Sun Flower Hat - Free Crochet Pattern

Sun Flower Hat by Dana White - Everyday Handmade - Made for Patty G's Twin Baby Girls I can't wait to see.

Hat

You can use any basic hat pattern you like. This is my go to pattern I picked up over the years. I never figure out gauge, I just crochet, and if it looks too big or too small, I start again. Always someone I can give a hat too.

Round 1: Start with a Magic Ring. Double Crochet [DC] 8 times into the center of this ring. Pull tight, Slip Stitch [SS] into first DC, place a stitch marker here. Chain 1.

Round 2: DC into the same stitch, 2 DC into each stitch all the way around. SS into first DC move stitch marker. Chain 1 [16 stitches]

Round 3: DC into the same stitch, 1 DC in next stitch, (2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next stitch) repeat around. SS in first DC, move stitch marker. Chain 1 [24 stitches]

Round 4: DC into the same stitch, 1 DC in the next 2 stitches, (2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next two stitches) repeat around. SS in first DC, move stitch marker. Chain 1 [32 stitches]

Round 5: DC into the same stitch, 1 DC in the next 3 stitches, (2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next three stitches) repeat around. SS in first DC, move stitch marker. Chain 1 [40 stitches]

Round 6: DC into the same stitch, 1 DC in the next 4 stitches, (2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next four stitches) repeat around. SS in first DC, move stitch marker. Chain 1 [48 stitches]

Round 7-12: DC into each stitch all the way around. SS into first DC, move stitch marker. Chain 1 [48 stitches] Last row fasten off. Weave in ends.

Sunflower

I was inspired by this pattern from CoatsCraft. No specific gauge is needed. I used an acrylic yarn for the center, and a cotton yarn for the petals. The cotton gives the petals a little more structure.

BROWN YARN - CENTER of FLOWER:

Chain two

Round 1: 6 Single Crochets [SC] into the first chain, SS into the first SC to complete. Place a stitch marker here. Chain one to bring you up to next round. 6 stitches

Round 2: SC into the same stitch and 2 SC in each stitch all the way around, until you get to the end of round, and finish with a slip stitch, move your stitch marker here. 12 stitches.

Round 3: 1 SC in the same stitch and 1 SC in the next stitch (2 SC in next stitch, 1 SC in next stitch) repeat to end of round, finish with a slip stitch, and fasten off, leave long tail to sew into hat. 18 stitches.

YELLOW YARN - PETALS:

Round 4: Attach yellow yarn with a single crochet, (chain 9, SC in 2nd chain from hook, HDC in next chain, DC in next chain, 1 TR into each of the next 2 chains, DC in next chain, HDC in next chain, SC in in the last chain, and SS into the first SC that started this petal. SC in next brown SC) repeat 17 more times. (on last petal, SS into the first petal you created and fasten off) You will have 18 petals when finished. Leave long tail to sew into hat.

Leaf

Chain 12, SS into 2nd chain from the hook, and in all chains. Chain 1 and turn.

HDC in first stitch, DC in next two stitches, TR in next three stitches, DC in next Two Stitches, HDC in next two stitches, SC in next stitch, SS in next stitch, chain 2, [turn and go back down other side of or original chain] SS in first stitch, SC in next stitch, HDC in next two stitches, DC in next two stitches, TR in next three stitches, DC in next two stitches, HDC in last stitch, and fasten off. Leave long tail to sew into hat.

I wrote this pattern up from memory, as I gave the hats as gifts this weekend. So if you see an errors in my written pattern, let me know and I'll update the pattern as needed.

Baby Hats for the Fall Baby Shower

Congratulations to my friend Patty!

Twin Girls I can't wait for them to arrive so I can hold them.

For the little pink hat I used this pattern from The Dainty Daisy.

I'm going to try to write out the pattern I came up with for the sun flower hat. Hopefully soon before I forget it.

Getting Crafty at the White House Today

 Mason Jar Solar Lantern

I was lucky enough to get my grandma's canning collection after she passed away. There was a few of the old pretty blue Ball jars in the collection. These are way too pretty to use for canning so I've been planing a solar lantern project for a while. As usually I found on Pinterest some very similar ideas.

