Crochet fox hat!

You know when you find a great crochet pattern and you want to make it right away? THIS is one of those patterns. And it's free too! I saw this on ravelry (this is a generic link to ravelry because I love the site and want you to know about it, it's free to sign up and totally addicting!! so many patterns! The direct link to the pattern can be found below), added it to my favorites, and then went home and made one for a friend who just had a baby. Only issue was I didn't have any fox red yarn... so I improvised and made a wolf!

Pretty cute huh?
 
I must admit though I'm rather lazy. The ears for one required sewing 2 different pieces and then sewing them together, as you can see I skipped that part and just made them a solid color.

Another lazy thing about me, I don't like weaving in ends, so instead when I changed to the white I just kept the grey yarn in the middle of my white stitches. Take a look below, I put in a piece of red so you could see how I hid the grey so I could pick it up on the other end of the white section. This also means that at the end of this round instead of going in the round again I turned my project and worked back to where I left my white waiting. Easy right? And less ends to sew in!

Of course after I was done with the grey yarn I ran to the store to get some fox red. And then I made a whole litter of fox pups! A few have gone out to friends expecting and the rest were donated to a local center that helps new moms. I've still got some red left so you can bet I'll be making some more of these :)

You can find the crochet fox pattern here. She's got a bunch of other ones too that are great! If you scroll to the comments you will see someone figured out how to make it in newborn size.

If you're looking for a solution for a 2 year old I used the same big kid pattern but a G hook for the whole thing (ended up measuring 19 inches for the head. It's for a coworkers kid, I hope they like it!

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Favorite Hat

OK this hat might look familiar to a good number of people... it was my go to christmas gift because I'm so in love with it. The pattern is super easy to follow and once you get past R4 it is just a repeat and easy goings! I may have a few in different colors that I made just for myself...

If I didn't already give you one... go and find the free crochet hat pattern here and start hooking! What's your favorite free crochet hat pattern?? I'm always looking for new things to make!




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Crochet Taxidermy

Yup. 

Crochet.

Taxidermy.

Doesn't get much more exciting than that does it? :) You see it started with me finding out there would be an ugly sweater day going on... and I don't take such challenges lightly. So I promptly went home and started googling ugly sweaters I could somehow make.

Inspiration struck when I came across this taxidermy reindeer head crochet pattern. The only issue, the pattern wasn't in english. So for all of you who would like to make one, and don't want to try and figure out how to translate the whole thing... scroll down for a few key hints/translations that will make this easy as pie for you to make.

Don't you love my 90's ski turtleneck? It was mine as a kid... hence why the sleeves are now so short.

This also goes great over a fireplace, quite the conversation starter. (I'm thinking of crocheting up a butt/tail to go on the left side... thoughts?)

OK back to that crochet pattern. Go to her site and then click on the orange link that says ""trophee_cerf_crochet_Anisbee" to download the PDF file. Listed below is a very very simple not full version of the pattern, go to her site to get the whole thing.

Here's the translation key:

ml = chain
ms = single crochet
mc = slip stitch

la tete is the head - worked in the round - start with magic circle with 6sc, (standard increases of 6 each round) until you reach 60, do another round of 60, then you decrease by 6 each round until you reach 42.

le museau is the muzzle - worked in the round (same as above) but only to 36... decrease according to her PDF

les oreilles are the ears - worked in rows. ch2 then 3sc into last on chain (turn). 2 sc into each sc. (turn)...

les bois are the antlers - worked in the round (increase in 3's each round- starting with a magic circle of 6)


It's a pretty straight forward pattern if you've ever made amigurumi characters before. Big BIG thanks to Anisbee for having this pattern up for free!!!




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Quick Sunshine Winter Hat

Love the burst of sunshine this hat brings to these overly cold autumn days. Seriously, it just snowed last night! It's looking way more like Christmas outside than it is Thanksgiving. That probably also has to do with the fact everyone already has their lights up and ON!!!??? Seriously people, can't we just celebrate one holiday at a time?

I get it I get it, last weekend was warm, so you wanted to put your lights up while it was warm. That's fine... could you just restrain from turning them on until after Thanksgiving maybe?? It's bad enough Wegmans had all of their decorations up (I kid you not) the DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN!?!?! Really!!! Come onnnnn now!

Sorry rant over. Back to this awesome amazing winter hat. You can find the pattern for free over at Gleeful Things. She has a bunch of fun free patterns, so go check her out!! I love when people post free patterns, it's the best!!

How are all of my US readers celebrating Thanksgiving this week?? For my non US readers, what are you all up to this week? Anything fun?




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Hexagon cowl pattern

This cowl pattern came out of me starting a blanket using a pinwheel square, and getting sick of making them really fast :) boredom is the mother of invention. I love the way that it peaks out from my coat.

 On its own you can see it a bit better though.

