Last year, I used an old sheet to make a doily rug for my daughter's room. In an effort to use up the left over fabric as well as some yarn that isn't too soft, I started making these little containers. The inspiration for this project came from a "recipe" for a crochet rug using t-shirts. Today's post shares the technique, but doesn't necessarily provide a pattern.

One of my least favorite things to knit/crochet is a blanket. Basically, I get bored. Most recently, I made a blanket for my newest niece. That blanket was frogged at least 4 times, probably more, because I couldn't find a stitch that I actually liked. Finally, I settled on the lovely Sea Mist Shell Stitch by Crochet Geek. I did a small rectangle and planned to crochet a border, but again, I couldn't find a stitch that I actually liked. I remembered Ricky's Blanket that I made about a year and a half ago, where, instead of knitting more length or a border, I sewed fabric around the edges. So, that is what I did with this little blanket. To do this, you would treat the knit/crochet part like a fabric blanket and add a border the same way. If you would like a tutorial for this technique, head over to Ricky's Blanket. 

As I have mentioned before, my crafting desires come in ebbs and flows. Generally I will knit/crochet like crazy for a couple months then I will sew like crazy for a couple months, then go back to knit/crochet. When I am in full knit/crochet mode, I like to take my projects with me, however, I haven't had a great bag to do this. Usually I end up using a large purse to carry everything and my hooks/needles get lost among diapers, snacks and other basic purse worthy items. I thought of this large tote to solve this problem months ago, but didn't get around to making it until now. Below is the tutorial.

Over the past week or so, I have added a few new listings to my Etsy shop, KitsCrafts2012. I thought I would highlight these items as they are a bit different from what I have made in the past. Enjoy!

It goes without saying that anyone with any kind of hobby is likely to have a large amount of supplies on hand, such is true about yarn for those of us that knit and crochet. Problem is, that, if you are like me, the primary place for storing these goods is in large plastic tubs in a closet. The interior designer in me screams to display those unique things that make me who I am, as in that huge stash hiding in the closet, so of course, one needs to get creative.

Today's post is all about inspiring the interior designer in all of you with some ideas I found around the web of how others display their passion for yarn. 

Now that you have some ideas of how to make that large pile of yarn beautiful, head over to Lion Brand for a really great blog post, 12 Tips on How to Organize Your Yarn Stash. Please share links about organizing yarn that you have found (or even your own) in the comments!

A couple days ago, I found out that one of my friends knits. In talking to her about it, she said she had just learned, but didn't think you could knit much beyond hats, scarves and blankets. I honestly didn't answer right away because my mind was buzzing with so many ideas of things you could make with your needles. Finally, I said, "When you knit you are making a fabric, so basically anything you could make with fabric you could knit". Of course, this is true for crochet, too. A wonderful thing these days is that you can find many knit and crochet doilies and tablecloths at thrift stores, so even if you don't have the skill, you can still partake in the fun by upcycling a secondhand find.

Anyway, as I was deciding what to post about today, I thought I would share some ideas, many of which contain patterns/tutorials for you to re create the inspiration. Click on the picture to go to the link. Enjoy!

For some time now, I have been trying to organize my craft materials and tools. Only problem, is that I want the tools I use most often to be readily available, so that means they need to look nice too. I searched the internet to come up with some way of organizing my double pointed needles and crochet hooks. Primarily, what I saw was antique pipe holders upcycled as knitting needle holders. So, I went looking at some local antique shops. Unfortunately, I didn't quite find what I was looking for until I stopped by Lost and Found Thrift in Bountiful, Utah. First off, I must do a shout out to this glorious place. Not only do they have great items, but they have pictures all over the store to give you ideas of what some of their products could be turned into with a little DIY. The greatest part are the friendly, helpful owners. After browsing for a bit, I wasn't coming across any pipe holders, so I described what I was needing to Cheryl, one of the owners. She thought for a moment then I saw the light bulb go off and she asked if I had thought of using a floral frog. She went in the back and brought out exactly what I was needing. All that was left was to put it in a container. I remembered a milk glass trifle bowl I bought a while back and, lucky for me, they were a perfect fit! I didn't have to do any adjusting or jimmy rigging at all!

