Recent Projects

On and off my hooks recently...

Cradle sets are for Bridget's Cradles and follow the patterns available to the volunteers. Yarn is I Love This Yarn Light Peach. I used a G hook.

Cradle sets - cradle, blanket and square

The cocoons are made with patterns I am designing. They are sized for a preemie and open so caregivers can get to the baby without removing them from the cocoon - at least that is the intent behind them. I'll find out soon if it will work as I am hoping.

I think the pink preemie cocoon was made with Bernat Baby yarn. I used a G hook. This one is going to God's Tiny Angels. 

Pink preemie cocoon with flap

Blue preemie cocoons are made with Loops and Thread Snuggly Wuggly Pale Blue. These are going to Heartstrings of Houma.

Blue preemie cocoon with flap closed

Blue preemie cocoon with flap open

I think the preemie hats were made with Knit Picks Brava Sport. The label was missing. I used a G hook.

Preemie hats in peach

The grey adult hats were made with Lion Brand Hometown USA Dallas Grey.
It's a super bulky (#6) yarn. I used a Susan Bates N hook. These are going to Bridge and Beyond.

adult size hat with super bulky yarn

I plan more of the same items plus squares as I get a chance and I'm hoping to make some shawls as well.

Right now I'm working on perfecting the write up of the cocoon pattern.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

cocoon

The squares are off as well as a couple of cradle sets which I forgot to take a picture of. oops.

Here's my latest work. It's a preemie cocoon and hat.

The pattern can be found here. I did change the edging to (ch 2, sl st, sk 1) to make a bit of a decorative edge. It's not fancy but just a bit of something extra.  I used a G hook.

My plan now is to make a few hats. A few years ago I made many little preemie hats. I'm going to look back at those patterns and see what I did then. I have much of this pink yarn - I think it may have been Bernat baby yarn.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

spiral cloche hat

Someone posted a picture of some cute little girl hats and it sent me searching for the pattern so I could try it. There are numerous patterns out there for spiral hats like the one I was interested in, but I found this video which was quite nice and thought I'd share it (and the resulting hat) in case others are interested. She has a print pattern as well.

Here is the print pattern.  

The video can be found at YouTube here. There are three parts. Two by Louise at Red Haired Amazona (I love her accent) and one by Off the Hook for the brim. There's a bit of background noise in the first two but I did not find it too distracting. Her instructions were clear and I just paused the video to catch up if I needed to.

She does note that she originally saw the pattern on a Russian site. I don't speak Russian. However she does have a lot of pictures. 

I grabbed one of the extra skeins of Knit Picks Brava Sport arylic in solstice heather that I had on hand to try this out. I used a G hook for my sample. It came out pretty large and I didn't do as many rounds as she did. Maybe it's meant not to be too tight since it has the brim? If I made another I would use fingering yarn and a smaller hook.

The video shows a cotton 8 ply. She suggests a 2.5mm hook.

If you can make a front post dc, this won't be too difficult. Just follow along and pay attention to what you're doing, particularly the location of the ch-1s.

I decided I didn't want a wide brim because the hat was large and I wanted to make it small enough to fit my head by reducing the stitches. So I have a flat brim. Here is the result.

The Solstice Heather is too dark to show you the stitch definition. With a lighter yarn you'd be able to see the spirals better. It's a pretty nice hat and was not difficult to make following her video.

My female mannequin has some stickiness on it which I've been unable to remove fully. Still working on that. Then she will become my go-to model again. :-)

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

ponytail bun hat

Just thought I'd pass these links along for those who aren't on my Facebook page. 

The ponytail / bun hats are very popular right now. I ran across this excellent tutorial featuring one method of making this type of hat. It's very simple as well. Check out Donna Wolfe's Naztazia channel. If you prefer having a paper version, she has that also, on her web site (as well as lots of other great stuff).

Vashti has a wonderful tutorial on making the star stitch. She always has lots of great information in her newsletters and I highly recommend you subscribe if you haven't already. 

And yet another good link is for making a blocking station. This would be particularly useful if you block a lot of items. I rarely block but I believe it's a good thing to do. I'm just lazy that way and have no really good place to do blocking. The squares I am making right now could do with a good blocking.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

hat

Remember I said that I got a new camera. I am still learning to work it. I am fairly good on "auto". LOL Anyway, I decided I wanted to try the extra lens so I took off the lens that was on the camera. As it happened, I was clueless as to how to replace that lens or put on the other one. Today, I finally got the original one back on. So I took a picture. LOL

I wore this hat yesterday and was quite pleased with it. 

