Last week I was in a mad frenzy making headbands for my only granddaughter Harper. She looks too cute in them! Being our only Princess, Harper is a bit spoiled by us all. We have 4 grandsons including her twin brother Sadi, none of them want or need crochet headbands. But I have a blast creating cute things for Harper. This Picot Baby Headband looks adorable on her. It was perfect for Valentine’s Day, or any other day for that matter.
Baby Headbands are a great and easy way to use up all those yarn scarps we seem to accumulate. I have a whole basket of them. Plus headbands are quick and easy to make, and a Princess can never have too many of them!
I used scarps of #4 worsted yarn to make this Picot Baby Headband, but you can use whatever yarn scraps you have. I attached a big flower on my headband but you can attach anything you want, or even leave unadorned, it’s pretty either way.
The headbands I made measure 16″ when finished and will fit up to an 18″ head circumference. You can make it smaller or larger by making more or less chains in the beginning. You can make it smaller or larger by making more or less chains in the beginning. just be sure your number of chains is a multiple of 5 + 1 chain stitch to account for starting your pattern in the 2nd. chain from the hook.
Best way to measure for size is to measure the head circumference then make your foundation chain 2″ less than the measurement to allow for the stretching. If you make your foundation chain equal to the head measurement it will be too big and will not stay in place.
To make this headband you will be working on both sides of the foundation chain. It uses Picot Clusters that are worked on both sides of the foundation chain, in the same stitch as the one above it.
PC = Picot Cluster – SC, DC, Picot (Ch 3 after DC, Sl St into DC), DC, SC
Sk St = Skip Stitch
St(s) = stitch or stitches
Headband
Ch 71, PC in 2nd. Ch from hook, *Sk St, Sl St into next st, Sk St, PC*, repeat ** to the end, ending with PC in last st, Ch 1, turn work around so that you can work on the bottom part of the foundation chain. PC in same st as the one you worked PC above, *Sk St, Sl St into next st, Sk St, PC*, repeat ** to the end, ending with PC in last st, (be sure to match up the Sl St & PC with the corresponding Sl St & PC above it). Sl St to the beginning of the work to form a band. Be careful not to twist the band when you Sl St. Fasten off and weave in ends.
When you have been crocheting or knitting for a while you tend to accumulate bits of extra yarn. I know I have a basket full! One of the best ways to make use of yarn scraps are quick easy projects such as this Shell Pattern Baby Headband.
This baby headband takes less than an hour to make and they are so cute! I made a couple for my one and only granddaughter Harper, my grandsons were not interested in any! Once you make the basic headband you can decorate it with just about anything, or leave it plain, it’s pretty enough to stand alone.
I made a couple of different ones for Harper, one with a big bow and the other with a big flower. I have directions for both add-ons. I made these for Valentine’s Day, hence the colors of pink and red, but you can make it any color you want!
This is a great project for beginners! To make this headband you will be working on both sides of the foundation chain, the shell cluster is made by working (SC, DC, SC) in the same stitch. The headbands I made measure 16″ when finished and will fit up to an 18″ head circumference. You can make it smaller or larger by making more or less chains in the beginning. just be sure your number of chains is a multiple of 5 + 1 chain stitch to account for starting your pattern in the 2nd. chain from the hook.
Best way to measure for size is to measure the head circumference then make your foundation chain 2″ less than the measurement to allow for the stretching. If you make your foundation chain equal to the head measurement it will be too big and will not stay in place.
For the pink headband with a bow I used 100% cotton yarn for the band and sparkly #4 yarn for the bow.
For the red headband with the flower I used #4 yarn for both.
Sh Cl in 2nd. Ch from hook, *Sk St, Sl St in next st, Sk St, Sh Cl in next st* repeat ** until you reach the last st, in last st work Sh Cl, Ch 1, turn the work so that you can work on the bottom of the foundation chain, *Sh Cl in same st as Sh Cl above, Sk St, Sl St in same st you worked Sl St above, Sk St* repeat ** to the end, ending with Sh Cl in the same st as the first cluster you made. Sl St to the beginning of the work to form a band. Be careful not to twist the band when you Sl St. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Bow
Stitches:
Ch = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
FPSC = Front Post Single Crochet (see video tutorial from CrochetNCraft if need to learn how to work this st)
For this bow Ch 1 at the end of each row does not count as a st, it is just a turning st.
Ch 21
Row 1: SC in 2nd. Ch from hook, SC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn (20 SC)
Row 2 & 3: SC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn (20 SC)
Row 4: FPSC in each st across, SC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (20 Sts)
Row 5-7: Repeat Row 2 , Do not fasten off
Border: SC around entire work, working 3 SC in each corner, fasten off, weave in ends.
You should now have a rectangle.
