Hair Bands

Hi everybody,
As promised, here are photos of some of my Head Bands. As you can see they are very simple and could go down to baby size.
Public side



Non-public side



Crochet every single day,
Boo

I'm having a procedure done on my spine Friday, then maybe I can sit up long enough to give it another go. It's just nearly impossible to crochet flat on your back, but I tried it several times and can tell you that your arms give out quickly while holding your work up above you. Be back soon.

DIMINISHED GIANT DOILY

Hi everyone,
You'll never guess who called me on the phone. SANGEETHA from CROCHETKARI!!! She was calling all the way from India and I got her number so I can call her. I've so enjoyed blogging about crochet this past year, but the friends I've made from all over the world is so fulfilling. I absolutely love her work and then I got to know her and can't say enough about her. You can find her in my sidebar as CROCHETKARI.
I've been flat on my back for over two weeks now and finally get to see the spine doctor tomorrow! So I thought I'd show you what I've managed to do from my bed.
If you go HERE, you will find a pattern for a giant floor doily I've been wanting to make anyway, and thought I could try it out in a smaller version. Here is what happened.








It's a whopping 16" across! I used cabled cotton which is ever so slightly larger than the size 3 cotton thread (in red), but has a twist that unwinds or frays so much easier so its harder to work with. Especially if you are a beginner, I'd suggest the size three.
I'm also working on some headbands, but need hubby to take photos so I can post.
Crochet every single day,
Boo

Same Stitch Pattern

Hi everyone,
Just found this on Pinterest and wanted to share. You can see that the crochet in the photo is the same as the swatch in previous post about my bed cover.




Look closely or click on photo for enlargement. It is the very same pattern stitch! Small world!
Crochet every single day,
Boo

Crochet Bedcover Pattern

Hello everyone,
I'm almost finished with my crochet bedcover, but I wanted to go ahead and share the pattern as I said I would. It's a very simple pattern with only a two row repeat. If you use two colors, it makes a completely different look-like little dots throughout. I chose to use only one color on this one because its such a large project that I didn't want the added complication of a second color.




Any multiple of 3 (make it as wide as you want)
Row 1 - dc in 4th ch from hook and in each chain across.
Row 2 - turn and ch 3, 1sc in space ( not in stitch) between 3rd and 4th dc of previous row, *ch 3, sk 3dc, sc in next sp* repeat across ending with sc in top of ch 3 from previous row.
Row 3 - turn, slst into first ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 more dc in same space. *3 dc in each ch 3 sp* across.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you reach the size you like!
Here is a small sample I made so you could see the two color version.




Hope you enjoy and wish you will share.
Crochet every single day,
Boo


UPDATE---------
Look HERE to see this stitch on a fashion model.

Mandela Progress

Hi everybody,
March is National Crochet Month, so I hope to go into overdrive on new projects and finish some WIPs. The photo is of my overlay crochet Mandela in progress. It's part of a CAL at
A CREATIVE BEING and you can join in here:

http://winkieflash.nl/2013/02/11/overlay-crochet-mandala-cal-2013/


Also see my post of CROCHET MANDELA Here.
Hope you can join in - it's not too late!

Crochet every single day.
Boo

Support the Books

Kathryn Vercillo's CROCHET SAVED MY LIFE has been so helpful to so many; it's immeasurable!

Her new book HOOK TO HEAL will be out soon, but you still have time to contribute to this important work. She will add you to the acknowledgments, or you may choose to have some advertising done on her highly trafficked blog. Just go HERE and select your own rewards.
If you would like to see my review of the book go HERE and see what others are saying too.
Even if you choose not to contribute, please, please, read the books.

Crochet every single day,
Boo

Queen Size Bed Cover

Hi everybody,
Just a little note today to share my bed cover. The reason it looks so massive like a field or meadow is because it is!




