Totoro Free Crochet Pattern

I crocheted this Totoro for a friend a while back. I just now got around to typing the pattern up. Here is the Free Pattern if you want to make one.

Remember: For Personal Use Only.
If you post a pic online, link back to me. Share the love :)

What do you think?

Jayne Cobb Inspired Hat Free Pattern

I wanted to show my Browncoat pride and make a Firefly hat, but since I also design patterns, I didn't want people thinking I was incapable of making a decent hat. Not everyone knows about Firefly/Serenity. Crazy, I know right! Since the original hat is Knit I had some playing around to do. I think I did a pretty good Fake Knit job ;) What do you think?

If you want to try to make one yourself, here is a link to the Free Pattern

Click Here Remember: This is for Personal Use only.

If you use this pattern and post it online, please link back to me and show some love :)

Minecraft Birthday Party ideas with Free Printables

My daughter was turning 11, and she wanted a Minecraft birthday party. I searched and searched the internet, trying to find something cheap. We have a very limited budget, and I didn't want to have to invest a ton of money into a party. Here is what I decided.

For activities I went to this site and printed off a few Minecraft characters. I used the mini ones because they seemed easier to assemble. I let the kids cut them out. I had paste and tape. Almost everyone used tape.

I found this site and printed off the "sticker" pages. I didn't make stickers though. I let the kids paste them to a piece of paper. I gave them crayons and let them draw/color their own minecraft scenes. That took care of the activities.

Next, I had to make party favors. I made some rice krispies treats that looked like minecraft blocks. Chocolate for the bottom and regular colored green for the top.

Then, I designed a label to put on a ziplock bag. I filled bags with Jolly ranchers and gold nuggets. I was inspired by this, but I was lazy and decided to throw them all into one bag. I then looked at a bunch of bottle wrapper pictures, and decided to design my own. I filled water bottles with blue and red Koolaid. (Printables at the end)

I found the large paper creeper in the pic here.

I wanted a little bit more decoration at the party so I designed some labels for 1 gallon Absopure water containers and a 7up container.

Then we just bought green plates, black table covers, green cups and silverware, and black and green balloons at the dollar store. (creeper colors)

Party done. Most of it was printed out. Why spend a bunch of money buying things that you can make? I spent quite a bit of time making these labels for them to only be used for one day, so I wanted to share these. I hope this helps if you are thinking of making a Minecraft party.

Thanks for looking.

Sanctuary Perler Bead Sign

This sign was inspired by Sherrilyn Kenyon (My favorite author).
Here is the pattern, you can use it for crocheting too ;) This is for personal use only. I have it separated into 29x29 square sections so you know how many large pegboards to use if you are using Perler Beads. I think it makes it easier to do this way, that is just my opinion.

Here is what it looks like on the wall. I put it above the door to my closet/indoor garden. It is kind of like a sanctuary.

Styxx Phoenix Free Pattern

Here is the Styxx symbol I made out of perler beads. Styxx is a character Sherrilyn Kenyon created. She is an amazing author, I love all of her work. Very adult (unless you read her young adult series) you have been warned lol.

 

Here is the pattern. You can use it for Crocheting too :)

 

Here it is on my wall with the Acheron Symbol I made. If you are a fan like me and want to make the Acheron symbol too Click here for the pattern.

 Let me know if you make anything with this pattern. I would enjoy seeing pics :)

Fairly Oddparents Cosmo and Wanda Perler Beads

This is NOT my pattern. I could not find the original creator(s). I did a search online and the Cosmo pattern came right up. After a lot of searching I found someone who did a Wanda but the picture was kind of hard to see. Again I couldn't find the original creator. If that was you, please give me a link so I can credit you for the pattern and thanks, it is awesome!

Here is a picture of them on our wall:

 

Here is a close up of Wanda so you can make one too :) If you do a search for "Cosmo Perler Bead Pattern" it will come right up. You can use it for Crocheting too! Just pretend the pegs are squares.

Doctor Who crack in the wall Free Pattern

I made this crack in the wall with glow in the dark perler beads.

Here is the pattern. You can use it for Crocheting too :)

 

Here is what I have on my wall. The Sonic Screwdrivers are NOT my pattern. You can find them by doing a google search. Have Fun!

Acheron Parthenopaeus Symbol Free Pattern

 Acheron Parthenopaeus Symbol 

with 

Perler Beads

Free Pattern:

I have it blocked by 29x29 peg boards (aka. 6 inch square board) in case you were wondering what the big squares were for.

