Sneak Peek + Lately

  So I have been hard at work trying to perfect my newest free pattern. This time is will be for a baby girl and it has the most darling and unique trim. It's this very trim that is prolonging the actual posting of the pattern. It has a tendency to pull the edge in tighter than is needed so I am reconfiguring the hat to accommodate this effect. In the meantime I wanted to give you peek at the hat though keep in mind it hasn't been blocked and no flower centers have been added.

  Also I am adding a couple of pics of my latest offering on Etsy. They are the most adorable baby sandals! A friend recommended I make them and I am so happy I listened. Hope you like them too!

 

X's and O's Infant Beanie Style Hat Pattern

As promised here is my next FREE Infant Beanie Style Hat Pattern. The hat is a guarantee that baby will be full of hugs and kisses! The name is inspired from the combination of the Puff Stitch round and the Cross Stitch Round. Cute name for an adorable hat! 

This hat is equally appropriate for a boy or a girl just by changing the color choices. Ok enough said... here's the pattern:

Supplies:

Size: 0-3 months Crochet Hook Size: F

Worsted Weight Yarn: One Skein of Main Color and Small amount of Contrast Color(s)

**Using a Larger Hook size will increase the size of the Hat (see end of pattern)

 

Puff Stitch Directions: *Yarn Over Hook and insert thru stitch. Pull up a loop and pull thru*  Repeat from * 3 more times. Yarn over and pull thru all loops on hook. Chain 1 to close. Puff Stitch Made

Directions:

**Chain 3 Counts as DC throughout Pattern 

Round 1: Chain 4, Make 11 DC in 4th chain from hook. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (12 DC)

Round 2: Chain 3, DC in same stitch, 2 DC in next stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (24 DC)

 

Round 3: Chain 3, 2 DC in next stitch, *DC in next stitch, 2 DC in next stitch* Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (36 DC)

 

Round 4: Chain 3, DC in next stitch, 2 DC in next stitch, *DC in next two stitches, 2 DC in next stitch* Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (48 DC)

 

Round 5: Chain 3, DC in next stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (48 DC)

 

Round 6: Chain 3, DC in next two stitches, 2 DC in next stitch, * DC in next three stitches, 2 DC in next stitch* Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (60 DC)

 

Round 7-10: Repeat Round 5

 

^Optional- Fasten off at end of Round 10 and Join Contrast Color with slip stitch in first DC (where joined before fastening off) 

Round 11:  Chain 1, SC in same stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to first SC (60 SC)

 

Round 12: Chain 1, Work Puff Stitch in same stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to first Puff Stitch (60 PS) 

 

Round 13: Repeat Round 11

 

Round 14: Chain 3, DC in first SC before joining (of  last round), * Skip next SC, DC in next Stitch, DC in skipped Stitch* Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (60 DC)

 

Round 15: Repeat Round 11

 

^Optional- Fasten off at end of Round 15. Join Main Color in first SC with a slip stitch

 

 Round 16:  Chain 1, Reverse Single Crochet around. Join with a slip stitch to first SC 

 

Fasten Off, Weave in all loose ends 

 

** If you need help enlarging this pattern please feel free to contact me directly or leave your comments below and I will explain several ways to enlarge this beanie :) 

"Just Like Daddy" Infant Hat Free Crochet Pattern

This is my original pattern for a sweet infant baby hat/ beanie. Hope you love it! 

Size: 0-3 months Crochet Hook Size: F

Worsted Weight Yarn: One Skein

Bulky Yarn and larger Hook Size will increase Hat Size

Directions:

**Chain 3 Counts as DC throughout Pattern

Round 1: Chain 4; 11 DC in 4th chain from hook. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (12 DC)

Round 2: Chain 3; DC in same stitch. 2 DC in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (24 DC)

Round 3: Chain 3; 2 DC in next stitch; * DC in next stitch, 2 DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with  a slip stitch to first DC (36 DC)

Round 4: Chain 3; BPDC in next stitch; FPDC in next 2 stitches; *BPDC in next 2 stitches, FPDC in next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (36 DC)

Round 5: Chain 3; DC in next stitch; 2 DC in next stitch; *DC in next 2 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (48 DC)

Round 6: Repeat Round 4

Round 7: Chain 3; DC in next 2 stitches; 2 DC in next stitch; *DC in next 3 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC (60 DC)

Rounds 8-10: Repeat Row 4

Rounds 11-12: Chain 3; DC in next stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to first DC

Round 13: Chain 1; RSC around. Join with a slip stitch to first SC.

Finish off and Weave in all ends.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or clarification and please add pictures of your version! I would love to see them

While I was Away :)

   Sheesh! I have had a few blogs in mind for a few weeks now and didn't realize how much time I let slip away since my last post. Think that pretty much some up my life in the past couple of years

So while I have been not posting I have been hard at work on

**several custom orders (loving it!) 

**a few items I have wanted to make for so long -YES!!!

**I also have finally finalized and posted my Octopus Hat Pattern for sale!

**Working on two original baby hat patterns that I am going to offer for free

   Pattern design is something I have wanted to do for so long and I am so excited and ecstatic that it is becoming a reality. I currently have 6 original patterns for sale and as soon as I take pictures I will be posting my first free patterns!! I have more projects in mind and can't wait to share them as well.

