This is a simple sign that I made for a friend who has a dance studio.
This was a simple wooden sign/plaque that I purchased at a local craft store for a couple dollars. I began by painting the background in a red/orange blended pattern, keeping the orange at a diagonal angle across the middle.
I then found some clipart of dancers in silhouette. For this project I was looking for silhouettes in the ecstatic dance style since this is the primary type of dance done in my friends dance studio.
I cut out the dancers that I wanted to use and traced their outlines on the wood with carbon paper. (Be sure to tape your dancers to the wood so the image doesn't shift while tracing it) I then free-handed the lettering (You could also print and trace with carbon paper).
The next step is to paint the dancers, to make it simple I filled each dancer in with a solid color. In this example I used a metallic Gold paint. And I chose a gloss black to use for painting the lettering using a fine brush for detail.
Finally, I sealed the entire project with several coats of an outdoor clear sealer as I was unsure if it would be hung outdoors or indoors. You could use a flat or gloss spray depending on your personal preference.
The end result was a unique sign for my friend's studio that will never be found anywhere else. She really enjoyed the gift and enjoyed the sentimental value as well since I took the time to make something that I knew would be specific to her preferences, colors, and hobbies.
This project is actually over a year old, and I just discovered that it never made it on the blog. (I found a couple more as well which I will post later)
My friend Heather has a little girl (Lily) who loved Dora the Explorer. I made this for her last year for her 2nd
Birthday.
It is a large canvas board. When I find a good deal on canvas boards or regular stretched canvas', I often buy multiples and keep them on hand for when I need them. (Canvas boards are usually much less expensive than stretched canvas over a wood frame.) In this case, I decided with very little time that I wanted to paint something for Miss Lily so I began to look around at what I had on hand.
I decided to make a painting with her name and her favorite cartoon characters and matched the colors to the ones in her room.
I began by painting the background of the canvas in yellow and green. I painted the canvas with water first to get it wet and then used yellow and green and added more water where they met to help the colors blend into each other.
Next I searched images of Dora on Google and found a poster that had an image that I liked of her. I copied it to my computer as well as another image of Boots the Monkey.
I personally wanted to make the images larger than I was able to expand and print them on my printer, so I basically just used the images as a visual reference. I can freehand pretty well so that worked for me.
If freehand drawing is not something you are comfortable with, print your photo and take it to a copy shop and re-size it to your desired measurements and print it out the exact size you'd like it to be on your canvas. Purchase some carbon paper and trace your image on your canvas, be sure to tape the image so it doesn't slide. Of course you want to be sure that your background paint is dry before you begin this step.
The name was done in a similar fashion. I typed her name in a Word document and went through several fonts until I found one that I liked. Once again, I could not make the image as big as I needed it for this project, so I free-handed it. (You can do the same thing as you did with the image at the copy store and following it up with tracing it onto your canvas with carbon paper).
Now all you need to do is paint your name and graphics...just color in each section much like a coloring page. I used inexpensive acrylic paints from the craft store on this canvas.
When I finished I sprayed a clear coat sealer over the entire board. I usually spray a couple of coats. If you skip this step, moisture could make the paint bleed or dirt can accumulate and not wipe off. Since this was intended for a child (and we all know kids have dirty hands most of the time), I gave it a few extra coats.
For added effect, I took glitter and glued in onto the black paint that I used for her name. It doesn't show really well on the photo but it does show up pretty well in reality.
*NOTE*
Don't apply the glitter before the spray sealer, if you spray over glitter, it will no longer 'glitter' and it turns out dull and bumpy. (Especially if you are using a flat sealer, but gloss sealer also messes with the 'glitter' factor as well in my experience)
The possibilities are really endless for this gift idea. And for small children, coloring book pages make great traceable stencils.
Don't be afraid to try something new, you just never know what you might create!
The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.— Edwin H. Land
This double crochet and shell beanie is cute and feminine. It is fairly fast to complete if you are already familiar with the stitches and have experience reading from a pattern. It is great for a last minute gift as you can make it in a day.
This hat is good for beginners and intermediate crochet skill levels. If you are a beginner I would like to encourage to try this, I believe this hat is something you can do, it just might take you a bit longer.
One thing that I have found to be helpful when I crochet are stitch markers. In this pattern, it makes it easier if you can use a marker to identify the first stitch in yourcurrent row (when crocheting in a round pattern it can sometimes look like it all blends together if you're not careful).
Do not fear if you don't have any official stitch markers because a short piece of yarn (in a different color preferably), a safety pin, a bobby pin, or even a paper clip will do the trick.
I also like to print out my patterns so that I can mark off each row that I've completed with pencil so I can quickly find my place on the pattern when I am either beginning a new row or starting my project again after it was put away.
The beanie is made in two parts, first you will make the beanie itself, and then you will make the flower.
