A Gift Fit for a Space Princess!

I am a nerd.  Yup, I'm a comic-book-reading, Sci-Fi lovin', super geek.  Give me a hobbit, some elves, and a dragon and I am IN! A movie about a team of super heros that have to save the planet from aliens? Pass the popcorn because I'm there!! Give me an intergalactic space battle that will determine the fate of mankind and I'm a happy girl! I love it all!

My love of Sci-Fi started when I was two and saw Star Wars.  That year I demanded a Princess Leia costume for Halloween.  My great-aunts thought it was cute, because (to them) I looked like a nun...

So when I got it in my head that I needed to make a beanie that would house some headphone speakers (my earbuds are just killing me these days, and I don't like how the pinchy-headband part of regular headphones gives me a headache), I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to embrace my inner geek.  That, and without the Princess Leia buns the hat kinda made me look like a 1960's astronaut... LOL!!!

So, if you'd like an awesome hat that looks like everyone's favorite Space Princess, or you'd like a super cool hat that is a self-contained music system, read on:

Princess Leia's Headphone Beanie
(Alderaan Edition, 'cause it rocked! Um, before it blew up...)
Supplies:
Basic Beanie
2 Large Inner Pockets
1 Small Inner Pocket
2 Leia Buns
Brown Felt - 1/4 yard (or you could use poly-fil if you've already got a bunch of it laying around)
Headphones that you are willing to take apart (don't use your $90 headphones that you love.  I picked up a pair on Amazon for less than $5 (Panasonic RP-HT21) that are amazing.   They  come apart easily and sound fantastic to my non-professional-musician ears.)
iPod Nano (optional, but it will allow you to have a completely self-contained system!  So, like, don't buy one just for this, but if you've got a micro-mp3 player by all means grab it and let's get goin'!)

Basic Beanie
to fit an average-to-large adult woman's head
**I have a large head.  I made this to fit me.  If you've got a smaller head, I would highly recommend you leave off the last increase (R12) when you make the beanie.**
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn - about 175 yards (I used Caron 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn in Chocolate)
Size H crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle

R1: make 10 sc in a magic loop, pull the loop tight and sl st to the first sc to close round (10 st)
R2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (20 st)
R3: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (20 st)
R4: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (30 st)
R5: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (30 st)
R6: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 2 sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (40 st)
R7: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (40 st)
R8: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 3 sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (50 st)
R9: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (50 st)
R10: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 4 sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (60 st)
R11: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (60 st)
R12: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 5 sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (70 st)
R13-26 (or until the hat reaches 8.25" from center of crown to bottom edge): ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (70 st)
R27: ch 2, (fpdc, bpdc) 35 times, sl st to first dc to close round (70 st)
Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Large Inner Pocket
approximately 2 1/2 " x 3 1/4"
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn - small amount (I used Caron 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn in Chocolate)
Size H crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle

(Make 2)
ch 9
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across (8 st)
R2-11: ch 1, sc in each st across (8 st)
Fasten off.  Leave a long tail for sewing on later.

Small Inner Pocket
approximately 2 1/2 " x 1 3/4"
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn - small amount (I used Caron 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn in Chocolate)
Size H crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle

ch 9
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across (8 st)
R2-7: ch 1, sc in each st across (8 st)
Fasten off.  Leave a long tail for sewing on later.

Leia Buns
approximately 4" across
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn - small amount (I used Caron 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn in Chocolate)
Size H crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle

(Make 2)
R1: make 10 sc in a magic loop, pull the loop tight and sl st to the first sc to close round (10 st)
R2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (20 st)
R3: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (20 st)
R4: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (30 st)
R5: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (30 st)
R6: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 2 sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (40 st)
R7: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (40 st)
R8: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 3 sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (50 st)
R9: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc to close round (50 st)

R10: ch 1, (sc next 2 st tog, 3 sc) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (40 st)

R11: ch 1, (sc next 2 st tog) 20 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (20 st)

R12: ch 1, (sc next 2 st tog) 10 times, sl st to the first sc to close round (10 st)

Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

So get the beanie, 2 large inner pockets, and small inner pocket together.  Find the center of the back of the hat and pin the small inner pocket right in the center.

Sew along the bottom edge of the pocket (the one at the bottom edge of the beanie).  Sew up the two sides to finish the back pocket.

