Scrap 2x4 Halloween Monsters

I wanted to make some new Halloween decorations, and I wanted them to be fast and easy to make. I decided to make these little monsters out of scrap 2x4 blocks. I had all the supplies on hand, so they were completely free!

Needed Materials:

Scrap Wood Blocks - I used scrap 2x4s and 1x2s, but you could use 2x3s, 2x6s or any other scrap wood you have laying around.

Paint

Wood Glue

Scraps of fabric (for the mummy)

Here is how I made each of my monsters.

Step 1: Cut your wood

You can cut your blocks to be whatever size you want. I rummaged through my scrap bin and used scraps that were 3"-5".

Step 2: Sand

Ensure that everything is sanded smooth.

Step 3: Paint

I did not use any kind of template. I just drew on a design with pencil and then painted it. You could also do a search for templates and then trace them on.

Step 4: Glue on extra parts (if applicable)

Step 5: Enjoy your Bootiful Halloween decorations!

Frankenstein

Use your wood block and cut two small blocks from a 1x2 for the bolts. You could also use a dowel, screws, or bolts.

Mummy

Use your wood block and paint on the eyes. Then, wrap the scrap fabric around the board, gluing it on as you wrap. I tore strips from an old pillow case, but any kind of scraps that you have laying around would work.

Jack-O'-Lantern

Use your wood block and cut a small block from a 1x2 for a stem. You could also use a dowel or even a stick.

Ghost

Nothing extra is needed for this one. Just paint it!

Black Cat

Use your wood block and cut two triangles from a 1x2 for ears. The eyes I painted are not the greatest, but they work for me. I had originally painted on a nose, mouth, and whiskers on my cat. But then it looked too friendly, so I painted over them. Now I think it looks like Batman. Oh well, he is kind of scary, too!

These scrap 2x4 Halloween monsters are inexpensive, quick, and easy to make. They would make a great kid's project. The kids could personalize the monsters anyway that they want.

Baby-sized Pumpkin Hat Free Crochet Pattern

My nephew is now 5 months old and every baby needs to have a pumpkin hat for this time of the year! I crocheted this cute hat in just a few hours and it took very little yarn. Here is the pattern, so you can make a hat for the little pumpkin in your life!

This pattern is modified from the following pattern: Newborn Pumpkin Beanie. That pattern is only for the newborn size. My nephew is 5 months old and he has a bigger than average head, so I had to modify it to make it larger. This pattern will probably fit an average 12-18 month old sized hat, but all babies have different sized heads, so just alter the pattern accordingly. The size can be easily altered by increasing or decreasing the number of HDC and rows. You also could just use a smaller hook and smaller weight yarn.

Needed Materials:
2 oz Orange Worsted Weight Yarn

1 oz Green Worsted Weight Yarn

Size J (6.0 mm) Crochet Hook

Hat:

Using the orange yarn, Chain (CH) 29.

Row 1: Half Double Crochet (HDC) in the Back Loop (BL) of the 3rd CH from the hook and in each Stitch (ST) across. CH 2. Turn. (27 HDC)

Rows 2 – 29: HDC in the BL of each ST across. CH 2. Turn.

Row 30: HDC in the BL of each ST across. CH 1. Turn.

Joining the two side ends, Slip Stictch (SL ST) down the length of hat through both ends. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Stem:

Using the green yarn, join with a Single Crochet (SC) at the top of hat.

SC evenly around the hat (I made about 30). The number of SC is up to you. A greater number of SC means that the Stem area is going to be larger. A smaller number of SC means that the Stem area is going to be smaller. When you get around back to the first ST, do not join. Single Crochet 2 Together (SC2TOG) around. Continue to SC2TOG until you have 5 ST remaining.

SC in each ST around for 6 rounds.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Vine:

Using the green yarn and leaving a 6” tail, CH 24 (If you want a longer or shorter vine, just increase or decrease the number of CH).

2 SC in the 2nd CH from the hook and in each ST to the end.

Fasten off, leaving a 6” tail.

Using the starting and ending tails, tie the vine between any 2 ST on the stem. Weave in the ends.

You can get a printable pdf of this pattern here. You can also see more details on my Ravelry page.

DIY Cat Halloween Bat Wand Toy

My cats love to play with anything that involves a string. They needed a new Halloween toy, so I made them a bat wand toy. I already had all the needed supplies, so it was completely free and they love it. You can make one, too!

Needed materials:

Sturdy dowel 3-4 feet long

Small amount of felt

Small amount of string or yarn

Step 1: Draw up a template. I drew a simple bat. You could make whatever shape you want. If you want to use my template, you can find it here.

Step 2: Pin the bat to the felt.

Step 3: Cut the bats out. I cut out six bats.

Step 4: Thread the string through the bats. 

Step 5: Tie a knot below each bat to keep them spaced out.

 Step 6: Drill a hole through the dowel.

Step 7: Thread the string through the hole in the dowel.

Step 8: Tie the string to the dowel.

Step 9: Play with your cat!