Extra Square #1 Crochet Pattern

When I saw this Blackberry Salad blanket I fell in love!  The lusting side of me wanted to immediately make this lovely nubby blanket.  The rationale side of me knew I may lose lose my mind if I attempted said lusty blanket.  When the sampler won the CAL I was a little sad I wasn't going to be forced into that nubby love of mine.  After deciding to add a few extra squares to the CAL I knew I'd add a nubby square!  Perfect solution right?!?!  

I have to confess.  I briefly looked at the pattern and thought no biggie and never referenced it again!  Well I just went to link to it and realized I did it wrong!  I used a popcorn stitch, she used bobbles.  Not a big deal but I thought I should let you know!  Bobbles are faster which is probably why I would choose popcorns.  Apparently I love to torture myself!

I do love this square.  I rub it all the time.  It feels lovely. 

 In fact I love it so much I may torture myself and make a blanket full of the nubby goodness.  Want to make a square for your CAL?  Here's how I did it. Remember all of our squares are different sizes it seems!  I am making mine 12X12 so adjust accordingly!  A & B in the pattern refer to color changes.  Carry your color up the side for color change

Popcorn Square

A) Row 1:  chain 37

A)Row 2:  skip 2 chain closest to hook, dc in each chain, ch 1, turn {34 dc}

A) Row 3:  sc in next 2, (popcorn in next space, sc in next 3) row will end with sc in last 2, ch 3 turn  {8 popcorn}

B) Row 4:  (dc), ch 3, turn  {34 dc}

B) Row 5:  (ch 3 counts as first dc in pop), popcorn in first space, (sc in next 3, popcorn) ch 3, turn {9 popcorn}

A) Row 6:  (dc) ch 1, turn {34 dc}

A) Row 7:  repeat Row 3

B) Row 8:  repeat Row 4

B) Row 9:  repeat Row 5

A) Row 10:  repeat Row 6

continue until you reach your desired size.  Finish off with a row of dc.  

Flower Pattern: Free!

When I made this hat I decided last minute to whip up a flower for it.  Of course I was racing out the door (late I am most certain) to meet the photographer.  This became one of those things I really needed to get around to writing up but of course never did....until now.  

Sure it's been a year but hey better late than never right?

I used a #5 bulky weight yarn and an H (5.00mm) hook for the flower on the hat.  Truly just about any weight yarn will work it just may look a little different.

Flower Pattern

Start with a magic circle.  {never heard of this magic I speak of??  Check out this video}

Round 1:  make 6 sc in center, join to beginning and pull circle closed {6 sc}

Round 2:  (4sc in each sc)  {24 sc}

Round 3:  (3sc in each sc)  {72 sc}

(optional)

Round 4:  (sc in each sc)  {72 sc} 

want your flower more wavey?  Add an extra sc in each or every other space.  

Less wavey?  Don't do so many sc in each. 

Fasten off, weave tail to center of flower.  Use your 2 tails to tie to hat and weave in.  I also like to add a button to the center but that's completely optional.

The hat pattern can be purchased here:  Inner Hooker Super Bulky Beanie

pattern includes 5 sizes ranging from newborn to adult and directions to make the hat with or without earflaps. 

Hope you enjoy!  Now go add sweet flowers to all of your stuff!

Corset Coffee Cozy Crochet Pattern

Corset Coffee Cozy

 final measurement approx 8" long and 2.5" tall

Materials:  H (5.00 mm) hook and approximately 20 total yards worsted weight yarn.  Acrylic or an acrylic blend is recommend as it provides a little better stretch.  Yarn needle and a few feet of ribbon.

Terms:

ch: chain

st: stitch

skst:  skip stitch

dc:  double crochet

 (  ): repeat around

{  }: total number of stitches

Instructions:   Ch 3 will count as a stitch toward final stitch count.

Row 1:  Ch 32, skip 2 closest to hook, dc across {30 dc}

Row 2:  ch 3, turn, dc in next space, ch 1, skip one, dc in next 25, ch 1, skip one, dc in last 2  {28 dc}

Row 3:  ch 3, turn, dc in each, dc in ch 1 space as well {30 dc}

Row 4:  ch 3, turn, dc in next space, ch 1, skip one, dc in next 25, ch 1, skip one, dc in last 2  {28 dc}

Row 5:  ch 3, turn, dc in each, dc in ch 1 space as well {30 dc}

Row 6:  ch 3, turn, dc in next space, ch 1, skip one, dc in next 25, ch 1, skip one, dc in last 2  {28 dc}

Row 7:  ch 3, turn, dc in each, dc in ch 1 space as well {30 dc}

Fasten Off; weave in end

Weave your ribbon in and tie a bow

 **this pattern has not been tested and was written down after I already made it :)  Please let me know if you find errors.

Sock Monkey Coffee Cozy - - FREE PATTERN

Sorry for only one eye :)  Will have to run out for a button later.

