16 Yarnspirations for the Creative Knitter/Crocheter

Need a bit of yarny-inspiration? Here are some projects that I’ve hand selected just for you! Maybe they’ll inspire you. But probably not. Mostly, they’ll just make you laugh. Or burn your eyes. 😉

1. To Humiliate The Dog – Because what tiny dog with an inferiority complex doesn’t want to be dressed up like a mouse? You can find the free pattern for this ADORABLE dog hat/snood/ridiculousness here.

2. If you’re an overachieving dog-lover with a penchant for embarrassing your canine BFF, then this should definitely be your next project. Unfortunately, the crochet pattern for this particular tool of humiliation is not available yet although Ravelry-users can check on the creative dog-mommy who created this masterpiece here to see when the pattern becomes available.

3. Wondering what you could make with granny squares besides an afghan? Why, a sweater and matching pants, of course! Your husband can thank me later.

4. A Ravelry search for the work “toilet” results in 150+ toilet roll and toilet seat covers and even a handful of knit/crochet toilets. But there can only be one Commode-O-Dragon.

5. I love seeing hand-knits on the runway. Makes me feel like my yarny-pursuits are creative and high-fashion! But apparently, I missed the memo because this is knit haute couture. 

6. I have no words.

7. I wonder how long it took the person who knit this to get the cables just right in the crotchal region… 

8. If the hooded cabled onesie isn’t quite enough for your manly man, then surely, this will be adequate. 

10. I can’t decide if this is genius or really, really weird. 

11. This is what happens when you cross a luchador with a clown and a Cabbage Patch Kid.  12. I don’t know about you, but this guy is seriously rocking the look. His sweater vest is the perfect match for those granny glasses.  13. I don’t get it.  14. I want to know the secret to getting the yarn to stick straight up on the mohawk! And I kind of love the pants.  15. Knit pasties. ‘Nuff said.  16. Who needs knit penis cozies when you can knit a dress covered in them??? 

Happy Wednesday! 😉

For the Love of Crafting

It no secret that I love to craft. From knitting and crocheting to sewing and kid’s crafts, I enjoy everything about it: scouring Pinterest for ideas, shopping for materials, thinking of ways to make things with upcycled materials, designing and making something pretty and useful out of scraps… But most of all, I enjoy making things for other people. So several years ago, when friends asked me to make things for their kids or for other friends’ babies, the business side of jkwdesigns began. And it’s been lots of fun! I love that my clients love the things I make enough to refer me to their friends and trust my skills enough to request something vague and let me run with it.

When it comes to crafting, my favorite part–hands down–is the design process, so figuring out how to turn something like a cartoon character into a hat is what I love the most. From My Little Pony’s Princess Celestia to Optimus Prime and Bumblebee and of course, this season’s favorite Queen Elsa and Princess Anna…

Over the past couple years, I have truly been blessed with more business than I can handle. Usually, during the winter months, I am completely buried under piles of yarn, and my hands can’t knit and crochet fast enough to meet demand. And, sadly, I have come to a point where I feel a bit overwhelmed with my never-ending To-Do list, and although I still love to make things for people, as I forced myself to pick up the crochet hook after getting my kids settled into bed, I realized recently that something HUGE was missing in my crafting life. I no longer have time to just make things and give gifts to loved ones–which, for me, is the most rewarding part of crafting.

I craft for the love of the craft, but I also do it because I love to give gifts. Earlier this year, I started a Craft It Forward challenge to spread handmade love. And it’s the end of November. I’ve only managed to send out one gift. That’s not enough handmade love from me! I’ve also not had time to write and post the tutorials for the Transformers hats–I know MANY people are waiting for it! There are countless other patterns that I want to write–both for this blog and for my Etsy shop. I’ve been wanting to work on some new Star Wars themed decor for my boys’ bedroom. And now that my boys are in school, there are so many things I would like to do for their class and for their school. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day for everything. So it’s time for me to make a change.

