Crocheted Baby Sun Top

Yarn: A - Bernat Baby Soft Yellow           B – Bernat Baby Soft Purple
Gauge: 15 sts x 8 rows in dc = 4” x 4”

Hook: G
size 3-6 months

Notes:
Rows 1-4 are worked back and forth, turning at the end of each row.  This allows for a button to be placed in the back.  Rounds 5 on are worked in the round.  So at the end of row 5, you would join to the beginning of row 5 with a slip stitch.  

With color A: Ch 59

Row 1: dc in 8th chain from hook (button hole made), dc in next 7 ch, *3 dc in next chain (corner made), dc in next 8 ch, 3 dc in next ch (corner made),* dc in next 16 ch, repeat from * to * once, dc in next 8 ch, turn.

Row 2: ss in 1st and 2nd dc, ch 3, dc in next 8 dc, *3 dc in next dc, dc in next 10 dc, 3 dc in next dc,* dc in next 18 dc, repeat from * to * once, dc in next 9 dc, turn.

Rows 3-5: Continue as established, dc in each dc except 3 dc in each corner dc.

Join on 5th row.

Round 6: ch 3, dc in next 14 dc, ch 8, skip next 19 dc, dc in next 28 dc, ch 8, skip next 19 dc, dc in next 14 dc, join.

Round 7: ss in first 3 dc, ch 5, (tr in next dc, ch 1) twice, tr in same dc, ch 1 (tr in next dc, ch 1) twice, *dc7tog over next 7 dc, ch 1, (tr in next dc, ch 1) twice, repeat from * around ending with dc7tog over last 7 dc (including ss), join to 4th chain of 1st chain 5.

Round 8: ch 2 *(dc in next ch 1 sp and next tr) 5 times, dc in next tr, dc2tog inserting hook in next 2 ch sps (skipping top of group), repeat from * around, join to top of 1st ch.

Rounds 9-15: Repeat rounds 7 and 8 3 more times, then round 7 once more. Finish off.

Trim bottom:

Attach color B with a single crochet on top of a dc7tog, *(ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp) 5 times, ch 3, sc in top of next dc7tog, repeat from * around, end with ss in first sc. Finish off

Trim sleeves:

Attach color B with sc in side of row 6, ch 3, *skip next dc, sc in next dc, ch 3, repeat from * across shoulder, end with sc in side of row 6 on other side.

Repeat for other sleeve.

Embroider flowers on front.

Ribbon detail: with color B, chain long enough to go from one side to other. Weave in and out of every two dc. Knot at each side and weave in ends.

My First Pattern! Happy Flowers Sweater!

This is my first pattern published in any way!  Hope someone likes it!  Now on Ravelry.com!

Happy Flower Sweater size 24 months

Yarn: 1 6oz skein Yarn Bee Snowflake Wool Blend
Needles: size 5, 16-inch circular
Hook: F and G
Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows = 4” x 4”

Cast on 104 stitches. Working in round, work in 4x4 ribbing for 6 rows. Continue in stockinette stitch for 6 ½ inches.

Arm hole shaping: Bind off 12 sts, knit 40 sts, Bind off 12 sts

Work front and back separately.

Front:

Work in stockinette stitch for 16 rows. Move middle 28 sts to waste yarn or stitch holder. Work 6 sts on each side in stockinette stitch for 10 rows. Bind off

Back:

Work in stockinette st for 19 rows. Move middle 28 sts to stitch holder. Work 6 sts on each side in stockinette st. for 10 rows. Bind off.

Sew shoulder seams.

Neck:

Knit 28 sts off holder, pick up 8 stitches along the side of the neck, knit the back 28 stitches off the holder, pick up 8 stitches along the other side of the neck.

For next three rows, k2, p2 around. Bind off.

Sleeves:

Round 1: With G Hook, single crochet 33 evenly around arm hole.
Round 2: Ch 6, (skip 2 sc, dc in next sc, ch 3) 10 times, slip stitch to ch 3 of first ch 6.
Round 3: Ch 5, sc in 1st ch 3 space, ch 2 (dc in next dc, ch 2, sc in next ch 3, ch 2) around. Join with ss.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 twice more. Change to F hook. Repeat rows 2 and 3, 3 more times. Finish off.
Repeat for other sleeve.