Taking yarn wind it around the middle of the rectangle to form a bow. Wind yarn around at least 15 times. Tie knot in the back to secure bow. Stitch or tie bow to head band.
Flower
I made my flower to have 4 rounds of petals, you can make it bigger by adding more rounds, just follow the increases in the pattern to make more rounds with larger petals. (add chain 1 ch to chain rounds & 2 DC to the petal rounds).
You can make it smaller by working less petal rounds.
Petals are worked in clusters in the Ch spaces created in the previous round.
This pattern can get a bit confusing for beginners, best way to work it is to hold petals forward so you can see where to place the stitches for the next round which will always be a Ch round.
Rd. 1: Ch 2, 4 SC in 2nd. Ch from hook, join to 1st. SC. (4SC)
Rd. 2: Ch 1, 2SC in each st around, join to 1st. SC. (8SC)
Rd. 3: (Chain space round) *Ch 2, Sl St into next st*, repeat ** around, Sl St into first Ch2 space. (8 Ch spaces)
Rd. 4: (Petal Round) work SC, DC, SC in each Ch2 space. (8 Petals)
Rd. 5: (Chain space round) Hold petals forward, *Insert hook from BEHIND work into the Ch2 space you made in Rd. 3, pull yarn over and Sl St ending up BEHIND petal in Rd. 4, Ch 3* Repeat ** ending with Sl St into first Ch 3 space. (8 Ch spaces)
Rd. 6: (Petal Round) Work SC, 3DC, SC in each Ch3 sp. (8 Petals)
Rd. 7: (Chain space round) Hold petals forward, *Insert hook from BEHIND work into the Ch3 space you made in Rd. 5, pull yarn over and Sl St ending up BEHIND petal in Rd. 6, Ch 4* Repeat ** ending with Sl St into first Ch 4 space. (8 Ch spaces)
Rd. 8: (Petal Round) Work SC, 5DC, SC in each Ch4 sp, Sl St to 1st. Ch 4 Sp and fasten off. (8 Petals)
Rd. 9: (Chain space round) Hold petals forward, *Insert hook from BEHIND workp into the Ch4 space you made in Rd. 7, pull yarn over and Sl St ending up BEHIND petal in Rd. 8, Ch 5* Reeat ** ending with Sl St into first Ch 5 space. (8 Ch spaces)
Rd. 10: (Petal Round) Work SC, 7DC, SC in each Ch4 sp, Sl St to 1st. Ch 5 Sp and fasten off. (8 Petals)
If you want a larger pattern continue this pattern for more rounds adding 1 ch to create Ch spaces, and 2 Dc to each petal in the next round. If you want a smaller flower make less petal rounds.
Click here for a free printable version of the flower pattern!
Valentine’s Day is this weekend! If you have school age kids then you probably have to send Valentine treats to school this Friday. Don’t worry if you’re running late, here is a round up of Valentine crafts & treats you can whip up in just a few minutes. If you’re planning a last minute Valentine’s Day party these ideas will be a great help too!
These robot cards from Lisa Storms are super cute. Great idea for boys, just use different colors! Click here for instructions [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Here’s a quick tip: If you don’t have a paper cutter or don’t have time to cut out the cards you can pick up a pack of blank 4×6 cards at Walmart’s craft department or any craft store![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Savvy Nana
Here’s another “boy” Valentine card idea. I made these with my grandsons![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
One more “boy” Valentine idea, these cute “I dig You” treat bags!
The link to this idea is no longer available, but you don’t really need instructions to make these. Just place red plastic shovels in a clear treat bag, fill with treats, and tie with ribbons. Print out or hand write the gift tags on cardstock[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You can pick up these small jars from a craft store and dress them up with paper scraps for a cute container! Great idea form It’s Written on the Walls!
Click here for instructions[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Dress up a tin mailbox form Target’s dollar section with scraps of fabric and twine. Cute idea from Ribbons & Glue! Click here for instructions[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Here’s a sweet Valentine decor idea from Amanda Jane Brown. You can use these heart filled vases on your mantel or group them together for a lovely centerpiece!
Click here for instructions[spacer height=”-30px” id=”3″]
Valentine’s Day is in a couple of weeks. It’s a fun holiday when you have school age kids, they love sharing cute Valentines with their classmates. Every year finding the right Valentines for my grandson to bring to class can be a challenge. They think most of the cards sold at stores are too “girly”. This year it was a bit easier thanks to the new Star Wars movie. I had seen similar Star Wars Valentines on Pintrest last year but Devon, my grandson wasn’t interested.
On my recent visit to Atlanta I took the boys to see the new Star Wars movie, they loved it. When we got home I asked Devon if he wanted to give Star Wars Valentines out this year, he thought it would be super cool. So with his help and that of his brother, Dion, we made the cool valentines.