DC & SHELL BEANIE PATTERN
For this project, I used a size H (5mm) hook for the hat I'm wearing in the photo above, but I will make it with a size G (4mm) hook next time to make it a little more snug so it doesn't easily fall off. You might also try using the hook size recommended on the yarn you purchase.
* The beginning of each row will start with 3 chain stitches and this will count as your first DC throughout the entire pattern.
* Shell Stitch = DC, DC in same stitch, Ch. 1, DC X 2 in same stitch. (That ends up being 4 DC's in one stitch from the previous row)
Ch = Chain St = Stitch DC = Double Crochet Sl St = Slip Stitch
To begin, place a slip knot around your hook with your yarn.
Ch 5, join to first st (with a Sl St) to form a small circle.
Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC - *you might want to place a stitch marker in the 3rd chain loop, it will help when you come to the end of this row - Continue to do this in the 3rd look of your Ch 3 at the beginning of each row), DC x 11 in the hole in the middle of the circle you made in row #1, Sl St in the third chain of the first DC (where you placed your stitch marker)- this will close off your row - (12 total DC)
Ch 3, DC back into the same space in row 2 that you did your ch 3, ch. 1, DC X 2 into same space (this counts as your first Shell St for row 3), skip next St, DC in the 2nd St from your shell St, DC in same loop, Ch 1, DC X 2 in same St, skip next St, Shell St in the 2nd St from your last Shell St, do this all around until you are back at the beginning. Sl St into the 3rd loop of your first DC (this is where your stitch marker should be) -(6 Shell stitches total)
Sl St into the next st., Sl St into the Ch. 1 space (the gap in the middle of the shell from row #3), Ch. 3 & place stitch marker (this will be the first DC of your first shell for row 4), DC in the same Ch 1 space, Ch 1, DC X 2 in same space, skip 2 stitches, DC X 2 in the large space between shells in row 3, Ch 1, DC X 2 in the same space. (Continue placing a Shell St in every Ch 1 space from row 3 shells and then again in the large space between each Shell St in row 3). When you get to the end, Sl St into the 3rd loop of your first DC -(12 Shell stitches total)
Sl St into the next St, Sl St into the Ch 1 space (the gap in the middle of the shell), Ch 3, DC in same space, Ch 1, DC X 2 in same space, skip the next DC St (from row #4), DC into the next DC loop following the Ch 1 space from row #4, DC X 2 in next DC St (this is your increase), Shell St in the Ch 1 space, DC in next DC st., DC X 2 into the next DC, Shell St. into the Ch 1 space, repeat all the way around until you get back to the beginning. Sl St into the 3rd loop of your first DC - (6 Shell stitches & 6 sets of 3 DC total)
Sl St into the next stitch, Sl St into the Ch 1 space (the gap in the middle of the shell), Ch 3, DC in same space, Ch 1, DC X 2 in same space (1st Shell), DC in next DC, DC in next DC, DC X 2 in next DC (this is your increase, so the clusters of 3 DC between shells from row #5 will now be clusters of 4 in row #6), Shell into the next Ch. 1 sp (the middle of a shell from row 5), DC in next DC, DC in next DC, DC X 2 in next DC, repeat all the way around until you get back to the beginning. Sl St into the 3rd loop of your first DC -(6 Shell stitches & 6 sets of 4 DC total)
Sl St into the next stitch, Sl St into the Ch. 1 space (the gap in the middle of the shell), Ch 3,DC in same space, Ch 1, DC X 2 in same space (1st Shell), (you should now be at a cluster of 4 DC from row 6 below) DC in next DC, DC in next DC, DC in next DC, DC X 2 in next DC (this is your increase, so the clusters of 4 DC between shells from row #6 will now be clusters of 5 in row #7), Shell into the next Ch. 1 sp (the middle of a shell from row #6), DC in next DC, DC in next DC, DC in next DC, DC X 2 in next DC (this is your increase), repeat all the way around until you get back to the beginning. Sl St into the 3rd loop of your first DC -(6 Shell stitches & 6 sets of 5 DC total) **NOTE** Continue increasing 1 st on each following row (in the DC clusters after each Shell St) until you have a circle that fits the crown of your head out to the widest part of your head. If you place the heel of your hands directly above your ears and stick your fingers straight up, the crown of your hat should just touch your fingers (if it does not, keep doing rows of increase until it does). Once the crown is the right size, take a note of how many DC's you have in the clusters between each Shell St, (this will be the number of DC you will use in row #8).
Once it is wide enough, continue with the same pattern of Shell St/DC that you used in row #7 only row #8 will not do the increase in the last DC of each DC cluster. So if your last row was a Shell st, DC X 7, Shell St, DC X 7, etc... You will now make the next row exactly the same (with 7 DC's between each Shell St) until the beanie is the desired length.
