Monday, March 17, 2014

Little Elephant

I saw my nephews last month and they wanted me to crochet something for them. The younger one who is six first wanted a puppy, so we went pattern cruising. He had so much fun with this and looking at all the things that could be made that he changed his mind about what he wanted so many times I'm not sure what he finally decided on. He stuck with an elephant for the longest so I decided to make one for him. I looked (later without him) for a cute pattern, but I couldn't really find one that I wanted. So I just made one up as I went along.


I think it turned out well. I didn't write the pattern down as I went, so I'm not sure that I could do it again, at least not exactly the same.


I gave him a cute little smile.


 And I really like how the tail turned out. 


 Hopefully my nephew will like it. 


Now for the older one's request. He wants me to make him Peyton Manning.
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Friday, March 14, 2014

Sun Headband - Pattern

After posting about my headbands I decided to write up the pattern for the sun. Then I thought, hey, might as well post it.


Again I got the headband idea from Creative Yarns. I made my own design, modified the length for a toddler, and made it a button closure.


Materials:
worsted weight yarn (I used an acrylic yarn for this pattern, but I think cotton yarn is a better choice)
Hook G (4.00 mm)
button

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
st - stitch
sp - space
sl st - slip stitch
sk - skip
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
trc - treble crochet

ch 2
R1 - sc 8 in the first ch, sl st to first sc (8 sts)
        (You can also do these first two steps with a magic ring if that is your preference)
R2 - ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in same sc, 2 dc in each sc around, sl st to 2nd ch of ch 2 (16 sts)
R3 - ch 3 (counts as first dc and ch 1), *dc, ch 1* in each dc around, sl st to 2nd ch of ch 3 (16sts, 16 ch 1 sp)
R4 - sl st in ch 1 sp, ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 2), *dc, ch 2* in each ch 1 sp, sl st to 2nd ch of ch 4, (16 sts, 16 ch 2 sp)
R5 - sl st in ch 2 sp, *[sc, hdc, dc] in ch 2 sp, trc in dc of prev round, [dc, hdc, sc] in next ch 2 sp, sl st in next dc of prev round* repeat between * 7 more times, end with a sl st, do not fasten off (8 sun rays)

Straps
first side
from completion of motif, ch 38, turn, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 9, ch 27, sl st on other side of sun ray at sl st, fasten off


second side
count over 3 sun rays, join at sl st, ch 38, turn, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc, ch 2, sk 2, sc 6, ch 27, sl st on other side of sun ray at sl st, fasten off.


Add button at third sc of first strap.

This headband measures 20 inches and fits my three and a half year old perfectly. If you need it to be larger or smaller add or decrease the chain length. Or if you aren't sure of size add a second button so it can be tighten if needed.


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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Sun and Star Headbands




I had to take a little break from the Rainbow and Pansies. I can only work on something for so long before I start going a little crazy, which is why I haven't done a blanket before and tend to pick small projects that I can do in a day or two.


So I was cruising around on Ravelry looking at crochet jewelry (I have an idea brewing, but that is for later) and I found some really cute designs by Creative Yarn. So I headed over to her blog and looked at her patterns. I don't think she posted here anymore since the last post was over three years ago, but nonetheless she has cute patterns. I found one for a headband and thought it was adorable. It was meant for an adult, but I decided to modify it for my toddler.




First I have to say that C doesn't like wearing anything in her hair. Bows, barrettes, headbands, ponytails, they all stay for about five minutes and then are pulled out. So I wasn't optimistic for this to work but I had to try. I have to tame her curls a little.


I made the sun first, and talked it up. She actually wore it all day. I think that it was loose enough and soft that she didn't notice it in. It looked so cute in her hair I decided to make another one. C picked out a variegated pink yarn awhile ago so I thought I could do a heart with it. I found an awesome pattern at Cherry Heart for a Granny Heart but it was too big for a headband, at least with the cotton yarn I wanted to use. Here it is though. I might try it again with a lighter yarn


I looked some more at Cherry Heart because I like her patterns. I tried the Boho Hearts but smaller than I wanted. Then I found Twinkler Stars.


I made the bigger one first with cotton worsted yarn and an H hook. I liked the size and thought it would work well. Then C wanted it to be two stars. I made a second one with a G hook to make it a little smaller. I connected them with a slip stitch when I made the last point of the smaller star. Turns out she was right, super cute with two stars. Since it is a variegated yarn one side of the straps came out white, but oh well.



I decided that the cotton yarn works a little better. The sun was made with acrylic worsted weight yarn and after a day of wearing it stretches and gets a little loose.




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