Thursday, March 18

a 'happy hanger' how-to...

dearest readers, my show and tell on friday is being postponed until monday...
but do not fret,
nor hang your heads and weep
for monday will be here before we know it
and
do you think i would leave you empty handed today?
for that is not my way.
no, despite Mr Lurgy and his unattractive ways i have for you
a 'happy hanger' how-to...


and just like all my how-tos
it will be a little bit of waffle and then i will leave it up to you to decode my waffle and make it up as you go along.
and i do not have 'step by step' pics because Carlos my camera is feeling a little peaky too.
so let us begin...

the nitty gritty ingredients required

*one old wood hanger,
mine is narrow in depth only 3/4 of an inch,
* some leftover happy colored yarn, i have used worsted weight yarn
* a Mr Hook, size F, 4.0mm
*i have used double crochet, american terminology

step 1: chain 65, chain 3 (counting as first double crochet) , double crochet into third chain from hook

step 2: double crochet into same chain, repeat two more times.

step 3: single crochet into third chain from your cluster of double crochets.
a shell has been made, next shell will be made up of 5 double crochets, this is the basic shell pattern that can be found in any crocheting how to book.

step 4: repeat all along your chain to end. you should have 13 shells.

step 5: turn your work but keeping the same side facing you and repeat the same row you just did, but along the bottom side of the chain.
a mirror image of what you have just done.
(lordy i hope this all makes sense)

step 6: finish off your final shell by slip stitching into the very first shell you made.
basically you have gone around in a circle. you first side is complete, 13 full round shells should be in your hand.

step 7: repeat all of the above for your second side of your happy coat

step 8: weave in your ends

step 9: place your two pieces right sides together
i chose to do this because i liked the wrong side of my crocheting best, you can chose to use the other side if you wish.
with a contrasting yarn color, begin the right end of your happy coat, making sure the stitches are lined up and start single crocheting them together.
i went though both loops of the stitch below.

step 10: when you get to the left end of you happy coat, pop your hanger in place, then continue to single crochet around the bottom of your happy hanger coat.
this is a bit fiddly and so you may have to take a breather every now and then...

step 11: when you get all the way around your happy hanger, finish off and weave in your last thread.

step 12: hang your happy hanger up for all to see,


make sure any passing strangers who come into your dwelling notice your happy hanger, taking time to admire your happy hanger handy work and perhaps cast an envious eye upon your happy hanger and your Mr Hook.


step 13: continue making more happy hangers, loving them all equally

and that's it! easy peasy except for my ability to make it super complicated with a lot of waffle... if you know how to shell crochet then you can make this happy hanger coat and spend the rest of your days addicted to filling your life with happy hangers...

they are wishing you all a lurgy free weekend ~ Tif and Mr Lurgy
footynote: any misprints or misleading crocheting things found within this 'how-to' are the responsiblity of Mr Lurgy and not Tif.
Tif is innocent of any mess ups resulting in following this how-to and all complaints must be made in writing to Mr Lurgy and not Tif :)

63 comments:

A Bun Can Dance said...

Sorry to hear you are still suffering with Mr Lurgy - he really is a clingy fellow, isn't he?
Hoping you are free of his over-attentiveness very soon indeed.
The hangers are delightful :-)
Happy days,
Denise x

Unknown said...

oh wow! you are so sweet :) i just found a comprehensive book at the library all about crochet borders. i can't wait to truss up some skirts and the like. hooray happy hangers!

Kristena said...

Oh, I have some hangers that have been waiting for this very how-to! Thank you, dear dottie angel! :)

Katherine said...

oooh, thank you, tif! mr. lurgy has been parked in my home for the past two and a half weeks, and my eyes are starting to cross from working on my giant (more giant than i had anticipated. hmm...) afghan. some pretty hangers will be a pretty distraction from feeling like absolute crap.

hope you are soon on the mend!

Tonia said...

Curses be upon Mr. Lurgy, I hope he fades away soon! Lovely crocheting how-to - I must learn to crochet one day, for then such posts will not look like latin to me.

{eleise} said...

This is a lovely how to! Simply lovely...

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you, thank you, I was so admiring you hangers in a previous post. So good of you to give us a "how to". Hope your feeling much better really soon. :)
Vivienne x

Paula In Pinetop said...

