Pumpkin Hat Tutorial

*This is my own pattern. I'm sharing this with you for FREE, I've changed my mind, so if you'd like to sell the finished product, please feel free! But also give credit where credit is due and please do not republish my pattern as your own. Feel free to link back to here so others may use this for their own pleasure as well.
*If something doesn't make sense, please let me know! I wrote the pattern, then did a test run but I still could have missed something. Enjoy!

(My new nephew in his pumpkin hat.)

(Little A in her hat last year.)

Pumpkin Hat Tutorial

Yarn
Red Heart in Pumpkin and green (I don't know the exact color of green because
I lost the label long ago)

Abbreviations
Chain-Ch
Stitch-St
Single Crochet-Sc
Half Double Crochet-Hdc
Single stitch 2 together-Sc2tog

How to Half double crochet- Yarn over insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through. You should have three loops on your hook (as you would in a double crochet), yarn over and pull yarn through all three loops. Hdc made.

How to single stitch 2 together- Insert hook into stitch, yarn over pull through, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull through. At this point you should have 3 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops. Sc2tog made, also known as a decrease.

Sizes are as follows;
Baby (toddler, child, teen, adult)

Ch. 31 (36, 36, 41, 46)
Row 1- Hdc in second ch from hook and to end. Ch. 1, turn. 30 Hdc (35, 35, 40, 45)
Row 2- Hdc in back loops only starting at the very first Hdc of previous row. (do not skip any stitches). Ch. 1, turn. 30 (35, 35, 40, 45)
Row 3-38- Repeat Row 2. Baby size.
Row 3-45- Repeat Row 2 for Toddler size.
Row 3-50- Repeat Row 2 for Child size.
Row 3-60- Repeat Row 2 for Teen and Adult size.

Once all rows are completed for size, ch. 1, turn, and place foundation row back to back with last row. Sc through both loops on last row and through foundation ch. This will create a seam, you are closing up the rows and making a tube. Turn inside out to where the seam will now be on the inside. Ch. 1, turn the tube so that you will be working counter clockwise on the top of the tube.

Last row and foundation row back to back with hook through both.

Sc through both the foundation and last row to create your seam.

Tube created. Turn inside out so seam is on inside. Ch. 1 and work counter clockwise.

Top of Hat
Round 1- Sc around as eveningly as you can around top of hat. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch made.
Round 2- Sc in next stitch and to the end. Move marker.
Round 3- Sc2tog to the end, as evenly as possible, add a Sc if necessary. Move marker.
Round 4- Sc2tog as evenly as possible, repeat to end. Move marker.
Continue to Sc2tog until you get as close to 12 stitches as possible. In the round that you reach 12 stitches (or close to it) switch to green color for steam with your last stitch.

The top of your hat will be wavy and "misshapen" unlike a regular beanie. This gives the hat a more of a pumpkin look.

Stem
Round 1- Sc2tog to make 6 stitches (or closest to it).
Round 2-7- Sc in next sc. Repeat to end. At the end of Round 7, fasten off yarn and leave a long tail. Sew the top of the stem closed and weave in all ends.


Vine
With Green ch. 14 loosely. Make a long tail with the slip knot for attaching later.

Row 1- Work 4 Dc in second ch from hook. 4 Dc in each remaining ch until end. Fasten off, leave a tail. Attach vine anywhere around the stem. Pull both tails around a stitch and tie together on the inside with a double knot.

Weave in ends and enjoy your hat!

A Wave and a Ripple

Good afternoon! I realize it's a week and two days late, but those of who've been pregnant with a toddler know energy is a thing of the passed. No excuse. No excuse! I promised I'd be better about posting an it only lasts a few weeks before I drop off again.
Little A, just turned 20 months, has decided that the terrible twos was perfect to start right now. But of course, the other day when it was the worst it was a full moon. She's just so independent and wants to do everything herself, and when the "no's" come out so does the throwing-self-on-floor tantrums. Ugh! Luckily they only happen at home, so far.

Can you believe this face ever doing something like that? I CAN!

Besides being the tantrum police,
I tried to work out a pattern for a Halloween decoration/stuffy, but it did not turn out how I wanted at all! I think I know how to fix it though, which is good because it was so cool...in my head. I'm also feeling frustrated over Little A's Halloween costume, I'm sewing it up without a pattern but it's not working out either. Good thing I decided to practice on scraps first, I have an idea as to what I'm doing wrong so hopefully I'll get it right soon.

