Origami Booties & a Guest Blog post!

Yes, here I am! I know, it's been a while. Life has taken me down some rather interesting avenues in the past 5 months. Yes, it's been that long!

First I was asked by a friend if I would write a guest blog post for her blog. I thought about it for a while and finally decided that I should. It would explain a lot and heck, it would be fun! So head on over to Susan's blog and have a read. I hope you enjoy!

I've also taken this opportunity to introduce a brand new pattern! I've always liked the thought of baby booties but have never had the patience for the increases, decreases, twists and turns so have avoided making them. But now a young friend of mine is expecting! What to do?!? Well, of course that meant that I would have to sit down and figure out how to make super cute booties with a super simple pattern. I think I've succeeded :)

Here for your enjoyment, my Origami Booties!

I created what I feel is the easiest way of making baby booties. One strip of crochet fabric, how much simpler can it get?

The fun comes with the folding of said strip. Hence the name Origami booties. There is a photo tutorial with the pattern to show you step by step how to fold the strip that becomes the cutest pair of booties around.

The other feature that I love about these, no buttons! baubles, etc... I've been designing clothing and accessories for children since my children were very young and one of the big things I avoided was adding anything to a design that might cause a choking hazard for the child wearing it. The way these booties are made, there is no need for buttons or strings. The booties stay on those wee footsies quite nicely by themselves. And if baby decided to have a chew on them, no problem!

As a part of the pattern, I have included the formula to calculate the length and number of stitches to make in order to create booties of any size, even for adults if they would like some!

Duckie booties!

And just for the heck of it, I decided to figure out how to turn these cute booties into duckie feet booties! Now how many toddlers do you know that would just love to waddle around the house quacking while they look down at their duckie feet?!? 

 

Aren't these the absolute cutest booties??!!?? 

 

This pattern is available for purchase from my Ravelry store. Please use the button below to go directly to my store. Thank you and have a great day!

Starstruck Dish, Wash cloth incl. Hotpad, Makeup Scrubbie & Coaster options

Dishcloth with coaster and makeup scrubbie

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

Dishcloth with coaster and makeup scrubbie

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

Yes I know, that's quite a mouthful for a pattern. But I believe in giving all the options up front so you know exactly what you are getting in this pattern!

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

Who doesn't love stars! So many gorgeous stars and they whip up in a jiffy! I've made several in an evening while watching a DVD. Once you are familiar with this pattern, they just seem to fly out of your hands.

I found this pattern scribbled on a piece of scrap paper tucked between the pages of my grandmother's sewing pattern book. It was done in size 10 crochet thread for which I have very little patience. So I cleaned it up, switched it up by using worsted weight cotton yarn, a bigger hook, less rounds and Voila! A cloth for many uses.

Yes, you have read it right. These cloths depending on where you stop will make super cute coasters, makeup scrubby pads, dishcloth, washcloth and hotpads! There probably are a lot more uses for these such as turning this into a super cute baby blanket by just continuing to add rounds.

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

This is a fairly simple pattern and I would recommend it to beginner crocheters. The instructions are fully written out with abbreviations explained. The only crochet stitch you need to know is the single crochet. And by listing it for only 1$ it's affordable for everyone!

The yarn used is Bernat Handicrafter worsted weight (#4) cotton for dishcloths, scrubbies, and coasters. The Samband Lopi in worsted weight pure wool was used for the hot pads as wool is more resistant to heat than cotton and will not scorch. I used dark grey, light grey and cream.

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

As for the approximate amounts used for each type:

• coaster and makeup scrubbie 15 grams
• medium dishcloth/washcloth 35 grams
• large hot pad (2 layers) using wool 130 grams total for both
• large hot pad (2 layers) using cotton 75 grams total for both

The finished sizes are approximate, as everyone crochets tight or loose, are measured from star tip to opposite valley.

© 2012 Lokipan Crochet Designs

• Coaster & Face (makeup) Scrubbie 12cm / 5 inches
• Medium dishcloth/washcloth 19 cm / 7.5 inches
• Large washcloth/dishcloth 21.6 cm / 8.5 inches
• Hot pad (2 layers) 23 cm / 9 inches 

A starry teaser!

Starstruck teaser

I've been working on these little lovelies all week. I had a fellow crocheter ask me for the pattern and then someone else messaged me asking if I was going to publish the pattern.

Well, I've been working on writing out the pattern diligently. I have taken photos, checked and double checked my figures and all that's left is testing the final piece.

Everyone who's received these this Christmas have fallen in love with them. I hope you will like them too. So bear with me one more day so I can finish testing the final piece and a brand new pattern will be available!

You will need worsted weight cotton yarn, crochet hook, wool yarn in as many colours as you want. So get ready because once you see these, you will want to make some right away!

Stacks Baby Hat (crochet pattern)

Click here to go to my Ravelry Store

Finally! After clearing the snafus and sorting out the yarn and the pattern, I have a new baby hat that I think will make any baby or toddler feel special. It works for both boys and girls, it can be finished with a crab stitch hem or just left as is or with a simple rolled hem.

