Dilemmas of a pattern maker.

I love these cute little dresses I make for my tiny daughter. They are so sweet and always get a ton of compliments. Now the delimma comes when I start writting the pattern.

I started out making the dresses with yarn, but I dont like how it looks fuzzy after a few washes. I like things that are crisp and clean and classy looking. So I switched to making them with a great mercanised cotton thread. Its perfect. Works up crispy, but is still soft against her skin and gives a great lacey look. My hold up with writting the pattern using the crochet thread is the color options, and I worry that thread is intimidating for some crocheters.

My other option is to write the pattern using a fine or sports weight yarn and a slightly bigger hook. I think this is the option Im going to go with. I feel like a lace or fine yarn is more readily available and so will be a better option for my customers.

Whew... did that sound as crazy as I feel? Maybe Im over thinking things?! But when creating a product I want it to be true to.my vision, and accessible to my customers.

Perfect moment dress

Is it weird if I admit that I have had this idea for a baby dress for years? I love to repurpose clothes from the local thrift store. Theres something about taking an unwanted item and making it beautiful. And, frankly, I feel like repurposing takes the tediouse work out. All the hemming and seaming is done. I do a few quick snips, maybe a patch, add a little crochet,  and walla!!

I found the perfect very matronly pleated chiffon blouse. It was horrible! Pleated chiffon is beautiful but for some reason its often put together so wrong, odd shapes, baggy, weird added details. It was my mission to take this aweful blouse with wing sleaves and make it beautiful again. Hopefully the wonderful neighbor Im giving this too loves it as much as I do.

Its getting cold here!

All our snow is melted. It seems like we always get a little warm repreive after the first snow, like dipping our toes into the cold water and then retreating to the warm sand. I love this week. I love how people come back out of hibernation to soak up just a few more rays of sun. And I love that we have a chance to prepare for winter, for real. I have been crazy busy making wonderful warm yarn creations. I make them mostly for my kids, but I love being able to make things that are floating around in my brain.

Tomorrow my 7 year old would love a big infinity scarf.... I'll post what I come up with. Though this is the child that has a... well a sense of humor. Last year he wanted me to make a combover hat for his teacher for Christmas. "But with a red bow mom, cuz shes a girl". Oh my that got some great laughs from his amazing teacher!

Another Photoshoot with the Talented Anna Christina

I am excited to expand my shop. As I have started selling and getting wonderful feedback I feel more confidant and have started expanding what I feel conformable showing. Here are a few pictures from a photo shoot with the Amazing Anna and a sweet friend and neighbor.

I enjoyed making these beautiful girly things so much that I am already ready to add new things.

The Braided Weave

Im loving the large braids or weaves that Ive been seeing around lately. Heres my latest. I love how the 4 strand weave makes a fun strip. I wonder if I could make it a chevron? Hmm, something to work on in the wee hours as insomnia keeps me up.

Heres a very short, like single picture tutorial. Starting with colors alternating weave from the right.

What do you think? Love it, or did I miss the mark?

The weather outside is frightful

But this lovely plumb scarf is so delightful. I love the fall 2014 colors. They are so rich and luxurious, just the perfect thing to add a little romance (and I dont mean the Kiss begins with K kind. I love the old romance... when romance use to mean that whimsical feeling, that anything-can-be sensation.)

I wanted to play with a braid, but something with a bit more fantasy. Heres the finished infinity scarf. Loving it!!!

Shhh.. sneak peaks!

I always hesitate to show pictures before my professional, amazing Annas picture come in.... but Im so excited I can't wait! Here are the items coming soon to my pattern store. 

My sons speech therapist loves doiley. Shes this really cute stylish girl with long black hair. She inspired me to try a doiley made into a slouchy hat, then she can wear a doily in a fashionable way. 

Have a mentioned I have a tiny daughter? Shes my youngest and came after 3 rough and loud, and dirty boys. Im in love with bows and girly. So I of course had to make a headband all girly with a sweet bow. 

Photo Shoot

I just got these Photos from out most recent shoot with Anna Buys at Anna Christina Photography! I'm in love! These pictures are so cute and the faces on my kids that Anna managed to capture are priceless. I am always so excited with the pictures Anna gives me. Seriously she is fantastic!

Here are a few I've managed to get up in my Etsy shop already and a few that are soon to come.

Finding time to create.

How do you find time to create? I am a mom of young kiddos, Four beautiful, messy, adventurous, messy, chaotic kids. I love them more than I ever though a person could love another person. That being said, finding time to create; come up with an idea, design, and write a pattern can be very difficult. Compromising the need to wash peanut butter off chubby little hands for the 13th time, and negotiating to retrieve my hook from the tiniest one. I struggle. I struggle and strive and sneak away every moment I need to create something fun and entertaining.

I do it because creating feeds my soul. I love watching as something amazing comes to life through my hook. I also create complete disasters, but I sound so much cooler if I accentuate the positive :). I create because my children, walking noisey messy chaos that they are, inspire me to something fun. They sit as the table and make volcano potatoes and suddenly want a volcano hat. I laugh, and then get to work.

 

Here are my children's volcano hat, and accompanying mountain hat. I love the lava ball off one, and the snowball of the other. They have a rattle in that ball so as my boys whip them around and shake them that make some crazy fun noises. Did I mention my kids are noisy mess making sweethearts that inspire me daily? They are. I love being their mom, and hope they one day say they love being my kids!

