My Pattern Experience: Women's Peaked Cap

My Pattern Experience:  Women's Peaked Cap

I found this hat on ravelry one day and just knew I had the perfect person to give it to.  This hat worked up really quickly, it was fun to make and I was lucky to find just the right button to go on it.

I wish I had made it just a tad bit larger, for a bit more of a slouchy look on the top, but the recipient loved it anyway!  The brim is nice and holds its shape well even without the use of any plastic canvas or wires.

You can find the pattern here:  Women's Peaked Cap 

My Pattern Experience: Sponge

I love making bath items for my friends and family.  I know for myself, I don't ever go and buy myself nice washclothes or scrubbies unless I'm on a whim.  When I make bath items I use great cottons like the I Love This Yarn cotton and they're silky soft!

I made this sponge and it worked up really easily and was super cute.  I made mine in lime and blue and stitched it so the green showed through on the solid blue side.  I highly recommend using this pattern to make your own sponges, for use dishwashing, cleaning your house, body and more!  Just throw them in the washing machine and they'll be good as new for the next washing!

Find the pattern for the Sponge here!

My Pattern Experience Raspberry Buttercream Scarf {Crochet Pattern Review}

My Pattern Experience: Raspberry Buttercream Scarf

I made this scarf as something quick to add to my Christmas gift stash, and it really worked up quickly and easily.  The variegated yarn adds a nice bit of color throughout and the lacy pattern is very nice.  It's a very simple and easy pattern to pick up, and since you only have to remember the repeat for one row, it is a good pattern for beginners or for taking on the go.  My only complaint is that the website takes a bit of time to load, but once you're there you are good to go.  You should definitely try out this nice pattern!

Find the Raspberry Buttercream Scarf Pattern here!

My Pattern Experience: Scalloped Wristlets {Crochet Pattern Review}

My Pattern Experience: Scalloped Wristlets

I have to say, I LOVE this pattern.  These are so cute, and so simple to make, and even vary!  I bet I made at least 4 pairs of them last year for Christmas and made them in an array of colors and styles.  I found that they look totally different when done in two tones or plain.  It is a super simple pattern to make, and can be made in one piece.  They also work up very quickly, I can whip up a pair in about an hour.  I highly recommend this pattern!!!

Find the pattern for Scalloped Wristlets Here!

My Pattern Experience: Racing Arrows Hat [crochet pattern review}

For Christmas this past year, I decided to make a set of 6 hats that would all go together yet each one be unique and different. It was because of this that I found this Racing Arrows Hat on Ravelry. This was the perfect hat to tie in to the set and I loved working the pattern up.  It was fairly easy to do if you are familiar with working the front post dc (fpdc), and the color patterning is very visually striking so people are always wondering "how long did it take you to make that!?!"  I have plans to make many more of these hats!
Overall, an easy to work fun hat with great detail!

My Pattern Experience: December 7 Snowflake

My Pattern Experience: December 7 Snowflake

I am gonna be completely honest here.  I don't really remember the actual making of this particular snowflake.  Which means it probably went well with no real issues.  I love the angles involved in it and I wish that I had blocked it a little bit better.  I do remember for blocking, since I knew these would be tree decorations and not used for tables or general use, I blocked them in this manner.  First I washed and soaked them in warm water, then pinned them to my blocking mat.  After they were dry, and while they were still pinned, I brushed them with a solution of white glue and glitter (for a little sparkle).  Then I let this dry and unpinned them, flipped them over and gave them the same glue and glitter treatment on the other side.   I have a dream of having my tree completely covered in these - all different kinds of snowflakes!  You can find the pattern here:  December 7 Snowflake

Have you worked this pattern?  Have you made snowflakes before?  Leave me a comment below!

My Pattern Experience: Grace the Elephant, Sort of...

 

 

This wonderful little elephant toy was inspired by "Grace the Elephant," a pattern that I found on Ravelry (You can find it on Ravelry here: Grace the Elephant, or on the designer website here: Look at What I Made's Grace the Elephant)

 

I made this for one of my good friends newborn baby because I thought it was adorable and had these great colors in Caron Simply Soft, which I just LOVE for making baby items.  (My daughters blanket is made out of Simply Soft and she still takes it to bed with her every night!) 

 

Now let me say that I was INSPIRED by this pattern.  This is in no way, shape or form even similar to the pattern on that page.  Except maybe the ears.  I tried to work up the head based on the pattern there and it just wasn't working for me.  So I did what I always do, and went ahead and created my own.  I didn't write it down or I would share it here, but lets just say it was a funny looking tube that got fatter and then rounded out all of a sudden into a ball shape.  I used the yarn tail to ensure that the trunk would curl upwards, as that is a sign of good luck. 

