Saturday, 15 March 2014

(Crocheted) Newfoundland Mittens pattern

The other day I was scrolling through all the patterns on Ravelry that use Red Heart Super Saver yarn, and I happened across a picture of some mitts that I really like.  But the few that I saw available were all knit.  While I know the basics of knitting, I am not a "knitter" by any means, and am scared to try reading a pattern  lol  But I like them so much, I thought it would be fun to write up a crochet version.  So here goes:
 
Please let me know if you find any errors or if anything is especially confusing, as this pattern has not been tested yet  :-)  I will update this pattern as I get input  <3  And as always, I'd love if you could "hook it" on Ravelry
(Crocheted) Newfoundland Mittens
Inspired by some Knit Mitts of the same name

Materials
  • <1 skein WW yarn (CA)
  • <1 skein WW yarn (CB)
  • 5 mm crochet hook
  • yarn needle for sewing in ends
Stitches (sts) used *American terminology used*
  • ch – chain
  • ss – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • fphdc – front post half double crochet
  • bphdc – back post half double crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • Vst – V stitch (double crochet, ch 1, double crochet in same st)

*note ch 1. at beginning of rnd does not count as a stitch, but ch 3 does count as dc. The (number) at the end of each rnd represents the st count for that rnd*

With CA, ch 26. Being careful not to twist, ss to join
Rnd 1. Ch 1. Hdc in same ch and each ch around. Ss to join. (26)

Rnds 2-15. Ch 1. Hdc in same st. Fphdc in next. *Bphdc in next. Fphdc in next. Repeat from * around. Ss to first hdc to join. (26)

Rnd 16. Ch 1. Sc in same st and each st around. Ss to first sc to join. (26)

Rnd 17. Ch 1. Sc in same st. 2 sc in next. *Sc in next. 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. Ss to first sc to join. (26)

Rnd 18. Ch 4 (counts as dc plus ch 1). Dc in same st. Skip 2 sts. *(Dc, ch 1, dc) in next st (called Vst from this point on) Skip 2 sts. Repeat from * around. Ss to first dc to join. Place Marker (PM from this point on) to hold st. (13 Vst)

Rnd 19. Use ss to join CB in last Vst of previous rnd. Ch 3. 2 dc in same st. Making sure to keep CA to front of work when passing it, *3 dc in each Vst around. Ss to first dc to join. PM (39 dc)

Rnd 20. Pick up (P/U from this point on) working loop of CA. Join with ss in between first 2 Vsts of previous CA rnd, being sure to work around previous CB rnd as well (for this, and all other CA rdns). Ch 4. Dc in same st. Vst in between each Vst around. Keep CB to back of work, ss to join. PM (13 Vst)

Rnd 21. Insert hook in last Vst of previous rnd. P/U CB. Ch 3. 2 dc in same sp. 3 dc in each Vst around. Keeping CA to front of work ss to join. PM (39 dc)

Rnd 22. P/U CA. Ss in same sp, being sure to work around previous CB rnd as well. Ch 4. Dc in same st. Vst in between each Vst around. Keep CB to back of work, Ss to join. PM (13 Vst)

Rnd 23. Insert hook in last Vst of previous rnd. P/U CB. Ch 3. 2 dc in same st. Keeping CA to front of work (3 dc in next Vst)x10. Skip last sts. Ss to join (thumb hole made). (33 dc)

Rnd 24. P/U CA. Ss in same sp. Ch 4. Dc in same sp. (Vst between Vsts)x9. Vst on joining ss of previous rnd. Keep CB to back of work ss to join. PM (11 vsts)

Rnds 25-27. Repeat alternating rnds 21/22, fastening off CB at end of rnd 27 (33 dc/11 Vsts)

Rnd 28. P/U CA. Ss in same sp. Ch 3. Dc in same sp. 2 dc between each Vst around. Ss to join. (22)

Rnds 29-37. Ch 1. Sc in same st and each st around. Ss to join. (22)

Rnd 38. Ch 1. Sc in same st and next 8 sts. Sc2tog. Sc in next 9. Sc2tog. Ss to join. (20)

Rnds 39/40. Ch 1. Sc2tog around. Ss to join. (10/5)

Fasten off, leaving tail to sew last sts closed


Thumb – same for both mitts

With thumb hole pointing to your left, join CA with ss to first skipped Vst sp.

