Sew a little, clean a lot

I have decided to take over the kids chores this week. The A's have not been doing a very good job and instead of spending hours frustrated with them and dealing with attitude. I am just going to do all the cleaning and make them stay in their rooms for as long as it takes me to clean.

To save my sanity,

 I allowed myself an hour to be crafty and whipped up this hat for Sophie.

Cleaned for a few hours then snuck a little photo session in.

We found the little fuzzy vest at Carters this past weekend. I wanted the pink one but they didn't have any in her size, can you believe it's 18mos..

She fits perfectly in most 12 months but I know that won't last long.

Little stinker isn't even 9 months yet.

I think Scott and I say she is huge around 10x a day.

Just amazes me how fast she is growing.

Guess I need to get back to cleaning.

Hope you are having a productive day.

One for All beanie..

Finally finished my 1x1 ribbed beanie....

I had to fight the urge to throw it in the WIP pile several times. Let's face it 1x1 is just not fun but thankfully it was mindless enough that I could keep track of the kids and still accomplish a row here and there.

Happy to be done and the best part is, it's really an All for one hat. That's the genius of 1x1 ribbed. It will conform to most any head,  as you can see from all the kids and me modeling it.

 I cast on 104 on US size 5 circs  with worsted and did 1x1 rib f-o-r-e-v-e-r...

    When decreasing to keep the pattern I knit 3tog until 6 stitches were left

    Then fastened off.

      Oh and in case you are wondering.. from top left to right..

Andrew, Sophie

Ayden, Alexis

Me, Shay

I joked to the hubby we needed one more kid so that I wouldn't have to be in the pic to even it out..

The scary part was he said OK..Ummm I was joking..

Sophie style files

I started a random hat awhile back, it got stuffed in a drawer and today during a bit of cleaning I found it. I left it on the counter while I finished up and really had plans to just toss it. But I got a spark of inspiration and decided to play with the pattern, this is where it led me.

It's funny how sometimes you can see a forgotten project and get nothing out of it either stashing it back in the corner it came from or throwing it out. And others you can rework your magic a bit and find new inspiration. This is obviously more on the style end of hat wearing then the to keep the head toasty but hey she is a California girl. Style is always important..:)

It's hard to tell from the pics but this is a baby slouch. I want to get a bit more fancy with it and log this in my "write the pattern" log. So if ya like keep an eye out for it.

A girly aviator hat

Sooner or later she is going to refuse to wear hats for mommy. And thankfully it wasn't today, because I got the itch to make her yet another hat. And for whatever reason this is where my journey took me.

Actually  this is pretty  much a totally  different style then I have made before so it was a bit of fun.  And I impressed my self with the last thought addition of the fringed yarn it totally girls it up. Considering I was this close to up sizing it a bit to make it for Shay. (which I do plan on doing, and adding the pattern). But this one suits little miss just fine and I am crossing my fingers for a cold cloudy day in the next few months so she can wear it out and about.

I know too funny wearing a super warm hat with a tank top(not to mention the bribe of a Wii controller.). Really it's like 100 degrees or so outside this evening but the light is beautiful so I couldn't pass it up.

Told ya  crochet was sneaking back in ;)

Simply Slouchy Beanie pattern

I am finally getting a Creative Space in this year. I was curious and recently added a statcounter here, I was surprised to see a ton of people have looked up my previous slouchy pattern so I thought I would make another one with my new style of closing the top. So I hope people let me know when and if they try this one out. It's about as simple as it gets so the beginner can give this a go...If you have any questions please ask away. I'm eager to help

Doesn't my daughter look thrilled ...haha

US terms
Ch.....chain
HDC....Half double crochet
SC...Single Crochet


J hook
worsted weight yarn

Ch.55  join

row1... ch2 hdc in each ch. join

row2-24... ch2, hdc around, join.

Turn "tube" inside out pull working yarn through. Pinch into "plus sign" shape (see picture) creating 4 corners with working yarn at the end of one corner SC to center.  Slip stitch up to the end of next corner, then SC back down to center repeat for 3rd corner and  lastly SC straight up the 4th side fasten off at the end of the corner.

flip right side out VOILA!!!

A new style

Came up with a new style of crochet hat.....Although it doesn't seem Sophie is all too pleased with the concept....Can't please everyone I suppose.....

Regardless I rather like it soooo gonna make up a bigger one for one of the older kiddos and model it on them along with a tutorial :)

An easy going kind of day

It's a bit rainy and dreary outside but I don't mind.....


