Chevron Circle Aghan

While casually browsing Ravelry for new inspiration, I came across a great free pattern for a chevron circle afghan.  It was super cute, the price was right (free), and I had been wanting to make a chevron afghan.  So I dove right in. :)

I chose gray and white since it is gender neutral and I love the way it looks together.  I got two 7 oz skeins in each color and grabbed my h hook as the pattern calls for, even though the idea of making a whole afghan with a hook that small made me cringe.

The afghan took about a week and a half to finish but keep in mind I was not chained to it the whole time.  I definitely took my time.  The first few stripes took no time at all but on the last stripe, each row felt like an eternity!

I love the end result!  I'll probably block it even though I never block anything but I think it will give it a good finished look.

Here is the link to the pattern. Definitely give it a try!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rainbow-ripple-baby-blanket

As always, happy crocheting!

Perfect Pot Scrubber

While at a craft fair a few years ago, my mom and I came across some crocheted pot scrubbers that were absolutely amazing.  Every year, we made it a point to go back to the same craft fair to the same vendor and buy our yearly scrubber rations.  After our pot scrubber source decided to stop making them, it left us with only two choices:  either find an acceptable store bought alternative or learn to make them ourselves.  If there is a good store bought alternative, I couldn't find it.  So I bought some supplies and tried it out.

First, you need netting.  While most fabric stores have it, the best deal I found is at Hobby Lobby for $1.29 a yard.  Buy 8 yards and cut it into strips by folding in half lengthwise and cutting on the fold.  You should be able to get 32 strips each about 2 inches wide and 8 yards long.  If you are thinking about cheating and buying a spool of tulle, you'll be very disappointed.  Tulle is entirely too soft.  You need the scratchy, stiff netting.  8 yards of netting will make approximately 16-20 pot scrubbers...way more than my yearly scrubber usage. :)

You will most likely use 2 strips in each scrubber.  When you are finished, weave in ends and hide on the inside.  Ready for the instructions?

Size K hook

Ch 2

Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, do not sl st to close - (6sc)

Row 2: 2 sc in each sc around - (12 sc)

Row 3: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times - (18 sc)

Row 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times - (24 sc)

Row 5: (sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times - (30 sc)

Row 6: (sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times - (36 sc)

Row 7: (sc in next 4 sc, dec over next 2 sc) 6 times - (30 sc)

Row 8: (sc in next 3 sc, dec over next 2 sc) 6 times - (24 sc)

Row 9: (sc in next 2 sc, dec over next 2 sc) 6 times - (18 sc)

Row 10: (sc in next sc, dec over next 2 sc) 6 times - (12 sc)

Row 11: (dec over next 2 sc) 6 times - (6 sc)

Weave in your ends and get to washing.  Be prepared to see some squeaky clean pots and pans!

Crochet Appliqué Crown

While looking through Pinterest, as that seems to be my nightly ritual, I noticed one of my friends found a blog containing the instructions for crocheting a Crown appliqué .  I immediately repinned it and pulled out my crochet hook and my metallic silver yarn (that I actually had on hand I might add).  Since it took a whole 3 minutes before I was working the pattern, I didn't even notice that the author of the pattern had written it in English terms and not American.  How many of you knew there was a difference...show of hands...I myself only found this out recently and I've been crocheting for (dare I actually say it) 26 years now.  After a quick google search to make sure I was translating it correctly, I made an absolutely beautiful crown.

Now what to do with it?  The pattern gave a few suggestions but all of them included sewing it to something else.  Since it was now 15 minutes after initially finding the pattern, I had nothing else made up to use.  I may crochet fast but I'm not a miracle worker.  It did look pretty cute on its own though.  After holding it up to my daughter's head and playing with the positioning, I decided to sew it to an elastic strap and voila...a super cute crown was able to sit perfectly on my daughter's sweet little head!

As a courtesy for everyone, I decided to translate the pattern into American terms.  Definitely check out the original blog though!  The author has some great pictures.  http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/commemorative-crocheted-crown/

Royal Baby Crown

Ch 13.

1st Row: Work 1 sc into 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc into ea ch across, ch 1 turn.

2nd Row: Work 1 dc into each sc across, ch 1 turn.

3rd Row: Work 1 sc into each dc across, turn.

4th Row: Sl st into first 2 sts, * ch 3, skip 1 st, work 1 sc into next st, rep from * 4 times, sl st into remaining last 2 sts, turn.

5th Row: Ch 6, work 1 dc into ch-3 loop, ch 4, work 1 dc into next ch-3 loop, ch 6, work 1 dc into next ch-3 loop, ch 4, work 1 dc into next ch-3 loop, ch 6, sl st into last st, turn.

