Elliot's Batman Doll

So I might not want to call it a "doll" in front of my five year old nephew, maybe we'll go with action figure... anyway, my nephew is having had a birthday and although I live too far away to go to his party, I had a great time making this for him.  I know he is big time into action figures and I hope Batman is one of them.

This is the same pattern I used for Sophia's Doll in a previous post.  Faceless Doll Pattern  The differences are obvious.  I changed colors quite a bit to achieve the masked face and the batman logo.  I chose white eyes because that's what I saw in the cartoon drawings.  I connected the eyes together inside the head because I wanted them to "sink in" a bit and give the illusion of a nose.

 Because the doll is worked in rounds, the batman logo slants a little.  It has irritated me to no end, but ultimately, I realize that Elliot isn't going to be as critical as I am.  Here is the graph I used to do the logo.  A tip for changing colors smoothly.  Leave the last single crochet unfinished and finish it using the new yarn.  So you will have two loops on your hook when you join your new color, pull through the new color to finish the previous single crochet.  This gives a much cleaner look in my opinion.

Batman wears underoos.

By this point I had attempted twice to make a really cool cape using nylon crochet thread... but I didn't like how it was turning out.  So I'm going to do the fabric thing instead.

Being the thrifty person that I am... I went to good will to find just the right material.  I found a great skirt that draped exactly how I envisioned and used it as the cape.


A seamstress I am not and I pretty much "winged" the cape.  I won't even go into detail as to what I did, because quite frankly, I'm not sure how I did it.  I attached the cape using snaps that I sewed in by hand.  I wanted Elliot to have the option of removing the cape if he wanted.

I can't tell you how much joy these two pictures bring to me.  I don't get the luxury of being in my nephew's life on a daily basis.  He lives very far away from me and so it is that much more important that the gifts I give him (and his sister) reflect the love I have for them.  It may be a bit cliche to have an Aunt Sallie in Iowa who makes you homemade gifts for your birthday, but they are as much for me as they are for him.

Happy Birthday Elliot!!

Even Superheroes need their naps.

Thanks for the pictures Addie!

Sophia's Doll

 This is basically a picture diary of making Sophia's doll.  This was my first time making a doll, and I must say it was much more an act of love than I ever anticipated.  Every stitch, every stuff, I thought of my niece, Sophia, and how she would play with this little doll. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as I hope Sophia will once she opens her birthday gift.  :)






Unfortunately, the pattern is no longer free as some people did not respect the author's wishes not to sell products made from her pattern.  So she has decided to charge for the pattern.  You can purchase it on ravelry DOLL PATTERN







 I used Bernat Cotton yarn in peach and cream for the body, and a compilation of many yarns for the hair.

I should have put in the safety eyes here, but I didn't realize how to  use them.  Lesson learned!

 I recycled an old pillow's filling to stuff the doll.

I crocheted ruffles (sc, {dc,dc,dc} sc) in the front loop of the round then on the next round used dc in the backloops to bring the row back up to the right height.

I chose to bring the little pantaloons down the leg for two rounds, which is different than the original pattern.

I made her a pair of white socks at the bottom of her legs.

I made the arms, then sewed them to the body. Starting to look like a doll!

The strands of hair were made by slip stitching to her head, leaving a 4 inch tail, chaining (20, 30, or 40 for length variation), then working 2sc in each of the chains until back to the scalp.  I fastened off the yarn and tied it off with the other tail of yarn.  Sometimes I connected the curl with another at the head.  This gave some bounce and covered up bald spots. The yarn is thin and I used a 3.25mm hook. The gold is crochet thread and I used a 3.0mm hook.

I just love the bounce the different lengths give.  I just kept adding more and more curls to cover up her scalp.  There really wasn't any pattern to it... I just tossed her head around and where I saw an open spot... I put another curl.

                  I used 12mm buttons for the eyes.  When I do another doll, I'll be sure to put in safety eyes before I stuff the head.  But this is still cute.  I used mineral blush for the cheeks
using a small, clean brush.











I chose a sunny color for the dress since her hair was so dark.  The yarn was a cotton/nylon blend and quite thin.  I know it is very nice yarn, but I got it at a garage sale for a dollar. :)  Gotta love garage sales!

So this is Sophia's doll.  Her birthday was yesterday (April 23) and hopefully today or tomorrow the package will get to her house. :)  In the works are two more dolls.  One with a superhero theme and the other is a doll for my little girl to take with  her to college.  Stay tuned!