I didn't intend to make a hat for myself. Someone posted a link to hats on my Facebook page and I went over to look at them and decided to make one. I saw this Panama hat that looked good so I followed the video that was posted (in Russian but the video is very clear).

As it turned out, the first rows of the pattern were just regular increase rounds for a basic hat. The pattern started to vary after that for the "mesh" like rows. 

Of course, I veered off from there because I didn't want the rim and my hat was also getting pretty long by this time and I have a small head. So here's what I did. 

I worked the increase rounds to 72 stitches. (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72). Then I alternated V stitch and small bobble rounds 3 times (made as in the video). I then worked 3 rounds of single crochet and finished with a pretty edging of (sc, ch 3, sc) in same stitch, sk 2 and repeat. My head is about 20 1/2" and this hat fit me perfectly. 

I used an I hook and Vanna's Choice cranberry yarn.

Added note: This designer has another pattern on her blog called Panama but it is not the same one as the one I followed. It's pretty though so I'm going to include the link here. 

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

wrap and hat

I really like this wheelchair pattern, so easy! I just need to figure out exactly how much yarn it takes in "real life". :-) IOW, with my tension and yarns.

Details. I used I Love This Yarn. The color was Greybeard. I had two partial skeins and a full skein. I ran out at the last couple rows but I found a leftover ball from the same skein and was able to finish it. 

I used an I hook. The "hill to hill" measurement was 22". The top to bottom of one section was 18" and the measurement around was approximately 90".

I have already started another one!

I also made a slouchy hat and ran into the same problem. I thought I had enough yarn, but unfortunately, not. There was no label so not sure which yarn this was.

I did finish a hat and it turned out okay but not as "slouchy" as it might have been. It would fit a medium size lady's head. It was a teensy bit large for me but I have a small head. I could have worn it though.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Hook and Needle Club kit hat

Back in November I posted a picture of the crocheted hat I made from the Hook & Needle Club kit. Here it is again to refresh your memory. It uses a bulky yarn and for the crocheted version H and N hooks. I think I used H and L hook for mine though.

My daughter then took the leftover yarn and made a hat from the knitted pattern that was included in the kit. Remember there was enough yarn for a hat and mittens but I didn't make the mittens.

Here is the result of the knitted hat. My model was so good. I couldn't decide which picture to share. :-)

This is not really a pattern I'd want to make again, but it was fun to work it once. It's a snug fitting hat, perfect for my small head.

Now the scarflette I made with a past kit is one I want to make again - if only I could discover where I put the pattern. LOL

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Basic Adult Beanie in HDC

Basic Adult Beanie in HDC

©2012 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

This pattern is for personal or charity use. You may freely share for charity purposes.

Materials: G hook, Patons Classic Wool Chestnut Brown, Black, or Deep Olive

Abbreviations:
ch—chain
hdc—half double crochet
sc—single crochet
sl st—slip stitch
st—stitch

Size: Adult Large

Note: To give this hat a more closed stitching, it is important to use the (ch 1, hdc in same stitch) join. The ch-1 takes up that little space that sometimes remains when you use a chain up to height.

Warning: Apparently, the hdc is a particularly annoying little stitch in that the joins cause what Crochet with Dee calls a "traveling curve". Suggestions I've received have included finishing each round with the invisible join and restarting in a different spot, and putting the increases in different spots on each round. That said, the resulting hat is serviceable if the join doesn't bother you.

Instructions:
Use the adjustable ring or ch 4 and join with a slip stitch.

Round 1: ch 2, work 7 more hdc in ring, join with a sl st to top of beg ch-2. If you used the adjustable ring, pull on your loose strand to close the center hole (8 hdc)

Round 2: ch 1, 2 hdc in same stitch, 2 hdc in ea stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first hdc (16 hdc)
8 + 8 = 16. Increase in every stitch.

Round 3: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc, (24 hdc) 
16 + 8 = 24. Increase in every other stitch.

Round 4: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in ea of next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc  (32 hdc)
24 + 8 = 32. Increase in every third stitch.

Round 5: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each of next 2 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc (40 hdc)
32 + 8 = 40. Increase in every fourth stitch.

Round 6: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in each of next 4 stitches, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc (48 hdc)
40 + 8 = 48. Increase in every fifth stitch.

Round 7: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each of next 4 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in each of next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc (56 hdc)
48 + 8 = 56. Increase in every sixth stitch.

