Cotton Frog Hat 0-3 months size

This is one of my favorite yarns to work with, Lion Brand Natures Choice Organic Cotton, and it makes a super cute and soft hat for a newborn.  I have made lots of these in lots of different color combos but this one is done in Wildflowers for a baby girl due next month.  Here is what you will need:

Natures Choice Organic Cotton in the following colors:
Wildflowers, Limeade, Curacoa, or Petite Fours for the body of the hat.  

Dusty Sage for the cheeks.

Expresso and Almond for the eyes.

yarn needle

Size I or 5.5 mm hook

Using the wildflowers make either a magic loop or chain 4 and make a loop, then chain 2.

Round 1:  make 12 DC in the loop, sl st to the top of the first DC and ch 1.

Round 2:  2 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1. (24 HDC)

Round 3:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (36 HDC)

Round 4:  1 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (36 HDC)

Round 5:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 3 sts, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (45 HDC)

Rounds 6-12:  1 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (45 HDC in each round)

For first ear flap:  

at the end of your 12th round you will start your first ear flap,

Row 1:  1 HDC in the next 10 sts, ch 1 and turn.

Row 2:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 7 sts, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 3:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 5 sts, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 4:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 3 sts, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 5: sk the st st.  1 HDC in the next st, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 6: HDCD and tie off, weave in the end.

To place the second ear flap count across the front of the hat 18 sts, and begin the next ear flap using the above directions.

Eyes: (make 2)

make a magic loop or chain loop in expresso and chain 2.

Round 1:  10 DC in the loop.  Tie off 

Round 2:  with Almond join in any st, chain 1 and make 2 HDC in each st. around, sl st to the top of the first HDC and tie off leaving a long tail to sew on the eye.  

Row 3:  with Wildflowers join in the st next to your long tail and  do 1 SC in the next 10 sts. ch 1 and turn.

Row 4:  1 HDC in the next 9 sts. to form the eyelid, sl st in the last st and leave a long tail to sew on the top half of the eye.  

Cheeks: (make 2)

make a magic loop or chain loop in Dusty Sage and ch 2.

Round 1:  10 DC in the loop, sl st to the top of the first DC, ch 1.

Round 2:  2 HDC in each st around (20 HDC), tie off leaving a long tail to sew on cheeks.

Sew cheeks to the corner of the earflap and then with Expresso making sure to leave a long tail to make the corner of the smile, 1 SC in each st across the bottom front of the hat, tie off on the other side leaving a long tail to make the other corner of the smile.  

To finish around the ear flaps and back side of the hat attach Dusty Sage to the bottom corner of the mouth and SC evenly around the edge of the first ear flap, 1 SC in each st across the back of the hat, and SC evenly around the other earflap.  It helps to put two SC st in the tip of each earflap.   

For Braids cut 4  32 inch strands of three of your colors for each braid.  I used Wildflowers, Dusty Sage, and Expresso.  

A Real Peep

Not much knitting here - this is too much fun to allow a parent any free time. Happy Spring! Maybe we need Grandma Mary to make a peep hat for this chicken keeper :)

Chunky Frog Hat

This hat uses Hometown USA yarn or super bulky yarn and fits a child.

You will need the following:

Size N or 10 mm crochet hook

2 skeins of Oklahoma City Green

New York White

Oakland Black

then either Monterey Lime, Honolulu Pink, or Pittsburg Yellow for the cheeks.

Yarn needle

To begin make a magic loop or chain loop with Green and chain 2.

Round 1:  make 11 DC in the loop then sl st to the top of your first DC and ch 1.

Round 2:  2 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of your first HDC, ch 1. (22 HDC)

Round 3:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next repeat around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1. (33 HDC)

Round 4:  1 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1. (33 HDC)

Round 5:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 10 st, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (36 HDC)

Rounds 6-12:  1 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1. (36 HDC)

After round 12 begin the first earflap.

Row 1:  1 HDC in the next 8 st, ch. 1 and turn.

Row 2:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 5 st, HDCD in the last 2 st, ch 1 and turn.

Row 3:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 2 st, HDCD in the last 2 st, ch 1 and turn.

Row 4:  sk the first st, HDCD in the next 2 st, tie off and weave in end.  

To start the second ear flap fold the hat leaving 2 or 3 stitches from the ear flap in the front and the rest in the back and then start your next flap on the other side at the same place, 2 or 3 stitches from the side.  

Repeat the instructions above for the second flap. 

Eyes:

Make 2

make a magic loop or chain loop with black and ch 2,

Round 1:  10 DC in the loop and sl st to the top of the first st and tie off.

Round 2:  join with white, ch 1 and make 2 SC in each st around, tie off leaving enough string to sew on the eye. 

Round 3:  join with green for the eye lid, SC around the first 10 st, and turn, ch 1 and then work backwards on the green with 1 HDC in each SC and sl st at the last st, again leave enough yarn to sew the green half of the eye to the hat. 

