Halloween Inspired "Sophia" Flower Clip Pattern

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I can't believe that Halloween is almost upon us. Seriously, where does the time go? I must say, however, that this is one of my most favorite holidays for so many reasons. One being the candy, of course. The other, all the fun parties throughout the month. When my girls were younger (and will still let me do whatever I wanted with their hair and clothes) I would buy fun Halloween shirts and make hair accessories to match. 

Isn't she the cutest!! She was only 4 in this picture and oh how I miss her sweet little voice. Now she's 10 1/2 and so full of wonderful energy. I just love her. Here's wishing you a haunting halloween and have fun with this little flower!

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Pattern

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner/Intermediate

CROCHET HOOK: Size F Boye crochet hook (to make smaller flower use smaller hook size)

SIZE: One size fits all

With F hook and 1st desired flower color.

Rnd 1: Magic ring

Rnd 2: 10 sc’s in the middle of the circle.  Slst to join. See image 1

Rnd 3: Ch 4, slst in the second crochet loop, *ch 4, skip one stitch , slst in next crochet loop* repeat between *’s around. (5 - ch4 loops made) See image 2

Rnd 4: Work the following stitches (sc, hdc, 3dc’s, hdc, sc) all in the first ch4 loop. Repeat between ( ) around. (5 petals made) See image 3

Rnd 5: Ch 5, slst between the first and second petals (see pictures for reference) *ch5, slst between the next two petals* repeat between *’s around. (5 - ch5 loops) See image 4

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Rnd 6: Join second color into first ch5 loop. See image 4. Work the following stitches (sc, hdc, 5dc’s, hdc, sc) all in the first ch5 loop. Repeat between ( ) around. (5 petals made) See images 5-7

Rnd 7: Ch 6, slst between the first and second petals (see pictures for reference) *ch6, slst between the next two petals* repeat between *’s around. (5 - ch6 loops) See image 8

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Rnd 8: Join third color into 1st ch6 loop. Work the following stitches (sc, hdc, 7dc’s, hdc, sc) all in the first ch6 loop. Repeat between ( ) around. (5 petals made) Fasten off leaving about a 36" tail to complete Rnd 9 with. Fasten off and weave in all ends except 36" tail. See images 9-16

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Rnd 9: With a large-Eye Blunt Needle weave Rnd 5 tail through flower till center is reached, draw needle through front till a small loop is formed. Using crochet hook chain 50 and fasten off. With needle draw chain through opposite side of hole and then wrap chain around until a little bud forms. Insert the tail into the needle and then draw tail through sides and top of the center, back and forth until bud forms. Secure down so that all sides of bud cannot lift up. See images 17-24

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FINISHING

Weave in end. Now hot glue an alligator clip (single or double prong whichever you prefer) to the back of flower. Allow to dry and it’s ready to use.

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Halloween inspired Sophia Flower - tutorial w/o pictures

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner/Intermediate

CROCHET HOOK: Size F (to make smaller flower use smaller hook size)

SIZE: One size fits all

With F hook and 1st desired flower color.

Rnd 1: Magic ring

Rnd 2: 10 sc’s in the middle of the circle.  Slst to join. 

Rnd 3: Ch 4, slst in the second crochet loop, *ch 4, skip one stitch , slst in next crochet loop* repeat between *’s around. (5 - ch4 loops made)

Rnd 4: Work the following stitches (sc, hdc, 3dc’s, hdc, sc) all in the first ch4 loop. Repeat between ( ) around. (5 petals made) 

Rnd 5: Ch 5, slst between the first and second petals (see pictures for reference) *ch5, slst between the next two petals* repeat between *’s around. (5 - ch5 loops)

Rnd 6: Join second color. Work the following stitches (sc, hdc, 5dc’s, hdc, sc) all in the first ch5 loop. Repeat between ( ) around. (5 petals made)

Rnd 7: Ch 6, slst between the first and second petals (see pictures for reference) *ch6, slst between the next two petals* repeat between *’s around. (5 - ch6 loops)

Rnd 8: Join third color. Work the following stitches (sc, hdc, 7dc’s, hdc, sc) all in the first ch6 loop. Repeat between ( ) around. (5 petals made) Fasten off leaving about a 36" tail to complete Rnd 9 with. Fasten off and weave in all ends except 36" tail.

Rnd 9: With a large-Eye Blunt Needle weave Rnd 5 tail through flower till center is reached, draw needle through front till a small loop is formed. Using crochet hook chain 50 and fasten off. With needle draw chain through opposite side of hole and then wrap chain around until a little bud forms. Insert the tail into the needle and then draw tail through sides and top of the center, back and forth until bud forms. Secure down so that all sides of bud cannot lift up.

FINISHING

Weave in end. Now hot glue an alligator clip (single or double prong whichever you prefer) to the back of flower. Allow to dry and it’s ready to use.

Happy Crocheting!!!

