Baby Shawl Collar Sweater - Limited Time Free Crochet pattern

I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but - does anyone else realize how hard it is to find cute crochet projects for baby boys?!

Before I was pregnant with this little bundle of wiggles, I loved making things for my nieces and friends with little girls. We in the knitting/crochet worlds know there is no limit to adorable dress patterns, sweaters, hats, bows....

But boys? Yeah, not so much...

So surprise, surprise, I had the hardest time finding a sweater pattern that I liked. I knew that I wanted to make something with a shawl collar, but everything I found was either a.) a paid pattern (and more than I wanted to pay), b.) a pattern for a big(ger) kid, or c.) A cardigan pattern.

Now, I would not say I'm an expert crochet-er, but I feel pretty comfortable adapting a pattern. Making a pattern though, seemed a little daunting. But of course, I'm always up for a challenge.

So here it is, my first *real* crochet pattern!

Disclaimers: 

1. Please leave me feedback! As this is my first written pattern, I'd love to hear if there are hard-to-read instructions or areas that aren't clear.

2. The directions are in US terms.

3. This pattern fits approximately 0-3 months (with yarn and hook size listed below). Larger sizes coming soon!

4. If you would like to make the sweater without the front seam, simply begin pattern (starting at foundation chain) by crocheting in the round.

5. I finished the edges of the sweater (sleeves, bottom) by adding sl st along the last/bottom round. This is totally a preference, and you could certainly finish these off in any way you'd like!

Baby Shawl Collar Pullover Sweater (0-3 months)

Sweater is my own creation, the blanket was a (adorable) gift, and Boxy Fox was an amigurumi pattern I found here

Supplies:

• Yarn (pictured): Bernat Super Value (worsted weight - 4), color: Honey
• Hook: 5mm/US H
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Stitches/abbreviations:

• ch: chain
• st: stitch
• sc: single crochet
• ms: moss stitch (also known as granite stitch. [sc, ch 1]; great video tutorial here) 
• sl st: slip stitch
• bk loops only: stitch in back loops only

Gauge: Ch 22, moss stitch 10 across, 10 rows =  4.5 inches wide x 3 inches tall 

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BODY (includes, back, shoulders, and chest):

TO BEGIN, ch 74. [to avoid front seam, sl st into the first chain here.]

Round 1: In 4th ch from hook, sc, ch 1. *Skip next ch, sc in next ch space.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch 2, turn. (36 ms).

Rnd 2: Sc in first ch space, ch 1. *Sc in next ch 1 space, ch 1 (moss stitch)*. Repeat * to *. Ch 2, turn (36 ms)

Rnd 3 - 24: Repeat Row 2. At the end of Rnd 24, fasten off and weave in end.

Rnd 25 (back/shoulders): Skip first 9 ms chains. Sl st in 10th ch. Ms in same ch. Ms in the next 17 st. Ch 2, turn. (18 ms)

Rnd 26:  Ms in first ch from hook. Ms across, ch 2, turn. (18 ms)

Rnd 27 - 35: Repeat Rnd 26.

Rnd 36 (shoulder A/chest): Ms in first 5 ch spaces. Ch 2, turn. (5 ms)

Rnd 37 - 50: Repeat Rnd 36. At the end of Rnd 50, fasten off, leave long tail for sewing/sc joining (see below).

[The following directions are for shoulder B/chest.]  

Rnd 36: Sl st into 14th ch. Ms in same ch. Ms in next 4 st. Ch 2, turn.

Rnd 37 - 50: Repeat Rnds 37 - 50 as above. fasten off, leave long tail for sewing/sc joining (see below).

To join body (create front seam):  fold edges of body (rows 1 - 24) so that edges meet. Sc sides of rows 1-24 together. Fasten off and weave in ends.

The 'wrong side' of the sweater, all joined

To join Shoulders/chest to body: 

There are two ways to join the shoulders/chest to the body.

1.) with yarn needle, fold over shoulders/chest to meet front of body, stitch top of row 50 (5 ms shoulders) to top of row 24, skipping first 5 ms and starting in the 6th ms.

2.) with long tail, fold over shoulders/chest to meet front of body, sc top of row 50 (5 ms shoulders) to top of row 24, skipping first 5 ms and starting in the 6th ms.

