Cross stitch- finding a centre

It may surprise some to know I didn't discover a love of needlecraft until the early 2000's. I was looking for something to take my mind off troubles I was having and painting then, at the time, wasn't doing it. I wandered into the news agency looking at the hobby magazines and discovered an English cross stitch magazine called Needlecraft. It was a new issue so I thought I'd give it a go because at the time the magazine was very cheap and had a free cover kit. I brought it. The cover kit was a card with ducks. The kit had everything in it to get started so I stitched away after reading the instructions briefly and ended up with a row of ducks. But the kit had linen fabric not aida. Linen is sort of open weave where as aida fabric has blocks. I missed the part in the instructions where it said to cross stitch over two linen threads. I stitched over one. Yes, I ended up with a row of ducks ...but they were tiny! Still I was hooked on cross stitch and have been going back and forth with cross stitching stitching over the years. My favourite designs are samplers.

Cross stitching is really quite simple once you grasp the idea you are making crosses and the crosses of colour match the symbols on your chart. It doesn't get any more difficult than that. However, some books and magazines in the early times didn't show the centre of your design on their charts. When you cross stitch you have to start in the centre of your fabric and you find the centre by folding the fabric in half length ways and then width ways. This will make a crease in the fabric and the middle of the crease matches the centre on your chart. When you find you haven't got arrows marking the centre of your paper chart this is what you do:

Finding the centre for cross stitching.

Unfortunately math is used but it's easily done with or without a calculator. 

Step one: Find where your chart begins and ends both across the top and down.  Mark only where symbols appear.

Step two: When you've marked where the chart starts and ends - at the top, the width, count the number of squares across. Divide this number by 2 (half for mathematically challenged folks) and count the half number. Mark an arrow where that half number is. If the number falls between a square and not on a line, it's in the middle of that square.

Step two: Count the number of squares down to where your chart design finishes. Divide this number by two and count  across until you reach the half number. This half number is the centre mark for length of the chart.

Step three: to find the centre find the top arrow and run your pencil down until it is in line with the length arrow; mark a cross where these two join. This is your centre of your chart. Begin stitching here. 

Tips for cross stitching: 

Read all instructions carefully.

Make sure all your crosses lean the same way. Unless the design instructions says other wise.

If the chart uses whole cross stitches only you can match each of the stitches to a bead to make beaded needlework. You can also use the same pattern to make a needlepoint work and cover in the background with stitches. 

Linen is very useful to use when you want to cross stitch on fabric that isn't even weave. Tack the linen in place. Stitch the design. Then pull away the linen thread. ( I've done this for the heart below on my crazy quilt).

 I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

handmade potholder

Day 12 living without

This is a no spend day.

I made these potholders a while back. They are hand painted but the bunny mother's dress is appliqué fabric and made to look painted. The painted part finished up very nice but I really should have used much thicker material for the batting inside, I used flannel and that's way too thin. Lesson learnt.

All of the fabric came from thrift stores and didn't cost much.

How To Make A Potholder

You will need a top piece. A batting. A backing. And a strip of fabric for the hanger.

The backing fabric faces right side to the right side of the top piece of fabric.

The batting goes over the backing fabric.

To make the hanging tab, fold a strip of fabric one side to the middle...

Then the other side to meet... You can pin it to hold it in place.

Then fold over the strip and sew.

Place the hanging tab in the corner of the potholder ( left hand side) And facing in towards the front piece of fabric. Make sure you pay attention to how you have this hanging tab placed or you'll have it on the wrong side. I speak from experience. You can pin all the layers and have a pin to hold the hanging tab.

Sew all around the potholder, making sure to capture the hanging tab. Leave a little opening on the sides. Trim away the corners to reduce bulk.  Turn right side out making sure to poke out the corners nicely. 

You can slip stitch the opening closed. Or when you top stitch around the front of the potholder make sure you capture the opening with your sewing to close the gap. 

And that is how I make my pot holders. Just don't use flannel for your batting and you should be good to use a pretty potholder to rest hot items on to protect your benches or to grab a hot pot lid or handle.  Of course always be careful.

