Behind the Scenes of Designing

I thought I would share with you what it looks like while trying to create a pattern in 4 different sizes.

 The Bright Blue and Bright green tops are infant size from creating the Infant pattern pack.  I cant decide how I want to finish them, but they have taken a back seat while I work on the toddler patterns.

The Bright Pink and White top and the Teal and White top are both ideas I would like to get written up, but also took a back seat to the toddler patterns. 

The 4 Larger tops are for the Basic Toddler patterns.  I have the tops set and work up several rows of each of the 6 skirt pattern and send it out to the testers.  Then I get to finish them :) 

This has been a wonderful adventure!  I have had so many customers send pictures of the dresses they have made using my patterns and quite a few of them surprised they could even make a dress - but that was the point of the Basic Patterns.  I want even beginners to feel accomplished in making something other than a scarf or hat :)

The toddler patterns should be complete within the next few weeks and will be released for sale on Craftsy and Etsy.  I look forward to designing some more intermediated patterns and adding other Items to my pattern list.  I found some patterns for baby sandals and baby barefoot sandals, but even after gauging, they are to large for newborns, so I may be up for designing some myself.

Thank you for following this blog and please feel free to leave comments or suggestions.  I love to hear feedback from all of you :)

I'm gonna make it work - or balls of yarn may be flying through the air

As I began my adventure in designing baby dresses, I intended on only making newborn size.  I quickly learne that - though that size is great - Everyone wants a variety of sizes to go with each option.  Jumping to the task at hand, I was able to create instructions for 4 sizes ranging from newborn - 12 months.  4 testers, 6 patterns in 4 sizes plus the 4 dresses I made to work with the testers was actually smooth sailing in order to release my first pattern pack of dresses.

On to the next task - Toddler sizes for the same 6 patterns.  Luckily the sizing of the infant dresses was an easy fix.  If it had not been, I may have stopped there!  Honestly - The toddler sizing has KICKED MY BUTT!!!  I should have taken pictures of the tragedies I came up with. (really, the dresses didn't look bad, but the sizing was just not right)  I would work 8 rows of the pattern to find out that it was to wide or not wide enough and have to start over...not once, not twice, but at Least a dozen times.  Grrrr! 

Alas, I think my trials for the toddler dresses are coming to a close :)  I have made the tops to an 18mo, 2T, 3T, & 4T.  Now, to work on the instructions for the 6 different skirt options and get it all out to the fantastic ladies who test for me. 

Once the toddler patterns are released, I will hopefully be able to figure out instructions for 1 more size to the Emerald City dress (which has not been released yet).  I have also had requests for different sizing of the Angelique dress - That will be an interesting task, but I shall give it a try.

I also have an option for the butterfly pattern on the arms.  I can't decide if I should type it up and offer it as a freebie option for those who have purchased the basic patterns, or if I should create a new skirt and release it as a new dress.  Any thoughts or suggestions?

Have a safe and relaxing weekend and if you can, take a minute and notice all the beautiful flowers that are popping up everywhere and the birds chirping :) 

Pattern Pack

I fianlly have all the results back from testers.  24 dresses later, we have a pattern pack available.  It includes 6 dresses at 4 sizes each.

Dresses include: Shell Brook which was just released individually today, Diamond, Ribbon & Lace, Snap Dragon, Oh Snap and Baby Tay.

Pattern can be purchased on Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftingFriends4you

Weekend Pattern Sale

As part of releasing my patterns in 4 sizes (newborn - 12mo)  I will be highlighting a pattern every weekend and posting it for 1/2 price on the Craftsy website.  Sale will be from 9am mst Friday 3-30 through Sunday 4-1 at 6pm mst.

The feature pattern this time will be the Diamond Infant dress

The 1/2 price will ONLY be on the craftsy site so it will be instant download.  The link is here: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/Clothing/Diamond-Baby-Dress/4277

Pattern Sizing

I have finally updated my Ribbon & Lace Dress pattern to include 4 sizes (newborn - 12mo).  I have emailed out the updated version to everyone who already purchased it and have updated my Craftsy pattern store.  If you purchased it and for some reason did not receive the update, please email me at craftingfriends4you@yahoo.com with your paypal email address and I will verify the address and send out another copy. 

If you are interested in purchasing this pattern, you can get the instant download here: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/Clothing/Ribbon--Lace-Baby-Dress/7317

If you would like a discount, use code FRIENDS25 on Etsy to receive 25% off http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftingFriends4you

This next week, I will be working on updating the rest of my infant patterns to include 4 sizes also.  I have started writing the patterns for 18mo - 4T.  These  sizes will be released as a seperate pattern - hopefully within the next month. 

