I'm Moving!

Hello crochet and knit followers of this blog,
I have decided that I may have more success if I were to seperate off of this blog and have one that is solely dedicated to knit and crochet patterns. I have loved all of your feedback and would be really happy if you chose to follow me over to my new home http://stringwithstyle.blogspot.com/. Please don't leave this page. I will be making guest posts from time to time as asked. Also I know Roni has some great things available for you sewers.
Thanks for all your love and comments over the last few months. I'm moving from here but not stopping completely. : )

BreeAnna

Bobble Blanket for Infant Carrier

This is a gift EVERY new mother needs! How many times have you been leaving the store, bags in one hand, baby carrier in the other and up blows the wind? Trying to shield the baby and keep the blanket on them without dropping all your bags can be one challenging balance act for even the most talented contortionist! Or there is the ever so simple active child that kicks off every blanket that you place over them. NO MORE! This blanket is specifically designed to be locked into the car seat without adding extra bulk that can jeopardize the safety of the baby.

It has two slits in the blanket that allow you to slip the bottom lock of the car seat through the blanket and then strap the child underneath. {Sorry for the doll. I'm due in May and will have a real live doll to play with again. My usual model is a little big for this car seat. ; ) }

The blanket is designed to fit right over the car seat without extra length hanging off the edges and the bobbled stitches give your little one something to touch and feel. So let's get started!! : ) This is the perfect baby shower gift and because it is small it works up pretty fast.

Pattern

Materials

Size N crochet hook

Medium worsted weight yarn in two complimentary colors, or two skeins of the same color(they will be worked together).

-OR-

Super bulky baby yarn

7/8" Ribbon

I made a blanket using each of these yarns and the gauge comes out pretty close to the same. There is one adjustment and I will let you know what it is when we get there.

All of the step by step photos are of the quilt made with the medium worsted weight yarn. It is MUCH easier to see your stitches. But the super bulky baby yarn is so soft and also turns out really cute as you can see --

Special stitch
Bobble - (YO, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop, YO draw through 2 loops on hook) repeat twice in same st. YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook.

Ch 32 (If you are using medium worsted weight, work 2 strands together at the same time.)

Row 1: Skip first sc, sc in each ch across, ch 1, turn. (31 sc)

Row 2: Sc in first st, bobble st, *sc in next 3 st, bobble st,* repeat from * to * across to last st, sc in last st, ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc across, ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc in first 3 st, *bubble st, sc in next 3 st,* repeat from * to * across, ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Sc across, ch 1, turn.
Row 6-16: Repeat rows 2-5 twice and then rows 2-4 once more.
Row 17: Sc in first 14 st, ch 3, skip 3 sc, sc in remaining 14 st, ch 1 turn.

Row 18: Sc in first sc, *bobble st, 3 sc,* repeat from * to * twice, bobble st, 3 sc in ch 3 space, repeat from * to * three times, bobble st, sc in last st, ch 1, turn.

Row 19: Sc across, ch 1, turn.

Row 20: *Sc in 3 st, bobble st,* repeat from * to * twice, sc in 7 st, bobble st, repeat from * to * twice, sc in last 3 st, ch 1 turn

Row 21: Repeat row 17.

Row 22: Repeat row 18.

Row 23: Sc across, ch 1, turn.

Row 24-25: Repeat rows 4 and 5.

Row 26-33: Repeat rows 2-5 twice. Do not ch 1 or turn on your last time working row 5.

(Beginning in this next row, you will be working around the blanket.)

Eyelet Rd: (This round the directions vary depending on the yarn that you have chosen to work with. The initial instructions will be written for the super bulky baby yarn and then the adjustments for the medium worsted weight yarn will follow.)

Ch 3, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1) in same st. Side A: Working along left side of the quilt, dc, ch 1, working 17 dc evenly spaced, dc in corner st. (18 ch 1 spaces across left side). (Dc, ch 1, dc, ch1) in same corner st. Side B: Working across the bottom of the quilt, dc, ch 1, working 15 dc evenly spaced, dc in corner st. (16 ch 1 spaces across bottom). Repeat Side A and Side B once again ending with a slip st in the second ch of beginning ch 3.

