The idea of drafting a pattern used to terrify me. I always thought of pattern making as something that only professionals could do. Then, a little over a year and a half ago, I was looking to turn a men's dress shirt into a baby dress and stumbled upon The Metro Dress by Shwin & Shwin. Their website is chock full of wonderful patterns as well as instructions on various sewing techniques and even how to draft your own sewing patterns. I thought back to The Metro Dress last month when I saved one of my husband's dress shirts from the good will pile. Below is the upcycled version of said shirt. 

As I have mentioned before, my crafting desires come in ebbs and flows. Generally I will knit/crochet like crazy for a couple months then I will sew like crazy for a couple months, then go back to knit/crochet. When I am in full knit/crochet mode, I like to take my projects with me, however, I haven't had a great bag to do this. Usually I end up using a large purse to carry everything and my hooks/needles get lost among diapers, snacks and other basic purse worthy items. I thought of this large tote to solve this problem months ago, but didn't get around to making it until now. Below is the tutorial.

Today's post is a shout out to a wonderful pattern and tutorial by Sewing in No Mans Land. I found this lovely little dress on Pinterest a few months ago and knew it had to happen. Below is my version in which I used fabric remnants.

One of my most favorite crochet stitches is the shell stitch. I am not sure what it is about that stitch, but I find myself reverting back to the shell when designing patterns, whether it is the small one featured here or the large shell I used in the Shell Dress from last May, I just can't help myself! It is just such a beautiful stitch! Anyway, if you have been wanting to learn how to do the shell stitch, here is the perfect pattern to start with. Like the Seeds Pixie Bonnet from last month, the basic design is a rectangle that is folded in half and sewed up the back. Give it a spin, let me know what you think!

I would consider this an advanced beginner pattern as it combines basic stitches. It is pretty easy, though, you will catch the rhythm soon enough and be shelling along without thinking. I made this in just one size, but you can go up or down by adjusting your hook/yarn.

Print the pattern.

Gauge:
2” = 9 stitches x 10 rows in single crochet

Size:
Newborn – 3 months

Materials:
60 – 70 yards (55 – 65 meters) worsted weight yarn
H/8 (5.00 mm) Hook
Yarn Needle

Abbreviations:
CH = Chain
ST = Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
YO = Yarn Over

Pattern:
Row 1: With a tail 12” long, CH 50, SC in the 2nd ch from the hook, *SK 2ch, 5DC in the next ch, SK 2ch, SC in the next ch, repeat from * 7 more times (8 shells)
Row 2: CH3 (counts as the 1st dc), 2DC in the 1st sc, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, *SK 2dc, 5DC in the next st, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, repeat from * 6 more times, SK 2DC, 3Dc in the next st
Row 3: CH 1, SC in the 1st st, *SK 2dc, 5 DC in the next st, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, repeat from * 7 more times
Rows 4 – 15: Repeat rows 2 & 3
Finishing: Fold the bonnet in half so the short sides meet and seam up the chain side with the 12” tail, fasten off and weave in ends. To make the ties, CH 40, SC in one of the corners of the hat, then SC along the bottom of the hat, CH 41, turn, SC in the 2nd ch from the hook, then across the remaining chs, SC along the bottom of the hat, SC along the original chs, fasten off. Weave in ends.

Alright, my beginner crochet buddies, this post is for you. One of the most annoying things about learning to crochet (or to knit or to sew) is endlessly practicing stitches and not really making anything. So, today, I bring you the Quick Little Bowl. It is great for learning to crochet in the round and perfect for holding odds and ends in a drawer or on a desk. Perhaps you can store your stitch markers and yarn needles here. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

This pattern was written using US standards and worked in the round as a spiral. This bowl is perfect as a beginner project as the gauge isn't that important and the pattern only requires knowledge of a few stitches. The finished product is approximately 4 ¼” in diameter and 2 ¼” high.

Print the pattern.

Gauge:
1” = 4 stitches x 4 rows in single crochet

Materials:
5 – 10 yards worsted weight yarn (Main Color, MC)
5 – 10 yards worsted weight yarn (Contrasting Color, CC)
H/8 (5.00 mm) Hook
Yarn Needle                                                                                                       

Abbreviations:
CH = Chain
ST = Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
YO = Yarn Over
MC = Main Color
CC = Contrasting Color
RSC = Reverse Single Crochet, (unlike the single crochet, this stitch is worked from the left to the right) insert your hook into the next stitch to the right of your hook, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through both loops on your hook.

