tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32267758141512765562024-03-13T12:04:24.639-07:00Hyphenated & OverextendedPlease check out my new blog about going back to school, after nearly 20 years, to become a teacher. hyphenatedteacher.blogspot.comhyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-66643489830119583182012-02-16T16:39:00.000-08:002012-02-16T16:40:24.717-08:00Angry Bird<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must apologize for being away for so long, even though nobody probably noticed. Last May I went back to college. Quite the experience for stay at home mom of 6 1/2 years and 37 years of age. In July I began working nights for an online business services company. My standard hours are 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Let me just note here that my kids are all early risers whether it is summer or not so my wake-up morning greetings came somewhere around 6:30 each morning. While the summer months weren't too crazy I have been absolutely overwhelmed since the twins started first grade in August, especially since our youngest stopped napping about two weeks later. So much for my nap. In addition to my job, my school, staying home with my just-turned-three-year-old, managing the school and extracurricular schedule for two 1st graders, I was asked to join the strategic planning committee at my children's elementary school. I felt honored to be asked and took that on as well. So, I have been just a tad busy and have been burning the candle at both ends. While I have made a lot of projects over the last several months I haven't spent much time promoting my little crochet shop or blogging. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made my first Angry Bird this week. I found this wonderful pattern on <a href="http://www.craftown.com/Angry-Bird-Hat--h--Black-Bird.html">Craftown.com</a> . It is the first time in 7 1/2 years of avid crocheting that I have made a "single crochet" hat that I really love. The pattern is easy to understand and works of up quickly. I made a few minor changes to the eyes, brows and head wick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Head wick changes: I followed the directions through round 8 but joined and fastened off at the end, leaving a long tail (16" or so). Instead of crocheting the yellow in rows 9 and 10 I tasseled them. I used 8" lengths of yarn folded in half. Then I folded them in half again to pull through each chain and make a tassel (here is a link to a video if you don't know how to do it, the same thing but with less yarn). After adding the yellow tassels I used the black tail to stitch the top of the head wick together, leaving the bottom part open to attach to the hat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The eyes, I did the black and gray parts exactly as written but elongated the whites by using 3hdc in place of 3sc on each eye. Not much of a difference but I liked the shape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The brows, I wanted some major brows for this bird so </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Using F hook (I wanted the ends stiff)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">CH 20</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook across, CH1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Row 2: (BROW 1 ONLY) Turn, HDC in turn CH, HDC in next two, SC across. CH1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> (BROW 2 ONLY) Turn, SC in turn CH, SC in next 16, HDC in last three. CH1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Row 3: Turn, SC in turning CH and across. Fasten off, leave long tail to stitch to hat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I stitched about 14 chains down and left the last 5 to poke out like the bird on the game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made this for a customer (the pattern allows you to sell your items) but now both of my boys want one and my daughter wants to know where the pink and purple angry birds are....lol.</span></div>
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<br /></div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-2112343874433307782011-10-10T10:12:00.000-07:002011-10-10T10:12:08.060-07:00The 12 Steps of Yarn Addiction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EqDdwxlp9U/TpMnBywJ1BI/AAAAAAAAAOM/QwsjVVE2sig/s1600/YAA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EqDdwxlp9U/TpMnBywJ1BI/AAAAAAAAAOM/QwsjVVE2sig/s640/YAA.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>I am a member of OA so am in no way making fun of 12 Step Programs, they really do work when you work them but I am feeling the pull of yarn today so had to post this.</div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-78675722551202629932011-10-10T08:29:00.000-07:002011-10-10T08:29:54.970-07:00The Yarn Addict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A friend send me this PSA and I feel obligated to share it:<br />
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<blockquote><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407222"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407221" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407220" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Public Service Announcement:</span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407222"><br />
</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407222"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407221" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407220" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Yarn Pheromones</span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407168"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407174" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407173" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407188"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407180" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407179" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">A recent study has indicated that yarns give off certain pheromones that hypnotize susceptible men and women causing them to purchase ungodly amounts of yarn. When stored in large quantities in enclosed spaces, the pheromones in the yarn causes memory loss and induce the gathering syndrome, similar to the one squirrels have before the onset of winter.</span></span><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407187" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407186" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407188"><br />
</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407188"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407187" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407186" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Sound tests have also revealed that these yarns emit a very high-pitched sound heard only by a select few, known as stitchers. When played backward, the sounds are heard as chants...'Buy me! Knit me! Crochet me!' Furthermore, pheromones seem to cause a pathological need to secret the yarn purchases away when one takes them home and blend them into the existing stash. When asked by a significant other if the yarn is new, the reply is, "oh, I've had it for a while!"</span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407202"><br />
</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407202"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407201" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407200" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">In order to overcome the so-called feeding frenzy effect that these yarns cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility or craft store, and use ear plugs to avoid being pulled into the hypnotic grip. It is also beneficial to enter these facilities without the presence of cash or credit cards.</span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407213"><br />
</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407213"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407212" style="color: #993399;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318258880407211" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Sadly, the addictive qualities of this compulsive behavior are cumulative, and are ameliorated only by the purchase of more and more and more yarn.</span></span></div><span style="color: #993399;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #993399;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">No cure is known at this time.</span></span></blockquote><br />