These potholders are about six and half inches square.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Chicky chics

It's no secret I like to do the crayon tinting technique. A couple of dollars will buy a small packet of Crayola crayons and before you know it there's hours of fun to be had. Usually with crayon tinting technique most people embroider the design once finished.  I'm trying a new idea where you don't have to embroider the design. The finished item still works out to look very pretty.

Method:

1: Transfer your design onto your chosen item. For this sample I used some plastic bag holders. To transfer the design I always trace the image onto tracing paper. Then turn the design over to the back and retrace with a hot iron embroidery transfer pencil. When you turn your design over this will mean the design transfers onto your item the right way. 

2: To do crayon tinting I gave a lesson: here. The technique is very simple, just colour in the design with the crayons. If you want a deep colour, colour in, then iron off the wax build up of crayon and colour in again. The design above is coloured in once only. 

3: Then with a thick laundry marker pen trace around the finished coloured image. The laundry marker pen won't wash out.

4: Set the design with an iron, making sure to place paper over the design to pick up the wax crayon and not ruin your iron. This is completely washable, although the design may fade over time. If you want the colour to stay as is a bush over with a medium used to mix with paint to paint on fabric will make sure the design doesn't fade.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

fabric tea towel edge

 How to sew a fabric edging to a tea towel

Materials needed:

Tea towel. I used the ones from our cheap stores here. They come in a pack of three or five for a couple of dollars. I pre-wash and iron everything before use.

Any scrap of fabric that will match the bottom width of your tea towel. You can patch together scraps of fabric to make up the length and width you need.

Quick unpick

Usual sewing equipment: Scissors, pins, thread, ect.

If you don't have a sewing machine this can also be done by hand.

Step 1: Unpick the bottom edge of the tea towel.

Step 2: Unpick the sides of the tea towel. Making it long enough to match  the height of your combined fabric edging.

Step 3: Choose scraps of fabric long enough to go across the width of the tea towel. I had fabric left over from the baby quilt and the kitty baby bib on my Etsy store. Add in extra length for when you have to fold over the edges towards the seams.

Step 4: Your first scrap of fabric fold together and match the raw edges together and press with an iron. Sew the raw edges to the second scrap fabric using a narrow seam.

Step 5: With fabrics wrong side to right side of tea towel sew the second fabric scrap with your first fabric scrap sewn, to the bottom of the tea towel where you unpicked the seam. If the tea towel edge is crooked you may have to cut it to straighten.

Step 6: Flip the scrap fabric edging up towards the right side of the tea towel fabric. Top stitch along the first scrap fabric at the top to hold into place and top stitch along the bottom edge of second scrap fabric to keep it neat and sitting flat.

Step 7: At the sides, fold over the seam to match the original seam of the tea towel. Match your sewing thread to your tea towel thread and if you have to; match the thread to your scrap fabric. I just used white thread through out.

And you are done adding a fabric trim to your tea towel. you can also add a crochet edging to your tea towel as I have done too.

Original hand painted design appliquéd to tea towel

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Crochet Shawl

Crochet triangular shawl

My video for crochet triangular shawl:

Original instructions for the shawl came from: Bobwilson123 youtube channel.

Instructions:

Chain 4

join to make ring

Double crochet into ring three times

chain 3. turn 

Work 2 double crochet in stitch at base of chain 3. Chain 3 counts as 1 double crochet

Work 3 double crochet into chain 3 at end

Chain 3. turn work

Work 2 double crochet in stitch at base of chain 3

Work 3 double crochet into next space.

Work 3 double crochet into chain 3 at end

Chain 3 turn work

Work 2 double crochet into stitch at base of chain 3

Work 3 double crochet into next space

*Repeat until shawl in required length and width

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Scented box

Scented fabric lined box

Materials:

Craft box or recycled box of choice.

Fabric.

Potpourri of choice.

Thin cardboard. Use recycled board from cereal boxes.

Thin fabric batting. Old tea towel or dishcloth will work for batting. I used an old flannel blanket.

Craft glue suitable for material.

Optional: Memento Ink color of choice.

Method:

To begin trace the box shape inside onto paper for your template.

From the template cut one from thin cardboard. 

Using the template trace around on batting and fabric leaving enough to turn in the fabric around the cardboard.

