I stumbled across this baby blanket pattern over at Purl Soho. I love the mixing of sewing and crochet! And this would be super quick and easy to make as a baby gift. Purl has the detailed pattern, but basically you just have to hem the edges of the blanket then crochet the border around, using 3 single crochets and chain stitch.



And while Purl recommends their fabric, which is fabulous, it’s also pretty expensive. I researched some alternatives over at fabric.com and found some adorable flannel prints that would be perfect for a little baby. Here are some of my favorites. How adorable are those pink giraffes!! Ahh!

Edit: I just bought the giraffe fabric and will be picking up some yarn from purl next week. So excited to make this!

elephants | giraffes | stripes

i’ve always had a thing for making gigantic knit/crochet things that aren’t your typical “knit” items.  like the rag bath mat or the crochet bathroom rug. here are a few of my favorites, some for inspiration, some with patterns.  my only obstacle is finding yarn big enough to make these things.  maybe i should be looking at the hardware store instead of the yarn store.


via crochetspot


via apartment therapy


via diy network


via Craftivity

interesting knits and a few crochet patterns have been popping up in the fall/winter collections for 2011 in new york and london. 70s style trends are weaving their way in many of the collections, so it’s no surprise that a few dramatic knits are included.

rodarte’s collection was inspired by prairie home companion and had some great log cabin sweaters.


house of holland reworked the traditional granny square. although, these are a bit too much like the original for me. a different set of non primary colors would have given it a bit more of a modern refreshed look.


other designers like proenza schouler, christopher kane and edun worked their crochet in a bit more subtly.


photos via style.com and fashionologie

this weekend, i worked out a new crochet pattern for a new necklace, which is aptly halloween-appropriate, but i could see wearing it year-round just as well. the pattern is for a crochet skull, which i made into a layered chain necklace, but the possibilities are really endless with this guy. the pattern is below - or if you’re not so inclined, you can always pick one up from the shop.


PATTERN

Gauge, yarn and hook size are not critical. I used a G hook with Peaches and Creme cotton yarn, but you can play around with different yarns and hooks to get different sizes.

Crown:
-CH 2
-2 SC into 2nd ch on previous row (2 sts) CH 1 and turn
-2 SC into each ch (4sts) CH 1 and turn
-3 HD, 2HD into last ch (5sts) CH 2 and turn
-1 HD, 2 HD into next st, 1 HD, 2 HD into next st, 2 HD into next st (8sts) CH 3 and turn

Eyes:
-2 DC, CH 7, SL into 3rd st (center of face), turn and slip into first st on chain, turn, CH 7. DC into the 3rd st. 1 DC. CH 3 and turn

Nose:
-SL into 1st st of chain, SL into next st of chain, CH 5, SL into 5th st of chain (after the center), skip a dc, DC into next st. CH 1 and turn
-SC into each st (8sts) CH 1 and turn

Mouth:
-skip first st, SL st into next 5 sts, on the last 2 sts remaining dec 1 sl st (6 sts) turn
-CH 5, SL st to last st, CH 1 and turn
-SC across 5 sts, SL st at edge of bottom jaw

Abbreviations:
SC = Single Crochet
HD = Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
SL = Slip (stitch)
CH = Chain (stitch)

Break yarn (leaving a longish tail). weave yarn through nose, and tidy up the eyes by weaving in any loose chains under eyes (if necessary).

now your skull is ready to be attached to a long chain for a necklace — or use it as decoration!

the pattern for this coiled crochet medallion uses the bullion or roll crochet stitch. it’s pretty fun to do, but takes a little practice before you can do it in one easy swoop.

the pattern and instructions for the little coiled medallion necklace is below…or if you’re not so inclined to crochet, you can find the crochet necklace in the shop.

bullion stitch instructions
the actual bullion stitch is done by wrapping your hook 5-10 times (start small for practice) somewhat loosely, but very evenly. insert into your foundation stitch, wrap once, pull through foundation st. wrap once and pull through all of your loops. wrap once and pull through last loop.


PATTERN

*size C needle
*small thread

you can use any size hook and yarn/thread that you like. the smaller the daintier!

Round 1 - create loop (to knit in round) and dc into loop 10 times
Round 2 - ch 3 st, then into each dc, do 2 bullion 10-loop stitches

tie off end and weave in ends. attach to a chain and you’re done!

**Pattern is for personal use only - not to be reproduced for sale, nor to make items for sale**

i’ve been adding some new summer colors to the shop!

I wanted to put together a simple mesh crochet necklace, almost like a kerchief-style scarf. here’s what i came up with. pattern is below, or if you’re not so inclined to make your own, check them out in the shop.

