Yellow Cropped Sweater

I've totally been nesting and here is another sweater I crocheted for my little bird.

(The FREE pattern is below and works up quickly but looks like it took a lot longer.)

This is a variation on a pattern from this little book which, although I purchased it eight or so years ago, is still available at JoAnn's for about $3.50. It's small, but super useful and crochet-er friendly even for beginners. I've used its patterns over and over.

Materials:
Sport Weight Yarn (4 1/2 ounces-ish)
Crochet hook, size I

Gauge: In pattern, (sc, ch2, hdc) 5 times and 9 rows = 3"

Finished size: 3-6 months (Maybe older too...it's a cropped sweater and altered pattern so I'm just guessing. I'll let you know for sure after the baby is born!)

Pattern:

Ch 54 loosely.

Row 1 (Right side): Dc in 4th ch from hook (3 skipped chs count as first dc, now and throughout) and in each ch across: 52 dc.

Row 2: ch1 turn; skip first dc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next dc *skip next dc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next dc; repeat from * across to last 2 dc, skip next dc, sc in last dc: 26dc and 25 ch-2 sps.

Row 3 (Increase row): ch1, turn; 2 sc in first sc, working BEHIND ch-2 sps, 3 sc in each sc across to last sc, 2sc in last sc; 76 sc.

Row 4: ch1, turn; skip first sc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next sc, *skip next sc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, skip next sc, sc in last sc: 38 sc and 37 ch-2 sps.

Row 5: ch 1, turn; working BEHIND ch-2 sps 2 sc in each sc across: 76 sc.

Row 6: ch 1, turn; skip first sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc, *skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, skip next sc, sc in last sc: 38 sc and 37 ch-2 sps.

Rows 7-10: Repeat rows 3-6: 56 sc and 55 ch-2 sps.

Row 11: ch 1, turn; working BEHIND ch-2 sps, 2 sc in each of first 9 sc, skip next 11 ch-2 sps (armhole), 2 sc in each of next 18 sc, skip next 11 ch-2 sps (armhole), 2 sc in each of last 9 sc; 72 sc.

Row 12: Ch 1, turn; skip first sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc, * skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * across to last sc: 36 sc and 35 ch-2 sps.

Rows 13-18: repeat Rows 5 and 6, 3 times; do NOT finish off yet.

Edging:

Rnd 1: ch 1, turn; 3 sc in first sc, working BEHIND ch-2 sps, sc in next sc, 2 sc in each sc across to last sc, 3 sc in last sc; work 16 sc evenly spaced across ends of rows; (working in free loops of beginning ch), 3 sc in first ch, sc in each ch across to last sc, 3 sc in last ch; work 16 sc evenly spaced across ends of rows, join with a slip st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, do NOT turn; (sc, ch 2, hdc) in same st, *skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * around entire edge, join with slip st to first sc, finish off.

Although I didn't, you can weave a ribbon through the first dc row and tie it in the front. I didn't have a ribbon I liked well enough so I opted to overlap the tops, sew a large snap in between, and embellish with a fabric-covered button on top. Easy on and off, I figured.

New Look FINALLY

I decided it was time for a change and finally got rid of that imposing picture of myself. Way too BIG.

Now, I'm trying to simplify my life and therefore simplified my header. It feels nice to have a fresh start.

Bombay Sweater

My friend Lindsey recently made these cute sweaters. Darling, eh? I'm secretly hoping she'll make one for my little girl. Well, I was secretly hoping, now I'm very publicly hoping.

Just in case Lindsey finds my hoping too presumptuous, I had to try out the FREE pattern too. After all, a girl can never have too many darling sweaters.

I know, I know. Couldn't even pick a different color or button than the original...It was just so cute.

The best part...this pattern works up SUPER quickly. I'm talking a couple of evenings quick. Love it!

Maddie's Photoshoot

To celebrate the momentous occasion of turning eight, my niece and I had a photoshoot. Here are a few of my favorites:

This is a fun effect I've been playing with lately. There's a quick how-to rundown at the bottom of this post. Email me if it doesn't make sense.

Also quite lovely in black and white.

Quick How-to mentioned above:

1. Open the file in Photoshop, and then duplicate the background layer by clicking and dragging it over the little icon that looks like a paper with the edge folded back at the bottom of the layer palette.

2. On the top layer go to Image-Adjustments-Hue/Saturation. Check the box that says "colorize."

3. Change the hue to a sepia tone by moving the slider on the top line. (I also adjusted the saturation to make it more vivid.)

4. Click OK.

5. Then, go to Image-Adjustments-Levels and move the sliders under the graph to make the "lights/whites" really light and the "darks" darker.

6. Next, change the blending mode of the sepia layer to "multiply" by using the options at the top of the layer palette.

7. At this point, the picture may look a little dark.

To fix this, either change the opacity of the top sepia layer OR what I prefer to do is change the levels (Image-Adjustments-Levels) of the bottom layer so that it is a little washed out.

8. Here is the final picture...for tutorial's sake. I erased a little of her eyes on the sepia layer to let the blue shine through, and I also darkened the edges of the photo a bit.

I'm finally back!

After over a month of vacation, visitors, and a dying and finally dead computer, I'm back.

I've been busy through it all, and I can't wait to show what I've been working on lately.

Thanks for sticking around.