Another Cath Kidston Colored Redheart Little Sweetie Dress

This past week I celebrated a crochet milestone -- the making of my first crochet dress! Because I've been busy and didn't have enough time to create my own design, I used Redheart's Little Sweetie Dress pattern for a Cath Kidston-colored dress, which you can learn more about here.

The first dress was for my oldest daughter's two month old and now I've finished a second dress for my second daughter's two month old. Two Cath Kidston-inspired dresses for two darling little babies.

And now, for the Big Reveal....

 

 

For Baby S

For Baby E

You'll find directions for the alterations I made to the pattern on the blog post linked at the end of the first paragraph. I've so enjoyed crocheting these dresses, especially with this pattern and these beautiful yarn colors. It's so much fun trying new things. What new creative pursuits and projects have you been trying?

Today I'm Linking Up With: Erika's Crafts Corner Link Yourself Monday
Memories by the Mile Treasure Box Tuesday
Kathe with an E You're Gonna Love it Tuesday
VMG206 Brag About it Tuesday Link Party 
Oombawka Design Weekly Link Party
Small Things Yarn Along Wednesday
Crochet Addict UK What Are You Doing Wednesday?
Easy Life Meal and Party Planning Four Seasons Blog Hop
Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party 
Crochet Addict UK "I've Made Friday"  
Create with Joy Friendship Friday 
The Stitchin' Mommy Get Creative Link Party 
Sincerely, Paula No Rules Weekend Blog Party  
Natasha in Oz Say G'Day Saturday
Beauty Observed Link Party 
Annemarie's Haakblog Link Party 

Cath Kidston Colors for Redheart Little Sweetie Dress

These past few months I've been doing a lot of crochet designing, and now I'm preparing to begin tour season (more on that in my next blog post). So, this past week I've transitioned to easy designs and ready-made patterns. Several people in my Google+ community, Go Crochet Crazy "All Things Handmade", have been sharing crochet dresses that they've recently made. That was one crochet project I'd never tackled, and I was really inspired by the pretty dresses I was seeing.

After a quick search, I found a free pattern for Redheart's Little Sweetie Dress. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I knew that with a few of my own alterations I'd be able crochet something pretty for the two two-month-old babies back home in the states. Plus, the pattern was easy and used stitches that I knew would get me to the finish line fast.

Since I've been using Cath Kidston-inspired colors for a giant rectangle granny I'm making for my bed, I decided to use those same colors for my Little Sweetie dresses. I've finished one completely and have started the other, and am over-the-moon with the results.

 

My Pattern Changes

There were a few things I changed about Redheart's pattern to make the dress look more like what I had in mind. Here they are:

1. The pattern instructs you to change to a bigger hook and also use a larger V-stitch. My change: I used a 5mm hook throughout and stuck with the smaller V-stitch to avoid flaring on the lower half of the dress, as well as a weightier look.
2. I didn't care for the fan-like edging at the bottom of the dress and wanted a softer look. My change: I added a soft, simple scallop edge by SC in one stitch, Ch 4, skip 3 stitches, SC in the next stitch, continuing this pattern all the way around.
3. I tried the picot edging because I love the picot stitch, but felt it distracted from the beauty of the overall dress. My change: I opted to go around the neckline and back opening with a SC for a finished look.
4. Again, I opted not to use the picot stitch around the arm holes. My change: I used the same soft scallop as is outlined in #2 for my armhole edging.
5. A waist tie is not called for in this pattern, but I liked it for two reasons...to add to the beauty of the dress and so it could be cinched in a little bit if it's too big. My change: A chain ribbon tie about 45 inches long, threaded through the first V-stitch row of the skirt.

And here's the dress as a work-in-progress...

Cath Kidston-inspired colors

The finished yoke and beginning of the skirt

The colors start coming alive

The finished dress without trim, pretty even like this.

My simple scallop edging for the skirt

A simple scallop gives the sleeve edge a soft look

And, again, the finished product, front and back...

 

Redheart's Little Sweetie Dress is crocheted from the top down. There's no piecing or sewing together, and it can be finished in a day or two. Using a Size H (5mm) hook, my dresses came out perfectly for a baby of about 3 months old. To make bigger sizes as the babies grow, I intend to just increase the size of the hook.

I'd love to hear what you think about the dresses I made. When you can take an existing pattern and add your own personal twists to it, the possibilities are endless. Have you made crochet dresses before? If so, do you use a favorite pattern or have one that you've designed? Let me know in the comments; it's great to share ideas. With the changes I've made, I'm certain I'll use this pattern again.

Today I'm Linking Up With:

Erika's Crafts Corner Link Yourself Monday
Memories by the Mile Treasure Box Tuesday
Kathe with an E You're Gonna Love it Tuesday
VMG206 Brag About it Tuesday Link Party 
Oombawka Design Weekly Link Party
Small Things Yarn Along Wednesday
Crochet Addict UK What Are You Doing Wednesday?
Easy Life Meal and Party Planning Four Seasons Blog Hop
Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party 
Crochet Addict UK "I've Made Friday"  
Create with Joy Friendship Friday 
The Stitchin' Mommy Get Creative Link Party  
Sincerely, Paula No Rules Weekend Blog Party  
Natasha in Oz Say G'Day Saturday  
Beauty Observed Link Party   
Annemarie's Haakblog Link Party 

Crochet Blankets, Crochet Afghans -- Blanketing My Way through Time

The other day I heard someone talking about the many crochet blankets they'd made during the past year. It got me to thinking about the crochet blankets and afghans I've stitched up, and I realized there were more than I'd remembered. Amidst all the other crochet projects I'd been relishing, I'd also been blanketing my way through time!