 

The actual blanket is just a granny square, worked in alternating rows of color all the way around.  I just went until I felt that I had something that was the right size for a baby to tote around and love, but then also could grow with him.  All in all, I love how he came out, even though he was my own lumpy little creation. :)

 

My Pattern Experience: The Mystery Snowflake

I found this snowflake in a box full of projects and can remember making it, but can't remember the pattern that I used.  I do remember that this one wasn't one of my favorite snowflakes that I have ever created but I can say that blocking made all the difference.  I remember that it looked all messy and loopy and didn't make sense as a snowflake until I blocked.  For these, since they weren't meant to be doilies, I first wet them and blocked them, then once they were dry, but while they were still on their pins, I painted over them with a mix of white glue and glitter to keep their shape and give them some shimmer.  

Do you know this pattern?  If so, please do me a favor and share the link in the comments below!!!

My Pattern Experience - Fishtail Lace Slouchy Hat

My Pattern Experience:  Fishtail Lace Slouchy Hat

This is a knit hat that you will love to work up.  I made it in about an evening and it's so comfy and perfectly slouchy that you'll want to wear it every day.  I made mine in this lovely indie dyed yarn that I obtained at Stitches Midwest.  It was a sport weight yarn and it was perfect for this pattern.  I think if you were to use a worsted weight yarn, it would be too thick to show off the lovely lace pattern.  I would also love to do this in a fuzzy lightweight yarn because I think it would be heavenly!  I highly recommend this pattern to anyone who would like to try their hand at knitting a hat!!!

My Pattern Experience: Bohemian Shawl

My Pattern Experience: Bohemian Shawl

I made this shawl in about three days, near the end of fall getting ready for winter wear.  I love it!  I get a million complements on it, no matter which way I wear it.  I used just one color instead of a variegated yarn to bring out the pattern and love wearing it with a greatly contrasting shirt underneath.  The pattern is really easy, and when I made it, I learned a technique new to me- a single crochet foundation row.  I love this technique now and often not only use it, but also double crochet foundation rows to start large pieces.

After you get the first five rows worked, it's just three rounds repeating which decreases as you go, which means that it gets easier as you go along.  When you're done, you just work the edging and you have this beautiful shawl to show for it!  

I used a larger hook, I think it was an "I", and I used Caron Simply Soft and love the way the shawl drapes.  The other great thing about this pattern is that you can wear it in many different ways and it is quite warm.

My Pattern Experience: Bernat Diamonds and Tweed Blanket

My Pattern Experience: Bernat Diamonds and Tweed Blanket

This was one of my first large crochet projects.  I started it YEARS ago.  Literally YEARS.  I enjoyed the pattern of the blocks because it was unique yet easy.  I remember getting through a large chunk of the squares and then putting it aside.  When I picked it back up, I finished the squares but never seamed them.  Then, about a year ago, I started seaming but I chose to be lazy and try and cover up a bunch of ends with my seaming.  It didn't work so well, so I ended up setting it aside. I pulled it back out when I was going through all of my WIPs that I had thrown off to the side, knowing that if I could just buck up and finish it, that I would have a complete blanket with minimal effort.  I ripped out all the seams, sewed in every end, and reseamed it.  I still don't like how the seams turned out, and if I were to start it all over, I know that I would be able to do it better this time around with many more years of experience under my belt.  I gave it away though, got it out of my house and hopefully the recipient likes it, because I don't want it back in my house!!  Pretty pattern, but so glad to be done with it! :)

My Pattern Experience: Yes Yes Shawl Crochet Pattern Review

My Pattern Experience: Yes Yes Shawl by Vickie Howell

I had originally made this shawl for one person and then changed my mind and gave it to another at the last minute.  I regret not having taken a picture of it, it really works up beautifully!

The pattern is just 13 rows, which means that it works up pretty quickly, and I opted to use a larger hook- I think I used an I or a J rather than the G that the pattern called for.  I used Caron Simply Soft yarn, which I frequently use for crochet shawls because sometimes they don't have a very good drape with other similarly weighted yarns but the simply soft just has a gorgeous drape, especially when you go up a hook size or two.  My only complaint on the pattern is that it's a little on the smallish side, which means that there isn't much versatility in how many different ways that you can wear it.

Regardless, it's a beautiful shawl and I do have plans to make at least one more... if only for myself!

My Pattern Experience: Mayflower Baby Blanket

My Pattern Experience: The Mayflower Blanket

I was asked to make a baby blanket as a commission for a friend.  I didn't have much time to craft and I knew that it would have to be something fairly easy.  She requested it to be made in a pink yarn of my choosing and any pattern that I so desired.  Since I knew I would only be using one color, I wanted it to have some sort of unique pattern rather than just be a granny square or something else simple.  When I found this pattern, I was tickled pink.  It was so easy and worked up to be beautiful- with the zig zag cable and shell bringing shadow and interest to the solid yarn and the pattern looks really impressive and difficult, but it's not!  It's just a two row repeat- and the rows are technically the same, you just switch front post and back post depending if you are working the right side or the wrong.

