Baby, Baby!

It's February!  That means Amanda and Mike are expecting little Brayden to arrive soon. 

That's right, a grandson.  (Steve says he can't wait for a "Grampa's Boys" hockey team.)

Why yes, indeed.. they *are* being chased by crocheted dinosaurs!  And, here are a few more, along with some of the other projects I've made.

 

 

This song came out in the early 90's, when Amanda was still a toddler.  I sang it to her, and I know she feels the same way about Brayden.

 

 

The Basic Beanie - Built for Speed

Here's the formula for the "basic beanie" or "basic bucket" hat that will fit every time!

I usually use a soft worsted like Caron Simply Soft but you can use any yarn with an appropriate hook.



If you are not sure how to do double crochet stitches, check out the video tutorials.

 

Basic crocheted beanie - worsted weight, H hook

Each round begins with a chain 2 that counts as a dc, and ends with a slip stitch in the top of the chain for joining.

chain 3
Round 1: 12 dc (US double crochet) in 3rd chain from hook, join with slip stitch
Round 2: 2dc in each dc around, 24 dc total
Round 3: * dc in next dc, 2dc (inc) in next dc * around, 36 dc total
Round 4: * dc in next 2 dc, 2dc (inc) in next dc * around, 48 dc total
Round 5: * dc in next 3 dc, 2dc (inc) in next dc * around, 60 dc total (stop increases for kid size)
Round 6: * dc in next 4 dc, 2dc (inc) in next dc * around, 72 dc total (stop increases for most adults)
Round 7: * dc in next 5 dc, 2dc (inc) in next dc * around, 84 dc total (stop increases for really big)

Work rounds evenly: 5 more rounds for kids, 6 for most adults, 7 for really big

Work three rounds of fpdc/bpdc ribbing: Work just like dc rounds, but instead of placing the hook in the top of the stitch below, work alternately around the post of the stitch.

Front post - insert hook from the front (right side), around the post, then to the front
Back post - insert hook from the back (wrong side), around the post, then to the back
Fasten off.

Now that you have the basic formula down, you can adjust based on your preferences - more/less ribbing, longer/shorter sides, etc.

Here's a great rule of thumb on sizing… the diameter of the circle (straight across the widest part) at the end of your increase rounds should be a little less than 1/3 of the final circumference you are going for. So, if we are shooting for these sizes (in inches):

22 men
21 women
20 older kids
19 younger kids
18 toddlers
16-17 babies

The flat circle should have a diameter (in inches) of about:

6.75 men
6.5 women
6.25 older kids
5.75 younger kids
5.5 toddlers
5-5.25 babies

Regardless of how many increase rounds the pattern says, if you stop increasing at these measurements and start working “even” the hat ought to fit ok. This way, you can use any yarn and any hook and still get the sizing where you want it to be!

Here are a few examples of hats I've made using this same basic pattern, and adding a few embellishments.  ;o)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Not an Herbology OWL!

Every Hogwarts student knows about OWLs.  Not the feathered kind, but exams - Ordinary Wizarding Levels.

The magical crafting world is no different.  In the House Cup (a group on Ravelry), OWLs are advanced study projects that take steady work over a three month period.

That's right, you heard me... three months. 

When was the last time *anything* took me three months, right?  So, needless to say, I do not qualify for the OWL program.  But that doesn't mean I don't play along in my own way.

This month, it's Herbology.  The OWL requirement I chose is 'floral art', using a pattern that makes you think of plants.

I chose this Garden Path Shawl designed by Lily Go.  It's supposed to make you think of a paved path surrounded by leaves. 

It took me an entire week to make, because I had a tooth surgically extracted two days after I started it.  :oP  But I think it works!

I used 2,332 yards of cotton blend yarn, making it the perfect 'throw' for the couch...