New Pattern - Cabled Coffee Sleeve

When you live in the deep south, especially along the Gulf Coast, you quickly realize that there is no such thing as 4 seasons each year.  As it happens, we just got a lucky break and are enjoying some true fall-like weather right now.  That means jeans and boots can be worn comfortably, windows can be opened, and coffee on the patio.

I figured this would also be the perfect time to release our newest pattern (I know, it's been awhile!!) - the Cabled Coffee Sleeve.

I have really started getting the hang of cabled recently and LOVE how many different ways they can be worked up.  This design has cables that are easy enough that even beginners can get the hang of them!!  The pattern will be $1.49 through the weekend (no coupon code needed; will end at 11:59 PM central time on Sunday night) then will go up to the regular price of $2.99.  Feel free to share the link with your friends!!  

You can pick up your own copy of the pattern here.  If you don't crochet and would like to order your own Cabled Coffee Sleeve, email us or contact us through FB.  

*** This pattern, including all texts and photos, are copyrighted by Hooking Housewives.  PLEASE DO NOT COPY , SHARE, ADJUST, OR RESELL this pattern.  As always, you can sell any item made from our patterns,  

As always, you can sell any item made from any of my patterns. All text and photos are copyrighted by Hooking Housewives, so please use your own pictures. We request that you link back to this Raverly store or our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HookingHousewives) when selling finished items made from this pattern.

Week of September 26, 2016

My hope is to start showing you what each week what my planner looks like at various stages, including the beginning of the week before I starting "inking" it and after I start planning, mid-week so you can see how things are faring (it also helps me hold myself accountable), and at the end of the week when things are all said and done.  Maybe it will help give you ideas of whow using a planner can benefit you in your own life as well.  With that said, here's my layout for this week...

Before the ink:

Let the Planning Begin:

 

Stickers used in this week's layout:

• Halloween by Dragonfly Girls Printables (currently on sale for $0.99)
• Online Orders sidebar by Lace and Logos ($1.99)
• Social Media and Weekly Water Trackers by Wendaful Designs (free)
• Habit Tracker by undetermined designer (I'm still trying to locate where I saved this file so I can see who designed it)
• Happy Mail and Squat Challenge by Planner Pickett (free)
• ABC Thursday and Sunday Night TV Shows and Substitute Teaching Detail Blocks by Hooking Housewives (free)
• Girl Scouts Troop Meeting by Pure Sugar (free)
• Plan icon by Lucki Charms (free)
• Laundry icon by Monica's Marvels (free)
• Yarn Ball Little Things Bars by JS Digital Paper ($1.70)
• Bama Heart icon by Hunny Bit Designs ($2.50)
• Football by Andrea Nicole (free)
• Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, School Fundraiser, and Trash Can icons by My ADHD Life (free)

What's your planner look like this week?  Post a link to your photo in the comments below.

ABC TV & Substitute Teaching Stickers

Yesterday I made the announcement that Hooking Housewives will now be offering free printables for your planners.  The first 4 sheets were released - you can find them on the Planner Printables tab at any time.  I also told you I'd show you how I use these stickers in my personal planner.

** Download links are found at the bottom of the page!**

First up is the Substitute Teaching Detail Blocks.  I created this a few weeks ago when school started.  I am a substitute teacher at 3 different schools.  I wanted an easy way to block off time on my weekly layouts that also help me keep track of where I'll be subbing, how long, and for who.

The first set of these stickers was made in pastel colors.  When I recreated them yesterday, I decided to go with bright colors instead.

 After making that sticker, it didn't take long to realize that I needed something to add to my monthly calendar to quickly see what days during the month I'm available for appointments, other sub jobs, etc.  That's where the Substitute Teaching Reminders come in - anytime I book a substitute teaching job, I add one of these to my monthly calendar.  There are 3 options on the single sheet of stickers - All Day, A.M. Only, and P.M. Only. In our county, those are the 3 options for sub jobs.

I have to admit that I am a TV junkie, at least when it comes to primetime dramas!  I use these stickers for the days in my weekly layout to remind me which shows are on each night.  Often times I don't watch them live, mostly because my husband doesn't always want to sit through them or I'm in the middle of something else.  I started with the ABC Dramas for Thursday and Sunday nights, specifically using the promotional posters being used for the shows this season.





Next up, I plan to make sticker sheets for the CBS dramas - NCIS (all 3 of them), Criminal Minds (both shows), and several of the NBC dramas.  If there are specific shows or anything else you'd like to see stickers for, email me your ideas - I'll try to make them happen!!

To purchase your own Erin Condren Life Planner, use this link and you can receive $10 off your first purchase!!  

