Caterpillar Baby Cocoon Set with Video Tutorial

Crochet This Caterpiller Baby Cocoon and Hat set with me! This is sized for a newborn and perfect for newborn photography. Feel free to go up or down one hook size to accommodate if a bigger or smaller baby is expected.

Here is the link for the FREE PDF printable pattern. 

The Materials Needed:

You will need red, yellow, brown and three shades of green yarn in a size 4 worsted weight acrylic. Here is the yarn I used:

One Skein Each:
Red Heart Super Saver CHERRY (Red)
Red Heart Super Saver SPRING (Medium Green)
Red Heart Super Saver PADDY (Dark Green)
Red Heart Super Saver HONEY DEW (Light Green)

Small Amount of:
Red Heart Super Saver LEMON (Yellow)
Red Heart Super Saver COFFEE (Brown)

I Hook
F Hook 
My Yarn Scissors
Yarn Needles



This description includes affiliate links and I might get financial compensation if you choose to click them. I appreciate your support SO much. Thank you! (((hugs)))

Groovy Square - Free Crochet Pattern

I was recently at the Groovy Coop in McKinney. A magical place filled with retro decor. Vintage Pyrex. Furniture from the 60's. Decanturs. Linens. And oh my, the wall art! And there was a big pile of vintage crocheted afghans. That is when I saw this gem. I immediately asked Amber to take my picture with it. 

The blanket was only $28 but I just knew I had to make it. When I got home I tried to find the pattern. No luck. I looked and looked and could not find it so I sat down to recreate it. It took a few tries but here it is! I want to share it with you guys! 

So here goes!

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in two complementary colors. MC (turquoise) and CC (white)

Hook:

Additional Materials:

Size:

Notes: 
The Chain 2 and Chain 3 at the beginning of the row does count as the first stitch in this pattern.

Sue Pinner Multiwrap Magic Circle. Sue Pinner might not have invented this but she is where I learned it and her blog and patterns are so wonderful that I just have to give her credit. Wrap the yarn around one finger about five times and then proceed to work into these strands as you would into a magic circle. You only wrap around one finger because it does not cinch closed as much as a typical magic circle. If you wrap around more than one finger it will be too big of a center gap. This adds a little bulk, strength and structure to the eye of a granny square.

3dc cluster: Yarn over, insert hook into chain space, draw up a loop, yarn over and pull under two of the loops on the hook. Repeat all twice more. Yarn over and pull under all 4 loops on the hook. 

4dc cluster: Yarn over, insert hook into chain space and draw up a loop, yarn over and pull under two of the loops on the hook. Repeat all three times more. Yarn over and pull under all 5 loops on the hook.

Abbreviations:

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
ss - slip stitch
fo - fasten off

Pattern: 

1) In MC. In a "Sue Pinner Magic Circle" ch 2 and 15 dc into the center of the circle, ss into the second ch of the ch 2 at the beginning of this row. Cinch your magic circle.

2) Ch 3 (counts as first dc + ch1) *dc + ch1* around 15 times, ss into the second ch of ch 3. fo (a circle with 16 spokes and 16 chains)

3) Attach CC into any ch 1 space, ch 3 and 3dc cluster in the same stitch. *ch2 4dc cluster in each space around (16 clusters and 16 chains 2 spaces) fo CC.

4) Skip over all clusters and work in the ch 2 spaces only. Attach MC into any ch2 space. ch 2 + 2dc in the same stitch,  3 dc in each of the next 2 spaces, 3dc + ch 2 + 3dc in next space to form a corner, *3 dc in each of the next 3 spaces, 3dc + ch 2 + 3dc in next ch space* repeat * to * all the way around. fo (60 double crochet stitches and 8 chains)


5) Attach CC into any corner, ch 2 + dc +dc + hdc into the same stitch. dc into each  of the 15 stitches *hdc + dc dc + hdc in the corner, dc into each of the next 15 stitches* repeat to the end of the row. ss fo.

tada!

Conversation Heart Coasters

Crochet a Conversation Heart Coaster with Me!!

Here is a super chatty tutorial on how to crochet these cute little coasters to decorate for Valentine's Day!

I like to make my comments a little snarky.