For the love of the craft, I have decided to stop making handmade items for purchase. I want to focus my work on design and pattern writing. I want to make gifts for friends and family. I want to dedicate some more time in the kitchen working on healthy and delicious meals for my family (we were doing so well during the first half the year, but with the boys starting school and hat orders coming in, it’s been a real challenge lately!). I want to sew some curtains for my daughter’s room. I also want to continue loving the craft and not feel overwhelmed by the list of items I have to finish for paying clients. I plan to complete the orders that I’ve already taken, then spend time making gifts for some very special people in my family’s lives and focus my time and energy on the craft and not the business. When it comes to the business side, my graphic design and event planning work with delightful. has been flourishing, and unlike knitting and crocheting, it doesn’t take hours and hours of work to produce a single item. Also, because my delightful. work is ALL about the design process, it’s been much more creatively fulfilling for me.

So, readers, stay tuned! New patterns and printables (both free and for purchase), lots of giveaways, recipes and more are on their way! 🙂

Pattern: Little Turtle Lens Buddy

While I was experimenting with designs for the Little Sea Turtle Lens Buddy, I wrote a pattern for one of the prototypes–a cute little turtle lens buddy made in the round. The arms, legs and head are all one piece, so there’s no need to sew all the individual pieces together. And it’s free! Enjoy!

Materials:

Small amounts of worsted weight yarn (two colors)
5.0mm crochet hook (size H)
Elastic hair tie
Tapestry needle (optional, for weaving in ends)
Safety eyes (optional)

Pattern:

Round 1: With Color A, 36 sc around the elastic hair tie. Sl st to join with first sc. [36 sc]
Round 2: Ch 1. 2 hdc in 1st st. Hdc in next 3 sts. *2 hdc in next st. Hdc in next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join with first hdc in round. [45 hdc]
Round 3: Ch 1. 2 hdc in 1st st. Hdc in next 4 sts. *2 hdc in next st. Hdc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join with first hdc in round. [54 hdc]
Round 4: Ch 1. 2 hdc in 1st st. Hdc in next 5 sts. *2 hdc in next st. Hdc in next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join with first hdc in round. [63 hdc] Finish off.

Round 5: Attach Color B. Ch 1. 2 sc in 1st st. Sc in next 4 sts. Sl st in next st. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Ch 2 and sl st in same st as last dc. (Bottom right leg made)
Sc in next 6 sts. 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 3 sts. Sl st in next st. Ch 2 and dc in in same st. Sc in next 2 sts. Ch 2 and sl st in same st as last dc. (Top right leg made)
2 sc in next st. Sc in next 4 sts. Sl st in next st. Ch 2 and dc in same st. Trc in next 2 sts. 2 dtr in next st. Trc in next 2 sts. Dc in next st. Ch 2 and sl st in same st as last dc. (Head made)
Sc in next 2 sts. 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 2 sts. Sl st in next st. Ch 2 and dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Ch 2 and sl st in same st. (Top left leg made)
Sc in next st. 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 6 std. 2 sc in next st. Sc in next st. Sl st in next st. Ch 2 and dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Ch 2 and sl st in same st as last dc. (Bottom left leg made)
Sc in next 2 std. 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 2 sts. Sl st in next. Ch 3 and trc4tog. Ch 3 and sl st in bk of 1st ch of 3 ch. Ch 3 and sl st in same st. Ch 1 and sl st to first st in round. (Tail made)

Finish off and weave in ends.

Optional: Add safety eyes to turtle’s head.

Pattern: Crochet Dragonfly Applique

A very talented artist and photographer friend of mine requested a flower lens buddy with a dragonfly on it. You can see her work on her blog The Dragonfly Whispers My Name, and I highly recommend her if you live in Seoul and are searching for a family photographer! Here’s a photo she recently took of my family:

 

So for someone so creative and talented, I really couldn’t just make her any ‘ole dragonfly. I used the Flower Lens Buddy pattern and started experimenting with dragonflies!