<span style="color: #993399;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">As a person who has recently "reduced" my yarn stash to one large Rubbermaid (tm) Bin and a two drawer end table I could totally relate to this email. Oh, I forgot the shopping bag full of yarn stashed in the corner and the project in my school bag. I do have two skeins sitting in the back of my car "for emergencies" as well. Then there is the other large tub of finished projects that I need to get listed on Etsy. Uh.....yes, I have a problem.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #993399;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">I am happy to say that I have recently passed my yarn addiction on to my husband who has taught himself to knit using videos on YouTube. He is about halfway through a "Dr. Who" Scarf and is working on another project for a friend. He keeps saying things like "damn you" to me as we walk past the yarn departments at Wal-Mart and Michael's. (insert evil laugh)</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S29BvpMXd1A/TpMOrzx6THI/AAAAAAAAAOE/_baQ4w8alq4/s1600/BattyOverYArn-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S29BvpMXd1A/TpMOrzx6THI/AAAAAAAAAOE/_baQ4w8alq4/s320/BattyOverYArn-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #993399;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-17298710120959348512011-04-01T15:02:00.000-07:002011-04-01T15:02:47.271-07:00Tales of a potty training momma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wAYi1UfopKQ/TZZJBrZa2dI/AAAAAAAAANo/NoxXoAJ3B-E/s1600/0-1abc1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wAYi1UfopKQ/TZZJBrZa2dI/AAAAAAAAANo/NoxXoAJ3B-E/s320/0-1abc1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have three kiddos. They are as different in personality from each other as is possible. My boy girl twins are a couple of months beyond their 6th birthday. Potty training for them couldn't have been more different. At 28 months my daughter decided she wanted to use the potty. She spent most of that summer running around half naked and by fall she was wearing a pullup to bed and daytime trained 100%. Her twin brother didn't even consider using a toilet until he was almost 4 and it took lots of bribes, incentives and coercion to make it happen at all. After a few months he was perfectly willing to pee on the potty but wouldn't have anything to do with using it to poop. He was almost five before that happened regularly. To be fair he had some food sensitivities and we battled with chronic constipation but mostly it was just his personality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought it was mostly a boy/girl difference so when our youngest began creeping up on 2 years old I didn't think much about potty training. I figured it would be a while before he was at all interested but I was determined not to let any window of opportunity pass me by like I did with his big brother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, one evening about 6 weeks ago the twins were playing in the tub together and Chance wanted to get in too. The minute his toe touched the water he started tinkling. I told him to stop and he did....much to my amazement. I stood him in front of the toilet standing on my feet so he was tall enough and he peed in the potty. The next day we went out and bought underwear. I was determined to do this without disposable training pants as I truly felt that they aided and abetted Christian's desire to NEVER potty train. We tried all in one training pants, we tried underpants with plastic liners over the top, nothing kept him from leaking when he peed. This child drinks a ton and there just wasn't enough absorbency. I made a decision to do bottomless potty training even though it was winter and our hard floors tend to be cold, especially in the mornings. I figured he communicated well enough to let me know if he was too cold. We decided that he would be naked or in underpants at home and in disposable training pants when we left the house for the first couple of weeks. It worked out great. He then moved to underwear when we left the house. Six weeks later he is almost completely accident free only wearing training pants when he is sleeping. I figure with as many fluids as this little man drinks it will be a while before he is consistently dry, even at naptime. Sleep time in not something I am worried about. I figure we went from using about 160 diapers a month to using 30-40 pairs of training pants. Big time savings. Often he wakes up dry from nap and can wear the same ones to bed at night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We bought a very basic potty. It is a little frog. It doesn't have any gadgets, it doesn't make noises, it doesn't light up. The best part of the potty is he sits on it and gets down to business instead of playing with gadgets. He will pee and poop on the potty if he is out of the house or if he is playing upstairs. He doesn't like standing on a footstool because it doesn't feel secure to him and his is only an inch or two short for all but handicap toilets so he stands on my feet or daddy's feet. If we hold his hands he will use a regular toilet seat to poop as well. It is an amazing sense of freedom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The point of this post is to share the interesting things you are willing to do when your toddler is successfully potty training. About two weeks into this quest Chance and I left early to get the big kids from school. We went for a walk. While I was pushing the stroller the the cemetery that neighbors the school (no joke) Chance looked at me and with urgency in his voice said "Mommy go pee!" At this point we were about 3 blocks from home, only a block from school but you have to show ID and sign in when walking in their door and he wasn't good at holding yet. I looked around in a bit of a panic, coming to the realization that if I let him pee himself then we would most likely have a setback in addition to the need to clean the stroller. I spotted the old oak tree in the northwest corner of the cemetery. No one was around, plots were spaced a distance away and I, with no hesitation at all, pulled my little man out of the stroller stood him on my feet and told him to pee on the tree. Much to my amazement he did exactly that. I knew we were on the road to success.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So today, we spent the day on the great Mickey and Minnie Mouse quest. My parents took us to Walt Disney World in November and every since Chance has been Mickey obsessed. Just this week he decided that Mickey and Minnie are indeed a pair and has been asking for a "Mimmie". My mom took pity on him this morning and decided that he needed a Minnie Mouse. We left the house and headed to Wal-mart first not a Mickey and Minnie in the place. Off to Target we go to be disappointed yet again. Babies 'r Us failed us as well. We took a break and at lunch at Mimi's cafe (we were on a Mimmie quest after all) and then headed to Toys 'r Us because BRU assured us that TRU carried the plush dolls. However, when we arrived there were none to be found. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Geographically we were now across the street from THE MALL (evil music plays in the background). At this point Chance was just wiped from being out and about and it was quickly approaching nap time so my mom stayed in the car with him and I ran inside to the Disney Store. Finally! PAYDIRT! Ten minutes later I trotted out to the car triumphant with nine inch Mickey and Minnie in hand. Fifteen minutes after we got on the road to home (a thirty minute drive) he gave it up and crashed. When we arrived at Grandy and Poppy's house I carefully unbuckled his carseat, slid his limbs free and lifted him out of the car. I took one step toward the house, the wind kicked up and Chance woke up crying. This is not a child who wakes up happy. He looked at me and said "go home". So we headed to my car, when he said "go pee", I turned to take him in the house and he cried "go home". My parents live out in the country so I looked at the boy and and asked him "do you want to pee here?" His reply was a resounding "yes". We dropped his drawers and he proceeded to pee on the tire of my car! There are moments in parenting when you just don't push the buttons of a tired two-year-old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, for today those are our Adventures in Potty Training. I am sure that I will have more interesting tales before the spring and summer are out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And for good measure here is daddy's favorite potty training moment. He was so proud to see his youngest "reading" on the throne.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UMIl7DhC2ds/TZZJumNp0oI/AAAAAAAAANs/d0qE1Qhmviw/s1600/100_5161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UMIl7DhC2ds/TZZJumNp0oI/AAAAAAAAANs/d0qE1Qhmviw/s400/100_5161.JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course the marker tattoos are home done thanks to the 6-year-old twins </span></div><br />
</div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-76755703727436412032011-03-25T16:24:00.000-07:002011-03-25T17:31:23.712-07:00WOW!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When entering the world of digital scrapbooking you just can't be aware of all the goodies that are out there. There are so many artists and designers who offer freebies on their blogs. I am working on my very first scrapbooking kit right now. Could you possibly imagine that it might be crochet themed? LOL. I am having a lot of fun getting backgrounds together using photographs. I am also trying to learn how to use the tools in my design program.<br />
