Jan 3-4, 2015 - Reversible Boot Cuffs

I have been wanting a pair of red boot cuffs so I looked in my stash and found a deep red Vanna's Choice yarn and thought, "Perfect!"  

I have a boot cuff pattern that I designed but I am always looking for new inspiration.  I searched Pinterest and found this free pattern!  I started doing the ribbing part of the pattern but my ribbing had hardly any stretch at all.  So I took it out and instead of double crocheting in the top of the sc below, I crocheted around the post, which gave it extra texture and stretch.

Once I got the length I needed, I matched up my ends and slip stitched to join instead of sewing them together.  At this point, I still didn't cut my yarn.  I single crocheted around the bottom edge of the cuff and started working the textured part of the cuff.  It took a few tries to get the sizing right but I finally got it.  I worked in the round to give it a clean look and slip stitched twice at the end for a smooth ending.

I love the end result and with the temp being below zero a few days already this month, they have come in handy!

Jan 1-2, 2015 - Crochet Slippers

I started off 2015 making slippers.  Here is the link to the slipper pattern!

I had made a pair once before but I wanted to revisit this pattern again.  When I went looking through my yarn stash, I pulled out a few different acrylic yarns (my usual go to yarn) but nothing was striking me.  The last pair I made was done in wool just like the pattern suggested but I didn't have much wool on hand.  I really didn't want to buy new yarn...after all, my goal was to work through my stash.  Finally I pulled out a cotton yarn and thought to myself, "Why not?"

So I dove right in!  Since my yarn was thicker (and I have fairly small feet) I adjusted the pattern down a little.  I chose an acrylic to go around the top and then finished it off with some buttons I have been saving for a rainy day.

So naturally, I am wearing them around the house this weekend and my 3 year old sees them.  She asked for a pair in pink.  Challenge accepted!

I scaled them down once more and used a smaller hook.  She didn't want a strap on hers.  Don't they look adorable?!

Let's Crochet Through 2015!!!

For Christmas 2013, I received a 2014 Crochet desk calendar (that I asked for) and immediately made the resolution that I would work every pattern in the calendar during 2014.

That year long commitment lasted for about a month.  I quickly found that I had no interest in making some of the projects, some I had seen or even attempted before, and several I was able to find FREE on the internet.

At some point in the middle of 2014, I had an epiphany...I have a ton of patterns that I have found free on the internet that I haven't had time to work on yet.  I should make my own crochet calendar!

Well here it is!  My 2015 crochet calendar

I created a Pinterest board with all the patterns I have found ABSOLUTELY FREE...no membership required.  I found 111 patterns that I will be working on throughout the year and I plan on blogging my journey (to keep me accountable)!  Anyone want to join me?

Spring Beanie Pattern

When I realized that I needed some lightweight hats for both my mom after completing her radiation treatments and a good friend of mine, who needed a biopsy on some spots on her brain, I decided to try using a sock yarn in hopes that it wouldn't be too hot as temperatures start warming.  I was really pleased with the end result so I decided to share the pattern in hopes that it might be able to help others going through the same thing.

Materials:

     Sock weight yarn - one skein

     Size E - 3.5 mm hook

     Yarn needle

     Button (if desired)

Gauge:

     21 stitches = 5 inches

Make a magic ring

 

Row 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), 11 dc in ring, sl st in top of ch 3 to close - (12 dc)

Row 2: ch 3, dc in first sp below, (2dc in next sp, dc in next sp) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (18 dc)

Row 3: ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (24 dc)

Row 4: ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (30 dc)

Row 5:  ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc) 5 times, dc in next dc, sl st to close - (36 dc)

Row 6: ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 5 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (42 dc)

Row 7:  ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 6 dc) 5 times, dc in next 2 dc, sl st to close - (48 dc)

Row 8: ch 3, dc in next 7 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 7 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (54 dc)

Row 9:  ch 3, dc in next 4 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 8 dc) 5 times, dc in next 3 dc, sl st to close - (60 dc)

Row 10: ch 3, dc in next 9 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 9 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (66 dc)

Row 11:  ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 10 dc) 5 times, dc in next 4 dc, sl st to close - (72 dc)

Row 12: ch 3, dc in next 11 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 11 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (78 dc)

Row 13:  ch 3, dc in next 6 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 12 dc) 5 times, dc in next 5 dc, sl st to close - (84 dc)

Row 14:  ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, (ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 3 dc) 20 times, ch 1, sl st to close - (21 ch 1 spaces)

Row 15:  sl st over to first sp, ch 3, 2 dc in sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp) 20 times, sl st to close

Rows 16-21:  repeat row 15

Row 22: sl st into 3rd dc in first 3 dc cluster, ch 3, 2 dc in sp, dc in next dc, skip next 4 dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in sp, dc in next dc, skip next 4 dc) 20 times, sl st to close - (84 dc)

Row 23:  ch 3, dc in each sp between dc around, sl st to close - (84 dc)

Repeat row 23 until hat measures 7 1/2 inches from top to bottom band.

