Coffee cozies

Well, working on those wrist warmers started me thinking of coffee cozies -- also known as coffee sleeves, mug warmers and a variety of other names.  So I hunted around the Internet and Ravelry looking for just the right pattern.  I didn't find it.  I did find a few that I liked - I just didn't love them.  I may have to get creative and crochet a new pattern from scratch.

Here are pictures of the cozies I did make.  They were all pretty easy to crochet.  I used cotton yarn (Sugar and Cream).

Really simple coffee sleeve with flower in single crochet - use a cozy instead of the cardboard sleeve available at coffee stands.  These cozies are small enough that you could carry one in your bag or tote.  I do like bright pink.  Think I will make one for myself!    ;')

Another is a cup cozy that fits a standard coffee cup crocheted with a half double crochet stitch.  I like to make the bands somewhat narrow so the edges do not touch the bottom or top of the cup.  This eliminates tipping the cup or getting lipstick on the top edge.  Also, who wants to taste yarn with their coffee or hot chocolate??

A third cozie is one which fits the whole cup.  The sides and bottom are crocheted in single crochet.  The bottom acts as a coaster. 

Here are a few websites with free cozy patterns:


Martha Stewart Crafts

All Crafts    (has pictures and patterns for over 100 different cozies)

Crochet Pattern Central     (many different types of cozies)


If you do not have the time to crochet a cozy, you can purchase one or more at my Etsy shop   (http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyPastimes)  .

Wrist warmers

A couple weeks ago I purchased some cotton yarn -- very colorful purple and green.  Then while looking through patterns, I came across a pattern for crocheted wrist warmers.  The perfect item for this great cotton yarn.

The pattern is really easy, but I found myself making all kinds of mistakes and redoing row after row.  I'm not sure what my problem was so I reprinted the pattern after enlarging the font and adding line spaces between the rows in the pattern.

Those changes did help.  Of course, I had a lot of practice reading the directions, too!

After seeing the last picture above, I decided I didn't like the shape of the front wrist warmer.  I made another which looks much better. 

Easter Cards

A woman I met at Curves a few months ago invited me to a cardmaking class.  I had thought about making cards a few years ago, but just did not pick up on it.  So, now that I have some extra time, I thought I'd give it a try.

Over the last few weeks I purchased some card making materials:  card stock, Easter stamps, ink pad, stamp cleaner,  cards and envelopes and a couple punches.  I found myself wanting to buy more and more, but another friend recommended only buying what I need at the time --  otherwise, one will end up with all kinds of stamps and die cuts that aren't needed or are duplicates.  Sounds like good advice.

I find making cards kind of relaxing and definitely creative!   Deciding what to make is a challenge for me.  I'm not really 'artsy' so I find the process much easier if I have an example to follow.  I changed some of the colors and a little bit of the format on some to create my own design.  I am hoping that I get faster at this cause I spent a whole afternoon just making a few cards!

Here are a few examples of the cards I've made:

Note:  These cards are now available at Two Yellow Daisies

Ready for Spring

After crocheting the little white hat in the previous post, I decided to make another.  I love this sweet green hat with two purple butterflies.

A darling hat for a little girl ( 3months to a year old or so).   Measures 6" top to bottom and 16" in circumference.

I used a cotton and polyester yarn in bright green I love crocheting with this cotton/poly yarn as it is soft and holds its shape nicely. Perfect for spring and summer.