Necessity Hat

Necessity Hat

So the hat that began out of necessity has finally made it here. Why out of necessity, you may ask? Well, because in my search for a crocheted cabled slouchy hat with an interesting design and twisting cables, I came up empty handed. So, I made one up myself. This pattern will be for sale, I think. But I need to do some testing on it and see how the pattern works out. It's not for the faint of heart, as there are a lot of cross-overs and go-backs and "where-the-heck-am-I-supposed-to-put-this-stitch?" type of stitches. I finished it just in time to wear it out and about at the tail end of the cold weather, but I got quite a few compliments on it. Let me know if you want to try your hand at testing the pattern.

W.J. Mowzer

Mr. W.J. Mowzer is destined for Josh's cousin's new baby. When said cousin was little, Josh used to scare the bajeebies out of her with a little white mouse. He'd hand it to her and she'd shake all over and get creeped out. Since she had a baby of her own last week, I thought I'd make a new white mouse for her.

Hook Size: F hook
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in white, a small amount of pink and gray

Note: The first stitch of each round will be worked into the same st as join.

Gauge: Does not matter. Just make sure your stitches are tight so the stuffing will stay inside.

Body:
Make an adjustable ring, and sc 8 into ring. Join with slst to first sc. Ch 1. Pull to tighten.
Round 1: 2 sc in each (16 sc) Join. Ch 1.
Round 2 and 3: work evenly, join, ch 1.
Round 4: (2 sc, sc 7) twice. Join, ch 1. (18 sc)
Round 5 and 6: work evenly, join, ch 1.
Round 7: (2 sc, sc 8) twice. Join, ch 1. (20 sc)
Round 8 and 9: work evenly, join, ch 1.
Round 10: (2 sc, sc 9) twice. Join, ch 1. (22 sc)
Round 11: work evenly, join, ch 1.
Round 12: (2 sc, sc 10) twice. Join, ch 1. (24 sc)
Round 13: rep R 11.
Round 14: (2 sc, sc 11) twice. Join, ch 1. (26 sc)
Round 15: rep R 11.
Round 16: (2 sc, sc 12) twice. Join, ch 1. (28 sc)
Round 17: Rep R 11.
Round 18: (2 sc, sc 13) twice. Join, ch 1. (30 sc)
Round 19: Rep R 11.
Round 20: (2 sc, sc 14) twice. Join, ch 1. (32 sc)
Round 21: rep R 11.
Round 22: (2 sc, sc 15) twice. Join, ch 1. (34 sc)
Round 23: rep R 11.
Round 24: (sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog, sc 9) twice. Join, ch 1. (30sc)
Round 25: (sc2tog, sc 3) rep around. Join and fasten off. Weave in ends and stuff with fiberfill or yarn scraps.

Base:
Make an adjustable ring, and sc 6 into ring. Join with slst to first sc. Ch 1. Pull to tighten.
Round 1: 2 sc in ea. (12 sc)
Round 2: (2 sc, sc 1) 5 times. Join, ch 1. (18 sc)
Round 3: 3 sc in first, sc 4, 3 sc in next, sc 3, 3 sc in next, sc 4, 3 sc in next, sc 3. Join, ch 1.
Round 4: sc 1, 3 sc in next, sc 6, 3 sc in next, sc 5, 3 sc in next, sc 6, 3 sc in next, sc 4. Join. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Position base over opening in body. With a yarn needle, whipstitch base to body. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Ears:
Make an adjustable ring, and sc 4 into ring. Ch 1. Turn
Row 1: 2 sc in ea. ch 1, turn. (8 sc)
Row 2: sc 2, (hdc, dc) in next, 2 dc in next 2 sts, (dc, hdc) in next, sc 2. ch 1, turn. (4 sc, 2 hdc, 6 dc)
Row 3: sc 1, 2 sc in next, sc 1, (hdc, dc) in next, dc 4, (dc, hdc) in next, sc 1, 2 sc in next, sc 1 switching to white yarn. Ch 1 Turn.
Row 4: Working over tails of pink and white yarn, 2 sc in first, sc in each to last, 2 sc in last. Do not ch 1. Turn (pulling on the pink and white yarn tails that you worked over will help cup the ear and give it more shape.)
Row 5: Slst into ea st. Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
Whipstitch ears to sides of head.

