Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Coming Soon

December has been a very busy month for me.  Between the everyday craziness of having a toddler, my sixteen year old getting his temps (and braces), a craft fair, celebrating two of my children's birthdays (one of which is today), testing patterns for other designers and getting a two year old to take medicine for an ear infection, I still have to find the time to publish the two hat patterns I have been working on.

I never realized how much work goes into writing and releasing patterns until I started doing it myself.  For me, the easy part is the pattern itself.  I think the hard parts are the photos and tutorials that go along with the pattern.

Sometimes, something I think is pretty simple doesn't have the same clarity on "paper" and because I want my patterns to be as user friendly as possible, it takes longer for me to share them with you.

So, by Sunday, I will have at least one new pattern on the blog for you to enjoy... maybe even two :).

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Striping Up A Stormy Day

A few days ago, I blogged about Alexa's Stormy Day Slouch. It's sized for teens and adults. Today, I give you the toddler/child striped version of Alexa's hat.  Enjoy!!

Stormy Day Slouch
(I wish my toddler "model" would have held still long enough for a photo.)

Finished Size: Toddler(Child) measures 18"(19") wide and 18"(19") long.
Gauge: 5 rows x 8 st of sc in BLO makes 2" square (with an I hook)

Materials
Two colors of ww yarn ( I used ILTY and RHSS)
I hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
J hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
yarn needle

Abbreviations Used
BLO: back loop only
CC: coordinating color
CH: chain
DC: double crochet
DC3TOG: double crochet 3 together
DC4TOG: double crochet 4 together
HDC: half double crochet
MC: main color
REP: repeat
SC: single crochet
SLST: slip stitch
ST: stitch/stitches

Notes:

  • For this pattern, the dc4tog will be worked over two ch spaces. Work the first half of the dc4tog in the first ch space and the second half in the following ch space.
  • The joining slip stitch from the previous row is to be worked as a chain space. 
  • Color changes are done with the joining slip stitch.
  • Toddler instructions are listed first, with Child instructions in parentheses.

Instructions
Using I hook and MC
Row 1: Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 ch. (6 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Working in BLO, sc in each st across. (6 sc)
Row3-40(3-45):  Rep row 2.

Fold piece in half and slst BLO of row 40(45) to beginning ch loops of row 1.

Swith to J hook

Round 1: Working along the side of the brim just made, Ch 1. 2 sc in first row end, sc in next 4 row ends. *2 sc in next row end, sc in next 4 row ends*. Rep from * to * around, join with slst to first sc. [48,(54) st]
Round 2: Ch 1, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in first st, skip next st. *(Hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next st, skip next st*. Rep from * to * around. With CC, join with slst to first hdc. [24,(27) hdc groups]
Round 3: Ch 1, dc3tog in first ch space, ch 1, dc3tog in next ch space. Ch 1, dc3tog in next ch space*. Rep from * to * around. With MC, join with slst to first dc3tog. [24,(27) dc3tog]
Round 4: Ch 1, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in last ch space from the previous round. *(Hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch space*. Rep from * to * around. With CC, join with slst to first hdc. [24(27) hdc groups]
Rounds 5-12(5-14): Rep rounds 3 & 4
Round 13(15): Ch 1, dc4tog over first two ch spaces. *Ch 1, dc4tog over next two ch spaces, ch 1*. Rep from * to * around(child size, dc3tog over last 3 ch spaces). With MC, join with slst to first dc4tog. [12 dc4tog (12 dc4tog, 1 dc3tog)]
Round 14(16): Ch 1, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in last space from previous round. *(Hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch space*. Rep from * to * around. With CC, join with slst to first hdc. [12 (13) hdc groups]
Round 15(17): Ch 1,  dc4tog over first two ch spaces. *Ch 1, dc4tog over next two ch spaces, ch 1*. Rep from * to * around (child size, dc3tog over last 3 ch spaces), join with slst to first dc4tog. [6dc4tog (5 dc4tog, 1 dc3tog)].

Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail (about 10" long). With yarn needle, thread yarn through the top of the stitches from round 15. Cinch together and secure ends.


Monday, December 1, 2014

Alexa's Stormy Day Slouch

Today's post offers up yet another free pattern. I like making hats.  They work up quickly and there are just so many designs available! I designed this slouch hat with a very special girl in mind, Alexa. Alexa is a freshman at our high school and a month ago was diagnosed with cancer.

Pediatric cancer is a subject very close to my heart. In October of 2011, my oldest son was diagnosed with cancer (spinal PNET). He fought long and hard with more bravery than anyone else I have ever met. In September of 2013, he passed away at the age of 16. Just a few months later, a junior at our high school was diagnosed with cancer (DIPG). She lost her battle in May of 2014. Now Alexa has cancer.

Needless to say, I hate cancer and although I can't find a cure, I can make hats. I asked what kind of hats Alexa likes and designed something just for her. So, I give you Alexa's Stormy Day Slouch.



Finished Size: Teen/Adult measures 21" wide and 10" long.
Gauge: 5 rows x 8 st of sc in BLO makes 2" square (with an I hook)
Materials
ww yarn ( I used ILTY and RHSS)
I hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
J hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
yarn needle

Abbreviations Used
BLO: back loop only
CH: chain
DC: double crochet
DC3TOG: double crochet 3 together
DC4TOG: double crochet 4 together
HDC: half double crochet
REP: repeat
SC: single crochet
SLST: slip stitch
ST: stitch/stitches

Notes:

  • For this pattern, the dc4tog will be worked over two ch spaces. Work the first half of the dc4tog in the first ch space and the second half in the following ch space.
  • The joining slip stitch from the previous row is to be worked as a chain space. 


Instructions
Using I hook
Row 1: Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 ch. (6 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Working in BLO, sc in each st across. (6 sc)
Row3-50: Rep row 2.

Fold piece in half and slst BLO of row 50 to beginning ch loops of row 1.
Swith to J hook
Round 1: Working along one side of the ribbed brim just made, ch 1. 2 sc in first row end. Sc in next 3 row ends, *2 sc  in next, sc in next 4 row ends.* Rep from * to * around. Slst to 1st sc to join.(60 st)
Round 2: Ch 1, turn, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in first st, *skip next st, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next.* Rep from * to * around. Skip last st and join to first hdc with slst. (30 hdc groups)
Round 3: Turn, slst in first hdc, ch 1. Dc3tog in first ch space. *Ch1, dc3tog.* Rep from * to * around. Join to first dc3tog with slst. (30 dc3tog)
Round 4: Ch 1, turn, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in space between dc3togs from previous round.* Rep from * to * around. Join with slst to first hdc. ( 30 hdc groups)
Rounds 5-12: Rep rounds 3 & 4
Round 13: Turn, slst in first hdc, ch 1. Working in next two ch spaces, dc4tog, *Ch 1, dc4tog* Rep from * to * around Join with slst to first dc4tog. (15 dc4tog)
Round 14: Ch 1, turn, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in space between dc4togs from round 13.* Rep from * to * around, join with slst to first hdc. (15 hdc groups)
Round 15: Turn, slst in first hdc, ch 1. Working in next two ch spaces, dc4tog, *Ch 1, dc4tog* Rep from * to * 5 times. Dc in last ch space, join with slst to first dc4tog. Fasten off, leaving a 10 inch tail.

With a yarn needle, thread long tail through the top of stitch from round 15, then pull to cinch the hat closed. Secure the yarn and weave in all ends.

I've added the link for this pattern to Ravelry. So, you can add it to your queue/favorite it now and keep it saved for later!

Up next on my blog will be the toddler & child striped versions of Alexa's Stormy Day Slouch!



