Sweet Sweater Set!

Last post of the weekend. Baby girl dress / top with a scalloped beanie.

The sweater "dress" is a variation of this pattern:

http://bellabambinaknits.blogspot.com/2007/08/sweater-dress-pattern.html?m=1

I didn't make it as long and didn't go for the long sleeve look...it would be super cute with some leggings.

Even though I went for an abbreviated version of the pattern...it worked up super fast.

I want to make some ankle bell cuffs to match ... I think I have just enough of the green yarn left!

And the hat I just whipped up using a variation of different starts, stitches, and scallops...I will try to write the pattern up and post it soon!

Baby Bonnet

Found this absolutely precious (free!) pattern from crochetlatte.com for a baby bonnet. It was way too cute to resist.

I tried the pattern last night and it came out fairly small (I mucked something up) but did get a really cute preemie/brandnewborn size. I crochet really tight and I often times have to adjust my tension, size of yarn or hook.

So today I adjusted all three (fought with myself to crochet a bit more loosely, went with three strands of a 3 ply yarn, and went up to a 5mm hook as opposed to a 4.5mm)...and here's what I got:

This crochets up really really quickly and would make a perfect baby gift. I am now thoroughly addicted!

Here's the pattern!

Collar? Cute!

In my quest for the new and unusual crochet, I found THIS precious pattern from lululoves:

...and I have to say, I love it. Super cute pattern, very easy, and versatile...worn alone, stitched to a sweater, easy to change sizes...

I'll  be honest, I don't think I am quite cool enough to wear it the way she does. But in concept it would be ridiculously cute with one of my black dresses.

I made a big girl size...can't wait to play with smaller yarn and a smaller size for a baby or toddler.

Project: Doily

My precious husband inspired me to start working on some heirloom quality projects. Not that all of my finished creations aren't of high quality, but to begin to focus on pieces that can decorate our home for years to come and be passed down or given as cherished gifts. So as I have on stock some seriously fabulous vintage yarn and I tend to be a pretty "instant gratification" crafter, a smaller project - like a doily- seemed like a good place to start.

I began with a white yarn that was fairly chunky (for a doily at least) and did a variation of this pattern:

Then after building my crochet confidence, I went for a smaller, more intricately designed pattern with a thinner yarn (still not as thin as traditional doilies would be normally crocheted with, but a step in the right direction). For the peach doily, I used this pattern:

A pleasure to crochet and a pleasure to photograph.

Long Lost Gifts

My kiddo cousins just got back from Japan (!!!) and are trying on their crochet and loom knit presents in the middle of summer. They are such sports!

Love you Evan and Riley!!!