Crafty Cuties for Halfoween

Halfoween is the name given to the Halfway to Halloween holiday that occurs on or about April 30 or May 1. As with the ‘Christmas in July’ events, Halfoween is the halfway point of Halloween.

For those who love to celebrate Halloween, Halfoween gives us a chance to use those costumes and decorations twice a year, as well as enjoy a Halloween party or attend a spooky event.

For crafters, Halfoween lets us have fun creating and displaying our handmade Halloween crafts or use a  pattern to create a costume or decoration.

Halloween Crafts on Coastal Crochet Crafts on Etsy

Coastal Crochet Crafts is my Etsy store where I feature handmade plush animals, creative home decor in needlepoint, and a variety of craft supplies. This article will show you the current Halloween-related items in my shop, plus you will find them all available at HALF-PRICE for HALFOWEEN during the entire month of May 2025. 

Halloween Plush Octopus

Halloween Plush Octopus in Crochet

Check out these Halloween Octos in the colors of orange, black and a two-tone combination of orange & black. The black octopus could also be a Halloween 'spider'. :-)

Plush octopus measures approximately 2 inches tall and 6 inches across the eight tentacles. Each octopus is made with acrylic yarn and filled with a small amount of polyester fiberfill.

These cute plush octopus are fun to have around for Halloween or anytime of the year. They also make fun Halloween party decorations.

Pumpkin & Ghosts Kitchen Combos

Pumpkin & Ghosts Kitchen Combos

Check out the Pumpkin Potholder, Dishcloth and Magnet and the Ghost Dishcloth and Magnet perfect for your Halloween Kitchen or Party Décor.

PUMPKIN KITCHEN COMBO

Three-Piece Set

Pumpkin shaped cotton dishcloth/washcloth with matching pumpkin potholder is a cute combo for your Autumn season décor or for any time of the year. It comes with a pumpkin/Jack-o-Lantern magnet to complete the set. 

GHOST KITCHEN COMBO

Two-Piece Set.

Halloween Ghost Washcloth/Dishcloth in Cotton Yarn. Cute Kitchen Décor. Fun Novelty Cotton Washcloth. Halloween Décor. Comes with a ghost magnet to complete your spooky décor. :)

Halloween Grins 

Halloween Grins Pillow Topper/Wall Hanging Pattern

Halloween Grins is a cross stitch pattern for a pillow topper or a Wall Hanger. A design for your Halloween Décor. 

Sewing Patterns Costume Collection for Halloween

Halloween Costumes Sewing Patterns

Select from a variety of costumes for Halloween parties or Trick or Treat or for Cosplay events.

Costumes include: 

*GIRLS MONSTER COSTUMES MCCALLS COSTUMES #315. SIZES GIRLS 7-8, 10-12-14.

*SIMPLICITY COSTUME PATTERN #9304. SEWING PATTERN FOR ADULTS, BOYS AND GIRLS COSTUMES IN SIZES SMALL TO X-LARGE

*SIMPLICITY 3629 SEWING PATTERN MISSES COSTUMES SIZES MISSES 6, 8, 10 AND 12.

COSPLAY COSTUMES & HATS FOR ADULTS. SIMPLICITY #4015. MISSES SIZES 10, 12, 14 & 16. SIX DIFFERENT HOLIDAY AND CHARACTER DESIGNS

Summary

Click on the individual links to read more details about each of these Halloween themed items featured for Halfoween in my Etsy Store during the entire month of May. It’s fun to celebrate Halfway to Halloween with a half-price sale. 

*More Halloween-themed items may appear from time to time.

Related Post:

• Halfway to Halloween Holiday Review

*Crafty Halfoween by Coastal Crochet Crafts on Etsy.

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Crafty Birds Celebrate Bird Days

Bird Days

There are several designated dates throughout the year set aside to celebrate our feathered friends.  

There are nearly 10,000 species of birds and 'bird days' bring awareness of issues critical to the protection and survival of birds, both captive and wild.  

Crafty Birds

Amigurumi Crochet Birds on Etsy

The birds shown here in the field of arts & crafts are these artists' way of celebrating the various bird days and helping to promote avian awareness.

Annual Bird Days Throughout the Year

• January 5 is National Bird Day. It was begun in 2002 by Born Free USA in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition. 
• May 5 is simply 'Bird Day'.  In 1894, Charles Babcock of Oil City, Pennsylvania, a school superintendant, set this date to bring attention to the conservation of birds.  It was the first bird holiday begun in the United States.  In 1979, the United Kingdom began their own Bird Day, which is coordinated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. On this date, up to half a million bird lovers spend an hour counting birds.
• In the United States and Canada, the second Saturday in May is known as International Migratory Bird Day.  Mexico, Central & South America, and the Carribbean celebrate this occasion on the second Saturday in October.
• Since 2006, the second Saturday in May is also known as World Migratory Bird Day, established by the United Nations.