ARMS (make 2/repeat on both sides):

Rnd 1: Sl st in 'armpit' of one arm. Sc in same st, and sc around. Join with sl st in first sc, ch 1, turn. (26 sc)

Rnd 2: Ms in same st, *skip next sc, ms in next st*. Repeat from * to *. Ch 2, turn.

Rnd 3: Ms in next ch space. Ms around, ch 2, turn. (13 ms)

Rnd 4 - 21: Repeat Rnd 3. Fasten off and weave in ends.

SHAWL COLLAR:

To begin, ch 13. (Collar can be made wider by simply adding more ch's)

Rnd 1: In 2nd ch from hook, sc. Sc across. Ch 1, turn (12 sc)

Rnd 2: In back loops only, sc in first st and in each sc across. Ch 1, turn (12 sc)

Rnd 3 - 44: Repeat Rnd 2. Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

To join collar to neckline:

Join collar to sweater by laying long edge of collar to the edge of the shoulders/chest of sweater. Join by sc each edge together (44 sc), or stitching the two pieces together with a yarn needle.

To join bottom of collar to the body:

The shawl collar will overlap in the front of the sweater. To achieve this, start by joining in one corner and sc or stitch across the top of the body with yarn needle (Rnd 24 of body, near front seam previously sewn together). Sc in first 6 st, then overlap other side of collar and continue to sc or stitch both sides of collar to top of Rnd 24 of body.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

You're done!

Please let me know if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. I hope this pattern was fairly easy to follow! 

Update!

I've created this pattern in additional sizes! You can find the pattern, which includes sizes up to 24 months, here. This pattern costs $3.00 USD.

Double-Update!

Have you tried this pattern out yourself? I'd love to see pictures of your creations!!!

Summer's Here! How about a little classroom project?

Whew! It's finally here!
SUMMERRRRRRRRR - yay!

As an educator, I've been out of school for a couple of weeks now, so what better time to showcase one of my favorite projects from this year? I was so excited for this one, and I've received many compliments on the idea and the project, so I thought I'd put it out there.

So, there's been this dresser in the classroom that is just sort of... blech. I never took a picture of the thing, it wasn't really picture-worthy. [insert picture of out-dated dresser here]
Don't get me wrong, someone obviously took some time to decorate the thing - it was off-white with green sponge painting all over - but it just looked like it had been there a while, and it was sort of tired and wheezy :/

So I took the poor thing home, intending on just whiting the whole thing out and starting fresh. Well, that took a slight detour - how could I resist throwing in some school colors?

(Don't mind my little stalker there in the foreground :) )

'Just white' wasn't cutting it for me, so the base, front (behind the drawers) and the top got a grey, distressed sort of finish. As you can see, the wooden drawer pulls received some blue and yellow Panther flair :)

So, after transporting it back to school, I taped off rectangles on the drawer fronts and sides. This, of course, evoked some questions from the kids (kids asking questions? No way!) 

What better time to tell them - they get to draw on it. 

WHAT?! All of their faces looked confused but intrigued. 

That's right - they got to draw on it.

After some discussion about the theme (their favorite 'thing' at school), and the grave importance of using sharpies carefully, I let them draw out their idea. Once they had it all fleshed out, I let them have at a square on the dresser.

The level of concentration would make any parent or teacher proud! 

With only a couple of tears shed, the project was a success!

Not every square was filled in, but that's OK - more room for next year :)

I hope you enjoyed our little project!

Fleece Crochet-Edged Receiving Blanket

Greetings!

It's been pretty frigid here in the Midwest for Valentine's day, and I have an adorable project I've been drafted into (happily, of course), so I went on a little shopping spree. To be honest, I'm amazed I ventured out of the house, but we were running low on staples (carbs and Coke), so I bundled and granny-drove to the stores.

If you're not a crafter, I have to tell you, they are doing some amazing things in fabric and craft supplies nowadays (you Sonny Jim! in my best ol' crone voice). I happened to wander away from the yarn for a minute and stumbled upon some pretty dang cute fleece for a heckuva deal! We're talking 60% off, people!

It was like kismet, finding that stuff; I pinned a cute idea from a blog I found in the not-too-distant past, and it's been in the back of my mind. Seeing this fleece was like striking craft gold! I knew I had to try it out.

