Freebie Friday: Tips and Tricks Pt 2

Here's the 2nd post in our Tips and Tricks series.

This post is more for beginners, I want to share some of the things I've learned in the last couple of months since I started crocheting again. The first one I want to do is explain the "Magic Circle" or "Magic Ring".

When I first looked at crochet designs I sat and was wondering what the "magic circle" was. I had to pull out a book my sister-in-law gave me years ago. It turns out it had instructions on how to crochet in it! I had no idea because the cover has an embroidery hoop and project and so I thought it was just for embroidery stitches. I even used it for that but I had no idea about the crochet instructions. It's a great resource. It's called The Complete Encyclopedia of Stitchery, you can read about it at here.

Ok back to the magic circle. It's actually really simple but there are two ways that I know of to do it. I know that if you look for it you can find other versions but we'll just go with these two. So first what is the magic circle, it's how you start your crocheting project that starts making a circle like a hat, doily, etc. Anything round and I'm sure there's a million things. If anyone wants to share some project ideas that would be great!

Anyway here's the first way to do it (and how I learned first) you single crochet 4 stitches. Unless the pattern calls for something else. :) Then you do a single stitch (joining stitch) in the first single crochet to make it a complete circle. And that's it. Super easy but unless you've seen it or had someone tell you it can be a bit confusing. :)

It is better to watch how the second way to make a magic circle. I could explain it but as they say a picture is worth a 1000 words. There are many youtube videos out there and you can google it. But I like this video.

I hope that is helpful and you learned something new today. :)

Let us know of some of the projects you've made using the Magic Circle. :) Pin It

Belated Freebie Friday: Tips and Tricks

Hi, first off I want to say so sorry for the lack of posts on our blog. It's been super busy with colds, holidays, more colds, new year stuff, and yet more colds. I also was working really hard on getting scarves crocheted for the Special Olympics. Silly me I forgot to take a picture so I can't show you how good they turned out. It was a great project and I really enjoyed it. So now that I'm done I'm doing a February New Month resolution to get back on here and get it in gear. : )

We are so excited to have Amy join our blog and bring her ideas and tips with her!

This post is going to be the first one in a series of Tips and Tricks that I want to share. These posts will contain things such as never paying full price/using coupons, starting the magic circle, how to increase/decrease stitches, adding more yarn or starting a new color, finishing, etc. Please post a comment with anything you would like to learn about and I'll make a special post for you. : )


Here's the first installment of my tips and tricks series.

Never, ever pay full price for anything. There are so many coupons, sales, etc floating around out there that you can get anything on sale. One of my favorite places to shop for fabric is Joann's. I signed up for their mailing list and they send me emails with their specials all the time. Many of the ones you get in the email are for JoAnns.com but I do get coupons for the store too. My mom is signed up for the mailer to come to her house and she gets the coupons before I do. And we're not talking 20-25% off, we're talking 40-50% off coupons. Here's the catch, sometimes they have coupons for anything or just a cut of fabric, but it can't be used on sale items. However, there are times they have a coupon for 20% off everything, even sale items. So that's a good one too. But not everything is on sale when you go in the store.

For JoAnns.com they will also have free shipping promo codes. I got some yarn a couple months ago that was on sale and I got free shipping. So that was a major bonus for me.

Wal-Mart also does price matching so if an ad has a specific price listed then you can match it at Wal-Mart. However, check your local Wal-Mart's prices. Even on sale JoAnn's yarn was more expensive than Wal-Mart's, and I was also able to buy it in a bulk skein and save even more on it.

There are all types of coupons and deals going on. Just ask at your local craft store to see when they do coupons and sales, also if they match prices or honor other store's coupons. Michael's stopped doing their own ad and coupons, but they'll honor other store's coupons. So if Joann's has all their stuff on sale and you can't use your coupon there, run on over to Michael's and use it there for some yarn or a hook you've been wanting.

I also plan ahead. That way when I'm working on a project I'm able to use my coupons and slowly build up all the stuff I need for my project. I save a lot by doing this. Especially a sewing project, the fabric is actually just a portion of the cost. It's all the notions that go with it, like the zippers, special thread, buttons, decorative items, etc. When your coupon is only good for one item, it just doesn't cut it, so I use my coupons and get everything as cheap as I can.

One time I went into JoAnn's to get something and it was on sale so I couldn't use my coupon on it, so I just got a spool of thread. I was going to save like 75 cents. There was a lady behind me in line and when she saw my coupon she sighed and said she had completely forgotten about her coupon and didn't bring it. So I offered to let her use mine if she'd pay for part of my thread. She was so happy that she just paid for all of my thread. She saved probably about $20 on her purchase, so it was a great deal for her. So it just goes to show you that it pays to be prepared. : )

So go into your favorite store and just ask and you can make it so you never have to pay full price for anything ever again!

Do you have any stories about saving money, and tips/tricks you'd like to share or learn about? Post a comment and let us know. : ) Pin It

Freebie Friday: Hat Ideas, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

Today for Freebie Friday we just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We hope you all have a fun and safe Christmas.

