Adorable Granny Square Scarf + 10 More Uses for Granny Squares

April 18, 2019 by FaveCrafts

When it comes to crochet, I simply can’t get enough granny square patterns. I love them. Granny squares are the perfect way to add unique designs to virtually any crochet project. With the right colors, they can make your project decadent and elegant or stylish and kitschy, which makes them incredibly useful and versatile. While most crafters tend to use granny squares for afghans, I like to experiment. It’s fun to see how many different projects you can use them with.

I recently discovered this Adorable Granny Square Crochet Scarf Pattern from Red Heart Yarn, and it incorporates a new granny square design in a phenomenal way. With this pattern, the granny square is used to build a crochet scarf that’s beautiful and very eye-catching. The scarf is so ornate that you would think it was made by a leading fashion designer. That’s the beauty of it. Even more beautiful is the fact that this crochet scarf pattern is easy to duplicate. With just a handful of materials, you could use this crochet scarf pattern to make a piece so stunning that you’ll have family and friends asking you where you bought that magnificent scarf.

Love it yet? Find the printable pattern on FaveCrafts!

10 More Cute Granny Square Patterns:

I’ve shown you one of my favorite granny square projects. What’s your favorite way to use your granny squares?

26 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

November 27, 2018 by FaveCrafts

Sometimes I look at Christmas as a competition. Who can come up with the absolute best Christmas gift idea? Each year, I want to give gifts to my family and friends that are different, unique, and handmade. Personally, I feel that DIY Christmas gift ideas are great because they’re unexpected. They’re off the beaten path.

Anyone can go out and buy that hot new video game or movie release for a friend. It’s easy. That friend can probably even buy said gift for him or herself, too. Homemade Christmas gifts, however, are one of a kind. No two are alike, and giving the gift of something homemade is a feeling akin to sharing a moment together.

What could have been a simple movie purchase from the store is a sensation that’s much greater. It’s a heartwarming connection shared between two people, and it bears the warmth and spirit that all of those classic holiday tunes remind us of year after year.

The hard part is, when you make a habit of crafting Christmas gifts and decorations on an annual basis, what happens when you run out of ideas?

Lists happen. In my last Christmas article, 10 Jar Gifts to Get You Through the Holidays, I focused on quick, thoughtful, and fun gifts for all of those cousins, second cousins, and third cousins that make up your extended family. Today’s list is a little more personal. These homemade gifts are for the men, women, and children you see every day. These crafts are cute, clever, beautiful, and exciting, and I’ve broken them down into three categories.

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Her

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Him

If you’re looking for even more fantastic gift ideas, check out this Homemade Christmas Gift Guide eBook.

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids

What DIY Christmas Gift Ideas have you crafted for family and friends?

20+ Incredible Crafts For Adults You Need in Your Life

March 13, 2017 by FaveCrafts

Last Sunday, my husband took the kids to the Field Museum. As much as I wanted to join them, I was battling a bad cold, so I opted to stay home. Let me tell you, it’s been a long time since I had a day all to myself at home, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do with my time. I could catch up with my favorite shows on Netflix, but my hands were fidgety and in need of something to do. Surprisingly, the house was already clean. The laundry was done. There were no dishes in the sink. What was I to do? Then it hit me. I needed to find some clever and fun crafts for adults, something simple and unique for me to do!

Our craft room (more like a storage closet) has a ton of different crafting supplies available. With having little kids and being an avid fan of making things myself at home, there were a million and one crafts I could jump at. Any type of project I could imagine was right at my fingertips. At times, having so many options can be overwhelming, so I decided to make a list of some of my favorite crafts for adults. Whenever I find myself repeating last Sunday’s predicament, I just cross another craft off the list. It’s simple and easy, and it keeps me from staring at our crafting supplies for hours on end before I finally decide what it is that I’m going to do with my free time. I hope this list helps you as much as it helps me, and by all means, feel free to add your own amazing additions!

20+ Incredible Crafts For Adults

I’ve shown you my list of crafts for adults. What are some of your favorite crafts to make when you have free time?

For the Love of the Granny Stitch: Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

January 9, 2017 by FaveCrafts

I left my hat on the train the other day. The family and I were coming back from an event downtown. It was late, we were tired, and I took my hat off right before I closed my eyes for a train ride snooze session. When I woke up at our stop, I had completely forgotten that I had removed my hat. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t wearing it until we were already on our way home from the train station. By then, the train had moved on to the next stop, and my beautiful crochet hat was riding the rails all alone. After I was done being mad at myself, I pulled out my phone and took to the Internet in search of an easy crochet hat pattern.

