handmadeandnerdy

[handmadeandnerdy]

Do you find yourself picking the same colors for your knitting and crochet projects? Here’s some inspiration for branching out!

[handmadeandnerdy]

Free Easy Crochet Snowflake Pattern

[handmadeandnerdy]

"You got a star!" The iconic star from Super Mario Bros, crocheted and stuffed and super cuddly. :) This one is already spoken for, but if you'd like your own, don't hesitate to get in touch with me! 

[handmadeandnerdy]

Now that these are going to their new homes today, I can finally show these off! Two loveys made for two little babies to be born this summer. :) The first is based on Cre8tion Crochet's You Are My Sunshine pattern, with a simple granny square blanket. The star in the second comes from Little Woollie. Fun little projects, and I hope the little ones enjoy them!

[handmadeandnerdy]

That moment when you only have half a round left and you run out of yarn. And I won't be able to get to the store to get more until next week. ._.

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DIY: Moogle Papercraft! [tutorial] by Paul Mason the DIY Guy! 

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yay!! all done! it’s a bit wonky but i’m so frickin’ proud of my self 

here is the pattern. it’s pretty easy, I’ve only been crocheting for about a month and managed it with very little trouble

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Thinking I really need to do something with colorway Phorcys in Sand Piper. #phorcys #sandpiper #handdyed #yarn #sportweight (at A Tangled Yarn)

[handmadeandnerdy]

Do hemlock yourself: crochet

[handmadeandnerdy]

Crochet pattern - Chunky Bobble Bows by Lululoves

[handmadeandnerdy]

The rise of stitch and knit clubs, guerrilla knitting, yarn bombing and calls to knit sweaters for oil-spill affected penguins have all drawn attention to craft as a force for social change. Knitting is…

[handmadeandnerdy]

My latest project in progress - Avengers-themed cup sleeves! So far we have Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, the Winter Soldier, and Black Widow represented. I'm still not quite sure on what designs I'll use for Hawkeye, Thor, and Loki, but rest assured, they're on their way. :) These are made out of acrylic yarn and designed to fit a 16oz Starbucks cup.

My intention is to sell these as a set, but I'll be making extras at some point so I can sell them individually, too. I think these came out pretty well for experimenting with patterns, too! Let me know what you all think! 

[handmadeandnerdy]

Great Woolly Owl is now up on Ravelry!

Come have a look

[handmadeandnerdy]

I just acquired a giant box of acrylic yarn and I have no idea what to do with it. I've always been told how horrible acrylic is, but I don't want it to go to waste. What sort of patterns/uses are best for this fiber?

blankets are a really good option for acrylic yarn because it’s hard to destroy, easier to care for than regular wool, and also it’s a good option for those with wool allergies. if you have several different colors that you don’t know what to do with, you could always try knitting an afghan or throw.

you could also:

use it to knit totes or cozies

donate it to a senior center that holds knitting or crocheting activities

use the yarn to knit children’s hats or mittens, and donate those as well

[handmadeandnerdy]

Precious Gem Market Bag

I wanted a pretty bag to use my Cascade Sunseeker Yarn on, but nothing quite caught my eye for the beautiful yarn I had just bought. So I made up my own! And I’m happy to share it freely with anyone who wants their own precious gem bag. The name came partially from the yarns I had just bought reminding me of beautiful jewels and metals, which sealed what lace stitch I would use for the bulk of the bag that went hand in hand with the yarn, the diamond stitch pattern.

                This is my first pattern, it hasn’t been tested by anyone but myself, so please excuse me if there are some errors. Though, I would much appreciate being alerted of these so I can correct it for further usage. Also, as I’m supplying this pattern for free, I respectfully ask that you not sell these bags ONLINE. I am a stay at home mom, and creating things, and selling what I can is the only way I can help out at all financially. So, I don’t mind one bit if you sell your bags personally, at craft bazaars, or gift them freely. Just not online please. Don’t be shy about telling anyone/everyone who designed it! :D And feel free to Donate if you feel so inclined. You can also donate using the button on the side. It is much appreciated. 

                Thanks and enjoy!!!

