Buttoned Tassel Bookmark/Bookthong

Buttoned Tassel Bookmark/Bookthong

Materials: (US) size 7 steel hook, size 10 cotton thread, novelty button with shank (be sure end of hook will fit through shank far enough to draw up a loop)

Leaving 5 inch tail, ch 75, place hook through shank of button and draw up loop, yo, draw through both loops on hook, working back along starting ch, skip 1 ch, sl st in each remaining ch, fasten off leaving 5 inch tail.

For tassel: Cut 16 strands of thread approximately 7-8 inches long, set one strand aside.Holding the 15 strands of thread together and using the two tails at end of bookmark, secure tightly in place at the center of the tassel with a double knot, let the tails hang down to blend with the tassel.
Using remaining strand of thread, wrap around the tassel approximately 1/4 inch below top of and tie securely with a double knot (these will blend into the tassel as well), trim tassel evenly at bottom.

Designed and written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved.

Caught Between the Dog & the Fire Hydrant

Oh boy... here we are in our new home state. I wish I could say it was the best thing that ever happened, but the fact is I'm less than impressed. It's been 4 long months and Damian (my son in law) has yet to find a job! At least Maryland is still letting him collect his unemployment! My daughter found a job but only part time. It's been a rocky beginning to say the least.

My savings is quickly dwindling to nothing, but the fact is I really don't think we'd have been any better off in Maryland. Yes, we would have a better income, but but the average rent is at least 4 times there what it is here. Financial issues aside, MO is really not a bad place to live. In the end I know we will be much better off having made the trek halfway across the country. The east coast is becoming so commercialized. The midwest is just a more laid back, relaxed, less pretentious atmosphere. Just a better place to raise a child, IMO. Besides, the scenery is gorgeous and we do see plenty of it as it is at least an hour drive if we want to go anywhere besides Walmart or Sonic!

I plan to resume my education this coming fall once I have received resident status. I just can't afford the out of state tuition costs. In fact, the number 2 reason (Ben of course was my number one reason) for moving out here with the kids was to attend the University of Missouri. I plan to study Library Science and there just wasn't an appropriately located school for me in MD. All the puzzle pieces are here, I just need to work on fitting them into the right places.

Snowman Coffee Cozy

Snowman Coffee Cozy

Finished size: Will fit a "to-go" coffee cup

Materials: (US) size H hook, worsted weight cotton yarn: white, scrap each of orange and black felt, scrap piece of black yarn or embroidery floss, white tacky glue, tapestry needle.

ch 30, join with sl st in last ch from hook being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each remaining st around, join with sl st in top of first sc, do not turn.

Rnds 2-10: rep rnd 1.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Face: Using photo as a guide, cut an elongated triangle from orange felt and glue to center of face for carrot nose, cut two 3/4 inch *circles from black felt and glue into place above the nose, and for mouth (optional/not shown) use black yarn or embroidery floss and place 5 french knots evenly spaced below the nose to give your snowman a smile.

*NOTE: You can cut octagons or other "odd" shapes to give a more relistic look.

Designed and written by April Moreland

© 2008 All rights reserved.

Peppermint Coffee Cozy

Peppermint Coffee Cozy

Finished size: Will fit a "to-go" coffee cup

Materials: (US) size H hook, worsted weight cotton yarn: red & white variegated, tapestry needle.

ch 30, join with sl st in last ch from hook being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each remaining st around, join with sl st in top of first sc, do not turn.

Rnds 2-10: rep rnd 1.

Rnd 11: ch 1, (sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same st, skip next 2 sts, *(sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st in top of first sc.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Designed and written by April Moreland

© 2008 All rights reserved.

A Passion for Purple

April's Purple Passion Heart Square

Finished size: Approx 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches (Or 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches with optional row 7)

Materials: (US) size H hook, worsted weight yarn: (CA) Soft White, (CB) Light Orchid or other suitable contrasting color, (Example was made using Red Heart's Super Saver), tapestry needle (for weaving in ends).

Abbreviations:
CA=Color A
CB=color B
sp=space
beg=beginning
ch=chain
sc=single crochet
dc=double crochet
tr=treble
sl st=slip st
rnd=round

PATTERN NOTES: ch 3 counts as 1 dc. Also, the pattern could be worked with a size "I" hook to make a larger square. Once you get past row 4 you can adjust the rows by doing sc instead of dc or vice versa to further adjust the size of the square as you wish.

