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 

Super-Soft & Cozy Striped Crochet Lapghan -- Free Pattern

As you know I've been lamenting over my decision to take on three crochet projects at a time. Normally, I'm a one-project-at-a-time girl, but I got caught up in the excitement of new projects and began feeling pressured by the knowledge that it's almost time for me to return to Germany and I wanted to get certain projects done. Two days ago, I was thrilled to check one of the three projects off my Crochet To-Do list on Off-the-Hook Thursday -- my Twisted Infinity Scarf!

In the midst of work, family activities and hosting my It's Finally Friday Link-a-Long (join in the fun!), I've finished the second project -- a super-soft and cozy striped crochet lapghan! As a work-in-progress, I loved working with the soft, chunky yarns and knew they'd work up into a thick, luxurious lapghan.

I'd had many curious "supervisors" watching to see when this soft, cozy lapghan would be finished, and over the last two days, they've given it the Paw of Approval.

Alice is the first to approve.

So does Patches...

And Ernie.

Last night I was lucky enough to enjoy my new lapghan without a cat on it, and it was deliciously cozy and wonderful! It feels like the crochet version of a favorite old pair of jeans or a warm slice of freshly baked bread that's been slathered with butter...snuggling up with it just feels good.

Super-Soft & Cozy Striped Lapghan

This is a breeze to crochet, requiring:

• a Q hook
• 2 skeins of Redheart Light & Lofty in Cafe au Lait
• 2 skeins of Lions Brand Homespun in Burgundy
• 1 skein of Lions Brand Chenille (no label, not sure of the color)

Chain to reach the desired length of your lapghan. Mine was about 5 feet long.
Rows 1 & 2: Chain 3 (counts as first DC). DC in every stitch to the end of the row.
Row 3 until you're two rows from your desired width: Ch 3, skip 2 stitchs. *DC in the next stitch, ch 1 and DC in the same stitch to form a V-stitch. Skip 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * until the end. DC in the last stitch. Ch 3, turn your work and repeat.
Last Two Rows: DC in every stitch to the end of the row. Ch 3, turn your work and repeat.

The finished product, folded in half.

This pattern is not a revolution. There are tons of variations of V-Stitch chunky lapghans all over the internet. I've just added my own twists of the DC rows on either end for a more stable edging, plus the stripey effect (using up more scraps!). Now that it's done, I'm really ready to turn my attention to projects that say "Springtime!" How about you?

Yarny Sale News & National Craft Month

March is National Craft Month, and Joann Fabric and Craft Stores are celebrating with some fantastic sales, while Michaels is Thinking Spring! If you're planning any new crochet projects, now is the time to stock up on the yarn you need. Here's are a few yarn goodies I'm highlighting from the selections both stores are offering:

Joann Fabric's "Big on Creativity" Sale, March 2-22

• Redheart Super Saver Yarn, 2 for $5
• Lions Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn, 2 for $5
• Bernat and Purl Essence Yarns, 25% off
• Caron One Pound, Lions Brand Pound of Love and Lions Brand Homespun, $2 off

Michaels' "Think Spring" Sale, Weekly Ad for March 2-8

• Hot Buy Yarn! Lions Brand, $1.99
• Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly, $3.99

And again....drum roll, please.....

• Sugar n Cream, 4 for $5

Get your Michaels' online coupons here and your Joann Fabric coupons here. Since I am not in any way affiliated with either store, I have nothing to gain by sharing this information. I offer it merely as a service to my comrades, armed with crochet hooks and ready to create all sorts of wonderful, yarny delights!

I'm especially excited about Joann's sale on Redheart yarn because I have an upcoming project that's a variation of the Giant Granny Square Afghan I blogged about, and it requires 10 skeins. This weekend, I'll be paying a visit to pick out 10 different scrumptious yarny colors. :)

Tomorrow, I have more exciting news of a crochet and yarny nature. In the meantime, Happy Shopping!!

Favorite Yarn Brands: Are You Loyal or Do You Try Them All?

I'm game for trying anything and, as a crochet rule breaker, I'll try different yarns even if they're not recommended for a particular project.While I'll play around with any type or brand of yarn given to me, I tend to gravitate to a select few when I'm doing my own shopping.

Until very recently, I hadn't spent any time crocheting with cotton yarn, which I talked about in yesterday's post. Now that I have, I've got to say my first love for cotton yarn is Yarnspiration's Sugar n Cream. The color selection in solids, stripes and twists inspires me to create. Soft to the touch but durable, I have many plans for upcoming cotton yarn crochet creations.

 
But, of course, my cotton yarn experience isn't very vast. I've looked at, felt and priced other cotton yarns. And then I always gravitate back to Sugar n Cream.

Over the past years, more acrylic yarn has worked its way through my fingers and off my hook than anything else. Again, I'll try just about any acrylic yarn if it's given to me or I find a great deal...and I mean a great deal. But, given my druthers, I choose Redheart's "With Love"  and Lions Brand. The large, soft skeins make me want to crochet large afghans or chunky scarves. There are more colors than I can choose from, leaving me feel like a kid in a candy shop trying to figure out which treats to choose.

Do you have favorite yarn brands? Tell me what you like for different crochet projects. I'd love to hear from you and possibly be introduced to a new favorite!