Hyphenated & Overextended

To make house shoes for my crazy kids.  We have hard floors throughout our house and in the winter they can be very very chilly.  Since this is a very lean Christmas I decided to fill out the gifts with some house shoes for the kiddos.  I hit my yarn stash and browsed the internet for inspiration.

Toy Story madness has encompassed all three children so my first thought was to make them each something TS related.  However, the more I thought about it the less I liked the idea.  For our oldest son, though, cowboy boots seemed to be calling me.  The twins will be 6 next month and somehow my husband and I seem to breed large footed children so try as I might I couldn't find a free cowboy boot pattern over a 24 month size.  I decided to create my own.   Keep in mind that this pattern hasn't been tested but I did write it out as I went along and used it to create the second boot. 

Children’s size 13-1  (to adjust a size down use a J hook and a single strand of bulky yarn like Homespun)
Materials:

Simply soft brown (1 skein rolled into two balls) simply soft black ½ a skein rolled into two balls.
Entire pattern is worked using two strands of yarn.
K hook


Sole
Round 1:  With black, ch 14, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 7 (9), hdc in next, 2 hdc in next, 5 hdc in end ch.  Now working down opposite side of starting ch, 2 hdc in next, hdc in next, sc in next 7 (9), 2 sc in next.

Round 2:  2 sc in first sc of last rnd, sc in next 10 (12) sts, (2 sc in next, sc in next) 3 times, sc in next 9 (11), 2 sc in next, sc in next.

Round 3:  2 sc in next, sc in next 11 (13), (2 sc in next, sc in next) twice, (sc in next, 2 sc in next) twice, sc in next 11 (13), 2 sc in next, sc in next, join.

Round 4: Ch 2, 2hdc in same as join, hdc, 2 hdc, hdc in next 13, (2 hdc in next, hdc in next 2) four times, hdc in next 12, 2hdc, hdc, 2hdc, join.

Round 5: Working in back loops only:  Ch 2, hdc in same, hdc, 2hdc, hdc in next 2, 2sc, sc in next 14, (2hdc, hdc in next 2) 4 times, sc in next 13, 2sc, hdc, hdc, 2hdc in last, join.  Fasten off.

Round 6:  Join brown to sole in stitch to the right of fasten off.  Ch 1, hdc in same, Hdc in each around.  Join

Round 7:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 23, hdc dec twice, hdc in next three, hdc dec twice, hdc in next 3, hdc dec twice, hdc in next 18. Join

Round 8: Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 16, hdc dec twice, hdc in next 3, dc dec 5 times. hdc in next 3, hdc dec twice, hdc in next 16.  Join.

Round 9:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 18, (dc 3 tog) 4 times hdc in next 13.  Join

Round 10:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 16, (dc 2 tog) 4 times, hdc in next 11.  Join.

Round 11:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 15, (dc 2 tog)  3 times, hdc in next 10.  Join.

Round 12:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 15, dc in next 2, htr in next, dc in next 2, hdc in next 8.  Join.  Fasten off.

Join  black to center of heel (5 from join)

Round 13:  Ch 1, hdc in same.  Hdc in next 11.  DC in next 2, (DC, ch 3, DC) in next, DC in next 2, hdc in next 12.  Join.  Fasten off.

Round 14:  Join Color B to previous join.

Round 15:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 11.  Sc in next 9 (in ch not ch 3 sp)  hdc in next 12.  Join.

Round 16:  Ch1, hdc in same, hdc in next 12.  Sc in next 8, hdc in next 12.  Join.

Round 17:  Ch 1, sc in same, sc in next 5, hdc, dc, dc, htr, dc, dc, hdc, sc in next 8 hdc, dc, dc, htr, dc, dc, hdc, sc in next 5.  Join.

Round 18:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 6, dc, dc, htr, dc, dc, hdc in next 5, skip 1, hdc in next 4, dc, dc, htr, dc, dc, hdc in next 6.  Join.

Round 19: Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 7, dc, dc, htr, dc, dc, hdc in next 9, dc, dc, htr, dc, dc, hdc in next 5.  Join.

