FREE PATTERN: Clover Amour Crochet Hook Case

During a recent Amazon Prime Day, after coveting them for almost 1 year, I finally ended up buying a complete set of ergonomic Clover Amour crochet hooks to replace my hodge podge collection of non-ergonomic Boye and Susan Bates hooks. I wanted to make a zippered case to hold them all. The pattern below is how I crocheted the case.

PATTERN

This zippered case was designed to fit an entire set of Clover Amour crochet hooks with ergonomic handles. Constructed sideways, this pattern can be adapted to fit other hooks with ergonomic handles by changing the case height (as determined by the length of Row 1). The pocket heights are tall enough to hold the Clover Amour hooks securely, but short enough so that the color of each handle is visible. The front cover features a decorative clover to indicate the case contents. To provide added protection for the hooks, the cover can be given more stiffness through the use of optional plastic inserts into the cover. Since the hook pockets and case are constructed seamlessly, the only sewing involved is at the very end to attach the zipper.

MATERIALS:

• Crochet hook, US size G (4.0 mm)
• Crochet stitch markers
• One 18-inch zipper (I only had a 16-inch zipper in my stash, so that’s what I used in the above pictured item.  However I discovered that 16 inches is a tad bit too short, so I recommend that you use an 18-inch zipper so that the case can lay totally flat when opened.)
• Color A: Approx 115 yards of worsted weight yarn for the case lining/pockets and front motif
• Color B: Approx 115 yards of worsted weight yarn for cover. 
• Thread that matches or coordinates with color B to hand-sew zipper to case. 
• A needle to hand-sew zipper to case.
• Optional: Plastic canvas to make cover stiff. I used plastic salvaged from disposable plastic take-out food containers.
• Optional: Sewing pins or sewing clips to help hold zipper in place while hand-sewing.

ABBREVIATIONS:

• BLO = crochet into the back loops only of each stitch 
• ch = chain
• FLO = crochet into the front loops only of each stitch 
• hdc = half double crochet
• sc = single crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch (es)
• [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified 
• Numbers in () = number of stitches at the end of that round.

INSTRUCTIONS

LINING: SIZE B-F HOOK POCKETS

• Using yarn color A: Ch 27.
• Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across; ch 1, turn. (26 sts) (Note: the ch 1 does not count as the first sc in the next row for this pattern.)
• Row 2: Sc in each of the next 11 sts, sc in FLO of the next 15 sts to form the back of the hook pocket; turn counter clockwise; sc in the free loops of the same 15 sc to form the front of the hook pocket; ch 1, turn; dc in the next 15 sts to form the front of the hook pocket, sc in the next 26 sts to form the back of the hook pocket; ch 1, turn. (41 sts)
• Row 3: sc 26, dc 15, turn, sc 15, chain 2, yarn-over, insert hook through the nearest dc of the pocket front AND through the nearest sc of the pocket back, complete hdc; [yarn-over, insert hook through the next dc of the pocket front and through the next sc of the pocket back, complete hdc] x 14 times to completely close hook pocket; hdc 11; ch 1, turn. (26 sts)
• Rows 4-11: (Repeat rows 2 and 3) 4 more times.

LINING: SPINE

• Row 12: Sc in the BLO of each st across; ch 2, turn (26 sc) (Place marker 1 in a free front loop from row 12 to mark row).
• Row 13-16: Sc in each st across; ch 1, turn (26 sc).
• Row 17: Sc in the FLO of each st across; ch 1, turn (26 sc). (Place marker 2 in a free back loop of row 17 to mark row).

LINING: SIZE G-J HOOK POCKETS

• Row 18: Sc 11, sc in FLO 15, sc in BLO 15, turn, dc 15, sc 26, turn.
• Row 19: sc 26, dc 15, turn, dc 14, sc, chain 2, hdc the pocket front and pocket back closed together in next 16 sts, hdc 11, turn.
• Rows 20-27: (Repeat rows 18 and 19) 4 times.
• Row 28: CHANGE TO COLOR B, sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn (26 sc).