It's for our queen size bed. I started it January 25th and my goal was to finish it in one month. Hah! I'd say I'm almost half way. It's a very easy pattern I'll post when this is finished. Maybe another month?
Crochet every single day,
Boo

Free-Priscila Hewitt Crochet Book

Hi everybody,
I've referred to Priscilla Hewitt before. She's in my sidebar and I did a tutorial on her "gripper towel holder". So today I clicked her in my sidebar looking for something and I can't even remember what it was because up jumped something new! If you have an iPad, just click her name in my sidebar and you can download her
650 page, 33 chapter, 200 patterns, FREE BOOK!
It's so beautiful and well organized with such a variety that only a veteran crocheter could bring together and present so well. And did I say it's FREE?
Thank you Pricilla, with all my hooks.
Boo

Crochet Mandala

Hi everybody,
On Monday WINKIEFLASH is starting a crochet along on a beautiful mandala. I WILL BE THERE!




She has joined with designer Carola Herbst to bring this event to us. If you would like to join in the fun, go to Wink's blog for a 12% discount on the pattern. Then, be ready for Monday.

I've been wanting to try this method of overlay crochet, but kept kept putting it off. With a CAL, I'm twice as excited! Hope to see you there.

Crochet every single day,
Boo

BLOGAVERSARY GIVEAWAY WINNER

The winner of my Blogaversary Giveaway is STEPHANIE MINO!

Congratulations Stephanie and thank you all for entering. Another Giveaway coming soon so stay tuned.
Stephanie, all the crochet goodies will be shipped in a couple of days, except for the patterns from Petals to Picots which you will need to contact her for. Thanks to Kara at Petals to Picots and Kadie at Seven Alive for all their generosity and advice for making this giveaway possible.

Boo

My Star Doily

Hi everybody!
Although this is an old pattern, I'm calling it mine because I rewrote and reworked it in today's English crochet terms. I found the original HERE at Free Vintage Crochet.com. I was looking for something quick for some instant gratification and this looked perfect. I grabbed some size 3 crochet thread and a 2.75 or C hook.
Now let me tell you, I'm an old hand at reading and writing patterns, but it was like this was written in some other language. After just the first couple of rows I was confused. So I *did it and frogged it* repeat *to* several times! Finally I got smart, got some paper and pen and wrote the pattern as I made it. Feel free of course to use the one from Vintage (you ought to see it and try it even to appreciate what I have done to it) but the following step-by-step will save you a lot of time and frustration.
MY STAR PATTERN DOILY
2.75 or C hook
Size #3 crochet cotton




Rnd 1/ ch 7, join with ss to form a ring, {Do not use magic circle, this pattern needs the ss join.} ch 5, dc in ring *1dc, ch 2* 7 more times. After last ch 2, ss in 3rd ch of ch 5. You should have 8 spokes and 8 spaces.




Rnd 2/ ch3, 4 dc in next space (for total of 5), 5 dc in each space around. (5x8=40 dc) ss to top of first ch 3.




Rnd 3/ ch 3, skip 1st dc ( which is the one your ch 3 came out of) 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, *ch 5, dc in next 8 dc, ch 5 *. Repeat * to * around and join with ss to top of ch 3. (40/8=5 so you have your 5 points started.) this rnd has 8 dc in each point and 1 ch 5 space between.
There is no joining from here till the finish.




Rnd 4/ ch 5, sc in ch 5 loop of previous row. Ch 5 and skipping the 1st dc, *dc in next 6 dc, ch 5* around. ( you are skipping first and last of 8 dc in previous rnd so you now have 6 dc at each point and 2 ch 5 spaces between.




Rnd 5/ with last ch 5 on hook, sc in 1st loop, ch 5 and dc in 2nd dc in previous rnd, dc in next 3 dc for total of 4 dc, ch 5, sc in loop, ch 5, sc in next loop then ch 5 and dc into 2nd dc of next point. Remember we are skipping 1st and last dc of previous rnd. Continue around. You should have 4 dc in each point separated by 3 ch 5 loops.




Rnd 6/ with last ch 5 from rnd 5 on hook, dc in 2nd dc of point,
and 1dc in next dc. Now you have 2 dc in point. Make 3 ch 5, sc loops then another ch 5 to dc in next point. Do this around until you have 2 dc at each point separated by 4 ch 5 loops.




