Wahooooo!! (i made a hat)

lol. im not trying to look creepy in that pic honest

i made this hat with size 13 dpn's and a lil bit of homespun

it was kinda a pain to work with at first but after a few rounds it got easy

this hat is so squishy and soft i think if i was a small child i would fall asleep in it on a short car ride.. i dunno. so anyway here's the pattern

(oh yeah it's also super stretchy, it will fit an adult or a child. also, if you want a thicker hat you could use 2 strands at once)

cast on 36 and distribute evenly onto 3 needles (12 sts each). join without twisting yarn

knit evenly for 6 and 1/2 to 7 inches

decrease rounds for crown:

1. (k 4, k2tog) around

2. (k 3, k2tog) around

3. (k 2, k2tog) around

4. (k 1, k2tog) around

5. (k2tog) around

k2tog around until there is only 1 stitch on each needle. then move all stitches onto one needle and k3tog. pull tight! and make sure there is no (or very minimal) opening at the top.

fasten off yarn, weave in ends.

;)

this is my original pattern, do not sell, copy, or distribute. link to my pages to share. print a copy for your personal use.

Mari <3

Knit Tassel Hat

i really have to take the time to figure out how to import blog posts from Microsoft Word...

cuz i have no skills on this blogger thing.

this is my tassel hat :) i made it last night ya.

it's almost identical to the Elana hat, except i measured way better, and the decreases are different... and theres a friggin i-cord with a tassel on it. awesome. oh ya, and i did it entirely on size 8 dpn's :)

i used jamie classic yarn (less than one skein) in Lilac

and US size 8 dpn's (set of four)

some scissors for the total of 2 (or 3 or 4) snips

and my cell phone (didn't have a piece of cardboard to wrap the yarn around for the tassel.. it worked out fine)

cast on 90, distribute evenly among three needles (30 stitches each)

join without twisting (it's not hard but i did have trouble initially.. i just always make sure the foundation ridge thing is facing me on each needle now)

also, i leave my tail out so i dont have to use a stitch marker, then sew it up after the hat is done.

work k1, p1 rib for 1"

switch to stockinette, which is just plain knit stitches around.

do this until the whole piece measures about 6"

i did my decreases kind of, well, not unevenly but sporadically? maybe. here's what i did:

decrease rows:

round 1: k 8, k2tog, around.

round 2: k 7, k2tog, around.

round 3: k 6, k2tog, around.

round 4: k every stitch around.

round 5: k 5, k2tog, around.

round 6: k 4, k2tog, around.

round 7: k 3, k2tog, around.

round 8: k 2, k2tog, around.

round 9: k 1, k2tog, around.

round 10: k every stitch around.

round 11: k2tog around

continue to k2tog around until you have only 2 stitches on one needle.

make i-cord this way:

instead of turning work after k'ing the 2 stitches, slide them across to the other end of the needle and work them onto the other needle from there. pull the working yarn tight!

make i-cord as long as u want... i dont remember how many rows i did but mine is about 5 inches without the tassel.

to make tassel: wrap yarn around a flat piece of cardboard a bunch of times (example: i did 12 revolutions) tie one side- preferably the side without the beginning strand of yarn on it- with the same yarn you wrapped up. put the scissors through the yarn on the other side and cut through all the strands evenly, so the cardboard gets free and u have one side of yarn tied up in a bundle.

tie a strand around the bunch of yarns that you have (it will look more like a bell and less like a bundle of twigs). attach to i-cord.

i don't know if the tassel info is sufficient, because it's hard to describe for me without pictures... crap, i shoulda taken pictures... there are tons of instructional videos and clearer instructions online, i will have to find a good link :)

this is my original pattern, do not sell, do not copy, do not distribute in any form of publication. link to my pages to share. print out a copy for your personal use. do not reproduce this pattern or the finished product for profit.

Mari <3

I've Actually Been Finishing Stuff

mom sent me cookies... in a pix mail.. lol

i found this in my local Pick n Save

finished about an hour ago? its 12something...

it's the neatest top of a hat i've ever had the privilege of making...

i'm not extra-good at making tassels but i gave it a try :)

i just made it up, it's very basic and i can't remember if i decreased every other row on all the decrease part...

here is a hat i made, my first adult size hat in knit. the joining on the top could have been done better but i didn't know how to do it better... it's cute.

really, i have been finishing stuff :)

i just havent gotten around to posting. i don't want to type out the patterns for these things right now so if you like one of the pics, just check back in about a couple days or a week... i'm not "busy" busy, but my brain is currently being crammed with a crapload of information and also i'm working and trying to spend as much quality time with a certain paulieface who i see for maybe a total of 2 hours a day before one of us drops off to sleep or heads to work/school.

