Friday, November 27, 2015

Delicate Shells Newborn Hat, My New Pattern



To make these hats I used category 1, super fine (fingering) yarn, and size E/4 (3.5 mm) hook.

The hats turned out super soft and delicate. They measure about 13 inches in circumference, and 4.5 inches in height, which would fit a newborn baby. 

To make a bigger size baby hat, use a bigger size hook and heavier yearn. 


The skill level for this hat is beginner, and only basic stitches are used - single crochet, double crochet, slip stitch, and chains.

The pattern is very detailed and easy to read/follow. It's available in my Etsy Shop



Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Old Snowflakes, My Written Crochet Pattern



crochet snowflakes

I made these snowflakes back in 2011, when I just started this blog.
Back then I wasn't good with written patterns, but I wanted to share my snowflake design, so I sketched a symbol chart (you can see it here).

Fast-forward four years, and now not only I write crochet patterns, but sell them too. Writing a blog is a great learning experience because your readers constantly motivate and inspire you! 

Today I looked at my old symbol chart, and wrote out the pattern.  


Ch 5, join in ring with sl st.

Round 1: ch 4, *2 dc in ring, ch 1* five times, dc in ring; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

Round 2: sl st in next ch-1 space, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in this same ch-1 space, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in next ch-1 space* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 3: sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in this same ch-2 space, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in next ch-2 space, ch 1* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 4: sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3, (3 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) all in this same ch-2 space, ch 3, *(4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) all in next ch-2 space, ch 3* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 5: sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3, (3 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) all in this same ch-2 space, ch 5, *(4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) all in next ch-2 space, ch 5* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 6: sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3, (3 dc, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), ch 1, 4 dc) all in this same ch-2 space, ch 4, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 4, *(4 dc, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), ch 1, 4 dc) all in next ch-2 space, ch 4, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 4* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.


Fasten off, block and starch. 

Monday, November 23, 2015

Simple Snowflake, Easy Crochet Pattern


Here is another Holiday crochet project!

I made this snowflake using size ten crochet cotton thread and 1.25 mm hook.

The snowflake measures 3.5 inches across. 



Ch 8, join in ring with sl st.

Round 1: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1), *dc in ring, ch 1* eleven times; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

Round 2: ch 5 (counts as 1st dc and ch 2), *dc in next dc, ch 2* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-5.

Round 3: sl st in next ch-2 space, sc in same space, ch 8, *sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), ch 2, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 8* around; join with sl st to 1st sc.

Round 4: sl st in next ch-8 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), {6 dc, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), ch 2, 7 dc} all in this same ch-8 space, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, *{7 dc, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, 7 dc} all in next ch-8 space, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.


Fasten off, block and starch. 

I'm linking my snowflake pattern to
Cooking and Crafting with J & J @ Julie's Lifestyle and Plucky's Second Thought 

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Crochet Angel, My Free Pattern







Ta-dah! Here is my little crochet angel!

 I'm not sure if I like it or not! It is somewhat cute, but the wings look more like hands, and I think my angel lucks majesty! I've seen some 3-D crochet angels on Pinterest; those are truly majestic! But I couldn't find the patterns. 

Anyway, my little angel will have its place on my Christmas tree this year!


I used size ten crochet thread, and 1.25 mm crochet steel hook. The angle came out 5 inches in height.


Ch 5, join in ring with sl st.

Round 1: ch 3 (counts as 1stdc), 15 dc in ring; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3. (16 dc)

Round 2: ch 3, dc in same beginning space, *2 dc in next dc* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3. (32 dc)

Round 3: sl st in next 8 dc, ch 20, skip next 14 dc, sl st in next dc, sl st in next 8 dc. (halo is made)

Continue crocheting in rows.

Row 4: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 4 dc in same beginning space. (5 dc)

Row 5: ch 3, turn (counts as 1st dc), (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all in same beginning space, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next dc* across. (5 shells)

Row 6: turn, sl st to next ch-1 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in same ch-1 space, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in ch-1 space of next shell* across.

Row 7: turn, sl st to next ch-1 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same ch-2 space, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-1 space of next shell* across.

Row 8: turn, sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same ch-2 space, *ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-2 space of next shell* across.

Row 9: turn, sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same ch-2 space, *ch 5, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-2 space of next shell* across.

Fasten off. Attach thread in ch-2 space of second shell.

Row 10: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same ch-2 space, *ch 2, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in 3rd ch of next ch-5, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-2 space of next shell* across, but leave the last shell unworked.

Row 11: turn, sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same ch-2 space, *ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-2 space of next shell* across. (5 shells)

Row 12: turn, sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same ch-2 space, *ch 5, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-2 space of next shell* across.

Row 13: turn, sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same ch-2 space, *ch 3, sc in 3rd ch of next ch-5, ch 3, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-2 space of next shell* across. Fasten off.

Row 14: Attach second color thread in 1st dc, sc in each dc and each ch across. Fasten off.


Attach second color thread in 1st ch of halo; sc in each ch. Fasten off. 


I'm linking to all these parties:
Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog

Craft Frenzy Friday @ Craft Dictator 
Crafting Along @ Be a Crafter

Monday, November 16, 2015

Snowflake Doily Vintage Crochet Pattern





Have you started working on any Christmas crochet projects? 

I made a Snowflake Doily! I love it; it's so cute and festive. 



I used size ten crochet cotton thread and 1.25 mm crochet steel hook. My doily came out 15 inches across.

