Copyright © 2007-2015 Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, All Rights Reserved
Showing posts with label polymer buttons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label polymer buttons. Show all posts

Friday, December 11, 2015

The Mount LeConte Scarf

Mount LeConte
Source
Mount LeConte is the third highest mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tenn., and the only way to get to the top is on foot.

There are several trails leading to the top of the mountain, and they are lengthy and steep so supplies are trekked in via llama-train as their feet cause less wear and tear on the trails than do horses' shod feet.
Source
 Once atop the mountain there are rustic resort cabins to stay in provided reservations were made in advance.  When hiking to Mount LeConte in cooler weather one needs a scarf to keep one warm and cozy on the trail.

The Mount LeConte Scarf is a very quick crochet project, not to mention cozy and stylish.  Here are directions just in time for a last minute gift giving idea.  Just a few hours of crocheting and you'll have a scarf for yourself or someone on your list.

Materials:

bulky yarn or two or three strands worsted held together
size N crochet hook
three 1 1/2 in. buttons
yarn needle 
Directions:

Ch 52 sts if you use the half-double crochet stitch, 53 if  using the double crochet stitch.
1.  hdc (or dc, your choice) in 3rd (4th if dc) ch from hook to end = 50 sts , measuring about 28-30 in. long -  12/16/15  Note:  The scarf must be at least 28 inches long so if you need to then add more     stitches to get the right length.
2.  ch 2, turn work, hdc to end
3.  Repeat row 2 until scarf measures about 8-9 inches wide
There's no need to make buttonholes as the buttons should slide easily through the stitches.

For the homemade buttons you'll need:

polymer clay
rolling pin
stamp - if you want a design on them
polyurethane spray to seal them
paint - for antiquing
1 1/2 in. clay cutter or cookie cutter
bamboo skewer to make holes

I heated a 2-in. piece of clay in the microwave on high for 30 seconds to soften it a bit to make it easier to knead.  Take care, though, if it gets hot it will start to harden.  I used a pizza dough roller to roll it about 1/8 in. thick.


To stamp an impression in the clay I used a stamp I already had which happens to be a French recipe for chicken soup.  Stamp the design you want on the buttons before cutting them out.   Cut out the buttons in the shape you want then use a bamboo skewer to make holes large enough for the yarn to pass through easily when sewing them on the scarf.

Follow the baking directions on the package of clay to harden your buttons.  For the light/off-white colored buttons I used white clay then painted them with gold paint, let the paint dry for 30 mins. then wiped some off  for a great antique look.


Edited 12/12/15:  Spray them with the sealer then let them dry.  Sew the buttons along the right side of one end of the scarf.  To wear, place the scarf around your neck and line up the end with no buttons over the side with the buttons and button in place.

For this scarf I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn in Mushroom that I had in my stash.
I used the hdc stitch for this cozy scarf and named it after a unique area in the Smokies.
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Barley which is a dark taupe color.
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Copyright © 2015 Toni in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, All Rights Reserved

Stay warm, y'all!
Shared at The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Maple Hill Hop

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Hello From the Hills

... and since we have a frost warning for tonight goodbye to my volunteer impatiens that sprang up from last year's plants.

I'm really going to miss those colorful hydrangea blossoms, too.

Hopefully, there will be more fall color than this bit on our burning bushes soon.

 I've done a bit of jam and jelly making since my last blog post.  This is pepper jelly which I had never made before.  We haven't sampled it yet, but those who have had it before say it's good spread over a block of cream cheese then served on crackers.
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 I've done a bit of estate and yard sale shopping and picked up this skillet for a mere....

$3.  Your eyes are not deceiving you.  I was ticked pink.  o.o

On the crafty front I crocheted a winter scarf and made some polymer clay buttons for it.  Have you noticed how expensive buttons are lately?  There are lots of youtube tutorials to help if you're interested in making your own buttons.  It's a fun li'l project. 


I didn't have a pattern for the scarf, but it turned out okay anyway.  Love those big buttons.

Some chicks have all the fun. ;)  What's happening in your neck o' the woods?

Our Simple Homestead Hop, The Art of Home-Making Mondays