Monday, 24 September 2012

precious puppy hat FREE PATTERN




Materials needed:H hook
2 black buttons
worsted weight yarn in cream, variegated blue, dark brown
yarn needle.


Hat will fit approx. 2 year old

All effort was made to ensure there are no problems with the pattern. If you find one please let me know.

Hat

 using cream, start by forming a magic ring

1. ch 2. 11 dc in ring. join to top of ch 2 (12 sts)

2.ch2. dc in same dc as ch 2.  2dc in each dc (24 st) join every round unless otherwise noted

3.ch 2  dc in same dc as ch 2. (2dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around (36 sts)

4.ch2, dc in same dc as ch 2 (2dc in next st, dc in next two sts) around (48 sts)

5.ch2 dc in same dc as ch 2 (2dc in next st, dc in next three sts) around (60 sts)

6. ch 2. dc in same st, dc all the way around. (60 sts each row) Continue in pattern until 9 rows of dc are done, OR until a hat height of 7.5" is achieved.
break off yarn using invisible knot.

Earflap: (make 2)

start by attaching cream yarn to hat, ch2 (counts as first stitch)

(I fold the hat in half so that the front is showing. I then count in 5 sts from each side and place a stitch marker. This is where I start my earflaps and I work toward the back of the hat where the joining "seam" is.)

1.dc 10, ch 2 turn

2.dc2tog, dc in next 7 st dc2tog ch 2 turn

3.dc2tog, dc in next 5 st, dc2 tog ch 2 turn

4.dc2tog, dc in nex 3 st, dc2tog ch 2 turn

5.dc2tog,  dc in nex st, dc2tog ch 2 turn

6.dc2tog twice. break off yarn.


Edging:

with OUTSIDE of hat facing you, attach variegated yarn to back of hat and ch 1. sc in each st around, working sc evenly over sides of earflaps. fasten off, tie in all loose ends.


Puppy ears (make 2)

using variegated yarn, start with magic ring

1. ch 2 in ring, 6 dc in  ring, join to top of ch 2. pull tail to close.

2. ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2. 2 dc in each st around. join to top of ch 2. ( 12sts. )

3. *ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2. 1 dc in each st around. Join to top of ch 2 (12 sts)**

4 - 8. repeat from * to **. break yarn leaving long tail for sewing.

Attach ears to sides of hat.

Puppy eye patch make 1

using cream yarn start with magic ring

ch 2, 11 dc in ring. pull tail closed. (12 sts)

this next part is a bit confusing. Basically you want one part of the circle to be thicker around the cream than the other part.

attach variegated yarn. ch 1 sc in same st as ch 1. 2 sc in each of the next 2 sts. sc in next st. hdc in same st as last sc. 2hdc in next st. 2hdc in next st.  hdc in next st. dc in same st as last hdc. 2 dc in next st. 2 dc in next st. 2 dc in next st. dc in next st. hdc in same st. hdc in next st. sc in same st. (24 sts). fasten off yarn, leaving long tail for sewing.


Puppy nose


 using cream, start by forming a magic ring

1. ch 2. 9 dc in ring. join to top of ch 2 (10 sts)

2.ch2. dc in same dc as ch 2.  2dc in each dc (20 st)

fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.

take brown or black yarn and ch 5. sc in second ch from hook. hdc in next st. dc in next st. trc in next st. fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. (this will be shaped like a triangle)

sew onto cream circle, using long tail to sew a mouth onto the puppy by using back stitches. 



pin all parts onto hat, (ears, eyes, eye patch, and nose) sew all pieces on, taking extra care to securely fasten any buttons as these can pose a choking hazard. 

enjoy the puppy hat!

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.









Monday, 10 September 2012

sweet strawberry hat FREE PATTERN!

Sweet strawberry hat FREE PATTERN
Just in case you have a little one in your life that couldn't possibly be sweeter, her is a way to sweeten them up even more. Make them a sweet strawberry hat! This Hat takes a little more yarn than just a basic beanie, but not much. I just love how the bright green looks with the red!