Materials:

Size H/5.00 mm crochet hook
1/2 ball of Peachs & Creme Worsted Weight 4 Ply Cotton Yarn
Yarn Needle (here's my bent tipped Clover needle)
Scissors (here's my Knit Picks Steeking Scissors)
1 Stitch Marker (Optional)
Fabric Glue - I like to glue down my ends after I weave them in. This Glue is Machine Washable and Dryable and I love how it works!!

Free Printable Pattern for this Project:
Crochet Heart Coaster PDF Pattern

I hope that you enjoy watching and making along. This is my very first video tutorial. It took me forever because I just had no grasp of my desired outcome when I first began. I am sure that my video tutorials will evolve and that I will someday look back lovingly on this one as my first.

With Love,
Melody



This blog post contains affiliate links and I might be compensated financially if you choose to click on them. Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it!

MelodyCrochet Podcast 17! - The Christmas Episode

Hi guys! Hope you are all doing fine. Happy Holidys to you and yours. (((hugs)))

I posted a video yesterday and wanted to leave some links to what was on there and where you might find it. Just in case!

First off...the tree is real. Every year. My husband cannot fathom a fake tree. I let the family place the ornaments but I do everything else. It is one of my favorite things to do. I get so scratched up so I wouldn't want to make a career out of it. But, one tree a year and I have this permanent grin glued on my face. So, she had to be in the video!

The bear above my head is our "elf on a shelf". I crocheted him from the Amineko pattern in this adorable book. Its made from Gynx Yarns on her glitz sock base in the colorway "Naughty or Nice". Here is the project page! And here is the book:

And now for the things I am making:

Works In Progress!

Garter Squish knitted blanket for Errol!

These are the needles I used:



Holey Smokes crochet shawl

Ho's!

My gloves are my own pattern and I will link when I get the pattern written digitally. For now it is chicken scratch in three places. LOL But I used Encore by Plymouth yarn, Knitters Pro Cubic wooden needles in size 5. The X-Large gloves only take 36 grams of yarn each. I am so thrilled. I really thought I was going to need two balls of yarn for a set of gloves.

Finished Objects!

Cosy Cardi Crazy Christmas crochet sweater

Cozy Thermal Mitts knitted fingerless gloves for the husbeast! Here is the link to my favorite mitten needles!

Oh! The Tea!!! Red Velvet by Stash Tea is probably my favorite tea that I have found this season. I am just in love with it. I have found a few new favorites but this one I just cannot get enough of.


Their words:

Have your cake and drink it too! Rooibos combines with rich chocolate, caramel, and raspberry flavors to create the perfect cup to satisfy a sweet tooth. Pleasingly sweet with a distinctive chocolate taste and a beautiful red brew. Add a splash of milk and sugar for a creamy dessert in a cup.

Ingredients
Cocoa shells, rooibos, hibiscus, natural cream cheese flavor, natural caramel flavor, natural raspberry flavor

My words...its smooth chocolate raspberry but heavy on the raspberry. Like jam. I add a tiny bit of stevia and a little milk. I never bring tea to bed because I have carpet right now and two dogs. Its begging for trouble. But, I have brought this to bed to drink while I crochet TWICE this week.

Thank you for the love and support that you send through the blog and the vlog. If I don't see you until after Christmas I hope yours is merry and bright and full of things that make your heart smile!



As always, this post contains with affiliate links that I profit financially from. I so appreciate when you do. I hope that they prove to be as helpful to you as the profits are to me.

Filet Crochet Skull Jumper

Hi! I hope this post finds you and yours doing well! It's a blustery fall day here in Texas. I recently finished a project that I just could NOT wait to share with you. It has inspired me to do SO much more filet crochet that I am currently designing more to wear so I can continue this look after Halloween.

I love horror and the spookies. My inner child is a little goth left in me from the 90s and I cherish her. Friday the 13th is something I celebrate so I planned this project as my "Friday the 13th Project". So, that morning my yarn, materials and pattern were all set aside and ready to go. I even did a gauge swatch. I was not let down. This was the perfect celebration crochet.

The "Filet Crochet Skull Jumper" is a pattern by Pony McTate. Pony has a few other patterns on Ravelry, as well. I am going to need a rapture top. Maybe a scrappy one, too. And her new sweater might need to happen, too. I have a holiday sweater along coming up November 1st in the Ravelry group. This one is tempting!