Other then the inability to get comfortable no matter which way I contort myself sitting/laying/standing these days. It has been a pretty easy going start of the week around here.

Scott is catching up on sleep after working a 24hr guard duty shift. Which of course led to me and Shay crawling into bed and sneaking in a little nap of our own.


I've done a tiny bit of cleaning, a little bit of sewing, and a lot of trying to keep my feet up so they stop swelling like sausages. Oh and can't forget eating..I finished up the last of the T-day leftovers. We did end up giving a bunch away to the single guys Scott works with so there wasn't much left. But I enjoyed them while they lasted.

My tiny bit of sewing of course is another hat. Isn't it funny how you can get stuck on making something even if you have no one really to make them for? I suppose I could sell them. Atleast that would get Scott off my back for making more things that we don't need :P My daughter did request one of these in her size. So looks like I need to mess around with seam allowances and see if I can do that for her.



Here it is the last of the leftovers turned into my lovely lunch sammy. MMMM yum it was good. I need to cook another turkey I think :P


And my version of Christmas shopping this year Amazon and all things online. It's always exciting getting things in the mail and the best part is they are already closed and able to be hid amongst all the moving boxes so the kids can't sneak a peak. I just have to be careful to not forget which ones are which when it comes time to open them. I am sure they wouldnt want a big box of mom's clothes for Christmas haha...



I guess I should get back to packing and my Christmas to-do list. Hope everyone is having a great start to their week!

My hats and their model...

I am not sure why I am drawn to making hats but I am...So when I indulged in a new book and saw there was a reasonably simple looking hat pattern...I gave it a go!!!!

My first attempt "for the boy" came out a bit big "but still cute", there was a chin strap in the pattern that I did not even bother with. No way would he approve of it. But the shape is simple and cute, I think....Don't mind the bribe sucker, whatever works right???




And of course I had to make a girly version....This one being my second attempt came out the right size and a bit cuter!!! The best thing about these IMO is that they are reversible....I just can't help but imagine how cute this would look with actual girly hair flowing out from under it..:P

Time for me...

Well after a somewhat stressful, running around, taking care of everyone but me. Kind of week up until this point. I figure I deserve a break.... Right??

So when I wake up to find a "Tornado Watch" flashing across my TV screen. And a not so lovely day outside.



It was proof that I was meant to snuggle in eat brownies and crochet the day away. While convincing Shay he really wanted to play in his room... Ok so maybe that part of the plan had a few kinks in it but..I'd say so far so good....



I started and finished a little hat for the baby. After all it has been quite a few days since I crocheted one. I was beginning to have with drawls. And from the looks of it Shay approves.





It's just a simple HDC hat with a small ribbed edge that I have never done before but figured it would be a nice touch...I especially like that it flares out just a bit so it won't hug her forehead too tight...



The quick version..I obviously switched color each round and fastened off each time as well. I find it easier to keep the seam cleaner this way..:) haven't measured it yet but I am sure this will fit about a 3-6 month old..And of course as usual you can go up hook sizes to increase size...

HDC, Crochet hat pattern.

US Terms

F/3.75mm

Worsted

Row 1 Ch. 3
11 hdc in first chain join

Row 2 ch. 2 hdc in same stitch
2 hdc in each hdc join

Row 3 ch. 2
2 hdc, 1 hdc repeat til end. Join

Row 4 ch. 2
1 hdc in next 1 hdc then 2hdc repeat til end. Join

Row 5 ch. 2
1 hdc in next 5 hdc's then 2 hdc repeat til end. Join

Row 6/13 ch. 2
1 hdc in each hdc til you have 13 rows...

This part is a bit tricky to explain so I apologize if I confuse you but once you get it going it's pretty simple..You are basically working in the chains/sc's and slip stitching to the hdc to connect.


Ribbed edge.

Row 14 Ch.5 working in the chain not the next hdc..
SC in each chain (4 sc's) then slip stitch into next hdc.
turn working back up SC in back loop of each SC. Turn
Ch.1 SC in each SC "both loops*

Repeat for rib pattern til end slip stitch into first chain row..

I did it!!!!!

After trying and trying for a year I knit a full on beanie...This is the Felicity hat on Ravelry. I have learned that my knitting gauge is a little on the tight side so it's not as "slouchy" as in her pictures but it's still perfect to me :)...Hubby was walking around with it on last night. Upset that I didn't make him a hat of course..:P..

I used circulars, increases and decreases all new to me and it only took me a week haha which of course is forever in hat making time for me because I can crochet one up in no time flat. But I am really happy and pleased with the results. And as I have mentioned before it was on my Christmas To-Do list so check that one off :)

The brim is rolled up quite a bit when not worn but it flattens out quite nicely on..What do you think??

