diy, etc. - valentine's day quick gifts

Looking for something to make for Valentine's Day, but just realized you only have two days left!?! I've got you covered with three lovely knit/crochet gifts that can be made in one sitting:

1. Heart Bookmark: With crazy winter weather hitting much of the nation this year, there has never been a better time to stay inside with a favorite book. And this bookmark is a novel's best accessory. They are so quick and easy to knit up, you can make one for all your besties.

2. Crochet Cup Cozy: Keep your hottie's coffee hot with this super easy crochet cup cozy. You can customize it to reflect your man's favorite sport's team logo, college colors, or show your love with a classic heart embellishment. See some of the different designs I made last winter here. Plus you'll be helping the environment by saying no to disposable cup sleeves.  

3. Knit Hearts: I did not write this pattern - it is from the site Mochimochi Land - but they are so cute I had to include it. I'm thinking of incorporating one of these guys into a handmade card!

crochet, etc. - anna's cup cozy

Nothing is better on a cool fall day than a warm beverage to sip. And nothing ruins a nice fall day like getting your hands burned by said warm (*hot*) beverage. That's why I always try to carry a crochet cup cozy with me. They are so easy to make, fun to use, and will keep your drink warm and your fingers safe. Plus they are more environmentally conscious than those flimsy cardboard ones they have at cafes.

Learn how to crochet your own cup cozy with the free anna knits, etc. crochet cup cozy pattern here!

I love making these, because you can use left over yarn and be creative with your embellishment - get inspiration here and here.

anna etsys - heart bookmarks

Crochet Heart Bookmarks are now up on my Etsy shop: anna knits, etc.!

Pair one with a great book to make the perfect gift for your favorite bookworm - or yourself!

Want to make your own? I posted the pattern (free!) here. 

anna crochets - heart bookmark

Since it is Valentine's Day week, I've been experimenting with crochet hearts. I ended up making a bookmark, which I am really happy with. Here is the pattern for you to try:

~ Crochet Heart Bookmark Pattern Idea ~

I used Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn in red and pink and an H/8 5.00mm crochet hook. Please note that this is less of a pattern and more of a pattern idea as you will be required to crochet a heart based on your own preference. There are many tutorials out there for crocheting hearts. Good luck!

Step 1: Crochet a heart. I used this photo pattern from the blog Cornflower Blue Studio  Please see below**.
Step 2: Crochet a second heart.
Step 3: Attach a second color yarn with a slip stitch to one of the hearts.
Step 4: Chain 30 (or as long as you like).
Step 5: Attach the other end of the chain to the second heart.
Step 6: Tie in loose ends.

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

** (12/10/14) A reader alerted me that the Cornflower Blue Studio pattern is no longer accessible. I found the same pattern with great instructions on another blog, a creative being.  Enjoy!

*** (2/12/17) Unfortunately the link from a creative being is also no longer accessible. Thanks to reader Madeleine for letting me know! I found a tutorial for making the same type of crochet hearts on Youtube from Chic and Cheap (Easiest Crochet Heart Tutorial). Happy Valentine's Day!

anna crochets - crochet heart

Valentine's Day is approaching, and I thought I'd get in the spirt by crocheting a heart. Not sure what I am gong to do with it yet, but I'll keep you posted!

You can learn how to make your own crochet heart with this great picture tutorial on the blog Cornflower Blue Studio. 

anna knits - fingerless gloves update 2

I finished one fingerless glove today:

My only complaint is that it is a bit long. I could tell they were getting too long while knitting, but decided to finish the pattern anyway. I did cut the top ribbing short though instead of knitting a full inch as the pattern stipulated.

I particularly like the thumb:

You can see my progress, and get a link to the pattern here. 

knitting, etc. - knit headband

I think my next project - after these fingerless gloves - will be a knit headband. I love this cabled one from The Sweat Shop of Love on Etsy. (Pattern available here for $2.)

I don't have the yarn needed to make this exact headband right now, but I might try to make one with smaller needles to match the gloves I'm making. Perhaps focusing on the heart motif...

Valentine's Day is coming up!

anna crochets - more cup cosies

This weekend I made a few more cup cosies:

You can find the free pattern for the cosy shell here. Also check it out on Ravelry here! 

The best thing about making these crochet cup cosies is the flexibility. You can make yours a few rows taller or shorter and it will still work fine. And then of course there is the decoration - endless possibilities! 

What would you put on your cosy?

anna crochets - hurricane cozy

Stuck inside because of the hurricane? I spent my afternoon whipping up this crochet cup cozy, and now you can too! (Scroll down for pattern)

~ Cup Cozy Pattern ~

I used Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn and an H/8 5.00mm crochet hook.

Round 1: Chain 28, or enough to fit tightly around your cup, and join to the first chain with a slip stitch. Be careful not to twist your chain!
Round 2: Single crochet in each chain around.
Repeat round 2 twelve times, or until cozy is as tall as you desire. End off.

The heart appliqué pattern I used was from the blog Cornflower Blue Studio.** The pattern has easy to follow illustrated instructions and is available for free here!

** (12/10/14) A reader alerted me that the Cornflower Blue Studio pattern is no longer accessible. I found the same pattern with great instructions on another blog, a creative being.  Enjoy!

hearts, etc.

I saw a cute sweater with an embossed heart design while shopping at the Cambridge, MA boutique Mint Julep. 

The sweater is by the Danish clothes brand, nümph.

I love the way the knit stitches outline the purl stitches. Seeing this design made me do a search for other heart patterns online. Here are some of my favorites from Ravelry. Click on the picture for the pattern.

photo © 2009 Katie Chameleon

pattern by Hannah Fettig

photo by GmaX4

I haven't found a pattern to achieve the bordered pattern seen in the nümph sweater, but here is a simple heart pattern from the blog craft passion in case you want to try out your own embossed heart.