Leslie Hall is a Midwest Diva

Please send a representative. I've just made the world's smallest gem sweater in the world. Seriously, it is small. And it has gems on it. And I made it. That's why it says "Crafty is Cool"!

Leslie Hall in her Crafty is Cool gem sweater. It needs a name.

The real Leslie Hall (photo from LeslieHall.com)

Leslie Hall in her signature gold lycra (photo from LeslieHall.com)

I mean, have you even seen her amazingly fantastically hilarious "Craft Talk" video??

I can watch it over and over and over (as well as Tight Pants/Body Rolls) and it does not get old. Speaking of "Tight Pants/Body Rolls", my kids also adore Leslie Hall. We've downloaded several of her songs onto their iPods and they know more of the words than I do.

Leslie Hall and DJ Lance Rock backstage at the Yo Gabba Gabba Live

When we went to see Yo Gabba Gabba and I brought all the amigurumi characters to DJ Lance, Leslie Hall asked when she was getting a Leslie Hall doll. Well, what a great idea! So, Ms. Leslie Hall, here she is!

The amazing Leslie Hall, amigurumi form. 

Keeper of the gems.

Leslie Hall and the LY's are coming to Austin in March and I can't wait! Will there be a photo of Leslie and little Leslie soon? I HOPE!

*If you're wondering about a pattern for Leslie, I used several of my patterns together to create her, including Talk Show Host, Wonder Woman, and Pee-wee.

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Free Pattern Friday! Valentine's Day Yarn Wreath

Valentine's Day Yarn Wreath

As soon as the Christmas decorations come down in my house, I like to get things moving on to the next holiday. Sure I could try to decorate for "Winter" but I really love red and pink and hearts and all that stuff, so I go straight for Valentine's Day!
I'm sure some people would wait until February to decorate (if they decorate at all) but then what do you have? Two weeks? No way! I say decorate in January and revel in the awesomeness longer. (That is the reason I decorate for Halloween at the beginning of September, after all!)

I have a spot in my kitchen where I always hang a wreath. My front door is a craftsman-type, with windows at the top and a little ledge, so I can never quite figure out hanging a wreath there. I always look for a cute wreath for Valentine's day at the usual places: Target, Hobby Lobby, etc, but I never find the right one. So with all these awesome yarn wreaths I love to drool over on Pinterest, I thought I'd make my own! This one is super easy and the heart pattern is fun and quick.

Valentine's Yarn Wreath

Materials:
12" Styrofoam wreath form 
Bulky variegated yarn (I used Hobby Lobby's First Love Yarn in "Kisses")
Any color worsted weight yarn (I used hot pink, pale pink, aqua, light blue, lilac, and purple)

Yarn, 16 gauge wire, 12 foam wreath

E Hook (or your favorite)
Yarn needle
Polyester stuffing 
16 gauge wire (optional)
Decorative ribbon or trim
Stick pins


Key:
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
st: stitch
sc2tog: single crochet 2 st together (decrease)

*     *     *
Begin by tying the yarn around the wreath in one spot. Don't worry about hiding the knot, as it will be covered. Wrap the yarn all the way around the wreath, trying to not overlap the strands. This makes the yarn's color changes more even. When you reach the end, cut the yarn leaving a few inches and wrap the tail to the back. Use a crochet hook and pull the tail under a few strands to hide it.


Heart A (smallest--make 2):
R1: Starting at point of heart, make an adjustable ring, ch 1, and sc 3 into the ring. Pull closed.
R2: Work 2sc into each st (6)
R3: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next st)* repeat to end of round (9)
R4: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next 2 st)* repeat to end of round (12)
R5: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next 3 st)* repeat to end of round (15)
R6: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next 4 st)* repeat to end of round (18)
R7: Sc into the next 9 st, skip next 9 st.
*You have now started the right side of the top of the heart.
R8: Starting at the first stitch of R6, sc into each st (9)
R9: (Sc2tog, sc into next st)* repeat to end of round (6)
Fasten off by slip stitching into the next stitch. Leave a tail. Using the yarn needle, weave tail through last row of stitches and pull tightly to close the hole. Use a stuffing tool or the eraser end of the pencil to stuff the heart lightly. Attach yarn back onto the open side of the yarn, starting on the inside and you will work around the opening. You can either tie a knot to attach the new yarn or you can insert the hook on the outside into the first stitch and pull the yarn up through the work, and sc for your first stitch. Repeat R7-9 on the other side to create the second top bump. Weave in ends and set aside.


