Sunday 7 April 2013

bright flower afghan FREE PATTERN!






Here is a little something to brighten your day! Little miss S. came with me to the yarn store one afternoon. I just love these mother daughter outings as I don't get many of them with just me and one of my kiddos. I was surprised to see her get just as excited as I do when checking out all the new colors and yarns. For a small town we really do have a wonderful yarn shop. While there I realized that she is the only one of my four children that I had never crocheted a blanket for. The other three got one at birth. So I let her pick some colors. She started with bright orange and peacock blue (her favs) then added in bright pink, school bus yellow, plum, and ......wait for it.....forrest green. GACK! I tried to persuade her gently that the forrest green might not look that great with all these bright cheery colors she had picked. Nope. She was determined to go home with the dark green. Being the supportive mother I am (ha!) I lovingly purchased the yarn and we went home.

A few days later we sat down and did a google search for afghan blocks. It was so fun seeing her ooo and ahhhh over the same stuff I would have loved! She is a very creative girl and she has got a keen eye for design. Move over Nate Berkus! Anyway. After seeing many different blankets and block designs she said to me: Mom. That dark green isn't going to work at all. Can we go back and get the bright green. (The one her mother originally suggested?? Yes.) So like a good mom thats what I did. I got the right green and it all came together. She settled on just one block pattern. Here it is. I found it over at Made in K town. I like the colors on her blog, but the colors my daughter picked are just so fun and cheery. It brightens my day. Almost as much as my daughter does.

Love this girl so much!

no two blocks the same





Saturday 6 April 2013

Newborn Newsboy hat FREE PATTERN

So this one was a bit more of a challenge. I had done this stitch before, but figuring out how to increase and how NOT to increase was tough. This little hat was so cute that the client ordered two more when it was done, so I'm guessing it was a success. I'm going to try my best to describe what I did. I'm not even sure this is a true cross over stitch. If someone knows the proper name, please leave a comment.





You will need:
G/4.25mm hook
worsted weight yarn


Begin with a magic ring.

Round 1: in magic ring sc 8 sts. DO NOT JOIN.
.
Round 2: 2sc in each sts around. (16 sc)

Round 3: ch 3(counts as dc) dc in next st.  Here is where the cross over 2 dc st is made. yarn over hook (yoh) and insert the hook backwards from front to back in the last sc. (where you did the ch 3). yoh and draw up a loop keeping the yarn loose. yoh and draw through 2 strands on hook. Draw through last two strands. cross over 2 dc made. (cr 2 dc). Dc in next 2 sts. cr 2 dc. repet for a total of 8 cr 2 dc. join with sl st to top of ch 3.



{If you are having trouble with this stitch here is a picture tutorial. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT I HAVE CROSSED OVER 2 DC INSTEAD OF JUST ONE.}
Hope that helps.

Round 4: ch 1. sc in same st. sc in next 2 sts. *2 sc in next st. sc in next 2 sts.* repeat around. (32 sts)

Round 5: ch 3 (counts as first dc) dc in next st. cr 2 dc. * dc in next 2 sts. cr 2 dc into skipped st* Repeat around for a total of 16 cr 2 dc. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. ch3.

Round 6: ch 1. sc in next 48 sts. join with sl st.

Round 7&8: ch 3 (counts as first dc) dc in next st. cr 2 dc. *skip next st. dc in next 2 sts. cr 2 dc into skipped st* Repeat around for a total of 16 cr 2 dc. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. ch3.

Round 9:ch 1. sc in next 48 sts. join with sl st. (2 times)

rounds 10&11: ch 3 (counts as first dc) dc in next st. cr 2 dc. *skip next st. dc in next 2 sts. cr 2 dc into skipped st* Repeat around for a total of 16 cr 2 dc. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. ch3. (2 times)

Round 12: ch 1. sc in next 48 sts. join with sl st. DO NOT BREAK YARN.

BRIM

Row 1: ch 1. sc in next 18 sts. ch 1. DO NOT TURN. sl st working back across the 18 sc you just made. (this makes the brim thicker.)

Row 2-4: ch 1 sc in next 18 sts working sl st back each time.

Row 5: ch 1 skip first st. work sc across brim to second last st. sl st all the way around the hat working sts evenly down and up the sides of the brim.

Finish off with invisible knot.


I added a rose onto the hat. You can find the pattern here.



This hat works for boys too!


Little knotty knotty lables. Such a nice finishing touch!

Did you notice something? I had these little labels made up, aren't they so cute? They say knotty knotty, but when folded you only end up seeing one of the 'knotty' s. They finish the hats up so nice. I just love them!



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...