Free Mitt Potholders Pattern: Gift to Crochet

I was going through my stack of vintage magazines and found this pattern in a Woman’s Day from the 1970’s. 

They are called Handy Mitt Potholders and would make a great last minute gift for the cook on your list.

Size: 8 1/2 inches from lower edge to top.

Materials: Aunt Lydia’s Heavy Rug Yarn (rayon/cotton)

For solid-color mitt: 1 (70 yard) skein each peacock No. 740 and spring green No. 605. For Striped mitt: 1 (70-yard) skein each peacock 740, spring green No. 605, brown No. 420, phantom red No. 140 and cerise No. 115. For both mitts: Aluminum crochet hook size G (or international 4.5 mm).

Gauge: in pattern st 5 groups = 3 inches, 3 rows = 1 inch.

Striped Mitt:  Starting at wrist edge with peacock, ch 17 to measure about 5 1/2 inches. 1st row: In 3rd ch from hook work 1 sc and 1 dc (1st group made), * skip next ch, in next ch work 1 sc and 1 dc. Repeat from * across (8 groups); ch 1, turn.

2nd row: *Skip dc, in next sc work 1 sc and 1 dc. Repeat from * across, ch 1, turn.

Repeat 2nd row 4 times more. 7th row: Work across in pattern, ch 3 at end of row. Mark this edge for thumb. 8th row (thumb inc): In 3rd ch from hook work 1 sc and 1 dc, continue across row in pattern as established; break off peacock, attach green; ch 1, turn.

Working in pattern with green, work even on 9 groups for 3 rows more, ending at marked edge. Do not ch 1 at end of last row. Break off green, turn.

Next row; Make lp on hook with brown. Skip 1st 2 groups, work 1 sc and 1 dc in sc of next group, continue across in pattern to end of row (7 groups); ch 1, turn. Working even in pattern on 7 groups, work 1 row more with brown, 3 rows with red and 3 rows cerise.

Next row (dec row): With cerise, work in pattern across to within last group, work 1 sc in sc of last group; ch 1, turn. Following row (dec row): Skip 1st sc, work 1 sc and 1 dc in sc of next group, work in pattern across to within last group, work 1 sc in sc of last group; ch 1 turn. Repeat last row twice more, omitting ch 1 at end of last row. Break off.

Thumb: 1st row: Make lp on hook with brown. Starting at outer edge, work in pattern st across free green sts (2 groups); ch 1, turn. Continue in pattern on these 2 groups only for 3 rows more. 5th row (dec row): Skip 1st de, draw up lp in each of next 3 sts, y o hook and draw through all lps on hook. Break off. With brown, work 1 row sc evenly on all edges of thumb sts. only. Break off.

Second Side of Mitt: Make another pieces in same manner.

Finishing: Edging: with red, work 1 row sc all around edges, except wrist edge, of both pieces. Joining: With red, sew both pieces together from the right side. Wrist Edging: With red, work around wrist edge as follows: Work 2 sc in each sc around. Break off. Loop: Attach red with sl st to wrist at seam edge and crochet 2 inch chain. Sl st in each st of ch. Sew end of ch to mitten to form loop.

Solid Color Mitt: First side of Mitt: Using only peacock: work as for striped mitt.

Second side of Mitt: Using only green, make another piece in same manner.

Finishing: Using only green, work as for striped mitt for edging, wrist edging, joining and loop.

A pattern like this can be modernized using “now” colors and different yarn. Try two strands of thick eco-friendly cotton yarn or maybe make your own yarn out of old t-shirts.

Post by GoofingOff

Peace, love, and Happy Stitching!

Free Tatting Flower Pattern

Do you tat? Are you thinking of taking it up? Well, here’s a pattern I found in that old loose leaf notebook I bought at a thrift shop a while back.

Cute little white flowers with yellow centers. The pattern originally came from the March, 1979 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. The flowers are oh-so-delicate and sweet. Here’s the pattern as it was in the magazine. It includes abbreviations, a brief history of tatting, and a pattern for the doily, too. Enjoy…..and don’t forget to drop me a line to let me know how the flowers come out. I’d love to hear from you.