Heart B (medium--make 1):
R1-R6: Work as for Heart A
R7: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next 5 st)* repeat to end of round (21)
R8: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next 6 st)* repeat to end of round (24)
R9: Sc into next 12 st, skip next 12 st.
*You have now started the right side of the top of the heart.
R10: Starting at the first st of R9, sc into each st (12)
R11: (Sc2tog, sc into next 2 st)* repeat to end of round (9)
R12: (Sc2tog, sc into next st)* repeat to end of round (6)

Fasten off by slip stitching into the next stitch. Leave a tail. Using the yarn needle, weave tail through last row of stitches and pull tightly to close the hole. Use a stuffing tool or the eraser end of the pencil to stuff the heart lightly. Attach yarn back onto the open side of the yarn, starting on the inside and you will work around the opening. You can either tie a knot to attach the new yarn or you can insert the hook on the outside into the first stitch and pull the yarn up through the work, and sc for your first stitch. Repeat R9-12 on the other side to create the second top bump. Weave in ends and set aside.

Heart C (large--make 2):

R1-R8: Work as for Heart B

R9: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next 7 st)* repeat to end of round (27)

R10: (2 Sc into next st, sc into next 8 st)* repeat to end of round (30)

R11: Sc into next 15 st, skip next 15 st.

*You have now started the right side of the top of the heart.

R12: Starting at the first st of R11, sc into each st (15)

R13: (Sc2tog, sc into next 3 st)* repeat to end of round (12)

R14: (Sc2tog, sc into next 2 st)* repeat to end of round (9)

R15: (Sc2tog, sc into next st)* repeat to end of round (6)

Fasten off by slip stitching into the next stitch. Leave a tail. Using the yarn needle, weave tail through last row of stitches and pull tightly to close the hole. Use a stuffing tool or the eraser end of the pencil to stuff the heart lightly. Attach yarn back onto the open side of the yarn, starting on the inside and you will work around the opening. You can either tie a knot to attach the new yarn or you can insert the hook on the outside into the first stitch and pull the yarn up through the work, and sc for your first stitch. Repeat R11-15 on the other side to create the second top bump. Weave in ends and set aside.

Heart D (extra large--make 1):

R1-10: Work as for Heart C

R11: (2 Sc into next st, sc into 9 st)* repeat to end of round (33)

R12: (2 Sc into next st, sc into 10 st)* repeat to end of round (36)

R13: Sc into next 18 st, skip next 18 st.

*You have now started the right side of the top of the heart.

R14: Starting at the first st of R13, sc into each st (18)

R15: (Sc2tog, sc into next 4 st)* repeat to end of round (15)

R16: (Sc2tog, sc into next 3 st)* repeat to end of round (12)

R17: (Sc2tog, sc into next 2 st)* repeat to end of round (9)

R18: (Sc2tog, sc into next st)* repeat to end of round (6)

Fasten off by slip stitching into the next stitch. Leave a tail. Using the yarn needle, weave tail through last row of stitches and pull tightly to close the hole. Use a stuffing tool or the eraser end of the pencil to stuff the heart lightly. Attach yarn back onto the open side of the yarn, starting on the inside and you will work around the opening. You can either tie a knot to attach the new yarn or you can insert the hook on the outside into the first stitch and pull the yarn up through the work, and sc for your first stitch. Repeat R13-18 on the other side to create the second top bump. Weave in ends and set aside.

You may now begin sewing your hearts together. Arrange them as you would like and stitch them in a line. It's easier to use one color and stitch through all of them across, keeping your stitches hidden, rather than changing yarn colors.

The next step is completely optional but I found that it really helped the hearts on my wreath stand up and stay in line. Once you've stitched the hearts together, start at the back on one side and feed a long piece of wire all the way through to the other side. After making it all the way through, insert both ends into the wreath form.

In a word processing program, print "Happy Valentine's Day" and trim into a banner. Curl edges and pin to wreath.

Cut a length of trim 24" in half, so you have two 12" pieces. Loop them around the top of the wreath and tie at the top. Hang her up! Easy right? Happy Valentine's Day! (or as my little boys say, Happy Valentimes!)

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Book Review and Giveaway! Crocheted Softies!

** Thanks for all the entries! Out of 123 comments, the winner was #51, CuCuCreates, who wants to crochet a crocodile! I bet it will be awesome! Thanks for playing!





I'm sure I'm like most people that crochet. When I started, it was all about gifts. I gave away pretty much everything I made, either to my kids or other people's kids. I loved finding cute patterns for stuffed toys that  made great gifts. Gifts for kids, particularly stuffed animals, are so fun to make and usually take a lot less yarn and time than bigger projects (like afghans or sweaters!).

Win this! Keep Reading!

