My repurposed "Easy Peasy 18" doll panties"

As many of you already know, we sell around 3,000 hooks a year at SICK LIL MONKEYS! 

To order just visit here: our SICK LIL MONKEYS Facebook Page

WIDE Color Pooling

Not long ago, like most of you, I began to see "color pooling" popping up everywhere in our crochet world.  I was very drawn to it,  especially since I have never really appreciated variegated before. Now I saw a way to really enjoy some of my favorite variegated colorways!  So, last week I gave it a shot, and it was neat but I had this fairly narrow piece of fabric, and the first method I read about, i.e. chaining 20 or 24, certainly isn't fool proof, I finished not really understanding HOW I successfully color pooled, and with a piece of rectangle crocheted cloth that was not good for very much.   

Meanwhile, also like most of you, I was reading lots about all of these amazing super scarves! I had a super cool idea  for one I Wanted to make myself , but I needed a wider section of color pooling.....Hmmmmmm.....     

Then two days ago, I came across the article that made my "light bulb click".  I REALLY HOPE YOU will checkout this explanation of color pooling by Ann Mancini-Williams, over at the Glamour4You Blog.  The article is appropriately titled, "Planned Pooling With Crochet Made Easy - 4 Simple Steps".  Once I finished her article I felt certain I knew how to go WIDE.  

Go read her tutorial, and then try working TWO full color repeats for the first row.  In the photos above I added one stitch past my color repeats, but I think my next attempt I will try adding 1 stitch for EACH color repeat. I may even try a full afghan size.  Have YOU TRIED WIDE COLOR POOLING?  PLEASE COMMENT AND  LET US KNOW below! 

What IS a Mudd Bubble Hook anyway?

As we grow, we have many fans that have been with us since we began in 2012, and we are happy to welcome many new fans. We understand our hooks are an investment, so please feel free to message us any questions you have!  The caning takes hours to weeks, or must be bought from another clay artist, the sculpting itself takes even more, then they are put through 13 grades of hand sanding, a mineral oil treatment, and cheese cloth buffing to achieve a truly silky smooth feeling on what we feel is the BEST hook you will ever use.  Please note they may be slightly eggshell finish but are not intended to be reflective.  We take our customers feedback SERIOUSLY.  Over the seven years we have even edited and streamlined the sculpt based on YOUR combined feedback.  We are proud to say we have a very successful hook line, but unlike some hook makers with a team of over 20 artisans, I am but one person and an apprentice.  My hands are beginning to argue and dictate how much I can work the clay each day.  Our apprentice is gearing up to take over in the future.

I still had 4 Etsy orders for a total of 14 hooks to finish when I began the sale. As I worked them I decided to start practicing canes, I mean they are mudd hooks anyway, right?  And I think we have found the best solution for both me AND you!  The last 6 mudd hook styles I have made came from one of three places:
1)Practice canes
2) Older canes that needed to be mudded because they were too difficult to work
3) The ends of new canes I have reduced
What this is doing is causing each hook to be more of a surprise design rather than just swirling into muddy colors.  I will continue to work mudds in this fashion, depending on what is on my table or coming off my pasta roller you could get ANY design from an ombre, to a mudd cane, or cane ends.  Here is a photo of the last 6 styles before sanding:

I'm going to keep mudd prices where I have them for now in a matte finish.  Matte finish has only have one grade of sanding and will feel slightly grittier than their 13 grade buffed counterparts, the sale prices will stand.  And those are:

Any size that I have on hand in Bates, Boye, or Amour in Matte finish:

Bates - $27

Boye $25
Amour  - $40

Any size that I have on hand in Bates, Boye, or Amour in silk finish:

Bates - $42

Boye $40
Amour  - $55

To order a specific size not in overstock or on hand in matte finish:
Bates $37
Boye $35
Amour $50
To order a specific size not in overstock or on hand in silk finish:
Bates $52
Boye $50
Amour $65
To order any specific cane design, it will be full price as the canes will be limited and make 10 - 15 hooks each. Also just for the ease of processing I am no longer keeping canes and multiple listings for years on end, we will have them and make hooks with them until; they are gone.  If you want to be one of the 10 - 15 we that we make you'll need to order that specific design at full price in Matte finish:
Any size Boye - $45
Any size Bates - $47
Any size Amour - $57
To order any specific cane design, it will be full price as the canes will be limited and make 10 - 15 hooks each. Also just for the ease of processing I am no longer keeping canes and multiple listings for years on end, we will have them and make hooks with them until; they are gone.  If you want to be one of the 10 - 15 we that we make you'll need to order that specific design at full price in Silk finish:
Any size Boye - $60
Any size Bates - $62
Any size Amour - $72

Triple Textured Tawashi - NO sewing or joining!

