Gracie came to live with us night before last. It was kind of sudden and I'm still not sure all that transpired for her to come, but I'm just so glad she's here. It seems it was her mom's idea, she asked my son (Gracie's dad) if he would let her (Gracie) live with us. Like he's only been trying to get her to do that for the last 3 years. From what I've been told, Gracie will be with us through the summer at least and visit her mom every other weekend. I hope this is what will really happen, but this child's mom is not very reliable and may change her mind at the drop of a hat. I hope we don't get our hearts broken again.

Gracie's birthday is Saturday, she's going to be 4 years old.

I created this little gadabout bag for Gracie. It was fun to whip up and she enjoyed it very much when I gave it to her. I was going to do it all purple, but ran out of that, so I decided to finish it off in pink, but Gracie insisted I add the verigated yarn in there too. I believe she was right. I like it better with the verigated trim. The coke can is just for size reference. No pattern, just goofing around.

This was a frustrating project for me because I couldn't figure out how to make it small enough and still show off the pattern stitch. This is the third try and it's still a little larger than I like, but I'll live with it. It can be made smaller by using a smaller hook. Overall, I'd rate this an easy pattern to do. Click the picture to get the pattern.

This was a super easy project to do. I love the way the shells zig zag up the back. I think this would make a great beginner pattern because there's only 2 rows in the whole pattern, and you repeat row 2 until you have the length you want for your stole. This is my pattern, copyright to Dot Matthews. If you'd like the pattern, click the picture and it will take you there.

Scrap yarn. Piles and piles of scrap yarn. I can't throw it away and I'm convinced it multiplies when left alone in dark places. Every once in awhile I drag it out, put it together with the "russian join" and try to create something useful and beautiful. I've never been disappointed in the way a scrap project has looked, but this one's got to be my favorite.

This is my own creation, made with a wave stitch outlined in black single crochet. Click the picture to get to the pattern.

FANCY FANS HAT
copyright 01/03/06 Dot Matthews

 

SIZE: one size fits most adults; SKILL: intermediate;
YOU WILL NEED:
HOOK: I/9-5.50mm; YARN: 1 oz/80 yds Bernat Baby Coordinates sport weight, color Soft Turquoise; yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors
STITCHES/ABBREVIATIONS USED: chain (ch); single crochet (sc); double crochet (dc); treble crochet (tr); fan; each (ea); skip (sk);

FAN STITCH = tr, (ch 2, tr)4 times all in the same stitch. you will have 5 tr with ch 2 between ea tr.

Pattern worked in multiple of 10 + 7; GAUGE = 7 rows and 8 sc = 2"

INSTRUCTIONS

round 1: ch 2, 10 sc in first ch. Join in first sc. (10 sc)

round 2: ch 1, sc in same st as join, *2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around. (20 sc)

round 3: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next st.
*2 sc in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. (30 sc)

round 4: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 2 sts,
*2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. (40 sc)

round 5: ch 1, sc in ea st around. Join in first sc. (40 sc)

round 6: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 3 sts,
*2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. (50 sc)

round 7: ch 1, sc in ea st around. Join in first sc. (50 sc)

round 8: repeat round 7. (50 sc)

round 9: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 4 sts,
*2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. (60 sc)

round 10: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, sc in next 5 sts,
*2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. (70 sc)

round 11: ch 1, sc in ea st around. Join in first sc. (70 sc)

round 12: ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next 6 sts,
*2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. (80 sc)

round 13: ch 1, sc in ea st around. Join in first sc. (80 sc)

round 14: ch 1, sc in same st as join,
*ch 1, sk 4 sts,
fan in next st,
ch 1, sk next 4 sts,
sc in next st. Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. (8 fans)

round 15: sl st in first sp of fan, ch 6 (counts as 1 dc and 3 chs), sc in center tr of fan, ch 3, dc in last sp of fan,
*ch 2, sk to first sp of fan
dc in first sp of fan
ch 3, sc in center tr of fan,
ch 3, dc in last sp of fan. Rep from * around. dc in 3rd ch of beg ch to join.

round 16: ch 7 (counts as 1 tr and 2 chs), tr, (ch 2, tr)3 times all in the space made by the joining dc. (stitches are worked around the post of the dc)
*ch 1, sk next sp,
sc in next sc,
ch 1, sk next sp**
fan in next sp. Repeat from * around, end last repeat at **. Join in 5th ch of beg ch. (8 fans)

round 17: Repeat round 15.

round 18: Repeat round 16.

round 19: Repeat round 15, ending with ch 3, join in 3rd ch of beginning ch..

round 20: ch 1, sc in same st as join,
*3 sc in next sp, sc in next st. Repeat from * around. Join in first sc. Place marker in join. (96 sc)

round 21: sl st in ea st around. Join in marked st.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