I'm also writing down my pattern for this hat and hopefully I'll have it posted tomorrow or Sunday. Yep. I'm gonna share it with you! It's so easy and everyone loves them. I made this baby version in a few hours (including frequent stopping to watch TV and tickle Little A). Anyway, onto the waves...

I've been working on two of my wavy/ripple blankets everyday. The weany, now big girl, blanket in the mornings while Little A watches Disney's "Cars" and eats pre-breakfast in our room (she's obsessed with that movie!). The weany blanket came about after I purchased some of Hobby Lobby's yarn, "I Love This Yarn" and while nursing Little A scanning Google for crochet blankets in images. I found the pattern at http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/89937.aspx, it's free too! I started it back in January one day when I thought Little A was leaving nursing behind just to comfort myself. Turns out it was just a fluke and the next day was business as usual via nursing. She's been weaned since May and I'm still not done with her blanket. Done for her birthday? Christmas? Maybe! She loves it though, she stole it from me this morning.

And my ripple in the afternoon while she naps. Her one hour nap. What happened to my good sleeper?! She's still a good sleeper but mommy misses the two hour naps. The ripple grows faster than the wavy, and I've joined Lucy's, at Attic24.typepad.com, Ripple Along. It is her pattern, after all, that I'm using. I love all of Lucy's patterns and I think I told myself when I had time I'd make my favorites. That was awhile ago and as of right now I'm working three of her patterns. The hexie, the granny stripe, and the ripple. If you have time and are looking for something new to work on, Lucy has great tutorials! I'm trying to do the colors randomly but I'm keeping the orange an the pink away from each other. They do not look good next to each other. I'm not good with "picking" random colors so I got an app for that! I type in how many numbers and press generate! It picks the color for me. I did all five colors, one after the other, in the beginning so I just use that to convert numbers into colors. I'm liking using this method so far.

It's wonderfully warm, as are the other two blankets I'm working out with Hobby Lobby's yarn. It's funny because each one is made with the same yarn but they all feel so different. The granny stripe especially is so thick and heavy, while the wavy is so blankety, as the ripple so airy bit so snuggly. I love them all! I can't wait to finish them all! Well anyway, that's about all I've got today! Not uper exciting. Keep your eye out for the tutorial this weekend, I promise it's coming! But in baby news: I'm currently 18 weeks.

Eleven days left until we find out if #2 will tip the estrogen scales or level us out with testosterone. Mommy votes boy, Daddy votes girl. Either way, our love is only going to grow.

Until next time!

Projects on Parade

Good morning! I hope your week is going swimmingly. Mine is turning out fair enough! Monday we had a pregnancy well-check up and the baby is doing good as am I, and the heartbeat is at 144. We'll be finding out the sex on October 25, I'm so excited! For awhile I didn't have a guess as to which sex it would be, then I guessed boy, and now I have a feeling it's going to be a girl. Either way, I'm going to be extremely happy. Little A is doing great in her toddler bed, she hasn't fallen out yet (knock on wood) and she sleeps wonderfully in it! And E has been very busy in the backyard.

Our grass has died in places thanks to the kiddie pool and Mabel's pee. E has been trying to grow grass for a few days and he's sure he has it figured out this time! I hope so, I'm tired of taking the corgis out front, and so are they. Plus, I know it would make E happy if this time worked out.

It came the day after my birthday, wrapped up like a present from grandpa.

Yay! I'm so excited to try some patterns. There's one in there that is going to make a wonderful Christmas present. I plan on making most, if not all, of my Christmas present this year, so I better get in gear and start them! Especially if I don't want to be giving presents in May like I ended up doing last year. Last week I told you I'd show you my crafty ADHD, it wasn't as bad as I thought, but of course I didn't take pictures of ALL the WIPs, just the ones that I work on regularly.

This is the weany blanket, which is now the big girl blanket. I've been slowly working on this since January! I wasn't going to show it until it was complete, but who knows when that will be! So, here it is, about half finished I'd say. It's not hard, just finding time or energy to work on it. (I Love This Yarn)

This is Baby #2's blanket. Sara at Tangled Happy posted the link for the pattern, I'll do the same in a little bit! (I Love This Yarn)

This is E's anniversary present still not finished. I forgot how heavy this thing is and how warm. I can't wait until I finish it! It's about half done too. (I Love This Yarn)

It's the hexie, almost half done, resting on the quilt, back showing, that I still need to finish quilting. (Red Heart left overs)

This is E's anniversary quilt that is sandwiched and waiting to be quilted and bound. Who knows when I'll do it! Quilting makes my back hurt sometimes. Hopefully I'll do it before January.