Now, try the beanie on and put pins into the hat directly over where your ears are.  Take the hat off and use the marks as a guide where to place the large inner flaps.  The marks are going to be where you want the speakers to go (eventually) so center the flaps over the mark so that there will be room for them to go.

Stitch the large inner flaps into place, using the picture above as a guide.  You want to leave the back end of the pocket open, not the top.

These are the headphones that I used.

The headband part of them pops off very easily. It won't damage the speakers in any way to remove that part.

This is what it will look like when you get the headband part removed.

Tuck the speakers into the large inner pockets.

 I left the cord bundled up so that it tucked easily into the small back pocket.

I actually used the twist tie holding the cord  to attach the bundle of cord in place in the pocket.

If you try it on right now, it's going to look a little weird.  I mean, the headphone speakers will show through the beanie, and make it bump out.  It's okay though, because we're going to hide the bumps under the Leia buns! (Please pardon the picture. I was the only one home at the time that could take it, so I had to use the dining room mirror... LOL!!!)

Okay, so you're going to now cut out the felt centers for the buns.  I used the finished bun as a guide and cut out 4 layers of felt for each side.

Tuck the felt inside the bun to give it a more filled out look. You can use a little bit of fiberfill instead, if that's what you've got! :D

Stitch the buns in place over the speaker bumps (don't catch the pocket in your stitches, you might want to remove the speakers later if you need to wash the beanie).  I plugged the speakers into my iPod Nano and clipped it onto the front of the back pocket.  That way I can start my playlist and put it on and I'm good to go.  I like that it's easily accessible in case I need to skip a song. I can just reach back and double tap the large button on the side.

 Put it on and enjoy!
(My dad was working as my photographer this day, but he kept making me laugh!  This was the best one of the pictures! LOL!)

xoxo

Hey!  Want to win one for a Princess Leia hat yourself? Hat and speakers only, not the iPod (sorry!).  Enter my giveaway celebrating 600 Facebook Likers HERE!
Update 12/23/12:  Thank you so much to everyone who entered!  The giveaway is now closed and a winner has been chosen.  xo Jaime

A Gift of Metal & Thread

So, the latest copy of In Style magazine was pretty good.  Of course, I could hardly contain my glee I flipped past a page and discovered that the embellished bracelets that have been popular in French Vogue were now everywhere!  Yippee!!  'Cause, you know, we can do that ourselves!

I am speaking from a place of fashion authority, as the author of Amazon Kindle's #1 best selling fashion book, Crochet Dynamite: Gifts for Your Besties.  BAAA-hahahahaha!!!  How in world did that happen?!  My sincere appologies to #4 Tim Gunn...

Anyway, I had to make one for myself.

And then I had to do some more research.  I discovered something very interesting.  Aurelie Bidermann's Do Brazil line of jewelry is stunning.  It's also very, very pricey.  Have you seen it?

Go check out the line HERE

The clasp is a paper clip.  It's a $300 bracelet with a paper clip clasp.  My mom assures me that she would be furious if she spent $300 on a bracelet and it closed with office supplies, but it's grown on me, and now I'm digging it.  The bracelet above is clearly made with a braid, and not crochet, but I'm not super crazy about making exact rip-off copies of anyone else's work, and besides, I couldn't find that exact bracelet anyway, so I've done my own thing on this one.  Think of it as a tribute, and knock $50 off the price tag... ;D

I made 2 versions of this bracelet, a charm bracelet version, and a paper clip version.  Your friends will think you're so posh!!  My mom will think you're crazy for buying a paper clip bracelet...

Metal & Thread Mash-Up Charm Bracelet 

mine was about 7 1/2" long

Supplies:

Charm Bracelet (I got mine at Joann's in the jewelry making section)

Craft Cord (sometimes called Craft Thread.  It's like embroidery floss that doesn't split apart, and it's sold next to the embroidery floss in big bulk packs.  You could also use embroidery floss, or size 3 crochet thread.) I used 5 strands at a time for this project.

Size C crochet hook

Fabri-tac fabric glue (or other fabric glue)

Scissors

Jewelry pliers (optional, but helpful)

These bracelets are meant to sit a little more snugly than most charm bracelets do, so I took two links out of the bracelet chain using my jewelry pliers.  This isn't completely necessary, if you don't want to do this step.

Pick out the 5 colors that you're going to use for your bracelet.  I made this one in shades of purple, because I have a friend who's got a birthday coming up that loves purple.  (No worries, Crafty Pals, she's a Top Tier Handmade Gift Appreciator!)

