Bulky headband earwarmer - FREE Pattern

Happy February!

I just wanted to share this quick, cute little project with you all my darling readers.
This project uses a Q, 15.75 or 16mm 'speed hook' and 2 strands of chunky weight yarn worked together (you should be able to get one out of a skein) and 2 buttons.

The Bulky headband.
Row 1: Chain 26 Turn, skip 3 spaces and double crochet in the fourth chain from the hook. Double crochet across to the end of the chain. You should have 23 double crochet.

Row 2: Chain 3 and turn, double crochet in each stitch across (23 double crochet).

Row 3:

Chain 3 and turn, double crochet in each stitch across (23 double crochet)

 Fasten off and weave in ends. Sew buttons near the top and bottom on one end. Then you just fasten with the buttons and away you go. Easy.

Variations:
You can  make this project smaller by making a shorter chain. I would recommend no smaller than 19 total stitches for an adult and around 13 for a child sized headband.

If you want to make it a tad wider I would recommend using a half double crochet stitch instead of a double crochet. Simply add an extra row for 4 rows of half double crochet rather than 3 rows of double crochet.

Weekend slouchy hat - Free pattern

Good day internet.

 

 

I thought I'd share my latest little something or other with all of you out there.

I wanted a nice light slouchy hat, since the weather is getting warmer but I needed it to have a little warmth to it so I chose bernat's roving (in flint if anyone is interested)

This project uses pretty much an entire ball of yarn (I had a tiny tiny bit left over.) and a 6.5mm hook.

I also used some 1.5 inch ribbon  I had lying around.

 

The pattern:

Ch 6 sl st to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 4 (counts as first dc here and throughout) *dcin ring, ch 1,* six times, slst to ch 4 space.
Round 2: Ch 4, dc in same space, *ch 1, dc in next space, ch 1, dc in same space* repeat around  slst to ch 4 space.
Round 3: Ch 4, dc in same space, *ch1, dc in next space, ch1, dc in next space, ch1, dc in same space* repeat around. slst to ch 4 space
Round 4: Ch 4, dc in same space, *ch 1, dc in next space, ch 1, dc in next space, ch1, dc in next space, ch 1, dc in same space* repeat around, slst to ch 4 space.
Round 5: ch 4. dc in same space * ch 1, dc in next space, ch 1, dc in next space, ch 1, dc in next space, ch 1, dc in next space, ch 1 dc in same space* repeat around, sl st to ch 4 space.
Round 6 -11 : Ch 4, dc in next space, *ch 1, dc in next space* repeat around, slst to ch 4 space.
round 12: Ch 3 (counts as first hdc here and throughout), hdc in next space and each ch 1 space around (do not hdc in the actual stitched of the last round. just the chain 1 spaces). Slst to chain 3 sp.
Round 13-17, Ch 3, hdc in next stitch, hdc in each stitch around. sl st to ch 3 space. Fasten off at the end of round 17 and weave in ends.
I used 1.5 " Offray robbon in "mudpie" to embellish mine. Just use your crochet hook to weave your ribbon in and out of round 11. I went "over" 2 stitches, "under" 1 around and finished off with a little bow. Burning the cut edges of my ribbon with a lighter to prevent fraying.

PS Sorry for the not so awesome pictures. I posted them via my tablet.

Sophia's (Twinkle Twinkle) Little Star shaped Baby blanket - Free Pattern

EDIT#1: You may have noticed the title of this post and the name of the blanket has changed a bit. I did this because the little lady to be that I designed this blanket for now has a name and so does the pattern. 

EDIT#2: Thanks to a very helpful commenter and fellow blogger loose ends the issue that's been causing people's design to go wonky has been noticed and amended. My apologies for not finding the mistake sooner/myself. 

EDIT#2: I had someone ask me in the comments how much yarn I used. I wanted to put it up here.
I used about 1lb of worsted weight yarn for this blanket. 2 strands of worsted are worked together.