 

Fefe

Dolls are special, at least for me. I still have the Tiny Tears I dragged around when I was 5, carefully stashed away without any clothes (yes, she is naked and waiting for a wardrobe). Years ago I found a doll pattern and carefully made it by hand to give to a neice. Started a big rucus with my daughter, couldn't make anything that she could let go without wanting for herself (she was 5. hopefully she got over it....now my husband does that). Well, anyway, here's a doll pattern, Fefe, created by Sarah of Dolls and Daydreams. Cute, soft and cuddly. Even has a wardrobe so she won't have to be naked like my Tiny Tears.

Fefe by Dolls and Daydreams

Adorable, isn't she?

Post by Miss Eileen who is Goofing Off (again....need to get to work). Stop by the shops. New listings.

Sew a Dress for Summer: Butterick 4974

Got a special affair coming up this summer? Maybe a wedding? If you are anything like me, special occasions sort of creep up on me and take me by surprise. Special occasions call for something special to wear, something that says “Look at me. I look so good!” Even not so special occasions can become special. Having the right dress ready to can turn a quick bite into date night.

Butterick 4974 is a pattern for a cute halter dress that is just lovely. Highly recommended on Sewing Pattern Review, it is one of Butterick’s  Fast & Easy patterns. The dress is described as “Close-fitting, above knee, lined halter dress has straps to back with purchased rings, side seam zipper and back slit.”

This pattern is available in GoofingOff Etsy and Artfire shops in size 14-20, bust 36-42.

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and  metal work

Paying It Forward

While posting patterns today I ran across a pattern that was missing a couple of pieces. The pattern is mostly there but instead of selling it cheap or throwing it away I decided to pay it forward. Send it on to someone who can use it for the cost of the listing and the shipping. They might even be able to use it. Here it is:

There will probably be a few more PIF’s coming up so watch for them.

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and  metal work

Barley Girl Fashions

As a seller of sewing supplies, I often wonder what happens after the pattern or fabric leaves my shop. Is the pattern something held dear by a collector or a fashion someone loves and wants to create? Is the fabric turning into pillows or dresses? What happens???!! Well, Katherine Wells, of Barley Girl Fashions must have read my mind. A while back she bought this pattern 

used it as a reference, and made the most incredible creations. Here’s a sample from her site, Barley Girl Fashions.
    


Thank you, Kathy, for showing me your creations. I love what you are doing!

Don't forget the costume pattern sale going on in the GoofingOff Etsy and GoofingOff Artfire shops until October 1. Big selection for adults and children.
Post by Miss Eileen...just goofing off.

Tribal Colors Wine Bottle Cozy

I finally got it done. Last month was the Creative Challenge. Wine was the subject. I had all kinds of ideas and waited way too long to get started. Took me forever to get it right. I think my name should be Day late and a dollar short. Well, anyway, the cozy is done. Yay for me.

This is it, the Cowl Neck Wine Bottle Cozy in tribal colors.

The cozy is made of 100% cotton yarn and crocheted by yours truly. Good way to keep that bottle of wine cool when on the beach or at the pool. The colors were inspired by Sarasota, white sand, sea grass, and beautiful blue water.

What do you think?

Next creative challenge is fire.

Posted some new patterns in the Etsy and Artfire shops, like this one: .

Vogue 2878 Infant’s Christening Gown

There are even crochet and knitting patterns for sale.

Big Mothers’ Day Weekend Pattern Sale

Mom like to sew? Do you? Looking at some awesome patterns but don’t know which ones to buy? This is a sale for you. All Vogue patterns will be on sale next weekend in my Etsy and Artfire Goofing Off shops. The sale starts Friday night at 8 PM and goes on until Sunday at 11:58 PM EST.  That’s all Vogue patterns will be 50% off. Even the cool ones, like these:

 

Vogue 1826 Misses Jacket Skirt Blouse Designer Michael Kors Size 6-10

 

Vintage Vogue 2034 Career Wardrobe Tamotsu Design Size 8-12

Vintage Vogue 1960s Basic Jacket Pattern V3007

Vogue 8075 Misses' Evening Dress Bridal Gown Pattern Size 12-16

No coupon code is available (I am still not happy about that) just pick out the pattern and the money will be refunded through PayPal.

