Come see us at the B&B Craft Show in Lancaster, SC, Saturday, November 24th! It’ll be my last show for this year. Of course, pieces are available year-round at Hamlin Craftworks!
How to Preserve Flowers
The Neurology team at Carolina Veterinary Specialists was kind enough to send me a lovely flower arrangement in honor of Kodiak’s passing on the 1st (more on that when I can write about it without so much ugly crying). I decided that I wanted to keep some of the flowers so I could put them in his memory box, along with a few other mementos.
So, how to preserve the flowers? I was surprised to discover that there are actually several fairly simple methods for doing just that.
Hang the flowers to dry. I remember doing this as a kid, generally with roses and wildflowers. Take the leaves off the stems and tie the flowers into small bundles using rubber bands, twine, etc. Hang them upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area, and wait. Air drying can be a long process, depending on the flower. They become brittle when they’re air dried, so you have to handle them gently.
Press the flowers. This is another technique I’ve used in the past. Place the flowers between sheets of paper or inside a telephone book. Set a very heavy item on top of the paper or book, and wait. This method can take a few weeks, and may not work if a flower is too thick.
Microwave the flowers. I’d not heard of this method before. Using coffee filters to absorb any excess moisture, put a layer of silica gel on a flat microwave-safe dish. Place the flowers in the gel and then add another layer of gel. Using a moderate temperature setting, heat the flowers for a few minutes at a time, checking periodically. Once the flower is dry, remove the dish from the microwave and let it sit for several hours to cool. This is a much faster method than the first two, but it is possible to overcook the flowers and make them brittle.
Dry the flowers with sand. Cover the flowers with sand and wait. The sand will eventually absorb all of the moisture from the flowers.
Dry the flowers with silica gel. The process is essentially the same as with sand. Cover the flowers with silica gel and wait until the moisture has been removed.
Preserve with glycerine. Place the flower in a container of glycerin and wait. This process can take a few weeks, but the glycerin will eventually replace the water in the flower. This means the flower won’t dry out and will keep its texture. The color does typically fade over time, though.
Encase the flower in epoxy. This method is a bit more complicated than the others, but can be used to turn the flowers into decorations. Select a mold and fill it halfway with epoxy resin. Arrange the flowers in the mold, and fill the remainder with resin. Once the resin dries, remove it from the mold.
I decided to press three of Kodiak’s flowers. I actually have a telephone book, although the town I live in is very small, so the book is rather thin. Thankfully, I have several much heavier books available to provide the necessary pressure. The pink flower is rather thick, so it may not work for that one. I’ve placed the flowers between paper towels to help absorb the moisture, and the two smaller flowers are in the telephone book. The larger flower is in a significantly larger book. I’ve placed several more books on top of those. Now we wait. I’ll check them in a week or so and see how things are progressing. Fingers crossed.
Reusable Cotton Face Scrubby
Every craft show I’ve worked, someone has asked if I make face scrubbies. Well, after playing with patter ideas for a bit, I can now say that yes, I do make face scrubbies. These are made with Hobby Lobby’s I Love Cotton yarn, because I really do love how that cotton feels. It’s so soft, and let’s face it, who wants to use something harsh on their face? To wash them, just toss them in a lingerie bag and wash in cool water on a delicate cycle. You can put the whole bag in the dryer, or spread the scrubbies out and let them air dry.
These are simple to make, but if you’d rather, you can pop over to Hamlin Craftworks and buy a few.
I used a G hook, which gives me a scrubby that is approximately 3.5″ in diameter.
Using a magic circle, ch 1, 10 sc, slip stitch into the top of the chain.
Round 2:Â Chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch, 2 dc in each stitch around, slip stitch into the top of the chain.
Round 3:Â Chain 2, 2 dc in same stitch, *1 dc, 2 dc* around, slip stitch into the top of the chain.
Round 4: Chain 2, 1 hdc in same stitch, ch 1. *Hdc, ch 1* in each stitch around, slip stitch into the top of the chain.
Finish off.
Happy hooking!
Show Number Three
Hamlin Craftworks will have a booth at the Indian Land Fall Festival this coming weekend, November 3rd and 4th. Come by and see me if you’re in the area!
Christmas Doorknob Hanger
Years ago, my grandmother crocheted Christmas doorknob hangers. I was feeling a bit nostalgic this year and I asked my mother to send me a few photos so I could try and recreate the pattern. When I showed her a picture of my work, Mom approved and said it looked just like the ones Ma made.
As always, you may use the pattern below to make your own, or you can hop over to Hamlin Craftworks and buy a few!
Materials Needed:
Jingle bells
Plastic ring with a 2.5″ inside diameter, which will fit over standard doorknobs
Red Heart Mistletoe yarn
Size H crochet hook
Yarn needle
Abbreviations/Stitches Used:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
st = stitch
beg = beginning
The Ring:
Round 1: Join with a sl st around plastic ring. Ch 1, 76 sc around ring, join with a sl st to beg sc. Do not turn.
Round 2:Â Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 5, *sk next st, sc in next st, ch 5*, repeat from * to * around, join with a sl st to beg sc.