I began by pulling a loop through the first link of the bracelet, and chaining 2.  Then I put 2 sc in each link across the top edge of the bracelet.  I think you can see in the picture that I alternated which way I held the links as I went, so that the bracelet wouldn't spiral when I was done.  So one link came to the front, the next link I brought up behind the first link, the third link I brought up in front of the second link.  It gives a little bit of a ripple to the bracelet, if you look closely.  When you get to the end, pull the loop through to finish the end.  Leave a 3" tail (just to be safe).

Now, pull out a 6" (or so) length of the threads.  Using your hook, pull one end of this strand through the ch 2 space at the front of your row of stitches.  Pull the end up so that the strand is centered.  This is going to bulk up the tassel that goes at the end of each side of your bracelet.   Wrap a few of the threads around the whole bundle of craft cord and knot it.  Put a few drops of Fabri-Tac on the knot to keep it from coming loose.

Repeat on the other side.  Trim the tassels to approximately 1" long.

Wrap it up and give it to a friend that you love for her birthday because she's awesome (not just because she wrote a beautiful review of your latest book on Amazon, but also because she's incredibly kind and generous too)!
...I'm pretty sure she's going to read this, so I'll leave it at that... Cough, Nyan has a package coming in the mail, Cough...


Metal & Thread Mash-Up Paper Clip Bracelet
Supplies:
Package of chain (I know, that's weird, but what are you supposed to call it?  It was a 42" length of chain, but the bracelet pattern doesn't require it to be that long, so I don't want to force you to buy the exact same thing as I did, especially since you only need about 7" of it...) I got mine at Joann's, but I've seen it in Michaels...
Paper Clips (I used 1" paper clips, but this could look really cool with one of those Jumbo clips)
Craft Cord (see above!)
Size C crochet hook
Scissors
Fabri-Tac fabric glue
Jewelry pliers *optional, sort of.  It would be hard to do this without pliers of some sort, but if you've got a pair that aren't specifically for jewelry you can totally use them for this, and just toss any links that get too damaged in the un-linking process.  DO NOT try to use your teeth to open the links, you will chip a tooth... Or, at least, that's how I chipped a tooth about 8 years ago...)

You don't have to separate the entire length of chain into bracelets, you can just use what you need and save the rest for something else, if you'd prefer.  I was going to make a lot of presents, so I split mine up right away.  I got 5 adult sized bracelets, and one smaller bracelet for Mims.

Attach your very clever closure.

Now, follow the instructions exactly the same way as for the charm bracelet version!   I made this one for my mom because it will make her laugh every time she wears it.

You're all done!  Package them up in cute little gift baggies and tie them with ribbon!

xoxo


Psst!  You want to make gift baggies with me?

No Crochet Tulle Gift Baggie
Approximately 4"x 2"x 6" (or as high as you want, it's adjustable)
Supplies:
6" wide roll of tulle netting (in the wedding section at craft stores.  I got mine 50% off at Hobby Lobby...)
Sewing Thread
Sewing machine (or sewing needle, but it will take much longer by hand)
Card stock
Hot Glue Gun (and glue sticks)
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil

Start by sewing two 36" strips of tulle together along the long sides with a 1/4" seam.  This will make a 36" tube.  Turn it inside out, so that the seams are on the inside of the tube.  Cut the tube into 9" lengths, or whatever length you prefer.

Heat up your glue gun.

Cut your card stock into 4"x2" rectangles.  You need 2 for each baggie.

Slip one of the card stock rectangles into the bottom of a tulle tube.  Make sure that the tulle comes up evenly on each side and wraps across the rectangle to meet (mostly) in the center.

Squeeze a bunch of hot glue on the tulle and card stock.

Slap another rectangle of card stock over the glue to make a tulle/glue sandwich.  Add more glue to the corners to make sure that they're really stuck together.

Drop in a gorgeous handmade bracelet and tie with a ribbon!  These baggies also look amazing holding pairs of Semi-Handmade Gloves...  

A Gift of Semi-Homemade Gloves

I have a complicated relationship with handmade gifts.  Personally, I love them.  I love making them, I love receiving them.  If someone takes the time and effort (and cost!  Why do non-artsy people assume that yarn and other supplies are cheap? Ugh.  I warned you this relationship was complicated...) I feel lucky to get a gift with such a personal connection.

