Newborn Newsboy Cap

My BFF asked me to make her a hat for her soon to be born baby boy. This is the first boy in our circle of friends so I searched for just the right pattern. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be perfect so I emailed it to my friend and she agreed.



Isn't that the cutest hat you've ever seen?? Wait....to give you an idea of just how small it is I enlisted Stephanie's doll Lucy to model the hat for your viewing pleasure.




I usually love to search for free patterns but there are times when I find a pattern that I love and I'm will to pay for it. Once again I have gone to Speckled Frog Crochet and could not be happier. The patterns are very clearly written and I like that she has instructions to make this Newsboy Cap in sizes newborn through 3 years.

I can't wait for Baby Boy G to be born and to see him wearing his hat! Now I just need to work on his blanket.

Infinity Scarf

My friend came to visit me a couple of weeks ago and she was wearing an infinity scarf and I loved it. I hate to buy stuff when I can make it myself at home for a lot cheaper. I went online and looked up some patterns but didn't *love* anything that I saw so I decided to wing it and came up with this.



I originally wanted to join my chain with a slip stitch and just continue to crochet around but the chain kept on twisting so I abandoned that idea and just slip stitched the two ends together.





Infinity Scarf

Yarn: 2 skins of Red Heart Soft (I used Wheat)
Hook Size: I - 9

Chain 200
Row 1: Half double crochet in second chain from hook across.
Row 2: Chain 2, turn, working in back loops only half double crochet in each half double crochet across.
Repeat Row 2 until the scarf reaches desired width. I did about 20 rows.

Finishing: If you prefer you can sew the ends together using a yarn needle or you can slip stitch the ends together like I did.


I am working on another version of this scarf and will post again in a few days.

Crochet Pinafore

Isn't this the cutest dress ever??



My friend Toni is expecting her third daughter any day now and I wanted to make something special. I went on the craft message board and asked for ideas for a newborn gift.

One lady directed me to her blog Crafts for Lily. She made the Angel Wings Pinafore for her daughter and I knew that this is what I wanted to make. The pattern is for newborn to 3 months. It can be used as a dress and then once the baby is bigger as a peasant like top.

It is surprisingly easy to make and it works up fast. I have already bought yarn to make one for Stephanie and Eva. I will post pics when I'm done!

Crochet Newsboy Cap

I know that I've mentioned it before but I'll say it again...I love to make hats. Love looking for patterns, love buying yarn and love to make hats. I usually look for free patterns to use and will sometimes browse through Etsy for pattern inspiration and color combinations. But on my latest search for a new hat to make I decided to actually pay for a pattern.

I like to think that I am good at reading patterns and following directions. However, when it comes to adjusting an already existing pattern to make it bigger or smaller I have trouble. My brain completely shuts down. I need to follow directions. So when I saw that a pattern was for sale for a crochet newsboy cap sizes 12 months to adult large I went for it! I loved the hat and loved that I could make it for the babies, my 12 year old and for myself. I could even make one for the man if I thought he'd wear it.

I've already made one for my oldest daughter and it was so easy so I started to make another one right away.






I would love to share the pattern with you but it wouldn't be fair to the lovely lady who created this pattern. If you'd like to make this hat or one of the other lovely patterns that she has for sale go to Speckled Frog Design & Boutique. Cyprianne was great to work with and when I had a question about the pattern I emailed her and she replied immediately. I plan on buying another pattern soon.

Crochet Flowers

Since I began crocheting hats I've been searching for a pattern for a flower that I love. I think that this is finally the one. But I will of course keep my eyes open for new patterns.

I've mentioned before that my middle daughter Stephanie will not keep a hat on her head. I've made her several hats in different styles and colors but its a no go. My oldest will only wear hats in the winter but they'd better not have any flowers on them. Or be too girly.

So that leaves my sweet baby girl Eva. She's too little to complain although I did have to keep Stephanie away from her to take these pictures because she was trying to pull them off of her head.



I like the off white/pink combo for spring and it should go with most of her outfits.

I posted the pattern for the hat before but I wanted to post the pattern for the flower. It's a variation of a couple of different patterns. I like how it overlaps a bit.




5 Petal Layered Flower

CH 5. Form a loop.

