Friday, January 28, 2011

Think Spring!! Daffodils

I've searched and searched the internet for the perfect daffodil pattern without success.  So I've played around and have come up with my own version of a couple of different patterns that I tried.

This is what I came up with, I hope you like it!


Yarn: Baby Sport Weight Yarn (sport would also work fine) in pale yellow, white and green (orange would be nice too)
Needle: Susan Bates Crochet Hook Size F
Other: Pipe cleaners to give the stem stability (1/2 for each flower)

Stitches and Abbreviations Used:
  • ch = chain 
  • yo = yarn over
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • sc = single stitch
  • hdc = half double stitch (yo hook, insert hook in the next stitch to be worked, yo, pull yarn through stitch, yo and pull through all loops on hook)
  • dc = double stitch (yo hook, insert hook in the next stitch to be worked, yo, pull yarn through stitch, yo, pull yarn through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull yarn through last 2 loops on hook)
  • tr = treble stitch (yo hook, insert hook in the next stitch to be worked, yo, pull yarn through stitch, *yo, pull yarn through 2 loops on hook, repeat from * 3 times)
  • dtr = double treble stitch (yo hook, insert hook in the next stitch to be worked, yo, pull yarn through stitch, *yo, pull yarn through 2 loops on hook, repeat from * 4 times)
  • picot = ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook
  • Rnd = round

    Directions:

    Rnd 1: With F hook and pale yellow, ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3, 11 dc in ring, join with sl st in top of ch 3 (12 st).
    Rnd 2: Working this rnd in back loops only, ch 3, dc in each st around, join as before.
    Rnd 3: Working in both loops, ch 3, dc in each st around, join.
    Rnd 4: Ch 2, sc in first st, (ch 2, sc in next st) around, join with sl st in first ch of ch 2. Fasten off and weave in ends.

    Petals
    Rnd 1: Join white (or pale yellow) yarn with sc in front lp of any st on round 1, ch 2, skip next st, (sc in next st, ch 2, skip next st) around, join with sl st in first sc (6 lps).

    Rnd 2: Sl st in first ch lp, *(ch 2, tr, 3 dtr, tr, ch 2, sc) in same lp, sl st in next lp; repeat from * around.
    Rnd 3: *Sc in each of next 2 ch, sc in each of next 2 sts, (sc, picot, sc) in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, sc in each of next 2 ch; repeat from * around, join as before. Fasten off.

    Stem
    Rnd 1: Join green yarn with sc in front lp of any st on round 1. Sc in each loop around (including the loops used in Rnd 1 of the petals) (12 st)
    Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st around.
    Rnd 3: Ch 2, * hdc next 2 st together (yo, insert hook in the next stitch to be worked, yo, pull yarn through stitch, yo, insert hook in the next stitch to be worked, yo, pull yarn through stitch, yo and pull through all loops on hook). Repeat from * around.
    *Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next st, sc next 2 st together (insert hook in next st to be worked, yo, pull yarn through st, insert hook in next st, yo, pull yarn through, yo, pull yarn through all st on hook), sc in next st, sc next 2 st together. (4 st). Continue sc in each st around until stem is desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

    *Note: I found it easier to insert the pipe cleaner through the center of the flower when I'm about 6 or 7 Rnds in and work the stitches around it.  Pull the pipe cleaner through more as you go. This worked better than trying to push the pipe cleaner through the entire length of the stem as it seemed to catch on the stitches.

    Leaf
    Rnd 1: Ch 21, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 ch, sc in next 15 ch, 4sc in last ch. Continuing on opposite side of the chain, sc in next 15 ch, sl st in last 4 ch. Working up the center of the leaf sl st in each hole of the original ch. Finish off leaving enough yarn to sew to stem.

    Finishing
    Sew 1 or 2 leaves to each flower. I attached the leaf  at a slight angle on the stem from the bottom of the leaf about half way up and left the rest to curl.

    Inside activities, baking

    This winter seems to be lasting forever!! And it's not even the end of January yet!!  Trying to find new activities to keep my daughter occupied is getting harder and harder with each week.  This weekend I decided to try baking. Nothing fancy, just a boxed cake mix.  It went very well and she was so proud of herself she had to call her Nana to tell her 'I made cake Nan'.















    Everything made it into the bowl and not on the floor!














    I let her do alittle stirring by hand with the spatula and of course she loved it.  We will be doing more cooking projects soon. 

    If you haven't baked with your toddler yet I highly recommend it!!

    Monday, January 24, 2011

    Setting My Sites on Easter!

    I know it's not even Valentine's Day yet but I've got my sites set on Easter!

    One idea I have is daffodils. My Mom loves daffodils so I'm thinking of knitting or crocheting some to have my daughter give to her grandmothers and aunt on Easter. I might throw some tulips in there too.

    So I'm on the hunt for a good pattern.  The ones I've tried just don't match the picture in my head. Maybe it's time to design my own......stay tuned for that.

    Last year for Easter I made my daughter this beautiful Easter doll. 

    Not sure what to do for this year. Any suggestions or ideas are welcome!!! I was thinking she might like a topsy-turvy doll, but she loves Pooh bear too. Oh well. I'll start on the daffodils and hopefully an idea will come to me for the little one.

    Thursday, January 20, 2011

    Simple Toddler Key Hold Scarf

    Anyone who has tried to get a toddler all bundled up to go outside and play in the snow knows that the easier on and off a garment is the better!!  This scarf is as simple to slip on your toddler as it is to make.


