Free Baby Mermaid Seashell Bra Pattern

Since we're in the middle of a couple snow days, I decided to revisit my baby mermaid pattern. This time, I made the mermaid tail two colors. I also worked up a pattern for a seashell top. 

Here' said close up of the top:

Here's the pattern.  (I used Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton for this set as well.) Please let me know if you have any questions or notice any errors. I did find a couple on my mermaid tail pattern so those have been fixed. :)

Seashell Bra

With H hook, chain 5, turn

Change to G hook

Row 1: sc 4 across, ch 1, turn

Row 2: 2sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in last st, chain 1, turn (6)

Row 3: 2sc in first st, 1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next, ch 1, turn (8)

Row 4: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in last, ch 1, turn (10)

Row 5: 1 sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (10)

Row 6: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (12)

Row 7: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (14)

Last row, scallop: sk first st, *5 DC in next stitch, skip next st, sc in next* repeat twice across, chain 1, fasten off leaving several inches to sew with. 

For connector piece, using H hook, ch 7, turn

Change to G hook

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each st across, ch 1, turn (6)

Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (6)

Row 3: sc in each st across, ch 1, fasten off leaving several inches to sew with. 

With F hook, make a chain of 50 for each side tie. Leave long tails for sewing.

Sew shells together with connector piece; sew side ties on either side. Weave in ends. 

Milestone Blanket

So I thought it would be fun to start a milestone project to work on as we dig out of debt. I'm still trying to decide just what to do, but I'm thinking of crocheting one square for every so-many-dollars we pay down debt. I need to do some figuring on how many I'll need to join together in order to get a nice size blanket that's not too big and not too small. 

Of course I immediately wanted to price out yarn. My new favorite is the 'I Love Cotton' from Hobby Lobby but I don't have much of it, so I'd need to buy some. That's not a good idea. So, I decided that I can only make it with yarn on hand. I have a lot of Vannah's Choice yarn, so I'll use that. Here's my first square:

I got the idea from back when I did Weight Watchers. I had a friend who made a denim tote bag. Everytime she lost five pounds, she sewed a button on her tote bag. I love visuals so the idea really works for me. :)

Free Pattern: Crocheted Mermaid Costume for Newborns

My second cousin is expecting a baby girl next spring and we recently saw a picture of a sleeping baby in a mermaid costume.  We thought it was so cute stinkin' cute!  Unfortunately I could not find a pattern for a newborn, so I decided to create one.  Here is a photo of what I made:

Here is the free pattern.  Please feel free to use it and share it on your blog, but do not sell it.  Let me know if you have any questions or have any trouble. :)

Baby Mermaid Costume

Yarn: Hobby Lobby “I Love This Cotton” in turquoise or desired color; optional contrast color for drawstring at waist

Hook size:  US G

This pattern was created for a newborn.  If you need a bigger size, you can use a bigger hook and chunkier yarn to increase pattern, or increase as needed after round 21.  (You'll catch on to the increase pattern as you work the rounds).

The pattern is worked in rounds; use a stitch marker to keep tabs on your rounds.

Round 1:  Magic ring > 12 DC (If you don't want to do a magic ring, just chain two and work 12 DC in the first chain. This area will eventually be covered by the fins.)

Round 2-8: 1 DC in each stitch (12)

Round 9: *1 DC in next 3 sts, 2 DC in next st* (15)

Round 10: *1 DC in next 2 sts, 2 DC in next st* (20)

Round 11:  1 DC in each st.  (20)

Round 12:  *1 DC in next 2 sts., 2 DC in next st* (26)

Round 13: 1 DC in each stitch around (28)

Round 14:  *1 DC in next 2 sts, 2 DC in next st* (34)

Round 15:  1 DC in each stitch around (34)

Round 16:  *1 DC in next 3 sts, 2 DC in next st* (41)

Round 17:  1 DC in each stitch around (41)

Round 18: *1 DC in next 4 sts., 2 DC in next st.* (49)

Round 19:  1 DC in each st around (49)

Round 20: *1 DC in next 6 sts, 2 DC in next st* (56)

Round 21: 1 DC in each st. around (56)

Repeat round 21 until you have your desired length.  You can switch to HDC for the final rounds.  (I did this on the turquoise tail in the photo – just because HDC is my favorite stitch.)

Final Round: (shell ‘waistband’) 1 SC, *skip 1 stitch, 5 DC in next stitch, skip 1 stitch, 1 sc in next* around.  Slip stitch to first SC. (14 shells) Tie off; sew in tail.

 

Using same or contrast color (I used white.), make a chain long enough to weave around shell top and tie off to cinch in the waist for a custom fit on baby.  Use a yarn needle to weave in and out of the center of each shell.

 

Fins (make 2)

Leave tails slightly longer than normal – you will use these to gather and to sew on to the tail.

Chain 14

Round 1: starting in second chain from hook, 12 DC across (12), ch 2, turn

Round 2: DC2Tog twice, 8 DC across next 8 stitches, chain 2, turn

Round 3:  DC across (10), chain 2, turn

Round 4: DC2tog twice, 6 DC across next 6 stitches, chain 2, turn

Round 5: DC across (8), chain 2, turn

Round 6: DC2tog twice, 4 DC across next 4 stitches, chain 1, tie off leaving a long tail.

