Owl Hat

I worked up two of these cute little owl hats from the pattern located at:
http://daisycottagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-owl-hat-crochet-pattern.html

Loved the way it turned out. I will be making some pink ones for the girls!

$20 if you would like one.

Newborn Diaper Cover Pattern - Single Button

My lovely and talented sister in law has been developing her photography skills, and over the years she's improved greatly. She's now a professional with several images published in magazines and a constantly booked calendar.
With the Holidays just around the corner, I have been searching high an low for a nice photographer-quality diaper cover to use to make nice coordinating sets. I could not find any free ones, so I obtained a newborn sized diaper, and made this one up for everyone to enjoy! 

Update April 2017: This pattern has been revised and updated to improve the readability of the pattern, and also to add the option to make the trim a second color. Also now available is a Photo Tutorial.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item through one of the links on this site, I may receive a small percentage of that sale. See my full disclosure policy.Thank you for helping support this blog!

Materials:

Worsted Weight Yarn (I use either 100% cotton yarn like Lily Sugar N Cream, or Caron Simply Soft Yarn)

Size H crochet hook (I use this set)

1/2-5/8" button

yarn needle

Pattern notes:

This pattern is worked in rows from the front to the back. Button holes are written into the pattern, as is the edging. It is all worked with one piece of yarn!

When I say "dc in same ch", I mean the chain you normally skip because the starting chain counts as a stitch. You know, the one you skip in order to not accidently increase the number of stitches in the row.

Gauge:

7 dc sts + 4 rows = 2" square

Pattern:

Chain 15

Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hk. 1 dc in each st across. Turn. (14 dc)

Rows 2-9: Ch 3 (counts as DC), 1 dc in each st across. Turn. (14 dc)

Rows 10-13: Ch 3 (counts as DC), 2 Dc in the first dc, then 1 dc in each st across, 3 dc in last st. Turn. (row 13: 30 sts)

Row 14-18: Ch 3 (counts as DC), 1 Dc in the first dc, then 1 dc in each st across, 2 dc in last st. Turn. (40 sts)

Row 19: Ch 7, sl st in 5th ch from hook to form loop, dc in the first dc, then 1 dc in each st across, 2 dc in last, ch 5, sl st with first ch of ch-5 to form loop. Turn.

Row 20: Ch 3 (counts as DC) and sl st to the bottom of the previous row. 8 dc in the ch-5 loop, then dc in each dc from the previous row, then 8 dc in the ch-5 loop. Sl st to the bottom edge of the previous row.

Trim: Fasten off and change colors, or continue with the same color. 3 dc in the sides of each dc at an angle. At the straight edges alternate between 2 and 3 sc in the sides of each dc (2sc, 3sc, 2sc, 3sc… etc). Turn the corner with 3 sc, 1 sc in the bottom of each stitch of the foundation ch, sc 3 to turn the corner, and alternate between 2 and 3 sc in the sides of each dc along the straight edge, then 3 sc in the side of each dc along the angled edge. When you get to the button hole, do 2 sc in each of the dc that are in the 5-ch loop. Then 1 sc in each dc across the top, and when you get to the last button hole, do 2 sc in each of the dc that are in the 5-ch loop. Sl st in last ch and fasten off.

Attach a button to the center of the front, I put it at the bottom of the first row of dc.

I hope you enjoy this pattern! If you are having trouble crocheting this, consider purchasing my PDF Photo Tutorial on Etsy. You will get over 90 photographs guiding you step by step through the making of this pattern. 

Elf Hat

So, I've been vacationing, which means the kids are plenty busy having fun so I have time to crochet! I've made a few of these elf hats for a photographer. If you are interested in purchasing one, I will buy the yarn and make it for you for $15.




Pattern retrieved from http://oodles4noodles.blogspot.com/2011/03/long-tailed-baby-elf-hat-tutorial.html.

Seamless Stripes in Double Crochet

Okay, so I was working on a project and noticed the huge gaps that exposed where my seam was. I knew there had to be a way around this ugly mess, so I went and tested out various methods to hide the double crochet seam, especially when doing stripes, or continual color changes. I came across this tutorial:
http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/seamless-symmetrical/
Which explained very nicely how to hide your seams by cutting and starting over. However, with my method, you do not need to cut, and your seam will be completely invisible. Not convinced? Check out the following photos:

The left photo shows the exposed seam. See how the gaping holes kind of curve around the project? It's hideous! You can see exactly where I joined!

So I searched online forums and tutorials on how to join. I tried a few of the suggestions...

1. Don't count the starting chain as a stitch. In essence, you chain 2, then double crochet in the same stitch (but not through the slip stitch), and form the first double crochet that way. This is the result:

Yes, the holes are mostly gone, but there is still an ugly line from the slip stitches. the seam is still visible!!!

2. Slip stitch through the back loop only. I came across this one looking through "how to join rows" instructions. They say you should slip stitch through the back loop  and top of the chain before it. I know it may sound confusing, and it kind of is:

I'm still making progress, the gap is hardly visible, but you can still see the slip stitches and only doing it through the back loop made horizontal bumps from the left over loop. And the chain looks a little mangled.

3. Take out the crochet hook and pull the loop that was on the hook through the stitch you want to join. I didn't find any tutorials on how to do this, especially with changing colors, so I made it up as I went:

Check out that seam.... Or can you?

I feel like I've struck gold!!! No more hideous seams!!

Here's how to do it.

Staggered Squares Headband - Free Crochet Pattern

Staggered Squares Headband

This design is very flexible and can be used in a variety of ways. The pattern includes 3 button holes for different sizes. Choose the size that includes your head size in the range described.

Materials:

Worsted Weight Yarn

Size H hook

½-5/8” button

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Gauge

8 sts= 2 inches

Instructions:
Small (measures 19 inches across unstretched) Fits about 21-23 inches

Ch 85

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hk, Sc in next 13 ch,* ch 7, sk 7 ch, dc in next ch. Repeat from * 6 more times, ch 7, sk 7 ch, sc in next ch. Sc in last 5 chs, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: sk first sc, sc in next sc (starting chain counts as sc), sc in next 4 sts, ch 11, sk 11 sts, dc in next st, * ch 7, sk 7 ch, dc in next ch. Repeat from * 4 more times ch 11, sk next 11 sts, sc in next 2 sts *ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * 3 times., ch 1 turn.

Row 3: Sk first sc, Sc in next 13 ch,* ch 7, sk 7 ch, dc in next ch. Repeat from * 6 more times, ch 7, sk 7 ch, sc in next ch. Sc in last 5 chs.

Use ends to fasten on button.

Additional sizes available in PDF document of patterns

Eyelet Headband - Free Crochet Pattern

Boxed Headband

Wear it as is, or add a ribbon through the center for added cuteness!

Materials:

Worsted Weight Yarn

Size H hook

½-5/8” button

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Gauge

8 sts= 2 inches

Instructions:

Small (measures 19 inches across unstretched), fits about 20-23 inches

Ch 84

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hk, Sc in next 13 ch, dc across, sc in last 5 chs, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: sk first sc, sc in next sc (starting chain counts as sc), sc in next 4 sts, ch 2 *sk 2, dc in next st, ch 2 repeat from * across to last dc. Sc in next 2 sts *ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * 3 times, ch 1 turn.

Row 3: Sk first sc, Sc in next 13 ch, dc across and sc in last 5 sts.

Use ends to fasten on button.

Additional sizes available in PDF document of patterns