In Crafty Crochet Embellishments, I’ll walk you through a ton of quick and fun projects for your home + wardrobe, including edged baby blankets, pillowcases and towels; and we’ll explore flat flowers, dimensional flowers (for brooches), earrings and more. It’s great if you have just a little bit of beginner knowledge (I still go over all of the basic stitches, too!) and want to get going with some simple, satisfying projects. The class includes all of the patterns you need, and we’ll even work on reading stitch diagrams–each pattern includes them.

In Beyond Rectangles: Crochet Baby Cardigan, we’ll make the cardigan you see me holding above. It’s a simple, classic design with a bit of shaping here and there, and a great way to jump in to pattern reading and working fitted pieces that aren’t rectangular. The jump from scarves and blankets to fitted garments is not as far as you think, and once you take this class you’ll be ready to dive in to more complex projects, too! I show you tips and tricks throughout–with a special focus on yarn choice, gauge, blocking and other techniques that will give your work a professional finish. You need basic crochet skills for this one, but again, I do provide a stitch refresher in the course –just in case it’s just been a while since you’ve picked up your hook.

Here’s a pic of Noe wearing the cardigan I made during filming–she’s 19 months old, so the cardigan is quite snug+short on her (she’s wearing the 0-6 month size!, the course pattern also includes a 6-12 months size). Isn’t she darling? Even if you don’t have a little one of your own to crochet for, I am sure you will learn a lot from this class. And if you want to make the cat–the Crochet Lab (Learn to Crochet) course is coming soon, too–taught by Vickie Howell!

As a thank you to you, my blog readers, I’m able to offer you a special discount on the classes. Follow the links to sign for Beyond Rectangles OR Crafty Crochet Embellishments for  only $29.99 each (you must follow these links to get the discount!). I think that is an amazing deal for the amount of instruction you will receive, and you’ll have access to the course for as long as you want, at whatever time of day works for you. Head over to Sympoz to see the course trailers, they’ll give you an even better idea of what the class will be like. Hope to see you there!

Tegue’s Jingle Ball
photo by Heather Weston

Like me, Alice makes the best use of scraps of yarns (or if she’s not using scraps, she could be!), so I  should have known she’d love all of the striped projects in the book! Head on over to see what she has to say about them. And secret: I thought some of the “toys” would be good even for adults who don’ t have kids. Ahem. Such as myself.

Cutie Patootie Pants

For today’s post, I thought it would be fun if he focused on the patterns for boys in Little Crochet. It’s easy to focus on frilly little things, but I knew I wanted to make the book about half and half when it came to garment options for each gender, partly because I know how hard it was to find cute patterns for my nephew. Like I told Shannon, my unofficial theme for the book was “clothes your kids won’t get beaten up for wearing.”  Head on over to check out his review.

Striped Yoke Cardigan
All photos by Heather Weston.

Look at her Owls sweater! I’m so jealous!

Joanna and her husband Eric produce awesome children’s books that include knitting patterns for the key characters and their accessories, so that knitters can bring the story to life for their kids. I just love this concept, and when I read Freddie’s Blanket, it actually made me cry a little bit –not because it was sad, but because I could truly feel the love that went into it. Seriously. Joanna writes the stories, and her husband illustrates them–magnificently, I might add. Together they make a great duo and I can tell they pay attention to all of the details to produce the best work they are capable of.

At our dinner, Joanna told me that her nine year old daughter has recently become very interested in crochet, and I asked her if she’d “lapped” her yet with her skills. (The answer, of course, was yes.) I love the bonding that goes on over a hook and some yarn, so I’m  hoping the two of them will be able to make a project from the book at some point.

If I were you, I’d head right over to Joanna’s blog post, because I hear she has something to give away. Something soft and pretty.

Craft is sharing the Cozy Crawlers Leg Warmers, which are made with a solid and variegated sock yarn (but of course, you can make them any way you’d like!). They’re sized for little ones up to age 2, with a recipe-style tip that will help you upsize them for older kids.

Now, before you laugh, let me tell you why mamas like legwarmers. Two words: Potty Training. Two more: Diaper Changes. No pants to pull down. They also make good padding for kids who are still scooting around until they figure out how to walk, and, I love them because you can use up your random sock yarn bits to make something new. Also: baby thighs. Need I say more?

Have fun, and be sure to add some pics to Ravelry if you end up making these!

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!