Crocheted Clothes for Kiddos

{roselette top via chez plum}

Confession Friday time. I have an obsession with finding adorable kid's clothing patterns (yes, it's an obsession and no, I don't have kids. Yet.) I save them all up with dreams of dressing my own little brood in classically delish little outfits (because I'm an 'outfits' kinda gal.)

My most recent quest has been to find crocheted sweaters and jackets leaning more toward the timeless classic aesthetic more than pretty much everything else I'm seeing out there. Aaaand. I'm coming up short. I've managed to find about a dozen completely perfect baby-sized cardis, sweaters and jackets, but beyond that -- for the toddling age, I'm coming up short. Sad, isn't it? You more advanced crocheters might be thinking "well, just whip up yourself a larger version of the baby pattern!" I've tried. I've failed. My patience is running short.

However, I did come upon a darling French Etsian called Chez Plum and fell in love with the Roselette Pattern. It comes in lots of sizes AND she even sells a grown-up version! For $5 it was too cute to pass up, so I bought it last night and started working the pattern today. At only 6 rows in, it's crazy quick to make and working up really well. Love it so far! Can't wait to post pics later!

So crafty folks, do you have any classic crocheted clothing patterns for kiddos of all ages?

Granny Square Blanket of Epic Proportions

Actually, it's about the size of a large lap blanket, BUT! It is made of one big @ss granny square, so Epic-level Granny Square blanket it is. 100% Patons wool yarn in a plethora of warm colors. Looks pretty nice on our sofa, if I do say so myself. Wool is quickly becoming my favorite fiber ever, and that's without being swayed by the cuteness of sheep, I swear.

Pumpkin Patch Crochet-Along...Update!

 

 Waiting for faces.

I've been having so much fun crocheting pumpkins for Itsy Bitsy Spider's Pumpkin Patch Crochet-Along, as you can tell by my slowly-growing pumpkin patch!

These first two are still waiting for faces...the one on the left was modified from the original pattern. The one on the right was from the original pattern.

Oct-O-Lantern!

And of course, I couldn't resist a little kawaii cuteness + a strange sense of humor ;) What happens when you cross an octopus with a pumpkin? You get an Oct-O-Lantern, of course!

Owly Owls

I'm loving creating these cute little owls for the Great Owl Crochet-Along. Here are my first three...one happy little owl family :) Want more? Check out all the owls in the Great Owl Crochet-Along Flickr group!

list twenty: Crochet, Sewing, and Stuffing, oh my!

 {vintage dress form via See Change Design}

I feel like my life is cracking along at a nice pace lately, though I feel something big tugging at the corners of my mind just ever so slightly. (Do you ever get that feeling?) I do have quite a few projects coming along nicely, which always brings me to smiles.

Here's a list of fun projects I've been working on lately...note the gross lack of home improvement projects. What can I say? Creating little owly friends is way more fun than scraping mouldering caulk.

1. Working on owl #2 #3 for the Great Owl Crochet-along. They are cute! I want to make a bajillion! (Pics coming soon!) *Finished #2 owly last night!

2. Finished a darling chambray wrap skirt, recycled from a Ralph Lauren king-sized pillow case bought for $1 at the thrift store. (pics coming soon!)

3. Finished the perfect sleeveless summer top from a vintage pattern I bought at an estate sale last year -- bright white with Battenburg lace details at the straps (entirely constructed from a white cotton bedskirt bought for $1 at the thrift store...I was on a roll!) (pics coming soon!)

4. Finished two hand-crocheted cotton market totes - 1 for the giveaway and 1 for my store. Loving the pattern! (Keep your peepers open for the Wakefield Market tote...it's coming soon!)

5. Nearly finished with an all jute crocheted tote from an original pattern. Just need to sew a lining and find some leather straps. I like it, but I'd like it better if it were bigger! Next time...

6. I really should get around to hanging my inspiration bulletin board.

7. Grand plans for a sewing machine cover from the great fat quarter bundle from Spool that Bubs bought me for Christmas.

8. I have yet another fantastic heap of fabric -- this is a pretty vintage floral in lime greens and yellows -- of which to fashion this darling wrap dress from Butterick.

9. Working on some new soft goods + sewn items for Hello Magpie Etsy.

10. Before summer's over, I'd like to make I have made these flip-flop slippers :) *Done! Made my first pair last night. Love 'em but going to modify the pattern a bit I think. Best part? I didn't need to buy a thing...I had every material required!

How are your projects coming along?

*sorry for the gross lack of photos. I'm just being lazy. I'll take a bunch and share very soon! I promise! And I also promise my fingers weren't crossed when I promised just then...it will happen...eventually...)

Oh! And don't forget to check back tomorrow...Good Morning Ohio Giveaway winner will be announced!

Freebie Friday: Great Owl Crochet-Along!

I love Delightful Blogs (and have even considered submitting OMW! to their directory), but I don't spend nearly the time I should checking out new blogs to follow. There are too many! It's overwhelming! Today, however, I decided to peep some new folks' blogs and I'm so happy I did because it lead me to Strumpets Crumpets (isn't that the best name?) and Itsy Bitsy Spider -- and they just so happen to be sponsoring an amigurumi crochet owl making extravaganza with an optional swap. Holy cow, how quickly could I sign up for that?! Becky (of Strumpets Crumpets) admits that she is an amigurumi newbie herself, so never fear if this is the first ami critter you've ever made...so long as you know basic crochet stitches (single, half double, & decrease specifically), you're good to go. Sign ups end on May 30th, so hurry over and sign up if you're interested! Also, the swap is optional -- you just need to get your finished owl over to Becky by August 1. There's even a Flickr group set up to share your owlie with the world!