Tail: with white
At back of body, near basein the middle, attach yarn, leaving at least a 6” tail. Ch 35, wrapping long tail over working yarn before making each chain. With both ends tie a double overhand knot. (cross ends, pass one end around and through twice, pull tight) Cut end.

Face:
Pull a double strand of gray yarn through a spot for the nose. Tie two double overhand knots for nose. Tie overhand knots into yarn at desired length away from nose. Cut yarn off after knot. Using gray yarn and a yarn needle, make two French knots for eyes.

Haven't tested it yet, except for the second ear. Let me know if anything is amiss.

Tatiana Sweater

So here's some pictures of my Tatiana Sweater designed by the wonderfully talented Marly Bird.











It turned out great and I'm thrilled to pieces with it! Thanks to Marly for a great pattern!

Blocked hat and gulp - knitting socks...

The hat is blocked and finished. I wore it out today and just loved the drapey-ness that the wool took on after blocking. I was almost upset with the sort of stiff way it was laying against my head, but a cold water dunk and a night stretched over a balloon, and wonders never cease. Now to finish typing out the pattern. I hope I can figure out my chicken scratches.

Also finishing up work on the Tatiana Sweater from Interweave Crochet. I'm working on the ribbing for the sleeves and bottom hem. I just have to sew them on and weave in my ends(blech!) and sew on some buttons. YAY!

I went to Joann's on Saturday with kids in tow and was lured by the "Buy One Get One Half Price" Sale they were having on sock yarn. So I bought two skeins of Red Heart Heart and Sole in the Razzle Dazzle colorway and a set of number 2 DPN's (double pointed needles) and have the top of a sock underway. Knitting in the round on DPN's is proving to be just the challenge these nimble little fingers were looking for, but the cast on nearly pushed me over the edge. That finished I've been merrily knitting away in 2x2 ribbing. I'll be happy with the next stage, but after that comes "dividing for the heel flap" or some such eerie lingo and that scares the bajeebies outta me. But, I must have something to challenge my brain, or it will just turn to mush.

I think that's what I like about the crochet/knitting arts. Just when you thought you've got everything down pat, you turn the page and discover something new. Like my fascination with hairpin lace this past summer. I had inherited this contraption from my husband's great grandmother upon her passing and I had no NO idea what it could be. Fast forward to an episode of Knit and Crochet Today where they are featuring Hairpin Lace. Cut to my face filled with awe and wonderment, "So THAT's what that thing is for?" Three scarves later, I've got the logistics down and went back to the regularly scheduled program of crochet, but I have a project filed away in my head. With new techniques or patterns to challenge every skill degree, you can never get bored with it. Which is my trouble with so much stuff. I become enamored until I've sufficiently conquered it and then I must find a new gijamawatsit to hold my attention. So far, I've not become bored. I don't think I'll ever be. I still have a loooooooong way to go before I'm ever as good as I want to be at knitting, and then there's spinning and dying and all that comes with that, and never enough hours in the day to devote to this craft that has lured me in so subtly......

help??

Elena's Booties

Elena's Booties

Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby

Hook: F

Notions: 2 1/4" buttons

Magic Loop: Make a slip knot with a 4" tail. Place slip knot on hook, wrap yarn tail around your fingers to make a loop and stitch into the loop.

Round 1: 8 sc in Magic Loop. Pull tail to tighten, and join with a slst to first sc. Ch 3.

Round 2: 2 dc in each st around, join with a slst to first dc. Ch 2.

Round 3: 1 hdc, 2 hdc in next. Rep to end. Join with a slst to first hdc. Ch 3.

Round 4: Dc in each st. Join with a slst to first dc. Ch 3.

Row 5: Dc in first 16. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 6: Dc in each st. Ch 3. Turn.