These Valentines are so easy to make, we made 24 of them in less than an hour. Instead of giving out candy Devon will be giving out glow sticks instead. I’m sure his classmates’ parents will be happier! Get a jump start on Valentine’s Day with these easy and inexpensive cards!
Here are some quick and easy to follow instructions to help you make Star War Valentines for your child to give classmates this year. (Devon happily proclaimed they were “boy” valentines, but girls can give them out too!)
Supplies:
Photo of your child holding a toy light saber, if you don’t have one use a flashlight
Card stock
Paper cutter (this just makes cutting straight lines easier but if you don’t have one you can use scissors or a craft knife)
Craft knife
Glow Sticks (bracelet type works best)
Tape
Directions:
Take a photo of your child in his or her best saber fighting pose while holding a toy light saber or flashlight. I used my cell phone.
Edit your photo, add a Star Wars like background, and the text you want. I used the free version of an iphone app called Galaxy Space Effects by Applause to add the galaxy background and the photo editor on my phone to add text.
Print photo out on white card stock in the size you want, we used 4 x 6.
Cut out photos using a paper cutter of scissors. Make the edges as straight as you can.
Using a craft knife cut an “X” on the card stock as close as possible to the hand holding the light saber/flashlight.
Insert glow stick into the cut “X”, position it so that the glow stick is “shooting” out of the light saber and doesn’t stick out of the card edges from the back. Tape glow stick to the back of the card.
One of the centerpieces we used for my grandchildren’s “Onederland” first birthday party are cookie bouquets. These centerpieces did double duty as game prizes as well.
Cookie Bouquets are great for centerpieces, dessert table decor, and gifts. Not only are they are very easy and inexpensive to make they’re yummy too!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Base – I used a mason jar, but you can use whatever you want including vases, tin pails, or boxes.
Filler – I used candy. Because it was basically Alice in Wonderland themed I used heart jelly beans I had left over from another party.
You can use foam stuck on the bottom of the container, dry beans, marbles, or whatever you have on hand.
Sticks – 8″ and 6″ Cookie sticks. I used the Wilton sticks but you can use lollipop sticks, chopsticks, or wooden barbecue sticks.
Tape
Ribbons
Clear bags
Cookies – I used Alice in Wonderland cookies I bought from Etsy. You can use your favorite cookies, either store bought or homemade
How to make it:
1. Bake cookies with sticks inserted in them if you are making your own cookies and place each cookie pop in a clear treat bag (you can skip bagging them, but I like to bag them to keep them clean during transport) OR if using store bought cookies place each cookie in a clear treat bag and tape sticks to the back of the bag. Tie bags to the stick using thin ribbons.
2. Fill container halfway with your filler. If you’re using styrofoam glue foam to the bottom of the container and cover with filler to hide.
3. Stick the cookies into the jar arranging them how you like.
4. Tie ribbon around the container and decorate with tags or stickers.
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is right around the corner, it’s on February 17, 2015. Mardi Gras is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It marks the last day that folks can indulge in rich food and drink before the fasting and abstinence begins for the Lenten season which runs from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
In some places such as Venice and Rio de Janeiro the celebration called Carnivale or Carnival, begins in early February culminating on Fat Tuesday. It’s a time for eating, drinking, and all out partying until the sun rises on Ash Wednesday.
A big part of Mardi Gras celebrations are masks. The tradition in Venice dates back to the Renaissance when artisans created elaborate masks and costumes for the wealthy, it was outlawed in the late 1700s and slowly made a comeback in the late 1900s.
Today there are many shops around the city specializing in reviving the almost forgotten craft. Their handcrafted masks are works of art carrying a hefty price tag.
For your Mardi Gras celebration you need not fly to Venice to purchase a mask. Here’s a round up of DIY masks you can make. There are many lovely ideas and many are easy and inexpensive to make. You may want to make one or two even if you’re not having a Mardi Gras event, you can always use them as decor around your home.
Here’s a super easy video tutorial help you out. It uses supplies that you probably already have, cardboard, glue stick, construction paper, craft paint, etc. The kids will love making them!
Here’s a tutorial on how to make a Venetian type mask. It’s a bit more involved and the tutorial by Stitchophrenia is in 3 parts. Click on this link and scroll down – Part One is at the bottom, Part Two above it, and Part Three above Part Two.
To make flower click here for free pattern!
To make a bow click here for free pattern!
One more “boy” Valentine idea, these cute “I dig You” treat bags!
Valentine’s Day is in a couple of weeks. It’s a fun holiday when you have school age kids, they love sharing cute Valentines with their classmates. Every year finding the right Valentines for my grandson to bring to class can be a challenge. They think most of the cards sold at stores are too “girly”. This year it was a bit easier thanks to the new Star Wars movie. I had seen similar Star Wars Valentines on Pintrest last year but Devon, my grandson wasn’t interested.
Courtesy of First Palette