The first one I made (on the white flower w/ pink center) looked a bit too much like a butterfly, so I elongated both the body and the wings. There was quite a bit of crocheting and frogging going on… But the result is a dainty little dragonfly appliqué pattern for your crocheting pleasure!

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn
4.5mm (size G) crochet hook
Tapestry needle (for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends)

**You may use other weights of yarn an appropriately sized hooks**

Finished Dimensions:

With worsted weight yarn and 4.5mm crochet hook: 5.5 inch wingspan x 3 inches tall
With DK weight yarn and 4.0mm crochet hook: 4.5 inch wingspan x 2.5 inches tall

Pattern:

Body: Ch 16. Work all the stitches in the back bar only. Dc in 3rd ch from hook. Dc in next ch. Hdc in next 5 ch. Sc in next 4 ch. Sl st in next 3 ch. Finish off.

Top Wings (make 2): Ch 10. Work the following stitches in the back loops only of the foundation chain. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in next ch. Sc in next 2 ch. Hdc in next 2 ch. Dc in next 2 ch. 6 dc in last ch. As you work the 6 dc in the last ch, the back loop of the last ch will open/loosen up. Simply pull the tail from the beginning of the foundation chain to close the hole. Then turn the piece 180 degrees and work the following stitches in the front loops only of the foundation chain. Dc in next 2 ch. Hdc in next 2 ch. Sc in next 2 ch. Sl st in last 2 ch. Finish off, leaving a long tail to sew the wings onto the body.

Bottom Wings (make 2): Ch 7. Work the following stitches in the back loops only of the foundation chain. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 2 ch. Hdc in next 2 ch. 6 hdc in last ch. Then, turn the piece 180 degrees and work the following stitches in the front loops only of the foundation chain. Hdc in next 2 ch. Sc in next 2 ch. Sl st in last ch. Finish off, leaving a long tail to sew the wings onto the body.

Construction Notes: Sew the top wings onto the body, being careful to sew onto the yarn on the back of the body so that the yarn from the wings does not show through on the front of the body piece. As you sew the bottom wings onto the body, also sew the top edge of the bottom wings to the bottom edge of the top wings for stability.

Weave in all your ends and you’re done!

Crochet Lens Buddy Pattern Giveaway! {limited offer}

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed! Thanks to everyone for your interest in my patterns! I’m working on some new patterns and will have a limited free offer for those soon so stay tuned! 

I’ve been busy this past week finalizing a few patterns for sale, and they’re finally up and available (on Etsy, Craftsy and Ravelry). However, for 10 lucky readers, I’m offering all five of the lens buddy patterns for free! All you have to do is follow this blog (either via email, WordPress, or Bloglovin’) AND “like” my Facebook page.

The patterns include:

So just follow, like and send me an email at juliastitches @ me.com with your email address! If you already follow this blog and like the jkwdesigns page on Facebook, just drop me a line and tell me so. The first 10 people to do so will receive all 5 of the patterns–a $12.50 value!

 

Pattern: Flower Lens Buddy

I have several wonderfully talented photographer-friends, which is great for someone who loves to make things for babies and young children. In addition to all the adorable photo props I’ve made for them and their tiny clients, they’ve been requesting some camera-specific items, the camera buddy or lens buddy being one of them. I currently have several in the works, and eventually, the patterns will be available for purchase, but here’s a pattern for one I whipped up for a friend. It’s quick and easy, and such a great way to get little ones to LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!! 😉

Materials:

Small amounts of worsted weight yarn (two colors)
5.0mm crochet hook (size H)
Elastic hair tie
Tapestry needle (optional, for weaving in ends)

Pattern:

With Color A (for center of flower)
Round 1: 36 sc around the elastic hair tie. Sl st to join with first sc. [36 sc]

Round 2: Ch 1. 2 hdc in 1st sc. Hdc in next 3 sc. *2 hdc in next sc. Hdc in next 3 sc. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join with first hdc. [45 hdc] Finish off and cut yarn.