That's a pillow I'm working on for Little A that's about 2/5 finished. Is that a real fraction? Oh well! It'll be pretty neat when it's done. (Red Heart)

This is the baby blanket I'm supposed to be making for the lady down the street. It's about half finished too. (Caron One Pounder)

This is something I'm working on for a birthday present or Christmas present, I haven't decided yet. It's also the granny squares I used for my granny tutorial. I love the colors. (Red Heart)

And this! Is my blanket. The colors were picked out by E, who has such an eye for color it puts me to shame. He bought them for me for my birthday, which I was very happy about. I love that I have something fresh and new to make for myself. Don't get me wrong, I love the hexie blanket, but it's a ball stash buster. Haha, I had to watch my wording on that one! And all of the yarn I'm using for it is left over from other projects, which is special in itself, but my wavy blanket is spanking new. (I Love This Yarn)

This is Kelsey, or formerly known as Kelsey. A finished project, would you believe it? This is a birthday present for a friend's daughter.

She will be loved by the birthday girl, I know! I busted stitches and finished this in two days. It's a free pattern by Red Heart on their website. I don't plan on making another for awhile, and if I do I'll take my time. (Mostly Red Heart)

I've had to kiss butt twice today! Just to let you know! Whenever Little A gets bumped she has me kiss the boo-boo, which is sweet because as soon as I do she's perfectly fine. But today she's fallen on it and of course wanted me to kiss it and make it feel better. The second time she fell on it, it looked like something out of Super Mario brothers! She was on a plastic tote and tried to scoot off and the whole thing tipped over. She fell with her legs out and landed perfectly on her butt on the floor. I couldn't stop laughing and she came mad faced to me and offered me her butt to kiss. Once it was kissed, she was on her way. I don't think I've ever kissed such a cute butt before. Or ever! At least she said thank you.

One more thing before I scoot. Apparently love of socks begins early, or is in fact inherited. Either way, I'm pretty happy about it.

Until next time!

Seven Things

Jennifer from "It's Just Jennifer" at silvertears101in1001.blogspot.com
(still don't know how to link up on my "smart" phone) nominated me for a blog award, I feel very honored and special that she would pick me.

She wrote that I have to tell you seven interesting things about myself, and pick 15 blogs? I don't know 15 blogs, but I'll list some I know! This is gonna be fun!

1) My husband and I love "The Office" and each September we buy the newest box set. Rather than watch it while it's running on TV, we watch it all in one sitting. Well, not so much now since Little A came along, but we still get the box set every year.

2) My crafty eyes are way bigger than my crafty stomach. Meaning my "to-do" list is way longer than my "doing" or "done" list. Especially since I love starting new projects before I finish anything.

3) I've been in one pretty bad car accidents, one fender bender, and two almost deadly car accidents. One of them involving a fire truck almost hitting my car head on as I was pulled over on the side of the road waiting for it to pass, but another car pulled out in front of the fire truck and he swerved to miss it and almost lost control, almost running into me. He got control of the truck just in time. The other; a small trailer had come unhitched from an SUV on I-70, crossed two lanes of traffic to come into my lane, the hitch turned toward me and if anything had happened differently the trailer would have jumped my hood and come through my windshield. But my beloved White Lightning, my first car a Mazda Protegé '93, sacrificed herself and drove over the trailer as it reared toward me. The trailer ended up under the hood, breaking the front axel and destroying the engine. I cried all day about my car, but then later cried about how lucky I am to be able to cry about my car. I still can't listen to Neil Young's "Long May You Run," without crying.

4) I promised I would tell you about why a "zombie wand" was so ironic to me, so I'll go ahead and tell you now! I love zombie movies, I love zombies. I dream zombie dreams. But! I also fear zombies. I KNOW they are not real, I know they don't exist. I have this vision in my mind that when I open my garage door either at dusk, dawn, or dark, there will be three zombies waiting to come get me. They're always the same zombies in my vision too. A man wearing a brown suit torn up, a woman in a pink get up of some kind, and a younger man in regular street clothes. All rather further along in the zombie. Weird, I know.

5) I've lived in 15 different houses, 5 different states (one state twice, so 6 states total), and two different countries in my life. My dad was in the military, but some of the moving was due to circumstances.

