Pink Delights

I saw this cute little pink and white flowered ribbon at Walmart the other day and knew I had to use it for some dresses.  I really wish I would have started crocheting baby dresses 3 yrs ago...I wouldn't have had to buy any for my girls.  Now that I am out of spring colors, I will be working on Christmas dresses.  I hope everyone is having a good week.  Stay tuned for the Christmas results.

#27

#28

 

5 New Dresses

I made it to the store over the weekend and stocked up on ribbon and buttons.  I was able to complete these 5 dresses yesterday.  I really like the flower buttons on the yellow dress and I will use more like this in the future.  What do you think?

#22 Back

#22 Front

#23

#24

#25

#26
165 Beads

Green & Cream Dress

#21

This is one of my latest dresses.  Once again, I have many more that are ready to post, but have run out of ribbon.  I think I just need to buy out the store next time I go so I will have enough on hand. 

10% Discount

I am running out of room for all the items I have been making.  I wanted to get a booth in the local craft fair, but there isn't any more space.  I decided to offer a discount for my friends and followers, so right now in my Etsy shop, you can receive 10% off any order by using code: MYGIFTTOYOU
http://www.etsy.com/people/KatesCraftsnMore?ref=si_pr
Thanks for your support!

X Stitch Preemie Hat

I decided I better type up my pattern for the X Stitch Preemie hat before my toddlers destroy it.
These are really tiny, so if you want a variety of sizes since Preemies vary in size depending on how early they were born,  you can adjust your hook size to a larger hook. 

X Stitch Preemie Hat

Hook Size: G                                                                                        Gauge: 4 SC & 4 Rows = 1”
Materials: 1-2 oz Caron Simply Soft Yarn

Chain 2
Round 1: 6 SC in 2^nd ch from hook, join w/ sl st in 1^st SC

Round 2:  Ch 3, turn, 2 DC in 1^st SC, 3 DC in each of the next 5 SC, join w/ sl st in top of
                 Beginning ch 3 (18 stitches)

Round 3:  Ch 1, turn, 2 SC in each st around, (36 stitches) join with sl st

Round 4: Ch 3 turn *sk  next SC, DC in next 2 SC, DC in back in stitch just skipped*
                Repeat *to* around, (12 x stitches), Sl st in top of ch3

Round 5: Ch 1, turn, Sc in each st around (36 stitches)

Round 6-11: Repeat Round 4 & 5

Round 12: Ch 3, turn, DC in each SC around, join with sl st

Round 13: Ch 2, turn, DC around FP of next stitch, *DC around BP of next stitch, DC around FP of next stitch*  
                 Repeat from * around join with sl st in top of ch 2, Fasten off and weave in ends.

Butterfly Dress

I just created this Butterfly Dress over the last few days.  It took a few times of crochet and unraveling to get it how I wanted it.  I liked it as I was making it, but now that it's complete, I'm not sure what I think.  It looks different than I imagined...Anyone else run into this?  Maybe it will grow on me. 

A few more dresses to the closet

I have been so busy with canning spaghetti sauce and this coming week will be peaches that I lost track of time on my posts.  In between the canning, I have been able to make a few more dresses. The first one (purple) I used a pattern in a book that I have.  To be honest, I wasn't sure I liked all the ruffle when I finished it, but looking at the picture now,  I think I do.  I am one for simple patterns and while I liked teh look of this dress, I hated keeping track of which row I was on in the pattern.  So...the next 2 dresses were my own version of the pattern.  The blue and cream one, I like, but it is quite slim.  The Green and White one, I decided to try and make it a little more flowy and I think it worked.  I wrote the instructions down as I made it, but need to test them on another dress to make sure they are actually understandable before I type it all up.  If you would be interested in the pattern, please let me know.

Forest Green & White

The 4th dress I had seen on one of the websites that I frequent and loved it so I decided to purchase the  pattern from http://www.gocrochet.com/ to make for my girls.  It started out for my 1 1/2 yr old and I even used a smaller hook than was called for and I decided I must crochet much larger than the creator of the pattern.  As I finished the Yoke of the dress, I realized it would fit my 3yr old, so I comprimised and just adjusted the rest of the dress for her. So, I didn't actually follow the rest of the pattern - though I plan to on the next one. We tried it on her several times along the way to make sure it was still working.  This is the end result (minus the buttons...I don't have any large enough for the button holes yet)  I think it turned out quite cute, but I will be making up my own pattern for my younger daughter.