My family didn't have a lot of money when my sister and I were little, so my mom made a lot of our family's Christmas presents. I thought that everyone's mom made presents for the whole family.  Hats for everyone!  Scarves!  The year of the broomstick lace sweater was a little rough, but only because my awkward 11-year-old body managed to snag it on EVERYTHING!!!  I never thought it was weird that my doll didn't look just exactly the same as my friends' dolls, and it was extra cool because I knew that my mom had made it just for me... That, and my dad, who did not much care for the style of Cabbage Patch Dolls had painted beautiful, super realistic eyes on my sister and my dolls, to match our own eye colors.  It was pretty awesome.

There is a faction of family members, no matter how much they try to understand craftsy-arty people, who just would rather have the $15 you spent in material costs.  I had an aunt that was like that, and I have a sneaking suspicion that several of my extended family members are less-than-thrilled with my handcrafted creations.  In the past, I've tried to fight against it, but this year I'm releasing myself from the constant need to prove myself to others... 

Instead, I'm proposing an alternative.  How about a hierarchy of handmade gifts?  

Top Tier: 

People who really appreciate the time/energy/expense/sacrifice get the really good stuff 

Think yummy-soft sweaters, warm and snuggly blankets, ANY hat (even an easy one!),  a Tardis bag that took you 5 hours to crochet the Police Call Box strap...

Middle Tier:  

People who appreciate the thought behind a handmade gift (but don't really get why you'd want to make presents in the first place) get thoughtful, but not-quite-as-good gifts 

Think coasters and mug wraps, soap dispenser covers, gorgeous handmade ornaments, juggling balls...

Bottom Tier:

People who don't like a gift if it wasn't bought in a 'real' store

They get coal.  Just a chunk of coal.  I think of it as Crafter Justice...

Okay, what do you think?  I am SURE I'm not alone on this one...

I've got a project today that is awesome dazzling super-cool Middle-Tier-easy.  You get all the "I can't believe you made this!" good feelings, with none of the "I don't have enough time to finish this!" stress.  

You're welcome.

I love the idea of making gloves.  Crocheting, by hand, a warm pair of hand-covers, there's something poetic and romantic about that idea.  It also sounds like a crap-ton of work (but, I would SO appreciate it if I got some as a gift... Not a hint, but I'm just sayin' that that, my friends, is a gift of love.  Top Tier all the way!) But I was at Target the other day, and they had the cheapy stretchy gloves so flippin' cheap that I couldn't leave the store without them.  They were, like, two pair for a dollar-fifty.  You can't beat that price!  

Of course, they look like cheapy stretchy gloves... But I can fix that.

If you are part of the (over 1300!) Super Amazing Dynamos who have a copy of my latest book, Crochet Dynamite: Fun and Games (available at Amazon.com in the Kindle Store. You don't need a Kindle, they have FREE software for your computer/iPad/smart phone/techie awesome devices. Plus, if you're an Amazon Prime Memeber, you can borrow it for FREE!! Ahem, back to the post...) you've read about my latest love, Craft Cord.  It's like embroidery floss that doesn't come apart.  It's about the same size as the Size 3 crochet thread that I adore, but it comes in bright, multi-packs of awesome colors that I just can't find in crochet thread.  And it's cheap like embroidery floss!  

So I grabbed up a few 10-yard skeins of my Craft Cord (sometimes called Craft Thread, it's marketed to the Tween friendship-bracelet-making community) and made some granny squares!  I stitched them on and voila! the gloves look fancy and sort-of-handmade, but in a good way, like probably everyone will think you bought them at a 'real' store (whatever that means! Coal, I tell you, they all get COAL!!!).

Semi-Handmade Gloves

will fit most hands belonging to your Top- and Middle-Tier friends and family members

Supplies:

A pair of cheapy, stretchy bargain gloves

3 different colored skeins of Craft Cord (or you could use embroidery floss, but buy extra of the outer round color)

Size C crochet hook

Yarn needle

Scissors

Straight pins (like for sewing) *optional, but helpful

Magic Loop Granny Square

approximately 1 3/4" square

(make 2)

**I switched color with every round, but for the ease of pattern reading I didn't include that in the instructions**

R1: start a magic loop and ch 3 (counts as the first dc), 2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) 3 times, pull loop tight and sl st to 3rd starting ch to finish round. (4 ch space corners)

R2: 2 sl st across the next 2 dc to get to the next corner, ch 3 in corner loop (counts as the first dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same corner, [ch 2, (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc in the next corner)] 3 times, ch 2, sl st to 3rd starting ch to finish round.