Sock Monkey Coffee Cozy
Gauge: 2 rows of 6 stitches = .5” tall x 2” wide

Materials: I (6.25 mm) hook, G (4.25 mm) hook and approximately 60 total yards worsted weight yarn. Acrylic or an acrylic blend is recommend as it provides a little better stretch. Yarn needle and a stitch marker. Optional: buttons for eyes

Terms:
ch: chain
st: stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
( ): repeat around
{ }: total number of stitches

Instructions: You will hold two strands of yarn for the cozy portion. Mouth and ears require one strand only. Rounds will not be joined at the end; continue to work in a spiral Place stitch marker in the last stitch and move up each round. Directions in ( ) will not be completed each round.

**Using red yarn (upper most stripe)

Round 1: ch 30, join with a slst to the beginning (be careful not to twist your chain)

Round 2: sc in each {29 sc}

Round 3: sc in each {29 sc}

**Switch to cream/white (middle stripe)

Round 4: sc in each {29 sc}

Round 5: sc in each {29 sc}

**Switch to brown (face color)

Round 6: sc in each {29 sc}

Round 7-15: sc in each {29 sc}

Fasten off; weave in tail



Mouth: G (4.25 mm) hook

Ch 12, skip 2 closest to hook, hdc in first, sc in next 8, in last chain hdc, hdc, ch 1 [you will now work bottom side of chain] sc in first-same space that has the 2hdc-, sc to end. Continue to sc around until you reach the desired size. If your ends curl up chain 1 in between sc. Fasten off, leave a tail long enough to sew mouth to hat.

Using your yarn needle to stitch your center line. Sew mouth to hat.

Ears: G (4.25 mm) hook

Round 1: Starting with a magic circle, sc 6 times {6 sc]

Round 2: (2sc) {12 sc}

Round 3: (hdc) {12 hdc}

Fasten off; leave tail and sew to head


***this pattern has not been tested and was created with 2 small children pulling my in every direction.  If you find a mistake please email me at innerhooker@hotmail.com

If you'd prefer to download this in document form you can do so for free at Inner Hooker on Ravelry. If you take the free pattern and plan to sell for profit please send me a completed one in return to help supply the bombs :)

Yarn Bomb Round 2

I seriously think I am addicted!  Hey, it’s good clean fun so it’s ok right?!?!  Next bomb is planned and coming very soon!  I’d love for you to join in with me whether making and sending something my way or planning your own.  I had mentioned before, {in this previous blog} that I’d love to do a few of these along the my trip this summer.  Being in different cities does make it a little difficult to plan anything too specific though.  I’d love to do one in the Phoenix area {Surprise, Mesa, Ahwatukee, Chander, whatever}, La Jolla, California, and Camarillo, California.  If you live in/near these locations and want to play with me shoot me an email! 

Back to what I was saying… yarn bombs.

A lot of people are not fans of yarn bombs.  They feel they are the same as graffiti (even thought they are completely removable) or a waste of yarn that could be used for something useful!  I think I have an idea to accomplish combining both bombing and something useful and even tackle my challenge of bombing in areas that I have no way of really knowing a good bomb spot.  The next bomb(s) will be Starbucks (or other coffee shops) with coffee cozies!  Don’t you think it’s awesome?!?!  How fun would it be to be one of the lucky first customers of the day and get a free handmade cozy!

So what do you say??  Are you with me? 

Now for the specifics.  The first one will be here in my town….soon.  If you want to help jump start this one you’ll need to get a cozy in the mail in about 5 or 6 days!  For the most part an average yarnie could whip these up in very little time.  I will continue to need them so if you can’t get them that fast it’s ok, your cozy will just live in another state. My mom will check my PO Box for me and forward them to whatever destination I am at.  Just think of your work in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or California!  Pretty neat huh?  I love it and can see the smiles on people’s faces already.

So what do you think?  Yarn, creative, useful, can be done anywhere.  

Yep, pretty sure I reached all my goals for this one.

Feel free to use any pattern you’d like or make your own up as you go. I am going to link up a few cute ones that I find with a simple search of the internet.  Cozies can be crochet, knit or even made from felted wool!  This is great option for people that don’t knit or crochet that still want to play.  

Please no sewn fabric ones since it doesn’t really jive with the whole “yarn” aspect of it. 