So, lets talk about the pattern. It was originally found in issue 59 of Simply Crochet magazine. I get that on my phone every issue so it was easy for me to access. But, the pattern can also be bought on its own here for $4.75 USD. The pattern was clear and simple.

This is a picture of the original pattern:

My modifications:

First off...no band on the bottom. That would have stolen my zest for this project. Just leached the fun out for me right off the bat. I just chained very loosely for as many stitches as I would need, plus 3 and then double crocheted back. Keep in mind this is worked in two pieces. Front and back. And then you sew them together. You can then add sleeves. I chose not to. I made is so wide that it practically formed its own cap sleeve.

I used an Boye Ergonomic Size 3.75 hook (an F) instead of the 4.5mm hook suggested. It sounds odd. But, I sized down my hook because I sized up my yarn. I went with Aran weight "I Love This Cotton" yarn instead of the sport weight "Yarn and Colors Must-Have" cotton yarn. I don't have easy access to The Must-Have  but it looks to have very similar drape and texture to the I Love This Cotton that I used. And this yarn has been sitting in my stash for YEARS. I love the color and just couldn't make myself turn it into a dishcloth. The ideal swatch size was 4 inches. After downsizing the hook my swatch was 6 inches wide and having a 50% larger skull was perfect in my eyes. BINGO!

I used the swatch to do the math on how many squares I wanted in my top. I figured out that I wanted 6 blank squares below the design and 4 blank squares above. I needed 10 free squares on the right and left of the widest part of the skull. This was all just a quick doodle on some 10 squares per inch graph paper (buy it here or print it from here). Having this on paper makes creating any new designs very simple. I think I'll need a big rose for Spring.

Outcome:

I love it! Its soft and comfy and just enough festive to walk around in all month long before a holiday. This was a fast project, simple enough for a beginner. I could not recommend it more.

Have a great day! Love always,
Mel

As Always this post is full of links and some are affiliate links. I would so appreciate you using them if they help you at all. Just to be fully open and honest I do sometimes receive compensation when you click them.

Reflections Baby Blanket - A Free Pattern

Hello Friends!

Link to Pattern on Ravelry

I hope that this post finds you well and stashing. It's the closing of a beautiful summer full of surprises and crazy weather. I am here to post a little pattern for a baby blanket that I created for a friend that is expecting a baby any day now.

It is called the Reflections baby blanket. It is simple and catchy. You will have one done before you even realize you started it. I think we have all noticed the new fun yarn cakes that are popping up everywhere.

There are the Caron Cakes:

There are the Premier Sweet Rolls:

There are the Bernat Pops:

There are the Lion Brand Mandala:

And my most recent experiment ...the Yarn Bee Sugar Wheel. I was gifted with one cake and lucky enough to find another to match it.

Grab two that match and make one of these blankets. Even if yodon'tdont match just leave out the center contrast color and let the colors land where they will. It is still going to be gorgeous. Mine was made for a baby...but at 36" by 26" I think it would make a great lapghan for anyone.

MelodyCrochet Podcast Episode 4!

Did I mention that I started a podcast? No?! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to leave you out. But, the idea of starting was a little overwhelming. Very little organizing or admin was done because I didn't want to make it any more work than it was for fear that I just wouldn't do it. But I did it! And I'm really glad that I have. I also started a little ravelry group for the podcast, please come join us! It's my next bit of admin to attack. I would love to hear from you for support as I learn. 

I will be posting show notes there and here. I will just link to hear from the group. I tried to just do the notes on there but I am so much more used to formatting on this platform. I will also be posting more here about my projects. I have been making quite a bit. I just have not been writing much about my endeavors. What have you been working on? I'd love to hear! But here is the show notes for episode 4!

Finished Objects

Ripples of Happiness by Sucrette (she has the most amazing blog...it makes me want to crochet everything in my home!

Poppy Troll Hat by Tawnya Myers at Just Crafting Around

WIPS

Willowfall Testknit by Remade by Hand (Erin Kurup)

Mystery Machine Socks

Sunday Shawl by Alia at The Little Bee 

She has the most colorful instagram feed! She will make you want to crochet every pattern in every colorway that you see! So pretty. 

Bendy Arrow by Charlotte Bory of the Charlotte and Gus podcast!

Peachy Geometric by Sandra at Cherry Heart

housed in a bag that was gifted to me and made from this pattern:

Swirling Bag

Rose City Rollers by Mara Bryner

New Stuff!

