The Mother Lode

Crafts and Crochet

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Flower Cluster Stud Crochet Earrings

Well summer is knocking on the door here in Pennsylvania and I am glad for it! I will be making earrings all summer long! They are such fun, quick projects. I love to make them for myself and they make great gifts, because they always fit.

Aren’t these fun?! I gave this pair to my mom for Mother’s Day! Now I’m making another pair for myself.

I like flowers! I am always cutting flowers from our yard and bringing them inside to put in vases. It’s one of my favorite things to bring the outside in. I just started planting flowers this week as we had to wait until the tree stumps were ground out (if you didn’t read my last post, we had several trees taken out.) I can’t wait for them to fill in and sit on my back patio, drinking my fave diet Pepsi, watching the kids play, and crocheting!

These flower cluster stud earrings turned out so fun! I like to wear stud earrings because I have long hair and sometimes big dangly ones get caught in my hair. BUT I still want the studs to stand out, so here you go with these big beauties! You’ll need three colors of Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Thread, size 6/0 beads, and flat back stud earring findings. I used a 1.4 mm size hook, but you could use a little bigger or smaller. As long as you stitch tightly they’ll look great!

This pair is made with Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Thread size 10 in colors Maize, Mint, and Ocean. What colors would you use?

As usual, I like to offer the pattern for free here on the blog! You can read all the instructions and necessary information below. However, I also created a PDF version of the pattern! The PDF is available for a low cost on Ravelry and LoveCrafts. It is 9 pages long and includes 5 pages of photo tutorial. This pattern is an intermediate pattern, but the photo tutorial is pretty extensive so if you are a confident beginner I think you could manage.

I’m having such fun participating in the May Flowers Blog Hop being hosted by Stardust Crochet! Head over to her blog to check out all the amazing flower themed patterns! As part of the event I’m offering a discount on ANY of my earring patterns in my ravelry shop. Through the end of May 2024, use the code EARS40 to take 40% off any of my earring patterns like these:

For the Love Earrings
Christmas Wreath Earrings
Cherry Blossom Earrings

But no worries if you want to use the free version here on the blog! Sometimes I like to use the blog version of a pattern, then if I need more help or think I’m going to make something over and over, I purchase the PDF. So here you go:

Supplies

  • Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Thread, size 10 in three colors, one preferably green for the leaf 10 yards each color
  • Size 1.40 mm crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle and scissors
  • Earring findings: 2 posts/stud earring findings
  • E600 jewelry glue or Gorilla glue
  • 16 size 6/0 beads, preferably 8 green ones for the leaf

Stitches (US Terms)

  • ch=chain
  • sc=single crochet
  • sl st= slip stitch
  • st/sts=stitch/stitches
  • MC=magic circle
  • dc=double crochet
  • tr=treble crochet
  • sc w/bead= single crochet with bead: insert hook into st, yarn over, pull through. Push bead down next to hook, push towards Right Side with finger from behind. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Notes

  • You can choose to block these if you would like them to keep shape better. I use Aleene’s Fabric Stiffening Spray and t-pins on a blocking mat.
  • At end of round 3 of leaf, do not join, continue in the round.

Gauge

Gauge is not really necessary for this pattern. If you want it: swatch of double crochet should be 5 rows of 11 sts to equal 1 inch. Personally, I find the smallest hook I can handle for the yarn (for earrings) produces the best, tightly stitched look.

I used Aunt Lydia’s thread for these, because that is what I had at the time, BUT I’ve been making all my earrings with WeCrochet’s Curio 10 recently! The color selections are lovely and they have a nice sheen to them that Aunt Lydia’s doesn’t. If you’ve never tried it before, I highly recommend it. They even have a multipack so you can experiment with color!


Complete Curio #10 Value Pack

Instructions

To make the 1st leaf:

First, thread 4 green beads onto your green thread.