Embroider flowers on front as in picture.

Felted Kindle cover!

Yay!  I got myself a Kindle!!  Now I just need to get motivated to read all my actual physical books before I can start buying books on Kindle.  It's a little hard to see in the pictures but the front has a celtic cable.  Then it's felted, cut to size, and has a zipper.  I also have the Kindle attached inside with a clear elastic.  I wanted to make more than a slip cover that the Kindle would go in and out of.  I wanted the Kindle to stay in the case. 

Yay a Finished Sweater!

This pattern is from the most recent Interweave Knits.  I bought this yarn months ago and figured I would find the right pattern later.  I knew it the minute I saw it.  I'm still working a little on trying to get the front to hang just right but I think it was a success.  Lots of compliments at work today and I love the colors.  The little bit of sparkle makes it even better.  Also, it's really soft, the mohair creates kind of a halo-effect around the yarn! 

The best part is the pattern is really, really easy.  Basically it is two rectangles.  The front one is longer and twisted once.  Then stitches are picked up and sleeves added. 

All you think about is Sox, Sox, Sox...

Well, that's not true.  I think about lots of things.  Like sweaters, hand warmers, scarves, just how many elephants my upstaires neighbor has living with him now. 

Anyway, back to socks.  I finished them!  Aren't they lovely?!  I love making socks because it's the only time I get to wear socks that actually fit.  You may have noticed that when you buy socks, they come in a size range.  For Example 6-9.  Maybe this works for people who wear size 9, but for those of us on the lower end, it means we end up wearing the heel up on our ankle.  I have, in the past, bought boys' socks to combat this problem.  They are quite narrow most of the time and I find I am not happy with them either.

Let's talk about color now.  If you swear by white socks...Hallelujay, inexpensive, multi-sock packs are for you.  If you want something a little darker or professional, it is possible to get trouser socks for a slightly less reasonable price.  If you would like something fun, with some great colors, that don't have hearts, or reindeer, or shamrocks on them, good luck.  They only time fun socks are really available is during holiday season.  Now I do have a friend (and a mother, for that matter) that will continue to wear these socks long after the holiday has passed, but I am not one of those brave souls. 

I think it stems back to my freshman year of high school.  I was wearing my favorite Harvard sweatshirt (a lovely burgundy color) and a pair of mustard colored socks.  Now my reasoning in my head for this bizarre combination was that 1) the socks matched the lettering on the shirt, and 2) no one really notices that sort of thing anyway.  Well, my fragile world came crashing down the day after school when walking by the "Sugar Shack" some.....girl (trying to decide the right word here) called out "Your socks don't match your shirt!"  Needless to say, I was deeply traumatized by the whole incident and immediately tossed out those socks when I got home. 

Now that I am older and hopefully wiser, I don't let such things get to me.  I like to wear fun socks, especially if they are handmade and fit perfectly.  Someone asked me what I will do when they wear out.  I thought, Yay! I'll get to make another pair.  Please don't let you socks become family heirlooms or something.  They were meant to be treasured by your feet! All you who have worn handmade socks will understand that!

2-at-a-time Toe-up socks!

Working on my first pair of 2-at-a-time Toe-up sox!  Love the color, love the pattern! So far pretty slow but I have to admit, it will be really nice to have a pair of sox when I am done and not a half a pair.  I refuse to succumb to the dreaded "SSS" (second sox syndrome!)

My new favorite sweater

Crocheted in concentric circles starting at the elbow.  The original pattern from Lionbrand.com was for a pullover.  I modified the pattern to be a cardigan.  I didn't even out the front edges and only seamed the back.  I also added a plain trim to make it more finished looking.  The closure is an old pin I happened to have laying around that matched perfectly!  The best part is the yummy soft yarn - Sensations by Joann.