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As the wife of a graphic designer I didn't want to settle for a ready made scrapbooking program. Instead we opted to get Photoshop Elements 8 (the newest version available at the time). It was a fantastic investment. Although my husband laments regularly that we don't have a full Photoshop version for his Mac he agrees that Elements is perfect for my needs.<br />
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I have been crazy busy with hat orders the past couple of weeks. Not a complaint but an explanation for my absence on my blogs. I should have a large order finished tonight and will get to the next one tomorrow. <br />
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While I am learning some of my favorite sites are:<br />
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<a href="http://scrapgirls.com/">Scrap Girls</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shabbyprincess.com/">Shabby Princess</a><br />
<a href="http://digifree.craftcrave.com/">Craft Crave (list of freebies)</a><br />
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There are so many others that I have run across in the past year or so. I will try to share when I come across them.<br />
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Just a couple of my more recent pages. Nothing too elaborate yet, like I said I am still learning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7KvF-AO93Qc/TY0ncu145KI/AAAAAAAAANc/e3RL598jMoo/s1600/january+21+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7KvF-AO93Qc/TY0ncu145KI/AAAAAAAAANc/e3RL598jMoo/s400/january+21+s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n44MmaCdEx8/TY0nh6LMaUI/AAAAAAAAANg/c70QFmaEowY/s1600/March+11+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n44MmaCdEx8/TY0nh6LMaUI/AAAAAAAAANg/c70QFmaEowY/s400/March+11+s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uNDWumetR4M/TY0nk8J2ROI/AAAAAAAAANk/TXcfEXrlYe4/s1600/March+12+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uNDWumetR4M/TY0nk8J2ROI/AAAAAAAAANk/TXcfEXrlYe4/s400/March+12+s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-3729435897100993772011-03-09T18:38:00.000-08:002011-03-09T18:38:17.539-08:00Branching Out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Just wanting to warn you all that things are getting ready to change...for the better I hope. I will continue to keep my weight loss blog separate but am going to start writing more about my other creative outlets and life in general. In addition to crochet I spend a lot of time doing digital scrapbooking. I am far from a pro at this and am just really beginning to learn the good parts of using Photo Shop Elements to design my pages but can't wait to share what I do know. I also hope to share some free designs as well.<br />
<br />
For today my adventure was cutting my own hair. What was I thinking you say? My reasoning was this, first we are completely broke so shelling out $20 or more for a hair cut simply wasn't an option. Second, every time I let a beautician touch my hair they manage to do the exact opposite of what I tell them I want. Third, my super long very thick hair has begun giving me headaches and after a while even dinks at my neck and shoulders.<br />
<br />
So, my mom has been telling me for years about layering your own hair by putting it into a ponytail and cutting the ponytail off. Well, that wasn't enough information for me to go on when considering such a drastic move so I began to research.<br />
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I found this blog <a href="http://elementalbynature.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/ponytail-haircut-a-how-to/">Pony Tail Hair Cut</a> and followed her easy instructions. I couldn't be more pleased. I didn't lose any length off of my hair (which my two year old loves to play with) but I got lots and lots of weight off of it. I cut a ponytail that was just a tiny bit over 11 inches off of my head. So here are my before pics, I forgot to take some just before. The one in the hat is from last week. My hair was basically all one length with a tiny bit of tapering in the front. The ones with the baby are from this afternoon. When he gets up from nap he sits with me and plays with my hair for a while. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B3ciA9Lho8A/TXg330CF_LI/AAAAAAAAAMU/wD5d6csWrdo/s1600/100_5126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B3ciA9Lho8A/TXg330CF_LI/AAAAAAAAAMU/wD5d6csWrdo/s320/100_5126.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uxAQRiquEXo/TXg2hREb2cI/AAAAAAAAAL4/RJqLF9_3VMg/s1600/100_5185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uxAQRiquEXo/TXg2hREb2cI/AAAAAAAAAL4/RJqLF9_3VMg/s320/100_5185.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n8MCgjZ2SPc/TXg2pRQnOhI/AAAAAAAAAL8/i8zfWRMkbVY/s1600/100_5188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n8MCgjZ2SPc/TXg2pRQnOhI/AAAAAAAAAL8/i8zfWRMkbVY/s320/100_5188.JPG" width="239" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the after pictures. I was very happy with the results. Keep in mind that these are freshly showered and blown dry pics. I haven't done a bit of styling yet. Don't forget the face is make-up free and I was taking a picture of myself which explains the odd angle...I have NO explanation for the odd expression though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-35mVfjKgHVk/TXg3I8G4QTI/AAAAAAAAAMA/zgtP6Age0IU/s1600/100_5189+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-35mVfjKgHVk/TXg3I8G4QTI/AAAAAAAAAMA/zgtP6Age0IU/s320/100_5189+copy.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--zXsN8VgBZE/TXg3SpzA4NI/AAAAAAAAAME/5buy8LCLze8/s1600/100_5195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--zXsN8VgBZE/TXg3SpzA4NI/AAAAAAAAAME/5buy8LCLze8/s320/100_5195.JPG" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DuV3cazcbLc/TXg3b1qHaHI/AAAAAAAAAMI/9hlBFuhcDCY/s1600/100_5200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DuV3cazcbLc/TXg3b1qHaHI/AAAAAAAAAMI/9hlBFuhcDCY/s320/100_5200.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oKBheas7lGY/TXg3hoM4HOI/AAAAAAAAAMM/0_hU6Ofw3ks/s1600/100_5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oKBheas7lGY/TXg3hoM4HOI/AAAAAAAAAMM/0_hU6Ofw3ks/s320/100_5206.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pMobDMBQkRc/TXg3pDoQ44I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/JHLiH7KCg18/s1600/100_5207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pMobDMBQkRc/TXg3pDoQ44I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/JHLiH7KCg18/s320/100_5207.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-64751999726667901012011-02-21T10:42:00.000-08:002011-03-09T12:24:00.560-08:00In protest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">Of sleeveless Easter Dresses? This year should be better than most since Easter falls a little later than usual but those darn egg hunts are always so early in the morning. My poor daughter invariably freezes her little arms off or we are desperately running around trying to find her a jacket and she ends up in something that just doesn't show off her Easter prettiness to advantage. This year I decided (finally) to rectify the situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pattern to the pink shrug is available on Etsy. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77RGkU4u9bU/TWKosXG2PiI/AAAAAAAAALg/1Omn6HRz-J4/s1600/100_5073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77RGkU4u9bU/TWKosXG2PiI/AAAAAAAAALg/1Omn6HRz-J4/s320/100_5073.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSxPLS9iJBI/TWKpJaa0fzI/AAAAAAAAALk/MSn-qGRac9k/s1600/100_5074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSxPLS9iJBI/TWKpJaa0fzI/AAAAAAAAALk/MSn-qGRac9k/s320/100_5074.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsY8m3UNFqM/TWKpbbulobI/AAAAAAAAALo/GcKyncojh4w/s1600/100_5093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsY8m3UNFqM/TWKpbbulobI/AAAAAAAAALo/GcKyncojh4w/s320/100_5093.JPG" width="292" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIVJYacJiUY/TWKpzX0ssWI/AAAAAAAAALs/HpZbc7BCDI4/s1600/100_5095b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIVJYacJiUY/TWKpzX0ssWI/AAAAAAAAALs/HpZbc7BCDI4/s320/100_5095b+copy.jpg" width="255" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">V-Stitch Shrug</span><br />
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V-Stitch = (dc, ch1, dc ) in same chain or space<br />
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Pattern can be adjusted to any size by adding multiples doing multiples of 3 + 5.<br />
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Any weight of yarn can be used but I prefer a light worsted weight yarn (4) like Caron Simply Soft. This shrug is so comfy and versatile. Super easy pattern to follow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used about 1 1/2 skeins of Simply Soft for this shrug. I used an I hook but crochet tightly so if you crochet more loosely you might use an H hook.<br />
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The sweater in the picture is a size 6/7. <br />