so anyway, i went christmas shopping like this last week, and it was fun.

i bought for my mom and brothers and paulie and josh, i wasnt sure if i should pick out some things for paulie's parents cuz i dunno what they like or whatever. i know his mom likes books :) i love books. and his dad likes planty stuff and probably science or history, maybe. i guess i just got shy? but on a sunday i will take paulie out to pick some things lol. that reminds me of the santa's secret workshop from grade school, where the school would have a little store where kids could buy presents for their moms and dads without the parents knowing what they bought. i dunno exactly why it reminds me but it does.

also working on something for my cousin's baby, whose baby shower i couldn't attend cuz of both work and school.. i dunno if it will be a december baby or what cuz nobody told me anything. i just guessed, texted mom, and she said "yep, yep, and yep". and i think she's naming him jonathan? which is pretty close to the name that popped into my head right before i texted mom "who's pregnant?", julian. eh. so i'm getting rusty :)

sleepytime!

Mari <3

Praise :)

i know it's something little-tiny, but...

a couple days ago i had a look at my phone bill, and saw that it was about 20 dollars over the usual amount, which isnt a lot but every dollar counts for something. lunch for the week or the bus if it's too cold out to walk. i'm not able to save very much because of school kind of taking over the work week and the work week becoming less and less days.

so anyway, i was dreading having to call the phone company to get my bill adjusted because nobody ever listens to me. like seriously and especially on the phone because i sound like a child, so i will usually have to spend hours trying to get something fixed whereas an irrate grownup voice might make people jump a little quicker. honestly my angry voice just sounds cute.

i havent had time to call the company because of my schedule, but i was going to today before school and i can't believe i just paused VCY America on my audio but wow i couldn't think with that lady's voice in my head (she sounds very nice but it was pulling my brain apart and making a short story long by hindering my concentration on PRAISE)

so anyway i was going to call today but i just got it in my head to look at my bill so i would be able to tell them exactly what the name of the charge was that needed to be taken off... and all these days i have been praying to God to give me the patience and the strength to deal with phone people, and also to be able to use the right words so that they know that i know what im talking about... and...

my bill amount had already changed!

it was in fact a negative balance!

this was my brain upon seeing the info---> oh. wow. YES!!!

and i'm reminded, as apparently i must be, daily, once again... that God is wonderful. He takes care of me in even the smallest most insignificant-to-others-except-me ways, and He's the only one who can reach right in and pull out my whole heart, just rip it out completely and the only thing i feel is sweetness.

and now for some pictures!!! cute ones, cute ones :)

here is Zeus, i told u the pix would be cute :)

this is a pic from steak n shake that i forgot to put earlier

this is a "me and my family on thanksgiving" pic minus jose... we put the camera on auto-timer and set it on the table lol. turned out pretty good

here's the scene at thanksgiving... monopoly! :)

well those were all the pics i had :) actually no, i have a pic of my aunts but i dunno if they want to be made public lol. its a cute pic

Mari <3

AaAaAaAaAaAaHhHhHhHhHhHh.....!!

this is me sighing.
first term is over at school, and yesterday i had my first class of second term.
that's not the problem. i love medical terminology, and i'm not saying that sarcastically. i think i'll do very well in both classes. medical terminology and body structure and function... i've done them before. ya, once upon a time i wasn't some retail slave with no monies. i used to be smart and educated (got my CNA and pharmacy tech certification) but then the stupid monster ate my brain and i did very bad things for a while.
and it's not the "shaping up" that's getting to me either. it's weird maybe, but i think it's the fact that i don't know whats going to happen day to day.
like, the school is awesome but the online portal only gives you the schedule for the week, and screw the rest. also, the only calendar i have gotten EVER (related to the school and it's operations or whatever) was from the librarian for the library hours. that was a whole month placemat looking thing.
and this kind of thing never bothered me before, because God knows i'm not a planner, i'm a make it up as i go, doesnt matter if i know what im doing or not, type of person. i just go, i just do, and it has always been good. and it has always been good enough. i think... omg.
i think it's paulie's influence. !!! ah!! my brain is exploding...
he loves planning, and calendars and schedules. i hate those things. but i made a google calendar and signed up for google docs, because he freaked out pretty much when he didnt know what was going on on what day and when. so i facilitate the lives of those i love in any way i can, you know, short of wiping their booty if they're grown enough.
but i think by doing these things i've warped myself somehow.
i mean normal people have calendars and stuff and they don't go insane, but i should probably tell you i'm not a normal person. i thrive on chaos and disorder. and apparently
my brain is dying by calendar.
hehe.
i feel better now that i figured it out, i just need to chill.
so anyway, we're whizzing over thanksgiving by the seat of our pants :) i dunno what we'll do for christmas but i would like to see my family a little. last year i only saw my mom for about an hour, then we went to paulie's parent's, who took us to his sister's house which was full of foreign (to me) stuff. probably a typical american christmas, but it was... umm...
boring. with cheeses on platters. and children playing instruments badly. and funny looks from white people who think they are open-minded but are wondering worriedly about the little brown girl in the corner. and funny (not good funny) sibling hatred which is physically palpable but completely ignored by everyone else in the room. i dunno, my family isn't like that. they're not perfect but they don't smell like cheesebreath. and there was no music. that killed it.
oh yes, i forgot. i'm going to try the friggin slow cooker! hopefully it is as easy as so many people say. i would like to be able to make like a stupid pot roast or something, just to do it.
i'm also working on a knit hat, which is based on two hats (which coincidentally are very similar) by Bev Q (i can't spell her last name without copy and pasting it) who has that cool website that's centered around making stuff for preemies oh i should put that link on my list! ... and another nice lady that i can't remember her name (sorry nice lady! i like your hat!)
and i'm trying to make my cousin something for her baby, but i keep starting and ripping it out, cuz i havent really decided what it is yet :P i'll get it done by december i hope
that's enough for me, i've got to get to school!

