7.07.2013

Super Simple Baby Hat Step by Step (w/ photos!)

I realize it's July, but what's more fun than a crocheted winter hat?  I made one of these for my son that is due in October.  We live in Chicago so he will likely be wearing a hat until April.  So, I will need a few of them  :)

I'll show you how to make this little guy. 




This is a beginner pattern for a newborn winter hat.

Materials
I hook
Worsted Weight yarn. 
 - I have Red Heart With Love

Stitches
Magic Circle
hdc - Half Double Crochet
ch - chain
sl - slip stitch
sp - space
fl- front loop
front loop only (I'll show you)

Also
  • The beginning of each row will have a ch 2.  This counts as the first hdc.  Meaning when you should end up with 24 hdc at the end of a row, you will have a ch2 and 23 hdc. 
  • You are joined at the end of each round.  This is not a continuous stitch.  (which means if you want to change colors it will look a lot nicer)
***NOTE***
If you just want the pattern look for the bold and italicized row directions.


I used hdc on this because its just a fuller, warmer stitch.  

First.  

Row 1 - You want to do a Magic Circle (see above for the link to a video).  Ch2 and 11 hdc and join (12hdc) 

Here is your join - 
You are going to insert your hook at the 2nd chain you chained in the very beginning.  This will make it look more seemless.  If you go into the space, you will create a bigger space and a "seam" up the side. 



sl (slip stitch) 



Then ch2.  
This is the beginning of the next row.  
Remember that 2nd chain is where your hook will be going when you come back around to join.  If you want to make it a little easier on yourself go ahead and exaggerate this chain just a bit so it's easier to see.  



Hdc in the same space.  And continue around.



Row 2 - Ch2 then hdc in same stitch.  hdc in next stitch then 2hdc in the next stitch.  *hdc,2hdc* repeat* around and join in ch-2 sp.  (24 hdc)

So basically each stitch is a space between the comma.  The * tells you that you need to repeat these two different spaces over and over.  If it was all written out it would be ch2 and hdc, hdc,2hdc,hdc,2hdc,hdc,hdc,hdc,2hdc,hdc,2hdc,hdc,2hdc,hdc,2hdc,hdc, join.  

See why they shorten?  :)

Here is what that row is going to look like, and the join again just for fun.  





The next row is very much the same with a TWIST.  This time you will have two stitched of one hdc between a stitch of 2hdc.  Like this...

Row 3 -  Ch2 then hdc in same. hdc in each of the next two stitches then 2hdc in the third stitch. *hdc,hdc,2hdc* repeat* around and join in ch-2 sp.  (36 hdc)

Simple as that. If you are new to rounds and/or patterns this is odd at first, but it starts to make sense really fast.  

Now at this point is where I stop increasing the stitch.  Because this is a newborn hat I want to keep it small and its yarn so it's gunna stretch a bit.  So row 4 is going to be the same number of stitches as row 3, 36.  This is what it would look like in a book.

Also - you can add as many rows are you want.  This doesn't HAVE to be this size just add another hdc before doing the 2hdc increase.  You can go on forever.  :)

Row 4 - 10 - ch2 then hdc in same. hdc in each stitch around and join in ch-2 sp. (36 hdc)

Row 4 will be repeated until you have completed 10 rows.  

Go ahead.  I'll wait.  

(Tick. Tock. Tick.)

This is after 5 rows.  Because you aren't increasing it's starting to bowl.  




Stop at 10 rows.
We are going to do something a little different. You will do the same stitch but in the front loop only. This will cause the hat to be able to flip up easily.  

Row 11 - ch2 then hdc in same. hdc in each FL around and join in ch-2 sp. (36 hdc)

It looks like this. 

The stitch is a "v" shape.  You just want the side closer to you.  Here I pulled them out a bit.  







You will be able to easily fold it on itself.  It's almost a hat!



Continue.

Row 12 and 13 ch2 then hdc in same. hdc in each stitch around and join join in ch-2 sp. (36 hdc) (same as row 4 through 10) Finish off.

After the join pull up to make a big loop.



 Cut it and pull it up.



 Sew it in.





I like to make sure it's secure.  Finishing isn't a science, just weave it in a few times.  Just try not to knot, or you will have a lump.  



Lastly, sew in the tail from the magic circle.



Flip the brim down and wha-la!




