On my Hook the end of April 2014

Currently on my hook is a few different projects. I have a few amigurumis I'm working on. Most y'all probably just read amigurumi and thought, what the __ is that?! Well it's a stuffed crochet animal, doll, toy, etc. Personally, I've never been a fan of them because they're worked mainly in single crochet. For you non-crocheters, a single crochet stitch is the 3rd smallest crochet stitch one can use in a crochet project (the 1st is a chain, and the 2nd is a slip stitch). Not until a fellow hooker reminded me that you need to make sure you're "riding the stitch" while working amis (abbrev. for amigurumis).  Once I became more mindful of how I was working my stitches, and remembering to stuff as I went, I started to enjoy making amis.  In fact, not too long ago I was a tester for Articles of a Domestic Goddess' Meeky Mouse. My daughter just loves her to pieces now - mainly because she was allowed to go into my craft room to pick out her skirt and bow color.  Instead of Meeky, my daughter renamed her to Birdie the Ballerina. Isn't she cute?!

This week I'm also working on another Some Bunny Loves Me Beanie and diaper cover for a baby girl. It'll be another floppy eared one, so instead of blue, think pink!

If you'd like to make the Some Bunny Loves Me Beanie, then head on over to my Free Pattern tab because I just released this pattern at no charge to you :-)

If you'd like to make Meeky Mouse Amigurumi, then head on over to Ravelry.

Girly Drink Cozies

Last summer I developed a "girly" drink cozy. I thought to myself, why should a guy have all the fun with their beer/drink cozies?!  To me personally, I don't find the foam cozies all that attractive, even though they're effective. So I decided to dress up the cozy - Literally! I first made a Dress drink cozy,

and then went ahead and designed a Ballerina drink cozy.

Here we are almost a year later, and I finally have both patterns published now :-)  So I have decided that since these cozies are the perfect way to keep your hand warm and dry while consuming your cold beverage and a fun and unique way to dress up your drink at a picnic, bbq, bonfire, at the beach, party, etc, then I should offer a coupon code honoring the new release.From today until 11:59pm CST on Friday, May 16th, 2014, you can get $2 OFF your total price when you buy both patterns!At checkout, just type in the coupon code: 2DOLLARSOFF. If you'd like to take me up on this offer, then check out my Ravelry Shop!

These cozies will be a great hostess gift of a summer get-together, or for a family Memorial Day and/or 4th of July parties!  So go have some fun ladies; the guys can't have all the fun! Plus this is a great way to distinguish your drink while at a party ;-)

If you like the pattern, then make sure to make it one of your "favorites" on Ravelry.  I'd love to see your finished cozy, so please share your project on the pattern listing or here!  As always, Happy Hooking!

Stacked Butterfly Tie Headband

It's getting warmer, which means girls will be wearing their hair up more.  No one likes those pesky bang flyaways, so you need a thick headband to tame them. It's not a mystery that I have a love for butterflies, so I found it fitting to have my first headband released to be a butterfly one. Introducing the one size fits most Stacked Butterfly Tie Headband.

Thanks to one of my lovely pattern testers, I received some stunning photos of her multicolored butterfly headband.  Isn't it gorgeous?!

This pattern is for an Advanced Beginner, so if you can: chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and work in a round: then you can make this headband :-)  

The headband is worked continuously from the beginning of one strap to the end of the second strap.  Here's a preview of my info page to give you a better idea of how my patterns are set up, and what you'd need for materials: 

Get your copy today at my Ravelry or Craftsy shop!

If you like the pattern, then make sure to make it one of your "favorites" on Ravelry.  I'd love to see your finished headband, so please share your project on the pattern listing or here!  As always, Happy Hooking!

May the 4th Be With You!

For all my friends that happen to love Star Wars, whether you consider yourself a geek, a nerd, or neither, this is for you!  After searching around on Ravelry, Craftsy, Etsy and even Pinterest, I couldn't find a single crochet stitch for Lightsaber Freeze/Ice Pop Cozies! A little befuddled by that, since there's an abundance of other STAR WARS items: amigurumis, hats, toys, etc, I decided to create my own pattern, and keep it free to share with all of my fellow hookers :-)

Light Sword Freeze Pop Cozy

All techniques and finished sizes are listed in US terminology.