Mari <3

Stripey Hat with Brim

i made this hat with an aluminum size I hook (US), using Red Heart Super Saver. i don't really like this yarn, but i recently just got a crapton of it after a visit to my mom's house. rescued yarn i was determined to make rescue-able :) i used less than one skein of either color. you can use one color or stripe as much as you want obviously, but either way it will be less than a skein you use.


the brim i made and then thought it was too floppy so i cut a piece off of the back of my spiral notebook at school, it's one long piece folded in half and then sewed up. the crab stitch lining actually closes up the ends of the brim, and the most difficult part of making this hat is probably either cutting the cardboardy stuff or crab stitching the long part of the brim. blech. it was easy but i'm naturally complainy about friggin everything.


super easy, super fun, all you need to know is SC, Reverse SC or crabstitch, SL ST, and how to weave yarn in and out between stitch holes lol. color changes are easy, don't ever be intimidated by stupid crap. also, practice makes awesome :)
Pattern Below!!! (pattern is for hat in pic with exact stripeys)

with first color, ch2

1. make 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. join to top of first sc with sl st. (4 sc around)
2. ch1 (this never counts as a stitch and you will always work the first sc in the same st as joining.) 2sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (8 sc around)
3. ch1, make (sc in sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (12 sc around)
4. ch1, make (2sc in each sc) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (24 sc around)
5. ch1, make (2sc in sc, 1 sc in each of next 2) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (32 sc around)
6. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (32 sc around)
7. ch1, make (sc in each of next 3 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (40 sc around)
8. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (40 sc around)
9. ch1, make (sc in each of next 4 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (48 sc around)
10. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (48 sc around)
11. ch1, make (sc in each of next 5 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (56 sc around)
12. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (56 sc around)
13. ch1, make (sc in each of next 6 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (64 sc around)
14. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (64 sc around)
15. ch1, make (sc in each of next 7 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (72 sc around)
16. thru 21. ch1, sc in each sc around. at end of round 21, fasten off first color. (you do not have to fasten off, you can leave the first color hanging until you finish each row, and carry it up in your finishing sl st until you need it)
    

• work 2 rounds evenly in second color, fasten off. you have 23 rounds
  
• work 3 rounds evenly in first color, fasten off. you have 26 rounds
• work 2 rounds evenly in second color, fasten off. you have 28 rounds
• work 2 rounds evenly in first color, do not fasten off. you have 30 rounds

to work brim, do not turn yet. with first color still attached, sl st about 22 stitches, keep it loose but neat so the hat can stretch but not look wobbly. in the 22nd stitch about, ch1 (remember the ch1 never counts as a stitch)

• sc in each of next 26 stitches. you can do more or less depending on the width of brim you want. i made 26 though. ch1, turn.
  
• make about 11 rows (again depending on your preference if you want a short or long brim you can add or subtract rows). make sure the last row you work is going the same direction your first row went, away from the sl st's of the brim start.
• fold brim in half without fastening yarn off. your working yarn loop will be by the outside edge of the hat.
  