Friday, November 21, 2014

What To Do With Mystery Yarn

     I love yarn. I love the way it feels. I love the way it looks.  I love how some have a beautiful sheen and how some has the best "squish factor". Sometimes, I find the best little treasures in plastic packaging with little more than the actual weight of the yarn in the package. This is mystery yarn. From what I have read online, (yes I have researched this stuff), it is called mill ends. I find most of mine at Joann's in a REALLY big bin and I dig in like the craziest dumpster diver looking for whatever catches my eye.

     Several months back, I found this gorgeous bundle of orange/yellow yarn. I had no idea what I would do with it but I knew I had to have it. It has a subtle shine and is super soft. It came home with me and sat in my stash because I just didn't know what it was supposed to be.  Yes, I sometimes think yarn is meant for a specific project.

(There were six skeins in the bundle. I used two.)

     Before I could figure this out though, I had to figure out its yarn weight.  So, I went googling and came across this post on Craftsy. Bingo! I wrapped my yarn and figured out that I was going to be working with a dk weight when I finally figured out what to do with it.

     The other day, I was perusing one of my stitch dictionaries, (those puppies are right up there with yarn, hooks and needles in my book by the way), the Crochet Stitch Dictionary by Sarah Hazell. I saw the perfect one and knew this stitch would give a scarf nice drape and the colorway of the yarn wouldn't be too busy for the scallops.

This is the progress after fifteen minutes or so of crocheting.  It works up very quickly :).



 Here's the finished scarf.  I think I'm going to have to make another and sew the two ends together.  It will make a gorgeous infinity scarf, too.



What materials and tools do you need for this scarf? Honestly, the possibilities are endless. I used about 2.75 oz of dk weight yarn and an I hook but you can make it out of worsted, bulky or chunky yarn. My scarf is 5 inches wide and about 5 feet long.  You can find the FREE pattern here in my Ravelry shop!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Sweet Seeds Cowl

I love projects that work up quickly and working with super bulky yarn is perfect for this pattern.  The Sweet Seeds Cowl is a knit pattern done with super bulky yarn (I used Lion Brand Hometown) and a size fifteen circular needle. In just a couple of hours, you can whip up one of these one size nearly anyone cowls! You can find the pattern in my Ravelry shop and best of all... it's FREE!

sweet seeds cowl

Sweet seeds cowl

Monday, November 17, 2014

Gauge is Good. Gauge is your Friend.

Let me start out by saying I have been crocheting for more than twenty years and up until about a year (or so) ago, I never used gauge.  Yes, I saw it on patterns but I just blew right past it.  It wasn't until I started pattern testing for another designer that I stopped myself right in my own tracks.  Gauge? What was the point? Just a waste of time I could be using to work on the actual project, right? Oh, how wrong I was.  Figuring out which size hook/needle would obtain the right size stitches opened my eyes to a mysterious problem that had been nagging me for a very long time.

Many years ago, I wanted to crochet some gloves.  So, I started on it. I got all of my necessary tools and yarn just like the pattern listed.  I made the gloves and they looked just right..... well, almost.  Had they been for a giant, they'd have been absolutely perfect. Those suckers were huge!! I could not understand what had happened.  I followed the pattern to a "T" and all of my stitch counts were correct but I had still done something wrong, I just didn't know what. 

As the years went by, I continued to crochet (or knit) and most of the time my finished projects turned out just fine.  Every so often, I'd end up with a bigger than it should be blanket or sweater and sometimes, a smaller than I planned hat.  However, I just kept on trucking and forgot about those not quite right items. It wasn't until I actually stopped at that word, GAUGE, that everything became so clear and the mystery unraveled.  Now, I know about gauge, how very pertinent it is to a pattern and I always use the right hook to obtain that gauge.

If you want to know more about gauge, Lion brand has a nice little FAQ about it right here.

By the way, if I had a picture of those enormous gloves I would post it but that was before camera phones, digital cameras, etc. :)