creative jewish mom

Crocheted Potato Sack Scrubby With T-Shirt Yarn

I love using those mesh potato sacks to make kitchen and bath scrubbies, and since I have some very thin t-shirt yarn on hand, I decided to give it a try. I usually use mercerized cotton for this project, but I love the chunkier edge that one gets with t-shirt yarn. And just saying, one could use homemade t-shirt yarn, or commercial t-shirt yarn, whichever you have on hand!  These photos are so pink as I ran to take them at sunset, and can't quite figure out how to correct for that and need to post somethiing, so in the mean time, enjoy the pink glow! Want to make some kitchen scrubbies from potato sacks? Lets do it!

Quick Crocheted Arches Bathmat Using T-Shirt Yarn

Ready to crochet the cutest little bathmat you ever did see in just a few hours? This quick t-shirt yarn crocheted bathmat is such a fun project that you'll want to make a bunch to always have a clean one one hand. Simply toss it into the laundry when soiled and you'll always have a sweet crocheted touch in your bathroom.Or if you decide to go with colors that one wouldn't describe as "sweet" but rather rustic, or even bold and modern, that could be great too! Try some of those daring color combos like millenial pink and dark green or any variety of rusts and mustards that you might not want to experiment with elsewhere, and enjoy! This stitch pattern certainly lends itself to an interesting color application of any kind, and with t-shirt yarn it works up quickly, so if you don't like it, just rip it out. Another great thing about t-shirt yarn, versus acrylic or wool yarn, is that you can tear out old projects and the yarn is just as good as ever!

Ah yes, and since gift giving season is approaching, this would be an amazing handmade gift together with some gorgeous soap or a set of matching towels, so go for it!

Rope Granny Squares Using Brightly Colored Clothesline

I love crocheting, and especially using the crochet technique to crochet with recycled materials and non-traditional materials. Recently I spotted this bright clothesline at the dollar store, and just had to buy some to see what would happen if I tried to crochet with it. It turns out to be a bit difficult to crochet with synthetic rope as it has no give and is on the slippery side, but I managed to use up my purchase by making these bright orange granny squares.

Now the question is, how shall I use them? They are waterproof, so could be used to make a garden or patio garland, or maybe something decorative for my son's room. Hmmmmm, they are too thick to use as coasters, but joined together they could make a mat of some sort. Maybe a trivet to put under a plant......? Any ideas?

Crocheted Flower Pillow With Applique

Here is the perfect home decor item to bring spring into your home, introducing the crocheted flower applique pillow. Hmm, or maybe it is called the pillow with crocheted flower applique, not quite sure, but in any case this one is a winner and I'm so happy that I've actually managed to complete a project that is going to great use in my home! Oh, and of course there isn't really a greater stash buster than this as you can mix and match as many colors as your little heart desires!

I don't know about you, but I'm a bit wary of crocheted pillows as far as wear and tear, not to mention the time involved, so this idea of crocheting flowers and then using them as applique on a woven pillow cover is just perfect. The pillow won't loose its shape and this can be quick or not so quick, depending on the size of your pillow and how many flowers you decide to crochet. Ah yes, and while you are at it, do take advantage of the fact that this is applique, and be sure to use some flowers with lots of depth, like these, as that really truly makes the pillow special.

I've been wanting to try this idea for years with a simple crocheted doily applique, but somehow this one snuck in at the head of the line, and I'm not arguing! Keep reading for some useful tips, and lets get crocheting!

Crocheted Heart Wall Hanging

Phew, I finally figured out what to do with my crocheted cherry blossom heart! Ta da, it makes a really adorable little crocheted wall hanging, or maybe it is really a vertical garland, hmmm, not quite sure what to call it, but nonetheless it is truly sweet and quite simple to make. This is the kind of pattern that will look entirely different depending on your choice of colors, so go pastel or bright or even neutral, and the results will be a great way to spread the love.

While you are at it whip up a bunch so you'll always have a little homemade gift on hand, ah yes, and while you can't tell from the photos I did actually stiffen this piece with glue to keep it nice and flat, more on that in another post. First we've got to get crocheting, so here we go......