Plenty of hats

One thing is for certain, this little girl will have plenty of hats come January when she arrives. I finally got my order in of Malabrigo thick and thin and I love it...Hubby saw it and knew it was destined for more hats.

Along with the cream color I also bought a skein of bright pink which will also be turned into a hat sooner or later. It's amazing how a simple Double Crochet hat can turn out so cute with the right yarn, and a little flower.

I did get caught up for a second thinking how sad it will be when she grows out of it. Til I remembered....UMMM DUH I made this and I can make it bigger. Definetly a case of preggo brain for a second haha...


It's super cute and the picture does not do it justice but you'll see more of it in a about 3 months have no doubt :P

Me and my hats

I just get in these moods, I need to make a hat or two. Today I caught one of those moods apparently because I turned out a few new hats...

It always amazes me how creative you can be with such a simple shape...

And what's a day without a little Shay :)

Another take on the Kiss'a'me hat...

Hubs said I should make an elf hat after he saw my Kiss'a'me hats sooo....I added a tail, super simple addition but very effective I think :)

Kiss'a'me crochet hat pattern

I used a 5.00 (H) hook, in worsted weight yarn...which turns out a hat with a 15 inch circumference... go up hook sizes for bigger hats :)..



US TERMS

sl st= slip stitch
ch= chain
sc= single crochet
hdc= half double crochet
dc= double crochet


I do not count ch2 as a dc...

Crochet 3 ch and 3 dc in first ch. sl st to 2nd ch.

row2. ch2, 2 dc in each dc from previous round sl st to beginning ch do not turn.

row3. ch2, 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in the next dc repeat, sl st to beginning ch
row4. ch2, 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in the next dc " "
row5. ch2, 1 dc in first 2 dc 2 dc in the next dc " "
row6. ch2, 1 dc in first 3 dc 2 dc in the next dc " "
row7. ch2, 1 dc in first 2 dc 2 dc in the next dc " "

8-11. 1 dc in each dc
12. 1 hdc in each dc
13. 1 sc in each hdc, fasten off..

If you have questions please feel free to ask :)

A few new styles

Been trying to come up with some more "boyish" hats. Got a little creative while watching my shows last night. True Blood, Army Wives and Dropdead Diva....I am a little sad there are only a few TB's left :( I guess that means I get to read the next few books and be one step ahead of the new season next summer.

Back to the hats! I haven't figured out the sizing quite yet but I think these are perfect for little boys...What do you think??

My Creative Space

Yay it's time for me to check out all the creative spaces over at Kirsty's come play along or just be nosey and check them all out :)



This is my last week of "must crochet" hats...So guess what I am doing?? Going hat crazy. My goal is to have 40 items to send to her and I am more then halfway there woot woot!!!

So here is my end of the dining table...Of course a tad more organized then usual for the picture. I am loving the black and white flower hats the only thing is the buttons I have used for my pink hats and these (and the few in the bottom corner) are from New York and well I can't just pop over there and get more...I think I need to make a friend in NYC to do some shopping for me. Cause no matter how hard or long I look I can't find them anywhere..grrrr



Oh and look at this...I even took a few minutes to clean up my small fabric stash :) I am hoping to do a little sewing next week to give my fingers a break from crochet.

My Creative Space

Playing along for the 2nd week over at Kirsty's..I am more excited about checking out everyone else's Creative Space then posting mine..lol...

Anywho as you can see I am still working on my hats, I wish I could be a little more productive, having a 2yr old who thinks it's a game to grab your hand while you crochet is a bit of a challenge.Since the other kiddos are on vacation for yet another week I am sure my time will be filled more with keeping him busy then being productive on the hat front..Oh wells.....But in other news I really need to find some time to clean up my crafty supplies..It can wait right???

Crochet Bonnet...

I made a bonnet...I love it, Sorry I didn't have a real model to try it on but the bear will have to do :P It was a nice break from my other handmade hats but now that it is finished I need to get back to my regularly scheduled hat making. I will have to come back to these sooner or later..They are just too cute!!

A hat for Ayden

Poor thing is always asking for a hat..I told you I love these hats :P

Crafty Me

A few things I have made this week :)

My friend requested help to make potholders and since she wanted a specific design and I had never made potholders I decided to try my hand at them. I came up with these from my own design ...not to shabby I say...




And I am in love with these brimmed hats..And so glad Shay makes me happy and keeps them on :)