If you want to use baby or sport weight use 3 strands together.

By all means, this pattern can be worked with a super bulky yarn that's actually meant to be used on a hook this large


Sophia's (Twinkle Twinkle) Little Star shaped Baby blanket

Corrections: I orriginally posted the pattern with the shell as follows: 2DC, CH1, 2DC. I have changed the CH1 to CH 2. (jan 8/13)

 Notes:
My finished measurements are about 35 inches from point to point.

2 strands of worsted are being worked together with my trusty 10mm (P) hook.

Shell = 2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet in same stitch or chain space.

SC2TOG (decrease) =  Draw up loop on each of the next 2 stitches, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook

I'm kind of writing it as I go so please let me know if  you find any mistakes.
Here we go!
Round 1:  work 9 HDC in magic ring. Slst to first Stitch  

Round 2: Ch 1, SC in same stitch, *3 DC in next stitch, SC* Repeat around. Slst to first DC.

Round 3: Ch 3, *DC, in next stitch, shell in next stitch,  DC, skip SC* repeat around. Slst to first DC

Round 4: Ch 3, Dc in next stitch, *Shell in chain space, DC in next 2 stitches, SC2TOG, DC in next 2 stitches* Repeat around. SC2TOG over last 2 stitches. SLST to top of ch3.

round 5 complete

Up until this point the piece still looks pretty round (I should've snapped a picture) but you'll see the star start to form after these next two rounds.- I did get pictures of that.
                          
Round 5: Ch 3, 1 DC in next 4 stitches,*Shell in next chsp, 1 DC in next 4 stitches, skip stitch, 1DC in next 4* repeat around, skip last stitch and Slst to ch3

Round 6: Ch 3, 1 DC in next 5 stitches, *shell in ch sp, DC in next 5 stitches, SC2TOG, DC in next 5 stitches* repeat around, sc2tog over last 2 stitches and Slst to ch3.

round 6 complete

Round 7: Ch 3, 1 DC in next 7 stitches, *Shell in ch sp, DC in next 7 stitches, skip stitch* Repeat around, skip last stitch and Slst to ch3.

Round 8: Ch 3, 1 DC in next 8 stitches, *Shell in ch sp, DC in next 8 stitches, SC2TOG, DC in  next 8 stitches* Repeat around, SC2TOG over last 2 stitches and sl st in ch 3 sp.


Round 9: Ch 3, Dc in next 10 stitches, *Shell in ch sp, DC in next 10 stitches, skip stitch, DC in next 10* Repeat around, skip last stitch ans Slst in ch3.

Round 10: Ch 3, Dc in next 11 stitches * Shell in Ch sp, Dc in next 11 stitches, SC2TOG, Dc in next 11 stitches* repeat around, sc2tog over last 2 stitches and Slst to CH3

Round11: Ch 3, Dc in next 13 stitches *Shell in Ch, DC in next 13 stitches, skip stitch, DC in next 13 stitches* Repeat around, Skip last stitch and Slst to Ch3.

Round 12: Ch 3. Dc in next14 stitches *shell in Ch sp, DC in next 14 stitches, SC2TOG, DC in next 14 stitches* Repeat around, sc2tog over last 2 stitches and slst to Ch3.

Round: 13: Ch 3  Dc in next 16 stitches *Shell in Ch, DC in next 16 stitches, skip stitch, DC in next 16 stitches* Repeat around, Skip last stitch and Slst to Ch3.

Round 14: Ch 3. Dc in next 17 stitches *shell in Ch sp, DC in next 17 stitches, SC2TOG, DC in next 17 stitches* Repeat around, sc2tog over last 2 stitches and slst to Ch3.

Round: 15: Ch 3  Dc in next 18 stitches *Shell in Ch, DC in next 18 stitches, skip stitch, DC in next 18 stitches* Repeat around, Skip last stitch and Slst to Ch3.

