Boobie Beanie Crochet Free Pattern

The "Boobie Beanie"...

Nursing babies wear these soft 100% cotton hats to work towards raising awareness for breastfeeding.  They also help keep babies warm and bring huge smiles all around.

After experimenting with several different patterns floating around online I found The Oxford Family instructions to be the closest to what I was looking for.  To give the hat an invisible seam I changed the pattern in round 9 to "slst, ch 1, DC in a continuous rnd through to 14 instead of "join with slst, ch 3" method.  This adaption changed the total stitches to 40.

A kind friend suggested different skin tones. 

Boobie Beanie,com sell these sweet hats in several different colours for under $10.

We were recently blessed with three great nieces so I am crocheting them myself for less then $5 each.  

Feel free to share your crochet project's and head over to our Facebook Page.  We would love to see them!

Cheers!

Crochet Apple Slice Key Chains Free Pattern

After crocheting a bunch of apple tawashi scrub's this weekend I was thinking how cute they would be as mini key chains...

Imagine how adorable they will look attached to the gift tags of our apple dish cloths!

Free Apple Slice "Key Chain"

Crochet Pattern

Apple Slice With cream, ch 2. (work in continuous rnds) Rnd 1: 6 sc in first ch. Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sts. Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around – 18 sts. Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around – 24 sts. change yarn to country red, green or yellow Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around – 30 sts.  Fasten off leaving a long tail.

FINISHING 
With brown yarn, embroider a straight st for apple seeds. Fold Apple Slice in half to form a semi-circle and weave long tail to sew closed.

LEAF 
With green, ch 5. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, Sc in next 2 ch's, 3 sc in last ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, Sc in next 3 ch's, sl st in top of beg ch. Fasten off. Tie or sew on Leaf.

Hanging Loop 
Join brown yarn with a sl st at one corner of Slice. Ch 6, join with sl st in first ch. Fasten off. Weave or snip ends.
Attach a metal key chain loop.
Pattern adapted from the Lion Brand Tawashi Scrub.

These tiny whole apples were an experiment and I didn't follow any specific pattern (please note the different sizes and shapes) but once I get it right I will jot it down and share.

Feel free to share your project's on our Facebook Page.  We would love to see them!

Crochet Fruit Basket Free Pattern

Braided Rag Rug in 4 Easy Steps

My kids and I have caught a bit of rug-a-luv fever.  We have three rugs on the go using different techniques and recycled fabric. The woven braided rug shown today was by far the fastest.

With just a few rug braiding supplies totaling $12.89 the three of us were able to complete this project in one day.

Supplies:

• Recycled clothing or ripped fabric strips.
• Floor mat ($1.25 at the Dollar store) or material base.
• 2 tubes of multi-surface or fabric glue (waterproof).
• Tapestry needle and yarn.
• Scissors.

Step 1

Secure the top of three strips of fabric together. We used string.  An elastic band or tape is fine too.  If you have children who can manage a braid this is a great time to engage them in the rug craft process.  Continue to braid the fabric together until the height of the mat is reached with a bit of overhang.  

Step 2

Place glue (follow instructions on the tube because from experience some glue can turn your fabric a different color) on the mat and press each of the braided fabric strips down firmly in tight rows.  The glue took a day to cure outside in the fresh air.

Half way done!

Step 3

Weave or sew each braided strip together along both ends and trim any long pieces off the overhang on both sides.  We weaved the strips together and tied a knot at the end of each strip.  This step gave the rug a finished look.

Step 4 (optional)

Spray on Polycrylic to make the rug waterproof.

Please refer to "A Beautiful Mess" for more detailed instructions. Her rug turned out stunning and was the original inspiration for our rug.  We simply added the floor mat base to make the rug "non-slip" on our linoleum floors.

Our rug turned out better then we hoped for. It's beautiful, durable and feels wonderful on our feet!     

Feel free to share your projects and photo's on our Facebook Page.  We would sure love to see them!

Heirloom Afghan SPA Cloths

Amigurumi Bunny Crochet Free Pattern

 Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting stuffed animals.  Up until this weekend the word " Amigurumi" alone was intimidating to me never mind the thought of sewing all the bitty pieces of body parts together.   

Then I took a leap and bravely tried this cute Amigurumi Bunny Pattern by Lion brand and couldn't believe how amazingly easy it was.  I believe my 8 year old daughter could comfortably handle this project!

PATTERN: (5 mm hook)

HeadWith A, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first chain. Mark first st for beg of rnd; move marker up each rnd.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * around – 18 sc.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around – 24 sc.
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 3 sc; repeat from * around – 30 sc.
Rnds 6-10: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 11: *Sc2tog, sc in each of next 3 sc; repeat from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 12: *Sc2tog, sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around – 18 sts.
Rnd 13: *Sc2tog, sc in next sc; repeat from * around – 12 sts.
Stuff firmly.
Rnd 14: Sc2tog around – 6 sts.
Fasten off. Sew on beads or felt circles for eyes. With 2 strands of floss, embroider a straight stitch ‘Y’ at center of face for nose.

Tail
With B, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first chain. Mark first st for beg of rnd; move marker up each rnd.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
Rnds 3 and 4: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 5: Sc2tog around – 6 sc.
Stuff very lightly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to Body.

Body
Note: Body is worked beginning at lower edge.
With A, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first chain. Mark first st for beg of rnd; move marker up every rnd.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * around – 18 sc.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around – 24 sc.
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 3 sc; repeat from * around – 30 sc.
Rnds 6-8: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 9: *Sc2tog, sc in each of next 3 sc; repeat from * around – 24 sts.
Rnds 10 and 11: Sc in each sc around.
Begin stuffing firmly, add stuffing as work progresses.
Rnd 12: *Sc2tog, sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around – 18 sts.
Rnds 13-15: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 16: *Sc2tog, sc in next sc; repeat from * around – 12 sts .
Rnd 17: Sc in each sc around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to Head.

Arms (make 2)With A, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first chain. Mark first st for beg of rnd; move marker up each rnd.
Rnds 2-6: Sc in each sc around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to Body. Stuff firmly.

Legs (make 2)With B, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first chain. Mark first st for beg of rnd; move marker up each rnd.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
Rnd 3: Sc in each sc around. End off B.
Rnds 4 and 5: Join A. Sc in each sc around.
Stuff firmly.
Rnd 6: Sc2tog around – 6 sc.
Rnds 7 and 8: Sc in each sc around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to Body

EARS (make 2)With B, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in first chain. Mark first st for beg of rnd; move marker up every rnd.
Rnds 2 and 3: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * around – 6 sc.
Rnds 5 and 6: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 7: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around – 8 sc.
Rnds 8 and 9: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 10: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 3 sc; repeat from * around – 10 sc.
Rnds 11-12: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 13: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 4 sc; repeat from * around – 12 sc.
Rnds 14 and 15: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 16: *2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 5 sc; repeat from * around – 14 sc.
Rnds 17-26: Sc in each sc around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to Head.

Finishing

Sew Head to Body. Sew Arms on either side of upper Body. Flatten Ears and sew to Head. Sew Feet on either side of lower Body. Sew Tail to lower back of Body.

Crochet pattern compliments of Lion Brand.

The original pattern is worked with wool.  I wanted a softer bunny and went with 100% cotton yarn.  Next time I may try 2 strands as the stuffing shows a bit in places. 

Here is a great read for beginners called All About Amigurumi.

Free Crochet Basket Pattern

Good luck! Please feel free to share your finished project's on our Facebook Page.  We would love to see them!

Chalkboard Paint Door Hanger D.I.Y.

"Shh, I'm counting" is a phrase that can be heard at least once a day in our house. We found it printed on a hat but not being much of a hat person I asked my crafty daughter to make a door hanger sign.

The wooden door hanger was purchased at our local dollar store.  It was then covered with a couple of coats of black chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint is sold  in several different colours or you can even try making it yourself! "A Beautiful Mess" provides step-by-step photo's and instructions for making acrylic chalkboard paint.

I love how the signs are rewrite-able.  Here is a good collection of possible phrases for the signs: 

Bedroom Door:

Shh! I'm doing my homework

Emily's Room

Shh! Baby Asleep

Please Do Not Disturb

No Boys Allowed!

Front Door:

Welcome

Sorry! We Can't Play Now

Back in 5 minutes

Halloween: Out of Treats

Happy Fall Y'All

The hangers can be simple or glamoured up with glitter and gems. We plan to tie a piece of chalk with a ribbon to the hole at the top.

Happy chalking!

Crochet Hook Size Conversion Chart

Crochet hook sizes can be confusing. I consider myself an intermediate crocheter and I still get mixed up. Here is a hook size conversion chart for easy reference.

METRIC SIZES(mm)	US SIZES	UK/CANADIAN
2.0	-	14
2.25	B/1	13
2.5	-	12
2.75	C/2	-
3.0	-	11
3.25	D/3	10
3.5	E/4	9
3.75	F/5	-
4.0	G/6	8
4.5	7	7
5.0	H/8	6
5.5	I/9	5
6.0	J/10	4
6.5	K/10 1/2	3
7.0	-	2
8.0	L/11	0
9.0	M/13	00
10.0	N/15	000

When in doubt or if I don't have the right size of hook I tend to experiment and do some calculations.  Keep in mind the thicker the yarn the higher the hook.  

Another handy tool for crocheting is a ruler.  With kids in the house we have several but they disappear constantly (kind of like socks in the dryer).  Here is a fantastic link to an online ruler that adjusts to fit your screen:  Online Ruler.

Cheers!

Crochet Pinecone Craft

Crochet Pumpkin Finger Puppets Pattern + Song

These little bitty finger puppets are so cute I just had to crochet 'em!  I made a bunch of the pumpkins and then remembered the 5 little Pumpkins finger play song.  My kids found this quite entertaining and corrected me as went along because I couldn't remember the exact wording (see below).

Free Pumpkin Finger Puppet Crochet Pattern: 

PUMPKIN
Rnd 1 - Make 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Rnd 2 - 2 sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3 -  1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next* repeat * around (18)
Rnd 4-6 - Sc around (18). Embroider eyes and mouth   
Rnd 7 - *1 sc, 2 sc2tog * around (12)
Rnd 8 - sc2tog around (6)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Compliments of Lady Crochet.

 We opted to fabric glue googly eyes instead of embroidery.

My daughter thought the finger puppets would make cute oranges after Halloween so we stuck black duct tape mouths on the little pumpkins to be peeled off later. 

5 Little Pumpkins Halloween Song:

5 little pumpkins sitting on a fence.

The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late!"

The second one said, "There are bats in the air!"

The third one said, "Well we don't care!"

The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run!"

The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"

Whoo-ooosh went the wind

And out went the light

And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

Spider and Ghost instructions here.

More Finger Play Songs for Halloween from Kid'n'Kaboodle.

Feel free to share your project's on our Facebook Page.  We would love to see them!

Cheers!

Pinecone Crochet Nature Craft

My children reserved a table today for their first ever Fall Craft Fair.  After all their excitement I helped them get busy making pinecone ornaments to display on their table.

We chose to crochet over pinecones mainly because we have a lot of them.  Secondly, they stitch up fast with a single crochet stitch and the counting is easy enough for a kids activity.  

Plus, they look so warm and inviting in a fall harvest arrangement.

And just beautiful hanging from a Christmas tree. I think the kids will manage well.

 We love the way the natural beauty of the pinecone shows through the mesh crochet design.  A little dab of peanut butter and a sprinkle of bird seed and we have a feeder!

They even look good tossed on this Basket of pinecones!

Ocean Crochet Stones

We were busy this summer learning to crochet ocean stones and the desire to highlight nature just grew from there.

Free Pinecone Pattern:

Crochet hook 6.0

Sc 4, join with sl st to form a ring

2 sc in each stitch around

*ch 5,  skip 1 sc, sc in next sc* repeat * to * around until length is 3/4 from the top of the pinecone (lay the crochet down beside the cone to measure) slip the crochet piece on the pinecone inching it up as if putting on a sock or pantyhose

*ch 2 or 3 depending on the size of your pinecone, skip 1 sc, sc in next sc* repeat * to * around to the top of the pinecone

sl st the top 

ch 8 for a hanging loop and sl st, finish off and weave in ends.

The kids scented the pinecones with essential holiday oils by rubbing a few drops on the cones and storing them in a sealed bag for one week.  I supervised closely because I know from our soap making experience how many a "few" drops is to the kids...I can still catch a strong whiff of gingerbread every now and then! Cinnamon applied with a bit of glue is a nice alternative to essential oil and works for both Fall and Winter holidays.

Crochet Harvest Basket Free Pattern

Feel free to share your project's on our Facebook Page.  We would love to see them!

Crochet Harvest Basket Free Pattern

Claire harvesting apples this morning.

It was a gorgeous day at our local apple barn today.  My daughter had a blast picking just right apples for a pie.  The basket she filled with apples is a little different then the ones we usually crochet.  It has handles and looks like a basket but when picked up it kind of expands and is slouchy. It's a hybrid between a market bag and a basket.  I'm calling it a "Harvest" Basket.

I crocheted this basket by stitching 4-ply cotton over para cord or parachute cord.  The same results can be achieved with this pattern whether crocheting with a double strand, heavier yarn, twine or rope.   

To crochet over para cord I simply placed it in my path from the opposite direction of the yarn at the beginning of the instructions and then stitched around it pretending like it wasn't there.  Some patterns introduce it in the second or third round but I found the center firmer when inserted right at the start. 

Free Crochet Harvest Basket Pattern

Crochet with two strands of yarn and a size 6.5 hook.  

(Note: Ch 3 at beg of row counts as dc.)

ch 4. Join with sl st to form ring.

1st rnd: Ch 3. 11 dc in ring. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 12 dc.

2nd rnd: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. 2 dc in each dc around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 24 dc.

3rd rnd: Ch 3. 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next dc. 2 dc in next dc.
Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 36 dc.

4th rnd: Ch 3. 1 dc in next dc. 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in each of next
2 dc. 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 48 dc.

5th rnd: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. 1 dc in each of next 3 dc.
*2 dc in next dc. 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 60 dc. 

6th rnd: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. *2 dc in next dc. 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3.  

7th rnd: Ch 1. sc into the back loop of the next stitch and all the way around. Then sl st to the beginning ch. Ch 1.

8th to 10th rnd: sc in each st around or until the basket reaches the height you desire. Join with a sl st. Ch 1.

11th rnd Handles: sc 1/4 of the round, Ch 15, skip 15 sc, sc another 1/4 of the round, Ch 15, skip 15 sc, sc in each remaining st around. 

12th rnd: sc in each st around including 15 sc in ch's for both handles, sl st. Finish off and weave in ends. 

Ch = chain

sl st = slip stitch

dc = double crochet

sc = single crochet 

rnd = round

Crochet Fruit Basket Pattern

Feel free to share your project's on our Facebook Page.  We would love to see them!

Madeline Holiday Love

While routing through our dress up bin for Halloween stuff we came across an old Madeline Costume. I'm surprised it is still in one piece -- my daughter wore it everyday for six months!

Tired lil' trick-or-treater!

 Uh huh, we had a Madeline Halloween... 

A Madeline Birthday...

Our "Hat Cake" was made easy peasy by placing one smaller cake on top of a larger one and completely covering it with yellow icing.  A red fruit roll up made a yummy bow.  Fondant icing would be a nice touch on this cake but at the time I had never heard of it.  


Tip:

Little Delights Cakes provides excellent D.I.Y. instructions. If you really want to go all out Craftsy offers "Wilton Method" Fondant online classes or you can let your youngest help like I did (it tasted much better then it looked).

The room was decorated with red and blue streamers and helium balloons.

Madeline foil balloons were ordered online.  

My daughter's very simple Madeline birthday party was a smashing hit! 

• Everyone giggled through musical chairs to an old house in Paris wind up music box that played a Madeline tune from the video's. 
• Madeline colouring pages were spread out on a card table. 
• A reading corner with beanbags and pillows was set up with all of the Madeline books spread about.
• Madeline DVD's were played after the cake with popcorn and treats.  
• Afterwards everyone walked around practicing their french.

Genevieve is never very far away from Claire.

And last but not least a Madeline Christmas...

Madeline Stockings D.I.Y. style were made at the last minute on Christmas Eve by cutting out shapes from brown, black, cream, white, red, blue and yellow felt.  I arranged them on the stocking and got out the hot glue.  

Madeline Stocking close up. 

 Both of my children wore their Madeline dress up costumes on Christmas Day.

There's the little tin musical wind up box!

Deluxe Madeline costumes can be ordered online. You can also purchase one used on eBay. Kidspot has some really great ideas for a D.I.Y. Madeline dress.

We are re purposing one of the costumes to make tiny Madeline clothespin dolls inspired by Sew Crafty Mama --can't wait! 

 Feel free to share your project's on our Facebook Page.  We would love to see them!

Au revoir! 

Cupcake Liner Birthday Decoration