I added a small, single layer flower and a button for detail.  You could choose to leave it plain and add hair clips, bows, pins, etc.

I wanted my hat to be light and airy; however, if you are making this for someone with very little to no hair, there are a few things to consider.  First, there are holes created in this pattern that might show scalp through.  Also with some cancer treatments, it is suggested to avoid sun exposure.  If your hat is for someone that falls under these conditions, you can choose to forego the shell patterned part and double crochet the whole hat.  Follow the increases at the beginning of the pattern then simply continue with dc at row 14.  This will create a tighter pattern in the hat allowing less sunlight through and make scalps less visible.

Enjoy!!!

Pattern #2 - Jan 3rd - 7th

When I first looked at this pattern, I hated it!  I thought this thing was ugly and I had absolutely no need for it.  So I decided to skip it in hopes that I could figure out how to alter it to make it cuter.

I worked pattern #3 then looked at the snowman again...nope, I still wasn't ready yet.  So I worked pattern #4 and then #5.  As much as I hated to admit it, I guess I procrastinated long enough.  I just had to start working on it.

I started by changing the main yarn used.  While the yarn itself is pretty, it is incredibly difficult to work with, especially on an amigurumi.  So I found a regular acrylic yarn that had a silver thread through it for a little sparkle.  After making the body of the snowman, I used black yarn to embroider the eyes, mouth, and buttons instead of using seed beads.  Then I took orange yarn to create a carrot nose since again, I hated the seed beads.  Plus now a baby could play with it and I wouldn't constantly worry about the chocking hazards.

Next, I decided to make a black derby hat instead of the stocking cap.  I planned on embellishing the hat but after I finished it, I realized that it didn't need it.  Lastly, I crocheted a simple scarf and put it all together.

The final result...still not my favorite pattern but I think it turned out much better than expected!

Pattern #1 - Jan 1st - 2nd

I was so excited when I saw the first pattern in the 2014 crochet calendar.  We are expecting baby #3 and as luck would have it, the first pattern was a baby blanket.  Not only that, we found out on Dec 30th that we were going to have a little girl so I knew exactly what color to use...PINK!!!  The pattern was, however, for a baby boy blanket done in a pretty pale blue but I couldn't get myself to make a blue blanket just 2 days after finding out we were having a girl.  It just wouldn't be right!

I immediately went to my local yarn store and found the exact brand of yarn the pattern called for in a pretty pink color.  There was only one problem...the pattern called for 4 skeins and there were only 3 skeins on the shelf.  So instead of bypassing my all time favorite color and choosing a different (less appealing) color, I decided that I could scale the pattern down a little and make 3 skeins work.

I started by making my initial chain shorter than what the pattern called for so that the finished blanket would still be in the right proportions.  Even after making the blanket smaller, the pattern still took me a total of 6 days to complete, which ate into my pattern #2 time.  In my defense, who can finish a whole afghan in 2 days while also working full time?  Please...

When I finished the afghan, I decided to add my own touch to it by sewing lace around the border to give it an even more girly touch.  I love the way it turned out and I know my little girl is going to look precious with it!

I will probably block it so that it lays nicely but I was anxious to show the end result.  What little girl wouldn't love this blanket?

2014 Crochet Calendar

For Christmas this year, I received a 2014 Crochet calendar from my wonderful husband (after a few hints from me) that has over 100 patterns throughout the year.  As I opened it a few days before the new year and started flipping through it, a crazy thought occurred to me...I could work each pattern as it came up so that by the end of the year, I will have worked them all.  Would I be just insane enough to give myself this challenge?  After all, I work full time, have an online shop on the side, have 2 toddlers at home, and am expecting baby #3 in May.  The answer is yes, I am that crazy.  So be prepared because the majority of my posts in 2014 will most likely be as I work through this calendar.  Wish me luck because even as I write this, I am already behind...