In Stacey Trock's new book, Crocheted Softies, you will find patterns for 18 adorable animals from around the world! These aren't just the typical teddy bears and bunnies, but awesome patterns with texture and detail that kids will love on for years. She starts off the book with a thorough introduction to crochet. You'll learn all the basics, plus special stitches Stacey uses for adding character to her crochet designs. I especially love the details she gave regarding making the toys child-safe (like crocheted eyes), and her diagrams for assembly are some of the best I've seen (and I've read LOTS of crochet books!).

She starts off with a basic animal shape, then elaborates with different animal patterns (her elephant is especially adorable) and goes all the way around the globe (continent by continent!) and then into outer space! Check out her hilarious alien! What little boy wouldn't think that was totally cool?

Zork the Alien! from Crocheted Softies

Another thing about the book that is really cool is just the way Stacey crochets. See how her creations have little ridges all around? That's because she crochets into the back loop of all of her stitches. Her book says that it helps hide stuffing. By doing it this way she can crochet with a larger hook, and I'm guessing it makes her toys larger in the end too. Interesting! I like the texture it gives to her toys!

My absolute favorite pattern in the book is Salty the Crocodile! It reminds me so much of a vintage handmade crocodile toy a friend had. All those nubby crocheted bobbles in rows on his back and those cartoonish eyes just bring this little guy to life. Love him!

Salty the Crocodile from Crocheted Softies

Stacey has done a great job using natural fibers throughout this book. You'll be inspired to try out new textures and materials when you're crocheting, I'll bet. 

So now that you are all clamoring to get this book, who wants to win an autographed copy? I'm going to give away one copy of the book, which Stacey has signed, to one lucky winner. This would make a fantastic gift to anyone, since the projects are a great introduction to crocheting! 

All you have to do to enter is to comment with an animal you'd love to crochet! Make sure you also leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a random entry this THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15th, around 5 pm central time, and ship the book asap so you can wrap it up or keep it for yourself! (But you better get some yarn because you'll want to make one of these cuties for the holidays!)

EDIT: Here's a list of animals inside!
elephant
giraffe
orangutan
panda
crocodile
kiwi
owl
snail
penguin
walrus
moose
crab
alpaca
snake
fish
jellyfish
alien
macrobe
microbe

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I LOVE NY!

By now I'm sure you've all heard about Martha Stewart's latest venture into the yarn world, right? Lion Brand Yarn has come out with a full line of Martha Stewart Crafts yarn and a Knit and Weave Loom.
Because I've designed for Lion Brand in the past, when the new yarns were going to be released, I was fortunate to receive a sampling of the yarns to try out. I make dolls. It's just what I do and what I think of first when I get a big box of yarn. When said yarn has the name "Martha Stewart" on it and the colors are reminiscent of Martha's understated and sophisticated style, how could I not make a Martha Stewart doll? Then there was the glittery eyelash yarn, in the perfect color for making a chowchow, which just so happens to be the breed of one of Martha's most famous pets, Genghis Khan.

Long story short, I made a Martha, wrote out a pattern, and shipped both off to Lion Brand. Little Martha made her way to the real Martha, who invited me to come out to New York and be on the show featuring projects and handmade gifts made from her new yarn.
Having never been to New York, I was thrilled! I visited surrounding areas when I was younger but had never ventured into the big city. My husband Paul and I booked a trip and we were on our way!
We left bright and early from Austin and the three hour flight was easy breezy. (I'm lying--it was raining a lot and really bumpy for at least an hour.)

We arrived at our hotel and got checked in, then took a walk around the corner to Times Square. It was surreal to be somewhere you've seen so many times on TV! It was so crowded! A little shopping and then some great Italian food at a little cafe on a side street, then more shopping!

Times Square!

Rockefeller Center!

Macy's -- and I could barely stand still for the picture!

We walked blocks and blocks just to see everything we could before it was time to head back to the hotel. I had an early morning and didn't want bags under my eyes for Martha!
The next day we took a cab to the Martha studios. Arriving early, we grabbed a delicious hot bagel and a cup of New York's finest coffee (that's an exaggeration, but it wasn't too bad) and ate our breakfast on the street. The misty morning air wasn't kind to my 'do, but when I got to the studio, I was sent to hair and makeup! I'll give you a little insider secret, too. That doll didn't talk until I got to the studio that morning! I'd made a recording on the little device but it just wasn't clear enough for TV. When it said "It's a good thing," it was a little muffled sounding and had music playing in the background. Simple solution: get Martha to record it herself! So that's just what happened! I sat in the dressing room and took little Martha's head off, unraveled the neck and chest of the doll, inserted the new device, and crocheted it back up. It wasn't until the VERY last minute that Martha's head was on. Even during the rehearsals there was a headless doll on the table and little Martha's head was at her feet.