Changes for medium worsted weight yarn:

Ch 4, work the rest of the eyelet round just the same except use tc instead of dc. I found that the dc stitches were just slightly not tall enough accommodate the 7/8" ribbon. (The close up pictures for the next couple steps show dc because I didn't realize this till later. Just a clarification so the pictures aren't confusing.) When joining, slip st in the third ch of beginning ch 4. 

Edging: Ch 2, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 2, ^*sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1*, repeat from * to * across to corner, ch 2 over corner dc^, repeat from ^ to ^ around. Join in first ch of beginning ch 2. Finish off. Weave in ends. 

Cut off 88" of ribbon and weave it through the eyelet row securing with a bow, and you're DONE!!!

Ta da!!!
I hope you enjoyed this pattern. Since posting it, I have switched off this blog and have created my own. For more patterns like this and to see any updates to this one, please follow THIS link. It will take you to the posting for this blanket on the new blog. Please follow me over there. It will give you access to other patterns as I create them. : )
Thanks for stopping by.

Sun Hat With Flower

My daughter has the finest, blondest hair you've ever seen! So with Spring on it's way {and Summer close on it's heels} I realized not only was she going to need some new shorts and flip flops but also some new hats as well. And let's face it, as one of the bonuses to having little girls - we get to accessorize!!!

This is a quick, simple pattern you could whip up in one afternoon {that would also be a great addition to your little one's Easter basket!} With endless possibilities, and results that are THIS CUTE why haven't you grabbed your crochet hook yet?

I made this hat to fit my 2 yr old daughter. Her head circumference is 17." Since sun hats generally fit a little large, this hat will fit up to a head circumference of 19" and has about a 1/8" of space all around my daughter's head. There were some requests for larger and smaller sizes. They have been added in [brackets].
For help with sizing: all sizes are listed in the smallest fitting size and will stretch up to 2 inches. Because head sizes vary so much even in the same age group, the best way to know what will fit is to measure the child's head. This initial hat size that I made to fit a 17" head circumference fits my 2 yr old daughter and my 5 yr old niece. Good luck! :-)

Pattern

Materials:

Size I crochet hook

Medium worsted weight yarn in desired colors (A) and (B) {I also used a third color as an accent in my flower - good use for scrap yarn!}

Yarn needle

Instructions:
17" child [15 1/2" child, 21" child, 21" adult, 24" adult]

R1: With color (A) - Ch 4, [ch 4, ch 5, ch 4, ch 5] join in a ring.

R2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc in this round and all continuing rounds unless otherwise stated), 9 hdc in ring [for ch 4 rings, 11 hdc for ch 5 rings] join with slip stitch to top of ch 2. (10 hdc, 10 hdc, 12 hdc, 10 hdc, 12 hdc)

R3: Ch 2, hdc in joining stitch, 2 hdc in each stitch around, join to top of ch 2. (20 hdc, 20 hdc, 24 hdc, 20 hdc, 24 hdc)

R4: Ch 3 (counts as dc in this round and all continuing rounds unless otherwise stated), 2 dc in next stitch, *1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next st,* repeat * to *around, join in top of ch 3. (30 dc, 30 dc, 36 dc, 30 dc, 36 dc)

R5: Ch 2, hdc in next stitch, 2 hdc in next st, *1 hdc in next 2 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch,* repeat * to * around, join in top of ch 2. (40 hdc, 40 hdc 48 hdc, 40 hdc, 48 hdc)

R6: Ch 3, dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch,* repeat * to * around, join in top of ch 3. (50 dc, 50 dc, 60 dc, 50 dc, 60 dc)

R7: Ch 2, hdc in next 3 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, *1 hdc in next 4 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch,* repeat * to * around, join in top of ch 2. (60 hdc, 60 hdc, 72 hdc, 60 hdc, 72 hdc) [For 15 1/2" child's hat skip to R10]

R8: Ch 3, dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 5 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch,* repeat * to * around, join in the top of ch 3. (70 dc, 84 dc, 70 dc, 84 dc)
[For both adult sizes]
R8a: Ch 2, hdc in next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, *1 hdc in next 6 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch,* repeat * to * around, join in the top of ch 2. (80 hdc, 96 hdc)
(At this point the "rounds count" will be off one row for both adult sizes. I am sorry for this and any confusion it may cause, but it seemed easier than specifying the rest of the directions separately for these 2 sizes.)

