Pineapple Leggings DIY

So I'm teaching dance this year, and wanted to show off my crochet in some pants I can dance in... TA DA... the Pineapple Leggings.  These take some patience to make, but are well worth it in the end! 

You will need:
-Stretchy leggings (this will be tough if your leggings are REALLY tight, go for some you get into and out of easily!)
-Size 3 cotton crochet thread (that's the thicker kind)
-A smallish crochet hook like an E or an F... it doesn't have to be specific.
-Sewing pins
-Needle and thread
-Sharp scissors

Start by chaining 2.
Row1:  1 sc in second ch from hook.  Turn
Row 2:  Ch 3. (2tc, Ch 2, 2tc) in sc of previous row.  Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 2.  2dc in each of the next 2 tc, 4 dc in ch-2 space, 2 dc in each of the next 2 tc.  (12 dc total.)  Turn.
Row 4:  Ch 3. *1 tc in dc of previous row.  Ch 1.  Repeat from * across ending with a tc in the final dc.  Turn.
Row 5:  Ch 1.  *1 sc in tc of previous row.  Ch 3 and skip ch-1 space of previous row.  Repeat from *across ending with 1 sc in the final tc.  Turn.
Row 6:  Ch 1.  *1 sc in ch-3 space of previous row, Ch 3.  Repeat from * across ending with 1 sc in the final ch-3 space.  Turn.
Repeat Row 6 decreasing in the number of ch-3 spaces in each row until there is 1 ch-3 at the bottom.
Row 7:  Ch 1.  1 sc in the final ch-3 space.  Turn.
Repeat Row 2-7 four more times (so there are 5 pineapples total).
At the end of the 5th pineapple, make a sc border going up and around the edge of the entire string of 5 pineapples.  Then ch1 and turn and make a second row of sc border.  Cut and bind off.  MAKE TWO OF THESE!

Now grab your leggings.  Use your sewing pins to attach the crochet pieces to the outside of the leg starting at the bottom and working up toward the outer hip.  Take your needle and thread and hand sew the piece onto the leggings working only through the sc border you made at the end.  Take your time on this - use small stitches so there are very little gaps that are not sewn on.

Once the crochet pieces are sewn on - make sure you can still get into the leggings.  The crochet doesn't stretch like your leggings do (this is why you want leggings that are not too tight)!

Now turn the leggings inside out, grab your scissors, and cut out the legging fabric that is under your pineapple stitch so you can see through the crochet piece.  Don't cut too closely to your sewing!  You can always cut off more later, but you don't want to risk cutting that hand sewing that took you so long to complete!

And BOOM!  You have some super cool leggings.  Go do some yoga, take a dance class, or wear out on the town.  This could also look really cool on a shirt with long sleeves - just use less pineapple repeats and get creative with it!

Happy stitching!

Happy 4th!!

Happy Birthday, America!

Hope you all are doing fun and exciting things to celebrate.  Me, I will be studying.  With beer.  (I have to remind myself it's a holiday somehow, right?)  3 more days of class and one final exam until MY summer vacation starts... so much stitching and pattern writing to do, and I can't freakin wait!!!

In the mean time... this is what I'm wearing today.  I liked the crochet edging from the LBD DIY so much, I find myself adding it to just about anything!    Here I added it to some men's underpants I bought at Target.  Cheap and comfy, I'll be a happy beer drinking studier today!

Happy holiday, all!  Happy stitching!

Dress Yolk DIY

I love making summer dresses with a little crochet top piece.  Here is an easy way to make a dress like this yourself!

You will need:
-About a yard of fabric, OR BETTER YET - an old midlength skirt that has a really cool pattern on it and is loose fitting... I found mine at Goodwill... I feel like there are cooler fabric prints on pieces of clothing in thrift shops than anything you find in the craft store these days...
-2 skeins of Aunt Lydia's Crochet Thread size 3 OR a light (3) weight yarn... Patons Grace Cotton is great also.
-A small crochet hook like an E
-A needle and thread
-Pins

Begin with ch a multiple of 10 plus 2.   The amount you chain should be long enough to fit approximately halfway around you just under your arms and above your bust. (I chained 92, but I have super teeny shoulders and bust - you might want longer for yours.)
Row 1: 1 sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.  (Making 91 stitches for me total.)
Row 2: Ch 1.  1 sc in each sc of previous row.  Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2.  *1dc in first  st of previous row.  Ch 1 and skip the next stitch.  Repeat from * across ending with a dc in the final st.  Turn.
Rows 4 - 8: Then I made the filet crochet pattern pictured below.

