My friend posted about a cute hat pattern that she found a few days ago. Inspired by the picture, I decided to try to make my own version, and I'm excited with how it turned out. Now, if I can only get Natalie to leave it on for more than 2 seconds...
Thanks for the inspiration, Candida :) If you're interested, the original pattern in HERE.

Favorite Things Friday: Japanese Edition

So, I'm revealing another one of my obsessions, well almost obsession. Almost because I've never actually sewn anything from one of these books, but I want to. I really, really want to. I've been hearing a lot about Japanese pattern books lately, and I love to look through them online. They're in Japanese, but word on the street is that you don't have to know Japanese to understand them. They apparently have very detailed diagrams that make them easy to follow. I hope to take a stab at it soon :)

This book has the most adorable little girl clothes. I totally ♥ these patterns!! You can find the book HERE.



The dresses in this book are simple and feminine. I don't love all the patterns in this one, but the ones I like, I LOVE. You can find it HERE.



There are more pretty dresses in this book. These two are my favorite. You can find the book HERE.



The next few pattern books come from the Etsy shop This And That From Japan. You can find the shop HERE.
How cool to make your own eco bags!


These stuffed toys are adorable.


The motifs in this crochet book are gorgeous.


LOVE it!!
Have any of you tried Japanese sewing or crochet patterns?

Twirly Scarf

I love the feminine lines of this crocheted scarf. It's perfect for Fall because it adds texture, interest and layers to your outfit, but it's not bulky enough to make you too hot.

You can crochet your own, too. I made it from a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. You can find it HERE. If you're not a member of the site, they'll ask you to join. It's free.

I used Vanna's choice, and added a rosette pin. I made the rosette the same way as the scarf, but instead of a foundation chain of 141, I started with a foundation chain of 17. I put the rose on a pin so that I could take it off if I wanted, and also so that I could re-position it as needed.

It's a great "stash-buster" project, and it's quick and easy.

If you make one, I'd love to see pictures!!

Long Tail Stripey Hat Pattern, As Promised

Materials Needed:

2 Colors of Worsted Weight Yarn – Color A and Color B ( I used Vanna’s Choice)

Size H Crochet Hook

Note: ch 2 counts as first stitch

Size: 12-24 months. I didn't write it into the pattern, but you can make the hat bigger by adding more sts in RNDS 3 and 4 of the hat and a couple of more rounds after RND 12. You can make it smaller by adding less sts in RNDS 3 and 4, and omitting RNDS 7-8, and possibly RND12 to make it shorter. You can also adjust the length of the tail to suit your needs.

Tail:

With color A and H hook, ch6. Slst to form circle.

RND 1: 12 hdc’s in circle. Slst to join.

RND 2: Ch2. Hdc in each st around to end. Slst to join.

Switch to color B without fastening off color A. Just be sure to keep the color A yarn on the inside of the tube, and out of the way.

RND 3: Ch2. Hdc in each st around to end. Slst to join.

RND 4: Ch2. Hdc in each st around to end. Slst to join.

Switch back to color A without fastening off color B. Remembering to keep the color B yarn on the inside of the tube, and out of the way.

Continue crocheting tube. Alternate between color A and color B every two rounds. Each round should have 12 hdc’s. Crochet until you have 16 stripes (8 of each color), ending with two rounds of color B. Do not fasten off. Switch to color A.

Begin hat:

RND 1: Ch2. Hdc in same st as joining, 2 hdc’s in each stitch around to end. Slst to join.

RND 2: Ch2. 1 hdc in same st as joining. *1hdc in next st, 2hdc’s in next st,* repeat from * around. Slst to join. Switch to color B.

RND 3: Ch2. *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each of next two sts,* repeat from * around. Sl st to join.

RND 4: Ch 2. 2hdc in next st, 1hdc in each of the next four sts,* repeat from * around. Sl st to join. Switch to color A.

RNDS 5-6: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around to end. Slst to join. Switch to color B.

RNDS 7-8: Ch2. Hdc in each st around to end. Slst to join. Switch to color A.

RND 9: Ch2. Hdc in each st around to end. Slst to join.

RND 10: Ch2. Hdc in each st around, and at the same time, decrease 10 sts evenly spaced around (about every 4-5 sts). Slst to join. Switch to color B.

RND 11: Ch2. Hdc in each st around, and at the same time, decrease 5sts evenly spaced around (about every 8 sts, or so). Slst to join.

RND 12: Ch2. Hdc in each st around to end. Slst to join. Switch to color A.

RNDS 13-15: Ch1. Sc in each st around to end. Slst to join. Switch to color B.

RND 16: Ch1. Sc in each st around to end. Slst to join. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Make a pom pom and attach to the end of the tail. A tutorial on how to make a pom pom can be found HERE.

Glossary:

ch: chain

slst: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

hdc: half double crochet

decrease (dec): single crochet – {Insert hook into next st, yarn over hook (yo), draw a loop through} twice, yo, draw through all three loops on hook.

half double crochet – {yo, insert hook into next st, yo, draw a loop through, yo, draw through first two loops} twice, yo, draw through all three loops on hook.

And there you have it. Let me know if you have any questions, or if there are any mistakes. :) Please feel free to make as many hats as you wish for your own personal use, or to sell. I only ask that you not sell this pattern in any form. Thanks!!

Pettiskirts and Stripey Hats

I planned to share the pattern for this long-tailed stripey hat, but I'm going out of town tomorrow, and I ran out of time to write it up. So...



I'm sharing the link to an awesome pettiskirt tutorial. It can be found HERE at Make It and Love It. You will die when you see it. It's fluffy and twirly and oh-s0-pretty.

I'll be back next week with the hat pattern. You'll be waiting with bated breath, won't you? ;) Have a happy Labor Day!