Crochet to Go

This is the first pattern I've made from a ravelry find. It's from the Mingling Yarn blog (pattern here). The pattern is simple and works up quickly. I like the finished result as a concept, but it looks really bad on me. I think I'd like a softer, more cowl-like structure, without the point this makes.

I'm done with the baby hats! 6 different variations, plus an adult-sized one for good measure (I'll post a picture of that separately). These are all based off the Sejia Set pattern in The Happy Hooker. The pattern adapts quite well to different yarn types (I added additional increase rows for the finer yarns).

I have 4 friends expecting boys right now. There's only one girl coming - and she's a twin of one of the boys. I took a road trip last week and got started on a few of the presents. It's surprisingly hard to find great boy crochet gifts. If you have any ideas, let me know. Right now I'm thinking rattles and squishy balls, hats, and bibs. This blue bib is a ribbed variant of the pattern I've been working on.

This is based on a pattern in the Make It Yourself library (a 1970s craft encyclopedia) - a pullover sweater I’ve reduced to a simple scarf. It alternates chain groups with rows of sc worked in the back loop only. For the scarf itself, I used a nubbly yarn that gives it a more textured appearance. The yellow version (a coaster) uses a sport-weight cotton yarn. I think this would be a nice edging for a knit scarf, and potentially placemats as well.

What started out as a quick project has turned in to a multi-draft, nearly two month project. The white, lace trimmed bib above was crocheted by my great-grandmother right before I was born. It's elegant and classic and, if the stains are any indication, was actually used. I wanted to replicate the pattern, but use baby weight yarn (to save time) and create variants that were less feminine.

This blue version was my second attempt (the first wasn't even close). It's too square, a bit stiff, and doesn't drape well.

I think this green one is just about final. I'm going to make the straps slightly shorter, add an extra two rows along the lower edge for length, and incorporate a scalloped edge when making the pattern for a girl.

This is a result of the ravelry fixation - I was cataloging all the projects I'd like to make in Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet, and stumbled across this pattern at the end of the book. It was incredibly fast - 2 hours from start to finish - and is a great way to use up yarn scraps. My version uses an assortment of wool and acrylic worsted weight yarns in pink, purple, and red.

I'm hooked. I've spent every night this week poking around on the site, cataloging work, and uploading images. It's exactly what I've been looking for - a visual index to both projects completed and projects I'd like to make. One of my favorite features is the library, where you get links to the projects you've made from a book (it would be even better if you could see your pictures). I also love the queue feature, for projects you'd like to make. It's awesome to be able to see pictures of a completed projects, scan through problems people have made, and see the results of using different yarns and hooks. If you're not already signed up, do it today! My account name is AliciaMalia if you want to look me up.

Additional features I'd like:
- A view to see all projects in any given book
- A way to see what I've made in a book, and what I'd like to make, all on the same screen

There is a printing error on the baby hat pattern in the Crochet to Go Deck (thanks to Andrea for pointing it out). Here is the corrected pattern:

Baby Hat
Warm, soft, secure, and adorable—everything you need in a baby hat. This is a very quick pattern, easy to complete in a weekend.

Level of difficulty: 2

Materials needed

• 40 grams/85 yds light green in medium worsted weight (I used TLC Amore in 3627 Light Thyme)
• 30 grams/65 yds dark green in medium worsted weight (I used TLC Amore in 3628 Dark Thyme)
• Crochet hook size F-5 (3.75 mm)
• Yarn needle
  

Gauge
In pattern, 18 sc and 20 rows = 4 inches

Sizing for 0–3 months, changes are shown in brackets [3-6, 6–12 months].

Directions
With light green, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook (6 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 3: Sc in each st (12 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 4: Sc in first st, 2 sc in foll st, *sc in next st, 2 sc in foll st. Repeat from * around (18 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 5: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 6: Sc in each of first 2 sts, 2 sc in foll st, *sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in foll st. Repeat from * around (24 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 7: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 8: Sc in each of first 3 sts, 2 sc in foll st, *sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in foll st. Repeat from * around (30 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 9: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 10: Sc in each of first 4 sts, 2 sc in foll st, *sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in foll st. Repeat from * around (36 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 11: repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 12: Sc in each of first 5 sts, 2 sc in foll st, *sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in foll st. Repeat from * around (42 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

-----------------
[For 3–6 months, work 13A–14A, for 6-12 months, work 13A-16A]
Rnd 13A: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 14A: Sc in each of first 6 sts, 2 sc in foll st, *sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in foll st. Repeat from * around (48 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 15A: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 16A: Sc in each of first 7 sts, 2 sc in foll st, *sc in each of next 7 sts, 2 sc in foll. Repeat from * around (54 sc). Join with sl st to first st. Ch 1, turn.
------------------------

Rnd 13–20 [15-24, 17–26]: Repeat rnd 3. Fasten off light green.

Rnd 21–34 [25-38, 27–40]: Attach dark green to any st, repeat rnd 3. Fasten off dark green.

Ear flaps (optional—make 2)
With dark green, ch 12 [14, 16].

1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across (11 sc). Ch 1, turn.

2–4 [2-5, 2-6]: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.

5–8 [6-10, 7-12]: Dec sc, to combine 2 sts, at beginning and end of row, sc in all other sts. Ch 1, turn.

9 [11, 13]: Dec sc over 3 remaining sts. Do not fasten off.

Ch 50 to make a cord to tie the flaps with. Fasten off.

Finishing
Sew the flaps to the hat right along the seam between dark and light green. Flaps should be grouped together slightly, not placed 180 degrees apart. Weave in any loose ends.