Tulip Hat and Cocoon

 THANK YOU!!  To everyone who has asked questions or made comments about this little cocoon creation of mine.  I get such a kick out of talking to people who are using my pattern.  :)  I first published this little baby sac nearly 3 years ago and I never get tired of seeing it pinned all over pinterest.  

If you would like to order a custom made cocoon or tulip hat from me ($30 plus $4 shipping), please visit my facebook page at: Loops A Daisies.  I sell the cocoon and many more items at very reasonable prices. Message me with your order.  I use paypal. :)  Thanks for all the Pinterest activity!!

I use Simply Soft Caron Yarn.  These are Newborn sizes.  I just "tested" them out on a friends 8lb one month old and there is plenty of room for wiggling and growing.  :)

If you are a crocheter, here is the pattern for the TULIP HAT.  I did not come up with this, but the person who created it, Suzette Williams, was very gracious to make it a free pattern with no restrictions.  I felt the least I could do was to post her pattern credited to her. The curly-cue stem is not part of her pattern, but can be made very easily.  After closing the top according to the pattern, use the G hook and chain 15-17. Work three hdc in each chain.  Fasten off, leaving a long enough tail to pull through the inside of the hat, tie off and weave ends in.

Here is the pattern I came up with for the cocoon.  I am not asking any money for it, but would very much appreciate the credit if anyone chooses to sell their item or repost the pattern somewhere else.  Thank you.


Sallie's Tulip Cocoon:
Use an H hook.

Start with 6 hdc in a magic loop.

Do not chain up and do not connect with a slip stitch.

This pattern is done in rounds.

Use a Marker to know when one round has been completed. I insert the marker into the first stitch of each new round right after I have crocheted it. This shows where the first stitch of the next round will go.

Rnd 2: 2 hdc in each stitch (12)

Rnd 3: *2 hdc , hdc* repeat around (18)

Rnd 4: *2 hdc, hdc, hdc,* (24)

Rnd 5: *2hdc, hdc in next 3 sts* (30)

Rnd 6: *2hdc, hdc in next 4 sts* (36)

Rnd 7:  *2hdc, hdc in next 5 sts* (42)

Rnd 8: hdc in each stitch around (42)

Rnd 9: *2hdc, hdc in next 6 sts*  (48)
Rnd 10-13:   hdc in each stitch around (48)
Rnd 14: *2hdc, hdc in next 7 sts* (54)
Rnd 15-18:  hdc in each stitch around (54)

Rnd 19: *2hdc, hdc in next 8 sts* (60)

Rnd 20-23: hdc in each stitch around (60)

Rnd 24 *2hdc, hdc in next 9 sts* (66)

Rnd 25-33: hdc in each stitch
(If you desire a longer cocoon, add rows of hdc here.)

Rnd 34: dc in each stitch around

Rnd 35 *fpdc, bpdc* around    

Rnd 36 and 37: repeat round 35

Rnd 38-41: Crocodile stitch - The crocodile stitch is comprised of two rounds of stitching. The first round will serve as the foundation for the actual crocodile stitch. Here is a blog with videos to teach the CROCODILE STITCH

Rnd: 38: ch 2, dc in same stitch as ch 2, ch2, skip two stitches, *2dc in next stitch, ch2, skip 2 stitches* repeat the part that is in asterisks all the way around. Slip stitch to the top of the first ch 2.

Rnd: 39: Working on the initial ch 2 from Rnd 38, work 5 dc AROUND THE POST of the ch2. You will work from top to bottom. The fifth dc will be at the base of the post. Turn your work so that you can now work around the post of the next dc. Work 5 dc AROUND THE POST of the dc. You will work from bottom to top. This is the crocodile stitch. Skip the next set of double crochets and work the crocodile stitch (5dc down, 5dc up) in the next set of double crochets from the previous round. Continue working crocodile stitch in EVERY OTHER set of double crochets. Slip stitch into the first dc worked around the ch 2 of the previous round.

Rnd 40: You will be doing the same stitches as round 38, but you will do them in between the "V"s made by the dc in round 38 and between the crocodile stitch made in round 39.

Rnd: 41: repeat round 39 working in dc that are offset from the previous round.

Rnd: 42 sc around

Fasten off.

If you would like, you can thread a 3/8" width ribbon through the dc ribbing for added interest.