Rows 7 -11: Rep Row 6. At end of Row 11, ch 1.

Row 12: Slst in first 8. Fold in half, right sides together, and slst sides together. Turn right sides out, and ch1.

Shoe Edge: Work 16 sc along edge of show, sc in same st as last dc in row 5, hdc in next, dc2tog, dc in next 2, dc2tog, hdc in next, sc in next. Work 16 sc along edge. Slst in 1st sc to join. Ch1.

Row2: Sc 12. Ch 13. Skip first 5 ch. Sc in next 8. Sc in 12th st of Row. Sc in next 2, sc3tog, sc 1, hdc 1, dc 1, hdc 1, sc 1, sc3tog, sc in last 15. Slst in first sc to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

For left bootie: Work as for right bootie up to Shoe Edge Row 2: Sc in first 15. Sc3tog, sc 1, hdc 1,dc 1, hdc 1, sc 1, sc3tog, 3 sc, ch 13, sk first 5 ch, sc in next 8, sc in same st as last before the ch-13, sc in last 12. Slst in first sc to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew buttons to match button holes.

Disclaimer: I've only partially tested this pattern. Please let me know if anything is amiss. Thanks!

Elena's Bonnet

Elena's Bonnet

Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby in pink
Hook: G
Notions: 1 1/2" button

Magic Ring: Make a slip knot leaving a 4" tail. Place slip knot on hook. Wrap yarn tail around fingers and sc into loop made. Sc 11 more. Pull on tail to tighten and slst into first sc to join. (12 sc)

Round 2: Ch 2. Hdc in same as join. 2 hdc in each st. Hdc in same st as join. Join with slst to 1st hdc. (24 hdc)

Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in next st and around. Sc in same st as join. Join with slst to first sc. (24 sc)

Round 4: Ch 2. Hdc in join. *Hdc in next. 2 hdc in next. Rep from * to end. Hdc in same st as join. Join with slst to first hdc. (36 hdc)

Round 5: Rep Round 3. (36 sc)

Round 6: Ch 2. Hdc in join. *Hdc in next 2 sts. 2 hdc in next. Rep from * to end. Hdc in same st as join. Join with a slst to first hdc. (48 hdc)

Round 7: Rep Round 3. (48 sc)

Round 8: Ch 2. Hdc in same st as join and next 39 sts. Turn. (40 hdc)

Round 9: Ch 2. Hdc in each st across. Turn.

Round 10: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.

Round 11 & 12: Rep Round 9.

Round 13: Rep Round 10.

Round 14: Rep Round 9.

Row 15: Ch 4. Skip 1st 2 sts. (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next. *Skip 5 sts, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next. Repeat from * to last two sts. Ch 1. Dc in last st. Turn. (7 lacy scallops)

Row 16: Ch 4. (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in each ch-3 space. At end, ch 1, dc in 3rd ch of turning chain. Turn.

Row 17: Rep Row 16.

Row 18: Ch 1. Sc in top of dc. Sc in ch-1 space. *Sc in 2 dc. 3 sc in ch-3 sp. Ch 3. Slst into last sc made. - (Picot made) 2 sc in same ch-3 sp. sc in 2 dc. Rep from * to end. Sc in ch-4 space. 2 sc in 3rd chain of turning chain. Do not turn.

Edge: Work sc evenly around the side and neck edge to the beg of Row 18. Slst into 1st sc of Row 18. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Strap: Join yarn in sc corresponding to end of Row 14. Sc in same st as join. Sc in next. Turn. Work a sc in only st. Work 24 Foundation ch. Ch 4. Turn. Skip 2 sts. Slst in next 22 sts. Slst in same st as 2nd sc at beg of strap work. Fasten off. Weave in ends. Sew button to opposite side of bonnet.

Disclaimer: I have not tested this pattern. Please let me know if anything is amiss. Thanks!

Elena's Dress

A friend and coworker of my in-laws just had his first baby and my mother-in-law asked me to stitch something up for them. This is what came about.

