Free Owl Coffee Cozy Crochet Pattern Tutorial

These cute little owl cozies make perfect gifts. They can be made in a variety of fun colours from bright and colourful, to earthy and natural.

Supplies: 

- Worsted weight (4) yarn. You'll only need part of a skein for the cozy and really small amounts for the eyes and beak. I like using a thicker worsted weight like Vanna's Choice for the cozy part. I have some random odds and ends of Bernat and Red Heart that I use for the eyes and beak (very small amounts required).
- size 6.5 mm (K10) crochet hook for cozy
- size 4 mm (G6) crochet hook for eyes
- blunt end darning needle
- scissors

Directions: 

Cozy:
Using the 6.5 mm hook, loosely chain 22, join with a slip stitch to first chain to form a circle, chain 1. You will not be turning your work, but working in a circle.

Round 1: SC in each chain around (21 SC), slip stitch in first SC, chain 1.

Rounds 2 and 3: Repeat row 1

Round 4: *SC in each of the next 6 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch, repeat from * around (24 SC), join with a slip stitch to first stitch, chain 1.

Rounds 5 - 7: SC in each stitch around, (24 SC), join with a slip stitch to first stitch. Chain 1.

Round 8: *SC in each of the next 7 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch, repeat from * around (27 SC), join with a slip stitch to first stitch, chain 1.

Rounds 9 and 10: SC in each stitch around (27 SC), join with a slip stitch to first stitch, chain 1.

Round 11: SC in each stitch around (27 SC), join with a slip stitch to first stitch. Finish off. Weave in ends.

Eyes:
I use three different colours for the eyes; a dark brown or black for the pupil, either a lighter brown or blue for the iris and then cream or white.

These will be worked in the round.

Size 4mm hook with dark brown - start with a magic circle, chain 1, 6 sc, join with a slip stitch to first stitch.
Attach next colour (light brown). Chain 1, 2 HDC in each stitch around (12 HDC), slip stitch to first HDC.
Attach next colour (cream). Chain 1. *SC in first stitch, 2 SC in next stitch. *Repeat around. (18 SC) Slip stitch to first SC. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to cozy. Weave in and secure all the other ends.

Position the eyes where you would like them on your cozy. I like them bumped up together, about halfway down the cozy. Use long pins to secure them while you're sewing them in place.

Beak:
I use my darning needle and a small amount of orange yarn to whip stitch a beak after I've secured the eyes in place.

Ear Tufts: 
Cut 6 (3 for each ear) strips of the cozy yarn in lengths of about 5.5
inches. Fold three in half and pull through SC on each side of the cozy. Tie into a knot. Trim to even lengths. That's it - you're done!

I'd love to see photos of your finished owls. Feel free to post them on my Facebook page! :)

Free Crochet Headband Pattern for Beginners

This pattern is great for beginner crocheters. It's a very basic, but cute and textured chunky headband. Stitches used are slip knot, chain, and HDC. It's also a very fast project for more experienced crocheters. You'll be able to whip one of these up in less an than hour!

Supplies Needed:

- Super Bulky (size 6) yarn - 1 skein (You can make two headbands out of this. One for you - one for a friend!)
- Size 10 (N/15) crochet hook
- Blunt end darning needle
- Oversize button
- Scissors

The yarn I used in this tutorial is Lion Brand's Wool-Ease in "Oatmeal". I've also used Michael's Loops and Threads Cozy Wool and Charisma yarns. My father-in-law was kind enough to cut a bunch of these wood buttons for me (I'm getting low - hint, hint), but any large button that you like will work. I have my eye on some of these clay buttons: https://www.facebook.com/VanessasClayAdventures/photos/pb.468339313211053.-2207520000.1418763677./874828579228789/?type=1&theater

Directions:

Chain 8

Row 1: HDC in 3rd chain from hook and in remaining stitches (6 HDC), ch 2, turn
Row 2: HDC across (6 HDC), ch 2, turn
Rows 3 - 28: Repeat row 2 until you have a total of 28 rows
Fasten off leaving a long tail (about  22") for joining and attaching button.

Me wearing my headband while out for a hike. :)

Fold headband over and overlap ends by about 2 1/2 rows of HDC. Use leftover tail to sew together. Attach button and weave in ends. You're finished!

This measures about 4" x 20", unstretched. Feel free to play around with this pattern! SC or DC instead of the HDC would give it a different look. (Just make it approximately the same length as this one.) You could also make a child's sized one by deducting a few rows. A crocheted flower instead of a button would also look cute.

I'll also be posting a headband with bow and a turban headband tutorial soon. They are both variations on this pattern and great for beginners. Watch for Youtube tutorials coming soon!!

If you don't have the time or desire to crochet these yourself, I'll have these available in my Etsy shop www.blackcatstitches.com after Christmas. (The shop is currently closed for the holidays.) Also available at Soak Essentials in Parksville, B.C. https://www.facebook.com/soakessentials

Supplies

Row 1 finished

Almost finished!

Overlap by 2 1/2 rows

Spicy Noodle Salad Recipe (and my first blog post!)

So I started this blog a while back with the fantasy of posting wonderfully crafty tutorials and wise observations. That so hasn't happened (yet). What you will find here instead is a page that will be a constant work in progress; kind of messy, not always pretty, and definitely not perfect. Kind of like my life, and I would imagine just life in general. Hey, does that count as a wise observation?


The reason for this post is a recipe. Maybe next the time I make it I will get all fancy like and take photos, but for now I'm posting for a friend who just requested it and for all the friend's who have asked for it before, but I've been too lazy to type it out. I did not create this recipe, Tim's (my hubs) mom kindly gave it to me a few years ago. I have no idea where it originally came from.

Here ya go:

Spicy Noodle Salad

Dressing:
1/3 cup soy sauce (I use low sodium since I have to watch my sodium intake....waaaah- isn't salt a food group?)
2 tbsp. chili sauce
2 tbsp. sesame oil
4 minced garlic cloves
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
1" chunk of fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp chili flakes
1/4 cup veggie oil
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Spaghettini or vermicelli noodles, cooked and cooled. Grated carrots, about 1 big one, or whatever looks good to you. Two green onions, thinly sliced.

In a medium bowl, whisk soy sauce with the following dressing ingredients except for the veggie oil. Mix well then gradually whisk in the veggie oil. Chill until ready to use. Whisk again just before using. Makes about 1.5 cups.

I also like to add snap peas, edamame, sliced peppers, or whatever! It would probably be really good with diced chicken, but I can't vouch for that.

Oh, and I should add that Tim finds it too spicy if I follow the recipe as is. If I'm being thoughtful I half the amount of chili sauce and chili flakes. I probably don't do that as often as I should. ;)