creative jewish mom

Crochet A Cat Cave Or Cat Bed With A Free Pattern!

Is there a cat lover on your gift list that you'd like to treat with a fantastic DIY crocheted cat cave or bed? I'd say it is a great idea, as even if the cat doesn't quite end up liking it, it can always be used as a basket of sorts! (Especially the acorn shaped one I'm eyeing!) And some of these crocheted cat beds are so quick to make, you may just want to include it as part of a larger gift, like a custom pet portrait for example, which can be anything from an original painting, in either acrylic or watercolor, (there are many artists on Etsy that offer custom pet portraits, though plan ahead) or something that could be quite large, such as a printed photo portrait. I recently became aware of some really unique pet portraits that involve making the pet look like he is wearing a uniform or period costume, and truly this makes an epic gift. But getting back to crocheting that amazing cat cave, lets take a look at some of the free patterns I've gathered here, to send you on your way! Ah yes, and there are so many new chunky yarns out there, so take your pick and enjoy!

Simple Crochet Projects For Hanukkah!

Crochet projects for Hanukkah? Of course, because as you all know, I love to crochet, and so crocheting has often been a big part of my hanukkah crafting! (Now, I do not have time to crochet with my art explorations, but I have so many things on hand, that we only see once a year, so it is still fresh. Hmmmm, but maybe I need to crochet just a bit tonight for tomorrow's guests?) While tonight is the third night of chanukah that does not mean we can't have fun making things on chanukah to enjoy for the remainder of the holiday, to give as gifts or even save until next year! Here are some of my favorite simple crochet projects from the archives that are perfect for chanukah, try something new, or go get all those old t-shirts and use them to make the basket above, wouldn't it be a miracle of chanukah to clean out that draw a bit? Okay, enjoy!

Sunburst Granny Square Meets Color, Thanks To A Reader!

There is just something about a great color combination together with a wonderful crocheted granny square that makes my heart sing! I can't say I've had the time or inclination to crochet much lately (of course I did crochet doll clothes, and need to do a spring outfit pronto...yikes!) because, well, one can't do it all, and I'm putting most of my creative time into painting and art related endeavors. To see a reader, @hardknotlifecrochet,  take my sunburst granny square (available for purchase on my etsy store here) and give it color was such a wonderful surprise, I just had to share it with you!

When I designed this granny square, and used it to make a scarf, my yarn choice was black and white and gray, and unlike many of the items I've crocheted over the years, I did actually wear that scarf, but now maybe next winter deserves a new version in some earthy tones? Or maybe a baby blanket with this square.....? So many wonderful ways to fill our creative souls, and bring joy to others with crochet, and I do plan to continue doing just that, on a small scale, you know with doll clothes! Okay, keep on reading to see the original scarf!

A Fun Crochet Meets Plastic Basket For Spring

I just found this in my archives, and thought I'd post it again, as it is a great one! Any container with holes can be spiffied up with some t-shirt yarn and a crochet hook, so when you do your spring cleaning.......I just remembered I put something in the recycling pile that could be upcycled, good thing I'm taking my own advice! Enjoy!

Spring is here which means it is time to get started with the Spring/Pesach organizing and cleaning......but first of course as I was recovering from a very festive Purim I spied a cute little basket with holes in it, that could be much more useful if one could not see what is inside, for me the hoarder that is! So I present to you a quick crocheted spring basket using an existing plastic basket with holes, an idea that can be used on many types of plastic baskets!

And yes, to make this project "quick" one does need the proper supplies, namely yarn and hook sizes that are large, so keep on reading for those oh so important tips, since right about now time is of the essence.......well at least on my end!

How To Crochet Booties For An 18" Doll

Crocheting booties for a newborn baby is a quick gift, that I have been know to whip up in the car on the way to visit the new mom, so crocheting booties for an 18" doll? Piece of cake, just figuring out bootie patterns takes a bit of patience and willingness to just wing it. And yes, sorry, that goes for the pattern I'm providing you with, as well, I am not a professional crochet pattern writer. Not to scare you, just try to follow the directions and I'm sure it will be just fine. And if you use variegated yarn as I have, you really don't see the stitches anyway. The main thing is to keep track of what you've done, as you do need to make two that are somewhat if not altogether the same! 

The 18" doll that I gifted to a little loved one for her birthday came without shoes and minimal clothing, so I just had to whip up a wardrobe, with the yarn on my desk and someone what quickly. And of course you've got to cover those bare feet, so booties seemed like the way to go as they can look like winter boots, and they will stay on, onlike crocheted shoes that need to be the exact size to stay on those doll feet.

If you have not done so already, I'd recommend first making a crocheted 18" doll hat, and a crocheted 18" doll scarf, and then top it off with some booties, for starters that is! Okay, lets crochet some tiny booties!