In this episode I talk about these new-to-me items!

Chiaogoo Twist Interchangeable Knitting Needles in Mini needles and cable

Regia 6-Fedig Sport weight sock yarn 

Daiso Crochet Hooks 

Project bay from the Target Dollar Hot Spot. 

Dream Knitting:

Campfire Cardigan Jess Coppom

Blurre Addydae Designs

KALs/CALs

#Brontealong with LoveSockWool podcast

Summer of Romance Crochet and Knit along with Crochet Cakes Podcast and Crochet Luna Podcast (#SRCAL)

Bun Hat - a free pattern

Messy Bun Hat

There are a ton of bun hat patterns popping up everywhere. But they were lacking a little something for me. I went ahead and took the inspiration and made it my own.

I used Unforgettable Yarn from Red Heart 70 grams/200 yards total. That it is less than one ball but this hat is worked holding two strands together. I was making more than one hat (of course!) so I just held two strands together from separate balls of the yarn. If you are just making one hat I would divide the yarn prior to starting your hat...this is not a great hat to work from both ends of the ball on, in my opinion.

Surprisingly, since I worked from the outside of both balls the yarn colors changed in the same way at the same time so you can hardly even tell I held two strands together when looking at my hat. Next time I will be making one where I start on different colors. I love my Tealberry colorway and would love to see those colors play together even more.

I work in rounds for the body of this hat. I do not slip stitch, chain 2. I just work in a spiral all the way up. The decreases I make are taken at the seam in back. To make this easy to see I put a locking stitch marker so that I have a mental reminder of where the back seam is.

So here is what I used!

1 ball of Unforgettable Red Heart Yarn separated into two balls.
I hook
H hook
Locking Stitch marker 
Yarn Needle to weave in the ends

I used these stitches and abbreviations!

sc - single crochet
sc blo - single crochet through the back loops only (when looking at the top v that a stitch makes, you are working only in the branch that is farther away from you.
hdc - half double crochet
dec hdc - decrease half double crochet
yo, insert into next stitch, yo, pull back, yo insert into the second stitch, yo, pull back, yo and pull through all of the loops on the hook.

And here is what I did!

We will start by making a long strip of sc in the back post only that will fit around your head. It will be 70 rows of 8 single crochets.

With your I Hook while holding 2 strands of yarn together chain 9, turn
sc in the second chain from the hook and across (8sc)
*ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across (8sc) in BACK LOOPS ONLY*
repeat * to * 68 times. Do not Fasten Off.

This ribbed band of 70 rows should fit nicely around the head of most teens and women. Its stretchy!

When your band is complete place fold in half lengthwise (like in the picture above) with right sides facing and single crochet these together to form a loop. This is your hat band and will look much neater in a color changing yarn that it would if you used a Back Post/Front Post Double Crochet. I make alot of baby hats this way too because they grow so quickly. This stretchy band makes it so they can wear the hat longer.

Now to make the body of your hat!

Continuing with the same I hook and the same yarn strand (still held double) that you had not fastened off after seaming up the band.

1) chain 2 and HDC in each stitch along the side of your hat band across (70) place marker as the start of the next row.
2) *hdc across until the last 4 stitches before marker, half double crochet decrease 2 times*
3-7) repeat * to * 5 times. Change to H hook
8-10) repeat * to * 3 times

We have decreased 2 stitches per row for 9 rows now. We are down to 52 stitches and the hat is nearly done. We will now decrease a bit more aggressively so it really hugs the top of your head to show off that messy bun!

11) hdc, dec hdc around to the marker
12) dec hdc around to marker.
13) sc around to marker, slip stitch into the first stitch of the row and FASTEN OFF! *confetti*

Weave in your heads, take a picture, post it to Instagram and tag me (Im MelodyCrochet).

Keep warm guys!

With love,

Melody

There are affiliate links in this pattern. Thank you SO much if you use them. I only link to things that I have used and enjoy.

Izzys Pom Pom

Hello and thanks for stopping by!

I had the best time at the "DFW Its a yarn crawl, Y'all"! I can't wait to share each of my experiences.