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I am writing the directions out that I used exactly. Again, this is easy to adjust. You merely make a chain long enough to stretch from your desired sleeve length on one arm to the same spot on the other. Arms out like a T. <br />
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Chain 164<br />
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Row 1. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across<br />
Row 2. Chain 5, turn, (dc, ch1, dc) in 3rd sc (first V-stitch made), *skip next 2 sc, V-stitch in next sc,* repeat from * to * across, dc in last SC.<br />
Row 3-5. Chain 3 (counts as dc) turn, *V-stitch in ch 1 space of V-stitch in previous row*, repeat across. Dc in last DC.<br />
Row 6. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each dc and ch 1 sp across<br />
Row 7. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across.<br />
Repeat rows 2-7 until desired length. (4 times total for size 6/7). Fasten off.<br />
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Fold last row to meet starting row with right sides folded to the inside.<br />
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Make sure corners are matched. Join yarn through both loops at right corner and ch 1, sc through both layers in each sc across about ¼ of work. For me that was 45 sc. Fasten off. Now flip work so you repeat the same thing from the opposite corner. Fasten off.<br />
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Turn sleeves right side out. Top and bottom match right now and it doesn’t matter which you join in. <br />
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Round 1. Join yarn about halfway between the two sleeves at edge. SC around entire edge. Join. <br />
Round 2*. Chain 3, dc in same as join, *dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next*, repeat from * to * around. Join. Repeat until ruffled edge is desired length. It only took me 2 rounds for the look in the photograph.<br />
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Sleeve edge<br />
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Join to back of sleeve edge.<br />
Round 1. SC evenly around sleeve edge (36 sc for size 6/7)<br />
Round 2-4. Ch 1, sc in same, sc in each stitch around (repeat 2 times or until desired length of cuff is reached). Fasten off.<br />
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Repeat for other sleeve.<br />
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Weave in all ends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't tested this pattern yet so please let me know if there are any mistakes or if you need clarification.</span> </div><br />
</div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-58496117111042368782010-12-21T19:02:00.000-08:002010-12-21T19:02:49.718-08:006 days 'til Christmas....I got a wild hairTo 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.<br />
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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. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Big Kid Cowboy Boots </b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TRFkKP2FKbI/AAAAAAAAALA/OqcBUxmmC6E/s1600/100_4298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TRFkKP2FKbI/AAAAAAAAALA/OqcBUxmmC6E/s400/100_4298.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Children’s size 13-1 (to adjust a size down use a J hook and a single strand of bulky yarn like Homespun)<br />
Materials:<br />
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Simply soft brown (1 skein rolled into two balls) simply soft black ½ a skein rolled into two balls.<br />
Entire pattern is worked using two strands of yarn.<br />
K hook<br />
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Sole<br />
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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Round 6: Join brown to sole in stitch to the right of fasten off. Ch 1, hdc in same, Hdc in each around. Join<br />
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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<br />
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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.<br />
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Round 9: Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 18, (dc 3 tog) 4 times hdc in next 13. Join<br />
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Round 10: Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 16, (dc 2 tog) 4 times, hdc in next 11. Join.<br />
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Round 11: Ch 1, hdc in same, hdc in next 15, (dc 2 tog) 3 times, hdc in next 10. Join.<br />
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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.<br />
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Join black to center of heel (5 from join)<br />
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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.<br />
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Round 14: Join Color B to previous join.<br />
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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.<br />
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Round 16: Ch1, hdc in same, hdc in next 12. Sc in next 8, hdc in next 12. Join.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Weave in all ends.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Princess Slippers</b></span></div>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. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TRFkhDWkSrI/AAAAAAAAALI/9jcIEwpr7sg/s1600/100_4307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TRFkhDWkSrI/AAAAAAAAALI/9jcIEwpr7sg/s400/100_4307.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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. <br />
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This is not an official pattern because I didn't write it out as I went but basically :<br />
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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. <br />
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Ch 1, sc in same, sc around. Join. Repeat until half the length of foot. <br />
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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.<br />
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Join second color at back of heel. Ch 1, HDC in same HDC evenly around opening. Join. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Again, I haven't tested this pattern. It is about a size 12 little girls' shoe. <br />
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Embellish with little flower or button.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mommy's Little Monster</b></span></div><br />
For my little monster who just turned 2 TODAY I found this adorable <a href="http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/88147.aspx">Abominable Baby Slippers</a> 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.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TRFkWzprxmI/AAAAAAAAALE/XeMOGKtoJ8U/s1600/100_4300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TRFkWzprxmI/AAAAAAAAALE/XeMOGKtoJ8U/s400/100_4300.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I have managed to make 3 pairs of house shoes/ slippers in 2 days. It has been a ton of work but I did manage to use up most of my brown yarn stash. I hope the kids love them as much as I do.</div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-87220814269758385792010-12-14T11:01:00.000-08:002010-12-14T11:01:36.072-08:00The Christmas rushI 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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TQdzgqQD3iI/AAAAAAAAAK4/z_oJl5NP3GA/s1600/790-336a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TQdzgqQD3iI/AAAAAAAAAK4/z_oJl5NP3GA/s1600/790-336a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TQdzg6fDfJI/AAAAAAAAAK8/flX236o9bDM/s1600/790-372a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TQdzg6fDfJI/AAAAAAAAAK8/flX236o9bDM/s1600/790-372a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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.hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-80403416191803004402010-12-07T17:54:00.000-08:002010-12-07T17:54:57.011-08:00Goth skinny scarf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TP7h3QKL-PI/AAAAAAAAAKk/pSW3hKCpLkY/s1600/100_4184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TP7h3QKL-PI/AAAAAAAAAKk/pSW3hKCpLkY/s400/100_4184.JPG" width="256" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Scarf measures about 2 1/2" to 3" wide depending on how tightly you chain and this one measured about 65 inches.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Supplies:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Caron Simply Soft yarn, in black of course. It only takes about 1/3 of a skein, maybe 2oz.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Size I hook </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yarn needle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ch 13 (increase width by adding + 3 to the starting chain)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>Row 1 (foundation): sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. <br />