(I changed colours on the last round, just because I can
Round 16: Ch 3. Dc in next 20 stitches *shell in Ch sp, DC in next 20 stitches, SC2TOG, DC in next 20 stitches* Repeat around, sc2tog over last 2 stitches and slst to Ch3. 
 
 Fasten off and weave in ends.

You can continue on as above for as many rounds as you like if you want a bigger blanket.

Just a quick update. Also a quick tutorial of those sweet little crocodile stitch baby booties

Happy October everyone!
I've been super super busy with the cold weather coming up. Making hats and slippers, blankets and a few gifts. I'm planning a trip to Nova Scotia/ Prince Edward Island next week and I've been doing some quick finishing up of projects I wanted to share with you all out there.

picot flowers

I finally finished something for myself this week! I made this slouchy hat out of some bernart roving in a lovely coral colour and embellished it with a couple of these picot flowers and a few leaves of my own design. It's warm, soft and fuzzy, even if the flowers are a bit too big.

Work in progress

I also did some delving into the crocodile stitch. Finally. There are a lot of different tutorials out there to get the desired effect. I find this one to be the best/easiest.

I decided to try to figure my own method of making those cute crocodile stitch booties I keep seeing everywhere. It was super easy. But I did learn a couple of helpful hints that I'll share with you.

I just made a pair of baby slippers in a "mary jane" style and omitted the strap then added an extra round decreases and another round of stitches at the top of the slipper, fasten off as you normally would then tie your yarn on what will be the "outside" of the bootie and began the round of crocodile stitches. (as you'll see mine have the "seam/buttons" up the back- I should've done 'em up the side).

I found it beneficial to skip a stitch between my V stitch and Single crochet when I set up the "scale" on the first go around. You'll also want to to a chain and turn (working back and forth rather than in rounds) on the crocodile stitches. Starting a new colour is easy enough, just fasten off and tie on at the end of the "scale" and set up your row of V stitches in the new colour (you want the set up and the scale in the same colour). Then you just fasten off and weave in your ends as with every other crochet project and add some cute little buttons.

I just used the "turning chains" as button holes but you can sew little loops on for button holes. So, there you have it. They're super cute and really easy. I'm working on a big pair of boots with jute bottoms in this style for myself.

A family of slippers!

I wrote about that time of year in my last post. Fall and chilly weather mean chilly feet. Chilly feet means one of my favorite instant gratification projects: Slippers! I didn't get a chance to make some for myself and husband last year because I was too busy with other projects.

Little miss's well worn slippers from last year

I did get some made for the kids though, I made them slippers in this style last year.My daughter's still fit her and she's still very happy with them. Adjusting the length of my foundation chain according to their foot sizes as per this tutorial. It's super easy if you want to give it a shot. 

finished product. I decided to omit the strap.

A quick rule of thumb for figuring out the length of your foundation chain is to measure the length of your foot then the width of your foot and subtract the width from the length. This is how long you'll need the foundation chain to be. Then you just do 3 stitches in the "corners" (take a look at the first link for the chart- you can follow their basic design only bigger/smaller according to your needs).

black for the husband.

This year I went for something a little bit different. I made mine and my husband's with this pattern. I just didn't add the strap and contrasting color.  This pattern as is makes slippers to fit my size 9 (American women's sizes) feet as well as my husband's size 8 foot with no alterations. She does include some instructions on making them bigger/smaller in the printer friendly version.Basically, you just need to make sure it fits on your toes nicely like in her pictures. Seriously. Go look at her pictures. So. Much. Easier.

 I used the double ring method to start mine (my favorite new trick) but you can use any method of starting in the round.

I had a hard time finding and existing pattern for slippers to fit my little guy. It seems like everything is in baby sizes (this pattern is easy to make a bit bigger by adding an extra round of increases plus adding a bit of length) so I just adjusted this method to make him some. You can easily make these a bit bigger by adding an extra round of increases and then adding an extra row or 2 of length. If you need them smaller. I recommend altering the baby pattern i linked above to be a little bit bigger. Basically you want the toes to fit over the toes your making them for like a little cup.


