Free Pattern: Chunky Newborn Beanie w/ flower

*Update* For your chance to win a FREE CUSTOM crochet hat of YOUR choice please click this link to see how to enter!! 

http://theflightycrafter.blogspot.com/2012/08/custom-crochet-project-giveaway.html

So I'm posting one of my first OFFICIAL patterns. I was just playing around yesterday and decided to make a beanie out of leftover yarn to match a stork pouch photo prop I made. I really liked the way it turned out and it matches so well with the the pouch. I may have to load it on Etsy, so get it now while it's FREE!! Whoever said there's no such thing as a free lunch??

Supplies Needed:

Yarn: 2 colors of Super Bulky (6) yarn. I used Yarn Bee Soft Illusions and Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. 1 color of Worsted Weight (4) yarn for the flower.

Hook: J, 6.00mm 

Tapestry Needle

Button

Abbreviations (click the link for a video tutorial):

Ch: Chain

Sl St: Slip Stitch

sc: Single Crochet

hdc: Half Double Crochet

dc: Double crochet

Ok let's get started!

Ch 4, sl st to join

Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), 6 dc (7 dc total)

Do NOT join, use yarn marker

Row 2: 1 sc & 1 hdc in 1st stitch (counts as 2dc, this keeps a gap from forming between Row 1 and Row 2), 2 dc in each stitch (14 dc total)

Row 3: *1 dc, 2 dc, repeat from * (21 dc total)

Row 4: *1 dc in the next 2 stitches, 2 dc, repeat from * (28 dc total)

Skip 1 dc and sl st to join with the 2nd dc. (This prevents a large uneven knot)

Sl St new color, Ch 2

Row 5: 1 sc (to prevent gap), 1 dc in each stitch (28 dc total)

Row 6-7: 1 dc in each stitch (28 dc total)

Skip 1 dc and sl st to join with the 2nd dc. Tie off and weave in ends.

For the flower I followed AlliCrafts Open Flower Tutorial and then sewed a button on top and sewed the flower to the hat. I chose to sew the flower on to the section where I attached the yarn and tied it off to cover up any uneven looking stitches. 

Now you're done. It's a really easy pattern and beanie to make especially for a beginner. If you are a beginner you may want to choose a less fuzzy yarn that the soft illusions since it may be difficult to see your stitches.

Happy Hooking!!

P.S. Please post pictures of your hats too. I would love to see them!!

Beanies for Preemies

Well as you know by now I am always dabbling in something. I like to try new things and I like to make people happy. There are so many people out there less fortunate and I always want to make sure that I never forget that. I really try to teach my kiddos the same thing because how else are they going to learn when they are blessed to be healthy and have a good home. Not always clean but still a good home. Hey you can't have everything, right?? 

I recently joined a group that crochets for cancer patients. The organizer of the group has connections with an oncologist office and they donate their chemo caps and other items to the patients there. I thought that was a great thing to do but I always like to try something a little different so I came up with my own idea. Thus was born:

BEANIES FOR PREEMIES 

For those of you that know me you know that I love coming up with awesome names for stuff. This one just fell out of my mouth when I was describing to someone what my next project would be. And since it rhymes it's PERFECT!!! So I'm going to assume that any of you that read my blog can guess what this project entails but just to clarify a little more, I plan on crocheting beanies for the tiny sweet babies that are in the NICU at the new Texas Children's Hospital they just built out here in West Houston. I am so grateful to have had two perfectly healthy beautiful children (they get all that good stuff from me of course). However, there are so many people that aren't as fortunate and their babies are battling for their lives as soon as they enter the world. Not only that the parents aren't even to take their new bundle of joy home. Some are even less fortunate and are unable to even hold their baby. As a mother who never had that hardship I can't even fathom the torture they must go through. 

But since everyone likes gifts even those that are distraught I thought what better than to crochet some little beanies for the sweet angels in the NICU so that their parents have one less thing to worry about and hopefully it will also lift their spirits in some small way. So after searching for some preemie patterns I found a couple of cute ones I am going to use.

The ones above were patterns I found on Alli Crafts Blog and I really appreciate her sharing her adorable patterns for free. I also like the cute embellishments she adds. I plan on doing a lot of that myself. I found a super cute bird applique I plan to use.

Oh I just love the cute things you can make with a hook and a little yarn. I also found a couple of other hats I plan to make as well and I want to thank Lullaby Lamb for her adorable pattern as well.

Just look at those sweet faces. Now I know why people steal babies. Just kidding that is VERY WRONG!! Babies are adorable but stealing them is frowned upon. Bummer because that would mean no more labor. But who am I kidding I more than have my hands full!!! 

So once I get these beanies made I will take pictures. Hopefully I can get some pictures of the preemies in the beanies which would be so touching!! I can't wait to start crocheting my heart out for these sweet little ones. 

Newest Projects

 I've been missing a while. I was kidnapped by some Channing Tatum lookalikes and forced to be their Queen. It's been horrible. No actually I've just been super busy. But I really wish the former was the truth. I've been working on some hammocks for the photographer I work with. I'm in love with these hammocks. They are so big and adorable. The pictures aren't the greatest, but hey I'm a Crocheter not a Photographer! I've also done a couple of dresses and some other miscellaneous stuff for her. I can't wait to show her. I get all warm and fuzzy inside when people are happy with my work. I'm convinced I'm part puppy and I thrive on a metaphorical pat of the head. No belly rubs though that's just creepy. 