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.<br />
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<br />
Last Row: ch 1 turn, *2sc in loop, sc in sc, repeat from star across.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-81931535471868571582010-11-29T20:29:00.000-08:002010-11-29T20:29:01.523-08:00WHOO WHOO WHOO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>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.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR5yF1rWBI/AAAAAAAAAKA/AbvGVipoX-8/s320/100_4165.JPG" width="305" /></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR6HINFsxI/AAAAAAAAAKI/YnGmclSenY4/s1600/100_4167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR6HINFsxI/AAAAAAAAAKI/YnGmclSenY4/s320/100_4167.JPG" width="294" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR7ENphDqI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/nS-CsJllVnA/s1600/100_3615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR7ENphDqI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/nS-CsJllVnA/s320/100_3615.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR7c07UAmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/orHKYlwThP8/s1600/100_4138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR7c07UAmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/orHKYlwThP8/s320/100_4138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR76nYEWfI/AAAAAAAAAKc/MKa83UzzpUY/s1600/100_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR76nYEWfI/AAAAAAAAAKc/MKa83UzzpUY/s320/100_4140.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR8CF4x6CI/AAAAAAAAAKg/EUycqXwkEeM/s1600/100_4142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPR8CF4x6CI/AAAAAAAAAKg/EUycqXwkEeM/s320/100_4142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-494640934189418432010-11-29T18:28:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:19:44.139-08:00Frog and Bear hat Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPRf-lFua4I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/-i93ueS2tqM/s1600/100_2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPRf-lFua4I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/-i93ueS2tqM/s320/100_2783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPRgJc87fgI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/OoOqc7m2aLI/s1600/100_2784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPRgJc87fgI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/OoOqc7m2aLI/s320/100_2784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPRgcvN6TYI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/_nUb8YqT6qU/s1600/100_2825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TPRgcvN6TYI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/_nUb8YqT6qU/s320/100_2825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This pattern has NOT been tested. Please let me know if there need to be any changes made.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adorable Frog and Bear Hats<br />
<br />
I Hook <br />
H hook<br />
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)<br />
<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
Joins are made with slip stitches<br />
lhdc= Long half double crochet </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_www_PlTuZg?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_www_PlTuZg?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
With I hook<br />
Ch 3<br />
Round 1: Make 15 dc into the 3rd ch from the hook, join with sl st into top of first dc (skipping the ch3)<br />
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. <br />
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<br />
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<br />
Round 5: Ch 3, dc into same st, *2 dc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around<br />
<br />
(to increase size continue increasing by 1 dc in each pattern)<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Round 12: Ch 2, hdc into same st, hdc in each st around. Join to first hdc.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<br />
Frog eyes. Using H hook <br />
<br />
With black yarn<br />
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join. Fasten off. Weave in ends.<br />
Row 2:<br />
With White<br />
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. <br />
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.<br />
<br />
Whip stitch to cap evenly. For frogs I usually stitch them starting on opposite edges of the 1st round.<br />
<br />
Bear Ears: Using H hook<br />
Using lighter colored yarn<br />
<br />
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join. <br />
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st. 2hdc in each of next 8 stitches leaving last 3 unworked. <br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Whip stitch to cap evenly. For bears I usually stitch them starting on opposite edges of the 2nd round.</span> </span>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-8764906343293722732010-10-29T06:21:00.000-07:002010-10-29T06:23:22.866-07:00Winter Weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrKw34CnpI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Qi2hznzcsl0/s1600/santa-hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrKw34CnpI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Qi2hznzcsl0/s1600/santa-hat.jpg" /></a></div>It is that time of the year. The holidays are fast approaching and the weather is beginning to turn cold. <br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrG0R11rGI/AAAAAAAAAIs/NaE0QhU1ho0/s1600/100_3423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrG0R11rGI/AAAAAAAAAIs/NaE0QhU1ho0/s320/100_3423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrHDXzbcAI/AAAAAAAAAIw/-X8O0GIVpDQ/s1600/100_3426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrHDXzbcAI/AAAAAAAAAIw/-X8O0GIVpDQ/s320/100_3426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrHUVSqtZI/AAAAAAAAAI0/BWpqcj2YFGQ/s1600/100_3430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrHUVSqtZI/AAAAAAAAAI0/BWpqcj2YFGQ/s320/100_3430.JPG" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrGJVEYZPI/AAAAAAAAAIo/e9BDKeoK0qY/s1600/100_3541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrGJVEYZPI/AAAAAAAAAIo/e9BDKeoK0qY/s320/100_3541.JPG" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrIeam39ZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/4YEAm-LPVHM/s1600/100_3309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrIeam39ZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/4YEAm-LPVHM/s320/100_3309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrKNWB5klI/AAAAAAAAAI8/7I5IZRg06A8/s1600/100_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TMrKNWB5klI/AAAAAAAAAI8/7I5IZRg06A8/s320/100_2983.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-35147789946622190822010-09-16T11:47:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:48:06.930-07:00Falling into fall<span style="font-size: large;">More pumpkin hats.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJjs1R9ZvI/AAAAAAAAAHk/8T3UfTBYHhc/s1600/100_2849+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJjs1R9ZvI/AAAAAAAAAHk/8T3UfTBYHhc/s320/100_2849+b.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJj6dK_ZXI/AAAAAAAAAHs/t-u1BZHl9DQ/s1600/100_2944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJj6dK_ZXI/AAAAAAAAAHs/t-u1BZHl9DQ/s320/100_2944.JPG" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJkJAsTVRI/AAAAAAAAAH0/dQl9PKq7Vm8/s1600/hat+pumpkin+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJkJAsTVRI/AAAAAAAAAH0/dQl9PKq7Vm8/s320/hat+pumpkin+4.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJkW0nrwKI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OhTtS0Lq_dw/s1600/hat+pumpkin+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJkW0nrwKI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OhTtS0Lq_dw/s320/hat+pumpkin+1.JPG" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And just for Halloween a Jack O' Lantern (which I couldn't convince my son to model :( )</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJmJ0nlIJI/AAAAAAAAAIE/RSY_lp1bZh4/s1600/100_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TJJmJ0nlIJI/AAAAAAAAAIE/RSY_lp1bZh4/s320/100_2948.JPG" /></a></span></div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-52427535417784652682010-09-04T08:44:00.000-07:002010-09-04T08:44:14.673-07:00NEW HATS!!!!I promise to get the pattern posted to these little cuties ASAP but I couldn't resist sharing them now.<br />
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I have to say that the froggy is my favorite. More later.hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-1084082946572195622010-08-09T17:10:00.000-07:002010-08-09T17:10:01.732-07:00Summer is busyWhen 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.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TGCYa7B_NrI/AAAAAAAAAGs/1YbLRYmViiU/s1600/myla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TGCYa7B_NrI/AAAAAAAAAGs/1YbLRYmViiU/s400/myla.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TGCYii5iMZI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Dw53wEqFm4s/s1600/myla+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/TGCYii5iMZI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Dw53wEqFm4s/s400/myla+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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!<br />
