Hats off to you :)

This is the hat that started it all :) I made this after seeing one like it on the Good Wife. I posted pics of it and people wanted the pattern, so I will try my best to get it to you... As always please let me know if you have any questions, find any errors in the pattern, or just what you think of it... also pics of the hats you made are always welcome-- and if you should make it and post a pic please link it back here... Thanks!

P.S. I f you make the hat I don't care if you keep them, give them away or sell them-- just give me credit for the design... As for the pattern, don't sell my pattern. I created it and want it to be free or I'd charge for it myself...  thanks :)






 Basic info
Hook size: N (for a slouchier hat like the 1st 4 pictures)
                 K (for a snugger version like the blue and white one in the picture at the bottom of post)

Yarn weight: Bulky-- or double strand of worsted

Size: Once the beginning of the cap is done the pattern then will specify instructions for adult Small --with adult Medium/Large in parenthesis ( ). Use instructions based on size-- slouchy-ness will depend on hook size-- see above notes.

A. Don't join unless pattern specifies to do so.
B. Don't turn unless pattern specifies to do so.  
C. I've tried to be as obliging as possible with sizes and slouch factor, but in the end it comes down to gauge. I'm a tight crocheter, if you are too then these hook sizes might work for you. If you tend to crochet looser then you might want to try a hook size (or 2) down from what I'm suggesting. (for example: If you think you'd go with the K but are a loose crocheter, try an I or J-- Or if you were thinking of using an N, but crochet on the loose side, try an L.)


Special stitches  
Puff Stitch (PF): *YO, insert hook into Sp., bring up loop. Repeat * 3 more times. YO & pull thru all 9 loops on hook  

Starting Puff (SPF): In specified sp., pull up long loop *YO, insert hook into sp. & draw up a loop. Repeat * 2 more times. YO and pull through all 7 loops on hook. (Also, in beginning you can ch-2 instead of pulling up a long loop-- all depends on what you prefer and what you think looks better)

 Decrease Single Crochet (dec. sc): Put hook thru specified st. and pull up a loop. Next put hook through next st. and pull up a loop. YO and pull thru all 3 loops on hook. One decrease sc made.


Main Cap Part
Foundation (2 ways to do):
A: ch-2, 6 sc in 2nd loop from hook
               OR
B: Make a magic circle (MC), ch-1, 6 sc into MC & tighten (6 sc)

ROW 1: 2 sc in each st. around. (12 sc)
ROW 2: *sc in st., 2 sc in next st. Repeat * around. (18 sc)
ROW 3: *sc in next 2 st., 2 sc in next st. Repeat * around. (24 sc)
ROW 4: *sc in next 3 st., 2 sc in next st. Repeat * around. (30 sc)
ROW 5: *sc in next 4 st., 2 sc in next st. Repeat * around. (36 sc)
ROW 6: *sc in next 5 st., 2 sc in next st. Repeat * around. (42 sc)
                                       For Small: After ROW 6, join w/ sl.st. in next sc
                                       For Medium/Large: *sc in next 6 st, 2 sc in next st. Repeat * around.(48 sc)                                                                    Join  in next sc w/ sl. st.
ROW 7: SPF in same st., *ch-1, skip next sc then PF. Repeat * around.Join w/ sl. st. to top of SPF, sl.st. into next ch-1 sp.
ROW 8- ROW 15:  Repeat ROW 7. At end of ROW 15 Just join w/ sl. st. and cut yarn.

Weave in ends


BRIM
W/ RS facing count from where you joined in back of hat 7 ch-1 sp.(10 for Med/Lg) over & attach yarn w/ sl. st. Ch-1 & sc in same sp.

Count 8 PFS (11 for Med/LG) over and place a stitch marker in ch-1 space to the left of PF.

1. Sc across to st. marker, using 1 sc per st & 1 sc per ch-1 sp., ch-1 & turn.
2. Sc across to starting sc. Ch-1, turn.
3. Dec. sc, sc across to last 2 st., dec sc, ch-1, turn.
4.  Sc across, Ch-1, turn.
5. Repeat row 3.  For small go to row 6. (For Med/Lg Repeat rows 4&5 once more, then go to row 6)
6. Dec sc, sc across to last 2 st., dec sc
                 *For small- fasten off and weave in ends
                 *For Med/ Lg- Repeat 6 once more, then fasten off and weave in ends.