How to use Printables:

• I use this sticker paper.  It's a great price and the quality of the paper holds up well, even with sheets that are fully covered in designs when printed.  Because I don't have a Silhouette (at lesat not yet), I use a basic paper cutting (usually found in the scrapbooking section of most craft stores).  I currently use this one.  
• I'm currently listing the printables in JPEG format - the sole reason for this is because through trial and error, I've found that printing from JPEG rather than PDF files gives better color output.  You can choose the option on your printer settings to save ink if you want to make your ink last longer.
• All designs are my own or have been licensed for commerical use or modification.
• Printables are currently being designed for the Erin Condren Vertical Life Planner, but many will also work with The Happy Planner or other standard planners on the market.

Download Links:

By downloading any patterns or printables, you are agreeing to the following conditions:

• All printables are for personal use only.  You may NOT resell or redistribute the downloads!
• You may NOT repost the downloads to any social media or blogging website.  You may repost the LINK to the post in which the download originated from.
• You may not claim the downloads as your own.  If you are going to use them by posting an image of how you used them, please credit Hooking Housewives with a reference or link to this blog, our Facebook page, or our Instagram page.  
• You may NOT post the links to the downloads.  Any links must be back to the pages listed above or the specific blog post in which the download originated.  
• All crochet patterns and photos are the property of Hooking Housewives and are copyrighted. 

Substitute Teaching Detail Blocks

Substitute Teaching Reminders

ABC Thursday Night Shows - Fall/Winter 2016-17

ABC Sunday Night Shows - Fall/Winter 2016-17

New Planner Printables

Hooking Housewives has been going through some BIG changes, including getting A LOT more organized than ever before.  Now that we're both out of our adjoining apartments and settled into houses, we have more space to allow our business to take over... I mean thrive!  ;)

One way that I have been working to get more organized is by using an Erin Condren Life Planner.  I went back and forth for quite some time debating whether or not to spend such a large chunk of money on a planner.  At the end of the 2015-16 school year, I knew there was no longer anything to debate.  On top of being a SAHM (meaning I keep track of the rest of the family's activities) and running Hooking Housewives, I was becoming busier as a substitute teacher and moved up from Co-Leader to Troop Leader of my daughter's Girl Scouts troop.  Having one place to keep track of everything in my life was a MUST!!!

I very quickly learned how much fun stickers can be when using my ECLP.  In fact, I found so many amazing stickers - printable ones that were free and that I purchased, as well as pre-printed sets that I ordered and had shipped to me!!  The stickers truly are addictive, but they also are a fun way to keep me interested in using my planner.  In the past, I've used a planner for a few weeks then get bored with it or just can't be bothered.  I've been using my ECLP since July and have kept up with it routinely.  It's become a part of my day.

Occasionally I will want a certain type of sticker for something specific but can't find it online.  I've started playing around with making my own stickers and have decided to offer them to you as free printables.  Down the road I hope to create some sets to sell, but for now, I'll stick with the freebies!! There has been a new page tab added to our home page here.  And links for the first 4 sheets I've created are already there as well.  Tomorrow I'll be showing you how I use these stickers in my planner.  Who knows, maybe in the near future you'll start to see even more than just new stickers available from the Housewives.

We're working on some new patterns, trying to get some Ready to Ship items together, and have been learning other new crafts that we can share with you.  We really want to get back into the full swing of things, including posting here regularly and bringing you more than just crochet-related posts... STAY TUNED!!

New Sets for an Order

I have a friend who has contacted me for custom orders for her last 2 babies.  The most current order, which I finished yesterday, was for 2 sets.  The first was for one of our Al-Lie the Elephant Hats and a matching diaper cover.  The second was for a Dinosaur Set that included the hat, diaper cover, and booties.  Below you can see the photos and pattern links for the various pieces of the sets.  (I made a couple of minor changes to the Diaper Cover - both of which are from the same pattern - and notated them on my project listing in Ravelry.)

(Note:  The Al-Lie the Elephant Hat is shown with the alternate ears that are not currently on the pattern, but are in the works for the various sizes and will be updated once complete.)

Al-Lie the Elephant by Hooking Housewives
Diaper Cover by Amy B Stitched

Dinosaur Hat and Diaper Cover by Amy B Stitched
Dinosaur/Monster Booties by HookN Yarn

2016 Hodge Podge Afghan Sampler CAL - Square 2

The second square for the 2016 Hodge Podge Afghan Sampler was announced on Monday - the Sunflower Window Square by Kimberlie Goodnough, the designer behind Shop Kimberlie.  I worked it that afternoon and got it blocked.  I worked this one up in a goldenrod yellow and again, trimmed with the aubergine yarn.  Here's how it turned out:

If you're participating in the CAL or just want to use this square for your own blanket or piece of work, you can get it for free here.  