Granny Square Purse drawstring Conversions Tutorial

Jack's Hat Pattern

Mixology Mock Knit Button Flowers

Mixology Mock Knit Earwarmer

Mixology Mock Knit Short Cowl

Mixology Mock Knit Big Stitch Cowl

Mixology Mock Knit Infinity Cowl

Mixology Mock Knit Cuffs

No Sew Roll Up Rose Tutorial

Ballet Recital Set Release Party

I was down with the flu a while back, and had visions of dolls performing "Swan Lake", once I felt better, I decided I HAD to bring it to life! What happens when you add a little Fun Fur with Red Heart thread, Red Heart Sashay, and Red Heart super saver? THIS is what you get! ;) 

How to Pleat with Single Crochet

I use pleating quite a bit in my designing.  Mostly because I prefer the clean look of it compared to a normal ruffle.  You can find lots of free and paid pleated patterns throughout my Ravelry shop.  (<----click there to go check them out), put at least 3 patterns in your cart ang get 75% off with code: ILIKE2PLEAT

But getting that one row worked to create the pleats can be challenging and confusing.  Here is a tutorial I put together on the basic method.  The number of stitches, or order of the pleating in the pattern you are working on may be slightly different on the stitch counts or directions.  But, hopefully this will give you a basic idea.  This is really just (in one crazy monkey's opinion), a more professional looking option than the traditional method of placing three stitches together in one stitch to gain a ruffle.  Creating pleats will always multiply your base row number of stitches by 3.

For the purposes of this tutorial we are going to build our pleats off a foundation of 8 single crochet stitches.  (This tutorial assumes you already understand how to chain and single crochet rows and rounds.)

The 1st and most important step is locating the BACK RIDGE of your single crochets.  The back ridge stitches can be tricky, and sometimes I drop down one size hook to get them worked more easily. We are going to utilize these loops as a row for stitches, as well as the front loops as a row, and the back loops as a row.  This will give us three places to work stitches off of one row.  In the photo below I placed pins in the hump that is the back ridge of the single crochet stitch.  In this photo I have just completed a row that read "CH 1, turn, 8 SC <8 ST>"  I've chained one and turned in preparation for my first pleat row which reads:

Row: CH 1, turn, SC 4 into the back ridges, turn SC 4 into the BLO, turn SC 8 into the FLO, turn, SC 4 into the BLOs, turn SC 4 into the back ridge <24 ST>

Now, let's break that down into steps and analyze it:

Row: CH 1, turn, SC 4 into the back ridges, turn SC 4 into the BLO, turn SC 8 into the FLO, turn, SC 4 into the BLOs, turn SC 4 into the back ridges <24 ST>

 CH 1, turn (See Photo Below)

SC 4 into the back ridges, (See Photo Below)Turn, Notice the needle showing the next loop we will be using to work (See Photo Below)SC 4 into the BLO, turn, notice the needle is showing the next loops we will work (See Photo Below)SC 8 into the FLO (See Photo Below)turn, SC 4 into the BLO (See Photo Below)turn, notice the needle marking the next loop we will work(See Photo Below) SC 4 into the back ridges <24 ST>  (See Photo Below)

Are you still with me?  Single crochet back and forth CH 1, 

and turn at the end of each row.  Repeat until desired length.  

You should now have a beautifully layered pleat that looks 

similar to this:

The back ridge stitches can be tricky, and sometimes I drop 

down one size hook to get them worked more easily.  But it is 

only ONE row and takes your project from great to EPIC.  

Enjoy adding pleating to your projects to make them just 

one step ahead of the rest!

Bubble Hooks - Q & A Session

Hey there Jungle Cats!  It's been an amazing 4 years, and about 2 years of that time we have been making Bubble hooks.  How exciting there are thousands of Bubble Hooks all over the world, shipped to a total of 14 different countries!

FREE PATTERNS

Wow!  Our FREE pattern offerings are growing by Tarzan sized leaps and bounds!  Here's a handy spot to swing through the jungle freebies a bit easier:

No Snag Ergo Hook Case - A FREE Pattern

I really wanted a crocheted case that the end of my hooks would not pop through. I also market a larger ergo size hook line that make my hooks hard to fit in normal cases. So I designed this to toss in my crochet bag and not snag my hook on it’s own case!

No Snag Ergo-Hook Case

Celebrating 12K with SLM

A few months ago we hit the milestone of 12,000 fans on facebook!  To celebrate and thank all of our loyal fans in the jungle,

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 24th Featured Designer - SnApPy ToTs

January 24th Featured designer - SnApPy ToTs!!!!

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 23rd Co-Featured designers - Briar Rose Boutique and Mumbles Mummy

January 23rd Co-Featured designers - That's a BONUS Jungle Cats!  Be sure to read on about a THIRD freebie today from yours truly!

