New Crochet Column on the Examiner.com

I am constantly searching the internet for inspiration and information regarding the art of crochet.  This has led me to start my own column on the Examiner.com regarding Crochet in the Tampa Bay area.  I will be including a lot of my free patterns in my column, as well as information on local crochet groups and shops.  My first article has been published and can be viewed here:

http://www.examiner.com/crocheting-in-tampa-bay/free-easter-bunny-crochet-hat-pattern

If you have a chance, please stop by and leave me some feedback :)

Want to make some extra money by writing about a topic you enjoy?  Apply to write for the Examiner by CLICKING HERE

Leap Day Sale - Today Only!

Leap day only comes around once every four years. To celebrate, I am hosting a leap day sale at my store Tampa Bay Crochet.  Today only, enter the coupon code:  LeapDay to receive 10% off!

Newest Item:  Owl Ipod touch or Iphone case

Sale ends at midnight!

Crochet Mary Jane Slippers - Free Pattern

I decided today to share one of my favorite slipper patterns.  These mary jane slippers are cute, comfy and a lot more stylish than some traditional crochet slipper patterns.  

The pattern I use for the adult slippers was designed by Nikki Kirkwood.  The instructions call for a button to be used as an accent on the slippers but you can use any applique you want.  In the picture above, I used a small flower instead of the button.  For Valentine's Day, I crocheted some slippers for a gift and used a small pink heart.  The pattern for the adult slippers is available as a free download and can be found:

Adult Slipper Pattern

I recently completed a custom order for matching adult and toddler mary jane slippers.  To complete the order, I created the pattern for toddler slippers below.  The pattern is for a toddler with a shoe size of  6-7.5 but can be adjusted to fit up to a toddler size 10.

Toddler Slipper Pattern 

This pattern is also available as a free download:  Click Here

MATERIALS:
Worsted Weight Yarn
H/5.00 mm hook
Tapestry needle
Decorative applique

Slippers were made to fit toddlers size 6-7.5 but can be adjusted to fit up to a toddler size 10.  To make slippers larger or smaller, adjust the number of rows during Rows 14-16.

Make 2

Ch 3,
Row 1: 6 hdc in 3rd ch from hook, sl st to first hdc to join. (6)
Row 2: ch 2, 2 hdc in each of the next 6 sts, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. (12)
Row 3: ch 2, *1 hdc in first st, 2 hdc in following st*, repeat from * to *, end with 2 hdc in last st, sl st to     top of ch 2 to join.(18)
Row 4-8: ch 2, 1 hdc in each of the following 18 sts, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. (18)

Row 9: ch 1, turn, single crochet in next 14 sts.

Row 10:  ch1, turn, single crochet in the next 14 sts, ch 7.

Row 11:  sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in next 19 sts.

Row 12:  ch 1, turn, sc in next 20 sts, sl st across slipper to connect the strap.

Row 13:  ch 1, sc in 14 sts.

Row 14-16: ch 1, turn, sc in next 14 sts.

Row 17: ch 1, turn, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog 3 times, sc in last 3 sts.  Tie off leaving a 6 inch tail.

Turn slipper inside out.  Using the six inch tail and a tapestry needle, fold the slipper in half and sew together the heel.  Turn slipper right side out.

Using a tapestry needle and matching yarn, sew the strap in place.

Weave in ends and add your desired appliqué.

Flower Applique:
To create the flower, I used a crochet hook size G.
Form a magic ring
Ch 3, Tr, Ch 3, sl st in ring to create first petal
Repeat 4 times until you have five petals.
Pull the magic ring tight to form the flower.

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Pinterest - My Addiction

I've been using Pinterest for a few months now and I believe it is safe to say I have a full-fledged addiction.  Tonight for instance, I have not been able to fall asleep.  So, instead of picking up a book or trying to count sheep, I am on my computer incessantly pinning crochet projects.  If you haven't checked out Pinterest yet, I highly recommend it.  The site is a great way to find everything from crochet patterns to recipes, travel ideas, party planning tips and more.  If there is anyone who is not a member of Pinterest and would like an invite, send me an e-mail at etsycrochet@hotmail.com and I will send you an invite.  

It may take a day or two until you receive your invite since Pinterest restricts the number of invites you may send per day but don't worry I will get to you :)

Crochet Easter Bunny Toddler Slippers Pattern

I just finished creating a pattern for Easter bunny slippers! I am really happy with how they turned out. This pattern isn't free, but I am only charging $1! They would make great Easter gifts or look great in photos. The pattern is written for a toddler with a shoe size of approximately 5.5 - 7 but can be modified to fit up to a toddler size 10.










