New and improved hat sizing chart FREE!

We all need to give my wonderful hubby a big, standing round of applause. The poor guy is hanging round the house with a broken foot, and he took that time to type out my hat chart, fix my terrible math, and remake it into this wonderfully easy to use chart. Inches on top, centimetres on bottom. I hope you enjoy this and that you find it useful. Remember that the "crown" is the diameter (from edge to edge) of the circle with increasing stitches. So here it is:

Alternately, if you have your circumference of the head you are trying to make a hat for you can type it into this handy-dandy online calculator I found.  Or if you have made your increasing rows in your crown and wonder how big the hat will be you can type in that info. Or if you are old school and just enjoy using a paper in pencil (in which case I suggest you seek medical attention) there is always the C=πD where the c stands for circumference and d stands for diameter. Clear as mud?

This is a ©Knotty Knotty Crochet chart, and may not under any circumstances be sold in whole or in part. Duplication is by written permission only.

A Bit of Warmth and Kindness CHALLENGE (with pattern links)

No free pattern written here today, however I will link to a pattern later in this post.

Little L snuggled in her new blanket after her first bath.

Close to three years ago, we welcomed our last little baby into the world. She was due on Christmas day, but was born a bit early. We had her in a small town hospital, which was such a treat after birthing three babies in a learning hospital where no one was too concerned what time of day it was when they barged into the room to ask the same questions the last seven interns did.

When she was born and cleaned up and we were brought into our room, there was her little bassinet waiting for her, all warm and cozy with a handmade flannel quilt and an adorable little knitted santa hat. There was a team of volunteers that made these and left them for the new little babies. A free gift. Because she was baby four, the second girl, and born close to Christmas we didn't exactly get showered with baby gifts...however, we didn't really need much either. But these gifts were so appreciated, and we were thankful to receive them.

Although she has long since outgrown the hat, she still snuggles up with this flannel blanket every night. And I often wonder about the kind hands that made these special gifts.

why not make a mug hug for a far away friend?

It is snowing here now, and its not quite the end of October. I wonder if we could do a little challenge? Maybe we could spread a bit of warmth and kindness this winter. Perhaps you can make a hat or two and donate them to the maternity ward of your local hospital? (I happen to know where you could get some great FREE patterns!) Perhaps you could crochet a little baby blanket? Is there a cancer treatment centre near you where kids or adults might appreciate a nice hat? Or perhaps just a little gift to send to a far away friend that will use up the little bits of yarn in your stash? Whatever you can do, why not spread some kindness for someone? One thing however, if you do, try to include your name and number or email. Just in case someone receives it and wants to say thanks.

Also, if you do this, try to leave a comment here or on the knotty knotty group page on facebook. I would love to hear how you are spreading joy and kindness for others! You may just encourage someone else to do the same!

smile maker FREE PATTERN!

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BOO! haha! isn't this guy fun? I hope he made you smile!

This is just a little something that is super easy to do and uses up a bit of that leftover yarn. I love photographing my kids, but every once in a while, when I tell them to smile for the camera, I get some pretty funny faces! I tried this one out on my kiddos and actually got nice, genuine, almost laughing type smiles. 

I just used a hair elastic so that it would hold on to any of my camera lenses.

Row 1) CH 2.  29 DC onto hair elastic. Then I followed the same pattern that I would with my hats. (29 is not the number that you have to have. Just put enough stitches in so that it will lie flat when slightly stretched out.)

Row 2) 2 DC in each dc around join with sl st.

Row 3) 2 DC in first dc. 1 DC in next dc. Repeat around, fasten off.  

I made an eye by following the same pattern in the owl hat pattern, and a tooth by following the beak from the owl hat pattern.

I placed a pipe cleaner under the eye before sewing it on.

I would love to see the finished products! Please post photos of any that you have made on the Knotty Knotty Crochet GROUP on facebook!

Minions oh minions! FREE PATTERN!

Who loves these little guys as much as I do? Well, if you are blessed enough to have four little ones who LOVE are obsessed with these movies, then you would know what it is like to hear one liners from Despicable Me all day long!

