Tapestry crochet is similar to regular crochet, except that more than one yarn is used at the same time to create a colorful fabric. Actually, one or more yarns are carried while another yarn is single crocheted. The finished pieces look woven instead of crocheted. Tapestry crochet has been popular for a long time in several countries. Mayan men in Guatemala tapestry crochet shoulder bags with cotton thread or wool yarn. In other parts of the world, tapestry crochet is used to make yarmulkes and hats.

This purse begins at the bottom, then spirals upwards to the strap. The horse is 22 stitches wide. It is possible to make a variety of purse sizes by increasing or decreasing the length of the foundation chain by eleven stitches. Feel free to substitute different colors or another motif -- just be sure that the total number of stitches on the sides of the purse is a multiple of the number of stitches in your motif.

• Size 3 Senso Wool Cotton thread by DMC (100 yds per 29g / 91m – 1.02 oz); four balls of Bone (1302), 3 balls of Brown (1309), and 1 ball of Maroon (1308); (www.dmc-usa.com)
• 2.75mm (size 1) steel crochet hook, or the size that will give an acceptable gauge
• 1 1/4” diameter decorative button
• Stitch counter or marker
• Needle

Without the strap: 10 1/2” wide by 9 1/2” high

9 stitches equals 1 inch; 8 rows equals 1 inch

All stitches are single crochet stitches unless otherwise indicated.

Begin

Round 1: Starting with the brown thread, make a slip knot (leaving a ten-inch tail), th

Crochet this colorful coin purse for your favorite little miss! Bead crocheted purse and strap, made in one piece with tubular construction and beaded single crochet stitch.

• Size 3/2 perle cotton yarn, 100yds
• Size D, E or F hook (or size that gives you the correct gauge)
• 1 beading needle
• One decorative button

4” X 4 ¼” with a 30” strap

37 beads per sq. inch
70 inches yarn per sq. inch

US Pattern Notation Used
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
PM = place marker
Beaded chain: Draw bead up tight to work, make a chain
Beaded slip stitch (bss): Insert hook in st, slide a bead up close, yo and pull though st. and loop on hook.
Beaded single crochet (bsc):
Insert crochet hook into top of stitch in previous row, yarn over and draw loop through; slide the bead up to the stitch being worked, yarn over and draw loop through both stitches on hook so that the bead is anchored above the stitch of the previous row.
Front bead single crochet, aka Reverse Bead Single Crochet (fbsc): (Beads that you have crocheted in on the previous row will now be facing you.) Push bead up as close to the hook as you can get it, hold on to bead with your thumb, insert hook OVER thread and into sc, thread over, (keep holding the bead), pull through, thread over pull through the two loops on hook. Bead should be in the front. Keep thread tension a little tight so the bead, this will force the bead to stay in place.

This wrap was created specifically with breastfeeding mothers in mind. Created with 100% silk chenille, it is both airy and beautiful. The wider edges of the wrap provide enough coverage to give babies privacy while eating in public, and make the wrap easy and comfortable for moms to wear. It's surprisingly warm and would make a lovely shoulder wrap for mothers-to-be for those windy spring days.

I purchased the yarn for this wrap from Ebay originally, but any sport weight chenille yarn would do. The wrap was kool-aid dyed with blue and cherry after it was finished. I used a hook larger than recommended to create the lacy look.

• Approximately 16oz. of sport weight chenille yarn.
• 7mm hook (Size K hook is slightly smaller but should be acceptable)

It is assumed that each row begins with either a chain 1 for sc rows, ch 2 for hdc rows and ch 3 for dc rows. Personally I reduce the number to 1 chain for sc and hdc rows and 2 ch for dc rows. For my work, it keeps the edges neater and doesn't leave a large gap between the beginning stitch and rest of the work.

US pattern notations used
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
st = stitch

This stylized cat-toy is a real quicky to make, and the hemp string really holds up to even kitten-style rough housing.

• Ecolution Fine Hemp Twine (0.8 mm diameter, 325 yds/297 m, 2.3 oz/65 gm) – 1 ball natural.
• Stuffing material: Any kind of stuffing is fine (cotton balls or leftover bits of yarn, for example), but I prefer pieces of cellophane or mylar because they make crinkely noises that cats seem to like. A really excellent source of mylar is from the windows of envelopes from bills and junk mail. Recycling at its finest! Add catnip as desired.

US Pattern Notations Used
ch = chain
st(s) = stitch(es)
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
dec = decrease

Not *that* kind of hemp! This is a fine drapey twine that crochets up nice and tight with a smallish hook – flexible enough to wrap around a pony-tail, but stiff enough to hold its shape.

Included here are two stick-barrettes, one hair tie, and a Möbius hair band – a new *twist* on the old scrunchie.

• Ecolution Fine Hemp Twine (0.8 mm diameter, 325 yds/297 m, 2.3 oz/65 gm) – 1 ball each white, purple, and burgundy.
• Hook size US D/3 (3.25mm)
• Hair stick (5” dowel, chopstick, crochet hook, etc., for stick barrettes)
• Elastic hair band, about 2” diameter (for Möbius band)

US Pattern Notations Used
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet

Designed with a gathered effect on top, this classic hat is more flattering (on the designer at least!) than the usual smooth-top beanie style. Cat ears lend a flair of feline fun, while the bottom ribbing adds warmth. Variations can be made by leaving off the ears and adding a pompom or tassel.

• 3oz. sport weight yarn, grey and a small amount of pink. Model uses Lion Brand Micro Spun.
• Size H/5mm hook, or any size so that you achieve the stated gauge.

Adult - one size fits all

8 sts and 6 rows equal 2 inches

Join each row with a slip stitch. In the ribbing rows, treat the ch 3 and the 1^st dc as one st, making the bpdc around both at once.

This cheery, cuddly pillow is sure to brighten even the dullest day. It's a fabulous project for beginners, so come on all you newbies out there, show us what you got.

• Sport Weight Baby Yarn, 2 colors A & B (pick your favorites!)
• Size I hook
• Polyester Fiberfill for pillow stuffing
• Small piece of yarn, stitch marker, or safety pin to mark rounds

I used 2 colors for the front of the flower and one single color for the back.