Please don't ask how many beads it took, I didn't count. 

I bought 2-1000 bead bags of Yellow, 2-1000 bead bags of Orange, and 1-1000 bead bag of silver. I just used the black I already had. I didn't run out.

I get my supplies from here. It is a great store. I needed 13 boards, but I already had them. Parchment paper works really well so you don't have to buy their "special paper". You might want to get some 2 large pieces of cardboard to help with flipping the project. Also look up "taping perler beads" That helps a lot with large projects. Good Luck! Have fun :D

 (For those of you who don't know, Acheron Parthenopaeus is a character from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter book series. I love those books so much. It is a very Adult book series, you have been warned)

Crafty friends: You can use this pattern for crochet, knitting, and cross stitch too. In fact if you search for "perler bead" projects you can find a lot of patterns. For every bead just make a stitch instead. If you aren't computer savvy, you can get graph paper and color in where the beads are. Just an idea. When my finger heals enough to make videos again I will be posting on how to switch colors and read a chart. Until then, here is a tutorial I made a while ago that might help.

 Let me know if you make anything with this pattern. I would really enjoy seeing your pics :)

Triangle Dice Bag "Free Pattern"

Triangle Dice Bag Free Pattern

PDF Link: Click Here

Police Box Belt Pocket

I'm still here and everything is fine. I just kind of hit a rut where I didn't really feel like doing anything crafty. Anyways, here is the latest project. I like to wear skirts and it sucks not having pockets. So I came up with this belt pocket. I am making this a free pattern since I haven't put out any free patterns in a while. Here you go. I hope you like it.

NOTE: If everything goes well, I plan on making a web series. The first edition will be on how to crochet. I will just be covering basic stuff. Then I will move on to other crafty things. I am still a little nervous about being on camera, but I will give it a good try. Keep checking back if that is something that interests you :)

***UPDATE 8-12-13***
I tried recording the web series, but my daughter was too distracting. I am going to wait until she goes back to school to record it.  I haven't abandoned this project. I know quite a few of you are looking forward to it, and I am excited too. Just a little bit longer. Sorry for the long wait.
*********************

Police Box Belt Pocket
April Folts 2013
For personal use only If you are going to post pictures anywhere, please link back to me so I get credit for the pattern. Thanks :)

  Hook size: F 
Yarn: 100% acrylic, 4 ply, Worsted Weight, RedHeart Olympic Blue, White, and Black Yarn

STITCH EXPLANATION: 
FpSc = Front Post Single Crochet
BpSc = Back Post Single Crochet
sc = Single Crochet
ch = Chain
Row = Row


 Piece 1:
 

When complete, fold bottom up to just below the black at the top. Set aside until last piece is made. It would be easier to add the bead letters and black to the windows now, but you can do it at any time.
 
This picture might help with the outside pocket, but it isn’t necessary. It just gives you an idea of what you will be doing.


Piece 2 (Outside Pocket)

 

Note: It doesn’t really matter on the ends if the post is front or back, when you sew it together it doesn’t really show up. It is just a texture thing. Plus it is hard to do a post stitch on the ends let alone tell if it is front or back post. 

Row 1: Ch 21, turn, 20 sc

Row 2: Ch 1, 20 FpSc, Ch 1, turn

Row 3: 1 FpSc, 8 sc, 2 FpSc, 8 sc, 1 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 4: 1 BpSc, 8 sc, 2 BpSc, 8 sc, 1 BpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 5: 1 FpSc, 8 sc, 2 FpSc, 8 sc, 1 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 6: 1 BpSc, 8 sc, 2 BpSc, 8 sc, 1 BpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 7: 9 BpSc, 2 FpSc, 9 BpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 8: 1 BpSc, 8 sc, 2 BpSc, 8 sc, 1 BpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 9: 1 FpSc, 8 sc, 2 FpSc, 8 sc, 1 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 10: 1 BpSc, 8 sc, 2 BpSc, 8 sc, 1 BpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 11: 1 FpSc, 8 sc, 2 FpSc, 8 sc, 1 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 12: 9 FpSc, 2 BpSc, 9 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 13: 1 BpSc, 8 sc, 2 FpSc, before pulling last loop through switch to white, 8 sc, before pulling up last loop, switch to blue, 1 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 14: 1 BpSc, before pulling up last loop, switch to white, 8 sc, before pulling up last loop, switch to blue, 2 BpSc, 8 sc, 1 BpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 15: 1 FpSc, 8 sc, 2 FpSc, before pulling up last loop, switch to white, 8 sc, before pulling up last loop, switch to blue, 1 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 16: 1 bpsc, before pulling up last loop, switch to white, 8 sc, before pulling up last loop, switch to blue, 2 BpSc, 8 sc, 1 bpsc, ch 1, turn