But first. A hat. I stopped into the yarn shop with my little guy and he got bored. Yeah, not a surprise. To amuse him I had him go pick out the yarn for a winter hat because winter is coming. I directed him toward the Encore yarn. He went over and to a huge section and chose the brightest and most neon yarn they had...and a matching pre-made pompom. I tried to keep it positive.

1. I won't lose him in the park in this hat.
2. I can probably make this hat in the dark. Literally. I think it has its own light source in there.
3. He chose TWO skeins so I get to make matching mittens!

So, I got to work making him a nice big pom pom hat in two colors (in a low light environmont...to protect my corneas).

Finished product...

I found the link to the yarn just in case you NEED your own. They sell it at amazon.com. Here is my affiliate link to the yellow and Here is the link to the green! They do not have the pompom but I will do a tutorial soon on how to make hat pompoms.

I am so excited that recently I have had the chance to get the yarn stash organized and accessible enough to start shopping for more yarn. I cannot justify buying yarn that will be stored in bins. I have to see it to be inspired by its softness and color. But now its out! I have taken on several (too many?) crochet-a-longs. I am just loving it! Plus it gives me the opportunity to have more to blog about! Which is awesome because I have really missed it. I don't like blogging on "MelodyCrochet" when I don't at least have a little crochet madness to toss in between the recipes, knitting, family stuff, reviews, etc. I will get a chance to play around with blog gadgets and sharing all aspects of our lives! My goal is to work on my pattern writing my social media. I have never really made a pattern beyond writing it out on the blog and I know that can be hard if someone wants to print it out. I am so lucky to have such a great group following me and sharing with me what they are up to. They are so supportive and encouraging! I want to be that for them, too. So, I would like to get better about blending the social media, too. I use it all but I pick and choose what will go where instead of sharing everything everywhere. Ok! Back to the fun stuff.

I did not receive any money or merchandise to write this but I do use affiliate links in my posts. Thanks for your support.

Fringe Scarf Pattern

My son wanted a fringed scarf for his girlfriends birthday. So he searched around and came up with one...but it was knitted. It was triangular and had a very open stitch and lots of fringe that fell down in front. I set out to create something similar with my hook.

I started with a N hook and a ball of yarn that he picked out from the craft store. Lion Brands Heartland in Great Smoky Mountains. (Not the Thick and Quick). It's really pretty. It's black with silver undertones. Its very soft and has a drape similar to Simply Soft, with a bit more body to it. This project only took one ball so I will be making another tonight. I used a 6" x 8" notebook to wrap the yarn around to make the fringe. My scarf ended up being about 62" wide minus the pompoms on the corners.

Here is the PDF if you would like to Download it! 

Materials List:

Lion Brand Heartland: https://amzn.to/2Nft1pf

Clover Amour Size N/10mm: https://amzn.to/2lNUHFp

Scissors: https://amzn.to/2MmH3ox

Yarn Needles: https://amzn.to/2t4LifR

Chain 124 loosely.

Row 1) Single Crochet (SC) in 3rd chain from hook. *Chain 1 (Ch1), skip a chain, Double Crochet (DC) in next next chain*. Repeat *-* until there are only 3 or 4 chains left. Then Ch1 and SC in the last chain.

Row 2) Turn, chain 3, SC in second Ch1 space from the hook. *Ch1, DC in the next Ch1 space*. Repeat *-* across until 2 Ch1 spaces. Ch1, skip a Ch1 space and SC in the last Ch1 space.

Repeat row 2 until one or two Ch1 space are all that remain. Fasten Off.

Making the Fringe! Wrap the yarn around the side of a notebook or dvd box (or something similarly sized) about 100-200 times. Cut the yarn in one place. Cut just a few strands at a time and work across them. So you have lots of twelve inch yarn strands.

I attached eight strands in each edge chain space along the edge of the pointy side of the triangle scarf. More or less is fine. I have attached as few as 4 strands on the gray one below and it looks just as fun. I was running low so I did not take it all the way to the tips on the gray shawl, either. I stopped 2/3 of the way up. You can see it in the picture on the left.



Making the Tassels! On the ends I attached 10 of the strands through the corner spaces. I took another stranded and wrapped it around the tassel strands at a point about one inch from the fold over point. I wrapped it about 10 times, then tied the ends together in a square knot. Then I use my crochet hook to work the two knotted stands into the rest of the tassel.

Here is a great video about making tassels. Instead of making it on the string...make it on the end spaces of the scarf. The rest is the same.

