Tag: hobby

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Beginner Patterns, Crochet

Crafty Sassy: How To Crochet A Granny Square (Beginner)

Posted on by Katie Night

Today, we are going to talk about the most basic and easier square you can crochet. Granny square can be used to make mini squares, or one giant square! We are going to make a small, simple one.

I am going to point out that everyone has their way of crocheting the granny square. So, if you don’t think it looks right or you don’t like that pattern, then you can always search and find a pattern that works for you!

So, one of my kinda BIG crocheting projects, was the giant rasta color granny square, that I am making for my fiance. Its’ basically a giant granny square. It’s not done, but the bigger it gets, the more difficult it can be on your wrists.

Let’s talk about what you will need:

  • Medium Yarn (If you want, you can choice multiple colors, but I will be using just one solid color, to make it easier for you.)
    • Remember: If you are a beginner, try to stay away from dark colors.
  • Crochet Hook: 5.5mm
    • For the hook, it doesn’t have to be that size, but I found it was easier to work with in the video I watched.
  • Sewing Needle

 

Now that we having everything we need, we can get this project started!

Step 1: We are going to create a slip knot and pull tightly onto our hook. We are then going to chain 6. Then slip stitch the other end of the chain.

Step 2: Now that we have our circle, we are going to start by chaining 3 (Remember: This counts as 1 double crochet.) Then we are going to double crochet 2 times into the circle. I left a picture done below, just in case you need a refresher.

Image result for double crochet stitch

Step 3: Now, we are going to crochet 3 double crochets in the ring and then chain 3. Do that 2 more times. You should have something like this.

Image result for granny square first step

Slip stitch in the top of the chain to fasten off the base of the granny square.

Step 4: Now we are going to create the second row of the granny square. You can add on another color, if you would like, I’ll leave a picture down below showing how you can do that.

Image result for changing color stitch

Chain 3. (Remember: This will count as our first double crochet!) I always turn my work, but because this is a granny square, you don’t have to turn your work. We are going to now working in the open space with the following:
-Work 2 double crochets. Chain 3. Work 3 double crochets. Chain 1.

Step 5: 3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet, chain 1, into each space. Slit stitch to finish the second row.

Depending on how big you want your square to be, you are basically repeating steps 2-5.

I will be going live on my Facebook page, if you want to see it done. Make sure to like my page and follow me for more updates on when I post any posts on my blog or for when I go live! Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/katiesblog96971617/

I will be working on a video tutorial and create another blog post for those who aren’t beginners and just want the simple pattern.

I’m going to leave this link down below, if you would like to see a slowed down version of the granny square that helped me when I first started to learn how to make one. The Nervous Knitter is amazing and you should check out her other videos:

 

 

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Top Projects for Crochet/Knitting

Crafty Sassy: Top 10 Crochet Projects You Can Profit From

Posted on by Katie Night

Everyone loves hand-made crafts. Not a lot of people invest their time into them, but others, like myself, have more projects on your mind that you just don’t know where to start. Well, since I am a stay-at-home mom, I figure I would list some projects that could make you some extra cash on the side.

  1.  Towel Tops
    Image result for crochet towel toppers
    This is probably one of the most popular items you can make and they can sell pretty fast! You just buy a regular kitchen or hand towel and crochet the top so that you can hang it on your stove hanger.

    My great-grandmother always made these and they would be gone before you know it. They are very simple to make and there are a lot of videos on YouTube that can show you how to make these.

    Best part about making these is that you can use any towel, even for holidays! Which is pretty amazing! You always don’t have to do the same pattern either, there are many patterns out there that you can use. From one button to two, it’s completely up to you!

  2.  Towel Hangers
    Image result for crochet towel holder pattern
    I found this a few days ago and this would probably sell like hotcakes, just like the towel tops. The only difference between these and the towel  toppers is that you can hang whatever towel you would like.

    Instead of crocheting the towel itself, you crochet along a hair tie or an elastic band. These too, are pretty simple to make. Best part about these, is that you can make them any color you want them. Again, you can find a few great tutorials on this on YouTube.

  3.  Blankets
    Image result for crochet blanket
    These will always be on the list, but they do take up a good amount of your time, depending what kind of design you are going for. However, baby blankets might be the easiest thing to make, just because they are the smaller version of a big blanket.

    I know a lot of people will save the bigger blankets for family. Don’t get me wrong, they can make you some cash, you just have to be very detailed on how long it might take and you might have to use all of your spare time to finish it in time.