A little trial an error and I think I've gotten it. 

My first attempt at the Mason Jar Solar Latern

I found in the shed of treasures some old copper wire that Tony told me was the old ground wire when they replaced the wiring to the barn a few years ago. I consulted Pinterest to see if someone had made a handle out of wire for a mason jar or something similar. Of course there was - Click Here.

It basically says to take your wire and about 8 inch or so from one end, twist the wire around a pencil to make a loop. Then wrap the two ends of wire under the lip of the jar and twist together opposite the loop.  Put your pencil back in the loop and twist one or two times to tighten up. Then take the long end of the wire and make a large loop (your handle) up and over the top. When you figure out how long you want your handle to be trim the wire leaving yourself about a 1/2" to 1" extra. Put this end through your original small loop and bend the end upwards to secure in place.

Well the copper ground wire was way too thick to bend easily. I used a pen instead of a pencil to twist and broke the pen. I used a pliers to twist it the best I could and a side cutter to cut the wire. I made it work but it's not very pretty. Still cute but much room for improvement. So I'm keeping it my self.

Next I took the metal rim with out the lid insert for the canning jar and my solar light top that I removed the stake from. I hot glued the solar light to the top of the metal rim. Seemed to hold okay at first but it didn't keep the rain water out and it let loose. So I easily pulled off all the glue and bought some clear outdoor silicon. I put the silicon around the top edge of the metal rim and and placed the solar light on top.

For my next version I bought some copper wire that I could easily bend and did the same as before but we decided that mom would want some more sparkly shinny things for her garden so I left the shorter end about one and half inches long after I twisted the two wires together and added a little curl, and did the same after I bent upward for the hook and securing the handle. Once I curled these ends I added some chandelier danglers I bought at a thrift store on my girls day out months ago.

John thought the jar was too empty and we should put something inside of it. So we decided on pine cones. Tons of pine trees on our farm you would think that would be an easy task. Nope. James and I went hunting. All the ones in the yard are the long skinny closed up "dog turd" looking ones as I call them. He started laughing and said, "Grandma will be like WHAT you picked up a dog turd for me, gee thanks." I laughed so hard. So we went up the hill standing in the middle of 30 pine trees and we find ONE, yes 1 pine cone, it's still long but at least open and pretty. We find Tony and ask him if we have any short pretty open pine cone trees around here. He takes us on a hike across the poopy plains, over the muddy river and up the mountain. (This is how we do our Dora the Explorer adventures when Caya is along - luckily she was napping with John babysitting.) Really it was through the barn yard, across the wetlands and up the hill to the Red Pines. I didn't wear my mud boots either so we had to take a longer route.  We found the pretty ones we were looking for. We started heading for home and the wind picked up, the sky turned dark and it started to sleet little ice chunks and rain on us. We went running though the pasture. Poor James tripped in a big cow hoof print and fell in the mud (and poop), he was not happy, but was a trooper about it. It was a cold slightly painful run home but we were all laughing so hard when we got in the door it was a lot of fun.

I've had some requests for more Caya pictures here. Here's one of Caya looking a little worn out but having fun and refusing to come in the house. Poor kid all her mom gives her to play with is rocks.

But Look What We Made With Rocks...

Mosaic Rocks

Caya's is Mickey Mouse down in the front. John did the Angel & Cross on the left and the dragon fly right next to it. James did the Angel & Flower in the center and the other angel to the right of it. I did the dragon fly over on the right. Lots of fun gluing on the pieces with the kids, but way more work than I bargained for grouting around the pieces. Very very messy project.

Stained Glass Garden Stake

Another Pinterest inspired project. Yeap I'm addicted to that website, but at least I do some of the projects on my huge list.

I really want to make one for myself too! (And see just how long it takes for the kids to destroy it.)

Happy Birthday Leslie!

Stained Glass Garden Window Pane

Just Another Stained Glass Project - just had to share.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Crochet Bag

This Christmas I made my son and my nephews crocheted bags to hold the carved sling shots I got them. My sister-in-law said the bag was the perfect size for the kids Kindle or Nook (can't remember which one). She asked if I would make one for my niece. I decided to add my favorite puff stitch flower and turn the ends of the tie strings into leaves.

