Baby Goodness

Ok, how cute is this?? I needed a project the other night, as if I don't have three other projects waiting to be finished, so my Mom showed me how to crochet this cute little baby beanie for a newborn. The pattern is here. It's just basic crochet and so, so easy. The pink edge is my creativity at work (not in the pattern) since I have crazy scalloped edge skills :)

Basic Crochet Edge

Here goes my attempt to teach you how to make a basic crochet edge around a hemstitched piece of fabric. What you will need to start:

1. hemstitched fabric

2. crochet thread - I generally use size 10 cotton thread. You can buy thread at any craft store or fabric store.

3. Crochet needle - I generally use a size 4 or 2.0MM crochet needle. Needles come in various sizes so you can choose your preference. You don't want too big of a needle or you won't be able to get it through the hemstitched holes.

Before you get started, you will want to trim around the edge of your fabric so it is about 1/4" raw edge.

Step 1: make a loop

Start by crossing the thread creating a short, loose end.

Then pull the short end of the thread through the loop to make a slip knot

Slip your needle through the loop and tug on the short end of the thread to give it a nice fit around the needle. You don't want the loop too loose or too tight...just right.

Insert the needle through a hemstitched hole

Loop the long end of the thread around the needle and pull the thread through the hole with your needle.

Pull the thread through the loop on your needle to create your first crocheted stitch! Congratulations. The hardest part is over.

Repeat these steps all the way around your hemstitched fabric. Here are a few more illustrations to guide you through.

Here is what your edge should look like after you get movin'. Crocheting does require a little hand/thread/needle coordination, but anyone can do it. You may just need to practice a few times. I've created this video so you can get an idea of what to do, in motion. I have to warn you: I am not a professional videographer and coordinating the video while trying to demonstrate proved more difficult than I imagined. Talk about amatuer hour with the camera, but I think you'll get the gist, hopefully without feeling motion sickness.

Happy crocheting!

Word Search

I just finished this cute little blanket to put on my Etsy site. The blue fabric is Michael Miller's Word Search fabric and the back is a coordinating brown & blue polk-a-dot flannel.

The ABCs are the same flannel fabric that I've sewn on and quilted around. As the blanket is washed, the edges around the letters will fray slightly to give the letters a little texture.

The blanket is quilted with the entire alphabet and bound with a silky ribbon. Who wouldn't want to cuddle with their little one with this cute blanket? Plus it's educational!