    Begin by casting on 28 st. I used the cable cast on method but you can use whatever method you prefer.

    Work k2, p2 ribbing for approx. 24"


    Work first 6 st then continue working in k2, p2 pattern bind off the next 16 st, work last 6 st

    Work first 6 st in rib pattern, using the cable cast on method cast on 16 st, work last 6 st

    Continue in pattern for another 7 1/2" (or for as long as you'd like)

    Bind off in pattern, weave in ends and you're done!

    Happy Knitting everyone!!

    Wednesday, January 19, 2011

    New and Improved 'It's All In The Yarn' Toddler Hat now with Ear Flaps!

    ‘It’s All In The Yarn’ Toddler Hat with Ear Flaps



    While the hat fit our little subject perfectly I found that because her hair is so silky the hat kept riding up. So I decided to add ear flaps and i-cord ties.  Here is the modified pattern.

    Yarn: 1 skein Beehive Baby Sport Twists Yarn - Big Girl (you will have plenty of yarn left over for a matching scarf and maybe mittens too!)
    Needles: US size 3 circular and double points (or just double pointed if you don’t have circular)

    The yarn does all the work in this one!! I LOVE this yarn!

    Cast on 108 stitches using your favorite cast on method.  For this I used the cable cast on method.

    Beginning in the first stitch cast on (so you’re connecting in the round) begin your pattern of knit 2, purl 1. Be sure to mark the beginning of your row with a stitch marker.

    Continue in knit 2 purl 1 pattern for approx 40 rows. You can go more if you’d like, it’s totally up to you.  This is the part that allows you to customize it to your child. If I were to do it again (which I probably will) I would probably do about 50 rows to cover her ears better.

    Decrease rows:
    Decrease rows are done in knit only.

    1st Decrease row – *knit 8, knit 2 together, repeat from * around.
    Next row – Knit in pattern (knit 2, purl 1)

    2nd Decrease row - *knit 7, knit 2 tog, repeat from * around.
    Next row – Knit in pattern.

    Keep decreasing every other row knitting 1 less stitch before the knit 2 together until you knit 1, knit 2 tog (switch over to double pointed needles when the work gets too tight on the circular).

    Once you’re at that point the next row knit 2 together all around. Cut yarn and run it under all remaining stitches. Pull tight and weave in the ends to secure.

    Ear Flaps

    Pick up 18 st anywhere along the bottom edge of your hat making sure to begin with a knit stitch and end with a purl.

    Row 1: K2, P1 across, turn
    Row 2: K1, P2 across, turn
    Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have 18 rows.
    Row 19: ssk, p, ssk, p, k2, p, k2, p, k2t, p, k2t, p (you should have 14 st), turn
    Row 20: ssk, ssk, k, p2, k, p2, k2t, k2t (10 st), turn
    Row 21: ssk, ssk, p, k, k2t, k2t (6 st), turn
    Row 22: ssk, ssk, k2t (3 st), turn

    Using the remaining 3 stitches begin your i-cord and work for approx. 9"
    Bind off and weave in ends.

    I-Cord is worked by knitting across your 3 stitches. Without turning your work, slide the stitches across your needle and knit the stitches bringing the working yarn from the last stitch around to the first stitch. I hope that makes sense. If not there is a nicely done tutorial with pictures at http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=196. The only difference is the tutorial is done with 4 stitches.

    For placement of the second ear flap the easiest thing to do is try it on the subject. Mark the center spot of the ear then pick up stitches evenly on both sides.


    Stay tuned for the matching key hole scarf!!!

    Happy Knitting!!!




    Thursday, January 13, 2011

    'It's All In The Yarn' Toddler Hat

    ‘It’s All In The Yarn’ Toddler Hat

    This hat fits this adorable 2 year old. Because of the ribbed design this pattern will fit most children from infants to about 3 years old. Our model it a taller then most 2 year old.

    Yarn: 1 skein Paton’s Beehive Baby Sport in ‘Big Girl’  (you will have plenty of yarn left over for a matching scarf and maybe mittens too!)
    Needles: US size 3 circular and double points (or just double pointed if you don’t have circular)

    The yarn does all the work in this one!! I LOVE this yarn!



    Cast on 108 stitches using your favorite cast on method.  For this I used the cable cast on method.

    Beginning in the first stitch cast on (so you’re connecting in the round) begin your pattern of knit 2, purl 1. Be sure to mark the beginning of your row with a stitch marker.

    Continue in knit 2 purl 1 pattern for approx 40 rows. You can go more if you’d like, it’s totally up to you.

    This is the part that allows you to customize it to your child. If I were to do it again (which I probably will) I would probably do about 50 rows to cover her ears better.

    Decrease rows:
    Decrease rows are done in knit only.

    1st Decrease row – *knit 8, knit 2 together, repeat from * around.
    Next row – Knit in pattern (knit 2, purl 1)

    2nd Decrease row - *knit 7, knit 2 tog, repeat from * around.
    Next row – Knit in pattern.

    Keep decreasing every other row knitting 1 less stitch before the knit 2 together until you knit 1, knit 2 tog (switch over to double pointed needles when the work gets too tight on the circular).

    Once you’re at that point the next row knit 2 together all around. Cut yarn and run it under all remaining stitches. Pull tight and weave in the ends to secure.

    Stay tuned for the matching key hole scarf!!!

    Happy Knitting!!!