
I am busy crocheting more mini Christmas stockings for Warmth for Warriors. We have an unofficial goal for 2019 of 4,000 stockings. We just received an update from Warmth for Warriors headquarters that they have received 2,653 stockings so far this year.
Here is a new twist on the cuffed mini Christmas stocking pattern but with stripes. Here is the version with just 2 stripes on the upper leg portion. For this option, crochet 2 full rows after the chain 12 for upper leg with the main color, then carry yarn and crochet 2 rows twice in the stripe color for a total of 10 rows. The top left stocking, does not have 2 full rows after the chain 12 and that is why it doesn’t look like the others.
For the 2-stripe option, I think the stocking looks better without adding the final trim row as written in the original pattern. Just fold over the cuff and add the hanging loop. Of course, you can always crochet whatever style and trim you’d like.
Next shown top left is a same cuffed stocking pattern but where you change yarn colors every 2 rows. Again just carry the yarn inside the stocking that you are not using. This makes for less knots or ends to weave under.
Last on the top right is a patriotic red, white, and blue stocking. Crochet this stocking all in red until the last 6 rows of the upper leg portion. Then add white yarn for 3 rows and end with 3 rows of blue for a cute little 6 inch patriotic Christmas stocking.
Please help us make our goal of 4,000 mini Christmas stockings for the troops this year. The deadline for shipping stockings is November 1 so headquarters has enough time to stuff the stockings with little goodies for shipment to the troops for Christmas. If you need any more information concerning the stocking drive,

These are just the cutest baby booties! The pattern is mirrored after Converse sneakers and is a free pattern from Suzanne Resaul. The free crochet pattern can be found here.
The crochet pattern is well written with lots of pictures and a good chart to follow. I didn’t really have too much trouble following the pattern. My only issue was with the tongue and shaping of the final booties. I think my tongue should have been longer but overall it looks okay. Also I think additional shaping and blocking

I picked up a lovely skein of hush pink Bernat Baby Blanket yarn for just a dollar at the local thrift store. It is very soft yarn and I used it to crochet this granny baby blanket.
I used the country granny dishcloth pattern to crochet this baby blanket. I worked the center start with the hush pink yarn and then used a scrap pastel skein of yarn for 4 rounds before switching back to the pink yarn.
I attached the hush pink yarn in the corner and ch 2, 2 hdc and then moved to the next side. Then once I came back around to the corner, I crocheted 3 HDC and ch 1 to attach to my beginning ch 2. I really like this method as you do not have to slip stitch across several stitches to reach the corner again to start the next row.
Added a scalloped edging of 6 DC between 2 skips with a sl st.

Happy 4th of July! It’s a perfect time of the year to celebrate the 4th and Christmas in July with stockings. Of course stockings this time of year honor our country and our troops.
As we continue to make mini Christmas stockings for Warmth for Warriors, here are my latest using red, white, and blue yarn to crochet stockings. I used the fold-over option of this 6 inch Christmas stocking pattern to crochet these stockings.
Mods from original pattern: Work the toe portion of the crochet pattern as written in blue yarn,

It is always fun to crochet Mother Bears for the Mother Bear Project. Here are two recently completed bears.
This bear is pretty in pink with her flower skirt that was crocheted using this skirt pattern.
Next is a bare bear crocheted in Red Heart vintage retro stripes colorway.
Interested in crocheting or knitting Mother Bears? Come join us at the Mother Bear Project Group on Ravelry. There is always a need for these bears and we have a wonderful group on Ravelry that supports the organization dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children,

Introducing a recycled plastic crocheted wine bottle holder. I have wanted to create a wine bottle cozy using plastic bags for a long time now. It’s one of those things that I keep wanting to crochet and write up the free pattern to share for years. Well, I finally got the project done.
The crocheted wine holder holds a 750 ml bottle of wine easily and even a 1.5 L can be slipped into the plarn cozy.
Along with the free crochet pattern, here is my plarn wine bottle holder.
Plarn Wine Bottle Holder Pattern
Wine Bottle Holder Size: 10″ tall with 3-1/2 across bottom
Hook:
Metal “K” (6.5 mm) US size crochet hook
Materials: 14 plastic bags cut into 1 inch wide plarn
Piece of ribbon or strand of plarn for top closure
Directions:
With plarn, Ch 4, Sl St to join in first st of chain to form ring. Holder is worked in the round without turning unless directed to do so.

As we celebrate Memorial Day, let’s not forgot the reason. Remember and honoring our Veterans and those who gave all.
On this Memorial Day 2019, thanks to all our Veterans here and gone. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
If you are looking to craft for a cause, may I suggest Warmth for Warriors. It is an organization who honors our troops and Veterans through crafting hats and mini stockings for Christmas. If you are looking for a crafting group such as this, please join us over at the Warmth for Warriors group on Ravelry.

Here is a real quick and simple dog toy you can make from recycled denim. It doesn’t even require any sewing and can be made in just a matter of minutes.
Take an old pair of denim jeans and cut around the lower pants hem and then continue up the side seam to make one continuous strip of denim. I cut up the side seam 27 inches and the hem length was 18 inches on my piece of cut denim.
Next I just started tying knots using either end of the denim strip. Using knots and then threading the long end through the knots, I create this 8 inch long denim dog toy.
You could also join the ends together to make a circle by either sewing the ends together or by joining them with a knot.
And there you have it,

Here is a new twist on an old mini Christmas stocking pattern. This loopy trim option uses the chain 8 fold-over cuff that I wrote about in this recent post.
Instead of chaining 12 for the upper leg portion of the stocking, just chain 8. Once you complete the leg portion, you are ready to add the loopy edging trim.
Attach yarn at back of stocking. I used a contrasting yarn as shown.
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