FINISHING
W/ WS facing you, Join yarn at back PF where you ended cap part., ch-1 and sc in same sp. sc around entire hat and brim  do 1sc in each st. and 1 sc in each sp.-- corners where brim meets cap, do 3 sc on both sides of brim and on the corners of the brim itself do 3sc in the corner on each side of brim.
Join to 1st sc w/ sl. st. fasten off and weave in ends.

BAND w/ BUTTONS I used store bought buttons, but homemade crochet buttons look fab too :)
Lay hat flat w/ brim facing you. Starting at the PF after the ch-1 sp where the brim had been joined-- count across to the PF on other side of ch-1 sp where other side of brim was joined (does that make sense?). *count ea. sp as 1 and each ch-1 as 1
*for example on my small hat I believe I got 20

1.  Chain the # you got +1  (for mine I got 20, so I chained 21), in 2nd ch. from hook sc. Sc across to end. 3 sc in the side of last sc. Sc across back loops. 3 sc in the side of starting sc. Join w/ sl. st. to 1st sc.

2.   Ch-1, sc in same st., sc across to 3 sc set. Sc in 1st sc, 3 sc in 2nd sc, sc in 3rd sc. Sc across to other side 3sc set. sc in 1st sc, 3 sc in 2nd sc, sc in 3rd sc. Join w/ sl. st. to 1st sc.  (I usually use the holes created by the 3sc sets in this row, to mark where I'll place my button to sew on when connecting band to the hat)

3.  Attach band  and buttons (with yarn or embroidery floss) to hat. Make sure each end of the band stretches past where the brim was joined to the puff just after and join there.


Weave in Ends and enjoy!! :)

This is the hat I made while writing the pattern to make sure I was writing it correctly (I'd made the hat twice before but didn't use a pattern-- just made it up as I went-- writing it out is a little trickier though, lol)

Lala's Zany Legwarmers

About this pattern:
     This is the first pattern I've created, so if you find any errors, let me know. Also feel free to make these for yourself or others. Sell them too if you'd like. Just make sure you credit me with design and if you can link back to me, too, that would be awesome!
      Also, I'd love to see photos if anyone else makes them-- and comments too. Thanks! :)

What you'll need:

• Yarn: 5 colors, tape measure, "h" hook (if they come too small try a bigger hook/ too big try a smaller hook)

For this pattern: 

• Work through both loops unless specified to work in front loop only or the space
• When joining a new color, join in the back near seam
• Beginning chain will count as first stitch in round, except for sc or beginning puff stitch
• Once you finish band and start working on the legwarmer, you will not turn at end of row (RS will face you at all times)

Abbreviations:
hdc- half double crochet
flo- front loop only
sc- single crochet
ch- chain
sp- space
sl.st.- slip stitch
dc- double crochet
yo- yarn over
rs- right side

Special Stitch:
Beginning Puff: ch3, *yo, into stitch and pull up a loop. Repeat from *3 more times, yo and pull through all loops on hook
Puff stitch: *yo, pull up a loop repeat* 3 more times, yo and pull through all loops on hook

                                                                                                                                                          

(make 2, obviously, lol-- unless you only want one leg warmer)

 ** measure your ankle and remember measurement or write down.

Bottom Band:

1. Color A ch 7, in 2nd loop from hook sc in flo. Sc across in flo (6sc) *ch1, turn and sc in flo across Repeat * until strip length matches measurement from your ankle-- then do 2 more rows & fasten off.
2. fold strip in half with rs facing each other, using same color, sl. st. into end (through both edges), ch1 and sc in same st. sc across to end and fasten off. You should now have a band for the bottom of your leg warmer. Flip it so that the RS is on the outside and the seam you just made is on the inside of the ring. Now you're ready to start making the shin portion. :)

Shin portion:

     3. Color B join with sl.st. to band near seam made. ch 4 (counts as dc+ch1). dc+ch 1 around band--               even spacing stitches (about 1 1/2 cm or 1/2 in. apart approx.) ((# of stitches are going to vary            based on ankle dimensions-- I had about 30 in mine but you might have more or less)) Join with sl. st. to the 3rd ch of beg. ch4.