Round 8: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each of next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in each of next 6 stitches, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc (64 hdc)
56 + 8 = 64. Increase in every seventh stitch.

Round 9: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first hdc (64)

Round 10: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each of next 6 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in each of next 7 stitches, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc (72 hdc)
64 + 8 = 72. Increase in every eighth stitch.

Round 11: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first hdc (72)

Round 12: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each of next 7 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in each of next 8 stitches, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc (80 hdc)
72 + 8 = 80. Increase in every ninth stitch.

Round 13: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first hdc (80)

Measure circumference here. If it is 22" (or more) go to Round 15. If it is less than 21" then do another increase round.

Round 14: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each of next 8 stitches, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in each of next 9 stitches, 2 hdc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first hdc (88 hdc)
80 + 8 = 88. Increase in every tenth stitch.

Round 15—25: ch 1, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first hdc (88 hdc)

Periodically measure hat length as your tension might not be the same as mine. The single crochet rounds will add about an inch, so stop here when you are an inch shorter than the length for which you are aiming.

Round 26-29:  ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first sc (88 sc)

Finish off. Sew in ends.

This picture demonstrates size. It is not worked in this pattern.

Special note: Please, when joining yarn, do NOT knot and cut at the knot or leave just an inch of yarn. Please cut yarn several inches from the end and weave/sew the tails in securely. Thanks!

Basic Adult Beanie with Gradual Slope

Basic Adult Beanie with Gradual Slope

©2012 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

This pattern is for personal or charity use. You may freely share for charity purposes. 

Materials: G hook, Patons Classic Wool Chestnut Brown, Black, or Deep Olive

Abbreviations:
ch—chain
dc—double crochet
sc—single crochet
sl st—slip stitch
st—stitch

Gauge: 12 dc and 7 rounds = 3” (Since a hat is curved, you may find it hard to measure this)

Size: Adult Large

Instructions:

Use the adjustable ring or ch 4 and join with a slip stitch.

Round 1: ch 2 or 3 (whatever you need to bring up to height) (counts as your first dc here and throughout), work 11 more dc in ring, join with a sl st to top of beg ch-3, If you used the adjustable ring, pull on your loose strand to close the center hole (12 dc)

Round 2: ch 1, 2 dc in same stitch, 2 dc in ea stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (24 dc)
12 + 12 = 24. Increase in every stitch.

Round 3: ch 1, dc in same stitch, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc, (36 dc)
24 + 12 = 36. Increase in every other stitch.

Round 4: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in ea of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st) around (11 times), join with a sl st to first dc  (48 dc)
6 + 12 = 48. Increase in every third stitch.

Round 5: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each of next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (60 dc)
48 + 12 = 60. Increase in every fourth stitch.

Begin gradual slope:
(Note: You can begin the gradual slope sooner if you want to)

Round 6: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in ea of next 8 sts, 2 dc in next st, (dc in ea of next 9 sts, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (66 sts)
60 + 6 = 66. Previous round (round 6) had 60 sts. You want 6 increases, so 60/6 = 10. Increase in every 10th stitch.

Round 7: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in ea of next 9 sts, 2 dc in next st, (dc in ea of next 10 sts, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (72 sts)
66 + 6 = 72.  66/6 = 11. Increase in every 11th stitch.

Round 8: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in ea of next 10 sts, 2 dc in next st, (dc in ea of next 11 sts, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (79 sts)
72 + 6 = 79.  72/6 = 12. Increase in every 12th st

Round 9-18: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in ea st around, join with a sl st to first dc (79 dc)

Measure from top of hat to rim. If it's the size you want, go to Round 19. For a man finished size should be between 8-10". The single crochet rounds will add another inch.

Round 19-22: ch 1, sc in ea st around, join with a sl st to first sc.   (79 sc)

Finish off. Sew in tails.

Special note: Please, when joining yarn, do NOT knot and cut at the knot or leave just an inch of yarn. Please cut yarn several inches from the end and weave/sew the tails in securely. Thanks!

Basic Adult Beanie with Flatter Top

Basic Adult Beanie with Flatter Top

©2012 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

This pattern is for personal or charity use. You may freely share for charity purposes. 


Materials: G hook, Patons Classic Wool Chestnut Brown, Black, or Deep Olive

Abbreviations:
ch—chain
dc—double crochet
sc—single crochet
sl st—slip stitch
st—stitch

Gauge: 12 dc and 7 rounds = 3” (Since a hat is curved, you may find it hard to measure this)

Instructions:
Use the adjustable ring or ch 4 and join with a slip stitch.

