New pattern: Granny square bunting

Here is little 9 month old Ola Johan modelling my newest pattern that I am calling Granny Square Bunting.  Isn't he a sweetheart?!

I am really proud of this pattern.  I think it turned out really cute.  I made a hat to match, too that is really warm and cuddly with a fleece lining sewn in.  It turned out to be too small for a 9 month old.  (the bunting pattern is a 6-9 month size) So I will be working the hat out in at least 2 sizes.  

Sorry about the shadowy pictures...  we were so busy taking pictures of the sweet baby that we forgot to take nice pictures of the bunting alone.  And I am blogging from a hotel in Oslo...  far far away from the bunting! Anyway...

This bunting also has a hole for a seatbelt worked into the pattern.  Here you can see how that works out.

...Perfectly :-)  And the cuffs on the arms flip over the ends of the sleeves to cover baby's hands.  

Here is a picture pre-assembly when I was picking out buttons.  :-)

It would look good with bigger buttons, too, I think.

So it is ready for testing.  I feel quite confident that this pattern is mistake-free.  I learned a lot from my first bunting pattern - which still has a couple things to work out.  It takes awhile to test with 3 sizes.  This one however I am only publishing in one size.  I think changing the squares would change it too much in other sizes.  So it will probably be published first.

The pattern uses sport weight yarn and an F hook... so it takes a week or two to work up.  I love the potential of it though.  It would be fun to try in other color palettes.  

I do think it would make a really cute sweater, too.  So stay tuned - there may be a sweater pattern coming soon.  I also really want to make a couple of matching baby blankets.  And maybe a toy......  SO MANY IDEAS!  

Oliver likes it.  He thinks it is for him.  I don't think he realizes he is almost 2!  

Too big!  Haha!

Thanks to Julie - Mom to Ola Johan for being my model!  And letting me cuddle this cutie pie! 

One more picture.  We have so many because he was so darn cute!

Yay!  Hope you all like it!  :-)

Ball Hank n' Skein - Crochet Designer Interview

Meet Sarah from Ball Hank 'n Skein.  :-)

BLOG - FACEBOOK - ETSY

Who is Sarah?

Who am I?  Wow!  That's a tough question.  I like to think of myself is a good mom to two amazing little kids,  I have a great husband, and we are living the good life here in the Pacific Northwest.  I love to crochet and have been crocheting every day (except one day when I was really sick with the flu) since I learned!  I'm constantly having crochet design ideas just pop into my head and I have a bunch just waiting for me to write down.  I like thinking of ways to make something that looks complicated very simple and am always looking for ways to make my patterns as easy as possible. 

Where do you find your inspiration?

My kids for sure!  I love making them clothes, toys, blankets, hats, mittens, etc.  I'm also so inspired by all the wonderful crafters and crocheters I have seen in the blogosphere.  My very favorite crochet designers are Amanda Tipton for her ability to capture her creations on film (well, I guess it's on a memory card, but you know what I mean!), Tara Murray for her fun sense of style and her work ethic (she is just so prolific!), and Lisa VanKlavern for her cleverly written patterns. 

What are you hooked on right now?

I love slippers!!!  I have two slipper patterns out right now and have five more that I haven't yet written out. I just finished my "mandala house slipper" pattern that I love! I'm hosting a giveaway of the pattern on my blog right now.   I'm also working on a super simple Fair Isle sweater that I'm really excited about.  Again, I'm working on getting it to be as simple as possible but still have that intricate Fair Isle look. 

Here is Sarah's new slipper pattern!  Cute!  She sent me the pattern, and although I haven't had the time to make them up yet it looks like a really well written and easy to follow pattern.

Here is the link to Sarah's giveaway:

MANDALA HOUSE SLIPPER GIVEAWAY

All you have to do is follow her blog or like her facebook page (links up at the top) and comment on her giveaway blog post and she will pick out 3 winners on monday!  Fun!

I have to share a picture from her blog of her Fair Isle Sweater in progress.  I love it so far!!

And look at this picture of some of the cute things she sells on Etsy!

With tread!  Smart! And so cute :-)  

Thanks for sharing, Sarah and I wish you lots of success with your crocheting!  

Photoshoot with Hedda

Our friend Kine visited yesterday with her adorable little daughter Hedda who is soon to be 3 months old.  Isn't she adorable!  Hedda came over to model and test my newest pattern that I am so excited to share with you! 

Hedda modeling the Bonnet Balaclava

Before I show you the new pattern, look how sweet Oliver's winter hat looks in a violet color in a baby size!

I know!  So cute!

and little!

Ok.  So here comes the new pattern!  I have some adjustmests to make before I publish it.  We discovered that the arms were longer than they needed to be on this size - or rather this makes a good bigger size if it were a little longer.  So as excited as I am to get it out there I want to make it perfect before publishing it.  

The cuffs on the arms pull over so that you can have the hands out or cover them up.

Bunting bag - front and back

I am planning to make a few different sizes including a toddler version with legs and make directions for a car seat option with a spot for the seatbelt in the baby bunting bag.