The main reason all this attention has been given to birds is due to the fact that nearly 12 percent of the world’s almost 10,000 bird species are in danger of extinction.  So celebrate by bird-watching, studying birds,  or educating others about other bird-related activities. You could also participate in bird adoption - which is often done on National Bird Day, January 5.  

Some individual species of birds have their own 'days'.

 

Parrot

World Parrot Day is May 31. It was begun by the World Parrot Trust in 2004 to highlight the threats to Parrots around the world.

Rainbow Lorikeet Crochet Pattern

Inspired by World Parrot Day, this is a pattern of a toy parrot in crochet found on Etsy.   It is available as an instant digital download.

Plush parrot crochet pattern created by Etsy Shop of Carocreated. 

Bluebirds 

A Blue Bird Day is defined as a beautiful sunny day after an overnight snowfall. It's a perfect skiing day with a clear blue sky, bright sun, and fresh snow. 

There are no individual holidays known as bluebird day, but 
September 24 is National Bluebird of Happiness day. 

Bluebird Beverage Coaster Set 

Celebrate 'happiness' with your own bluebird as home decor with this set of Bluebird Drink Coasters handmade by Coastal Crochet Crafts.

A pretty set of mats for your tabletops in the colors of the mountain bluebird. 

The Navajo identify the mountain bluebird as a spirit in animal form, associated with the rising sun. Use these coasters as you have your morning coffee and greet the new day, especially on one of the 'bird days' throughout the year.
 

Save the Eagles Day is January 10

Eagles are considered the "King of Birds", a common symbol in heraldry.  The 'American Bald Eagle' is the national symbol of the United States and is only found in North America.

Baby Bald Eagle in Crochet

 

More special days set aside to recognize the birds we all enjoy.  

• February is National Bird and Wild Bird Feeding Month 
• Great Backyard Bird Count - February 17-20, 2017  
• Homes for Birds Week - Second Week of February 
• International Festival of Owls - March 3-5, 2017  
• National Birding Day - April 1, 2017 (First Saturday of April) 
• Draw a Picture of a Bird Day - April 8  
• Audubon Day - April 26  
• National Go Birding Day - April 29, 2017 (Last Saturday of April)  
• Christmas Bird Count Week - December 14, 2017 - January 5, 2018 (Every Dec. 14 - Jan. 5)  

A Bird Resource Book

 

Available on Amazon

This book guide of the "Complete Birds of North America" is a terrific  resource that covers every bird species found in North America as well as all the seasonal visitors.  

The book provides information on more than 1,000 species, including hundreds of range and migration maps, identification information, and many illustrations by expert bird artists.




 
*Article written on National Bird Day January 5, 2017. (c) Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Crochet a Cheeseburger - Handmade Pot Holders Tutorial

Free Pattern to Crochet a Set of "Cheeseburger" Potholders for Summertime Grilling, Fall Football Tailgating, or Anytime!

I love to crochet and enjoy sharing with fellow fiber art crafters. Here is a free pattern to create five unique potholders and/or sturdy hot pads that -- when stacked together -- look like a cheeseburger! Perfect for summertime grilling, for camp cookouts, or for tailgating at sporting events.

Dress up your kitchen or store in your camper for all your summertime cooking with these fool-the-eye pot holders! Put on your kitchen shelf next to your stove for a conversation piece all year round. Easy to crochet with these simple directions.

*All photographs of crocheted cheeseburger potholders on this page are the property of (c) Wednesday Elf.

Cheeseburger Potholders in Crochet 

- A Novelty Item that is also Practical and Useful

 

Set of Five Novelty Potholders

An easy pattern to crochet-for-the-kitchen (or patio). Each potholder is crocheted double-thick for extra protection. I used acrylic yarn for it's ease of handling and the fact that it is easily machine washable & dryable, but cotton yarn can also be used. This particular set I call a 'Cheeseburger' potholder can be varied with less or more pieces (leave off the cheese potholder and you have a 'hamburger' or add a green round potholder for 'lettuce'). The set shown here consists of five pieces -- top and bottom buns, hamburger, cheese slice and tomato slice. All potholders except the cheese slice are done in single crochet in the round and are quite simple to do, so it becomes a good 'take-along' project for busy crafters.

*Each potholder begins with a Basic Round listed below, with variations for individual pieces described later down the page.

