Modern Take on the Granny Square

Is it me, or is the granny square (kind of) back in?

Just me? Well anyway,

I wanted to work on a new project awhile back (while pregnant) that I could do sitting/laying down/being lazy

and also that I could pick up and bring with me anywhere.

I toyed with the idea of doing a hexy quilt like Jodi… but you know… it seemed a little too daunting at the time, so I landed on this granny square afghan. 

My inspiration and granny square pattern came from this post of a BEAUTIFUL rainbow blanket by Tangled Happy.

You can find the crochet pattern here.

I should also mention that the inspiration blanket was made with really gorgeous purl soho fibers, and you can even buy a kit here.

But here is my take on it.

I used a thicker yarn and larger needle and used fewer colors, opting out of the pinks and purples since I wanted to use this in the boys' room.

My fiber choice was Vickie Howell's "sheepish" collection by Caron.

They are nice bold colors and super soft.

The inside of the squares are the following colors: Gunmetal, Grey, Navy, Robin Egg, Turquoise, Teal, Red, Coral, Pumpkin, Yellow, Olive, Chartreuse, and Lime.

The border of each square is White (which is really an off white). I also used that to crochet my squares together.

This turned out to be a fairly large blanket. I hate it when blankets don't cover your whole self.

So all in all I used about two skeins of each color, and a heck of a lot of the white (I lost count, but maybe around 9 or 10?).

As mentioned above, I love granny squares because they're portable. Just my yarn and a crochet hook (size H/8-5.00mm), and I was set. You also don't have to bring the whole project with you to keep working.

I'm stoked with the way it turned out.

It just invites you to relax and have some more coffee, am I right?

Speaking of…

Until next time!

Downton Abbey Knit Along {and Pattern Review}

I saw the teaser for Luv In the Mommyhood's

Downton Abbey Knit Along

a couple of weeks ago, and I wasn't going to do it.

I really wasn't.

Too much going on....

But then on TOP of the teaser,

Shannon posted (via a Pinterest board) many a Downton inspired knit and crocheted projects,

and I saw this:

photo credit and pattern

I die.

Here's my finished product

Soooooo..... I'm in.

Put Meg down for one crocheted cowl, please.

because, yes, I need another cowl.

I have to be competely honest with you all, though...

We're only one episode in, and in my excitement...

I already finished.

In my defense, it was a 2 hour ep... sooo....

I know, I know. Less of a "knit along" and more of an "I just knit that".

Oh well. What are you gonna do?

The good news is

I. Love. This.

Love the yarn.

Love the pattern.

Very very simple and quick thanks to all of the negative space that makes this cowl look lacey.

It's a less than one skein project (hooray!)

The one con I can think of:

not exactly practical for Pittsburgh winter... but Spring Still Winter is just around the corner, right?

I believe that the yarn in the pattern is an acrylic.
I chose a natural wool because I don't always like how some acrylics are "slippery" when you're working with them.
You'll see right off the bat that there are some pros to working with an acrylic yarn for this pattern.
Because it's smoother, it lays a little more nicely (see pattern pic above).
You can also see the stitches more clearly, giving the pattern a more gentile, lacey look.

And here's some pics from the unintentionally
patriotic photo shoot

The wool is stiffer, which I don't mind at all.
It also has a rougher feel, which I also don't mind.
While I love the look of the pattern's pic, I don't know that I'll be wearing mine with a tank, so the wool will not really be against my skin.

To get this crochet pattern, click here.

Highly recommend.

To check in to the knit along and see what everyone else is up to, click this there button below.


Flower Newborn Hat {Crochet Pattern}

Wow! A lot of you have been trying out the newborn slippers,

and I'm so glad to hear it.

Always nice to know that I'm not typing all this out for my own sake

(although I guess that would be fine too).

 

And many of you have asked for the pattern for the matching hat.

Welp! Here it is!

 

If you've made the slippers, you'll find this hat super easy.

 

This is the size of hat that I give for moms-to-be at showers,

and I call it a "newborn" hat,

but those of you that know anything about newborn heads

know that they can vary greatly,

but no worries!

I think you'll find that this pattern is easy to add/subtract stitches to make the size you need.

 

So here we go:

 

I use a medium weight 100% cotton yarn and a 5 mm (size J) crochet hook.

*This one is Bernat 'Cottontots' in White and Pretty in Pink

 

I like the cotton because it's good for sensitive skin and it's nice and soft.

Cotton fibers don't stretch quite as much as some others, but if you've not worked with 100% cotton before, you'll acclimate quickly. I promise.

 

Abbreviations:

st- stitch

ch- chain

sc- single crochet

hdc- half double crochet

dc- double crochet

bpsc- back post single crochet

sl st- slip stitch

 

With Color A (mine was white), chain 3 and join to make a loop.

*you'll be making the hat by working around and around this loop.

Round 1: ch 2, 10 hdc in loop, sl st to join. (10 st)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around, sl st to join. (20 st)

Round 3: ch 2, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, continue in this manner around, sl st to join. (30 st)

Round 4: ch 2, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 st, continue in this manner around, sl st to join. (40 st)

Rounds 5 through 10- ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st to join.

