Olivia the Mermaid

My beautiful niece in one of my most favorite sets I've made. I adore the way the headband turned out. These are made to order, 2-3 weeks to make. I use only Caron simply soft yarn and sugars and cream cotton yarn. Accented with flat pearls. $45

Chevron Blanket

Just began a new project. I've tried doing a zigzag pattern before but have always been lousy with counting stitches....I despise counting stitches. But I found a very simple pattern and so far it's turning out. Stay tuned for the final pic. 

The Lego Blanket

This past year I have been busy with many projects, but overall it's been the year of blankets. Typically I have trouble completing just one woobie in a year, theres been some requests and some big life events, so the yarn has been flowing!
But the biggest project of them all: the Lego Blanket!
Last year, my friend Cassi requested a Lego blanket after she saw one that I made for my son, Gavin years ago. All the Lego patterns I originally found were not free patterns. Ugh, I have never paid for a pattern and can't imagine I ever will. So I set out to make my own. I took while to come up with the right size block, and counting (I despise counting stitches!) out a slew of different chains and when to do single crochet, double crochet, bobble stitch, ect. But I finally got it! Whew! Lego block created, and here is my "pattern"-for free ;-) :

I used a H/8 hook, and Caron's Simply Soft
Chain 16, turn, sc in 2nd chain from hook
4 rows of sc (turn and chain one at the end of each row)
On the next row *2 sc, bobble stitch, 2 sc* to the end of the row, chain one, turn
3 more rows of sc
On the next row *2 sc, bobble stitch, 2 sc * to the end of the row, chain one, turn
4 rows of sc
Tie off
(BOBBLE STITCH: yo, insert hook, draw up a loop, pull through 2 loops, repeat 5 times, draw a loop through all yarn on hook)

Now mind you, I don't write patterns, I rarely ever invent them. So if you try this and it doesn't turn out looking right, please let me know. I will try to re-write it. It should look something like this:

After making countless blocks I stitched them all together and created a thick border with a round of bobble stitches in between. Finished off with a bobble stitch edge. It took many a months, much longer than it should have, but I finally finished it! It turned out pretty heavy, but oh so cozy. And Cassi's son, the Lego enthusiast loved it!

Still Stitching

It occurred to me recently that I have not posted in a while. Please don't think it's been a year since I've made anything. On the contrary my hands have been busily at work, I've actually completed several projects. My latest project has been another blanket, which I started last December.

HERE'S A LITTLE SNEAK PREVIEW

Yes. DECEMBER! But it is a blanket, with smaller stitches. So it takes a large amount of time to get anywhere with it. It's being made for a friend who's son loves a certain popular building toy. I'm hoping that you can tell by the pic, I'm talking about Lego's!  I also took a break from it to do another blanket for my brand new niece, Olivia. Olivia is my little brother's first baby. He and his beautiful wife, Kari Shipman had been married for 9 years. So the arrival of Olivia was so anticipated that I probably over did the gifting and crafting. But I sure had fun stitching little somethings for her. Before the blanket I made a sac and hat to go with my all time favorite children's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Well, Kari indulged me and did a little photo shoot of our newest little caterpillar. Isn't she gorgeous!

Morningstar Photography

The sac was actually made out of several different kinds of yarn. The blue and bright green was a Carnon simply soft. The light green at the top was made from a fluffy baby yarn by Bernat. Olivia's hat was made from a red heart worsted weight. All stitches were a double or single crochet. 

Hello Kitty Hat

How cute is Hello Kitty? So cute! I had to crochet her. I have made a few of these so far and each one has turned out so adorable! 

This is Marlee wearing hers. Isn't she just beautiful!? 

Each hat is crocheted with multiple kinds of yarn, the white portion is Caron's Simply Soft. Your Hello Kitty hat comes in all sizes. $19 for baby, toddler, and child sizes. $22 for adult size. Message me if you would like to place an order. 

Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL?!

It's football season! I found this pattern off Ravelry and have loved making these football beanies in all sizes. 

My little guy Frankie Sam is sporting his proudly. I can make this with ($16.00) or without the earflaps($13.00) in infant, baby, toddler, child, or adult size. Comment below if you would like to order one to "kick" off the football season in style. 

Taking Suggestions

I have a wonderful lady in my life who buys me things for no reason at all and even goes the extra mile to mail those things to me. Some surprise mail came while I was away at the wedding. My dear Kathy had sent me a beautiful back to school bag she made and some yarn. But this is not any ordinary yarn, this is Red Heart Boutique Swerve. It's very fun, a little funky, and soft. 

So here I am looking at it trying to come up with something to make. I have two skeins.  And I'm taking suggestions. I would love to hear from anyone out there who's actually reading this what amazing idea they have. 

So post a comment PLEASE and shoot me some thoughts. I'm having crafters block and need your help!