  4.  Hats
    Image result for crochet hats
    These will always be on the list. Hats are a quick and easy thing to make, especially kid hats. A lot of people would buy these with a gloves, scarf combo. Depending on how good the work is, you could make some serious cash(Not enough to pay rent, though. Unless you can supply the demands.)
  5.  Scarfs
    Image result for crochet scarf
    I loved getting scarfs, my great-grandmother would always make the fuzzy ones and get them to us, in our favorite color, for Christmas. I still  have a few from when I was little. Like I said with the hats, it would be a great combo to do together!
  6.  Place mats
    Image result for crochet placemats
    Not a lot of people have crocheted place mats, but they are something someone could sell. You could also be able to customize them for holidays, with different colors and patterns! A set of four would most-likely sell like hotcakes, too!
  7.  Coasters
    Image result for crochet coasters
    Coaster aren’t something you would see at a craft fair, but they are an amazing idea to make for one! A lot of people don’t have coaster, but they don’t want to spend too much money on them.

    These are very easy to make and they can be crocheted, but some of them can be made by hand!These would go great with place mats.

  8.  Gloves/Mittens/Arm Warmers
    Image result for crochet arm warmers
    Gloves might be a expect level project, but mittens would be a lot easier to make. Same with arm warmers, they might be easier to make as well. Arm warmers could also be part of the combo, you can either replace the gloves, or add it to the combo of hats, scarfs and gloves.
  9.  Pins
    Image result for crochet pin
    Yes, there is such a thing as crocheted pins! Although, you would have to work with smaller and finer yarn, they are very amazing to make. Especially, flower ones!
  10.  Mini Stuffed Animals/Characters
    Image result for crochet stuffed animals
    You probably seen these all over the internet or Facebook. They can be very challenging for a beginner. They have all kinds of different characters or objects that you can crochet into stuffy’s.

    Amazon has a wonderful Disney Princess Crocheting Kit, that I haven’t tried out yet. They have a booklet on how to make every princess, but they only give enough yarn to make two. I highly recommend getting it, just for the booklet!

 

Are there any projects that you see at craft fairs that I missed? Comment down below and comment of which one you see would be more in an high demand!

*Note*

  • These aren’t a quick way to earn millions of dollars. This would be something you would earn on the side for some quick cash. If you make them with great quality and passion, I’m sure you could make a living doing it.
  • I just wanted to make a note, so that everyone knows this isn’t something you can get rich quick and fast. A lot of people make these as a hobby of theirs and put a lot of effort into their projects.
Posted in Arts and Crafts, Top Projects for Crochet/Knitting

Crafty Sassy: 5 Easy To Do Beginner Projects For Crocheting

Posted on by Katie Night

Looking at crocheting project, just looking at them makes you want to learn how to do it, if you are like me, you like to save the page you see them on and come back to it whenever you have time.

Some projects can be very tricky or confusing, so then you forget all about it and never look back until you see it again. This has happened to me so many times, that now that I know how to crochet, I try to go back and find them and see if I am ready to attempt them.

So, if you are truly wanted to enter into this fun and amazing hobby, sit back and check out these easy to do projects, if you are a beginner! Lets begin!

  1. Granny Square Blanket

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This is the current project that I am working on for my fiance. This is perfect for beginners! If you want to just make a simple blanket, this is perfect to do! Whenever I looked at a granny square blanket, I didn’t think I could make one.

If you don’t know, but I am a visual learner and need everything broken down step by step. YouTube was the first place I looked to find a video that would slow it down, and I finally found one, The Nervous Knitter.

She broke the granny square steps as slow as you can go, but it was easy to understand and learn. I always watch the videos first, before trying them, so I picked up on the steps very quickly. Once you learn how to do it once, it is like riding a bike, something you can’t forget.

If you want to check out her video, here is the link!

 

2. Scarf

Image result for crocheted scarves

Scarves will always be something that is easy to do. The only difficult thing about them is the patterns you choose. I didn’t understand why my grand-grandmother makes scarfs so much, but after realizing how quit they are to make, I understood why kept making them.

3. Bookmarks

Image result for crocheted bookmarks

You are probably thinking to yourself, bookmarks?? Yes, almost anything you can think of, you can crochet. Now, not all bookmarks are easy and I will be posting a how-to on how to do these ones.

These ones are as simple as granny squares, plus they are cute and pretty quick to make. Why have a plain boring paper or plastic bookmark when you can have a bright and colorful one instead!