Make 5, 7, or 9 more rows just like Row 3, depending on the length you prefer your yolk.  I made 7, and wish I had made 5 because the yolk goes low enough that my undergarments show under the crochet piece... which is a little more scandalous than I like.
Then Repeat the Filet Crochet pattern you made in rows 4-8.
Repeat Row 3 once more.
Now repeat Row 2 twice more.
Now you can create a neck opening.
This involves a little math.  Take the original # you chained and subtract 51.  (So for me... 91-51 = 40.)  Divide that # by 2.  (For me, 40/2 = 20)
Neck row:  Ch 1.  1 sc in each of the next 20 (or whatever number you ended with) stitches.  Chain 51 and skip the next 51 stitches creating a large opening for your head.  1sc in each of the remaining 20 stitches (or however many you made at the beginning).  Turn.

Now Repeat what you just did, up until the neck piece, back down the other way to make the back piece.
(2 sc rows, 1 dc/ch row, 5 rows of filet crochet pattern, 5/7/9 dc/ch rows, 5 rows of filet crochet pattern, 1 dc/ch row, 2 sc rows.)

Now make the triangle edging pattern pictured below going up and over each side of the piece you have just made so this pattern will go up and over the shoulders.  For this pattern described in writing, check rows 9-12 of the LBD DIY.

I also added some little side panels to go under the arms.  I made 2 rows of 10 single crochet and attached them across the bottom so the made armholes on each side.

THEN...  I chopped the waist band off my old skirt.  I pinned the old skirt/fabric onto the crochet piece.   Since the skirt is very loose, I kept the fabric even by pinning it on one side under the arms, then stretching it out in half and pinning on the opposite side under the arms.  Then pinned it with little pucker folds starting from each side and moving toward the center on both the front and back pieces.  I sewed this on by hand so I wouldn't have to battle the puckers with my machine. 

And that's it!  Cut and weave in all loose ends of yarn and thread, and you have a super cute dress!

LBD DIY

You always need a cute little black dress.  Grab a plain looking mini dress (or make one yourself, if you're a sewer) and add this border to the bottom to make it look extra styling.

I'm going for the more delicate look so I'm using size 3 crochet thread and a D hook.  You will also need a needle and thread.

Start by chaining a multiple of 10, plus 2 that will cover your chosen dress hem.
Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across.  Turn.
Row 2:  Ch 1.  1 sc in each sc of previous row.  Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 2.  *1 dc in first sc.  Ch 1 and skip the next stitch of previous row.  Repeat from * across.  End with 1 dc in the final stitch.  Turn.
Row 4-5:  As Row 3.
Make the filet crochet pattern that appears in the below diagram.  The pattern spans over 10 stitches.
Or, read the following instructions...
Row 6:  Ch 2.  *1 dc in each of the next 2 dc.  (1dc in next dc, Ch 1 and skip next st of previous row) 4 times.  Repeat from * across.  End with a dc in the final stitch.
Row 7:  Ch 2.  *1dc in each of the next 2 dc.  (1dc in next dc, Ch 1 and skip next st of previous row) 2 times.  1dc in each of the next 4 stitches.  Repeat from * across.  End with a dc in the final stitch.
Row 8:  Ch 2.  *1 dc in dc of previous row.  Ch 1 and skip next st of previous row.  1 dc in each of the next 8 stitches.  Repeat from * across.  End with a dc in the final stitch.
Row 9:  Ch 2. *1dc in each of the next 3 dc.  Ch 3 and skip the next 3 stitches of previous row.  1 dc in each of the next 4 dc.  Repeat from * across.  End with a dc in the final stitch.
Row 10:  Ch 2.  *1dc in each of the next 3 stitches.   Skip the next 3 dc of previous row.  (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in ch-3 space of previous row.  Skip the next 3 dc of previous row.  Repeat from * across.  1dc in final stitch.  Turn.
Row 11:  Ch 1.  1sc in first st.  *Ch 2 and skip 3dc of previous row.  (1Dc, Ch1, 1Dc, Ch1, 1Dc, Ch1, 1Dc) in ch-1 space of previous row.  Ch 2 and skip 3 dc of previous row. 1 sc in center dc of next set of 3dc of previous row.  Repeat from * across.  Turn.
Row 12:  Ch 1.  Make 1 sc in each stitch of previous row.  In the center ch-1 space of the pointed part make (1 sc.  1sc, Ch3, and sl st into the top of the second sc you have just made.  1 sc).