• sl st into same st as last sc of first row of brim. it sounds kinda confusing maybe but it makes sense, break it down slowly if you have to. you're basically folding and tacking without sewing the short ends of the brim.
• sl st evenly along edge of hat, all the way around until you get to stitches that already have sl st's in them. fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

now you will attach the second color to the same stitch as joining, or if you carried the yarn over, huzzah, and grab it. ch 1,

• make reverse sc (crab stitches) all along the hat evenly. when you get to the brim, you will work up the unsewn side (thus sewing it together) evenly, then working the needle through the holes of row 6 or 7 (again, evenly. don't worry about making the "3sc corner stitch" or whatever, put one stitch in each hole so the edges get rounded slightly) then work down the other short edge and around the rest of the hat. fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

to make the brim more solid, cut a piece of cardboard or paperboard, make slightly smaller all over than the actual crochet brim, and stick that in the little pocket. (look under your hat, you made the brim a pocket- tah-dah!)

then using first color strand of yarn, sew the opening shut using a weave-y technique so the pattern stays smooth.
and voila, a stripey hat for you :)

this is my original pattern, do not sell. do not copy/post/distribute in any form. link to my pages to share patterns. print out a copy for your personal use. do not sell finished products.
Mari <3

Elana Hat

this is my first knitted hat! wahoo!!!
i started it without checking my gauge.. heheh.. shutup.
i used chunky premiere yarn in oatmeal color and my friggin bamboo circular needles (US size 8, 16")
i heard they will/might split but i don't care, i love them anyway...
and some size 8 dpn's for the top decreases
since i didn't check my gauge the hat came out in a toddler size. ya. neato.
so anyways if u want a cute toddler hat here's what i did to make mine :)

cast on 76
(and ya i counted my rounds lol, i will give measurements in case we don't match)

1-9. k2, p2 rib. this is about 5 centimeters

10-31. k every stitch. this is about 9 centimeters, 14 centimeters total

transfer the stitches onto 3 dpn's, they won't come up even, one needle will have 1 more stitch than the others.

32. (k 4, k2tog) around. you will end up going into the next round since there arent enough stitches for this pattern. don't worry about it :)

33. (k 3, k2tog) around.

34. (k 2, k2tog) around.

35- however long it takes u to get a tight point. (k 1, k2tog) around.

the whole hat will be about 19-20 centimeters long, you wont need to bind off because you will keep k2tog til there are no more stitches to work. cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

this is my original pattern, do not sell. please link to my pages to share. do not distribute in any form. feel free to print out a copy for your personal use.

Mari <3

Aqua Skullcap

cute, no?;) i made this hat with the same yarn as the Mimi one, same hooks too. it used about half a skein of Bernat Satin, which surprised me. So in case you haven't seen the Mimi post, i used 2 crochet hooks- one aluminum US size I for the body and one aluminum US size G for the ribbing. ya, its ribbing on the bottom eh.


you maybe can't really see it in the pics but i did a row of crab stitch? reverse sc, as an edge for the ribs. i used to couldn't do that... looking at that statement makes me realize how stupid it is lol. i couldn't do that before, i just learned a couple years ago from a book, you just go left to right instead of right to left and it gives u a cool twist that you can lose the loose end in easily when you're done. i made the crab stitch round with the I hook cuz i didn't like how tiny the stitches were with the other hook.

the pictures are to show you that this is a SKULL cap lol. it fits snuggly and it reaches just over the tops of my ears. i guess if you wanted a longer hat you could just add more rows to the body after the crown, in which case you would need more than half a skein of yarn. ok! so the materials again:
1 half skein of Bernat Satin solid color
1 aluminum US size I hook (for hat body)
1 aluminum US size G hook (for hat brim)
scissors (one snip eh)

with larger hook, ch2

1. make 8 hdc in 2nd ch from hook, join with sl st to top of first hdc. (never count the ch as a stitch) -8 hdc around
   
2. ch1, make 2hdc in each hdc around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -16 hdc around
3. ch1, hdc in same st as joining, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in next hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -24 hdc around
4. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in next, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in each of next 2 hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -32 hdc around
5. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in each of next 2, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in each of next 3 hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -40 hdc around
6. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in each of next 3, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in each of next 4 hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -48 hdc around
7. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in each of next 4, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in each of next 5 hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -56 hdc around
8. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in each of next 5, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in each of next 6 hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -64 hdc around
9. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in each of next 6, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in each of next 7 hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -72 hdc around
10. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in each of next 7, 2hdc in next. make (hdc in each of next 8 hdc, 2hdc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -80 hdc around
11. ch1, hdc in same st as joining and in each hdc around. join with sl st to top of first hdc. -80 hdc around

12-16. repeat round 11.
17-18. switch to smaller hook and ch 3. fpdc (dc in front post of stitch) in next dc, dc in next. make (fpdc in next dc, dc in next) around. you will end up at the first ch3, which you will put a dc over in the same spot as joining. then you will join to the next "real" dc over.
19. switch to larger hook again and make a row of crab stitch (reverse sc) evenly around. i don't join at the end of the round for crab stitch i just make a sl st in the same spot as the first crab stitch and fasten off the yarn, then i weave the yarn around so that it goes in a circle around the last round.