This hat was inspired by both Lego/Duplo building bricks and the yarn itself.

I love color, especially vibrant colors for baby clothing. When my daughter was just born, the bright vibrant colors would catch her interest immediately over the pastel shades. Her favorites were red, purple, green and yellow.


So, without further ado, here is my all new Stacks Baby Hat crochet pattern.


It covers a range of sizes from Preemie to toddler.

SIZES
Preemie / Newborn to 3 months – 33 cm circumference by 13 cm high (13” by 5”) stretches to 41 cm (13”)

3 to 12 months – 37 cm circumference by 15 cm high (14” by 6”) stretches to 43 cm (17”)

12 to 24 months (toddler) – 46 cm by 18 cm circumference (18” by 7”) stretches to 56 cm (22”)

HOOK 4 mm (US G)

YARN Patons Look at Me baby sport, 50 gr (1.75 ozs) 139 meters (152 yards)
Used approximately half of a ball.
Any comparable sport or dk yarns that achieves the same gauge can be used.
Darning needle

DIFFICULTY Advanced beginner

This is also a fantastic pattern for using up partial balls of yarn we all have in our stash.

Detailed instruction for 3 sizes. Click here for my Ravelry pattern store.

This pattern is available for purchase at My Ravelry Store. Simply click the image of the hat in the sidebar and it will direct you to my store.

Ode to Fall Neckwarmer (free pattern)

Child / pre-Teen pictured Click here to go to my Ravelry Design page

Here I am as promised!

PATTERN UPDATED WITH NEW SIZES! (27092011)

I've actually fallen in love with this neckwarmer. I usually don't enjoy wearing them as a rule as I find them itchy. But this one is not itchy! It's soft and squishy and fits perfectly.

I hope that you will enjoy making this neckwarmer as much as I am. It is a very fast project, one can be started and finished in an evening.

STITCHES USED (pattern written using north american crochet terms)

ch - chain

* esc – extended single crochet

dc – double crochet

sl st – slip stitch

yo – yarn over

Yarn needle

HOOK 5 mm / US H 8

YARN 
for child/pre-teen - Bernat Jacquards in Gemstone 100 gr. (3.5 ozs) used approximately 30 grams
for teen/medium adult - Loops & Threads, in Grass 128 gr. ( 4.5 ozs) used approximately 40 grams
for adult x-large: Bouquet Vogue in 5620 (dye lot 3346) blue 100 gr. (3.5 ozs) used approximately 65 grams

DIFFICULTY Advanced beginner to Intermediate

GAUGE 12 dc = 10 cm (4”)

1 pattern repeat = 4 sts

3 pattern repeats = 10 cm (4")

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Child / Pre-teen (multi colored): 23 cm (18”) un-stretched by 15.2 cm (6”)

Teen / Adult med (green): 63.5 cm (25") un-stretched by 15.2 cm (6")
Adult x-large (blue): with lots of ease! 66 cm (26") un-stretched by 15.2 (6")

SPECIAL STITCHES

*ESC : extended single crochet - Insert hook under both loops of stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 1 loop on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook.

FDC – foundation double crochet - Chain 3. Yarn over, insert hook in 3rd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), [yarn over and draw through 2 loops] 2 times, Yarn over, insert hook under 2 loops of chain at bottom of stitch just made, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), [yarn over and draw through 2 loops] 2 times. *Yarn over, insert hook under 2 loops of chain at bottom of stitch just made, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), [yarn over and draw through 2 loops] 2 times. Repeat from * as needed

You can also view a video showing how to make the Fdc www.youtube.com/watch?v=C362-7xu-fY

PATTERN NOTES

• This neckwarmer is worn snuggly, if a roomier neckwarmer is wanted, use one size up for the finished measurements to allow for ease.
• The beginning and the end of the neckwarmer will not match. That is normal because of the joining method to keep the central lattice lace pattern seamless. 
• Read the pattern through before beginning to understand where stitch patterns meld into the next. 
• Neckwarmer is worked in the round throughout.  
• ch-1, ch-2, ch-4 count as a stitch throughout the pattern. 
• When ending each of the lattice lace rounds, ch-1 and dc into beg ch-1 counts as a ch 3.
• Sizes will be marked in brackets where needed. If there is no change, then instructions pertain to all 3 sizes.
  

NECKWARMER

RND 1. Fdc 60, (72, 84) stitches, sl st into top of beg ch-3 

RND 2. ch 2, esc in next 3 dc, *ch 2, skip 2 dc, esc in next 4 dc, repeat around from *, ch 2, sl st into beg ch-2. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps}) 

RND 3. ch 4 (counts as esc and ch-2), skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, repeat around from *, finish with ch 2, sl st into 2^nd ch of beg ch-4. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps})

RND 4. repeat rnd 2. 

RND 5. repeat rnd 3.

