make something monday :: french press cozy

It was just one of those weekends were I needed something in my hands to keep me feeling sane. 

Crocheting is fun and mindless and requires only a hook and yarn so it was sort of a perfect fit. But what to make? Since I don't really consider myself a crocheter per say the project needed to be small enough to complete but useful too. I have always loved the art of granny squares and admire those who actually have the skill and patience to complete a blanket but I don't really ever see myself making an entire quilt. I do however use my french press religiously and since I am the only coffee drinker in the house my second and third cups are always stone cold. So I thought - why not make old frenchie a cute little granny blanket...easy enough. 

It required very few squares and took up most of my free time which as you know isn't all that much but I made it work and this morning enjoyed three cups of nice toasty coffee.  It made my coffee a little bit sunnier I think!

Instead of step by step instructions I am going to turn you over the professionals on this and pretty much just explain what I did. 

First I made eight granny squares using THIS lovely tutorial. And then added a border in white around each one by adding a dc into each dc around the square and in each corner add (2 dc, ch 1, 2dc).

I then went ahead and attached the eight squares using THIS tutorial. Pretty easy - keep in mind this was my first real crochet project so if you are a beginner than do not be intimidated.

To finish it I followed the advice of Emily Sparks and added a hdc into each dc and then at the corners added (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc). I tied it all off and the used a simple yarn bow on the back to keep the cozy closed.

It was a rewarding project but WOW I admire those of you who make like, real legitimate things with the art of crocheting. It is kind of a lot of work! My french press is pretty excited about it though.

This past week my sister in law, Kristen completely separate from me also had the notion to make a little something for her french press. She made this adorable cover out of wool felt and fabric. I think it is positively genius and after talking with her about how piping hot it keeps her coffee for well over an hour I might have to try my hand at one of these too. Cute isn't it!

She said she had a ton of fun laying out a little whimsical scene and then zipped the whole thing together with her sewing machine - it's perfect!! It made me smile that we were both on the same wave length too (it sort of happens frequently :))

...on another french press note did you know that if you break your carafe (the glass portion of the press) you can actually buy replacements instead of forking over the big bucks for an entirely new one? You probably knew that but I didn't and after breaking THREE my sister, Abbey finally informed me...just thought I would pass that along in case you didn't know.

I hope you guys have a wonderful week - I am especially looking forward to Thursday and this months installment of Ten on Ten. If you haven't yet participated you must it's what all the cool kids do :).

Happy Monday everyone!