Sneak Peek! October 2012

I have so much going on this month, it's been hard for me to keep my head straight this past week! Everywhere I go I get bombarded with Halloween items. Candy, light up skulls, plastic hands with fake blood on them, and all I can think about is how I need to get started making some crochet Halloween goodies!

I've had lots of ideas cooking up in my head this past week, and if you're following me on Facebook, I'm sure you've seen a pic or two of what I'm working on! But in case you don't (in which case you should click here and 'like' me!), I've decided to make a post with some behind the scenes photos.

Newborn Sized Frankenstein Hat

Now you remember that bright green yarn from my last post? I decided to start making use of it by creating this Frankenstein hat! This was my first attempt, so be kind. The scar needs some re working. I have another in the works though, and a pattern coming soon!

Jack-O-Lantern Mug Cozy

Now this just makes me giggle every time I look at it. I've never really tried stitching anything like a mouth on something, so this is a first for me! I think I did pretty well for a first try, but I'm definitely going to do some practice over the next week and hopefully I can make it look a LOT better. (don't mind my messy basement!)

Toddler Owl Hat

 I made this owl hat originally for my little guy, but I made it a little too big. You know what that means! I'm listing it for sale in my Etsy shop! Grab it before it's gone!

I've also been working on a pair of knee high socks, the pattern is linked on my Facebook page. Whenever I find a pattern I love or get some quick inspiration, I post it on Facebook first! Also, you can follow me on Pinterest! I'm quite an active member and love to pin things of all kinds so be sure to check that out too! (I also have a special board just for crochet patterns!)

As you can see, I have lots planned this month, and that means free patterns, tips, pictures, and crochet ideas all month long! Are you as excited as I am?!

Feel free to leave a quick tip or note about how you like my blog and crochet work! I love to hear from you all (:

Preparing For Halloween!

I've got to say, now that I have Jude, it puts all the magic back into the holidays. I get excited for Christmas now, not for presents of my own, but to see his face light up when he opens that one toy he's been longing for! (Okay, so maybe they'll be more than one) I get to enjoy the Easter egg hunts, and the best part, Halloween!! 

Choosing Jude's costume was hard for me, I didn't want to settle on just anything.. I mean, this is his first Halloween! (His very last FIRST holiday tradition)

During Thanksgiving and Christmas last year it was a blur, lost in sleep deprivation and newborn lovey-ness, so I wanted this last first 'holiday' to be awesome!

Well I've finally decided when I found this on Pinterest! Kevin and I both love the movie 'Up!', and Jude LOVES balloons, and he would look adorable in that outfit! Cheap, Simple, DONE!

What's your little ones Halloween costume going to be?!

Not only have I decided on Jude's costume, but at Walmart tonight I stocked up on some yarn to make some spooky crochet items!! Expect some AWESOME things next week, as well as some spooktacular patterns!

What are you guys doing to get ready for Halloween? I just love Fall so much I can't help but start early!!

Cloud Crochet Pattern

 Are you one of the few crocheters who needs to crochet a cloud for some reason or another? Me too. Only when I googled for a pattern, I couldn't find any! So I made my own. But why do I even need to crochet a cloud in the first place?

This morning while browsing Pinterest I found an idea that seemed way too easy not to try myself. An activity board! Really it's just a bunch of wooden animals with magnets on a board, but Jude doesn't know any better. He loves it!

Well of course I can't just leave it plain like this, so I decided to start crocheting all sorts of little things to stick on there. I started with a cloud, since it seemed easiest. I think I'm going to make another one but grey, and add blue yarn hanging down to act as "rain". I'd love to crochet some shapes to put on there also. Jude loves all the new things to play with and check out!

So just in case I wasn't the only one googling how to crochet a cloud, I wrote down the pattern as I made it. If this becomes of use to anyone leave a comment telling me how you like it!

Cloud Crochet Pattern

Using an F Hook and Worsted Weight yarn

ch 5
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and remaining 3 ch
Row 2: ch 1, sc inc, sc, sc, sc inc
Row 3: ch 1, sc inc., sc in next 4 st, sc inc in last st.
Row 4-9sc in each st across for 5 rows
Row 10: ch 1, sc dec., sc in next 4, sc dec. in last 2 st.
Row 11: sc in each st across
Row 12: ch 1, sc dec, sc in next 3 st, sc dec in last 2 st.
Row 13: ch 1, sc dec twice.
ch 1, turn, *2 sc in each of the next 3 sc, sl st into next st* repeat around to end, slip stitch into first ch.

First day of Fall!

Happy first day of Fall!!

This is my favorite time of year. Everything about fall makes me giddy. Apple picking, warm sweaters and scarves, hot cocoa, changing leaves, Thanksgiving (!!)... I could go on all day. But really, what better way to celebrate fall than crocheting something new to wear or use?!