4. Beanie Hat

Image result for crochet beanie

Just like the scarves, this is another quick and easy thing to learn how to do. So, if you are a beginner and don’t have any gifts in mind for a birthday or Christmas, you can always crochet a hat and scarf.

I haven’t had a chance to learn how to crochet, but really can’t wait!

5. Granny Square Patchwork Blanket (Mini Granny Squares)

Image result for crochet granny square blanket

I know that I already have the giant granny square blanket on here, but here is the other version that your grandmother might have around her house. The difference between this blanket and the other one I mention is that this is just smaller squares you sew together.

While the other one is just a giant granny square, this one you can get creative and mess around with different colors and see what works and what doesn’t.

 

Which one would you like to try out? Or which one should I show you how to make? Or which ones have you already made? Leave a comment down below!

 

 

Posted in Arts and Crafts

Crafty Sassy: Types of Yarn

Posted on by Katie Night

Image result for different types of yarn

As a beginner, if we ever wanted to start a project, using yarn, we would just find the color we wanted and grab it, right? Then once we get home, we find out that the knitting needles or crochet hooks, aren’t for that type of yarn.

The chart that is shown above, will be your best friend while shopping for the right kind of yarn. Most of the yarn, that you can get, have one of this pictures with the yarn on it, saying the number of what kind the yarn is.

Image result for yarn weight symbols

Something like this. I will tell you what size the yarn is and even recommends what size crochet hook or knitting needles you should use with this yarn. Most of them have this on their packaging, which is very helpful for everyone.

Now, let’s get into detail with each one.

Related image

The picture that is shown about, shows the thickness of what each one looks like. I will be going through them all and explaining which one would be ideal for the project you are looking for.

0: Lace

Image result for lace yarn

This is one of the thinnest yarns that will be on this chart. If you are looking to make fashionable clothes, scarfs, hats, or hand warmers, this is what you would mostly use.

Lace yarn makes the project look more ‘perfect’ or it looks better in presentation. If you are a beginner, I would hold off on going right to the thinnest yarn.

1: Fingering/Super Fine

Image result for super fine yarn

Fingering yarn, or what the chart likes to call ‘Super Fine’ yarn, is used for making baby socks or anything clothes wise. Or, what you can find a bunch on, shawls. I’ve seen a few that have actually made a table cloth, for decoration.

2:  Sport/Fine

Image result for fine yarn

Sport, or Fine yarn can be used to make headbands, for babies, little cute stuff animals/characters. If you are looking to make some baby booties, this might be the yarn for you as well!

3: DK/ Light

Image result for dk yarn

If you are looking to make some 3D objects for your projects, such as flowers, this would be the yarn you work with. If you are looking to make a baby set, or baby blanket, this yarn will be soft enough to use to make them.

4: Worsted/Medium

Image result for medium weight yarn

This is the typical yarn that you would get for most of your projects, the possibilities are endless with this type of yarn. If you are a beginner, this is the type of yarn that you can basically make whatever you want with it.

I’ve seen people make blankets, hats, gloves, scarfs, handbags, baby blankets, baby shoes, crochet flip flops, etc. I’ve been using this yarn to make the backing of my latch hooks and also used my loom knit with is as well.

5: Chunky/Bulky

Image result for bulky weight yarn

If you are looking to make some stuff for the winter time, then you would use this. The type of yarn is thick to make great blankets with, or have a hat, scarf, and mittens for yourself. Although, you might need bigger crochet hooks and knitting needles for these projects.

My son and daughter’s blankets, I used this type of yarn, of course, they didn’t come out perfect, for my first time, but they loved them both!

6: Super Bulky

Image result for super bulky weight yarn

With this type of yarn, you can Arm Knit with this type of yarn, which I have always wanted to try, but with the price of Super Bulky yarn being very pricey, it’s something that will have to wait for me.

You can even finger crochet with this as well, or just make a nice big pillow to go on your couch.

Image result for all yarn types

With all of these yarns, the projects are endless. The best part of buying yarn, is that each one comes with a pattern, so if you have been throwing them away, you have been missing out.

Next Tuesday, I WILL have a tutorial on how to make a bookmark, crocheting. I just forgot about it and haven’t had a chance to get into it, due to I am working on a blanket for my fiance, which I will blog about when I am finished! Happy Crafting Dearies!

 

Posted in Arts and Crafts

Crafty Sassy: Crocheting VS Knitting

Posted on by Katie Night

Happy Tuesday! I have another Crafty Sassy coming to you! I am going to talk about the difference between Crocheting versus Knitting and how they are different from each other. Let’s jump right in!

