A New Scarf for Me, Me, Me!!!!

I bought this yarn last year thinking I would make a scarf for myself. I don't make myself much but I have a friend who has this awesome scarf and I thought I could do something like it. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to come out right and put the yarn away. I was thinking about something else the other day when the thought suddenly occured to me that my Homespun Scarf Pattern would be perfect. Of course this isn't Lion Brand Homespun but I already love the way it's turning out. Much better than what I had come up with earlier. I'll show you the scarf as soon as I'm finished!

Reys Of Hope Project

This charity is from "back home" for me. I grew up in South Jersey and I know all the places they're talking about. They need all kinds of new and gently used clothing, baby supplies and toys. They don't say anything about hand crafted items but I really doubt they would turn them down!

Reys of Hope

Hilary's Girly Girl Hat Free Crochet Pattern

OK, that's not Hilary, that's me, Hilary is much younger and prettier. I also did not make this hat for Hilary, it will be going to some as yet undetermined charity. What I did make for Hilary's mother is this pattern so she could make Hilary this hat. Hilary's mother (aka my cousin Marie) showed me a pattern for a baby hat and wanted to know how to re-size it for an adult. I told her I could do even better, I'd do the whole pattern. She also mentioned that Hilary was a girly girl, hence the name of the hat. So now I'll share the pattern with everyone for free:

You will need 4 ounces of worsted weight yarn and an I hook. If I seem to be using an I hook all the time it's because it's one of the few I can find. Someone told me to blame my cats and they're probably right.

Rd 1: Ch 4 and join, ch 3(counts as first dc here and throughout) 14 dc into loop and join, 15dc made
Rd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each stitch and join 30 dc made
Rd 3: Ch 3, *2dc in next dc, dc in next dc, repeat from* around and join 45 dc made
Rd 4: Ch 3, dc in next dc, * 2dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc, repeat from * around and join 60 dc made
Rd 5 thru 15: ch 3, dc in each dc and join
Rd 16: 4ch (counts as dc and ch 1here and in next row), in same stitch dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, *in next stitch dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc, ch 1, repeat from * around and join
Rd 17: sl st to first ch 1 space and ch 4, ch 1, *dc in next ch 1 space and ch 1 around and join.

Easy, huh??, Hope Hilary likes her hat!!

My Readers Projects: Newborn Sweater Set

I decided it was about time to show everybody some of the great projects made out of my patterns. I asked these ladies if I could use their pictures and if they could tell me a little about themselves and who the sweater set was made for. This is my Newborn Sweater Set pattern which I first put on my blog back in January of 2008. I plan to do this on a regular basis. If you've made one of my patterns, send a picture and a little bit about yourself and who the item was intended for. Send it to debsstuff55 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

My name is Julie im an Aussie, its the first piece of clothing i made, other than scarfs, i made it because it was worded clearly and as a beginner i could understand, Keep in mind i was translating UK terms to US as well.. i gave it to my husbands cousin for her little girl Cooper.

Your sweet sweater set was intended for an unknown baby in the Tulsa area. I sew, knit, and crochet baby items for Newborns In Need, and belong to the easter OK chapter of NIN. All of our items go to area hospitals, medical centers, crisis centers, etc. and a couple local cemetaries that try to provide for the bereaved. The biggest concern for NIN is the vast number of preemies born that require special sizes of caps, booties, gowns, mittens, isolette mattress covers, etc. and unfortunately, also burial layettes. There is also a huge demand for the healthy, but needy newborns - they require receiving blankets, quilts, sweater sets, going-home outfits, diaper bags - and everything that goes in them! Everything we make for NIN is on a volunteer basis and the cost comes out of our pockets - unless we’re lucky enough to get donations! I am always looking for free patterns that will make up quickly, as “quantity” is of the essence - but I don’t want to sacrifice “quality” - and your pattern is just the ticket! On a personal note, I am a 66 yr old gramma of 3; spend my days babysitting all 3, making things for NIN, and creating knitted items for myself and gifts - shawls being my favorite!

My name is Kellie and I was born and bred in the suburbs of New Orleans. Like nearly all true south Louisiana families, my family loves to follow LSU sports!! So, I am always on the lookout for cute patterns that easily incorporate multiple colors for team-themed gifts. When I got my invitation to my cousin's baby shower, I knew she would love a baby girl gift with Tiger flair!! I made this sweater set using the newborn sweater pattern and using Red Heart yarn in amethyst and gold. My only alteration to the pattern was to add "LSU" to the hat by making three scrochet chains and sewing them on to make the letters. It was super quick and easy so I have this pattern tagged in my notes for future use!!