I fell in love with this easy crochet hat pattern when I first laid eyes on it. It’s beautiful, stylish, and uses the granny stitch to create a hat that is comfy, cozy, and eye-catching. The best part is, this easy crochet hat can be whipped up in no time! With work kicking into high gear after the holidays, I don’t have the time I’d like for making a detailed and intricate piece for my head. This easy crochet hat pattern takes my time into consideration and still makes something that I’m absolutely thrilled about wearing out and about on our next trip downtown. I’ll make a note to put my hat in my pocket the next time that I decide to take it off.

You’ll Love This Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

By Katy Petersen for redheart.com

MATERIALS

RED HEART® Grande™: 1 ball each of 3927 Chianti A and 941 Barley B
Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 11.5mm [US P-16]
Yarn needle

GAUGE: 6 dc = 4½” (11.5 cm); 4 rows = 4″ (10 cm)

Finished Size: Hat measures 20 (22½)” [51 (57) cm] circumference at brim.

NOTES

Easy Crochet Hat is worked in joined rounds with right side facing.
To change color, work last stitch of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Proceed with new color. Cut old color.

Special Technique

Adjustable-ring method = Wrap yarn into a ring, ensuring that the tail falls behind the working yarn. Grip ring and tail firmly between middle finger and thumb. Insert hook through center of ring, yarn over (with working yarn) and draw up a loop. Work stitches of first round in ring, working over both strands (the tail and the ring). After the first round of stitches is worked, pull gently, but firmly, on tail to tighten ring.

DIRECTIONS
Directions for this easy crochet hat pattern make a size small. Changes for size large are in parentheses.

HAT
With A, make an adjustable ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 8 (9) dc in ring; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—9 (10) dc. Pull gently on tail to close ring.

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 2 dc in each dc around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—18 (20) dc.

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch; change to B—27 (30) dc.

Size Small Only:
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, skip next dc, *2 dc in next dc, skip next dc; repeat from * around to last dc, dc in last dc; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—13 two-dc groups and 1 dc.

Rounds 5 and 6: Slip st in next dc, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, *2 dc in next space between 2-dc groups; repeat from * 11 times, 2 dc in space before last dc, dc in space between last dc and beginning ch; join with slip st in top of beginning ch.

Round 7: Slip st in next dc; change to A, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, *2 dc in next space between 2-dc groups; repeat from * 11 times, 2 dc in space before last dc, dc in space between last dc and beginning ch; join with slip st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off.

Size Large Only:
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, skip next dc, *2 dc in next dc, skip next dc; repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—15 two-2 dc groups.

Rounds 5–7: Slip st in next dc, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each space between 2-dc groups around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch.

Round 8: Slip st in next dc; change to A, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each space between 2-dc groups around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Weave in all ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
A, B = Color A, Color B; ch = chain(s); dc = double crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated

I’m always on the lookout for more fantastic hats! What are some of your favorite winter hats to crochet?

20 Crochet Beanie Patterns to Get You Through Winter

January 2, 2017 by FaveCrafts

Winter has finally arrived, and you know what that means! It’s time to dig into the closet and find all of those old hats, gloves, and scarves we tucked away last spring. We need to find our extra warm clothes and bundle up before we head outside. Those gusts of frosty wind can really bite, and it’s no fun to trek in the snow when we’re exposed to Jack Frost’s icy teeth.

If you’re like me, you may have forgotten where you stored last year’s winter hats. It’s a recurring problem I should fix, I know. My old hats will turn up eventually (they always do), but in the meantime, I’ve put together a list of crochet beanie patterns to get you (and me) through the winter. I like to keep these crochet beanie patterns handy for when that first big winter storm hits. It’s good to be prepared, and with some of these patterns, it’s easier to make a new beanie than rummage through the closet looking for last year’s favorite hat. As the seasons change, so should our attire, right? Plus, some of these crochet beanie patterns make really fantastic hats that I’ve been dying to try out, anyway!

In the collection of crochet beanie patterns below, I’ve collected 20 amazing patterns that make wonderful winter hats for adults. Some of these patterns are unisex, and at least one crochet beanie pattern is designed specifically for men. All of these crochet beanie patterns are for adults, but some patterns offer adjustments if you’re planning on making one of these for a small child.

20 Crochet Beanie Patterns to Try This Winter

Beanies are my personal favorite seasonal project. What are some of your favorite crochet projects to make during the winter?

Get Cozy with This Free Knitted Shawl Pattern

December 12, 2016 by FaveCrafts

We had our first snow this past week. Our cool fall weather dipped below freezing, and we were hit with 6.4″ of heaping snow in one afternoon. With the temperature staying close to the freezing point each day since, that snow is here to stay. Now that winter has finally arrived, it’s time to bust out our favorite seasonal items. We’ll get that fireplace crackling and that hot cocoa made. We’ll bake some delicious cookies and rest on the couch while our favorite winter movies play. For the next few months, we’ll be hibernating indoors, which gives us plenty of time to whip up this fantastic free knitted shawl pattern.