Rounds 11 through 12- switch to Color B (mine was pink), ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st to join. bind off.

 

With Color B (for flower), chain 3, join making a loop.

*you'll also be working in the round for the flower.

Round 1: ch 1, 10 sc in the loop, sl st to join to your first sc.

Round 2: ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3, skip 1 sc, sc in the next st (one petal), continue around in this manner to make 5 petals total. For your last petal, after you ch 3, sl st to the first sc to join.

Round 3: ch 1, 5 dc in loop, ch 1, sl st in next sc, continue in this manner around for all 5 petals.

Round 4: ch 1, bpsc around the post of the sc from round 2, ch 5, continue in this manner around for 5 back petals. sl st to join.

Round 5: ch 1, 8 dc in the loop, ch 1, sl st in the next sc, continue in this manner around for all 5 back petals. bind off.

 

Attach your flower to your hat and weave in your ends.

Done and done!

 

 



Crocheted Mickey Mouse [Pattern Review]

So I promised some of you that I would have this up yesterday, but then I fell down some stairs (I wish I was kidding), slightly injured my tailbone,

and the thought of sitting at my desk literally made me throw up in my mouth.

I know. You don't care, so here's the actual post:

I got a request for a crocheted Mickey Mouse a week or so ago,

and thought it would be fun, so what the hey.

Only problem was, I've been waaaaay too busy with saint dolls to sit down and work out the pattern myself.

Luckily for me, I found this gem.

I mean, come on... the tail!

This Etsy shop has a TON of crochet patterns for all of your favorite characters

(I'm basically coveting this Paddington Bear),

and if they're half as nice as this one for Mickey,

I would highly recommend them.

This guy turned out great, thanks to some really clear instructions and simple crochet stitches.

While it's perhaps not for the crochet beginner,

it's not as difficult as it looks,

and if you can follow a simple pattern,

know your single, double, half double, and single decreases,

you are good. to. go.

The pattern maker hails from Hong Kong, but the directions were in perfect English

and although I wasn't able to use the exact yarn and hook size she uses,

it still came out great.

This was due largely to the fact that she uses measurements by stitch count and not just centimeters.

Therefore, I'm fairly certain that you can adjust this pattern to any size by changing the weight of the yarn and using the appropriately sized hook.

Body Parts. Creepy.

Anywho, here are some pics of how it all came together.

Facial Parts. Also kind of creepy.

Now he's coming together.

Almost finished.

*I was in no way compensated for this review. I paid for it fair and square, so you can be sure of my unbiased opinion, and it is just that... an opinion. I simply found this pattern, tried it, liked it, and and now recommending it. :)

See ya next time, folks!

DIY Crocheted Turkey Hat

It's October.

Which means it's almost November.

Which means that I've already started Christmas gifts... awhile ago actually.  

But before I start sharing all of that with you,

I thought I would share this crocheted turkey hat for Thanksgiving.

 

I got an order for a Thanksgiving baby hat, and I just had to make one of these guys.

You've probably seen them around, especially if you're a Pinterester.

 

Yarn:

Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Cocoa and Fisherman.

 

Hook:

Crochet Hook I/9- 5.50 mm

 

I used this pattern for the drumsticks.

 

Side note: she has some pretty cute patterns for crocheted toy food it you're a fan of that. I am personally more into felt food, but different strokes. :)

 

Your turkey leg should look a little something like this.

I did change the pattern just a hair, though.

At Row 14, I changed from my Cocoa yarn to the Fisherman.

Row 14: BPSC (back post single crochet) i,n every other SC around. *This will help separate your "meat" from your "bones".

Row 15: SC in each stitch around.

Row 16: 2 SC in each st around.

Row 17: decrease around in spirals until you have 1 stitch left. Bind off and hid your ends.

 

*don't forgot to stuff and shape as you go.

 

 

After I made two drumsticks, I made a simple baby hat, and then attached my turkey's drumsticks to the sides with a yarn needle.

 

Simple simple.

Happy Way Way Early Thanksgiving!

Crocheted Newborn Slippers

I got an order a couple of days ago for some newborn slippers and hat.

Sounds pretty simple (and it eventually turned out to be).

After all, I have made plenty of slippers before,

but not newborn.

I was a little stumped on the sizing,

until I remembered that I had Ben's footprint from moments after he was born.

It's hard for me to believe that his feet were ever that small,

but there it is: proof.

From there, I was able to re size my pattern fairly easily to make these happen.

So small... sigh...

Anyway, scroll all the way down to find the pattern if you're interested,

and please let me know if anything is unclear

so I can correct it.

For those of you who don't crochet,

I'll be having these "take home" sets available in my Etsy shop in the coming weeks.

And Maria, if you're reading this:

thanks for the order

(and the motivation to figure these slippers out),

and more importantly, CONGRATULATIONS.