Rnd 1. Ch 1. Sc in same sp. Sc in each skipped dc and space between Vsts. 2 sc on side of dc. Sc at base of Vst. 2 sc on side of dc. Ss to join. (12)

Rnds 2-8. Ch 1. Sc in same st and each st around. Ss to join. (12)

Rnds 9/10. Ch 1. Sc2tog around. Ss to join. (6/3)

Fasten off, leaving tail to sew hole closed. Sew in all ends

Sunday, 2 March 2014

CakePops :-D

So, I got a Cake Pop maker, and I tried it out last night... red velvet - yum!! 

I saw somebody selling one for just 5 bux in the local buy/sell, so I was all over that! Then, when she dropped it off, I went to hand her the money and she was super nice and said not to worry about it!  Very grateful!!  I'll be sure to pay it forward!

I downloaded the instructions, and last night was my first time playing with it.  I bought the ingredients to make chocolate, vanilla, red velvet and maraschino cherry cake pops.  It was a tough choice, but I went with the red velvet to be the first. 

Now, while they did turn out just fine, next time I make this flavor they'll be better because (and I'll just be totally honest here) I'm a dumbass and misread one of the steps, so it didn't mix *quite* as well as it should have lol  But that's OK! lol

In the instruction booklet they suggested using a piping bag or Ziploc bag to fill the reservoirs, but I found an old (clean!) ketchup bottle worked great too!  ;-)   Now which flavor should I make? Hmmmmm... lol

Sunday, 16 February 2014

Creepy Skulls! :-D

I originally bought the Creepy Skulls slouchy hat pattern (by Spider Mambo Designs) because my hubby saw a picture and said "make me one!" Lol  Apparently he didn't realize it was a slouchy hat, because part way through he asked why it was so big lol  So now it's mine :-D 

On the technical side - I didn't have DK yarn, and my closest access to yarn (aka Walmart lol) is an hour away, AND my car is out of commission! lol  So I had to make due with WW...and it worked out pretty well! The skulls are 2" square, instead of the 1¾ you get with pattern gauge, but that's ok by me! I probably could have compensated a little by going down to a 4 or 4.5mm, but the next size down from 5mm that I have is 2.5mm steel hook (broken/lost hooks, and back to the Walmart/no car reason lol)

And on the fun side - I used this hat in my FB profile picture and won a free pattern from Spider Mambo!! :-D  So I got the Creepy Skulls fingerless gloves to go with the hat :-D  EXCITED!

I am loving these gloves! 1 down, 1 to go. It's super cold here so when I'm done, I'm going to line these, and my matching Creepy Skulls slouchy, in a black fleecy material :-D

I used ww and it seems just fine  :-) I also added a couple rounds of skulls and decreased the ribbing (I did keep one round of ribbing so it matched the hat)

On the first glove it was really bothering me that the teeth were sliding along the chain lol so on the second one I worked into each chain, instead of into the chain space

All in all I love these patterns, and I might just have to buy more Creepy Skulls patterns!