Pattern:
Pattern is worked in a spiral, do not connect rounds with a slip stitch. Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round and move it up as you go. With MC, CH2, SC6 in the 2nd ch from the hook
Round 1: SC2 in each st (12 STS)
Round 2: *SC2 in the next st SC1 in the next st, repeat from * around (18 STS)
Round 3: *SC2 in the next st SC1 in the next 2sts, repeat from * around (24 STS)
Round 4: *SC2 in the next st SC1 in the next 3sts, repeat from * around (30 STS)
Round 5: *SC2 in the next st SC1 in the next 4sts, repeat from * around (36 STS)
Round 6: *SC2 in the next st SC1 in the next 5sts, repeat from * around (42 STS)
Round 7: *SC2 in the next st SC1 in the next 6sts, repeat from * around (48 STS)
Rounds 8 & 9: SC around, switching to CC in the last sc of round 9
Rounds 10 - 13: SC around, switching to MC in the last sc of round 13
Round 14: RSC around, Slip Stitch into 1st rsc and fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

Here is the other half of the Asymmetrical Ruffle Christmas Stocking for a little girl that had this mini quiet book attached to the front. As I had mentioned before, this stocking was donated to Helping Kids with Cancer. This little book is a spin off from the Dress Up Page that I made as part of the Quiet Book I did about a year ago. That page was easily my favorite page to make. The little dresses are so fun to "design" it is hard to stop! I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

Materials Needed:
2 rectangles at 5" x 6" of fabric (Inside panels)
1 rectangle at 9" x 6" of fabric (Outside)2 rectangles at 4.5" x 6" of a reinforcement material, such as a sturdy outdoor fabric or canvas
Velcro
Sewing machine/thread/pins/scissors
Pattern (UNCHECK the fit to page box)
Felt for the girl and back of the dresses (you can get felt sheets for $0.37 at JoAnn's)Steam a Seam
Embroidery floss and needle (face and crown)
1/4" double fold bias tape or fabric to make your ownScraps of fabric for the dresses and castle
Ribbon and/or lace for embellishment

Inside Directions:
1. Pre-wash all fabrics before cutting.
2. Place the 2 inside panels face down on the table. Place and pin a rectangle of reinforcement material on top of each panel, lining up the top and sides. Baste stitch around the edges.
3. Cut two 5" strips of the soft side of the Velcro. Place an pin one strip about 1" from the top of one of your inside panels. Place and pin the second strip about 3/4" below the first. Straight stitch along the top and bottom of each strip.
4. Pin the two inside panels right sides together and sew along the inside at a 1/2" seam. Iron open the seam , then top stitch on each panel.
5. Cut the girl from the felt as well as from the steam a seam, then center and iron in place. With a straight stitch and starting at the bottom of the legs in the middle, sew straight about 3" or so to create the legs. Satin stitch around the body, except for the head. Cut the under dress and hair from both the fabric and the steam a seam. Iron in place, then satin stitch around the edges with a matching thread. Cut a piece of the soft side of the Velcro to fit on the chest of the girl, then pin and sew in place.
6. Trace the face and crown onto tissue paper and use that as a guide to embroider the face and crown.

Outside Directions:
1. Cut your castle, roofs and flag from the fabric and steam a seam, then iron in place on the front of the book. Satin stitch around the edges, extending the back side of the flag down to the roof to create a flag pole.
2. If you are attaching this book to the Ruffle Stocking from Tuesday, cut a 1" square piece of the reinforcement fabric and place it on the wrong side of the exterior fabric where you would like the eye to go (I just held mine in place instead of pinning) then sew the eye portion of the large eye and hook in place.
3. Cut a rectangle of fabric at 3" x 2". Fold in half so that the 2" sides meet. Sew along one side with a 1/4" seam allowance, then sew again from the same side with a 1 1/2" seam allowance. Clip the remaining fabric and turn right side out. Connect your Velcro and cut a piece to fit the tab just made. Attach the prickly side to the tab and the soft side to the back side of the book in the middle about 1/4" from the edge. Then, place and pin the tab with the Velcro facing up on the front of the book and baste in place.
4. Place the outside of the book face down on the table, place the inside face up on top, pin and baste around the edges. For the binding, please refer to the detailed instructions of how I bound the pages in my quiet book.

For the dresses, please refer to the Dress Up Page from the quiet book for detailed instructions.

Last week, I posted about Blazing Needles and the incredible donation they made to fill stockings that I had created. These stockings are being donated to Helping Kids With Cancer in an effort to bring some Christmas cheer to children fighting cancer and their families. I also made and filled another stocking to be donated (I just can't help myself!). Best part is that I am providing you with quick tutorial of how I made this lovely item. There are two parts to it, the stocking itself, which I will show today, and a mini quiet book closet with Velcro dress up clothes, which I will show on Thursday.

