Simple Crochet Baby Sweaters..

Usually I crochet basic little baby, toddler or child's cardigans or jackets 'from scratch' based on a basic double or single crochet yoke. I decided to go looking on line for patterns that look similar to my own recipes and found quite a few. All appear to be very nice, basic patterns. I have used only two of them.

I used one (SLK saque) to crochet a cute, short sleeve cardigan for one of our great nieces. I used an H hook and Bernat Softee Baby - which is DK weight and slightly thicker than the recommended sport weight - as I needed a larger garment. Added a few rows to the body of the garment and chained 32 in place of 50 for the ties. Basically this is very like many other double crochet sweaters (cardigans..etc.). The instructions are clear and decreases are well placed for shaping the short sleeves and garment body. I did need to sew up gaps left at each underarm. Good beginner pattern.

SLK BABY SAQUE
http://susan.kraus.net/pages/pattern4.html

Here are a few more free patterns for simple, basic baby sweaters:

CUTE AS A BUTTON BABY SWEATER
Has photo.
Beginner pattern.
J Hook
Sport Yarn
Size 3 to 6 months (can be increased)
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/patterns/cute_as_a_button_baby_sweater.php

BABY IT's COLD OUTSIDE
Has photos; including how to assemble photos.
Adapted from an older knit pattern
Lion Brand Homespun Chunky Yarn
2 buttons
H hook
http://www.crochetme.com/Feb_Mar_2005/patt_baby_sweater.html

BETH'S BABY SWEATER
Has photo.
Worsted Weight yarn
Size H crochet hook
http://bundlesoflove.org/CrochetedBabySweater

DONNA'S CROCHETED SWEATER
(I have used this pattern and rate it as an advanced beginner pattern. This makes a small infant size sweater.)
Has photo
Baby yarn
G hook
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/donnasweater.html

DONNA'S NEWBORN BABY SWEATER
Has photo
F hook
Baby yarn
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/donnasweater1.html

LIL' DARLIN BABY SWEATER
Has photo
3 to 6 months size
H hook
Caron Simply Soft
http://bythehook.blogdrive.com/archive/185.html

Wide Brim Crochet Hat Pattern

I wanted an old fashioned, wide brimmed hat... one that fit well and that has a gently stiff, medium wide brim. This is what I came up with. My husband says I ought to add a few flowers or ribbons.

GRAMMY BEE'S SUNDAY HAT

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My Fancy Red Hat
Red Heart Super Saver or Classic 4 ply worsted wt. acrylic yarn
Size G Crochet hook

Donot join rounds, use scrap of contrasting color yarn or bobby pin to mark start of each round.

Crown:
ROUND ONE:Chain 6 and join with a slip stitch to make a circle.
Chain one and work 10 sc in circle.

ROUND TWO: 2 sc in each sc around (20 sc)

ROUND THREE: sc in one and then increase in the next around.

ROUND FOUR: sc in two and then increase in the next around.

ROUND FIVE: work even (sc around with out any increases)

ROUND SIX: sc in 3 and then increase in the next.

ROUND SEVEN: work even

ROUND EIGHT: sc in 4 and then increase in next around.

ROUND NINE: work even

ROUND TEN: sc in 5 and then increase in next around

ROUND ELEVEN: work even

ROUND TWELVE: sc in 6 and then increase in next around

ROUND THIRTEEN: work even

ROUND FOURTEEN: sc in7 and then increase in next around

ROUND FIFTEEN: work even

ROUND SIXTEEN: on this round only; sc in the BLO (back loop only) of each sc around

SIDES OF CROWN:

ROUND 17: sc in 7 and then decrease in next around

ROUND 18: work even

ROUND 19: work even

ROUND 20: work even

ROUND 21: work even

ROUND 22: work even

ROUND 23: work even

BEGIN BRIM:
ROUND 24: working in BLO (this round only) sc in 7 and then increase in next around

ROUND 25: work even

ROUND 26: work even

ROUND 27: sc in 4 and then increase in next; and then at end of round sc in 3 and inc in last.

