A new hat for Madelyn

Okay, it's been forever since I've updated this, but I guess that's just what happens when you have two kids. Audrey is now getting to the point where she's less needy (at least most of the time, except when she's screaming) but I now have a chance to start making things again. I've been crocheting again while the girls nap, and have been able to do a few other craft projects. It's so relaxing and rewarding to be able to spend some time on my favorite hobby again.

The weather has started to get cooler, and after going through Madelyn's hats, I realized she didn't really have any cute ones, just some that I had made on a Knifty Knitter that didn't fit very well, and some random ones she had been given as gifts. How could this be? So I got right to work making her one. I first made one according to the pattern on this Ravelry page, but alas, I crochet too tightly, and it was too small. I ended up giving it to a friend's little girl, although it looked SO CUTE on Audrey, but she instantly ripped it off-- no cute hats for Audrey this winter I guess. I tried a second time using a bigger needle and adding a few more stitches in the rounds to make it bigger. And it fit!! Yay!!

So, without further ado... here is the hat I made for her.

I got the flower pattern from here, it was pretty simple and fun to make.

I'm very happy with how it turned out, and also excited that she wears it. She likes to wear hats now, which just means I can have more fun making her ones to wear!! 

Kitty

This little kitty just might be the cutest thing I've ever made. It was for our other friends soon-to-arrive little girl, Madison Faith. I used this pattern for the kitty, and this pattern for the little flower. I had a lot of fun taking pictures of this one...

 I like her little smile :)

Elephant

I made this cute little elephant for our friend's soon-coming little girl, from this pattern. I really enjoyed this pattern. Instead of making all the body parts and then sewing them on (which most patterns call for) this one had you make the legs first, but they were then crocheted right into the making of the body. 

Crochet Sandwich

I had a lot of fun with this one. I got the pattern for all the pieces here. I made this for Elsa's 4th birthday.

Two pieces of bread, onion, two tomato slices, cheese, lettuce, "lunch meat". 

 Each piece was so quick to make, I used a bunch of scrap yarn I had left over from other projects. I might just make a set of these for Madelyn, too :)

Little Owl

I really got into crocheting again a few weeks ago, and made a few different little animals as gifts for some of the little kids I know. This little owl I made for Shelby for her first birthday.

The pattern is found here. I altered it a little bit, making smaller circles out of yarn for the eyes rather than using plastic eyes (since I didn't have any eyes the correct size at home and didn't want to make a trip to the craft store) and added a few eyelashes to make it a girl owl. I also didn't sew on the feet (started to, but it looked weird, so I went without). 

Playful Ripples Throw

Finally finished this afghan!! I started it last December sometime, but never really got around to finishing it because I got distracted with other crochet projects. Audrey is finally liking the swing, which gives me some free time 

(and free hands, crocheting and nursing do not go together). 

This pattern was a pretty easy one to do, and I liked how it turned out with the bright colors, but all the color switching was kind of annoying, and the "weaving in the ends" part at the end took forever. I like patterns with lots of colors, but they are a lot more work.

The edges turned out a little jagged, so I edged it with a line of single crochet to even it up.

I made this afghan for Madelyn, she was excited when it was done.

The afghan didn't end up being that big, but I think it turned out to be the perfect size for her.

Crochet Owl Purse

 Actually got a crochet project done, post-baby!! This was a quick little project to do, found it off of Pinterest. The link to the actual pattern is here.

I added on two additional rounds, since I tend to crochet tighter than most people, and I wanted Madelyn's hand to be able to fit inside. 

Here's Madelyn modeling her purse.

I had her put some money in it, told her she can use it to put her offering in for Sabbath school. She thought that was a good idea :)