Crocheted Baby Converse!

Remember this sneak peek a couple of weeks ago?

Well, here is the full reveal!  :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this awesome {FREE} crocheted baby Converse pattern by Suzanne Resaul over at Ravelry!

(You can tell which was my first shoe ever since my black stripes weren't as even then...I learned as I went along.  :)

I've had a LOT of fun lately crocheting baby shoes for my many pregnant friends.  :)

I love all the bright colors you can make.

I love that it can be for boys

paired up with the football baby cocoon for a newborn boy gift!

or girls.

nothing says girlie-girl like pink & purple Converse with flowers in the background!

I love that the pattern is FREE and adorable and so, so tiny!!!  Small things are always cuter.  :)  I seriously smile, and even giggle a little to myself with glee, when I look at these.  Especially when they weren't finished yet:

Don't they just make YOU smile?  :)

I will say, I struggled to follow the directions (maybe it was just me), so no two shoes are exactly alike.  (That just adds to the handmade charm, right? :)  Also, the beginning is a little challenging as you start since it's all so tight, but by the end it's MUCH easier.  AND, I didn't have the hooks she said to have, so I used .25 mm smaller for each...which works out since they are BABY shoes!  (Maybe sometime I'll try to adapt the pattern to MY SIZE feet...I could use some cool house slippers. :)  The first shoe took me 6-7 hours from start to finish as I tried to figure out what she meant in each step, but by the end, after I figured it out, it only took me 2 1/2-3 hours for each shoe.  So if you're a crocheter, give them a shot!  :)  You won't regret it!

(And, in case you missed the first two links, you can find the pattern HERE!)

Happy crafting!

Crocheted Football Baby Cocoon & Hat

A good friend of mine is pregnant with her first baby, a little boy, due at the beginning of June!  I really like to hand-make things for my closer friends, I just think it's something special.  So when I saw this knit pattern on Etsy for a very affordable price...

...I decided to buy it and use it as sort of a template (mostly for sizing, as I'm unfamiliar with newborns) to create a crochet pattern.  After struggling for quite some time, and trying it a few different ways, I think I got it figured out to my liking.  Here's my version (sans baby...maybe I should buy a life-size doll to put in there :) :

Excuse the yellowy-pink lighting, that's my bedroom light for ya.

AND IT'S FREE!  :)  Well, except the yarn, of course.  And I made it an easy, relatively quick (a few hours), free pattern for you.  :)

I love how pointed my ends are--more like a real football.  And I have to say, I added an extra row to the hat after taking these pictures, because I wanted to make sure the hat was big enough.  And it stretches, so I think we're good.  :)  Also, I used a smaller hook than you usually would with this weight yarn because I really wanted mine to be firm and keep its shape, unlike some of the cocoons out there.  You have to stitch loosely with this hook so it isn't TOO stiff, though.  It's still very soft and I can't wait to see her baby boy wrapped up in it!

Finished size of cocoon: 17 inches long (unrolled) and 20" circumference
YOU WILL NEED:
K-sized hook
Bulky (says 6) weight yarn--I used Lion Brand Hometown USA, in Billings Chocolate (2 rolls, or 10 oz) and New York White (1 roll, or 5 oz, although I didn't use NEARLY all of it).

MAGIC CIRCLE=the best way to start anything in rounds (if it's closed, anyway).  Check out how to do it HERE!
sl st=slip stitch
ch=chain
st=stitch
sc=single crochet
RD=round (like "row")
*=repeat
(#)=final number of stitches in the round, not including joining sl st or ch 1s.
ALSO, ONE FINAL NOTE: When doing the sc, I only did it through the top/back loop, not both.  This is what gave the whole thing its bumpy texture, and it made it more flexible.  I like it this way, but you're welcome to pull through both loops in your sc as usual.  It will just be stiffer.

HAT:
With brown yarn, Magic Circle.  5 sc in circle, pull to close tightly.  Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 1: 2 sc in each st around (10). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 2: [2 sc, 1 sc]* around (15). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 3: [sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (20). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 4: [sc, sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (25).  Join with 1st sc by sl st.  Change to white by pulling yarn through loop on hook--this will take place of the ch 1 here.  You can crochet over the tail and it will blend right in.
RD 5: sc around with white (25). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 6: sc around with white (25). Join with 1st sc by sl st.  Change to brown in same method as above.
RD 7 & 8: sc around with brown (25). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 9: sc around (25). Join with 1st sc by sl st, tie off and weave in ends.

This is where you ooh and ahh at your awesomeness.  :)

FOOTBALL COCOON:

With brown yarn, Magic Circle.  5 sc in circle, pull to close tightly.  Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 1: 2 sc in each st around (10). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 2: [2 sc, 1 sc]* around (15). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 3: [sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (20). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 4: [sc, sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (25).  Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 5: [sc, sc, sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (30). Join with 1st sc by sl st.  Change to white (see method in hat directions above).
RD 6: WITH WHITE, [sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (35). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 7: [sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (40).  Join with 1st sc by sl st.  Change back to brown.
RD 8: WITH BROWN, [sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (45).  Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.
RD 9: [sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, 2 sc]* around (50). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.  This is where we stop increasing.
RD 10-33: sc around (50). Join with 1st sc by sl st, ch 1.  Should be around 17" long at this point.
RD 34 (or when you've achieved desired length): sc around (50). Join with 1st sc by sl st, tie off and weave in ends.

Using your crochet hook or large needle, sew in the white lines (I eyeballed it...but I can tell you that I started the long center line 3 rounds up from the white and had the shorter lines 3 stitches away from the center...and I tried to make all 5 of them equidistant.  Also, if you are using the crochet hook, you can insert your hook from right side to wrong side and pull a little yarn loop through, then slip stitch your way across the right side.  When you're a stitch away from the end, remove your hook and insert it from wrong to right side to pull the loop through the end and sl st there...tie off and weave in ends as usual.

There you have it!  I hope the little baby boy in your life enjoys this quick, easy, adorable football baby cocoon as much as I enjoyed making it!

Crocheted Basketweave Placemat

Check out that texture!

Note: for this post, you will need to know how to do a basic basketweave stitch, or at least front and back post double crochets. 

These were made using a size H hook, with 4-ply acrylic yarn (makes them extra sturdy).
ch: chain
st: stitch
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
hdc: half double crochet
fpdc/bpdc: front post/back post double crochets


Chain 60.
Row 1: In third ch from hook, dc across.  (58)  Chain 2, turn.
Row 2-4: *4 fpdc, 4bpdc* Repeat across. (56) At the end of the row, do a half double crochet into the end post.  Chain 2, turn.
Rows 5-7: *4 bpdc, 4 fpdc* Repeat across. (56)  At the end of the row, do a half double crochet itno the end post.  Chain 2, turn.

Continue on this way, with 3 rows of one (what I call a block) and then 3 rows of the alternate, until it's as high as you want (mine were 8 blocks high, through row 25).

Final Row: SC across (58).  Finish off and weave in ends.

That's it!  Make as many as you need, in whatever colors you choose...and don't forget to make matching napkin rings with your leftover yarn!  :)  Enjoy!

Simple Crocheted Button-Up Napkin Rings

Coming up with a simple button-up napkin ring pattern was easy, and I love it most of all because I can adapt it to any color scheme and any theme with fun buttons!  Also, if you need it to be longer or wider, you can do that easily...here are a few pictures to get you excited!

Simple Napkin Rings

Chain 16, turn.
Row 1: In second ch from hook, sc across row.  (15)  Chain three, turn.
Row 2: Depending on the size of your buttons, double, triple, or quadruple crochet (etc.) across.  I did triple crochets.  (15)  Chain 1, turn.
Row 3: Single crochet across.  (15)  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew a button on the second post in (in row 2) from one end, on the right side.  You can then button it in between any two posts from row 2 to secure. 

Et voila!  I told you it was easy!

Crocheted Starfish

This is another original pattern.  :)  I'm kinda proud.  Look how cute this starfish is!

I needed something yellow to round out the color palette here.  This is more the color he actually is. :)

So here is the pattern.  Use it however you want.  :)

Sc=single crochet; hdc=half double crochet; dc=double crochet; tr=triple crochet; st=stitch; ss=slip stitch; ch=chain; inc=increase (2 sc in a stitch);

The first part of this pattern is worked in a spiral, so don’t join unless indicated.

Starfish (make 2):

Row 1: 5 sc in magic circle.  Pull tight. (5)

Row 2: Inc each stitch around (10)

Row 3: Inc each stitch around (20)

Row 4: (leg) *Ch 8.  In 2^nd ch from hook, sc. 2 hdc. 2 dc. 2 tr.  Back at base circle, skip 3 st from where leg began, ss into next ch (so leg is anchored beginning to end over 5 st. )*

Repeat * 4 more times.

Secure legs to base by ss each st.  (The ridge that forms will be inside)  Fasten off, tuck tails in.

Assembling:

Put starfish together, with ridges inside facing each other.  Pull a new piece of yarn through both stars at the base of a leg. 

Sew together 3 of the 5 legs by sc around, making sure you’re matching stitch for stitch (this gives the border), and stuffing each leg as you go.   Stuff center after 3 legs are finished, and each of the two remaining legs after you’ve finished one side of them. 

Finish off, weave in tails, and add any facial features you want (I used felt and hot glue, it’s easier for me). 

If you have any questions, just ask.  I'm still new to writing out these patterns, so there could very possibly be a mistake or something unclear.  Enjoy!

Baby Seal! (ORIGINAL pattern!)

Here's my baby seal!

Top view

Look at that face!

Look how it is so tiny next to the others...that's because it's a baby.  :)

It fits in the palm of my hand.

Yeah, I know, it's not that complicated, but it IS adorable and easy!  :)  I saw a picture of something kinda similar and thought it was cute enough to try and copy...well, it turned out a little different, but that's what makes it my own, right?  My second-ever original amigurumi pattern (first was the cookies). 

So, without further ado, here is my baby seal!

Sc=single crochets; st=stitch; ss=slip stitch; ch=chain; inc=increase (2 sc in a stitch); dec=decrease (pull yarn thru st, then pull yarn thru next st, yarn over [y/o] and pull thru all 3 loops); *=what to be repeated

This pattern is worked in a spiral, so mark the ends of each round to keep track.

Head/Body

Row 1: In Magic Circle, 8 sc.  Pull circle tight. (8)

Row 2: 2 sc in each st around. (16)

Row 3: *sc, inc* repeat around (24)

Row 4: *2 sc, inc* repeat around (32)

Rows 5-10: 32 sc (no inc or dec)

Row 11: *2 sc, dec* repeat around (24)

Row 12: sc around (24)

Row 13: *sc, dec* repeat around (16)

Row 14: sc around (16)

Row 15: dec around (8)

STUFF

Row 16: sc around (8)

Row 17: dec around (4)

Row 18: ss in st across, pull tight and fasten off.  Weave in tails.

Tail/Flippers (make 4)

Row 1: In magic circle, ch 3. Pull tight. Turn (3)

2: Inc each stitch (6), JOIN with ss into 1^st st.

3: Inc each stitch (12). JOIN.

4:6 sc, 3 dec (9) Fasten off.

Weave tail thru each of the 9 stitches, pull tightly.  Fasten off, weave in tail.

Sew/Attach 2 to back (above the nub) of body for tail, side-by-side.  Sew/attach 1 to each side of seal body, with point towards the front, for flippers.

Easy Crocheted Cookie

Want the pattern?  I kinda made it up, although I'm sure I'm not the first person ever to do so.  But here's the basic idea:

COOKIE OUTSIDES (make 2, with black for chocolate cookies or yellow/gold for vanilla)
1. Chain 4, join.
2. Chain 1, pull up.
3. Round 1: 6 single crochets in center of circle, join.
4. Chain 2, pull up.
5. Round 2: 2 double crochets in each single crochets (12 stitches), join.  Fasten off.

FROSTING (make 1)
1. Chain 8, join.
2. Chain 1, pull up.
3. Make 12 double crochets in center of circle, join.  Fasten off.

Sew the outsides to the inside, working around the entire cookie (that's what makes the "ridge" outside).

See?  EASY.  And quick.  I know, because I had to make 24 of them.  ;)

Linking up HERE.