I used the naugha patent leather from one of our son’s old costume boots . It was backed with foam, which I peeled away – as it made it too thick. The liner was the black nylon that was backing it. I would recommend a cotton muslin tho. The pattern with instructions is from sewing.org I used the adult size pattern (no scaling). In case their site is down, here is the bean bag pattern gif . I cut open a beanbag chair we had in hopes it had the little beads in it… but alas … the thing was filled with shredded egg cartons and paper pulp! WHO KNEW! Since the chunks were too large to use in this small beanie, I used the only small dried beans I had in the pantry – Lentils with a garlic herb scent. LOL. Now when Slobo lies in bed to watch his videos at night – he gets hungry! Hey – At least no vampires will get him!

If you make this pattern, I would suggest making it about a 1/4″ larger on all sides so that you end up with a beanie that’s a little bigger. Also, prepare to hand sew the circles on top and bottom. They are too small to get into a sewing machine and chew lots of licorice while trying to see to hand sew them. They are a bit of a booger.

Also – I highly suggest using the poly beads. The beans come out to a bit of a stiff bag. Might even want to use some cotton fabric too, as the nylons / polysters etc. can transmit a static charge which we all know can be deadly to an electronic circuit. The patent leather turned out to not be needed for grip as the bag settles down to conform to the shape anyway.

Think I’ll knit him another one – it might be great practice for some short row shaping skills.

I had to take a break from knitting the shapely T and use some other muscles. So, I decided the new truck needed some seatbelt cozies. Color matched! These work up really fast which helps the – ‘I need a finished project like right now!’ syndrome.

Crochet hook size: H
Yarn: 1 skein Caron’s Simply Soft
Puffball: in both loops, Yarn over 4 times, draw yarn through all loops.

Seatbelt Cozy

beg. ch 23 (increments of 7×3 + 2 turning)

each row:

double crochet 6, in the 7th hole – make a puffball by yarning over 4 times and drawing through all loops, double crochet next 6, in the 14th hole – make puffball, double crochet last 6, ch2, and turn work.

I did mine for 12 rows. Fold in thirds lengthwise, attach velcro or snaps and that’s all there is to it.

The puffball at each 7th position should fall on each edge of the seatbelt and make a ‘cushy’ edge against the neck.
I haven’t tried these in the truck yet, but if they slide – my intention is to put a couple of drops of liquid rubber on the backside to keep it in place. I don’t want to be retrieving them from under the seat each time the kids get in the car!  I’ll let ya know if it’s needed.

Next thing on the ‘truck’ accessories list is a quilt for the backside.

When we folded out the seat to change the tire on the old truck, I couldn’t believe the food and garbage the kids had squirreled under there!!! It’s rather like pulling out the fridge or stove to clean! Shocking! The quilt is going to cover the back and seat portions in one piece this time, and will definitely get a waterproof backing so no other lab experiments grow under it hidden from view!

Technorati Tags: crochet, seatbelt cover

Yes, being a slow knitter, I’ve started working on Christmas presents. My sister’s shapely tee is coming along at about 8″ of length on the front. I decided to frog the brown alpaca yarn and just make the white one. The alpaca was driving my allergies crazy, so I’ll save that for fall, when I’m not so allergic, wear gloves and a mask, and crochet it – I can crochet alot faster than knit.

In the meantime, I have three brothers that are just crazy about golf. One in particular loves anything Irish, so I’m going to make him some golf club cozies out of bright green yarn with a shamrock on the end for good luck.

My SIL will have to get the clubs to go with it. haha. Sis, if you are watching, here’s a link I just got for a place that seems to have it all. Callaway golf