Kyla Mod Stroller Blanket

I've been quite busy doing a lot of crochet these past couple of weeks. I've made a blanket for Leon, for when he goes into his own bedroom. The pattern is from Baby Blueprint Crochet by Robyn Chachula. This has been one of my most challenging crochet projects so far. I found it quite difficult to get the tension right on some of the lattice stitch blocks. I have a habit of  making my chains quite loose, this is useful for foundation chains, but not so good for part of a stitch pattern. I'm hoping that a bit of blocking might help. I did consider frogging it, just so I could redo those small blocks, but my craft time is limited at the moment and I've got too many other projects waiting in the wings. I'm quite happy to just move on and learn from my mistakes! Really, I am! :) I used Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton Aran for this, that I already had in my stash. I bought quite a bit of it in a sale a while back for £0.99 & £1.99 a ball, bargain! It's discontinued now though, which is a shame because it's so lovely and soft .

 

Sorry about this photo, it's a bit crappy!

I used colours that I thought would match the colour scheme I've chosen for his room. I've also snagged another bargain, which was this gorgeous fabric that I'm going to use for his bed quilt. I've chosen a theme that's not too babyish so that it will last a good while.

 

I'll let you know if the blocking works! 

XxX

Crochet Dinosaur Hat

Crochet Dinosaur Hat
Originally uploaded by FizzPopBang

Hi here's a free pattern I've made to share with you. It's for a dinosaur hat that I made for Dylan. He's 2 1/2 years old, but he's quite large for his age. I made the hat fairly big though, so I think it would fit a child up to the age of about 5. You could adjust the size of the hat by using a different weight yarn or size crochet hook. You could also make more or less of the increase rows to change the width and adjust the length by changing how many none increasing rounds you make. Hope that makes sense? This is my first time at writing a pattern, so there may be mistakes in it, if there are, feel free to correct them in the comments section. :)


The hat is made in continuous rounds, do not join the rounds, mark the first stitch of each round to make it easier to keep count. When making a colour change do not break off the yarn, leave it attached and carry the colour not in use on the wrong side of the hat until it's needed again. Crochet through both loops through out the pattern. This pattern is written in US terms.



st = stitch

sts = stitches

ch = chain

sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)

hdc = half double crochet (UK half treble crochet)

hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together (decrease) (UK half treble 2 together)

hdc3tog = half double crochet 3 together (decrease) (UK half treble 3 together)


Hat - Make 1 (I used Green and Blue Woolcraft Acrylic New Fashion DK and a size 5mm hook)

Round 1 - Make a magic ring for 6sc using green = 6sts

Round 2 - 2sc in each st = 12sts

Round 3 - 2sc in next st, 1sc in next st, 6x = 18sts

Round 4 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 6x = 24sts change to blue

Round 5 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 6x = 30sts

Round 6 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 6x = 36sts

Round 7 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 6x = 42sts change to green

Round 8 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, 6x = 48sts

Round 9 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, 6x = 54sts

Round 10 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, 6x = 60sts change to blue

Round 11 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, 6x = 66sts

Round 12 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, 6x = 72sts

Round 13 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, 6x = 78sts change to green

Round 14 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 12sts, 6x = 84sts (continue to change colour at the end of each 3rd row)

Round 15-34 - Sc in each st around = 84sts


Earflaps - Make 2, 1 on each side. Green Yarn

Hold the hat with the rim facing upwards right side facing out. Keep the colour change area to the back. Mark the centre of the front of the hat with a safety pin, count 17 stitches around to the side pull the yarn through and attach with a slip knot.

Row 1 - Ch 2 hdc 13 = 13 sts

Row 2 - Ch 2 turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 9 sts, hdc2tog = 11sts

Row 3 - Ch 2 turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 7 sts, hdc2tog = 9sts

Row 4 - Ch 2 turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 5 sts, hdc2tog = 7sts

Row 5 - Ch 2 turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc2tog = 5sts

Row 6 - Ch 2 turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next st, hdc2tog = 3sts

Row 7 - Ch 2 turn hdc3tog = 1st


Sc evenly around the edge of the hat and earflaps starting from the back of the hat.


Braids - Make 2

Take about 60cm of yarn in green and blue, I used 3 of each colour. Use a large yarn needle and draw the yarn through the point of the earflap. Now braid together. Leave about 8cm at the bottom unbraided, knot to make the tassel.



Horns - Make 4, green

Round 1 - Make a magic ring with 4 sc

Round 2 - 2sc in next st, sc in next st, 2x = 6sts

Round 3 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2x = 8sts

Round 4 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 3sts, 2x = 10sts

Round 5 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 2x = 12sts

Round 6 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 2x = 14sts

Round 7 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, 2x = 16sts

Round 8 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, 2x = 18sts

Round 9 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, 2x = 20sts

Round 10 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, 2x = 22sts

Round 11 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, 2x = 24sts

Round 12 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, 2x = 26sts

Fasten off leaving a long end for sewing.