Rnd 7/ 1 dc in each point and 5 ch 5 spaces between each dc.




Rnd 8/ edging. You may use the original edging or any one you like. I did this: 3 sc, ch 2, 3 sc in each loop around.
(When you pin it to block, remember this is not a circle, it is a hexagon.)
That's it! I hope I've made it clear and simple and if you find any mistakes, please contact me.
If you extend the loop rounds then do a couple or three rows of plain single crochet for the band, this makes a lovely slouch hat, join several together for a larger piece, do red, white, and blue for 4th of July. I even think this souls make a nice rug in chunky yarn.
Crochet every single day,
Boo

Sweet Blogaversary Giveaway

February is my first blogaversary so I'm teaming up with fellow bloggers Seven Alive all Livin' in a Double Wide and Petals to Picots to bring you a really fun crochet themed giveaway.  

If you are a crocheter, have wanted to learn how to crochet, or know someone who crochets or wants to learn how, you are going to want to enter this giveaway.  

Advanced crocheter or novice, this big sweet deal is all about crochet.

<center><a href="http://boocoos.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k591/loulou711/Giveawaybutton_zps4ae6d7bb.jpg" /></a>

Here's what you could win.

A rolling storage container with pull-up handle.
4 skeins ~ Deb Norville, bulky in denim colors
Folding hook and accessory holder (the purple standing thing)
1 set Susan Bates plastic hooks F-K
1 book ~ 50 Crochet Squares
1 book ~ 99 Granny Squares ( both from Leisure Arts)
4 skeins ~ Baby's Breath by Bernat
1 giant (1000 yards) ~ Classic Crochet Thread size 10
1 pair ~ Craft Gloves
Any 2 Patterns from Petals to Picots.

Yep, that's a lot of crocheting goodness.  Raffelcopter is going to walk you though the entries.   Giveaway is open from Feb 4th to Feb 14.  Open to US only.

Good Luck to you all.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crochet Saved My Life

Hello everybody,
I have no crochet to show you today, but I still want to share some crochet items of interest with you.
As some of you know, depression can be absolutely debilitating. I often speak of how important it is to crochet for mental and physical therapy. So today I'm extremely happy to tell you that a friend of mine who wrote Crochet Saved My Life has decided to offer this book FREE through Amazon
HERE
Her name is Kathryn Vercillo and you can visit her crochet blog at www.crochetconcupiscence.com or learn more about the author at www.kathrynvercillo.com.




This is a must-read and free! You can get it instantly to your KINDLE reader. I truly cannot find the words to tell you how beneficial and important this book is.

Update!
This offer has expired. It's still offered at reduced price of $2.99 for Kindle. I got in touch with Kathryn and she's having a bit of crazy this week and will be offline until Monday 1/21/13. She did ask me to let you know about THIS. There may be more free copies offered here soon. I'm sorry for not posting the deadline.

<~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~>




There's another giveaway coming soon and this is a biggie! You will not believe what's up for grabs this time. It is a list of items-not just yarn or hook. My first anniversary as a blogger is in February and that's when the winner will be announced so keep an eye here for entry information.
<~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~>
I've been sent a SHARP CROCHET HOOK AND BOOK to try out. That's what I'm working on now, but have nothing to show just yet. It is an awesome and ingenious design/product that glides through fabric eliminating the need to blanket or whip stitch around the fabric to make a foundation for the crochet edging or trim first. You just grab this hook and start crocheting right through the fabric. This just tickles my fancy!




Hopefully I'll have something to show in the next day or two.
Crochet every single day,
Boo

Magic Crochet Hook

My first blogaversary is Feburary, and there is a really great giveaway coming up so keep an eye here for entry details.
In the mean time, my hubby hooked up (little funny) with Susan Bates and got me a truly Magical Crochet Hook!



(Click on photos for magnified view)
Here it is on edge and you cannot see the either flat side, so no markings.




This is one of the flat sides and you can just make out the Susan Bates name.
Notice anything else? Look at it again.




One side.