Row 17: 1 FpSc, 8 sc, 2 FpSc, 8 sc, 1 FpSc, ch 1, turn

Row 18: 1 BpSc, 8 sc, 2 BpSc, 8 sc, 1 BpSc

Straps (make 2) 

Row 1: Ch 19, turn, 18 sc
Row 2-6: Ch 1, turn, 18 sc (5 rows)

Fold in half and sew to top.

Assembly: Place pocket right below the windows. Sew together around piece.

Simply Sweet Scarf Free Crochet Pattern

I really love this scarf. It is quick and it is just a huge circle. It is super comfortable and doesn't have those long tails to worry about. (I didn't come up with the idea for a circle scarf. I have seen them before in the store. This is just my version of it) I am going to make one for my daughter next. Last year one of the kids at school pulled on the tails of my daughter's scarf and it choked her. Now she is afraid to wear scarfs. This way she won't have to worry about that, hopefully. I modeled it a few different ways so you could see how awesome it is. (I really hate modeling but I didn't have anyone else around to con into being my model and my mannequin head doesn't have shoulders :( ) What do you think?

Wrapped around 3 times


Wrapped around 2 times


Wrapped around 2 times and cinched up close to neck


Wrapped around 2 times a little looser


Fold in half and slide in loop (I hope that makes sense)


Here is the pattern:

Simply Sweet Scarf
by April Draven

K hook

4.5 oz. Simply Soft Yarn

This scarf measures about 80 inches around. If you don’t know how to work in rounds you can always skip the joining part and just sew it together when it is done. You wrap it around a couple times so you could hide the seam easily ;)

Ch 200, join with 1 ss
Rnd 1: Ch 3, sk 1, 1 dc, *ch 1, sk 1, 1dc*rep from * to * around, Join with 1 ss
Rnds 2-13: Ch 3, * 1 dc in the next ch 1 space, ch 1* rep from * to * around, Join with 1 ss
1 ss, FO

Doctor Who Crochet Bag

Here is one of the large projects I have been working on. (well large for me since it is all single crochet) I have been working on it off and on since June. I have a short attention span lol. What do you think?





Here is a link that might help if you don't know how to use a chart

Doctor Who Crochet Bag
© April Draven (Folts) 2011

This is a free pattern. All I ask is for you to credit me if you use my pattern or chart in any way. I just want people to know I was the one who designed it.



Hook Size: H hook
(2) 7 oz skeins of main color yarn

With main bag color: Form a Magic Circle (AKA: Adjustable Ring) (you could also just form a circle how you normally would) Ch 1
Rnd 1: 10 sc in ring, insert marker, Do not join with 1 ss.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (20)
Rnd 3: *1 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (30)
Rnd 4: *2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (40)
Rnd 5: *3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (50)
Rnd 6: *4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (60)
Rnd 7: *5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (70)
Rnd 8: *6 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (80)
Rnd 9: *7 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (90)
Rnd 10: *8 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (100)
Rnd 11: *9 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (110)
Rnd 12: *10 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (120)
Rnd 13: *11 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (130)
Rnd 14: *12 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (140)
Rnd 15-32: 1 sc in each sc around (18 rounds)
Rnd 33: 74 sc, start the black on the bottom of the Tardis on the chart. (The reason you do the 74 sc first before starting the chart is so your image will be centered)
Rnd 34-72: working the chart, 1 sc in each sc
Rnd 73-75: With main bag color, 1 sc in each sc around (3 rounds)

Handles:

Row 1: ch 1, 52sc, ch 1, turn
Row 2: sc2tog, 31 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 3: sc2tog, 29 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 4: sc2tog, 27 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 5: sc2tog, 25 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 6: sc2tog, 23 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 7: sc2tog, 21 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 8: sc2tog, 19 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 9: sc2tog, 17 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 10: sc2tog, 15 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 11: sc2tog, 13 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Row 12: sc2tog, 11 dc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn
Rows 13-43: 11 sc, ch 1, turn (30 rows)
Sc down the side
70 sc, Repeat Rows 2-43
sc down side, 18 sc, 1 ss, FO
Sew straps together
Attach yarn to where you sewed the straps and sc around the edge repeat the same on the other side (this makes the trim look smoother, also you could make the trim a different color for an added effect)
Sew button on and make your loop however you want. I just chained 10 and attached a loop to the back. I think I might make a thicker loop later.

