Here we are at Halloween again, where we hand out candy indiscriminately to unknown children. I used to love this holiday when I was younger; who wouldn’t love all of that candy, except for those with diabetes or who just didn’t care for candy. But even then, maybe they loved just dressing up and the excitement of going around trick or treating and being with the other kids. After all, they could always give their candy away to their friends. But I admit that Halloween now holds no fascination for me and I don’t even care to participate in it. I also don’t care for Easter and the bunny, the eggs and that kind of thing, although I like the Church services, the real meaning of Easter. But, I want to wish all of you who do enjoy this holiday, a very happy Halloween.
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Oct 31, 2008 | | Halloween
I found this cute afghan pattern at the Purple Kitty, but it comes from the Coats & Clark pattern people. I find this to be about the most holiday specific afghan pattern that I’ve found anywhere. In fact it is the only one that I have come across. The pattern is specified as “easy”, so those of you who are new to crochet will be able to perform these stitches easily. Take a look at the afghan.
Halloween Afghan
It’s cute isn’t it? I’ll bet that anyone would like to have this and perhaps you might even know some industrious soul who loves to crochet that will make one up for you if you don’t know how to crochet, don’t have the time to learn or do it yourself, or just don’t want to. But if you decide to go for it, you can find instructions on how to crochet just about anywhere, and it really is easy.
Skill Level: Easy
Designed by Michele Thompson.
Afghan measures approximately 47″ x 58 1/2″.
Cats and bats playing in the pumpkin patch describe this fun Crocheted Halloween Afghan. Strips are crocheted from Red Heart Super Saver, then joined and appliquéd with cats, bats and pumpkins. A little fabric paint gives them their personality.
RED HEART® “Super Saver®”: 13 Ounces No. 0254 Pumpkin CA; 26 ounces No. 0312 Black CB; 9 ounces No. 0368 Paddy Green CC.
Crochet Hook: 6mm [US J-10].
Yarn needle; TULIP “Slick” Dimensional Fabric Paint (1.25 ounce tube): 1 tube each No. 65130 True Red; No. 65038 Black; No. 65174 Natural Glow; and No. 65420 Sour Apple.
GAUGE/TENSION: 12 sts = 4″; 14 rows = 4″ in sc. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.
NOTE: Afghan is made in strips, then sewn tog. Appliqués are made separately, painted, then sewn on.
AFGHAN:
STRIPS 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (Make 5): With CA, ch 16.
Row 1 (Right Side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across; turn – 15 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across; turn.
Rep Row 2 until there are 18 rows completed. [Change to CB.
Work 18 rows sc. Change to CA. Work 18 rows sc.] 5 times. Fasten off. There are a total of 11 color blocks in each strip.
STRIPS 2, 4, 6, 8 (Make 4): With CB, ch 16.
Row 1 (Right Side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across; turn – 15 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across; turn.
Rep Row 2 until there are 18 rows completed. [Change to CC. Work 18 rows sc. Change to CB. Work 18 rows sc.] 5 times. Fasten off. There are a total of 11 color blocks in each strip.
Sew strips together following diagram. Weave in ends.
Edging-Rnd 1: With right side facing, attach CB at top righthand corner; ch 1, 3 sc in corner, sc across top edge, 3 sc in corner, sc evenly down side, 3 sc in corner, sc across beginning ch edge, 3 sc in corner, sc up last side; join with a sl st in first sc; TURN.
Rnds 2 and 3 (Wrong Side): Ch 1, sc in each sc around and work 3 sc in center corner sc; join to first sc. TURN at end of Rnd 3.
Rnd 4: * Ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, skip next sc, sl st in next 2 sc; rep from * around. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
APPLIQUES:
PUMPKINS (Make 10): With CA, ch 3; join with a sl st in first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring; join with a sl st in first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around; join – 16 sc.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc in sc, 2 sc in next sc] 8 times; join – 24 sc.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, [sc in 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 8 times; join – 32 sc.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, [sc in 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 8 times; join – 40 sc.
