Friday 13 January 2012

Patchwork Quilt


Try this at home!



I made a patchwork quilt for my son. I found block patterns online  and chose two, then I used seven different colors and as far as I can tell, no two blocks are the same! (Please don't burst my bubble if you see two the same) It was a great project and I could get a few blocks done every night, and store them away where he wouldn't see them. I then crocheted each piece together using single crochet in a cream color and used up leftover yarn around the edge. This quilt fits a little bigger than a crib. How fun, try experimenting with different block patterns, the sky is the limit. I want to do one for my daughter with pinks and purples!

Thursday 12 January 2012

Maniac Monster hat

Maniac Monster hat!
So this is not my original idea. I can't take any credit for the design, only give an idea of how to make a monster hat, and hopefully you can come up with your own variations to make him truly your own. One thing is for certain, he is CRAZY! And the crazier the better, after all he is a monster. For this hat you will need an f and  g sized hook, worsted weight yarn in black, orange, green, blue and white, a needle and a comb to comb his hair crazy after attaching his unruly mow-hawk. I used worsted weight for the black part of the hat, and chunky weight for the rest because that is what I had in my stash. It should be noted that I used the f sized hook only for the horns so they would be very tightly crocheted and stand up well. You could also stuff them with polyfill. Ok, enough rambling, here's the pattern!

using black worsted weight yarn and the g hook:

1) starting with a magic ring ch2. dc 11 stitches in round and join to top of ch 2. pull magic ring closed.

2) 2 dc in each st around. join (24 dc)

3) {2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next st} repeat all the way around, join. (36 dc)

4) {2 dc in first st, dc in next 2 sts.} Reapeat all the way around. Join. (48 dc)

5) {2dc in first st, dc in next 3 sts.} Repeat all the way around. Join (60st)

6) no more increasing on this round. ch2, dc in next st. dc in every st around join to top of ch 2. (60 sts)

7-14) ch 2. dc in next st. dc in every st around. join to top.  fasten off after round 14. weave in end of yarn. I recently learned how to do  invisible knot fasten off so you don't have a little ugly knot at the back of the hat. Learn more about that here.

Now for the eyeballs. You can do this in one of two ways (or any way you want really) The beauty of this hat is that nothing has to be sewn on straight. The wonky-er the better, and it just adds to his charm. So what I did, was

starting with a magic ring in black,  sc 6 times in the ring, pull it closed.

 Adding the second color (blue or orange on my hat) sc 8 in the next 4 stitches (2 in each previous stitch.)

2 hdc in the next st.

2 dc in each of next two sts.

2 hdc in next st.

slip stitch in next 8 sts.

2 hdc in next st. 1 hdc in next st.

{2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st} twice

2 hdc in next st, 1hdc in next st.

This should bring you all the way around, if it doesn't experiment. You are just wanting an oval type shape so that the pupil, or black part of the monster eye is not centered.

Repeat with second color. Leave long tails for sewing. You could also just crochet circles and attach buttons for the pupils, just make sure not to get them centered (I'm good at that part.)

The horns, using white

start with magic ring. sc 5 in ring and pull tight.

2 sc in each st around. (10 sc) use a marker or count closely.

10 sc around. (this would equal three rows of white.)

CHANGE TO BLACK YARN. Do not break white yarn.

{10 sc around in black} twice.

{2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st.} to marker

CHANGE TO WHITE

{Sc in each st around} three times

CHANGE TO BLACK

{SC in each st. around} twice.

{2sc in next st, 1 sc in next st} to marker.

CHANGE TO WHITE

{sc all the way around} three times, leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off. Make 2 and sew onto hat.

Using needle and chosen color for mouth, sew zig zag lines for mouth. Attach mow-haw tightly then comb out for fuzzy looking effect. I used two different colors and the rope method for the tassels, and even combed out the ends of those for extra crazy.

Have fun, this guy really has no rules, and would probably break them anyway! Try adding fangs, eyebrows, or monster spots.


For a list of crochet stitches and how to make them go here.

**You may use this pattern to sell items, but I request that a link or credit be given back to this site** This is a ©Knotty Knotty Crochet pattern, and may not under any circumstances be sold in whole or in part. Duplication is by written permission only.

Little flying ace hat, scarf and boot FREE PATTERN!

 I have been wanting to do this little set for a while, and was thrilled when a friend ordered it for her new grand-baby. I can't wait...