This free knitted shawl pattern is a great project for keeping warm this winter. The yarn is so irresistibly soft and comfortable that you’ll want to drape it around you whenever you can. It’s perfect for reading, watching movies, or curling up with a mug of cocoa on the couch. Even better, this free knitted shawl pattern is easy to make, so you’ll have your new favorite winter craft done up in no time!

You’ll Love This Free Knitted Shawl Pattern

By Christine Chen for redheart.com

MATERIALS

RED HEART® Strata™: 7 balls 2405 grey bulky yarn
Susan Bates® Knitting Needles: 8mm [US 11]
Yarn needle

GAUGE: 13 sts = 4″ [10 cm]; 16 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette stitch.

Finished Size: Shawl measures 17″ [43 cm] wide x 72″ [183 cm] long.

DIRECTIONS

Note: Slip first st purlwise and knit last st through back loop of every row for a more finished looking edge.

Cast on 58 sts. Knit 5 rows.

Row 1 (Right Side): Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Rows 3-12: Repeat rows 1-2.

Row 13: Knit.

Row 14: [K1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back] to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 15: Knit.

Row 16: K2, [slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, k1] to end of row.

Rows 17-40: Repeat rows 13-16. Repeat rows 1-40 for nine more times, then rows 1-12 once. Knit 6 rows. Bind off.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS

cm = centimeters; k = knit; mm = millimeters; st(s) = stitch(es); [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified.

Looking for more amazing knitting patterns that will keep you cozy this winter? Check out this Extra Chunky Gratitude Blanket.

What are some of your favorite knitting patterns for winter?

20 Last-Minute Gift Ideas That Everyone Will Love

December 5, 2016 by FaveCrafts

My family and I finally finished putting up our Christmas decorations this past weekend, and as I looked at one of the advent calendars we made for our little one, I realized that Christmas was only a few weeks away. It feels like Thanksgiving was just yesterday and that there was so much time to knock out every item on that Christmas to-do list. With the holiday right around the corner, I’ve barely made a dent in my to-do list. There are still so many projects to make, meals to plan, and gifts to put together. Pair that list with a busy work schedule and taking care of children, and this holiday season is hectic enough to make anyone feel stressed. That’s how the holidays always feel though, right?

We’re always scrambling in those final few weeks to make each year better than the last. In our dash to the finish line, however, something always slips through the cracks. Whether we forgot the cranberry sauce or suddenly realized that we didn’t make Uncle Charlie a gift, there’s always something we’re whipping together in those final moments before Christmas. For me, it’s usually a gift for a relative or a family friend. That’s why I decided to get ahead of the game and make a handy list of last-minute gift ideas.

There is something for everyone with these last-minute gift ideas. These gifts are quick and easy to put together, and they require only a handful of materials to make. The best part is, most of these crafts can be made in an hour or less, which is fantastic if you’re in a serious time crunch.

20 Last-Minute Gift Ideas That Everyone Will Love

You’ve got your last-minute gift idea ready to go, but how do you wrap it? Check out 10 Gift Wrapping Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Christmas!

I’ve shared my list of ideas. What are some of your favorite last-minute gift ideas?

22 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed: Part 2

November 28, 2016 by FaveCrafts

In our last crafting tutorials post, “24 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed,” we put together an extensive list of articles to help beginners learn new skills, tips, and tricks. We built an exhaustive post that was devoted to sharing all sorts of neat techniques and great ideas with the crafting world. The list was our own library catalog of all of the fascinating tricks and tips we had collected. It was our magnum opus, and it was a popular resource among our greater crafting family — that means you.

The original crafting tutorials post went live months ago. A lot of things can happen between then (July) and now. One of the changes we’re eager to tell you about is our new list filled with all of the cool skills we’ve picked up in the last few months. Whether you’re completely new to crafting or are here to pick up a few new techniques, these crafting tutorials are super helpful and fun. We hope they’ll inspire all sorts of fantastic and unexpected projects!

22 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed: Part 2

What Crafting Tutorials are You Most Excited to Try?

10 DIY Beaded Bracelets for Every Occasion

November 17, 2016 by FaveCrafts

I used to wear a watch every single day until it broke. I couldn’t really fix it, and after a few days of going to work with a bare wrist, I got the itch. Do you ever feel that itch? Do you ever feel that need to have something decorative on your arm? As a temporary fix, I put together a couple of quick DIY beaded bracelets. They were simple, colorful, and fun, and at the time, I considered these bracelets as only a replacement to ward off that bare-wrist itch until I found a new watch. Little did I know that this temporary fix would become a regular jewelry-crafting habit.

