HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy 2013 everyone!

Life has been crazy this past year. I've learned so much experienced new things and am feeling better about myself, my life, my skills and pushing my comfort zone than ever before.

I've never been one for the new year's stuff. The sense of change, the resolutions, the notion of a "fresh start" has always seemed a little bit on the silly side to me. I seem to be changing in my adult years though. Maybe it's the fact that I  have children now, maybe it's experiencing a sharp, personal loss recently, maybe it's the fact that I've noticed my first grey hairs. Whatever it is, the passing of time is being more keenly noticed.


Since the birth of my daughter, it's been hard, financially spiritually, emotionally. The birth of my son made things harder, but all the more worth it. I feel like we're finally getting the hang of it, even if it did take a few years. The lessons those hard times have taught me will keep me moving forward. The hard times we've made it through, I hope, will keep me humble enough to stay open to the many lessons I have left to learn.

I finally have a clear idea of what I wish to improve about myself this year.

Here is my list:
1. I want to improve my health. Eat better, move more.
2. I want to improve my patience
3. I want to improve my mind, read more, learn more expose myself to more
4. I want to improve my self discipline, not one of my strong suits.

With all of that in mind, my New Years resolution is simple:  I resolve, this year to simply try harder to be better. That's it.

I think this is attainable, I think it's reasonable. Whenever "I don't wanna" I will simply remind myself to try harder at being better. I want to be a better, happier, more satisfied me. So, I will try harder.

Luck, love and happiness to each and every one of you in 2013. Let's make this year one of the best we've ever seen.  

Stay tuned for more crochet coming soon!

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.

Happy wovember (moveber)

don't let the look on my face fool you. I'm THRILLED!

It's November!
Halloween is over, my boy just turned 2, remembrance/veterans day has just passed holiday music is creeping into radio rotation, there's SNOW on the ground (yep, that's right like a good foot of the white stuff!)! Holiday themed coffees and early Christmas shopping aside November has also become what we all know and love as Movember (we'll celebrate movember in a different post). Recently I've learned that November is the month to celebrate real wool. Not blends or "wooly/woolen" fabrics/yarns but real honest to goodness wool from a real honest to goodness sheep.
 Knit, crochet or felt with it, wear it and appreciate the wonderful properties of wool! They call it Wovember and it's a movement I can get behind. What's better than a beautiful wool garment? Not much. So grab a skein (or those wool socks nanny made you) and celebrate sheep, wool and the people who make it happen for us. 

pardon my messy yarn

If you're anything like me you're probably already eyeballs deep in winter or Christmas projects and while you're at it why don't you pick up some good old fashioned 100% real wool (or, if you're anything like me just pull some out of your never ending stash) and make a little something for yourself or someone else.


 I've been needing an excuse to make something for myself so I pulled out a couple of (4oz) skeins Of a wonderful wool my mother in law sent me for Christmas last year called heritage by Briggs and Little it is beautiful 100% Canadian (made in New Brunswick) real [like there were some bits of hay still in it] wool yarn. Apparently Briggs and Little is Canada's oldest woollen mill so yay! totally fitting! The pattern I decided to go for was this lovely hooded cowl/"infinity scarf"  from string with style.

WHAT is happening with my hair?

I'll admit that I altered the pattern, like I do with every pattern I use.. I used the same hook size and the same thickness of yarn as the pattern called for. I did add an extra row to the width of the piece, I like thick scarves- In fact now that it's finished I might go around the bottom of it once (or twice) more to make it even thicker.



  I also added an extra row or two to the hood and I made the entire project in one piece rather than fastening off, making a hood, sewing it together and then sewing it on. That seemed like a lot more work than my lazy butt had in mind.

 I just continued on with the first row of the hood on top of the last row of the scarf. It worked out rather well and I'm pretty pleased with the result. It's a nice fast project and will serve me well. Yay wool!

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.

Oh My Little Ponies!

she still needs her cutie mark

I loved  My Little Pony when I was a kid, I mean who didn't right? They're so cute and the show was seriously fun.

Of course we all know that our favorite (and some new) ponies made a comeback a few years ago with my little pony friendship is magic. I couldn't even believe that they got cuter. But they did.

Of course, little miss (and little guy) are super in love with the show and the lovable characters (we have many, many pony toys to prove it).

It's Pinky Pie!

Which is why, with my recent forays into toy making  I started looking for pony patterns (among other bits of geeky awesomeness), because you know, I'm the coolest mom ever. There are some pretty cute options out there for making little ponies, which are completely adorable, I can't wait to give them a try. I'm thinking they'll be great little stocking stuffers.

Lucky for me I found the mother of all stuffed pony patterns. Go. look. It's amazing. Like wow! So impressed by this one. It's clear, detailed and simple to follow and it just comes together like nothing. 

needs more stuffing and patience

I decided to try this pattern out for myself and made a pinky pie for my little ones. She's awesome. The kids are in love with it and so am I. I must admit she's wonky because I rushed through the pattern, I was just too excited to take my time. Which I didn't. At. All. It shows in the final construction of the pony. She's all wonky but the kids love her and did I mention how freakin excited I am about this pattern?! Seriously.Go. Make a pony.  I'm going to finish her cutie mark up and start another one for little man. So exciting! Such a wonderful pattern! 

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.