With Color B (for petals)
Round 3: Attach yarn. Ch 1. *Sc in 1st, 2nd and 3rd st. Ch 2, turn. Dc in 1st st (the 3rd sc you just made before turning). 2 dc in next st. Dc in 3rd st. Ch 2, turn. Dc2tog 2 times. Sl st evenly down the left side of the petal, making the last sl st at the base of the first petal. One petal made. Moving on to the next st in the round, continue from * and repeat around until you reach the end. [15 petals] Sl st to beginning st of 1st petal to join. Finish off and weave in ends.

Pattern: Simple Flower with Layered Petals

I like knitting and crocheting things in as few pieces as possible, mainly because I really hate hand-sewing. And weaving in ends. This flower is very similar to the Quick and Easy 5 or 6 Petal Flower pattern, but you’ll be adding a round of chains to the back of the previous round’s petals to add layers. Sounds way more complicated than it is. Just check out the pics to see how it’s done!

This flower can be made with any weight yarn and an appropriate crochet hook. With worsted weight yarn and a size 4.5 mm crochet hook, the flower is approximately 3 inches across.

Crochet Flower w/ Layered Petals

©jkwdesigns – This pattern is for personal or charitable use only. Please do not repost or distribute the pattern, and please link back to this pattern page if you share your lovely little bow creations on your website or blog. Thank you!

Round 1: Begin with a magic loop/magic circle. Depending on the number of petals you would like on your flower, sc 5 or 6 (or more!) into the magic loop. Pull tightly to close loop. Sl st to join with first sc in round.

Round 2: Ch 2. 2 dc, ch 2 and sl st into the first sc. *Ch 2. 2 dc, ch 2 and sl st into the next sc. Repeat from * until you reach the end of the round.

Round 3: You will be creating the “base” for your next round of petals. Ch 1. Sc into the BACK of the first petal by inserting the hook under a strand of yarn from EACH of the 2 double crochets of the first petal. The reason for grabbing 2 strands is to prevent pulling on one stitch and deforming the petal as you work around. *Ch 2, sc into the back of the next petal. Repeat from * until you reach the beginning of the round. Sl st to join with the 1st sc.

Round 4: This round creates the 2nd round of petals. *Ch 2. In ch-2 space: 4 dc, ch 2, sl st to join. Repeat from * in the next ch-2 space until you reach the beginning of the round.

Round 5: This round creates the base for the 3rd round of petals. Ch 2. Sc into the back of the first petal of round 2. *Ch 3, sc into the back of the next petal. Repeat from * until you reach the beginning of the round. Sl st to join with the 1st sc.

Round 6: This round creates the 3rd round of petals. *Ch 2. In ch-3 space: 2 dc, 2 trc, 2 dc, ch 2, and sl st to join. Repeat from * in the next ch-3 space until you reach the beginning of the round.

Finish off and weave in ends.

If you’d like to make your flower larger and more elaborate, just add petals and extra layers!

For extra petals:

In round 1, add an extra sc for each additional petal. If you would like a 7 petal flower, make 7 sc. For an 8 petal flower, make 8 sc. I don’t recommend making more than 8 petals as the more petals you add, the more the petals curl in on themselves. Continue with the rest of the pattern.

For extra layers:

After round 6, you will need to make an additional base round for the next round of petals. Also, the petals in each subsequent round need to be larger than the petals in the previous round. So in the 7th round, ch 4 between each sc into the back of each petal. Then, in round 8, you’ll want to ch 2, 2dc, 4trc, 2dc, ch 2, and sl st to join in each ch-4 space for each petal.

For each subsequent layer of petals, make the ch-space longer by one chain, then add 2 trc to the petal.

Pattern: Quick and Easy 5 or 6 Petal Flower

I’ve been making this quick and easy flower for years now. It’s a great way to use up scraps, and it’s a cute appliqué for headbands, baby booties, and with a hair clip and some glue, it’s adorable in little girls’ hair!