Glue your batting to the cardboard. Snip in around the edges to smooth out the turning if your box is shaped. If it is square or rectangle simple turn in the edges paying attention to miter the corners without bulk. (Cut across the corner and turn in the edges to give a mired look).

Take your fabric and with wrong side facing the batting, glue into place, first add a a thin line of glue to the batting and then glue the fabric to the back by turning the edges of the fabric towards the back of the thin cardboard. Be sure to leave a gap to fill with potpourri.

To fill the shape, a bowl and spoon will be helpful. A funnel will also help but I didn't end up using mine. Spoon in the potpourri to fill the shape. Don’t over stuff. Keep the filling thin but padded. Fold over the opening towards the back of the cardboard and glue into place.

If preferred you can ink the edges of the fabric. I used Memento Ink in Lady Bug.

Cover the back of the thin cardboard with glue and glue into place. Press down around the edges and in the center to make sure the cardboard adheres well to the bottom of the box.

Your scented box is now ready to hold any items you like. 

Useful Links: 

Introduction to Potpourri. 

Cottage Potpourri.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Grandma's apple

Apple crochet dishcloth

This crochet dishcloth is very easy to make, but you do have to pay attention to the rounds to make the stitches consistent to the pattern. It's more an 'apple slice' if you use white and green or red color for the edges. Another nice idea is to just crochet the apple all in green or all in red so the apple doesn't look like it is sliced. The loop would look nice in a wood color and the leaf a different green to the apple. But if you only have one green color yarn that will do.

Please let me know if there is a mistake in the pattern and I will try to fix it.

Crochet stitches are American stitches.

For Australian crochet stitches are here.

Note: Ch 3 at beg of rounds or rows count as a DC

Crochet hook I used was 4 mm or G Hook. I used Lincraft brand 100% cotton yarn with is an 8 ply. 

Round 1: Ch 3 11 double crochet in ring. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. =12 dc.

Round 2: Ch 3. 1 double crochet in same space as last sl st. 2 Double Crochet in each double crochet around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. = 23 Double Crochet.

Round 3: Ch3 2 double crochet in next double crochet. * 1 double crochet in next double crochet. 2 double crochet in next double crochet. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3.

Round 4: Ch 3. 1 double crochet in next double crochet. 2 double crochet in next double crochet. * 1 dc in each of next 2 double crochet. 2 double crochet in next double crochet. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch3. = 48 double crochet.

Round 5:  Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. 1 double crochet in each of next 3 dc. * 2 double crochet in next double crochet. 1 double crochet in each of next 3 double crochet Repeat from * around. Join in with sl st to top of ch 3. = 60 double crochet.

Round 6: Ch1. 1 sc in each of next 3 double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. 1 double crochet in next double crochet. ( 2 double crochet in next double crochet. 1 double crochet in next double crochet) 4 times. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. 1 single crochet in each of next 6 double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. 1 double crochet in each of next 2 double crochet. 2 double crochet in each of next 3 double crochet. 1 double crochet in next double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. 1 single crochet in next double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. 1 double crochet in next double crochet. 2 double crochet in each of next 3 double crochet. 1 double crochet in each next 2 double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. 1 single crochet in each of next 6 double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. ( 1 double crochet in next double crochet. 2 double crochet in next double crochet) 4 times. 1 double crochet in next double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next double crochet. 1 single crochet in each of  next 3 double crochet. Join outer second color with sl st to first single crochet. 74 sts. Break main color.

Round 7: With Outer Second color, ch 1, 1 single crochet in same space as last sl st. 1 half double crochet in next single crochet. 1 double crochet in each of the next 4 sts. ( 2 double crochet in next st. 1 double crochet in next 5 sts) 4 times. 2 double crochet in next st. 1 double crochet in each of next 4 sts. 1 half double crochet in next st.1 single crochet in each of the next 2 sts. 1 half double crochet in next st. 1 double crochet in each of next 4 sts. ( 2 double crochet in next st. 1 double crochet in each of next 5 sts) 4 times. 2 double crochet in next st. 1 double crochet in each of next 4 sts. 1 half double crochet in next st. 1 single crochet in next st. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

  

Hanging Loop

With 2 strands of loop color held together, join with sl st to top of Apple. Ch 12. Join with sl st in same sp as first sl st. Fasten off.