COVER: BACK

• Row 29: Sc in BLO of each st across; ch 1, turn. (26 sts) (Place marker 3 in a front loop of row 28 to mark the row.)
• Row 30-54: Sc in each st across; ch 1, turn. (26 sc)

COVER: SPINE

• Row 55: Fold cover toward the outside center of the case. Insert hook in the BLO of the first st of row 54 AND through the first free loop of row 17 (marked with marker 2); complete sc. Continue joining the back loops of row 54 and the free loops of row 17 with a sc across; ch 1, turn. (26 sc)
• Row 56-60: Sc in each st across; ch 1, turn. (26 sc)
• Row 61: Insert hook in the BLO of the first st of row 60 AND through the first free loop of row 12 (marked with marker 1); complete sc. Continue joining the back loops of row 60 and the free loops of row 12 with a sc across; ch 1, turn. (26 sc)

COVER: FRONT

• Row 62: Sc in each st across; ch 1, turn. (26 sc) 
• Row 63-86: Sc in each st across; ch 1, turn. (26 sc) (OPTIONAL: Work the 24-row tapestry crochet colorwork chart in this section, such that Row 63 corresponds to Row 1 of the chart, Row 64 corresponds to Row 2 of the chart, and so forth. Use the intarsia method to save yarn. Also, in order to prevent the stitches from getting taller because of the colorwork, I recommend floating the carried-over strands on the wrong side of the work instead of encasing them in each stitch).
• Row 87: Fold cover so the edge of row 86 matches the beginning foundation chain. Insert hook thru the beginning foundation chain AND through both loops of row 86; complete sc; continue joining the foundation chain and row 86 across all sts with a sc (26 sc); ch 1, do not fasten off.

EDGING FOR ZIPPER CLOSURE

• Round 1: With outside cover facing you, sc evenly through both thicknesses of the case along the top of the case to join; sc in each of the free loops of row 29 (marked with marker 3); (OPTIONAL: cut plastic canvas to size of the front and back covers, insert plastic canvas between the cover and lining to add structure); continue joining with sc’s through both thickness along the bottom of the case (this will be along the bottom of the hook pockets); join with a sl st to the FLO of the first sc of Round 1. Place marker 4 in the first back loop of Round 1 to mark the Round.
• Round 2: (Cover piping) Continue working a sl st in the FLO of each st around; join with a sl st to the first sl st.
• Round 3: (Zipper facing) Sl st in the first free back loop in the sc’s of Round 1 (marked with marker 4), ch 2, hdc in the back loop of each st around; join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2. Fasten off. Weave in ends. 

FINISHING:

• Sew zipper to the inside of the zipper facing, having the bottom of the zipper centered at the bottom of the spine.

Disney Cruise adult FE cabin gift: Charcuterie board & picnic blanket

Now that our cruise on the Disney Treasure is completed, I can safely post what I gave out as a cabin gift for an adults FE gift exchange without spoiling the surprise.

I ended up giving out a charcuterie board with a picnic blanket.  These were the two variations.

I purchased bamboo boards which already had the laser-burned words and circles at Five Below about a year ago. I do NOT own a laser, so I personalized the boards by hand-burning the Mickey icon using a wood burning kit and heat-resistant gloves. I thought that placing the Mickey in the cheese circle was funny and appropriate🐭🧀.  There are other “easier” methods of wood-burning that replicate the laser look by using a Cricut and chemicals and a heat gun, but I intentionally chose to avoid that method because these items need to be food safe.  

The cotton blankets I found several months ago either at Target, Daiso, or Five Below.  

I tied everything together with the explanatory gift tags, and some cotton twine.  I left a long enough loop of cotton twine to hang the gift off of the FE itself just in case the FE hanger pocket was too small.

I hope everyone who received these gifts enjoyed them!

Haunted Mansion Tightrope Girl Tapestry

I finally finished making this tapestry last night. It took me 4.5 months to make during my free time, which is not a lot of free time given my typical 60 hours work week. 

I reshaped a wire hanger from the dry cleaner to make a hanging “rod”, which saved me a trip to the store to buy a wooden dowel.

One stretching portrait down.  Three more to go!

In case you are wondering, I followed the crochet pattern “Tightrope girl tapestry crochet pattern” which I purchased from @crochet.or.cry on Etsy after I saw her August 19, 2024 Instagram post.

Hello Kitty water bottle sling: Free crochet pattern

My sister-in-law mentioned during our Christmas get-together that my niece needs a water bottle sling to take with her on school field trips and asked if I would make one for her.

Given that my niece likes Hello Kitty, rainbows, and pink, I ended up designing and making this for her.  It’s also got a square pocket in front to carry a snack bar or whatever else she wants.

Here’s how I made it:

HELLO KITTY SQUARE POCKET

1. (White) ch5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in remaining 3 sts —4 sts.

2. Ch 1, 2sc in base of 1st ch st from prior round, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sl st to 1st sc of this round — 12 sts.

