Sinfully Simple Scarf

By: Amanda Melton

01-21-12

This scarf/wrap was created to coordinate with the Quick Fix hat from Vallieskids.  It fits anywhere from a toddler to an adult with up to a 12” circumference neck.  It is snug but comfortable on an adult.  The body of the scarf takes around a half hour to complete.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used -          Chain (ch) -          Stitch (st) -          Double Crochet (dc) -          Cross Stitches (cst)

Hook & Yarn -          P – 10.00mm -          Red Heart Super Saver o       2 contrasting but complementary colors

Instructions

Scarf
Begin & Row 1 35dc	Ch 37, dc in bottom loop of 3rd ch from hook and each ch across
Row 2 10cst 15dc	Ch 2, dc in 2nd st of previous row, then dc in 1st st (yo, insert hook in 1st st by placing hook behind dc in 2nd st and then inserting hook from front to complete dc) to produce a crossed stitch; repeat cst for first 10dc of previous row (5cst total); dc in each of the next 15 sts; cst in next 10 sts (5cst total)
Row 3 35dc	Ch 2, dc in each st across; finish off.
Button
I used the Hana Ami flower loom to create my button.  I used the large and medium round looms at the same time.  I first wound the large loom according to the included instructions; without removing or darning that flower, I wound the medium loom in the contrasting color.  Then, using the color from the large loom, I used the darning stitch to finish the center of the flower. You do not have to purchase a flower loom to finish this scarf.  There are numerous patterns for crocheted flowers that you can use.  The important thing is to make a flower large enough that it won’t pull back through the space while still being flexible enough to be easy for a child (or adult!) to button.  The large loom is approximately 3” diameter, while the medium loom is approximately 2” diameter.  Of course, the “button hole” is not going to be that large, but again you do need a button of a significant enough diameter that it will stay buttoned.
Position	To attach your button, first decide which side is the front of your scarf.  Attach the button to the first regular dc in the second row.  It does not matter which end of the scarf you place it on, because it can be rotated to the other side if buttoning is awkward.
To Button	When you are ready to wear your scarf, wrap it around your neck, insert the button through the space between the first and second cst of the opposite end of the scarf, and adjust the “tail” to achieve the desired look.

I Am Still Here!

I didn't want everyone to think I had abandoned my post, so I wanted to check in.  I am working on a very time-involved special project right now for my older brother.  It has been in progress for a least a month, maybe 2 at this point.  Yep!  It is crawling along at a snail's pace.  It doesn't help that I've had to take a couple of weeks off from crocheting in general.  The last thing I made was Jan 21, and I need to get that pattern up, because y'all are going to love how quick and easy it is!  I've had a lot of issues lately; between illness in the family and both of my computers dying on me, I have been resting as much as possible. 

My mind has been busy, though, and I am constantly writing down my ideas and sketching them, and I'm working out the details of this ongoing project.  I'm not giving up, though, because I know all the blurry eyes, tingling fingers, and counting stitches will be worth the finished product.  I'm not going to go into any details, because I want it to be a surprise.  Hopefully I will be done with it in a few more weeks.  That may be optimistic, since I'm limiting my crocheting nights so I can get a few other things done (see my other blog http://www.notperfectparenting.blogspot.com/).  Just know that I am still here, still crocheting and writing patterns, and still interested in any feedback you have about my patterns or pictures you'd like to share of your own finished projects. 

Made In America Slouch

By: Amanda Melton

12-13-11

This hat was not intended to be a slouch hat.  My husband had a coworker who had great difficulty finding a hat to fit his head at 24” circumference.  We measured twice and unfortunately I crocheted twice, because the first hat began to appear rippled or gathered.  After having worked on that for two nights, I decided to go back to my basic crown and just enlarge that by two increase rows to get the desired 96 stitches around.  I didn’t want the hat to look like a bag, so I decreased at the band area.  There is a lot of color change throughout the hat, but I wrote the pattern for the easiest method I found.  In addition, the pattern is color coded by row, and there are special instructions for the last row.

Stitches & Abbreviations Used

Chain (ch)

Slip Stitch (ss)

Single Crochet (sc)

Double Crochet (dc)

Together (tog)

Decrease (dec)

Hook, Yarn & Fit

-          K/10 ½ - 6.50mm

-          Red Heart Super Saver Solids

o       Blue

o       Hot Red

o       White

o      

-          This hat is fairly large.  Even taking it in to 84 sts at the band, it slipped down over my eyes, as you will see in the pictures.  You can also decrease to 72 sts in the band if you prefer a more snugly fitting band.  Not only is the hat large circumferencewise, it is also a long hat (it completely covers my face), which is why I consider it a slouch.  I would not recommend this hat as written for children, unless you decreased to 60 sts in the band.