#19

Red Bead Dress

I finished this dress this morning and LOVE it!  There are over 200 red beads and I used a red ribbon to tie the back...The difference is, the others are left completely open in the back and this one I connected at the waist.  I am now in search of different color beads in order to have a good variety.  I almost purchased green the other day...I gues I should have...I might have to make a trip to the store and see if they are still there.

Beaded Baby Dresses

I have never used beads in my crocheting until now.  I thought these dresses would be pretty with beads and decided to give it a try.  The first one I did was the white one.  I only put around 30 beads on my yarn and worked them in accross the front just below the chest and then a few in the body.  I loved how it looked, but realized that I needed a ton more, but wasn't willing to cut the yarn and add more.  I don't like having ends in the middle of things.

The second one I made with beads is the pink dress and I used the white as a template and counted out where I wanted them in the stitches...this time I ended up with 201 beads.  It is hard to see in the pictures because I used clear beads on both of thes dresses, but  I used 18 beads around each arm hole and the remaining  I scattered throughout the body. 

More dresses for sale

I was finally able to get the ribbon on these dresses.  I have 2 others that are complete, but I'm out of the white ribbon, so I will post those next week.  I decided I wanted to try and make something for a boy.  I purchased a pattern book from the store a week or so ago and finally opened it today to start working on a jacket.  To my disappointment, this pattern was for knitting...I guess I will have to keep searching for the right one.  If any of you know a good pattern for baby boys, please let me know.

#9 Plum Purple and Vanilla

#10 Light Yellow and White

#11 Light Pink

#12 Light Yellow

Baby Dress Pattern

I was able to type up the pattern for the Diamond Baby Dress last night.  It is available to purchase for $1 on the right  side of the blog.  This is in html format as my pdf program is having issues right now.  The file will be emailed to you within 24 hrs of receipt of payment. 

Baby Dresses

I have completed 3 more baby dresses and ran out of yarn or I would have made more.  I was able to create my own version of 1 pattern I have used and came up with another pattern that is completely my own.  I will post them as soon as I am able to write it down (I had just made it up as I went, but wasn't sure it would work so it's all in my head)

If you have ever had any doubts about trying to crochet clothes - It is surprisingly easier than it seems. The only problem I have found is that there are very few patterns I think are cute - which has brought me to create my own. Go ahead and give it a try.  Let your inner creativity come out and you just might be surprised at what you can accomplish. 

#2 & 3 Dresses

Here are the pictures of the 2nd and 3rd dresses I was able to make this weekend. 

given to Halle Arnold

Preemie Baby Dress

I have always been to intimidated to try and crochet clothing.  I would imagine myself working a few rows and unraveling everything to start over a dozen times and then getting so frustrated that I would give up.  Over the  last 7 months, I have made so many baby afghans for the hospital projects my friend does that they don't really need any more right now. She makes the clothes for the babies to go with the afghans and hasn't had enough time to keep up with me.  She is one very talented and very busy woman!  When I grow up, I hope to be like her :) Any way,  I have seen a bunch of baby clothes lately and think they are darling, so I decided it was time to get over my fear and just jump in. 

I found this website http://www.bevscountrycottage.com
There are a bunch of different patterns posted for clothes for babies who have passed away.  I was inspired and found this pattern that looked quite simple.  http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/bevs-preemie-gown.html

I started it and finished it in the same night!  It is an extemely easy pattern to follow and looks darling.  I loved it so much, that I made 3 in 3 days!  My niece even asked if she could have one for her doll that she received for her birthday.  It was a perfect fit and she was a happy girl (which makes me happy to see someone enjoy something I've made).  I'm not sure which hospital these will end up going to, but it is a fun project.  If you are looking for a service project, give this a try.  It only takes around 3oz of yarn and very little time...you can whip up a bunch in no time and a hospital near you would be thankful :)

 

#104 Afghan

I finished afghan #104 today.  It is made using the Brick Stitch pattern and Red Hearts colors Black, Grey and Heather.  It is 5'x3'8".  This one is for sale on the right side of the page for $70 (shipping within the Cont. US is included in the cost)

#103 Afghan

The last 2 days I have been working on a baby afghan for a friends grandson.  I finished it last night and am quite happy with how it turned out.  It is made with the Brick Stitch pattern and Caron's Simply soft yarn (Bone, White & Blueberry)  I love these colors together and I think I will make another baby afghan using them, but a different pattern.  I also think the Blueberry and White would be really pretty with yellow, so I may give that a try also.  This is where I find myself in a dilema...I love choosing new color combinations and don't have enough time to make them all!

