Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Category: Projects and Patterns

  • What to do with granny

    No, not that granny!!    This one!! 

    My local Knit Crochet Bible Study is working on granny squares this summer. We plan to get together in the fall and sew them into blankets, scarves, slippers, etc for local Social Services.

    I got started on some squares from my stash. I used 3 different colors. They blended well together with a fourth color.

    But as I completed several squares I found I did not have enough to complete a good sized afghan, so I searched my local WalMart, JoAnn’s and Hobby Lobby. One color still remain unavailable.

    So I finished off by making several rows of border around all the squares I had completed.  Here is the finished project.

    If you’d like to learn how to crochet a granny square, check out the video in my previous post.

  • Granny Square

    I tried to get creative with the title, but as you can see, I just stuck to the basic Granny Square.

    Speaking of basics, do you know how to make a granny square?  If you can chain and make a double crochet, you can make a granny square.

    The ladies in my local Knit and Crochet Bible Study have decided they want to make granny squares using miscellaneous yarn from their stash (or as an excuse to go to a yarn shop for more yarn. Me? Would I do that? My favorite verse is she shops for the best yarns)

    But before they could make the granny squares they had to learn how. So in an effort to help them I have created a how-to video to help.

    I am still having trouble with the volume, once I finish the encoding it drops so you may have to turn your speakers up a bit.  I also added some pop-up instructions on the screen for further assistance.

    The thing I like best about granny squares is that you can make them any size you desire.  I have a number of afghans made full size and baby size in one big piece.  Others I have made are several squares seamed together.  You can make square of various sizes and incorporate them into one piece.

    Overall it is a fun stitch, easily transportable, and versatile. I’d love to see pictures of your completed projects from granny squares. Here are a couple of mine.

     

    This was a Christmas gift I made last year. Using some Peaches’n’Cream cotton yarn the granny square became a dishcloth.

    This granny square grew to be 45 inches square and finishes off this baby ensemble.

    There are other ways of making the granny square, check out other patterns and find the one that is your favorite.

  • 4 Little Sheep

    Despite my love for knitting and crocheting, there are other crafts in my life.  This post has no yarn in it, except for the child’s glove, the cheap kind you get for 99 cents when winter begins. Use the left over one from that pair where one was lost.

    My granddaughter came to visit me and taught me a  song. Her mommy (a creative woman, she takes after her own mom, that’s me) had made sheep/shepherd gloves to use when the little ones in her Toddlers for Jesus class sing Little Sheep.

    I have created a video with instructions on making the gloves followed by my granddaughter singing the song with me.  Because I goofed up singing some of the words I have written them into the video.

    This would be great for upcoming Vacation Bible School events, for Sunday School lessons, and for fun at home.  Check it out.

  • Colors of Salvation Afghan

    Did you complete your Colors of Salvation afghan/lapghan?  Perhaps you used the strips to make scarves or totes.

    Linda is a member of my local Knit and Crochet Bible Study. She showed me her completed project which she is giving to a close friend of hers in need of comfort.

    She says she is planning to start another one.

    If you missed any part of the pattern, I have posted the complete project in one PDF file for you to download.  Click on the file cabinet below.

    Once you have completed your Colors of Salvation project, please tell us about it with a comment below here, or with a message on the facebook fanpage . We’d love to see pictures of your completed work.

  • Easter Craft Ideas

    It never fails. I was looking for one particular pattern online and I got distracted finding many other ideas to pursue. I found a number of links to ideas for Easter crafting so I thought I would share some with you.

    Miscellaneous Easter Crafts

    It’s been 20 some odd years since my daughter made one of these for our Easter table. It has been added to the table every year since then, until last year when it got lost in a stash of boxes during a clean out http://www.makingfriends.com/spring/hat_centerpiece.htm

    Your child will have so much fun when you make this Chicks In A Basket puppet. http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/easter-baskets/chicks-in-a-basket-665067/

    Reuse that scratched up CD to make this bunny: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/easter/recycled-cd-memo-bunny.shtml

    Don’t throw that burned out light bulb away, make it into an Easter duck: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/duck.shtml

    Here is an idea to use those eggshells after the hunt: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/candles/eggshell-candles.shtml

    Make a nest for your eggs: http://www.dltk-kids.com/recipesdb/view.asp?rid=123

    Make your own chocolate covered Easter eggs: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Covered-Easter-Eggs/Detail.aspx

    This page leads to all sorts of bunny craft ideas: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/rabbits.html

    Make a fluffy lamb pencil holder: http://crafts.kaboose.com/easter-tincan-lamb.html

    Preschoolers will love this marshmallow bunny: http://crafts.kaboose.com/marshmallow-rabbit.html

    Tired of plain hard boiled eggs on the table? Try this to bring a chick smile to the table: http://eyecandy.nanakaze.net/?p=459

    Make a bird’s nest from paper bags: http://www.alphamom.com/holiday/2010/03/make_a_birds_nest_for_spring.php

    Egg Dyeing ideas:

    When I was a child I watched my mother do this every year to make hollow eggs for us to dye: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/easter/blow-out-eggs.shtml

    String Technique: http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/all-easter-crafts/egg-dyeing-string-technique-668387/

    Thumbprint Technique: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts/egg-dyeing-thumbprints-technique-668394/

    Tea Infused Technique: http://whatscookingamerica.net/EllenEaston/TeaInfusedEggs.htm

    Crayon Artistry: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/crayon.htm

    Celebrate the Resurrection

    Easter Story Cookies: http://recipes.holidays.net/view_recipe.php?id=235

    Jelly Bean Prayer: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/jellybean.htm

    Have your own Family Easter Sunrise Service: http://www.annieshomepage.com/service.html

    My mother made this every year for our Easter dinner: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easter-Lamb-Cake-I/Detail.aspx

  • Where to Find FREE Patterns

    I am building up a library of digital patterns.  I have many more patterns than I will ever be able to complete, but you never know when you will suddenly decide to make a teddy bear for a barbie doll or a 7 foot round afghan.