TADA!!!

Izzy is showing that the yarn is super soft and snuggly. And that he is a ham. And that he has lost is two top teeth. :)

I hope you try the pattern! It was fast and fun and would be GREAT for a going back to school gift or even those of you that are already Christmas crafting. You are guys are my hero.

I did not receive money or supplies. But, I use affiliate links. :)

I survived Black Friday weekend!

When did "Black Friday" turn into 4 days? Oh! It was amazing. I am not a big shopper (except yarn stores). I really just love the energy of it. People are all full of food and family love in fancy outfits. I am really big on people watching. I grab coffee and just wander and smile at everyone. They miiiight think I am crazy but they always smile back... so it works for me.

It is funny how late it always feels. It is just so dark so early this time of year.

My big guy was visiting an uncle for the holiday. He had a great time! So, I just had to put the little one to bed and sit the husband in front of his monitor to work through his turkey coma on FFXIV... and away I went.

First, was Walmart. I was nearly hit in the parking lot but that did not phase me. I scored the Nabi 2 at half price. So I am pretty much done for the little ones Christmas. Half price! *cheesy smile* No drama involved either. I walked up, she gave me a wristband. A few minutes later I came back to her and she gave me the box. I grabbed a few other items at irrisistable prices ($4 character jammies...yes, please.) The lines at checkout weren't even long. I was starting to worry about Black Friday. Was it a passing trend?

Next, I hit Ulta. I filled up a bag and then looked at the line and I put that bag down. Don't worry. Black Friday is not a passing trend. The Ulta line proved it. The deals were not beefy enough to warrant that line. Nothing was beefy enough to warrant that line. I could just feel other deals slipping between my fingers if I stood near THAT LINE. It was crazy. So, I left. I hope I find that dirt cheap perfume sampler on Ebay.

I went to a local outdoor mall. It was CHRISTMAS! Christmas music, twinkling lights, people all bundled up. It was right out of a holiday card. *sigh* I wandered. It's what I do. I grabbed some odds and ends over the next two hours and then headed home. I hugged everyone. The holidays do that to me. It's a month of alot of hugs.

This weekend I made cocoa from scratch and finished my shark slippers. See!

These are off to to sit under a tree for a few weeks....just lurking. *insert Jaws music*

Chevron Cowl

Its Fall!!!!

Wow...you know I love fall. I have done posts just on the different flavors I like to hunt out in the fall. This year I have been digging my heals into a brand new goal: debt killing. So I will there will be less "what I like to buy" and more "favorite recipes" this season.

Saving is really amazing. It is amazing how little things really do add up. I am guilty of thinking that penny pinching is thankless. But no. Its so freeing to find more than you expect in the bank at the end of the month. It also appeals to the puzzle player in me. Hunting deals and seeing how little I can spend in a certain amount of time is just fun.

I think the trick to all things in life is to see it as a lesson and keep it positive. Life is too short to not keep your heart and mind in the moment and count your blessings.

Oh...and I crochet!

So this little chevron cowl is on its way to keep a good friend warm and add some color to her winter. I think I need to make one for myself with some yarny fringe. What do you think?

Here is an action shot:

Its abotu 24" long. I think I would make mine just a little longer so I can loop it. She loves tangerine and turquoise but I would probably opt for some purple. I used I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby/ You can buy it online if you dont have a local Hobby Lobby. It feels alot like Red Hearts "With Love" yarn...except this doesn't pill like theirs does. So "I Love This Yarn" is great for smooshy items like cowls and baby blankets. It washes great, too!

This is the pattern I used from Crochet In Color. Its for a scarf but I just crocheted for 24" of the pattern. Then I used a metal yarn needle and sewed it up the side with a whip stitch.

Booties!

Today has been a day of booties. Yes! Just a bootie-ful day. Just full of yarn and tiny, pretty buttons and flowers. It was so nice.

I have crocheted many booties and today I mixed and mingled all my favorite parts to make some booties for baby girl that is on her way soon.

Aren't they precious?!

I have had my babies and I am happy to be past that point in my life. Still things like this just make my ovaries do a cartwheel.

I wrote up a pattern in case you would like to make some yourself. But, if not I will be happy to make something for you over at my Etsy shop in a custom order.