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Thanks Sarah for sharing the pics of your little doll for my use!hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-90040041268983963222010-06-01T16:46:00.000-07:002011-02-12T08:31:09.410-08:00A list of goodies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">You select the colors and I create your custom piece. These are just samples of what I can make. If you want something specific let me know. Email me at hyphenatedlady@yahoo.com </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ALL OF MY CURRENT PRICES ARE LOCATED ON MY FACEBOOK AND ETSY PAGES (buttons located at the left of this page). A MORE COMPLETE BROCHURE IS ON THE PHOTOS PAGE OF FACEBOOK.</span></span><br />
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</div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-59440009722905912132010-05-25T08:00:00.000-07:002010-05-25T08:00:20.145-07:00Hats, hats and more hats.I have been busy making baby shower gifts, lots of hats. Here is the first one<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S_vgGvTMRDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/d_2TlMIuBv8/s1600/104_1820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S_vgGvTMRDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/d_2TlMIuBv8/s320/104_1820.JPG" /></a></div> I used <a href="http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/2007/02/crochet-baby-cherry-hat.html">this</a> pattern for the hat. I just winged it on the cherries and stems though instead of following the directions. They only took me a few minutes to make that way and I knew if I was counting stitches to follow a pattern it would take a while.<br />
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This pumpkin hat is all mine. The hat is a basic DC beanie and I usually use the beginning technique that matches <a href="http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/preemieround.html">this pattern </a>for my beanies. I finish with 3 rounds of SC instead of the FP/BP edge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S_vhso6AIkI/AAAAAAAAAFc/JXb7MKD-HSY/s1600/104_1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S_vhso6AIkI/AAAAAAAAAFc/JXb7MKD-HSY/s320/104_1822.JPG" /></a></div>I need to sit down and actually write down the pattern for the stem and leaves but it may be a few more weeks until I get to that.<br />
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I originally made this little red and white hat to go with the cherries but it looked like a Christmas hat and since it is newborn sized cotton hat for a summer baby I decided to make a flower for it instead. Again, I used <a href="http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/2007/02/crochet-baby-cherry-hat.html">this pattern</a> for the body of the hat and I winged it for the flower. You can find flowers all over the web though, amazing ones at <a href="http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory.php">Crochet Pattern Central </a><br />
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For this sunhat I used my <a href="http://hyphenatedlady.blogspot.com/2010/04/sweet-little-sunhat-crochet.html">Sweet Little Sunhat</a> pattern with some variations. I used a J hook and used 6 rounds of DC for the band of the hat. I also only used 3 rows of SC for the floppy brim increasing more frequently so it would curl up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S_vj2_CRCkI/AAAAAAAAAFs/WFL2q0EsEmE/s1600/104_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S_vj2_CRCkI/AAAAAAAAAFs/WFL2q0EsEmE/s320/104_1824.JPG" /></a></div>The silk flower was made using <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW6E5-PisYk">this technique</a> except I glued two long pieces of yarn to the back of the flower, instead of a barrette so I could tie it to the hat and it would be soft on a little head.<br />
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I need to sit down and write out this granny hat pattern, I sat down intending to make another beanie for my daughter who has been begging for a hat. Since it is already in the upper 80's and it is still May I decided to make it more airy. It turned out great, was super simple and didn't use much yarn. I whipped it and the flower out in around an hour or so. Sticking the pigtails through it was Patience's idea.<br />
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hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-16822000647634754702010-05-07T06:02:00.000-07:002010-05-07T06:02:36.534-07:00The mixed emotions of motherhoodToday the twins head to St. Louis with my parents. It is only an overnight trip, they will be home tomorrow evening. I am teetering between joy at 36 hours free of their constant bickering and our bedtime battles and wanting to hang onto them and never let go. It is funny really, I need a brain break but it makes my stomach a little queasy to know that they are going across the state without me. As for the baby, we are having our very first EVER babysitter tonight. I am very excited to go out with my husband in the evening. It hasn't happened in years. My parents are great about taking an afternoon and watching the kids for us for special occasions but I think the last time we were out at night was for our 7th anniversary which was nearly three years ago. <br />
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So here is to a grown-up night full of dinner at a nice restaurant and a movie that isn't animated or PG.hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-41129372960071250592010-04-22T12:45:00.000-07:002010-04-22T12:45:52.547-07:00Some things should be simpleThere are some things in life that should be logistically simple...like sending your kids to school. As the parent of twins I have found out that the most simple things in life can become unbelievably complicated. Christian and Patience are in preschool right now and we had their Kindergarten screening and registration this week. <br />
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The goofy kids just before we left: <br />
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During the screening I asked a simple question "Who do I talk to about my twins' placement next year?". At that point I had opened a floodgate that didn't stop over the next hour. I was told by no less than six different people what I "should" do with the twins for school next year. Let me tell you that the advice of educators, in my experience thus far, is to separate them. The decision to separate them for preschool was easy. I knew it would be good for each of them socially and preschool is only six hours a week. Kindergarten is 7 hours a day 5 days a week...completely different for the kiddos. Christian and Patience WANT to be together next year. Personally I am leaning toward this happening but I haven't made a final decision. I emailed the principal at their future school to ask some questions and wasn't very clear in my email so she got back to me telling me that she would note that we want them in the same room next year but since I haven't made that decision yet I emailed her back to ask a couple of questions about homework and how they would deal with a child who experiences undue anxiety. Hopefully I will hear back about those things soon. So I am still weighing the pros and cons of each situation:<br />
<br />
The argument for keeping them in the same classroom:<br />
<br />
Pros:<br />
<br />
They will have each other for comfort and emotional support, something familiar in a totally new situation<br />
I won't have to worry about one of them getting to do activities that the other doesn't...something we have run into with preschool resulting in a lot of disappointment<br />
Homework, if not the same, should be similar for each child<br />
Things like field trips or special activities will be on the same schedule and I won't have to split myself between two classrooms<br />
<br />
Cons:<br />
<br />
The kids are in a stage where they get physical with each other when they are upset and angry, a behavior we are working hard to end but would be totally inappropriate for school<br />
Patience who is age appropriately on target with her academics would possibly compare her abilities to Christian who excels academically<br />
Christian would possibly be dependent on Patience socially to help him cope and make friends<br />
<br />
The argument for separating them<br />
<br />
Pros<br />
<br />
Encouraging individuality<br />
Patience would have the chance to see her peers working at the same basic level she does<br />
Christian would have the opportunity to grow socially without depending on his sister<br />
The kids might get along better at home after being apart all day.<br />
