Christmas Advent Calendar Pennant Banner

Introducing my newest Sharp Crochet Hook Creation: a Christmas Advent Calendar Pennant Banner.

It has a little pocket to hold small items. This will be a great way for my kids to count down to Christmas.

I used the Sharp Crochet Hook to crochet this border on the front of the pocket. It easily went through the satiny polyester fabric with no snags. Order the Sharp Crochet Hook here: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html

I did a little scoring on scrapbook paper and used metallic number stickers to make the medallion. I tied bells in between each pennant to add a little shine and glam. I love it and I think it looks great! Plus, my kids love it, too!!

Christmas Advent Calendar Pennant Banner Instructions: 

 Here is a quick guide if you want to make it for yourself: Take 1/3 yard of 60" fabric. Cut out 12 large triangles and 12 small triangles. Sew the small triangles to the front of the large triangles.  Fold over the top of the large and sew a casing for ribbon to slide through. Print the guide below for triangle templates.

Crochet across the top of each small triangle with gold size 3 crochet thread. Use the Sharp Crochet Hook to easily crochet through the fabric. It goes through fabric much easier than normal hooks. Go here to order it: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html. I just did a single crochet three times in each hole, did a ch1 and spaced my sc stitches out about 3/4". I just eyeballed it, nothing too fancy.

Thread gold ribbon into each casing to connect each pennant. Make the medallions- cut pieces of scrapbook paper to 3/4" x 12" and score every 1/2". Fold back and forth. Hole punch 1" circles and hot glue the scored paper shaped like a circle (use a little clear tape to hold in place while you put it on the hot glue) to a 1" circle. Then use a 1" paper circle and a metallic sticker on the front.

Fill with small items your children would enjoy.

I like celebrating the magic of Santa Claus with my children, but I want the main focus to be celebrating the birth of Christ. This year, I'm including verses in each pennant to help my children learn more about Christ and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Each day we will read a new section to learn more about Christ.

I created the printable below if you would like to include the bible verses in your advent calendar.  It should print full size. Just cut them apart and put one in each pennant. A sweet lady at my church gave them to me and I love the idea.

Here is the banner again. Love it! Make your own banner, and dress it up with a crochet edging embellishment! Order a few Sharp Crochet Hooks now! One for your car, purse, nightstand, and living room! :) Go here: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html


 Merry Christmas You Guys!!!!

Happy Crocheting!
--Jessica

FREE TUTORIAL: two-tier pillowcase with crochet edging

 If you are looking for a great way to welcome out of town guests this holiday season, how about making this pillowcase for their bed? Then they can take it home with them to remind them of their visit. It's a great gift for any age, from children to grandparents.

Wake up with a cheery pillowcase and instantly put your day on the right track.

 

It is really easy to crochet through the fabric with the Sharp Crochet Hook. It is ideal for crocheting through fabric because it has a sharp-pointed head, other crochet hooks have rounded heads. 

Order the hook here: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html. You can use the hook to crochet edgings through cotton, denim, flannel, fleece, towels, zipper linings, appliques, etc.

FREE PATTERN: TWO-TIER PILLOWCASE WITH CROCHET EDGING

Materials:

-Sharp Crochet Hook

-Crochet thread- size 3, 5, or 10

-3/4 yard (27") main fabric

-1/8 yard (4.5") accent fabric

-coordinating thread/sewing machine

FIRST PHASE: Sew the pillowcase 

If you want to print out this "cheat-sheet," go ahead. It should print full size. If you want to share this pattern with your friends, please direct them to this page.

 

 

SECOND PHASE: Crochet the edging

 Start working on the main fabric (first tier). Use the Sharp Crochet Hook to do single crochet stitches into the fabric. The pattern is:
1st round: *sc, ch 5, skip 1 inch, sc, ch 5, sk 1/4"* Repeat from * all around. Should end up with an even number of ch 5 spaces. Join round with a slip stitch. ch 3.
2nd round: *sc in middle ch of the ch 5 set, then all in next ch 5 loop do: 5 dc, ch 3, 5 dc. Sc in middle ch of the ch 5 set, then all in next ch 5 loop do: 6 sc.* Repeat from * all around. Join round with a slip stitch. ch 3.
3rd round: go back a few stitches and do a sc in the middle sc of last 6 sc set. *ch 5. All in next ch 3 loop, do: 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc. ch 5. Sc in middle of next 6 sc set.* Repeat around. Join round with a sl st.

This pattern is copyrighted. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or claim as your own. If you would like to share this pattern, please direct your friends to this blog post. You can sell anything you make using the pattern, but not the pattern itself.

 

For the second tier, you can crochet the same thing as the first tier. Or, you can use a pattern from the Crochet Edging Handbook or the Pattern Book sold with the Sharp Crochet Hook. You can order both books here: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html.

 I would estimate a quick crocheter would take 60-90 minutes to crochet the edging using the Sharp Crochet Hook. Order the hook here: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html.

-Delight  house guests with a wonderful handmade pillowcase. Share the warmth of your home with them long after they leave.