R9: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each stitch around, join in the top of ch 2.

R10: Ch 3, 1 dc in each stitch around, join in the top of ch 3.

[For 15 1/2" child's hat repeat R9 and R10 and then R9 once more. There should be 4 rows completed since you stopped the increase rows. Finish off. Skip to R15]

R11-14: Repeat rounds 9 and 10 twice more.
[For larger child's size and both adult sizes]
R14a: Repeat round 9 once more.
[For adult sizes]
R14b: Repeat round 10 once more. Finish off
(At this point the "rounds count" will be off for every size above the smaller child's size. Larger child's size one row, the smaller adult size will be off by two and the larger adult size will be off by three. This is the last time that any additional rows will be added to one size and not another. Again I'm sorry for any confusion this may cause.)

R15: Join color (B) in joining stitch of last round worked - Ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join in ch 1.

R16: Repeat row 15. Finish off.

R17: Join color (A) in joining stitch of last round worked - Ch 2, hdc in each stitch around, join in the top of ch 2.

R18: Ch 1, 2 sc in next stitch, *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch* (for 21" child size only!), repeat * to* around to last 12 stitches, 2 sc in each of last 12 stitches, join in ch 1. (132 sc). (for 17" child size only!) repeat * to * around to last 10 stitches, 2 sc in each of last 10 stitches, join to ch 1. (110 sc). (For 15 1/2" child, 21" adult and 24" adult size hats) continue alternating 1 sc in one stitch and 2 sc in next stitch till end, join in ch 1. (90 sc, 120 sc, 144 sc)

[For child's size 15 1/2 ", 17" and adult 21"]

R19: Ch 1, sc in next 4 stitches, ch 5, skip 5 stitches, *sc in next 5 stitches, ch 5 skip 5 stitches,* repeat * to * around, end by joining in ch 1. (10 ch 5 loops, 11 ch 5 loops, 12 ch 5 loops)

[For child's size 21" and adult 24"]

R19: Ch 1 sc in next 5 stitches, ch 6, skip 5 stitches, *sc in next 6 stitches, ch 6 skip 6 stitches,* repeat * to * around, end by joining in ch 1 (11 ch 6 loops, 12 ch 6 loops)

[For child's size 15 1/2", 17" and adult 21"]

R20: Slip stitch into next sc, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 stitches, skip 1 sc, 8 dc in ch 5 space (shell made), *skip 1 sc, sc in next 3 sc, skip 1 sc, shell in next ch 5 space,* repeat * to * around, join in first sc.

[For child's size 21" and adult 24"]

R20: Slip stitch into next sc, ch 1 sc in same st, sc in next 3 stitches, skip 1 sc, 10 dc in ch 6 space (shell made), *skip 1 sc, sc in next 4 sc, skip 1 sc, shell in next ch 6 space,* repeat * to * around, join in first sc.

[For child's size 15 1/2", 17" and adult 21"]

R21: Slip stitch into next sc, ch 1 [sc in next dc, ch 1] across shell, *slip stitch in second sc, ch 1, [sc in next dc, ch 1] across shell,* repeat * to * around, join in beginning slip st. Finish off.

[For child's size 21" and adult 24"]

R21: Slip stitch into next 2 sc, ch 1 [sc in next dc, ch] across shell, *slip stitch in second sc and 3rd sc, ch 1, [sc in next dc, ch 1] across shell,* repeat * to * around, join in beginning slip st. Finish off.

You really can use any flower that you want to accent the hat. I used a carnation pattern that I found on allcrafts.net. There are a lot of other options there too. I liked the carnation because it stood off the hat and gave it a little more dimension.

Attach the flower of your choice to the side of the hat with your yarn needle and corresponding yarn. And your hat is done!

As you can see, I have made a couple of these already. They are so much fun and so cute! I would love to see what color combinations you use and what flowers you decide to attach to your hats. Please post pictures when you are done. Since posting this pattern I have stopped posting on this blog and have struck out on my own. : ) I am now the writer of String With Style. You can find it HERE. Please follow that link and come over for new patterns that I have written. I hope all of the directions for the additional sizes are clear. Please let me know if you need any clarifications or if there are any errors. THANKS!!!

