Suzies Stuff

SIZE: Tree 2.5 inches, over all length 14 inches


MATERIALS:Size 10 cotton crochet thread
Size 7 steel hook
Needle with eye large enough to accept crochet thread.
NOTES:1. Read the instructions all the way through before beginning.
2. The turning chains at the end of each row do not count as a stitch.
3. For a larger tree (5.5 inch) make it with Sugar and Cream and an H crochet hook.


Row 1: Ch 4, 3 hdc in 3rd chain from hook. Ch 2, turn. (3 hdc)

Row 2: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 2, turn. (5 hdc)

Row 3: 2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in last st. Ch1, turn. (7 hdc)

Row 4: Slipstitch in 3 sts, ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st. Ch 2, turn. (5 hdc)

Row 5: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 2, turn. (7 hdc)
Row 6: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 2, turn. (9 hdc)



Row 7: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 7 sts, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (11 hdc)

Row 8: Slipstitch in 3 sts, ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Ch 2, turn. (9 hdc)



Row 9: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 7 sts, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 2, turn. (11 hdc)
Row 10: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 9 sts, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 2, turn. (13 hdc)
Row 11: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 11 sts, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (15 hdc)
TAIL:Slipstitch in 8 sts, ch 69, sc in 10th ch from hook, to form ring. *Ch 4, skip 4 sts, sc in next ch. Repeat from * until 4 chains remain, slipstitch in same st as first ch. Slipstitch in remaining sts of row 11.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.
TASSEL:Cut 6 strands of thread about 6 inches long. Fold in half and draw loop through the circle at end of tail with a crochet hook. Draw the loose ends of the strands through the loop and pull them down tightly to form a knot. Trim ends of tassel evenly.



BLOCK:Mix 1 part vinegar with 5 parts water. Wet the bookmark with the vinegar solution. Squeeze out excess and lay on a towel. Shape the tree and tail, allow to dry.

MATERIALS:
Lion Brand Wool-Ease White Frost, 2.5 ounces
J (6.0 mm) crochet hook
Worsted weight yarn, small amounts of red and green
G (4.05 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle

GAUGE: 6 dc = 2 inches

SIZE: Women’s Small and average

NOTES:
1. Read instructions all the way through before beginning.
2. Pull slipstitches tight, you want them to almost disappear.
3. Beginning chains do not count as a stitch in rounds 1-5.
4. Blue hat made with Red Heart Super Saver.

SPECIAL STITCH:
Picot = Ch 3, slipstitch in 3rd ch from hook.

CAP INSTRUCTIONS:
With Wool-Ease and J hook.

Round 1: Ch 3, doesn’t count as first st, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a slipstitch in first dc. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st. Join with a slipstitch in first dc. (24 dc)

Round 3: Ch 2, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with a slipstitch in first dc. (36 dc)

Round 4: Ch 2, *dc in 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with a slipstitch in first dc. (48 dc)

Round 5 average only: Ch 2, *dc in 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with a slipstitch in first dc. (60 dc)

Round 5 small only: Ch 2, *dc in 7 sts, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with a slipstitch in first dc. (54 dc)

Rounds 6-14 average only: Ch 3, does count as first st, *fpdc around next st, dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with a slipstitch in top of ch 3. (60 sts)

Rounds 6-13 small only: Ch 3, does count as first st, *fpdc around next st, dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with a slipstitch in top of ch 3. (54 sts)

Rounds 15-17 average only: Ch 1, sc in each st. Join with a slipstitch in first sc. (60 sc)

Rounds 14-16 small only: Ch 1, sc in each st. Join with a slipstitch in first sc. (54 sc)

Finish off and weave in ends.


HOLLY EMBELLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

MATERIALS:
Worsted eight yarn
G (4.5 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle

NOTES:
1. Read instructions all the way through before beginning.
2. Leaves and berries maybe worked with any size yarn or thread, just use the appropriate size hook for the yarn.
3. Leaf stitches are worked by inserting hook under two loops of the chain. When you work in the unused loop of chain there will only be a single loop. That’s why you work over the tail to make it match the first side.

SPECIAL STITCH:
Picot = Ch 3, slipstitch in 3rd ch from hook.

HOLLY LEAF (make 2)

Round 1: Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, *hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, picot, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, picot, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch*, sc in last ch, picot, sc in same st. Working in the unused loops of foundation ch and over the tail, repeat from * to *, sc in last ch, slipstitch in first sc.

Fasten off, leaving a 6 inch tail for sewing.

