Heron Shawl - Crochet Pattern

We are all moved into our new house! And even though the chaos of moving and getting acquainted  with a new place has only just begun to slow down (sort of), I had to make some time for crocheting. I've been enjoying cotton yarns a lot lately, since it's so much cooler than wool and our summer heat arrives in mid spring and lingers well into the fall. This shawl was made with a cotton wool blend, and it is so comfy! This pattern is a really relaxing project for an experienced crocheter and great for beginners using only the single crochet stitch, but the texture is so rich! I hope you enjoy, maybe on your porch while you drink coffee during a breezy morning or maybe while you're curled up with a good book in your cool air conditioned home;) 

Yarn: Austermann-Whisper (5 skeins in Light Grey)

Notions: 5mm crochet hook, tapestry needle, scissors

Abbreviations: chain (ch), single crochet (sc)

Row 1: ch 3, sc in second ch from hook and in next sc.

Row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in next 2 sc (4).

Row 3: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc (6). 

Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next 2 sc, repeat *sk 1, 2 sc in next sc* until last sc, sc in last sc. 

Repeat row 4 35 more times, increasing by two stitches in every row. 

At the end of the last row, sc in the side of the last row and in every side of each sc row until you reach the tip of the shawl. sc 3 sc into the tip and sc into every side of each sc until you reach the opposite side from where you started. 

Turn, ch 1, sc in each sc from previous round, but sc 3 sc in the second sc from the previous round's 3 sc at the tip. Repeat this 15 more times (this gives the ribbed edging around the shawl).

At the end of the last ribbed row, sc into the side of the last ribbed row and in every side and sc across the top of the shawl.

Turn, ch 1, sc in each sc across.  

Turn, ch 1, sc in each sc across once more. Fasten off, weave in ends, and block for a clean shape. 

P.S.

Thank you to my sweet husband for snapping these pictures ^_^

Newborn Pants with Bum Flap: Crochet Pattern

Today I am so excited to share these cozy little newborn pants with you! I recently contacted Rebekka Seale with Camellia Fiber Company about creating a crochet pattern with her yarn. Camellia Fiber Compnay offers mill-spun and hand-spun yarn made from local natural fibers such as  Tennessee alpaca (she has some adorable pictures of them on her site)! Rebekka kindly sent over some super soft and thick Merino Aran yarn. I'm so happy we decided on creating a baby pattern with this yarn, because it was such a good fit. The softness of this yarn is perfect for delicate baby skin, but man is it warm and cozy! Very suitable for little winter babes. I'm also quite obsessed with these little upcycled wooden buttons. I've been slapping them on everything, so the bum flap idea may have been another excuse to use them. I'm so in love with how these sweet tiny pants turned out, and I hope you enjoy the pattern! A special thanks to Rebekka for collaborating with me on this project. It's so nice to meet and work with other fiber lovers. I know my husband probably gets tired of hearing me ramble on about yarn and patterns and things of this sort.

Materials: 150 yards of Camellia Fiber Company's Merino Aran yarn, 2 small wooden buttons (I used these), 4mm hook, needle and brown thread, tapestry needle, scissors

Abbreviations: chain stitch (ch), slip stitch (ss), single crochet stitch (sc),

half double crochet stitch (hdc)

These pants are created from the top down working the ribbing first then on to the rise and inseam. The bum flap is created separately and sewn on using a tapestry needle and yarn.

Ribbing

Row 1: ch 7. hdc in the second chain from the hook and in each ch across.

Row 2-46: turn and ch 1. hdc in each hdc across back loops only (this creates the ribbing effect).

After the last row is complete for the ribbing, fold the ribbing in half and align the first ch 7 to the last row of hdc. ss these rows together (still only using the back loops) to create the waistband of the pants. Once joined, the piece should measure 6 1/2 inches across. 

Rise

Row 1: With your yarn still attached to the waistband you just created, ch 1. hdc into the side of the first hdc row and in each around. You should have a total of 46 hdc. ss into the first hdc you made on this row.

Row 2-3: ch 1. hdc around (including the hdc you ss into to join). ss into first hdc of the round.

Row 4: hdc in first 31 hdc of previous round leaving 15 hdc stitches open for the bum flap. turn and ch 1.

Row 5-9: hdc in each hdc from previous round (31 hdc). turn and ch 1.

Row 10: hdc in each hdc from previous round and do not turn. ch 15. ss into first hdc of current round (this will close in that cute little bum flap).

Row 11: hdc in each hdc and ch of the previous round. You should have 46 hdc total at the end of this round. The measurement of the rise (from the top of the waistband to the where the legs start) should be 5 inches.

First Leg

Row 1: With your yarn still attached to the rise, ch 1 and hdc in first 11 hdc of the previous round. Join the back of your first leg to the front of the rise by aligning the stitches on the front of the rise with the stitches on the back of the rise. hdc into the 12th hdc from the first hdc on the front side of the pants. hdc in the remaining 11 hdc of the previous round and ss into the top of the first hdc of the round to create the first leg of the pants.