June Giveaway afghan completed

My 100th afghan is complete! Shanna Cunning was the winner of this afghan and she chose to have a solid cream color using the brick stitch pattern. I used Caron's Simply Soft Vanilla yarn and love how it turned out. 

Camo Afthan

A while ago, I decided I wanted to make up a new afghan pattern.  My grandma had given me one she made diagonally.  I thought it would be interesting to try since I had never made one this way before.  I asked her for the pattern, but she had made it up as she went and didn't have one.  Hers was just Double Crochet and I wanted to try something a little different.  This is what I came up with.

This green afghan will be given to my nephew.  I have yarn to make a pink one and a blue one and I think i will sell them.  The pattern is available to purchase through paypal on the Right side of this page and also in my etsy shop.

June 2011 Service Projects

 I'm trying to get rid of all the extra yarn I have hanging around the house, so I was able to complete a few blankets for  a Hospital in June. 

Kitty Cat Pattern

Continuous Granny Square



Brick Stitch Pattern



Small Granny Square Pattern



June 2011 Drawing - Redraw

Ok, so after posting the winner of the 100th afghan and sending her 2 messages I have not received any response.  So, I have redrawn a new winner - NSCunning!  Congrats to you :) please let me know what color(s) you would like so I can get started on it asap.  Thanks again to all who visit this blog.

Brick Stitch Afghan Pattern

It's funny how, in the world of crochet, you can learn a new stitch and work things with it for years and years and then find that there is another stitch out there with the same name but worked completely different.  I don't know which one is correct and I'm sure it happens all the time.  To me, the stitch used in this crochet pattern will always be the Brick Stitch (because I'm a creature of habit!)

I've made so many of these "Brick Stitch" afghans in the past 20 years and always love them!  I love the effect the stitch gives when striping the design and I love the finished afghans using a single color.  They all turn out wonderful and work up quickly.

I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I have! Check out my product list below to make a blanket similar to mine.

**If you prefer a PDF pattern to easily print and ad free, you can purchase one for $2.95 on my website here.  The PDF version includes instructions for a squared off border (not included in this free post)**

Brick Stitch Afghan

Hook Size: I

Gauge: 6 DC & 3 Rows = 2"

Finished Size: Customizable

Materials: Qty will vary based on size working (about 30oz of

4WW yarn for 3'x3').  Caron Simply Soft was used in the photo shown above and is included in my list below.

Stitches:

     Ch - Chain

     Sp - Space

     St - Stitch

     Sl St - Slip Stitch

     SC - Single Crochet

     DC - Double Crochet

     BSt - Brick Stitch (SC, Ch 2, 3 DC) in same st/sp

Begin with a HDC Chainless Foundation in multiples of 3 + 1 to desired width/length - Chain of 73 is 24" with 1 Brick Stitch = 1"

The following photos should help you with a foundation chain if you are not familiar with it.  

How To: Brick Stitch

Brick Stitch

To practice this stitch, chain 40
Row 1: Work 3 double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook, * skip 3 chains, 1 single crochet in the next chain, chain 3, 3 double crochet in the same chain. Repeat from * across row, and end with 1 single crochet.

 

3 DC in 4th Ch from hook

Skip 3 ch sp, sc in next ch sp

Ch 3

3 DC in same ch sp (start)

3 DC in same ch sp (finished)

Row 2: Chain 3 and turn, 3 double crochet in the single crochet of previous row, * 1 single crochet in the space made by the chain 3 of previous row, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in same place. Repeat from * across row and end with 1 single crochet in last chain 3 of previous row.

Chain 3 & Turn

3 DC in sc space



Sc around ch 3 space

Chain 3

3 DC around same ch 3 sp

end with sc in last ch 3 sp

pattern complete



June 2011 Drawing Winner

And the winner of my 100th afghan is .....Nadine!!!  Please leave a comment here, or email me at  craftingfriends4you@yahoo.com with the color(s) and possible pattern you would like as soon as possible.
Thank you to everyone who entered.  I will be doing another drawing in a couple of weeks for followers only, so if you already follow, you will be automatically entered. I went stir crazy waiting a whole month for people to enter this one, so from now on, I will only have it open entry for a week or 2.   I know what the giveaway will be, I just need to get everything put together and take some pictures, so stay tuned :)