Check out this action shot my husband took--poor little Martha's head just waiting for a body!

The show went great! I thought Martha was so easy to talk to and so "human" in person. She's an icon, but really in person she was friendly and personable. She complimented my AWESOME shoes (sorry but they ARE sweet shoes), asked me all about Austin, and told me she couldn't wait to put the doll in her grand baby's nursery. How sweet! We took some pictures together with the little Martha and Genghis. My husband and I got some cool gift bags and everyone was so accommodating and helpful backstage. I also got to meet Zontee Hou, who you probably saw co-hosting Lion Brand's fashion show on Martha. You may have also heard her on Lion Brand's podcast, Yarncraft! She was really cool and so great on TV.
After the show was over I could finally relax! I wasn't so nervous about being on live TV, but more about finishing the doll in time for the broadcast and getting there in time, etc. Answering questions about what I LOVE to do? Piece of cake!

Check out this video of my appearance!

My next stop was the Lion Brand Yarn Studio! I was dying to see the store in person, and feel all the LB Collection yarns, and take pictures in front of the famous display windows! I also wanted to meet Jess, the twitter "face" of Lion Brand. If you follow Lion Brand on Twitter, you've heard from Jess before. The store was awesome! It was a quick subway ride from our hotel. (did I mention how much I LOVED the subway? I think if you live in New York or have always lived there you may take it for granted, but it was greatest thing! So cheap and fast and easy!) We were greeted by the most amazingly adorable window! Here's me in front of the window. Could you just die??

Amazing knit and crochet window!

Color!

Martha yarn!

Inside was no less impressive: walls of beautiful, colorful, touchably soft yarny goodness. Jess was as nice as can be and even recommended a delicious cafe nearby for lunch (Cafe Medina--yum!).

More walking, more shopping, more subway riding, and we ended up in the West Village on Bleecker street for one of the city's highest rated pizza places, another recommendation, this time from my genius agent, and my New York expert, Kate McKean. John's Pizzeria was everything we were hoping to find in New York City Pizza. The place was what you could call a dive, with carved up tables and a HUGE menu of different pizza toppings. We chose pizza with black olives and sliced meatballs. I don't think you could make a mistake with any order. It was amazing. The brick oven baked crust was crispy with burnt edges and hot melty cheese covered the savory sliced meatballs and sprinkling of black olives. The sauce was just right, really tomato-y and not too salty or sweet. Dang, I wish I had that pizza I couldn't finish right now.

Beer and NY Pizza!

So more shopping, more subway riding, more walking, and we are back to the hotel.

Early morning up and at it again, looking for another great bagel! We went to Times Square Hot Bagel, where I was afraid to order a bagel toasted, so I got a cold bagel with the best cream cheese (strawberry) ever. I'd heard that some bagel places in NY just didn't toast their bagels and you shouldn't ask! Maybe that doesn't apply everywhere. Oh well. It was good anyway, and we accompanied that with a hot cup of Starbucks coffee. It was raining, cold, and what else could have made this last morning in New York more perfect? Andrea Bocelli singing Christmas songs just inside the Good Morning America studio. We stood and listened, sipping our coffee and eating our bagels. Perfection.

Our own private Andrea Bocelli Christmas concert

Being our last day in New York, we scheduled a walking tour so we could make sure not to miss anything. This was the BEST THING. If you are going to New York, I would HIGHLY recommend Real New York Tours. Our tour guide was Trey, and we followed him all over Times Square, the Village, downtown and the Financial District, Soho, Chinatown (and its infamous tunnels!), Little Italy, and Central Park!

Central Park

We got to see and learn about things we wouldn't have had a clue about if we hadn't been on the tour. He told stories about different events that had happened in certain buildings, told us the history of the different neighborhoods we visited, and explained so much about New York culture. We stopped for lunch during the tour and had the best cannoli EVER at Pasticceria Rocco in the West Village. The tour was so much fun!

Shortly after the tour, it was time to head to the airport. It was rush hour and took a while to get to JFK, but we finally made it. By that time, Paul and I were exhausted! The flight back was going to be much longer, over four hours, because of a strong headwind, and the plane was delayed about an hour. It was nothing a couple of drinks at the airport bar couldn't handle, so the wait wasn't bad. Our flight was smooth and easy (another lie, but I digress...) and we finally got back to Texas.

I want to thank all the great people at the Martha Stewart show, Jess from Lion Brand, Kate, the people who made the cheesecake at Juniors, Trey from the tour, and my wonderful husband, Paul, for making this dream come true! I was on the Martha Stewart Show! Woohoo!

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