Finding the perfect pattern

I have had many orders for many different kinds of blankets and other items recently. That meant searching the internet to find the perfect pattern, which to me, is part of the fun of a crochet project!

First, my husband's cousin got married last month. My mother in-law and I decided to make her a blanket as a wedding gift. We searched and searched the internet to find the perfect pattern and ultimately decided to use this pattern for the blanket http://rosereddesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/diamond-ghan.html and this pattern for the border https://cypresstextiles.net/2015/01/20/treble-scallop-edging-free-pattern/. It turned out beautiful!

Next, I had an order for a few baby items that a neighbor wanted for an upcoming baby shower. She wanted a baby hat, bib, and baby booties. I went back to the internet to search for the perfect patterns for these items. 

The hat was the easiest. I just did a simple hat in the colors requested, blue and cream. Here is how it turned out.

The other items were a little bit more difficult for me. I would think that I found the perfect pattern, start it, and then decide on frogging the project and try out a different pattern. I did that multiple times when I was making the baby bib. I just wanted to make a simple bib because I was going to make it to match the hat. I ended up using this pattern as a guide: http://web.archive.org/web/20120626002118/http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/KCT0025+Crochet+Baby+Bib.htm. I didn't want it to be so big so I just used this as a guide and made this one a little smaller. I think it turned out perfect!

I saved the booties for last because I don't make those very often. I have just never been able to find a pattern that I liked that turned out right. Well, after searching the internet again, I think that I have finally found a baby bootie pattern that I really like! Here it is: http://misscraftycouponer.blogspot.com/2014/09/crochet-easy-basic-baby-booties.html. It is titled Easy Basic Baby Booties and it really is an easy pattern. Here is how mine turned out:

I think that I ended up finding the perfect pattern for these items. Don't you think?

Don't worry if you have to frog a few patterns when you first start out. Almost every time I start a project, it takes me a few tries before I find the perfect pattern to follow. Then, if I can't find it, I try to just make my own! 

Happy crocheting!

Why I crochet...

Why do I crochet?

Well it all started when I found out that I was going to be an Aunt to twins. I thought, what I wonderful thing for me to do for them! Make them something special from their Aunt Lindsay. So I asked a friend to teach me and since then I've made them so many things. From blankets, to hats, even sock monkeys!

It has since evolved into so much more. When I lost my mom back in 2009 it became a way for me to cope a little with that loss. My mom was a knitter so it is kind of a way for me to carry on what she did, even though I have never been able to knit.

Then in May 2012 I found out I was pregnant! My first thought was, what should I make this baby

first! I started making things right away even before we found out boy or girl, pink or blue. Since both my husband and I are Florida State University Alumni I started with the obvious colors, garnet and gold. By August it was time to find out boy or girl. I told my husband after the doctor appointment I wanted my next stop to be the craft store so that I could get my yarn! I was anxious to get things ready for this little one! And what color did I get? Blue!

This was after my trip to the yarn store :)

My son is now 3 years old and I have made everything that I can think of for him. Blankets, hats, booties, bibs, animals, even coasters (at his request)!

OK enough about my little guy, I can talk about him all day! Back to why I crochet. Back in 2013, after my son turned 1, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This diagnosis has been a lot

for me to wrap my head around; I still don't think I have fully come to terms with this fact. It took me a lot to just type that out.

One thing I want people to realize is that having MS doesn't mean that you are sick. That's probably why I haven't said it out loud (at least not online). I don't want to be treated differently because of this. Crocheting has helped me get through this though. It makes me feel normal to do something that I loved to do already.

Bottom line, crocheting helps me relax and not think about it for just a little bit. And at the same time I get to make gifts for my friends and family! I would love to try and grow this into selling my items online one day, but for now I'm keeping busy making baby gifts, Christmas gifts, and birthday gifts for everyone. 

So why do you crochet?

American Flag Blanket

For the last few months I have been working on an American Flag blanket. It's slowly coming along! I used this pattern for the flag http://www.allfreecrafts.com/crochet/afghans/american-flag/. For the stars I just used the pattern that is on the site with the flag. Right now I'm sewing on all of those stars so I'm hoping to be done soon! Here is what it has looks like:

I love how it is turning out so far! I will post pictures of my completed blanket. It's for a baby that was born in September, but this blanket is big enough that the baby will be able to use it for many years to come!

Once I get this completed, be looking for a new baby hat pattern!