I was just looking at your hangers the other day and thinking I'd sure like some just like yours. Oh my, were you getting my vibe or what!!!!

Thanks.

Amy said...

Beautiful hangers! I think my other half may throttle me if I bring any more hangers into the house though - my girly padded ones have started to creep into his wardrobe and he's not too happy about it! Hope Mr Lurgy buggers off soon! Xx

Gina said...

How fabulous! I want to make lots of lovely hooky hangers now! Hope Mr Lurgy leaves you soon.

eilandkind/islandchild said...

hey Miss Tif, that is beautiful. I have a little question or two. (blushing)
Where did you get that reindeer hook thingy and what is the name of that wonderful corally pink paint that you are using on stuff? I struggle to get paint here on our little islandy place and probably need to order some.

Unknown said...

thank you SO much for the tutorial! after seeing photos of these from your last post, i really wanted to learn how to make some of my own, and now i can! :)

becca said...

Fun hangers! Oh my! I wish I knew more about crochet than the single stitch...this is definitely the kind of thing I'd like to spend my time creating. :)

P.S. Your entire blog is adorable- colorful, handmade, vintage-looking FUN stuff that I love. Really cute!

Giovanna said...

Oh this is adorable! I love your blog :)
xxx
Giovanna
www.bohomarket.blogspot.com

Marie said...

That's lovely, i'm going to make some this weekend. Hope you send Mr Lurgy on his way soon x

Christina Lowry said...

This has gone straight on to my to do list. Thanks Tif! :)

dottie angel said...

glad to think of all the 'happy hangers' that will be gracing the walls and rails of dwellings across the globe...

as for the deer hook, my man gave it to me along with the owl hook for christmas. they were brass but you know me! they got painted 'hoppity quick' :)

Michelle said...

Where too start...
Dear Tif...You have actually made my day!!!
I have said wooden hangers in cupboard and I know that me "crochet roundie, maker of all things grandma" have not been able to crochet a cover for one yet...I know you are shaking your head in disbelief but it is the sad true truth.
Now I will be able to do one with this tutorial...and hold my head up high in a room full of "grandma's" and not feel a bit of doubt creep in...
Thank you so much...
You have shown me the way and I am "more" than happy...
And tell Mr Lurgy that he will not be getting any mail from me...

Shannon said...

Dear Tif, thank-you so much for posting this tutorial, I took a look at those shell hangers of yours and I just KNEW that I wanted to make some. I have picked up crochet again after quite a few years absence and I must admit that it is in no small way due to you and your blog, I thouroughly enjoy reading about all your thrifting adventures in your very unique voice. I just have one question (and no, it's not about the pattern, so tell Mr Lurgy to get back in his box!) and that is how do you do the zig-zag crochet that you seem to be using on your daughters blanket, I have tried to figure it out myself but haven't quite seemed to crack it yet. Any tips would be helpfull. Oh dear this has become very long, anyway thank you once again for your lovely blog

barbara said...

Dear Tif,
Thank you for sharing the crochet love - life without these hangers is unthinkable ...
Be sure to rest up,hope you feel much better soon, Barbara

Carole said...

i love these coat hangers, would love to make them but never seem to be able to get the hang of crocheting, i blame it on being left handed
thanks for the 'how to'though, I am now inspired to learn it again

Leanda said...

I'm definately going to give these a whirl... they are beautiful! Hope you recover soon. And loving that wallpaper too :)

Unknown said...

a peachy perfect tutorial miss Tif, despite Mr Lurgys attempts at thwarting your efforts!
i do hope you start to feel better soon... :)
emma
x

Dajda said...

This is a huge inspiration for me, and to know it's so easy to do!

Jude said...

Thank you....so much...I love them..
TAke care
Jude

Mette said...

Thank you for sharing this great idea. Enjoy your weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tif,
feeling a little kreppy myself but I got some wooden hangers today at the thrift store and I'm just printing out your instrux. I'm off to crawl in bed with my cappuccino, DH, and big dog and crochet away :)
Many thanks and I hope Mr. Lurgy leaves you soon and does not come here ;)
Mary @ Vintage Comfort

dottie angel said...

shannon, i tried many times to master the zig-zag and in the end youtube came to my rescue
http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/2010/01/threesome-of-utmost-kind.html
i was then able to understand the basic instructions in my 'how to crochet' book that until then i had stared at blankly. perhaps give it go :)

delighted to think that all around the globe little 'happy hangers' are being worked on in their little homes making us all feel very happy indeed :)

Greedy Nan said...