Row 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 9 dc into circle, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (10)

Row 2: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, 2dc around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (20)

Row 3: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next dc, *2dc, dc in next st* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (30)

Row 4: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 2 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 2 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (40)

Row 5: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 3 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 3 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (50)

Row 6: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 4 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 4 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (60)

Row 7: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 5 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 5 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (70)

Row 8: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 6 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 6 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (80)

Row 9: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 7 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 7 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (90)

Row 10: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 8 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 8 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (100)

Row 11: ch 2, dc into same loop as ch 2, dc in next 9 dcs. *2dc, dc in next 9 sts* Repeat around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (110)

At this point you can decide if you want it wider or like the one in my picture. You see all the stuff I fit in it, but it’s not as stretchy as I’d like (a sacrifice for beauty as usual) I stopped here and started the next section, if you’d like it wider, I’d suggest doing 2-4 more rows following in the pattern above. Its all the same you will still end up back down at the following row, no worries at complicating the pattern.

Row 12-14: ch 2, dc around, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (110)

Mesh Foundation Row: ch 5, sk 5 st, sc into next 5 sts, repeat 11 times (or however 1 per 10 sts made from the bottom of the bag) end the row by sl st into the first ch of the first 5 ch. Things are going to look a little strange just in this area but I promise it will look perfect after the next row.

Row 16: *ch 4, sc in 3rd st in the 5 ch, ch 4, sc in 2nd, 3rd, & 4th sc of the 5 sc section* repeat until last 5 sc section, ch 4, sc in the 3rd ch in the last 5 ch section

Row 17: *ch 4, sc in 2nd, 3rd, & 4th sc of the 5 sc section, sc in 3rd st in the 5 ch* repeat the number of times you repeated the foundation chain, and all repeats here on out. If you’re doing it right they should flow fairly smoothly, you’ll notice a pattern and be able to correct yourself if need be.

Row 18: *ch 5, sc 5 times starting in the last ch of the 4 ch* Repeat the number of times you repeated in the foundation chain. (notice your 5 sc should be directly above the 3 sc from the previous row, and you will be skipping the lone sc in between the 3 scs)

Repeat rows 16-18 as long as you’d like your bag to be long, I did it 9 times in the picture.

Making sure you end after a a *ch 5, sc 5x* repeat:

Row 45-47: ch 2, dc in every st & ch around sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch (you can do 5 dc rounds if you’d like, but I kept it down so I could fit the bag into a single cake of sunseeker yarn)

Row 48: ch 1, sc 12x, ch 1, turn

Row 49: sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog, ch 1, turn

Row 50: sc 10, ch 1, turn

Row 51: sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, ch 1, turn

Row 52-54: sc 8, ch 1, turn

Row 55: sc 8, sc in 1st st of this round and continue until handle is about 8-9 inches long UNSTRETCHED

Row whatever: sc 8, ch 1, turn (repeat this row 2 more times)

Row Next: 2sc, sc 6, 2sc, ch 1, turn

Row Next: sc 10, ch 1, turn

Row Next: 2sc, sc 8, 2sc, ch 1, turn

Row Next: sc 12, ch 1, turn

Row Next: Sc each stitch into the previous row’s sc plus one from the opposite side of the bag’s top edge. Break yarn at the end. Weave ends in. Ready for use! :D

[handmadeandnerdy]

DIY Star Wars Crochet Patterns from lucyravenscar on Etsy. These are PAY patterns but are so cute (and I don’t use that word much).

Admiral Ackbar 

Boba Fett

C-3PO

Chewbacca

Darth Vader

Ewok

Han Solo

Luke Skywalker (with three different outfits)

Jawa 

Obi-Wan Kenobi (both young and old versions of character in one pattern)

Princess Leia in white dress

R2-D2

Stormtrooper

Yoda  

Leia in Bikini Top

Jabba the Hutt with Salacious Crumb

[handmadeandnerdy]

DIY Hogwarts’ Knit House Scarves Earrings Tutorial and Pattern from Lady Felula the Forgetfull here.  Also at Leaky Lounge here (instructions easier to read just because of the layout). *These would also be so great as a fundraiser because here are her conditions on using this pattern:

This pattern is free. Use it as you wish. If you make a fortune with it, it would be courteous to share it with me. ::grins:: I would appreciate credit for the pattern, though. Please do not post this as your pattern. That would be inconsiderate and will cause the Gods of Discourtesy to take notice of you.