Aren't they so cute. Fake baby of course! I would like to give a shout out to my daughter who graciously lent me one of her MANY baby dolls for the photos. These are the fringe hammocks I have made. I also made a pink one and a red one. Sorry no pictures but you get the idea. 

I also decided to make a couple of dog sweaters. You know, because it gets so cold in Texas during the summer!! And no matter how much my dogs try to convince me otherwise I just know that they love when I dress them!! 

My latest project is the Star Wars themed hats for my boss' sons. They are going to die. I am still working on the Stormtrooper one, but here are the R2D2 and Yoda ones.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Wait....WHAT?!?! Shocking Motherhood Experiences!!

Motherhood is a beautiful gift from God. True, but since we were created in His image it's only natural to believe that He is a bit of a prankster. After having two beautiful children I can attest to both but more so about the PRANKSTER part. I should really start writing down the things that my kids do to embarrass me or that make me cringe...but there isn't enough paper!!


So it's a normal day at work. I'm working....oh and frequently checking Facebook. The clock strikes 2:00pm and the countdown to home begins. I miss my kids, like I do everyday, until I pick them up and they start fighting before we leave the daycare parking lot. Now I remember why I enjoy my job so much. I never have to yell or threaten my coworkers. Then my phone rings, it's my kid's daycare. Oh crap, what do they want? I answer and it's the director calling and the conversation goes like this:


Director: Ms. Dupont?
Me: Yes 
Director: Hi, we have Elijah up here and he's complaining that his ear hurts. He says there is a rock in his ear.
Me: Wait....WHAT?!?
Director: Yes, we can't see anything but he said he put a rock in his ear to see if it would fit.
Me: Ok, please put him on the phone (talking to a 4 year old is always productive, right?!)
Elijah: Hi Mommy
Me: Hi Elijah, did you put a rock in your ear (in my least accusing voice which strangely sounds almost cartoonish - I'll have to work on that!)
Elijah: ..........yes (in a quiet "I hope I don't get in trouble for this" voice)
Me: Did you get it out or did it get stuck
Elijah: I couldn't find it.
Me: (What I'm thinking in my head) OH HELL!!! Really?!? 


I was pretty proud for not getting upset at having to leave work early since I have a boss that frowns on that. Weird, huh? Then panic set in and I get instant indigestion. That's an immediate sign that my anxiety is flaring - OH CRAP MY PILLS ARE AT HOME!!! Looking for next best thing: MARGARITA!! Oh yeah I'm at work and my boss frowns on that too. He's always cramping my style! 


Next step I call the Pediatrician and to make my anxiety worse the woman acts like this is the first time EVER that she's heard of something like that. Hey wait, I remember a coworker telling me about a drive-thru Margarita place. Mental note: stop on the way! So I pick up both kids and by this time the WHOLE daycare knows of the "Rock in the Ear" incident. Off to the Pediatrician we go and sure enough there is a rock in his ear or so I am informed by the nurse. Well then the 10 year old girl in me creeps out and all I can think about it "Ooh cool, I wanna see". Well if I feel like that I know you do too!! So here you go. What do you think? You see that little brown thing? Yep, you guessed it. It's a rock. Hmm...I guess it does fit. Elijah must be thinking "The experiment worked". The one to see if the rock fit? No, the one to see if he could drive his mother to drink heavily before she turns 30. DAMN, I forgot that Margarita drive-thru. 

So the Pediatrician won't mess with it because he's afraid to damage his ear. Ok well here's your $25 and whatever else you get when you bill my insurance. Thanks for NOTHING! So then they call the ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) Dr. so send me over there. In the mean time I'm telling Elijah to jump on his foot while he leans his head over. Hey it works when water gets clogged in my ear. Maybe that's a universal trick that also works on rocks. IT DOESN'T!! Oh and not my proudest moment, but neither does a bobby pin. It was worth a shot. Thankfully I didn't make it worse or deafen my child. Like I said not my proudest moment. 


So I go over to the ENT who is going to "squeeze me in" which apparently means "wait in the waiting room until we close and every other person has come and gone". Translation noted. We finally get in there to then be told by the nurse that it's always 4 year old boys. I guess that should make me feel better but all I can think is "My daughter is going to grow up and probably end up marrying a guy that used to put rocks (or some other equally dumb item) in his ears. These are men like my husband who, although I love him to death, drives me crazy sometimes because he just had to "see what would happen" if he did _________ <--- Insert Moronic Idea here. Sound familiar?? Poor Madison. My only hope is that she grows up to become a single old cat lady. Did I mention that I have high hopes for my children....ya know, just in case that wasn't coming across correctly.


Anywho, the ENT finally came in and made me hold Elijah's head down while she dug this rock out. Although it was difficult as a mother to have to do that while your child cries. As a woman who enjoys being right, I felt that this was just what he needed to make sure he NEVER has this EXPERIMENT in mind again!! I think his ears are safe, but there are several other open orifices that items could be crammed. Note to self: Search for a Proctologist....just in case.


