My Second Original Crochet Pattern: MY FIRST HAT!

If you are reading this, you have to swear not to repeat when you have read. I have a confession to make: I have an incredibly short attention span. As a crocheter, it's even worse! I give major props to all those afghan makers out there - patience of saints!!! I, on the other hand, am more of a small items crocheter. I especially love making hats and other items for babies! Especially baby girls!!! <3 <3

And with that, I introduce my second original crochet pattern (at least I think it's original, I made it up as I went!):

The 'Helen' vintage-style Infant Beanie

This pattern uses:

SC - single crochet
DC - double crochet
Modified V-stitch
4DC cluster

*Note: Ch in the beginning of each round count as a stitch in stitch counts =)

Ch 4 and join to form a circle.
Round 1: Ch 2 and DC into the circle 9 times to make 10 st, join with sl st. (10)
Round 2:  Ch 2, 1DC in same st, 2DC in each stitch around, join with sl st. (20)
Round 3: Ch 2, 1DC in same st (counts as 2DC), 1DC in next stitch, *2DC, then 1DC all the way around, join with sl st. (30)
Round  4: Ch 2, 1 DC in next stitch, *2DC in next st, 1DC in next two st* repeat til end of round, join with sl st. (40)
Round  5: Ch3, 1DC in same st, ch 2, skip 2 st, *DC, Ch1, DC in next st, ch 2, skip 2 st* repeat til end of round, join with sl st to Ch 3. (10 V-stitches)
Round  6: Ch 2, 3DC in the Ch1 space of V stitch, 4DC in the Ch2 space of each V stitch around, sl st to ch2 of the first cluster.
Round  6-11: repeat Rows 5 and 6, alternating, sl st to the center of the 4DC cluster on first cluster in even numbered rows.
Round  12: SC in each stitch around. Finish off.

For the adorable flower I added, check out this pattern from http://easymakesmehappy.blogspot.com/!

Please feel free to sell any finished items made from this pattern (for flower, check with the pattern author, of course!) and as always...happy hooking!!!

My First Post AND My First Ever Original Crochet Pattern!

First of all, welcome to my blog! Today, to start off my new adventure, I'd like to share with you my very first original crochet pattern!

I started crocheting when my sister, Chrissy, found out she was expecting. I mean, to be fair, I'd done it a bit as a kid but all I could do was chain...so I guess I was 'getting back into it'...in any case, my great friend Marisa taught me how to read patterns and since then, I've been a crochet maniac! I even opened my own shop on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/shehadmeinstitches

^ The shop name is dedicated to my niece, Peep; she really knows how to make me laugh! Anyway, so here it is, my very first pattern! (Feel free to sell from this pattern, if you'd like! Just please link back to my blog to give me a little credit! Thanks!)

 *Johan's Baby Necktie* 

For this, I used dark green, worsted weight acrylic yarn and a size J hook.
It uses:
chain (Ch)
double crochet (DC)
double crochet decrease (DC2tog) and a blunt yarn needle for sewing!

 -----

 Note: Each Ch3 of a row counts as 1DC.

Ch 3, DC into third ch from hook. Turn. (2)
Row 1: Ch 3, 2DC. Turn. (4)
Row 2: Ch 3, 3DC in each DC across. (6)
Row 3: Ch 3, DC in each DC across. (6)
Row 4: Ch 3, DC in each DC across. (6)
Row 5: Ch 3, DC in first stitch, DC2tog for next two stitches, DC in last space, turn.
Row 6: Ch 3, DC in each of first stitch, DC2tog for next two stitches, DC in last space, turn. (4)
Rows 7-30, Ch 3, DC in each DC across, turn. (4)
Finish off, leaving a long tail!

Now, I finished mine by creating a knot at the top, sewing it together with the tail and then using the tail to attach the tie to the item of my choice, in this case a wine bottle. This can be used as a photo prop for your little handsome baby boy - or to dress up any number of bottles as gifts for the holidays or even for a manly birthday!

Enjoy!