 

  

Old Loves On Etsy

  When I first started selling on Etsy I didn't know that the name you used to register was going to be your permanent shop name... so for over a year my shop was called "crugut777" :p Not very attractive is it??

During that time frame you could not change the name of your shop under any circumstances and because I was building feedback and my reputation I was hesitant to open a new shop. But after more than a year with such an ugly name I took the plunge and moved to my new "Crocheted In Love" shop. The complete transition took a few months and I am happy to say I have been fully moved for quite some time and my new feedback almost matches my original feedback.

  In the meantime two things were happening on Etsy: One was they had changed some rules and now you are allowed to change the name of your shop (just one time though) and second, I had begun adding many Vintage items to my crochet shop. Well it dawned on me that it would be much better in so many ways to move my Vintage items to their own shop where I could categorize them properly and feature the items so much better.

  So a couple of weeks ago I went back to my original stagnant little shop and renamed it "Old Loves" and have begun adding my Vintage listings (new ones and expired ones). I am very happy with the new categories, look and feel of it! The listings are growing weekly as I am adding to the shop. 

  I hope you will take a moment and check out the new shop and also be sure to check out the large number of  Vintage listings still on Crocheted In Love during this transition.

Busy Busy Busy

   With the Holidays having flown by at the usual breakneck speed and Valentine's Day rapidly approaching I have found my days filled with implementing ideas that have been in my head...trying to make them a reality. This often (always) proves harder and much more time consuming than I think it will be. 

I am trying anyway ;)

   So far I am pleased with my attempts. What have I done? Well I have posted my second original pattern for sale on Etsy - this is HUGE for me! The pattern is for Miniature Baby Shower Favors and includes patterns for both a sweater and booties. The pattern is super cute and fairly easy. 

   I have also made another original - Octopus Hat- and it is currently for sale. The best part (for me anyway) is that I will be offering the pattern for this hat for sale very soon as well! The hat is simply adorable and can be made in sizes from newborn to adult.

  Three other projects are all in various stages of completion but are temporarily on the back burner while I complete a good sized order for a special little boy! 

 Hope you are all busy with creative things as well- even if it is only in your head for now!

Some pics of my newest items:

Craftsy!!

   I have recently been loving a new site I found and wanted to share it with anyone who may not have heard of it. It's called "Craftsy" and it is so much fun!

   It is a website which offers patterns, projects and classes on any of the main crafts- Sewing, Quilting, Cooking, Paper Crafts, Knitting, Crocheting, Jewelry and even Gardening.

   They offer workshops and classes on any of these subjects at pretty reasonable rates so if you have a hankering to learn something and online teachers work for you this is a great place!

   Membership is free and for those already proficient in any crafting area there are pages of projects/ patterns! Members can post things they have made and link the pattern they used or sell so others can use it or purchase it. You can also "heart" any project/patterns you like and those items become eligible for contest the website runs. You can also "follow" any member whose items you really like.

My favorite part is that when you are signed in and looking thru patterns and see one you want to do you can save it in the "My Saved Projects" area of your account. When you are ready to start or purchase your next craft it's ready- no hunting thru trying to remember where you saw it. I don't know about you but that happens to me all the time :)

Check it out for yourself and ENJOY!

Geez I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted a new blog! I have been so caught up in Holiday Prep at our Thrift Shop and home, as well as crocheting as many gifts as I could squeeze in, time just got away from me. I hope your Christmas was blessed and filled with happy memories. Truthfully I was kind of dreading this Christmas (which I NEVER do since it is my fav holiday!) but it ended up being a wonderful time with my family! 

Christmas Eve was filled with love and was very relaxing. We spent it with the majority of my husband's family and all of our kids were there but 2 :(. Lots of laughing, some tears and hearts full of love! Also got to spend lots of coveted time with our youngest grandchild which was so much fun! Christmas day was just as nice- I just have to say how much I love my boys! 

I finally was able to make the Tea Set I have been trying to get to for my niece and I am so excited both with how it turned out and that I will be adding it to my Etsy Shop for purchase. Perfect gift for even the youngest child and definitely Keepsake worthy!

Would love to see pics of other handmade gifts so please share!

Babies + Christmas = Bliss!

What is better than two of the things you love most uniting?? I love babies and I adore making anything and everything for them! AND I love Christmas-- The sights, smells, decorations, baking, shopping, and hand picking/ hand making gifts! Combining the two is just almost too much! :)
So I have been in Heaven working on some very cute and super sweet little Christmas Gift Items for the babies in your life (or those coming just in time :)) Hope you like them!

Thank Heaven.....

for little girls :) In our family it is singular-that is "girl" since in the last 25 years my sister and I managed to have 7 boys before my sister finally had a girl. Needless to say with 4 older cousins and 3 older brothers she has everyone wrapped around her little finger. She is definitely a handful- so independent and hard headed yet super sweet and loving. Despite all these boys she is SUPER feminine and at the ripe age of 4 she already adores new dresses, shoes, hats, headbands etc.

Willow has provided us with a perfect excuse reason to buy and /or make girly things :) So for her recent Birthday I made her a little dress and matching headband. It has a crocheted bodice with a cotton skirt in a delicate purple floral print on an ivory background. I added a crocheted flower to the dress and a similar one on the headband. She was kind enough to pose for some pictures ham good-natured child that she is ;)