Little Red Riding Hood

I have been crocheting. Quite a bit really. It kept my hands busy during the move.

This was for a swap last month. I sent Gozer a Little Red Riding Hood for her to wear.

I used the Ruadh pattern on Ravelry. It turned out beautifully. The pattern is fabulous. BUT...the stitch the body is in took much longer than I expected. So this is not a quick project.

 

 

This picture shows a little of the detail around the edge. It went all the way up one side, over the hood and down the other side. That was a long strip of crocheted cables. I got VERY familiar with the pattern.
But I am very happy with how it turned out. Hopefully it keeps her warm for a long time!

Triceratops Amigurumi

I crocheted the cutest triceratops amigurumi my little boy! He worked up fast and the pattern was simple to follow. I bought the pattern.




I am really pleased with him. I made him out of Red Heart Super Saver...that means he will probably live forever. Unlike his relatives.
Happy Easter everyone. I hope that you each have a warm and beautiful holiday. We will be visiting the in-laws tomorrow. I am hoping that we all waking up feeling great. The whole family has been fighting a germ this week. SO gross.

I did a swap with friends and wanted to crochet something that was the same for each of them...with different colors to suit their decor.

They are each 16 circles in squares. I used this pattern from Manners Crochet and Craft. These circles worked up super fast. Then I just whip-stitched them together. My first attempt was the pillow on the right. That one I tried to crochet the squares together and I did not like the outcome. The two pillows on the left turned out much cuter with the whipstitch assembly.
I did a granny square on the back of one. The other two I backed them with felt and sewed it on with my machine. Fast and simple.

In the end it all worked out well and I really enjoyed the swap. The pillow I received are adorable. I will post them as soon as I get them stuffed!

I made this Amigurumi recently for a swap. I could not find a pattern that suited me. Too small for the most part. This guy measures about 8" tall. I like that size for a doll.





I will be writing out a pattern for him very soon. While I do I will work a few more up and throw them on my Etsy page.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/128016171/vincent-valentine-amigurumi

Link from Zelda Hat - Free Crochet Pattern

I am first and foremost a crochet-er. :) I taught myself to crochet way back last month and it has been taking up a good sized chunk of my time. When I entered a swap recently I knew I wanted to make her a Link from Zelda hat...but I figured I would just knit one up.
Attempt number 1 was just awful. It wasn't even hat-like. I frogged it.
Attempt number 2 is actually a hat. And a cute, slouchy one that I kept for myself. But, not a bit like the hat Link wore. It needed length and pointiness. So I fell back on what (I feel) I do best. Crochet. An hour later I had my hat. What a waste of 2 days. At least I have a little green hat in my collection to show for it.
She loved it and looked SO cute in it. In celebration I want to share this very simple and fun pattern with you.
What you need for this adult woman sized hat.

• Worsted Weight Yarn. The sample is grass green in I Love This Yarn. (Go Hobby Lobby!)
• Size J Crochet Hook
• I'm still writing so that it seems more complicated. But, nope...that's it.

It is very stretchy. If you want it super big for a big guy then I would take it out to 72 stitches instead of the 66 that I have here. You would do so by adding a row after 18 where you increase every 10 stitches. Then crochet around as the instructions direct.
Note: ss into the first stitch in the row and chain 2 at the end of each row.
Row 1) 8 dc in a magic circle. (8)
(here is a video if you are new to the magic circle)
Row 2) 2 DC in each stitch around (16)
Row 3) *DC, 2 DC* around (24)
Row 4-8) DC around (24)
Row 9) *DC in 3 stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch* repeat * to * 5 more times (30)
Row 10) DC around (30)
Row 11) *DC in 4 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch* repeat * to * 5 more times. (36)
Row 12) DC around (36)
Row 13) *DC in 5 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch* repeat * to * 5 more times.(42)
Row 14) DC around (42)
Row 15) *DC in 3 stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch* repeat * to * 9 times and then DC in the last two stitches (52)
Row 16) DC around (52)
Row 17) *DC in 4 stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch* repeat * to * 9 times, DC in the last two stitches (62)
Row 18) *DC in 14 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch* repeat * to * 3 times, DC in the last 2 stitches
Row 19-22) DC around (66)

(The ribbed edge begins here)
Row 23-25) Alternate FPDC and BPDC around (66)
Here is a video for help with FPDC and BPDC if you would like to a refresher.