All you need is a small amount of scrap yarn and an appropriate crochet hook for the yarn. It can be made in any weight. I personally love tiny little flowers and use fingering yarn or dk weight yarn with a 3.0mm or 3.5mm crochet hook, but I’ve made them with worsted weight yarn as well with great results.

Quick and Easy 5 or 6 Petal Flower Pattern

©jkwdesigns – This pattern is for personal or charitable use only. Please do not repost or distribute the pattern, and please link back to this pattern page if you share your lovely little bow creations on your website or blog. Thank you!

Begin with a magic circle/magic loop (to learn how to make a magic circle, which is wonderful for anything crocheted in the round–hats, flowers, amigurumi, etc., check out this video tutorial). All of the stitches are made in the magic loop: *Ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, sl st in magic loop. Repeat from * 4 more times for a 5 petal flower and 5 more times for a 6 petal flower. Fasten off and weave in ends (or leave a long tail if you plan to sew it onto something).

That’s it! It really is that easy!

Pattern: Crochet Applique Ribbon Bow

In preparation for a spring bazaar that I will be selling at, I’ve been busy cranking out flowers, bows, and hearts to adorn cute, little heads. I worked up this super simple little bow and thought I’d share. It’s quick and easy and a great way to get rid of those tiny little balls of scrap yarn your husband keeps asking you throw away. 😉

Applique Ribbon Bow Pattern

©jkwdesigns – This pattern is for personal or charitable use only. Please do not repost or distribute the pattern, and please link back to this pattern page if you share your lovely little bow creations on your website or blog. Thank you!

Materials: (suggested)
4.5mm crochet hook
worsted weight yarn (small amount)
* You can use any weight yarn and appropriate hook for this pattern. With a 4.5mm hook and worsted weight yarn, my bows measured approx. 3.25 in. across and 3.75 in. from top to bottom.

The bow is constructed in two pieces. The looped part is an oval shape, and the dangling ribbons will be slightly V-shaped when complete.

Oval Shape:
Ch 20. Sl st in 1st ch to create a loop.

Ch 1. All of the following stitches are made INTO the loop, not in individual chains, so in the large loop that you’ve just made, create 2sc, 3 hdc, 8dc, 3hdc, 4sc, 3hdc, 8dc, 3hdc, and 2sc. (As you’re making the stitches, you may need to gently slide your stitches over on the loop so that you have enough room to make all of these stitches.)

Sl st with 1st sc to join. Finish off, leaving a long tail (approx. 20 inches).

Dangling Ribbons:
Ch 26. Dc in 3rd ch from hook. Dc in next 7 ch. Hdc in next 2 ch. Sc in next 4 ch. Hdc in next 2 ch. Dc in next 7 ch. Ch 2 and sl st with foundation ch of the last dc. Finish off. Weave in ends.

Bow Construction:
Hold the oval shape so that the stitches are evenly distributed and the beginning/ending sc are at the top, middle. Hold the top and bottom center of the oval together, and hold the center of the dangling ribbons behind the pinched oval.

Use the long tail you left attached to the oval shape to wind around the center of the bow multiple times. Tie securely. Weave in ends. That’s it!

You can attach these cute little bows to hair barrettes/clips, headbands, scarves, purses… So much more useful than tiny balls of leftover yarn that you have no idea what to do with!

Happy Crocheting!

 

Sneak Peeks!

I’m been super busy lately working on planning my twin boys’ 5th birthday party, and with my husband out of town for work this past week, I’ve gone completely insane. He’s not here to reign me in, so I’ve officially become mom-zilla about this party. I’m working on a detailed post about the party and all my various DIY projects, but here’s a sneak peak of some of the items I’ve been working on:

Additionally, I have a new pattern in the works, and it’s entering into the final phases of pattern testing, so it should be live soon! Here’s a peek at the seemingly-difficult-but-super-easy-to-make-once-you-get-the-hang-of-it stitch!