Sweet Daisy Sundress

I have finished my Sweet Daisy Sundress - and I LOVE IT!  Around the neck and the shoulders are a little too big, but I will be taking them in.  The yarn I chose for this project was from Patons Strech Socks line (super fine) and the color is a varigated purple/green/yellow ("plum" # 31306).  I used 2.5 skeins (239 yards each) for the 6 - 12 month size.  The pattern only calls for 25 rows for the skirt portion, but mine needed an additional 6 rows on the bottom.  My daughter is napping right now, but I will get some more pics of her in it to post later. 

Another great pattern from Linda Permann!!

Swing Set Cardigan

This was my first attempt at a clothing item.  Growing up, I had a vest my mom had made me that I had never really liked.  The yarn was too scratchy and it just didn't fit well.  So I have been hesitant to make anything that my kids would wear in fear that it wouldn't look how I wanted it to.  This pattern (as mentioned in my previous post) is from Linda Permann's book titled "Little Crochet" and I have to say it was SOOO much easier than I thought it would be to make something so cute.  The size of pattern I used was for 9-18 month old girls and the yarn weight she calls for is #3.  The weight of the yarn I chose to use was #4 and so the cardigan turned out bigger than I planned.  Since my baby is only 6 months old and doesn't sit still long enough for me to get a good idea if this would fit or not, I tried it on one of my friend's little girl.  She is almost 2 years old and it fit her pretty well.  So I am going to say that the size is probably more of a 18-24 months size.  Of course I could always try and adjust the pattern a little for a smaller size while still using the more bulky yarn.  Now, the buttons I chose were a little bigger than I had originally planned, so I am now trying to decide if I should just use 2 or squeeze a 3rd in the middle.  ???  There are 3 button holes, but you can't really see the middle one and I could probably get away with just leaving it off.  What do you think?

Fun New Patterns

I taught myself to crochet about 6 years ago and have mainly enjoyed making blankets and afghans.  I have several of my own and really love making ones for all my friends and family who are expecting babies.  I taught myself how to read the patterns, which I think is really important because now I feel that I can take on any pattern I want.  If you only take the time to learn the stitches, you probably won't progress much further.  I have never really liked the way crocheted clothing items look, so I have steared clear of most of those patterns - BUT NOT LONGER!  I have found an AWESOME book titled "Little Crochet" by Linda Permann and I LOVE it!  Her baby/toddler patterns are so cute and don't look like some of the sweater vests I had growing up.  She has opened my eyes to different kinds of yarn that I have never tried before and new techniques that I want to master.  I only got the book about a week ago and have already made about 4 items from it - and I have a running list of several more that I plan to complete very soon.  My fever for crochet has been renewed!  I have to say it also helps that I now have a 6-month-old daughter that I love to make things for.  There are some projects I have done for my 2 older boys, but (let's face it) there just aren't quite as many things to make for boys.  At least that has been my mindset....I believe it has now changed. 

Here are a few pics of the latest projects I have completed and I will try to post some of the blankets I have made in the past.  Please tell me what you think! 

Bonnet

 Hooded Capelet

Swing Set Cardigan

Do you think 2 buttons or 3?? 

I will post the yarn types and pattern details I used at a later time....

All patterns by Linda Permann from her book "Little Crochet."  CHECK IT OUT!!!