Skill Level 1: Beginner

                                                                                    

Materials Needed:

  s   Size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook   

  s   Medium worsted weight yarn (WWY) in colors of: black, grey, and red 

(I prefer using Red Heart Super Savers. Feel free to substitute with similar shades, or similar weight yarns that you prefer. Always check gauge if substituting yarn, or hook, to ensure proper fit.)

  s   Tapestry needle

  s   Scissors

Abbreviation of Stitches and Special Terms Used:

• Ch/chs: Chain/Chains  
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet
• Invisible Join:  is used to fasten off the last round of an item, and make it appear seamless to the naked eye. If you have never used this stitch, then refer to my tutorial video here: 

                           

• MC: Magic Circle
• Reverse Slst Join: Reverse Slip Stitch: Insert hook from back to front under both loops of the 1^st stitch made in that round, yarn over, and pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook.
• Rnd: Round
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Slst: Slip Stitch
• St/sts: Stitch/Stitches
• [ X ] #x = work that stitch or pattern a multiple of what the # states. Each stitch that is separated by a comma will be worked in the next stitch.
• ( X ) = final stitch count for that round
• YO : Yarn Over

NOTE:  Beginning chain does Not count as a stitch in the stitch count.

Gauge:  5sc x 4 rows = 1” square

NOTE: I tend to ride my stitch. I use the Golden Loop Method when I work my stitches; which means as soon as I yarn over and pull up that first loop, as soon as it is through the stitch – I Stop; that first loop pulled up in every stitch is critical to your stitch height, and more Importantly: your gauge.  If you find that your swatch is smaller than what the gauge states, then you are most likely a “yanker,” who works very tightly and yanks/pulls on your working end before, during, and/or after each stitch; try working the gauge with a larger hook to help you match your stitch technique with the written gauge. If you find that your swatch is taller than what the gauge states, then you are most likely a “lifter,” and you elongate/raise your stitches’ golden loop height to make it even with your beginning loop on the hook; try working the gauge with a smaller hook to help you match your stitch technique with the written gauge.

An Original Light Sword Freeze Pop Cozy Pattern

By: Ashley Bower, owner of

Looping with Love

Copyright © Ashley Bower 2013

All Rights Reserved.

Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction by any means and imposes fines up to $25,000 for violation.

This pattern is registered and protected by copyright. All material (including all pattern and photographs) may not be altered, reproduced, shared, or published in print or electronic form without consent from the designer;

Ashley Bower, owner of

Looping with Love.

This material is intended for private use only. Permission to sell and photograph your completed items is granted with this pattern.

Freeze Pop Cozy:

Rnd 1: With Black WWY, In a MC work: ch 1 and 10 sc. Slst to join. (10 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch1 and 2sc in the same st. [2sc in the next st]9x. Slst to join. (20 sc)

Gauge: approx. 1.375” (1 and 6/16”) in diameter

Rnds 3 & 4: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in each st around. Slst to join. (20 sc)

Rnd 5: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way.

Rnd 6: With Grey WWY, slst through loop on hook (ch made), then ch again. Working over the black and grey tails (keep the black in front of the grey), sc into the same st as the join. Sc in the next 4 or so sts. Then pull on the grey and black tails until the little beginning bump of the join disappears, and the color change is practically unnoticeable (see photos below). Continue to sc in each st around. Slst to join. Cut off excess tail ends (20 sc)

Rnds 7-19: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in each st around. Slst to join. (20 sc)

Rnd 20: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way again.

Rnd 21: With Black WWY, slst through loop on hook (ch made), then ch again. Working over the black and grey tails (keep the grey in front of the black), sc into the same st as the join. Sc in the next 4 or so sts. Then pull on the grey and black tails until the little beginning bump of the join disappears, and the color change is practically unnoticeable (see photos above as reference - note, the color change will be reverse). Continue to sc in each st around. Slst to join. Cut off excess tail ends (20 sc)

Rnd 22: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way.

Rnd 23: With Grey WWY, slst through loop on hook (ch made), then ch again. Working over the black and grey tails (keep the black in front of the grey), sc into the same st as the join. Sc in the next 4 or so sts. Then pull on the grey and black tails until the little beginning bump of the join disappears, and the color change is practically unnoticeable (see photos below). Continue to sc in each st around. Slst to join. Cut off excess tail ends (20 sc)

Rnd 24: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way.

Rnd 25: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in each st around. Use the Invisible Join to fasten off. (20 sc) Weave in the beginning tail from MC in Rnd 1.

Button:

Rnd 1: With Red WWY, In a MC work: ch 1 and 10 hdc. Leave a long tail for sewing and then use the Invisible Join to fasten off. (10 hdc) Weave in beginning tail.

Assembly:

Place the red button on the middle front of the cozy, and sew it on. Cut off excess yarn.

Enjoy your hands staying warm and dry with your icy treat; and May the Fourth be with You!

Thank you for viewing this pattern by Ashley Bower, owner of Looping with Love!  You may sell any cozies made from this pattern, but you may not sell, share, or distribute any or part of this pattern’s written content and/or photos. You Must use your Own photos to advertise and sell your items.

