New Hat Design - Sailing Hat

This is my last hat design for a while. It came about because my nephews wanted me to make some hats for boys for them. It was loosely based on a friend's hat and on Gilligan's hat, and then I decided to add the band to make the brim pop. This is why it's called the "Sailing Hat". This is my first hat with 5 sizes, and it was an arduous but rewarding journey. I learned so much about sizing and patterning. Now, I have converted all of my hat patterns into 5 sizes. Of course after I had made this pattern, I couldn't resist making some in girls' colors too.
It's available on Etsy and Ravelry.

Ravelry

I found out about Ravelry yesterday and signed up for it today. It is a site for knitters and crocheters, with patterns and yarn for sale, plus plenty of free patterns.
It is huge and can be a little overwhelming. It took me about 2 hours this morning to list one pattern for sale. I think I'm getting the hang of the site now and will grow to like it, but for now I'm still a little intimidated. In any case, you can check it out here.
-Jennifer

No more hats please

I just have one more hat size to test before I can add my latest pattern to Etsy, and man, I do not want to make ONE MORE HAT. Just one more, Jennifer. That's what I keep telling myself. I haven't put any of the finishing touches on any of the hats so no pictures atm. I'm more of a project starter than finisher I guess.
I designed a knit cowl for Heather and I am pretty sure I'm gonna make the pattern free on this blog, once I am DONE WITH HATS, and have time to make the cowl. Gotta be sure the pattern works, after all.
-Jennifer

New Home Decor Designs

Since Christmas I have been busy designing up a storm. My passion really lies in making things that look like they belong in a contemporary home, though I do have a few more hat patterns that are 1/2 done and probably coming out in the next month. This coaster set is the first of many ideas I have for crocheted pieces that most people can use, not just the "country home" type people. I was inspired by tatami mats of all things, but I only had cream and orange yarns to experiment with.

I have also designed a new table mat and coaster set for Valentine's Day. I was trying a different method of crochet by making the hearts as a separate string. I have lots of ideas for using the concept. This one I designed to make as a pattern but some upcoming stuff might be too complicated, or at least, I'm not sure if I'll be able to explain it.

I have listed all this stuff for sale at Etsy too.
-Jennifer

Crochet How To Basics: Adding Rows

As promised, this post is about how to add rows of sc.

After you have made your first row of sc, which you can do by following my previous post, ch 1 (or make one chain stitch), and turn the piece.

Then, insert your crochet hook into the top of the last stitch you made in the row before:

Yarn over and draw the yarn through the stitch.

Yarn over again and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook. You have now made the first sc of row two.

Now sc in the remaining stitches of the previous row. Congratulations, you have made 2 rows! What you have just done would normally be written like this: ch 1, turn, sc in 1st sc and remaining sc across.
You can now add as many rows as you want by repeating the instructions for row 2.

-Jennifer