Finished hat should fit 18-24 month old. (17-19" head circumference)


Materials used
hook size: H hook
worsted weight yarn in red and green
Needle for sewing on parts.

Stitches used
ch,
sc,
sl st,
dc,
bobble stitch.

Bobble stitch is as follows:
yo insert hook in st, yo, draw up a loop. (3 loops on hook) Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Yo insert hook in same st, yo, draw up loop. you, pull through 2 loops on hook. Yo insert hook in same st, yo, draw up loop. you, pull through 2 loops on hook. Yo insert hook in same st, yo, draw up loop. you, pull through 2 loops on hook. (this is the same as 4 half complete dc)  yo, pull through all loops on hook. Bobble made.

Hat is made in rounds, you do not turn after any row of this hat.

Hat pattern:


Start with red yarn and make a magic ring.

Round 1: ch 3 in ring. dc 11 more times in ring. join to top of ch 3. 12 dc. (the ch 3 counts as a dc) pull to close.

Round 2: ch 2. dc in same st. as ch 2. 2dc in each st around. join to first dc. (24 dc)

Round 3: ch 2. Dc in same st as ch 2. Dc in next stitch. *2dc in next st. Dc in next st** repeat from * to ** all the way around. Join to top of ch 2. (36 sts)

Round 4: ch 2 dc in same st as ch 2. dc in next two sts.  *2dc in next st. dc in next 2 sts.** repeat from * to ** all the way around. Join to top of ch 2.  (48 sts)

Round 5: ch 2 dc in same st as ch 2. dc in next three sts.  *2dc in next st. dc in next 3 sts.** repeat from * to ** all the way around. Join to top of ch 2. (60 sts)

Round 6: ch 2. Dc in same st as ch 2. dc in next two sts. Bobble in the next st. *dc in next 3 sts. bobble in next st.** repeat from * to ** to end of row. Join to top of ch 2.

Round 7: ch 2. Dc in same st as ch 2 and each st around. (6o dc)

Round 8-14: Repeat round 6 & 7 alternately ending on row 7. break off yarn and weave in ends.


Earflaps:


start by attaching red yarn to hat, ch2 (counts as first stitch)
(I fold the hat in half so that the front is showing. I then count in 5 sts from each side and place a stitch marker. This is where I start my earflaps and I work toward the back of the hat where the joining "seam" is.)

1. dc 10, ch 2 turn

2.dc2tog, dc in next 7 st dc2tog ch 2 turn

3.dc2tog, dc in next 5 st, dc2 tog ch 2 turn

4.dc2tog, dc in nex 3 st, dc2tog ch 2 turn

5.dc2tog,  dc in nex st, dc2tog ch 2 turn

6.dc2tog twice. break off yarn.


Add one to each side of hat. 


"Leaf" for hat top:

Using green yarn start with magic ring. Ch 2 in ring, and dc 9. (total 10 dc in ring) Pull closed. *ch 15. sl in second ch from hook. sc in next ch. dc in each of the remaining ch and sl st to next st in circle. Repeat from *4 more times. (total of 5 leaves) Break off yard leaving a long tail for sewing.

Edging:

using green yarn with the OUTSIDE of the hat facing you, attach the yarn. ch 1. sc in same st where yarn is attached and sc in next 3 sts. ch 3 and sl st in 3rd ch from hook. *sc in each of the next 4 sts. Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.** (this is called a picot stitch and you can see better directions here.) Repeat from * to ** all the way around. Join to first sc. Break yarn, weave in loose ends. 


Strawberries, make 2:


starting with RED yarn make a magic ring. 6 sc in magic ring. pull to close. DO NOT JOIN ROUNDS. USE STITCH MARKERS OR COUNT CAREFULLY.  

Round 1: (sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc. ) repeat 3 times. 