Apart from the fact that the lurgy is here already, it's not affecting my ability to read thank goodness so I can keep up with you whilst my hottie is keeping me warm.
I must say I rather like these covers but they must go to the end of my project list - still struggling with the Art of Crochet I'm afraid.

mims said...

Thanks for teh tutorial! I will definitely clothe some of my old hanger this way.
Check this hanger art out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/good-amanda/148109977/

Anonymous said...

Those hangers are so sweet! I'm a beginning crocheter and am not ready to tackle them yet but sooner or later I'll be festooning my closet with happy hangers. Thanks for the tutorial!

Laura said...

I do hope that Mr Lungy leaves you soon, he can often overstay his welcome!

Your happy hangers are beautiful and for the moment I'll just have to have admire them, I have no idea how to creat such delights from a piece of yarn and a hook.

nadine paduart said...

thank you for that! i may try it out, one day soon. and thank you for your blog.

crisl said...

...oh my god .. what a cute and wonderful blog you have..i m happy to find you : ))

bye

crisl

Nela said...

Your work is so inspiring, alive and beautiful. I am happy that I found your blog. Wish you all the best :D

Stitchy said...

Mr. Lurgy, Ha, ha.
Hope you're feeling better. I haven't visited for a little while, so I had a little catching up to do. You showed admirable restraint with the Liberty business. Congratulations! If it's any consolation, we don't have target. Just remember, it will still be there, next September!
I love your book case curtain and the hangers. They are both beautifully unique as usual. Far superior, in my opinion, to anything new on the market.
Also I love, no... more than love, your crochet ripple. Will we get another glimpse of it again?
Take care, and get better!
Rebecca x

hlimbrick said...

Ooh, thanks for this. I was wondering what to make now that I have conquered the world of crochet and finished off my first granny cushion cover.. Great how-to (although I ended up with 11 shells andthe second time I ended up with 14.. - but hey ho, it was a comfy fit!). Hope Mr Lurgy has left you well alone by now! :-)

Marcia Hamelijnck said...

Hi, I stumbled onto your blog last week and I just want to say that you inspired me so much! I love everything you make. I've put a link to your blog on my blog today. So glad I found your blog!

I hope you get well soon!

Anita Damas said...

They are beautiful!

Michelle said...

Dear Tif...
I thought I was doing something wrong...but after a bit of research I worked out my problem...
Worsted weight yarn is what we call 12ply which is really chunky for us and not something that is used very often in australia...8ply is the yarn that is available everywhere... but that will not stop me by no means...I am of to the "big smoke" and will get some no matter what...cause I love these hangers...

Sharrieboberry said...

I wonder if a bike can be decoupaged....?

val said...

Time has just trickled by whilst I have been in and out of your lovely inspirational blog :0)
If I can find an old coat hanger I will certainly have a go!
Thanks for sharing your Vintage Vibe with us all in blogland. :0)
Blessings, Val

Blue Canary said...

These are delightful! I am fairly positive I need a closet full of these hangers immediately - thanks for posting the pattern :-)

Tina said...

Hi Tif,
just found your blog and I will have to say that this tutorial is AWESOME!! Making hangers pretty will be on the top of my list. Thank you so much!
xx

Leanda said...

Made and blogged! Happy :)

maría cecilia said...

Hola, you are the sweetest and funny happy girl, and I have laugh (or laufh) a lot, excuse my english.
Cariños from Chile,
maria cecilia

Marcia Hamelijnck said...

Thanks for the inspiration. I made myself a happy hanger :-) and placed it on my blog. I linked to your blog for instructions.
http://marciagoodthings.blogspot.com/2010/04/sample-sale-and-crochet-hanger.html

Western General Facilities said...

Thank you kindly for the instructions on how to make these lovely hangers! I have been searching them out for years at second hand stores and garage sales, snatching them up whenever I find them. I USE them, they are wonderful, and now, thanks to you, I can create my very own (of course using the innumerable skeins of vintage yarns I have been saving).