For the past 3 days I have been making these adorable headband/ earwarmers. I got the idea from a pin on Pinterest, and the fact that my sister requested one. When I stumbled upon it I knew I just had to try it!

Since then I have memorized the pattern and can whip one up in about 45 minutes. The pattern for the headband and flower are so simple, even beginners can do it! Here are the few I have come up with so far! I'm enjoying finding different color combinations for the headband/flower.

As you can see color combinations are endless and you can change it up many different ways! What do you think? Would you rock one of these this fall?

Keep an eye out for some for sale in my Etsy shop! If you'd like one in a specific color combination all you have to do is ask! I make all my items to order so everything is custom.

Crochet Candy Corn: Free Pattern!

Guess what everybody?! Its September, the beginning of my favorite season, FALL! The cool breeze, natural colors, and last but not least, Halloween! As a mom, Halloween has a whole new meaning to me now. It means dressing my little guy up in something adorable and showing him off door to door to all my neighbors all whilst receiving free candy that mommy and daddy get to enjoy later. (;

So in my desire to get ready for Halloween I have begun to create small little crochet decor items I can place in random areas around my house. I was never really into decorating before, but Jude makes everything more fun, so I have to. Plus it gives us something new to look at. And since all I see in the stores are fall/halloween (and even some Christmas?!) decorations, I decided to make some of my own!

You can expect a lot more holiday themed patterns coming your way over the next few months, and I am SUPER excited about it! I have plenty of ideas, and feel free to leave me a comment with an idea you have for something I should make!

So in my fall inspired daze I came home from Michaels with these, and then created this adorable little candy corn decoration!

This cute sized Candy Corn is the perfect small decoration for any home! I have mine sitting on my kitchen table next to some other fall/halloween inspired things. Get creative and use different sized hooks and yarn for different sized candy corn!

Candy Corn Pattern

Materials:
F sized Hook (3.75MM)
Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Lily sugar n cream) 

Terms:
Ch - Chain
Sc - Single Crochet
Sp - Space
St - Stitch
Sc Dec. - Single Crochet Decrease
* * - Repeat what is in between the * to the end of the row.
 

Starting with yellow:

Make a magic circle
Row 1: single crochet 6 times in magic circle, join with slip stitch.
Row 2: ch 1, sc 1 in same sp, 2 sc in each sc around.
Row 3: ch 1, sc 1 in same sp, *1 sc in next, 2 sc in next* repeat around
Row 4: ch 1, sc 1 in same sp, * 1 sc in next 2, 2 sc in next* repeat around
Row 5: ch 1, sc 1 in same sp, *1 sc in next 3, 2sc in next * repeat
Row 6: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 7: ch 1, *sc in next 6, sc decrease* repeat
Row 8: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 9: ch 1, *sc in next 5, sc decrease* repeat
Row 10: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 11: ch 1, *sc in next 5, sc decrease* repeat

Switch to Orange for next row.
Row 12: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 13: ch 1, *sc in next 5, sc decrease* repeat
Row 14: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 15: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 16: ch 1 *sc in next 4, sc decrease* repeat

Anytime after you finish with the orange you can stuff your candy corn with whatever fluffy stuff you choose, just make sure you do so before the hole gets too small at the top!

Switch to White for next row.
Row 17: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 18: ch 1, *sc in next 3, sc dec.* repeat
Row 19: ch 1, sc in each st around
Row 20: ch 1, *sc in next 2, sc dec.*
Row 21: ch 1, *sc dec, sc* repeat

Row 22: sc dec around
The top should be fairly tight now, finish off leaving a long tail, and use a yarn needle to thread the yarn around, closing the hole, and hiding it in the middle of your work. It should look a little something like this: 

Like the pattern? Get more like it delivered right to your inbox! All you have to do is hit the subscribe button in the sidebar and you can get all of my patterns delivered right to your email every time I post one! Now isn't that convenient? (;

Happy Hooking Everyone! 

Just a little crochet inspiration...

 It's been a few weeks since I've done a work in progress (WIP) post. Like almost any crochet or knitter (or crafter!) out there, I almost always am working on more than one thing at a time. What can I say, I get bored easily! 

Most of the time though, I start something and never finish it! This is why I force myself to take pictures and document what I'm working on. The pictures also serve as inspiration for future progress, and a log of what I've worked on so far!

I thought I might give you all a little inspiration with some pictures of what I've been working on. As always, you can request any of these items for me to make in any color, and I can create a custom listing for you on Etsy.com. You can also check out my shop Here to see what else I've got for sale!