Here's what I came up with. These fit his little 22 month foot which is 4.5  inches long by 2 inches wide.
I used a 5mm hook and worsted yarn. a small amount of contrasting color and a yarn needle

Round 1: In double ring (or magic ring OR ch4 and in third ch from hook) Work 6 dc. slst in first crochet. Chain 2
round 2: 2 dc in stitch around (12 dc)
Round 3: *2 dc in same stitch, 1dc in next stitch* Repeat around. Join in chsp. (18)

Little slippers for little man.

Round 4: Dc in each stitch around (18 dc). Join in chsp.
Round 5: Ch2 Dc in next 13. Ch2 turn.
Rows 6-11: Dc in next 13. Ch2, turn.
Row 12: Dc in next 5, Dc 3tog, Dc in next 5. fasten off leaving a long tail.
Use the tail to slst or whip stitch the back of the slipper together creating the heel.
Round 13: Attach yarn above heel and sc down side. When you reach the "corner" by the toes sc 3tog.  Dc across toes, sc 3tog at corner and sc up the other side. (If you wish fasten off here and attach a contrasting yarn)
Round 15: sc down side, sc 3 tog at toes, Dc across toes, sc 3tog at corner, Sc up side, Fasten off and weave in ends.

If you like you can add a little button or other embellishment or attach a loop made from a chain halfway down for a little strap. Sky is the limit.

Stay on Stroller blanket. FREE Crochet pattern

It's that time of year again, there is an abundance of fresh produce, the evenings are cooling off, parents are counting the hours until school is back in session. Fall is upon us!

With the mornings and evenings cooling we're digging for sweaters, socks and long pants again and I'm finding we have a lack of suitable stroller blanket. A non-issue previous couple of falls, with little dude both being small enough and preferring to travel everywhere in the carrier.

Not so much these days, at a hefty 21 months he prefers the freedom and ride of the stroller.I figured it was about time to make him a nice little stroller blanket. I have a really nice multi-hued yarn that reminds me of fall, which I've been meaning to use up and a really beautiful Scottish wool in lovely red that I've been saving for something special so I set out hoping to incorporate those into this project.

 I remembered a wonderful idea I had pinned recently for a super pretty little car seat blanket designed by string with style, which I cannot wait to make. It's just delicious! The brilliant bit about it is there is a little slit crocheted into the blanket for the bottom clip of the car seat to clip around so the blanket will stay on. So friggin smart.

I just needed something a bit bigger for little dude's stroller. So, I used the basic idea and made a different little blanket. It's super simple, just worked in a half double crochet stitch. The texture is achieved by alternating crocheting through the front loop only then back loop only across your rows.

I used a 11.5mm hook
 2 strands of worsted weight yarn worked together, I used the red and multi-hued yarn as well as some grey for the edging (I'm so terrible, I have so much random yarn in my stash I never have any idea how much I use).

Ch 54

Row 1: Skip first ch, SC in next 53

Rows 2-20: Ch 2, turn, *Hdc in FLO (front loop only) of next stitch, HDC in BLO (back loop only) of next stitch*    repeat across.

Row 21: Ch2, turn, *HDC in FLO, HDC in BLO* Repeat across for 24 stitches, you should end in the back loop, SC in next stitch CH3, skip 3, SC in next stitch,  HDC in FLO of next stitch, HDC in BLO of next stitch* repeat across last 25 stitches

Row 22: Ch 2, turn, *Hdc in FLO (front loop only) of next stitch, HDC in BLO (back loop only) of next stitch*    repeat across. Don't worry about trying to crochet in front and back loops on the ch 3. Just crochet across the chain as normal.