6) I've mentioned this before, but I have naturally curly hair. When I wash it daily it gets frizzy and stringy, so I wash it every other day (I shower daily though!). When I was in middle school I tried everything to get straight hair, including using chemicals, nothing worked! But I love my curly hair so much now.

7) I converted to Catholicism in 2007. Or began the conversion in 2007, I was confirmed in 2008 on Easter. My husband is Catholic and both my parents were raised Catholic. But what sparked the change was a pastor from a Christian church. He refused to be a part of my wedding because my husband is Catholic and I was Christian at the time. That was his only reasoning and he couldn't back it up well enough. When he refused my request, he didn't have enough respect for his own beliefs or for me to look me in the eye when he told me "no." But it turned out to be one of the best things to happen religious-wise. I love being Catholic! I had thought about trying out Catholicism before all that happened though, it just worked out with that chain of events.

Daffny! Im calling you out! dontdareblink.blogspot.com
K at
aurora-blythe.blogspot.com
Sara at
Tangledhappy.com

I'd like to know seven interesting things about you three ladies!
This was fun! I enjoyed sharing that stuff with you. If it wasn't enough or interesting enough, let me know and I'll tell you some more interesting things about me! Thanks again, Jennifer!

Until next time!

New Beginnings and Olden Tymes

Hello! Just thought I would share a picture of my gorgeous birthday flowers from my darling husband! A boquet of my favorite flowers, Gerbera daisies, which was also our wedding flower. Orange is my favorite color, by the way!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I know I did. Saturday flew by and I don't remember specifics, but Sunday was the greatest! First off, I want to tell you about Little A's new beginning..

She's been threatening to jump the crib rail for awhile now, and Friday I put her in her crib for a time out and this is what she did. I decided I didn't want a trip to the ER had she figured out how to get all the way out and not land it. It's so sad to see littles in casts for broken bones, and I didn't want Little A to be one of those kids. So while E was running errands, I began the transition. Halfway through though, I got hungry, so we took a break. It worked out that way though because I needed E's power tools to help us out, plus the extra set of toddler wrangling hands helped too. It didn't take all that long and Little A loved it immediately! Each night has progressively gotten better, and she hasn't gotten out of bed at night the last two nights after being put to bed! Woo-hoo! Go big girl! I'm proud! I think she likes it because she can get out of bed as soon as she's ready and doesn't have to wait on one of us. Not to mention my back feels so much better from not having to hoist her over the railing!

Isn't it cute? Well, it's not all that cute when she scares you because she sneaks up on you when you think she's asleep and you're fixing a snack in the kitchen. I think my heart has flipped a times this week. By the way...

This is Daisy Bear. Or Dai Dai as Little A calls her. She's actually named Daisy because of the Gerbera daisy. This is the beloved bear that cannot be missing come bedtime, naptime, cranky time, sick time. She is Little A's staple. And God forbid if mommy washes her before bedtime and doesn't have her dry before lights out. Ugh! What a night that was! I thought I would introduce her to you because I've been telling you about her for awhile. Can you tell? She's happy to meet you! I think it's adorable that her favorite cuddle friend should be a polar bear, because my favorite cuddle friend as a kid was a polar bear with a red cowboy hat. His name, Mr. Teddy Bear. Why not though, right? I still have him too.

And here is my new beginning! I love hair cut days! My last hair cut/style was November '10. Minus the trim my friend gave me, I haven't had anything done to my hair since then. It was ponytail styling all day, everyday! My hair is naturally curly (which after much prayer turned out to be passed to Little A too) and my hair lady, and very good friend of mine, temporarially straigthened it for me. E loves it straightened but I think it makes me look like a different person. Maybe that's the whole point!

It's a little wind blown today, but I love it! (And I look tired here, sorry!)

Anyway, on to Sunday! E took the day off from work so he could take Little A and I to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. It's exactly what the name suggests, a little village dedicated to the Renaissance era. They have food, games, rides such as a dragon boat on ropes and the little riding swings all operated by the poor knaves who get suckered into it, and shops everywhere! Selling mostly handmade and always unique treasures. One guy was selling magic wands and zombie wands ("Made from real zombies," as he said). Once we come closer to Halloween, I'll tell you exactly why that is so funny and ironic for me. Pinky swear!

But this! Was the thing I will remember forever. Little A loves elephants, the real ones, no stuffed animals. I thought she would be scared because she's scared of those little motorized Barbie cars, but she loved it. The elephant was probably the sweetest one in history too! Little A reached out and wanted to touch her and I took her hand and gently rubbed her head with our hands. If you can see it in the picture, the elephant lifted her trunk and put it on her head, almost touching us, as if to say hi back! It brings a tear to my eye thinking back on it.