 

 

Better pictures, as well as an awesome pattern coming soon. 

Basic 20 Minute Hat

I wanted to put up my basic hat pattern. Its just a very basic hat. I love it because it only takes 20 minutes, and you know how distracted I get. 

Supplies:
• Red Heart with Love or any other worsted weight yarn.
• Crochet hook size L, use 2 strands of worsted weight yarn at a time.
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Abbreviations:

ch - chain
sl st- slip stitch
SC - Single Crochet
DC - Double Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet

FDC- Foundation Double Crochet

FPDC- Front Post Double Crochet

Newborn:

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 9 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (9)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (18)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (27)

Row 4: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (27)

Row 5: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (27)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (27)

0-3 months

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 5: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (30)

3-6 months

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 9 st* repeat from * to * 1 (33)

Row 5: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (33)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (33)

Row 7: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (33)

6-9 months

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 4 st* repeat from * to * 1 (36)

Row 5: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (36)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (36)

Row 7: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (36)

Row 8: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (36)

12 months

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 3 st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 4 st * repeat from * to * 1 (38)

Row 5: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (38)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (38)

Row 7: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (38)

Row 8: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (38)

Toddler

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 2 st* repeat from * to * 1 (40)

Row 5: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (40)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (40)

Row 7: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (40)

Row 8: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (40)

Row 8: ch 2 hdc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (40)

Child

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 2 st* repeat from * to * 1 (40)

Row 5: 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 19 st* repeat from * to * 1 (42)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (42)

Row 7: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (42)

Row 8: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (42)

Row 9: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (42)

Adult

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 2 st* repeat from * to * 1 (40)

Row 5: 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 9 st* repeat from * to * 1 (44)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (44)

Row 7: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (44)

Row 8: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (44)

Row 8: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (44)

Row 10: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (44)

Large Adult

Ch 4 sl st to first ch

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 10 in circle. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Sl st to top of ch 2.  (10)

Row 3: ch 2 *2dc  in next st, 1 dc in next st* Repeat around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (30)

Row 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 2 st* repeat from * to * 1 (40)

Row 5: 4: ch 2 *2dc in next st, 1dc in ea of the next 8 st* repeat from * to * 1 (45)

Row 6: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (45)

Row 7: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (45)

Row 8: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (45)

Row 9: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. (45)

Row 10: ch 2 dc in ea st around. Sl st to top of ch 2. Fasten off weave ends (45)

NINJA- oops I mean ninja

Shhh you don't see him! This sneaky ninja is constantly just around the corner as I walk through the house. More than once he scares me as he jumps out and Hiyahs his way to beating the enemy. This pattern is made so the mask can easily flip up to hide that a ninja is in our midst.

I have both the pattern and the finished hat for sale on my Etsy shop

This is the same pattern as my TMNT hats, just made with one solid color of yarn.

Long Stripped hat

My oldest son jumped out off bed at 9pm and came running out. He was in a panic, he had just remembered his teacher said they needed a hat for the Christmas Program. I love that sweet boy, but times like this I don't love his scatterbrain ways. What is a mom to do but grab yarn from the closet, turn on a favorite movie, and get to work! I came up with this stripped hat, and it was ready by morning. In the middle of the program and crazy kid took of his hat and learned that it can stand up. What can I say, he stole the show!

I have both the pattern and the finished product for sale on my Etsy shop

Combover- aka how to make someone temporarily bald!

My husband is, ahem, thinning in the hair region. He came to me one day and asked me to make him a comb over hat, I thought it was hilarious.Now my boys can look just like their daddy :).

This funny hat is for sale in my Etsy Shop, Soon I will have the pattern up too.

Phineas and Ferb, Well just Phineas right now.

Phineas and Ferb is my children’s favorite show. I love that they use their imagination to come up with wild ideas and work hard to accomplish something in every episode. I love that the characters are respectful to adults and each other. I have to admit to occasionally watching it myself even when my sweet little’s aren’t around. I am so excited to have made this pattern, to turn any kid into one of these fantastic characters.

I have the pattern for sale as well as the finished product in my Etsy Shop.

I think I have the cutest Phineas! I love that tiny face!

Calvin and Hobbes- the comic strip that blurs the line between childhood and adulthood

 I have long loved Calvin and Hobbes. Something about the way Calvin is precociously grabbing life and living every moment with zest and excitement. My favorite are always the snowmen that are a silent commentary about how Calvin sees life. They make faces on the day his mom cooks a disliked meal, or marching across the road blocking his dad from leaving for work. Oh how I love that comic strip!

I wanted to make something for my children that would help them love Calvin as much as I did. Calvin makes being young and curious exciting.

I have the finished hat for sale in my Etsy store, Pattern is coming soon.

These amazing pictures were taken by https://www.facebook.com/AnnaChristinePhotographer?ref=br_tf

TMNT - Hats

I just had the most adorable pictures taken of these cute hats. Anna Christina Photography was amazing to work with. My kids were.... CRAZY as always, and she snapped pictures and they look like well behaved, innocent sweet children. You would never know the insanity that was actually going on in the background as I felt like I was trying to heard chickens. I did my best to keep my children from running completely wild, climbing the walls, and just trying to keep them from breaking anything. I am so impressed with how amazing Anna was, and how fantastic these pictures turned out! No really I cant express enough how Anna took a crazy situation and came out with idyllic pictures.