R3: 2 sl st across the next 2 dc to get to the next ch space, ch 3 in ch space (counts as the first dc), 2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner, [ch 2, 3 dc in next ch space, ch 2, (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc in the next corner)] 3 times, ch 2, sl st to 3rd starting ch to finish round.

Finish off.  Weave in ends.

Center the finished square on the back of the glove (make sure that you have them facing correctly to make a right AND a left glove, don't just grab them willy-nilly or you'll end up with two lefties... Ahem, not that I did that...) and pin it in place.  You can try it on at this point (CAREFULLY so you don't get stuck) and see if you like the placement, if you'd like.  My design aesthetic likes the square set back a little more towards the wrist cuff, but you're welcome to place it anywhere you like.  Now grab your needle and outer color cord/thread and stitch it down.  I stitched it using the back loops of the final round, but if you've got a way you like sewing embellishments on, go for it.

Then do the other one and you're done!  Easy-peasy, right?  And your Middle-Tier friends won't know the difference!  LOL!!!

xoxo

Holiday Bow Master Class

So my friend Teeni, over at Mad Crochet Lab, is pretty awesome.  She and I were chatting on Facebook yesterday (come join the party, I'm always looking for new friends!  You can Friend me HERE or click on the Like button over on the right side over there...) and she showed me this amazing lariat that she had made that incorporated my Holiday Bow pattern into it.  Well, you know me, I almost freaked out because it was so cool, and demanded that she post about it on her site so everyone else could see too.

So, if you'd like to see it (and get the instructions to make the coolest holiday accessory this season!) you should go over and check it out HERE!!!! It's cool.  I'll wait...

But, wait, there's more.  She's put up a Facebook video showing you a (better and easier) way of making the bow loops.  It will blow your mind.  Seriously.  It's on my timeline right now, so if you want to pop over there to watch it you can.

Or you should be able to access it here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=297109150405863&set=vb.240759026040876&type=2&theater

And while you're there, show Mad Crochet Lab some love and Like her too!  She's funny and clever and a great person to know.  Plus, next time I do a post like this, you'll get to be all, "I saw that 45 minutes ago!"

xoxo

A Gift of Good-Looking Presents!

I made some holiday bows last week!  And look at my normally-dead lawn!  I was so excited that it's green right now, I had to run out and take pictures on it.  Uh, if the picture above looks weird, I took it myself, of my feet, and then flipped it around so that it didn't look like that was what I did... Don't the bows look Photoshopped?  I swear, the bows are really on my sneakers, I think it came out weird because I pumped up the color and fixed the exposure a little on PicMonkey...

So this all came about because my friend Teeni, over at the Mad Crochet Lab, hosted a holiday collaborative project this year called the Virtual Handmade Holiday Craft Collaboration, where she helped us all create an amazing Virtual Holiday Wreath!  Awesomesauce!  I loved that while it was a holiday project, she specifically mentioned that this was a non-denominational wreath, and not to create any religious holiday ornaments.  Not that I would have chosen a particularly Jesus-y project anyway, but it was fun to stretch my imagination to create something new that said "Holiday Spirit" without screaming "Christmas"!!!

At first I considered 'winter-themed' projects, but crochet snowflakes boggle my brain.  I put them in the doily category, beautiful thread, starchy and COMPLICATED.  I wanted to make something easy and fun, and most of all, FAST!  I just got my shipment of holiday wrapping paper from the fundraiser at Mimsey's school, so I've been thinking about getting started with the oodles of wrapping that I'm going to do over the next couple of weeks.  That, of course, got me thinking about decorating the packages, and a really cute bow I saw on Pinterest that was made out of strips of paper cut from kid art.

I had to try it in crochet!  Like, right that minute!!  And it worked! Yippee, it was a holiday miracle!  I shot some pictures and sent them off to the Mad Crochet Lab!

Then I started the process of fine-tuning the pattern to be able to write it out for you.  I think I've make nearly a dozen, trying to figure out the best way to put them together.  But I think I've finally got it, and I took a TON of pictures to help clarify the instructions.   So, if you'd like to make a holiday bow (or ten!) read on!

The Holiday Bow
Supplies:
I used worsted weight yarn and an F hook for most of these bows, but it is completely adjustable to the size of whatever yarn you choose.  For a sport weight yarn use a D hook.  For a Bulky yarn, I would try an I hook to start.   You pretty much can't screw this one up, but tighter stitches will look better than loose ones.  The bow above was made with cotton yarn, but for the tutorial, I used Red Heart Shimmer in Red.