If you find anything amiss or incorrect, please let me know.  Thank you!

*** Special thanks to Paula at FurBabiesMomma for helping me to make this pattern easier to read.  I love learning knew things and appreciate others who are willing to teach.  :)

You can find me on Ravelry.com at: Loopsadaisies

Added: 12/31/15
This cocoon was stitched exactly like the pattern with the exception of a color change when doing the dc's.










Added 1/15:  this is the sock monkey version of this cocoon. I used caron in Heather grey, Autumn Red, and white. I added extra hdc rounds and omitted the crocodile stitch. The hat was from a pattern by Lagatha Been on ravelry.com

Seth's Hat

A very quick little crochet project 

that I think most beginners will have no trouble with.

Oh my.  Isn't he a cutie?
This is Seth.  Seth is almost 2 and he has been coming to my house to play and nap a few days a week for the last year and a half.  He calls me Lah-lah, and I adore him.

So this little hat was made for Seth.  I think he wears it well, don't you?

Some beanie basics: 

Look closely to see the seam.

Beanie hats are crocheted in rounds as opposed to being crocheted in rows like you would for a blanket.  The hat is made from the crown down, working in a spiral-like fashion.  It starts as a circle with stitches made into the circle and with each round the stitch count is increased.  For example, if I were to do 8 stitches in my circle, then in general, I would increase each round by 8 stitches.  If I started with 6 stitches in my circle, I'd increase each round by 6... get the idea?  The number of increase rounds you'll do for your beanie will depend on how large or small you want the hat.  To get the size hat you want... whether for infant, teen, or adult, depends not just on the number of increase rounds or initial stitches, but it also depends on the size hook you use and the weight of your chosen yarn.  It may take a few tries, and a few frogs, before you get comfortable with sizing a beanie.  Worst thing that can happen is you'll know how to make a size for someone else ;)

Another thing to keep in mind is whether you want to begin each round with a chain up (1 chain for single crochet, 2 chains for half double crochet or double crochet, 3 chains for double crochet...etc.) and then end with a slip stitch into the initial chain to finish the round... OR forgo the chaining up and just use a stitch marker to remind you where each completed row ends and just crochet in rounds.  The benefit of this second method is that there will be no annoying little seam that wanders through your work.  I used the first method and if you look closely on the picture down at the bottom left of the hat, you will see a slight seam.  I made a second hat (for my husband) which I used the second method and there was no seam.

Okay, so for Seth's hat I used a "G" hook  (4.25mm) and Caron Simply Soft yarn in Gray. **

** I love Simply Soft for hats... because, well, it's soft.  It takes some practice using this yarn though, if I'm being honest.  It has a tendency to split and can be frustrating for the beginner.  Red Heart yarn isn't quite as nice, in fact I find it a bit scratchy, but it is VERY easy for beginners to work with.  Plus it is about the cheapest yarn out there and you can get it conveniently at Walmart.  Caron Simply Soft is also stocked at Walmart. Also, the beginner will want to use a light colored yarn for the first attempt. Using dark yarn makes it difficult to see the stitches.

Abbreviations:

ML           Magic Loop

Rnd           Round

dc             Double Crochet

ss              Slip Stitch

st              Stitch

ch             Chain

fpdc          Front Post Double Crochet

bpdc         Back Post Double Crochet

To start my circle, I use a Magic Loop.  This is a technique that I am so glad I learned, even though it was quite awkward at the beginning.  There are other methods, but I think the ML is worth learning.  Here is a tutorial for learning it.  Magic Loop Tutorial

Rnd 1: 10 dc into ML

Rnd 2:  ch 2, dc into next st, 2dc into each st around, ss into top of ch2 (20dc)

Rnd 3:  Repeat round 2
Rnd 4:  ch 2 (will counts as the final stitch in the round), dc in next st, 2dc, [dc, 2dc]* Repeat around, ending with a final dc next to ch2 counting as the final 2dc in the pattern.
Rnd 5:  ch 2 (final stitch), dc, dc, 2dc, [dc, dc, 2dc]* repeat around, ending with final dc next to ch2 as the final 2dc in the pattern.

The alternating fpdc/bpdc makes a
"ribbed" effect that I really liked.