Disclaimer: I've not tested this pattern, so please let me know if something is amiss. Thanks!

Elena's Dress

Size: Newborn

Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby (Sport DK weight) in pink: 1 skein
Hooks: E, G and H
Notions: 2 stitch markers, 3 - 3/8" buttons

Finished measurements:
From shoulder to hem - 1o"
From side to side (not around) - 7.5"

Stitch guide:
HdcFch – Half double crochet foundation chain
Picot – ch 3, slst into last st made.

With G hook:
40 HdcFch. Or 42 chs. Turn
Row 1: Ch2. *Hdc in next. 2 hdc in next. Rep to end. Turn (60 hdc)

Row 2: Ch2. Hdc evenly across. Turn

Row 3: Rep Row 1. (90 hdc)

Row 4 & 5: Rep Row 2.

Row 6: Ch2. *Hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep across from *. turn (120 sts)

Row 7: Place marker 40 sts from ea edge. Ch 2. Hdc in first 16 sts (Back right), 5 HdcFch+, skip 24 sts (right arm hole), hdc next 40 sts (front of garment), 5 HdcFch, skip next 24 sts (left arm hole), hdc across remaining 16 sts. (back left). {+ can also just chain 5)

Row 8: Ch4. Skip 1 st. (2 dc, ch3, 2 dc) in next; *skip 5 sts, (2 dc, ch3, 2 dc) in next. Rep from * to end. Ch 1. Dc in last st. Turn [14 (2 dc, ch3, 2 dc)]

Row 9: Ch 4. (2 dc, ch3, 2 dc) in each ch3 sp. At end ch1, dc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn

Row 10: Rep Row 9. At end do not turn. Join with slst to 3rd ch at beg of row. All rows will now be worked in the round.

Row 11 & 12: Ch4. (2 dc, ch3, 2 dc) in each ch-3 sp. At end, ch1, dc in dc of prev round. Join with slst to 3rd ch at beg of row.

Row 13-15: With H hook, cont in est patt.

Row 16-19: Ch 4. (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) in each ch-3 sp. At end, ch1, dc in dc of prev round. Join with slst to 3rd ch at beg of row.

Row 20: ch1. sc in ch-1 sp. *Sc in next 3 dc, 2 sc in ch-3 sp, ch 3, slst into last sc made (picot) sc into ch-3 sp, sc in next 3 dc. Repeat from * around. Sc in ch-1 sp. Sc in dc. Join with slst to 1st sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends

Neck and back opening:
With E hook: Right side facing
Join yarn with slst to last sc of neck on back right side. Sc in same st as join. 2 sc in side of st. Work 19 sc evenly along edge. Sc tog the dc and ch4 of the join of row 10. Work 18 scs evenly up opp edge. Work 2 sc in next . Sc around neck opening. Join with slst to 1st sc.

Row 2: (Slst, sc 2) in next. Sc 18. Sc3tog. (Sc 5. ch4.) three times – button holes made. Sc in next 1. sc 2 in next. Slst in same st. slst in next, fasten off. Weave in ends.

Sew three buttons to match button holes.

Arm hole:
With G hook.
Round 1: Join yarn with slst to first missed st. Work 32 sc evenly around. Join with slst.
Round 2: (Ch5, skip 3, sc in next) 6 times. Sc in next 8, do not join.
Round 3: (Sc 4, picot, sc 3) in ea ch-5 sp. Sc in next 2 sc. Slst in next. Fasten off. Weave in ends.


Flower: (small amount of Bernat Baby Coordinates in white and 5th Avenue Superwash Merino in Lovely Lime)

With E hook and any dk weight yarn:
(Ch 6. 3dtr in 6th ch from hook, ch5, slst in same ch.) 5 times. Slst in the bottom of first petal to join. Fasten off. With second yarn of choice, make 5 surface slst at the bottom of each petal. Leave long tail. Attach flower to dress. With a yarn needle and the long tail of second yarn make a French knot and pull through to the inside of the dress. Fasten off.