:)

Newborn Slippers Crochet Pattern:

Abbreviations:

CH- chain stitch

SL ST- slip stitch

SC- single crochet

HDCD- half double crochet decrease

For the Slippers:

I used a medium weight (4) 100% cotton yarn and a US H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook.
(please note that I reversed the colors for the pictures below, using pink for the slipper and white for hte flower)

*This has been edited and I've added pictures since the original post due to so many comments that y'all were having a difficult time. Thanks for letting me know!
And special shout out to my reader, Katelin, who helped me immesely by simplifying the pattern! I hope it helps!

CH 10
 

Row 1: Skip first chain, SC in next 8 chains, 3 SC in final chain.

 

turn,*you're now going to SC in next 7 st along the back side of the chain,

2 SC in last st. SL ST to join.

Row 2: CH1, SC in next 8 st

2 SC in next st, SC 1, 2 SC in next st

SC in next 8 st, 2 SC in last st, SL ST to join.

Row 3: CH1, SC in next 9 st, 2 SC in next st, SC in next st, 2 SC in next st, SC in next 9 st, 2 SC in next 2 sts, SL ST to join.
 

 

Row 4: CH 1, SC in the BACK of each st around (see pic below), SL ST to join (you will have 27 sts total).

See the two threads that you would normally stitch through?
You're just going to stitch through the back one.

See?

You'll now have the sole of the slipper with a little rim around the bottom.

Starting to take shape, yes?

Row 5: CH 1, SC in next 12 st, 2 HDCD (half double crochet decrease) over next 4 st
*this means you're going to be decreasing by 2,
over the four stitches at the "toe", yarn over, pull a loop through the first sc, yarn over, pull a loop through the second sc, yarn over and pull through ALL of the loops on your hook (then repeat once for the next 2 sc stitches),
SC in the next 11 sts, SL ST to join.

so now you should have a toe shape

 

Row 6: CH 1, SC in next 11 sts, 2 HDCD over next 4 st, SC in next 10 st, SL ST to join, tie off and weave in ends.
 

tah dah!

Repeat to make a second slipper.

For the Flower:

CH 4, join to make a large loop.

Within that loop, SC 1, CH 3, SC 1 into loop, CH 3, SC 1 into loop, CH 3, SC 1 into loop, CH 3, SC 1 into loop, CH 3, SL ST to first SC (five petals).

Tie off, using left over tails to attach the flower to the slipper where ever you want it. Weave in ends.

Again, I hope that's clear!

Let me know if you have questions. :)

***This just in: the pattern for the Flower Newborn Hat is up! To take a gander, click here!***

Bunny Ears

I'm pretty new to the blogging scene, so I'm just now figuring something out,

and that is this:

If you want to have a tutorial up for a holiday/season,

you have to allot enough time beforehand to plan it, make it, photograph it, and write up the how to

not only before that holiday/season, but with enough time for your readers to make it themselves before that holiday/season. duh.

This, however, is much easier said than done.

But I'm trying...

It's Lent.

It's the beginning of Lent.

And I've started making things for Easter.

For my fellow Catholics out there, you perhaps already understand my dilemma.

My heart is torn between being liturgically appropriate and being prepared craft-wise.

I am most likely being a bit dramatic.

I did make my Jesse Tree Advent Calendar before Advent (barely finished in time), and didn't feel weird about it.

I guess I'm feeling differently about Lent and Easter.

Not-so-great-segue to...

the new Bunny Hats that I'm selling in my Etsy shop.

Maybe you notice that I'm tip-toeing around my dilemma by making a bunny item.

Bunnies have little to nothing to do with the liturgical celebration of Easter, the Feast of the Risen Christ.

But I know a lot of you are into the bunny thing,

and who doesn't love a baby item, any baby item, with ears on it???

I, personally, am a fan... of the ears.

So I thought I would share how I made the bunny ears.
They are really simple and you can pretty much stick them on any hat
or anything you want.

For my hats, I used Bernat Cottontots in Very Berry and Bright White

Bunny Ears:

Color A- middle of ear (like pink for many bunny enthusiasts)

Color B- outside of ear and the rest of the hat

With Color A yarn chain 16 stitches.






Turn, skip one link,









and single crochet in each stitch.








Continue all the way around the back of work.

Chain 2









and single crochet along the other side.







Keep going all the way to the end.

Knot and set aside.

You'll obviously be needing two, one for each ear.

With Color B yarn, chain 18 stitches. Turn and single crochet around the back of work. Chain 2 and single crochet along the other side.

Chain 3.
It should be just like your Color A piece, but a tad longer.

Sandwich your Color A and Color B pieces together so the stitches line up.

You are now going to crochet the two pieces together along the side using a double crochet in each stitch.

Keep going around the top, making sure to catch both A and B pieces, and then back down the other side.

Knot and set aside.

Repeat with the second pieces, again, because bunnies have two ears.

Using a yarn needle, sew your ears onto your hat.

Tip: If you curve the bottom of the ear (the end that meets the hat), it will stand up better for a perky-eared bunny.

Like I said, you can stick these ears on anything for an increased cuteness factor.
I just made one of my standard baby hats.
Clean and simple.