Round 2: (2sc in next sc.) 9 times

Round 3: (sc over next 18 sc) 3 times

Round 4: (sc2tog) 9 times

Round 5 (sc3tog) 3 times.

break off yarn, leaving a very long tail. Stuff strawberry with this very long tail, or use batting.


Strawberry leaves: make 2



Using green, start with a magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring and over tail, do not join, pull tail to close center ring—6 sc.

Round 2: *Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 3ch,  sl st in next st in round 1; repeat from * 5 
times. Fasten off leaving a long tail. Sew on to top of small berry.

using a long strand of green doubled over, sc a long chain from bottom of earflap. tie off with knot leaving two long strands for sewing berries onto hat.

Add leaves to the "vines" if you wish.


A pink berry hat with flowers instead of berries!

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.











Friday, 22 June 2012

Raccoon hat free pattern

Well, its been a while since I had an all new free pattern, so here is one for you. I'm sure there is a free raccoon pattern somewhere out there, but to be honest I was too lazy to search. I just googled raccoon and referenced what a real raccoon looks like and tried my best to crochet one up. I have had this fuzzy grey yarn laying around for ages just waiting to be crocheted into something cute and fuzzy, but I wouldn't recommend this yarn for beginners because its really easy to add a stitch or skip one. There is a LOT of counting involved in this hat. Not the kind of hat that you want to work on while watching subtitled movies or anything, although I have tried that.

About a year ago now my sister in law was cleaning out a shed at the farm and found my husbands old toy raccoon that a relative had made for him. She picked it up and brushed it off, and brought it back for my hubby. He gave it to our oldest son who was thrilled, and who sleeps with it every night. (Don't worry I washed it first!) Ever since then his favourite animal has been the raccoon.  Which reminds me of another really cute little story! (we're getting to the pattern I promise).

We were visiting a local zoo with some friends of ours who were regulars at this particular zoo. We had never been there before, and so their seven year old was thrilled to tour us around and tell us what all the animals were. We reached a cage, and disappointed, she told us that that particular cage used to have monkeys. Now there was a raccoon living in it. Our son was thrilled to see a real raccoon, and I was surprised at how big they really are. Later on that night when daddy came home, our son ran to him and said, "Daddy we saw a monkey that changed into a raccoon today!" Oh, how I love the minds of children!

All right! To the pattern!


Raccoon Hat

Materials needed:
H hook
2 black buttons
worsted weight yarn in grey, black, and white
(sorry, I don't have the label for the fuzzy grey that I used here)
yarn needle.

It should be noted that, although optional, humming "rocky raccoon" by the Beatles while crocheting will make a much more raccoon-y hat. :)

Hat

1. using grey, start by forming a magic ring. 6 dc in ring. join.

2.ch2. dc in same st. 2 dc in each st around (12 st) join every round unless otherwise noted

3.ch 2 (2dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 6 times (18 sts)

4.ch2 (2dc in next st, dc in next two sts) 6 times (24 sts)

5.ch2 (2dc in next st, dc in next three sts) 6 times (30 sts)

6.ch 2 (2dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts) 6 times (36 sts)

7. ch 2. dc in same st, dc all the way around. Continue in pattern until 9 rows of dc are done, OR until a hat height of 8.5" is achieved.
break off yarn

Earflap: (make 2)

start by attaching grey yarn to hat, ch2 (counts as first stitch)

(I fold the hat in half so that the front is showing. I then count in 5 sts from each side and place a stitch marker. This is where I start my earflaps and I work toward the back of the hat where the joining "seam" is.)

1.dc 11, ch 2 turn

2.dc2tog, dc in next 7 st dc2tog ch 2 turn

3.dc2tog, dc in next 5 st, dc2 tog ch 2 turn

4.dc2tog, dc in nex 3 st, dc2tog ch 2 turn

5.dc2tog,  dc in nex st, dc2tog ch 2 turn

6.dc2tog twice. break off yarn.



Raccoon "eyes" (make 2)

1. with black yarn ch 14. make sure to leave a long tail for sewing.

