It's finally done! The Averie Cap. I spent way too many hours recreating this pattern after I lost my pattern notebook (sniff, sniff), but it was worth it. I ended up adding a Newborn size, which I didn't have before. And doesn't that sweet little girl look adorable in it? I just want to kiss those cheeks!

This is the baby/little girls version of my Chloe Cap pattern, including instructions for sweet little ear flaps and the cute flower, too.

CHA pics and info coming soon--as soon as I can get my laundry under control! It was a GREAT trip! Until then, here's another fun crochet pattern.

My siblings and I went in on Nooks for our parents for Christmas this year. They read a ton, so we knew they'd enjoy them. My mom called me last week and said she is always worried it's going to get scratched in her purse, but the cases in the store were way too expensive. She thought there might be other readers out there with the same problem, so she suggested I do a tutorial for a Nook case! This crocheted version is for my dad (watch for the fabric version for my mom, coming soon!). So if you're looking for a more manly handmade gift for your Valentine, this may be it. It's similar to my cell phone/iPod case, so try that pattern if your love doesn't have an eReader!


Crocheted Nook or Kindle eReader Case Pattern

Supplies:
*Worsted weight yarn
*Size I crochet hook
*2 buttons
*Yarn needle

Stitches used:
*Single crochet (sc)
*Double crochet (dc)
*Moss stitch (explained in pattern)

Row 1: Ch 20. Sc in 3rd ch from hk. Begin moss stitch: Ch 1, sk st, sc in next st, *ch 1, sk st, sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of row. Ch 2, turn.

Rows 2 - 56: Continue moss st: Sk 1st sc, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1* across. Sc in last st. Ch 2, turn.

Row 57: Dc in 1st sc, dc in next st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next 9 sts (both sc and ch-1 spaces). Ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next 2 sc. Ch 1, turn. (Two buttonholes made.)

Row 58: Sc in 2nd st from hk and in ea st across, including ch-1 spaces. Ch 1, turn.

59: Sc in 2nd ch from hk and in ea sc across. Fasten of and weave in ends.


To finish your case, fold the bottom end up 8 inches. Fold flap with buttonholes over the top. Your case should measure approximately 5" wide and 8" high.


Lay buttons on top of buttonholes. Make sure they'll fit through the opening (it will stretch a little).



Sew buttons to main piece under the flap with a yarn needle. I usually cut a length of the yarn I used for the project and separate it out into several strands, then use that to sew on my buttons. Perfect matching thread every time, and you only have to do a couple passes through the button to get a really good hold!

After your buttons are in place, fold the long piece backwards up 8". Imagine you have just turned it inside out. Using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, stitch up the two sides of the case. I use a whip stitch. Then turn your case right-side-out and button closed. That's it!

FINALLY! My two new crochet hat patterns are now in my Etsy shop. I know, I promised them by the end of last week, but there were a couple of technical difficulties, and all the Christmas prep has really thrown me off! They're ready to go now, though, and you still have time to make them before Christmas! The Lizzy Cloche takes me less than an hour to complete, and the All-Star Beanie just under two hours! Plus there are tons of yarns on sale right now at the craft stores, so these are great, inexpensive gifts! I also posted some adorable jewelry in my shop that were left over from a craft fair I did in Seattle. Another great last-minute gift!


The All-Star Beanie has to be my favorite boy hat ever. Although I'm working on one in girl colors that is going to be fabulous! There are 7, count 'em 7, sizes in this pattern. I covered the whole range--from 0-6 to Adult, and everything in between. Plus you get the cute star pattern that you can use on lots of other projects! I seriously love this hat.



I have been wearing my Lizzy Cloche crocheted hats almost non-stop these days. (I've made it for myself in several colors!) My husband gives me the worst time about the huge flower, but I love it! If it's a bit big for you, no worries. There are three rosette sizes in the pattern, so you can choose the one that fits your style best. This pattern is the big girls' version of my Ava Cloche pattern, and it comes in sizes from 12 months to Adult.



If you love the Ava Cloche, here's a new one I just made in pink. It's sooooo sweet! I am in love with it! The Ava Slippers came out adorably, too!


I added a little leaf to each, and I wanted to share the leaf pattern with you! It's quick and easy, and makes such a great addition to my crocheted rose pattern (in both the Ava and Lizzy patterns). Or it would be adorable with any of my other flower patterns, like the five-petal flower and the six-petal flower. Enjoy!


Long Leaf Crochet Pattern
Size G hook, worsted weight yarn

Ch 10. Sc in 2nd ch from hk. Sc in next ch. Hdc in next 2 chs. Dc in next 3 chs. 2dc in same ch.

Continue on back side of ch. Dc in next 3 chs. Hdc in next 2 chs. Sc in next 2 chs. Sl st to beg ch. Fasten off. Stitch to project, hiding the end under your flower.


Short Leaf Crochet Pattern (For bootie pattern)
Size G hook, worsted weight yarn

Ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hk. Hdc in next 2 chs. Dc in next 3 chs. 2dc in same ch.

Continue on back side of ch. Dc in next 3 chs. Hdc in next 2 chs. Sc in next ch. Sl st to beg ch. Fasten off. Stitch to project, hiding the end under your flower.

My new baby cloche (that's just a fancy word for a snug-fitting hat) and booties crochet patterns are in the shop! I am completely in love with these little cuties--I've made about 10 of them so far. Both the hat and booties are quick and easy, and they look adorable on any baby girl!