Now cut, bind off, weave in loose ends.  Sew this crochet piece you have just made to the bottom of your little black dress!

Stripes and cool stuff

Hi all.  So, it's been a while since I have been in this spot, but I'm running low on little crochet project ideas to include as a FREE DIY on this blog.  BUT I do have lots of ideas that are little alterations to a pattern you may have already purchased...  So I'm going to include these ideas in the EXTRAS page up top.

So first...  I love the clothing I am seeing  made from Peruvian and Mexican style colored blankets.  If I had a Mexican blanket on hand and was a better sewer I would make myself a jacket STAT.  But since I don't, I've incorporated the idea into a crochet piece, and you can too!

I've incorporated these colorful Mexican blanket stripes into the Boho Jacket Pattern, but you can add it to any pattern you have that is made from plane old single crochet stitches.  It's a great way to use up extra yarn you have sitting around... start playing with some stripes!  Hint:  have 2 rows as a minimum for each stripe, 1 row will look more like stitches than a stripe.  If you like that look, go for it, but it won't look as much like these Mexican blanket jackets.

Check out the images below to see how I incorporated this idea into a jacket.  And check the images below that for the jackets from Free People that inspired me for ideas on striping and colors.  Play with it, and have fun!

Some Advice

Watched this advice.  and it was some I needed...

I have a feeling this might be irrelevant to most of the awesome crafters reading this blog, but if you needed to hear this, here it is...

Fringe Your Clothing DIY

OK!  Time to slip this free DIY in before summer school starts!  It's been a while!

I'm loving the fringe trend right now!  Here is a cool way to add fringe to some clothes you have lying around that might need a little pick me up.

You will need:
-Cotton yarn (Worsted weight or thinner, but cotton drapes the best)
-Crochet hook that matches the gauge of your yarn
-A piece of clothing that needs a lil something
-Needle and thread

Chain a multiple of 5 plus one that fits the length of the garment you are adding the fringe to.  (Remember, the chain length gets a bit longer, once there are stitches in it.)

1sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.

Ch. 1, 1sc in each sc across.  Turn.

Make one more sc row.

*Chain 9, skip the next 4 sc stitches.  Make 1 sc in the 5th sc.  Repeat from * across.  Turn.

Chain 15. 1 sc in ch-9 space of previous row.  *Chain 9, 1 sc in ch-9 space of previous row.  Repeat from * across.

Repeat the previous row 3 more times.

Cut, bind off, weave in loose ends.

Cut 10 inch pieces of yarn.  Take two strands and a time, fold them in half, and loop them through the chain 9 spaces in the last row.

Sew the sc rows onto the piece of clothing you are dressing up with a needle and thread.  If you are really feeling awesome, you could use your sewing machine.

Also, I just had a great customer share how to use a "sharp crochet hook"...  WHAT?  It's pretty cool!  I haven't tried it yet, but if you have a piece of clothing you don't mind experimenting on...  go for it!

The Granny Square Blanket DIY

I know I diss on the granny square a lot... but sometimes a crocheter just has to make one, a really big one... and that's what this blanked it, one HUGE granny square (make it as big as you like)!

Here is what you will need...
-J hook
-Worsted weight yarn in a few fun colors - I'm using black, white, red, yellow, and mint
-Scissors?  that's pretty much it...


Chain 6.  Join in a small loop with a sl st.
Row 1:  Ch 2.  *3 dc into the center of the ch-6 loop.  Ch 2.  Repeat from * 3 more times.  Join with sl st. 
Row 2:  Ch 2.  *Ch 2 and skip the 3 dc of previous row.  (3 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch-2 space of previous row.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.
Row 3:  Ch 2.  *3 dc in the ch-2 space of previous row. Ch 2 and skip the 3 dc of previous row.  When you reach the corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the ch-2 space in the corner of the previous row.  Repeat from * around.
Continue in this way for each row.  Ch 2 over the 3 dc of previous row and 3 dc into the ch-2 spaces of previous rows, each time you reach a corner making a (3dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the corner ch-2 space.

