Elf Warmers

Short and cute, these wristwarmers make a fast crochet project... great for stash-busting too. The instructions for making them are included in the Witch Warmers in Crochet pattern. Just use the short version notes in italics. You can make short anklewarmers, too, and a matching neckwarmer to complete the look.

If you prefer, you can knit these using the original Witch Warmers pattern, designed for knitters.

The yarn for this project was I Love This Yarn Sportweight by Hobby Lobby. It's 100% acrylic, inexpensive, and it has a lovely, soft feel when working with it and wearing it. In order to make this project, I broke down and bought acrylic to save money, and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. Since these wristwarmers were a holiday project, I don't expect to be washing and drying them a lot, so they will probably continue to look good for a long time.

You can find another variation for Witch Warmers in Crochet here:
Evening-Length Winter Warmers

Scrappy Turban

Of the many fortune-teller turbans I have made so far, this is definitely my favorite. It uses the Fortune-Teller Turban in Crochet pattern, and the best part is that it's made from scrap yarn: 2 strands of sportweight held together. One is a continuous color and the other is tied-together scraps. Using a single color along with the scraps gives a pleasing continuity and has the added benefit of disguising the "teeth" that appear when consecutive rows are worked in different colors.

Here's how to modify the Fortune-Teller Turban in Crochet pattern for this variation:

1. Crochet a new flat gauge swatch--it is different. I got 13 st x 12 rows = 4"/10cm x 4"/10cm.

2. The yardage is about the same, but for 2 strands of sportweight yarn held together. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease sportweight for the turban pictured here, but Plymouth Encore DK is a fine substitute. For the scrap skein, you can use the "Magic Ball" technique, in which you tie varying lengths of scrap yarn together to make a long strand, and crochet or knit it like one continuous ball of yarn. For the knotting, I used a square knot, but I've read about an overhand knot made holding the 2 ends together.

3. With the 2 strands held together, make your beginning chain a bit loose, using the same size hook specified in the pattern. The number of chains should be 6 less than what the pattern lists for the various sizes. The pictures show a size small on a size medium head. It barely fits, and I will make a size medium for myself next time in the scrappy technique.

4. Work according to the pattern, crocheting the ends in as you go.

5. When finished, tie off and work in ends. There will be yarn ends showing throughout the work--to make them less visible, tug and trim each to about 1/4" or .5mm.


For crochet tips and variations on the Fortune-Teller Turban in Crochet, see:
Novelty Yarn-Trimmed Turban
Tying Off After Joining
Slip-Stitch Join
Avoiding Stiff Crochet
Swatch Wars

Short Witch Warmers

Short and sweet, these wristwarmers and anklewarmers are super fast to knit... great for stash-busting too. Basically, you just knit up to the top of the straight stockinette section in the pattern, and finish off with 2 stripes of ribbing.

You can find more variations for Witch Warmers here:
Evening Length: I'd Open a Vein for You Armwarmers
Yule Warmers