Instructions

Notes	-          Holding all three colors together, tie an adjustable/slip knot. -          At each ** ss 3 strands tog to top of beginning ch (3, 2, or 1), ch with selected color for the following row -          Be sure to keep the yarn you are working to the far left (for right hand crochet) to avoid getting them tangled
Begin 12dc	Ch 4, ss to first ch; ch 3, 11 dc inside ring; **
Row 1 24dc	Ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each around, **
Row 2 36dc	Ch 3, 2dc in next, *dc, 2dc in next; repeat from *; **
Row 3 48dc	Ch 3, dc in next, 2dc in next, *dc, dc, 2dc; repeat from *; **
Row 4 60dc	Ch 3, dc in next 2, 2dc in next, *dc, dc, dc, 2dc; repeat from *; **
Row 5 72dc	Ch 3, dc in next 3, 2dc in next, *dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc; repeat from *, **
Row 6 84dc	Ch 3, dc in next 4, 2dc in next, *dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc; repeat from *; **
Row 7 96dc	Ch 3, dc in next 5, 2dc in next, *dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc; repeat from *; **
Row 8 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 9 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 10 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 11 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 12 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 13 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 14 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 15 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 16 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 17 96dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 18 84dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in next 5, dec in next 2, *dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, dec in next 2; repeat from *; **
Row 19 84dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 20 84dc	Ch 2, dc in same, dc in each st; **
Row 21 84/72sc	Ch 1, sc in same, sc in each st; ** -OR- Ch 1, sc in same, sc in next 4, dec in next 2, *sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, dec in next 2; repeat from *; **
Row 22 84/72sc	Ch 1, sc in same, sc in each st; ** Clip red yarn leaving a 4” tail
Row 23 84/72sc	Work first part of row over red tail Ch 1, sc in same, sc in each st; ** Clip white yarn leaving a 4” tail
Row 24 84/72sc	Work first part of row over white tail Ch 1, sc in same, hold hat as if you were going to continue working in the same direction as first 23 rows, but sc in first st to right and each st around MOVING TO THE RIGHT; ** Working sts in opposite direction produces a rope look that lends a more finished look to the final row.

Wearing glasses comes in handy for keeping the hat in place!

The band can be turned up for a different look/fit

Trying to show the overall coloration, but it also illustrates the length of the hat

Rope effect created by crocheting in stitches moving RIGHT rather than left

Inside of hat where colors are carried

Do Your Ears Get Cold?

Do You Ears Get Cold?

By: Amanda Melton

12-02-11

This hat was based on the general design of Valerie Whitten’s Pretty in Pink hat available on her blog Vallieskids, and my own Purple People Eater hat available from my blog An Adventurous Life At Home.  I was commissioned to create two earflap hats for my 15 month old niece, and I did not like the design of Purple People Eater for such a young child.  Instead, I rethought my approach to creating the earflaps.  These earflaps are slightly cupped.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used -          Chain (ch) -          Stitch (st) -          Single Crochet (sc) -          Double Crochet (dc) -          Slip Stitch (ss) -          Back Loop (bl) -          Front Loop (fl) -          Earflap (EF)

Hook & Yarn -          H/8 – 5.00mm -          Red Heart Super Saver

Instructions

Hat
Begin & Row 1 30dc	Ch 32, dc in bl (this row only) of 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn and dc in fl (this row only) of each st across (including beginning dc); ss to top of beginning dc
Row 2-11 30dc	Ch 2, dc in same and each st around; ss to top of beginning dc
Row 12-13 30sc	Ch 1, sc in same and each st around; ss to top of beginning sc
Earflaps
Notes: -          Please look at the accompanying pictures that show pulling up a loop, hook placement, and stitching over the loop.  This will be very important for correct tension and fit of the finished hat! -          Although I have given the number of skipped stitches between EF as well as the beginning placement, you may need to determine this for each individual hat.  To do so: o       Lay hat with “seam” down (you should be looking at the side of the hat opposite your hook) and flatten into a squarish shape o       Mark the st farthest left and right in R13 (I usually tie a scrap of contrasting yarn around the post) – this will be the center of each EF o       Count to the 6th st before and after your center st marker on each EF – mark these 4 sts as well o       Count from the first marked st to the third marked st of each EF to be sure you only have 13 sts total for each EF before proceeding with EF construction Loops pulled up between earflaps
Begin & Right Side 13/13/13/ 13/13/13 10/10 7 4 2	Pull up a loop.  Insert hook in 2nd from last st of R13, ss -          R1:  Ch 1, sc in same & each of the next 12 st -          R2-6:  Ch 1 (turn), sc in 13 sts -          R7: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in st 5/6, dec in last 2 st -          R8: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 10 sts -          R9: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in st 5/6, dec in last 2 -          R10: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in st 4/5, dec in last 2 -          R11: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in next 2 -          Loosely ss in ends of EF rows to base of EF opposite where first row started Pull up a loop.  Skip 19 sts.  Insert hook in 20th st, ss.
Left Side 13/13/13/ 13/13/13 10/10 7 4 2	-          R1:  Ch 1, sc in same & each of the next 12 st -          R2-6:  Ch 1 (turn), sc in 13 sts -          R7: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in st 5/6, dec in last 2 st -          R8: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 10 sts -          R9: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in st 5/6, dec in last 2 -          R10: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in st 4/5, dec in last 2 -          R11: Ch 1 (turn), sc in 2nd sc from hook, dec in next 2 -          Loosely ss in ends of EF rows to base of EF opposite where first row started

Hat
Row 14	After ss to base of left side EF: Ch 1, sc in same & each st around WORKING OVER THE PULLED UP LOOPS BETWEEN EF! Ss to top of beginning sc
Row 15	Ch 1, sc in same and each st around. Ss to top of beginning sc
Pom Poms
I use Clover’s Large Pom Pom maker.  For each “arm” of the device, I wrap my yarn 75 times, 150 times total.  When snipped, each pom will have 300 end tassels.  There are instructions available online if you do not have a pom maker.  The first pom I ever made was wrapped around a 3 ½” diskette from my computer.  It is my favorite one!  You can also use 2 plastic food lids with a center hole and a slit for passing the yarn through.  The possibilities for making poms are virtually endless! Stitching over loops between earflaps