2016 Hodge Podge Afghan Sampler CAL - Square 1

On January 1st, Hodge Podge Crochet released the first square in this year's afghan crochet-along.  I, of course, didn't realize it until last night.  Don't you love when the New Year starts off in total chaos... LOL.  Fortunately for me, the first square is a "simple" single crochet swatch.

Yeah... it's so simple that sometimes I forget how tough it can be to do a simple square swatch.  After 3 attempts, I finally met the correct gauge.  This CAL is meant to work each square in a single color, which I figured would be perfect for using up some of those small balls of yarn that aren't large enough for a project but are too small to just throw out.  That meant I underestimated how much yarn a single crochet swatch can eat up and had to start it a second time with a different color.

In the end, I was able to complete the square and officially have Square 1 of the Hodge Podge Afghan Sampler CAL done.  I have already wet blocked the square, though a second wet block is likely going to be necessary.  I love the way the red looks with the Aubergine that I'll be using to border each square.  What do you think?

If you're interested in joining in with the Hodge Podge CAL, it's not too late - things have just started!  You can find more information via the FB group here and download the instructions for Square 1 here.

Square 2 was released today and is in progress... look for another post tomorrow!!

New Pinterest Boards

If you've ever visited the Hooking Housewives Pinterest boards, you know we have TONS of them - and although most are craft-related, we do have a few that are other things you may have an interest in.  Our crochet-related boards are obviously those that we have the most of as we try to break them down by categories.  A few of those categories are Amigurumi & Toys, Items for your Neck (Cowls, Scarves, etc.), and Hats.

As I sat this morning, scrolling through and looking through a few of the Crochet boards, I came to the realization that just like our Harry Potter-themed Crochet board, there are a few others that need to be broken down a little more specifically.

So now, I give you the following new boards:
Crochet - Disney (other than Star Wars)
Crochet - Dragons
Crochet - Despicable Me/Minions
Crochet - Ninja Turtles
Crochet - Owls
Crochet - Sports-Themed
Crochet - Star Wars

There may be a few others that come as well, but I'm going to try to focus on getting the pins off the other crochet boards and onto these first.  LOL  Are there specific topics you would like to see us post on?

Happy New Year 2016!!

As many of you know, we have a full selection of patterns available from our Perfect Simplicity collection.  After much consideration, we have opted to discontinue sale of the e-Book.  The Perfect Simplicity e-Book had one pattern in it that was exclusive to purchase of the book... the Perfect Simplicity Cozies.

Now, to ring in 2016, we're announcing the release of the Perfect Simplicity Cozies pattern!!  And from 12pm (CST) through the end of New Year's Day 2016, you can get your copy of the Perfect Simplicity Cozies for FREE - no coupon code is needed.

Visit our Ravelry shop and download your copy - and check out our other patterns while you're there.  From the Hooking Housewives to all of our fans, have a safe and happy New Year's Eve.  Be sure to follow us for lots of new happenings in 2016!!

OUR BIG ANNOUNCEMENT IS HERE!!!

Earlier this week we announced that we'd have some BIG news for you... it's finally time to let you have it!!!

You all know us as the Hooking Housewives, but all you ever see is the "hooking" part. Starting January 1, 2016, you'll start seeing more of the "housewives" part. No, we won't be sharing photos of us cleaning our houses, etc. LOL  

What you will get, is more "other stuff". We have both recently moved out of our neighboring apartments and into houses (we're only about 1.5 miles away from each other), so we have LOTS of projects we will be working on and sharing with you. And you know we LOVE Pinterest - that means more of our personal boards are now HHC boards as well. That means as we find ideas we love, we'll be pinning so you can see them.  

I'll be posting here on the blog more often with pictures of our ongoing projects, things we find around the web that we think you may enjoy (after we've tested it out, of course), and obviously we'll still be working on LOTS of crochet-related topics.  

And finally, I have every intention of working toward building up a RTS stash and maybe do a couple of craft shows at the end of 2016. I have a TON of patterns in the works, including some that have been finished and are just waiting to be put into final format. Which leads to telling you that ALL of our current patterns will be undergoing a makeover as well - that will happen slowly but it will happen. Some will be getting retested, some will be getting revamped, and some will just be getting put into our new layout.  

Be sure you click on our Facebook page (via the dropdown "Like" button on our page) to get notifications so you don't miss out on all of the fun stuff we'll be sharing. Follow us on our blog here and check us out on Pinterest, Instagram, and Ravelry as well!!!

