Tuesday, June 28, 2016

How to Wash Yarn and Things Made With Yarn | Posh Pooch Designs


Can I wash my yarn, the cat peed on it or 
"I spilled coffee on it.

The Answer is YES!

But, how is determined by what the yarn is made of.

Remember those yarn labels we talked about a while back.
The yarn you are using should have a set of symbles
 to tell you how to wash it.
Here is a link to the Laundry Guide for textiles: LINK

                          
1.  Washing
2. Drying
4. Ironing
5. Bleaching
6. Dry Cleaning

Let's talk about some of the different mediums that yarn is composed of.

Always read the label for washing instructions, as there might be  some other fiber spun in you are not aware of.



You can see this Video on our Youtube Channel at this LINK

1.Wool Yarn - Do not put it in the washing machine unless you are felting it.
You can spot wash Wool for a spot, but to wash the whole item, use just a drop of soap, hand wash in cool water, never warm or hot water, it will shrink. Do not wring, stretch or agitate. 
To dry lay the item flat on a towel.

I would say this is true of Most Yarns from animal Fur or fiber.
 like Alpaca, angora or ox. But again always read your yarn label.


2. Cotton Yarn - In most cases Cotton yarn can be  Machine wash and dried. There are some Colors that have been known to run, like dark red and hot pink. To keep that from happening wash in cold water.

I think some of my cotton wash clothes do better after a wash or 2.


3. Acrylic Yarn- Acrylic yarn is made of synthetic fiber, it does not stain, shrink or felt. It can however get a little "crunchy" if you
put in the dryer. And it can be a little rough. Most labels will tell you, that is fine to machine wash and dry, and that is true.

But my thoughts are, I have worked on this masterpiece of fiber art for so long, that I do not what it getting crunchy or falling apart.
I want it to last as long as possible.

So what I do, if I am washing a blanket, a throw or several items, 
I add 1 Tablespoon of White Vinegar and 1 Tablespoon of Blue Dawn dish washing liquid, wash in cool water on gentle.
I then hang it over my deck rail to dry.
Works great every time, and the White vinegar get out any smell residue, and softens it up.

Lastly, I tried the Wash your Red heart Super saver in a nylon bag to soften it up, idea. Mine did not work. I had a awful tangled mess.
And it was not any softer. 

I recommend washing it as I said above, after the blanket or project is finished. 

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Chevron Headband Crochet Pattern | Posh Pooch Designs

The Chevron Headband 
Crochet Pattern
 By Sara Sach of Posh Pooch Designs


This headband is my very favorite headband, now.
I can not stop making them.
 Solid, striped or variegated. Thick or thin yarn.
Make it however you want!


This a very versatile Pattern
 You can use any yarn and any crochet Hook.
 Just make sure you are using the hook the yarn calls for.


We just updated  this Crochet pattern, 
with new pictures and a Brand New Video

See This Video on my Youtube Crochet 
Channel at This LINK



Chevron Headband Crochet Pattern by Sara Sach
Please, Add this Crochet Pattern to Your Ravelry Favorites

Skill: Easy

Materials:
Crochet Hook: H / 5.00 MM
Yarn – Worsted weight (4) 3 colors
            I used Grey –C1, Hot Pink – C2, Bright Orange – C3
Yarn Needle

Stitches:
Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Single Crochet 2 stitches together (sc2to)
Back Loop only (blo)
Change to (chg to)

Size: Youth to adult – 18 to 20 inches

Notes:
The Pattern is written with the color changes worked in,
 if you are not changing colors, disregard the color changes.

Ch1 at ends of rows does not count as a st.

Pattern:
R: 1 – With C1, ch 14, 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook,
 1 sc in the next 5 chs, 3 sc in the next ch,
1 sc in the next 6 chs, ch1, turn. (15sc)

R: 2 – Working in the blo, sc2to the 1st 2 sc, 1 sc in the next 5,
3 sc in the next st, 1 sc in the next 5 sc, sc2to the last 2 sc,
Ch1, turn. (15sc)

R: 3 - Repeat R: 2 

R: 4 - R: 16 – Repeat R: 2

R: 17 – Chg to C2, Repeat R: 2

R: 18- R: 24 – Repeat R: 2

R: 25 – Chg to C3 – Repeat R: 2

R: 26 – R: 32  - Repeat R: 2

R: 33 – Chg to C1, Repeat R: 2

R: 34 – 51 – Repeat R: 2

R: 51 - Join the ends together, and slst joining both ends together.
Tie off and weave in all your ends.


An Ad Free PDF File is Available
 For $2.50 in my Ravelry Sop
 At This LINK



I Christmas-ed it up a little!

And This one is bright colors with black.
I just really love This headband.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Posh Pooch Designs, Where it all Began | Posh Pooch Designs

Posh Pooch Designs 

Who came first?
Posh Pooch Designs or Maximo and Rosie?

See the Video on my Youtube Channel at this LINK

It All began with a little white spotted 
Chihuahua named Maximo.
My sister helped me find him. I really wanted a little girl dog,
But when we went to pick him up,
 I think we bonded on the spot.
The door was opened and he walked out, a little thin, a little scraggly, in need of a bath, but so beautiful.
 My sister picked him up and handed him to me.
He looked at me and licked my face.
That was it! I was his.
I named him Maximo because it means Bright little child.


He was very smart and learned his name 
and my commands quickly.
I started making him little sweaters and 
hats because he was cold all the time.
As most chihuahuas are.

I was worried that he was lonely when we were gone from the house and So we decided to get him a little sister.
When we got Rosie she was 14 weeks old 
and weighed 1.4 lbs.

