Pattern Review: Crochet Cloche Hats

Crochet Cloche Hats

A few weeks ago I was challenged to make one of these hats for one of my little cousins. The picture came from a Facebook post that was shared to my page and the post included a link to the pattern. My response, as it usually is, was that I would look over the pattern and give it a try. Unfortunately, what I didn't know at the time was that the original pattern was written in Russian. The link had another link for the pattern translated into English. This link is the link I used when trying to make the cloche hat.

I spent hours trying to decipher the pattern and have the instructions make sense. Finally I gave up on the written instructions and just focused on the pictures, but unfortunately the pictures didn't show each step of crocheting the cloche hat. In trying to make the pattern work I read the translator's note, which said that the translation was considered troublesome for many people in trying to make this hat. I was very frustrated when I read this because I don't think the translator should have shared the pattern, knowing the translated pattern was done poorly and therefore unusable. I then used Google to try to find a crochet stitch to replicate the pattern, but couldn't find the exact stitch.

Since this hat was meant to be a gift for one of my little cousins I continued working on replicating the hat shown in the picture and managed to make my hat look similar to the hat pictured, although far from identical. I am still working on finishing the floral applique for the crochet cloche hat, but I think my cousin will enjoy wearing it for Easter. I still need to find green yarn to make the leaves, but then I will post pictures of the final hat. If this hat is something that you want to see more of then please leave a comment below. I will be posting more hats for Easter in the next coming weeks.

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Update: finished pictures of the Easter Hat

Stash Buster: Infant Dress and Diaper Cover

If you have children, work with children, or have been around children in the last few months then you no doubt have heard all about Frozen. Frozen was even quite the hit with many adults. I personally have not seen Frozen, but one of my coworkers is a huge fan of Frozen. This coworker is pregnant with her first child, a girl, and I have been wondering how to incorporate Frozen into her baby gift. Then as I was working on another project, the crochet rug from last week's stash buster post, I noticed some white tulle and became inspired. This was the first time I made an infant dress with tulle and yarn as the primary materials. I was a bit hesitant with the outcome, but was pleasantly surprised with the result. This project ended up using several of my crating materials, including all of my white tulle, much of my Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Turqua, and almost all of my snowflake rhinestones. 

I haven't had the time to turn this project into a written pattern, but I can give you a general idea of how I created this infant dress. First, obtain a pattern for the size bodice you want to make. I used my own basic pattern for sweaters and bodices, but there are several great patterns available. I then used a size G crochet hook and the Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Turqua to crochet the bodice, but stopped before achieving the finished length. I stopped an inch under the armpits of the bodice. I then cut strips of the tulle to form the skirt. I didn't measure the tulle length, but just estimated the desire length of the skirt, and then cut all of the strips of tulle the same size. A helpful hint is to double the length of the skirt when cutting the strips of tulle. Doubling the length allows you to create the skirt without sewing. To attach the tulle strips to the crochet bodice I used a crochet hook and the no-sew method for creating tutus. Fold the tulle strip in half and pull the loop through one of the crochet loops on the bottom of the bodice and then pull the tulle ends through the tulle loop. Pull the ends tight and adjust the tulle so it lays flat against the bodice. Continue in this method until each crochet stitch along the bottom of the bodice has a strip of tulle attached.

Once the tulle skirt was finished I then took fabric glue and attached rhinestone snowflakes in various shades of blue to the strips of tulle. Alternatively you can use sequins. If your strips of tulle are uneven you can trim the tulle, but I recommend steaming the skirt before trimming. Another way to steam tulle is to hang it in the bathroom while you take a shower. The steam from the shower will  cause the tulle to straighten, allowing you an accurate depiction of skirt length. I chose to add rhinestone buttons to the bodice, but this might not be necessary depending on the bodice pattern you used. 

Since I used white tulle that is transparent I decided it was important to make a matching diaper cover. Using the same yarn and crochet hook used in the dress I made a diaper cover. Once again I have not had the time to write a pattern for the diaper cover, but diaper covers are very easy to make. Once the diaper cover was finished I cut pieces of Velcro and attached the Velcro to the diaper cover. I didn't add any embellishments to the diaper cover because it will be covered by the tulle skirt, but if the diaper cover were to be shown I would add a snowflake to the back of the cover.

If you are interested in the pattern for this Frozen-inspired tutu infant dress, please leave a comment below. I was really happy with how this dress came out and look forward to making more tutu dresses. If there are any other tutu dresses you want to see, let me know and I will give them a try.

Stash Buster: Crochet Rug

It is officially 2015 and that means it is a new year with new opportunities. I ended 2014 with many goals for the upcoming year, both personally and professionally. One of these goals I was able to put into place before the year ended, but the other goals I am actively working to implement as this new year starts, including moving to a new location. The decision to move to a location is a necessary change in the new year, but a decision that has many factors to consider. While I was initially looking at places that had an extra bedroom to turn into my craft room I have recently had to consider the possibility that my craft room will once again need to occupy only a portion of a room. This is not ideal. 