Free Crochet Bag Pattern (See below for pattern with color change instructions):

Size F Crochet Hook (I like to do a nice tight stitch to protect what is in the bag)

Cotton 4 ply Yarn

Gauge not really important

Chain 17 plus 3 more for your turning chain, which will count as your first stitch in round 1 (20 total)

Round 1: Double Crochet (DC) into the third stitch from your hook and one DC into each chain to the end. In the last stitch DC 4 more stitches (for a total of 5 DC in last stitch). Now continue around and DC into the bottom side of your chain all the way across. When you get to the last chain do 4 DC into that chain. Fasten your last DC to your first Chain 3 Turning Chain with a Slip Stitch (SS). (Counting your turning chain you should have 40 stitches)

Round 2: Chain 3 (counts as first stitch), DC into each stitch all the way around. Fasten your last DC to your first Chain 3 with a SS. (40 stitches)

Round 3-18: Repeat Round 2

Round 19: Chain 3, DC in next stitch, Chain 2, Skip 2 stitches, * DC into next 2 Stitches, Chain 2, Skip 2 * (*repeat to end) Fasten with a SS as usual.

Round 20-21: Repeat Round 2, Fasten off and weave in end.

Free Crochet Bag Pattern With Color Change Instructions:

Size F Crochet Hook (I like to do a nice tight stitch to protect what is in the bag)

Cotton 4 ply Yarn

Gauge not really important

Chain 17 plus 3 more for your turning chain, which will count as your first stitch in round 1 (20 total)

Round 1: Double Crochet (DC) into the third stitch from your hook and one DC into each chain to the end. In the last stitch DC 4 more stitches (for a total of 5 DC in last stitch). Now continue around and DC into the bottom side of your chain all the way across. When you get to the last chain do 4 DC into that chain. Fasten your last DC to your first Chain 3 Turning Chain with a Slip Stitch (SS).

Round 2: Chain 3 (counts as first stitch), DC into each stitch all the way around. Fasten your last DC to your first Chain 3 with a SS. (40 stitches)

Round 3 - 5: Repeat Round 2

Round 6: Use second color if wanted. Leave first color yarn attached and just move yarn off to your right out of your way. The yarn will carry along to the next row on the inside of your bag, no need to cut off. Take second color pull a loop through chain on your hook and chain 3. (I like to pull first color yarn tight at this point and you won't see the first color in your new row.) Now continue as you did in Round 2.

Round 7: Repeat Round 6 with First Color

Round 8: Repeat Round 6 with Second Color

Round 9: Repeat Round 2

Round 10: Repeat Round 6 with First Color

Round 11: Repeat Round 6 with Second Color. Cut off second color of yarn, pull through to fasten off. Hold this tail over the top of your stitches and crochet right over to weave in as you work.

Round 12: Repeat Round 6 with First Color

Round 13: 18: Repeat Round 2

Round 19: Chain 3, DC in next stitch, Chain 2, Skip 2 stitches, * DC into next 2 Stitches, Chain 2, Skip 2 * (*repeat to end) Fasten with a SS as usual.

Round 20 - 21: Repeat Round 2, Fasten off and weave in end.

Decorative Tie Cord:

Chain 100, feed the end of the chain in and out through the large holes in round 19, ending with both ends out side of the bag. Depending on how tight you chain you may need to make it longer to have enough room to tie. I then followed this leaf pattern right on the end on my chain, cut and weave in end when finished.

Leaf Pattern Click Here Scroll to the bottom of the page

Add a leaf to the other end the same way. Just pull a loop through the end of the chain (leaving a long tail) and again follow the leaf pattern. When finished pull through to fasten but leave a long tail to weave in and fasten on flower.

I made a Puff Stitch Flower by following this pattern. I found this pattern on her blog a long time ago and it is still my favorite flower.

Puff Stitch Flower Pattern Click Here

I took the long tails left from the last leaf and with a needle stitched the flower onto the top of the leave. I stitched it through the yellow center in a nice circle, so it looked like it belonged. Ended the green yarn on the back of the leaf. I tied the two green tails together and then weaved in the ends.

FINISHED