I'm making hats for some of my nieces and nephews for Christmas so I've been making different kinds. Here a picture of some of the hats I've done, so you have some ideas for hats you might want to make. : ) Enjoy!





~Heidi Pin It

Freebie Friday: Supporting the Special Olympics

For Freebie Friday I wanted to spotlight a great opportunity to help support the Special Olympics. Anyone can participate and help with this. They are asking people to crochet or knit scarves to donate for the Special Olympics. The scarves are presented to athletes, parents, coaches, volunteers, etc.

This is going on throughout the USA and even if you don't live in the US you can still send scarves in. Just go to the website and select a state. It will give you the date they want the scarves turned in by, as well as the address you can mail them to.

If you'd like to know more and participate go to this website:
http://www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org/ Or I can email you a pdf of the particulars. : )

You can either use the pattern from RedHeart or use your own. They just ask that you use their colors. You have two scarf options: Red Heart (319) Cherry Red and (387) Soft Navy or (9925) Red Heart Soft Yarn Really Red and (4604) Navy. You can match the colors as well but they want you to use these colors. They also have scarf patterns for crocheting and knitting from Red Heart, or you can use your own. Just take a look at the website, it has all the information.

Happy Crocheting and a wonderful weekend!

~Heidi Pin It

Freebie Friday: Christmas Poinsettia

I don't know about you, but I am in love with Christmas Poinsettias!  They were my wedding flower, and every time I see them I think of the day I made my vows with the love of my life.

So I was THRILLED when I found this free pattern at PlanetJune:

Click here for free pattern!!!

I have been meaning to make it for special Christmas hat for myself, but haven't gotten around to it.  But YOU can... if you do, PLEASE email us a picture!

-Cat

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Freebie Friday

It's Friday again, yea!!! We love Fridays. : ) I'm excited to share a fun pattern e-book with you. It's December and that means the Hanukkah and Christmas holidays are here. I was looking around on a website that Cat told me about and found this way cute Santa hot pad, throws, and hats. There's so much on there. The website is http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Christmas-Crochet .

Here's a picture of the hats they have:

They have free e-books and one of them is the Holiday e-book from Red Heart Yarn. There's a ton of way cute crochet and knit patterns in it. I've downloaded it and am going to have to try some new things for this holiday season.

Here is the link for the e-book:

http://www.allfreecrochet.com/master_images/AllFreeCrochet/eBook/Holiday-eBook-from-Red-Heart-Yarn.pdf

or if the pdf doesn't come up you can download it here: http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Christmas-Crochet/Red-Heart-Holiday-eBook/ct/1

I hope you have as much fun checking it out as I did. Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!!

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Tip

Freebie Friday tip...

You know that line you get that runs up the back of your hat? Well here's a way to change it. Instead of getting a line straight up you can change it so that it's a spiral. It looks so much better. Ok so when you do your joining stitch instead of going right into crocheting your next row, make another single stitch in first space.

It's one that Cat taught me and I like it. I hope you like it as much as I do.

: )

I'll try to get a picture posted to show the difference but my daughter dropped my camera so I'm fixing that.

I've been super busy here the last couple of weeks, but a post from me is forthcoming! : )

~Heidi

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First Freebie Friday!!

Welcome to Freebie Friday! We are going to do a special post every Friday where we spotlight another website/blog or post our own free pattern. I’m excited I get to do the first one! : )

The first website we want to spotlight is A Chick w/ Sticks. Chelsea is an awesome lady who is selling her hats to help with a charitable cause. Here is her link http://www.achickwsticks.com/search/label/Pattern.

She has some super cute Halloween patterns that she has put on her blog for free. They are so cute!! I wish I had time to make them all before Halloween but I didn’t get to them. I did make the Mr. Bones and The Web hats. They were so easy to do! I think it had only been like two days since I started crocheting again and I made these hats. I ended up making two of the spiderweb ones. They were so much fun and I love how they have a tight weave to them. I’m from Northern Utah so I’m all about keeping warm. Lol! : ) The only thing that I changed about her hats was I added a scalloped edge to the spiderweb hats. I made them for girls so I wanted to add an extra girly touch to it. They were awesome! I hope to be able to make the Frankenstein pattern. That is such a hoot and I would love it for my son for next Halloween. : )

I made used the Candy Corn pattern to make part of my son's Halloween costume for this year. He's only 2½months old so I get to choose what he is. His big sister is Snow White so he gets to be Dopey. They'll be so cute together. :) Anyway I used the Candy Corn pattern to make a purple Dopey hat. I haven't put the D on it yet (as a hint to who he is : ) ) but I think it turned out way cute!

Make sure you check out all of the other crochet patterns and projects she has. She is very crafty and makes the cutest hats!

I hope you enjoyed our first Freebie Friday and that you come back often. We’d love to have you share any questions, ideas, or websites/blogs you think we should spotlight next. Have a great Friday and we hope you have a Happy Halloween!

~Heidi

Here's her button:

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