And as always,  please go give Mum Made Me a Like and maybe even a Share. Also, check out my original designs

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Mini Masa Bag

I was looking around Pinterest (surprise, surprise lol) the other day, and saw a bag I just HAD to make - the Masa Bag.  I also had some Red Heart Blacklight yarn I've been dying to use! So, the two came together, obviously lol

I used a c2c (corner to corner) pattern in a 3:1 (length:width) ratio, then fastened seams as per Masa Bag instructions. I love it! I was going to work on a handle, but I realized it was 3 o'clock in the morning...bed time! lol

I had a vision during the night lol  Attach the two corners (where you would sew on the handle ends) together to make a smaller handle for a  "girls night out" bag (and then I'm going to make a bigger matching purse-sized bag with a shoulder strap...sometime soonish...lol)

All in all, I love this bag and I'm so glad I found such great (yet very simple) instructions on how to put it together.

Now I just need a black light to fully appreciate this awesome yarn....lol

Want one but can't crochet? Go check out Mum Made Me to make an order - or even just to give a Like and Share <3

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Working on a baby set

01/11 My boss asked me to make a blanket for a coworker and his girlfriend’s new baby. She picked up the yarn and I got to work  :-)  For some reason, this is what I pictured in my mind right away!

01/17 Finished the c2c portion and a boarder with baby’s name, now I just need to wait for her to pop baby out so i know what date to put on the bottom lol While I wait I’m going to outline the letters using a surface ss in blue to make them more visible lol

01/21 Got the outline done the other day and I think it works SO well! Now the wait continues… But she does have an out of town Dr appointment today, and he said she’ll probably be staying there :-D

02/04 Well, Mr Parker was born January 23 at 10:08 pm. I went to start on the bottom of the blanket the next day and I couldn’t find my hook! :-( In the meantime, his Mum commented that Parker would love a Winter Pixie Beanie, so I made him one to go with his blanky  :-) I finally found my hook and finished the graph…and then stalled a few more days because I was NOT looking forward to all that reverse slip stitching and surface slip stitching lol But…it’s finally done and a basket full of baby goodies (including these items) is being delivered on the 7th :-D

Saturday, 1 February 2014

Playing with Snowflakes

I got some very fine, very soft thread given to me.  I couldn't decide what to make with it, then I thought I'd try my Snowflake Necklace and a very small hook. It was very slow going and drove me crazy at times because it's so small, but the final product was the Snowflake Bracelet

I gotta say, for all the frustration, I kinda like it  :-)  To make the bracelet instead of the necklace I just used a tiny (1.15mm) hook and tiny thread, and shortened the beginning and ending chains.  Next I will try a slightly larger hook with this thread to make a matching necklace

It'd love to see more Snowflakes out there - please feel free to go check out (and make) the free pattern and "hook it" on Ravelry  <3

Wednesday, 8 January 2014

Its been a busy week!

It all started with a tester call...which I always love  :-D  I got to try out Keep Calm and Crochet On UK's newest (and first for 2014!) pattern - the men's Inca Trails hat (ladies version is in the works!)

Then my neighbors got me some yarn for Christmas (the only thing I asked for lol) so I thought it'd be nice to make them something. My pattern of choice? The Brain Waves beanie (with ear flaps, upon request) by Playing Hooky

My hubby said the neighbor hubby (who actually had the brilliant idea of getting me yarn - the only person who did lol) was eyeing up the Camo yarn so of course I had to do a hat for him with it!

But I also had some Blacklight yarn kicking around that I really wanted to put to good use... so I thought it'd be funny to make him a hat with it and give that to him first lol Except...he was way more accepting of it than I expected lol For being such a good sport I gave him the Camo hat right away lol

Next was a hat for his wife, my friend. Along with the Camo, they got me a very pretty pink and a burgundy/purple so I used those in her hat (pic to come). The whole time I was making it I was so tempted to keep it, I love how the colors turned out!

And now I'm sitting here working on a puppy jacket for my boss's little dog. It's just a wee little thing so it shouldn't take long  :-)

Just added a pic of the dog jacket. Now all I need to do is sew on the buttons.  I think I'll wait to do a proper fitting before I do that.  I really hope it fits, considering I've never met the dog and all I had to go by was measurements (taken with a ruler - eep... lol) given to me by the owner. Crossing fingers!