Leaf

With Leaf color, ch 12

1^st row: 1 single crochet in 2^nd ch from hook. 1 half double crochet in next ch. 1 double crochet in next ch. 1 treble crochet in each of next 5 ch. 1 double crochet in next ch. 1 half double crochet in next ch. 3 single crochet in last ch. Working across opposite side of ch, 1 half double crochet in next ch. 1 double crochet in next ch. 1 treble crochet in each of next 5 ch. 1 double crochet in next ch. 1 half double crochet in next ch. 2 single crochet in last ch. Join with sl st to firs single crochet.

Fasten off.

Sew leaf to Apple near hanging loop.

If desired add seeds in the center by embroidering seeds either in bullion stitch or lazy 

daisy stitch.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Relaxing scents

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY THIRTEEN:

Scented Bath Salts.

You will need:

Salt

Epson salts

Baking soda

Essential oils

Food coloring

Attractive glass bottles that keep out moisture

Ribbon and flower trims to match your scents.

Method:

In a large bowl, mix to combine 6 parts salt; 3 parts Epson salts, to soothe tired muscles and reduce inflammation; 1 part baking soda, to soften waters and alleviate skin irritation.

Add a few drops of essential oils ( Be sure to check for an allergic reaction first) and combine.

Add a few drops of food coloring to match the scent you place in your salts, for example, peppermint use green coloring, until you achieve the desired shade. Present the bath salts in a stoppered and labelled container to keep out moisture.  Add a gift of soap and a face washer as desired.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Glittery snowflakes

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY TWELVE:

Hot glue snowflakes

Snowflakes Ornaments

You will need:

Clear hot glue sticks

Hot glue gun

Baking paper

Surface that can take a bit of heat

String

Wet glue

Glitter

Method:

Draw out a snowflake shape on baking paper. Keep the shape simple and not too large. You can make a large snowflake but you will have to keep thickening it with the hot glue. A smaller shape requires only a few layers of hot glue.

Using your hot glue trace the snowflake shape. Work from the centre out, and then let it cool. Add another layer of hot glue tracing the snowflake shape as before. Keep this method going until you feel the snowflake has enough thickness.

Add a hanging loop at the top using a dollop of hot glue to secure.

Let cool.

Peel off the snowflake from the baking paper. Pull away any unwanted hot glue strings.

Once cool, using your wet glue coat the snowflake, then before the glue dries sprinkle glitter over the entire snowflake. Let dry. Make sure the snowflake is well covered and there is no hot glue showing. Do this front and back. If you don’t want your glitter to flake off you can also brush over a coat of artist acrylic varnish.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Wrapping paper

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY ELEVEN: 

Wrapping paper uses.

Wrapping paper can be useful in scrapbooking. The paper can be used as a background or elements can be cut from the paper to be used as card toppers or as individual motifs for journalling cards. You can also use the wrapping paper to make your own Christmas tags, recipe cards, or even postcards.

The cards below use a variety of scrap pieces to make up journal cards for December Dailies, Project Life, Planners, Smash books, and any other scrapbooking use. 

When you want to use wrapping paper images, look at the over all design of the paper. Some elements can be cut out singularly other designs can be used as a background. Most times there is a repeat motif like the Santa Claus on the above wrapping paper. These repeat motifs can be fussy cut out and foam dots can be used to layer them. I layered two Santa Claus's, then cut the head out only and layered it again on top of the other two Santa Claus's. I added glitter glue to highlight some of the motifs on the suit.

The presents on the next wrapper I also cut out singularly. I cut out the bows and using foam dots layered them under the original bow to give dimension. I also pulled apart double layered stickers and added those to the presents, as well as real ribbon bows.

When cutting out wrapping paper like this, I always cut out small sections and then glue the paper to thin card. I then cut out the shapes with small, fine sharp scissors. Edges of the cut out can also be inked as well. 

If there is very small motifs on the wrapping paper, like the snowflakes with the Santa Claus, don't waste them. Cut them out too and glue them to paper clips to be used in planners and journals.