Round 1: ch 2 or 3 (whatever you need to bring up to height) (counts as your first dc here and throughout), work 11 more dc in ring, join with a sl st to top of beg ch-3, If you used the adjustable ring, pull on your loose strand to close the center hole (12 dc)

Round 2: ch 1, 2 dc in same stitch, 2 dc in ea stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (24 dc)
12 + 12 = 24. Increase in every stitch

Round 3: ch 1, dc in same stitch, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc, (36 dc)
24 + 12 = 36. Increase in every other stitch

Round 4: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in ea of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st) around (11 times), join with a sl st to first dc  (48 dc)
6 + 12 = 48. Increase in every third st

Round 5: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each of next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (60 dc)
48 + 12 = 60, increase in every fourth st

Round 6: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (72 dc)
60 + 12 = 60, increase in every fifth st

Round 7: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each of next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 5 stitches, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (84 dc)
72 + 12 = 84, increase in every sixth st

Measure circumference of hat. You can do this by going around the inside of the hat with a piece of yarn, cut it and measure it, or use a flexible measuring tape to measure it. However you do it the circumference should be between 22” and 24”.

Round 8—18: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (84 dc)

Measure from top of hat to bottom rim. If it is 8”, start to work single crochet rounds. If not, do at least one more round of dc for a man’s hat. If the circumference was closer to 24” you might want to do more.
Finished hat can be between 8 and 10” in height. Heads come in all sizes.

Round 19-22: ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first sc. (84 sc)

Finish off. Sew in tails.

Special note: Please, when joining yarn, do NOT knot and cut at the knot or leave just an inch of yarn. Please cut yarn several inches from the end and weave/sew the tails in securely. Thanks!

Basic Adult Beanie pattern

 Basic Adult Beanie
©2012 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

This pattern is for personal or charity use. You may freely share for charity purposes.

Materials: G hook, Patons Classic Wool Chestnut Brown, Black, or Deep Olive

Abbreviations:
ch—chain
dc—double crochet
sc—single crochet
sl st—slip stitch
st—stitch

Gauge: 12 dc and 7 rounds = 3” (Since a hat is curved, you may find it hard to measure this)

Size: Adult Large

Note: To give this hat a more closed stitching, it is important to use the smaller hook and the (ch 1, dc in same stitch) join. The ch-1 takes up that little space that sometimes remains when you use a ch-3 for the chain up to height.

Instructions:

Use the adjustable ring or ch 4 and join with a slip stitch.

Round 1: ch 2 or 3 (whatever you need to bring up to height) (counts as your first dc here and throughout), work 11 more dc in ring, join with a sl st to top of beg ch-3, If you used the adjustable ring, pull on your loose strand to close the center hole (12 dc)

Round 2: ch 1, 2 dc in same stitch, 2 dc in ea stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (24 dc)
12 + 12 = 24. Increase in every stitch

Round 3: ch 1, dc in same stitch, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc, (36 dc) 
24 + 12 = 36. Increase in every other stitch

Round 4: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in ea of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st) around (11 times), join with a sl st to first dc  (48 dc)
6 + 12 = 48. Increase in every third stitch

If you want a flatter top to your hat, skip Rounds 5, 7, and 9 and add 4 more dc rounds after round 18. 

Round 5: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (48)

Round 6: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each of next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (60 dc)
48 + 12 = 60, increase in every fourth stitch

Round 7: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (60)

Round 8: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (72 dc)
60 + 12 = 72, increase in every fifth stitch

Round 9: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (72)

Round 10: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each of next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 5 stitches, 2 dc in next st) around, join with a sl st to first dc (84 dc)
72 + 12 = 84, increase in every sixth stitch

Measure circumference of hat. You can do this by going around the inside of the hat with a piece of yarn, cut it and measure it, or use a flexible measuring tape to measure it. However you do it, the circumference should be between 22” and 24” for a man's hat.

Round 11—18: ch 1, dc in same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first dc (84 dc)

Measure from top of hat to bottom rim. If it is 8”, start to work single crochet rounds. If not, do at least one more round of dc for a man’s hat. If the circumference was closer to 24” you might want to do more.

Finished hat can be between 8 and 10” in height. Heads come in all sizes.

Round 19-22: ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch to first sc. (84 sc)

Finish off. Sew in tails.

Special note: Please, when joining yarn, do NOT knot and cut at the knot or leave just an inch of yarn. Please cut yarn several inches from the end and weave/sew the tails in securely. Thanks!