Knit Dachshund Pups!

I knitted up these sweet Doxies today, and just had to share. I think they are too sweet! I used Mama4Earth's pattern, found here.

Free Very Vanilla Cupcake Hat Pattern

This pattern is written in a newborn size, great for photos or just one who is as sweet as a cupcake. This pattern uses simple knit and crochet stitches. If you dont know how to crochet, a good knit cherry pattern can be found here.

Materials:
Bulky weight yarn or two strands of worsted, held together, One "wrapper" color, one "icing" color, about 50 yards of each. I recommend using an acrylic or wool/acrylic blend
Size 10 DPNs
Seed Beads in sprinkle color
matching thread to "icing" color
A small amount of cherry color, worsted weight
One cotton ball or small amount of Polyfil
Very small amount of stem color, worsted weight
G hook
E hook

Gauge:
12 sts=4 in

Pattern:

Hat:
co 40 sts with "wrapper" color
PM for start of round
work 2x2 rib for 2” 
Next Row: purl  
two rows 2x2 rib 

* change color to "icing" here

Row 1: knit  
Row 2-3: purl 
Rows 4-7: knit 
Row 8: knit row, dec 6 sts evenly around.
Row 9: purl 
Rows 10-12: knit 
Row 13: knit row, dec 6 evenly around.
Row 14: purl
Row 15-16: knit 
Row 17: Knit row, Dec 6 sts, evenly around
Row 18: purl  
Row 19: knit  
Row 20: knit row, dec 6 sts, evenly around
Row 21: purl 
Row 22: K2TOG around.
Row 23: purl 
Finish off, thread yarn needle with working yarn, then pull thread through all stitches. knot and weave in end.

Cherry: (This part is done in crochet)
Using G hook, work 6 SC in MC, PM for start of round.
Row 1: Work 2 SC in each SC around
Row 2: *SC, 2 Sc in next St. Repeat from * around.
Row 3-5: Work even
Row 6: *SC, SC2tog. repeat from * around.
Stuff cotton ball into cherry
Row 7: *SC2tog repeat from * around.
Finish off and sew to the top of the hat.

Stem:
Using E hook, attach stem color to cherry top
Ch 5
finish off.

Using thread, randomly sew beads onto hat. I like to use bugle beads or seed beads, for more realistic "sprinkles". Sprinkles are a potential choking hazard, so I would recommend using them if the hat is for a photo prop or under parental supervision.

Feel free to share the pattern, and sell the hats, but please give me credit for the pattern. Thanks!

This pattern is currently being tested, if you find errata, please comment below. Thanks!

Easiest Crocheted Christmas Stocking EVER Pattern!

I've knit a few stockings in my time, and I feel like most are needlessly tedious. My construction is basically a seamless top down sock with an afterthought heel, but in crochet. So without further ado, here's the pattern!

PM-place marker
HDC-Half Double Crochet
SCDec-SC two together
HDCDec- HDC two together
SC-Single Crochet
St- Stitch
Sl St-Slip Stitch

Materials:
J hook
200 yards worsted weight yarn

Pattern:
Ch 43
Row 1: HDC in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch thereafter.
Row 2: Bring ends together and HDC around, to begin working in the round. PM in beginning st. (There will be a small gap, sew closed with the end of your yarn.)
Row 3: HDC in each st around
*Repeat row 3 until you have reached 10 inches in length from start.

Foot:
Row 1: HDC in the next 21 sts, Ch 21. skip next 21 sts, HDC in next st.
Row 2: HDC around to the center of heel gap. PM.
Row 3: HDC in the next 10 sts, HDCDec, HDC in next 19 sts, HDCDec, HDC to the end of the row.
Row 4: HDC in the next 10 sts, HDCDec, HDC in next 17 sts, HDCDec, HDC to the end of the row.
Row 5: HDC around.
*Repeat row 6 until your foot measures 5 inches.