Since I began this blog at the end of January (I can't believe it's only been three months!!), I've blogged about eight crochet afghans -- one I'd made last year, five I made between January 2014 and present, one that's currently in progress and one I'd inherited from my grandmother. Here they are in all their crochet blankety glory...

Each one holds memories of who they were made for, as well as memories of what was happening in life during the time they were made. The feel of the yarn...the joy of watching it all come together...remains fresh even though most of these afghans are no longer with me. 

There's something special about a crochet afghan. More than a pretty thing to look at or a functional item to keep you warm, a crochet blanket is like a loving hug given from the person who made it to the person who's wrapped up in it. Please feel free to read more about each blanket by clicking the link below each individual picture. 

Do you crochet blankets or afghans? Do you have a favorite that you've made or that was made for you? I look forward to hearing about your crochet blanket memories and projects. 

An Heirloom Christmas Afghan

Giant Granny Square Afghan

Crochet Daisy Afghan

An Inherited Afghan Crocheted in 1937

Flowers in Bloom Afghan

Super-Soft, Cozy Striped Lapghan

My Little Lovey Blanket

Cath Kidston-Insipred Afghan (a WIP mentioned often, but not yet blogged about)

Today I'm Linking Up With:

Memories by the Mile Treasure Box Tuesday
Kathe with an E You're Gonna Love it Tuesday
VMG206 Brag About it Tuesday Link Party 

Think Spring -- Yarn Colors & Crochet Projects

At exactly 12:57pm, the winter season will be over and it will be time to think spring! I have to tell you, since I arrived in Chicago two months ago to visit my family, I've been clinging to the knowledge that spring would eventually arrive. Finally, the big day has arrived. Even though it's still somewhat chilly in the Chicago area, signs of spring have been showing up, like the robins singing their songs as I take my walk.

In an effort to make myself feel more spring-like, I've been turning to some delicious, yarny colors and crochet projects that scream "Spring" (and summer) to me.

A basket full of yarn for an upcoming Cath Kidston-inspired afghan.

Four skeins that remind me of Scooby Doo's Magic Machine. Designated for a summer afghan.

Cotton yarn for springtime baby bonnets...

and spa cloths

While happily dreaming about springtime while choosing all the above yarny delights, I've also been working on my first official springtime project -- my Lazy Daze Poncho, which is an upcoming pattern and original Go Crochet Crazy design!

When I work on a new design, I like it to be perfect because I know other crocheters are putting their trust in me when they follow my patterns. From the first stitch to the last, I've loved the yarn I'm working with and the design I've come up with. With great anticipation and excitement, I finished my poncho this past Monday, only to discover that it was about 2 feet too long. And not in the way that could be helped by unraveling a few rows. I had to unravel the entire thing. But I believe if you're going to do something, do it right! Especially when other crocheters will use the pattern. So, after going back to the drawing board with my design measurements, I'm now more than halfway done with my poncho-in-progress.

Five skeins -- crocheted, unraveled, rolled up and reworked again.

Do you have any spring-theme projects coming up or ones that you're working on now? How about some deliciously spring-colored yarns you're anxious to use? Let me know in the comments what you're working on and be sure to come back tomorrow through Sunday for the Spring Fling Link-a-Long where I'll invite anyone with spring-themed blog posts from the categories of crochet, crafts, home & gardening, DIY, cooking and decor to join the party. I can't wait to hear about and see all the spring things you're working on! Yay for springtime!!

A Weekend in Pictures

Many happenings have made this a wonderful weekend. On the blogging front, I started my first Link-a-Long with a link widget on Friday (you can still add a thumbnail picture and blog link here and I hope you will!). The temperatures have risen ever so slightly as spring draws nearer. I had a fun overnight with the oldest of the littles (my children's children) who is nine and as fun and honest as a nine year old can be! And progressed on a few crochet projects and made some exciting purchases.

Here's my springy, child-centered, and yarnily awesome weekend (thus far) in pictures.

It warmed up enough for a walk...the first outdoor walk in a month!

Oh joy, oh joy! The first robin of spring!

Teaching nine-year-old M to play Crazy Eights

Breakfast with my little friend

We laughed and enjoyed Mr. Peabody and Sherman

To go with an upcoming room redecoration I'm planning on with Cath Kidston colors.

Bought the burgandy to go with the beige for a quick chunky lapghan.

Yarn for an upcoming Giant Granny Afghan in Cath Kidston colors.

Start of chunky stitch lapghan in beige, taupe and burgandy.

Continued work on my upcoming poncho pattern!

As you can see, it's been a wonderful weekend with much-needed signs of spring, some solo time with the oldest of the littles and a few hours tangled in yarny goodness. Come join my link-a-long so we can see what you're up to. What happenings have been filling your weekend?