Guy Crochet Beanie (chemo cap)

You may have seen last week's works in progress...this isn't them, but it's related to the wip 4: lap robe. It's a hat for my friend's husband who recently started chemotherapy. What a great beanie (he thinks so, too! Yay!)...and it's free! I found it here on Ravelry. I used Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool...so soft and lovely and warm. I have always had the hardest time finding crochet hat patterns for guys that I really like. This is the first one that I've made in which I've really loved the end result. It was also very calming to make because there aren't any tricky stitches or very much counting involved. It was easy to make while I watched my favorite shows at night and is definitely a keeper. 

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Justice

This is a moving video on a topic that is close to my heart. I have recently become involved with International Justice Mission UK, a human rights organisation that seeks to bring an end to slavery, human trafficking, and oppression. The only way for these terrible things to end is for people to support the cause that can end it. The End It movement is asking people to disappear for a day on social media (tomorrow, February 27th)  to honour and remember the 27 million people who have disappeared in slavery. I'm doing it...will you?

From today on, I am also going to donate 20% of Sunshine Makings Etsy sales to IJM, so if you don't want to disappear from social media for a day, you can always support justice through shopping. :-) ...or donate directly to IJM.

Infinity Scarf - Pattern Testers Wanted

**Update: I no longer need testers, but you can now find the pattern here in my Etsy shop.**

You may have seen my infinity scarf here previously or here in my and my mom's Etsy shop: Sunshine Makings. It's been admired by a few and sold to one. Soon, you will be able to make your own.

I have written up the pattern and it will soon be available in Sunshine Makings. I would love to have a few lovely crocheters test the pattern before I sell it. 

I'm looking for three experienced crocheters who are willing to give honest and constructive feedback, including grammar and spelling errors. The scarf would need to be completed by March 7th. I will email a PDF version of the pattern for you to use.

If you are interested, please leave a comment to let me know and to make sure that I can respond to your comment, make sure that you are not a no-reply commenter. I'm excited to hear from you and to get feedback about my pattern!

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Kawaii Amigurumi

Here is another Etsy treasury for the knit1treble2 team challenge. It was inspired by the Flying Pig Amigurumi from Crochet by Pamela.

I've always loved making amigurumi although I haven't actually made any since Christmas. It was so much fun to browse Etsy for cute amigurumi inspiration!

'Kawaii Amigurumi ' by SunshineMakings

Lu lu Loopy Locks : ... Phoenixknits $4.50	Black and White Striped... MollysKnitted $11.25	Milkshake the Cow toy k... fluffandfuzz $3.00	Crocheted Flying Pig Am... crochetbypamel... $6.50
Charley the unicorn ami... LottiesCreatio... $10.00	Crochet owl pattern pdf... Lybo $5.00	Dreamy Giraffes - Amigu... irenestrange $4.00	Cavebear treaclezoo $8.00
Knitting pattern for a ... Littlecottonra... $1.15	Kawaii Octopus Amigurum... PetitsPixels $4.00	Crocheted panda bear ka... jarg0n $15.00	Totoro MissBajoCollec... $35.00
Amigurumi bunny rabbit ... SIDRUNsZoo $38.50	Amigurumi Dinosaur croc... ByMarika $3.75	yellow spring easter ba... sabahnur $18.00	Cute Amigurumi: Grey Ta... SIXIT $5.95

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Wednesday WIP 2

WIP 1: This is three colors of yarn that I brought home from my knitting group. We're all working on 7" squares to put together as a blanket or blankets to donate to a nearby hospital. If any of you know of any great crochet patterns for 7" squares, I'd love to know so I can check them out and use some!

WIP 2: These are some baby hats I've been working on and am close to finishing for Sunshine Makings, my and my mom's Etsy shop. 

WIP 3: This is an infinity scarf that I'm making for a lovely lady who bought it from my shop. It's been so much fun to make another one like the one I made for myself.

WIP 4: This is a lap robe that I'm making for my friend's husband who has recently started chemo treatment. It's from the book, Chemo Caps and Wraps by Annie's Attic, which has a great selection of crochet patterns for men, women, and children.