Row 23: Ch 2, turn, *Hdc in FLO (front loop only) of next stitch, HDC in BLO (back loop only) of next stitch*    repeat across.

Row 24:   Ch2, turn, *HDC in FLO, HDC in BLO* Repeat across for 24 stitches, you should end in the back loop, SC in next stitch CH3, skip 3, SC in next stitch,  HDC in FLO of next stitch, HDC in BLO of next stitch* repeat across last 25 stitches

Row 25: Ch 2, turn, *Hdc in FLO (front loop only) of next stitch, HDC in BLO (back loop only) of next stitch*    repeat across. Don't worry about trying to crochet in front and back loops on the ch 3. Just crochet across the chain as normal.

Row 26-43:  Ch 2, turn, *Hdc in FLO (front loop only) of next stitch, HDC in BLO (back loop only) of next stitch*    repeat across.

Row 44: Ch1 turn, SC through both loops in next stitch SC across, Fasten off.

Edging is worked in rounds along the edge of the blanket:

Round 1: Tie on contrasting yarn in any corner work CH3, DC, CH 1, (all in corner), DC in next stitch, *DC in each stitch across, work DC, CH1, DC, CH1 in corners* join with SLST in CH3 space.

Round 2: CH3, DC, CH 1, (all in corner), DC in next stitch, *DC in each stitch across, work DC, CH1, DC, CH1 in corners* (you will work your DC into the DC made in the previous round) join with SLST in CH3 space.

So, that's what I've come up with for a stroller variation of the no slip car seat blanket. I sure hope we get good use out of it.  I'll get some pictures of in in action ASAP. 

Those amazing crochet shorts! Free charts and written patterns of the motifs!

DISCLAIMER!This is not a project for a beginner in any way. Nor is it for the faint of heart. You're going to need a good working knowledge of crochet and garment making to pull this off. Or, just great big balls and a hell of a lot of patience. I don't have any actual patterns for these bad boys. I will share with you what I've figured out on my own, but that's all I can do. I haven't gotten them finished yet but I'm working on these.

So, these shorts keep popping up on pinterest. Aren't they pretty? They're also about $150 from letarte swimwear. Madness!

I've also been seeing a lot of 'where can I get this pattern'? I don't think you can.. But I will GIVE you the next best thing. I will give you the chart that I found (I can't remember where) for the pretty circles and I will accompany that with a written pattern for said chart. (I wrote this out myself, I did test it but it may need a correction or 2. Let me know, k?)

I'm also going to give you a written step by step of the bottom bit, which is just a pineapple motif, you may need to adjust the number of stitches involved to match the motif in the shorts (I counted 7 TR in the first round)
The first bit, the waist band is super easy, Just single crochet until the chain is as long as your waist (or hips-wherever you want them to sit) is wide. Then continue on back and forth until your piece is as wide as you like it. Remember you're going to fold it over and sew it into a tube for the ribbon to tie your finished shorts. It looks like they do a round of shell stitches along one edge of the waistband as well.

 

The next bit is just a bunch of these pretty circles:

Notes. join each round,
R1: 12 DC in magic ring. join.
R2: Ch 3 dc in same (counts as 2). 2 in each around (24).
R3: ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch (cluster) **Ch 2, 3DC in next stitch** (Repeat around)
Join last cluster to ch3 (don't chain 2 after)
R4:Ch 6, slst to ch2 space, **Ch 5 slst to space** last stitch is Ch2 & join to ch6.
R5:  Ch 6, 5 DC in Chain space, ch 5, 5 dc in same ch Space,
**Ch 5 slst next sp 3 times, ch 5, 5 dc in next ch space, ch 5 sc in same ch space** repeat 5 times,
last stitch is Ch 5 slst next sp 3 times. join.
fasten off.


The next bit is pineapple motifs. Upside-down and right side up.
I counted 7 Trebles in the shorts but the closest chart I could find has 9, So it'll do.