If you’ve ever spent hours searching the web for beautiful watches, you already know that the ones you will want to show off are super expensive. In this day and age, watches are more for decoration than for practical purposes, too. We can always just check the time on our phones, right? Bracelets, on the other hand, can be cute and bubbly or decadent and ornate for way less money. For the price of one gorgeous watch, you can make a crazy amount of bracelets. In crafting DIY beaded bracelets, I soon found myself making them for every occasion. I had bracelets for formal parties, small gatherings, summer outings, holidays, trips to the beach, and everything else under the sun! What started off as a simple bandage for my broken watch problem became a fun craft to pair with my daily wardrobe. These crafts also made phenomenal DIY gift ideas for friends, loved ones, nieces, cousins, etc.

10 DIY Beaded Bracelets You’ll Absolutely Love

Looking for even more DIY beaded bracelets? Check out 35 Free Beaded Bracelet Patterns.

I’ve listed 10 fantastic DIY beaded bracelets. Are there any amazing bracelets that you think should be featured in this list?

12 DIY Kitchen Ideas to Craft Before Company Comes Over

November 11, 2016 by FaveCrafts

We’re fast approaching that time of year where it feels like we have visitors over all of the time. Whether it’s family or friends, our homes are a hubbub of activity during the holidays, and while we frantically rush to clean up our homes before Cousin Teddy stops by with his family, we often feel at a loss. If you’re like me, you rush to dust, vacuum, and jam as many items into the closet as possible. No matter how many times you tell yourself that it’s going to be different, that last-minute dash to spruce up the joint is habitual. I don’t know about you, but when I’m racing against the clock to rid the house of dust mites, there’s one room I always forget to tackle: the kitchen. I’m usually good about cleaning the dishes and putting food away, but when company comes over, my kitchen isn’t much to look at. It’s dull. It’s boring. If I sweep the floor, the kitchen might look better, but it’s still a room in dire need of color. That’s why I’ve been compiling a list of DIY kitchen ideas.

I’ve spent many hours sprucing up the home decor for my living room. When cleaned, I’m proud to say that the living room looks great. It’s comfortable. It has a sense of atmosphere and style. People can see all of my cool DIY room decor and be amazed. My kitchen, as you now know, is another story, and I wanted to change that. What if Cousin Teddy and the family wanted to raid my fridge for snacks and sodas? In looking for DIY kitchen ideas, I put together crafts that either looked great, were practical, or could wear both hats. Some of these crafts, like the Coffee Pot Homemade Terrarium, were also a neat way to recycle spare items I no longer needed. Featured below is my personal to-do list. The next time those family members or friends want to check out my home, these crafts will make me feel like my kitchen is dressed up enough for company.

12 DIY Kitchen Ideas to Make You Feel Stylish

10 More Cute Granny Square Patterns:

I’ve shown you one of my favorite granny square projects. What’s your favorite way to use your granny squares?

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Her

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Him

If you’re looking for even more fantastic gift ideas, check out this Homemade Christmas Gift Guide eBook.

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids

What DIY Christmas Gift Ideas have you crafted for family and friends?

20+ Incredible Crafts For Adults

I’ve shown you my list of crafts for adults. What are some of your favorite crafts to make when you have free time?

You’ll Love This Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

By Katy Petersen for redheart.com

I’m always on the lookout for more fantastic hats! What are some of your favorite winter hats to crochet?

20 Crochet Beanie Patterns to Try This Winter

Beanies are my personal favorite seasonal project. What are some of your favorite crochet projects to make during the winter?

You’ll Love This Free Knitted Shawl Pattern

What are some of your favorite knitting patterns for winter?

20 Last-Minute Gift Ideas That Everyone Will Love

You’ve got your last-minute gift idea ready to go, but how do you wrap it? Check out 10 Gift Wrapping Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Christmas!

I’ve shared my list of ideas. What are some of your favorite last-minute gift ideas?

22 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed: Part 2

What Crafting Tutorials are You Most Excited to Try?

10 DIY Beaded Bracelets You’ll Absolutely Love

Looking for even more DIY beaded bracelets? Check out 35 Free Beaded Bracelet Patterns.

I’ve listed 10 fantastic DIY beaded bracelets. Are there any amazing bracelets that you think should be featured in this list?

12 DIY Kitchen Ideas to Make You Feel Stylish

If these 12 DIY kitchen ideas inspired you to track down some more neat projects, you should check out this 39 Low Cost Kitchen Crafts eBook.

I’ve opened up about my last-minute preparations for company. How do you prepare for guests?

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