Stocking Materials:
12" of a sturdy fabric or 24" of a lighter fabric (44"wide)
9" of fabric (for the flap and the loop to hang it) (44" wide)
5 rectangles of fabric measuring 14" x 6" (for the ruffles)
Sewing Machine/Pins/Thread/Scissors
Iron/Ironing Board
Stocking Pattern

Directions:
1. Pre-wash all fabric. Print the pattern, making sure that the box labeled "fit to page" is NOT checked. Piece together and tape the main stocking before cutting out.
2. Fold your main fabric in half and cut 2 stocking patterns, repeat if you are using a lighter weight fabric. Fold your flap fabric in half and cut 4 flaps (the last page of the pattern).
3. Pin 2 of your flaps right sides together. Sew along the rounded edge using a 1/2" seam allowance. Unfold and iron the seam to one side. Sew along the seam, attaching it to the side you just ironed it to. (This causes the fabric to fold to one side making a cleaner finish). Repeat this step, but iron the seam to the other side and sew it to the other side. Make a few clips along the seam so that it lays flat when you fold it right side out. (You should have a visible seam on only one side of each flap which will be the wrong side).
4. Lay down one of your stockings with the wrong side up. Place one of the flaps with the right side down on top. Line up the top edges and pin. Sew together using a straight stitch, then zig zag along the edge. Repeat the same process with the remaining stocking and flap.
5. Open up the flap and iron the seam toward the stocking. Top stitch along the top of the stocking, being careful to catch the seam as you sew.
6. Cut a 2 1/2" x 4" rectangle of fabric for your loop. Fold the rectangle so that the 4" sides meet and sew along this same edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn the loop right side out and iron. Fold in the loop in half so the short ends meet. with the flap unfolded, place and pin the loop on the wrong side of the back stocking about 1 1/2" from the top and 1" from the side. Sew with a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch. (Please refer to the Origami Stocking for further pictorial representation)

1. To do the ruffles, fold each of your 5 rectangles in half, wrong sides together, and iron. Next, do a "dry fitting" as in place the rectangles about where you would like them to go on the stocking. This is especially necessary if you are using directional fabric or putting tulle on one side. Mark the side of the ruffle that will be angling up toward the flap with a pin.
2. Using a basting stitch, sew about 1/4" from the top of each rectangle, rounding off the corner that will be angling up toward the flap at about 1" - 2" from the end. The rounding off doesn't have to be exact as you will be bunching it anyway, but if you are really nervous about it, use a cup or a bowl to draw a round line on the ruffle before you begin sewing. 
3. Pull one of the strings on each ruffle to bunch it and tie off the ends when it is bunched enough, then cut off the excess fabric from the rounded corner.
4. Do another "dry fitting" by placing all of your ruffles on the front stocking, then pin the bottom most ruffle in place and sew using a zig zag stitch to prevent unraveling. Repeat until all of the ruffles are attached; placing the topmost ruffle right under the flap.
5. If you are planning on adding the mini quiet book, then place the hook end of a large eye and hook under the bottom most ruffle and mark with a fabric pen, then hand sew to the front.
6. Pin the front and back stockings right sides together, tucking the ruffles a bit as you go. Starting about 1/2" from the top of the stocking and with the flap unfolded, sew the stocking together using a 1/2" seam allowance. End about 1/2" from the top on the opposite side. Cut off any excess fabric from the ruffles and make small clips about 1/2" apart in the seam allowance at the rounded portions of the stocking, taking care not to cut through the seam.
7. Turn the stocking right side out and sew along the flap sides with a 1/2" seam allowance. Fold the flap down and you have a lovely ruffled stocking!

Lets get real, the holiday season is upon us and Christmas isn't really that far away. If you have high hopes for a handmade Christmas, now is the time to get started on those one of a kind gifts. The great news is that there are a LOT of gift ideas out there that really don't take much time. Today, I am going to highlight some from this very website to get you jump-started.

This first group is for all of the knitters out there.
1. T-Shirt Yarn Star Bracelet - The great thing about this gift is that you don't even have to make a trip to the craft store, just make your own tarn from your closet!
2. Fancy Spats - Liana - Use some left over yarn from your stash for this adorable fashion statement.
3. Baby Bear Hat - Made with chunky yarn and few embellishments, this darling hat is incredibly quick and easy to make.
4. Tractor Hat - This is a great hat for the boys in your life. Plus, it is a great base for an earflap hat, just swap out the chart.

Now to some lovely crochet projects.
1. Fancy Spats - Cathedral - These little shoe collars are the perfect gift for that person with a unique style.
2. T-Shirt Yarn Cluster Bracelet - If you are low on cash, then this is the item to give to your friends. Not only is it adorable, but you can make it from t-shirts in your closet.
3. Ruffle Wreath - Perhaps you would like to add to your decor stash or maybe you just aren't sure what to buy for someone on your list. This gorgeous wreath is easy to make and fairly inexpensive too. (You can make the flowers from old sweaters!)
4. Broomstick Lace Headband - Really, does it get any easier?! Make these as stocking stuffers and use up some of your left over yarn or even make some tarn to create this headband with.

