Squirrel Picnic

Handmade with Love and Stuff


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How to Assemble Sugar Candy Skull Scarves

Black skull scarf with pink flowers

Black skull scarf with pink flowers

Several years ago I made a few scarves incorporating my Sugar Candy Skull Motif pattern with flower motifs. I ended up with two scarf styles: one pairs black skulls with 3-D red or pink rose motifs, the other pairs white skulls with a colorful, lacy flower pattern.

Over the years, people have often asked me how to make these scarves and finally I think I am able to present a pattern of sorts. If you are interested in making a Sugar Candy Skull Scarf of your own, here I will provide links to the patterns you will need to make the motifs, instructions on how to arrange your motifs, and a video tutorial on how to join these motifs using a simple whip stitch. Continue reading →


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Let’s Crochet Halloween Socks!

October should be a fun month for sock crochet, and I didn’t want to leave you out of some of the festivities happening in our Year of the Sock Facebook group. To celebrate the season, we proposed to crochet socks inspired by Halloween and autumn. If you’d like to join in, you might choose a Halloween or fall sock pattern or create your own design inspired by the season. To help jump-start your creativity, I put together the mood board below with Halloween color palettes and designs, including a roundup of patterns. Feel free to choose one of the patterns listed here, or you might choose to work a basic sock pattern (or your favorite sock pattern) in Halloween colors, or crochet a pair of funky monster slippers!

halloween-sock-inspiration-roundup

1) Witch Leg Yarn Bomb by Rayna Noel—http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/witch-leg-yarn-bomb
2) Betelgeuse Creepy Skull Legwarmers by Spider Mambo—http://www.ravelry.com/…/library/betelgeuse-creepy-skull-le…
3) Creepy Skull Knee Socks by Spider Mambo—http://www.ravelry.com/patt…/library/creepy-skull-knee-socks
4) Monster Slippers by Lorna Watt—http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monster-slippers-2
5) Witchy Legwarmers by Stacey Trock—http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/witchy-legwarmers
6) Halloween Spider Baby Sandals by Kittying Ying—http://www.ravelry.com/…/libr…/halloween-spider-baby-sandals
7) Halloween Pumpkins Baby Booties by Knittying Ying—http://www.ravelry.com/…/li…/halloween-pumpkins-baby-booties
8) Candy Corn Slippers by Tia Davis—http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/candy-corn-slippers
9) Candy Corn Legwarmers by Nadia Fuad—http://www.ravelry.com/patte…/library/candy-corn-leg-warmers
10) Corset Socks by Brenda K. B. Anderson —http://www.crochetme.com/crochet-patterns/corset-socks
11) Mardi Gras Carnival Socks by Janet Rehfeldt—http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mardi-gras-carnival
12) Autumn Drops by Rohn Strong—http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/autumn-drops-4

I found this mood board to be a great starting off point for my October socks. After crocheting nine pairs of socks already this year, I think I’m ready to try my hand at designing my very first pair. I hope to use some of the techniques that I’ve really enjoyed from all the socks I’ve crocheted. I’m thinking that this pair will be worked from the toe up, with an extended single crochet stitch for the foot, a short-row heel, and a very special stitch pattern that I recently stumbled upon (and now can’t get out of my head) for the leg. I think I’ll keep it a secret for now, but if you follow me on Pinterest, I bet you could guess which stitch pattern it is (when I get obsessed, there’s no stopping me!). Last night I ordered the yarn for my socks from Knit Picks. I can’t wait to see how these tonal grays work with little bits of bright green and purple popping through.

And I can hardly wait to see what socks you come up with for the month! Will you share a photo of them with me? You can email squirrelpicnic(at)gmail(dot)com or join the Facebook group. We would love to have you!

 

 

 


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Year of the Sock: September

patons-kroy-toe-up-socksPattern: Patons Toe Up Socks

Check out the step-by-step tutorial (pattern is also available here): Crochet Socks Beginner Tutorial from The Crochet Crowd

Ravelry Listing: Toe Up Socks (crochet) by Patons

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Jacquards in Meadow Jacquard

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Pattern includes instructions for foot lengths of 6, 7.5, 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 inches

Special Pattern Features

Worked in joined rounds
Afterthought heel
Stitch for foot: single crochet
Stitch for leg: single crochet
Cuff: Alternating half-double crochet and front post double crochet

Last month several people in our Year of the Sock Facebook group asked for a recommendation for a good first-time crochet sock pattern. I have been on the lookout for such a pattern all year, and after scouring the internet for one to recommend to the Facebook group, I think I have finally settled on one that will do nicely. I say this with a bit of reservation: for the most part, this a great beginner sock pattern, but there are also a few things that annoyed me. What bothers me though might not bother you, so take my review with a grain of salt.

patons-kroy-toe-up-socks-joined-roundsThe first thing that really peaked my interest is that this pattern comes with an hour-long step-by-step tutorial by the designer, Mikey of the Crochet Crowd. This tutorial really is step-by-step; this kind of detail is exactly what every beginner craves. I wish I had known about this pattern and tutorial when I was starting out. Anyone who is interested in trying their hand at sock crochet could start with this video and gain a very good grasp of sock construction and terminology, and most importantly be able to crochet their very first sock. Continue reading →