That's it for now!

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Pita Chips

I just pulled out one of my favorite snack recipes to use up some pita bread that was about to take a turn for the worst: pita chips. My brother told me how to make these years ago and everyone in my family enjoys them. Here's the pita chip recipe for you to enjoy...

Ingredients:

Pita Bread

Olive Oil

Salt

Black Pepper (optional)

*Preheat oven to 165ºC (325ºF)

Step 1: Cut the pita bread and spread it on a baking sheet.

Step 2: Drizzle the pieces with olive oil.

Step 3: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Step 4: Eat and enjoy!

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Love Heart Organic Washcloths

I just returned from a whirlwind weekend trip to California for my grandmother's memorial. It was beautiful day and a wonderful celebration of her life.

On the flight home, I made Valentine gifts for my children: love heart washcloths.

These wash cloths were quick and easy to make on the plane. One flight attendant even asked if I could give her a crochet lesson during the flight...but I was exhausted and fell asleep before I had a chance to teach her.

I used this tutorial for the hearts and sewed them to the single crocheted square(ish) washcloths, made from some really soft organic cotton yarn. Love it! 

Now these are packed and ready to take up to Scotland as I get ready for another trip...this one not as far, though. Our two hour flight tomorrow is going to fly by compared to the ten hour flight I just took today!

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Recycled Denim Mug Cozy - free crochet pattern

**Click here to access the Recycled Denim Mug Cozy Free Crochet Pattern**

Here is my latest crochet mug cozy design. I used the recycled denim yarn I had originally intended for King Damascus's hat that failed.

I couldn't find any mug cozy crochet patterns online that I loved and I wanted this mug cozy to be more masculine since it was for a guy...my guy.

So, I made my own mug cozy pattern and it's also a free mug cozy crochet pattern for you!

If you'd like to make this mug cozy, click the link below. I'd love to hear how it turns out and please let me know if you have any questions.

**Click here to access**

**the Recycled Denim Mug Cozy Free Crochet Pattern**

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I'm participating in The Crochet Challenge on JJCrochet. This mug cozy is my second accomplishment for the challenge. Have a look at her blog for more info...and a free pattern!

Doily Spider & Mouse

Since our watercolor Valentine Card making craft was so successful, we did another kids craft today. After opening a package of doilies that Grandma sent to us, my little creative geniuses got to work. My little girl knew right away she wanted to make a mouse. And there's no surprise when my little guy wanted to make a doily Spiderman spider. They chose their supplies, decorated the doilies, and turned them into two new creatures.

Miss Doily Mouse...

...watch her crawl away.

Mr. Doily Spiderman... 

...watch him crawl away.

Yay!

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Rustic

This is an Etsy treasury I created as part of a knit1treble2 team game. It was inspired by the British wool cushion by Roses Workshop. I enjoyed exploring 'rustic' which is different from my own personal style, but I found items that I truly love.

       'Rustic' by SunshineMakings

British Wool sandy brow... RosesWorkshop $35.00	Fingerless Mittens - sh... TheYarnOwlsNes... $9.50	Newborn Pod Cocoon PHOT... CwtchBugs $18.00	Tutti Frutti Naturally ... SpinInTheCity $24.00
Linen Coloured Style Ba... KnitaBoo $13.75	Grey/Brown Icelandic Ha... WoollyJones $12.00	Natural hemp yarn for a... Crochetmushroo... $8.50	6 Rustic Handmade Ash W... StairLodgeSupp... $6.00
Handspun yarn, back to ... Snowberrylime $28.00	Burnt Orange / Rust Kni... victoriana888 $20.00	READY to SHIP - ARtWeAR... Innerspiral $74.00	Rustic Handmade Boys ... HandmadeCuddle... $17.99
Needle felted 2 owls or... astashtoys $22.00	Handspun Yarn - Heritag... HookLineAndSti... $10.00	Rustic tweed hand spun ... Justadaydream $12.50	Hand Knitted Bag, Shoul... Kezylou $18.00

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