I keep a notebook of all the items I design and make during the year and looking back on 2005, it's no wonder that I can't get motivated to post another pattern. lol Here's most of what I did in the year 2005. I say most because I forgot to write down some things. HAPPY NEW YEAR

D = designed and M = made

JANUARY
D - Baby Perky Puffs Hat
M - 4 8" squares for comfortghan
M - 12 UBW hats
D - Eastwoodly Poncho
D - Eastwoodly Hat
D - Lovely in Lace Hat (broomstick lace)
M - Lizzy Hat
D - Hascarf (hat with scarf attached)
M - Hascarf (for my son)
M - Arm warmers (for my son)
D - Ribbed Ski Hat
D - Ribbed Neck Warmer

FEBRUARY
D - Ribbed Beret
D - Giddyup Go (red hat)
M - Giddyup Go (blue hat)
M - 4 potholders
D - Honeycomb Hat
D - Sweetnes Hat
M - Water Bottle Carrier

MARCH
D - Pretty as a Peacock Stole
M - UBW Hats

APRIL
D - Diamonds and Lace Poncho
D - Gentle Ripples Poncho

MAY
D - Elegant Lace Poncho
M - Sweetness (in cotton)
M - Sassy

JUNE
M - dishcloths
D - Peeks and Valleys Poncho
M - UBW Hats
D - Cowboy style hat (for D. Stoller to publish)
D - Reflections Poncho

JULY
M - UBW Hats
D - Bows and Arrows Poncho
D - Bows and Arrows Hat
M - Bows and Arrows Hat
D - Dot's Little Ditty Bag
M - Bows and Arrows Hat
D - Dot's Extenda Bag
M - Dot's Little Ditty Bag
M - Dot's Extenda Bag
D - Pleasing Pineapples Poncho
D - Cluster Craze Scarf
D - Cluster Craze Hat

AUGUST
D - Baytree Poncho (didn't write it up)
D - Diamond Trellis Poncho
D - Scrap Happy Scarf
M - 7 Scrap Happy Scarves
D - Lil' Darlin' Baby Sweater

SEPTEMBER
M - 2 Lil' Darlin Baby Sweaters
D - Lil' Darlin' Baby Hat
M - Lil' Darlin' Baby Hat
M - Scrap Happy Scarves
M - UBW Hats
D - Baby Bows and Arrows Poncho
D - Cuddle Me Hooded Baby Sweater
M - Cuddle Me Hooded Baby Sweater
M - Baby Blanket

OCTOBER
M - Owata Hat (for publication Lark Books)
M - Bubble Eshus Hat (for publication Lark Books) 
M - Sweetness Hat (for publication Lark Books)
M - Puff N Stuff Hat (for publication Lark Books)
M - Wimple (for publication Lark Books)
D - Baby Knee Highs Booties
D - On Safari Hat
M - On Safari Hat
D - My Cardigan Sweater
M - Baby Knee Highs Booties

NOVEMBER
D - Gracie's Hooded Scarf (adult)
D - Gracie's Hooded Scarf (child)
D - Elegant Lace Stole
M - 12 UBW Hats (for Christmas)
M - 12 Scarves (for Christmas)

DECEMBER
D - E L Brimmed Hat
D - Lacy Leg Warmers
D - Basket Weave Baby Blanket
D - Light and Lacy Stole
D - Ruffled Baby Bonnet
M - Mittens for Gracie
D - Gracie's Mittens (not written up yet)
D - Taylor's Mittens (not written up yet)
D - Basket Weave Hat (not written up yet)

 

I work for compliments. Payment for my patterns has always been the pleasure they give to others. I love knowing how a pattern turned out for you. I get comments and emails from time to time, telling me how much you enjoyed using the pattern and how much someone loved it when you gave it to them. So I decided to give myself a raise and start posting them here where I can read them whenever I need a boost. Oh, you can read them too, if you want.

If you have a story you want to share, email me at "by the hook 7647(no spaces) at yahoo dot com". Pictures are always nice too. Don't forget I have a hall of fame and I'd love to hang your picture there.

SUCCESS STORIES

Lisa says (about Sassy Child hat)...Dear Dot, I've had trouble finding a hat pattern small enough for my petite head, but not looking childish. This one's terrific! I added a few rows for depth of crown & finished with a wire woven in the brim so I can shape it. Thank you for your creative patterns & generosity of sharing. --Lisa

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Jean says...My 9 year old Granddaughter requested a poncho for Christmas. I got on the net and found your site. I saw Bows and Arrows and fell in love with it. Your patterns are really beautiful! I used a H hook and the poncho came out great. My Granddaughter loved it and it looked so cute on her. Thank you so much.

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Barbara says...Hi Dot, I just made my first UBW hat. I gave it to my grandson and he kept it on all evening. Only taking it off when his mom said he couldn't sleep in it LOL.. thank you very much!!

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