[Blizzard Fleece Fabric]

If you're interested in trying this yourself (and well, why not?!), here's the supplies I used:

• Fleece of choice: my blankets are about 36" x 46" before the added edging. You'll probably need to trim down the fleece to make straight edges and size it correctly (most fleeces come in about 59" widths).
• Pen, pencil, or marker: this is to mark where you'd like your holes to be on the edge of your fleece for the crocheted edge.
• Seam Ripper (or other tool for making holes): again, to reference the lovely folks at Little Yellow House blog, a seam ripper works wonders to poke the small holes you need for the edging. Believe me, I've tried cutting scissor slits - it doesn't make for a pretty, finished look :/
• Scissors: Of course, to trim the fabric and cut the yarn, but I also had to use them a bit for my holes. I know, I'm contradicting myself here, but I'll clarify later.
• Hand/Darning Needle: if you're a regular crocheter, you know what I mean. For everyone else, they're the large needles that are blunt-ish and have a bigger eye for threading (as a side note, if you're new to crochet, you might want to reference a few videos, although the stitches I used for this are pretty beginner).
• Yarn: of course! This is essential for this project! The beauty of this project is that any weight or style of yarn will do. Just be warned: the bulkier the yarn, the more effort its gonna take to lay down that foundation row (see my notes below). For this one, I've had some super bulky baby yarn I've been trying to find a good project for:

[Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn]

This stuff is fluffy and soft and ITSSOFLUFFYIMGONNADIE!

You don't need much for this project; I think I only used about a 1/4 of the skein. But, really, this stuff is adorable for hats, slippers, blankets... the possibilities are endless.

• Crochet hook: again, another essential for the project. Check the label of your yarn to see what size hook they suggest. But here I go, contradicting myself again - Even though they suggest an US K hook (6.5 mm) for this yarn, I used an US I (5.5 mm) for the foundation row and an US J (6.0 mm) for the second row (I'll explain later).

To make the blanket:

1. Trim the fleece. Although I commend the ladies at the cutting counter for being quick and friendly, they don't always get a straight edge on the fabric. Make sure you check your edges for diagonals, and straighten up as needed.

You can make your blanket any size you need (other sources I've checked recommend receiving blanket dimensions be 38" x 38"), but again, mine is 36" x 46" (to me, it was easier to buy a yard and trim the width).

2.  Mark your holes. To be honest, I eyeballed the distance from the edge at about 1.5 cm, and used a ruler to make the holes 1 cm apart. For my second blanket, I marked at about 1.5 cm apart - the first ones seemed a bit too close for my liking and the gauge of my yarn. Leave this part to your preference, just be conscious of how you'll space your stitches while doing single crochets.

3.  'Cut' your holes. I'm using my proverbial air quotes here because at first, I used my trusty seam ripper to poke the holes through the fleece. But here's my disclaimer about that: my super bulky yarn + my biggish hook = super-difficulty-bordering-frustration. 

Because of this, I used my thread scissors to cut tiny snips on my hole marks parallel to the edge of the blanket. I think it worked fine; I don't see any big gaps where my yarn meets the fleece, which is more of a concern (I think) when you're using a smaller gauge of yarn.

Now, the fun begins! Crochet (parades and ticker tape abound)!

The stitches/abbreviations I used for this edging (and you'll need to know):

• Single crochet - sc
• (US) Double crochet - dc (UK Treble)
• Slip stitch - ss
• Stitch - st

To start (foundation/first row):

- Choose one corner as your starting point; ss into the first stitch. Sc three into first stitch. Sc in each st, while crocheting three sc in each corner. Ss to join in the corner you started in.

2nd row:

- Chain 1. Sc in same st, Dc in next st, sc in next st. Ss in next 3 st. *Sc, Dc 2 in next st, sc, ss in next 3 st.* 

- Repeat from * to * on all sides/corners. Ss to join in first st of 2nd row.

- Cut yarn and weave in ends.

That's it! Really!

I only did two rows for this yarn/pattern because I opted for the super bulky yarn. A worsted weight or lighter might look better with another row or a nice finishing single crochet for row three. The great part is that it's all up to you!

Questions? Comments? Unabashed compliments? I'd love to hear them!

Until next time,

Jess

Update!

Here's pictures of both of the finished blankets. I can't wait to make a few more!

Getting Started

Hello all!

Well, where to begin? Introductions? Okreadygo:

I'm Jess. I'm a Michigander, a wife, a teacher, a fur-baby mom, and a CRAFTER. Not necessarily in that order, of course.
I'm the type of person that has a passion for humor. Awkward lull in conversation, you say? Why yes, I think I can force a dumb comment on the weather for a chuckle. Cest la'vie. 
I'm the type of writer that will overuse ellipses, parentheses, and probably exclamation marks. What Grammar-Nazi decided it's a crime to be excited anyway?!