Cheeks:

Make 2

make a magic loop or chain loop with Lime Green and ch 2.

Round 1:  10 DC in the loop and sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.

Round 2:  2 SC in each st around, tie off leaving a long tail to sew on.  

To do the mouth I sew on the cheeks first then join black in the corner of the mouth leaving a long tail to make the smile corner, then SC across the front of the hat to the other corner and tie off again leaving a long tail to make the other side of the smile.  

For trim around the hat bottom use Lime and starting at the corner of the mouth SC evenly down the earflap with 2 SC at the tip of the ear, down the other side and around the back of the hat to the other flap and back to the corner of the mouth, tie off and weave in end.  

Braids are made with 9 32 inch strands for each side.  Cut off the bottom evenly.  

In A Pickle Hat

We have a toddler who loves pickles.  Really loves them. So much that all she wanted was a pickle hat. This hat has bobbles throughout, but each pickle should be different so where you place your pickle bumps (the bobbles) is up to you.

Materials:
Approx. 1/2 skein Vanna's Choice yarn in Olive
Size 7 Circular needles (I recommend the 16 inch cable)

Pattern:
Cast on 80 stitches. Place marker, join and knit for 1 inch.
After 1 inch, begin knit 9, purl 1 rib (repeat 8 times per round). Randomly through knit panels, place bobbles as follows:

Make Bobble:
K into (front, back, front) of a single stitch 3 times. Slip these stitches back onto left hand needle and knit 3 stitches (do this twice). Pass 2nd & 3rd stitch over first stitch.

When hat reaches 6 1/2 inches from the cast on edge, begin decrease as follows (you may switch to double :
Dec. Row 1: *knit 7, K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 2: *knit 6, K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 3: *knit 5, K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 4: *knit 4, K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 5: *knit 3, K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 6: *knit 2, K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 7: *knit, K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 8: *K2tog, purl 1* repeat
Dec. Row 9: K2tog 8 times
Dec Row 10: K2tog 4 times
Begin i-cord for 1 inch. Sew through 4 stitches and weave in end.

I-cord directions:

Knit 4, do not turn. Slide stitches back to the beginning of the needle and repeat (you should be taking your working yarn and knitting the original first stitch pulling the first and last stitches together).

Easy Banana Bread

This is a simple recipe that turns out so good!!

Cream:
3 or 4 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 soft butter

Mix:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Add flour mixture to banana mixture.  Pour into greased loaf pan.  Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.  You can add nuts if you like.

Easter Basket Booties

My favorite baby booties all have cross straps - they just stay on wiggling little feet so much better. So I decided to make a pair and incorporate a decorative stitch that would be just perfect for Easter. The wicker stitch is worked over a two-stitch repeat with a one stitch border.  Here's the pattern for these newborn to 6 month size booties (they look really short and boxy in the photo but they stretch - the downside of the wicker stitch is that it is less stretchy than many stitches, but for this pattern it works just fine).

Materials

4 ply yarn (I'm using up some vintage yarn I received from Aunt Carol) - a skein of yarn should make 4 to 6 booties.
Size 4 circular needles
4 small buttons
Yarn needle

Pattern:
Cast on 40 stitches
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Knit one front and back (K1 f&b), knit 18, make 1, knit 2, make 1, knit 18, K1 f&b
Row 3: Knit to end
Row 4: K1 f&b, knit 19, make 1, knit 4, make 1, knit 19, K1 f&b
Row 5: Knit to end
Row 6: K1 f&b, knit 20, make 1, knit 1, make 1, knit 4, make 1, knit 1, make 1, knit 20, K1 f&b
Row 7: Knit to end
Row 8: K1 f&b, knit 21, make 1, knit 1, make 1, knit 8, make 1, knit 1, make 1, knit 21, K1 f&b
Row 9 (begin wicker stitch pattern): - knit 1, *knit into the back loop of the second stitch on left hand needle then knit into the first stitch. Slip both stitches off left hand needle.* Repeat until last stitch. Knit 1.
Row 10: Knit 1, purl 1 *purl into second stitch, then into first stitch. Slip both stitches off the left hand needle.* Repeat until two stitches remain. Purl 1, knit 1.
Row 11: Repeat row 9
Row 12: Repeat row 10
Row 13: Repeat row 9
Row 14: Repeat row 10
Row 15: Repeat row 9
Row 16: Repeat row 10
Row 17: Repeat row 9
Row 18: Knit to end
Row 19: Knit 18, SSK 6 times, K2Tog 6 times, knit 18
Rows 20 - 23: knit to end
Row 24: Knit 11, cast off 38, knit 11


Slide the first 11 stitches around and off right handed needle onto left so that the reverse side of the bootie is folded against itself. Hold the fabric so that the back seam is in the center of the needles facing you. Work straps as follows.