Little A didn't laugh or squeal, but she did enjoy it. I know I did! After we got off, I asked if we could pet her ear and the guy said we could. As we pet her ear she looked back at us and leaned in for some more lovin'! If we go back next year I'm certain she'll remember us if she's still there.

I have an affection toward elephants too. Just the real ones. When I was younger, my parents took me to a circus and having arrived early we got to see the elephants practicing their performance. I fed one of the elephants an apple slice before they went backstage. During the show, as the elephants were performing, the one I fed the apple to came over to me! He wouldn't leave either, they had to end the elephants' performance because of it. Aw, sorry, I just made you walk down memory lane with me twice this post!

Well, anyway, on the crafty home front, I haven't stopped the hexie train, but it has slowed down considerably. And the things I HAD to get done? Hahaha, still need to get them done! The most important thing has to get done before Saturday though, it's a birthday gift. Well, anyway, I've babbled enough for one day. I've been thinking though, I'm gong to do a special post later this week featuring all the projects I have in progress so I can show you just have craft ADHD I really am! I hope you all have a beautiful day!

Until next time!


Edited to Add: Jennifer, from the blog "It's Just Jennifer," is working two projects from a book called, "50 Sensational Crochet Afghans and Throws," and I've fallen in love with her projects and her variations of them! I began to grow jealous and wanted a copy of the book for myself! It was 60$ on amazon! And Barnes and Noble didn't have it either. I finally found it on a little known website, brand new, for no where near 60$. I'm very happy with the purchase! Now, I just wish it would get here already! Thanks for the inspiration, Jennifer!

Fall Has Sprung (Kinda)

Good glorious fall day! The weather is wonderful (to me, E wishes it were summer again). Its supposed to warm back up tomorrow I think, but today Little A and I are in jeans and sweatshirts and her little diaper butt looks so cute in jeans! And guess what else came out of hiding today?

The Chucks! This particular pair has been with me since birthday '08. They haven't had much wear time in the last few years because of my first pregnancy and birthday '10 I got a pair of Justin gypsy boots that saved me 2-3 minutes of shoe-putting-on time. But I have missed my chucks.

I finished my first knit project thanks to the inspiration of Attic24's Little Lady. Lucy's daughter was making one of these and I thought it was perfect to be a first knit project. Thanks to technical advances (YouTube) I was able to re-teach myself what a friend of mine already taught me about knitting.

Thank you Little Lady for inspiring me! And I finished it in the same day too.

It was very well recieved by Little A!

Haha, but it was short lived. After this picture she kicked him to the curb and decided other things like slides and rocks were better. Oh well!

Today was grocery day. Whenever we buy new eggs E marks the old ones so we eat them first. I got to mark them today! I love drawing on food (those that can be drawn on) and ziplock bags with food in them. I'm quarky like that.

E likes it though. I ask him if it embarrasses him at work when he has cartoons on his bags and others see it. He says no and I believe him, but I also like to believe that the other guys are jealous their wives don't do stuff like that for them.

Little A and I spent some time outside after we got back from the grocery.

Sometimes I get lucky and she stays where I can see her and sneak out a few rows, rounds, stitches on any given project. Other times the project is flung aside because being outside causes deafness in children (along with corgis) and the threat of punishment quickly turns into reality. But thank goodness it's nap time, for a little bit, which mostly equals quiet time for mommy. I know this time will more than likely be coming to a very sudden stop when #2 comes in March. Wouldn't trade it for anything though!

Especially the sharing of snacks that follows nap.

Yesterday, we took a ride around the country and E cut down some Brown-eyed Susans (I don't know if that's the technical term, but that's what I call them). When we got home they were all wilted and didn't look too good, but E put them on water anyway. I'm glad he did because they all came back! They have a nice country/dusty smell that swallows up the whole kitchen. What a nice way to brighten a kitchen.

Well, I've abadoned my mission to get the hexie blanket by my birthday, which is ok! But, I realized that I have so much other stuff that needs to be done. I'm ok with putting my blanket aside for a little bit.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I get two very important projects get done by this weekend. My nephew's quilt, because he literally could be here anytime though his not due until the 5th of October. And a granny rectangle baby blanket for the lady down the street, who is due soon I think. We have not met them, but a baby gift is the prefect ice breaker! Right? I hope you all have a great week!

Until next time!