Fall to me is beautiful leaves, the smell of wood smoke, apples fresh from the orchard, pumpkin pie and a handful of candy corn. Growing up I could not wait until the stores started carrying this delicious seasonal treat. So when my mom came to visit this week we made a candy corn pocket, which has a million uses! It’s perfect for holding your cell phone, dollars and small necessities! Children love this project. Make up a few for your favorite little friends and fill them with the real deal: candy corn! Perfect for fall bazaars and harvest festivities too.

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I love to go for walks on fall evenings. Since the temperature has been dropping briskly, I like to have a little something around my neck to keep me toasty. I hate to pull out the full fledge scarf this time of year, so I decided a neck warmer would do just the trick. This project is so simple! Depending on the type of yarn you use, it can look dressy for a night out or it can be quite practical while you’re getting down and dirty winterizing. Not only do I love this pattern, but it even looks cute on my 3 year old daughter!

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Over the summer I have been in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. While on business and vacationing I’ve had the opportunity to window shop and browse a variety of stores. I love adapting my wardrobe to the latest style without paying big bucks. As of late, I’ve been seeing a lot of lace and some really cute, feminine hair accessories popping up everywhere! So, I whipped up this super simple hair scrunchie. This is the perfect project for using up leftover bits of yarn. Don’t forget to make some for the little girls in your life! They make great gifts too.

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There’s a candy store just down the street that sells huge lollipops in every color of the rainbow. Wide eyed children try to reach for the heavenly treats that are just out of their grasp. I suppose the manager has had a few broken lollipops over the years and so keeps them safe on the counter for the splurging parent to snatch. So, in honor of all those little ones who grow teary eyed for lollipops I created this sweet applique. It’s prefect for sewing on onesies or toddler shirts! You can make this project as large as you want by adjusting the chain and yarn weight!

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I love essential oils and learning more about aromatherapy. Occasionally I like to put a little essential oil on my pillowcase before drifting off to dreamland. Since I travel so much, and don’t want to drag my scented pillow along with me, I decided to whip up this pattern. Simply slide the mini “pillow” inside your pillowcase before hitting the hay. The felt inside the crocheted enclosure will keep your essential oil’s fragrance for days. These little pillows, lightly scented with lavender, also work great in the pockets of wool coats in storage to keep moths away!

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I love crocheted accessories that add a personal touch to my wardrobe. Check out this sweet flower pin; it’s so easy to make! There is so much you can do with this ultra easy project. You could make one of these flowers to accent a child’s crocheted headband. They are the perfect hat accessory or how about pinning one on your purse. You could also sew a few of these flowers along the hem of a little girl’s dress. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit and alternate each flower’s yarn color or add a vintage button in the center. Crochet yourself a flower garden!

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It’s hard to believe that summer is winding down. Since it’s back to school time, I thought a bookmark would be the perfect project. This little bookworm will keep your place in the latest read or textbook. You can make him as short or long as you want. You could also make each little medallion, that makes up his wiggly body, a different color. I’m going to use this same little worm as an applique on baby blankets and toddler shirts too. This little guy is so versatile and a snap to make! There are a million and one variations and A+ applications. Have fun!

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Anyone who reads this post obviously has an interested in crochet and perhaps it has crossed from an interest into an obsession! There are only 24 hours in the day and only so many hours to crochet! There is always more laundry to be done, a meal waiting to be prepared, an errand to be accomplished, a friend to call or perhaps a child to console. So, how can we factor in some precious time just to unwind and create something? Here are a few suggestions.

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There is nothing more frustrating than setting aside time to work on a new project and not be able to find your pattern, yarn or hook. You can spend precious minutes that could have been invested in your project while searching for the needed tools to begin. After accumulating an assortment of crochet necessities I finally decided it was high time to get them in one organized space where I could turn to and find what I needed in a matter of seconds.

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If you’re like me, you’re passionate about shopping for all things crochet! Although I’ve never seen a bumper sticker, “I brake for yarn stores!” I think I could easily apply that one to my car. I love shopping at fiber arts shops and just absorbing the whole creative atmosphere. I especially love the privately owned storefront shops. Their owners are always quite passionate about the topics I am and are especially helpful with any questions I might have. It’s like finding a long lost friend! Walking in a creative oasis provides a sensory overload of patterns and skeins of glorious yarn!

I have a favorite store in Petaluma, CA called The Knittery that I always look forward to visiting during my winter vacation. Housed in a turn of the century building and tastefully decorated it is an inspiration and a breath of fresh air!

Do you have a favorite yarn shopping destination?