ROUND 28: sc in 2 and then increase in next: and then at end of round sc in one and inc in last.

ROUND 29: work even

ROUNDS 30 to 35: work even

V STITCH TRIM:

Join and chain 4.
Double Crochet in same stitch.
Chain one.

*Skip one stitch.
Work a V ST in next ( dc-chain one-dc).
Chain one.*
Repeat between * and * around.

End with chain one and join with a slip stitch in 3rd chain of begining chain 4.
Fasten off.

Weave in loose ends on inside of hat as invisibly as possible.
(Pull on the yarn "tail" on inside of hat to cinch up the starting ring.)
Feel free to make any changes. The brim can be worked differently. Also the crown can be used as a base for a different hat design.

Decorate to your heart's desire :-)

Anne , April24, 2007

The Joy Of Crochet Creativity

One of the JOYS of knowing how to crochet is realizing that, once we understand and can apply the basics, we have most of the tools we need to create and write out our own crochet recipes (patterns).

Anyone who can crochet; is able to read and follow patterns and who is familiar with crochet terminology can create (design) her or his own original crochet projects.

An original project is not an exact copy of some one else's pattern where you have simply changed the hook size or type of yarn used. It needs to be your own idea or your own version or revision of a basic pattern or idea.

An original pattern can contain elements found in other patterns and combined in such a way as to produce an original version. For example you might take a basic cardigan pattern and add worked in pockets, a fancy stitch pattern and a collar of your own design.

Which brings me to the subject of good, plain basic patterns or styles. These are what new designs are based on. Using crochet ( and knitting ) patterns can be compared to cooking with recipes. A good basic recipe gets passed around and many cooks make thier own changes and substitutions - which results in new versions. Just think .. over the years hundreds of versions of meatloaf, tuna casserole and oatmeal cookies have evolved. And, as with crochet or knitting some of the versions, by pure chance, are nearly the same as some one else's tuna casserole, meatloaf or oatmeal cookie. This is because we are all working with and recombining most of the same ingredients. The morale of this story is do not ever assume that because some one else's tuna casserole, meatloaf or oatmeal cookie tastes a lot like your Auntie Myrtle's special version that some one has stolen her recipe.

I challenge you to find a crochet pattern, design or idea that is purely, entirely, completely in every detail never done before new.

Crochet is a useful skill. Let's enjoy it. Let's create. Let's share. And let's not become posessive of what belongs to all.

A Just Right Crochet Cloche Hat

Last evening I used my HDC (Half Double Crochet) hat recipe to tailor a hat that fits me just right. Not too tight or too loose. I'd call this a cloche (close fitting) hat. I designed my original HDC hat to be a versatile starting place and to show off what multi colored (variegated ) yarn can do; for this hat I used Red Heart's "Stars and Stripes" (red, white and blue). This should fit most ladies and is a nice "chemo cap" when made with a soft yarn.

Here are my working notes:

H hook
Red Heart Super Saver or Classic or similar type yarn

Work HDC hat, medium size, total of 16 rounds.
Chain one and work 2 rounds of single crochet,
Change to size G hook and work one more round of sc.
Join in first sc and fasten off.

This is also pretty in plain colors.

My Grandma's Crocheted Slippers Pattern

My husband and I looked forward each year to a new pair of slippers made to fit our feet by my maternal grandmother. She did not use a written pattern. When it came my turn to be the winter slipper maker I needed to start from scratch and replicate her special recipe as best I could.

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You will need:
a size F or G crochet hook
a big eyed , blunt end ed yarn needle for sewing up
one 3.5 ounce skein of Red Heart Classic worsted weight (or similar type wool or yarn)

Chain 26

row one: single crochet in each chain ( 25 single crochet)

row two: (heel shaping) single crochet in 11 and them work two single crochet (increase) in next three. Single crochet in last 11. (28 single crochet) Mark center stitch (14th single crochet) with scrap yarn, a bobby pin or crochet stitch marker).

