Urban Shells Beanie

         Wow, February already?!  I have noticed that once you're older, time just flies by!  I'm not sure that I like that lol.  I have been crocheting like a boss lately, I am so happy to have had some extra time to be crafty.  Lots of hats, cowls, and I'm still working on a ripple afghan.  I think that next time I feel brave enough to accept the daunting task of making an afghan I will make one made up of squares instead!  I just get too bored on such a big project! 
         Today I would like to share with you my new hat.  I received a beautiful new coat from my wonderful hubby for Christmas, and of course had to make some matching accessories!  I have had it finished for some time now, but am just getting around to sharing it today.  I found the pattern for free on Ravelry, so I hope everyone will check it out and make one for yourself or as a gift. 
The pattern is available in many sizes from baby to adult.  Here is a pic of me wearing my new hat. 

          I love the scalloped edge, so pretty! You need to be comfortable with fpdc, if you aren't familiar with this stitch, look it up online, there are great tutorials out there! The FREE pattern can be found as a Ravelry download here, Urban Shells Beanie . Unfortunately the link directly to the designer's blog isn't working right now.  I will check it out later this week and post it if it becomes active.  So please go to Ravelry and check out this pattern, there is even a matching scarf! 

Thanks for looking and Happy Hooking!

Funky Monkey

     Hello out there!  I hope everyone had a great holiday season and are enjoying the new year so far.  I had a great time visiting with friends and family.  I think that may be the best part of the holidays for me!
     So I've been a busy girl crossing items off of my w.i.p. list.  I haven't been so great at sharing everything :o(  But I will catch up!  My latest item to fly off the hook is a sock monkey hat for my oldest daughter.  I was browsing on Ravelry (what a surprise)  and found this cute pattern.  It works up quickly and you can add so many personal touches to make each one as unique as the lucky girl or boy you will be giving it to.

 

        I opted to go with a pink monkey for my daughter.  She absolutely LOVES it.  And nothing feels better than when someone truly appreciates the work and thought that goes in to creating a gift made especially for them.  I posted this on Facebook and I am getting so much wonderful feedback from friends and family, so thank you if you're reading.  I always enjoy the confidence boost lol.
        The pattern can be purchased through Ravelry .  If you're not on Ravelry, what are you waiting for??? But seriously, here is a link for you, Sock Monkey Hat .  The pattern is very well written and includes many sizes and even an optional flower for a pretty finishing touch.  Well I'm off to enjoy my day off making another hat for my youngest daughter! 

Thanks for looking, and happy hooking!

Work In Progress

Happy Fall to everyone!  I especially love this time of year.  I am a creature of comfort all the way.  Sweaters,  afghans, slippers ahhhh.  Anyhoo, this time of year is also pretty busy.  My oldest daughter just started junior kindergarten this year.  And in our district that means all day every day.  Some kids aren't adjusting too well to their new routine, but my girl just loves school!   With being so busy I have been neglecting my crochet :o( 
Not by choice of course, I'm just too darn tired!  I have a few projects on the go, and the strong urge to keep starting new ones. 
On my w.i.p. list I have, a ripple afghan, a throw cushion, a large pineapple table topper doily and a gorgeous cowl I found on Ravelry.  With the weather turning cool I have requests for hats, scarves and afghans.  And the new issue of Interweave Crochet has me doing cartwheels to start the cover project "Lace Canopy Cardi Wrap" (if you haven't seen this beauty check it out on Ravelry!), not to mention The Best Guy Hat Ever, and the Turtle Tracks Blanket.
What's a girl to do?  I absolutely love crocheting, and when I haven't held that hook and yarn in my hands for awhile I start to get cranky.  I feel like crochet is therapy for the soul. You somehow get lost in the loops and it is so relaxing and satisfying.  Does anyone else have a few projects on the go?  What are you working on?

Happy Hooking!

Carry Me Away Market Bag

Hello everyone, I hope your summer has been yarny!  We just got over a major heat wave here in Southern Ontario.  Our temperatures peaked near 120 degrees fahrenheit on July 21.  What a scorcher!  I have been very grateful to have a working air conditioner :o)
So with all of this steamy, hot and sticky weather I don't really feel like working on a heavy afghan, can you blame me?  Smaller projects are perfect for hot summer days.  I just started a great throw cushion that will look amazing when I'm done. I love watching it come together stitch by stitch. 
On my search for smaller projects, I came across a beautiful market bag on Ravelry.  I just love Ravelry, if you're not a member, what are you waiting for?? Check it out!! Anyhoo, I have quite a large yarn stash so I dug out some Red Heart Super Saver and got started. 

I just love the design on this bag. The picture doesn't do it any justice.  The structural design on the 'arches' are reinforced and made strong so you won't have any sagging while your bag is full of goodies.  And it works up quickly, I finished mine in the evenings on a weekend after the kiddies were in bed.  I love bringing it to work as my lunch bag, or just roll it up and keep it in my purse for unexpected trips to the store.  The pattern offers two sizes, I made the smaller bag.  The pattern can be found here, Ravelry Carry Me Away Market Bag  If you aren't a member of Ravelry use this link, Etsy Carry Me Away Market Bag 
Thanks for looking, and Happy Hooking!

Wrapped in Love Beanie

       Well hello again! And welcome to the new followers, I am so glad you like my blog! I feel terrible that it has been so long since my last post but a lot of things have changed around here since October.  I've been back to work after a long 4 years :o)  I cannot tell you how happy this makes me! Slowly things are turning around and we are getting back on our feet.  I am so happy to take some of the burden off of my wonderful Hubby.  He still works everyday at a job he absolutely despises and for this I am eternally grateful <3
      So anyhoo now that we're all caught up, on to today's post!  I was on the computer one morning surfing on Ravelry and came across the cutest hat.  I just HAD to make it for my girls.  I very rarely buy patterns but with this much cuteness I couldn't resist.   Now since being back to work, I haven't had much time to crochet :o(   So when I sat down to do this hat I was in hooker heaven, it only took me about 2 hours to make!  The instant gratification of completing a project in such a small amount of time was just what I needed.  I made another one the next day for my other daughter.  They both love the new hat and wear it around the house all day.  Here is the hat I made for my oldest daughter;

 

      I told you it was cute!!

         The pattern is available here Wrapped in Love Beanie  It includes many different sizes for the hat, two sizes for the 'ribbon' and two sizes for the bow.  I made the larger bow for this hat and the smaller bow for my youngest daughter.  The sizes for my girls ages were a bit off in the pattern but my kids are pretty small for their size, so I just tweaked it a little to fit them better.  Other than that, the pattern is very well written and I would recommend it to anyone.  Thanks for looking, comments always welcome!
Happy Hooking :o)