Craft: Covered Comp Book with Leather Cord Gift for Men (Tutorial)

Got a man on your gift list? I find them more challenging to give handmade, which is my favorite way to give. A bit more tricky to knit or crochet or sew for them. So I came up with a handmade gift for men they don't have to wear: a paper covered comp book with a leather strap. In this age of technology a notebook with a vintage vibe is such a great change of pace, don't you think!?

I love this map and license plate paper I found at Jo-Ann. I used it to make this comp book for the Jo-Ann Fall Lookbook a few months ago. I purchased the suede lace there too.

To make this comp book you'll need:

• a standard composition book (9 3/4" x 7 1/2")
• 2 yards of suede lace (as in shoe lace) or thin leather cord
• Krylon Easy Tack Repositionable Spray
• 2 pieces 12"x12" scrapbooking paper (I used Paper House Productions sku#67636 53499 from Jo-Ann)
• X-acto knife or scissors
• Drill with 1/4" bit

To make the book: (you may also want to refer to my phototutorial for covering a comp book)

• Overlap the two pieces of scrapbooking paper by at least an inch and use the spray adhesive to adhere them to form one larger piece of paper. This overlap seam will be on the backside of the composition book.
• Follow the directions on the adhesive spray and coat the wrong side of the scrapbooking paper.
• With the composition book closed, position the composition book with the front cover down on the wrong side of the paper close to the edge, on the opposite side from the seam, and with a bit of extra paper on the three sides of the cover. Press down firmly on the book to adhere the paper to the front cover.
• Fold the remaining paper over the spine tightly and across the back cover. Smooth down the paper and press it firmly to adhere.
• Using an X-acto knife or scissors, carefully trim the extra paper from around the cover.
• Open the cover of the composition book and place it on a piece of wood. Drill one hole through the front cover from the inside of the book. Place this hole about ½” from the front edge of the composition book cover and center it from top to bottom.
• Take your suede lace and thread it through the hole. Tie a double knot to secure. Wrap the leather around the book and tie a loose knot to close it.

Now you've got a handmade gift that would work for the men in your life too.

Crochet: Triple-Strand Earflap Hats for the Family (New Pattern)

Aren't the seasons the perfect length? Each one lasts just long enough for us to savor it while not taking it for granted and then the next one is peeking around the corner. I love the changes. Especially the transition to Fall. 

I'm ready to start thinking about getting cozy with rich colors and textures and some extra layers. Which is why I'm releasing this crochet hat pattern now. So there is plenty of time to make some comfy earflap hats for cooler weather. 

This Triple-Strand Earflap Hat was designed to be an instant gratification project. It's worked with three strands of yarn at once and a big fat crochet hook (Q 15.75mm!) so it goes really quickly. And I've designed it to be worked as one continual piece--no annoying (to me anyway) fastening off and re-attaching your yarn for the earflaps. No seaming in the end! In a few evenings you could have hats for your whole family! Or all of your friends.

These crochet earflap hats are great for siblings. There are so many ways to make them unique: different yarn combinations, contrast edging, embellishments. The possibilities are endless.

They work for babies too. Everybody's ears will stay warm from Fall to Spring.

The Triple-Strand Earflap Hat Crochet Pattern includes nine different sizes for heads measuring 14" to 24":

• Baby sizes small, medium and large
• Child sizes small, medium and large
• Adult sizes small, medium and large

Of course heads come in all shapes and sizes so while it's best to start with head circumference, the height of the head will affect the fit too. I've provided circumference measurements for every size as well as hat height to help you find the best fit. This hat will certainly stretch too, especially if you have a little one like mine who enjoys tugging on the earflaps. I think it's cute fitted as well as a bit oversized. 

I've also included several options for embellishing these hats. You can make a basic earflap hat or add:

• contrasting edging
• tassels
• pom-poms
• braids
• a flower embellishment such as a felted crochet flower or a Ruffled Rose (pictured above), which is included in the pattern.

Pair it with an Arm Knit Infinity Cowl, or a matching crochet scarf. You could gift it as a set with an Easy Baby Afghan too. (The afghan calls for a bulky yarn but you could substitute the yarn you used for the hat and follow the same instructions.)

To make an earflap hat you'll need:

• 3 skeins of worsted weight (category 4/medium) yarn. (I like to use a mix of different fibers because I love the texture it creates and the mix of hues.)
• A size "Q" 15.74 mm crochet hook
• An evening!

The pattern has concise instructions to print for each size as well as full-color photo tutorials for the construction techniques and embellishments.

Lots of gift ideas coming your way. This could be the year you and I are ahead of schedule. For once!

You can purchase the Triple-Strand Earflap Hat Pattern in my Etsy Shop.

Sewing: Minky Ultimate Couch Blanket (How-to)

I didn't get to much on my handmade list for Christmas this year, but I did make a blanket for my husband. He's a bit tough to buy for so I was excited and relieved to come up with this idea for him: the ultimate couch blanket. 

I know it looks simply like a beautiful, plush, minky blanket in a generous size (72" long and about 60" wide), and it is! But there is more...

It has a large pocket on one side for tucking your feet! Is it just me or is this what everyone needs? Don't you hate the awkward flapping of the blanket as you try to tuck it under your feet while lounging on the couch? I thought the pocket was the answer.  My girls agreed. Of course it is more like a sleeping bag pouch for their size--maybe a gift idea for them next year.

I didn't do a tutorial for this but I will explain how I made it so you can make one too.

Sewing: Madras Patchwork Necktie

I know it seems random, but I've made a necktie! I thought about calling this post, "A Necktie in the Nick of Time," or "A Tie, and a Winner." I will explain...

I found this great madras patchwork fabric earlier this summer and snatched up some to make dresses for the girls. Other things moved the project down the list, unfortunately. But when I did get around to cutting out the dresses a couple weeks ago my husband saw the fabric and said, "do you think you could make a tie out of that?" Do I think?! Do I think?!

It was like the marriage proposal all over again!  Perhaps I exaggerate a bit, but I love making things for the people I love and have been a bit frustrated that I can't seem to find the right thing to make for him. Sweater? Scarf? Shirt? Hat? I've seen some great looking things but none that seem right for him. Or maybe more accurately, none that I could talk him into wearing. Well, there was one hat, but he only wears it when shoveling snow. Not sure what that says, but it doesn't seem like a huge success!

So, when my husband proposed the tie I had to accept! I found this pattern on Puking Pastilles. It is so fabulous! Easier than I thought. But it also seems to be the genuine technique. I especially loved the folding and hand sewing. I would love to make more, if I can find some fabric I can talk him into.

So I feel like a winner! And, I finished the tie just in time for the last showing of the seersucker suit before Labor Day. Perfect.