This is a nice way to use up all those left over tags, and other Christmas-y bits at the end of Christmas.  

I hope every one is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Christmas Bell

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY TEN: 

Silver Bells.

You will need:

Cardboard, thin but not too thick. String. Glue, (wet glue, not a stick.) Scissors. Kitchen foil.

This is really easy craft and makes use of what you have at home. First cut out a bell shape from your cardboard (recycle cereal packets is fine). Run a bead of glue to follow the ridges of the bell. Along the glue add your string. Let dry.  You can keep your bells plain or add in some lettering, write out the words you would like in glue, then follow the glue line with string. It is fiddly but doable. When everything is dry cover the bell shape with kitchen foil. Gently press around the string to bring out the shape in the foil. To cover the back make another bell the same and glue both together.

You can make these bells as plain or fancy as you like. Larger bells can be used as a bunting around a Christmas table, medium bells can be used on the tree, and even smaller bells can be used as gift tags on presents. 

Fancy bells can also have lace, and paper flowers of choice.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Homemade flowers

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY NINE:

Felt flower hair clips.

You will need felt in assorted flower colors. Plus green felt. Because this is such a small project this can use up all your scrap felt pieces.

You can cut your felt flower shapes out by hand. I used Marianne design Creatables die number: LRO145

I used the largest flower in the set. I cut the first flower just to the center. The next flower I cut 1 petal out of the flower. The third flower I cut 2 petals out of the flower. I then used glue to stick the first and last petal of each flower together. 

 Finally the flowers were stacked inside of each other. Alternate each flower when you glue them together so the petals are not all together. Add a flat back gem or button of your choice. Cut out  leaf shapes from the green felt. Cut two small leaves and glue them together. Then glue them to the back of your flower. Use strong glue to glue the entire finished flower to your clip.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Herbal candle

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY EIGHT:

Herbal candle wreath

This is a simple Herbal wreath made from kitchen garden herbs.

You will need:

Rosemary

Bay

Thyme

Basil

Parsley

Any other herb of choice as long as it is fresh. You could make a flowery one using nasturtiums and calendulas as well.

Garden twine

Dried Orange

Dried Lavender wand (Optional)

A terracotta pot. I gilded mine using gold leaf gilding kit brought from any art section. A candle of choice. Again optional. You will also need a base to set the pot and wreath on.

Make a wreath from Rosemary. Lay the Rosemary against each other and at the bottom of the stem wrap twine tightly to hold the stems. Add the next Rosemary against the last, bring the twine down around the Rosemary loosely and then wrap tight, at the stem, to hold the Rosemary in place. Continue this way until you have a wreath. Tie off the twine tightly. 

Now begin to add the other herbs, gather them up and using the garden twine wrap them around the wreath tightly. Continue as you did the Rosemary wreath, wrap the herb bouquet tightly and then loosely bring the twine down to the next section add a bouquet of herbs, wrap tightly around the stems. Continue this way until you have the entire wreath covered in herbs.

Sit the terracotta pot on a dish, then add the candle. If you don't want to add a candle you can fill the pot up with other useful kitchen cooking items, such as dried herbs or seed packets. If you don't want a real flame candle you can also add one of those solar flickering ones as well.

You can decorate the wreath with dried orange slices, some tinsel, a small lavender wand.

As always be careful when burning candles. Never leave unattended. Never leave around pets or small children. Don't let any greenery near the naked flame. Be safe.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Left over treasures

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

Day Seven:

Sparkling loop earrings

You will need:

Assortment of beads in various shapes and sizes

Wire

Loop earring findings

Earring posts/hooks

Crimping tool

Wire cutters

Method:

The main aim of these earrings is to use up any left over beads and any short left over wire. The wire can be from 3 inches to 5 inches long.

If you prefer you can use loop earring findings. The loop is already made for you.

Earrings using a ready made shop brought loop finding

Thread your beads onto your wire. A clip of some sort will help stop them sliding off and flying off your wire. Leave enough wire to thread one end through the last bead on the wire. Pull the wire up to form a loop. Slide on a crimp bead over both wires and crimp the bead firmly closed. Trim off excess wire. Attach the bead loop to your earring post by gently pulling apart the loop at the bottom of the earring post; slip this where you closed the wire with the crimp bead. Close the earring post loop and you are done.