Super simple to make and perfect for using up a bit of old yarn you have laying around. Simply follow the pattern below to make one hexagon. Repeat until you have 8. Piece together as shown in the below image. Add a button and you're done. BAM walk out the door looking awesome.


Hexagon: (make 8) I used worsted weight yarn and coordinating hook.
R1 Start with a magic circle and sc 12 into center.
R2 Ch 6 (counts as 1 tr and ch-2), (tr in ring, ch 2) 11 times, join with sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-6 – 12 ch-2 sp.
Rnd 2: Sl st in next ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, [3 dc in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2) in next ch-2 sp] around, join with sl st in top of beg ch.


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Crochet love

Cancer Sucks. Chemo caps don't have to. Searching around for a cute chemo cap doesn't bring up too many results for crochet versions. I half wonder if people don't want to tout their creations as being chemo caps. It's such a negative word, chemo. But when a family member was diagnosed with lymphoma and told she would indeed be loosing her hair, the first thing I asked her was what color hat she wanted me to make her.

"How about white... and maybe a navy one too if you could?"
Happily can do.

I stumbled upon a new stitch recently in this book: 101 Crochet Stitch Patterns & Edgings. It's rather simple. 1 SC and then 3 DC all into the same spot, skip 3 stitches and do it again. The book worked the stitch back and forth, but I decided to try crocheting in the round and the wonderful twirling texture you can see above was the gorgeous result.

Sure you can make one of these for winter, but I think they work as a chemo cap too, made with lots of love and thoughts going into every stitch.

Crochet Chemo Cap
I used Red Heart Soft Yarn, worsted weight (4) and an H hook. This is worked in a round, no turning.

R1: Start by making a magic circle loop, make 6 SC into the loop, and then pull closed  – 6 sc.
R2: 2 SC into each SC around – 12 sc.
R3: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 6 times – 18 sc.
R4: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc] 6 times – 24 sc.
R5: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc] 6 times – 30 sc.
R6: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc] 6 times – 36 sc.
R7: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc] 6 times – 42 sc.
R8: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 6 sc] 6 times – 48 sc.
R9: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7 sc] 6 times – 54 sc.
R10: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 8 sc] 6 times – 60 sc.
R11: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 9 sc] 6 times – 66 sc.
R12: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 10 sc] 6 times – 72 sc.

For the remained of the hat [SC plus 3DC into next SC, sk 3] repeat until hat is desired length and end with a slip stitch. (Each shell is going into the first SC of the previous row shell.) I did 12 rounds of this shell pattern for a total of 24 rounds from start to finish.



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Is that turtle wearing baby booties?

Another friend had a baby! You know what the means, crochet time!! Since I just mailed this yesterday I hope I'm not ruining the surprise, but lets face the facts, she's got way more important things to do with any spare time she has right now. #1 on that list being sleep, NOT reading my blog. So I think we're safe people.

Devin if you are indeed spending your few spare not busy moments reading... stop now or you'll ruin the surprise! :)

The first thing I made her was a set of super cute slip on booties (free ravelry download-you need a free account to access). I used a ball of baby soft white yarn along with a very thin pink yarn. It made the booties a nice light pink and not OVER THE TOP pink. I love how easy they crochet up, you basically make a T and then sew them together for a cute wrap over detail.

Then it was onto a cute toy. I love this stuffed turtle pattern (free pattern from lion brand) and knew I wanted to make it again. Sure you could go with shades of pink instead of green but I guess I'm a traditionalist... at least at this exact moment, don't ask tomorrow... I'll probably be having a crazy idea of making it with cow spots or something.




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Canadian Moose Sighting

Jeanne and I were walking along minding our own business when suddenly out of nowhere this moose showed up!


Ok maybe not... but this moose is on his way to Canada nevertheless. Awhile ago Jeanne and I were talking about bartering our talents, you see she is wicked talented with knitting but when it comes to cute crochet creatures I'm the lady to call. When she found out her friend was expecting she wanted to knit the baby a sweater but also send a fun toy. This is where I come in. Being as stereotypical as possible I decided to make Maple the Moose... I mean come on, they're Canadian! All Canadians must love maple syrup and moose...meese...mooses...Right?

The pattern involves a LOT of pieces... and sewing them together was a bit of a pain. But in the end I was really happy with the results.

Want a tip for giving your characters more personality? Try sewing their parts on a little off kilter. No really it's super cute! Check out the head... you may notice it's a little off to the side, doesn't it just give him a little extra cuteness? I'd like to think so :)

Is this your first time crocheting amigurumi style? Check out this free tutorial on how to get started! There are a ton of great tips and tricks, plus a free pattern for a penguin!



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Yellow stiletto cowl

Winter can be so grey, white, boring. Why not inject a bit of bright sunshine into the mix?

I'm part of a knitting/crochet group that is constantly creating cowls, hats, gloves, socks, baby blankets... the list goes on... for all types of charities. Some go to newly relocated refugees. Some go to homeless shelters. Some go across the globe for charities like wool aid. I'm not sure where this cowl is going but I hope whoever receives it loves it as much as I do. I know it will keep them warm and snugly.