There has got to be - and I don't think I exaggerate here - a MILLION others that do what I do when it comes to being 'crafty'. I can't say (as yet) my projects are fantastically unique or that I'm wildly gifted and talented. Let's be honest here - I like a free idea from Pinterest as much as the next gal (or guy. You do you.).
My top-of-the-list favorites (at the moment) are crochet and painting. My resolution this year was to start writing more; cue the blog.

About a year ago, I decided to learn to crochet. It was winter, there was approximately a s#*%-ton of snow outside my door, and I wanted something to keep my hands busy and away from extra snacks (anybody feel me here?)*
But I also decided to learn crochet because it's in my blood. I mean that quite literally - there's at least three generations before me that were crafting sorcerers. I grew up watching my mom churn out Halloween costumes, Christmas dresses, prom dresses, play costumes, curtains, table runners, doll clothes... that woman could sew anything. My mom is endlessly creative, and I owe my skills to her.
But my Grandma Young? My Grandma was the Grand Master of skills (you can't spell Grand Master without Grand-ma right - right? See, terrible jokes). She sewed, she knitted, she crocheted, she embroidered, she cooked, she baked, she canned, she gardened, she hunted, she fished... and she was AMAZING. AT. IT. ALL. I swear, there was nothing she couldn't make (I know, I know, there's a giant angry hoard of people with torches and pitch forks out there yelling at me that their grandmas are amazing too, but you know, Grandma-bias). It's hard to put into words just how wonderful a woman she was, even beyond her talents. She was so patient. She was hard-working. She was a beautiful mother, wife, and grandmother.
And she was taken away from us too soon.
It wasn't that she passed away at a young age (she has passed now, but I'll get to that). She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2001. If you don't know someone that has had that disease, then you have one more lucky star to count. That disease - like so many others - is pure evil. Over the past 15 years, we sat by as my grandma's memory, her talents, her cognitive function slipped away. If I knew then what I know now I would have taken the time to sit and listen, ask questions, watch her at her work, and gleaned just a fraction of her knowledge. But as they say, hindsight blah blah blah. Some people will say, but you had another 15 years with her! She lived for quite a long time with that diagnosis, some people aren't so lucky! You shake your head in agreement, but what you're thinking is that you've been mourning the loss of that loved one while they sit in a chair right next to you. Even when they're physically and spiritually still on this earth, living and breathing and eating and talking, that loved one has mentally perished. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful thing to be able to hug them and sit with them, but it's simultaneously devastating to hear them speak, yet say nothing; amazing to hug them and touch them, but disheartening to have to ask for a hug first, because they don't know who you are anymore. She made it 84 long years, most of which were fruitful, all of which were full of love.

Okay, I'm putting away my podium/soap box. I'm sure ya'll get it - Alzheimer's sucks. It sucks for the person, for the family, for the friends. Pulling myself up by the bootstraps here...

Fast-forward to today. In the past year, I've been expanding on my inherited talents. If you haven't tried a hobby like crocheting, knitting, painting, etc., I suggest you try it (it's pretty therapeutic, if you don't mind the Old Lady comments). I loved doing it so much and got enough ego-boosting compliments that I started doing craft shows and selling online- you can check us out on Facebook and Etsy. A few months in, I convinced my mom to throw her talent in the mix, and together we've been an unstoppable force having fun. She's the knitter, I crochet, and together we do a little furniture refinishing, some barn wood re-purposing. A little manual labor, a little art, what's not to love?

When we chose the name for our little mom-and-daughter shop, I played around with some ideas for a couple days, but then it came to me - Young at Heart. A mantra and my Grandparent's last name.
To be a little extra cliche: it fit like a glove.

Okay, there you have it. A little laughter (Lord, fingers crossed), a few tears (okay, probably just me), a lesson we can all learn from. Damn, action-packed!

I hope you stay tuned for my updates; probably won't be this lengthy in the future, but who knows? Really I'd just like a chance to share patterns, projects, etc. with you fine people (all 3 of you - ha).


'Til next time!

Jess

*I may or may not have also been binge-watching New Girl and was inspired to pick up the new hobby (so thanks Jess Day, where ever you are).