Faux Polaroid Photo Wall

This is a cool way to display photos. Now that Polaroids are no longer available, you can turn any of your regular photos into a 'Polaroid'. Download the program here. I printed mine onto photo paper and cropped the total size to 3.5 inches x 4.25 inches (the dimensions of a real Polaroid) and put them on a bulletin board. I love this program because it crops the photos and gives them that 'Polaroid' look by altering the colour and putting a border around them. Very fun! You can also write a message or memory below in the white space. Have fun with this it's addicting!!

Simple Crochet Toque

This is a simple crochet pattern for a toque that you can make. If you know how to do a double crochet then you can make this. It is very simple and once you get the hang of doing a double crochet you can whip them off in no time. For Christmas I made about 6 of them! If you are quick it can be done in less than 5 hours. The black and white striped toque is make with separate rows while the multicoloured one is a continual spiral. This pattern can be easily adjusted to make it bigger or smaller and can be make with or without the ear flaps (which I have done and will still cover the ears if you choose not to use ear flaps).

I used a size K hook and a bulky (~6)weight yarn.

Rnd 1: Ch. 3. Sl st in first ch to form a ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc 11 in ring (should have total of 12 dc). If you are doing a continual spiral (if using just one colour of yarn) then make sure you use a stitch marker and continue on. Otherwise fasten off and start with next colour.

Rnd 2: 2 dc in each dc of previous rnd.

Rnd 3: [2 dc, then 1 dc in next], repeat around.

Rnd 4: [2 dc, then 1 dc in next 2], repeat around.

Rnd 5: [2 dc, then 1 dc in next 4], repeat around.

Rnd 6-14: 1 dc in each st around. (The amount of rows can be adjusted depending on the length you want. 11 rows is sufficient if you are using a super bulky weight).

Rnd 15: sc in each st around to finish off.

Optional: Add ear flaps starting about 6-8 st from back seam. Do rows of dc to fit width of ear flap and decrease as you go down. The number of stitches will depend on the type of wool you use but it should be somewhere between 10-15 dc wide and about 6 rows long. Braid 12 pieces of wool for tails.

I made the multicoloured hat and scarf for my brother for Christmas and you could make a matching scarf easily by doing straight rows of dc. Start with a chain of your desired length then dc along the original chain until you have your desired width.

How to double crochet

Any questions? Just ask and I'll try to help!