Fasten off.
The Spirals:
Make 3 pieces (2 with ch 50, 1 with ch 60).
Slip bell on yarn and push down.
Ch 50 (or 60), pull bell up to hook.
Sc in first chain, 2 sc in second chain, 3 dc in all remaining chains.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Attach the spirals to the yarn at the start/end point on the ring. Weave in all ends.
Happy hooking!
Success at the SCCRA Conference
I was a little hesitant about attending the SCCRA conference, since the cost of the booth was a bit expensive for my budget and I wasn’t sure how much of a return I would get. Now that it’s over, I’m so glad I went. I met a lot of really lovely folks and passed out a bunch of business cards and rate sheets. A few people expressed an interest in possibly hiring me, so we’ll see if anything comes of it. The best (and most surprising) part was that a few of the ladies saw me crocheting a scarf during some of our downtime and they pushed for me to bring my pieces in Sunday. I checked with the coordinator and she approved it, so Sunday morning I hauled my tub o’ goodies to the court reporter’s convention. I ended up selling several pieces, including a fairly expensive wrap. I also received a commission for a baby blanket and beanie. Such a wonderful bonus to the weekend!
Hamlin Craftworks
I am super excited to announce that my online shop, Hamlin Craftworks, is live and ready for business! Please bear with me while I get all of my pieces listed. As always, if you see something on my Facebook page or at a craft show that you like, just let me know!
Cotton Swiffer Covers
Several months back, I was asked if I could make swiffer mop covers for a few friends. Sure, I said. Why not? I did a little searching a found a pattern that seemed to be very popular – the folks I talked to liked it, anyway. So I made several of the covers, and, as far as I know, my friends were quite happy with them. The only problem was that I HATED making them. The pattern was fairly easy, but I hated it. I swore off swiffer covers and promised myself that I’d never make another one.
Well, one of those friends contacted me recently and asked for some more covers. What’s a girl to do? Go pattern hunting, of course. After a bit of searching, I gave up. I may not be a fancy pattern writer, but surely I could come up with something I liked for a mop cover. And so I did.
As always, you may use the pattern below to make your own, or you can hop over to Hamlin Craftworks and buy a few!
For this pattern, I used less than one ball of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn and an H hook. My finished piece is roughly 5″ by 9.5″, with plenty of stretch to slip over a standard swiffer/swiffer-type mop head.
Note: turning chains do not count as stitches.
Abbreviations:
Ch: chain
SC: single crochet
DC: double crochet
FPDC: front post double crochet
Chain 18
Row 1: SC in second chain from hook and sc across. Turn.
Row 2-7: Ch 1, sc in first stitch and each stitch across. Turn.
Row 8: Ch 2, dc in first stitch and each stitch across. Turn.
Row 9-25:Â Ch 2, dc in first stitch, then alternate fpdc and dc across.
Row 26: Ch 2, dc in first stitch and each stitch across. Turn.
Row 27-33: Ch 1, sc in first stitch and each stitch across. Turn.
Fold at DC row on each end. Starting in the corner, use a slip stitch or single crochet to hook the sc and dc sections together on one side. SC down the side, then work through both layers again to the corner. Repeat on the other side.
Finish off. Weave in ends.
Happy hooking!
Show Number Two
Saturday, October 27, I’ll be in Pineville, NC. Come see me!
Waxhaw’s Autumn Treasures
I had a great time at Waxhaw’s Autumn Treasures festival this weekend! Chatted with lots of lovely folks, and might even get a couple of commissions. The weather couldn’t have been better; cool and mostly sunny.
I had two setups this weekend. I think I like the second one (Sunday’s) better. That angled table was a bit more inviting. Although the wrap is what snagged the attention of most folks.
Saturday’s Booth
Sunday’s Booth
My three favorite moments from the event:
1) A young fellow (maybe 12?) came into the booth looking at the baby blankets. He was obviously not finding what he wanted, and he finally asked me if I had any blankets for $5. Well, no, but I did have some cute beanie hats for babies that happen to be $5. He bought a blue beanie and left. An hour or so later, he comes back to the booth and he’s grinning ear to ear. “My baby cousin loves his new hat!” Y’all, I’m not kidding, I nearly teared up over that. Not only because he was so pleased, but because he took the time to come back and tell me. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone do that before.
2) A lady was sucked into the booth by a blue blanket. She kept touching it, and she finally pulled it out of the basket. She told me about her granny who used to crochet blankets for her, but who is no longer here. She has a blanket that’s worn thin from all the washing – and, let’s face it, from all the love. While she was talking, she kept snuggling into the blanket, rubbing her face against it and squeezing it. She bought the blanket, saying she had to have it, that she didn’t have anyone to make things like that for her anymore. Yep, nearly teared up on that one too. I still have all of the blankets my grandmother crocheted for me…
3) I was chatting with a lady who was looking at the champagne mohair wrap. We talked about fibers and stitches and the work that goes into making something like that. She, as did many other people over the weekend, checked the price tag. Her response was something I’m just not used to hearing – “It’s totally worth that!”