Crocheted Big Foot Slippers

If you are looking for a quick crochet project to make for the little monster in your life, this is the perfect pattern! The pattern comes from Brenda K. B. Anderson's book Beastly Crochet and is a fun, fast, and easy project.

Somebody I know loves watching Animal Planet's Finding Big Foot. In fact, the crew of the show was actually in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (where I live) earlier this year and they claim to have sighted Big Foot. I think it's funny, but these crocheted slippers are going to be the perfect Christmas gift for her!

I stumbled upon this pattern when I was looking for something else, but I loved it! This pattern also has a set of matching mittens. I may still make them, but I have not decided yet. You can purchase the pattern for these slippers and matching mittens here for $5.50 or you can find it in Brenda K. B. Anderson's book Beastly Crochet. I downloaded the ebook from Amazon, but you can also buy the paperback book or even find it at your local library. The book has lots of really neat ideas and I know I will be making more patterns from this book.

I made these slippers using Lion Brand Vanna's Choice yarn in Espresso, White, and Beige and Paton's Moxie in Dark Mink. You could use any eyelash yarn for the 'fur' and any worsted weight yarn for the rest of the slipper.

These slippers are crocheted holding two strands of yarn together for the main part of the slippers. The foot pads and claws are crocheted separately and are sewn on later. The hardest part of making these slippers was sewing on the foot pads and that really was not hard at all. I just crochet much better than I sew!

This pattern could be easily adjusted to make any fuzzy monster fan happy. By changing the color of the yarn, this pattern could be used to make Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, or Elmo. You also could leave the foot pads and claws off and just make some cute fuzzy slippers that any kid or teen would love!

You can find more details about this project and some of my other knitting and crocheting projects on my Ravelry Project page. Be sure to check them out!

Rudolph the Reindeer Crochet Baby Hat Pattern

Christmas is just around the corner. If you are looking for a quick hat to make for the holiday cards, this crocheted Rudolph the Reindeer hat pattern is perfect!

My little model is my 6 month old nephew. He does have a larger than average head size for his age, but this pattern should fit the average 6-12 month old. 

The pattern will result in a hat that has a circumference of 17 1/2” and a hat height from brim to crown of about 7”. This should fit most 6-12 month old babies. Since not all baby heads are the same size, check the size of your baby's head prior to making it. There is some stretch to this hat, so it will stretch a little bit, if necessary. You can also easily adjust the size by changing the size of your crochet hook. If you need to change the height of the hat, just increase or decrease the number of rounds following row 6.

Any bulky-weight yarn can be used for this pattern. The materials listed below are what I used for this pattern, but any bulky-weight yarn will work.

Needed Materials:

2 oz. Lion Brand Homespun (Sierra) – hat and ears color (MC)

2 oz. Lion Brand Jiffy (Caffe) – antler color (AC)

Small amount Bernat Softee Chunky (Black) – small eye color (BC)

Small amount Bernat Softee Chunky (White) – large eye color (CC)

Small amount Lion Brand Jiffy (True Red) – nose color (DC)

Size K (6.5 mm) Crochet Hook

Tapestry Needle

Small amount of polyfill stuffing

Gauge:

After you have completed round 3, you should have a diameter of about 3 ½”. Please check the gauge, as I do crochet tightly, so you may need to adjust your hook size.

Finished Size:

6-12 months

Hat

Round 1: Using MC, make an adjustable loop, ch 3, 7 dc in the loop, join and pull the loop tight. (8 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in the joining space, (2 dc in each dc) around, join. (16 dc)

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in the next dc, (dc in the next dc, 2 dc in the next dc) around, join (24 dc)

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in the next dc, (2 dc in the next dc, dc in the next 2 dc) around to last dc, 2 dc in the last dc, join. (32 dc)

Round 5: Ch 3, dc in the next 2 dc, (2 dc in the next dc, dc in the next 3 dc) to last dc, 2 dc in the last dc, join. (40 dc)

Rounds 6-10: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. (40 dc) You may increase or decrease the number of rounds to change the height of your hat.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Ears (Make 2)

Round 1: Using MC, make an adjustable loop, ch 1, 6 sc in the loop, do not join, pull the loop tight. You may want to place a marker at the beginning of the round and move it up as you go. (6 sc)

Round 2: (Sc in the next 2 sc, 2 sc in the next sc) 2 times. (8 sc)

Round 3: (Sc in the next 3 sc, 2 sc in the next sc) 2 times. (10 sc)

Round 4: (Sc in the next 4 sc, 2 sc in the next sc) 2 times. (12 sc)

Round 5: (Sc in the next sc, 2 sc in the next sc) 6 times. (18 sc)

Round 6-9: (Sc in the next sc) around. (18 sc)

Round 10: (Sc in the next sc, sc2tog) 6 times. (12 sc)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the ears to the hat.