The pattern is from Woman's Day Crochet Annual, 1948. 



Starting at center, ch 10. Join with sl st to form ring.
1st rnd: 24 sc in ring. Join.

2nd rnd: Ch 12, ** skip next sc, sc in next sc, ch 1, turn; sc in next 8 ch. Ch 1, turn. * Make sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn. Repeat from * until 6 rows of sc are completed, skip next sc of ring, tr in next sc, ch 8. Repeat from ** around, ending with 6th row of sc, sl st to 4th ch of ch-12.

3rd rnd: Ch 12, * sc in free tip of next sc-section, ch 8, tr in next tr, ch 8. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 8, sl st in 4th ch of ch-12.




4th rnd: Ch 3, * dc in next 8 ch, dc in next sc, dc in next 8 ch, dc in next tr. Repeat from * around. Sl st in 3rd ch of ch-3.

5th rnd: Ch 12, ** skip 4 dc, sc in next dc, ch 1, turn, sc in next 8 ch, ch 1, turn. * Make sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn. Repeat from * until 6 rows of sc are completed, skip next 3 dc, tr in next dc, ch 8. Repeat from ** around, ending with 6th row of sc, sl st in 4th ch of ch-12.

6th rnd: Ch 4, tr in same place as sl st, * ch 7, sc in free tip of next sc-section, ch 7, 2 tr in next tr. Repeat from * around. Join. 

7th rnd: Ch 3, dc in next tr, * dc in next 7 ch, dc in next sc, dc in next 7 ch, dc in next 2 tr. Repeat from * around. Join.

8th rnd: Ch 4, tr in next dc, * ch 7, sl st in 4th ch from hook (picot made), ch 3, skip 4 dc, dc in next 7 dc, ch 7, picot, ch 3, skip 4 dc, tr in next 2 dc. Repeat from * around. Join.

9th rnd: Ch 11, sl st in 4th ch from hook (picot made), ch 3, * tr in next tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3, skip first dc of next dc-group. dc in next 5 dc, ch 7, picot, ch 3, tr in next tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3. Repeat from * around, sl st to 4th ch of ch-11.

10th rnd: Ch 11, * picot, ch 3; in next picot make tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3 and tr; ch 7, picot, ch 3, tr in next tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3, skip first dc of next 5-dc group, dc in next 3 dc, ch 7, picot, ch 3, tr in next tr, ch 7. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 3, sl st in 4th ch of starting chain.

11th rnd: Ch 11, * picot, ch 3, tr in next tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3; in next picot make tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3, and tr; (ch 7, picot, ch 3, tr in next tr) twice; ch 7, picot, ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 7, picot, ch 3, tr in next tr, ch 7. Repeat from * around. Sl st in 4th ch of starting chain.

12th rnd: Ch 11, * picot, ch 3, tr in next tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3, tr in next tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3; in next picot make tr, ch 7, picot, ch 3 and tr; (ch 7, picot, ch 3, tr in next tr) 3 times; tr in next tr, ch 7. Repeat from * around, sl st to 4th ch of ch-12. Join and break off.



Saturday, November 14, 2015

Lacy Shells Baby Blanket and Hat



This is the same kind of stitch that I used for the Avocado Green Shawl. When I finished the shawl, I thought: "Hmm, this stitch would be nice for a light, lacy baby blanket." So after some readjustments, I was able to use this stitch to make a baby afghan.

This blanket wouldn't be ideal for wrapping a baby as tiny fingers might get stuck in the open stitches. But this blanket will be perfect as a stroller cover or a photography prompt. 



I also made a matching baby hat in size 0-3 months.

I used Snuggly Wuggly Big by Threads and Loops. One ball was enough for the blanket and the hat, and I actually have a bit of the yarn left.


The patterns for this blanket and hat are available in my Etsy Shop. 



Friday, November 6, 2015

Irish Rose Baby Headbands




Crochet Irish roses are so beautiful and easy to make. They look lovely on so many crochet projects. 
Here I used them for baby headbands.  

I made three baby headbands in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months. The measurements of the finished items are 14, 16, and 18 inches in circumference.

I used size ten crochet thread and a steel hook 1.25 mm. 



A friend of mine is expecting a baby in February. I hope it will be a girl. I would be so glad to gift her all these headbands. 





The pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy Shops. 

I'm linking to
Craft Frenzy Friday @ Craft Dictator 
Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Small Doilies as Gift Wrapping Decorations


With the Holiday Season not far away, I want to share today the idea of decorating gift wraps with small doilies. 

This is how I decorated some presents back in 2012. 

You can find free patterns for small doilies in my Free Doily Patterns Section









I'm linking to all these parties:
Thriving on Thursdays @ Domesblissity
Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog
Cup of Morning Joe @ The Cottage Market
Pinworthy Projects Link Party @ Domestic Super Hero
Craft Frenzy Friday @ Craft Dictator 
Crafting Along @ Be a Crafter
Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Cooking and Crafting with J & J @ Julie's Lifestyle

Monday, November 2, 2015

Soft Puffs Baby Beanie




Baby beanies are so much fun to design and make. I made this one is size 3-6 months. It measures 15 inches in circumference and 6 inches in height. 

Usually I prefer working with smaller size hooks than recommended for a particular yarn, but for this hat I liked working with a big size hook (size H, 5.00 mm) as I wanted to achieve a very soft and light texture. 

The yarn I used is Caron Simply Soft Party, about 100 yards.  

The pattern for this baby beanie hat is available in my Etsy shop