Crochet Magic Ring or Magic Loop Video Tutorial

You've heard me talk about the Magic Ring or Magic Loop (whichever you prefer) a lot! I love it! There is just no other way to get such a tight circle to finish off your work that I have found. It's a little confusing to explain so I thought I would just whip up a little video tutorial for you. I hope it helps and please disregard my overly dry hands, lol. I need some lotion stat!!!

Crochet Flower Coaster Pattern

Spring has Sprung Floral Coaster

Materials needed:

F Hook (3.75 MM)

Worsted Weight 100% Cotton Yarn (I prefer Drops Paris)

Abbreviation List:

CH - Chain

SS - Slip 

Stitch

SC - Single Crochet

DC - Double Crochet

DC CL - Double Crochet Cluster

Pattern

First, form a Magic Loop (Video Tutorial here)

Round 1 - CH 1, 7 SC in ring, join with a SS into first SC (total 8 SC). (First picture below)

Round 2 - CH 2, 2 DC CL* in same stitch, *CH 2, 3 DC CL in next stitch*, repeat *to* 6 more times, so you have 8 petals, 

join with SS into first CH 2 of this round.

Round 3 - SS in to next stitch and then SS into CH 2 space. CH 2, 1 DC, CH 2, 

2 DC in the same space, *2 DC, CH 2, 2 DC in the next space*, repeat *to* 6  more times, join with SS

into first CH 2 of this round

.

Round  4 - SS in to next stitch and then SS into CH 2 space from previous round. CH 2, 7 DC in the same space, *8 DC into the next space* , repeat *to* 6 more times, join with SS into first CH 2 of this round and fasten off and weave in ends.

Pattern without Pictures:

Spring has Sprung Floral Coaster

Materials needed:

F Hook (3.75 MM)

Worsted Weight 100% Cotton Yarn (I prefer Drops Paris)

Abbreviation List:

CH - Chain

SS - Slip 

Stitch

SC - Single Crochet

DC - Double Crochet

DC CL - Double Crochet Cluster

Pattern

First, form a Magic Loop (Video Tutorial here)

Round 1 - CH 1, 7 SC in ring, join with a SS into first SC (total 8 SC). (First picture below)

Round 2 - CH 2, 2 DC CL* in same stitch, *CH 2, 3 DC CL in next stitch*, repeat *to* 6 more times, so you have 8 petals, join with SS into first CH 2 of this round.

Round 3 - SS in to next stitch and then SS into CH 2 space. CH 2, 1 DC, CH 2, 

2 DC in the same space, *2 DC, CH 2, 2 DC in the next space*, repeat *to* 6  more times, join with SS

into first CH 2 of this round

Round  4 - SS in to next stitch and then SS into CH 2 space from previous round. CH 2, 7 DC in the same space, *8 DC into the next space* , repeat *to* 6 more times, join with SS into first CH 2 of this round and fasten off and weave in ends.

*(DC CL: Insert hook, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, insert hook (in the same stitch), yarn over pull through 2 loops, there will be 3 loops on hook, insert hook (still in the same stitch) yarn over, pull through 2 loops, 4 loops on hook, yarn over, pull through all loops.)

Hand Exercises for Crochet and Knitting

Crocheting, or Knitting for that matter, can wreak havoc on your fingers and wrists especially if you’re doing it for long hours at a time. On average  I usually spend about 4-5 hours a day crocheting. Though, during the fall/winter months that will double. Before I begin I exercise my fingers and wrists to help with pain and stiffness that can occur. I also take a break about every 45 minutes to perform these exercises again. It totally helps me and I hope it will help you as well!

Exercises for the Fingers

• Place your Left pinkie finger in your right palm and press pinkie back repeat for all fingers then switch to your Right pinkie and repeat for each finger. Next take your thumb and press fingers into your palm and repeat for each hand.
• Hold your hands in front of you and curl your fingers so they touch the bottom of your palm. Slowly uncurl them until they are once again straight. Repeat at least 5 times.
• Spread your fingers as far apart as you can. Next bring them together forming a fist and squeeze. Repeat at least 5 times.
• Use the thumb and forefinger of one hand to massage the web of the thumb on the other.
• Twirl your thumbs in a circular motion.

Exercises for the Wrists

• Hold your hands arms out to sides of your body and make a fist. Draw circles with your wrists while pressing your arms backwards.
• Place your palms together (think yoga-prayer position) and push. Angle your wrists downwards with your elbows slightly up. Hold for a minute or so.
• Lay the back of your hand on a flat surface, and press down lightly with your arm. Hold for a minute or so and repeat for other hand.
• Bring your right hand up palm forward and place your left thumb on your wrist with your fingers placed on the back of your wrist. Using your thumb and fingers massage the bones and tendons that are in your wrist. Repeat for other wrist.

*Don’t forget to stretch your neck and your back as well. Every little bit helps!