Round 1: MC, sc 6 into MC and sl st to join. (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st to first st to join. (12 sc)

Round 3: Ch 3, sk 1st st, sl st next st, *sc next st, 2 sc next st, repeat from*. (15 sc, 1 ch-3 space, 1 sl st)

Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sc) into ch-3 space, (sc, 2 sc) 3 times, [sc w/bead, 2 sc] 4 times, sc next 2, (sc, ch 3, sc) into ch-3 space, sl st next 2 sts, fasten off. (23 sc, 4 sc w/bead, 2 sl sts, 2 ch-3 spaces)

Use invisible finish method to finish off. (After last st, cut yarn and thread though tapestry needle. Insert under next st, then into the middle of last st and pull to create invisible finish.)

Weave in end and trim.

For the 2nd leaf:

First, thread 4 green beads onto your green thread.

Round 1: MC, sc 6 into MC and sl st to join. (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st to first st to join. (12 sc)

Round 3: Ch 3, sk 1st st, sl st next st, *sc next st, 2 sc next st, repeat from*. (15 sc, 1 ch-3 space, 1 sl st)

Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sc) into ch-3 space, sc, 2 sc, [sc w/bead, 2 sc] 4 times, (sc, 2 sc) 3 times, (sc, ch 3, sc) into ch-3 space, sl st next 2 sts, fasten off. (23 sc, 4 sc w/bead, 2 sl sts, 2 ch-3 spaces)

To make the large flower: (5 petals)

Round 1: Make MC, sc 7 into MC. (7 sc)

Round 2: Sl st to join, ch 2, (dc,tr,dc) in next st, ch 2, sl st in next st, *ch 2 (dc, tr, dc) in same as sl st, ch 2, sl st in next st repeat from * three times, sl st in remaining st. (6 sl st, 10 dc, 5 tr)

Fasten off, leaving an 8 in strand of thread. Fold the petals inwards to create a partially closed flower. Clasp closed petals with fingers and use tail to sew tightly into place, criss-crossing through the bottom ball of the flower. (See photos pg 8.) Weave thread up through the middle, remove needle and thread one bead. Reattach needle and sew tightly into middle of flower. Repeat for the other two beads, then weave end through bottom of flower and cut thread.

To make the small flower: (3 petals)

Round 1: Make MC, sc 4 into MC. (4 sc)

Round 2: Sl st to join, ch 2, (dc,tr,dc) in next st, ch 2,* sl st in next st, ch 2 (dc, tr, dc) in same as sl st, ch 2, repeat from *, sl st in remaining st. (6 dc, 3 tr, 4 sl st)

Fasten off, leaving an 8 in strand of thread. Fold the petals inwards to create more of a closed flower. Clasp closed petals with fingers and use tail to sew into place as desired, criss-crossing through the bottom ball of the flower. (See photos pg 8.) Weave thread up through the middle, remove needle and thread one bead. Reattach needle and sew tightly into middle of flower. Weave end into bottom of flower and cut thread.

Attach flowers tightly to the leaf close together for the clustered look.

Block your pieces using pins and stiffening spray if you’d like. You may block each piece individually, then glue together, or attach with yarn, then block the entire piece.

Use Gorilla glue or E600 jewelry glue to attach flat back posts to middle of the leaf.

Some of my earring patterns are a little easier, this one is definitely a bit fiddly. If you think you need more guidance, the PDF has a full photo tutorial. Remember it’s 40% off through end of May! Code is EARS40

Ravelry

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Heart Tassel Earrings

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and I am juuuuuuuust squeaking out this pattern in time! These sweet crochet earrings work up fast, though, so they can definitely be finished in time to wear on Sunday. (Although, there aren’t too many people venturing out for Valentine’s day right now due to the pandemic! Right?!)

Well, I will be at home, making some kind of fancy-ish dinner for my husband and maybe chicken nuggets for my children because, let’s face it, that’s what they want anyway! Last year I made homemade pizza for Valentine’s Day and did one as a heart shape. They liked that, maybe I’ll do that again! If I put a fancy ingredient on the pizza does that make it fancy? I’m thinking yes!

Alright to the pattern: I made a beautiful shawl last year with some hand-dyed yarn. I had a bit leftover and designed my Hairbow Scrunchie pattern with it, and I loved being able to use the scraps of the fancy, expensive yarn. In thinking about a Valentine’s earring design, I decided to use the scrap hand-dyed sock yarn again! I’m still working on a pair of socks with my advent calendar yarn, but I know I won’t use it all. Sometimes the struggle is real for estimating how much yarn you need for a project and so often we end up with leftovers. I think this pattern highlights that you can always find a use for that last little bit of precious yarn for something fun. These are especially great if you’ve never made crochet earrings before and want to give it a try!