this is my original pattern, do not sell this pattern or the products made from it. do not copy or publish to any other publication. do not paste or attach in emails. do not mail copies in any form to anyone. link to my pages to share. print out a copy for your personal use or charity.
Mari <3

A Post for Pictures and Cuteness Maybe

this is my cute brother jose holding his trophy of a hose ;) he's in the marines and is a firefighter. i don't have the whole story on the trophy but THEY WON! woooooo!!!! i'm so proud

these are my niece and nephew :) ninook(right) and zeus(left). they're both akitas but doesn't ninook look fluffier and zeus look kinda more scrunchy-nosed? they are beautiful




here's me! and paulie's arm lol. we are at steak n shake. they took a crapload of better pics (we went on a collective "visit the parents" trip to Illinois on Sunday) with more people than me in them but this is the only pic i got from my mom. hmph. stingy




we went to a movie after steak n shake. we were trying to go to an earlier show but showed up LATE so we had to wait for an hour for the movie we wanted. this is paulie starting a Peggle game on his phone for us :)

sleepytime :)

Mimi Hat

took me a lil longer than it should have to finish this hat. it's very simple and only uses sc stitches and sl st to join. i named this hat after one of my aunts :) because it's made in a vibrant color and its simple stitches create a beautiful pattern with a soft drape. it's elegant and practical (i.e. warm as heck)

Materials:
1 skein of Bernat Satin (i used the color Aqua)
aluminum US size I hook (for hat "body")
aluminum US size G hook (for hat brim)
scissors! (ya, you will have to make 2 whole snips)
optional: yarn needle (for neat pretty seam on brim)

Pattern:
with I hook, ch2

1. 10 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with sl st to top of first sc. (10 sc around)
work in BL ONLY always.

2. ch1 (which never counts as a stitch), 2sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (20 sc around)

3. ch1, sc in same st as joining, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in next sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (30 sc around)

4. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in next, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 2 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (40 sc around)

5. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 2, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 3 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (50 sc around)

6. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 3, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 4 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (60 sc around)

7. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 4, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 5 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (70 sc around)

8. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 5, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 6 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (80 sc around)

9. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 6, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 7 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (90 sc around)

10. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 7, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 8 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (100 sc around)

11. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 8, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 9 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (110 sc around)

12. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 9, 2sc in next sc. work (sc in each of next 10 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (120 sc around)

13-26. ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (120 sc around)

at end of round 26, fasten off yarn and weave in ends.


Now to make the Brim:
with G hook, ch 13 (make sure to leave a long tail at the start for sewing)

1. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across. (12 sc)
remember to work in BL ONLY :)

2-76. ch1 (which never counts as a stitch), sc in each sc across. (12 sc)

if you have a smaller or larger head, adjust rows accordingly :) try to end with an even number row so that it looks uniform when you sew it all up (which is the next step!)
DO NOT FASTEN OFF yet (if you did... meh, you can always just join the yarn again)

use yarn needle to sew brim into a circular "fits around my head" headband tube.
THEN!!! fold the headband in half lengthwise, so the thickness is doubled but it still fits around your head. sc ends together. don't use sl st because you will need the sc's there to work on.
join with sl st to top of first sc.


remember you're working in BL ONLY
work 2 more rows of sc around the headband (still using G hook), increasing evenly or randomly (whichever, hehe) so that you have 120 sc's around. you need to have that many so you can match the first part of the hat to the 2nd part.

MATCH seam to seam the 2 parts. it's easy if you stick the hat body RS facing into the WS facing headband and sl st together.
once you have stitched everything together, fasten off yarn and weave in ends. just flip the brim up and you have the Mimi Hat!




This is my original pattern. Do not sell this pattern. Do not copy or publish to any other publication. Do not send pattern in emails. Link to my pages to share. Print out a copy for your personal use. Do not sell products made using this pattern.

Mari <3

Heh heh heh...

yesterday i decided that the yarny store is friggin off limits... no more yarny store til next MONTH! :) there. i put my foot down.
everytime i go there i spend at least 80 dollars :( and i never go there when i dont have the money but holy craps. like, no wonder i used to order mill ends online. i have a strange addiction to yarn :)(: which i'm sure every knitter/crochetier/fiber arts junkie can relate to. but i just recently got kind of picky actually. i've never been picky with yarn. it must be the K word (in case you're not hip to the scene i recently started knitting, after being strictly and exclusively a crochet nut). just sayin', cuz that's the only change in my diet.
ohhh yeah i gotta blog about my superawesome new circular knitting needles :) i have like two sets already but theyr aluminum. this pair is bamboo! !!!
omg. i've been bamboozled. i have NEVER knitted or crocheted with anything other than aluminum or plastic (remember, i'm cheeeeeap) but i "splurged" and got bamboo circs cuz they were the only ones in the store that were 16" around (i know, excuses excuses). they smell nice. they FEEL nice. they friggin GLIDE through all my yarns and yeenings (i tested them on literally everything i have). wow. and now for a pretty bad pic!