Round 20:  Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 6, 2 hdc, dc, 2dc, htr, 2dc, dc, 2hdc, hdc in next 7,  2 hdc, dc, 2dc, htr, 2dc, dc, 2hdc, hdc in remaining 4.  Join.  Fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

For my little princess I decided that ballet slippers would suit best.  I grabbed two of her favorite colors and whipped this pair out in a flash.   



I was not at all sure about the colors but when my 10 year old Goddaughter saw them she said they were "so beautiful" so I won't worry. 

This is not an official pattern because I didn't write it out as I went but basically :

Ch 8, HDC in second from hook and in next 6, 3 hdc in last working on other side of foundation chain hdc in next 6, 3hdc in last, sl st to join to first hdc.  

Ch 1, sc in same, sc around.  Join.   Repeat until half the length of foot.  

Ch 1, sc in same, sc across half of previous row.  Ch 1, turn, sc in same, sc in each.  Repeat for same number of rows as first half.  Fold flat in half and whip stitch on "wrong" side of seam.   Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Join second color at back of heel.  Ch 1, HDC in same HDC evenly around opening.   Join. 

Ch 1, HDC in same, HDC to "corner" of foot opening, hdc 2 together (decrease), hdc to next "corner" hdc 2 together (dec) hdc around.  Join.

Ch 1, sc in same, Ch 40, sl st in 2nd from hook and sl st in each sc in same st as ch 1, Ch 40 (again), sl st in 2nd from hook and sl stitch in each.  SC in next ch at base, sl st in next.  Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Again, I haven't tested this pattern.  It is about a size 12 little girls' shoe. 

Embellish with little flower or button.







For my little monster who just turned 2 TODAY I found this adorable Abominable Baby Slippers  pattern floating out there.  The problem was, again, that my children seem to have huge feet and my just turned two year old is wearing size 8 shoes.   So I took inspiration from the linked pattern above and modified the booties for my little man.   I added rounds and increases to the sole and used her pattern to do the loop stitches.   Then I just used rounds of SC for the cuff and made my own claws.

I have been blessed this year to have lots of orders for Christmas gifts.  It has allowed us to get a few more things paid for instead of being quite so worried about money.   I finally finished with the paid orders last week and got to work on my own gifts.   I finished the kids' teacher gifts a couple of nights ago and the kids took them to school yesterday.  I completely forgot to take pictures though and they turned out great.  

I decided to not only make something to keep them warm when they are outside with the students but to show their school spirit.  Every Friday is spirit day at their school.  Patience's teacher is amazing and has been teaching for something like 27 years.   She is always dressed beautifully (even in jeans) and looks amazing.  Their school colors are purple and gold.   So for Mrs. F. I made a lacy scarf in Lion Brand Homespun yarn using Barrington (which is more purple than this shows) adding some small sunflowers to the ends using the color Sunshine State, I did use some Caron Simply Soft plum to do a shell edge around it.    I made a purple hat to match and made a large sunflower that is detachable.

Christian's teacher is young and vibrant.  I made her a sporty striped scarf with alternating rows of HDC chains and shells. 9 row sections in each color.  I made a matching hat for her too in purple with highlights in yellow and a multicolored yarn pom-pom.

Scarf measures about 2 1/2" to 3" wide depending on how tightly you chain and this one measured about 65 inches.

Supplies:


Caron Simply Soft yarn, in black of course.  It only takes about 1/3 of a skein, maybe 2oz.


Size I hook 


Yarn needle


Ch 13  (increase width by adding + 3 to the starting chain)


Row 1 (foundation): sc in 2nd ch from hook and across.
Row 2: ch 3 turn, *skip 2 chains, sc in next ch, ch 3, repeat from star across sc in last ch of foundation row.
Rows 3 to whatever length you want it: ch 3 turn, sc in 1st loop, ch 3, sc in 2nd loop, ch 3, sc in 3rd loop, ch 3 sc in 4th loop
Last Row: ch 1 turn, *2sc in loop, sc in sc,   repeat from star across.

It almost always starts with a question from a friend.  Can you do ___________?  Then my mind gets to working and my fingers get to searching the net for inspiration and then these are the results.  They have all been made over the past few weeks.  I am loving the top ones with the quirky eyebrows but I really like them all.  They are made with Red Heart Homespun and Caron Simply Soft yarns.  It took me nearly three months to write up the Frog and Bear hat patterns so don't hold your breath on this one...lol.   I hope to not make anyone wait too long.  Of course you can always check out my shop and buy a hat....hint...hint.

