Friday, September 25, 2015

Free Easy Crochet Cocoon Pattern

So I've been making a ton of these cocoons as part of a set for a baby candy corn set.  I thought I'd share the basic pattern with you, and you can use it for a ton of different ideas.  First, I like to use a magic circle so if you don't you can also use a chain 2 and sl st into the first chain and chain 2.  I do not use my starting ch-2 as a stitch.  I like it there to fill in a bit so you don't have any gaps in the row.   I didn't add the color change so you can decide where that would be or perhaps not at all if you just want a one color cocoon! Note also you can make more or less rows if you're making for a preemie or a very big baby.

J hook
Worsted weight 4 yarn

Row 1:  Magic circle, chain 2, and place 12 dc in circle.  Tighten circle and sl st to first dc. 
Row 2:  Chain 2, and place 2 dc in each stitch around.  Sl st to first dc. 
Row 3:  Chain 2 and place 2 dc in the same stitch as sl st.  *Dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch*, repeat from * to * around.  Sl st to first dc.
Row 4:  Chain 2, and place 2 dc in the same stitch as sl st.  *Dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch*, repeat from * to * around.  Dc in last stitch.  Sl st to first dc.
Row 5:  Chain 2, and place 2 dc in same stitch as sl st.  *Dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch*, repeat from * to * around.  Dc in last stitches.  Sl st to first dc.
Row 6-27:  Chain 2, dc in each stitch around.  Sl st to first dc.
Row 28:  Chain 1, sc in each stitch around.  Sl st to first sc.  Fasten off and weave in ends because you're done! 

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

So Many Ideas, Too Little Time!

My creative juices are flowing, my energy is up, I'm ready to go...  and....  no.   I now officially have at least 10 projects started and a list of things to do that is growing every minute I'm awake.  Oh, while I'm awake...that's it, I'll take a nap! 

If only that were an option. So, what do you do to get focused?  Getting started seems to be the hardest part.  Avoidance is certainly not productive.  Screaming might work, but I doubt the neighbors would be appreciative.  Organization might be the key, but then how many creative people do you know who are organized? 

Maybe my new crafty prayer will help...

Lord, please give me the focus to create one thing at a time,
the strength to accept my limitations,
and the wisdom to know when it's time to walk away!