If you are a beginning crocheter, there is a low cost PDF available on Ravelry. It has a full photo tutorial for each step! Otherwise the pattern is free below!!!!

Supplies

  • Scrap sock yarn (CYC 1), maybe 10 yards or so. Sample uses Rita Mae Yarns Sweet Pea Sock in color Mama’s Special Grape Juice.
  • Size 2.25 mm crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle and scissors
  • Earring findings: 2 fish hook style or 2 posts (will need Gorilla glue or similar for posts)
  • (Optional) 2 6mm jump rings

Stitches (US terms)

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st/sts = stitch/stitches
MC = magic circle
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
hdc = half double crochet

Special Stitches

picot = ch 3, sl st in back bump of 1st ch.

Notes

  • You can choose to block the heart if you would like them to keep shape better. I use Aleene’s Fabric Stiffening Spray and t-pins on a blocking mat.

Gauge

Gauge is not really necessary for this pattern. It depends on the size you would like the earrings to be. Personally, I find the smallest hook I can handle for the yarn (for earrings) produces the best, tightly stitched look.

Written Instructions

To make the heart:

Round 1: MC, sc 8 into MC and sl st to join. (8 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, 3 tr in 1st st, dc in next st, hdc next st, sc next st, picot, sc next st, hdc next st, dc next st, 3 tr next st, ch 1, sl st into the join st from round 1. (6 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc, 1 picot, 1 sl st, 2 ch)

Use invisible finish method to finish off. (After last st, cut yarn and thread though tapestry needle. Insert under next st, then into the middle of last st and pull to create invisible finish.)

Weave in end and trim. Pull MC tightly, weave in remaining end and trim.

To make tassel:

Cut a strip of cardstock to 1 inch. Wrap yarn around approximately 8 times. Cut.

Insert hook under yarn, grab a 3 inch strand of yarn and pull through, tie tightly. Remove cardstock and tie tightly once more. Cut tassel.

Use washi tape or masking tape to affix top and bottom of tassel to table or other flat surface. Use another 3 inch strand of yarn to tie around top half of tassel. Wrap around a few times, then thread end through tapestry needle and weave into middle of tassel through to the bottom. Trim tassel bottom as desired.

Additional Assembly Instructions

Block your heart using pins and stiffening spray if you’d like. The heart seems to keep it’s shape pretty well without blocking, though, especially if you stitch tightly.

You can assemble in a few different ways depending on what you prefer and what jump rings you have. Here are some suggestions:

Option 1: Use Gorilla glue/super glue to attach flat back posts to middle of heart for simple heart stud earrings.
Option 2: Attach fish hook earring finding to final st at top of heart.
Option 3: Attach tassel into picot at bottom of heart with a jump ring. Attach fish hook style earring to top of heart with 2 jump rings.
Option 4: Attach tassel into picot at bottom of heart with method above. Attach fish hook style earring to top of heart with 2 jump rings.

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The Flower of the Sun Earrings

Get it?! Like the “power” of the sun? I’m too much, sometimes, I know. Anywayyyyyyyyyy this past Spring, E’Claire Makery had a cool blog hop with a free crochet pattern everyday. One of the days was the Spring Rain Earrings by Amber Bliss Calderon and I thought how fun it would be to make them for my mom for Mother’s Day! I ordered the supplies for them, but of course they didn’t have everything at Joann Fabrics due to Covid (it ruins everything.) I eventually got all the materials and now I can’t stop making crochet earrings! They are so quick and satisfying which is perfect for me. I’ve been testing earring patterns for the absolutely fabulous Chalia’s Craft and let me tell you, some friends of mine are getting some pretty earrings this Christmas!

Since I was making all these earrings this summer, I decided to design my own pattern! Originally I designed a flower with smaller beads, but because those beads were actually too small for the thread, I had to change my plan. In working with my materials, I ended up with this sun pattern that is so happy and pretty! I fixed the flower to work with the correct size beads, but I’m not blind, I know the sun is what shines in these two earring patterns!