Ok Sewers, here are some ideas for you. 
1. Poinsettia Stocking - So, the stocking itself is pretty cool, but you could use the same technique for a pillow, which would also be adorable.
2. DIY Library Bag - This bag is so easy and doesn't take much material. It would make a great gift for friends and family. You could make it on a smaller scale and fill it with homemade soaps and scrubs.
3. Custom Stuffie - Here is an outline for how to make your own custom little stuffed animal for the little cutie in your life.
4. Men's Dress Shirt to Baby Dress - This would be awesome out of a great red or green plaid shirt!

Here are some random crafts that don't necessarily fall under a specific category.
1. Pallet Growth Chart - This would be a great gift for someone with growing children or grand children
2. DIY Bath Crayons - Can we say stocking stuffers?
3. Olliblocks - So fun, so quick, so easy.
4. Nativity Puppets - Switch up the telling of Jesus' birth with some simple felt puppets

If you are not so much into making things, but want the look of handmade, check out my Etsy Shop.

About a year or two ago, I happened upon the #CrocodileStitch and fell in love. My immediate thought was that it looked an awful lot like feathers. I knew that I needed to make an owl hat at some point. Well, last month, when I was thinking about what Halloween costume to make for my daughter, I thought back to the croc stitch and decided to use that as a base for the costume. I wish I could have brought the pattern to all of you sooner, but I wanted to make sure and get it tested first. I considered waiting until next year, but, well, I got too excited! So, here you go, a lovely little crochet costume!

This pattern includes a hat, capelet and spats. I would consider this pattern intermediate as there are front and back post stitches as well as the use of the crocodile stitch. The hat is worked from the top down with the wings, eyes, beak and ears sewn on after. The capelet and spats are worked from the bottom up.

Gauge:
2” = 7 stitches x 7 rows (in pattern stitch, FPDC, SC portion)

Sizes:
Baby (12 – 18 months), Toddler (2 – 3 years), Child (4 – 10 years)

Materials:
500 - 550 yards (80 – 90 meters) Worsted Weight Yarn
I (5.5 mm) Hook
Yarn Needle
3 half inch (1.3 cm) buttons

Only $5.50 for a .pdf download

A few years back, a friend gave me her small stash of yarn as sh didn't figure she would use it. Within the skeins was this fuzzy black yarn that I didn't really care for. It has been kicking around the bottom of my large plastic tote this whole time without an evident purpose. Well, at the beginning of this month I saw it and thought, "What the heck, I will make a quick bonnet from this and hope for the best." When I finish it, I actually really liked the little hat, so I thought I would add it to my list of free knit patterns. Enjoy!

I only did one size for this bonnet, however, it is REALLY stretchy and could probably fit anywhere from a 1-year-old up to a small 3-year-old. It is knit flat from the front to the back then folded in half and sewn together on one side. It is a VERY easy pattern and I would recommend it for beginners.

Gauge: 2" = 14 rows x 8 stitches in Garter Stitch

Materials:
Size 10 knitting needles
100 yards fuzzy worsted weight yarn
2 stitch markers
Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
CO = Cast On
K = Knit
STS = Stitches
PM = Place Marker
SSK = Slip, Slip, Knit
K2Tog = Knit 2 Together

Pattern:
CO 60 using long tail cast on method
Knit every row until piece measures 3.5"
K30, PM, K30
K1, SSK, K to 2sts before marker, SSK, SL marker, K2tog, K to 3sts before end, K2tog, K1
K across
repeat previous 2 rows 8X
Bind off leaving a long enough tail to sew the two sides together. Your piece should measure approximately 14" x 5 1/2"

Ears (make 2):
CO 20 using long tail cast on method

Row 1: K1, SSK, K14, K2tog, PM, K1 (18 STS) 
Rows 2, 4, & 6: K across
Rows 3, 5 & 7: K1, SSK, K to 2 before the marker, K2tog, slip the marker, K1 (16 STS) (14 STS) (12 STS)
Row 8: K7, PM, K7
Row 9: K to 2 before the marker, SSK, slip the marker, K2tog, K to end (10 STS)
Row 10: K across
Repeat Rows 9 and 10 until there are only 4 STS left. For the next row, SSK, K2tog, turn K2tog
Bind off, leaving a long enough tail to sew the ear to the hat. 

Finishing:
Fold your hat in half so that the shorter ends are together and sew along the bind off side. 

Position and attach each ear. 

Cut 6 pieces of yarn twice the length you would like the braids to be. Fold three of the pieces in half. Pull the loop at the half of these three strands through one corner of the hat, then pull the loose ends of these same three pieces through the loop and pull tight. Braid the three (now six) strands and tie a knot at the bottom. Repeat on the other corner with the remaining three lengths of yarn.

Weave in any loose ends.