Stars and stripes rosette mandala to color

Happy 4th! I hope you enjoy this printable mandala.

Click the images below for larger versions to print and color.


Small jpg:

Large transparent png:

Click  HERE to download more patriotic mandalas and printable projects! 

Bulky Handspun Crochet Jar Cozy (fits pint sized jar)

This is going to be my 100th design on my Ravelry page! I feel like I should be celebrating.


This jar cozy was made using a skein of handspun yarn from a local spinner. It's 6 wpi so the pattern will work with bulky-super bulky yarns. Just check the gauge! The same technique will work for finer yarns, increasing stitches. I'll be doing a version in a worsted weight cotton soon.

I had this half finished and was trying to figure out how to cinch the top so it wouldn't just be a sleeve when I spotted my hair elastics. I put one around the top of the jar and it was perfect! So the last round is stitched around that.

Wool Jar Cozy Pattern

Pattern is in American terminology

Gauge- First 4 rounds=3.5 inches

Supplies needed:

• 40-50 yards of  bulky yarn or hand spun that's 6 wpi
• size K hook
• yarn needle
• no metal thin hair elastic OR strong cord elastic. 
• scissors

Fits 1 pint Ball® canning jar- regular mouth

Abbreviations:

• ch= chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc= double crochet
• sl st= slip stitch
• st or sts= stitch or stitches

Ch 2 or magic circle, chain 1

Round 1: sc 6 times in first stitch/ring, sl st to join (6 sts)

Round 2: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join (12 sts)

Round 3: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat ** around, sl st to join. (18 stitches)

Round 4: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat ** around, sl st to join (24 sts)

Round 5: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in each st around (24 sts)

Round 6: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, dc in each st around, sl st in 3rd chain to join (24 stitches)

Round 7: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in each st around (24 sts)

Round 8: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in each st around (24 sts)

Round 9: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, dc in each st around, sl st in 3rd chain to join (24 stitches)

Round 10: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in each st around (24 sts)

Round 11: ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in each st around (24 sts)

Round 12: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, dc in each st around, sl st in 3rd chain to join (24 stitches)

Round 13: Holding the elastic in place on top of the stitches- ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), sc in each stitch around working over the elastic, sl st to join. (24 sts)

Weave in ends and put on your jar. 

This will help keep cool drinks cool and hot drinks hot. 

Happy Mandala to print and color

Yesterday was the first day of summer and the solstice. I'm sorry to say I didn't go out and get a photo of the midnight sun like I usually do. But I did draw this happy mandala to color for summer.

AND I picked the first ripe strawberry off my new Tristan strawberry plant that my husband gave me. We shared it!


Click the images below for larger versions to print and color.

Happy Mandala small jpg:

Happy Mandala transparent png:

Rainbow Love coloring page

It's Pride Month!! Time for lots of rainbows and hearts and love. Okay, you all know me. Every month is a good time for rainbows, hearts and love.

I hope you enjoy coloring this page as much as I enjoyed drawing it! Click the images below for larger versions to print and color.

Rainbow Love coloring pages

small jpg:

large transparent png:

And for a bonus- here's a photo of my kids marching in last year's Pride parade! 

Tasseled Crochet Amulet Bag pattern- with tassel tutorial

Tasseled Crochet Amulet Bag Pattern:
Materials:

• Red Heart Fashion Crochet Thread- size 3 (less than one ball) 
• Size C hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Piece of cardboard about 5 inches long

U.S. crochet terms used.

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sc =single crochet
• dc= double crochet
• sl st= slip stitch
• st or sts= stitch or stitches
• repeat ** means to repeat the instructions between the asterisks. 

Ch 2

Round 1: 8 sc in ch 1, sl st to join (8 stitches)
Round 2: ch 1 (does not count as first st), 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join (16 stitches)
Round 3: ch 1 (does not count as first st), sc in each st around, sl st to join (16 stitches)
Round 4: ch 1 (does not count as first st) sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat ** around, sl st to join (24 sts)

Rounds 5-17:ch 1 (does not count as first st), sc in each st around, sl st to join

Round 18: ch 3, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 stitches, *dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 stitches*, repeat ** around, sl st to join (6 spaces)
Round 19: ch 1 (does not count as first st), sc in each st around, sl st to join (24 sts)
Round 20: ch 1 (does not count as first st), sc in first st, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next st,*sc in next 3 sts, ch 3, skip next st*, repeat ** around, in last st, sc, sl st to join. (6 loops made)
Round 21: ch 1 (does not count as first st), sc in first st, skip next stitch, 5 sc in loop, *skip next st, sc in next st, skip next st, 5 sc in loop*, sl st to join.

To make the tassel:
Photo examples use embroidery floss because it was handy and I could use contrasting colors. I didn't wrap it around a template. Please excuse the dirty table. I was in a rush to get photos so I could get back outside- and I went outside to put this together. GORGEOUS weather!

Find something a half inch longer than you want the tassel to be or cut a piece of cardboard that's long enough.

Double a length of thread 20 inches long and lay it down across the top of your template.

Wrap it, I did 50 wraps for a full tassel.

Pull the doubled length around the top and tie it firmly. I used a square knot, then tied another overhand knot over that.

Cut a piece of thread 20 inches long and a piece 8 inches long.

Fold the short thread and lay it length wise on the tassel body with the loop end pointing to the bottom (fringe) of the tassel.
Tie the long thread near the top of the tassel with a short tail length going down the tassel in a simple half knot around both the tassel and the short thread. I made it the same length as the rest of the tassel.

Wrap evenly and tightly for as long as you want the wrap to be. Tie another half knot.

Put the tail through the loop of the short strand.

Pull the free ends of the short piece sharply and quickly to pull the end under the wraps. Trim the top thread neatly.

With the doubled ends on the top of the tassel, pull them through the bottom of the bag using a crochet hook, I spaced them between the stitches on the first round. Tie in a secure knot- I used a square knot then doubled it. Trim ends.

Crochet a cord or make a twist cord and weave into the double crochet spaces. Weave in all ends.