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 22nd Featured Designer Alliecat's Hats and Crafts

January 22nd Featured designer - AllieCat's Hats and Crafts

Raelynn is that amazingly gorgeous face you see all over the place on design photos.  

This is her in the feature photo for her "My Fair Lady SunHat" Pattern here.

Some of us are lucky enough to gain her as a tester occasionally, when she isn't too busy with design, her close knit family, which OF course includes the family dog who may be bigger than the teenager in the family!  Raelynn, is an amazing designer, and the biggest hit I ever gave at Christmas was in 2014.  As a "gag" I intended to give my Brother in law some "hair".  AllieCat;'s Hats and Crafts "FUN-ky Hat Visor" pattern was PERFECT.  I made it and ordered and OHIO State Buckeye's patch to iron on the front just so he would wear it at least once.  Well, little did I know, he would LOVE it!  It is his favorite gift to date.  I highly recommend you make one for a family member in law yourself! ;)  Get it here for less than $3!!!! 

 

I am also over the moon about her "My Fair Lady" collection.  I own most of it, and I am determined I really am going to make the "My Fair Lady Hooded Cowl" for myself this year, and I mean it this time!  LOL!

 

And today for us Raelynn has her awesome Haylee Ear Warmer/Visor pattern for FREE just today 1/22/2016 12:00 am EST through 11:59 pm EST.  PLEASE make sure you cart updates to free before checkout.  No refunds, exchanges or transfers.  And be sure to give Raelynn a like and hello on FB for joining our Celebration party!

Wait!  Before you go!  Don;t forget we STILL have the Finale giveaway with new entry options daily.  That's a chance at the yarn bowl, or a $25 Red Heart Bag, a tape measurer, OR even 6 bubble hooks in a hand crochet case made by ME!!!!!

We also have ALL SLM patterns 50% off through January 25th.  Just use code 12KwithSLM

Read about our 1/21/16 Featured Designer  - Kaleidoscope Art&Gifts HERE

Read about our 1/20/16 Featured Designers  - Cre8tion Crochet and LauraMae's Crochet HERE

Read about our 1/19/16 Featured Designer  - Sweet Potato Crochet Creations HERE

Read about our 1/18/16 Featured Designer  - Sweet Potato 3 Patterns HERE

Read about our 1/17/16 Featured Designer  - Forever Stitchin HERE

Read about our 1/16/16 Featured Designer  - Little Mee Creations HERE

Read about our 1/15/16 Featured Designer - Yarn medley's From The Heart HERE

Read about our 1/14/16 Featured Designer - Fromm Me to You HERE

Read about our 1/13/16 Featured Designers: Made By Mary & Glamour4You By Ann HERE

Read about our 1/12/16 Featured Designer - Darcy's Crochet Creations HERE

Read about our 1/11/16 Featured Designer - The Hookeraholic Crochet HERE

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 21st Featured Designer - Kaleidoscope Art & Gifts

January 21st Featured designer - Kaleidoscope Art&Gifts 

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 20th features - Cre8tion Crochet and Laura Mae's Crochet

January 20th DOUBLE Featured designers!!!!!
Cre8tion Crochet and Laura Mae's Crochet

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 19th Featured Designer Sweet Potato Crochet Creations

January 19th Featured designer:
Sweet Potato Crochet Creations

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 18th Featured designer Sweet Potato 3 Patterns

January 18th Featured designer:
Sweet Potato 3 Patterns

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 17th featured designer - Forever Stitchin

January 17th Featured designer:
Forever Stitchin'

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 16th Featured Designer - Little Mee Creations

January 16th Featured designer and Thank you Gifts for 13K:
Little Mee Creations and Thank You gifts from SLM (Sick Lil Monkeys)

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 15th featured Designer - Yarn Medley's From The Heart

January 15th DOUBLE FEATURE: 25% off Bubble Hooks and guest designer, Yarn Medley's From the Heart

Celebrating 12K with SLM - January 14th featured Designer: Fromm Me To You

January 14th Featured Designer: Fromm Me To You

Celebrating 12K with SLM January 13th featured Designers - Made By Mary and Glamour4You By Ann

January 13th Featured Designer and Bonus Feature:

Today I am honored to have two amazing ladies to tell you about.  The first is Made By Mary, and the second is Glamour4You By Ann.

Celebrating 12K with SLM January 12th featured Designer - Darcy's Crochet Creations

January 12th featured Designer:
I am so excited to announce our next featured designer!  January 12th, 2016 guest yarnie is Darcy of Darcy's Crochet Creations.  

Celebrating 12K with SLM January 11th featured Designer - The Hookeraholic Crochet

Featured Designer January 11, 2016:
Our wonderful January 11, 2016 featured designer is the Hookeraholic Crochet.