Easy Peasy way to get great deals on some beautiful Vogue patterns.

Rockabilly Patterns

Well, the photo shoot for All You Magazine is done and I can relax a little now. I probably won't like the pictures much, after all, I am sure my hair was too bushy, I am too fat, and have too many laugh lines (sorry, I just can't call them wrinkles) but it is done. It is also me in 2011 and tells my story about getting my degree. Getting a degree might not be breakthrough for many but it was for me. I have heard about other people and what they went through to achieve their goals and I am humbled. One friend went through caring for elderly in-laws and a husband's lay-off and still went back to school. Another received her GED after 5 tries. Still another did it with 4 children (one of which is disabled) and no husband. Hearing their stories I am humbled but I had to tell my story anyway and of the wonderful women friends who helped me succeed. It is as much their story as mine. The story is supposed to be in the July issue. We'll see if my bushy hair is Photo shopped a little.
In my Goofing Off world I just listed incredible Rockabilly dress patterns. Check these out! They are wonderful!

Simplicity 2033 in size 12 (fifties' size 12) Bust 32 Pattern is complete and uncut.

Simplicity 2333 in fifties' size 13, bust 33. Pattern is complete and uncut.
Either dress would be a wonderful summer party dress. Gorgeous rockabilly fashion. Just love it! Check them out. They are getting a lot of attention and one (not shown here but was on Etsy) is gone in one day.

Gotta go. The treadmill is calling my name. Maybe that picture in the mag will be my fat memory and I will say "Phew. I lost some weight!" ....well, maybe.

How to Make a Crocheted Back Scrubber

Early in my marriage my husband, a mechanic, did engine and mechanic work. He would come home so dirty that one would think he rolled in grease and mud. Luckily the company he worked for supplied uniforms that offered a laundry service, a great deal at any price. Getting the grease off of him was another story. He would have me scrub his back to get him clean (a labor of love, true) but there were times that I couldn’t be there or, surprise, had other things to do. My solution to the problem was to buy a back scrubber, one with a long handle and a nylon loofa. Good idea for a while but like most other nylon scrubbies it fell apart. I tossed it in the trash figuring that some day I would make him a back scrubber that would do the job and not fall apart in a month or two.
Well, the day finally arrived. I wanted a scrubber long enough for him to wash his own back with handles on each side. I thought out the pattern in my head and here’s what I came up with.
You’ll need
4 oz. of 4 ply worsted weight cotton yarn (I used Peaches & Creme. Each skein is 2 oz.)
Peaches & Creme cotton yarn

Crochet hook “I”
Chain 4. This will be your first handle. *Chain 3 stitches, hdc in the next 4. Crochet 20 rows in half double crochet stitch. This might seem a little big but my husband has big hands. You can make the handle smaller if necessary.
At the end of the 20th row, chain 10 stitches then crochet onto the other end of the handle. You should have a total of 18 stitches across. Now start the body of the scrubber. To crochet the scrubber body, *chain 3, hdc in the next 17 stitches, hdc in the top of the end chain at the end and turn. Follow this pattern until you achieve the length you need.
Handle made, working on the body of the scrubber.

The body of the scrubber will depend on who you are making the scrubber for. Since my husband is almost 6 foot tall, I made the scrubber 38 inches (96.5 cm)  long. After crocheting the body of the scrubber to the length I needed I added the other handle. *Ch 3, hdc in the next 3 stitches, hdc in the top of the end chain, turn and chain 3. Follow the directions for the first handle for the next 20 rows. When you have your 20 rows, attach the handle to the other side of the scrubber. In the last 4 stitches of the end, sl stitch the handle in place. Tie off and weave in the end yarn. 
Finished back scrubber.

I made the scrubber using basic stitches but the scrubber can be made with shell, popcorn, or any stitches or pattern you desire.
This pattern was created entirely by me. There might be similar ones but this is my own creation. If anyone wants to copy it and sell the finished product, you have my permission. Just give me credit for the pattern, please.
Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy.com and GoofingOff.Artfire.com