When selling your items online, please give credit for the pattern, and link back to Looping with Love at: www.facebook.com/LoopingWithLove

How to do a Crochet Invisible Join

Here is how I finish off my crochet projects.  The Invisible Join can be used whether to finish off a round or a row, but I mainly use it for when I'm working in a round.  Finishing off your work this way gives your piece a seamless and endless look, without an unsightly knot or bump that clearly gives away your seam.  This video Also shows you how I secure my magic circle and hide that beginning tail.  

If you like this tutorial, then please leave a comment below, or subscribe to my YouTube channel. I'd love to see your work that you've done using this method!  Happy Hooking!

                          

Getting the hang of things

Being a newbie to the blog world has been a bit intimidating to me. What should I feature? How many times a week should I post? Should I cross reference to other designers? Should I Only post about crochet? Well after contemplating a few things, and visiting some YouTube tutorials more than once, I've come to realize that posting as much as I can, and expanding my inner techy would be best :-)

So I'm throwing it all out there in the cyber universe now, and feeling a tad exposed, all in hopes that my fans will appreciate what I bring to the table. If you have a request, question, etc, then comment below so I can get this ball rolling and make it most beneficial to You, my readers!

I started a few tabs to start posting under, so bear with me as my blog gets a face lift ;-)  I'm very excited to see how this will evolve :-D

See ya soon Looping Lovers!

1,000 Facebook Fans Giveaway!

Looping with Love's 1,000 Fans Giveaway!

I'm so THRILLED that my facebook fan page has reached and exceeded a milestone already ~ having over 1,000 fans!  I would have never thought that when I picked up crochet again (my Grammie taught me a few stitches many moons ago) that it would have blossomed from small gifts to family and friends, and into a business that can be viewed globally.  So I think that deserves to be my FIRST BLOG :-)

Believe it or not, but this was the FIRST thing that I made after self teaching myself crochet. I wanted to make something handmade for my 2nd niece. Naturally, making a hat instantly came to mind.



As you can tell from the photo, my sizing was a tad off. But at that point in time, I had no idea what gauge was, or even how to find what my gauge was!  I was just so tickled pink that I was able to make a beautiful hat, with an attached star flower, for my niece.





Being a SAHM (stay at home mom) to a then 3 year old, and also being an Army wife at the time, I decided to keep on expanding my knowledge on crochet and see where it took me.  Plus it would be the one thing that would never change in the current Army life that I was living at the time.


Fast Forward to a PCS (permanent change of station) move to a state 1,800+ miles from "home", we became homeowners, added a new puppy to our already 3 human and 1 rescued pup family, and started settling into the Army way of life.  Life was new and exciting then.  Then our beautiful 3 year old, who was and still currently is enthralled in dinosaurs made a request - a request for me to make her a PINK TRICERATOPS HAT! Eek!

So I turned to my good friend Google to look up photos for inspiration.  To be frank, I had NO IDEA even if such a hat existed!  So after looking at images Google had to offer, I decided to "wing it" and embark on my First ever Animal hat sans published pattern. 
(Not until many years later, did I realize that a fellow crocheter, in a facebook group we're both members of, had already designed and published a triceratops hat very similar as the one I created. Sorry for pulling inspiration from your original work!)

So after sewing on pupils onto eyes, eyes onto a face, 3 horns onto a face, then the face onto a hat, my first animal hat was completed; and I had the happiest 3 year old in the world!

Then friends and family saw my creations and started asking, "Can you make ___?"  My answer always was, sure, I'll try.  After a few more custom orders for animal and character hats, Looping with Love was born :-)  As my skills and challenges grew harder, I added to my "completed orders" and "happy customer" albums on facebook.  After joining an Amazing crochet group (Hodge Podge Crochet), and getting the nudge and encouragement I needed, I started having my original patterns tested, and then releasing them to fellow crocheters to use.  

Here's some of my patterns available on Ravelry and Craftsy:

Available on Craftsy and Ravelry

Available for FREE on Craftsy and Ravelry

                                             

Will be available on Craftsy and Ravelry THIS WEEK! ;-)

So if you're still reading my short little back story to how my crochet business launched, sorry for the long intro to my fb link for the giveaway!  Once I started typing, the words just started flowing.

Thank you for reading my FIRST BLOG!  Be sure to check out my:

1,000 Fan Giveaway Album

Make sure to get ALL 26 entries in Here!

Hope you win an Amazing prize!  I have some Awesome vendors contributing to my giveaway :-)

Want to leave me a comment, but don't have a G+, LiveJournal, WordPress, AIM, or OpenID account(s)?? Then just click on the Name/URL or Anonymous options in the dropdown under the comment box ;-)