Row 2-11: ch 1. hdc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first hdc. (You should have 23 hdc for each leg. Remember to hdc into the hdc you join into on each round.)

Row 12: ch 1. sc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first sc.

Row 13: ch 1. sc into each sc around. ss into the top of the first sc. fasten off.

Second Leg

Row 1: Line up the front and back sides of the rise for your second leg, and join your yarn by joining the first hdc stitches on the front and back nearest the first leg with a ss. ch 1 and hdc around including the hdc stitches you joined your yarn to.

Row 2-11: ch 1. hdc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first hdc.

Row 12: ch 1. sc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first sc.

Row 13: ch 1. sc into each sc around. ss into the top of the first sc. fasten off. The legs should measure 4 1/2 inches long.  

Bum Flap:

Row 1: ch 21. hdc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across.

Row 2-8: turn and ch 1. hdc in each hdc across.

Row 9: turn and ch 1. hdc in first hdc from previous round. ch 1. skip 1 hdc (this will create your first buttonhole). hdc in next hdc from previous round and in each hdc until only 2 remain from the previous round. ch 1. skip one hdc (this will create your second buttonhole). hdc in last hdc of previous round. fasten off.

Assembly:

Attach the bum flap to the pants using your tapestry needle and yarn. Sew the bottom of the bum flap to the bottom of the bum flap opening. I used the back stitch to secure the bottom of the bum flap to the top of the hdc stitches at the bottom of the bum flap opening. Using your needle and brown thread, sew on your wooden buttons to the top corners of your bum flap. Weave in any ends, and button the bum flap to the pants.

I hope all of my instructions were clear, but please let me know if you are having trouble or have any questions!

Crochet for a Cause & Newborn Hat Pattern

The Period of Purple Crying is a term that refers to the time period that a newborn cries more than any other time period and can be quite frustrating to new parents. During this time, many parents believe there is something wrong with their baby, but it is actually a very normal and healthy period. There have also been statistics that sadly show an increase of infant deaths during this period due to Shaken Baby Syndrome. Spreading awareness about this period can help educate new parents and help them understand what their baby is going through. It helps show them they are not alone, reassures them that their baby is healthy, and lets them know it is just a period that has an end.

I created this pattern for newborn hats that will be passed out to infants and their families to help spread awareness about The Period of Purple Crying. I wanted to share it here to help recruit volunteers for this wonderful cause. If you have another idea for a cute newborn hat, feel free to use a different pattern. We are just asking that it contain some shade of purple in the design. Also, any knitters are welcome to make hats, too! All the information about where to send your completed hats are at the bottom of this post, and they should be mailed by the end of September to arrive in Oklahoma for the first of October. The pattern for this top knot hat follows, and works up pretty quick so you can make several in one day. Thanks so much to any volunteers, and please feel free to spread the word to any crochet/knitting friends. 

Materials: yarn in any shade of purple, 4mm crochet hook, scissors, ruler

Abbreviations: chain stitch (ch), slip stitch (ss), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc)

Pattern: ch 5. ss into first ch. ch 1. sc in each ch around. ss into first sc. *ch 1. sc in each sc around. ss into  first sc of round* repeat until piece measures 5 inches.

Rounds 1 and 2 - ch 2. 2 dc in each sc around. ss into first dc. 

Round 3 - ch 2. *2 dc in next dc. 1 dc in next dc* repeat around. ss into first dc of round.

Round 4 - ch 2. *2 dc in next dc. 1 dc in next 2 dc.* repeat around. ss into first dc of round. (40 stitches)

Round 5-11 - ch 2. dc around. ss into first dc of round. 

Fasten off and weave in ends. Tie top tail into a knot, and roll a cuff at the bottom of the hat with the last 2 rows to finish. 

To find out more about The Period of Purple Crying visit http://www.purplecrying.info

Striped Newborn Hat Pattern

A friend of mine asked me to make some baby props for her photography business, and this is by far my favorite piece I made for her. It's just so simple and non-distracting, and I really love the neutral colors of this hat with nice and simple wooden buttons. This pattern was quick to work up, but you do have to change colors often. I think it's definitely worth it because stripes are the best. Actually, wee BABY stripes are the best!

Materials: soft baby yarn in 2 colors ( I used a white and tan color), 5mm hook, scissors, 2 wooden buttons (i bought mine here), brown thread, sewing needle

Abbreviations: Chain Stitch (ch), Slip Stitch (ss), Double Crochet (DC)

Pattern:

Row 1: Using your first color, ch 3. 10 dc into the second ch from hook. ss into last ch. ch 2.
Row 2: 2 dc into each dc around. ss into top of ch 2.
Row 3: Change to second color. ch 2. *2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc* repeat around. ss into top of ch 2.
Row 4: Change to first color. ch 2. *2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next two dc* repeat around. ss into top of ch 2.
Row 5-9: Change colors. ch 2. dc in each dc around. ss into top of ch 2.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Use your needle and thread to sew the wooden buttons on the front side of the hat, one on top of the other.

Photo credit to Erin Cefalu Photography. Check out her site here!