HOLLY BERRY (make 3)

Ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do Not join. Fasten off leaving about a 6 inch tail. Using your yarn needle, run the tail through the back loops of the sc sts, starting with the first sc. Pull tight to form berry. Tie a knot and use tail to sew the “berries” on item.

STICKY PAD COZY
SIZE: to fit 2 X 1.5 inch pad


MATERIALS:
Less than ½ ounce of worsted weight yarn
G (4.25 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle
About ½ inch button with shank
Sewing thread
Small Sticky pad (2 X 1.5 inches)

Optional: small piece of plastic about 2 x 1.5 inches (I used a cottage cheese lid)

GAUGE: 4 sc = 1 inch

NOTES:
1. FLO = front loop only
2. BLO = back loop only

INSTRUCTIONS:

Ch 10.

ROUND 1: Make 2 sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each chain (7) to last chain, working over yarn tail for remainder of this round, 3 sc in last ch, work in opposite side of starting chain and sc in each of 8 chain stitches. Place marker in last st. [20 sc]

DO NOT join rounds, move marker up each round.

ROUND 2: Slip stitch in BACK loop of first sc of round 1 (counts as first sc), sc in BACK loop of each sc around. [20 sc]

ROUNDS 3-5: Sc in BACK loop of next sc and in BACK loop of each sc around. [20 sc]

ROUND 6: Sc in BACK loop of next sc and in BACK loop of each sc around to the last 2 sts before the marker. Slip stitch in last 2 sc ending at fold. Ch 1, turn.

Now work back and forth in rows.

ROW 1: Sc in FLO of the 2 slip stitches, sc in FLO 7 sc. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)


ROW 2: Sc in BLO only of each sc. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)


ROW 3: Sc in FLO of each sc. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)


ROW 4: Sc in BLO of each sc. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)


ROW 5: Sc in FLO 4 sc, ch 1, skip 1, sc in FLO 4 sc.. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)

Fasten off and weave in end. Sew button to cozy under buttonhole.

OPTIONAL:
Cut a piece of plastic the size of the Post-It pad and insert in the pocket.


SIZE: to fit 3 X 3 inch Post-It pad


MATERIALS:
Less than ¾ ounce of worsted weight yarn
G (4.25 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle
About ½ inch button with shank
Sewing thread
Medium Sticky pad (3 X 3 inches)

OPTIONAL: piece of plastic 3 x 3 inches (I used a Cool Whip lid)

GAUGE: 4 sc = 1 inch

NOTES:
3. FLO = front loop only
4. BLO = back loop only

INSTRUCTIONS:

Ch 15.

ROUND 1: Make 2 sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each chain (12) to last chain, working over yarn tail for remainder of this round, 3 sc in last ch, work in opposite side of starting chain and sc in each of 13 chain stitches. Place marker in last st. [30 sc]

DO NOT join rounds, move marker up each round.

ROUND 2: Slip stitch in BACK loop of first sc of round 1 (counts as first sc), sc in BACK loop of each sc around. [30 sc]

ROUNDS 3-11: Sc in BACK loop of next sc and in BACK loop of each sc around. [30 sc]

ROUND 12: Sc in BACK loop of next sc and in BACK loop of each sc around to the last 2 sts before the marker. Slip stitch in last 2 sc ending at fold. Ch 1, turn.

Now work back and forth in rows.

ROW 1: Sc in FLO of the 2 slip stitches, sc in FLO 11 sc. Ch 1, turn. (13 sc)


ROW 2: Sc in BLO only of each sc. Ch 1, turn. (13 sc)


ROW 3: Sc in FLO of each sc. Ch 1, turn. (13 sc)


ROW 4: Sc in BLO of each sc. Ch 1, turn. (13 sc)


ROW 5: Sc in FLO of 6 sts, ch 1, skip 1, sc in FLO of 6 sc. Ch 1, turn. (14 sts)

Fasten off and weave in end. Sew button to cozy under buttonhole.

OPTIONAL:
Cut a piece of plastic the size of the Post-It pad and insert in the pocket.

NOTES:

1. I found this pattern at Bev’s Country Cottage http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/stumpcovers.html it is Barbara Coley’s pattern.
2. I read elsewhere that it was preferred that you alternate the decreases so that there isn’t a ridge. So I came up with this detailed pattern.
3. Always use a soft washable yarn. I used I Love This Yarn and Pound of Love. POL comes in two colors that are good for men: Denim and Turquoise.
4. About needles, you can use whatever method you prefer for working in the round. For some that will be a 32 or 40 inch circular. My preference is the short circulars switching to double points when there are only 45 stitches on the needle.
5. Cast on one extra stitch and join by placing cast on stitch 1 on the right hand needle, next to the last cast on stitch. Then bring the last stitch over the first like when you do a bind off. Transfer stitch to left hand needle. Then work the first 6 stitches with the tail and the working yarn. This makes a nice join and when you’re finished you can either just cut off the tail or weave it in on the inside.