Crocheted Babys' Hexie Hats Free Pattern

I've seen many baby's hats called roundie hats because their made in round rounds. These hats start with a hexagon so I'm going to call them Hexie Hats. I made a little girl's version and a little boy's version. I'm sure you can figure out which is which. I'm not sure which charity they are going to but I'm sure something will turn up soon. It always seems to when I make something with no specific destination in mind.

Hexie Hats

You will need:

Small amount sports weight baby yarn

I hook

Gauge: The first two rounds should be close to 3" across

Starting V stitch = ch4, dc in same stitch

V stitch= dc, ch1, dc in same stitch

Triple decrease= Do dc but leave last two loops on hook, in next stitch do dc leaving last loop on hook (now 3 loops), dc leaving last loop in next st leaving last loop (now 4 loops) on hook, yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook

V stitch decrease= In last stitch before ch 1 of previous row V stitch, do dc leaving last 2 loops on hook, in first stitch after the ch 1, do dc leaving last loop on hook (now 3 loops), yo and pull through all 3 loops

Directions are for newborn size, size 3-6 months is in (parenthesis)

Rd 1: Ch 4 and form loop, ch3 (counts as first dc here and throughout pattern), 11 dc in loop and join, (12 dc)

Rd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc and join

Rd 3: Starting V-stitch, *3 dc, V stitch, repeat from * around and join to 3rd ch of starting V-stitch

Rd 4: sl st into space of first V-stitch and do a starting V-stitch, dc in each dc and V-stitch in each V-stitch around and join to 3rd ch of starting V-stitch

(Rd 4A: larger size only, repeat Rd 4)

Rds 5 - 9: sl st into space of first V-stitch and do a starting V-stitch, *2(3) dc, triple decrease, 2(3) dc, V-stitch, repeat from * around, ending with 2(3) dc and join to 3rd ch of starting V-stitch

Rd 10: ch 3 only this one does not count as first stitch, do V-stitch decrease, dc in next 5(7) stitches around and join

(Rd 10A: larger size only, ch 3 dc around evenly spacing 6 decreases around)

Rd11: Ch 2, hdc around

Girls version
Rd 12: Ch 3, 4 dc in each stitch around and join

Boys version
Rd 12 - 13: Ch 2, hdc around and join

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Knit Your Bit Scarves for Vets

The National WWII Museum is collecting knit or crochet scarves for veterans. During World War 2 knitting was a way for Americans on the home front to help the war effort. Socks, vests and other warm clothing were knit to send to our service men over seas. The museum has been collecting scarves and distributing them to veterans in honor of this effort. They are taking gender-nuetral scarves and squares to be joined into blankets.

Knit Your Bit
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Back in the Swing of Things (so to speak)

Between yesterday and today I've made 6 saltines, 2 yo-yos, finished a wool hat using my Kid's Bumpy Hat pattern I started ages ago and started a new hat, that if it works out will be a new pattern. I't's looking pretty good so far. It's a baby hat made from sport weight yarn so get the yarn out and get ready. It uses an H hook if you want to get that ready, too. Of course it may turn out to be a complete bust and then I'll have to try again. I mean, now that you have the yarn and hook ready I need to come up with something, right?

My Garden and Other Stuff I've Been Doing

OK, so what have I been doing? Playing on facebook, gardening and working. I just posted about my patio garden on one of my other blogs if you want to take a look. I've also joined face book, I'm going to be posting a "badge" I think they call it and anyone who wants to friend me over there make sure you tell me your coming from my blog. Unfortunatly, you'll probably learn all my deep down secrets there but what the heck, the more the merrier.

I may have to give up my craft room for a little bit. My baby boy, all six feet and 200 pounds of him, may be moving back in for a little while. I have no idea what I'm going to do with all that yarn and fabric! I guess I better get to work doing some serious stash busting.

Wow, It's Been a Long Time

I really don't know what happened. I just haven't been able to do much crafting lately. I pick it up and try to force myself to do something but it never works. It's not that I'm going to stop altogether, I think I just needed a break. Maybe if I buy myself some fancy new yarn I'll feel more like doing something. So to all my loyal readers, I will return.