Now you tell me, isn't that perfect?! It is like my own little bouquet of knitting needles and crochet hooks. I love it! I know that this is a pretty serendipitous find, so if you are looking to organize your needles/hooks, you could also try an old test tube holder or a test tube vase. 

I decided to post today about the Swaner EcoCenter in Park City, Utah, as I will be selling some items in their gift shop. The EcoCenter is located on the Swaner Preserve, which is a protected habitat spanning more than 1,200 acres. The preserve and center are run by Utah State University (my alma mater). If you are thinking of going to Park City, make a stop here, there are guided tours as well as small exhibits that teach you about the different wildlife that the preserve protects. There is also a viewing dock on the roof that overlooks the expanse of the preserve. It is a great place to spend the afternoon and learn about how we can protect nature and create a more sustainable world. Did I mention that the EcoCenter gained the highest LEED certification possible? Pretty cool stuff... 

Anyway, once you have had a chance to check everything out, head on over to the gift shop. Below is a sampling of the items I made exclusively for the Swaner EcoCenter. 

Last summer, I brought you tutorials for tarn (T-Shirt Yarn) and magarn (magazine yarn). So, today, I thought I would bring you another yarn alternative, plarn. I think it is easy to say that plarn and tarn are probably the most common yarns made from recycled materials, especially because they are so easily made. Plarn can be a bit time consuming, but it makes some lovely products. Do you remember the Broomstick Bag pattern I shared last summer? That pattern uses about 15 - 20 grocery bags to make. Anyway, here is the tutorial.

Materials:
Plastic bags
Scissors
Ruler (if you want to be precise, I just winged it...)

Directions:
Flatten out your bag, fold it in half 3 times, pushing the air out as you go. Starting at the bottom, cut strips about 1/2" - 1" wide, but not smaller than 1/2", depending on how thick you want your plarn to be. It will thin out as you are knitting or crocheting it up. I usually cut mine at 1/2". Unfold your strips into large circles. Now, you just create a basic square knot to connect each circle.

One of my most favorite crochet stitches is the shell stitch. I am not sure what it is about that stitch, but I find myself reverting back to the shell when designing patterns, whether it is the small one featured here or the large shell I used in the Shell Dress from last May, I just can't help myself! It is just such a beautiful stitch! Anyway, if you have been wanting to learn how to do the shell stitch, here is the perfect pattern to start with. Like the Seeds Pixie Bonnet from last month, the basic design is a rectangle that is folded in half and sewed up the back. Give it a spin, let me know what you think!

I would consider this an advanced beginner pattern as it combines basic stitches. It is pretty easy, though, you will catch the rhythm soon enough and be shelling along without thinking. I made this in just one size, but you can go up or down by adjusting your hook/yarn.

Print the pattern.

Gauge:
2” = 9 stitches x 10 rows in single crochet

Size:
Newborn – 3 months

Materials:
60 – 70 yards (55 – 65 meters) worsted weight yarn
H/8 (5.00 mm) Hook
Yarn Needle

Abbreviations:
CH = Chain
ST = Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
YO = Yarn Over

Pattern:
Row 1: With a tail 12” long, CH 50, SC in the 2nd ch from the hook, *SK 2ch, 5DC in the next ch, SK 2ch, SC in the next ch, repeat from * 7 more times (8 shells)
Row 2: CH3 (counts as the 1st dc), 2DC in the 1st sc, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, *SK 2dc, 5DC in the next st, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, repeat from * 6 more times, SK 2DC, 3Dc in the next st
Row 3: CH 1, SC in the 1st st, *SK 2dc, 5 DC in the next st, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, repeat from * 7 more times
Rows 4 – 15: Repeat rows 2 & 3
Finishing: Fold the bonnet in half so the short sides meet and seam up the chain side with the 12” tail, fasten off and weave in ends. To make the ties, CH 40, SC in one of the corners of the hat, then SC along the bottom of the hat, CH 41, turn, SC in the 2nd ch from the hook, then across the remaining chs, SC along the bottom of the hat, SC along the original chs, fasten off. Weave in ends.