1. SC CH 3. 5 times in loop.

2. SL ST in LP. CH 3, 9 DC, SC in previous round. 10 DC in next LP, SC in previous LP. Continue around 3 more times, SC and SL ST in beg CH.

To attach it I used a yarn needle and some yarn that is the same color as the flower to sew it down. Make sure to not sew down the layered parts. It looks much nicer to see it kind of sticking up.

I really hope that this pattern makes sense. I've never written a pattern before so I looked at other patterns online to see how it should be written.

Cute Baby Booties

I'm not really a fan of cutesie baby stuff. Ruffles and lace are not really my thing. While I was searching online for some cute boots to crochet for Eva, I came across tons of patterns for booties that were far too cutesie and girly for my tastes until I found these booties. I was a little intimidated at first because I had never crocheted booties before but these were suprisingly very simple and quick to work up. The pattern is from Bernat but I used Caron Simply Soft.



Eva wearing her new booties.



BABY'S BOOTIES

SIZES
To fit infant 3 (6-12) mos.

Size 4 mm (U.S. G or 6) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ).
Cuff: Ch 16.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 15 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. Working in back loops only, 1 sc in each sc across.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 6 (6¼-6½) ins [15 (16-16.5) cm], ending with a RS row. Do not turn.
Foot: 1st row: (RS). Ch 1. Work 23 (25-27) sc evenly along long edge of Cuff. Turn.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Fasten off.

Instep: 1st row: With RS of work facing, miss first 7 (8-9) sc. Join yarn with sl st to next sc. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. 1 sc in each of next 8 sc. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked. 9 sc.
2nd to 4th rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
5th row: Ch 1. Draw up a loop in each of next 2 sts. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook – sc2tog made. 1 sc in each of next 5 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 7 sts. Fasten off.
Sew back seam.

Foot: 1st rnd: With RS of work facing, join yarn with sl st at center back. Ch 2 (counts as hdc). 1 hdc in each of next 6 (7-8) sts, 7 hdc down side of instep, 2 hdc in corner sc, 5 hdc across end of instep, 2 hdc in corner sc, 7 hdc along other side of instep, 1 hdc in each of next 7 (8-9) sts. Join with sl st in top of ch 2. 37 (39-41) hdc.
2nd rnd: Ch 2 (counts as hdc). *Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next st at back of work inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice – 1 dcbp made. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
3rd rnd: As 2nd rnd.
4th rnd: Ch 1. Sc2tog over first 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 14 (15-16) sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in next st. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 14 (15-16) sts. Sc2tog over last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first st. 33 (35- 37) sc.
5th rnd: Ch 1. Sc2tog over first 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 12 (13-14) sc. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in next sc. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 12 (13-14) sc. Sc2tog over last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first st. 29 (31- 33) sts.
6th rnd: Ch 1. Sc2tog over first 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 10 (11-12) sc. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in next sc. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 10 (11-12) sc. Sc2tog over last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first st. 25 (27- 29) sts.
7th rnd: Ch 1. Sc2tog over first 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 8 (9-10) sc. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in next sc. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 8 (9-10) sc. Sc2tog over last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first st. 21 (23-25) sts.
Fasten off.
Sew sole seam.

Granny Skull Cap

I am always searching for new patterns to make hats. I made these for Stephanie to go with her fall jacket. Unfortunately she will not keep a hat on her head but my friends saw the hat and loved it and requested some for their own kids.

For the hats above I used Lion Brand Cotton Ease and it was really nice and stretchy. I've also made it with Caron Simply Soft (my go to yarn) and have also had great results. I tend to crochet kind of tight so I had to modify the pattern a bit to make it work for me and the different sizes I was making.

Below is the original pattern and in pink you will see any changes that I made. Since everyone crochets differently my adjustments may or may not work for you. This is a cute and fun hat to make and best of all it works up very quickly!

The link will bring you to the site where I originally found the pattern.

Granny Skull Cap

Ch 4, join with sl st to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), 2 dc inside ring, ch 1, (3 dc in ring, ch 1) 3 times, join to third ch of beg ch 3. (12 dc, 4 ch 1 spaces)
Rnd 2: Sl st in next dc, Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, skip next dc, 3 dc in next dc, ch 1) around, 3 dc in last ch 1 sp, ch 1, join to third ch of beg ch 3. (24 dc, 8 ch 1 spaces)
Rnd 3: Repeat rnd 2. (48 dc, 16 ch 1 spaces)
Rnd 4: Sl st in each of the next 2 dc and in next ch sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1) around, join to third ch of beg ch 3.
Rnd 5-11: Repeat rnd 4 7 MORE times for a total of 11 rnds.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in each dc and in each ch sp around, join to first sc.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Attach favorite flower or rose to front side of skull cap.

