baby loafer pattern

I finally made another pair of crochet loafers and took down the pattern - yay!  these can be done all in one color, or change colors as you go.  the first pair just had the sole and edges in a different color, but for the 2nd pair I did the toe decrease in a different color as well.  you can change colors anywhere you want and make them look however you'd like.

I used a size 5.5mm hook and worsted weight yarn, which gave me a sole measuring about 3.5".  I used a slightly smaller weight yarn and the same hook and got 3", so once you've finished the first 2 rounds for the sole, measure it and see what you're at to get the right size before moving up to the sides in round 3.

1st round:

7 fhdc

4 hdc into last st

1 hdc into next 6 sts

4 hdc into last st

sl st to join

total of 22 sts

2nd round:

ch 1

2 hdc in the same st

1 hdc in ea of the next 6 sts

2 hdc in the next st

1 hdc in the next st

2 hdc in the next st

1 hdc in the next st

2 hdc in the next st

1 hdc in ea of the next 6 sts

2 hdc in the next st

1 hdc in the next st

2 hdc in the next st

1 hdc in the next st

sl st to join

total of 28 sts

3rd round:

ch 1

1 hdc in back loop of each st around

sl st to join

total of 28 sts

4th round:

ch 1

1 hdc in each st around

sl st to join, cut yarn and weave in end

total of 28 sts

5th round:

fold shoe in half and find middle of toe, count back 8 sts and attach yarn one st back with a sl st

(you'll have 16 sts around the toe, and 12 sts around the back of the loafer)

ch 1

1 hdc into same st as ch and into the next 11 sts around back of loafer

8 dc2tog into back loop of next 16 sts for the decrease of the toe

sl st to join

total of 20 sts

finishing toe:

ch 1, turn

4 dc2tog into next 8 sts

sl st to join to other side of loafer

1 sc in each st around back of loafer to finish edge

sl st to join at other side

weave in ends

toe strap:

6 fhdc

3 hdc into last st

1 hdc into next 5 sts

3 hdc into last st

sl st to join

total of 17 sts

finishing edge:

1 sc into same stitch as join and in the next 6 sts
2 sc into next 2 sts
1 sc into next 6 sts
2 sc into last 2 sts

sl st to join

weave in ends
total of 17 sts

place the strap across the toe of the loafer and sew in place through buttons on either side.

crochet cuff

 

I don't remember what I was searching for, but I came across this pattern online and thought it'd be a good sitting-still project that I could do while not moving and keep my mind off of things.  the pattern does say that it's a fairly small bracelet (6 1/2"), and I think mine came out a little smaller, so if you need it longer maybe add an extra row to each end or something.  it works up fairly quick, but after two I was satisfied enough to stop!

I used regular 6-strand embroidery floss ('cause that's what I had on hand) and a 3.25mm hook, which I thought was gonna be a pain in the butt, but it's not so bad to work with. I stiffened it with hairspray so it'd hold its round shape in the middle, and added a button to the end.

the next one I did with 3 colors, sorta just played it by ear for the flower part, and paid more attention to my tension.  I didn't stiffen this one so that it stayed soft (the stiffness of the first one makes me feel sick - weird, I know).

 

I'll probably need to give it time before wearing them since thinking about putting on jewelry is an unsettling feeling at the moment, but I'm glad I tried them out and feel a little more confident about using a smaller hook on future projects.

crochet baby slippers

seems a lot of people I know are having babies. with the exception of a few boys they're all girls. one thing I always wanted to do was make baby booties, but when I tried knitting them they just weren't as cute as the crocheted ones. now that I know how to crochet I've been making them any chance I get.

I watched it through once, paying attention to what she was doing, then I followed along. I had to pause throughout while I crocheted with her and they still worked up pretty fast.

I made a second pair following the video for the first shoe and then went by memory for the second. the yarn was a little thicker and it made a big difference in the finished size even though I used the same size hook.

the last set I did without the help of the video and I think they came together the easiest. definitely a quick gift that can be made at the last minute if I only have a few hours! but now that I have a bit of a stash I think I'm gonna keep making them so I can pull them out when I need them.

I think the matching headbands and removable/interchangeable flowers really make them a cute gift :) they also work up really quick.

leaf bracelet

CRAFT magazine posted a link on facebook to maya*made's how-to for a cute leather leaf cuff and I just had to make one for myself.

I didn't have green leather, but I had a beige colored scrap that was sorta ugly on the finished side but super soft and shiny on the other. I've been wanting to use it for something for a while, but I just couldn't get over the color :P I finally decided to try staining it with some green food coloring... and it worked! it's exactly the green I wanted :)

I sewed the leaves together on my sewing machine since the leather wasn't too heavy.

I think next time I'll put a faux button on and use a snap so I don't wear the button hole out.

knit slippers

my mom mentioned she'd like some slippers like ones I'd knit myself a long time ago.

I don't remember how I did them, so once again, going from no pattern other than my foot - don't ask how I did them 'cause I dunno ;) - I whipped these up.

I used 4 strands of a natural bamboo yarn. I think I like it and would probably use it again.
even made the buttons from polymer clay and metal buttons I found in my craft closet.