so lol on another topic, school is fun. funfunfun. i have school 4 days a week, 2 classes each term, 5 weeks a term, in an 11 month program (ya icky math eh). and i like both my classes.
in one i learn all about computers, like everything in and around them including the intarwebz and cool programs like Microsoft Office Word. Word. they're teaching me how to manipulate document-y and presentation-y stuff superprofessionally so i can get paidddd. i like that.
in the other one i learn how to succeed. yep. 100%.
we focus on feeding our brains the way they like to be fed so they can process crap and make it relative to the stuff thats already in there. it's a fun class for me but like everybody else in the class thinks its a boring waste of time. i love boring wastes of time, for reasons unknown even to me.
every day that i go to school i bring my knitting to work on during breaks lol. i haven't forgotten about crochet, i'm still working on a couple of my projects, but with crochet i always find myself needing to write my directions out (i don't usually use patterns) and then obsessing about something or other. with knitting i can just "work in pattern stitch for __ inches" and i dont have to count my rows because honestly i think your eyeballs are in danger of falling out of your head every time you try to count knitted rows. i dunno there might be ppl who disagree but that's how i feel.
i found that little monkey hat that i had made for paulie's sister's kid, and i turned it into a shopping bag. would we consider that recycling? or just frogging? it made me a little sad to think that i had actually made something for that girl. it wasnt honestly for her child, it was for her so she could put it on her child geez no baby goes around happy to be in a hat. or in clothes either in some cases. pity and prayer, but nothing will ever leave my hand to fall into hers. not because i'm mean but because in the heart of my mind i know this:
anything that is not given in love should never be given at all. especially a thing which is made with hands. it carries all the blessings of the Creator, and all the faults of the created.
be blessed.

Mari <3

I'm The Kid With The Huge Backpack...

again :(
i can't believe it but i guess there's no escape...
when i was in HS i was that kid with the superheavy backpack and always had said backpack strapped to my back... aww man.
it had everything in there. food, extra clothes, soap, screwdriver, car jack, jumper cables lol
i'm starting my first day of college today and i packed my bag (only with books!)
and it weighs a ton, and it makes me look EXACTLY the same way i looked in high school. minus the huge hair down to my knees and slightly askew black frame eyeglasses :)
i kind of resent the fact that when the bag's just laying there it looks kinda floppy and innocent... and then when i PUT IT ON it swells up and magically adds 50 pounds to itself somehow.
Aaanyways i'm excited to be going :) to school. i think this is the first time i've ever been excited to go there.

Besides that, i think i have some cute pictures
yep...

the one on the left is a sweater (duh) whose pattern is called "Chickiedoodles"... i didnt want the chickies. the picture on the right is from paulie on his way either to or from work. pretty and scary at the same time :)

these are moving shots from the road and i forget what state we were in :) but they're cute

Oh also i've been working on my knitting! lol shutup, i've rationalized that knitting is also yeening so it still pertains to the whateveryoucallit of this blog. yes.
and i'm doing pretty good i think. i joined this beginners knit group on Ravelry and the girl who runs it puts up links to easy patterns (of which i've only done 2 but thats because the first one wasn't free {i'm cheeeeeap} and the fourth one scared me with all the pointy sticks you need to make it {but once i get over my fear ITS ON, little toy monkey!}) which is awesome.
and if you wanna look me up on Ravelry i'm Mariface

:D

<3 Mari

AmiCute?

He's the first ami i have ever put "real" eyes on :)
he has no mouth though, but i don't mind.
i used 2 skeins of peaches n creme cotton, i'm in a red phase right now cuz i have a lot of red yarn in my stash.
and i also used and aluminum size G hook (US) those clover hooks take time to get used to but they do make a pretty stitch
a yarn needle is great too, i mean i used to be like "why do i need that when a crochet hook will weave in and out of the work just fine?" but.. a lil straight needle is a lot neater and faster working than a crochet hook. you are gonna have to sew this guy up, and he's gonna have stuffed parts that might bleed stuffing if it's not done neatly. just leave long ends on all your finished body parts and you can thread and sew away on the final step.
The Body:
ch2
1. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. join with sl st to top of first sc. (6 sc around)
2. ch1, 2sc in each sc around. (i guess here i will note that i never count my first "ch1" as a stitch) (12 sc around)
3. ch1, (sc in sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (18 sc around)
4. ch1, (sc in each of next 2 sc's, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (24 sc around)
5. ch1, (sc in each of next 3 sc's, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (30 sc around)
6. ch1, (sc in each of next 4 sc's, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (36 sc around)
7. ch1, (sc in each of next 5 sc's, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (42 sc around)
8-21. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (42 sc around)
22. ch1, (sc in each of next 5 sc's, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (36 sts around)
23. ch1, (sc in each of next 4 sc's, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (30 sts around)
24. ch1, (sc in each of next 3 sc's, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (24 sts around)
25. ch1, (sc in each of next 2 sc's, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (18 sts around)
26. ch1, (sc in sc, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (12 sts around)
stuff body while the hole is big enough to fit fingers into
27. ch1, (sc2tog over next 2 sts) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (6 sts around)
fasten off yarn, leaving a tail at least 5 inches long. use this tail to sew up the small gap at the top of the body. ya, use your yarn needle goofy :)