    Some favorite FREE sites I check daily and save interesting patterns include:

    Free-Crochet dot com

    Free-KnitPatterns dot com

    FreePatterns dot com

    You can also check these yarn companies:

    LionBrand dot com

    RedHeart dot com

    Bernat dot com

    PatonsYarns dot com

    If you are looking for charities to knit/crochet for the yarn companies have links on their website.

    Many patterns are out there waiting to be made by you.  It’s time to get started.

  • Seaming It All Up

    Theologians tell us there are 400 years between Malachi 4:6 and Matthew 1:1. What was happening during that time? Was God trying to come up with a Plan B, C or even D?

    No, Gods plan of salvation was already in the works in Genesis 1. There is no Plan B.

    From Genesis to Malachi we find evidence of a sacrifice to be offered up to bring reconciliation between God and man. In the Gospels we find testimony of the manifestation of the sacrifice made. Acts to Revelation offers us testimony and encouragement to accept that sacrifice and a pattern to live for Him eternally.

    In the Old Testament people were looking toward to the cross. In the New Testament they looked back to the cross. God’s sacrifice on the cross knitted the two together seamlessly.

    The Salvation Colors afghan project brings together several panels which can be used to describe the story. Now it is time to seam the pieces together.

    As you bring together your knitted or crocheted panels remember the sacrifice that was made so that you may be a part of this story. Each panel is stitched together in black, referencing the sin which separates us from God. But don’t fear that sin, we will complete the picture with the ultimate gift from God, the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, so that we may live forever with Him. This is represented by the red edging around the entire project. A cross stitch is included to offer an additional reminder of God’s love. You will note that each panel is touched by this final edging; just as the blood of Christ touches each and every life.

    Recite John 3:16 before continuing: For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

    Whosoever means you.

    For the seaming and edging click here.  A PDF reader is required.

  • Crochet a Button

    I have been using up my stash by making baby sweaters, blankets, etc.

    For the sweaters I don’t use plastic buttons, I crochet the button. This soft button is easy to make.

    I was recently asked to demonstrate the process so I created this short video to show you how to crochet your own buttons.

    You need to know how to chain and single crochet.

    My sample is done with a 7mm hook to make the stitches easier to see. You can use any size hook and modify the number of stitches accordingly by simply using the basic technique.

     

  • Salvation Colors – Green

    I sit here looking at the snow, dreaming of spring. I am cuddled up in my snuggie and working on some knit and crochet projects to add to Book 2 so I can make it available for purchase soon.

    In the meantime, I am looking over the instructions for the last panel of the Salvation Colors Afghan/Lapghan.  Green in this ensemble represents our growing and maturing in Christ.

    Unlike our physical bodies, spiritual maturity comes at many ages; depending on when Christ is accepted into your life.  Many people then remain as babies, satisfied with milk and don’t grow. But Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:11. When I was a child, I talked like a child. I thought like a child. I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me.  We must mature, grow beyond our comfort zones and step out for Christ.  The names of these patterns seemed so appropriate for the green maturity panel; Wheatear and Sweet Pea.

    How are you maturing in Christ today?

     

    To download the stitch patterns for this panel, click here

    Next month I will post the edging and seaming to complete the project.  Whether you chose to use the stitch patterns of your own or you chose to use other patterns, it is the colors and the story that matters. Are you prepared to tell your own story of accepting Jesus Christ in your life?

  • Take Along Projects

    I am trying to organize my stash into something reasonably usable.  In December I embellished some teddy bears and purchased little accessories to make this adorable clown bear.

    The person who ordered it requested another one a few weeks later. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn’t find where I put the extra pieces from ones purchased for this bear. So, I had to head out to WalMart (like I need an excuse to go there) and repurchase the same items.

    Thus this buddy joined the troops.

    I then had to explain to my husband why I had to purchase something he had just taken me to purchase two weeks prior. Now I was busted!!  So, I am destashing and decluttering. I found more bears, and several yarn purchases.  They are all going into one place (I hope).

    My goal is to do with some small projects, what Yarn Harlot did with her sock projects. I am trying to put into my numerous totes, a project to include yarn, hook or needles and pattern. This way when I head out the door to wait at the doctor’s office, or in line at the DMV, I can throw my billfold into the tote and knit or crochet while I wait.

    No, I don’t have the destash/declutter finished yet, but it is dwindling and I am hopeful. I have a goal. That’s a start, right?   I’d also like my closet to look as nice as the Yarn Harlots, but that is another story too.  Or it it an extension of this one????

    Do you take projects with you to work on in line?  There is a poll on the right side, let us know.

    On the plus side, I did learn the loop stitch and can now make hair for my bears and dolls. However, I still haven’t found the original supplies I was seeking for the bear.