Mitten fever in June!

Ok, so summer hasn't come to Bø yet.  The weather up here at 68 degrees North is very unpredictable and this year summer has decided to stay down south.  The midnight sun is giving us beautiful sunlight 24 hours a day and the leaves on the trees (as you can see in the picture) are just peeking out about a month late.

The grass is a little green, right?!  So... I am making mittens.  Lots of mittens.  And nice warm wooly hats.  

Here are the Cloud Mittens and hat.  I finally started playing around with a little bit of texture in my designs and this pattern uses a variation on a grit stitch.  

Here is the pattern that started it all.  I call it Ribbed Lopi Hat and Mittens.  I was expirementing with the construction of these mittens to actually make a different pair with different yarn.  But I loved the way these turned out so much that this became my first mitten pattern.  

What I am most satisfied with is that both pairs fit so well.  I really got this one right, I think.  So as it is with me and patterns, I am not quite done.  It usually goes in 3's.  (3 balaclava patterns, 3 bunting patterns, etc)  But this time it is going in 4's.  I have 2 more mitten patterns in the works and I think they are just as good.  :-)

I am also working them all out for childrens sizes.  So stay tuned for more mittens!!  Lots more mittens! 

While we are waiting on summer (or spring for that matter...) the seagulls have found their natural rhythm and are again making their nests in our yard.  Here is Oliver on a little 'egg'spedition in the yard.

And, thank you, I will be keeping an eye out for all that summer heat you will all be sending my way after reading this!!  Have a great summer everyone! 

New pattern - bobble wrist warmers!

New pattern!!  Yay!  

Introducing the bobble wrist warmer!  This pattern is fun and quick to make.

We had a little photoshoot and got lucky with some great shots :-)

I thought it would be cool to get some flute shots and Oliver thought it was fun to listen.  :-)

We got a couple great flute pics!

We got a couple of great Oliver shots, too.  :-)

So these fingerless mitts use hdc in bl and the bobble stitch.  I am having lots of fun with this alpaca yarn.  Stay tuned for a couple more alpaca wrist warmer patterns.  I am working on 2 more.  

Until then... namaste ;-)  

As with all of my patterns - you can purchase this pdf pattern on ravelry and etsy.  Here are the links:

ravelry

etsy

direct purchase link for instant download

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!

CONTEST!!

I have had SO MUCH FUN giving away Christmas gift patterns and I would LOVE to see all the lovely work everyone will make from them!  So what better way to encourage your creativity than to have a photo contest!  

GRAND PRIZE

3 FINALISTS WIN

1 free pattern of choice from MAMACHEE PATTERNS!!

The pattern for the ribbed sock by Optimistic by Nature 

4 skeins of quality wool yarn to make your own ribbed socks

1 GRAND PRIZE

Finalist Prize +

One pair of adult sized ribbed socks crocheted by me!

(If the winners already have the sock pattern then they can pick a different one.  I will ship the prizes for free anywhere in the world.)  

How to enter:

Easy!  Work up your pattern (any of my patterns - I currently have 4 - see them here - # 5 coming soon!) and take awesome pictures of the finished product.  Send your pictures to my email address (katie.hanken@gmail.com)  Photos shared on my facebook page are great but only pictures sent to my email address will be entered in the contest.  Send in as many pictures as you want!  

How the winners will be chosen:  

I will consider your crochet work, composition, picture quality.... but most of all I will pick the pictures that make me happiest :-)  Little smiling faces get extra points ;-)  

I will pick out 3 finalists and here's the fun part - YOU get to pick the winner!  I will post the finalists on my facebook page and the one that gets the most votes wins!  

Deadline

I will pick out the finalists on February 1st 2012.  So you have a little over a month to crochet! 

Voting on facebook will start on February 2nd and end February 5th.  

Me making the grand prize socks over Christmas :-)

Fine print:

By sending in pictures to this contest you are giving me permission to use them in the marketing of my patterns as I wish, free of charge.  I will gladly give you photo credit if I post the picture.  If you are a professional photography business or crochet business I will be happy to do a blog post about your business.  This contest is available for everyone to participate in - whether you have purchased my patterns or recieved them as a gift regardless of whether or not you follow my blog or facebook page!  If there are less than 20 entries I may choose to cancel or lengthen the time period of the contest.

PS: This is a great way to show your skills - I would love to promote the work of "working crocheters"!  If you sell your work on Etsy or anywhere else I will promote you where I can.  :-)  Also - you can sell everything you make.  Just give me a mention as the pattern designer!  I love working together with you guys! 

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.

Happy Holidays from Optimistic by Nature!

Oliver Christmas morning 2010

I am in the Christmas spirit! I appreciate each and every one of my facebook and blog followers and want to thank you all for following my page and my crochet adventures! My Christmas gift to you is one free pattern of your choice. Just send me an email at katie.hanken@gmail.com and let me know which one you want. Feel free to spread the word. This is for all old and new facebook page-likers and blog followers from today until Christmas! Happy holidays!

Click here to see my patterns that you can choose from

Another really cute ornament pattern!

Ok, isn't this awesome?!  This ornament is a design by Cheryl Cambras and she is giving the pattern away for free to anyone who signs up for her newsletter (by sending her an email or by joining her facebook page).  I follow her page and think she is doing some really cool things.  Just check out this window display at the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica!

Wow!  

She has lots of cute wintery things like this reindeer.

And I can't help but post this next picture from her facebook page because it rocks.  :)

If you want to sign up for her mailing list write her at cherylcambras@yahoo.com 

More from Cheryl at 

ETSY   WEBSITE  FACEBOOK

Really cute ornament pattern!

I came over this cute ornament pattern on ravelry and had to share!

Stephanie makes really cute patterns and shares them for free!  How nice!  Check her out:

BLOG   FACEBOOK   TWITTER

And if you want to make these adorable ornaments here is the  pattern and step by step photos!

Drum roll please....

And the winners are:  CLICK HERE

Congratulations!  

Pattern Giveaway

Tara over at EASY is doing a pattern giveaway for me!  Check out my interview at:

http://easymakesmehappy.blogspot.com

The giveaway is for 1 free pattern of choice (for example Oliver's winter hat) to 5 people and it ends tomorrow.  If you haven't signed up already you still have today!  I am looking forward to finding out who wins!  Good luck!

Thanks, Tara!

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.