Toe:
(Change colors here if you are doing contrasting heel/toe)
Row 1: SC in the next 9 sts, SCDec, PM, SC in next 16 sts, SCDec, PM, SC to the end of the round.
Next Row: SC until you reach first Dec marker. SCDec, SC until you get to the next Dec marker. SCDec. SC to the end of the round.
*Repeat row 5 until you have 19 stitches left. Pinch the toe together and Sl St across the opening, joining the top and bottom together. Finish off.
Weave in ends.

Heel:
(Change colors here if you are doing contrasting heel/toe)
Row 1: SC around the opening of the heel, skipping corner stitch. Place markers at corners of heel. There should be 41 Sc.
Next Row: SCDec at markers, Sc around
Repeat until there are 21 sts.
Pinch top and bottom together and Sl St across, closing the heel.
Weave in ends.

Hanging loop:
Ch 15, sew on to stocking.

Here you can get creative and add a fancy cuff, appliques, names, whatever you would like! Also, feel free to share the pattern, just please give me credit :)

In this particular stocking, I've cut out letters and logo out of felt and made it Batman themed. 

"EAT" Sign, Made From Old Cheese Graters!!

This project was very simple. I already had the graters on hand, ive collected them from thrift stores for a while now. I used colors in my kitchen and stenciled on the letters. They look pretty fabulous sitting above my sink :)

Ammo Crate Table

I found this old ammo crate at an estate sale. My dad and I made it into a table with old tobacco sticks. I am completely in love!

Snowman Christmas Ornaments

This is a group of snowman Christmas ornaments, made for a woman to represent all the members of her family. The littlest son has a heart condition, so I made his hat and scarf red, for the CHD color, then embroidered a heart on the side. 

Nightmare Before Christmas: Jack Skellington

Jack Skellington is for sale is my Etsy shop.

The Penguin

I spent a lot of time on this one, wanting it to be just right. I made a pointy nose, fat belly, monacle, top hat, bow tie, umbrella, overcoat, and striped pants. I am really pleased at the way it turned out. 

The Penguin is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Happy Holidays Sign

This sign is made from an old sewing machine table leaf. I spray painted on the letters and stenciled on the poinsettias, adding vintage buttons for the berries. Using the original hinges, I threaded some fabric through the holes for a hanger. So simple, but cute!

Joker Stocking

I have an order for 10 Batman themed Christmas stockings. This is the first, Joker.

I added a picot edging to the top, crude stitches to the heel and toe, and a metal clip for the hanger. I based it off Red Heart's pattern, Holly & Berry Stockings, found here.

Robin

Robin is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Tobacco Stick Flag

While searching in my Dad's barn, I found a pile of century-old tobacco sticks, gnarled from weather and use...and perfect. I quickly shimmied up the rickety old latter up to the hay loft and threw a bunch out the loft window, onto my truck bed below. A flag seemed the perfect project for these old warhorses, perfectly sturdy, perfectly southern, perfectly American. 

Ok, now for the how-to. Very simple, really. I started with 9 sticks, painted 5 red, 4 white. The red ones started out as blue (oops), but then quickly got a coat of red on top. I LOVE the way it looks, the blue peeking out, highlighting the grooves, bends, gnarles in the wood. The white, I brushed a coat of Americana craft paint over with a foam brush, leaving some wood to show underneath. I blocked off a square and spray painted that blue. For stars, I tore white rags and tied them on, in an alternating fashion, three on each stick. I took another stick and sawed it in two pieces, arranged the painted sticks on top, drilled pilot holes and screwed in the screws. I made sure to use mismatched screws for that eclectic feel. That's it people! SO SIMPLE and CUTE! 

Tobacco Stick Buttons

My dad and I made these buttons today from an old tobacco stick. He cut and drilled, I sanded and polished. Like an assembly line. I love the wood grain and the rustic feel. Also, the history behind the half century old oak. They were used on my Granny and Poppie's tobacco farm, year after year, stacking the tobacco for dying in the barn loft. The sticks are hard and weathered from use, so each button is unique in shape, width and texture.

They are for sale in my Etsy shop. $.75 each. Measures 1" By 1" approximately.

Catwoman

Catwoman is for sale in my Etsy shop.