I also have a new FREE crochet pattern to share: the Criss-Cross Cuff & Headband pattern. It's a quick and easy way project to get ready for fall and winter. Perfect for last minute Christmas gifts, too. (How awesome would it be to get a few of those done before December? Hey, I can dream, right?)

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Today is the first day of the Kalli-Strong fundraiser I told you about last week, and that means it's time to release my newest crochet pattern: The Kalli Cap! I designed this with my friend Kalli, who is fighting breast cancer for a second time, in mind. It makes a great chemo cap, but it's a darling pattern for all babies, girls, teens, and adults.

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This is my friend Kalli. Mother of two adorable, imaginative children, wife to the most supportive, gourmet chef husband, crafter extraordinaire, follower of Christ, and all-round ray of sunshine. And she is breast cancer survivor.

I remember a few years back we helped promote a fundraiser for one of Kalli's friends who was losing her battle with breast cancer. Kalli created gorgeous crystal pendants and sold them in honor of her friend, donating the proceeds to breast cancer research. I was so impressed that Kalli would do this for her friend, and was so grateful at the same time that Kalli had beat her breast cancer.

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Until recently, I had never taken the time to block a crochet project. Why? Because I didn't have a fancy blocking board (and didn't want to spend the money on one). But then I finished a beautiful infinity scarf for a friend (found the free pattern here), and it just didn't look as good as the picture! It didn't lay flat and it was hard to see how pretty the pattern stitch was. I was totally disappointed and ready to find a new birthday gift for my friend. But instead of letting all that work go to waste, I decided to try blocking it. Wow. I was so amazed at the difference! My scarf was saved.

Blocking a crochet or knit piece gives it shape and sets the stitches in that shape. It can also help smooth out wrinkles or crooked rows in a project. It's pretty easy and doesn't take long to do, and it's soooo worth it! Here's my easy method (there are lots out there, I'm sure) that doesn't require a blocking board. Just some pins, a spray bottle, a tape measure, and some plastic wrap! This method works best for square or rectangular projects (blankets, scarves), but you could also use it for clothing items.

Here's my latest crochet project before (remember this looks-like-knit crochet baby blanket pattern from the other day?). . .

How to Block a Crochet or Knit Project


Supplies:
*Finished fiber project
*Bare mattress
*Spray bottle full of water
*Pearl head pins
*Plastic wrap or plastic garbage sack larger than your project

1. Remove linens from your mattress. Lay out plastic wrap in sheets, overlapping a little, until you have an area larger than your project covered in plastic wrap. You could also use a plastic garbage bag if you have one bigger than your piece.

2. Lay your project on top of the plastic wrap. Smooth it out the best you can. Using a sewing measuring tape, find the longest and widest points (for square or rectangular projects). Mine were 35". Place a pin in the ends of the longest and widest edges.

3.  Begin placing pins about 1 inch apart along one edge.
 Use a ruler to help you keep it straight if you need to.

4. Using your tape measure, pin the opposite side, being sure you don't stretch it to longer than your longest length. So for this project, I measured 35" from the first pinned side and pinned the opposite side to that measurement all the way across.

5. Spray the piece with water. You want it pretty wet--it needs to soak into the fibers. Allow to stay in place until completely dry. This yarn dried within a few hours, but other types of yarn may take longer to dry, so you might need to find another place to sleep! 

Once it's dry, it's blocked and you can remove the pins. No more waves or wrinkles! Yea!

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When we put most of our stuff in storage for a year, I was already pregnant, which means I knew I would need the white baby blanket I crocheted for my other boys' blessings. So why did I put it in a box that is now in the depths of our storage unit 1800 miles away? I blame pregnant brain--it's a real thing. Who's with me? Oh well, it just gave me an excuse to crochet a new and improved blessing day afghan for my newest baby boy. It's so warm and cozy I have a hard time not using it for myself! Here you'll find the pattern for a super quick and easy baby afghan that is great for boys or girls. Even better, it's a great way to practice the "looks like knit" crochet stitch, which can take some time to perfect (it's all in the tension, baby). 

P.S. This makes a great photo prop for baby photographers!



Pattern:

Ch 71.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 2 - 70: Sl st in blo in 1st ch from hk and in each st across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 71: Sc in blo in 1st ch from hk and in each st across. Fasten off.

Notes: Be sure to keep stitches loose and even. The pattern stitch is easily worked too tight. Be sure to block your blanket for best results. (Blocking tutorial here!) Approximate size is 35" x 35". Easily make it bigger by adding more chains in the beginning and adding rows until it looks square.

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I feel so lucky to actually know today's hilarious guest-blogger in person. Cami of You Seriously Made That!? cracks me up, both in real life and in her posts. We're both expecting (just 6 weeks apart) and she's starting to post fun baby projects that I'm planning on stealing--like this no-hemstitch receiving blanket tutorial. It's hard to pay for those little holes to get poked in your fabric, especially when you just paid an arm and a leg for it! Check this out. . .

Crocheted Blanket: No Hemstitching Needed!!

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I'm trying to squeeze this post in between juggling two babies' naps, reading with the preschoolers, and getting dinner started, all before I have to go pick up the elementary kids--whew! But I have two fun things to share that can't wait!

1. We have a winner for the Knit Your Own Royal Wedding book! Are you getting excited for the royal wedding? A friend and I have plans to watch it with a lunch of cucumber sandwiches and scones with clotted cream. . .scrumptious. But back to the giveaway winner. Congratulations to. .

Get in touch with us so we can get you your book! And you will have to be sure to share your royal creations with us!

