Project Sweater

I finally finished a big project!  I am very proud of myself! Check it out!

I have been inspired to try out sweater patterns lately and this one is my big achievement.  It is made from Dale baby wool yarn and is inspired by a pattern by Bonnie Jacobs, Baby Hoodie - a free ravelry download.  I changed the pattern a bit to make it bigger and incorporate a zipper instead of making a pullover.  I think it turned out great.  Here are some process pics:

My "helper" Oliver.  :)

Checking for size.

Zippers are fun!

Stripes = lots of ends to weave in.  

It took me about a month to make.  Of course, I made other stuff too and waited a while for the zipper in the mail...  and I work.... and have a 1 year old...  :)  

Yea! Crocheting is fun. :)

I made another sweater, too.  It took 2 days to make.  The difference - thick yarn.  It is also pretty cute although the pattern is for thinner yarn and makes a newborn size.  So this was an experiment to see if just using huge yarn would work.  (drops eskimo) It did... but the neckline is huge....  I still like it.  I use it a lot when Oliver naps outside because it is chunky and warm.  :)

Here is the pattern link.  

And sweater number 3....  

 

I messed up and have to take apart!  Don't hold your breath! ;-)  

But the conclusion: sweaters are fun to crochet - for babies.  :-)

Cute hats

I am busy with hats, socks and sweaters lately and have started about half a dozen projects in the last month.  Some I have even finished!  :) I thought I would share some pictures of some really cute hats I have made in the last couple of weeks.

Here is Oliver in the first one I made.

This pattern is called the "Mia Hat" and was written by Danyel Pink.  You can download it from ravelry (www.ravelry.com) for a few dollars.  This pattern is great for someone new to crocheting.  It is really easy to make.  I made it because I wanted to know how to make ribbing (like in knitting) with crochet.  I am working on writing some sock patterns and a hat pattern where I want to use ribbing.  Well, ribbing with crochet - easy.  Crochet in the back loop.

The pattern has 5 sizes.  These three are 3-6 months, 6-12 months and toddler.  I used Rauma Vamsegarn on the two bigger ones and Drops Nepal on the little one.  They both work fine with an I hook.  But I like the softness of Nepal.

Oliver loves this hat!  He tries to put it on after I have taken it off. :)  And I think it is wicked cute.

I will definately be making this pattern again!

Welcome, Spring!

April, spring and Easter!  I have been working on some birdies.  This is my absolute favorite pattern of all time - the birdie rattle.  I made one for Oliver and he loves it.  

These birdies are Easter gifts for my 2 little nieces.  (the pink one and the purple one) The red one is Oliver's - the first one I made.  And the blue or the orange one (I can't decide which) go to Oliver's best buddy for his 1st birthday present.  

I bought the pattern on etsy.  Here is the link.  Isn't it the cutest pattern?  I used kinderegg containers and popcorn kernels to make the rattle part.  It makes a really good rattle.  Oliver shakes it around like crazy.  

I made another Easter gift for my other niece.  I think it also has to be one of the cutest patterns around.  An Easter bunny!  (or just bunny, but in this case - Easter bunny!)

I made this bunny a couple of months ago and it was really fun.  The pattern is a free download on ravelry by Rachel Borello Carroll.  Here are some close-up shots.

Happy Spring!  

Birthday boy!

Oliver turned 1 year old in March and we had a party.  If fact we had two.  And for those parties, I made things.  :-)

I am not really sure what that decoration is called.  In England I guess they call it bunting?  Anyway the pattern is from a blog called Attic24.  A really awesome blog that is worth following for those of you who like colorful crochet.  Check it out: Attic24.

So colorful!

What can I say.  It is really fun making totally useless colorful things!  

It turned out cute!

The party was super fun with all of Oliver's favorite people gathered in the same place.  A really happy day.  He had so much fun! 

We ate, too.  I made that ridiculous looking cake in the background there.  (It tasted good.  At the moment I am really regretting not freezing the leftovers!)

He had never had a room of people sing to him before.  It was so sweet.

And his uncle made him laugh!

I made some silly crowns, too.  This one I adapted from a pattern by Jennifer Peters.  (search ravelry)  This picture is from the party we had with the girls.  I also made a crown for Oliver's little friend whose birthday we also celebrated.

It was crocheted onto a headband.  So cute!  

This pattern can also be found on ravelry.  A pattern by Cheryl Cambras.  

Oliver tested it for sizing.  :-)  

Celebrations are fun!

But good to take a nap afterwards, straw in hand!