Crochet a Baby Hat

I made another little baby hat.  I didn't use a pattern- just crocheted in the round adding a different stitch every now and then for a bit of texture.  I found some more cute free baby hat crochet patterns that I'd love to get to...

Alli shares the cutest baby hat with ear flaps.  I'd want to do this in so many fun and fanciful colors!

I'd like to crochet this sweet little bear hat- I think I'd leave off the face and just make the basic hat with the fuzzy little ears... sweet!

I'm still loving these crazy adorable elf hats.

Now that the weather is finally cooling down a bit I'm in the mood to sit and watch old movies and so I'm looking for projects I can do while I watch.  I'm liking the old reruns on netflix too- currently I've been watching the Dick Van Dyke show.  Silly fun.

Crochet Baby Hat Pattern Links

I set up a practice- taking- pictures- shoot of a baby due any day- (I won't be good enough to actually call it a photo shoot for years) to force me to learn how to use my new camera.  The parents of this little guy are doing me a huge favor in letting me play with their newborn when they know they'll be lucky to get any worthwhile prints from the shoot- I really appreciate them for sharing their baby!

I wanted to have a few little props to up the cuteness factor of some of the pictures so I've been crocheting some hats and a cocoon.  

The elf hat pattern is here- I simplified a few things and used a half double crochet stitch instead of a full double stitch- so, my version is slightly different and chunkier.  The other hats are just half double crochet stitched in a round with extra stitches added in as needed.  There are a list of free cute crochet baby hat patterns here.  If you want to make some.  I found this etsy site if you liked to buy some.  Enjoy.

Simple Sweater embellishment with crocheted lace

picture from Target

I purchased this sweater at Target last spring for $5.  It has been sitting in a to-do pile all summer and I FINALLY got to it.

I was going to add ruffles, but I already have a ruffly sweater the same color.  So, instead I used some crocheted lace from Hobby Lobby.  I used simple stitches to attach the edge of the lace and then I decided to just glue down a few places so that it's not an ironing nightmare every time I wash it.  I used Aleene's ok to wash it glue. 

I'm trying to decide if I should add some little lacy roses or just keep it simple..... The mustard yellow shirt was $12 at Stein Mart- I LOVE it- so comfy.  I think I'll watch for a sale and get another color.  This outfit just needs a skinny belt and some boots and it's good to go.

Crocheted Edge Baby Blanket Number 2

There is a baby boom going on in my family so I've been working on some baby gifts.  Here is another version of my crocheted edge baby blanket.

I think the cute bird flannel was from Hobby Lobby (mmm, maybe Hancocks....)  This is how I made the blanket:

First I put the fabric right sides together and sewed around the blanket- leaving a small opening to turn right side out. 

After turning and slip stitching the opening closed I ironed the blanket and marked small dots every centimeter along the edge of the blanket.  Then using the marks I made I swiped the idea from You Go Girl and did a blanket stitch around the blanket. 

Next I chain stitched around the blanket- putting two stitches between each blanket stitch.  Then I made a very simple scallop by making a slip stitch, three double stitches and then beginning again with a slip stitch.

Would a diagram help?

CUTE baby hats

As I flipped through my favorite blogs I found a link to these adorable baby hats that are only $2.25 -seriously add a big flower and your baby will be stylin'- oh, and they have about ten colors to choose from- and they have sizes for adults, too!

I found the link for this hat at shanty2chic and in their next post they show how to make fabric or ribbon roses using a hot glue gun- extra easy!  Umm, so yeah, for today's post I'm just sending you to another blog!

I am so getting some of these to embellish and use as baby gifts!!!

Free Amigurumi Patterns

I think some of the amigurumi crochet patterns are so CUTE!  I've seen patterns for them in books but I did not realize that there are quite a few free patterns on the web.  Michaels has a list of free crochet patterns to make 26 these cute little critters.  Here are some pictures from their site.  These are free patterns rated very easy.

New pillowcases for the new bed

While I wait for good weather so that I can finish painting my bed I've been working on new bedding- I was inspired by these pillowcases from Rosehip on etsy (which are a good deal once you consider the cost of designer fabric and cool colored crochet thread- not to mention the time involved).

You Go Girl has made a few of these adorable pillowcases as well- here is her version. The patterned fabric is from Free Spirit- designed by Jennifer Paganelli.

I adapted my baby blanket scallops for the brighter pink crocheted edge above. All of the ric rack really is vintage (a yard sale find).

The fabric for these pillowcases I found at WalMart- but the colors were too bright. I washed them with Rit color remover. Then I washed them with chlorine bleach- still too bright. So, I used an old Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic trick and turned the fabric inside out- now it has that vintage look that I like. I cheated a bit on the fancy pink crocheted lace pillowcase trim in the above picture- it is purchased crocheted lace from WalMart that I dyed pink with Rit petal pink dye.

We've lived in this house for about five years and I haven't really done anything in my bedroom- as I mentioned before I'm design schizophrenic. Seriously, I change my mind about the style I want things about every thirty seconds. So, I'll try out this bedding for a bit and then see what I'm in the mood for- right now it is a delightful burst of Spring and sunshine!

Crocheted Scarf Completed

Well, another project checked off of my to-do list!  Have you ever written something on your to-do list, after you've already completed it?- just so that you have something to cross off.... come on, admit it- you do it, too!

I made this scarf out of 100% wool (clearance at Hobby Lobby) and just for fun I added a little flowery thing and a button. The free pattern for this scarf can be found here at Hooks, Yarns, and Family.

