Adorable Crocheted Baby Hat

Find the Great Tutorial Here at Asthetic Nest.

Rag Rug

When I was student teaching junior high school sewing. Some of my students were making these. Its a fairly easy crochet project because the hook used is so big.

Sugar Bee has a good tutorial for these Rag Rugs Here. They even have a video. Check them out!

Ammee's Babies

I just came across a site for Hemsistched Baby Gift Kits! I get so excited when I find new websites!

I received an email from a reader recently asking for more hemstitching retailers. This may be a good option for those who don't have access to a company that will hemsistch for them.

This company provides kits that include a hemsistched blanket, burp cloth, thread, a hook and easy to follow instructions.
I think this is a great idea. A One Stop Shop. And after you complete your gift you can wrap and give it in the box the kit came in.
They also have many pattern books, a learning center to teach you how to crochet, wash and care for your projects etc...

They promote "Going Green" and they also Donate a portion of their proceeds to underprivileged babies! and they also have a great FREE PATTERN!

Here is a link to Amees Blog if you are interested in finding out more about her.

Although have not personally purchased from this site but they do have a money back guarantee and they seem like a reliable and reputable company. If you are looking for an option for hemsistched blankets this company may be worth a try!

More Advanced, Crocheted Edge Patterns

I got these instructions from the cotton shop in Provo. As far as I know they are not copyrighted.

Kugs and Kisses:
Row 1: ss in the first hole, ch 3. sc iin the hole to the right of the one you ss in. Skip over the hole you ss in and also skip the next hole. (you should be moving left). *ch3, sc in the skipped hole to the right. Moving left skip the sc and the next hole, sc in the next hole* repeat * to * around. Finish off.

Triangles and Arches:
Row 1: 1 sc in each hole, ss to join.
Row 2: ch 5, (this is 1 dc and 2ch), dc in the same stitch. Skip 2 stitches and *dc in the third stitch, ch 2, dc in the same stitch* Repeat * to * around. ss, to join. (This makes a row of triangles, every other one inverted.)
Row 3: *3 dc in the upper flat part of the 1st inverted triangle, then 1 sc in the point of the second upright triangle,* Repeat from * to *, ss to join. Finish off.

Lace and Waves:
Row 1: 1sc in each hole, ss to join.
Row 2: ch 5 (this is 1 dc and 2 ch), dc in the sam estitch. Skip 2 stitches and *dc in the third stitch, ch 2 dc in the same stitch*. Repeat * to * around, ss to join. (This makes a row of triangels every other one inverted)
Row 3: (You will ONLY be working in the upper flat part of the triangles)
*First upper triangle-sc
Second upper triangle- 3 dc
Third upper triangle- 4 tr
Fourth upper triangle- 3 dc*
Repeat * to * around, ss to join. Finish off.

Medium Difficulty, Crocheted Edge Patterns

I got these instructions from the cotton shop in Provo. As far as I know they are not copyrighted.

Fence Post:
Row 1: 2 sc in each hole, ss to join.
Row 2: ch 3 *sc in every other hole*, Repeat around. ss to join.
Row 3: ch 3 (this counts as the 1st dc), dc in the same stitch, ch 2 then 2 dc in the same stitch. In every other loop of the 2nd row, *2 dc, ch2, 2 dc*, ss to join. Finish off.

Two Tone Loops:
Row 1: 1 sc in each hole, ss to join.
Row 2: *ch 8, sc in the 4th hole*. Repeat * to * around, (you may need to adjust at the end). Finish off.
Row 3: With another thread color: sc in the middle stitch of the 3 stitches between loops from the second row. *ch8, sc in the middle stitch, alternating front and back over the loops of the second row*, This makes a twisted loop and also helps to hold up the loops evenly. Repeat * to * around. Finish off.

Heavy Ruffle:
Row 1: 2 sc in each hole. ss to join.
Row 2: Chain 3, (this counts as the 1st dc). dc in the same stitch. *2 dc in each space* repeat around. (Expect a LOT of rippling), ss to join.
Row 3: ch 2, 1 sc in each space, ss to join. Finish off.

For variety, it looks good if row 1 & 3 are the same color and row 2 is a different color.

Easy Crocheted Edge Patterns

I have learned from experience that beginners should use a few specific tools that make the process easier.

