I love it!

And here’s mine, worked in 1 skein of luscious Misti Alpaca Chunky (about 110 yards- I used around 95 yards for the adult hat and flower). The bulky yarn makes it go really fast.  Texas’ “Spring” is more like summer to me, but I have always loved making hats and couldn’t resist writing this pattern. I’ve been meaning to write up some “Go-to” basic patterns that will be as cute today as they are a few years from now. Crocheting doesn’t have to be brain-taxing in order to look great, and this pattern provides all of the “wow” using only basic stitches. I worked it up in under 2 hours, so I know you can finish it in time for Easter Sunday!  Here are the details:

Materials

• Approx. 110 yards bulky weight yarn  (shown in Misti Alpaca Chunky, 100% Baby Alpaca, 100g/3.5 oz, 109 yds/100 m, 1 skein in color 9100 lavender)
• Size H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge (for hat)
• Size J-10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook (for optional flower)
• Small amount of scrap yarn (for embroidery)
• Yarn needle

Finished Circumference

Baby: 15″ Child: 19″      Adult: 21″ Adult Large: 23″

Note: Hat will stretch to fit heads 1-2″ larger than finished size.

Gauge For Baby: First 4 rounds measures 4 3/4″ in diameter
For all other sizes: First 5 rounds measures 6″ in diameter

Anyway, I have two contributions to this issue, which I think I crocheted at lightning speed. First is this adorable (if I do say so myself) Sunshine Baby Dress (ravelry link). Paul and I were calling it the “Yellow Rose of Texas” baby dress, because we had recently moved back to TX when I designed the dress, but I guess Texas pride might not translate nationally? Anyway, I was really happy with the way this worked up and I think it would be really lovely in  cotton yarn, too.

My second design is the Blooming Sun Hat (ravelry link). I love the surprise lace flower at the crown–can you tell that lace+ hat= Linda made? I love making hats! It’s also quite cute from the front, and blocks the sun while still allowing the  light to shine through, perfect for those romantic picnic-in-the-field dates we all go on in real life. Right?

I love to design hats because I’ve made so many of them, which means I have no fear about playing around with different elements to create new ones. In fact, I have about twenty hat designs in my head just waiting to get out, if only I can finish the already slated projects first. Anyway, this one is a fun and quick project to crochet, and one that I hope to  make again at some point.

The issue is chock full of goodness (I mean  holy cow, check out this Wedding Rings Blanket, Bridal Headband, Stripey Spring Cardi and Happy Day Mobile!!). I swear, some issues are so good that I want to buy two copies! Crochet Today May/June 2010 will be on newsstands April 6th.

Photo Credit: Rose Callahan

First off, Deb designed this amazing Slip Stitch Shell which she topped off with the flowers from the Garden Party Cardigan.  This is a great example of how you can add these embellishments to stuff you make yourself instead of store bought stuff if you are a super crafty person. Deb also reviewed the book for the Crochet Insider (which is a great little online mag, go read it!), where she says: If you are mildly interested in crochet, you will find appealing projects at all levels with which to experiment, develop your skills, and express yourself.  If you are an experienced crochet artist, you will find inspiration and ideas, delightfully presented, to inform and elevate your art. Thanks so much Deb!

Here’s another take on the cover project by Heather of Seams of Life. She embellished two sweet cardigans for her little girl and they are adorable! I just love how they came out–looking at these makes me want to go crochet some more flowers! You can see her posts on the sweaters here and here.

And for something totally different, look at Stefanie Girard’s take on the Bird Brooches– she made one as an ornament for her tree! (Aside: I’m very impressed that you are already working on your tree, Stefanie!) You might know Stefanie as the author of Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters–you could make a bunch of cool stuff with old sweaters+crochet, so check it out!

Here is one of my favorite projects from the book, the lace bowl, made by Kendra (ravelry link). She made this bowl as a wedding gift for some friends– I love how her photo hilights the fun shadows this bowl casts in the light. I need to dig  mine out of the project box and start using it, I think!

Last but not least are these sweet earrings made by Nancy of Belle Epoque Whimsy. Nancy whipped up this pair in 30 minutes while her little one napped– a true testament that crochet can be quick and gratifying. Nancy also reviewed the book on her blog, where she said: Even if you don’t think you are a crochet sort of person, this is just the book to really inspire you to give it a go! Exactly! I’m trying to slowly spread crochet goodness to all of you, is it working?

I finished the dress- and I love it. It is simple and cute, not a lot of fuss, and perfect, I think, because the amount of time to make the pattern is feasible and simple enough that I’d make a few of these if I had a toddler running around. At this point I do not have said toddler, so this will go into my “crazy old lady gift stash” or to a friend. My one beef with the book is that it doesn’t really tell you what age the baby or toddler who would fit into this dress might be (although it does give finished measurements. So I could surmise. But I do appreciate books that include it).

Other than that I think the book is marvelous. I really love the styling– cute babies in cute sewn projects, styled in real life situations: on the bus, at the convenience store, digging into the refrigerator (I know Tegue loves to get in the fridge!). The instructions are clear and the book comes with those special Chronicle touches that I love so much: a spiral binding and an envelope full of full size templates for each pattern in the book. I also love the variety of projects in this book–everything is very functional, useable, and modern. Some of my faves include the bloomers, play quilt, nursing pillow, and printed tees. Now to wait for the next round of babies– my friends all seemed to have had theirs last year.

One lucky reader of my blog will win a copy of Simple Sewing for Babies and Toddlers. To enter, just comment on this post by Friday at 12 midnight (mountain time). Hey, it coincides with the end of my July 4th etsy sale/ chance to win my new book. Yay for free stuff.

I did get this cowl worked up on the plane on the way down for the holiday. I can’t even really call it a holiday, but I do remember we opened some presents somewhere in there… Thanks to Casey of Elegant Musings for the inspiration; I didn’t quite follow the original pattern, but if you’d like to, you can find it here (my general mods are in my ravelry).  It’s very warm to wear around my very (VERY!) cold apartment.

And here’s a cute onesie I upgraded for the neph–I added the long sleeves and some fun layered trims.  I don’ t know what it is, but I just love making stuff for this kid. He is growing more adorable –and smart!–by the minute, and I am so thankful that I got to spend an extra week with him. I am so, so grateful that he is here. He turns one this weekend! Happy Birthday Tegue!!

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And in totally unrelated news, CRAFT: and Singer are sponsoring a contest. The challenge: Sew something inspired by nature– you could win a sewing machine, be featured in the mag, etc etc. All of the details are here! Good luck!

Here he is in another of his Aunt Linda presents, a striped cardigan. I pretty much went overboard with Xmas gifts for him this year, but I started this one in September, which is why I was able to get it all done. It’s too big (a-gain) but in a few more months it should be just right. For more details you can check out my ravelry page.  I also knit him a hat to go with it, which you can see here (or if you’re not on ravelry, here). As with most hats, he pulls it off as soon as possible.

Anyway- I hope that you all have a great time celebrating the arrival of 2009. I know Ann and Jasenn are celebrating tonight, in addition to NYE, this is their 2 year wedding anniversary! Happy anniversary!

I for one am ready to kiss 2008 goodbye, and fast.  Since I’ll have my hands full, it’s likely to be quiet around these parts. I haven’t answered any etsy-shop donation emails, and I probably won’t until I can get my head on straight again, so please forgive me about that. I’m going to keep it closed till I’m back home in Bozeman.