Copyright - All photos, pattern, and crochet created and property of Teresa Millies.

Toddler Owl Purse

If I have learned anything in my last couple years of crocheting and crafting it's that people love them some owls.

As it is Sunday, Jeff is home so he is helping me chase our little monster around the house.  I tagged him in and I hopped on Ravelry looking for an idea for something completely different.

Violet is starting to pick thing up and "collect" them.  Rocks and things.  And by collect I mean she brings them to me to hold onto.  On a whim I made her this little purse to collect her treasures.  It took about 30-45 mins.  I took it apart once and started over so I'm not sure exactly.  

The pattern isn't mine. It's here.





She loves anything made of yarn.  Especially anything that she can point out it's eyes and nose.  

My chicken is getting TOO big!



6.23.2013

My first DforV showing.

Well I did it.  

I showed the work, in public.  :)  I got lots of glances and comments but no one bought.  I was surrounded by some very talented artists and great people. I did feel like I brought a bunch of knives to a gun fight.  But no matter.  It was a good day.

All pieces are still for sale.  And don't forget I really prefer and love custom orders.  You give me and idea and I will price it and run with it.  

Thanks to everyone that helped me out and encouraged me along the way.  Especially my sweet husband who knows when to offer help and when to just shut up and move.  He's the art to my craft.  <3

Sharing a booth with me is my yarn buddy Gail.  She makes beautiful and ornate jewelry from found pieces. 

Together we have a small Stitch n Bitch Saturday mornings at Culture Stock. It's open to the public!  Come hang with us, I'll show you some stitches if you don't know any.  :)

Also...
Damon
Lisa
Chris
Roz
Don
Steve










6.21.2013

New Stuff!!

I've been invited to participate in a small craft/art fair put on by the Artbar and Two Brother's Summerfest.

I made everything I have to sell specifically for this show and I'm very excited to see what people think of my take on crochet art.

And remember, all of these and more will be for sale beginning at noon tomorrow.












5.26.2013

Amigurumi Letters

Now that we have confirmed what I knew all along, that we are adding a little boy to the family, I need to get started on all the random things that I want to make for him.  I'm in the middle of a white, green and blue chevron baby blanket (that I seriously miscalculated the amount of yarn needed.)

I also want to make his name in amigurumi letters.

Here is the pattern.

I'll update the blog as they come out.  :D

5.22.2013

Embroidery. Let's try this again.

I've recently become interested in embroidery again.  I learned it maybe 10 years ago and I enjoy it.  It's simple and quick for me.  Unlike counted cross stitch.  :shudder:

The website I get most of my design from is urbanthreads.com.  They are very reasonably priced and have a huge selection.  I haven't embroidered in a few years, but I did not forget this site. Go there.  Do it.

I decided to start with a gift.  I always like to make things that remind me of people.  This one reminded me of a good friend of mine.  She always has a smile and something cute in her hair.  She reminds me to go with the flow and not take things too serious.

I used fabric and thread I've had for god knows how long.  I love how it turned out.



5.05.2013

Fix: Stray Yarn

SO.  I've not posted anything for a while.  Please forgive me.

We have acquired our short sale home a little over a month ago, fixed it up a bit, moved in and we are still in the process of making it ours.  My "craft room" is in the dining room.  (Which I kinda love) and I have the same problem I've always had with my yarn set up.

I like EVERYTHING out.  If it's not out I forget what I have.  I pass on projects that I could pretty easily do or I buy duplicate stuff.  

The problem with having it all out is this hanging yarn.  My cat has yet to notice it.  The lil human beast hasn't noticed it either but ...  it's ugly.

I have come up with a solution I want to share.  

First.

Before:




Ugh.

So go to the Dollar Tree and get some clothes pins.

First, I usually have both strings going accidentally.  So let's get rid of the not center pull first.  Just wrap it around the paper and tape it.  I don't like to get rid of the paper cause you may need to color match later.  When the skein gets smaller just unwrap the yarn and fold the paper over itself to make it tighter. 


Next, pinch the tip of the center pull with the clothes pin and wrap the yarn around it.




Then pinch the yarn again in the clothes pin.


Lastly, put the pin, bottom end first, in the skein.


TADA.

Clean and still very easy to get to.

After:




I just looks better, no cat or kid teasing.  (Don't mind all the other junk. This "craft room" is far from complete.)