The Head:
work same as body for 5 rounds
6-13. ch1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (30 sc around)
at this point if you have safety eyes, pop them in wherever you want them, since they cant be attached after you stuff and close the head.
work Rounds 24-27 of Body
fasten off yarn, leaving a tail about 10 inches long. use this tail to sew up the small gap at the top of the head and then to attach to the body. try to match like the 15th round of the head to the 25th round of the body, which is totally easy whipstitch with a yarn needle

The Legs: (make 2)
work same as Body for 4 rounds
5-8. ch1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (24 sc around)
9. ch1, (sc in each of next 2 sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (18 sc around)
10-12. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (18 sc around)
13. ch1, sc in first sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc. sc in next sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc. sc in each of next 7 sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc. sc in next sc, sc2tog over last 2 sc. join with sl st to top of first sc. (14 sts around)
14-25. ch1, sc in each st around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (14 sts)
sl st leg opening closed just by sl st'ing across top sts.
fasten off yarn, leaving a tail about 5 inches long on the first leg, and 10 inches on the 2nd leg.
when they are both finished, line them up next to each other so that the tail from the first leg is in the direction of the 2nd leg. sew the 2 legs lengthwise together so that they look like a pair of pants on a clothesline.
then sew the legs to the body using the longer tail

The Arms: (make 2)
work same as Body for 3 rounds
4-8. ch1, sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (18 sc around)
9. ch1, (sc in each of next 2 sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc) around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (12 sts around)
10-20. ch1, sc in each st around. join with sl st to top of first sc. (12 sc around)
close arm openings by sl st'ing across as for legs,
fasten off yarn, leaving a tail about 8 inches long on both arms.
sew arms to sides of Body, about the 4th Round down from where the Head is attached.

And there you have it :)

This is my own original pattern. Do not sell this pattern or the products made from it. Do not copy and/or distribute in any form of publication or email. Link back to my pages to share. Print out a copy for your own personal use.

Mari <3

Make Your Point

lol. sorry.
i finished this hat yesterday morning but hadnt gotten to post the pattern because of horrendous work hours :) it's made of peaches n creme cotton and i'm not sure if its the result of tight crocheting or cuz the yarn is stiff.. but the hat is kinda.. well not the squishy kind. it's not unyielding but it's definitely got self esteem.



i used about one and a half skeins i think :) i took a weird "over the head to the side" pic to show the shape of the hat while i was wearing it.. lol it turned out hilarious as you can see but i think it's cute. anyways you have to have like 5 eyes to see it the way it is in the picture. ok pattern is under the next pic, promise :P



i used hooks sized H and G (US), aluminum. it fits my head closely but not tightly. a note- wear this hat high and pushed up on your head, so it feels like a headband before you push it all the way up.

with H hook-
ch4 and join to form a ring.

1. 10 sc in ring, join with sl st to top of first sc. (10 sc around)

2. make 2sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (20 sc around)

3. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (20 sc around)

4. make (sc in sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (30 sc around)

5. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (30 sc around)

6. make (sc in each of next 2 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (40 sc around)

7. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (40 sc around)

8. make (sc in each of next 3 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (50 sc around)

9. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (50 sc around)

10. make (sc in each of next 4 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (60 sc around)

11. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (60 sc around)

12. make (sc in each of next 5 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (70 sc around)

13. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (70 sc around)

14. make (sc in each of next 6 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (80 sc around)

15. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (80 sc around)

16. make (sc in each of next 7 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (90 sc around)

17. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (90 sc around)

18. make (sc in each of next 8 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (100 sc around)

19. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (100 sc around)

20. make (sc in each of next 9 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (110 sc around)

21. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (110 sc around)

22. make (sc in each of next 10 sc, 2sc in next) around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (120 sc around)

23-29. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (120 sc around)

Switch to G hook at end of Round 29- (work in bl only)

30. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (120 sc around)

31. make (sc in each of next 22 sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc) around. (92 sc around)

32. sc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of first sc. (92 sc around)

Fasten off yarn, weave in ends.