My main focus has been preparing for Christmas time and the Fall/Winter season. This means hats, scarves, and cute little gifting ideas! I also started a granny square blanket for my couch. Should be done by the time fall comes around!

One of the first things I made was a clutch like my previous one. Only this time I used cotton yarn and made up my own flower. This is going to be a gift for one of my family members for Christmas!

Next is a granny square I'm working on. I want to make it as big as possible so I'll have a throw for our couch this fall. The colors were the first four I picked out of my stash. I love the cranberry and pumpkin colors!  

 

I also made another clutch like my previous one. I love this yarn and had a ton of it left, so I figured I'd make another! Just needs some buttons.

Here I have a set of fingerless gloves and a matching scarf ready for gifting! I wonder who will be lucky enough to get it (;

I've been playing around with granny squares a lot this week, and I came up with a scarf idea! Here is 3 squares stitched together and another 3 waiting to be attatched!

And last but not least, a pair of fingerless gloves I've made. I might keep these for myself though, I'm loving the multicolors on this one!

So what have you been working on this week? Leave a comment below!

Shell Stitch Fingerless Gloves Free Pattern

Fingerless gloves have become a new trend (to me at least) since I started crocheting. They're cute, warm, and don't cover your fingers, so those of you with touch screen phones will still have access without taking your gloves off! 

This pattern is designed with simplicity in mind. It uses only the single crochet, so it's perfect even for complete beginners! I have never made any gloves before these, so I just kind of winged it on how to put them together. Let me know if there is an easier way, as I'm still a beginner myself!

Fingerless Gloves Crochet Pattern


Materials
F hook
worsted weight yarn

Special Terms
Ch - Chain
SC - Single Crochet

Right Glove

Ch 32
Row 1: SC in second ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-13: Repeat row 1
Row 14: SC first SC, then *3 SC in next stitch, skip next 2 stitches.* Repeat to end of row. End with one SC in each of the last 2 stitches.
Row 15-21: Repeat row 14
Row 22 - 26: SC in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn

 ^ This is what yours should look like so far.

Move on to the assembly instructions below (:

Left Glove 

Ch 32

Row 1: SC in second ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-4: SC in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 5-12: SC in first stitch, *3 SC in next stitch, Skip 2 stitches* Repeat across, ending with 1 SC in last 2 stitches.
Row 13-26: SC in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn.



Assembly 

Bring each side (lengthwise) together, and SC them together the long way until you reach the base of your thumb. Turn it right side out (the seam is on the inside) and try on your glove. It should look a little something like this.

 
Turn it back inside out. Now we will make the thumb hole.
SC down the side closest to you (leaving the other unworked). When you get to the end, join the other side with a slip stitch, creating a hole for your thumb. It might help if you try on the glove as you go, making sure it fits snugly around your hand.

Now working along the top edge of the cuff, do *3 SC, skip next 2 stitches*. repeat around to beginning of row. 
Slip stitch down to the thumb hole.
SC down the edge you didn't SC down earlier. End with a slip stitch at the bottom of the thumb hole and fasten off.

 Ta Da!! You're all done! That wasn't too bad right? I hope the pictures I provided helped some of you, I tend to be a visual learner. I hope you guys post pics of your gloves and don't forget to contact me if you have any questions about the pattern!

Camera Strap Cover: Free Crochet Pattern

Tired of your same old uncomfortable camera strap? If you have a DSLR, you know as well as I do, those things can get heavy. Why not make a durable, soft, cotton cover for it? It feels great around your neck and is perfect for any photo enthusiast!  

Camera Strap Cover Pattern

Materials:
Worsted weight Yarn (I used one ball of Lily Sugar n Cream 100% Cotton)
Size F Hook
Yarn Needle


Make a chain long enough to wrap snugly around the widest part of your camera strap. Slip stitch into the last chain on your hook, joining the two ends to make a ring.

Row 1: Chain 1, SC into each chain around. Slip stitch into your beginning chain to complete the round.
Repeat Row 1 two more times.
Row 4: Ch 3, make 2 DC in same space as ch. *Skip next two stitches, 3 DC in next st.* Repeat what's in ** to end of round.
Row 5: Make 3 slip stitches into the next space between your 3 DC's. Ch 3, then make 2 DC in same space. *DC 3 times in each sp.* Repeat ** to end of row.
Row 6-40 (or however long you want): Repeat previous row.
Row 41-43: Ch 1, SC in each stitch around. 
Row 44: Slip Stitch around. Finish off and weave in ends. 

Ta-Da! There you have it. You've just made your very own custom camera strap cover!

This thing is SO comfy, I never want to let go of my camera now! Whats even better is you can customize it any way you like. Add a crochet flower, a bunch of different colors, whatever you want! Have fun with it!