 It worked up super fast- it took about 10 days of good solid work on it, though it did eat through a lot more yarn than I expected!  I had bought a Caron Baby One Pound skein and ended up having to get another to make it through the last third of the blanket and the edging.  I won't complain though, because it truly is a beautiful blanket.  I also made a modification to the edging, because it was already larger than I had expected, so I wanted to cut down on the extra width.  I love how this blanket came out and highly recommend that you try it!!!

Takhi Stacy Charles Venus de Milo Vest {knit pattern review}

My Pattern Experience: Takhi Stacy Charles Venus de Milo Vest

This is the first actual article of clothing that I have ever made.  I was worried about how it would come out, since it was my first attempt, but I shouldn't have been!  You use very large needles for this pattern and it worked up very quickly!  I had the entire vest done in about a week, including time for blocking and seaming.  

It's worked in multiple pieces, you work the back, two fronts and then join them, then work a collar all the way around.  It worked up quick and easy, and I used a nice thick yarn which gave it a beautiful pattern.  Overall, I'm very pleased with how it came out and my sister in law (who got it as a gift) just loved it!

My Pattern Experience:Fallberry Mitts {knit pattern review}

My Pattern Experience: Fallberry Mitts!

These mitts were amazing!  I had picked up this yarn (and darn it if I wrote down the info or saved the tag...) at Stitches Midwest 2012.  I know that it's a Merino blend, but I can't for the life of me remember the color or brand!  It's truly gorgeous though, soft and really easy to work with.  I picked the pattern because I was hoping that the pattern would work up striped appropriately with the colorway of the yarn.  While it wasn't perfect, it does really highlight the little leaves in the pattern.

I loved working this pattern.  It was one of the few mitt patterns that I've been able to complete both mitts in a reasonable time period.  I don't remember, but I don't think I worked them at the same time either, and the pattern was so easy, that they both came out perfect. I may even have enough yarn to work another pair for myself!!

My Pattern Experience: The Vortex Hat {knit pattern review}

When I do my Christmas crafting, sometimes I know exactly what to make someone and other times it takes a sudden hit of inspiration to get there.  Last summer when I went to Stitches Midwest, I picked up a pattern for The Vortex Hat from the Halos of Hope booth.  You can download the pattern free on Ravelry.  I didn't do anything with it at the time, just added it to my "someday-to-try" pattern pile.  When I needed some inspiration for the holidays, I flipped through it and saw this hat.  Instantly I knew it would be perfect for my brother in law.  I had a great shade of grey, so I went straight to work.

Let me just say, this hat works up super fast!  I've only ever knitted up a handful of hats (I usually crochet them) but this hat was very easy to do and a delight to see the pattern show up before your eyes!  I was able to finish this hat in just a couple short hours of knitting and the results were great!  It's a nice stretchy hat, and fit every head that I put into it.  This will definitely be a hat I do again!

My Pattern Experience: Doris Chan's All Shawl {crochet pattern review}

Today's "My Pattern Experience" is brought to you by Doris Chan's "All Shawl" crochet pattern.  It is a pattern that has 4 different ways to complete it, which if you were daring, could turn into a million and one!  I love this shawl pattern.  It's so versatile.  You can take any piece of this variety pack pattern and make yourself a wonderfully unique shawl.  For this shawl, I used a super large hook- a K, though in retrospect, I almost would like to see it worked up with something larger, like a P.  The trim portion is gorgeous (though would have benefited if I had time to block it before these pictures).  The best part was that it worked up super quick!!  I had this shawl done, from start to finish, in about 3 hours, with lots of interruptions (I have children, and it gets hard to have a solid block of time).  I can't wait to try out some of the other variations with the pattern, but I just had to share this with you!

I love the open look that is created with the edc and large hook!

Isn't this edging gorgeous??

I like to wear shawls all wrapped up around my neck, and the variegated yarn causes a lovely effect with this one!!

My Pattern Experience: Hermione the Unicorn {crochet pattern review}

My daughter is just crazy for small animals.  I knew from the moment that I decided to make her something that I would make her an animal for Christmas.  I looked through a lot of patterns, because I didn't have the motivation to make a new pattern myself and I found a pattern for Hermione the Unicorn.

As part of a new series for the blog, "My Pattern Experience", I decided to write a review on this pattern.  It was very easy to work up, and I had it completed in a short three days.  I made a few small changes, using different colors, a different set of eyes, and then I modified the hairline, removing the ruffle around the hair and the tail.  I used a grouping of one strand of white eyelash yarn, one pink sparkly yarn, and one variant eyelash yarn in varying shades of pink.  I expanded the hairline too because I wanted the head to be fuller of hair.  I kept the ruffle around the neck as well.  I was super happy with the result and so was my daughter!  She has named the unicorn Claire.

If you want an adorable and easy amigurumi, go for this one.  You'll learn a few new techniques, and you'll have fun and feel rewarded when you finish it!