does not mean I'm finished with them. I just need to adjust my strategy.

Enough rambling. 

I've been working on headbands for N. because I love them and think little girls look adorable with them. I learned how to make this particular one from a tutorial on No Biggie, a blog I love. The only modification I made was to keep the squares open when making the scalloped edges, it just worked better for me with the materials I chose. 

As you can see, N. refused to make normal faces today.  She wanted nothing to do with the camera today. I love this child.

How do you work towards your goals? How do you stay focused?