Crocheted Star Ornaments

You can make these using yarn if you'd like, but I had a bunch of jute twine and liked the look of it for these ornaments. I used an "I" hook and my stars are 2&1/2" with a 3" tie.

First, make a magic ring (aka magic circle, disappearing circle, ajustable ring) and leave a 6" tail. All that is, is the circle you make when starting a slip knot but instead of tightening it like you would with a slip knot, you crochet into it. This way you don't have to make a circle out of chains and there's not a big hole left afterwards because when you're done you tighten it.

Next, make 5 single crochets in the circle, slip stitch to finish that row then chain 3x and single crochet in 2nd chain from hook. Now half-double-crochet in next and slip stitch in next then repeat until you have 5 points on your star. Take your tails from starting and finishing and weave them to one of your points then use them as your tie. I love when I can avoid weaving in the ends :)

Questions are always welcome!

Tutorial: How To Make Crocheted Beanie Ears

I know I've really been MIA lately, sorry. So once again I've found a project that I made a long time ago that I will now share with you since I haven't had time to make anything new lately!

These kitten ears are just triangles but you can add round ears, long ears whatever. I just decided where I wanted the ears and attached pink yarn at the right-most side of the first ear then crocheted a few rows decreasing as I moved up. I then crocheted around the edge of the ear with black and voila. I added a tulle bow for a little extra something.

Although she didn't have a full costume, my baby girl was a kitty for her very first Halloween because her big brother was a doggie :)

Tutorial: How To Make A Rag Rug

This is a great little project that I plan to do again one day. It's a rag rug that I made using a big ol' crochet hook and some strips of fabric. You just cut long strips out of whatever fabric you want and connect them together by cutting a slit in each end so you can make a slipknot. Treat it like yarn and crochet whatever shape rug you want with the fattest hook you can find. I just made a chain and crocheted row after row of single crochet stitches til it was the size I wanted. I then worked around the edges to give it a finished look.

My hands KILLED as I did this... I think it was because my fabric was heavier AND I cut my strips too wide for the hook I had. Do what feels good to you. It shouldn't hurt your hands like it did for me :) I'd love to see yours!

Brim Beanie

This is what started it all. I made this brimmed beanie for my son a couple years ago and posted it on my family blog. It was a hit so I started making them for friends and family.

People encouraged me to sell them and one friend told me about selling handmade items on Etsy (something I'd never heard of before) so I set up a crochet shop there with this one item that was customizable.

It was such a thrill to sell to someone I'd never met before! I don't think I'll ever forget the name of my first buyer.

But of course I got tired of making hats and opened a new shop where I could make whatever I wanted whenever I got bored of something :)

But nevermind all that! Let's get to the how-to...

Most crocheters probably already know how to make a beanie (if not, check out The Happy Hooker) but I learned to do the brim from this video on YouTube by Teresa from The Art Of Crochet. I changed it up a little bit the more I practiced and got the hang of it. I increased a little more at the edges of the brim's 1st row and didn't make it as wide as hers but everything else was the same (oh and I didn't do the backwards single crochet at the end either).

Happy "Hooking" lol!

Ear Flap Beanie

I've always posted tutorials or links to tutorials for EVERYTHING that I sell in my Etsy shop and I plan to keep it that way. Well today I listed an Ear Flap Beanie that I actually learned how to make from a book (not the computer... can you believe it?)! SO I wanted to share the name of it with you so you can go get yourself a copy! In fact, I learned everything I know about crochet from this book. You gotta love its title too; The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller. Here are a few of the projects I've made from patterns in the book (the author is so cool too - I emailed her with some questions and she actually got back to me and was nice as could be!)...

Garden Scarf

Granny's No Square (Granny Square Purse)

Seija Set (Car Seat Blanket and Ear Flap Beanie)
Fat Bottom Bag
Lil Monkey (Beanie)

One-Skein Scarf

Some of these photos are 2 and 3 years old and they kinda make me wanna crochet something again... I used to be really into it but I burned myself out by obsessing. Something I always do. In fact the reason I chose the non-specific, all-inclusive name, A Load Of Craft, was because I knew I'd jump from one thing to another. Anyone else ever do that? Or is it just me?

Pattern: How To Make A Crochet Butterfly

I've had butterflies on my mind lately so I made this little butterfly applique. Here is my pattern:


Using an E hook and worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver), make a magic ring (aka magic circle, disappearing circle, ajustable ring) and leave a 6" tail. All that is, is the circle you make when starting a slip knot but instead of tightening it like you would with a slip knot, you crochet into it. This way you don't have to make a circle out of chains and there's not a big hole left afterwards because when you're done you tighten it.

Once you have your circle ready, do the following:

Row 1:

Chain 1, single crochet 3 times into circle, tighten circle, slip stitch into first single crochet stitch


1st Wing:

Chain 2, double crochet into very first single crochet stitch, chain 2, slip stitch into same single crochet stitch


2nd Wing:

Chain 3, triple crochet 2 times into next single crochet stitch, chain 3, slip stitch into same single crochet stitch


3rd Wing:

Repeat instructions for second wing


4th Wing:
Double crochet into next single crochet stitch, chain 2, slip stitch into same single crochet stitch


Now for the best part! It's the best because instead of weaving the tails in (hate doing that part), we use them to make the body and the antenna. Tie off and cut leaving 6". Take your tail that you just tied off and bring it up the back and hold. Now take your tail from the beginning (the one that's in the middle of the back) and bring it down, under (between the two smaller wings) and up the front. Now tie the two tails together at the top of the butterfly (between the two bigger wings). Now take both strands of yarn and make a knot as if they were one strand right over the knot you just made when you tied them together. Now tie a knot in each strand where you want the antenna to end and snip just above the knot.

I hot glued it to a skinny nylon headband.

You could also glue it to a hairclip or attach it to a hat. Just use a bigger hook for a bigger butterfly. Enjoy! I'm happy to answer any questions or clear anything up that doesn't make sense.

~Star