Emerald City Dress

It has been a while since I posted, so I figured I'd better get some updates on here.  I have been BUSY :)  I have had most of my dress patterns tested and have them for sale on Etsy, Craftsy and in my Facebook Shop.  I will be placing the Buy Now option for patterns back on the blog to make it easier for you. 

Originally, I only wanted to focus on Newborn dresses but I have been bombarded with requests for larger sizes.  That has been my focus the last couple of weeks.  I designed the Emerald City Dress and this is the first of my patterns to have multiple sizes.  The hard part of this is that I don't have any infants near me to try them on.  The good news is that I made the pattern large enough to fit my 2 girls, so they will each be getting a new dress :)  The smallest size has been tested and ok'd and I'm waiting on 2 more before I release it.
 My picture of the original -smaller Green dress has disappeared from my computer somehow, but a picture of my 2yr old wearing her Emerald City Dress

Angelique Baby Dress

I have a group of wonderful ladies who are testing the pattern for this "Angelique" Newborn Dress pattern.  As soon as they are finished and I make any changes that may be needed, I will post the pattern for sale.  The pattern will include instructions for a Short version and Long version.  This is more of an Intermediate pattern.  It takes some concentration and as I learned, it's best to use some stitch markers on this and I think I will laminate it so I can use a wet erase marker to track where I am at.  Once you get through the first 7 rows, it is a breeze.

This picture is of the Short dress.  I will be adding a few different touches to it. But I'm happy with how it turned out.

Instant Download Patterns

I finally have them posted!  It took a couple of weeks to  type up most of my baby dress patterns, but they have been written, typed up, tested by others and posted for sale. 

The easiest way to purchase any of these patterns is to visit my pattern store on the Craftsy website and with a click of a button, you will have your pattern ready to start and become addicted as I did :)
http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/17685

The Second way to purchase is on my Facebook page store.  This is not instant download, but I have been able to send the patterns out rather quickly, so you won't wait very long.  If you are a fan of the page, you will receive 10% off your order. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crafting-Friends/180595232008676

And the third way is in my Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftingFriends4you
For Patterns only - you can use code FRIENDS25 and receive 25% off your pattern purchases (for a limited time only)

The first few that I have released are very simple to make, yet are very pretty.  I wanted to get them out there so that even a beginner can make a dress.  I don't want anyone being as intimidated to crochet clothing as much and as long as I was.  After making the dresses that I have, I wish I would have started years ago. 1 Dress can easily be made in a single day...Can you imagine how many I could have made if I would have started sooner? 

I hope everyone is having a great week so far and enjoy your extra day in the year tomorrow.  Happy Leap Year!

Spring is here - Even if it snowed!

I resisted long enough!!!  I finished up all the orders I had for hats and couldn't hold off on making baby dresses any longer.  As I was making them last summer, I wrote directions down for each design.  That notebook is somewhere in this house, but I haven't found it yet.  There have been so many people asking for the patterns that I decided to make more and write them up as I go - AND type them up when I'm finished so they won't get lost again. 

This dress was finished yesterday and the pattern is being tested by someone else as we speak.  Most of my dresses can be made using 1 skein of Caron Simply Soft yarn.  The buttons and ribbon I was able to find totally complete the dress!

This one is called "Ribbon & Lace"  and will be for sale in my etsy shop within the next week or 2  http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftingFriends4you 

and in my FaceBook shop

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crafting-Friends/180595232008676?ref=tn_tnmn

Bzz Review for Comforts Brand

As many of you know, I am a Bzz Agent and receive free products to try and give my opinion on.  The most recent product was the Comforts brand wetwipes and sippy cups.  I received 1 box of wetwipes and 2 sippy cups shown here:

First, the wetwipes:  I really liked them.  I had never tried Comforts wipes prior to this campain.  They are a strong wipe and you won't have to worry about them ripping when you are changing a diaper.  The only thing I did not like was the moisture.  I prefer wipes with a little more moisture than these had, but that is is personal preference - it doesn't make them bad.

Second is the sippy cups:  These were Great!  I love that the lid for the cup is connected and even better...there is a spot for it to hide when your child is drinking and it won't get in their way.  I wish I had known about these a year or so ago. 

Comforts also has diapers, training pants, and formula and is sold in Kroger stores such as Smith's, FredMeyers and Ralphs. 

I also received some coupons for 20% off  and have some left.  If anyone is interested in a coupon, let me know and I will send one to you.

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