Weekly Round-Up: Pilgrims

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to a round-up of something other than turkeys... so you have the Pilgrim Round-Up!!!  (Don't worry, I'll be doing Turkeys next week for those who just can't get enough.)

I have to admit that I'm surprised at how few Pilgrim patterns I was able to find as compared to other Thanksgiving-themed ones.  My brain started going so hopefully you'll see a few new fun ones from us next year - I know that realistically, there's not enough time to get any written up, tested, and released in time for you to be able to benefit from them this year.

No more delays... here are the Pilgrim patterns that caught the Housewives' attention:

1.  Pilgrim Table Runner and Hat Tags

by Crochet Village

2.  Pilgrim Dog Hat

by Posh Pooch Designs

3.  Pilgrim Hat

My Sweet Potato 3

4. Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim Treasure Trousers

by Four Bees Designs

5.  Pilgrim Boy and Girl Cape Set

by Calleigh's Clips and Crochet Creations

6.  Pilgrim Bottle Toppers

by Maggie Weldon

Is there a theme you'd like to see us do a Round-Up for?  Let us know and we'll see about adding it to our schedule.  :)

Round-Up - BEARDS

November 1st is right around the corner.  That means that along with many men (and even women), my husband will be participating in No-Shave November.  My friend, Jacqui, mentioned the possibility of crocheting herself a beard so she will "fit in" with the guys in her life.  In honor of my her, I bring you this Round-Up of Beards!!!

1.  Viking or Dwarven Beard by Totally Stitching

2.  Quick and Dirty Furry Beard by Mad Crochet Scientist

3.  Crochet Beard by Miriam Tribe

4.  Duck Guys Hats by Hatch-ed with Love

5.  Cthulhu Hat by Moose Musings

6.  Duck Dynasty Beard and Hat by Me and Morning Glory

7.  Master of Disguise by Hooks and Hornbooks

8.  Loopy Beard by Tera Kulling

Welcome to the Round-Up - Pumpkins

One of my favorite things to see on other blog sites is the pattern round-ups they do!  I decided that it would be a fun feature to add to our blog on a weekly basis.  We have quite a few we want to do and hope you'll give us your ideas for others.  Our plan is to feature patterns that you may or may not have seen before, but that cover a variety of project ideas.  Whether you're a crocheter, a customer, or just a fan, we hope to give you all some ideas.

* For the crocheters - you'll be provided with links to patterns fitting each week's Round-Up theme.  Some of these may be free patterns, some may be paid.  Either way, you'll be able to go directly to the source if you see a project you want to work on.
* For our customers (past, present, or future) - if you see something on our Round-Up that you're interested in having us make for you, let us know.  We'll be able to work with you to get the order processed.
* For fans - we know not everyone crochets or is able to purchase handmade items.  Maybe these are just crocheted items that will bring a smile to your day by seeing the pictures.  Either way, you're still welcome to join us for the Round-Ups each week.  Who knows, maybe you'll become a crocheter or a customer one day soon!

With both Halloween and Thanksgiving right around the corner, we thought it fitting that our first Housewives Round-Up should be PUMPKINS!!!  These are patterns that you may or may not have seen in the past - we wanted to feature a variety of pumpkin items.  Let's get started...

1.  Stackables Hat by Snappy Tots
2.  Fall Wreath by Repeat Crafter Me
3.  Halloween Pumpkin Beanie by Crochet by Jennifer
4.  Pumpkins Galore Afghan & Pillow by Crochet Village
5.  Squeeze n' Sniff Pumpkin Pie by Crafty is Cool
6.  Pumpkin Treat Bowl by One Sheepish Girl
7.  Pumpkin Vine Scarf by Wicked Crochet
8.  Pumpkin Table Set by Mom's Love of Crochet
9.  Pumpkin Baby Booties by Kittying

These patterns would be fun for both Halloween and Thanksgiving so check them out and let us know what you think!!

Alabama Won - So Do You!!!

The Hooking Housewives are BIG Alabama Crimson Tide fans!!  To celebrate their big win against the Florida Gators yesterday, you win by getting 40% off our Houndstooth patterns in our Ravelry shop!! 

You can use coupon code ROLLTIDE today and tomorrow to receive the discount on our Houndstooth Hat and Boot Cuff & Legwarmer patterns.  Enjoy!!! 








P.S.  Jamie is working on a few Houndstooth patterns that y'all will be sure to love!  They are patterns we haven't found online from other designers.  ;)  Stay tuned for previews...

