How to Make Any Color of Animal Eyes

Supplies Needed:

Clear Animal Eyes

Nail Polish
Keep polish remover and a cotton ball nearby to clean accidents right away.

3 Steps to an Invisible Join

If you are like me (a bit of a perfectionist and slightly OCD), then you will love this technique for creating an invisible join when working in the round. The invisible join mimics the "V" look of a regular stitch so that it blends in and you can't see the beginning or end of a round. I use this on all of my hats and amigurumi pieces. 

I'll teach you how to do it in three easy steps!

This replaces the slip stitch normally done at the end of your project.

Step 1 - Cut the yarn tail

Cut the yarn and pull the final loop so that the tail comes completely through. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle so that it looks like the picture below. The length of your tail will be based on the pattern. If the pattern says leave a long tail for sewing, then cut a long tail. If the instructions are to weave in ends, then you can leave a shorter tail.

Step 2 - Mimicking the Front Half of the V-Stitch 

Insert the yarn needle (front to back) through the first stitch in the round. This is the stitch where you would have normally completed the slip stitch.

This step creates the front loop of the Invisible Join.

Step 3 - Mimicking the Back Half of the V-Stitch

Insert the yarn needle from front-to-back into the final stitch of the round. You will go down through the middle space and go under the back loop.

This step creates the back loop of the Invisible Join.

And this is what it looks like:

When to Use This Technique

I use this technique for every edge piece. I used it is here on the tiny coins for my pot of gold. Don't those gold coins look perfect? 

I also use this technique on hats, beanies and photography props so that there isn't an obvious end to the project. I like the edges to be uniform.

Don't Watch This Show While Crocheting

Raise your hand if you crochet while watching tv. Did you know that not every show is a good candidate for watching while crocheting?

Alias, created by JJ Abrams, centers on Sydney Bristow, a CIA agent who travels the world carrying out secret missions.

How to Use Your Crochet Stitch Markers for Knitting

I made these monster stitch markers for myself a few months ago. The problem is I am multi-craftual and I needed some stitch markers for knitting a pair of socks. But, I didn't want to break out the clay to create a whole new set of stitch markers.

CrochetLite Hooks Rock My Socks - 4KCBWDAY6

Day 6 of Knit and Crochet Blog Week is to talk about your favorite tool! I have two favorites: my CrochetLite hooks and Stitch Markers. You can read about the stitch markers and how to make your own by following the link at the end of this post. But, I think everyone should give Crochet Lite hooks a try and here's why...

CrochetLite hooks tend to make an appearance in my tutorials/free patterns. Photo from Pacifier Clip Tutorial.

You Can Crochet in the Dark

CrochetLite hooks light up just like the name says. This means you can crochet in the dark if you want to. Think of those long drives on vacation! 

Removes the Guesswork of Working with Dark Yarns

Black yarn is especially difficult to figure out where one stitch ends and the next stitch begins. Turn on the light (even if you are working in daylight) and it will take away the guesswork of where to insert your hook to complete the next stitch. 

Large Handles for Painless Amigurumi

CrochetLite hooks are available in sizes "C" through "K". This means you can make amigurumi with a teeny tiny "C" hook and still feel comfortable. The larger handle makes grasping during those sc's bearable and painless. 

DIY Stitch Markers Tutorial

4 Keys to Unlocking Your Photography Potential

Cartoon Courtesy of What the Duck

With a few keys under your belt, you can achieve professional photos no matter what camera you use!

Key #1: Great Lighting Matters More Than the Camera

Over Coming Remorse After Yarn Shopping

I walked into Hobby Lobby and what to my wandering eyes did appear? Buckets and buckets full of wondrous yarns that were ALL marked down to ridiculously low prices. I couldn't resist the urge and I snagged 4 skeins of wool on clearance at unbelievable prices!

Then, the next day (or maybe that night), I started asking myself..."What am I going to do with all of this yarn?"

Here are a few guidelines to help my next clearance encounter.

How To: Stitch Marking with Yarn

You crochet in the round and don't want a seam, so you work in continuous spiral. But, how do you keep track of rounds without having to stop at the end of each round to move a marker? This is my method and I hope it helps.

When you complete your first few rounds, grab a spare piece of yarn. In the example below, I used this yellow piece that had a circle on the end to make it easier to see.  

How to Make Your Own Stitch Markers on the Cheap

Becoming More Productive with Producteev.com

Do you ever look at your order list and feel overwhelmed and confused? Then you wonder how on earth will you ever get everything done? And, really, what is your wait time right now? Is it two weeks? Three weeks? Maybe even four or five weeks?

Kool-Aid Yarn Dyeing with Helpful Tips

You are probably curious about dyeing your own yarn, but probably scared. Let me relieve some of the pressure for you. It's actually really easy and hardly any work at all.