Yay Store is Open!!

I finally got my new store "Alison Grace"   http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlisonGrace?ref=pr_shop open on etsy.  I have a new banner, items for sale, and there is a free shipping sale until the end of April!!  Check it out!  Much of the stock are things that have been shown here in the last few weeks.  I also am looking forward to special orders.  I would also like to start selling my original patterns.  Hopefully I get some positive feedback.  My self-esteem has taken a huge hit this week and I am still recovering.  The good news is that I may get to finally move back home.  Every cloud has a silver lining, I guess, or at least that's what I'm trying to tell myself. 

On another note, my gorgeous little model and niece will be 2 in about a week and a half.  I would like to make her a little sun dress.  I also want to get her signed up in a gymnastics class once a week or so.  She is so physical and loves dancing, this may be a good first step.  I guess they teach them summersaults and basic stuff.  I think she would love it.  I would love to get her into baby ballet but her momma would have to have the time to go with her.  We'll have to talk about that!

Beep Beep Sweater

I think this sweater turned out pretty cute.  I ended up frogging it several times to get the intarsia cars right but it worked out in the end.  I really like the "Beep Beep" on the sleeve.  A friend of mine, Cathy,  recommended that I make car buttons in red, yellow, and green so I did.  I love polymer clay for making my own buttons.  I hate button shopping.  I can never get what a want and they are always the wrong size.  Then when I find something I like, they either come in a package of 500 or they are $5 a button.  Crazy! 

Anyway this little sweater took me about a week.  I sort of started on one pattern then changed my mind and made up the rest myself.  The pattern actually started as a little girl's dress!  I like it better this way.  Tell me what you think! 

Ladybug Top

 

This is another variation on the yellow sun top.  The ladybugs on the front are pockets.  I want to make another one later this month that is longer for my niece to wear as a sundress.  Here is modeled by the ever-adorable Lily.  

I hope to get my store up and running on Etsy.com this weekend.  The grand opening of Alison Grace! The store will offer beautiful and unique baby clothing, blankets, and toys. 

Crocheted Bolero

Crocheted Bolero (size 24 months)

Yarn: Bernat Ping Pong Gauge: 8 sts x 6 rows in dc = 4” x 4”
Hook: K

Ch 37

Row 1: dc in 4th chain from hook (counts as first dc), dc in next 4 ch, *3 dc in next chain (corner made), dc in next 5 ch, 3 dc in next ch (corner made),* dc in next 10 ch, repeat from * to * once, dc in next 5 ch, turn.

Row 2: ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, *3 dc in next dc, dc in next 6 dc, 3 dc in next dc,* dc in next 12 dc, repeat from * to * once, dc in next 6 dc, turn.

Rows 3-4: Continue as established, dc in each dc except 3 dc in each corner dc.

Row 5: ch 3, dc in next 8 dc, ch 5, skip next 9 dc, dc in next 18 dc, ch 5, skip next 9 dc, dc in next 9 dc, turn.

Row 6: ch 3, dc in next 8 dc, dc in next 5 ch, dc in next 18 dc, dc in next 5 ch, dc in next 9 dc.

Trim:

Working in end of rows, ch 4, 6 tr in end of row, (sc in next row, 5 tr in next row) twice, sc in next row, working in beginning chain, skip first ch, (5 tr in next ch, sk next ch, sc in next ch, skip next ch) across neckline, continue pattern (5 tr, sc) in end of rows working 7 tr in corner, skip next dc, sc in next dc, (skip next dc, 5 tr in next dc, skip next dc, sc in next dc) to next corner, join to first chain 4. Finish off

Sleeves are worked in a 2-row spiral without joining between rows:

Round 1: Join yarn with sc in middle dc of 3-dc group in corner of armhole. Dc in each dc to first dc of 3-dc group, sc in next dc, end of next row, and in 5 ch, sc in next end of row,

Round 2: 3 dc in next first sc, (sc in next dc, 3 dc in next dc) around shoulder, sc in next sc and in each sc to end of round, slip stitch to first dc.

Repeat for other sleeve.

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.