So I know your curiosity is getting the better of you so here you go. Don't be fooled by it's size and rock-like charm. It's the DEVIL!!!!

It's just the perfect size to RUIN YOUR DAY!!! However, I am keeping it and it will forever be the hilarious "Rock in the Ear" story I will be telling his girlfriends about in hopes that they run away and leave my sweet boy alone. "Don't play with filthy girls, Norman!" (A Psycho reference in case you aren't a movie nut like me)


So I hope you enjoyed my crazy day yesterday. I feel like this post will be a recurring one. I will frequently post about all of the off the wall things my kids do and say.


See ya wouldn't wanna be ya - oh wait maybe I would!!!

Boredom....WHAT IS THAT????

It's a warm sunny day and I am at home with nothing to do. I desperately wish one of my friends was free to do something. All I can think about it how BORED I am. Ugh what a horrible feeling!!

Fast forward a couple years later......ok 10 years. Ugh how time flies and how it must be showing on my once teenage skinned face. Anyway I will mope later. So fast forward and I have since been married and had 2 WONDERFUL kids (until they start whining which now seems like every 5 seconds).  The days of being home and aching for something to do have long since floated away (taking my beautiful teenage skin with it). I now only understand boredom like I do with any other myth like alien abduction: Enough people claim to have experienced it so it must be true, right??

Here's the truth: Teenagers and Men (especially Husbands) experience boredom. For all of us WOMEN and MOTHERS there exists no such thing. In fact we have what I will call Reverse Boredom or RB. RB is an epidemic that there is no cure for. The only cure would be more time in a day or a clone. Neither of these have yet to have happened.

Hello my name is Amber and I suffer from RB. I wake up and hit the ground running. Why you ask? Well because there is no other option (or so we have molded ourselves to believe). I work full time because it's necessary to provide well for my family. I do stuff with other moms so that my kids can play and so I can have some time to chat with other moms. I crochet because I enjoy it and because it also makes me a little spendin' cash. I do a million other things but I'm too busy to list them all....DUH!!!!


Anyway I basically need to stop sleeping or start working part time so I can fit my life into my life!! Crazy how that happens. Oh how I miss the teenage boredom days sometimes. Ok well I am off to find something else to do since I seem to have a problem keeping still. RB is a severe condition that is only suppressed with a margarita or some other yummy ADULT beverage!! Now I want one - GOTTA GO!!!


Talk to you soon!!

Back, Pumped and READY TO GO!!!

Hello all. I'm back from vacation and I'm ready to get back on track. I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do - that's because I do. WEIRD!! It never fails, when I'm gone it seems like I have twice as much to do to make up for that time lost. We had a great time at Disney World. It's something we will never forget!! Definitely happy to be home in my own space. You take "home" for granted when you are all crammed into a hotel room like sardines. Less smelly though....slightly. 


I have a lot of ideas for my crocheting and I can't wait to get started. I'm hoping to start posting my own patterns soon, but I have several crochet projects to finish before I will have the time to sit down and do that. I wish I could be like Michael Keaton in Multiplicity and duplicate myself to get more done. Only I would probably end up with a bunch of the "slow" Amber's that like pizza http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRQFMHRSj9I&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL1780F1480BD88FDF

Until then I will stick to just one of me and a healthy love of pizza. Once I start getting some of the items finished I will post pictures. I did finish the first grass rug. I'm going to be making several more colors. I will also be making some hammocks and a bunch of other unique items. Pictures to come. I have also been slightly distracted by my reading. There are just too many things to do!! Must go back to that duplication thing later. So far my kids aren't coordinated enough to handle the crocheting. And they can't read yet. I'm starting to think they are more trouble than they are worth. I must figure out some way for them to earn their keep. Yard work? No, they would probably break the mower somehow. Cooking dinner? No, we would only end up eating string cheese and pickles...well maybe I will come back to that when I get really tired of cooking. Grocery shopping? No, they would just buy toys and candy. Well I'm pretty much stumped. There must be something. Note to self: Google "child labor" later. 


Domo Arigato 

M.I.A.

Ok so I have been MIA lately. It's been a little hectic at work and at home. My crocheting has been put on the back burner lately. But I did complete a couple more baby beanies yesterday. I also made my kids Disney themed hats for our trip to Disney on Friday. That's right folks, we're going to Disney for our first REAL vacation in.....FOREVER. My husband and I have never really had a vacation where we have taken several days off from work and relaxed. Everything is always so hectic.


I'm super excited about this trip to say the least. My kids are going to have so much fun. I can't wait for them to do all of the stuff that we have planned!! Princess breakfasts and makeovers and pirate adventures. They are going to be dead tired by the end of it. I wish I had made more hats, but I don't know if I will have time. I would like to make 2 hats for my stepdaughters but I don't know what they would like. 


Dear Michael Eisner please do not sue me for licensing infringement. We will still buy plenty of souvenirs. Thank you!


Anyway, when I get back from vacation I plan to get back into crocheting, because there are still plenty of things I need to make!!