Shrugs

So, awhile back a friend of mine asked me to make this little sweater (from Holland Designs Etsy Shop) for her daughter. So, I did. I haven't gotten around to getting pictures taken of that sweater (and that daughter) yet, but while I was at it, I made a few more. These I did get around to photographing.

See?



































After our little photoshoot, it was obviously time for a little run around on the grass.




So that's what we did.

The Last Sweater Set for Awhile

This one may be my favorite. I'm taking a break from making sweater sets for a bit now, but it's nice to end on one like this for sure.





These gorgeous buttons were made by Nat at polymerclaybox. So fun, right?

. . . and more sweaters

I completed two more sweaters. For this batch I decided not to do applique, and I think they worked out fine, though perhaps not as fun as the other ones I've made.  

 I think I'll try to get one more done while I still have the feel of these in my fingers, and then it's on to something else.

More Baby Sweaters

I had so much fun with the last one, I just couldn't stop.

Owl Applique pattern inspiration found here, modified to smaller size by me.

Car Applique pattern inspiration found here, modified for smaller size by me.

Success!

A neighbor and dear friend of mine is expecting the imminent arrival of her fourth child and first boy.  Something like that is worthy of a pretty special gift, don't you think?

So, I whipped up this little number:



It was my first time doing crochet applique, but I found a bunch of free patterns for different appliques thanks to my good friend google.com.  Anyway, after weighing the pros and cons of a bunch of them, I decided to have a go at this octopus from Moogly.  The pattern as written was the wrong size for my sweater (as in, if I would have made it to scale, it would have been disproportionately big and would have made everything look funny) so, I modified it to make it smaller, and I'm really quite happy with how it turned out.




Honestly, I know I made this and all, and I don't want to sound too too braggy, but it's cute right?  I love it.  So freaking adorable.


Here's one more shot, just 'cuz I love how it turned out so much.

Something tells me I'm going to have to try these again.

Baby Sweater Pattern

This one is more or less for my own convenience.  It's not written in a very user-friendly manner, but I can decipher it, and once I have it up here, then I always know where I can find it.  Whew!

Baby Sweater crochet pattern

Size G or H hook
Chain 65

Do 12 rows of trinity stitch

Single crochet 16 on each side for 18 rows

    Rows 15-16, only 13 stitches

    Rows 17-18, only 7 stitches

Whipstitch tops together to form a vest.  

Do sleeves*, borders, buttons, or ties.  

*Sleeves:  When stitching together tops together, also stitch together bottom six rows of trinity stitch, making a smaller armhole.  Fasten off.  

Row 1:  30 sc around armhole
Row 2-5: 30 hdc
Row 6: decrease to come to 23 sc
Row 7-10: 23 hdc
Row 11: decrease to come to 20 sc
Row 12-15:  20 hdc
Row 15: decrease to come to 17 sc
Row 17-20: 17 hdc, finish off.)

just one of the perks

Last Sunday, I got a little treat.  

A little over a year ago, I gave one of my neighbors a sweater and hat set just like this for her soon to be born baby girl.

.

Remembering how quickly infants grow, and how they spend most of their time covered up with blankets anyway, I purposely made the set in the 12-18 month size, figuring that it would fit the baby perfectly the next time winter came around.

(That would be now.)

So, you can imagine my joy when last Sunday, as I was sitting in church waiting for our services to start, I looked back and saw this mother carrying her almost one-year-old baby who just happened to be wearing "my" hat and sweater.  It was the first time I'd seen it on her, and I'm not exaggerating in the least when I say that she looked absolutely adorable.

Yet another reason I love to crochet.