Projects in Progress-

I'm keeping pretty busy around here.  This little crocheted scarf is well underway.

My version of this bed is almost ready for some paint and antiquing glaze...  the free plans are here.

These little pears were on clearance at Hobby Lobby and are just awaiting a date with the spray paint- and some warm weather for outside painting.

Later today I'll try to teach twelve little girls how to embroider- What have you been up to?

Favorite Crochet Blog

I think I have a new favorite free crochet pattern website- it is called My Picot.  If I wasn't still sick and miserable I'd be at Hobby Lobby stocking up on all sorts of new yarn!!

Bright Crocheted Scarf

On a cold gray day this scarf adds a cheerful pop of color! I used "I love this cotton" variegated color #8 Carousel Ombre yarn.

You don't need a pattern. Just make a chain stitch the length of the scarf  you want, turn and double crocheted back across, at the last stitch chain one, turn your work and single crocheted back across. When  you reach that end chain two, turn your work and then double crocheted back across.  Repeat this until the width you want and then added some fringe to the ends. Super Simple-

For fun I've stayed up until one the past two night reading Cathy Hake's books- my favorite was Letter Perfect.  The plots are a bit unusual, but they are still fun Christian Romances.  A cold front has come to town so I'll spend most of the weekend indoors- I'll need to find another good book to read :o)

First Crocheted Hat

While running late for my crochet class last week I dashed to the computer and typed in "crochet hat free pattern", printed practically the first thing that came up and here is what I ended up with. I'm so pleased. It is a little large, but I can fix that on hat number two. The free pattern is here. The pattern is called "Divine Hat". I was surprised how fast this crocheted up!

Crochet Snowflakes

I had great ambitions to make a blizzard of snowflakes for my tree this year... reality hits... reality stinks (sometimes) .... I finished ONE. Yep, JUST ONE! Oh well, I do highly recommend this free pattern (from Bev's Country Cottage)- I think it is really pretty. Oh, and please notice the cute little house ornament in the background that my five year old painted for our tree. I love crafting with my kiddos!

Crocheted Christmas Ornaments

Don't you just love Sundays?! It is so great to worship with others and to refocus on what is really important- I feel refreshed and ready for another week.

Since I start decorating for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving I'll start sharing my Christmas ideas now. I have schizophrenic tastes- so, there will be quite a variety. I just received my winter Ballard Designs catalogue and now I want to make everything in there.... anywho, here is an easy project.


I was going to crochet a cover for each styrofoam ball... but a chain stitch is so much quicker for my novice crocheting skills. I just did a long chain stitch and hot glued it to a styrofoam ball- use your low temperature glue gun because you will burn your fingers. Ouch and double ouch!


To change colors I tied a knot and started gluing on another color. Variegated yarn makes for a nice look, too.

Yard Sale Yarn Afghan

I've been finding lots of yarn at yard sales- usually only a skein of each color. So, I decided to try making an "afghan of many colors".

Start by chain stitching about 38 stitches. Turn and single crochet back across starting in the second chain from the needle. When you get to the end, add three chains and single crochet back across the bottom of your piece. You should end up with a skinny rectangle.


Then take a new color and attach it anywhere on the rectangle- chain three and then double crochet in the next stitch- continue double crochet stitching all the way around the rectangle-


(when you come to the corners put three stitches into one of the single crochet stitches, mark center stitch, and then continue around).


When you get back to the beginning of that row attach sides together with a slip stitch and tie off.

Pick a new spot on the rectangle and slip stitch on a new color. Chain three and then double crochet in the next stitch and all the way around. (don't forget the three stitches in the corners). Repeat.

If you feel like one you'd like longer sides add a few stitches to those edges. Just make sure that you add the same number on the parallel side.

Every now and then single crochet around instead of double- just to mix things up a bit.

I'm sorry. I know these directions aren't that clear- it's really an easy project!! You just wing it. It's great to work on while the kids are around because you don't have to remember a stitch progression or where you left off.

Have fun!

Faking the Double Layer Look

Allrighty, it was 105 last Wednesday and that means I'm NOT layering my shirts- no matter how thin they are! A friend suggested making a "fake" layer and that appealed to me.


Simply find a square of fabric and zig zag around the edges. Using a piece of fabric fusing tape (for hems) fold the top down about an inch towards the back. Iron in place.

If you are going to add the crochet edge be sure to push the fusible tape right into the fold this will help to stop fraying later.

Stop here if you don't want the crocheted edge and skip to the "attaching the fake piece" part of this post.

If you'd like a crocheted edge continue:

Use a pencil and lightly mark every 1/4 inch. Use your tiny scrap booking hole punch to make holes on each mark. I used a #10 yarn.


Crochet an edge by stitching one single crochet, one chain stitch, one single crochet, one chain stitch all across the folded edge. Make sure to catch the punched hole with each single crochet stitch. To make a scalloped edge add one extra chain and turn- then work your way back across the edge following this pattern.

two single stitches
one half double stitch
three triple stitches
one half double stitch
then begin again

Attach your "fake" layer:

Put on garment you want to wear with the fake piece. Mark where you want the fake piece placed. Remove garment (OK- that was a duh) and sew either snaps or hook and hoop fasteners in place.

You can use the fake piece with more than one shirt if you want. You can interchange different fake pieces if you make them the same size and sew the attaching notions in the same place on each fake piece and shirt....

Better than sweating to death, and cheaper too.