Simple Crocheted Flower Pattern Using The Popcorn Stitch

The almond trees are now in bloom here in Northern Isreal, so it is a great time to whip up some simple little crocheted flowers that can be used in so many ways for spring crafting. Now let me tell you, this little 2 row flower is no ordinary crocheted flower as it is puffy, on account of the popcorn stitch which is used to form the petals, and since I used chunky yarn, these little guys have a depth of around 1/2", which means they make perfect appliques for all kinds of decorative accessories such as pillows, wall hangings, garlands, you name it!

Looking for a stash buster project, this just may be it! These little puffy flowers work up quickly, and of course are a great take-along project. So grab all those little left overs and be sure to put a hook and some small balls of yarn in your bag for using up all those spare moments here and there! Speaking from experience I'd say with these flowers the more the merrier and come to think of it they would look fantastic randomly placed across a coverlet or bedspread, with some areas tightly packed and some with lots of space around them. Sounds dreamy, so lets get started!

Crocheted Hearts Wall Hanging From The Archives

How about making a crocheted hearts wall hanging to remind someone that you love them? I made this crocheted hearts and leaves wall hanging using a real branch, to hang in my daughter's room four yeas ago, and while it did sag just a bit towards the end of its run, all in all it was a huge success. Now we are in the process of redecorating my daughter's room, so the wall hanging has come down, but it is still such a wonderful project that I thought I'd share it with you again!

I did spend some time working up some more of these cherry blossom popcorn stitch hearts in new colors, (check them out here, with an additional row too) and I may just remake the wall hanging using those, we'll just have to see how it goes! I've also developed a few crocheted leaves inspired by this one, so stay tuned for that as well, and let me know if you give this project a try!

Crocheted Cherry Blossom Heart Is Super Sweet!

It is now the Jewish month of Shevat, so dear friends it is certainly time to start thinking about crafts for Tu B'Shevat, the holiday which celebrates the new year for the trees. Yes, really, trees have a new year's too, isn't that amazing?  While much of the Western World celebrates the tree in December, we do it around February, just as winter is coming to an end and the very first stirrings of spring and re-birth are happening. The first blossoms in Israel (which happens around Tu B'Shevat give or take) are those of the almond tree, whose blossoms are very much like cherry blossoms, so I'd say this sweet crocheted cherry blossom center heart qualifies as a craft for Tu B'Shevat! And of course, you can never have too many hearts!

For those of you who have been hanging around Creative Jewish Mom long enough, you may recognize this heart, as I used it to make a crocheted hearts wall hanging four years ago. The wall hanging doesn't match my teenage daughter's new room decor, but the pattern is still great, so I'm creating with it once again, with a few changes of course!

Crocheted T-Shirt Yarn Flower Medallion Stool Cover

One of my very favorite things to crochet is a stool cover, and here are my two new favorites.........in bright colors to match my all new Moroccan turquoise couches, really! And the fun thing about these crocheted stool covers is that they are crocheted using industrial t-shirt yarn, so each one only takes around 2 hours or even less, especially once you get the hang of it. So if you don't own any round stools, run to get some, because, take my word for it, this crochet project is a must!

Crocheted Stool Cover: A Reader's Version

Summer is a great time to whip up some fun crocheted accessories for your home, and one of my favorites is the crocheted stool cover. Crocheted stool covers are relatively quick and make such a wonderful statement in you home or on the patio.I actually came across this version by patinamoon.com of my doily stool cover while doing a search for some more ideas, and I just love it! So great to see others using my patterns!

One can crochet stool covers using industrial t-shirt yarn, like these t-shirt yarn stool covers I shared previously, or one can use just about any yarn that you have on hand, you decide! I have also crocheted a nice and colorful cotton stool cover called the crocheted mandala stool cover, that looks great as well.

Basically all you need is a round stool, some yarn, and just a few hours, and voila, a great new home accessory is born! And best of all, you can simply remove the cover to clean it, or switch covers with the seasons! Ready to get started on this one, keep reading.....