Baby Blanket Finished!

I started this baby blanket in bamboo crochet thread using size 7 hook quite awhile ago.

It was tiny stitches and definitely took me many evenings hooking to finish it!

So I feel very happy that this project is finished, and turned out so beautiful!

 

 What pattern did I use?

For most of the blankets that I create, I use basic stitch patterns that can be found on www.mypicot.com

or in one of my favorite crochet books.  

This stitch pattern for the baby blanket was found in this book, one of my favorites!  

 

It's called 'Fan Lattice' located on page 101

*Changes I made. Instead of the tr stitches, I did a dc. It fit better with the thinner bamboo thread.

 For the edging I just did a basic sc row around, weaving in the loose ends.

 

Hooked Bodice Top

 I love how so many summer tops are having hooked pieces to them!
So when I stumbled upon a Japanese crochet pattern for this hooked bodice top with a fabric skirt attached, I knew that I had to make it!

 It starts very easy, you create the squares that form the ring around the mid-riff area, attaching each one to each other as you go.

I used size 10 crochet thread in off white/ecru and a size B hook.  This was hard for me, as I typically use a size 6 or 7 hook with the crochet thread.  The pattern called for a size B to create the right gauge, so I kept with that for this first attempt.  Perhaps now that I finished one, I will try one using the smaller hook and adjust the pattern to fit the smaller pieces. 

 Next you add a row of mesh to the top of the ring formed by the attached squares.
From here you continue upwards to create the top of the bodice.

Ending with basic dc straps and a sc edging.
The bottom is a basic mesh row, then dc rows, with an added basic edging.
Topped off with a crochet tie/bow and some hidden snaps.

 

 I attached a skirt of pink rosebud print and here it is!

I love how it turned out!

 

Now to send it off to our oldest niece and *fingers crossed* it fits her and that she likes it! 

Another patchwork skirt!

Another patchwork skirt done!  

Our niece Allie went thru my fabric drawers last month 

and after "ohhhhing and ahhhhing" on several fabrics, 

she informed me that she wanted a "twirlly one with owls...

and birds...and girls...and...and...and...and".  

I think that I covered all the "ands" and then some!

 

These are so much fun to make and a great way to use up the 

bits & pieces held onto for something special! 

I love adding all the little trinkets that I've held on to also...

the special buttons, the hooked flowers & trims that I have made,

and the patches that I made out of favorite fabrics.  

Super easy to do.  Measure the waist and cut your fabric like you would for any draw-string waist band skirt.  There are SO many youtube videos to help you thru this if you haven't made them before and need some help to follow along.  I just make 2 buttonholes on my machine for the drawstring waistband (cutting a piece of elastic 1/3 the dimension of the waist measurement and sewing on two ties to the ends, weaving out the buttonholes).

Each row after the 'base waistband row' I add a bit more material and gather...before you know it, you are done!