I never quite realized how funny these movies are until we were on holidays this summer. Usually if the kids are watching a movie I am frantically trying to use up the 90 minutes to finish some housework, blog, or chat with a good friend on the phone. Or just sit and veg without really paying attention to much. After all how many precious, quiet moments does a stay at home mom get during the day? Anyway, being stuck in the vehicle on a several hour drive, we had this movie playing on the laptop and, to my surprise, I was actually listening to it, and enjoying it. I must say it is quite funny.
I can see why my kids have taken such a liking to these little guys, they really are quite endearing!

So of course, inspired by my kids, (and a few pins on pinterest) I decided to come up with a hat and pattern for the minion. Without further adieu here it is:

H hook
worsted weight yarn in school bus yellow (I use bernat)
this pattern will fit a newborn baby

1) with yellow 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 black yarn to top of ch 2.

7)repeat round 6 two times with the black yarn, change color back to yellow.


8) repeat round 6, 4 times with yellow yarn. 

9) sc around bottom of hat. Fasten off, or use invisible knot.

For the girly version, I did a row of pink sc around the bottom of the hat. You could also do a row of blue and add earflaps if you wish. Check out the sock monkey pattern on how to do that.

EYE

Make one or two, depending on which minion you would like.

Using black

1) starting with a magic ring ch2. hdc 9 stitches in round and join to top of ch 2. pull magic ring closed. 

2)  attach brown yarn 2 sc in each st around. join (18 dc)

3) with white {2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next st} repeat all the way around, join. (27hdc)  Before breaking yarn, sew a little 'gleam' with the white yarn onto the black part of the eye (pupil) It gives the eye so much more life. Just make sure they are both the same if you are doing the two eyed version.

4) attach grey yarn, sl st all the way around the eye to make the 'rim' if the goggles.  Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing on eye(s).

Sew eyes onto hat. Make sure to position them straight on the goggle band. I find that pinning them in place helps.

MOUTH

Using black yarn and a needle stitch on the mouth. I found it helpful to actually google some pictures of these guys and see all the expressions they have. Then just copy the one that you want! Try adding a red tongue, or teeth if you want. 

HAIR
add strands of hair as desired. I would also suggest google-ing this to give you some ideas on the different hairstyles these guys have.

I found a bow pattern here.


I hope you have fun with this pattern! If you would like to purchase a pre made hat, please visit us on facebook at Knotty Knotty crochet

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 ©2013 Knotty Knotty Crochet pattern, and may not under any circumstances be sold in whole or in part. Duplication is by written permission only. 
All photos on this blog are ©Knotty Knotty Crochet and MAY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be used to sell your items.

more than the stars in the sky FREE PATTERN (link)

I love bedtime at our house. I have four little ones, and they are up at the crack of dawn with boundless energy that lasts all. day. long. For the most part I have a lot of fun with them and they are pretty great kids. With how busy the crochet business has become, and always having a new project on the go I don't get much time to crochet things just for them. So between orders and slower times I get to add a few rows here, make another block there, and eventually they get to have a warm and cozy something too. Back to bedtime: I love it. Not because the kids are FINALLY in bed and its relax time, but because of our bedtime routine. We snuggle, read some books, and tuck them all in with hugs and kisses. That's when my four year old William usually tells me that I'm 'pletty' (pretty) and that I'm the 'goodest' Mom, I get to sing the alphabet with the 2 year old Lizzy, and have a bit more of an older kid chat with my 8 year old daughter. Then comes Ben, the rough and tumble, high energy sweetheart of a 6-year-old boy. He always tells me: "Mom, I love you more than________". It changes every night. I then tell him I love him more than all the stars in the sky. He always replies with "Well, I love you even more than that." And that is the last thing I usually hear from them. They are great kids. And every once in a while, when things slow down, I get to create something just for them. I recently was able to finish a blanket that my 8 year old designed herself. And just a few nights ago I was able to sneak into my son's room and cover him up with his new Mario Star blanket. He was so happy when he woke up in the morning! This is not my original design, you can find the FREE Pattern here.

All photos on this blog are ©Knotty Knotty Crochet and MAY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be used to sell your items.

Minnie Little Mouse hat, shoes and skirt set FREE PATTERN

Well, this was a custom order that was just so much fun. I love the little shoes with bows! I'm not sure if I'm allowed to use the name of the character (without getting in trouble) so we'll just call her Little Mouse instead of....well.....you know who.

This was such an easy pattern since it is just a basic beanie with some ears. Here is the basic pattern:

I used bernat super saver worsted weight yarn for all of it. 

H hook

needle for sewing on ears.