Snow Shoe Leggings

I have been really excited with the sudden resurgance of leg warmers recently! I have to admit I have been really hesitant about the 80's revival -- until the arrival of leg warmers! I just LOVE them! These "Snow Shoe Leggings" are a pair that I designed and made for my daughter. {She calls them "pretty socks."}
They were just too cute to keep to myself so I have decided to share the pattern with you. I do ask that if you decide to reproduce them and sell them for profit, to please credit this blog as where you  found the original pattern.


Following here is the 12mo pattern. I also have 6mo, 12mo and 18mo sizes available ready made on Etsy. {I would also happily make a pair in a size or color that I do not currently offer.} So if this pattern proves a little difficult {or you must have them NOW} please feel free to float over there and I would happily ship a pair to you for your frost bitten little one! ;-)


Snow Shoe Leggings Pattern (12 mo)
Materials:
Set of 4 double pointed knitting needles size 6
Yarn color of your choice, medium worsted weight
Ribbon color of your choice 3/8" (should you choose to include the optional eyelet round)

Abreviations:
K - knit
K2tog - knit 2 stitches together
P- purl
yfwd- bring yarn to the front
yo - create a stitch by wrapping the yarn around the needle once

Directions:
Cast on 36 stitches (12 stitches on each of 3 needles).

R1-5: K2, P1 around.

R6-9: Knit around.

R10: {We begin making the first set of "bowtie" stitches} K1, yfwd, slip next 5 sts, *K5, yfwd, slip next 5 sts,* repeat around. {End by moving yarn back so you are able to knit.}

R11: K around.

R12-14: Repeat rows 10 and 11 ending with row 10.
{Your legwarmer should now look something like this..}

R15: {Get ready to "tie the bow!"} K3, "tie the bow" {slip right needle under 3 loose strands of yarn and K the next stitch on the left needle. Pull your just completed knit stitch under the 3 strands of yarn and back to regular "knitting position."} *K9, "tie the bow"* repeat around, K2.

R16-17: K around.

R18: K6, *yfwd, slip 5 sts, K5* repeat around.

R19: K around.

R20-22: Repeat rows 18 and 19 ending with row 18.

R23: K 8, "tie the bow," *K9, "tie the bow,"* repeat around, K 7.

R24-25: K around.

R26-30: Repeat rows 10 and 11 ending with row 10.

R31: Repeat row 15.

R32-33: K around. 

R34: {If you decide that you don't want the ribbon accent just knit this round} *K1, YO, K2tog,* repeat around.

R27: K around.

R28-33: *K2, P1* around.

Finish off.

Weave in ends of yarn.

Thread ribbon through eyelets, tie in a bow and YOU'RE DONE!!!!! {With your first one} ;-)

Make 2 and you are all set!

Seriously how cute are these! I would love to see what you guys come up with so please post pictures and let me know of any questions you have or of any errors with the pattern. {I am not perfect all the time} ;-) I will happily make adjustments if necessary and answer any questions that arrise. I do still come and check comments on this post but since posting this pattern I have moved to a blog of my own. You can now find me at String With Style. Just follow THIS link. I have posted another legging pattern and some crochet patterns as well.

Thanks for stopping by and please, please leave your comments below!

Gathered Clutch Wallet

I loved gathered fabrics. They add a feminine flare without being too over the top, still having a lot of depth and interest. I also really love clutches, but sometimes find myself wanting more than just 1 pocket. This is a beautiful, simplistic design that I have been thinking about making for months and finally found the perfect fabric I had in mind for my first one. What do you think?

 

I gave my first one to someone who I thought would want a functional interior design, so this is more of a wallet on the inside including places for credit cards, cash, etc. On the bottom flap I could also include a checkbook insert if that is something you are looking for. This also includes a magnetic snap enclosure and reinforced stabilizer inside so the clutch is strong and will keep it's shape. 

 I will be making another one soon with full enclosure on the sides instead of a fold out wallet. Do you prefer the clutch with attached sides like a coin purse, or a wallet style interior?

Thanks for checking out the products of our stitching addiction! Check us out at our etsy site here.