How To Crochet A Simple Scarf For An 18" Doll

Thinking maybe it would be a good idea to crochet a simple scarf for an 18" doll that belongs to someone special in your life? I'd say, great idea, and even if you are a novice at crocheting, this is so simple, you can do it! And if you are not a novice and are making a hat and a scarf set, all the better, because this scarf can be whipped up in say 15 minutes give or take, and looks so adorable as a set with the crocheted 18" doll hat seen here! If you are thinking about crocheting some doll clothes, I'd recommend starting simply and seeing how it goes. I started with a hat and it was so much fun I ended up crocheted a sweater, a skirt and booties! And the end results were just so adorable I can't wait to make more. Actually I need to make more pronto as this doll needs an outfit for spring, and she does not live nearby, so I need to put that new outfit in the mail! Okay, but first, lets make a simple doll scarf!

How To Crochet A Simple Hat For An 18" Doll

I made this simple crocheted doll hat for an 18" doll (American Girl doll size) and a set of winter clothing a few months ago, and am only now finding a window on the blog for sharing. Fortunately we've just had a drop in temperature and some rain, so this doesn't feel strange at the moment, thought  I do need to get cracking with a spring/summer set of clothing or this doll might just bake in a few weeks, poor thing. Okay back to the topic of how to crochet a simple hat for an 18" doll. It is so quick and simple and the sweet kind of handmade gift that can even be sent in an envelope, so if you know a little girl that is crazy for her 18" doll, and you know how to crochet, don't wait, pull out all the stash and scraps and get crocheting! I had not crocheted in quite a while when I made these items and it was so satifying and so relatively quick, that I am now sold on the idea of satisfying my crocheting needs with doll clothes! Plus it will make one little girl very very happy. While this blond doll was the gift, I did think ahead and have one of my own to use as a model for all my future creations.....she is the red head you'll see in the photos within the post, so lets get started!

Crochet T-shirt Yarn Pears For Fun Home Decor

I have been living with these fun crocheted pears for a year and a half or so, and I can surely report they are just so very charming! And wouldn't a crocheted pear from t-shirt yarn be a great baby gift, it would look soooo cute in a baby's room, or just about anywhere. So with the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the new year for fruit baring trees, coming up in just a week, now is a great time to crochet fruit, and while you are at it, why not go with giant fruit!  Here is my original post:

I have been wanting to crochet a pear for ages, partly to go with my daughter's pirum parum poster, and partly because who can resist a crocheted pear? And who can resist a crocheted pear that is big enough to be a pillow or couch prop, certainly not me, and I am truly in love with the results of taking a regular crocheted pear pattern and using t-shirt yarn to make it something different altogether, yippee! So, as you can see, once you start crocheting pears from t-shirt yarn you really have to crochet at least three, as they look just so amazing together, right? I was crocheting that black pear on a car trip with my husband and he had no idea what I was up to, and only saw the results when I gave it to him as a chanukah present......of course he didn't appreciate my efforts, but that is okay, I didn't really crochet it for him, but rather as some fun decor for our bedroom or any little spot in the house in need of some giant fruit! Okay friends, lets get crocheting......

Simple Crochet Projects for Hanukkah!

Above: A beloved upcycled t-shirt yarn bowl that we use to hold a huge collection of dreidels.

Crochet projects for Hanukkah? Of course, because as you all know, I love to crochet, and so crocheting is often a big part of my hanukkah crafting! With the holiday approaching quite quickly I thought I'd share some crochet projects from the archives to get you started, as the time is now! Last year I made little gift baskets crocheted using hardware store string with a chain stitch on top of that to strengthen the whole thing....which I have yet to share, but maybe later in the week? Fortunately for me I somehow had the forethought to do all my Chanukah gift bag crocheting last January, now just gotta find that box somewhere! Wishing you all a wonderful and light filled Chanukah filled with creativity and joy, now go get that crochet hook and get to work!

Puffy Crocheted Flower Wall Hanging Is Perfect For Early Spring

If this looks familiar, it is! I am reposting this from the archives as it really is such a sweet project and perfect right about now. So get out those odds and ends of yarn and make a wall hanging!

Now you too can make a gorgeous crocheted flower wall hanging that is a breeze to whip up and is truly unique. I love the pastel colors for early spring, or baby's room, or you can go with brights or neutrals to make something that looks amazing in your special spot. Come to think of it this could also be great inspiration for a DIY wedding backdrop, right? Of course you'll need a bit of time to crochet all those flowers, but it would be amazing!

A full year ago I shared some fun crocheted flower pillows, that would be nice partners for this wall hanging, but first lets get started!