CROCHET PATTERNS

1.  super simple pattern from Hooks and Knives.  This would be a perfect beginner pattern

2.  Cuppa Joe Java Jacket from Teresa of Unravel Me

3.  Coffee Cozy by Dawn Toussaint

be still my heart I am in love with this one--more of an intermediate level

4.  A Coffee Cozy for Melissa by Sarah Cooper  

5.  Support/Awareness Cozy on CoatsandClark.com

6.  The Sitting Tree shares her pattern and includes both a crochet and knit version

Onto the KNIT patterns

8.  Kureyon Coffee Cozy on Another Knitting Blog

9.  The Caffeinated Crafter shares her knit cozy

10.  Sock Monkey Cup Cozy by Alejandra Quiroz  

{I also love this and may have to make a crochet version}

11.  His & Her's Coffee Cozies by Mindy Lewis

{another fave of mine..must learn to knit better}

12.  Coffee Corset by Lisa Ashby

{again, love!  may have to make a crochet one}

and for those of you that don't crochet or knit here are a few links on how to upcycle wool sweaters 

here is a great link for the basic felting process over at The Magic Onions

13.  Felt Coffee Cozy from LittleRedSaid

14.  Amber Dusick also shares her tutorial for a felt cozy

15.  New Green Mama shares her felted wool sweater coffee cozy

or google "felted coffee cozy" click on images and prepare to be inspired!

Please mail your cozies to the address below.  If you'd like a picture and shout out please include your info in the package!!
Scotti Oxford
PO Box 984
Flint, TX  75762

Free Boob Beanie Crochet Pattern

A few months back I saw this cartoon spread around facebook and thought it was hilarious!  

(pic credit)

"I'm very crafty!"  ha ha!  

 It's the best!  I about died laughing the first time I saw it.  

If you have followed me here or on facebook for awhile you all went through my breastfeeding woes.  I had the idea that because "it's the most natural thing" that it would be easier or you know come naturally.  Breastfeeding (for me at least) is hard work in the beginning!  It's painful and awkward and you are the sole provider day and night...no help with feedings.  When I was in the hospital I never met with an LC and Sawyer seemed to be doing good with feeding.  Well I didn't know he wasn't latched on properly so by day 2 or 3 I was miserable!  The next 5 weeks were seriously a labor of love.  I desperately wanted to breastfeed and aside from the intense pain (from the damage of not latching properly) I loved it.  After a week or 2 I did meet with an LC and from then on it was just a matter of healing which takes awhile.  Well, I did really good until I went back to work and it was so hard to keep up with working, taking care of S at work, and breastfeeding while working.  Unfortunately what started as supplementing quickly escalated to Sawyer refusing me fairly quickly.  We still breastfed at night for a few more months but not much during the day :(  I was so sad and truly disappointed with myself for not trying harder and giving up.  Being bummed over being done along with the $200-$300/month for formula I grew a true hate for formula!  I will seriously have to lose nipples before I give up this time!  

Wow hello sidetrack...back to the point...  I thought this was so funny and while I do use a nursing cover I am more concerned with people catching a glimpse of my muffin top and stretch marks than my nips.  I thought this hat was too fun not to figure out and share, yes that's what I said SHARE :)  Not only is it a great pro breastfeeding item it would also be good for Breast Cancer Awareness which happens to be this month!  I hope you enjoy the pattern, it is sized for a newborn-3 month old but could easily be adjusted up.  I eventually hope to carry this pattern in all sizes in my Etsy shop but have quite a few other things ahead of this and wanted to share what I have and not keep you waiting!  

Newborn Boob Beanie Pattern

Supplies

H (5.00mm) hook and J/10 (6.00mm) hook

#5 Bulky weight yarn I used Lion Brand Baby’s First in Fairy Tale and Pixie Dust 

Gauge:  start with your J hook and work from there 

6 dc = 2" wide  2 rows= approximately 2"

The nipple portion of this hat will be worked in a continuous spiral; you may want to use a stitch marker to keep track of your first stitch each round

Using your nipple color (mine was Fairy Tale) and H (5.00mm) hook

Ch 2, skip chain closest to hook, sc 5 times in first chain {5 sc}

Round 2:  working in back loops only this round, (sc) {5 sc}

Round 3: (sc in each sc) (5 sc}

Round 4: sc in first space, (2sc in next, sc in next) {7 sc}

Round 5:  (2sc in each sc) {14 sc}

Switch to J/10 (6.00mm) hook

Round 6:  sc, sc, (2sc, sc) {20 sc}

Round 7:  2sc, (sc, 2sc), slst to join {30 sc}

Change Color; continue with J hook; join all rounds with slst

Round 8: ch 3, dc, dc, (2dc, dc, dc) {39 dc}

Round 9: (dc) {39 dc}

Round 10-14:  repeat Round 9

I hope you enjoy!!!  Please feel free to make and give or sell items made from this pattern.

Please do not copy or sell the pattern itself.  Please feel free to link to this post but do not copy and repost anywhere.  Sorry to be a biotch and thanks for respecting my work :)

Click below for more information and resources on

Breastfeeding 

Breast Cancer Awareness

UPDATES:
this pattern is now available for purchase in all sizes, 
newborn to adult on Craftsy.

I also changed it to worsted weight yarn since it's more readily available.

Oh and if you read the first part of the blog you'll be happy to hear that I am successfully bf'ing my 3rd baby full time!  8 months in and happy to report I still have my nippies ;)