Pattern fits newborn- 3 month.

Hat

 using black, 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. ch 2. dc in same st, dc all the way around. (48 sts each row) Continue in pattern until 6 rows of dc are done, OR until a hat height of 5.5" - 6" is achieved.
break off yarn using invisible knot.

Earflap: (make 2)
start by attaching black 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 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.

Ears

You are going to make 2 of these, it is a basic circle.

using black, start by forming a magic ring.

1. ch 1, 6 sc in magic ring. DO NOT JOIN here, or anywhere unless specifically noted.

2. continuing working in the round, 2 sc in previous 6 sc. (12sc)

3.  continuing in rounds, *2sc in next sc, sc in next st* 6 times. (18 sc)

4. continuing in rounds, *2sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 2 sts* 6 times. (24 sc)

5. continuing in rounds, *2sc in next sc, sc in each of the next three sts* 6 times. (30 sc)

6. continuing in rounds, *2sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 4 sts* 6 times. (36 sc)

7.  continuing in rounds, *2sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 5 sts* 6 times. (42 sc)

note** you are going to continue to do the same thing we just did, but with decreasing this time. This makes the circle ear two layers thick, and they stand up much better this way.

8. continuing in rounds, *sc2tog, sc in each of the next 5 sts* 6 times (36 sts)

9. continuing in rounds, *sc2tog, sc in each of the next 4 sts* 6 times (30 sts)

10. continuing in rounds, *sc2tog, sc in each of the next 3 sts* 6 times (24 sts)

11. continuing in rounds, *sc2tog, sc in each of the next 2 sts* 6 times (18 sts)

12. continuing in rounds, *sc2tog, sc in each of the next 1 st* 6 times (12 sts)

13. continuing in rounds, *sc2tog* 6 times (6 sts)

leave a long tail, fasten off and break yarn. With a needle, make sure hole is closed. flatten to make a nice round circle. I also weave the needle back and forth a few times attaching the two layers of the ear so that it doesn't puff out to make a 'ball'. You want nice, flat circles.

Sew the two ears evenly onto hat, pinning in place first to make sure of the placement.

Using Red yarn, I found a bow pattern here.

Shoes

I just used my Pretty and plain mary jane pattern, but used all red. I added white bows, but you could add polka dots or anything you want. The sky is the limit!

Skirt

I used the diaper cover pattern from the Little brimmed hat and diaper cover pattern on my blog. i used white. 

for the skirt overlay:
Minnie Skirt: Materials: Red Worsted Weight Yarn 
 Size H Crochet Hook White buttons 
Abbreviations: HDC= Half Double Crochet 

Chain 55, HDC in second chain from hook and all the way across, chain 1, turn (54 HDC) If this is WAY longer than your diaper covers waist line then I would adjust now. Stitch count doesn't really matter that much.

Row 2: 2 HDC in first stitch, HDC in next, *2 HDC, HDC, *continue for the rest of row, chain 1, turn 

Row 3-7: HDC across, chain 1, turn.

Row 8: add a scalloped edge.  *skip first 2 stitches, 5 double crochets into next stitch, skip next 2 
stitches, single crochet into next stitch, repeat from * to end and finish off.

I crocheted little white polka dots by starting with a magic ring and hdc9 in each. You can decide if you like them bigger or smaller.  I then sewed them on.  I then sewed the skirt onto the diaper cover. This 
takes a bit of adjusting to get it just right so that there is a bit of cross-over in the front.

For the tail all I did was sc a line, then sc back on it. sew it on. Voila! 

There you have it. I hope you have fun making it. The sky is the limit to how you can do this. Check out the below photos to see more ideas. These are all the Mickey and Minnie inspired hats that I have made. 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.

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

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.

Pretty & Plain little Mary Jane FREE crochet pattern!

Well, it has been a while since I have come up with a new pattern all my very own.  I wanted to make a really cute little Mary Jane slipper, and I just couldn't find what I was looking for. So.....looking at many different pictures of what I thought I wanted I came up with this pattern.

Double checked with one change Oct 12/2015

These will fit a 0-3 month infant. or measure approx 3 1/2"
I used worsted weight yarn and a 3.25 mm hook (mine says size D on it).
 You will need small amounts of two colors of yarn. about 50 gr of each.
Also you will need two small buttons, and a needle.