Materials:

• Worsted-weight (4-ply) yarn: about 1-1/2 oz. beige or tan, 1 oz each of white, brown, yellow, orange and red.
• G/6 Crochet Hook
• Yarn Needle

Crochet Abbreviations Used in this Pattern
 
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
Rnd - round
sts - stitches

BASIC ROUND

NOTE: Bun top and bottom potholders, and Hamburger potholder are each made from this Basic Round. Make in brown for hamburger, in tan and white for bun.

• Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook (6) [Do not join rounds]
• Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (18)
• Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (24)
• Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (30)
• Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (36)
• Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (42)
• Rnd 8: (sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around (48)
• Rnd 9: (sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (54)
• Rnd 10: (sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (60)
• Rnd 11: (sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (66)
• Rnd 12: (sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (72)

Cheeseburger Potholder Bun Top and Bottom

Bun Top

Hamburger Bun Top with Seeds

• Rnds 1-12: With tan or beige, make Basic Round through Rnd 12.
• Rnds 13-15: Sc in each sc, fasten off yarn at end of Rnd 15.

Scatter seeds over top of bun by making 25 to 30 short stitches at random with white yarn and tapestry needle.

*White yarn is used for the inside of the hamburger bun and for the 'seeds' on the top bun.


View of the Inside of Top & Bottom Buns

Inside top and bottom bun

Crochet Inside Piece in White for Top and Bottom Bun Potholders

Make Basic Round in white, cut and fasten off at end of Rnd 12.

With tan yarn, sew inside of bun to bun top.

Cheeseburger Potholder Bun Bottom

 

Cheeseburger Bun Bottom

Bun Bottom Potholder

With tan yarn, repeat Bun Top through Rnd 14.

Repeat Inside of Bun Top with white.

Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, BuffCheck Price Sew two pieces together with tan yarn

Red Heart Yarn, Tan.

Tan yarn is needed for both top and bottom buns.

Hamburger Potholder - If you prefer, you can make this into a 'Veggie' burger! :)

 

Hamburger Potholder

 
Hamburger Potholder Instructions (Make 2)

• Rnds 1-12: With brown yarn, make Basic Round through Rnd 12.
• Rnd 13: Sc in each sc around, fasten off.

Make a second piece through Rnd 12, fasten off.

Sew two sides together with right sides facing, wrong sides out.
 
Red Heart Soft Yarn, ChocolateCheck Price
Red Heat Soft Yarn in Chocolate.

Dark brown yarn, like this Red Heart yarn in chocolate, is used for the hamburger patty.

Cheese Slice Potholder

Cheese Slice Potholder

Cheese Slice Potholder is a Square!

The cheese slice is worked around the starting chain, making the front and back at the same time, then closing the top with a row of single crochet.

NOTE: Since rounds have a tendency to veer to the right (or left, if you crochet left-handed like me), stop every few rounds and pull work to the left (right) until stitches seem to be straight up and down.
Instructions:

• Rnd 1: With Yellow, ch 24, sc in 3rd chain from hook (turning chain counts as 1 sc), sc in next 20 ch, 3 sc in end ch, turn, working back side of chain, sc in next 21 ch, mark end of Rnd. (46 sc).
• Rnds 2-24 (or until piece is square): Sc in each sc around.
• Rnd 25: Holding both sides together, sc across top to close, fasten off.

 

Different Yellows for Different Cheeses...

Bright Yellow Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn

RED HEART Super Saver Yarn, Bright YellowCheck Price

Use a bright yellow yarn for your standard American cheese slice. If you want to get fancy, use a light yellow yarn 

for a different kind of cheese. In crochet, you can create anything you can imagine. :)

Tomato Slice Potholder

 

Tomato Slice Potholder

The seed effect of the tomato slice is made by bringing the hook through from the wrong side and working sc (reverse sts) with 2 regular sc separating each seed section. Each round is increased 6 sc as in the Basic Round, with increases always worked in the reverse sts (seed section) after Rnd 3 is completed.


Tomato Slice Potholder Instructions with Seed Stitch

• Rnd 1: With Red, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join rnds.
• Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around.
• Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, reverse sc in next st, repeat from * around (start of seed pattern).
• Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 reverse sc in reverse sc, repeat from * around.
• Rnds 5-10: From here on, sc in each sc, reverse sc in each reverse sc, increasing 1 reverse sc in each seed section, or 6 increases per round (60 sts at end of Rnd 10).
• Rnds 11 & 12: Sc in each st., increase 6 sts each rnd.
• Rnd 13: Working back loop only, sc in each sc around, cut yarn and fasten off.

