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.

Introductions

Lifesyarn is dedicated to the wonder and imagination of childhood. I specialize in crocheted hats and toys that bring back those feeling and memories traveling in space, and watching as the clouds morph.

If you want to learn why I create like I do- read on. It’s a little nostalgic, and lets admit it very rough, but it’s the beginning of a story that ends with an obsession for yarn.

 My mom would call me "too independent", I would say that I just like things the way I like them. My angelic mother decided to teach me to crochet when I was small. She hoped it would keep my out of trees, and a little less muddy. What can I say, I was a little rough (and dirty) around the edges. My sweet mother would sit in the evenings and crochet delicate doily’s with a tiny hook. She would hum a gentle tune as she counted stitches, her fingers silently manipulating the tiniest thread into beautiful shapes. One day when I was about 8 I came home a little more damaged than when I had happily waved goodbye that morning. I had a small accident, really it was just a tiny one, I kinda, just accidentally slid down a hill... on my face. My sweet mothers face fell as she watched me try and sneak in the house with road rash completely covering one side of my face, arm and leg. Words like concussion, permanent scars, wild child tumbled from my mothers lips as she patiently extracted dirt and small pebbles from around my only slightly swollen eye.

                I think this incident may have inspired that angelic woman to try and reign in my wild ways. As soon as I could see out of both eyes again that angelic woman produced a G hook and a skein of scratching bright variegated yarn. She calmly walked me through each stitch, a chain, single crochet, and double. And then she showed me again because I may have gotten distracted using the crochet hook to poke at my scabs. That’s all I had the patient to learn. From there I created great strips of undefined objects. Slowly I began to find the joy of creating and of having that creation appreciated. I remember coming up with a shawl, and its no exaggeration to say it probably looked unrecognizable as a shawl. I stayed up very late working on my masterpiece and wore to to church the next day. The kind lady greeting members complimented my shiny white shawl-ish as I walked in the door. After such a simple compliment I began to believe in my ability to create beauty. That tiny comment has shaped me as a designer.

                For years I have enjoyed designing and crocheting for my family and neighbors. A few years back I decided it was time to put myself out there and sell my goods online. It’s a bit like internet dating. I was scared, worried that my pictures weren’t  good enough, and I obsessively checked to see how many people had viewed my items. I put myself out there, I mentioned it on facebook, I told random people at the grocery store. I died everyday when there were no orders. Second guessing every tag I added, every picture I took. I agonized over how to post and how much to charge. I thought, and over thought, and had conversation that all ended with me talking about my shop and the things I was crocheting.

                The sells were in.cr.ed.ib.ly. slow. I sold an order and than fretted over if it was good enough. I packaged and repacked my first item trying to get it to look magazine perfect. I sold another, and another. I decided with just a few sells under my shop that I would take a year off. A year to think and consider, and have the sweetest tiny baby. Was I still having fun? I love to crochet and design, but trying to conform my creativity to something that others would want to buy was taxing on my brain.

                I would love for you to join me on my journey. Join as I learn how to get just the right picture, as I learn to market, and so many other things I haven’t thought of yet. I promise to be honest, to show my mistakes as well as (hopefully) my triumphs. Feel free to watch and learn with me.

                Yeah to the journey!