RND 6. *ch 4, skip next 2 esc, sc in next esc, ch 3 , skip next 2 esc, sc in next esc, repeat around from *, ch 1, dc into base of beg ch-4. (this positions the beginning for the next round.) (21 ch-3 sps, 20 sc, [25 ch-3 sps, 24 sc], {29  ch-3 sps, 28 sc})

RND 7. *ch 3, sc into 2^nd chain of next ch-3 space of previous round, repeat from *, ch 1, dc into 2^nd ch of beg ch-3. (this positions the beginning for the next round.) (21 ch-3 sps, 20 sc, [25 ch-3 sps, 24 sc], {29  ch-3 sps, 28 sc})

Repeat round 7 four (4) times more. On the last round, instead of the ch-1 and dc into 2^nd ch from beg ch-3, ch 3 and sl st into the base of the beg ch-3.

RND 12. ch2, 2 esc in ch-3 sp, esc in sc, *ch 2, skip ch-3 sp, esc in next sc, 2 esc in ch-3 sp, esc in sc, repeat from *, ch 2, sl st into top of beg ch-2. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps})  

RND 13. ch 4 (counts as esc and ch-2), skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, repeat around from *, finish with ch 2, sl st into 2^nd ch of beg ch-4. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps}) 

RND 14. ch 2, esc in next 3 esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next 4 esc, repeat around from *, ch 2, sl st into beg ch-2. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps})

RND 15. ch 4 (counts as esc and ch-2), skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, *ch 2, skip 2 esc, esc in next esc, 2 esc in ch-2 space, esc in next esc, repeat around from *, finish with ch 2, sl st into 2^nd ch of beg ch-4. (40 esc, 10 ch-2 sps, [ 48 esc, 12ch-2 sps] {56 esc, 14 ch-2 sps}) 

RND 16. ch 3, double crochet in each esc, 2 dc in each ch-2 spaces, sl st into top of beg ch-3. (60 esc, [72 esc], {84 esc})

FINISHING

Thread yarn tail onto darning needle and work ends in to complete the neckwarmer. Repeat for the other end.

Ode to Fall neckwarmer sizes: x-large (blue), teen to adult medium (green), child to pre-teen (multicolored)

Created by MarieAnge Brouillard aka MariAngel on Ravelry © 2011

This pattern has not been tested. Please notify me via my Ravelry store of any pattern corrections. I will answer any and all questions you may have with the instructions. Do not plagiarize this pattern. All patterns are my original designs. Please do not re-sell my patterns or give them away for free or post my patterns on the Internet or exploit them for commercial use. You may sell items you make from my patterns at local craft fairs, fund raisers or custom orders for friends and family but please do not sell finished items on the internet without my written permission. Do not claim designs as your own.

This pattern is copyrighted by me and I give my permission for you to post pictures of items made from my pattern on your website/blog if you will post a link back to my Ravelry store if the pattern is for sale. If the pattern is free, please direct people to my blog. Be sure to list the name MarieAnge Brouillard as the designer

(Teaser) Warm Days & Cool Nights

 

Fall, is the very best season as far as I'm concerned. The colors, the warm days & cool nights. What to wear as the temperatures shift from cold in the early morning to hot in the late afternoon, to cool in the evening? A neck warmer of course!

The last thing you want to wind around your neck is a big bulky scarf. But what about a neck warmer done in gorgeous fall colors? Picking apples and pumpkins at a PYO orchard, getting the flower  beds ready for winter, long walks in the woods, colourful leaves crunching under your feet. This is what makes fall my favorite season after spring.

A neckwarmer done in the beautiful color palette that Bernat Jacquards offers. Any other 4-ply yarn can be substituted to match your wardrobe.

I will be back tomorrow with the free pattern! See you soon :)

New directions

What a time to get writers block! So no more of that nonsense!

I have been delaying this moment for far too long. Friends, family, customers have been pleading with me to publish my patterns. As I"m sure many other designers out there have (had) this issue at some point in their designer's journey, I am my own worst critic. That single feeling where you feel that your work is not good enough to be published has kept my patterns hidden in my notebooks, and folders on my computer. Well, the time has come, I must come out of the closet so to speak. So here I am, opening my heart, my hands and sharing my work with all of you. 

I welcome constructive critiquing, questions, and all feedback, be it positive or negative (hopefully less of the negative LOL) comments and will endeavour to answer each one.

Pour yourself a cuppa, relax, and follow along on my designer journey. I will have some patterns available free of charge on this blog which will be listed on the right and patterns for sale in my Ravelry store. And once in a while, I may toss in a knit or mixed media pattern just to keep things lively and fun.

To print the free patterns, simply click the link on the right which will take you to the post with the free pattern. Within the post at the top left, you will see a printer icon, click it and the post will open in a new screen. You can select what you want to keep and choose either save to pdf to your computer or print directly from the screen. Alternatively, you can also follow the Ravelry download link in the post.

Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you here often!

MarieAnge Brouillard aka MariAngel (rav id)

Lokipan Crochet Designs

Ravelry pattern store