Other side.




Edge.
So what do you give a crazy crocheter? A crazy crochet hook, of course! Did you see the magical part?
There's no HOOK!
No kidding! It came that way. I'm still rolling on the floor. I will cherish it always.
Crochet every single day,
Boo

Crochet Bird #4

Hello everybody,
I took a break from serious (pattern work) crochet to do something fun and pattern-free. This is what happened.












Course, photos never do it justice, but in case you can't tell, this is a Blissy Big-lipped Blue Bird brought to you today by the letter B. Can you tell I'm feeling silly on this sunny Sunday?

Crochet everyday,
Boo

Fragrance Rocks

This next little idea I'm still sort of testing, because I'm trying to discover how long it will last. It's been a few months already so I know it works, but indefinitely? I don't know yet.
Anyway, next time you think about crocheting rocks,




please try this. First, of course you pick out a couple of rocks. (The naked one in the photo is the one I'm testing.) Then you buy some fragrance oil that is activated by heat. I bought these at Michael's.




Now in a small glass cop or bowl (just large enough that at least half of the rock will fit onto) pour the oil nearly full and put the rock or half rock in it. Don't worry about wasting the oil because it will still be good and you can recover it after this to reuse. If only half fits, you just have to turn it to get both ends soaked. This takes a little while. I left mine in the oil for at least a week. After that, wipe the oil off, maybe let it dry a little, then crochet away.
Here's the MAGIC. If you sit one of these in a windowsill that gets sun, the rock gets warm and emits the fragrance. No kidding. If you have a fireplace, just lay one or two on the hearth. Lay one on your cooktop while its cooling down. It evens works in your car when it's warm!
This is so much better than diffuser sticks. Give it a try. They make wonderful gifts.
Boo

Yarn Bowls

Hello,
I got busy crocheting again, but have nothing that's ready to post yet. So I thought I would post about something very useful if you use ball yarn.




This "yarn bowl" is smooth on the inside (doesn't snag yarn) and for obvious reasons, you could use as many strands as you like.
If you want something a little more elegant, buy a clip like this




from office supply. Mine is gold, but I know they come in black and I think other colors too.




Attach to any bowl of your choosing and there you have it! Of course the clip is more versatile than the colander. You can use the clip on a box or whatever container you like.

Crochet every single day,
Boo

BUTTON - New Year's Celebration

After 10 months of blogging I finally figured out how to make a button. Isn't it lovely?

In a few hours I'll have it fixed so that it can be "grabbed", but it's nearly 3:00am and I have to sleep for a couple. Woot woot!

Boo

Christmas Day in Fort Worth

Can you believe it? Two days ago it was nearly 80F! Texas- ya gotta love it! These are from windows in my house.
Click on pictures to see in full windows.











And the only green showing.




And in just the few minutes it took to write this, look how much more!








Happy holidays to everyone. I'm spending this afternoon watching the snow and, of course, crocheting.
Boo

Priscilla Hewitt's Gripper Towel Ring

This is far and away the BEST towel ring I have ever seen. Such a clever design! Pricilla must be an engineer as well as a crocheter.
I have her in my side bar where I suggest you go and look at all her free patterns. The link directly to this pattern is HERE. It works up in a jiffy and after the first one (learning curve), you can really make several at one good sitting.
This gripper will not let go of your towel. It's great for golfers as well as cooks, burp cloths; just so many applications. Quick gift or bizarre item.
Ok. Enough on the selling points. What I have below is just a short demo on how it's done. (It even looks like the same yarn.)




I used coned cotton, and a size G hook. If you have any difficulty keeping the two rings together for the first six stitches, tape them together first.




Then the 31 chains.




Sc back down the chain.




Above is just before single crochets into the second side of buttonhole.




That buttonhole marks the almost half way done spot. Then I forgot to continue taking photos until I was finished, but the second part is very easy.
Here is the finished back side.




And here is the front with a towel




and the back with a towel.




So you can see how it works.
Try this, and look at her other patterns too. I'd love to hear what you think and see what you make!
Crochet every single day,
Boo