 

Using the long yarn tail, weave in and out through the last row of stitches to gather it.  Sew both pieces together at their short ends.  Sew to bottom of tail.  For additional shape and support, block piece.

Cute Mickey Mouse Crocheted Cap

I had some leftover red cotton yarn from Christmas so I made myself a hat. It's from a pattern in one of my favorite crochet books: Cute & Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench. Instead of adding a flower, I created a Mickey Mouse pin for it. I can't wait to take it to DisneyWorld! :)

Here's the book on Amazon:  

http://www.amazon.com/Cute-Easy-Crochet-Adorable-Projects/dp/1907563202/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388714668&sr=1-6&keywords=Crochet+cute

Crocheted Chicken Potholder

So it's no secret that I am chicken crazy.  What can I say...I love my birds!  Since I love crafting and I love chickens, when I saw this Lion Brand pattern, I just had to make these cute little chicken potholders.  You can find the tutorial here.  (There are two separate patterns - one for the mama hen and one for the chick.  My link will take you to one, but check out the other linked patterns on the LB website.)

I found that these worked up rather nicely and quickly.  Definitely add the wing before you join the front and back sides together!  Also, I found it extremely helpful to steam iron my front and back before joining them.  They were curling a bit and by ironing them, they went together very nicely.

Note:  I didn't you the recommended Cotton Ease yarn.  I had Peaches 'n Cream already on hand so I used that.

Amigurumi Lion

I made this little guy for my little nephew, Caleb.  I followed the pattern in the Vanna White's Easy Crochet Critters amigurumi book.  I hope he likes it!

Brady’s Crocheted Football

This was quite an ambitious project for me.  I started a crocheted football for Brady just three days before Christmas.  I thought it was going to be small, like a nerf-sized ball, but it turned out to be full size.  You crochet it in rounds with single crochet, so it has to be worked pretty tight.  My poor hand was cramping up so bad!  But, it was worth it – as you can see, he really liked it!  :0) 

Kip’s Christmas Amigurumi Penguin

Here is Kip’s homemade Christmas present for this year.  We bought him a penguin Pillow Pet, so I crocheted a baby penguin for him.  :0)

Stay Warm Ice Scraper

Okay, so I didn’t have a homemade gift for my dad (aka Pawpaw) so I worked this up the night before Christmas Eve in about an hour.  I bought an ice scraper at our Dollar Tree and crocheted a tube to fit over it.  Now he can scrape ice off of his windshield and his hand will stay warm.  Okay….silly idea….but you don’t know my dad.  He loved it!  :0)

Carrie’s Home-made Christmas Present: a crochet purse with ring handles

Today I finished Carrie’s home-made Christmas present.  Purple is her favorite color and she loves black flowers.  I used Vannah’s Choice yarn for the bag and some black yarn with filament for the accents.  I followed the pattern out of The Happy Hooker book that I borrowed from the library.  The flower pattern is from the book called First Crochet, also from our local library.  I bought the handles from JoAnn Fabrics a couple weeks ago when they were just $3.99!  (This bag cost less than $8 to make.)  What could be better than CHEAP and CUTE?  :0)

Now I have the girl’s homemade presents finished.  I think I have decided what to do for Jake, but Brady and Kip are still mysteries.  At least I have a week to go before Christmas.  Wish me luck!

Cute Little Crochet Bunny Slippers

This year, my goal is to make each of my five children a handmade Christmas present.  So far, I have one down…five to go.  :0)  As I make them, I will post them on my blog to share.  I have something lined up for Carrie but am still struggling for just what to make the boys.  They don’t necessarily enjoy paper or yarn crafts, so I’m going to have to really stretch my brain for them. 
I got the bunny slippers idea out of one of my favorite books The Happy Hooker.  The pattern in that book was not quite working for me, so I used the Mary Jane Slippers pattern from ohmygoodknits! blog.  (Click here to go to that blog post.)  I used her pattern for the base slippers (without a cross strap) and the pattern for the ears & face from The Happy Hooker book.  I am super happy with the outcome and I hope Katie is too!  :0)

Sunday School Teacher Gifts

Okay, so the kids and I were trying to decide what to come up with for a fun Christmas gift idea for our Sunday school teachers.  I found a cute idea for a kitchen sponge and modified it to be a bath sponge.  I paired them with a nice, pretty-smelling soap and tied them up.  Now that I think about it, I am wondering if it is a rude gift.  I mean...soap?  I would hate for the ladies to think that we think they need to take a bath.  Hmmm.....

For the original pattern, please visit Hook Candy by clicking HERE.  I really enjoyed making them.  I had to learn a new type of stitch called Tunisian Crochet, or the Afghan stitch.  I really like it!  Check out You Tube for a demo if it's new to you too.  :0)

Crochet Critters

Here's a quick post for you crafters out there.  Last week at Michaels I found this cute little leaflet book from Vanna White's yarn line called "Vanna's Choice".  It has the patterns to make ten different crochet animals.  So far, I have made a hippo, an elephant and a monkey.  The hippo is my favorite.  Which is yours?