This is my original pattern. Do not sell this pattern. Do not copy and/or distribute via any form of publication or email. Do not sell products made from this pattern. Please feel free to print a copy of the pattern for your personal use. Link to my blog pages to share patterns.

<3 Mari

A Crochetier's Confession

i, mari, lifelong "i only do crochet" -er.. have been ....
knitting.
yes, i know. it's a shock. i'm shocking.
i've said before that crochet felt like expression and it still does
and ive also said before in the same statement that knitting felt like work
but i think i changed my mind.
weird, i know, but i totally did.
it must be my attitude :) also it feels like a sort of rhythm or beat, that i finally heard and felt and was able to follow along with. it's not like crochet, because everything is flat when you make it and even after you make it. it has to be assembled, which a lot of people might not like. i find myself not minding.
i've only made 2 things, and one of those is flat lol and neither of them are excellent, but both of them are flawed. and it's perfect.
i enjoy knitting, and that is this crochetier's confession.
now for the pictures!



the flat piece is just a swatch of k1. p1 which i later found out is called moss stitch?
oh wait, nevermind i was wrong that's not what it's called...
the doll was fun and easy, it super surprised me and i'm thankful for the lady who put up the pattern which is here: http://plainandjoyfulliving.blogspot.com/2009/02/fun-knitting-gnome.html

<3 Mari

My Curly Clown

This is my version of a clown my mom used to make. She winged them (meaning she made them up as she went) so there was no pattern. i know that she used sc for the arms and legs but i'm lazy and i like things fast, so i used dc. when she saw him in person she was like "he's so skinny!" lol. my version was on a diet, and he's also apparently smaller than the ones she made. oh well.
you'll need stuffing, like a couple fists full
i used one ball of peaches n creme cotton and an aluminum size G hook (US) for the body
for the hat i used the same hook but different yarn, it was like baby weight yarn. took for friggin ever to get the hat done cuz i had to work so much over the past couple days... :)
also the hat is different in my version. my mom's was more pointed nightcap looking with a pompom on the end, and it had a ruffle on the brim as well as around the neck.



SO!! here goes. i started with the arms. (make 2)

ch 30
- dc in 4th ch from hook.
4dc in each ch across to last ch.
dc in last ch.
Fasten off yarn.
(the yarn curls/ruffles as you work, smooth it in the direction you want)

NOW!! the legs. (make 2)

ch 40
- dc in 4th ch from hook.
4dc in each ch across to last ch.
dc in last ch.
Fasten off yarn.

AND!! the head. (make one ;) )

ch 2
- 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, 2sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining, 2sc in next. (sc in next sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in next. 2sc in next. (sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 2. 2sc in next. (sc in each of next 3 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 3. 2sc in next. (sc in each of next 4 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 4. 2sc in next. (sc in each of next 5 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- repeat last step until there are a total of 6 rounds in plain sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 4. (sc2tog, sc in each of next 5 sc) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 3. (sc2tog, sc in each of next 4 sc) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in each of next 2. (sc2tog, sc in each of next 3 sc) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining and in next. (sc2tog, sc in each of next 2 sc) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- ch1, sc in same st as joining. (sc2tog, sc in next sc) around. join with sl st to top of fist sc.

- by this point you should be stuffing the head. don't worry about overstuffing, this stuff squishes and flattens and all of whatever.

- ch2, (sc2tog) around. this round will about close up the hole.

- Fasten off yarn, leaving a long enough tail to sew the little hole shut for sure.

sew the arms and legs to the head
you can paint on your face or embroider it (i tried that even though i sucked at it). or u can get those safety eyeballs that i've seen and admired but could totally not afford.

THEN!! the hat. i did mine in baby yarn and will give my pattern for it but you can totally use other thicker yarn with a few less rounds from the pattern.

ch4, join with sl st to form ring

- make 10 sc in ring. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- 2sc in each sc around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc, 2sc in next. ( sc in sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in next, 2sc in next sc. ( sc in each of next 2 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 2, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 3 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 3, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 4 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 4, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 5 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 5, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 6 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 6, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 7 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 7, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 8 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 8, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 9 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in first sc and in each of next 9, 2sc in next sc. (sc in each of next 10 sc, 2sc in next) around. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- sc in each sc. join with sl st to top of first sc.

- repeat last step until there are a total of 4 rows of plain sc.

put hat on head, fasten in place if you like.

this is my original pattern. do not copy or post to any other publication. do not sell this pattern or copies of this pattern, or the products made from it. link to my pages to share if you like. you may print out a copy for your personal use.

<3 Mari