Christmas In September

I have very few children in my family and it makes things a little boring. Until my cousin was born in 2010, the youngest person in my family was my little brother and he was 14. Suffice to say, I spoil my two cousins (Brynn is almost 4 now and Aubree is almost 1) with every project and craft I wish I had as a kid. I've been in a very Christmassy mood lately which is odd because I'm usually a Halloween nut but I've been obsessed with the Christmas Pinterest page.

The one thing I knew I wanted to make this year was Santa sacks for Brynn and Bree. I'm kindof obsessed with making kids believe in Santa because I remember it being one of the only good and magical things from my childhood and I love how excited it used to make me.

For each bag, I used a roll of unbleached muslin fabric, cardboard alphabet stencils (first name, last name), a fabric quarter (I used the same pattern in different colours), and decorative cord (but in red).

I'm really happy with how they turned out. I actually really want more people to have children in my family so I can make more of these but I don't think that's going to be happening anytime soon. Looks like I'll be waiting five or so years until I have kids to make them for. 

Updated

I have been on a crazy crochet kick for the past two weeks and it's insane. I've finished 2 baby blankets, a huge Hunger Games inspired afghan, and a few odd hats.

I don't know what else I can possibly make, but I still want to crochet stuff

I need to start making lists of things I could make, or things I want to make, because I hate taking six hours to try and find something that I want to make. It takes up my actual crochet/knitting time.

- A name-blanket for my 2 year old cousin, Brynnleigh
- A baby blanket for my aunt (Brynn's mom) who's expecting another little girl in November
- More hats (can't have enough toques in Canada)
- A scarf? Haven't made one in a long time
- Halloween decorations

Brynnleigh's Super Simple Socks

I recently got a whole bunch of balls of sock yarn for babies (thanks Grandma) and my 2 year old cousin Brynnleigh decided she really wanted this blue pair and a pink pair, so that's been my weekend so far. I wasn't really finding a pattern for toe-up toddler socks that I liked so I basically just winged it and here we go. Keep in mind this is my first knitting pattern so please don't hesitate to tell me if there's anything wrong. Here we go! 

Brynnleigh’s Super Simple Socks

© Courtney Wiche 2013

Materials

US 3 (3.25mm) 24” circular needles

Yarn: My First Regia by REGIA (25g ball, col. Marco, approx 105 m)

Gauge: 7 stitches, 10 rows = 1”

Finished size: 4.10” long x 3.5” tall (approx 1-2 years)

This pattern is created toe-up using Judy’s magic cast-on

R1: Using Judy’s magic cast-on, cast on 9 stitches on each needle (18)

R2,4,6,8,10: knit

R3: [k1, m1, k7, m1, k1] twice (22 sts)

R5: [k1,m1,k9,m1,k1] twice (26 sts)

R7: [k1,m1,k11,m1,k1] twice (30 sts)

R9: [k1,m1,k13,m1,k1] twice (34 sts)

R11: [k1,m1,k15,m1,k1] twice (38 sts)

R12-36: knit (38 sts)

Work short rows splitting heel in 5-9-5 sts

                Basic How-To Tutorial -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu5YAKsAEpY

R37-45: knit (38 sts)

R46: knit, decreasing 3 sts (35 sts)

R47-50: [k3,p1,k2,p1] around

                You can continue rib for as many rows as you’d like to increase height of socks

BO loosely (very loosely; I did it too tight the first time and then I had to take it apart and redo it which is a pain in the ass)

Viola! I hope you enjoy it. :)

Mermaid Costume Pattern

Mermaid Costume Pattern

I made this costume for my cousin Brynn last Halloween.

NOTE: I put a lot of time into creating this so that I wouldn't have to pay for it, so I'd really appreciate if you didn't sell what you make from it. Personal use only, please!

Size H hook
Worsted weight yarn
       This makes a size 9-12 months approximately. If you're looking to make it smaller, try using baby yarn and a G hook. To make it bigger, chunkier yarn and an I or J hook.

Starfish Top:

Mc

R1: sc 5 times in mc, sl st to join (5)

R2: ch 1, 2 around, sl st to join (10)

R3: ch 1, sc in same st, dc, tr, dc in next st, *sc in next st, dc, tr, dc in next st* around, sl st to join

R4: ch 1, sc in same st, hdc in next st, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc in next st, hdc in next st, *sc in next st, hdc in next st, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc in next st, hdc in next st* around, sl st to join

                Fasten off

Make four ties approximately 35 chains in length and attach them to your preference

Mermaid Tail:

(This is made by joining at the beginning of each row and ch 2 (this does NOT count as a stitch!). You can also try making it without joining it, but at the time that I made this pattern, I wasn't really comfortable with marking stitches, but have at 'er!)

Mc

R1: 12 dc in circle (12)

R2: Blo, dc 12 around (12)

R3-9: dc 12 round (12)

R10: dc 1 in next 3 st, dc 2 in next st* around (15)

R11: dc 1 in next 2 st, dc 2 in next st* around (20)

R12: Dc around (20)

R13: Dc 1 in next 2 st, dc 2 in next st* around (28)

R14-17: Dc around (28)

R18-19: Dc 1 in next 2 st, dc 2 in next st* around

                For optional increase, repeat R13 (48)

R20-45: dc around

R46-47: sc around

R48: sc in next 2 st, ch 1, skip a st, sc in next 2 st* around

R49-50: sc around

                Fasten off

Make a chain long enough to form a drawstring around the waist (you’ll weave this through the spaces in R48)

Fins (make 2):

Ch 23

R1: Dc across

R2: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc across

R3: Ch 2, dc across

R4: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc across

R5: Ch 2, dc across

R6: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc across

R7: ch 2, dc across

                Fasten off

If the fins are confusing, you can try using these:

You should only sew the fins together about three-quarters of the way

Fold the corners over and sew the corners to the end of the tail (sew around; make sure it's connected)

And there you have it!

For everyone who was waiting a really long time for this pattern, I'm sorry, but I didn't have access to the costume for the longest time so I couldn't try and write it down. 

This pattern hasn't been tested except for by me, so any feedback or revisions would be appreciated. If something's unclear, feel free to ask me about it. The beading and sequins wasn't done by me, it was done by my aunt.