3. ch1, turn, 2sc in 2nd st from hook, (2sc in next st, sc in next st) x 5, sl st to 1st sc of current round —18 sts.

4. ch1, turn, 2sc in 2nd st from hook, (2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts) x 5, sl st to 1st sc of current round  —24 sts.

5. ch1, turn, 2sc in 2nd st from hook, sc in next st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, (2sc in next st, sc in next st) x 2, 2sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, sl st to 1st sc of current round —30 sts.

6. ch1, turn, 2sc in 2nd st from hook, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, sl st to 1st sc of current round —36 sts.

7. ch1, turn, 2sc in 2nd st from hook, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, (EAR = sl st in next st, hdc in next st, ch 1, dc in same st as hdc, ch 1, tc in next st, ch 1, dc in next st, ch 1, hdc in same st as dc, sl st in next st), sc in next 4 sts, ear, sc in next 2 sts, switch yarn to outline color (black), sl st to 1st sc of this round (pulling the new color through) — 52 sts.

8. Continuing with outline color (black): ch1, turn, 2sc in 2nd st from hook, sc in next 2 sts, skip sl st, sc in next 4 sts, 3sc in next st (mark middle/2nd stitch), sc x in next 4 sts, skip sl st, sc in next 4 sts, skip sl st, sc in next 4 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, skip sl st, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, sl st to 1st sc of this round; bind off —56 sts.

9. (PINK) Turn/Hold face so marked ear is on the right if you’re right-handed, on the left if you’re left-handed. Starting at tip of ear, put hook through marked st of previous round, yo and pull loop through, ch 2, 2hdc in same st, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, 3 hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts, sc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, 3tc in next st, 2dc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next 6 sts, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 3 tc in next st, 2 dc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 6 sts (6th hdc is in same st as 1st hdc of this round), sl st to 1st hdc of current round.

10. Don’t turn. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc st), 2 dc in same st, dc in next 15 sts, 3 dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 12 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st, hdc in next 15 sts, 3 dc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, 12 sts, hdc in the same st as 1st dc of this round, sl st to 1st dc of current round, bind off.

11. Embroider the eyes, nose, and whiskers according to a reference photo of Hello Kitty which I found on Google.  (TIP: I put the reference photo onto my iPad so that I could pinch/zoom the image size to match the size of the crochetted blank face. Then by holding the crochetted blank face in front of the iPad photo, and quickly peaking behind it, I could get an estimate of where to place each facial feature.)

12. Make PINK bow by Repeating row 1-3, and continue until width of desired bow is reached. Bind off leaving a 12-inch tail. Fold the oval in half horizontally. Using the tail, wrap yarn tightly around the center of the bow several times to cinch it. Tie a knot. Using the remaining tail yarn, sew bow to the Hello Kitty face to match the reference photo.

WATER BOTTLE HOLDER 

1. (DARK PINK) Magic Ring, 6 sc in Magic ring — 6 sts.

2. Increase 6 sts each round. Make 6 rounds. Sl st to 1st st of final round and change yarn color. 

3.  Sc in same st as the sl st, *(skip 2 sts, 5 tc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st), repeat from * to the end of the round. Change yarn color.

4. Ch 4 (counts as tc), 2 tc in same st as 1st st, *(skip 2 sts, 5 tc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st), repeat from * until 3 sts from end of round, skip 2 sts, 2 tc in next st, sl st to 1st st of this round. Change yarn color.

5. Repeat the prior 2 rounds until the desired height of the sling is reached. Change yarn color.

6. (DARK PINK) If the prior round ended in a sl st: Ch 4 (counts as tc), dc, hdc, *(sc, hdc, dc, tc, dc, hdc), repeat from * until 3 sts from end of round, sc, hdc, dc, sl st to the 1st st of this round, then proceed to the next round.  If the prior round ended in a sc: hdc, dc, tc, dc, hdc, *(sc, hdc, dc, tc, dc, hdc), repeat from * the end of round, sl st to the 1st st of this round.

7. Ch 1, sc in same st as ch st, sc all around, sl st to 1st st. Bind off.

8. Sew the square pocket to WATER BOTTLE HOLDER to make a patch pocket.

STRAP

1. On desired area of the top border, insert hook, yo, pull through yarn, ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in the next 5 sts, ch 2, turn.

2. hdc in the next 6 sts, ch 2, turn.

3. Repeat rows until desired length of strap is reached. Ch 1, turn.

4. Sl st all 6 sts. Bind off.