Cute as a button...

Apologies again as I seem to have sadly neglected my blog.  Life seems to have taken over and ther's never enough hours in the day - I'm sure you're all familiar with the same complaint!  What with fending off the usual coughs and colds resulting when all the kids return to the classroom and share their bugs, I've been job hunting, preparing for a craft fair, amongst other things.

I've been meaning to make some baby and toddler hats for what seems like for ever and now we're having some gorgeous crisp and sunny autumnal weather here in the UK, I've been spurred on to designing some.  I've even gone so far as writing up the pattern which is a new habit I need to most definitely keep up.

Based on a flower set in a granny square, I've  come up with the Flowertot hat (boy friendly version being worked on as we speak!).  Worked in double knitting yarn on a fairly large hook, this is wonderfully soft and stretchy with the aim of being both stylish and practical.  With the cute flower and slightly open top so baby is warm but not too hot, and the addition of a simple picot edge, this hat will be perfect for the upcoming colder months.  This pattern is easy to scale up or down for adults or tinier tots by working in a different weight yarn (aran or 4 ply) as well as altering hook size.  After crocheting for a while, you soon get to know whether you're a loose 'hooker' or a slightly more snug one!!

I've decided to make  a few patterns available FREE - everyone's favourite word! - and share the crochet love.  Please feel free to let me know any comments, errors (ahem, I hope not) or feedback as I would love to know what you think. 

If you're not a crocheter and want to buy or order the hat, please message me through facebook or email me fuzzyfingers@btinternet.com .  May I also add that if you make any hats for sale then please please please credit the pattern to me, FuzzyFingers.  There will also be a link to the pattern through Ravelry.  Have fun and happy hooking!

Flowertot Hat

Double knitting yarn approx. 150m

5mm hook

Approx circumference 46 cm (18 inch)
Gauge 8 tr x 5 rows to 2 inch square
UK terms used

 

Ch 4, join to form a ring
Round 1: (rs) ch 5 (counts as tr and ch 2 sp), *tr, ch  2* 7 times, join with sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch 5, turn

Round 2: (ws) sl st in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, tr, dtr, tr, ch 1, dc) in same sp (petal made), *(dc, ch 1, tr, dtr, tr, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp* rep * * to end, join with sl st in first sl st – 8 petals made, turn

Round 3: ch 1, pulling petals forward and working round post of each tr on round 1, dc round back of post of first tr, *ch 3, dc round back of post of next tr**, ch 5 (corner made), dc round post of next tr, rep from * 3 more times ending last repeat at **, ch 1, join with tr in first dc, turn
Round 4: ch 3(counts as first  tr here and throughout), 2 tr round post of joining tr, *ch 1, 3 tr in next ch-3 sp**, ch 1, (3 tr, ch 1, 3 tr in next corner ch-5 sp, rep from * 3 more times ending at **, ch 1, 3 tr in last corner, ch 1, join with sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch 3, turn
Round 5: ch 3, 2 tr in same sp,  *ch1, 3 tr in next ch-1 sp, 3 times,** ch 1, 3 tr in same sp as last worked (corner made), then work from * 2 more times, ending at **, ch 1, join with sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch 3, turn
Round 6: ch 3, 2 tr in same sp, ch 1, * 3 tr in next sp, ch 1* to end , join with sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch 3, turn
Round 7: ch 3, tr in each tr and ch 1 sp, rep to end, sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch 3, turn

Round 8: ch 3, tr in next 6 sts, 2 tr in next st, *tr in next 7 sts, 2 tr in next st* rep to end, sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch 3, turn (72 sts)
Round 9-15: rep round 7
Round 16: ch 1, *dc in next 7 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* rep to end, turn (64sts)
Round 17: ch 2, htr in st at base of ch, htr in each st to end, turn
Round 18: ch 1, dc in same st, *ch2, miss next st, dc in following st*, rep to end, join with sl st in beg dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.  Feel free to decorate with button or flower detail.

Written pattern copyright Aimie Bennett 2012. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please feel free to link to this page to share this pattern with others.  Be sure to like FuzzyFingers on facebook.

Nelson the Elephant

For an imminent arrival of a family baby, I have made this unique soft toy, which has been temporarily named 'Nelson'.  (Inspired by the childrens programme 64 Zoo Lane.)

I used the pattern from one of my favourite books, 'Sew a Metre' . (Oh wow! on adding this link I have just made the fab discovery of a sequel!) If I can recommend one book for budding crafters it is this one.  As the name suggests, all the projects require one metre (or one yard as it is an American book) or usually less (great for stash busting too) and covers a wide variety of projects, from bags, skirts for kids, toys, home decor.  Instructions are clear and precise and although requiring some sewing knowledge, I think it is a great book for beginners as well as more experienced sewists.  As the projects are all fairly small scale, they are fairly quick and are a great way of practising techniques and skills.

This is baby elephant from the book and although a little fiddly, if you take your time the end result is superb.   I think he will look great in the nursery and will alsop be safe enough for young ones to play with.  With this is mind, I purposefully made French knots for the eys as opposed to buttons, purely for safety.  I am especially proud of the knots as previously have had no success with them - they both came out perfectly and I fully expected to have to turn him into a winking elephant!  I can't offer any advice as I simply don't know how I achieved them!!

I used some blue fabric from my stash (baby is a boy!) and chose to use a few scraps of elephant print cotton to make the linings for the ears - think this adds a quirky touch. 

Here's hoping that the new owner loves him...If you too want to send one to a loved one or eagerly awaited arrival, please email fuzzyfingers@btinternet.com or inbox me on Facebook.

Short and sweet

There's nothing better than the instant gratification of making something for babies - a couple of evenings and this is the result.  

The perfect gift to give to family or friends who are expecting to be blessed with a tiny little person.  May I just point out the gorgeous buttons (although they are hard to see - tiny raised green rabbits on white shank base) were picked out by my daughter.  I'm glad to see she is blessed with a good eye for colour and detail...

The pattern I used was this lovely King Cole one.  Its such a relief that crochet patterns have progressed a bit now and are much more modern and simplistic - sometimes they are still too boxy but then that just gives me an excuse to get my thinking head on and try to customise the pattern.  Talking of which, there are a few modifications I would do when I make this jacket again.  For instance, I think I would work the collar straight onto the body rather than making it separately and constructing.  I always feel the elimination of seams makes for a cleaner finish and particularly on such a small item, would reduce any bulkiness.  With this in mind, I think I would work the sleeves straight on to the armholes and reverse the shaping or miss out the shaping entirely.  


I'm sure there must be plenty of you out there who can't resist tweaking and amending patterns.  If so, let me know of any success stories - I'd love to get some comments from you out there...