I will also be selling these slippers in my Etsy store later this week :)  If you think you would like to order a pair, send me a convo through Etsy and let me know what size you are looking for.

Free Crochet Pattern Duck Bib and Booties - Perfect for Easter

I just found this free pattern for a baby duck bib and booties set.  This would be perfect for an Easter gift, so I thought I would share!  The pattern can be found at free-crochet.com.  Here is the link for this adorable pattern:

 Duck Bib & Booties

You can also sign up for free to access all the crochet patterns available through free-crochet.com by clicking the banner below.

Crochet Double Strand Headband with Heart Accent

♥  This headband is super easy and very versatile.  If you don't like the heart accent, you could easily replace it with a flower or just wear the double strand headband alone.  Great quick crochet project for any scrap yarn you have laying around!

Materials:

Crochet Hook Size:  G

Large needle to sew together headband and attach the heart.
Yarn: I used white and pink Caron worsted weight yarn but anything would work.

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain

Sc = Single Crochet

Chain 91

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd chain from hook and in next 9 chs (10 sc total), ch 80, sc in the 10th ch from the beginning of the opposite side of your initial chain and in the next 9 chs. Tie off leaving a 6 inch tail.

Finishing of the headband:

Use needle to sew the two ends of the headband together using the six inch tail.

Heart Accent:

To crochet the heart, I used the medium sized heart pattern from PlanetJune found HERE

After you crochet your heart, just use your needle to sew it to both strands of the headband.

Enjoy!

And as always, if you don't have time to make this yourself, I sell headbands at my Etsy store: Tampa Bay Crochet

Crochet Baby Beanie with Flower

This is one of my favorite simple baby hat patterns.  It comes from the blog, The Dainty Daisy, by Betsy Thompson.  Here are a few pics of finished hats I have made using this pattern.

0-3 month beanie

6-12 month beanie

This pattern can be found here:  The Dainty Daisy Shell Stitch Beanie

I also sell this pattern at my Etsy store, Tampa Bay Crochet

Enjoy!!!

Easter Bunny Hat with Flower - Free Pattern

♥ Love this hat but don't have the time to make it?  This hat is available for purchase at Tampa Bay Crochet ♥

Easter Bunny Hat With Flower

I literally finished this hat this morning and I think it came out great!  Here is the pattern I wrote as I was crocheting.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Crochet Hat sizes with this pattern: baby 6-12 months = G hook , toddler-preschooler (12 months-3 yrs) = H hook , child 3-10 yrs = I hook , teens = J hook, Adult women = k hook

Supplies:

White and Pink worsted weight yarn

I Hook

G Hook

Yarn needle

1 button

Abbreviations: dc=double crochet sc=single crochet sl st=slip stitch ch=chain

Instructions: I hook, white yarn for the body

ch 5- slip stitch to form a ring

 rnd 1. ch 3, 11 dc in ring, join with sl st on top of ch 3. -12 sts

rnd 2. ch 2, dc in same st as joining, 2dc in each st. around. join with sl st. -24 sts.

rnd 3. ch 2, *dc in next st, 2dc in next st., repeat from *around, join with sl st. -36 sts.

rnd 4. ch 2, *dc in the next 2 sts, 2dc in the next st, repeat from *around, join with sl st. -48 sts. rnd 5. *ch 2, dc in each st across, join sl st., *repeat. continue until the hat reaches 7 inches, sl st. fasten off. Change colors; add pink yarn with I hook, single crochet around the trim (bottom of the hat) and sl st.

Ears (Make 2)

Pink Oval - With pink yarn and G crochet hook, ch 15

Dc in 3^rd ch from hook and each ch across, 5 dc in last chain

Continue to dc across the opposite side of chain, 5 dc in last chain, sl st to chain 2 space to join.

Tie off leaving a 12 inch tail. (Repeat for 2^nd ear)

White Ear - With white yarn and G crochet hook, ch 36

dc in third ch from hook and in each ch across, 5 dc in last ch

Continue to dc across the opposite side of the chain, 5 dc in last chain, sl st to chain 2 space to join.

Ch1, single crochet in each dc space around the entire ear, sl st to join to ch 1 and tie off.

Fold the ear in half. 

Sl st to join white yarn at a bottom corner of the ear.

Sl st the the ear together and tie off leaving a 12 inch tail. (Now, you have a straight edge at the bottom of the ear)

Take the pink oval and using a needle, sew onto the front of the ear using the leftover pink yarn tail.

Then, sew the ear onto the top of the hat using the white yarn tail.

Optional Flower:

I like to attach the flower to the hat using a decorative button

Pattern for the flower can be found here: http://www.action-hero.net/blog/2004/09/crocheted-flower-pattern.html