Pattern:

Rnd 1: Working with CB, ch 4, 15 dc in 4th ch from hook, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Rnd 2: ch 3, 4 dc in same st as ch 3, dc in each of next 3 sts, *5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * 2 times more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (32 dc)

Rnd 3: sl st in next 2 sts, ch 1, sc in same sp, sk next 3 sts, 11 tr in next st, sk next 3 sts, sl st in next st, sk next 3 sts, 11 tr in next st, sk next 3 sts, sc in next st, switch to CA, sk next 3 sts, 11 tr in next st, sk next 3 sts, sc in next st, sk next 3 sts, 11 tr in next st, sk next 3 sts, join with sl st in top of beg sc. (44 tr)

Rnd 4: ch 3, dc in each of next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, referring to photo for placement detail and working over top of the sl st made in rnd 3 tr into same st on rnd 2 where sl st was made, dc in each of next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, *dc in each of next 11 sts, 5 dc in next st, rep from * once more, dc in each of next 5 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (63 dc, 1 tr)

Rnd 5: ch 3, dc in each of next 7 sts, *5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 15 sts, rep from * twice more, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (80 dc)

Rnd 6: Join CB in top of beg ch sp on row 5, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each of next 9 sts, 3 sc in next st, *sc in each of next 19 sts, 3 sc in next st, repeat from * twice more, sc in each of next 9 sts, join with sl st in top of beg sc. (88 sc)

(Optional) Rnd 7: Join CA in top of beg sc on row 6, ch 3, dc in each of next 10 sts, 5 dc in next st, *dc in each of next 21 sts, 5 dc in next st, repeat from * twice more, dc in each of next 10 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (104 dc).

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Designed and written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved.

Shown here with optional row 7:

Birdie Bookmark

Finished size: Approx 10 inches

Materials:
(US) size F hook; small amount worsted weight yarn, small scrap orange worsted weight yarn for beak (6 strand embroidery floss may be substituted); tapestry needle; small amount fiberfill stuffing; 2 black seed beads; glue, small charm (optional).

**Do not join rounds unless otherwise instructed.

Body

ch 2

Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Round 2: 2 sc in ea st around.

Rounds 3-7: sc in ea st around.

Round 8: sc2tog around, stuff lightly with fiberfill.

Round 9: sc2tog around, ch 40, fasten off.


Wings & Tail (make 3):

ch 2

4 sc in 2nd ch from hook, fasten off leaving a 6-9 inch tail for sewing.


Beak:

Using scrap of orange yarn, ch 2, fasten off leaving a 6-9 inch tail for sewing.


Assembly:
1. Sew wings opposite one another onto the body between rounds 3 and 4.

2. Sew the tail onto the back of body centered between the wings and just below round 6.

3. Glue seed beads to the front of the body centered on round 3 for the eyes.

4. Fold beak in half so that the beginning and end of the chain are parallel, and sew into place centered vertically between the eyes and horizontally between rounds 3 and 4. (It may be easier to simply glue this piece into place.)

5. Glue or sew charm into place at end of Row 9 of Body, OR make a small tassel out of left over yarn and secure at end of Row 9 of Body.

Some other things you can do with this:
Do not ch 40 at end of row 9, leave the tail off, and add a magnet to the back for a fridgie.
Leave the wings and tail off and it’s an egg bookmark for Easter.

Designed and written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved.

Lacy Petals Motif

MUCH BETTER PIC COMING SOON!

Finished size: Approx 3” (picture shows 2 motifs joined together)

Materials: (US) size F hook, small amount Worsted Weight 100% Cotton*, tapestry needle.

*Example was made using Peaches ‘n Crème; Winterberry

NOTE: Do not turn work unless otherwise noted.

Ch 5, join with sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in ring, join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in first st, ch 3, *sc in next st, ch 3, 7 times, sl st in first sc.

Rnd 3: sl st in first ch 3 sp, ch 1, sc in same space, ch 4, *sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 4, 7 times, sl st in first sc.

Rnd 4: sl st in first ch 4 sp, ch 1, 5 sc in same sp and in each remaining ch 4 sp around, join with sl st in first sc.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Designed and written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved.