Earth Day: Going Green A Little At A Time

Every little bit we do can for our Earth is helping. Whether you went out in your yard and pulled a few weeds to make your yard more friendly or picked up trash on the busiest highway near you. I looked for something I could make that the Earth and I could both benefit from. I searched and searched for a project and thought I found the one perfect for me.

As a stay at home mother, I find myself cleaning A LOT of messes. Not only is my little girl a crawling, eating and pooping machine, she is a messy grocery eater. Juice tumbles over and spills on the floor or cookies covered with slobber make way to her hands to smear on the floor, I am constantly reaching for my Swiffer. Swiffer pads get quite expensive after constantly replacing them. They never seem to last as long as I want them to or they start to smell. Plus they are disposable so I know that I have maybe filled two landfills with Swiffer pads ;) only joking but I sure do feel like I have gone through some!

I came across a pattern for REUSABLE & WASHABLE Swiffer pads. I was so excited and made one right away. Before I made more, I had to make sure that it would work well with my Swiffer. I have encountered a set back but plan to tweak the pattern for myself. My Swiffer sprays right on the front and part of the crocheted part covers it. I am able to still use the spray but it more or less soaks the front of the pad and is easily used to spread on the floor. The bottom of the pad has a basket weave feel to it so it is wonderful for scrubbing when you need it. The pattern can be found at:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-biffer-shrug

I will be making more and for those that don't know how to crochet or if you are wanting just make them a gift and buy a few at a time, I will be selling them on my facebook page. Thank you for following along with my blog. Feel free to post pictures if you make some! I love to see everyone's work!

Update :)

     I am really excited to say that I have a new project underway right now :) If everything turns out the way I want it to, I will have it for sale on Etsy; my finished project & my pattern. It pretty much is a little dress about a 2T-3T size. It has an underwater vibe and will hit home for the Navy wives and mothers out there. At least that is my goal. I love everything with a Dixie Cup. Who doesn't?

     I have also started picking up new crafts. I am slowly teaching myself to knit. I think I just lose patience with it all too quick though. I know there are some extremely cute things I could make by knitting but it is just so much easier to pick up my hook instead. I have started quilting as well! Everything I make will be sold on Etsy as well. You guys will have to leave me comments and let me know what you think. Maybe even give me some great ideas. 

     I wanted to say that I love that everyone is liking my patterns. I would LOVE to see your finished projects! It would be amazing to see. I hope everyone is happy with their projects and would be proud to show them off. 

Little White Dress: Sweetheart ♥

As Valentines Day is literally just days away, I frantically searched through so many hearts and holiday patterns trying to find something that I thought I would enjoy making. I didn't quite succeed; however, I came across this gorgeous dress. No, it's not my original design sadly and I am quite jealous of the Sarah Cooper's writing skills and her Little White Dress.

I used Caron's Simply Soft yarn because I absolutely love the way it feels when the project is finished. I was going along with the pattern and everything and got the idea of doing the last row a different color to give it more "spunk" I guess, any who, I decided with the pocket being so close to the trim that it just look like pink threw up on my white dress. I searched through several heart patterns and found one that was so simple and sweet. This heart pattern was a perfect size! My original idea was to make a few and trail them around the bottom but again I felt as if it may have been too much pink bundled up. I am truly happy with my finished project.

Thank you for reading! Check out these patterns and post photos to show off your work! I would love to see it!

♥ Hello Kitty ♥

I would recommend this size for 4-6 months. Had to stretch it a little bit to get it to fit on my styrofoam mannequin head.

My pattern hasn't been tested so please feel free to comment if you have any questions or concerns and I will try my best to check it out. I made this up as I went at 3 am. I was kinda droning.

My work is copyrighted and I ask that you please link back to my blog if you choose to sell finished projects. Do not repost my pattern anywhere.

Supplies:
~ I used Simply Soft White and Simply Soft Watermelon for the hat and bow
~ For eyes, mouth, and eyelashes, I use Lily's Sugar'NCream Funky Yellow and Black
~ Size J hook
~Tapestry needle for attaching.

Stitches:
~ hdc- half double crochet: Yarn over, draw the yarn through the chain (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull the yarn through all 3 loops.
~hdc2tog- half double crochet 2 together (don't know if mine is technically correct): Yarn over, draw the yarn through the chain (3 loops on hook), pull through the next chain (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull yarn through all 4 loops.


Hat
With white, Ch. 54 and slst to first ch. Make sure you do not twist your ch.
Rnds 1- 19 or 20: Ch 2. In the same ch. hdc. Hdc to finish, slst to the first hdc (NOT THE CHAIN).
     [Until you reach the height that you feel looks best]
FO

With right side facing out still, SC one end shut (preferably the end with rnd 1). FO

Earflaps
~Make sure the seam is in the back.
~There will be 17 st in between each earflap on each side.
Row 1: With white, hdc in 10 st. Ch. 1 turn.
Row 2: Hdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, hdc2tog. Ch. 1 turn.
Row 3: 8 Hdc, ch. 1 turn.
Row 4: Hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog. Ch. 1 turn.
Row 5: Hdc2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog. Ch. 1 turn.
Row 6: Hdc2tog twice. Ch. 1 turn.
Row 7: Sl st in first st.
FO

Edging
Attach Pink yarn at seam. Hdc around making a point to have 3 evenly spaced stitches on the end of the ear flaps for tails.

Earflap Tails
Cut 12 strips of pink and white at desired length. They will be folded in half so remember to cut it twice as long.
Take a single pink and single white cut of yarn and loop it through. Do this twice in each stitch.
Braid together.

Bow
My bow is difficult to explain. I am sure there are way better patterns out there for bows than the one I made.

Eyes
~Make 2 ;)
Magic ring, Ch. 2 then 7 hdc. Slst to first hdc (not the chain) and pull ring tight.
FO

Nose
Magic ring, Ch. 1 then 7 sc. Slst to first sc (no the chain) and pull ring tight.
FO

Ears
With seam facing you, I did a line of single crochets to make the ears more distinct when worn. Connecting from 6 rnds down to the 10th stitch on top.

Attach all accessories and embroider eyelashes.

Revised Slouchy Hat

So I ran into an issue with my Slouchy Hat and did a little revising. I don't know if I am crocheting tighter or what but my hats were coming out really tight. I know my head did not grow over night! I think the hdc's give it a little more stretch where it is needed. Try both and see what fits you best! Hope to have more patterns to share eventually :)

Supplies:
● Size J crochet hook
● 2 small skeins of Lily's Sugar n Cream or Peaches & Cream (if you want a striped or two-toned hat, buy 1 of each color)

Abbreviations:
CA: Color A
CB: Color B
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
st: stitch
sl st: slip stitch
rep: repeat
rnd: round
sc2tog: 2 single crochets together (decrease)
dc2tog: 2 double crochets together (decrease)
sl st: slip stitch
FO: finish/fasten off

Gauge: Rnd 3, laying flat = aprox. 4 1/2 inches in diameter

Special Stitch: hdc2tog = yarn over, go through 2 stitches (4 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all loops. 

Rnd 1: With CA, ch 3 (2 count as 1 dc). 15 dc in 3rd ch from hook. sl st to join. [16]
*to give a more textured look work in back loops only*

Rnd 2: ch 2 (will count as 1 dc throughout). In same st as ch. 1dc. 2 dc in each st. Sl st to join. [32]

Rnd 3: ch 2. 2 dc in next st. *1 dc. 2 dc in next st. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [48]
*be sure to check gauge ;)*

Rnd 4: ch 2. Dc in next st. 2 dc in next st. *2 dc. 2 dc in next st. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [64]

Rnd 5: ch 2. Dc in next 2 st. 2 dc in next st. *3 dc. 2 dc in next st. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [80]

Rnds 6-15 (10 rnds): ch 2. 1 dc in ea st. Sl st to join. [80]
*switch to CB after rnd 11 if you’re making a two-toned hat*

Rnd 16: ch 2. dc in next 2 st. Dc2tog. *3 dc. dc2tog. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [64]

Rnd 17: ch 2. 1 hdc. hdc2tog. *2 hdc. Hdc2tog. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [48]

Rnds 18-19 (2 rnds): ch 2. 1 hdc in ea. Sl st to join. [48]
FO

Slouchy Hat Crochet Pattern

I wanted a slouchy hat that fitted me so I started one :) I have tried other yarns with this pattern but I have found that Lily's Sugar n Cream or Peaches & Cream work the best for this pattern.

I loved the striped look. I worked in only the back loops for this one to add extra texture. During the sc. I would try to crochet a little less tight (I crochet a little tight). Always check your gauge.


I have revised this pattern for a little more room around the noggin. Check it out HERE if yours feels tight as well :) Thank you for reading. 

Supplies:
● Size J crochet hook
● 2 small skeins of Lily's Sugar n Cream or Peaches & Cream (if you want a striped or two-toned hat, buy 1 of each color)

Abbreviations:
CA: Color A
CB: Color B
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
st: stitch
sl st: slip stitch
rep: repeat
rnd: round
sc2tog: 2 single crochets together (decrease)
dc2tog: 2 double crochets together (decrease)
sl st: slip stitch
FO: finish/fasten off

Gauge: Rnd 3, laying flat = aprox. 4 1/2 inches in diameter

Rnd 1: With CA, ch 3 (2 count as 1 dc). 15 dc in 3rd ch from hook. sl st to join. [16]
*to give a more textured look work in back loops only*

Rnd 2: ch 2 (will count as 1 dc throughout). In same st as ch. 1dc. 2 dc in each st. Sl st to join. [32]

Rnd 3: ch 2. 2 dc in next st. *1 dc. 2 dc in next st. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [48]
*be sure to check gauge ;)*

Rnd 4: ch 2. Dc in next st. 2 dc in next st. *2 dc. 2 dc in next st. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [64]

Rnd 5: ch 2. Dc in next 2 st. 2 dc in next st. *3 dc. 2 dc in next st. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [80]

Rnds 6-15 (10 rnds): ch 2. 1 dc in ea st. Sl st to join. [80]
*switch to CB after rnd 11 if you’re making a two-toned hat*

Rnd 16: ch 2. dc in next 2 st. Dc2tog. *3 dc. dc2tog. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [64]

Rnd 17: ch 1 (wil count as 1 sc throughout). 1 sc. sc2tog. *2 sc. sc2tog. Rep * around. Sl st to join. [48]

Rnds 18-19 (2 rnds): ch 1. 1 sc in ea. Sl st to join. [48]
FO

Crocheting

Crocheting has been a wonderful past time for me. I honestly never thought I would be doing anything like this when I started. My mom taught me when I was 16 and have been doing it ever since. I say that like I am old or something; I'm only 20! I had never completed a real project. I started out making little squares for a throw I was going to give to some one but never made enough but I do still have them and thought of picking them up again. I guess my real project that I finished was a turtle oven mitt a year after I learned. Wasn't very pretty and wasn't even that great but my now mother in law treasures it. I started a few things here and there after that but never put serious thought in to making anything else. When I found out I was pregnant, a spark lit under my butt! I made bibs and I made a blanket... a single blanket. I was so excited about getting back in to and I still see patterns and get really excited. I would love to make my own and come up with some beautiful projects that everyone could enjoy. I just don't even know where to begin. Maybe I am not as creative? I love most of the stuff that Alli Crafts (http://allicrafts.blogspot.com/) has shared. I use a lot of her patterns for gifts and stuff. She has beautiful work. I am completely jealous ;) Crocheting hasn't only been a past time for me though. It has pulled me out of some holes. You would be surprised what finishing even just a little project can do for you. That little accomplishment brings me a sense of joy. I love it because it can take my mind off of anything that is bothering me.