Basket Weaving Coasters?

I recently got a library book this week all about basket weaving. My intentions were to get an idea how to basket weave so that I could apply it to my magazine coasters. Boy was I surprised when they turned out so good!
Here are my new creations using nothing but magazines, creativity and an acrylic seal.These babies are up for grabs in my Etsy Shop. I really liked making these, and with the new knowledge I can't wait to jump up to recycled magazine baskets!
Lesson Learned: Go to the Library often!

Sizes Smizes

So if any of you has tried to make a hat you will realize that it is not as easy as it looks. I have been working on a line of baby hats for my etsy shop... They will be up next week so feel free to take a look. I decided to make my own pattern and I worked one up so fast. Then I gave it to my model... a 3 month old baby boy. It was of course way too small. I did some research online and came up with this chart:

• months.............circumference.............length
• 0-3....................14 inches.......................4.5-5 inches
• 3-6....................14-16 inches.................5-5.5 inches
• 6-12..................16-18 inches..................6-6.5 inches
• 12-24................18-19.5 inches..............6.5-7 inches

Now according to my model the chart is off by 1... her 3 month old has a head circumference of 16 inches... so I made him a 6-12 month hat and it fit great.
Other than that the hats look good, and if I follow the chart the hat comes out correct... with the length substantial for the circumference.

Anybody out there have the same problem I am having? I could use some help figuring these hat sizes out. Do you know of a site that gives correct sizes?

Unfinished

All of you out there with projects just sitting in dust raise your hand. (Hand Raise) I can't count how many projects I have started and pushed aside for the next one. Too many I can tell you that. I decided to look into the darkness and pull out those unfinished projects. Here is my collection:

• 2 out of 4 sewn quilted coasters
• 1 half cut quilt (not even sewn at all!)
• 3 unfinished scarfs (I don't even remember who I started making them for)
• 2 half hats
• 3 partly crocheted baby blankets (I even used the rest of the yarn for other projects)
• 1 barely there rug
  
• 1 attempt at weaving
  
• 2 attempts at spinning (its harder than it looks)
  

My list is big but I am sure more of you out there do this too.
Tell me and others about your unfinished closet of crafts in the comments!

Yarn Yarn Yarn

Ahh... When I think about yarn my heart starts to beat so fast, but as most people out there I buy up more yarn than I can actually use in one project. I find myself with lots and lots of left over bits of yarn that I cannot for the life of me figure out what to do with. Not enough for a scarf... forget a blanket (unless you want it to look like confetti exploded). So I figured I should do some exploring and see what I can use those small, and even smaller bits of yarn for that would actually make me feel good about using up all my leftovers.

I have finnaly come up with a few... some big, some small... projects to help us all with those pesky leftovers:

1. Baby Hats- use little yarn and are perfect for finishing up those leftover balls of yarn, especially if you have some great color combos.
2. Crocheted Flowers- are great for itty bitty bits of yarn just laying around. They also look fantastic attached to hats, scarfs, even blankets.
   
3. Slippers- epecially baby booties are perfect for small amounts of yarn, just make sure you have enough to make 2.
4. Crocheted Toys- great for baby's or pets. Let your leftovers be the inspiration and let your little ones enjoy your hard work. (my tiny turtle pattern is perfect for this)
5. Jewelry- That's right jewelry. Crocheted necklaces and bracelets are all the rage right now.
6. Storage- Make yourself a little bowl to keep your rings in, or a larger one for odds and ends.
7. Drink cozy- save yourself the 2 bucks and make your own drink coozie.
8. Coasters- very little yarn needed here, and you can mix and match colors with the seasons.
   
9. Face scrubbies- These little cotton ball replacers are perfect to get rid of some yarn, and help you save the environment at the same time.
10. Ipod/Phone case- Keep your phone or mp3 player safe with a small case and rid yourself of that last leftover ball of yarn... you know the one that keeps unravelling in your bag.

I am sure there are more ideas out there.. but this should keep us busy for a while and clear out some room so we can go shopping for more yarn!