DIY: Crochet Bazooka Boots Part 1

Yay! I got some sheep's wool yarn for X-mas (Thanks Gretta & Kathy!), bought locally in downtown Asheville at the Earth Guild. I decided since it is freeeeezing cold out, the wool would be great for a pair of warm Bazooka Boots. You might be wondering what the hec a 'bazooka boot' is... all I can say it is a name born of the imagination of 1990's teenagers in New Orleans to describe yarn knitted boots from a store in the French Quarter called Kruz. I owned and loved a pair of bazooka boots for many years, even once they sagged and became known as "quitters" after running through an airport to catch a plane. Long gone now, I decided it is time I make my own, DIY style. :)
Step one: I started with a crochet chain (ch) - you can make it whatever length you need to get around your size calf/leg. Bazooka Boots generally run a little large, they are big and not tight fitting.

Step two: I looped my chain (ch) stitch together to make a full circle. This is where you should make a "slip stitch" to continue on. I don't know exactly what I did (a possible slip stitch hybrid?) but i looped it together and kept going upward in a spiral pattern after.
Step three: Once I got the slip stitch to hold the circle together I did one full circle of single crochet stitch (s) and then continued up the spiral with a double crochet stitch (d).
I used the double crochet stitch (d) all the way to the top till I got to the end of the yarn ball and did one last row of single crochet (s).
Step four: Once I tied off the end, I folded down the top and ran a red ribbon in and out the stitches.
Half DONE! What I need to do next is make the footie bottom part for both of the bazooka boots, then attach either a strip of leather or some type of thin shoe sole. That will be in PART 2!!! For now we (me and Lily) needed a break... it was making us cross eyed and wonky... ;)
To BE COnTinUed.....

XoXo

DIY: Organic Wool & Cotton Ear Warmer

I am pretty sure tolerating the cold weather is not in my DNA - as a pure bred Cajun from New Orleans dealing with winter just isn't part of my genetic make up. When the frigid Smokey Mountain wind blows my ears burn like they are on fire, sometimes even with a good winter hat. So I decided to crochet myself a very organic, cute, and warm headband to give my ears that extra protection they have been yearning (burning) for.
This pattern was completely free style - I started with a chain stitch that measured from ear to ear, then did a row of double crochet in the chain. Once I had this foundation, I did a variation on picot & filet crochet which included basic chain, single & double crochet knots. Try to make up your own, it's alot of fun!

After making the lacy pattern, I double crocheted all around the edges from one end to the other - adding a few extra double crochets to make make the knots turn the corners. Do this for a few rows, until you have a good width that'll cover your ears properly. Once this is done, you can add some simple ties on the side (see below) by doing two single crochets attached to the middle side, that turn into just a chain stitch after approx. 5 of them are in place. To make the little pom poms cut a pile of yarn pieces the same size then tie the end of the strap around the middle of the pile.

Even though the yarn is a warm organic wool (purchased at the local yarn store here in Asheville), I wanted it to be nearly invincible to the cold wind - so I added some organic cotton sweatshirt fabric (also locally purchased as scrap fabric). Simply cut out the fabric to match the double crochet area...but not to go under the lace.

Then use a good (not too tight) zig zag stitch to hold it in place.

YAY! On less cold days I can sport this baby by itself... and on killer true winter days I am going to combine this with my wool hat! It's really easy to make and I did it all in one night!!!