 She was tiny and under fed, but I saw a special 
spark in her eyes and bounce in her step.

We were going to call Her Lily Bell, but when my
 husband saw her, he changed her name
to Rossita Bell -  Which means Rosebud.

At First I had to give her puppy milk, 
everything else made her sick. Eventually, she was able
 to eat real puppy food. 
As she grew bigger and stronger, 
her bond with Maximo grew as well.
He mothered her like she was his baby.

She was very playful and he was very patient.


Today they are inseparable. If one goes to the Vet. 
They both have to go or the other 
will cry the whole time they are gone.


Maximo and Rosie are the heart of 
These two sweet and loving pooches are
 the reason I started designing
 and creating dog Sweaters, hats and a bunch more.
As well as, the reason I keep on designing.

You will rarely see on pooch without the other.
 I was a little bothered that now that Maximo 
and Rosie or 7 and 8 years old, that they are 
considered Senior Dogs.
They are still so young and playful, such patient 
Dog models.
They will do what ever is asked of them for the 
payment of a dog cookie or 2.

I still design Dog items, but also design items for people.
 That is why my I changed my theme from,

"Where crochet has gone to the dogs."
to
"Designs for pooches, designs for people,

 and designs for fun!"

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Where to Find Posh Pooch Designs

I am often asked,
"Where can I find you online and
Where can I see your designs?"
So, to answer those questions,
 I have put together a blog Post with all the 
"Places" you can find 
Posh Pooch Designs online.

The Name above the Symbol is the link.
Just click the link above 
the pic and it will take you to each "Place".
And Please, do go to each any everyone.
Look around, and see all our designs, and what is going on at posh Pooch Designs.


























So, come on by...........
follow, subscribe, like,
and let me know you stopped
 by to see me.

If you have any questions,
please feel free to email me.

Thank you for being a friend 
and Fan of Posh Pooch Designs

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Traveling With Crochet - Be Prepared | Posh Pooch Designs

It is the time of year for vacations, 
travel  and Fun.

One of the questions I get all the time is,
"Can I take my crochet hook, 
 or scissors on an air plane?"

I decided to put together some tips
 on taking your Crochet and Knitting on vacation.
And I hope this answers all your questions.

See This video on my Youtube channel at this LINK

1. Check with the Rules of the Airline you are flying with.
These rules are usually listed on the website, 
and if you can not find the information, call them.


Here is what the TSA states,
"On domestic flights in the US,
 knitting needles and crochet hooks are permitted by the TSA
 in carry-on luggage. The TSA suggests that you carry wooden
 or plastic needles over metal. 
Circular knitting needles are preferred over straight. 
Each country is different, though."

Here is a link to the TSA Blog
That discusses this.

2. Never take your expensive of sentimental 
hooks, scissors or supplies. If they decide to take 
one of them from you, you may lose one that
 is very special.

3. Hooks -Take a Plastic hook, or knitting needles.
They are less likely to take a plastic hook, and if they do, 
you have only lost a few bucks.
4. Scissors - For Cutting yarn, take some nail clippers, 
instead of scissors. You can clip your yarn easily,
 and those are allowed.

5. Stitch Markers -It is a good idea to take a few Stitch markers. 
You will probably be interrupted a few times and 
can mark your spot, to come back to it later.
Plastic needles, plastic stitch markers, and a nail clipper.
Put them inside an old plastic bottle. 
Stores great in your project bag and if it gets lost, 
again, you are only out a few dollars.

6. The Yarn - Prepare your yarn. Make sure you have the center 
pull ready, or your yarn balled up neatly and ready to go.
I even remove the paper wrapper and store it in the 
bottom of my project bag.

7. The Project - Really think about the projects you take. It is best to take a project you are familiar with. if you are going to work on something new, read over the pattern ahead of time, to make sure you understand it.

8. The Project Bag -Have all your supplies packed in a project bag that
 you can put in the bin for the scanner. I always us a gallon
zip lock bag, and tuck that inside my carry on bag or
 as I call it "Big O" Purse".

9. The Pattern - many people prefer to make a copy of their 
pattern and store it in your project bag. But you can store it on your phone or tablet by downloading it ahead of time. Then you do not have to mess with any papers or loosing the pattern.

10. My recommendation for projects for traveling are Cotton washcloths. The yarn is small and compact. You do not have to change colors on very often. And that you do not have to think about the pattern once you get started, in most cases.


Here are a few ideas of Wash cloths that are fun 
and easy to crochet.

If I am visiting and staying in someones home, 
I work on a set of 2 or 3 washcloths
 to give them as a thank you gift.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Sleepy Bear Teether Lovey Crochet Pattern and Video | Posh Pooch Designs

Sleepy Bear Teether Lovey Crochet Pattern
 By Sara Sach of

The Sleepy Bear Lovey has been retested, and updated with lots of new pictures, And a Brand New Video
You can Now Find the Free Crochet Pattern at This LINK


Just sent me A Box of
I love This new yarn so much. The colors are amazing.
 It has traditional pastels, but also more "creamy colors".
And They are tested, 
so they are safe for your kids!
The yarn is made in 
Light (3), as well as, worsted weight (4).
So, There are lots of projects that 
this yarn can be used for besides just baby things.
Also in the box was a
 teether shown in the picture above.
It is a 3" Natural Beeswax maple 
wooden teething ring.

I designed this really sweet 
Sleepy bear Teether Lovey.
The pattern is written with or without the teether.



My tester didn't have the wooden teether
 so she used a plastic one she had on hand.
An Ad Free Instant Download PDF File
 Is available From my Ravelry Shop
For $2.50 At This LINK