2. in dc 2nd ch from hook, dc across (12 dc) ch2 turn.

3. dc across. in last stitch change color to white. (12 dc) ch 2

4. dc across with white yarn. fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. 

These are just basically rectangles, make sure when sewing to use appropriate color. White yarn  for sewing white part, and black for black etc.

Ears

1. with black ch 7

2. sc in second ch from hook, sc across (6sc0

3 sc2tog , sc to last 2 sc, sc2tog.

repeat until a triangle is formed. Leave a long tail for sewing, and break yarn.

4. With white, join at corner and crochet evenly along 2 sides of the triangle. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Nose

1.with black yarn starting with a magic ring, 8 sc in ring. pull tail to close

2.changing to white yarn, 2 sc in first sc, 2sc in each of next  stitche. (4 sc)

3. 2 hdc in next  sc (2 hdc)

4. 2 dc in next  2 st. (4 dc)

5. 2 hdc in next  sc (2 hdc)

6. 2 sc in next 2 st (4 sc)

(total around 16 st.)

leave a long tail for sewing, break yarn.

There you have it. Sew the eyes and ears on, make sure to pin them in place first to make sure they are straight and even. Cut several long strands of grey, white and black for the ropes on the earflaps. I'm on the fence about adding whiskers or not. If I do, I will re-post a picture. I'm thinking he would be really cute in other colors too!
As always, if you find an issue with the pattern, please leave a comment, I'm pretty good about fixing the mistakes...and really good at making them! :) Happy crocheting!








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.






Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Lucky the Orca hat


Lucky
Well hello, I know its been a long time since I've had a post and all but as summer draws nearer we have to be outside soaking up the sunshine as often as we can! We only get two months of it here if we're lucky. Speaking of lucky, recently when my darling husband (and yarn funder) and I were out on the west coast kayaking we had a chance to see some pretty cool wildlife. We were really hoping to see some orca, but didn't get the chance. I'm thanking my lucky stars because I'm pretty sure my better half would have paddled right over to it in hopes of petting it. Or swimming with it. Or being dinner. Anyhoo, the really lucky part was that the lady who ran the tour also has a small gift shop in a really touristy part of town and has asked me to crochet up a line of hats exclusively for her shop! Yay me! BUT, there are not really many patterns I can find for sea life inspired hats, so, in true Knotty Knotty style, I eyeballed it and came up with my very first aquatic mammal. I think he's pretty cute, and I'm excited to try another one and perfect him. Stay tuned for the rest of the line-up!

a pic of the Hubs and I



Monday, 9 April 2012

Little fairy boots.

So this is my newest project. I don't have the pattern here, but I do however have a FREE link so that you can buy this pattern from someone else. I know, pretty cheap of me, but this one I just couldn't eyeball. Not only could I not eyeball the pattern, I couldn't even figure it out with the pattern. So I ended up watching it on youtube. (not the shoe part, just the crocodile stitch part.) I am super excited however to put this into a new pattern I have an idea for, so stay tuned for that! I used Bernat mosaic yarn with these ones, which claimed to be a worsted weight yarn...I would strongly disagree and call it more of a sock weight yarn, but I'm glad because these would not have turned out had I used a heavier yarn. And the best part? I'm pretty bad at booties because once I have made one I really dislike   DESPISE making the second one. Perhaps it's a short attention span, or ADD or something like it, but with these I couldn't wait to --oh look booties! These were super fun to make!

a custom order. I think I might try a pari in every colour in my basket!

Saturday, 7 April 2012

Liebster Blog Award!!

A big thank you to Krazy Momma Kreations! She has awarded Knotty Knotty the Liebster Blog award. 




What is it you may ask?? I had no clue, so this excerpt is copied from her blog:

"Liebster is a German word meaning favourite, dearest or beloved. The Liebster Blog Award is awarded by bloggers to other new bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers, to help spread the word about their blogs and to help them gain wider recognition.
The Liebster award comes with four conditions that each recipient must satisfy when accepting:
1. Choose 5 up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers to award the Liebster to.
2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
3. Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blog so they know about the award.
4. Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you."