This would be the end of the increasing rounds if you were making the size hat that Seth is wearing for a toddler.  If a larger hat is desired, continue adding increasing rounds.  For ex. [dc, dc, dc, 2dc] then [dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc] and so on until you reach the right size.  For adults (we have large heads in my family) I will usually go up to 6 or 7 dc's then the 2dc.  Don't worry if it's too big, slouchy is "in" ;)

Pattern Continued:

Rnd 6-13:  dc in each stitch, ss to top of ch2.
Rnd 14:  ch 2,[ fpdc, bpdc] around, ss into top of ch 2.
 Here is a tutorial on how to do the front post double crochet and the back post double crochet.    
Rnd 15-17: repeat Rnd 14, fasten off and weave in ends.



Okay, here's my disclaimer.  I am not a great pattern writer.  I'm sure there are mistakes and unclear parts to this pattern.  If you have any questions or would like to have something made clearer, I beg you to ask.  I am not sensitive about having my mistakes pointed out. :) Thanks.  If anyone actually makes this beanie.. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see your finished work. Send me a link or find me on ravelry @ Iowaycrochet.  Thanks!!

The video Tutorials that I have recommended are from Teresa Richardson.  Subscribe to her youtube here:
Crochet Geek

A Carolina Crochet Project

One thing that happens when you have kids who are enrolled in online classes... you get the opportunity to meet and become friends with some of the most outstanding people.  In the last five years that my kids have been "attending" Veritas Press, we have literally sent our daughter across the country to meet up with her school friends.  Minnesota, Idaho, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, South Carolina... the list goes on.

This past summer, Emily was blessed with a trip to Greenville, SC, where she got to see several friends who live in the area.  It is because of this trip that I made this afghan.  I should state... this was my first afghan and I am pretty dern proud of how it turned out!

The stitch is a basket weave that I took from a baby blanket pattern on ravelry.com. Basket Weave Baby Blanket Pattern What I didn't know was how substantial the basket weave is.  This blanket will keep the most chill-prone person toasty warm!  It  devoured yarn at an alarming rate and consequently is quite heavy.  The pattern of stripes was chosen purely from my personal aesthetic preference.  I am not a fan of the zigzag 70's afghan nor the skimpy stripes.  I love the color combination and although the colors might suggest a Christmas theme, I think it could be used anytime. 

     

When changing colors, I stitched an initial row of double crochets across with the new color.  Basically using that last row of the previous color as my "initial chain" and continuing at the beginning of the ravelry pattern.  The green has ten completed basket weaves (20 rows) plus the initial row of dc making the total 21 rows.  Each of the other colors only has 9 completed basket weaves (18 rows) plus the initial dc row making it 19 rows total.  The color pattern went: green, white, red, green, red, white, green.  

The border, I agonized over.  While I wanted to try a different stitch with more of a scalloped edge... I decided that it wouldn't be consistent with the strong presence of the stripes and weave.  In other words, the scalloped edging would be too frilly for the manly stripes. Instead, I went with a simple single crocheted border.  Three rows of sc with the second and third rows stitched only in the back loop to give a little ridge look.  I crocheted three sc in each of the corners as well.  

So this Carolina Crochet Project is my family's thank you to the family who made Emily's trip possible, and so wonderfully memorable.  Thank you! I hope you enjoy using it as much as I enjoyed making it.

~The Pools

Here is the afghan in its new home :)
Looks like it was meant to be there.

Little Boy Blue: A blanket for Joshua

I made my first baby blanket.  I think I have found a new love.  I have been crocheting for a while now, but somehow the baby blanket has managed to elude me.  I've made scarves, hats, toys, purses, booties... but never a blanket, baby or otherwise. The pattern is memorable and so easy to pick up no matter where you left off.  I kept my unfinished project in my purse and whenever I had a few minutes, I'd work on it.  

I used Simply Soft Country Blue and followed the pattern exactly with no alterations or changes.

Originally, I found the pattern on ravelry.com (find me, I'm Iowaycrochet), but now that I'm blogging about it, I can't find the pattern to create a link.  So I will just have to write the pattern from the printout I made.

Hook: Size G 

Yarn: I used Caron Simply soft "Country Blue"

The pattern is easily memorized making it the
perfect project to take anywhere.

Row 1:  Ch 126, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across.