Turn. Chain One.

Row Three: ** single crochet in first stitch and double crochet in next** repeat until you reach the marked stitch. Work both a double and a single crochet in this same stitch. *double crochet in next stitch and single crochet in the next one* .

Repeat between * and * to end of row.

Turn work.

Row Four: Chain two ( the chain two serves as your first double crochet) . single crochet in second stitch ** double crochet in next and single crochet in next**.

Repeat between ** and ** to end of row.

Turn and chain one. This chain one does not count as a stitch.

Row Five: **single crochet in first stitch and double crochet in next.**

Repeat between ** and ** across row.

From here on repeat rows four and five alternately for pattern until piece is 8 1/2 inches.

Measure length along one side (rather than in the middle) with a ruler.

Toe decrease row: work single crochet decreases across row.
(or you can sc in one stitch and skip the next across)

Work a second decrease row the same way. Leaving about a 20 inch "tail" cut yarn and fasten off.

Thread tail into big eyed yarn needle. weave through single crochets in last decrease row . pull up very tightly and secure. Now hold the edges above the toe together and sew up for three inches.

Sew up heel. For best shaping and fit sew up the heel so that it looks like an upside down T.

neatly weave in and secure loose ends.

Turn slipper right side out.

FINISHING: On outside of slipper join yarn on one side of the heel seam and work two rounds of single crochet.

SIZING NOTE: These directions are for an average ladies foot ( shoe size 8 to 9). It is easy to adjust the size . For a child or a lady with small feet make the slipper 7 or 7/2 inches
long.

To check for size I stop part way and sew up the heel. the slipper can then be "tried on" to adjust the length. I write down what size each family member needs. We do not wear shoes in the house, so, I make slippers in all sizes for family and for guests. I use Red Heart yarn and they wear and launder well:)

EMBELISHING: You can make a crocheted or twisted cord tie to thread around, or even use ribbon. A fluffy pom pom, ribbon or crocheted tie bow , or a crocheted Irish rose or flower make them special. You can also crochet a fancier or deeper edging.

I like to add crochet ties on either side of the instep ( rather like ‘Mary Jane’s ) by tying on the yarn and chaining 30 on each side.

ENJOY!!!

NOTES:
I prefer to use a size F hook when making these for myself.




This pattern is a gift from me for your personal use or to share with friends only. Patterns can not be sold.

Why do I knit or crochet??

I do not recall how I first learned to knit. I do remember that knitting and crocheting were everday members of the family I grew up surrounded by.

It was my maternal grandmother who taught me the very basics of crochet and hand embroidery.

Many women say they knit or crochet (or both)because it is relaxing. I have also observed that quite a few are learning these skills for social reasons - to be doing what others are doing, to be part of a group or club or because they pin some spiritual meaning onto the activity. I knit and crochet and sew for the very ordinary reason that this is a way to create useful things and because it allows me an affordible way to provide needs in our family.

I enjoy teaching others who express a real interest.

Basic Crocheted Ladies Beret

Using a size H crochet hook work same as half double crochet hat up to the increase round for a small hat.

Work even for a total of 12 hdc rounds.

Chain one and work one round of single crochet.

Change to a size G hook and work 2 more rounds of single crochet.

On next round of sc skip over 4 stitches around evenly spaced ( equal distance apart).

Try on hat to see how it fits. (This will help you decide wether or not to change to a size F hook for last two rounds.)

Work 2 more rounds of sc.

Since I need a tighter fit I change to the size F hook. This beret is one of my favorites. It fits nicely and is a becoming style for an older lady ( or a young lady!). When we are older wearing hats help to hold in needed body heat.. did you know we can loose about 80 per cent of our bady heat right through the top of our heads?!

This is a basic pattern that can be made using different types and colors of yarn, worsted wieght cotton or wool for different looks and to match different outfits.