Perfect Simplicity Collection

Several months ago I introduced y'all to the Perfect Simplicity Collection.  First came the Hat, along with the Boot Cuffs & Legwarmers.  A bit later we added the Scarf.  Now the e-Book and other patterns are finally complete!!  In full, the collection includes those patterns already mentioned, along with a Headband & Earwarmer, Market Bag, Slouchy Cowl, and Fingerless Gloves.  And exclusive to the e-Book (not available for purchase separately) are the Cozies (Coffee Sleeve and Can & Bottle Cozy).  The patterns were all released a couple of weeks ago in our Ravelry shop.  As of today, they are now available through Craftsy as well!!  You can click on the photos below to see larger versions of each design.

Free Pattern: African Flower Slouchy

 

A few weeks ago, one of my regular customers sent me a picture of a hat she'd come across online and wanted me to make for her.  Since I wasn't able to find a pattern to go with the original photo, I started with a basic African Flower and worked out from there to create the slouchy.

If you're making this hat, gauging is a must!!!  Because there are 3 different size hooks used, you need to be sure the gauge is accurate or it's almost guaranteed that the hat won't fit.

You can pick up your own copy of the African Flower Slouchy for free in our Ravelry or Craftsy stores. 

Pattern Review: Killer Dishcloths

One of my customers ordered some dishcloths but had no particular design in mind.  I took advantage of the moment to try out the new Killer Dishcloth pattern from Shannon over at The Hookeraholic Crochet.

The pattern was super easy for even a beginner to work up.  And I'm pleasantly delighted with the final size:  9" x 9" - a great size for getting those big dirty jobs done!!

I used I Love This Cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby to make the washcloths that were ordered, with some scraps of Peaches & Cream that I had on hand to make them two-tone.  Shannon included simple, easy-to-understand instructions on how to work the them up in two colors if desired. 

I can say that I found only one thing I did not like about the pattern - there was no gauge.  I get that it's a dishcloth so the final size isn't really an issue, but I would have preferred to know what size the recommended hook was going to work up before starting.  In the end, the size isn't an issue, but for those who crochet super tight, it could become an issue.

If you're interested in trying out this pattern, you can get your own copy for free here. 

The Grouch is here!!

After teasing y'all with pictures for the last week, the Grouch Cozies are finally here!!!  Let me introduce you to the Coffee Grouch and the Bottle Grouch.  Both are included in this pattern pack, along with a Can Grouch. 

The pattern pack for the Grouch Cozies is $3.49, but you can get them through the end of the day tomorrow for only $2.49!!  Get the pattern in our Ravelry shop or over on Craftsy. 

Christmas in July Mystery CAL: Part 3 - FINISHED!!

Up until this point, I was completely clueless as to what the final product would be.  I was happy to see that it's a stocking.  Part 3 was a little tougher than the rest - trying to figure out where all of the stitches along the sides was easier said than done at times.  After a few days of working on it - no, I was not able to sit down and knock this part out due to a crazy schedule - I finally finished last night!!

My final thoughts - I love the design of the stocking.  It was slightly time-consuming, but totally worth it.  I'm not a huge fan of how the heel turned out, nor do I like how the cuff appears too large, but those are adjustments I could easily make when I work the pattern again.  Yes, I will be working it again in the future.  I am hoping to have time to make one for each member of our family in the colors we're using to decorate this year.  I do plan to use a larger hook so I can make them larger in size - Santa only provides one "cool" gift and fills stockings for our kids, so we like to have decent size stockings. 

The pattern has received a name - the Winter Waves Christmas Stocking.  If you did not pick up an advance copy, you can now get the final version here.  Many thanks to the Design Wars team and Jennifer over at A Crocheted Simplicity... and I'm off to post the photos in my projects on Ravelry so I can get my chance to win a full set of Clover Amore crochet hooks!  :)

Pattern Review: Pretty Baby Barefoot Sandals

A few months ago I came across the most adorable pair of barefoot baby sandals while scrolling through Pinterest.  I hadn't had a reason to make any yet, but finally got an order.  YAY! 

I pulled up the String With Style blog and found the pattern for the Pretty Baby Barefoot Sandals  - a freebie, which is always a plus!  The sandals worked up pretty quick once I determined which size to make.  I had an order for a pair in 6-9 month size. Unfortunately, the pattern doesn't include much in the way of details for the sizes -  small, medium, and large are all you get.  That meant I had to work and compare each finished size against another pair of baby shoes I'd already made for the same order. 




In the end, I love how cute they turned out.  The flower was so much easier than I thought it was going to be, and because there are two different edgings to choose from, it's an easy flower even for a beginning hooker.