Cozy (Pink/Blue) Baby Layette

     If you have followed my blog for some time you may think this looks familiar and it should because I've posted the hat and booties before (here), since that post I have added to the set a blanket and a matching gift bag that I absolutely love!

     For the bag I use a hole punch to make the holes, and then I sc in each one all the way around, then I sl st to join the end.

      The blanket is very similar to the other fleece blankets I've made in the past (here) except I found I could "cheat" (because of the fluffy yarn) by only doing a single round and not doing a ch in between each sc.

     I think using  Red Heart Baby Clouds definitely ties the whole set together and allows me to make a matching baby girl set.

     Because I used the Provo Craft Knifty Knitter blue round loom for the newborn hat it was easy to adjust the size (by switching to the green loom) of it when I had the opportunity to make a matching "big sister" hat! :)

    The gift tag below was done by the author of Spare Thyme Ink who does many beautiful things in the paper crafting world!

Doughnut Pin Cushion... Yummy, but sharp

When I first saw this pattern I thought it was simply a play food doughnut which the author had used beads as sprinkles. I thought that in itself was pretty cool. Obviously, I did not read the title very well. After realizing that it was a pin cushion, I just had to make one... and I hardly ever sew.

What a brilliant idea. Here is where you can find the pattern http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=32761.

My Homemade Yarn

Okay, I know you're wondering..."What in the world is that?"... And "What does that have to do with crocheting or yarn?" Okay maybe you already know, but about a couple of years ago that is what I would have wondered.

 "That" is my handy, dandy, home made version of a drop spindle.  To see what a drop spindle is and what it does should be clear after watching this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gXTWgMeMgI After I watched this I couldn't wait to start spinning my own yarn, and even though drop spindles are relatively cheep I was able to make my own without having to wait for a package in the mail.

This is the results of my first attempt at using the drop spindle. I started with wool roving I found on ebay. :)  For the most part its pretty even except at the very beginning. I am now knitting it into a little hand bag.

Crochet Slipper Socks

These are one of my favorite pairs of around the house socks. They are great to wear over another pair of socks or just by themselves. Unfortunately, as with many pairs of crochet socks I cannot wear them with my shoes on.

The pattern for them is quite simple and doesn't require the knowledge of very many stitches. These socks were actually one of the very early patterns I tried. For they longest time I was only doing single crochets and chain stitches. In case you are wondering what the pattern is    http://www.crochetandknitting.com/socks.htm. I would also like to make it clear that this is not my own pattern, and I am quite grateful to the author.

Crochet Converse Baby Shoes

   I just absolutely love this pattern, it is very simple and the only stitches you need to know are ch, sc, sl st, hdc and dc. Tutorials for these stitches except the sl st and hdc can be found here.

    Unfortunately, I found the pattern on Ravelry and can't find it elsewhere, so anyone who would like it would have to become a member of Ravelry if they aren't already.

    If you would like the pattern here is the link http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-baby-converse.

   I would totally recommend this pattern to a advanced beginner (one who has done several patterns). The directions were given with many photographic references so as long as you know the stitches you should have no problem.

Cozy Cozy Wrist Warmers

What keeps your hands warm, allows your fingers to be free, and you can crochet?

Wrist Warmers! They're cozy and give the flexibility that regular bulky gloves wouldn't. What's really cool though is that you can crochet them! Whoo! Yeah!...Big surprise...Okay you probably already knew that and so did I, but what I didn't know was that they were so easy! I made these cozy fingerless gloves eons before I had blog so it took me awhile to find the pattern so, finally here it is: http://homespunjenn.blogspot.com/2006/01/happy-new-year.html

Oh! I forgot to mention you can make them for every occasion! I love to use mine when I'm studying on a cold winter day and want to be able to feel the pages on my finger tips! :)

Almost Waffle Afghan

This is my almost waffle afghan... Why do I call it that?...Well it was originally planned to have the texture of a waffle, unfortunately I screwed up the pattern which was translated to me verbally. By the time I got started I somehow managed to flip the order of two stitches.

This is what the pattern was supposed to be:
Ch a number divisible by 4, and then ch 2
Row 1
Dc 1 in each st
Row 2
Dc 2, *(Dc around the post of the next stitch) repeat once, dc 2, repeat form* til the end of the row.
Row 3
(Dc around the post of the next stitch) repeat once, *dc 2, (Dc around the post of the next stitch) repeat once, Repeat from * til the end of the row.
Row 4-How ever many rows you want
Repeat rows 2 and 3 alternating between the two until project reaches desired length

This is the pattern I did:
Ch a number divisible by 4, and then ch 2
Row 1
Dc 1 in each st
Row 2
Dc 2, *(Dc around the post of the next stitch) repeat once, dc 2, repeat form* til the end of the row.
Row 3-How ever many rows you want
Repeat row 2 until project reaches desired length

This afghan didn't turn out the way it was supposed to but it does look pretty if you ask me. I especially like the ruffle edge and the unusual texture.