To finish: Make two pieces and sew together through both loops of Rnd 13 on first piece and through back loop of Rnd 12 on second piece

 

MY PERSONAL NOTE: If you want to keep this pattern simple throughout and don't want to fuss with learning a new technique, just crochet the tomato slice in the Basic Round through Rnd 12.

RED HEART Soft Yarn, Really RedCheck Price

Red Heart Soft Yarn, Really Red

Red yarn is used for the tomato slice potholder.

 

FINISHING

Stack hamburger, cheese and tomato slice between two bun halves

Cheeseburger Potholder Set of Five

Crocheted Cheeseburger Potholders - Set of 5. Or -- a 'calorie-free' Cheeseburger :)

A 'Made for You' Set!

 

If you don't crochet, or don't have time to make your own set of Cheeseburger Potholders, a ready-made set handmade by me can be purchased through my Etsy Shop, Coastal Crochet Crafts. At the moment, the last set has sold, but a new set can be made upon request just for you by sending me a convo at my Etsy Shop's site. :) 

September 18th... 

is National Cheeseburger Day!  

This set of Cheeseburger Design Potholders would fit in perfectly when grilling your cheeseburgers on this... and 'any' day!

 

 

Novelty Potholders Make Fun Conversation Starters. Fill Your Crafting with some Fun. 

*Tutorial originally published on 6/2/2012 on another site

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Beautiful Blueberry Handicrafts

Blueberries Abound in the World of Handicrafts

Much has been written about the blueberry as a delicious and healthy fresh fruit. As a delightful food item, blueberries can be served plain in a bowl, enjoyed in fruit salads or cooked and/or baked into everything from blueberry pancakes for breakfast to pies, cheesecakes and cobblers for dessert  for a delicious, healthful taste of summer all year long. 

There is even a special month - July - designated as "National Blueberry Month."

But blueberries can be more than a fresh fruit food item. Crafters have found blueberries charming in their world too. Let's put our Blueberry Muffin down for a bit and visit a few handcrafted Blueberry items.

Blueberries in Music -- "Blueberry Hill" - by Fats Domino

The song "Blueberry Hill" was published in 1940 and is best remembered for its 1950s rock n' roll version by Fats Domino. Browse these Blueberry Crafts to this well-known Blueberry music!

 

Blueberry Cheesecake Soap

Blueberry Cheesecake Soap

This slice of Blueberry Cheesecake believe it or not -- is soap! Looking good enough to eat (but don't take a bite!) this delightful, delicious looking bar of soap is topped with ripened blueberries and a sweet and tangy blueberry drizzle coating. It's even scented with blueberry cheesecake fragrance. Each soap weighs 6 ounces.

Unique handmade soaps like this blueberry cheesecake is just one of many different designs created in soap by Denise of Copiague, NY and are available in her Etsy Shop she calls AJs Sweet Soap.

Blueberry Jewelry

Blueberry Pendant

This is an 18 inch white gold filled necklace with a resin blueberry. Created by Nina of Arizona for her Etsy Shop Resin Jewerly by Nina.

Blueberry Wearables

 

Blueberry Baby Bib 

Blueberry Baby Bib by applejax studio

Adorable hand-drawn blueberry design and lettering applied as a heat transfer iron-on to a handmade cotton bib for baby.  A clever and crafty design created by Barb of Ohio and featured in her Etsy Shop applejax studio. 


Knitted Blueberry Fruit Hat for Baby

Sweet Fruit Blueberry Baby Hat - Etsy

This hat, created by Berry Box on Etsy, looks like a fresh and sweet blueberry.

It is knitted in blue with included white `seeds`, and on the top are leaves and a little stem made by a grass green yarn.

The hat is knitted with pure wool (baby-merino-wool) in one piece without any bothering seams, so it is flexible and fits a little longer.

Your little one will look adorable with this. It also makes a fantastic photography prop or a gift for a little one on its first birthday.

Blueberry Kitchen Decor

 

Blueberry Potholders

Blueberry Potholders on Etsy by WildernessTies

This is a set of two blueberry potholders handmade by WildernessTies of Etsy  which measure 8 inches square each and are washable and heavy so you won't burn your hands when you use them.

The fabric in this set is blueberries that look good enough to eat. There are several blueberry fabrics to choose from in this group of blueberry themed potholders in Carol's Etsy Shop. 

When You Are Not Crafting or Baking Your Blueberries...

 

Blueberry Crop Postcard by dryfhout
 

Enjoy them in Other Ways!

Blueberries are very versatile... whether you grow them, bake, cook and eat them, or craft with the color of blueberries... it's a popular fruit. Enjoy your blueberries in many ways.

Don't be Blue... Be Berry Happy!

July is National Blueberry Month

Article originally published on another site.(c) 2012 by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”