Textured Toddler's Hat

I like the texture this stitch gives.  It's a crochet that's most like moss or seed stitch.  It's not lacy, so it's versatile and can be tailored for boys or girls.

The pattern is very simple.  With moss stitch you purl where you knit in the row below, with this crochet stitch you sc where you dc in the row below.

For this one I used a worsted weight yarn and size H hook.

Start with a magic or sliding ring.  Here's a tutorial from Craftsy on that.  http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/09/demystifying-the-magic-ring/

Round 1

chain 3 (first DC)

9 DC in ring for a total of 10

slip stitch to join at first chain 3

Round 2

Chain 3 (first DC) sc in same space.  

Repeat with a DC & SC in every DC around - total of 20 stitches

slip stitch to join at first chain 3

Round 3

Chain1 SC in first stitch (the chain 3 from the row before) DC & SC in next stitch

DC in next stitch, SC & DC in next

*SC next  DC & SC in next stitch

DC next SC & DC in next

repeat from * around ending on a DC

slip stitch to join at first sc

Round 4

Chain 3 (first DC) SC next, DC&SC in next

*DC next stitch,  SC next, DC & SC in next

repeat from *around ending with SC

slip stitch to join at beginning chain 3

Round 5

chain 1 SC in first stitch  DC next stitch SC next stitch DC&SC in next

DC next stitch, SC next, DC next Stitch, SC &DC in next

*SC in next stitch, DC next, SC next, DC&SC in next stitch

DC next stitch, SC next stitch, DC next stitch, SC&DC in next

Repeat from * around ending with DC

slip stitch to join at first SC

This is where I ended the crown - the hat fits a 1-2 year old.  Keep working in the same pattern to make it larger, or use a larger hook or yarn

Round 6

Chain 3 (first DC) SC

*DC next, SC following stitch 

repeat from * ending on SC

join with slip stitch to beginning chain 3

Round 7

Chain 1 SC first stitch, DC next

*SC following stitch, DC next

Repeat from * around ending with DC

join with slip stitch to first SC

Rounds 8-13 repeat Rows 6&7

Change colors for stripe

Continue in pattern repeating rows 6&7 for 3 more rows

change back to main color

Chain 1 sc in first stitch and around

join with slip stitch to first stitch

fasten off

weave in ends

Leave it plain or fancy it up with flowers or appliques.

Turkey Call Craft

This is a work in progress.  Next week I am hope to do a better job with the images and actually finish a decorated one.   But while I'm testing, why  not share.  This was always one of my favorite crafts to do with my younger Girl Scouts - Daisy/Brownie aged.  I learned it from another scout leader in Texas and it's perfect for a November meeting.

 Materials
Plastic Cup
straw
sponge
acrylic yarn
construction paper and stapler for decorating. (not shown in this one - on the list for the finished project)

Cut a hole in the top of the cup

Cut the sponge into smaller pieces.  I like to cut it the short way across and then use half of that.

Cut the straw into a length that will fit across the top of the cup.

Poke the yarn through the hold with most of it down into the cup.  The yarn should be fairly long - you can trim it later.

Thread the yarn through the straw and then tie it back to itself.  This will keep it from slipping back down into the hole.  Of course I forgot to photograph tying it off - add one more to the list.

Tie the other end to the sponge.  Leave a minimum of 6 inches coming out of the cup bottom.  Longer is better with little hands.

Then you can decorate it which isn't shown here.  I used to let the kids trace their hands onto construciton paper and we used that for tails.  I pre-cut turkey heads for them to color.  They I would staple them all in place.

To make the sound you get the sponge damp, fold it over the strong up as high as you can reach and then pinch it in place.  Drag it down the string in a jerky fashion.  It makes a turkey call.  The video is dark but should give you an idea.

Baby Booties with gathered strap

Only 24 hours past when I said I would post the pattern. Not too bad for me. Sorry about the picture quality. too impatient to get the light box out.


I used a medium (4) “baby” yarn and a g hook to create 0-3 months booties.  An h hook made the blue and yellow 3 - 6month size booties.  

ss - slip stitch
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
sc2tog - single crochet 2 together
hdc2tog - half double crochet 2 together

Ch 10

Round 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook
sc in next 7 ch
5 sc in last chain  (toe)
Working in free loops on back side of chain sc next 7
2 sc in last ch (heel)
join with ss to 1st sc

Round 2
Ch2 (counts as first hdc), hdc same stitch
hdc in each of next 7 sc
2 hdc in each of next 5 sc
hdc in each of next 7 sc
2 hdc in each of last 2 sc.
join with ss to top of first ch 2

Round 3
Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in same stitch
hdc in each of next 12 stitches
2 hdc in each of next 3 stitches
hdc in each of next 12 stitches
2 hdc each of last 2 stitches

Switch colors

Round 4
working in back loops only
ch 1 sc in same stitch
sc around
join with ss to first sc

Round 5
ch1 sc in same stitch
sc around
join with ss to first sc

Round 6
ch2 (counts as first hdc)
hdc next 9 stitches
hdc2tog 6 times
hdc around
join ss to top of first chain 2

Switch colors

Round 7
ch1, sc same stitch
sc next 9 stitches
sc2tog
sc next stitch
sc2tog
sc around
join with ss to first sc
fasten off

locate sc @ center of toe between the two sc2together.
count up towards heel 4 stitches and join yarn

ch 5 attach at corresponding stitch on other side of the bootie
ss up one stitch towards heel
ch 6 attach at corresponding stitch on other side of bootie
ss up one stitch towards heel
ch 3, make a sc looping yarn around ch 5 and ch6 gathering them.
ch 3 attach at corresponding stitch on other side of bootie
finish off.

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