Row 2:  Ch 1 turn, (sc, ch 3, 3 dc) in 1st sc, *Skip 3 sc, (sc, ch 3, 3dc) in next sc, Rep* across to last 4 sc,  skip next 3 sc, sc in lastsc.  (31 shells complete across)

Row 3:  Ch 3 turn, 3 dc in 1st sc, (sc, ch 3, 3 dc) in each ch-spacross.  ending with sc in last space.

Repeat row 3 approximately 55 rows.

Last Row:  Ch 3 turn, 2 sc in ch-sp, *sc in sc, sc in next dc, skipnext dc, sc in next dc, sc in next ch-sp.  Repeat from * across tolast shell, do not skip middle dc of last shell.  (123 sc across)

Trim

Working in Rounds

Rnd 1:  Ch 1 turn, 3 sc in 1st sc, [ *sc in each sc,  rep *across,  3sc in last sc, * (3 sc in ch-sp, sc in sc) rep * across,  working infree loops of beginning chain, 3 sc in 1st ch, sc in each chacross,]  3 sc in last, Rep * around,   last round rep between [ ] .sl st to 1st sc, (changing colors here if using contrasting colors)

Rnd 2-3:  With white, ch 1, sc around with 3 sc in corners, sl st.

Rnd 4:  Ch 2, do not turn, *skip sc, sc, ch 2, rep * around sl st in1st sc.  

Rnd 5:  Ch 1, turn, sc in sl st, *sc in ch-sp, sc in sc around with 3sc in corners.  Rep * around.  

Rnd 6:  Ch 1, turn,  *(sc, ch 3, 3 dc) skip 3 sc, rep * around sl st to1st sc.  Finish Off

Add caption

   The thing I love about this pattern is that it is delicate and dainty for a baby, but it is substantial enough to be washed and used on a daily basis.  I made this for my grand nephew who is expected to make his appearance in September. :)

Blue Bag

So, I decided to attempt the Flower burst bag according to directions.  While I followed them more closely this time, this bag is not without errors... for sure! But it is much closer to the original pattern.  It ended up being shorter than the other one I made, but very cute.

Flower Burst in blue

I also added a simple coin purse to go with the bag.  To make the coin purse, I just chained 17, then starting with the second chain from the hook, I hdc in each chain.  I put a second hdc in the last chain and stitched hdc along the other side of the chain.  When I got to the end and back to my first hdc, I did NOT connect.  I just stitched a hdc in the first hdc.  I continued in a round until the coin purse was the size I wanted.  To make the flap, I switched colors and turned.  I hdc across the back, turned, then stitched two hdc together (decrease).  I did this at the end of the row as well. Continue back and forth being sure to decrease at the beginning and the end of each row until it was the length and shape I wanted: like an stationery envelope.  I realize that if you don't crochet, this last paragraph makes absolutely NO sense... and even if you do crochet... it might not make sense! I never professed to be a pattern maker, that is for sure!




For the embellishments I simply crocheted another flower like the ones on the bag and attached it to the flap of the coin purse.  I added a little loop under the flower to catch the button that I stitched on with thread.  Lining the the coin purse was a sinch. Just fold a rectangular piece of fabric in half and use the purse as pattern.  Stitch the sides and leave the folded edge alone and the open end... open.   Put it in the coin purse and fold over the fabric edges at the top. Stitch along the edges of the fabric to the yarn.  There ya go.

I decided to also line the bag with fabric.  I don't like the idea of my keys, pens, and whatever else poking through between the stitches, and since I was making this for someone, I really wanted it to have a finished look to it.

This material was used in making aprons several years ago.
I'm so glad I keep scraps!!

I wish I could describe how I lined the bag... but even I'm not sure how I did it.  I tried to just think about the shape of the inside.  This bag has a base, so I did make a base and then stitched two other pieces of fabric to the base and to themselves.  This really was just done by trial and error.  It doesn't need to be perfect as it just sits in the bag.  Try not to over think it! Obviously, the important thing is to remember that the printed side of the fabric needs to be seen in the bag.  ;)  I folded over the fabric at the top, pinned it in place and stitched it right to the yarn.  

Another added bit was the "lanyard" type dealie that I crocheted in order to keep the coin purse connected to the bag.  I just chained and stitched single crochets up and down the chain, making a loop at the end.  I fastened a key ring to the end of the lanyard and attached the clip to the coin purse.  

Like I said before, this is a gift.  I made it for my mom in law, Pat.  She'll be over tomorrow and I'll get to give it to her :)

What's the best part about crocheting?

... getting to give the stuff away.