     4. Sl. st. into first ch1 sp. of prev. round. Chain 4. *dc, ch1 in next sp. Repeat from * around. join to 3rd ch

     5. Repeat #4. Fasten off Color B

     6. Color C join in ch sp near seam w/ sl st., ch 2 (counts as hdc) & hdc in same sp. *2hdc in next space. Repeat * around join to top of beg. ch2

     7.  ch2, *hdc in next st. Repeat * around join to top of beg. ch 2 with sl. st.

     8-9. Repeat #7 for the next 2 rows. Fasten off Color C

     10.  Color D join w/ sl.st. near back seam. Ch3 (counts as dc), dc around in each st. of previous row. Join with sl.st. to top of beg. ch3.

     11.  Ch3, dc in next st. and each stitch around, joining w/ sl.st. to top of beg. ch. Fasten off Color D.

     12.  Color E Join w/ sl. st. near seam. Ch3 & beg. puff in same stitch, ch1. *skip next st. and in following st. Puff, ch1. Repeat * around, join in top of beg. puff

     13.  sl. st. to next ch1 sp. of previous round. Beg. puff, ch 1. Working in the sp. only, puff st., ch1 around and join to top of beg. puff. Fasten off Color E.

     14.  Color A Join to ch1 sp. w/ sl. st. Ch2 (counts as hdc), hdc in same sp. *in next sp. 2hdc. Repeat * around, join to top of ch2

     15.  Ch2, hdc in each st. around, join to top of beg. ch.

     16-18. Repeat #15, 3 more times, fasten off Color A

     19-20. Color E repeat #12 & #13. fasten off Color E.

     21.  Color D Join wit sl. st. in ch1 sp., ch3 (counts as dc), dc in same sp. *2dc in next sp. Repeat * around join to top of beg. ch.

     22.  ch 3, *dc in next st. and each stitch around, join to top of beg. ch.

     23.  Repeat #22, Fasten off Color D

     24.  Color C Join and ch2 (counts as hdc) Hdc in next st. and in each st. around. Join to top of beg. ch.

     25.  Ch2, hdc in each st. around, join to top of beg. ch.

     26-29. Repeat #25, 4 more times. Fasten off Color C.

     30.  Color B Join w/ sl.st., Ch4 (counts as dc+Ch1).  *Skip next st., dc + Ch1 in following st.Repeat * around join w/ sl.st. to 3rd ch of beg. ch4.

     31.  Sl.st. into Ch1 sp., Ch4. Dc + Ch1 in next sp. and in each sp. around, Join to 3rd ch of beg. ch

     32-34.  Repeat #31, 3 more times. Fasten off Color B.

     35.  Color A Join w/ sl.st. into Ch1 sp. Ch 1 (doesn't count as first stitch) and 2sc in same space. *2sc in next sp. Repeat * around and join to top of 1st sc.

     36.  Ch1, sc in same st., sc in each st. around. Join in 1st sc w/ sl.st. Fasten off Color A.

     37.  Weave in all ends. (everyones favorite part, lol)

     38.  Using Color E, Ch 77 and fasten off. In the top lattice portion (done in Color B) Weave ch made through the 3rd row.

...aaaand That's all folks! Enjoy :)

Late gifts are the best, right?

So, this year was my first year as a business owner! Yay, right? Well in all ways except Christmas gifts. Being a new business owner, I decided the bulk of my gifts would have to be given out after Christmas when I saved enough money-- and mostly handmade. (Which are the best in opinion since they come from the heart).

So before Christmas I was up at my mom's and at her LYS found this great yarn. I went on Ravelry and did a yarn search to see what others have made with it, and saw a cute pair of  legwarmers! I told my mom about them and she said she'd love a pair of legwarmers, so I decided I'd make them for her late gift. Problem was the skeins of yarn I had were so small I'd need 4-5 of them, so I couldn't use the yarn or pattern I'd found. So next I chose some colors I thought looked good together and continued my search for the perfect pattern. Alas, I couldn't find any (for free anyways) and decided to create my own.

So in the next post I'll type out the pattern for everyone. It's only my first pattern, so it's free-- and if you find any errors let me know. If you want to make these for yourself or others that's fine-- sell them too if you like-- just make sure to credit me as the designer. :) Thanks, OH and here's a photo of the finished Legwarmers. Because of the different stitches and textures I'm calling them Lala's Zany Legwarmers...