So there are a couple of blogs I have been following, and really enjoying. Most of them crochet sites. I have four very small children, so I do have to admit that I don't spend much time at all reading blogs. But I would love to have more time to do so.

so I will award some blogs......drumroll.....


So the last rule is that I am supposed to list 5 random facts about myself. This is a tough one! I've already posted here that I am a mom of four beautiful children, that I have an absolutely wonderful husband, I am a born again believer, that I homeschool, and that I love to crochet. That is my life, the most exciting things in my life fall under these categories. Some random facts.....well, how about things that I would like to do should I have time one day? Alright here we go:

1) I would like to have a garden. A really big one, one that would produce enough to feed my whole family for a year and have enough left over to gift to others.
2) I wish to adopt one day. I love children, and we are done having our own. I would love to grow our family by means of adoption, to give someone a forever home.
3) I love to play piano, and would one day like to be good at it. And guitar. And violin. Ok, lets just say I would love to be more musically inclined than I am, and that I would love to learn pretty much any instrument that produces a sound.
4) I love reading classic literature. I am currently reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" and thoroughly enjoying it!
5) Travel. I read about travel all the time. I love the idea of one day visiting all the places that I enjoy reading about. Spain would be at the top of my list, followed by most of the rest of Europe. However, I would be happy with a trip anywhere. 

So that's five random things about me. 
Thanks for looking!

Friday, 24 February 2012

Little brimmed hat and diaper cover FREE PATTERN

So this is my latest addiction. These work up so fast and are so easy to make. And they are ADORABLE. I can't wait to get a picture from the client I made them for with brand spankin' new little babies wearing them! The cap pattern is a very basic beanie pattern with a brim added. The diaper cover is from cbraden7.blogspot.com and I will post a link to her pattern. This set would rate super easy on the skill level chart, so give it a try! I'm going to do a set of matching booties next, but I really can't decide on a color. Oh well, I'll have to try multiple colors!

SO here it goes:

H hook
worsted weight yarn
this pattern will fit a newborn baby

BRIMMED HAT PATTERN

1) Start with magic ring

2) ch 2 (counts as dc) in magic ring, 11 more dc in magic ring. join to top of ch 2. (12 stitches. )

3) ch 2. Dc in same  st. 2 dc in each st around. Join to top of ch2. (24 stitches)

4)ch2. dc in same st.  1 dc in next st. {2 dc in next st. 1 dc in next st.} repeat all the way around join to top of ch 2. (36 stitches)

5) ch 2. dc in same st. 1 dc in next 2 sts. {2 dc in next st. 1 dc in next st. 1 dc in next st.} Repeat around  and join round to top of ch 2. (48 st.)

6) ch 2. dc in same st. dc in each stitch around and join to top of ch 2.

7)repeat 6 more rows, fasten off, weave in loose ends. or try the invisible knot

BRIM

1) using contrasting color attach yarn 16st from back of hat.ch 2. dc in same st and dc 17 sts across front of hat.ch 1 turn.



2) sc2tog sc all the way across to the last 2 sts. sc2tog. ch1. turn

3) sc2tog. sc all the way accross to the last 2 sts. sc2tog. sc again in the last st.

4) work 2 sc evenly down the side of brim, sc around the base of hat to opposite side of brim. work 2 sc evenly up side of brim and across front of brim. sl st down side of brim and fasten off, weaving in ends.



STRAP
ch26

DC in fourth ch from hook. dc across to first ch. ch 3 and attach to first ch of foundation row. Fasten off.

Sew evenly on to hat over brim and attach buttons using  darning needle.


You can find the diaper cover pattern HERE.

I crocheted a little flower to slip on over one of the buttons on the hat for a girls version of the pattern.


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.

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...