<br />
Cons<br />
<br />
Organization would be more difficult, keeping class assignments straight and calendar dates organized<br />
Different teaching styles may make one child feel left out<br />
The kids would miss each other<br />
Christian tends to be very anxious while figuring out new situations and it is helpful to have Patience with him.<br />
<br />
<br />
There is no "right" decision here but I want to try to do what is best for my kids. Luckily they are going to a great school next year and the principal has a wonderful reputation. We live in a school district that I was proud to work for during the 5 years prior to the twins' birth. Now if only I could figure it all out. hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-15594699047177375032010-04-13T16:16:00.000-07:002010-04-13T18:14:54.106-07:00A few little things I have learned....I was reminded today, as I talked with a friend who is a first time mom with an infant, how much I have learned as a mother.<br />
<br />
1) For example, until every child that comes into my house is over the age of 13 I will not have eggshell or satin paint covering my walls. There IS NO SUCH THING AS WASHABLE eggshell or satin paint, I don't care what the company advertises. I learned this the hard way. Speaking of walls, sunscreen hand prints do NOT wash off of walls. Whatever greasy ingredient that sunscreen contains seeps quickly into the paint and to remove those precious shiny prints it takes a couple of coats of KILZ in addition to the two to three coats of paint. Oh, and the prints ran the length of a living room wall. It is semi-gloss from here on out. Maybe not the height of fashion but infinitely more washable.<br />
<br />
2) Washable markers are only MOSTLY washable. The blue marker isn't as washable as the rest of the pack. When Patience decorated herself from head to toe with "washable" markers using blue and black to make Cheetah designs ALL over her body (no area that she could reach was left ignored) the black washed away and she retained blue spots for nearly a week of daily baths. <br />
<br />
3) Never assume that a toddler can't reach something no matter how high you put it or if you lock it up. The only locking mechanisms I have found to keep my kids out of things are a) a child lock on a cabinet that is out of reach of them standing on a counter and b) a combination padlock. Seriously, they grow like weeds and what they can't reach one day they will reach the next. I won't ever forget the honey bear I left sitting on the kitchen counter one day. The twins were about two years old. I HAD to use the restroom. I was absent from the room for 10 minutes at most. I came downstairs to a living room and kitchen covered in honey. I have never been more grateful for leather furniture and more horrified by carpeting. I steam cleaned that carpet a minimum of 10 times after that and it was just never okay afterward. (keep in mind it was well used carpet when we moved into the house though)<br />
<br />
4) Speaking of carpet. I will never buy carpet to cover a floor. Not ever! Carpet is nasty. There is not a vacuum on earth that can actually get it deep down clean, there is not a carpet cleaner that has ever been invented that can get rid of the grime that people grind into it. Every adult, child and animal that has tracked through your house has left a little piece of themselves in your carpet that will never go away. I realize that the same thing happens on hard floors but the difference is that you can actually GET HARD FLOORS CLEAN! It is possible. I know that once a week my hard floors are completely clean and scrubbed, the dirt and grime are gone so at the very most I have a weeks' worth of grime on them at a time. Seems so much better to me than the alternative. I wish we could be that family who has white carpet that stays white, but it's never going to happen.<br />
<br />
5) Do not have a toddler without having a concentrated orange cleaner like GOO GONE or DiSolve IT in the house. Patience went through a phase of putting anything she could find in her hair, this included Vaseline, Desitin Nighttime (the super thick stuff) and Mentholatum. Her favorite was the Desitin. I tried shampooing it, which did nothing to break any of it down. I tried dish soap, which helped but there is no way to keep a toddler still while you soap, rinse, blot and repeat the 6 times it takes to break it down this way. Then someone suggested using cornstarch, this actually worked the best of what I had tried so far and was alternated with a dish soap wash. After two rounds of cornstarch and dishsoap her hair was about 90% grease free. Finally someone suggested DiSolve It to me. I was extremely careful to keep it away from her eyes and massaged it into her hair, let it sit for a minute and used children's shampoo to rinse the orange oil out of her hair. After one course of this her hair was 90% clean, we went through it again and finished with some adult conditioner as I felt her hair needed some pampering. When rinsed and blown dry her hair was perfect. By far easier than any other method I have discovered. These cleaners are also great for getting greasy stains out of clothes, I apply the cleaner and let it sit for 5 minutes or so and apply dish soap directly over it to break down the oils before I toss it in the wash. It has saved a lot of clothes around here that I thought were toast. Also, it gets gum out of carpet AND hair! I love both products but the spray bottle that the DiSolve It comes in is much more convenient.<br />
<br />
6) Speaking of cleaning products OXY Clean is my best friend. My husbands' cat is persnickety to say the least and she has left more than 100 stains over the years on items I wish I could have gotten clean. Last year I discovered that OXY Clean will remove most of these stains even after they have gone through the dryer.<br />
<br />
7) Scrub your stainless steel sink with dishwasher detergent. It will shine but make sure you rinse it all the way.<br />
<br />
8) Magic Erasers are Gods' gift to home makers...they clean walls, clean floors, and get the burnt off crust from around your stove burners.<br />
<br />
9) Standard baby gates aren't narrow enough for bedroom doors of older homes and 5 year olds are horrible at closing doors. Chance is obsessed with the cat food and water which is now shut behind our bedroom door but when the twins use the computer the door often gets left open and it is like the 15 month old has a radar to tell him he can get to the goods. On the same note Chance likes to play in the toilet. I think we have finally won the battle to keep the bathroom door shut...at least he hasn't made it to the toilet to play in over a week now. <br />
<br />
The most important thing I have learned (and try to remember at the most difficult times) is that messes don't matter. The child who just decorated the wall with a sharpie wasn't being malicious but was expressing her inner artist. The child who decorated the leather recliner with the sharpie and signed it with his name when he was 2 wasn't following the rules but Christian had just signed his name (well his nickname Bubby) on ANYTHING and he was only 2. Kids like to test the boundaries we set up for them to see how far those boundaries will stretch. It is what they are SUPPOSED to do. As long as they aren't being nasty it can always be dealt with without yelling. I keep reminding myself of this. Because it is an area where I am constantly failing. I am loud by nature and when I am annoyed or angry it just escalates. Maybe putting it out there will help keep me in a state of constant vigilance so I can become better at using my "indoor voice".hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-74705493003951428952010-04-13T14:15:00.000-07:002010-04-17T05:15:52.861-07:00SWEET LITTLE SUNDRESS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S8TewZ7HOcI/AAAAAAAAAE0/_i4ODi9Vb_0/s1600/102_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6hOXBqTQajA/S8TewZ7HOcI/AAAAAAAAAE0/_i4ODi9Vb_0/s400/102_1049.JPG" width="393" /></a></div>Sweet little Sundress <br />
<br />
This dress should fit a 7-9 pound newborn baby. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
H hook<br />
light WW cotton yarn like Peaches & Creme<br />
Bodice-<br />
Ch 36<br />
<br />
row 1: DC in 4th CH from hook and next 3 chs, <br />
(1 DC, CH 1, 1 DC) in next ch,<br />
DC in next 5 chs,<br />
(1 DC, CH 1, 1 DC) in next ch,<br />
DC in next 10 chs,<br />
(1 DC, CH 1, 1 DC) in next ch,<br />
DC in next 5 chs,<br />
(1 DC, CH 1, 1 DC) in next ch,<br />
DC in last 5 chs. Ch 2, turn.<br />
<br />
rows 2-5: DC in each DC across, putting 1 DC, CH 1, 1 DC in next ch, in center CH 1 space of corner below. <br />
Ch 2, turn. (to increase size of dress add rows to this section, 2 added rows equals about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of increase around the chest)<br />
<br />
row 6: DC across to CH 1 space of corner group, ch 4, dc in CH 1 of second corner group,<br />
DC across to CH1 space of third corner group, ch 4, DC in last CH 1 space of corner group, DC to end.<br />
Ch 2, turn. <br />
<br />
<br />