Yay! Although I still have some work to do on this it is so fun to finally share my progress!

Sparkler Wand!

Get ready for the New Year's celebration with the Sparkler wand!  

I was inspired by the Christmas garland and wanted to make something fun :-)  This pattern is super easy and fun to make.  You can use any yarn you have laying around.  I made a couple different sizes.

This is so fast to work up.  A worsted weight yarn works great.  I used pipe cleaners to "stuff" it - so it is stiff and flexible.  :-)  This is a fun project to work up for the photo contest!  I am looking forward to seeing my little guy playing with this on New Year's as an "inside the house - toddler safe - sparkler"!!  

You can download this pattern instantly from the link on my pattern page.  It is in my ravelry store.  (will get it in etsy soon, too)  The pattern costs $2.50.

Introducing the ribbed sock!

Here is my latest pattern!  In time to whip up a few more Christmas presents!

The ribbed sock.  I have been wanting this pattern for awhile because I love handknit socks.  I wanted an easy and good crochet pattern and I think I have solved it!  It took several trys and there are quite a few lonesome ugly sock attempts around my place but I worked it out in the end. :)

We had a very successful photoshoot with Oliver in the toddler sock.  He is darn cute in them.

Check him out!

This pattern includes instructions for 7 sizes!!  

Baby, toddler, child, teen, adult small, medium and large.

It is also easy to adjust and use other yarn weights.  

I will post pictures of the other sizes soon.  I just couldn't wait to get this out there!  

My cutie pie.

Click here to download the pattern. Price $5.00.

My pattern page.

A new baby bonnet balaclava

My newest bonnet balaclava.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  It turned out really cute :)  I made it for some really good friends who are expecting a baby in a few weeks.  I will be making more of these in this color combination and with those unbelievably cute buttons that my friend sells at the local cafe here.  

It you want to make a cute bonnet balaclava you can buy the pattern here:

My pattern page

Button on the Bonnet Balaclava!

Say that 3 times fast!  :) I found a cool red button in my little collection of buttons.

And thought it would look cute on my bonnet balaclava pattern with pink yarn and a red pom pom.

I think it turned out cute!

I changed the pattern a tiny bit to incorporate a button - it worked!  So the pattern can use a scarf tie, velcro, balaclava or a button!  :)  

New Pattern!

Here's number 3!  I think I am done designing balaclavas in the - back loop, half double crochet - way for awhile :)  But it has been really fun making these patterns - and I really am proud of all of them.  They all work great for the chilly northern Norwegian climate.  :)

Here is my sweet little model Julie - my niece who lives in Tromsø.  Who is, by the way, the sweetest baby ever.  She is only happy.  Her parents are so lucky.

And Oliver in the same hat.  Julie is 10 months and Oliver is 20 months old.  The hat fits them both great.  (Oliver is, of course, also sweet... just slightly more mischievous)  :)

So here is the cool thing about the hat:  it is super easy and you can make it in three ways.  A scarf neck, a balaclava or velcro ends!

Cozy and warm!  I am still using Drops Nepal yarn - it is really soft and warm.  The pattern is for sale here:

Here you go :)

It is written in one size that fits a 1-2 year old.  It would probably fit any baby or toddler. But the cool thing about this design is that it is super easy to adjust for other sizes.  I explain it in the pattern.  You'll have it memorized after making one.

Happy crocheting!  From me, Julie and Oliver :)

Bonus pictures of Julie.  Here with mom Karen.  I crocheted this sweater for her baptism gift.  :)
And with Auntie Katie :)

Pixie Balaclava design

I made another balaclava pattern.  I'm on a roll!  Here it is:

This one is a lot easier to crochet than the first one and it is a bit different with it's little point and different collar.  The diagonal line was a little tricky to figure out.  I expiremented with a bunch of different turns from granny squares and landed on this one because of it's ease.  Mostly because I strive to make patterns that are easy.  I like a pattern that you can work out while watching tv or having a conversation.  I find it annoys people around me when I keep saying, "shhh, I'm counting!".

Here is the link to the pattern if you would like to give it a go:  buy here

The back.

The front.

Bribing Oliver with M&M's so that he will stand still!  :)  

Stay tuned for pattern #3, it is almost done!

Oliver's winter hat

I have published my first pattern!  It is a crocheted hat - a balaclava (finlandshette på norsk) that I designed last winter.  Check it out!

I was really lucky with it.  It is my first pattern and it worked out on the first try.  It took me a long time to make the other sizes though.  Mostly because I am easily distracted by other projects.  But here is a picture of the 3 sizes.

It is a really stretchy comfy hat so the sizes are pretty flexible I think.  I made a baby, toddler and child size.  Oliver uses his everyday.  He is actually on his second hat.... the first one is getting worn out.  It is perfect for our climate here in northern Norway.

I have the pattern for sale on ravelry.  So if you would like to buy it then you can click here:

BUY HERE


I hope you will try it out and let me know if you like it!

Oliver my sweet little model :)