6th Row: Work 6 sc into ch-6 loop, work 4 sc into ch-4 loop, work 4 sc, ch 3, 4 sc into ch-6 loop, work 4 sc into ch-4 loop, work 6 sc into ch-6 loop.

Fasten off.


Again, I am by no means trying to claim this pattern as my own.  I'm just trying to make it more accessible and spread this great pattern to more people!

As always, enjoy and happy crocheting!

Pea pod cocoon

You never know when inspiration is going to hit.  I randomly came across a picture of a crocheted cocoon yesterday that I absolutely loved!  It was made for twins and was absolutely precious.  Well I knew it would be perfect for a close friend of mine who is expecting twin girls.  So after I got off work yesterday, I ran to Joann's.  I had the exact yarn in mind for the project and boy was it my lucky day because it was on sale too!

After coming home with my perfect yarn, making dinner, playing with the kids, and putting them to bed, I had some time to sit down and work on it.  I didn't have a planned pattern, I just started crocheting and look at the result...

Hopefully my friend will be able to get some awesome pics of her precious little girlies in their pea pod.  Now I just need to write down my pattern before I forget it. :)

Minion Hat

I alway's make it a priority to celebrate every holiday to its fullest.  This year for the 4th of July, despite coming down with strep throat, I was determined to still have a great day.  After getting out for the local parade that morning, we took the kids to the theater to see Despicable Me 2.  I let my son wear his minion hat, even though it was scorching hot outside.  He was adorable!  Even a father in the theater asked where we got the hat.  I love watching the look on people's faces when I say that I made it. :)

Watching the movie and seeing how adorable my son was in his hat has inspired me to try to finish up the pattern.  I never realized how involved the hat is and how many different colors you need...yellow, black, white, grey, brown, red, and blue.  Crazy, huh?!  Who would have thought this cute little creature would be so involved!

I hope to finish the pattern soon but in the meantime, I brought the custom hat back to my etsy shop.  Check it out!  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/115320026/crochet-minion-inspired-hat-custom-made?ref=shop_home_active

Free Pattern - Knit Layette (Part 3)

I finally did it!  I made the sweater to go with this free pattern that I have been talking so much about!  It wasn't all smooth sailing...I did have some hiccups but WOW!  There is no denying that the end result is amazing!

I started this project on June 4, 2013.  I used Bernat Softee Baby in the soft peach color.  It took me a little longer to do the pattern than expected...mainly because I had some etsy orders I needed to finish up as well.  You can see the photo progression below...

I used size 1 needles for the ribbing to make it tighter around the foot, then switched to size 3 needles.

One leg done.

Both legs done and connected.

The torso is complete.

The shaping for the arm holes.

The arms are done.  I had to make a few changes...the pattern calls for you to seam it together once it is finished but I chose to knit in the round on double pointed needles.  I also made them longer.  The pattern suggests to increase 1 stitch every 4 rows until you reach 47 stitches for a newborn size.  At 7 inches, i still didn't have 47 stitches so I just had to stop because the sleeves would have been way too long.  As it was, I made them longer than the pattern called for.

The finished product!!!

Next time I make it, I think I will knit the legs in the round instead of doing the buttons down the legs.  I think I will also shorten the torso since it seemed a little long for a newborn size.  Lastly, I will make the arms a little wider.  All in all, it was a great pattern and I love the end result!

The Perfect Hat Sizing Guide

Would you like to know how to crochet hats into the perfect size every time?  It's actually pretty easy.

The first step is to check your gauge.  ALWAYS check your gauge!  Two yarns may be the same brand but even a different color dye can cause your yarn to work differently so always check even if you think you know it.

Once you know your gauge, you can calculate the number of stitches you need using easy math (well, I think it's easy but I'm also an accountant).  :)

The next step would be to know how many inches around you need to make your hat.  I use the size chart below to approximate head size...

Newborn - 15"

0-3 month - 16"

3-6 month - 17"

6-12 month - 18"

2T-4T - 19"

Child - 20"

Teen - 21"

Adult medium - 22"

Adult large - 23"

Crocheted hats are usually made 2 inches smaller than the head circumference.  Therefore, a newborn size hat will need to be 13".

Now you are ready to calculate the number of stitches.  If 3 single crochet are in 1 inch and you need a newborn size, calculate as follows...

3 x (15-2) = 39 single crochet

Easy, right?  Want to make an adult medium and you have 5 double crochet in 2 inches, it is a little tricker but still easy.  Divide your number of stitches by the number of inches...

5/2 x (22-2) = 50 double crochet

Now you know!  It's not magic, it's math!  Happy crocheting!