Rnd 6: Sl st in each sc around. Fasten off.
Paint face on pumpkin with black fabric paint. Sew pumpkins on afghan according to diagram.
CAT FACE (Make 6): With CB, work same as for pumpkin until Rnd 4 is complete.
Rnd 5: * Ch 4, sl st into 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, dc in next ch, skip join, skip next 2 sc, sl st in next 6 sc **; repeat from * to **; sl st in each st around. Fasten off.
Paint eyes on face with green, let dry, then paint center of eye with black. Paint nose with black, let dry, then paint whiskers with glow. Paint mouth with red. Sew cat faces on afghan according to diagram.
BAT (Make 9)-Head: With CB, work same as for pumpkin until Rnd 1 is complete.
Rnd 2: * Ch 2, sl st into 2nd ch from hook, skip join, skip next sc, sl st in next 3 sc **; repeat from * to **; sl st in each st around. Fasten off. Paint 2 eyes on head with red.
Wings: With CB, ch 16.
Rnd 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st in last ch, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in last ch again, working on opposite side of beginning ch, sl st in next 2 ch; ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook – picot made; skip next ch, sl st in next 7 ch, picot, skip next ch, sl st in last 3 ch, picot.
Row 2: Working across first sts of Rnd 1, sl st in first 3 sts, picot, skip tr, sl st in next 7 sts, picot, skip tr, sl st in last 3 sts. Fasten off.
Sew head onto wings. Sew bats on afghan according to diagram.
ABBREVIATIONS:
CA, CB, CC : Colors A, B, C; ch : chain; dc : double crochet; hdc : half double crochet; lp : loop; mm : millimeters; rep : repeat; rnd : round; sc : single crochet; sl : slip; sp : space; st(s) : stitch(es); tr : treble crochet; * or ** : repeat whatever follow the * or ** as indicated; [ ] : work directions given in brackets the number of times specified.
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Oct 22, 2008 | | Afghan, Crochet, Halloween
I’m interested in how other people celebrate the Halloween holidays which as you know are coming up soon and which have been preoccupying my mind. Just yesterday I was at Wal-mart with my daughter looking at the items they have for sale to help decorate your yard. I said to her that we could make our own without having to spend a lot on what they had. I’m not sure that she heard me but I am going to go back and look at the ideas I’ve been posting on here for the last two weeks. Normally we “might” do up a pumpkin but that’s about it. I don’t have any straw and pumpkins on my front porch, we don’t do the music or the dry ice…but I’d like to know what you all do and would appreciate any and all ideas. Thanks!
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Sep 19, 2008 | | Halloween
Look how cute this is, and what a good idea to use a pumpkin as a treat holder. It just makes sense to use a pumpkin like this. Of course it would be better to have one that was not made out of a real pumpkin, so you could replace the pumpkin with one made out of plastic or styrofoam even. Check with your local craft stores.
1. By hand or computer, print the word TREATS on paper, and tape to the side of the pumpkin. Use a pin or needle tool to prick a dot outline of your design onto the pumpkin.
2. Remove paper, and with a linoleum cutter, scrape out the skin inside the outline, at least 1/8 inch deep.
3. Now attend to your jar: With scissors, cut a jagged design along the long edge of a strip of crepe paper, and, gathering it, attach it below the rim of the jar with masking tape. Wind a strand of Christmas lights around the jar, carve a hole in the back of the pumpkin to pass the cord through, and slide the jar in the pumpkin. Fill the jar with candy; once you’ve plugged in your pumpkin, it will take on a festive glow.
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Sep 16, 2008 | | Crafts, Halloween
These paper light covers are meant to go over nightlights done individually. These are not the kind that you put out and have lit candles inside of. You might could use these for that purpose but I am not sure.
What You Need:
Black card
Orange tissue
paper
PVA glue
Craft knife
or small
sharp scissors
1. For the large lantern, cut a strip of card 20″ x 8½”. The small lantern is 19″ x 5″.
2. On the reverse of the card draw a design or use the templates to make your own individual pattern. Remember, any wording has to be written backwards so that when you turn the lantern over it reads correctly.