I call them the "Ava" collection in honor of my new little niece. When I saw her sweet round face and kissable lips, I knew these had to be for her. I also have two other adorable Ava's in my life, so this pattern is for all three of you sweeties!

The baby cloche/beanie comes in three sizes - 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months. I'm working on toddler and adult sizes, but that will be a separate pattern (it will be a little different). The large rose is included in the hat pattern, and the baby rose pattern is included with the booties.


The slipper pattern is for sizes 0-3 months and 3-6 months.


For a different look, you could also make this hat with interchangeable five or six-petaled flowers. I learned this trick from my creative friend Andrea. It makes one hat so much more versatile! And in honor of my first pattern for sale, I'm going to give you the pattern for this changeable flower (see below, after all the cute example pictures!).




Five or Six-Petal Daisy Flower Crochet Pattern

Supplies:
*Two strands* of worsted weight yarn (I like a cotton or cotton blend yarn, and I use two strands to make the flower more stable)
Size G hook

1. Ch 6. Sl st into 1st ch to form a ring.

2. **Ch 3, 2 tc into ring, ch 3, sl st into ring** 6 times for six-petal (OR only 5 times for five-petal). Fasten off and weave in ends.

For center, choose a button slightly larger than your flower center. I used a fabric-covered button the same color as my hat. Stitch it to your hat. Now you can "button" your choice of flower on to match your little's outfit!

I've had tons of requests for the pattern to this wide-center, seven-petal flower I crocheted for my bookmark post. I am really bad about writing down patterns for things--I usually just play around with my yarn and different sized hooks until I make something I like. So I finally had a chance to go back and figure out exactly what I did (thanks for your patience!). Luckily it's a really easy flower. It's similar to my five-petal pattern, so if you've tried the pattern in my How to Crochet A Flower video, you can do this one, too.



Seven-Petal Crochet Flower Pattern


Rnd 1: Ch 3, sl st to beg chain to form a ring.

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), 6 dc in ring, sl st to top of first dc. (7 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each of next 6 sts. Sl st to top of ch 2. (14 dc)

Rnd 4: Change thread color if desired. *Ch 2, 3dc in next st, ch 2, sl st in next st* across. Fasten off.

See--easy peasy! I like using a #10 crochet thread or embroidery floss for these little flowers, and a size 4/2.00mm hook. They're perfect for cards and scrapbook pages. But they can be done with any weight yarn and any size hook.

To add another petal, like in the eight-petaled flower below, simply add an addition dc in round 1. That will give you 8 dc, which will give you 16 dc on the next round, which is enough for 8 petals. E-mail me if you have questions!

My schedule has been too hectic to finish any real projects lately, so I've been getting my crochet fix by whipping up these tiny little butterflies in every color. The trick? Use embroidery floss. It comes in every shade imaginable, it's the perfect thickness for little accessories, and it's cheap. They're perfect for cards, scrapbook pages, hair clips, they'd even be cute on the front of a baby onesie or beanie.

Below are my original patterns for how to crochet a butterfly. If you're comfortable with a crochet hook, these will take you about 3 minutes to make. If you're a beginner, watch our How To Crochet A Flower and How To Crochet A Heart videos. The butterfly is basically a four-petaled flower using some of the same stitches as the heart. The only stitch not shown is the dtr (double treble) used in the medium pattern, which you can see on this site. Here are patterns for five different sizes of butterflies, which measure from about 1 inch to 4 inches in size, although the size of your materials and your gauge may change the sizes slightly.

To create the abdomen and antennae, cut a coordinating piece of thread or yarn about four to six inches long (depending on your butterfly's size). Leaving a short tail, wrap the piece around the middle of the butterfly twice. Tie ends in a double knot. Trim antennae.



Teeny Tiny Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Supplies:
*Embroidery floss
*Size 6 crochet hook

Ch 4. Sl st into first st to form a ring.

*Ch 2. 3dc into ring. Ch 2. Sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

*Ch 1. 3dc into ring. Ch 1. Sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

Fasten off. Create abdomen and antennae.


Small Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Supplies:
*Embroidery floss
*Size 6 hook

Ch 4. Sl st into first ch to form a ring.

*Ch 4. 3tr (treble stitch) into ring. Ch 3, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

*Ch 3. 3dc into ring. Ch 3, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

Fasten off. Create abdomen and antennae.

This card uses the small pattern.



Medium Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Supplies:
*Embroidery floss
*Size C hook

Ch 4. Sl st into first ch to form a ring.

*Ch 4. Work 3 dtr (double treble stitch) into ring. Ch 4, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

*Ch 3, work 3tr into ring. Ch 3, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

Fasten off. Create abdomen and antennae.



Large Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Supplies:
*Sport weight yarn
*Size C hook

Ch 4. Sl st into first ch to form a ring.

*Ch 4. 3tr (treble stitch) into ring. Ch 3, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

*Ch 3. 3dc into ring. Ch 3, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

Fasten off. Create abdomen and antennae.


Extra Large Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Supplies:
*Sport weight yarn
*Size G hook

Ch 4. Sl st into first ch to form a ring.

*Ch 4. Work 3 dtr (double treble stitch) into ring. Ch 4, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

*Ch 3, work 3tr into ring. Ch 3, sl st into ring.* Repeat once.

Fasten off. Create abdomen and antennae.


I've mostly been making the small butterflies. Love them!