Written instructions are as follows:

R1:Chain 4 (counts as first double crochet).
R2:Work (1 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) all in the 4th chain from the hook.
R3:Chain 4 to turn (counts as first treble), work 6 trebles in the chain-2 space.
R4:Chain 4 to turn (counts as first treble), skip first treble, work (chain 1, treble) in each treble across, ending with the last treble worked in the top of the chain-4.Turn.
R5: Work (chain 3, single crochet) in the first chain-1 space, (chain 3, single crochet) in each chain-1 space across. Turn.
R6: Skip the first chain-3 space, work (chain 3, single crochet) in each chain-3 space across.Turn.
 R7:Skip the first chain-3 space, work (chain 3, single crochet) in each chain-3 space across (you will have one less chain-3 space at the end of each row).
On following rows, continue to repeat step 7; eventually you will have a row with only one chain-3 in that row. Fasten off.


Well, there it is, folks. Good luck! 
EDIT: I recently saw a link to this page which shows the construction of these shorts using circle motifs. I would imagine you might find it helpful.
Also I finally found the post I saved the chart for the circle motif from right here

Newborn Hammock photography prop/toy hammock - FREE crochet pattern

Something that I haven't really posted about just yet it the whole crochet thing, I've mentioned that it's something I do, every day.

I'm self taught and have been doing it for about 5 years now and a big part of my own personal crochet experience has been  a lot of figuring out, trial and error style and designing/writing my own patterns which I don't often share because I firmly believe it isn't a difficult thing to do and anyone can do it. Crochet is such a beautifully versatile art form. There are really no set way to do it. That's what makes it so fantastic and infuriating! The downside is largely that it can get confusing for a beginner. There are several different abbreviations for the same things (DEC, SC2TOG/European vs US) there are several different methods to achieve the same effect (magic ring, anyone?) but this is part of what makes it so easy to develop your own style and method of operation.  It might just take some getting used to but with practice and some research you can start to figure out your own way of doing things.

Anyhow rant aside lets get on with the pattern, shall we?

The reason I'm posting this is because you can find almost anything if you search the interwebs hard enough, free patterns are everywhere. What I haven't really found yet are little hammock photo props. So I started working one out.  Feel free to make changes as you wish.

I'll find pictures I swear! For now, check out the first version of this hammock (I added the long, thick "tails" for ties as apposed to loops) at my craftsy page

Materials.
I used:
 6mm hook
P hook ( 16mm ) OR extra large 'speed hook" (19mm- one of those big, grey suckers)
3 strands of baby yarn held together (3 balls- I just used some extra yarn and don't really know how much I used. Sorry)

***Please note, this is mostly to be used as a guide and is kind of a work in progress.Please feel free to alter and tweak as you like. I just wanted to be able to share a practical free pattern for a hammock photo prop***

Worked in rows -CH1 & turn at the end of each row
with 6mm hook Ch6
Sc in second ch from hook, SC across (5)
 Sc across until piece is 2-3 inches in length.
When you get to the desired lengths DC VERY LOOSELY across
Switch to giant hook.
Sc across Ch2
hdc across, ch 2
2dc in each across, ch1
sc across ch1
2sc in each across ch2
dc across ch1
*sc in next 4. 2 sc in next* repeat across, ch2
hdc across, ch1
sc, across, ch2
hdc across, ch1
*sc in next 4, sc2tog* repeat across, ch2
hdc across, ch1
sc across, ch2

hdc across, ch1

sc2tog across, ch2

sc ub eacg across, ch1

dc2tog across, ch2

hdc across ch1,

sc across

switch back to smaller hook and sc across back an forth until you have a little "tail" the same length as the first one (2-3 inches).

The two skinny parts will be used as "ties" So make them as long as you think will need them.

If you don't crochet. I sell these bad boys for $10.00 each here

DO NOT sell my pattern. You may sell things from my pattern I'd love it if you link me.