Christmas Tree Beanie: the pattern!

Remember this?



I promised to write the pattern for it ages ago, but then life happened (as it does, which is also the reason this blog has been inactive for so long). But I finally, finally wrote the pattern and put it up on Ravelry. So if you need to make a last-minute gift, or something festive to keep you warm in the following weeks, check it out! It's a super simple, super quick project.

Here's the link again.

Simple Crocheted Cowl

I've had this wonderfully soft thick-and-thin yarn in my stash for ages now, and I hadn't thought of anything cool to do with it, but since it's really, really cold right now, I thought it was time I made myself a cowl.



I didn't use a pattern for this. I just used a large hook and the woven crochet stitch, and made a large rectangle. I didn't make an actual buttonhole either, the gaps in this are large enough for the button to comfortably slip through.





I really like how warm and soft this is, and how it can look different depending on where I button it. For example, sometimes I like folding down the top edge of the cowl so it's a bit collar-like:

(Very belated) Christmas tree beanie

Hey, all! I finished this project during the holidays, as the title implies, but I've been once again procrastinating and just now got around to posting about it. Christmas might be over, but that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy a nice holiday project ;)

(Apologies for the mediocre photo quality, it was way too bright in my room when I took these.)



I spent all of December watching the Yogscast charity livestreams, and everyone kept wearing these adorable Christmas tree hats. I loved them so much that I couldn't resist trying to knit one for my very own. The livestreams were perfect to knit to as well!





I completely improvised the pattern, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out (even though I wish I had used a less soft acrylic yarn so the beanie wasn't so droopy. On the plus side, though, it's super comfy). It's knitted on straight needles and sewed up at the back, and the star is crocheted and stuffed so it's all puffy and squishy :D

I'm thinking about maybe writing up a pattern for this, but it's still a while until next Christmas, so we'll see.

Owl Hat!

I had my birthday last week, and since the weather's thankfully getting cold enough for hats, I thought I'd make this as a birthday present to myself :D I've been seeing a few owl hats around lately, and I think they're adorable, so I was inspired.





The pattern I used is this one. I did the teen/adult size, which ended up being a little big for me (or maybe I just like my hats a little snug, I don't know).

I also made a few modifications to the pattern - made the earflaps longer and a bit rounder, changed the nose a bit, and I also added a pom pom at the top and a single crochet edge using all the colors. I used two buttons for the eyes.

I'm really pleased with it. I always wanted a hat with earflaps!

Cat Hat

I recently found this amazing post with a pattern for a cat beanie, and I naturally thought it was the most amazing thing in the entire world. I immediately had to make one for my cat, Kida.


"I hate you."

I modified the pattern a fair amount, and added ribbing and a pom pom, but the basic principle is pretty much the same :D I kept giggling to myself while making this. Kida was NOT impressed.

I think I'm going to make a bunch of these. They're just too amusing.

More gloves, and headbands

It's really chilly here, so I recently made a pair of my v-stitch gloves for myself.



The cuff is knit instead of crocheted.



I also whipped up a couple of simple crocheted headbands today.





I keep making these kinds of headbands in all kinds of colors. They're so quick and easy to make, but so cute.

Granny Square Bag

Long time no update!

I've had a pretty busy summer, but I've had some downtime the past couple of weeks, so one of my biggest WIPs is finally, finally done.

WIP Part 2

What my desk looks like right now.

WIP

Working on a project for my best friend's birthday.



It involves a lot of granny squares ;)

Camera Case

I just got a new camera, and I'm pretty obsessed with it. I've been carrying it around everywhere, so, to avoid getting it scratched and damaged while banging around in my bag, I crocheted a case for it.





It's basically three crocheted rectangles - one for the front, one longer one for the back and flap, and one thin and really long one for the sides and bottom. To make the corners sharper I used front/back loop only stitches. I sewed the whole thing together and added details with turquoise yarn, and used a matching bead for the closure.



Modelled by my tiny cell phone.

Crocheted brimmed cap

I've been meaning to crochet a brimmed hat for a while, but I hadn't found a pattern I really liked, until I found this great pattern on Ravelry.



I modified it a bit, because my yarn wasn't very bulky, like the pattern called for. I also added a strap and two buttons from my stash.

V-Stitch Fingerless Gloves Free Pattern

My sister always complains that I never crochet anything for her. She had been asking me to make her a pair of fingerless gloves for ages, but I never got around to it because she is terribly picky :P A few months ago, however, I was sick and stuck in bed for an entire weekend, so I finally came up with a pattern that pleased her.



She wanted something not too lacy, not too plain, without too many or big holes but still with an interesting design. (Like I said, picky).





There is a handy PDF version of the pattern, if you prefer.

Yarn: Worsted weight
Hook: 4.5mm/U.S. G

Abbreviations
Ch: chain
Sc: single crochet
Dc: double crochet
Sl st: slip stitch
FPHDC: Front-post half-double crochet
BPHDC: Back-post half-double crochet

Cuff
Ch 28, join with sl st, being careful not to twist the chain,
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in every stitch around, join to ch 1 with sl st
Round 2: Ch 1, *FPHDC in next sc, BPHDC in second sc, repeat from * around, join with sl st to ch1
Round 3-4: Repeat Round 2.

Glove
Round 5: Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch, *skip 2 stitches, 3 dc in third stitch, repeat from * around until there are only 2 stitches left, join to ch 2
Round 6: Sl st in middle dc of dc cluster, ch 4, dc in same stitch, *dc in middle stitch of next dc cluster, ch 1, dc in same stitch, repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch of ch 4
Round 7: Sl st in ch 1 space, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, *3 dc in next ch 1 space, repeat from * around, join to ch 3
Round 8: Repeat Round 6
Round 9: Repeat Round 7

Thumb space
Round 10: Repeat Round 6 until the last dc cluster, skip the last dc cluster, and join to 3rd chain of ch 4 with sl st
Round 11: Repeat Round 7
Round 12: Repeat Round 6
Round 13: Repeat Round 7
Round 14: Ch 1, sc in every stitch around, join to ch 1, fasten off.

Optional: Thumb
Join yarn at thumb opening.
Round 1: Ch 1, *sc in every stitch, 2 sc in side of dc space created by Round 10 of pattern, repeat from * around thump space, join with sl st to ch 1
Round 2-3: Repeat Round 1.

Tips for increasing/decreasing the pattern:
-You need a multiple of three plus one for the starting chain.
-For a larger hand, in Round 10 of pattern you may need to skip the last two dc clusters instead of just the last one.