Stuff lightly with polyfill and stitch to the hat.


Eyes - Make 2, white

Round 1 - Magic ring with 6sc = 6sts

Round 2 - 2sc in st = 12sts

Round 3 - 2sc in next st, sc in next st, 6x = 18st

Round 4 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 6x = 24sts

Round 5 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 6x = 30sts

Round 6 - 2sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 6x = 36sts

Fasten off leave a long tail for sewing to hat.


Eye - Make 2, black

Round 1 - Magic ring with 6sc = 6sts

Round 2 - 2sc in each st around = 12sts

Fasten off leaving a long end, stitch to the white of the eye. I stitched mine on wonky for a googly eyed dinosaur! :) Stitch the completed eyes on to the hat.


Teeth - Make 4, white

Round 1 - Magic ring or 3scs = 3sts

Round 2 - 2scs in each st = 6sts

Round 3 - sc in each st = 6sts

Round 4 sc in each st = 6sts

Fasten off leave a long end for sewing, stitch to front edge of hat.

And your done! Enjoy!

There are more photos of this hat on my Flickr account if you'd like to see them.


PS. I am happy for you to sell items made from this pattern but please do not claim the original  pattern as your own. If you post photos of the hat you have made on your blog/website, please link back to this page.

Added - This hat measures approx 20 inches circumference. 

Many Thanks.

XxX

Mr Tubs In His New Top

Here's the little top I made for Leon. I used this pattern for the base of the item, but made it with short sleeved because he's a bit of a sleeve chewer and the yarn sheds a bit. I didn't want him to start coughing up blue fur balls! I also gave it a collar instead of a hood, so now it's more of a polo shirt than a hoodie!

 I used King Cole Merino Blend 4ply that my Grandma gave to me, and a 3.5mm hook. I should have straightened it up a bit for the photo, it's not really as wonky as it looks here.  :)

My little monkey snuggled up with his.

This is a photo of Leon a couple of weeks ago being cheeky.

Your eyes are like pies, they're telling me lies! ;)

See ya later!

XxX

Where's The Time Gone?

Ferris Bueller was right when he said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." So at the moment, I'm trying to have a good look around! I'm really enjoying myself at the moment with my boys. Leon is a little angel, he hardly ever cries (touch wood!). I've been really surprised by Dylan, I thought Leons arival might set him back a little bit, but the opposite has happened. He seems to have grown up so much in the last couple of weeks.

I'd also like to share this cute crochet pattern with you that I found on the web. I made this for Dylans new bedroom. He's got a thing about rainbows, just like me! :) I created it using Rico Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook.

                                                                                                                    
Thanks for all the congratulations that have been left on my blog and also on Facebook. It is heart warming to now tht people have taking the time to read my blog.

Back Soon!

XxX

New Bag!

I've finished my ginormous beach bag! Woo hoo! I followed the pattern on Lucy's lovely blog, although I made it slightly larger than the original pattern. I used Patons Sorbet Yarn, Vanilla, Rose Water, Nectarine, Limone, Lime, Ice and Violet Cream. Unfortunately this yarn has been discontinued, but you can still get it from here, as long as I haven't got to it first! ;)

Mmm! Lovely summery rainbow stripes!

I hope the weather is nice for you today, wherever you may be. See you soon!

XxX

Yay! Another Project Completed!

I decided just before Christmas that I'd like to have a go at making a crochet blanket. I've only done a couple of crochet projects before this, like flowers and wrist warmers and felt like I should be brave and try something a bit bigger! I'm so pleased with how it turned out! It has taken rather a long time to complete, because I tend to have quite a few projects on the go at once! The pattern was really easy to follow and the yarn is so beautiful and soft. I used Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton Aran (it was on sale here).

Here the blanket is relaxing on Dylan's new bed!

And here's a lovely close up shot! :)

Thanks for dropping in!

XxX

Ta Daaa!

The bedroom is finished! I'm so pleased with it, I wish it was my bedroom! It still needs a few pictures and things here and there, but it's lovely all the same. Dylan thinks it's great, he's enjoying sleeping in his new little bed, instead of the cot. The bed does have a bed guard on it, but it doesn't look pretty enough to be in the photo's! The bunting on the ceiling was bought from here, I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it!

Also this week, I turned 31! We all had a lovely day of shopping, I've also done quite a bit online too!!! I'm just waiting for it to arrive now.... lots of lovely yarn! I've also bought myself a new pair of flip flops on Ebay. I used to own a pair of these a few years ago, I couldn't believe my luck when I found them for sale. Brand new, with tags and in my size!!! I've bought the yarn so I can make a matching bag. :)

See you soon!

XxX