What's even better? Karla of Itsy Bitsy Spider is providing the owl pattern for free to everyone who signs up before the May 30 deadline. (And who doesn't love a free crochet pattern?! Thanks Karla!)

So pop on over to Strumpets Crumpets or Itsy Bitsy Spider to sign up :)

Have a happy weekend!

xo
eve

Freebie Friday: Amigurumi Bunny Egg Cosy

These little cottontails will be making their way to my two nieces this Sunday, but instead of real eggs, they'll be accompanied by chocolate Cadbury's eggs (which are just way more fun to give!) Not bad for about an hour per bunny, a bit of scrap yarn, embroidery floss, and plaid grosgrain ribbon. I used Lion Brand Yarn's free pattern found here. (*note: you do have to register to view their patterns, but it's more than worth it. No spam and tons of great free projects!)

Prior to this project, I had never made pom-poms before, but I really liked how they turned out. I mean, what's a bunny without a pouf for a tail? I used Bella Dia's easy peasy tutorial here for help.

I'm signing out for the weekend. I wish for you this weekend a renewal of spirit, peace in your hearts and smiles on your faces. Please do not let the sentiment of the season be lost in chocolate eggs and plastic grass. Rebirth, renewal, and resurrection all go hand-in-hand. Whether we're talking about nature or faith, it's really all the same language. Here's to enjoying the friendships you have, hugging loved ones and giving thanks!

Freebie Friday: Crochet Clothespin Bag Pattern

{courtesy sukigirl}

Is this not the cutest clothespin bag you've ever seen? Those miniature crocheted clothes (which Sukigirl also offers a pattern/tute for here) really are adorable. I especially love this crochet clothespin bag pattern because it is a great beginner crochet pattern (because, really. Who wants to crochet a gazillion scarves because you don't know what else to make?) Trust me, I've been there. This is a way more practical and easy pattern for newbies! (Special thanks to sukigirl for the great pattern. Love it!)

So, what could make this handy bag that much better? Why not whip up some plarn and crochet a more weather-proof version, perfectly suited for living outside on your clothes line? (FYI: "plarn" is yarn made from plastic grocery store bags...pure genius and super easy to make. Give it a try here.)

This is definitely on my top list of projects for myself. Now that the weather is warming and spring is officially just a couple weeks away, I'm itching to get a clothesline up. This clothespin bag will be a great addition, don't you think? 

Happy weekend, everybody :)

Wood & Wool Stool: DIY Crochet Hangers Tutorial

I love love love Ingrid Jansen's Wood & Wool Stool. Based in the Netherlands, Ingrid creates darling, whimsical repurposed wood stools with one-of-a-kind crocheted wool toppers. Clever, don't you think?

Did you know that, in addition to these perfectly fantastic stools, Ingrid also makes wood and wool crocheted hangers? I love them because they look like wood hangers with little stripy sweaters :) Wouldn't a few of these wood and wool hangers be a great kid's room decoration (not to mention a great way to use up all your little extra bits of yarn, too)? They're just cute to hide away in a closet!

And now for the fun stuff...Ingrid kindly gave the OK to share her published tutorial with us! Yahoo! Please let me know if you make some yourself. I'd love to post photos and let Ingrid know what a success her pattern was (we artists love that kind of thing.)

p.s. All the images and tute are courtesy Ingrid Jansen. Please do not reproduce or use without her permission. xo



Wood and Wool Stool tutorial: crochet hangers
{notes:}
1. This tutorial was printed for a Dutch interior design magazine, 101 Woonideeën Magazine.

2. It should also be noted that the instructions aren't in English, but you already had guessed that, right? Honestly, the photos are so good, that if you're a crocheter, you can wing it without the written directions quite easily.

3. Look at Ingrid's yarn ball -- so much better than little scraps lying all over the place. I don't know why I haven't been keeping my yarn scraps tidy this way, but I will be doing so from now on!

Plarn & Free Crochet Tote Pattern

Now those plastic grocery bags can hold more than kitty litter...
{Courtesy kseNYA @ Etsy}

I learned something new today and that something is plarn (aka plastic+yarn). Here's the haps:

Plarn is a yarn of sorts that is created by cutting plastic grocery store bags into strips and knotting them together in such a way that creates a continuous length, which is perfect for crocheting together.

I am enthralled. Why hadn't I thought of that?! I just discovered myrecycledbags.com and the instructions for making plarn. Thanks to Etsy Labs, I knew about fusing together plastic bags to make a fabric, but plastic yarn? Really, I think I'm in love. Durable, repurposed plastic crocheted net bags are perfect for so many things -- the beach, the market, the library, everyday shopper-style carry-alls for work...this DIY project is added right smack dab at the top of my DIY To-Do list (right behind the wedding projects, of course!)



Want a ton o' inspiration? Check out the Knit and Crochet with Plastic Bags Flickr group.

Hey fellow 'hookers' (or crocheters, if you prefer), here's a link to her free pattern for the 8" handled shopping bag: THANK YOU, CINDY @ myrecycledbags.com!

{Courtesy myrecycledbags.com}