New Baby Stuff!

I was busy this weekend! A friend gave me some yarn and included was some absolutely delicious baby yarn! Oh, the fun I had!
Among the people I know there must be a bug going around...quite a few are either pregnant themselves or one of their kids are! In the last year, two have become grandparents and three have either had babies or are pregnant. And the year before had a good crop, too!
So. I had one blanket made already...I needed pictures for my shop... and this weekend I made another as well as my first lovey! As soon as I find out what my cousin is having...or find out she's not finding out!...I'll get her an afghan made.
Her grandmother, my aunt, was one of two aunts who were always giving afghans. She passed a few years ago and the other isn't well. I believe I'm the only one of the cousins who crochets, so I thought it would be nice for her to get a handmade afghan, even though her gramma is gone.
The blanket is just s simple basket weave, and the lovey is a granny square with a simple stuffed ball that I threaded with hair and sewed a face on.

Basket Weave Baby Afghan
Approximately 30x40"
I used over half a skein of Bernat Baby Sport and almost two skeins of Bernat Baby Coordinates.
The border was done in Bernat Pipsqueak, and used about a quarter of a skein.
I used a G hook for the Afghan and an N hook for the border.
I switched colors every 10 rows.

Chain 102.
Row 1- In the 4th chain from the hook, dc. Dc in each CH across. CH 3, turn.
Row 2- skip the first dc. Hdc in second dc. *Fpdc in next 3 dc, bpdc in next 3 dc.* rep * to * to the last 2 dc. Hdc in last 2 dc. CH 3, turn.
Row 3- skip first hdc, hdc in next hdc. Fpdc in each fpdc, bpdc in each bpdc, across to last 2 hdc. Hdc in last 2 hdc. CH 3, turn.
Row 4- skip first hdc, hdc in next hdc. Fpdc in each bpdc and bpdc in each fpdc, across to last two hdc. Hdc in last 2 hdc. CH 2, turn.
Row 5 on- repeat row 3 twice, then row 4 twice, back and forth, every two rows, across until Afghan reaches desired length.
Border - in any corner, attach yarn. CH 3, 2 dc, in same stitch. *Dc in every other stitch to the next corner. 3 dc in corner.* repeat * to * around. Attach to top of CH 3 with a slip stitch. Finish off and weave in ends.
I'll post the lovey tomorrow!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/193123622/handcrafted-crocheted-baby-afghan-or?ref=shop_home_active_1

Basket Weave Infant Cocoon and Hat Set

I have just written a pattern for an infant cocoon and hat set that I would like to share with you.  I haven't had a lot of time lately to post anything, but I'm hoping that changes soon. I now have a shop on Etsy.com and this set is for sale there, along with several other items.
Basket Weave Cocoon and Hat Set

 

Basket Weave Infant Cocoon and Hat Set

By Rachel Simister

8 oz. worsted weight yarn in main color.

3 oz. worsted weight yarn in secondary color.

Size I hook

Yarn needle 

Gauge isn’t very important here. After crocheting the 5^th round, piece should measure approximately 6” across. If you’re way off, go up (if it’s too small) or down (if it’s too big) a hook size.

I don’t like the magic circle, so I don’t use it. If you like it, feel free to use it.

The stripes were added randomly, so you can change from the main color to the secondary color whenever you like. Work the last stitch in the round, hook through the top of the first dc, yo with new color and pull through in a slip stitch to change color. The number of rows done in the secondary color were also random.

Chain 2 does not count as a stitch.

Round 1. ch 4, join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a loop, ch 2, 12 dc in loop, join to 1st dc. (12dc)
Round 2. ch 2, 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Join to top of 1st dc. (24 dc)
Round 3. ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (36 dc)
Round 4. ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 2 sts. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (48 dc)
Round 5. ch2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (60 dc)

Round 6. ch 2, *FPDC in next 3 sts, BPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.
Round 7. ch 2, *BPDC in next 3 sts, FPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.

Round 8 on. Rep rounds 6 and 7 until cocoon measures approximately 19”, ending with main color. Do not fasten off, join secondary color.

Cuff

Round 1. Ch 2. Dc in each fpdc and bpdc around. Join with slip stitch to top of first dc.

Round 2-4. Ch 2. Fpdc in first dc. *Bpdc in next dc, fpdc in next dc* around. Join to top of first fpdc. Finish off.

 

Hat

Chain 2 does not count as a stitch.

Round 1. ch 4, join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a loop, ch 2, 12 dc in loop, join to 1st dc. (12dc)
Round 2. ch 2, 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Join to top of 1st dc. (24 dc)
Round 3. ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (36 dc)
Round 4. ch 2, *FPDC in next 3 sts, BPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.
Round 5. ch 2, *BPDC in next 3 sts, FPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.

Round 6 on. Rep rounds 4 and 5 until hat measures approximately 4”, ending with main color. Do not fasten off, join secondary color.

Round 1. Ch 2. Sc in each fpdc and bpdc around. Join with slip stitch to top of first dc.

Fasten off.

 

Weave in all ends in cocoon and hat.

Using Up Scrap Yarn

So, a friend of a friend is in need of baby stuff.  Well, my "baby" is 20, so I don't have anything, but I hate to see someone in need and not help if there's any way I possibly can.  Like most folks, my husband and I rarely see much of our money.  It's generally spent before we actually get paid, so there's nothing I could do in that regard, so I offered to make her a baby afghan out of leftover yarn.  She's having a girl, so was asking for girl stuff, but while this blanket is going to be colorful, I'm working with what I have. 

I was raised on the phrase "beggars can't be choosers", and I still live by it, so if what I make doesn't suit her, that's fine, I'm sure I can find someone who would appreciate it.  I don't mean to sound nasty, but I have made too many things for people, put time, effort, and thought into it, only to have them turn their noses up at it.  I don't want, need, or expect a big production of gratitude, but it would be nice to be thanked, and for the person to NOT look like I just handed them a bag of dog poop!  *sigh*  Sorry.

Usually those folks are the same ones who raise their eyebrows when they find out how much it is to buy an afghan.  No, they're not cheap.  Not to buy and not to make.  On average, I ask around $200 for a regular sized afghan.  For a blanket??  No, a blanket you can go to the store and buy for $20.  This is a hand made afghan.  Not only that, but my afghans are made to order.  Bigger or smaller, whatever colors you like, and if you want to pay for Merino, I can do that, too!  (That's gonna be a hell of a lot more than $200, though!).  Once I take out the price of the yarn and break it down into all the hours I put into it, I'm making about half minimum wage.  Oh, well, you can do this sitting on the sofa in front of the TV.  Yeah...I can...but it's still work.  It still makes my carpal tunnel act up sometimes, I still get a stiff neck and sore shoulders from it!

I have looked at several calculators that are supposed to help you price your hand made items.  HA!  I should be charging at least three times what I do!  Now, there may be s few folks out there willing to put that kind of money out for an afghan, but I certainly don't know any of them!  I know I had an aunt who made quilts and she could sell just the tops for $600 each, but I don't see that happening here. 

Anyway...

I've just done a simple half double.  I have more blue and purple yarn, so I do five rows of one, then six rows, each one a different color, in no special order, then five rows of the other.  It's not baby-ish and it's not girly, but it's colorful...and it's free!

Finally Back!

Finally.  About a month ago, my 3 month old computer fatally crashed.  I got it back the other day.  I feel like I should get something out of it beyond them fixing it for free, I mean come on!  3 months and it dies?  *sigh*  Frustrating!

So, I've been busy.  Just a little bit!  I started and finished a baby blanket for a friend's first grandson.  I used the pattern I've already posted, the vertical lattice, but it's yellow this time. 

 

I think it turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself!

 

Our oldest son came home last month, too.  He's been stationed in Hawaii since 2010 and is finally home.  Big adjustment for all of us.  He's planning on going to school next spring, so now it's working on getting a job. 

 

Feeling a bit off with all that's going on, so please bear with me.

Vertical Lattice Baby Blanket

This is a pattern I wrote a couple of years ago for a baby blanket.  I had never written one before, but couldn't find one I really liked.  It was for a friend whose baby was due in early August, so I wanted one that was a little lighter weight than the ones I was finding.  I think it turned out beautiful, if I do say so myself...especially for a first timer!  I bought a big one pound skein of baby weight yarn, but had plenty left, so 550-600 yards.

This pattern is available for purchase in my Etsy shop here: Vertical Lattice Baby Blanket Pattern

Alternatively, if you would rather have one custom made for you, visit my Etsy shop, Vertical Lattice Baby Blanket. It's available in baby or throw size.