rows 7-9: HDC in first st and each st across. Ch 2, turn. (I switch colors for rows 9 and 10)<br />
Join at end of row 9<br />
Skirt- worked in rounds (another color change)<br />
<br />
round 1: Ch 2, 2 DC in same st as CH, skip next, *3 DC in next stitch, skip next* around, join<br />
round 2: slip stitch in next 2 (to center of cluster) Chain 2, 2 DC in same stitch, *3 DC in center stitch of cluster” around, join<br />
rounds 3-11 : repeat round 2 (you can increase the length by adding rows here)<br />
round 12 : CH 2, HDC in each chain around, fasten off<br />
<br />
Back and neck trim- (another color change)<br />
<br />
Join yarn in the back opening of the left side, ch1, sc up the side, 3sc in corner, sc around neck, (1sc, ch 3, 1sc) in corner for button hold.hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-976537097582167642010-04-13T13:14:00.000-07:002010-04-13T13:17:49.121-07:00Sweet Little Sunhat (crochet)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=102_1037.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/102_1037.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=102_1039.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/102_1039.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sweet little Sunhat <br />
0-3 month (instructions for larger sizes included in notes at the end)<br />
<br />
Materials:<br />
<br />
Worsted weight cotton yarn (I like Peaches & Creme, I can make one of these hats with a small ball of their yarn)<br />
H hook<br />
Yarn needle<br />
<br />
Abbreviations:<br />
CH= chain<br />
DC= double crochet<br />
SS= Slip Stitch<br />
St= stitch<br />
YO= Yarn over<br />
X = X stitch (YO skip a stitch, DC in next St, YO DC in skipped St) here is a tutorial if you need more help <a href="http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/stitches-x-stitch.htm">http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/stitches-x-stitch.htm</a><br />
BLO= Back Loop Only<br />
FLO= Front Loop Only<br />
<br />
Round 1: CH 3, DC 11 in first CH join with SS to top of CH 3 (12 DC total)<br />
<br />
Round 2: CH 3, DC in same CH, 2 DC in each Ch around, join (24 DC)<br />
<br />
Round 3: CH 3, DC in same chain, *1 DC in next CH, 2 DC in next CH* repeat from * to * around, join (36 DC)<br />
<br />
Round 4: CH 3, DC in same CH, *1 DC in next 2 CH, 2 DC in next CH* repeat from * to * around, join (48 DC)<br />
<br />
Round 5: CH 3, DC in BLO in each ST around, join (48 DC)<br />
<br />
Round 6: CH 3, DC in stitch before join, X stitch around, join (24 X stitches)<br />
<br />
Round 7: Repeat round 6 (for added length repeat round once more)<br />
<br />
Round 8: CH 3, DC in each ST around, join (48 DC)<br />
<br />
Round 9: CH 1, SC in FLO in next, *2 SC in next , SC in next 2* repeat from * to * around, join<br />
<br />
Round 10: CH 1, SC in next two ST, *2 SC in next, SC in next 4* repeat from * to * around, join<br />
<br />
Round 11: CH 1, SC in next ST, *2 SC in next, SC in next 6* repeat from * to * around, join, fasten off (88 SC)<br />
<br />
Use the yarn needle to weave in loose ends.<br />
<br />
I used a decorative button to embellish my hat but you can crochet a flower or small butterfly as an ornament.<br />
<br />
<br />
NOTES:<br />
<br />
To increase size add a round or rounds after round 4, the number of stitches between your single DC by one for each addition round. i.e. the next round would be *1 DC in next 3 CH, DC in next CH* the next row would be *1 DC in next 4, DC in next CH* and so on.<br />
<br />
To increase length add rounds of X stitch between rounds 6 and 7.<br />
To increase width of brim increase after Round 11 by 2’s. i.e. *2 SC in next, SC in next 8* for next round, then *2 SC in next, SC in next 10* for the next<br />
<br />
Happy hooking!hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226775814151276556.post-3813764620405542452010-03-22T13:51:00.000-07:002010-04-05T07:52:23.570-07:00My Easy Diaper Cover Pattern (crochet)Now we come to one of the main reasons I started the blog, so I can share my original patterns.<br />
<div class="smallfont"></div><br />
<div id="post_message_2007312">Tina's cute and easy diaper cover (size 0-3 months)<br />
<a href="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/100_0100.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=100_0100.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/100_0100.jpg" /></a><br />
Materials<br />
2-3 ounces Caron Simply Soft or other light worsted weight yarn<br />
Size H hook (G if you crochet loosely) <br />
This is for a diaper cover for 0-3 months in size<br />
Yarn needle<br />
3/8" elastic about 15-16 inches<br />
Small amount of thread and sewing needle<br />
<br />
Special Stitches<br />
DCdec: YO insert hook in first stitch YO pull loop through insert hook in second stitch YO pull loop through, YO pull through first three <br />
loops on hook, YO pull through remaining two loops on hook<br />
<br />
ch. 72 (for more elasticity/stretch you can use a <a href="http://www.monkeysee.com/play/10393-crochet-chainless-foundations">chainless foundation</a> instead)<br />
Waistband<br />
Join to make loop (make sure you don't twist the chain before joining)<br />
Round 1) Ch 3 DC in each across, join last stitch to top of 1st DC with slip stitch, Ch. 3 <br />
DO NOT TURN<br />
Round 2) DC in next st and in each around. Join. (put work down for next step)<br />
Make a loop out of the elastic overlapping the edges by at least 1/2 inch. Stitch together securely.<br />
Round 3) Drop the loop from your hook, hold part of the elastic round against your first DC row. Fold the bottom DC row<br />
around the elastic. Insert your hook through the loop that should be folded in front of your joining loop from the previous<br />
round, pick up the loop and pull it through, now SC through both layers matching the loops around. Make sure you are folding<br />
the work around the elastic as you go. Join to first SC.<br />
<a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=100_0104.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/100_0104.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=100_0106.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/100_0106.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=100_0107.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/100_0107.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=100_0108.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/100_0108.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/?action=view&current=100_0109.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/hyphenatedlady/100_0109.jpg" /></a><br />
Round 4) Ch 3, DC in same st, *DC in next five, 2 DC in next* around, join.<br />
Round 5-6) Ch 3, DC in each st around<br />
Round 7-8) Ch 3, *DCdec over next two, DC in next five* around, join<br />
Shaping the leg holes<br />
Row 9) Ch 3, DC in each of next 23 st<br />
Row 10) CH 3, turn, DCdec over next two, DC in each stitch across until last three stitches DCdec over the second and third<br />
st from the end, DC in last St<br />
Row 11) (start out counting stitched from previous row) CH 3, turn, DCdec over next two, DC across to the middle of row,<br />
DCdec over two middle stitches, DC in each stitch across until last three stitches DCdec over the second and third<br />
st from the end, DC in last St<br />
Row 12-13) Ch 3, turn, *DCdec over next two, DC in next two DC* across until last three stitches DCdec over the second and third<br />
st from the end, DC in last St<br />
Row 14-16) Ch 3, turn, DC in each across<br />
Row 17) Ch 3, DC in same stitch, DC across, two DC in last<br />
Joining to finish leg holes<br />
Turn work inside out, drop loop from hook. You are now going to match the row you just finished to the bottom of your last<br />
round, you want to count the stitches from one leg opening to the other and match row 17 to the center stitches. You are going<br />
to do what you did for the waistband and pull the dropped loop through but slip stitch through both layers to the end of the row. Fasten off.<br />
<br />
Leg ruffles.<br />
<br />
Join yarn at the back leg hole corner<br />
Ch 3, DC 4 times in same st, *sk 2 st, sl st in next, sk 2 st, DC 5 times in same st* around join last sl st to first ch 3. Fasten off.<br />
<br />
Repeat for other leg hole<br />
<br />
Weave all loose ends in using the yarn needle. </div><div id="post_message_2007312"></div><div id="post_message_2007312"></div><div id="post_message_2007312">This has been tested by a few people with no problems but if you find it confusing please let me know so I can clarify.<br />
<br />
<br />
NOTE: This pattern is very forgiving on the rounds so if your counts are slightly off during increases or decreases you probably don't need to rip a row out and start it over. Unless they are way off repeatedly it won't be noticed on the finished piece. After you have worked the pattern through once or twice adjusting for size is as simple as adding 5-10 chains on the foundation chain and working an extra round during rounds 5-6</div>hyphenatedladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984587516108520531noreply@blogger.com10