The pattern is worked in a large circle and comes together quickly with some nice thick yarn. The yellow contrasting yarn is a bit thinner but I love how it still POPS off the white! As for yardage I unfortunately don't know :( I was using different skeins of yarn donated to our group and none of them had labels on them. If I had to guess I think the white was a Bernart Roving - Rice Paper, and I used the entire skein. The yellow was probably a light (3) weight yarn, and I did not use a full skein. I'll be making this again and when I do I'll make sure to get a better estimate on yardage for you!
The pattern can be found here.




Don't know how to make a shell pattern, it's really easy, just keep scrolling :) Click here to see it larger.

PS. I've picked winners for the giveaways and emailed you, so check your email to see if it was you who won!


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Wickedly warm cowl

Want to win one? Enter here!

I found this cowl on pinterest, immediately fell in love, ran to the store to buy bulky yarn and an N hook... and 1.5 hours later had this scarf. Add some vintage buttons and you are good to go! Too lazy to make one yourself? Head over to my 5th year blogiversary post here for a chance to win one along with some other tasty treats!

The pattern is one made up of double crochets. The V pattern happens by doing 2 double crochets into a single chain from the previous row. I'm curious about making this again but with an even more exaggerated V by chaining 2 between the double crochets. What do you think?

Here's a link to the FREE pattern over at Fiber Flux. She has a TON of great free crochet AND free knit patterns so check them out and get crafting!

Don't know how to crochet? I taught myself reading The Happy Hooker (best book name ever) years ago, the instructions and visuals are great! I still have it in case I forget something.



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Green Monster Scarf

I have been on a serious cowl making kick. Don't worry, you'll get to see them all in due time. The one I was planning on sharing with you today needs a few more tweaks to the pattern before I can reveal it though. So keep your pants on and check out this cowl/scarf for now!

The color wont be a favorite of everyone but the snuggle factor will be. This is the most seriously soft yarn I've ever used. I had made a baby blanket out of it and had just the perfect amount left to make this scarflette. Using a double crochet pattern for the whole thing leaves the perfect button hole opening... wherever you feel like. Start by chaining 63, DC into the third chain from the hook, then DC across until you reach the end of the row. Ch3 (counts as first DC) and then keep doing the same thing for 6 rows (or as wide as you'd like it to be) and this thing is done in an hour flat. Sew on a cute button, fasten it through one of the double crochet spaces and you're out the door, snuggled and warm.

I used sensations goldenrod yarn which I got on serious clearance... which I'm now realizing might have been because it's no longer made?? I can't find it anywhere in stock?




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Fingerless gloves

Fingerless gloves, the perfect gift for your perpetually chilly friends. Used in the office they let you type and use the mouse without any issues. Add in a cool shell pattern and these make a sweet fashion statement and not just a warming up tool. I found following the pattern a bit difficult, but once I got the feel of how the rows alternated I was able to move on without referring back to the pattern. You basically alternate between a shell row and a filler row. The confusing part happens in how you start each row, some are started creating half a shell and ending finishing the shell. Once the first glove is down the second comes together super quick!

Pattern via Love of Crochet - Fall 2012 purchased at Wegmans.
Special thanks to Michelle for agreeing to be my model and recipient of said gloves.




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DIY Gift Ideas

Do you make your own christmas/holiday gifts? I'm a big fan of it, the only problem is I then have to wait to post about them to keep the surprise for everyone! Since that's the case you'll have to come back after the new year and see all the fun things I made this year, but for those looking for ideas to make in time for the holiday this year, here are my top picks for easy, last minute, but still fabulous gifts. Best of all, most of these are free patterns! So go grab some yarn/material/chocolate and get moving!



Food Related: (top image row)
Boozy Fudge (Who doesn't love chocolate and booze? A match made in heaven)

Saltine Toffee (aka crack)

Jam (a little late to make fresh so go buy some from my awesome friend Sugarcrafter instead!)


Crochet: (middle image row)
Cowl (Got a mom on the list who you don't know what to get for?)

Ankle warmers (For your friends living in chilly areas)

Viking Hat (For the kids in your life, or your kid at heart friends)


Sewing: (bottom image row)
Crayon carrying case for your purse (For the mom who needs more crap to put in their bag... I mean... for the mom who needs to not have melted crayon in her bag)

Purse (from a book not a free tutorial) (Perfect for your best friend, well that's what I gave mine)

Stuffed Owl Softie (Another quick kid gift idea)


Bonus: A few I haven't made yet but NEED TO!
Awesome hat perfect for little boys and grown men. (free ravelry pattern)
Little boys varsity sweater. (free ravelry pattern)
Everything listed here (AKA my crafy pinterest board). You know you want to follow me :)


What fun ideas are you making? I'm always looking for more ideas!! Links please :)



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