Finished dimensions
7 1/2 [8 1/2, 9 1/2] inches in diameter.

Here's a bizarre little find from the Musee Mechanique in San Francisco. If you've never been, go - it's an entire museum of antique slot machines, automated carnival attractions, and vintage arcade games, all of which are in mint condition and functional. You can actually use and play with everything.

The hand-crocheted sweaters, however? Not original. It's hard to imagine why they were ever made.

Thinking of flowers, this is one of the better collections of flower patterns I've seen in awhile. 4 different patterns here, courtesy of Crochet Me.

This was a quick, use-up-some-leftover-yarn project. The pattern is from the 2007 edition of the Crochet Pattern a Day calendar. It's not exactly my taste, but it's a surefire grandmother or mom gift. Even an easy hostess gift. Total production time averaged about 30 minutes.

This pattern (the pink one is the original) was designed to be identical on either side, which translates to 2 sets of petals and a ring of leaves in between. The realist in me found this odd - flowers don't work that way. I streamlined the pattern (yellow) to have a single side and more leaf coverage on the back.

It would be simple to make your own custom pattern from any flower pattern you've already tested - just add a long chain and tassel at the end. If you're looking for inspiration, here's an extensive list of flower patterns.

European artist Joana Vasconcelos covers creatures in crochet. Her earlier work was much larger, and she appears to be focusing on the details and quality of her craftmanship. It's intriguing. Her site is interesting too, if a bit hard to navigate.

I finished this suit on the second-to-last day of my trip to Mexico. I think I've posted the top before - I made it several years ago, and it's gotten a lot of use. I've resisted making a bottom, primarily from a practicality standpoint. I just wasn't sure it would actually work.

Inspiration came from - of all places - US Weekly and The Superficial. Mena Suvari was featured wearing two different suits, of varying degrees of explicitness. This first one is similar to my final version; I think I'll skip this size.

It actually worked, and was surprisingly comfortable. I used cotton crochet thread and a 2.55 mm hook. I wouldn't recommend using anything larger. The material kept its shape while wet, it just gets a bit stiff. The bottom is worked entirely in sc; the top consists of 6 granny squares sewn together.

This is - I think - my last project from Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies. I was flipping through the book the other day and realized I've made almost every single item. There are a few that aren't exactly my taste, but the majority are perfect for baby gifts. I definitely recommend picking up a copy.

This little outfit has a zipper from ankle to neck. My boyfriend was concerned with the scratchiness of the zipper on the inside, so I've lined it with a soft ribbon. I like the look of it; I'll continue doing this on future projects.

I also like the reinforced heel (you can see if you look closely at the picture). You could easily make a baby booty pattern out of it.

The hippo was difficult. I made 3 different versions before finally settling on this one. The secret is to make it thinner - the rounder the shape, the less definition the design has. This slimmed-down version inspired the final grid.

Here's the set. The size was surprisingly difficult to get right. A simple tube with a slight increase worked best (an increase of 4 sc total over the entire height).

I'll start at the end. Here's Bergen - a rediscovered friend from high school - with his coffee cozy. The original request was for a Pete's-sized cozy with a hippo on it (long story). It look a few tries to get it right.

My coworker Austin took this photo - you can see more of his work here.

The theme: pop culture and fairy tales. Here's a sampling of the latest and greatest. From Geek Central Station, Princess Leia. From Simple Arts Planet, Rapunzel (check out her wedding dolls, too - they're really great). A smurf house in Delicious Crochet's photo stream. Finally, Maddie and Princess Fiona (the cat), on Karabout's flicker page.

I'm finally moved in - my apologies for the delayed blogging; the move has eaten all my time. There are a few pictures left to hang, but that's really it. I reduced my overall space by at least 50%, but it's all fitting - barely. I did get rid of a lot of stuff, and it's much more densely arranged.

I had my first gathering for Easter - 8 people total. I think that's the upper limit of what I can fit indoors, but it definitely worked. I'm looking forward to summer days on the deck, enjoying the view.

It does feel like a major change, for the most part a good one. Grocery shopping is a bit more complicated, and I have to get in my car to get most things. But the ferry is a five minute walk away (and seriously, it's hard to beat taking a boat to work), there are oodles of restaurants, it's a great town to walk in, and the library is spectacular. And then there's the view. And the fact that instead of cars backfiring, I only hear birds in the morning.

Here's baby Fabian modeling his sleep sack. Possibly the cutest baby ever!

I had a big weekend. I found a new house in Sausalito - I'm signing the lease tomorrow - and had a major hair change. The house is really the bigger deal, of course (I haven't moved in 11 years), but these pictures are more fun to look at. As you can see in the first picture, it's just a bit darker. In full sun, however, it's actually blue. I feel like an animated character.

Here's a new iPhone cozy design. My first draft (left) was too long, but I'm pleased with the second draft. The pattern (below) is worked in sc using a 3.25 mm hook and worsted weight yarn.

What crafter could resist this? The "appalachia" shop on etsy has a number of expertly felted items. I like the combination of needle felting and felted knit.

It also raises an interesting idea. I tend to stay away from crocheted purse straps - they just stretch out. It would make a lot of sense to felt straps separately and then sew onto the finished purse.

Here's another baby boy gift. These were perfect for airplane crochet (no big balls of yarn needed), and did a great job of using up my bag of yarn scraps. From a pattern in Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies.

There are some interesting ideas on this site. Both of these concepts use salt to "freeze" the forms. You could do the same with starch or sugar - definitely worth exploring.