Friday, February 26, 2016

Crochet Bunny Ears on Wooden Teething Rings


I made fabric versions of these Wooden Teething Rings and saw a post on Instagram using crochet pieces. How cool! So of course I had to make it myself. Dustin is teething. It seems like all of his molars are coming in! Poor baby!


Sunday, February 21, 2016

Crochet Cabled Slouchy Hat


After following several patterns for a cabled crochet hat, I decided to come up with one myself. 



Update: This pattern is for intermediate level.

Materials:

Yarn - I used Red Heart Love in Minty
Crochet Hook - I used 5mm even though the yarn called for a 6.5mm
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Pom Pom maker (or make by hand)



Slip Knot
Back Loops (bl)
Chain Stitch (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)
Slip Stitch (sl st)

Pattern:

1. Starting with a slip knot, Chain 11 

2. Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in the remaining chains, ch 1 & turn (10 sts)

3. Single crochet in the back loops ONLY (BLO) in each of the 10 stitches, ch 1 & turn (10 sts)

4. Repeat (3) until desired length is reached - Mine was 60 rows. My head is 21.5 inches but after I wrapped the piece around my head at the length I want, It was 18 inches laying flat (it's stretchy)

5. Sl st the 2 short ends together to form a band - Sl st through one look only (inside loop). Flip band over (whichever side shows less visibility for the seam) Ch 2 

Ch 2 at beginning of each round does not count as a dc

6. *1 dc in each of the next 14 st, 2 dc in the next (15th). Repeat from * all the way around for a total of 64 dc around the band. Sl st into the top of the first dc (not ch 2). Ch 2

You will need sets of 8 for each cable stitch (6 makes the cables plus 2 hdc). Since I had 60 rows at the end of my sc rows for the band. 60 does not divide evenly by 8 so I had to add 4 more stitches to make 64 (64/8 = 8). This means that I did an increase (2 dc in same stitch) every 15 stitches  (60/4 = 15). 

7. *1 hdc into the next 2 st, skip the next 3 st and fpdc into the next 3 st, go back and fpdc into the 3 skipped st (this will cross your stitches for the cable look). Repeat from * all the way around. sl st into the top of the first dc, ch 2.

8. *1 hdc into the next 2 st, 1 fpdc into the next 6 st (go in order, you'll have to peel the front away to get to the start on the back ones first because they're hiding in the back). Repeat from * all the way around. sl st into the top of the first dc, ch 2.

9. Repeat step #8 for 2 more rounds.

10. Repeat steps 7-9 until desired height of hat is reached. Mine had 5 cables and is 11 inches.

11. Cut yarn, weave through top of hat stitches and pull to close. Weave in all ends of yarn.

Pom Pom (optional):

I didn't use my pom pom maker because it's not big enough. 
Wrap yarn around your 4 fingers until it's pretty thick. 
Cut off ends. 
Cut off a piece of yarn about 12 inches. 
Wrap the 12 in piece around the yarn and tie (multiple knots are recommended).
Cut around the folded pieces to release the yarn.
Trim around as needed. 
Use the 12 inches of yarn you tied the pom pom with to thread through tapestry needle and thread through top of hat and tie on the inside


Weave into hat.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Crochet Cabled Slouchy Beanie


I have seen this on Pinterest for awhile and finally decided to make the hat. 

If anyone tells you that crochet and knitting is addictive... it is. As if I'm not already so busy, I can't help myself. I find myself crocheting at lunch at work. After dinner on the couch while the kids watch TV and drink their milk. While I'm sitting in bed waiting for the little guy to fall asleep...

Stephanie from All About Ami made her band about 21.5 inches however mine was only about 18 or so. Do I have such a small head? 

I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted to add a pom pom but decided to anyway (without using the pom pom maker).

I used Big Twisted Yarn in Light Denim. This is the first time I used this yarn. I went by Joanns for a couple of things but ended up with tons of yarn! I couldn't help it. There was a doorbuster sale for the holiday weekend....


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Crochet Bobble Lamb Hat


This is absolutely the cutest little hat. I wanted to make the white version but didn't have the yarn handy. So, I purchased this head from eBay and got to use it today... I was excited but now it's a little creepy to me! 

I pinned the pattern from Repeat Crafter Me awhile ago and I finally made it today. Working full time and having too many hobbies is just so difficult. I find myself crocheting during breaks, lunch and after the kids go to bed when I should really be working out! 

My littlest one is sick so we're home today keeping up with his nebulizer meds... so instead of asking to work from home, I decided to use the day to catch up on my crocheting! Baby is doing great by the way! :)


Saturday, February 13, 2016

Crochet Cable Twist Hat


I just finished making the Crochet Women's Peaked Hat and saw another hat I wanted to try from the same person. I usually don't crochet these because they are so intimidating and require more concentration. Once I got the hang of it (and actually made time for it) it wasn't as scary!

The tutorial is by Mikey with Yarnspirations on YouTube.

I used a larger hook (5.5mm) for the peaked hat and it was perfect so I thought I'd keep the same size hook. It's a little loose but I guess it'll fit someone with a larger head or extra hair (I have very fine hair)!

I decided not to do the pom pom because I've been making everything with pom poms lately! I like it without on this one.



Thursday, February 11, 2016

Crochet Women's Peaked Hat

Crochet Women's Peaked Hat 


I've been wanting to try out this pattern for some time now. I recently hurt my back (probably picking up the kids) and was instructed to do cold & hot compress. The upside was I had time to crochet while just sitting there with my compresses. 

This is a free pattern that I found on Pinterest (where else, right?) There is a free written pattern and a video tutorial. I started with the written and then realized I would just prefer watching a video!

Written Pattern: Yarnspirations Written Pattern
Video Tutorial: Yarnspirations Video Tutorial

I added the customized buttons to complete the hat. It's so cute. I loved how it turned out. 



Monday, February 1, 2016

Crochet Slouch Cluster Beanie



Yes, I am still loving slouch beanies/hats. I used this cluster hat tutorial on several hats including a teeny beanie for my then preemie baby. 

It actually took me some time to complete this hat. I got distracted with knitting and other day-to-day life. I'm constantly on "go" mode. I'm always doing something. I have trouble doing "nothing". And whenever I think of something I want to do, I usually do it. So then why can't I lose weight? I always think about it! LoL I know I'm not alone, right?

Anyway, I really wanted to put customized tags on my stuff so I went on etsy and ordered some tags/buttons. I also wanted a new watermark. Now that I want to knit more, I wanted a watermark that is both related to knitting and crocheting. 


I thought it came out great on the button!





I also ordered some rectangular ones. I ordered larger ones because I ordered thinner ones the first time and the font was too tiny. 




The thinner tags are cute too. I still love it but just wanted a variety. 



Crochet Lulu Pom Pom Scarf

Let's face it. Kids things are cute. They're miniature and the kiddos look good modeling anything! Anyone who knows me knows ...