Straps
Row 1: Onto the right hand needle cast on 11 stitches using the single or wrap cast on method. Knit the first 10 stitches on the left hand needle (this should be the wrong side of the project), K2tog (joining the two sides), knit 10, cast on 11 stitches using the single or wrap cast on method.
Row 2: Knit to end of row
Row 3: Knit to end of row
Row 4: Knit to end of row
Row 5: Knit 1, yarn over, knit to last stitch, yarn over, knit 1 (this row forms the button holes)
Row 6: Knit 3, K2tog, knit to last 5 stitches, K2tog, knit 3
Row 7: Knit to end of row
Row 8: Knit to end of row
Row 9: Cast off knitwise

Sew two buttons on each bootie about half way between the start of the strap and the center of the bootie.

Mocha Cappuccino No Bakes

So, I have this little problem of assuming I have all the ingredients I need before I start cooking. Sometimes it's thinking I have enough eggs and only finding out after I've creamed the butter and sugar for cookies. Sometimes it's starting a loaf of banana bread only to find out that I'm short on flour. Generally not a big deal, but we recently moved out into the country, so I'm no longer 5 blocks from the nearest grocery store. So last night the girls convinced me to make them no bakes. No big deal right? Except that after I melted the sugar into the milk I realized I had no cocoa and only about 1/2 of the butter I  needed. So... improvisation time. And with delicious results!

Mocha Cappuccino No Bake Cookies:

1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Butter
3 cups Quick Oats
1 cup Jiff Mocha Cappuccino Hazelnut Spread

In a sauce pan bring sugar, milk and butter to a boil on high heat. Boil for 90 seconds. Remove from heat and add oats and hazelnut spread. Spoon onto aluminum foil and allow to cool.

Simple, fast, and delicious!

Chunky Monkey Hat child size

This hat is quick and cute which makes the project even more fun!!   The yarn I used for this project is the Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn, with a size N or 10mm hook for the hat and a K hook for the mouth.  I have made it in several different colors and they all turned out great!  My favorite was the Los Angeles Tan, Cincinnati Red, and Virginia Beach.  It is also cute in Mardi Gras, or Circus, and there are a few other colors that look like they would work as well.


Abbreviations
Double Crochet-DC
Half Double Crochet-HDC
Half Double Crochet Decrease- HDCD
Slip Stitch- sl st
Chain-ch
Skip-sk
Single Crochet-SC

Start with Los Angeles Tan, Houston Cream, or New York White if you prefer.
Because this yarn is thick it is easiest to start with a magic loop, but you can use a chain loop if you prefer.
Make your loop and ch 2.
Round 1:   make 11 DC in the loop and join at the top of the first st with a sl st. Ch 1 (11 st)
Round 2:  2 HDC in each st around and join at the top of the first st with a sl st.  Ch 1 (22 st)
Round 3:   2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next st, repeat around, join at the top with a sl st. (33 st) Tie off end and switch to Cincinnati Red.
Round 4:  ch 1, then 1 HDC in each st around, (33 HDC) sl st to the top of the first st, tie off and change to Virginia Beach or preferred color.
Round 5:  ch 1, then 1 HDC in each st around, (33 HDC) sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.
Round 6:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 10 st. repeat around. (36 HDC) sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.
Rounds 7-11:  1 HDC in each st around, (36 HDC) sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.

At the end of round 11 start the first ear flap,
Row 1:  1 HDC in the next 8 st. ch 1
Row 2:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 5 st HDCD in the last 2 st. ch 1
Row 3: sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 2 st, HDCD in the last 2 st. ch 1
Row 4:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next st HDCD in the last 2 st. tie off and weave in end.

Fold the hat in half making slightly more stitches of the ear flap in the back than the front, and begin the second ear flap by repeating the above instructions.

Round 12: start at the tip of one of the ear flaps and SC evenly around the outside of the hat ending back at the tip and sl st to the top of your first SC.

Ears:  make a loop
Round 1:  is 8 HDC in the loop and join at the top.
Round 2:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next do this in the first 6 st. only, and tie off leaving a long string to sew on the ear.

Mouth:  Switch to a size K Hook
Ch 8 and note that you will be working down both sides of the ch.
Round 1:  in the second ch from the hook make 2 HDC then 1 HDC in the next 5 chain st and 2 HDC in the last ch., turn and work down the bottom side of the chain with 2 HDC in the first ch, 1 HDC in the next 5 ch and 2 HDC in the last ch.  Join at the top of your first HDC with a sl st, and ch 1.
Round 2:  2 HDC in the next 2 st, 1 HDC in the next 5 st, 2 HDC in the next 4 st, 1 HDC in the next 5 st, and 2 HDC in the last 2 st, join at the top of your first HDC and tie off leaving a long string to sew on the mouth.

Make the smile with a double strand yarn and a yarn needle.  

Braids are made of  9 strands of 30 inch yarn for each side.

You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you please link back to my post.  Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own.  Please do not re-publish photos as your own.  Thanks!!