So, the major difference between the two is that you don’t use the same tools. For crocheting, you use a hook and for knitting, you use long needles. The better thing about crocheting is that you can see more progress than you can knitting, depending on what you are knitting.

Image result for knitting vs crocheting

Crochet

Now, I’m not an pro at crocheting, but I have managed to crochet a granny square and I am working on a granny square blanket for my fiance. To me, at first, crocheting looked very difficult. Even when I tried to practice a single crochet square, I always seemed to mess up, somehow.

Image result for crocheting projects

After trying for a while, I gave up. More so, I took a long break and headed to YouTube. I am one of those people that can’t just read the book and look at pictures to do something, I have to physically see them doing, what I am trying to learn.

I figured I would start simple and look for a video to make a granny square. I found the best tutorial by the Nervous Knitter. Link for the video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDdXrZB1FOE

Since crocheting can be very fast, she slowed it down every step and it was much easier to follow. I watched the entire thing, twice, just to make sure I did it right and know, I know it almost by heart.

Image result for crocheting projects

With crocheting, once you get the pattern down, it’s like riding a bike, you don’t forget it very easily. Crocheting, you can do so much, the best part is that you can see your progress, so working on a granny square blanket, I see the progress, which makes me excited to keep on going!

Once I am finished on my fiances blanket, I will post a picture on here and show you how to do a granny square tutorial, as well!

Knitting

Knitting was the first thing that I ever did, or tried out. I knitted my son’s first blanket. It was very simple to do and, at that time, I preferred to knit versus crochet. The only problem with knitting, it felt like my project was never going to be finished.

Image result for knitting projects

Don’t get me wrong, knitting was very basic and was easier to start out, but once your project gets bigger, you don’t have very much, to me, encouragement to keep going. Plus, I also seemed to lose a stitch or two and my project would come out all uneven, and with me trying to make things perfect, I would restart multiple times.

But there is also another way to knit, without using the needles. You can loom knit as well. I just got a giant set of different looming sizes and shapes. (Next Tuesday, I will be going a tutorial on how to loom knit a scarf!)

Image result for loom knitting

Knitting was something that I did for my latch hook pillows, the backings of them. I knitted them like I was making a blanket, but the needles can only hold on so much, unless you have the needles with the wires, which I don’t currently have.

Image result for knitting needles

Although, knitting was a easier way to have my projects looking a little neater, not perfectly neat, but neat as a way, there was not unwanted holes, just a solid pattern. Knitting, to me, is more for making a really great scarf or, if you have the knitting needles with the wire, a hat or even a blanket.

Which one would be better for beginners?

I would trying out knitting first, just because the concept is more simple and easier to follow versus crocheting. Try something simple, such as knitting a scarf or a square, just to get some practice.

Image result for knitting needles

Once you feel like you know the basics for knitting a simple scarf, try challenging yourself and try to crochet a granny square. If you are like me and need to physical see what is going on, I am going to try my best and make little tutorial videos to help you guys out.

If you get really frustrated with any of it, take a break. Taking a break from your work is okay to do! Especially, if you have children and they are making it difficult to work on anything. Your work will still be there when you want to go back to it.

Another tip that really helped me out, before jumping in on crocheting or knitting, or any project, take a step back and just watch videos of people doing those things. Watch how they do their work and whatever tips or things they do, that you feel or know that would help you out, use them!

Watching other people crochet and knit, I’ll pick up the little things that they do, so that I can used to my advantage or help better myself into crocheting or knitting different things.

Also, if you aren’t sure what kind of knitting needles or hooks you should get, try some out. I prefer metal ones, just because it’s easier, although, I haven’t tried out the wooden or ones with handles. I literally, just bought a set off of wish and have stuck with them ever since, although, because they don’t have a handle, my hands can get sweaty and it makes it harder to work the yarn.

I do recommend trying them out and seeing with ones you think, for yourself, make it easier to crochet or knit.

Image result for knitting needles

One thing that I highly recommend, is to work with bigger yarn! I know a lot of people say not to because it will make it harder to work with the less thicker yarn, but it will let you be able to look, up closely, how it is done. So that if you feel you made a mistake, with the less thicker yarn, with the bigger yarn, you will be able to see clearly what you did to mess up.

So, next Tuesday, I will be doing a step-by-step on how to loom knit and simple figure 8 scarf.