Now,if you could just post the instructions to making the crocheted toilet paper holders with the doll head on top... (serious)

I am delighted to find your blog! I have my sister Kelly from SECOND HAND CHIC in Salt Lake City to thank for this. She, like you, is a very crafty woman, and has a wonderful store that serves the greater Salt Lake City area: people can't get enough of her finds and are always amazed at how she creatively re-uses items.

I am her crazy little sister, I too am vintage crazy, and I make crazy little films that most people don't know what to do with. The films I make, are, in an odd way, similar to what you and Kelly do, since they are a way to rescue and reuse outcast vintage items, hoarded over the years. Unlike you and Kelly, I cannot part with my loot, I'm a hoarder and I can't sell what I find. Instead, the items serve as a inspiration for the plot of each of my short films. For instance, if you found an old polygraph machine, what would you do with it? I would make a movie, Kelly or you... well, I would be interested to see how either of you would re-use such an item. Here's the link to my blog where you can see some of my films: westerngeneralfacilities.blogspot.com

Again, thank you for the lovely and inspirational site. I think I will be visiting you frequently in cyberspace.
Robin

Rae Ann said...

I just found your blog and am very excited about what I see! I love the great instuctions on the hangers and can't wait to make some. BIG THANKS!

Anonymous said...

I've just linked to this happy hanger tutorial. You are so right to call it a happy hanger! Joyous project. Thank you immensely x

Christine Warren said...

Hi Tif,
I just want to say thank you for such a fun project. I have been waiting to make some of your hanger covers for months and finally, my friend came through with some old hangers. I made two last night and they are adorable.
Thank you so much for sharing.

Cathryn said...

Tif!

Please, please let us know where you got that lovely wallpaper!

And thank you so much for your tutorial. It makes me want to learn to crochet.

dottie angel said...

lovely to think of all the happy hangers being made around the globe, makes me feel most warmed inside :)
as for the wallpaper cathryn, it is by graham & brown, part of their eco collection, comes in various soft colors, the one here is yellow.
hope that helps you my dear

Marianne said...

May I ask you what technique you use to crochet into that first chain? Do you put in you hook under one or two loops? I chose the 'easy' way and took one loop, but in the end my crochet work was much more 'open' than yours.
It could also be due to the fact that the hanger is probably a little bit wider than yours, but I was wondering whether the way you make that second row makes much of a difference.

Marianne said...

I'm not sure whether my question from yesterday came through but I'll ask it again: could it be that there is an error in the nummer of chain stitches you start with? I couldn't make 13 shells out of 65 (+3) chain stitches. If each shell consists of 6 stitches, I think it should be a chain of 75 (3) stitches?

Love the pattern, by the way!!! Thank you so much for sharing it!

dottie angel said...

hi marianne!

first off, yes i put my crochet hook into two loops to make a tighter weave between the rows!
and as for the shells, well i must tell you it is quite possible, but my shells consist of five stitches not the six. however throughout all the comments, several folks have worked out easier ways around it and of course each hanger is different in size so one does have to make it up a bit! i do hope you have the gist of things and thank you so kindly for your patience with my little 'how-to' :)

Fionella said...

wonderful hangers!

Susan said...

I just found your tutorial from grosgrain and I'm so happy I did! My dear grandma used to crochet hangers like yours - she's been gone for many years but I still have some of the hangers and I treasure them. Thank your for the lovely memory - and I will make some of my own now.

Susan

Greg and Donna said...

This is great. We have some hangers my grandmother made and wanted to duplicate them ~ this is the stitch on the hangers! Thanks!

dottie angel said...

thank you kindly! something about a crocheted hanger that just warms the crafty soul :)

wooden coat hangers said...

That's lovely, i'm going to make some this weekend.

Barb said...

I just found your pattern for happy hangers, however I only have a couple of old hangers like the ones you used. any idea where I might be able to purchase them? Barb

regina said...

I have two shell stitched hanger that I received as a gift. I am so glad to find a pattern. Now I just need to find old hangers. This will be a great way to practice my crochet stitches. Also looking for some hangers to buy if you have a source, please let me know. Thanks