Toddler - Size G Hook - follow the pattern as is but add an extra row of sc.
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in sc around, join to first sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Child - Size H Hook - follow the pattern as is up to Rnd 5. Add 2 more rows.
Rnd 5-13: Repeat rnd 4 9 MORE times for a total of 13 rnds.
Rnd 14: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in each dc and in each ch sp around, join to first sc.
Rnd 15: Ch 1, sc in sc around, join to first sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Adult - Size I Hook - follow the pattern as is up to Rnd 5. Add 4 more rows.
Rnd 5-15: Repeat rnd 4 11 MORE times for a total of 15 rnds.
Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in each dc and in each ch sp around, join to first sc.
Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in sc around, join to first sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Toddler Hoodie Sweater

This is the very first (and so far the only) sweater I have ever crocheted. What a pain in the butt! I usually crochet hats, blankets and scarves so having to shape armholes was a bit of a challenge for me since I'd never done it before. It would have been a lot easier if I had someone I could ask for help. All in all it came out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. I bought the buttons in Michael's. I wanted something fun and not just plain old buttons.

I'm not actively searching for more sweater patterns to crochet. I proved to myself that I could do it after wanting to quit and make something else. But I think that I'll stick to what (I think) I do best and actually enjoy making. My only regret is not making it bigger so that Stephanie could get more use out of it. I'll just have to wait until Eva can fit into it.

For you more adventurous and skilled crocheters, here is the link to the pattern.

http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=272&cps=21191

Baby Bubbles Afghan

I love this baby afghan. I made it when I was pregnant with my second daughter, Stephanie. It is very pretty but a lot of work. I used it in all of Stephanie's monthly pictures. I originally got the pattern from The Rag Shop website several years ago and when I wanted to make the blanket the pattern was no longer available since The Rag Shop closed. Thankfully I found a copy that I had printed out and I typed up the pattern and saved it to my computer.


Baby Bubbles Afghan

Materials: Caron Simply Soft: 18 oz. White (Color A), 6 oz. each Soft Pink (Color B), Soft Blue (Color C), Soft Yellow (Color D), and Soft Green (Color E).

PLEASE NOTE: Yarn usage may vary depending on your particular yarn techniques.

Needles: Size H crochet hook or size to reach gauge below.

Gauge: 3 clusters and 4 sc = 2”

Finished Measurements: approximately 35” x 42”

Sts Used:

Cluster (cl) ~ * yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, draw thru 2 loops on the hook, repeat 3 more times, yarn over, draw thru 5 loops on hook.

Color Sequence: *2 rows Color A, 2 rows Color B, 2 rows Color A, 2 rows Color C, 2 rows Color A, 2 rows Color D, 2 rows Color A, 2 rows Color E, repeat from * for sequence. Color A can be carried up the length of the afghan.

To begin chain 104, with Color A (white).

Row 1: Single Crochet in 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across, chain 1 and turn.

Row 2: Right side: single crochet in first stitch, * work cluster (cl) in next single crochet, single crochet in next 2 single crochet, rep from * across, chain 1, turn.

Row 3: Single crochet in each stitch across.

Row 4: Single crochet in first 2 single crochet, work cluster in next single crochet, * single crochet in the next 2 single crochet, cluster in next single crochet, rep from * across to last single crochet, single crochet in last stitch, chain 1 and turn.

Row 5: single crochet in each single crochet across.

Repeat color sequence 7 times, ending 2 rows A, 2 rows B, 2 rows A. Finish off. Weave in ends.

EDGING
Row 1: Attach Color A in top right corner, work (single crochet, chain 1, single crochet) 3 times, * skip 1 stitch, single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, in next stitch, repeat from * to the corner, work (single crochet, chain 1, single crochet) 3 times in corner, skip the first row, single crochet, chain 1, single crochet in the second row, repeat from * to the corner. Work the other 2 sides to correspond.

Row 2: Work single crochet, chain 1, single crochet in each chain 1 stitch space. Finish off.