Slouch Hats

Dyana wanted a slouch hat, so who am I to disagree. I used a basic pattern for a slouch hat / beanie -  12 dc's in a mc, increase and then double crochet in each stitch around etc. I did 20 rows so that it wouldn't be a long hat. I changed to a smaller hook size for her band, and also on the ones I made for myself. For myself I changed up the sc band for hdc too - as seen below.

• Medium/Worsted Weight yarn  (Vanna's Choice Oatmeal/Barley/Grey Marble..and another worsted)
• Boyes H/8 - 5.00mm hook
• Aero 4.50mm hook

HAT: With 5.00mm hook
Row 1: Magic Loop or Ch3 and then 11 DC into the circle (12 DC's total). 

Slip stitch to join each round to top of first dc.

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same st, *2 DCs in next st* around; join (24 sts)
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same st, *DC in next 2 sts, 2 DCs in next st* around; join (32 sts) 
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same st, *DC in next 3 sts, 2 DCs in next st* around; join (40 sts)
Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same st, *DC in next 4 sts, 2 DCs in next st* around; join (48 sts)
Row 6: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same st, *DC in next 5 sts, 2 DCs in next st* around; join (56 sts)
Row 7: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same st, *DC in next 6 sts, 2 DCs in next st* around; join (64 sts)
Row 8: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same st, *DC in next 7 sts, 2 DCs in next st* around; join (72 sts)
Row 9: Ch 2, *DC in each st around*, join;
Rows 10-19: Repeat Row 9 (Add more rows until you reach your preferred slouch length)

BAND: With 4.50mm hook (gives ridged look – not shown in pictures) 
Row 20: ch 1, *in back loop only, sc in each st around*; join
Rows 21-25: Repeat Row 20

Alternatively (as shown in pictures): Ch1, hdc in each st around*; join, repeat.
Fasten off.

NOTES:

Every circle above will ‘add up’. Row 7 for example: the count starts with 2 dc's (that’s your first ch2 and 1st dc in the same stitch). Then there are 7 dc’s in between each set of 2dc’s.

• 2dc in stitch, 7 dc, 2dc in stitch, 7 dc etc, until the end, where you would end with 7 dc’s before hitting your first ch2 of the row. 
• The same goes for all other rows, the last dc’s will be the correct number before hitting the 2 dc's in a stitch.
• The V's (the 2 dc's in the same stitch) will all line up above each other for each row.
• The last stitch will snug up against start of the row/ch2.
• When you get to the rows where you no longer increase, count your stitches to ensure you are not adding an extra stitch each row. I found when doing this, that I no longer had to put the last stitch in snug against the first dc of the row.

Make sure you are joining directly into the top of the ch-2 at the end of each round, not into the gap between the ch-2 and the next DC. Joining into the gap will create a hole.

HOOK SIZE:
For Dy's Oatmeal hat band: I used 4.50 mm hook and single crochet in back loop. 

A 4.0mm hook would be good for a child hat possibly.

The Oatmeal/Barley hat band used 4.50 mm hook – hdc (both loops – ch1 to start row). This was a bit looser, close to what the hat is without a band. Remember to start in ‘next stitch’ and not the ‘same stitch’

The Grey/Grey Marble hat band used 4.25 mm hook – hdc (both loops - ch1 to start row) and is just a smidge tighter than the 4.50mm used in the Oatmeal hat. I prefer this hook with the hdc stitch used. You can see in the picture below - with this hook size the band tightens in slightly compared to the Barley band which runs straighter in-line with the hat portion.

**I prefer the hdc stitch (both loops or backloop) instead of the sc. The hdc doesn’t look stretched and pulled tight like a sc does when wearing. Using a 5.00mm hook when doing sc would most likely be the fix to that – because it would be a larger hook/gauge. 

Skull dog sweaters

I love this dog. He's so dang cute and makes me laugh. So..he needed a sweater or two for winter.

 

These pictures were taken months ago while he was still acting shy with me and I needed to keep him on a leash just to get a hold of him. Now I'm happy to say - he's an off leash doggie and follows me everywhere. 

This is the Poet dog sweater by Lion Brand (you need to sign in/register to get the free pattern). It's not my favorite to make - I don't like the the shape for trying to size it correctly and it's tough getting the armholes to fit well for a little doggie.

The Skull is from Crochet Nirvana, which I added on to make Chico look badass and make other dogs think twice about messing with him ;)

It is a cute sweater and I made a grey one for Melvin too - and he looks so adorable in it. I think I should of made it longer down the back but I didn't have him to model it for me at the time.

My favorite style of sweater to make uses Granny squares, I think the dogs find it more comfortable, but they aren't really forthcoming in the matter :)

Hello Kitty Scarf for December

After I had made the Hello Kitty hat for December,  I stumbled across a scarf pattern that matched. Woohoo! This pattern was created by Made By K. It worked up quickly and December loved the scarf to go with her hat.

The pattern is quite lengthy in the way it is written but it there is lots of information for anyone who needs it.

I'm no designer, so I should keep my yap shut, and thank you to K for making the pattern, but the ear of Kitty is included as a special stitch instead of just being part of the pattern so you have to scroll up to search for it.  

The only other thing I've found on this pattern, is not to get hung up on the exact stitch count when you do the final grey/red outline around the kitty. Just line up your double/triple crochets to be evenly distributed and your set, no need to count the actual stitches and get all flustered.

I really like using Granny Squares for scarves, they are simple and quick to work up.