This pattern has NOT been tested.  Please let me know if there need to be any changes made.

Adorable Frog and Bear Hats

I Hook 
H hook
Sugar and Crème Cotton yarn in colors needed for your creation.  For frogs you need black (or brown) and white, in addition to the color of the body.  For bears you need a darker and lighter color.   Instructions for 0-3 month size.   H hook makes a newborn size.  (I crochet tightly so if you crochet looser than I do you may be able to step down a size in hooks)


Notes:
Joins are made with slip stitches
lhdc= Long half double crochet     



With I hook
Ch 3
Round 1: Make 15 dc into the 3rd ch from the hook, join with sl st into top of first dc (skipping the ch3)
Round 2: Ch 3,  2 dc into same st, *dc, 2 dc in next st.  Repeat from * around,  join with sl st in the top of the first dc.
Round 3: Ch 3, dc into same st,  dc in next st, *2 dc in next st,  dc in next 2 sts.  Repeat from * around and join with sl st to first dc
Round 4: Ch 3, 2 dc into same st, *1 dc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st .  Repeat from * around and join with sl st to first dc
Round 5: Ch 3, dc into same st, *2 dc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 4 sts.  Repeat from * around

(to increase size continue increasing by 1 dc in each pattern)

Round 6: Ch 3, dc into same st. Dc in each st around and join with sl st to first DC.  Repeat for Rounds 7-10

Round 11:  Ch 2, hdc into same st, 1 hdc into next st.  *lhdc into next st, hdc in next 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join to first hdc.

Round 12:  Ch 2, hdc into same st, hdc in each st around. Join to first hdc.

Round 13:  (OPTIONAL girl edge)  *Ch 3, skip next hdc, ss in next hdc.  Repeat from * around.  Join to first sc.   Fasten off and weave in ends.


Frog eyes.  Using H hook

With black yarn
Round 1:  Ch 3, 12 hdc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join.  Fasten off.  Weave in ends.
Row 2:
With White
Join white yarn to the join in previous round.  Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st.  2hdc in each of next 8 stitches leaving last 3 unworked.
Row 3:   Ch 2, turn, hdc in same stitch.  *2 hdc  in next st, hdc in next.  Repeat from * around.  Fasten off leaving at least 8 inches of yarn.  You will use this tail of yarn to stitch the eyes to the cap.   (if you want smaller eyes fasten off after  Row 2.  For larger eyes add a 4th row increasing often enough for the eye to remain flat.

Whip stitch to cap evenly.  For frogs I usually stitch them starting on opposite edges of the 1st round.

Bear Ears:   Using H hook
Using lighter colored yarn

Round 1:  Ch 3, 12 hdc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join. 
Round 2:  Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st.  2hdc in each of next 8 stitches leaving last 3 unworked.
Round 3:   Ch 2, turn, hdc in same stitch.  *2 hdc  in next st, hdc in next.  Repeat from * around.  Fasten off, weave in ends.
Round 4:  Join darker color, Ch 1, sc in same st.  *Sc in next 3. Sc in next.  Repeat from * around.  Fasten off leaving at least 8 inches of a tail.

Whip stitch to cap evenly.  For bears I usually stitch them starting on opposite edges of the 2nd round. 

It is that time of the year.  The holidays are fast approaching and the weather is beginning to turn cold. 
Now that cold weather apparel is called for I have been busy fulfilling Christmas gift orders and orders for people who want to not only be warm but have some style when they are.

More pumpkin hats.

And just for Halloween a Jack O' Lantern (which I couldn't convince my son to model :( )

I promise to get the pattern posted to these little cuties ASAP but I couldn't resist sharing them now.

I have to say that the froggy is my favorite.   More later.

When you have 3 kids :D   I have done a little crocheting though and will post more pics over the next week.  This is my favorite little project though.   She is the apple of her mommy's eye.

Just a few little green seeds on the side and it would be a darling strawberry hat too.   I will have more to add soon but only after the originals arrive at their destinations.  No ruining the surprise!


Thanks Sarah for sharing the pics of your little doll for my use!