2. I'm also bursting to share my newest crochet pattern with you! Spring Blooms, now in my Etsy shop, includes 4 great crocheted headband patterns, each featuring a different spring blossom. These would be so perfect on a little sweetie for Easter, or just playing in the spring sunshine (we're actually getting a bit of that this very moment--finally, a break from the gray Seattle skies!). I had a couple of darling models, but even though they're both babies, I envisioned this pattern on little girls, too. I even included Adult instructions! They're quick and easy to make up, too.

Sweet Rose Bloom Headband



Tiny Blooms Headband



Chrysanthemum Bloom Headband



Luscious Bloom Headband



These flowers could also be used on a hat pattern, or to make a hair clip or pin for a jacket or sweater, so they're very versatile.

I did, for the first time, buy yarn from the yarn shop rather than the craft store for these headbands. A couple are made from bamboo blends, and a couple are cashmere/merino blend. They just looked a little more polished. All the yarns I used plus suggestions are listed in the pattern. I also have a couple more 3 for $9 pattern deals left in the shop, and this pattern definitely qualifies! Enjoy!

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How adorable is this little raspberry? My friend Melynie told me she heard that over and over when she was out shopping, but I didn't quite believe it until we went to the grocery store together. Seriously, I don't know how she gets any shopping done when her little sweetie is wearing this hat! We were stopped by so many people who wanted to talk about how cute she was in it.



It started with this pumpkin hat I shared with you in the fall.


I loved the idea of making a hat that wasn't worked in the round. This little strawberry uses the same stitch as the raspberry hat above, but it doesn't have the scalloped edge, and the stem is replaced by little leaves.



I delivered this delightful pink strawberry hat to a friend who just had the CUTEST baby girl--can't wait to see it on her!


Do you love it or what? It's a perfect spring hat for baby. You can find the pattern below, plus a step-by-step tutorial showing how to join a new color of yarn to your project, and a hat size chart you can use to determine how big to make hats for different ages. Happy spring!


Strawberry or Raspberry Crochet Hat Pattern

This pattern is for size 0 - 3+ months. You can adjust the pattern for the size of your choice using the head size chart at the end of this post. Just change the number of stitches and rows until it reaches the number of inches specified in the chart.

Size I/5.5 hook, size G/6.0
Red or pink worsted weight yarn for berry
Green worsted weight yarn for stem
Yellow or white worsted weight yarn for strawberry seeds

Stitches used: Sc, dc, sl st, seed st
Seed stitch: (sc in next st, dc in next st) across

Ch 39.
Row 1: Seed st: (Sc in 1st st, dc in next st) across. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2 - 28: Seed st: (Sc in 1st st, dc in next st) across.

Your piece should be a rectangle approximately 4" high by 14" long. Continue to scalloped edge if desired, or to finishing step if no scallop is desired. Don't fasten off yet.

Scalloped edge: For a less prominent scallop (like pink example), change to a G hook now. For a more noticeable scallop, keep working with your I hook.

Ch 1, turn. Begin working scallop stitch along long side of piece: (Sk st, 3 dc in next st, sk st, sl st in next) across. Don't fasten off yet.


Finishing:

If you're making a strawberry hat, use a yarn needle and your yellow or white yarn to make small, evenly spaced stitches from back to front to create seeds. On the red strawberry I did a single little stitch. On the pink strawberry I did a tiny "V" stitch. I did a stitch on every other row across and down, creating a diamond pattern. Fasten off.


Inside of hat will look like this:


Next, fold piece in half, matching up short sides and scallops. Holding short sides together, use a yarn needle and matching yarn to stitch short sides of piece together to make a tube (easy way). Or, for a less visible seam, join the ends using your hook and the seed stitch, working sts in end of each row (a little more complicated, but worth it if you're up for it). You should work about 28 sts. Fasten off.


Green top and stem, no leaves:
Change to size G hook.

Round 1: Join green yarn to top of tube with a sc. Sc around top of tube (39 sc worked).

How to join a new color of yarn in crochet:
Insert hook where you want the color to start. Grab your new color of yarn with your hook.


Pull the yarn through the stitch. One loop on the hook.


Now finish your single crochet stitch by yarning over and pulling the yarn through.


It's on!


Now continue on with your sc in the remaining stitches.


Round 2: Dc 2 together (2tog) around (this is a decrease st that will decrease your number of sts around by half).

Round 3: Dc 2tog around.

Additional rounds: Sc 2tog around until stem is at desired width. Then sc in a tiny circle (this can be challenging, so be patient with yourself!) around and around until stem is desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.


Green with leaves:


Round 1: Join green yarn to top of tube with a sc. Sc around top of tube (39 sc worked).

Round 2: Dc 2tog around until you have 8 sts left.

Leaves: Ch 10. Sc in 1st ch from hk. Hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 chs, tc in next chs, sc in next 2 sc. Repeat 3 more times.

Size Chart for Crochet Hats

0 to 3 months
Hat circumference 11.5" - 13"
Hat height: 4.5” to 5"

3 to 6 months
Hat circumference: 14" - 17 "
Hat height : 5.5” - 6"

6 to 12 months
Hat circumference: 16" - 19 "
Hat height: 6.5"

12 months to 3T
Hat Circumference: 18" to 20"
Hat height : 7"

3 to 10 years
Hat Circumference: 19" – 20.5"
Hat height: 7.5"

Pre-teen to teens
Hat Circumference: 20.5" - 22"
Hat height: 8” - 9"

Womens
Hat Circumference: 21.5" - 22.5"
Hat height: 10"

Mens
Hat Circumference: 23" - 24"
Hat height: 10" - 10.5"

If you make this hat, I'd love to see a picture of it! Oh, and I should mention that all my patterns in my shop are on sale 3 for $9 for a limited time! I'm working on a few new patterns for spring, so stock up on the winter patterns while they're cheap!

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