Click here to view template (resize on a photocopier as required)
3. Cut out the design using a craft knife or sharp scissors.
4. Glue a strip of tissue paper over the inside of the lantern.
5. Join the lantern together with glue.
6. Stand a nightlight on a saucer and place the lantern over the top. Turn out the lights and watch those ghosties run!
SAFETY FIRST
Only use nightlights, and as with all candles, never leave a burning candle unattended.
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Sep 12, 2008 | | Crafts, Halloween
You need:
Black Plastic Garbage Bags
(We Used 30 Gallon Bags)
Newspaper
Rubber Bands
Black Electric Tape
Orange Contact Paper or
Orange Paint Marker
String
Animal Face Pattern
Instructions:
Place a rubber band tightly around the each corner of a garbage bag, about 6″ from the end. Stuff the garbage bag with several pieces of newspaper. Rubber band off to form the head. Spread open the banded off sections of the bag and tape down part of each to form the ears.
Cut the bottom of the bag up to the rubber band every 3″ to for streamers.
Use Animal Face Pattern to paint on a face with paint markers or to cut a face out of contact paper and apply to garbage bag. Poke a hole through the top of the bag for a string. Reinforce hole with black electrical tape.
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Sep 12, 2008 | | Crafts, Halloween
Customize existing candles for any holiday. These are very decorative candles that you can put anywhere at all. These would really brighten up a bathroom or a window or even a table that you’ve sit outside.
You need:
3″ Diameter Pillar Candle
Jack-o-Lantern Bead
Black and Purple Pony Beads
Memory Wire Bracelet
Needle Nose Pliers
Instructions:
Bend the end of the memory wire into a small loop to keep beads from falling off. Randomly string black pony beads, purple pony beads and pumpkin beads. Your decoration will look better if you don’t try to pattern the beads. When bracelet is filled, bend the final end into a loop to keep the beads in place. Wrap around a candle. Wire will keep its shape and stay in place.
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Sep 12, 2008 | | Crafts, Halloween
If you want some craft ideas then you need to visit My Lifetime dot com because theirs are very cool and they have crafts that aren’t found at most of the usual craft spots. They even have some videos that show you how to do some of the crafts and that really helps when you’re stuck. But they don’t just have crafts there, they have Entertainment, TV, Relationships, Health, Style, Games and a lot more. This is onen well rounded website. What I like about the videos is that they show you how to do everything that you need including how to crochet, in order to accomplish the crafts shown. Another video craft is on how to do beaded napkin rings. These videos are easy to follow and understand and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an easier way and better instructions.
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Sep 12, 2008 | | Crafts, Halloween
What you’ll need:
Black craft foam
2 small wiggle eyes
1 miniature purple pom pom
Small scrap of white craft foam
Purple or pink glitter glue
Paintbrush
White craft glue
Scissors
Pin back
Pattern
How to make it:
Enlarge the image of the bat (see “Pattern” link above), print it and cut it out from black craft foam.
Coat the entire bat with glitter glue and let dry.
Glue wiggle eyes in place.
Glue on purple pom-pom for the nose.
Cut two tiny triangles from white craft foam and glue below the nose. Let dry completely before moving to the next step. Once dry, flip the bat over and glue pin back to its back. Let dry completely.
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Sep 12, 2008 | | Crafts, Halloween
Do you and your family get all excited about Halloween each year and decorate your house, inside and out? We have tried to do decorations but they always seem to cost so much, what with the price of costumes, that we’ve never really decorated up the way that we do at Christmas. But with the crafts I’ve been finding and posting on here, it is extremely easy and cheap to decorate our house and this year I intend on doing everything that I can to make the house Halloween friendly for all of the children who live here and for those who will visit here. Sadly enough we did not have a lot of visitors last Halloween, but maybe if we spruce up the yard with decorations we will get more this year.
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Sep 11, 2008 | | Halloween