I made 10 rows in white, 5 rows of black, 5 rows of white, 5 rows of black, 5 rows of white, 5 rows of red, 5 rows of blue, 5 rows of yellow, 5 rows of white... and my blanket is HUGE!!!

You can make yours far smaller if you like! 

KKI's Spring Collection

Have you been shopping Krochet Kids International's Spring Collection?  Better get on it!  The boys were on TV in Los Angeles today and the collection got some great time on TV!  The owl hat and headband with a bow were projects I worked on last year!  And catch a glimpse of the Crochet Flower DIY too!

Shop now at krochetkids.org

Net Border Pillow Case Cover

Been out of the blogging habit for a bit (woh, school), but here is a little DIY to get back into the swing of things.

This is a cool pillow cover.  It's almost the same as the Simple  Pillow Cover, but uses the net stitch around the edge, giving it a little extra awesome.

So... to make this... you will need all the same materials as the Simple Pillow Cover.  Follow all the steps up until the single crochet seam that surrounds the square.

This is where it changes... 
Ch 1.  *1 sc in the first sc of previous row.  Ch 5 and skip the next 3 sc.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.

Ch 1.  *1sc in the ch-5 space of previous row.  Ch 5.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.

Ch 1.  *1 sc in the ch-5 space of previous row.  Ch 4.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.  Cut, bind off, and weave in loose ends.

Cut 8 inch pieces of fringe.  Take two pieces at a time and loop and thread them through each ch-4 space around the pillow (making 4 inches in fringe length).

Take a needle and thread and sew the zipper across the pillow opening.   Insert the pillow, zip it shut, and throw it on your, couch/bed/pillow pile!

Woo hoo!  You're done!

Flower Crown Obsessed

I love love love reading the Free People Blog!

They are currently obsessed with flower crowns, AND if it wasn't snowing so much here in Colorado, I would be too!

The best part?  You can make the Flower Crown DIY and have a lovely crochet one yourself!

OR EVEN BETTER, buy The Emma Headband from Krochet Kids international and support a crocheting woman living in Uganda.

There are so many ways to enjoy a flower crown right now... has me so excited for spring!

Flower Crown DIY

The Emma from KKi

Image from the Free People blog

Image from the Free People blog

3 Valentine Things

I have THREE things to share with you this lovely Valentine's Day!

1.  Last day to use discount code VALENTINE for 10% off everything in the Etsy shop!  What?  Such a lovely deal!  Get on that!

2.  There are some kind of awesome Valentine appropriate DIY's from last year for you to enjoy!  Find The Heart Sweater and the Heart Elbow Patch DIY and get your stitching on.

3. It is V-day!  The day where One Billion (are) Rising!

Taken from their website:

ONE IN THREE WOMEN ON THE PLANET WILL BE RAPED OR BEATEN IN HER LIFETIME.*
ONE BILLION WOMEN VIOLATED IS AN ATROCITY
ONE BILLION WOMEN DANCING IS A REVOLUTION
On V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 14 February 2013, we are inviting ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders.
What does ONE BILLION look like? On 14 February 2013, it will look like a REVOLUTION.
ONE BILLION RISING IS:
A global strike
An invitation to dance
A call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends
An act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers
A refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given
A new time and a new way of being

So head on over to onebillionrising.org to watch live videos throughout the day and see ONE BILLION PEOPLE DANCING!  Already videos from India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Sudan, the Congo, New Zealand, Australia... it is pretty damn AWESOME! And put your stitching down for little to go get your dance on.

Garden Love

I've never been one for gardening... although I recently heard that an hour out in the garden has the same effect as Prozac and helps to boost your brain function... who knew?

Then I was playing around on Pinterst and found 3 plant related posts that got me really happy.  And they can be done inside... away from the cold (and one is crochet related)!

So...  Thank you to duitang.com,  CuteDIY, and Lynzarium's Custom Living Design for these amazing plant pick-me-ups!  I really want to try them!

Click on the links before the images to see these images normal sized AND straight from these amazing creative people!  Stitch and Garden Happy!