Long Antlers (Make 2)

Round 1: Using AC, make an adjustable loop, ch 1, 9 sc in the loop, do not join, pull the loop tight. You may want to place a marker at the begging on the round and move it up as you go. (9 sc)

Rounds 2-17: (Sc in the next sc) around. You can increase or decrease the number of rounds to adjust the length of the antlers. (9 sc)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the antlers to the hat.

Short Antlers (Make 2)

Round 1: Using AC, make an adjustable loop, ch 1, 9 sc in the loop, do not join, pull the loop tight. You may want to place a marker at the beginning of the round and move it up as you go. (9 sc)

Rounds 2-8: (Sc in the next sc) around. You can increase or decrease the number of rounds to adjust the length of the antlers. (9 sc)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the short antlers to the long antlers.

Inner Eyes (Make 2)

Round 1: Using BC, make an adjustable loop, ch 1, 4 sc in the loop, join, pull the loop tight. (4 sc)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the inner part of the eye to the outer part of the eye.

Outer Eyes (Make 2)

Round 1: Using CC, make an adjustable loop, ch 1, 6 sc in the loop, join, pull the loop tight. (6 sc)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the eye to the hat.

Nose

Round 1: Using DC, make an adjustable loop, ch 1, 6 sc in the loop, do not join, pull the loop tight. You may want to place a marker at the beginning of the round and move it up as you go. (6 sc)

Round 2: (2 Sc in the next sc) around. (12 sc)

Round 3: (Sc in the next sc) around. (12 sc)

Round 4: (Sc in the next sc, sc2tog in the next sc) around. (8 sc)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the nose to the hat.

Finishing

Sew the ears to the hat. Sew the small antlers to the large antlers. Sew the large antlers to the hat. Lightly stuff the nose. Sew the nose to the hat. Sew the inner part of the eye to the outer part of the eye. Sew the eyes to the hat. Weave in all ends.

Abbreviations

Ch = Chain

Dc = Double Crochet

Sc = Single Crochet

Sc2tog = Single Crochet Two Together

You can see more details and can download a pdf of the pattern or from the Ravelry pattern page. While you are over on Ravelry, be sure to check out some of my other projects on my project page!

DIY Christmas Window Decorations

If you are looking for a cute, easy, and inexpensive way to decorate your windows for Christmas, this is the perfect project. I purchased all the materials to make mine from the Dollar Store, so the cost of this was only $7!

Here are the steps to take to make a Christmas window decoration of your own.

Step 1: Gather your materials.

• Christmas Ornaments - I used about 50, but you may want more or less depending on the size of your window and the size of the ornaments.
• Curtain rod to fit your window.
• Garland
• Bow
• String or yarn

Step 2: Tie the string to the ornaments. 

Step 3: Tie the other end of the string to the curtain rod.

Step 4: Continue to add more ornaments at various lengths. 

Step 5: Add the garland to the curtain rod to cover up the string.

Step 6: Add the bow.

Step 7: Enjoy your holiday decorations!

Helpful hints:

• Tie the strings to the curtain rod after the rod is in place. I originally was tying them before I hung it and I ended up with a tangled mess.
• Cut the garland into smaller pieces to wrap around the rod. I tried to do it in one piece and again ended up in a tangled mess.
• I used yarn but something like fishing line or thin thread would probably look nicer. The reason I used yarn was because I have cats that I know will be batting these around. If one gets wrapped around their paw, I don't want them to get hurt.
• If you have animals or small children, ensure that the ornaments that you use are not breakable. This has become the new favorite toy in my house.

Free Knitting Pattern Dog Chew-No-More Leg Cover

My dog, Gibson, has been fighting bladder cancer for the past few years. Although there is no cure for canine bladder cancer, he has beat the odds and has lived much longer than expected. He has good days and bad days, but is still very happy.

Gibson has tried several different treatments. For awhile, he was getting IV chemotherapy. Just like in humans, there are risks that come with chemotherapy. He had a reaction to an injection that he received in his upper front leg. He kept chewing and licking the spot, which made the irritation worse. 