Pattern

Materials:

E/4 - 3.4mm crochet hook
DK weight yarn (I used a cotton/linen yarn)
gauge doesn’t really matter.
CH 40 sts
row 1: dc into 4rd ch from hook, *ch1, skip 1 ch, dc into next st*, repeat from * until end of the row (ending with a dc). turn.
row 2: sl st into first st, ch 2, *ch 1, skip dc on previous row, dc into next ch st. repeat from * across row. (always end row with a dc, which will be 1 st shorter than the previous row. you’re decreasing 2 st each row - 1 at the beg and 1 at the end).

repeat row 2 until 1 st remains. bind off.

to make it bigger or smaller, just do your initial chain in any odd number of stitches + 3.

**Pattern is for personal use only - not to be reproduced for sale, nor to make items for sale**

Finally!  here’s the  pattern for the crochet bib necklace. all of the details for making the necklace yourself are below. however, if you’re not so inclined to make your own, you can always buy a crochet bib necklace from the shop.

Materials: I used Peaches & Creme cotton solids and a size G hook, but you could pretty much use yarn/hook size to get whichever size you prefer.

C= chain
SC= single crochet
DC= double crochet
TC= triple crochet

Chain 33 sts
row 1: DC into third stitch from hook, DC across row.
row 2: C3, turn, DC into first st, *chain 3, DC into next st, repeat from * across the row.
row 3: C3, turn, DC into first st, then in loop created from previous row (TC, C1, TC, TC, C1, TC), * C3 skip 1 loop, SC into next loop, C3, skip 1 loop, in next loop (TC, C1, TC, TC, C1, TC). Continue from * to the end of the row. DC into remaining st. Bind off.

Repeat for next layer only chaining 29 stitches for the foundation row.

Repeat for next later only chaining 25 stitches for the foundation row.

Stitch all three together, staggering the placement to get a layered effect. To do this, place the biggest piece on bottom and attach the middle piece 1 scallop above the top edges of the bottom piece. only stitch in 2 places (at the very tops of the ‘horseshoes’ or U’s). Next, lay your smallest piece on top of the middle piece, 1 scallop above the top. Stitch the same way as before. Finally, attach to a chain.  you’re done!

Note: this pattern can be easily modified if you’re using bigger or smaller yarn. To make longer or shorter pieces, just increase or decrease your initial chains in increments of 4.

**Pattern is for personal use only - not to be reproduced for sale, nor to make items for sale**

i know, the holidays are like, a quarter of the year away still, but i like to give everyone a little something handmade, and hate feeling rushed when there’s two days before christmas and i *only* have to finish knitting and sewing a million things.  so, just to get started a little early this year with some ideas, this will be part 1 of the handmade holiday gift ideas.  this set includes quick knits and crocheted items.


item: denim knit kerchief
pattern: from the book last minute knitted gifts.  (i checked this out from my local library).  OR a similar free alternative is the silk kerchief.
yarn: i used elann den-m-knit pure indigo cotton (1 skein)
perfect for: daughters, moms, nieces, or perfect for just about anyone, probably a female, but whatever -nobody’s judging.
notes: i made it out of denim cotton and like to pretend like i’m a robber when i wear it.


item: oh my god these are so cute - mitts!
pattern: french kit (4 euros) 
perfect for: daughters, moms, nieces or any female whose hands need stylish warmth.
notes:  i love love love these!  i currently ordered up some peruvian pure alpaca to make these beauties (for myself…ahem)


item: knit purse
pattern: ipbolaget.com (free)
perfect for: daughters, moms, nieces, grandmas, aunts, or any female
notes: i haven’t personally knit this one up but it’s been in my queue for a while.  i love how simple and clean the design is.


item: amy march slippers
pattern: tiny owl knits (free via ravelry)
perfect for: anyone who has feet
notes:  adorable!  this is on my queue, and i will be making them…for myself. 


item: urchin beret
pattern: ysolda teague via knitty (free)
perfect for: women with heads
notes: i made this (again, for myself…selfish) and love love it.  it was so simple i made most of it during a meeting at work, and wear it constantly throughout the fall.


item: owlets
pattern: roman sock (free)
perfect for: children or anyone who doesn’t hate animals
notes: i’ve yet to make these, but again, on my list (i even bought the eyes).  looks like a perfect way to get rid of that fuzzy lion brand yarn that would actually look good all matted-up on this owl.


item: finally something for men!  a cute hat with a twist at the top.
pattern: marsan watchcap (free)
perfect for: men!  boyfriends, dads, grandpas, uncles.  or women too.  i think it would look nice on women.  but i’ve been seriously lacking in my gift ideas for men, so here you go.

ok, that’s enough for now.  but i’ve got many more and will do a handmade holiday gifts part 2 soon.

this past sunday was a rainy sleepy day, so i spent most of it indoors, working on a few projects. the rain cleared up for a bit, and we had a little mini-shoot wearing the new layered crochet necklace.



this necklace is a great way to use up remaining stashes of yarn. i used cotton peaches and creme solid from the big cone, just because i have so much of it. and a size G crochet hook.



to make the necklace, i crocheted 3 separate half-circle pieces, using a mixture of stitches and patterns to get the rounded, scalloped ruffly shape. then i sewed the pieces together, and attached a vintage chain. if anyone’s interested, i’ll write up the pattern.