The free pattern is below, and I’ve got a few pictures here in the blog post, but if you’d like the full photo tutorial, you can purchase the PDF here on Ravelry or LoveCrafts for $3! If you add that to the cost of some crochet thread and earring findings, you can make these earrings for only a few dollars a pair! (For the first pair I ever made, I was able to use the earring wire from an old pair of earrings that I don’t wear anymore to see if I actually liked doing it before I bought a pack of findings. Just a thought if you’ve got beads and crochet thread but no earring wires!)

Materials 

  • Aunt Lydia’s size 10 Crochet Thread (samples are color Maize and Wood Violet)
  • Fabric stiffener or starch spray
  • 1.5 mm steel crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle 
  • Scissors
  • Fish Hook earring findings
  • Small craft/ jewelry pliers
  • Pins and a blocking mat
  • 6/0 glass seed beads 
    • 64 for 2 flower earrings
    • 32 for 2 sun earrings

Abbreviations

  • Ch = Chain
  • Sc = Single crochet
  • sl st = slipstitch
  • st = stitch
  • sk = skip
  • Sc FLO = Single crochet, front loop only
  • Sc w/bead = Single crochet with bead
  • Ch w/bead = Chain with bead

Notes

  • There is no gauge necessary for this pattern, basically: crochet as tightly as you can to achieve the best look. 
  • Fabric stiffener and pins will really help the finish of crochet earrings.
  • There are a few ways to chain and single crochet with beads. For this pattern, you will use the back facing method, where you do not push the bead through the chain or slide the bead to the front, it simply stays on the back. When you finish the earrings, what is typically the wrong side (facing away from you) is actually the finished right side of these earrings. 
  • If you need help figuring out the beaded stitches, there are some great tutorials on YouTube. This one from Interweave Craft is helpful, and check out the tutorials by Chalia’s Craft.

Instructions

Before you begin, thread all the beads you will need onto the crochet thread. I like to thread 2 earrings worth at a time and put a few extra beads on just in case I counted wrong. If you don’t have a bead threader, you can moisten the end of the thread. You can also spray with some of the fabric stiffener, allow to dry, and then slide the beads on easily.

(Make 2)

Make a magic ring. Ch 1.

Round 1: 8 Sc into magic ring. Pull to close the ring and sl st to the 1st Sc. (8 Sc)

Round 2: Ch 1. 2 Sc in each Sc around. Sl st to the 1st Sc. (16 Sc)

Round 3: Ch 1. *Sc FLO in 1st st, Sc w/bead FLO in same st, Sc FLO next st. Repeat from * 7 times. Sl st to 1st Sc. (8 Sc with bead, 16 Sc)

Do not fasten off, continue with round 4 in either Sun or Flower below:

Flower:

Round 4: *Ch 1, Ch w/bead 3 times, Ch 1. Sk 2 st, sl st next st. Repeat from *7 times. Ch 4 and sl st in same st as last sl st. (20 ch, 24 Ch w/bead, 9 sl st) 

Sun:

Round 4: *Ch 4, Ch w/bead, Ch 4. Sk 2 st, sl st next st. Repeat from * 7 times. Ch 4 and sl st in same st as last sl st. (68 Ch, 8 Ch w/bead, 9 sl st)

Finish off and weave in ends on the back of the earring with a tapestry needle. Put some fabric stiffener in a paint cup and use a small paintbrush to apply to the back side of the earring. Pin in place as pictured.. Put two pins inside the little loop you made with the Ch-4 and sl st at the end of the last round. This will be where you attach the earring finding. Use paintbrush to apply the liquid to the front of the earring, going in between beads to reach as much of the crochet thread as you can to achieve the most structure for your earring. Allow to dry at least two hours. Attach earring finding to the little loop at the top. Wear your new crochet jewelry proudly!

 

The last few steps of making the Flower version. The PDF has photos like this of every step!
How to pin the sun in place to form the shape! So cute!

If you need any help with the pattern, feel free to leave a comment here or message me on Instagram: motherlodecrafts

I’d love to help you bring these earrings to your life!

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