Browse Category by Guest Post
Giveaways, Guest Post

Giveaway: Crochet Hooks from ZhuZhu’s World

You could win one of these hooks!
Size J crochet hook from ZhuZhu’s World

Ever since I got them, I’ve been hooked (pun very much intended) on my custom-made crochet hooks from ZhuZhu’s World.  I started using them for the granny square picot afghan I’m working on. They are unique. They are comfy. They are all around lovely.

Meet Julia, the mastermind behind these hooks. Julia hand-makes the coverings out of polymer clay so the crochet hooks are stylish and comfortable. She sands, waxes, and buffs the hooks to make them fit perfectly in your hands.  Suffering from fibromyalgia herself, Julia wanted to create hooks that were easy on the hands, yet delightful to the eyes. The hooks are especially good for people who have arthritis or experience pain when crocheting.

After telling her how much I enjoyed her handiwork, Julia agreed to host a giveaway!  Yay!  Now you can get your hands (literally) on some gorgeous, one-of-a-kind ZhuZhu hooks.   You can check out her full line of hooks here at ZhuZhu’s Etsy Shop.

Now it’s time for the giveaway!

Crochet hook from ZhuZhu's World
Crochet hook from ZhuZhu’s World

Giveaway Details

  • Prize: One custom crochet hook of your choice from ZhuZhu’s World (up to a $12value!)
  • One entry per person
  • Givewaway April 24 to May 31, 2013
  • A winner will be chosen May 31st

How to Enter

  1. Like ZhuZhu’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ZhuzhusWorld
  2. Fill out the form below to submit your entry
  3. Wait for May 31st to see if you’re a winner!

Crochet Hook Giveway from ZhuZhu's World

Complete the form below to be registered to win a custom crochet hook!

  • Do you blog or craft? We'd love to hear where! If not, no worries, just leave blank.
    To enter this giveaway, please "like" ZhuZhu's facebook page.

Size 8 (1.4mm) crochet hook from ZhuZhu's World
Size 8 (1.4mm) crochet hook from ZhuZhu’s World

Special thanks to Julia and ZhuZhu’s World for making these hooks and sponsoring this giveaway. xoxo

Crochet, Free Patterns, Guest Post, Projects

Crochet Beard Pattern: Free Pattern for Hat

Crochet Beard Hat Pattern

When people find I crochet, it’s a matter of weeks–days sometimes– before they ask if I can make one project: a crochet beard hat. Friends, family, and strangers have e-mailed, texted, even posted pictures on my Facebook wall, requesting this odd item.

Crocheted beards hold some inexplicable intrigue.

That’s why I was delighted to come across Lauren Strasser, a crochet designer who blogs about life at The Production Department.  Lauren has been crocheting since she was 15, but really started cranking things up when she was 19.

******************************************************************************
Reasons you need to make this project, this weekend:

  1. It’s freezing out there!
  2. The lumberjack look is so hot this season.
  3. St. Paddy’s Day leprechaun costume?
  4. My beard is way comfier than this beard.

I had been wanting to make a beard hat for awhile, but all the patterns I could find online weren’t quite what I was looking for. My wish list included: a big enough mouth space, ear coverage, and full chin coverage.

So I made my own and now you can too.

I loved using the foundation chain (fch) stitch in this pattern. The foundation chain lets the beard be stretchier than using a plain chain would allow. And stretch is key when you’re pulling this hat on like a face mask.

The foundation chain also makes the mustache area just a tiny bit thicker and we don’t want any wimpy mustaches around here. Here’s how to do the foundation chain (dch): Chain 2 Insert hook into 2nd chain from hook.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through both loops (1 loop on hook). First fch made.

For remaining fch stitches, insert hook under the strand to the left (if crocheting right handed) of the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops.

What you’ll need for the beard:

  • Red Heart worsted weight yarn (about 50 yards)
  • Size K crochet hook

Ready? Let’s go!

Crochet Beard Pattern

Fch 31

Row 1: Chain 1 (counts as first sc now an throughout), * dc, sc *, repeat * to * 15 more times (31 stitches).

Row 2: Chain 2 (counts as first dc now and throughout), * sc, dc *, repeat * to * 15 more times (31 stitches).

Rows 3-8: Repeat rows 1 and 2.

Row 9: ch 1 (Counts as first sc), *dc, sc* 5 times (11 stitches), fch 9, (up to 20 stitches).  Skip 9 stitches. Work *sc, dc* 5 times, end with another sc. (31 stitches total)

Row 10: Repeat Row 2 (31 stitches).

Fasten off.

Optional step: Hold the beard up to your face, look in the mirror, and laugh until your sides hurt. Now sew the beard to a hat.

11/1/12 Update: After many requests, a pattern for  a smaller beard for kids is included in the comments and posted here below: 

Instructions for Kid’s Sized Beard

Fch 19

Row 1: Chain 1 (counts as first sc now an throughout), * dc, sc *, repeat * to * 9 more times (19 stitches).

Row 2: Chain 2 (counts as first dc now and throughout), * sc, dc *, repeat * to * 9 more times (19 stitches).

Rows 3-8: Repeat rows 1 and 2.

Row 9: ch 1 (Counts as first sc), *dc, sc* 2 times, dc. (11 stitches), fch 7, (up to 20 stitches). Skip 7 stitches. Work *sc, dc* 2 times, dc. End with another sc. (19 stitches total)

Row 10: Repeat Row 2 (19 stitches).

Fasten off.

I used this men’s free crochet hat pattern (from JJCrochet). Here the hat is inside out to show approximate placement I like. The beard goes smack dab in the middle of the hat then the front tilts up an inch or two. Just sew along the edges of the beard, not all the way to the edge of the hat. You’ll see why soon.

One more cool thing about this hat; even with the beard sewn in, it can be worn as a plain hat. just fold the hat in and off you go! (This is why you only sewed along the edge of the beard back there.)

Crochet Beard Hat Pattern
I think it looks like a football helmet when it’s turned inside out… Anyone else?

You are now the proud owner of a beard hat! Gift it away, stay warm outside, and make up a stack for your jealous friends. If you already have too many projects in process and don’t have time for this one, you can head over to my blog and order a custom made crochet beard.

Crochet Hat Beard Pattern

******************************************************************************

Many thanks to Lauren for creating this fantastic pattern and allowing me to share it.

Currently, my workplace is participating in “Full Beard February” (no joke – it’s a real thing), but being a girl, I was feeling left out.  After Lauren’s pattern – no more! I was so excited for this beard pattern and immediately tested it out to make myself some facial hair.

I can confirm it is the most bizarre, most wonderful thing I have crocheted for myself in a while.  I tried the beard on, checked myself out in the mirror, and laughed myself silly. I guarantee it’ll be an instant hit when you crochet one.

Lauren’s favorite yarn to crochet with is Red Heart worsted weight and her least favorite chore around the house is vacuuming the stairs.  The best part about her day is her lunch time where she spends her a few precious minutes crocheting or reading.  During the week, she teaches 25+ preschoolers at her church and couldn’t be happier.  To learn more about Lauren’s crochet work, visit her at The Production Department.