-Start a tradition with your children- give them special Christmas pillowcases to sleep on Christmas Eve

-Beat the winter blues with a cheerful pillowcase

Happy Crocheting :)
Jessica

Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack Giveaway

 We are excited to announce the

Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack!

It's the a perfect gift for yourself or a fellow crocheter!

Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack

 What's in the Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack:

 1. A pair of sewing snips

Sewing snips are meant for thread and yarn cutting. It springs back to open for quick use. Sharp pointed blades for precise cutting. Includes cap. Size measures approximately 4 1/2" long.

Sewing Snips

 2. A set of 12 aluminum crochet hooks

Yarn glides right over these smooth hooks to make crocheting quick and easy. Includes the following sizes: 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 6.5mm, 7.0mm, 8.0mm. US measurements- sizes B through L.

Set of 12 Aluminum Crochet Hooks

 3. A set of 3 Yarn Wraps

 Yarn wraps stop yarn from unraveling. Fits around most yarn skeins and spools. Keeps yarn and crochet thread neat and tangle free.

Set of 3 Yarn Wraps

4. Crochet Edging Handbook

Contains 15 edging patterns arranged from easy to advanced. Pair the patterns with the Sharp Crochet Hook to create stunning edgings and borders. The Crochet Edging Handbook is lightweight and portable- 5.5" wide, 4" tall. Use the patterns in this book to create stunning borders on baby blankets, burp cloths, gloves, towels, and more.

Crochet Edging Handbook

 

5. Sharp Crochet Hook and Pattern Book

Contains one Sharp Crochet Hook and one Pattern Book. The Pattern Book shows you how to make: purse with zipper, crochet baby shoes with faux-leather sole, flannel and yarn stripe blanket, a skirt with two-tier edging, shirt collar, aprons, flower gloves, boot socks, ribbon bracelet, and more. It is lightweight and portable- 4" wide, 5.5" tall.

The Sharp Crochet Hook is ideal for crocheting borders and edgings through fabric, it glides through fabric easier than normal crochet hooks. Includes three free edging patterns. Use with crochet thread size 10, 5, or 3. Easily crochet through flannel, cotton, fleece, towels, knits, zipper linings, denim, and more. No need to spend money buying hemstitched blankets with presewn holes, just let the Sharp Crochet Hook glide directly through the fabric, no holes needed! Patent pending. A great value!

Sharp Crochet Hook and Pattern Book

You can purchase the Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack at http://www.sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html.

Get a discount for purchasing more than one. 

The Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack Giveaway:

I will GIVEAWAY a Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack to one of my lucky readers!! This is the perfect gift for yourself or for a fellow crocheter! Easy entry below courtesy of Rafflecopter. Giveaway open to US residents only.

Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack

GIVEAWAY!

One winner (chosen at random) will receive the Sharp Crochet Hook Starter Pack.

Winner has 48 hours to claim the prize.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Table Runner with Crochet Edging

My friend Sarah at Repeat Crafter Me made this table runner using the Sharp Crochet Hook and Pattern Book. Ahhh, I love everything about it, the colors, the scallop edging, EVERYTHING!!

Check out the post here:
http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/11/table-runner-using-sharp-crochet-hook.html



 Here is another picture from Repeat Crafter Me:
 
I loved this project so much that I decided to make my own...

This is a really easy project- about 1-2 hours depending on your crochet pattern. You just use the Sharp Crochet Hook to crochet right through the fabric.

-I bought 1/4 yard of fabric- duck canvas from Hobby Lobby. I chose this fabric because I thought it would work for a variety of seasons.
-I used size 10 crochet thread and the Sharp Crochet Hook to crochet the edging
-That's it! No pretreating the fabric, no hemming the edge, nothing. So easy!
-If your stitches are 1/4" apart, you don't need to serge, zig-zag, or hem the edge before crocheting.

 I did a more decorative edging on the two short ends and a basic edging on the long ends.

 The candy bowl was full before I started taking pictures... hmmm...

 I love how it turned out!

The pattern for the edging on the short end is from the Crochet Edging Handbook.

Thanks again for the great inspiration- Repeat Crafter Me! You always impress me! 

Purchase all your crochet edging supplies here: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html

Happy Crocheting! :)
Jessica

Introducing Yarn Wraps

Introducing Yarn Wraps: the easy way to keep your yarn from unraveling. 

How it works:
1. Wrap a Yarn Wrap around crochet thread, yarn skein, spool, hank, or ball.
2. You're yarn won't unravel. It will stay neat and tidy while you sift through your stash.

Yarn wraps are sold in packs of 3. Go here to order them: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html.



Yarn shown in picture wrapped with a Yarn Wrap.

Yarn Wraps fit most yarn skeins and spools. Shown in picture:
Red Heart, Simply Soft, Sugar n' Cream, Aunt Lydia's metallic 10, Aunt Lydia's classic 10, Bernat Handicrafter crochet thread. 

Yarn Wraps were designed by the inventor of the Sharp Crochet Hook.

Go here to order a pack: http://sharpcrochethook.com/buy-crochet-items.html.