**A quick note about the pattern:  The bow is made up of three long strips of 3-stitch-wide crochet and one short strip.  I have chained between the strips to keep them all together in my project bag, and so that I remember that I've done all of the strips before I switch to another yarn.  Do not let the chains confuse you, it's just so that the strips don't get lost, and it saves time from having to finish off and weave in ends between strips. Okay? Okay!***

ch 4
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across (3 st)
R2-8: ch 1, sc in each st across (3 st)
R9: ch 10 (this will leave a gap between strips), sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc (3 st)
R10-32: ch 1, 3 sc (3 st)
R33: ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc (3 st)
R34-56: ch 1, 3 sc (3 st)
R57: ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc (3 st)
R58-80:  ch 1, 3 sc (3 st)
Fasten off.  It should look like this:

The first time you make this, you should cut the strips apart, and weave in all the ends.  Your strips should now look like this:

Kinda looks like crinkly bacon, huh?

Start with one of the long pieces.  See how it's twisting?  We're going to use that to our advantage!

Start with one end.  Using the 'natural' twist of the strip, curl the top around and down onto the back of the piece.  It will look like this:

Ooh, did you notice my fancy nails?
Mims got fantastic grades on her very first report card, so we had a special Mommy/Daughter manicure day!
I got the gel polish, so we'll see how long it lasts... It was AWESOME to leave with DRY nails, though!

Stitch it down on the back of the strip.  It will look like this on the front:

Following the twist of the strip (which should twist the opposite direction this time!) twist the other end of the strip around and down onto the back of the strip.  It won't quite meet in the center, there should be a little space between the ends.  Stitch it down so the piece now looks like this:

Repeat with the other 2 long strips, so you've got three pieces that look like this:

Now you're ready to start putting your bow together!  Stack the strips on top of each other, little pockets UP.  You may have to do a little fiddling with this part to find the combination that looks best.

Once you've got them the way that you like, stitch them in place!  When you're done, it should look like this:

Now grab your center piece!

Fold it around so that the two short ends meet, and it makes a little tube.  Tuck it into the center of the bow so it looks like this:

Stitch it into place!  Weave in any loose ends! Add a bobby pin on the back (or safety pin!) so that you can attach it to everything!!

**Okay, so now that you know the 'right' way to make the Holiday Bow, I'm going to tell you the cheater way.  You don't actually have to stitch any of this if you use a hot glue gun.  Just glue all the ends down, glue the long strips together, glue the little strip into the middle.  You can crank them out in a couple of minutes!

And when you get REALLY good, you don't even have to cut the strips apart before you assemble the bow.  The last 5 bows I made I just covered up the extra chains by hiding them between layers.  I swear, they don't show at all!  It will cut another 5 minutes off your production time if you don't have to cut all the pieces apart and weave in all those ends.  Awesome, right?  But so confusing for a first timer!!  So make a couple the 'right' way, so that you get the hang of it, and then cheat, cheat, cheat away for the rest!  I promise, I won't tell!**

Why would you need more than one bow?  Because you can use them for everything!!!

So, going clockwise from the top, you can:
-add a bow to a crochet hat (like my ebook exclusive, Prim's Hat)!
-wear a bow as a festive pin!
-attach a bow to a headband (looks cute on adults too!)
-attach a couple bows to the laces of your sneakers!
-put a bow on the front of a soap dispenser cover!
-sticky-tape a pair of bows onto your fake Costco Uggs!
-hang bows from your artificial Christmas tree that your husband bought you the first year you guys were married!
-use bows to top all of your gifts!

I hope you have a ton of fun with this one!  I know that I have!!!

A special thanks goes out to all of the other Virtual Handmade Holiday Craft Collaborators:
-Teeni from Mad Crochet Lab
-Kim from Kim's Sticks and Strings
-Kim from Wolly Toons
-Liz from Crochet Creations by Liz
-Janice Howe-Palmer
-Amanda from Itchy Crochet
-Kate from Crafted Whimzies
-Amiguruthi

xoxo

Update 12/10/12:  Teeni, from Mad Crochet Lab, posted a video on how to make the bow loops.  It's mind blowing!  And she made a cute lariat using the bow as a focal point!  I wrote about it HERE with all the links!