Plain Slouch Hat

I decided to make a video. I know a lot of people come to my blog and look at my hats and think that they are too complicated. They really aren't. (well most of them aren't) I have looked online and I haven't found any really good videos on how to crochet a hat (that doesn't mean there aren't any good ones out there, just that I didn't find any in my search that covered everything needed) so I decided to make my own. Most of the ones I found are filmed from the side or from the front. I made a weird rig with coffee cans, duct tape, hangers, and a pen (lol) so I could get the camera to record my perspective. Hopefully this will help beginners. The music in the video is "Ash Koley" My friend Ben introduced me to their music and I immediately loved them. I needed music for the video because I cover so much and there was no way I could talk that fast enough to keep up with the video. If I didn't add music it would be 10 min. of silence. Not very entertaining lol. I really wanted to use their songs so I contacted them and asked permission. Ash replied and told me it was alright. You should check them out. They are really awesome :) Here is a link to the video.
For those of you who already know how to make hats and read a pattern, scroll down. I posted it here. Remember, if you use it please give me credit for the design :)





Plain Slouch Hat © April Folts 2011

Hook size: H

Gauge: 4 inches = 13 stitches and 14 rows

Yarn:
3.5 oz Bernat Mosaic psychedelic 4 ply 100% Acrylic Worsted Weight
a little bit of Red Heart Turqua 4 ply 100% Acrylic Worsted Weight

Abbreviations:

Ss: slip stitch
Sc: single crochet
Dc: double crochet
Fpdc: front post double crochet
Bpdc: back post double crochet
FO: Fasten off

This pattern is worked in the round with a marker. Do not join with a ss unless specified

With Psychedelic yarn form a magic circle
Rnd 1: 8 sc in ring (8)
Rnd 2: *2 sc in each sc* rep from * to * around (16)
Rnd 3: * 1 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (24)
Rnd 4: * 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (32)
Rnd 5: * 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (40)
Rnd 6: * 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (48)
Rnd 7: 1 sc in each sc around (48)
Rnd 8: * 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (56)
Rnd 9: 1 sc in each sc around (56)
Rnd 10: * 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (64)
Rnd 11: 1 sc in each sc around (64)
Rnd 12: * 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (72)
Rnd 13: 1 sc in each sc around (72)
Rnd 14: * 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * around (80)
Rnd 15-34: 1 sc in each sc around (80) (20 rounds)
At the end of rnd 34, switch colors to turqua and join with 1 ss
Rnd 35: 1 sc in each sc around, Join with 1 ss (80)
Rnd 36-40: ch 2, * 1 fpdc, 1 bpdc* rep from * to * around, Join with 1 ss (5 rounds)
FO and hide tails

Valentine Convertible Hat *Free Pattern*

I really wanted to make something for Valentine's Day. I decided I wanted to make a hat with hearts going all around it. I dug out the graph paper and got to work. I figured I would go with my Convertible hat pattern and just add the hearts. I love hats where you can put your hair through the top. I can't get the hair on my mannequin to go through the top of the hat (It's just a wig). I have been sick so I didn't want to model looking all sickly lol but you can still pull your hair through if you like :) What do you think?











and here is the chart you can use with the Convertible Hat Pattern

Crochet Valentine Rose with Picture Tutorial

I have wanted to crochet a rose for a while now but I just couldn't decide on how I wanted to do it. So I did some searching and I came across this wonderful video on YouTube

This lady made roses out of ribbons. I have now made a ton of ribbon roses and I have tweaked the instructions a little. When I followed the YouTube tutorial I got confused and at the end my flower fell apart. So I made a picture tutorial with my new alterations so hopefully that will clear up confusion. I used ribbon in the tutorial because it is easier to see what is going on.

With an H hook, Ranch Red 100% Acrylic Worsted Weight Red Heart Yarn, I chained 77, turned and sc in each chain across ch 1, then sc in each sc across. Repeat until you have 4 rows. (You should have a long rectangle that resembles a ribbon) Fasten off, and follow the picture tutorial for how to do the rest. It is easier with yarn I think because you can sew any pieces that slip with the same color yarn so it doesn't show up ;D

If you can't see all of the picture, right click on it and select view image. Or right click and save the image so you can enlarge it :D





What do you think?