If you have read my previous posts then you may remember that my existing craft space is a portion of an existing room and that this is prone to unorganized chaos. I am working on a more organized craft environment, regardless of location, which means looking into storage options that optimize space while also fitting in with existing decor. I will post these options when I discover the best storage options for a small space. Another option in maintaining organization in a small space is having less craft supplies. I have thought about this dilemma for the last few weeks and cannot seem to just throw out my supplies. Of course there is the obvious option of giving the supplies to a friend or donating the supplies, but I haven't found anyone that really wants the supplies. My solution, as I work on finding a new location, is to make as many projects with my supplies as possible. My intent is to showcase these projects and provide my readers with quick, stash busting projects they make with their own excess craft supplies.

My first stash buster is a crochet rug made from 3 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Grey Heather, Coffee, and Turqua. I was actually working on a woman's hat, that just wouldn't retain the right shape, and noticed the 3 colors of yarns lying next to each other. This inspired me to create a project using these skeins of yarns. Initially I thought about designing a baby blanket with these yarns, but then thought the colors would make a nice rug. A rug that has become necessary by the new year's project of replacing the carpet in my home. This was a fairly quick project and very easy to make. I used a size G crochet hook. Since I was planning on making a rug I didn't calculate exact measurements. I cast on the set amount of stitches that would make the rug the desired width and then single crocheted in each stitch with the Grey Heather. I then alternated between the Turqua and Coffee. I continued in this manner until the piece reached the desired size for the rug.

I liked the finished rug so much that I ended up starting another rug using the 3 colors that better fit my decor. The rugs are easy to make and would make an excellent housewarming gift. There is no end to the many color possibilities or yarn choices you could make that would use up your yarn stash. If you make these crochet rugs please share your pictures in the comments below. I would love to see your creativity. If you have any other stash busters you would like me try feel free to leave a comment below. 

Happy New Year!

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1 and it is officially the start of 2015! Happy New Years! The start of a new year always holds so much excitement and anticipation for the coming days, weeks, and months. Even on my hardest years, when I am rather reluctant to celebrate, the new year represents the promise of a better year and a brighter future. Of course life has its ups and downs regardless of the year, but reflecting on the possibilities has a restoring affect on our lives. This is equally true of crafters reflecting on their goals for their future. Last year I shared a video of Threadbanger's resolutions for crafty people and made similar resolutions for myself. And like everyone else I have failed to keep all of my resolutions for myself and for my business. The important thing to remember, regardless of the resolutions you make, is not to set impossible goals for yourself, but to set goals that you can continually work on across years.The resolutions I set for myself last year will continue to be my resolutions for this year, with the addition of a few others, and I will continue to reflect on my goals for myself and my business. 

Last year, in my personal life, I set a resolution of recording daily the blessings in my life. I found this resolution to be helpful for refocusing me daily to the positives in my life and really enjoyed the benefits of this resolution throughout the year. Due to the benefits of this resolution I have decided to make a craft journal this year where I will reflect on the projects throughout the year, my struggles, and my success as a crafter, blogger, and business owner. I hope this will allow me to focus on what I have accomplished rather than what I haven't finished. Last year I set unrealistic goals for myself for my blog and ended up quitting under the influence of overwhelming frustration. This year I am trying to be mindful of my limitations. I am once again a student, working full time as a behavioral technician, while also trying to maintain the business I founded in 2010. There will be days, weeks, or months when I don't feel like I can blog because I am overwhelmed by life and that is ok. This year I am going to remember it is ok if I can't blog regularly and to celebrate when I do. 

Another resolution I plan on keeping this year is the resolution to finish my projects rather than continually starting new projects. I was not very successful at this last year, but I did manage to finish several projects. Red Heart Yarn once posted on Facebook that is helpful to have multiple projects at one time because then you always have a project to fit your mood. However, I have found that these endless projects are taking over my space and my life. So along with limiting the amount of projects I start I am going to work on finishing my current projects. This will cut back on the amount of clutter-related stress I endure while giving me the benefit of feeling accomplished and isn't that the point of resolutions: to feel better about yourself? As my project pile eventually shrinks down I will begin to incorporate a project limit for myself to prevent future project clutter. This doesn't just apply to projects, but craft supplies as well. I don't really need endless supplies of every craft supply imaginable and won't honestly use all of those supplies. This year I will be mindful of the craft supplies I purchase and more willing to part way with extra craft supplies.

My final resolution is to use my crafting abilities to give back to others. Last year I worked on several projects for charities while also volunteering my time, but this year I find myself short on time. I am unable to volunteer in person this year, but will inevitably continue crafting. I am hoping to finish many projects this year and will showcase the projects I finish, along with the charity, on this blog. As I am typing this I am thinking of two projects I would like to start working on: fleece hats for the homeless and tote bags for foster children. Both projects will include other items such as water bottles, hand warmers, and activities for children. I already have many of things I will need to work begin work on these projects. 

2015 is upon us and represents a wonderful opportunity for success in all areas of our lives. I am excited for the possibilities that await. I encourage all of you to leave your own craft resolutions in the comments below or your tips for ensuring your success in keeping those resolutions.