100% Cotton Thread (Bedspread Weight) size 10 or 12 would be ideal.
Crochet hook size 5

After you are use to crocheting well with this thread and hook then you can try your luck with nylon thread and a smaller size hook (7)

I got these instructions from the cotton shop in Provo. As far as I know they are not copyrighted.

Abbreviations:
ch=chain, sc=single crochet, dc=double crochet, tr=triple crochet, ss=slip stitch
(I have listed the easier to learn patterns 1st)

Simple Edge:
Row 1: 1 sc in each hole, ss to join.
Row 2: ch 2, 1 sc in each stitch, ss to join. finish off


Basic Shell:
Row 1: 1 sc in each hole, ss to join.
Row 2: ch 2, 1 sc in each stitch, ss to join.
Row 3: ch 2, 1 sc in first stitch, skip 2 stitches, *(6 dc in the next stitch) skip 2 stitches, 1 sc in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches*, repeat * to * around, ss to join, Finish off.

Basic Picot:
Row 1: 2 sc in the first and second holes, *in the third hole sc, then chain 3, ss in the top of the same se (#3) you are working on (this makes a picot), then sc in the same hole (#3), sc in the next 2 holes*, repeat from * to * around, ss to join, Finish off.

Basic Ruffle:
Row 1: 1 sc in each hole, ss to join.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as the 1st dc), dc in the same stitch. 2 dc in each stitch around, ss to join.
Row 3: ch 2, then 1 sc in each stitch around, ss to join, Finish off.

Amandas Pride:
Row 1: 1 sc in each hole around, ss to join.
Row 2: *ch 6, skip 4 stitches and sc in the 5th hole.* Repeat * to * around. Finish Off.

Hem Stitching

For those of you who don't know what hem stitching is I'll explain. Hemstitching is the little holes punched in the edge of burpers, hankies, pillowcases etc... These allow you to crochet the edges of your project easily. With out having to poke your own holes.

You can buy articles pre-made at some local fabric stores. Or at the Quilted Bear (if you are in Utah). Also some stores will hem stitch you on articles you have made yourself. This is really nice because usually the pre-made stuff is not cute at all. The store usually just uses scraps and sometimes the front and back don't even match. The cotton Shop in Provo, I have found them to be the cheapest around. They currently charge $1 a linear yard. Not bad really. They have done a good job for me in the past. Also you can get packets online at the Fabric Mill. They also have the pattern booklets.

Also, there is a really easy way to hemstitch on your home machine. The requirements are as follows.

1. Your machine has do to a "Star Stitch" (or something similar, where the needle hits the same place multiple times.)

2. You have to have a "Winged Needle" (the sides are wider and poke larger holes than regular needles do)

3.Thread- (I usually use a serger cone) Because you are using a Star stitch you will use kind of a lot of thread.

4. Sew 1/4 from the edge. I like to serge the edges before I start and then star stitch right on the inside edge of my serging.

5. Make sure when you cut out your fabric that the front and back match up. We don't want any bubbles on the edges because one layer is bigger than the other. (If I'm doing a blanket I usually safety pin from the middle out to make sure I avoid this problem.

For the most part I do my own small items, Bibs, Burpers etc... and send the blankets out to be done. Sometimes its just not worth my time and I pay to have it done.

Baby Gifts

Blankets, Burpers and Bibs are always needed for a new baby. This is what I give all of my friends that are expecting. It is inexpensive, cute and useful! Its also nice to give a gift that you have put your own personal touch to.

Here are some examples of the Crocheted Edge Burpers and Bibs. These are to inspire you, not frustrate you! Keep practicing you'll get the hang of it!









Here are some great booklets with instructions that I like to use. All of the "Cute N' Cuddly" series by Shirley are awesome.

You can buy them at various places but Fabric Mill sells them online along with pre-hemstitched kits.

Learn to Crochet

I learned the basics of Crochet from my aunt. Then I taught myself how to read patterns. Here is a good website that I think is fairly easy to understand.

With practice you will learn how to read patterns and understand abbreviations. After you learn the basics you will be able to crochet edging...(see next few posts)

Here is another site with video tutorials that show specific stitches. Watch them and try them out for yourself.

GOOD LUCK!