You can either allow the beanie to be finished as is, or you can add 2 rows of 1/2 Double Crochet stitches and tie off and weave in your yarn end.
I found a great instructional video for this beanie on Youtube, it does not contain a written pattern but you can watch her crocheting each stitch and I think it will make following my pattern easier.
You can now choose if you want to leave the beanie as is or try to crochet a flower to be placed on the side.
ROSE FLOWER PATTERN
For this project I will make it with a size G (4mm) hook.
To begin, place a slip knot around your hook with your yarn.
Make a Ch about 2 feet long (approx 60cm or 24 inches)
SC in second Ch from hook, SC in next Ch, continue SC until you get to the end of the entire length of row #1. Ch 3, turn work.
SC in 3rd St from hook, Ch 3, SC in 3rd St from hook, Ch 3, SC in 3rd St from hook, continue all the way across until you reach the end, (if you don't have the exact right number of stitches left, it is ok because this end of the flower will not be seen, just be sure to SC in last St), Ch 3, Turn work.
DC X 3 in the large loop (created by the Ch 3 in row #3), Ch 3, Sl St into same large loop (this is the first petal), Sl St into next large loop, Ch 3, DC x 3 (in same space as Sl St), Sl St in same large loop, continue to the end of the entire length of your Ch's from row #1 (end with a Sl St in the last large loop). Leave the last loop and then cut the yarn so that it is 15-20 inches long. Place your hook back in the last loop and Ch 1. Then pull that loop until the yarn end that you just cut comes through, pull in snug, this will tie off your work. Then sew in the short piece of yarn into your project (sew it approximately 2" and then trim the remaining yarn with your scissors).
Thread the remaining long piece of yarn into a yarn needle (they have a larger hole to put yarn in). Lay your project in front of you so that the long yarn is coming out of the left side. Begin to tightly roll it onto itself, roll from left to right, make sure the bottom row of chain stitches (row #1) is staying even as you roll it. Roll it about 3 times and then take your needle and sew from one side of the bottom SC through to the other and then sew it back to the other side, do this twice.
Turn your project upside down so that the bottom is facing up (row #1 should be on top and row #4 on the bottom).
Start wrapping the remaining 'tail' around the middle of the flower (which you made in step #5), as you wrap, slightly lower the 'tail' so that your first row of chain stitches (row #1) is wrapping just below your row of single crochet (row #2) on the middle of the flower.
Once you've wrapped the tail about 1/4 of the way around the center part of the flower, stop wrapping it, twist the 'tail' petals slightly towards you so that it is almost perpendicular to the center part of the flower (this makes it lay flatter), and then use your needle to sew the 'tail' to the center. Begin sewing from the center piece, going in to the bottom of the single crochet (row #2 on the center piece) and coming up through the chain (row #1 on the 'tail'). Continue slowly wrapping, twisting, and sewing, be sure to flip the flower over to the right side as you go along to be sure it is looking good. Do this all the way around until you have finished the flower.
Keep the needle in your remaining yarn end and use it to attach the flower to your beanie.
Here is the instructional video for this flower by the same woman who did the instructional video for the beanie. I really enjoy her video's.
Today I saw this photo (above) of cute crocheted birds and I wanted to recreate them, but my only problem was that I didn't have a pattern, and the person posting the photo did not offer one or mention where she got her pattern. So I set off to search for one on the internet.
I was not totally successful, however, I did come across 2 patterns that looks great and although they are different, I believe they will still make a cute project.
If that doesn't work, I'll paste the full address at the bottom of this post.
The title above is a link to the cute Bird Pattern that was posted on a blog called 'Thoughts From A Screen'. I am going to make some of these but I plan to use felt for the beak instead of crocheting it. Both look great so I think it is just up to personal preference.
If that doesn't work, I'll paste the full address at the bottom of this post.
'Killie Crankie Farm' is the name of the blog that I found the following Vine with leaves pattern. This vine isn't exactly the same as the ones in the first photo, but I think I can adapt them and at the end of each vine.
Happy Crocheting/Crafting! I hope you enjoy these patterns!
This was a simple wooden sign/plaque that I purchased at a local craft store for a couple dollars. I began by painting the background in a red/orange blended pattern, keeping the orange at a diagonal angle across the middle.
I then found some clipart of dancers in silhouette. For this project I was looking for silhouettes in the ecstatic dance style since this is the primary type of dance done in my friends dance studio. 
I cut out the dancers that I wanted to use and traced their outlines on the wood with carbon paper. (Be sure to tape your dancers to the wood so the image doesn't shift while tracing it) I then free-handed the lettering (You could also print and trace with carbon paper).
Finally, I sealed the entire project with several coats of an outdoor clear sealer as I was unsure if it would be hung outdoors or indoors. You could use a flat or gloss spray depending on your personal preference.
