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 :)

Zoltan

This is Zoltan.  I made him on vacation in Minnesota.  My mom (aka sewing superwoman) had this cool book by Fiona Goble and it has some really cute monster projects that are great for beginners (aka me).

So I made him under the expert guidance of my mom while Oliver "helped".  Here is Oliver helping me stuff Zoltan.

And playing with Zoltan.

Oliver likes Zoltan.  :)

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.  :-)