If you use left over wire and beads these earrings are very cheaply made and look pretty. Add them as a gift to the tea pocket favors. 

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Let it snow ornament

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY FIVE:

This is my take on a pinterest find ornament

Materials:

1 inch square wooden block ( These can be found any craft section and they come in a packet of six)

Two head pins ( These are in the Jewelry making supplies and are the ones with the loop at the end)

 6 Small faceted glass beads in your choice of colors

One large drop bead acrylic or glass

Largish jump rings.

Acrylic gesso in white

Modelling paste (Or texture paste)

Glue gun or strong glue

Glitter.

Acrylic paint:

Black for eyes

White for highlight in eyes

Orange for carrot nose

Blue

Gold pen for lettering and highlighting some of the carrot noses

Flat brush

Fine brush

Palette knife or flat kitchen knife

Flat nose pliers

Method:

Step 1: Paint the wooden block using the Acrylic gesso paint. Let dry.

Step 2: Use a knife to spread on the Modelling paste. Spread it thickly and uneven to look a bit like snow.

Step 3: Take glitter and spread it into the modelling paste around the edges of the block try to keep the snowmen’s faces clear.

Let dry. ( A heat gun works well for these steps). 

Step 4: Use black paint to paint in the eyes.

Step 5: Use dots of black paint to form the mouth.

Step 6: Use triangle shape in orange to paint in carrot nose.

Step 7: Use the gold pen to add in lettering. You can add some black paint to form shadows around the lettering. A black fine tip pen works best for this.

Step 8: Use a fine brush to add in white highlights in the snowmen’s  eyes.

Step 9: Add watered down blue paint around the edges of the blocks and shade in some black paint to add interest and make the snowmen’s faces stand out.

Step 10: Take the head pins and thread on your small faceted beads. Where there isn’t a loop use flat pliers to curve the head pin to make another loop.

Step 11: Use your large jump rings to attach your drop bead. I pulled my jump ring right out and threaded it through the hole at the top of the drop bead and closed it back up. I added another jump ring to use as a hanger. You can also add an ornament hanger to make it look prettier.

Step 12: Find the center of your block at the top and the bottom and using a hot glue gun run a bead of glue around the loop of the head pin to make it stand and stay. Do the same for the bottom of the block. Use your modelling paste and cover the top and the bottom with modelling past to hide the glue. Add glitter if desired.

Step 13: Add a ribbon if desired and hang on tree.

I hope every one is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Simply colourful

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY FOUR:

Crocheting an edge around wash cloths.

You will need: 

Crochet hook

100 percent crochet cotton yarn

Scissors

Needle

AMERICAN CROCHET STITCHES.

  

Start in the center of your wash cloth. Poke your crochet hook through, grab the thread up and tie off a secure knot (how I start). Put your crochet hook at the bottom of where you tied off and grab the thread with the hook again to make a single crochet.

Chain 2 go back down in your wash cloth and make a single crochet. Chain 2. Repeat around wash cloth to make first round.  When you go around the corners don’t put your stitches too far apart otherwise your stitches on the second round will be pulling. So go a little closer for the corners. The first round is like a blanket stitch to help with the second round.

Close the first round by slip stitching closed.

Second round: Chain three. Double crochet in same space where you closed off the first round. Count first chain three as a double crochet. Make a picot stitch by chaining three and bring crochet down into the top of the first two stitches of the double crochet. YO and pull through the three stitches on hook. This will make a like a little loop at the top and this is called a picot stitch. Go back down into the same space and make two double crochet stitches, this will form a shell stitch. Go down into next space and single crochet. Make a shell in next space: Two double crochet, picot stitch, two double crochet. Single crochet.

Repeat until your second round is finished. Finish off with a slip stitch to close round. Weave in any loose ends with a needle and make sure the ends are tied off securely.

These take no more than an hour to do and anyone can make these. Add bubble bath or soap or perfume or after shave and wrap them up.

SEE ALSO: 

Crochet bobby pins and chart for translating stitches

I hope every one is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

(Blog name changed from Vintagepapery to A peaceful homemaker) Linking up to: