4. The Terry Beanie

Good morning lovelies,

Day 4, day 4. My little pile of hats is growing. Photos have started rolling in and I have to say, you guys, your hats are amazing! So many colours and patterns and already we're getting close to the 100 mark, and that's just the ones I know about! Well done!

So today's pattern is a nice little beanie, and great for those small balls of colour that need using up. My fabulous testers have made this in so many colours and it looks wonderful!

Sized To Fit:

28-30 Weeks Gestation

You Will Need:
DK weight yarn in a main and contrasting colour.
4.5mm hook

All stitches are in American terms.

Starting chain does not count as a stitch until round 4.

With main colour
1. Into a magic ring, ch3, dc 12 times, join to the first dc. - 12

2. Ch3, 2dc in the same stitch, 2dc in each stitch around, join. - 24 (5.5cm/2.1”)

3. Ch3, dc in the same stitch, *2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch*, repeat around, join - 36 (8.5cm/3.3”)

4. Change to contrasting colour, ch3 (counts as first dc), 3dc in the same stitch, skip 3 stitches, *4dc in the next stitch, skip 3 stitches*, repeat around, join to the top of ch3. - 9 clusters

5. Ch1, sc in the same stitch and in each stitch around, join to first sc. - 36

6-7. Change to main colour, repeat rounds 4-5

8-9. Change to contrasting colour, repeat rounds 4-5

10. Change to main colour and ch1, sc in the same stitch and each stitch around, join. -36

End off and weave in all tails.

A note on changing colours: You can end off and rejoin the yarn if this is your preferred method, however, to minimise ends to weave in, you can simply drop your working yarn, and pick up the new colour.

Finished Measurements: 11cm (4.3 inches) total height, 13.5cm (5.3 inches) across the brim.

Stashbuster Slippers - Free Crochet Pattern

Hello all!

Miss L (Who is now almost 13, my where has that gone??) recently wore a hole in the bottom of her slippers and requested a new pair. It's been snowing on the mountains here lately so slippers are a must have to keep little toes warm. Miss L asked for some that would "cover most of my foot and look like my flats" Hrm, Ok kiddo, one pair of slippers coming up!

These are great stashbusters, not only do they use 2 strands at once (and the more random the colour paring the better!) but they don't use a great deal of yarn, so you can use up them leftover part balls. You should be able to whip these up in an hour or so making them a great last minute gift as well.
I had a strong urge to put a big fluffy pompom on the toes but it was met with looks of unimpressed-ness from the preteen. Ok ok, no pompoms. But I bet they would look really fun with them too!

If you need to make them smaller or larger, adjust the starting chains and then add/subtract from the stitches at the sides (leave the decreases the same)

Size:
Woman's size 5aus (my daughters foot is 23cm long, and it's designed to fit her foot snugly.)

Supplies:
8mm hook
2 balls of DK weight yarn. (I used one ball of white acrylic and one ball of rainbow variegated acrylic)

Scrapbuster Slippers

Holding both strands together;

1: ch22, dc into the 3rd chain from hook. dc in the next 18 chains, dc 6 times in the end chain, working down the opposite side (into the same chains) dc in the next 19 chains, join. (44)

2: ch2, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc 17, 2dc in each of the next 4 stitches, dc 17, 2dc, dc, 2dc, join. (52)

3: ch1, sc in the back loops only around, join. (52)

4: ch2, dc around, join. (52)

5: ch1, sc 14, sc2tg 12 times, sc 14, join. (40)

6: ch1, sc10, sc2tg 10, sc 10, join. (30)

7: ch1, sc 12, sc2tg, sc 2, sc2tg, sc 12, join. (28)

8: ch1, sc around, join. End off and weave in tails.

Make a second slipper and your done!

Molly Bonnet - Free Crochet Pattern

Good morning everyone.
Today's pattern is a super easy beginner one for a sweet little bonnet. It only uses dc's, hdc's and chains and is very fast to make. This bonnet will fit a bub of around 22 weeks and looks great in all sorts of colours.

You will need:
8ply/dk/light worsted/ weight 3 yarn in a main and contrasting colour.
4mm hook

Starting with main colour
1. ch3, dc 10 times into the 1st ch, join.
2. ch3, 2dc in each stitch around, join
3. ch3, *2dc in the first stitch, dc in the next sticth*, repeat around, do not join.
4. ch3, turn, dc in each stitch across.
5-7. ch3, turn, dc across.
8. ch2, do not turn, evenly work  hdc stitches along the neckline of the bonnet (edges of the dc rows) until you get to the corner. End off main colour.
9. With contrasting colour, chain 25, join to the corner of the bonnet, ch2, hdc in each stitch across until the second last stitch, ch2, sl st into the last stitch, ch25 and end off.

Weave in all tails and ends and if you like attach decorations.

Lemon Tartlet - Playfood

Good morning beautiful people. Hope we are all having a fine one. Today's playfood pattern is for a very cute lemon tartlet, complete with cream and a lemon slice. Of course you could easily change the colours and make an orange or lime tartlet using the exact same pattern. Hope you enjoy this fat free pattern :) YUM! 

You will need

3mm hook
Stitch marker
Small amounts of yellow, brown and cream yarn in your chosen weight.
I use DK/8ply yarn for all my playfood. If you use worsted weight yarn your tartlet will be larger.

With yellow yarn
1: ch2, sc into the 1st chain 6 times, place marker - (6)
2: 2sc in each stitch around - (12)
3: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around - (18)
3: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next 2 stitches*, repeat around - (24)
4: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next 3 stitches*, repeat around - (30)
5: sl st in the next stitch and then end yellow.
Join Brown Yarn
6: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next 4 stitches*, repeat around, join - (36)
7: sc in each stitch around, back loops only, place marker - (36)
8: *sc2tg, sc in the next 4 stitches*, repeat around - (30)
9: sc in each stitch around - (30)
10: *sc2tg, sc in the next 3 stitches, back loops only*, repeat around - (24)
11: *sc2tg, sc in the next 2 stitches*, repeat around - (18)
Stuff tart.
12: *sc2tg, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around - (12)
13: sc2tg around - (6)
End off leaving a long tail. Use the tail to weave in and out of remaining stitches of the opening, and pull tight to gather it closed.
With the lemon side facing you, join brown yarn to one of the un-worked loops from round 7.
14: sc in the same stitch you joined in, *skip 1, 5dc in the next stitch, skip 1, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around, join to the first sc. End off and weave in all tails.

Whipped Cream
With white yarn
1: ch10, dc 3 times in the second chain from hook and each chain across. Leave a long tail. Let the cream twist on itself and sew to the top of the tart.

Lemon Slice
With light yellow yarn
1: ch3, dc in the 1st chain 7 times, end light yellow leaving long tail for sewing.
Join dark yellow yarn
2: 2sc in each stitch, end colour.

Attach slice to the tart.      

Playfood - Picnic Basket

Good morning beautiful peeps!

Today's pattern is for a picnic basket! I figure with all these new foods, we need a way to store them right? And what is cuter then a little child sized picnic basket!

This basket is pretty straight forward to make, and only uses a handful of materials.

You will need:
4mm hook
Yarn in main and contrasting colours (I used tan and brown in DK weight, Worsted will work just fine)
2 matching buttons
Sewing needle
4 pipe cleaners
Piece of stiff board or plastic to line the base (I used the plastic from an icecream container)

With main colour
1: ch30, hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across
2: ch2, turn, hdc in each stitch across
3-18: Repeat row 2.

Do not end.
Now we'll make the sides.

19: ch1, sc evenly down the side of the rectangle, 2sc in the corner, sc in each stitch on the next side, 2sc in the corner, sc evenly down the next side, 2sc in the corner, sc in each stitch along the last side, 2sc in corner, join to the ch1.
20-21: ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.
Change to contrasting colour.
22-23: ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.
Change to main colour.
24: ch1, sc in each stitch around, join.
Change to contrasting colour.
25-26: ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.
Change to main colour.
27-28: ch2, hdc in each stitch around, join.
29: slst loosely in each stitch around. End off yarn and weave in all tails.

Shaping the corners.
To give the basket a more defined shape and add some stability, we are going to sew the corners. This is a little bit time consuming, but it makes a huge difference to the basket.
You simply need to pinch the corners as shown below, and using matching yarn and a sewing needle, whipstitch from top to bottom, you want your stitches about a finger width deep. Repeat on all 4 corners.
If you want even more stability, you can pinch a pipe cleaner in there and then stitch, but I chose not to do so. (Lack of pipe cleaners, oops!)

Handles:
With contrasting colour.
1: Ch75, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and each across.
2-4: ch1, turn, sc across.
5: ch1, turn. Fold handle in half width wise and sc the sides together (going through the last and first rows) to create a tube. End off leaving a long tail.
This part can be a little tricky. You want to join 2 pipe cleaners together, and slide them into the tube. It is easier of you bend 1cm of the end of the pipe cleaner over before inserting it. Go slow so you don't poke it out the sides. Join the last 2 pipe cleaners and insert them from the opposite side.

Sew the handle onto the basket (the entire section that is touching the basket, not just at the bottom.)
Attach a large button to each side of the basket, positioning it over the top of the handle, and in between the 2 contrasting stripes on the basket.

Cut a piece of plastic or card to fit in the base of the basket and you are done! Fill full of play food and enjoy your yarn picnic!

Mini Chocolate Cake - Playfood

Hello hello everyone!

Today's free pattern is super yummy! A mini chocolate cake with cream and a cherry on top! Super sweet to make, and oh so cute! You could use all sorts of flavours (colours) with this pattern! Mix it up!

You will need:
3mm hook
chocolate, white and red yarns. I used dk weight, but worsted would also work, it will be slightly larger.
Stitch marker
Sewing needle
Small amount of stuffing.

With the chocolate yarn
1: ch2, sc 8 times in the 1st ch, place marker - (8)
2: 2sc in each stitch around - (16)
3: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around - (24)
4: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next 2 stitches* repeat around - (32)
5: sc in the back loop of each stitch around - (32)
6-11: sc in each stitch around
12: *sc2tg, sc in the next 2 stitches* in back loops only repeat around - (24)
13: *sc2tg, sc in the next stitch* repeat around - (16)
Stuff cake now.
14: sc2tg around - (8)
15: sc2tg twice, then end off leaving a tail for sewing.
Using the tail, gather the stitches around the opening and pull tight to close.

With cream yarn
1: ch12, dc 3 times in the second chain from hook, dc 3 times in each remaining chain. End off leaving a long tail. Sew cream to top of cake.

With red yarn
1: ch2, sc 5 times in the first ch
2-3: sc in each stitch around - (5)
End off and leave a long tail. Gather the stitches around the opening and pull tight to close, then sew on top of the cream.

Make sure all ends are weaved in and you are done :)

Apple Slice - Crochet Playfood

Good morning lovelies! Today's pattern is for a slice of apple! Yum yum! Another in the play food series.
This apple wedge is simple to make, and is a change from the standard whole apples. Quick and easy too, which you all know I love!

Apple Wedge
dk/light worsted weight yarn in cream, black and green (or whatever colour you want your peel)
3.5mm hook
Stuffing

1: ch2, in the first ch sc 8 times, place marker
2: 2sc in each stitch around (16)
3: *sc in the first stitch, 2sc in the next* repeat around (24)
4: *sc in the first 2 stitchs, 2sc in the next* repeat around (32)
sl st once then end cream.
5: Join green and ch1, sc around entire piece, join. (32)
End green and weave in all ends.

Fold the circle in half so you know where the middle will be and stitch on pips.

With green
1: ch2, 2sc in the 1st st, ch1, turn (2)
2: 2sc in each stitch, ch1, turn (4)
3-13: sc in each stitch across, ch1, turn
14: sc2tg twice (2)
15: ch1, turn, sc2tg (1)
End off leaving long tail.

Sew the skin onto the apple wedge, stuffing as you go.

Watermelon - Crochet Playfood

Hello beautiful people,

Well today is another food pattern. Ive been on quite a roll with these! Seriously, what is cuter then playfood? I hope you are all enjoying the patterns as much as I am making them. If you have a playfood suggestion, please leave a comment here :) I'll attempt every suggestion made!

A slice of watermelon
You will need
Pink, white and green yarn, in dk/light worsted/worsted weight (I use DK) and brown if choosing to add seeds.
3.5mm hook.