I looked around at the store for something to cover it, but could not find anything that would stay on his leg and he would leave alone.

I created this to cover the wound and prevent him from further irritating the sore. He was still able to pull it down with his teeth, so I attached a piece of elastic to wrap around it and hold it up. It worked perfectly! Gibson left it alone long enough to heal.

Materials Needed:

• Worsted Weight Yarn - If this is going to be on a sore, natural fibers will be less irritating than synthetic fibers. 
• Set of four size 7 double-pointed knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Optional Materials: 

• Roll of 1 inch wide elastic band.
• Needle and thread.
• Fasteners - I used the fasteners from an old set of sheet straps.

Instructions:

With size 7 dpns, cast on 20 stitches. 
Join in the round, and work in K1, P1 ribbing for 5 rounds. 
Evenly increase 4 stitches on the next round and continue in the K1, P1 ribbing until work from beginning measures about 1 ¾ inches.

Elbow Opening: Cast off 12 stitches loosely in ribbing. Rib to the end of the round. Cast on 12 stitches and rejoin in round. Work 5 rounds in K1, P1 ribbing. Knit all stitches in round until work from the elbow opening measures about 4 ¾ inches (or the length needed for your dog’s leg). Decrease 4 stitches evenly on the next round. Work 8 rounds in k1, P1 ribbing. Cast off in ribbing. Weave in ends.

Elastic band: Cut a piece of 1 inch wide elastic long enough to wrap around the dog. Make sure it is not too loose so the dog can pull the cover down, but you don’t want it too tight to make it uncomfortable. My dog is a fat lab, and the elastic I used was about 27 ½ inches. You can either sew it directly to the leg cover or attach some kind of fastener to be able to remove the strap.

Notes: I made this for a large lab’s leg. You may have to adjust the number of stitches and/or change the yarn or needle size to obtain a size that fits your dog.

You can download the pdf of this pattern here or from the Ravelry website. While you are on the Ravelry website, be sure to check out some of my other projects on my project page!

DIY Mod Podge Snowman Luminary

I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We are supposed to get our first big snow storm of the season tonight. Up to 16 inches of snow has been predicted, so I decided to make a snowman. Luckily, this snowman does not require you to go out in the cold!

You probably have everything needed to make this snowman luminary right at your home, so you can make this for free! This is also a great activity for kids of any age.

Needed Materials:
Jar (any size)
School Glue and water or Mod Podge
Paint Brush or Sponge
Tissue Paper
Miscellaneous Craft Supplies

Step 1: Prepare your supplies.

Take your tissue paper and cut or tear it into small pieces. The size and shape do no need to be uniform. If you are making this with a small child, I suggest using bigger pieces so it does not take as long to make.

Mix equal amounts of glue and water to make a Mod Podge mixture. You could also use store bought Mod Podge, but mixing glue and water works just as well. I like mine to be a little more watery, so I add more water than glue to the mixture, but that is just my preference.

Step 2: Paint on the glue/water. Just do a small section at a time.

Step 3: Start randomly placing the tissue paper on the portion of the jar with the mixture on it.

Step 4: Continue to paint small sections with the mixture and putting on the tissue paper. This does not need to be neat. Just place the tissue paper any place in any direction.

Step 5: Once that layer has dried a little bit, add another layer by painting the glue/water mix over the layer you just made and then adding more tissue paper. Continue this process adding more layers of tissue paper.

Step 6: Once you have as many layers as you want, paint the entire jar one last time with the glue/water mix to make sure all the edges of the tissue paper are securely fastened.

Step 7: Allow your jar to dry.

Step 8: Decorate your jar. I used felt to make the snowman face and buttons. I added a sock to the top for a hat. You can use whatever you want to decorate your snowman. 

Some ideas:

Black and orange colored tissue paper for the face

Small buttons for the buttons

Pom poms and a pipe cleaner for ear muffs

Mitten for a hat

Pipe cleaners for arms

Braid some yarn together to make a scarf 

These are cute just like this, but you could also make these into luminaries. Simply place an LED tea light or a small strand of Christmas lights inside the jar.

Not only are these Snowman Luminaries cute decorations, they make good night lights for any of town guests. Also, if your guests need to get up during the night, they can switch on the light inside the jar and use it as a flash light. These would make perfect gifts for kids to make for grandparents or teachers.