Cowl!

So, I've fallen in love with cowls a little bit. I have this big brown one I got in winter, and it's so fantastic it almost makes me with it was winter again. Almost...
Anyway, I've never made one, and I wanted to find a colour that would be suitable to my personal style, and I decided on this nice rusty one from Lion Brand. It also gave me the chance to use my nice, big crochet hook, which I've fallen in love with since making the boot cuffs. What could be better?
I was able to work it up in a few hours (spread out over two days), and it's super cute. I decided not to twist this one in the work-up, so I could twist it on my own depending on my mood!
Also, I decided to work this in the round to eliminate any visible seams. I think it looks nicer that way.

Materials:
Crochet Hook US N15/10.00mm
Half Skein Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Rust
Yarn needle

Directions:
Chain 60 (or more; you decide).
Join round using slip stitch, taking care not to twist (or twist if you want. I don't care).
Round 1: Single crochet in each stitch. Join round with slip stitch.
Round 2: Half double crochet in each stitch. Join with slip stitch. For tutorial on HDC, look here.
Round 3: Double crochet in each stitch. Join with slip stitch.
Round 4: Repeat Round 3.
Round 5: Repeat Round 2.
Round 6: Repeat Round 1.
Round 7: Repeat Round 2.

Continue this pattern for the desired length. Keep in mind that the double crochet round is repeat twice in a sequence, but the single crochet round is used only once.
When finished, tie off, weave in ends, and enjoy!

Notes:
This pattern was inspired by Amanda's cowl at Parent Pretty. Check out her site here.
You can change how this item comes out by varying a ton of factors. Change the hook size to give tighter or looser stitches. Change the weight of the yarn, or the length and width. The possibilities are there -- work with your personal style and wardrobe to design the perfect cowl!

If you have any comments or questions about this pattern, feel free to leave them below. Don't forget to follow this blog for the latest in crafting fun!

Craft Storage Boxes

                           

 

If you're anything like me, you have amassed some knitting and crocheting supplies without a place to keep them! I don't have a pouch or anything to keep my stuff in, so I devised a way to keep all of my supplies -- little handmade boxes! They're a little time consuming to make, but really nice once they get done.
I made one each for my knitting needles, my crochet hooks and double pointed needles, and my miscellaneous stuff, like my cable needle, stitch holder, and stitch markers.

Materials:
Plastic canvas -- two sheets
Sewing needle with large eye (a yarn needle will not fit in the holes of the canvas)
Scrap yarn

Directions:
This is mostly up to you. Size your plastic canvas pieces according to the size of your needles. Since my size 9 needles are really tall, I needed something to hold them without tipping, but not so tall as to hide the smaller eights and sixes. Sew a design into the plastic canvas first, and then fill in the background colour. Sew pieces together and outline the top of the box in yarn as well.
If you choose to make a lidded box, like my miscellaneous box, cut the bottom of the frame first, then the face of the lid with one box extra all around. This will give you an extra lip to sealed the box properly.

Notes:
My boxes are fairly small, so I didn't feel like I had adequate room to make an intricate design on the box sides. If your boxes are larger, or you're just feeling adventurous, plan your design carefully before executing.
Have fun with this project! It takes a long while to get everything sewn up, so mix up colours and designs, or make a neatly coordinated set, like mine.

If you have any questions or comments about this craft, leave them below! Don't forget to follow this blog and stay up to date on the fun projects happening at the StegoCraftasaurus!