With pink yarn
1: ch2, sc 6 time in the first chain, place marker (6)
2: *sc in the first st, 2sc in the next st* repeat around (9)
3:  sc acround
4:  *sc in the first 2 sts, 2sc in the next st* repeat around (12)
5:  sc around
6:  *sc in the first 3 sts, 2sc in the next st* repeat around (15)
7:  sc around
8:  *sc in the first 4 sts, 2sc in the next st* repeat around (18)
9:  sc around
10:  *sc in the first 5 sts, 2sc in the next st* repeat around (21)
11: sc around
12:  *sc in the first 6 sts, 2sc in the next st* repeat around (24)
13: sc around
14:  *sc in the first 7 sts, 2sc in the next st* repeat around (27)
15: sc around sl st twice and end off.
16: Join white yarn and ch1, sc around, join (27) End white
17: Join green yarn and ch1, sc around, join. (27) End off and weave in ends.

Base plate
1: ch14, sc in the 2nd chain from hook and each across (13)
2-3: ch1, turn, sc across, end off leaving a very long tail for sewing.

If you want seeds on your watermelon stitch them on now.

Flatten out the watermelon cone slightly so the shape resembles a slice and lightly stuff it. Then sew the base onto the watermelon. That's it, your slide is done!

7 Round Newborn Booties

Good morning lovlies!

Today's pattern is just so incredibly simple, you will beable to whip up a set in no time! The 7 round booties were designed with charity crafters in mind. We often want to make large quantities of items for donation, and the easier they are to make, well the better! These booties are not only easy to make, but look adorable, and use very little yarn! So they are excellent scrap busters as well. I think that ticks all the boxes!

The pattern given is to make a pair to fit an average sized newborn. I'll come back and add notes on various sizes when I've played with them but using a smaller hook and yarn will create preemie sizes very well.
Worsted weight yarn may give you booties to fit a 3 month old, but that is just a guesstimate, I have no worsted on hand to check.
I'd love to see what colours you guys use, so please consider adding some pics to the Ravelry page: HERE

DK + 4.00mm hook to fit Newborn.
DK + 3.25mm hook to fit 36-38 week preemies

dk (8ply) weight yarn in main colour, and a small amount for ties.
4mm hook

1. ch16, dc in the 3rd chain from hook, dc in the next 12 chains, dc in the end chain 4 times, working on the opposite side in the same chains you just used, dc in the next 12 chains, 2dc in the last chain, join to the first dc. (31)

2-3: ch2, dc in each stitch around, join.

4: ch2, dc in the first 10 stitches, dc2tg 5 times, dc in the last 11 stitches, join. (26)

5: ch2, dc in the first 8 stitches, dc2tg five times, dc in the last 8 stitches, join. (21)

6-7: ch2, dc in each stitch around, join. End off, weave in tails.

With contrasting colour:
chain 80 for a tie (75 for smaller sizes). Weave in and out of stitches on round 6.

For a different look, work the last 2 rounds in a contrasting colour.

Chilli Pepper - Crochet Playfood

Good morning!

Today's pattern is a simple and quick one indeed! It is for a sweet little chilli pepper. Another addition to my girls playfood barrel. This chilli is about 9cm in length and a fun addition to any playfood set. Try making a bunch and stringing them together for a garland!

You will need:
dk weight yarn in red and green (worsted would work as well, but it will be slightly larger)
3.75mm hook.

With the green:
1: ch2, sc 5 times in the 1st chain, join.
2: ch1, sc around, join (5) End green

3: Join red to back loop and ch1, sc in each stitch around, place marker (5)
4: sc in the first 2 stitches, 2sc in the next stitch, sc in the last 2 stitches (6)
5: sc in the first 2 stitches, 2sc in the next 2 stitches, sc in the last 2 stitches (8)
6: sc around
7: sc2tg, sc 6 (7)
8-9: sc around (7)
stuff lightly
10: sc in the first 2 stitches, slst2tg, sc 3 (6)
11-12: sc around (6)
13-15: sc in the first 3 stitches, sl st in the last 3 stitches (6)
add any extra stuffing you need
End off, using tail to close the end