Fasten Off. Weave in tails and work it.

Very slouchtastic and pointy.
Hugs, Mel

Tricorne Pirate Hat Crochet Pattern

Im taking part in the summer nerd games and this is my first entry. :) Its a pirate tricorne hat like the ones found in Limsa Lominsa in FFXIV


Just a quickie pattern if you want to make one like it! :)

Items You Need
Red Yarn -RHSS
Heather Grey Yarn - RHSS
G Hook
Stitch Marker (I use a little piece of contrasting yarn and just pull it out and replace it at the beginning of each row so I dont lose my place when working in the round)
Yarn Needle
Scissors.


I started in the center of the hat forming the "beanie" of it first. My gauge with Red Heart on a G Hook is 4st x 4st gives me one square inch. The drop on this hat is only 7"...you dont want it to come down to your eye brows before you begin the brim or it will look really odd. So the beanie portion is 22" wide and the drop is 7".

I worked in the round and did NOT slip stitch chain one at the end of each row. I used a stitch marker and just kept working in the circle.

The hat only uses single crochet. When I say "sc inc" it means sc two times in that one stitch. :)

Row 1) 6 sc in a magic loop circle. Cinch your circle closed and continue to row 2 (6)
2) sc increase in each stitch around (12)
3) *sc, sc inc* around (18)
4) *sc 2 times, sc inc* around (24)
5) *sc 3 times, sc inc* around (30)
6) *sc 4 times, sc inc* around (36)
7) sc around (35)
8) *sc 5 times, sc inc* around (42)
9) sc around (42)
10) *sc 6 times, sc inc* around (48)
11) sc around (48)
12) *sc 7 times, sc inc* around (54)
13) sc around (54)
14) *sc 8 times, sc inc* around (60)
15) *sc 9 times, sc inc* around (66)
16) sc around (66)
17) *sc 10 times, sc inc* around (72)
18) sc around (72)
19) *sc 11 times, sc inc* around (78)
20) *sc 12 times, sc inc* around (84)
21) *sc 13 times, sc inc* around (90)
22-26) sc around (90)

That was it for the part that sits on your head...we are now continuing on to the brim. No need to fasten off ...just keep working in the round.

27) *sc 6 times, sc inc* around (102)
28) *sc 7 times, sc inc* around (114)
29) *sc 8 times, sc inc* around (126)
30) *sc 9 times, sc inc* around (138)
31) *sc 10 times, sc inc* around (150)
32) *sc 11 times, sc inc* around (162)
33) *sc 12 times, sc inc* around (174)
34) *sc 13 times, sc inc* around (186)
35) sc around (186) Slip Stitch, Fasten off.

Attach Gray Yarn

36) *sc 14 times, sc inc* around (198)
37) *sc 15 times, sc inc* around (210)
38) sc around (210) Slip Stitch, Fasten off.

I made the end where I fastened off the back of the hat.

Now you have a great big, floppy hat. Turn the hat inside out so that when you fold the edges up in a "tricorne hat shape" the "right side" is facing out on the sides.

Like this...

I figured it is more important that the sides that everyone can see are the right side of the crochet fabric, as opposed to the top of the hat...fewer people will see that.

After flipping it "inside out" just shape it however want it to look. It is about personal preference. I did not want my edges to be too sharply folded. I like the rounded corners. Once you find how you want it to look then just use the complimentary yarn, cut a few strands and sew it to keep it that shape.

Just a Note: When you are sewing the outside just enter a stitch and take the working yarn into a hole that is above and on stitch to the right or left. Just like you are cross-stitching. This will make the stitching nearly impossible to see. I learned this by "accident".

I sewed the red and then I sewed a few strands through the gray also. It curled a bit before I stitched through the gray a few times.

Finished product! :)

Moose!

It was a long, boring process. But, isn't he cute?!

 

I bought the pattern from someone called "nutsaboutcrochet13" ...I found the pattern on pinterest...followed that to ravelry...then it directed me elsewhere. Then it showed up in my email account so I have NO idea how to link back to her. I made ALOT of modifications. I made it larger and the starts and finisheds and feet and legs and such are all different than the pattern suggested. But it was a nice pattern (if not expensive) to use as a guide. I don't see many moose around here so a guide was nice. :)