LEG COVER:

SIZE: 11-12 inches long


MATERIALS:
Worsted weight yarn approximately 2 ounces
US size 8 (5.0 mm) and 10 (6.0 mm) needles of your choice


INSTRUCTIONS:
Starting with size 8 needle.
Cast on 72 sts , using a stretchy cast on. If you cast on tightly use a larger size needle for casting on. Join in a ring being careful not to twist. Mark join as the beg of the round.

K2P2 for 8 inches.

Change to size 10 circular and work in stockinette stitch until whole piece is 9 inches long.

Decrease rounds:
Round 1. K3, K2tog, *K6, K2tog, repeat from * around, K3. (63 sts)
Round 2. Knit one round. (63 sts)
Round 3. *K5, K2tog, repeat from * around. (54 sts)
Round 4. Knit one round. (54 sts)

If using a short circular needle switch to size 10 double point needles starting with next round.
Round 5. K2, K2tog, *K4, K2tog, repeat from * around, K2. (45 sts)
Round 6. Knit one round. (45 sts)
Round 7. *K3, K2tog, repeat from * around. (36 sts)
Round 8. Knit one round. (36 sts)
Round 9. K1, K2tog, *K2, K2tog, repeat from * around, K1. (27 sts)
Round 10. Knit one round. (27 sts)
Round 11. *K1, K2tog, repeat from * around. (18 sts)
Round 12. Knit one round. (18 sts)
Round 13. *K2tog, repeat from * around. (9 sts)

Cut yarn leaving a 12 inch end. Using a yarn needle weave yarn through the stitches as you remove them from the needles. Pull tight to close and weave in end.

WRIST OR ANKLE COVER
SIZE: 8 inches long

MATERIALS:
Worsted weight yarn approximately 1 ounce
US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles of your choice


INSTRUCTIONS:
Cast on 40 sts , using a stretchy cast on. If you cast on tightly use a larger size needle for casting on. Join in a ring being careful not to twist. Mark join as the beg of the round.

K2P2 for 6 inches.

Work in stockinette stitch until piece measures 7 inches.


Decrease rounds:
Round 1: *K3, K2tog, repeat from * across. (32 sts)
Round 2: Knit one round. (32 sts)
Round 3: K1, K2tog, *K2, K2tog, repeat from * across. K1. (24 sts)
Round 4: Knit one round. (24 sts)
Round 5: *K1, K2 tog, repeat from * across. (16 sts)
Round 6: Knit one round. (16 sts)
Round 7: *K2tog, repeat from * across. (8 sts)

Cut yarn leaving a 12 inch end. Using a yarn needle weave yarn through the stitches as you remove them from the needles. Pull tight to close and weave in end.

My favorite way to join yarn in the middle of a project:

Don't you hate it when you are crocheting blissfully along and you come to a funky place in the yarn? Maybe it is a knot or just a spot where the yarn didn't get spun well. Or sometimes there is just a glob of fiber. Well a glob of fibers not so bad, I can usually pick that out and continue on my merry way.

BUT when there is a knot or other reason you need to cut the yarn (or just change color), what I do is; cut the yarn leaving a tail about 4 inches long. Then I join the new piece of yarn by completing the last pull through of the stitch with the new yarn. I work about 10 stitches, turn my work over and find the two tails. adjust the tails so that the stitches are uniform at the join. Then I tie a square knot. I know lots of people say NO KNOTS. Well, I've been crocheting a long time and have been doing it this way more years than most of you have been alive and have never had a crocheted item come apart. Okay, now you have a knot near the top of your work, use your hook to weave one tail in and out of the back loop of your work about six times. Weave the other tail the opposite direction also in the back loop. End your weaving with the yarn tails on the back side. Now crochet away. When you come to the woven section on your next round or row, crochet right over it like it isn't even there. When you are all finished go back and trim off the little tails that remain. You won't be able to see the join, and it will NEVER come undone.

It took lots longer to type this up than it will take you to do a join. Let me know if you try this method. It beats the heck out of any other method of joining and weaving in ends.