The stitches used are:

st(s) = stitches
ch= chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
sc2tog= single crochet two together
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
sl st= slip stitch

SOLE of Mary Jane

Round 1: 
start with color A and ch 11. Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and hdc in next 7 sts. 6 hdc in last st. Working on the opposite side, hdc in next 7 sts.  5 hdc in last ch, join with sl st in first hdc.

Round 2:
ch 1. hdc in next 8 sts.  2 hdc in each of the next 5 sts.  hdc in next 8 sts. 2 hdc in next 5 sts, join with sl st in 1st hdc.

Round 3:
ch1, hdc in next 8 sts, (2 hdc in 1 st, 1 hdc in next st) 5 times. hdc in next 8 sts, (2 hdc in 1 st, 1 hdc in next st) 5 times.  join with sl st.

Round 4:
ch 1. working in back loops only sc in each st around (46 sts) join with sl st in ch 1.

Upper shoe

Change to color B

Round 1:
working now in both loops, ch 1, sc in next st and each st around (46 sts). Join with sl st.

Round 2:
ch 1.  sc in next 5 sts.  (sc2tog, 1 sc) 6 times.  sc in next 13 sts. (this should bring you to the middle of the heel of the shoe) sc2 togehter one time. sc in remaining 7 sts. join with sl st.

Round 3:
ch 1. sc in next 4 sts. hdc in next st. (dc2together) 6 times. hdc in next st. sc in next 12 sts. sc2tog one time. sc in remaining 7 sts. join with sl st. ch 1

Round 4:
sc in next 5 sts. (sc2tog) 3 times. sc in next 20 sts around. Join with sl st.

FOR RIGHT SHOE ONLY:
Do not break yarn.

ch 15. sc in fourth ch from hook. sc in next 10 sts. attatch to bootie and fasten off using invisible knot. strap made. (the 4 chains on the end of the strap make the button hole. If your button is bigger then ch more than 15 to adjust button hole size.)

FOR LEFT SHOE ONLY:
break yarn.

count back along heel 16 sts. from outside of bootie attach yarn. ch 15. sc in fourth ch from hook. sc in next 10 sts. attach to bootie and fasten off using invisible knot. strap made.

Sew buttons on. Because these are for a baby PLEASE make sure they are fastened securely. We don't want any little ones choking. (I know these are shoes, but you never know)

*because you are using worsted weight yarn, these little booties are quite stiff. Be sure to crochet on the looser side. Also you may use an F hook and get a slightly bigger size, they will fit about a 6 month baby.

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.
All photos on this blog are ©Knotty Knotty Crochet and MAY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be used to sell your items.

EWOK hat free pattern link

Well, its not a free pattern that I wrote but it is super cute! I used to love the Ewok movies when I was a kid. My kids seem to be obsessed with Star Wars right now, so I found the Ewok movies on youtube of all places. Not sure how legal it all was but we watched them anyway and they brought back sooooo many memories! I should say here that I did try to find a place to buy them first, and the only place I could find them was on EBAY for well over $100!

I just happened to be on pintrest one day when I saw this hat, and to my surprise....some good hearted loving soul was offering her pattern FREE! Check it out! Her name is Kristen Stevenson and the pattern is over at tinypurrs.com. She did such a great job, and here is my version. The only thing I did different was I used an H hook and worsted weight yarn and originally chained 123 in row 1 instead of 143 so it would be a bit shorter. It fits my 7, 6, and 4, year olds perfectly. I also made a tan colored one with dark brown ears and am currently working on a third for my daughter. They all look so adorable in their Ewok hats.

baby mermaid prop pattern

So right off the bat I will say this isn't a free pattern. It is a link to a free pattern from another blog. I did alter it quite a bit however to fit a newborn baby. I had gotten a custom order for one of these and I was actually very intimidated. However, it was really VERY easy when I got going on it, and can't wait to make another one! I added a headband that I just eyeballed at the time. The band is 13" around. All it is is just 3 DC across, kind of like a tiny tiny scarf.

The tail was the trickiest part. You make it in two parts then sew them together then onto the tip of the mermaid tail. I love the yarn I used, but unfortunately I have thrown the package out. I'm going to go back to the store to find out what it is and I will let you all know.

I even made the little seashell top, however, the client's baby was preemie so it was just WAY too big for the little princess. 

There you have it. The little mermaid costume! LOVE IT!

http://wichecraft.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mermaid-costume-pattern.html