First Ever Baby Sweater, Thanks Melody’s Makings!

When I found out that my Sister-in-law was having a baby, I just had to make something for her! Usually, I would make a blanket or a girly romper and booties. But this time I had to make something different…. she was having a boy! Yay!! I haven’t had a little itty-bitty boy enter my family in awhile. I was beyond excited!

Then, I started to freak out… what should I make? I live across the country from them so, I didn’t know how the weather is going to be. I didn’t want to make something that wouldn’t be used. Then, I remembered that Melody’s Makings had done a Create-a-Long with a little sweater!

Lightbulb! That’s what I’ll make… Had no idea what colors I should use so I asked my SIL what two colors she liked… Blue and Beige. Sounded like a pretty good combo to me! She wasn’t sure about that since she didn’t know why I was asking. I told her to trust me. he he he

Since I knew what pattern I wanted to make, I went to the Michaels right away and found some great yarns that went together nicely! I picked a Dark Navy and Beige. They are a Worsted Weight yarn which is what the pattern called for. I grabbed extra skeins of yarn because I was thinking about doing a blanket as well (that I am still working on, I’m sure I will share with you when I am done).

Melody’s pattern was originally written up to be done using stripes, but I had decided to make it a solid color for the body (Dark Navy) and the edging to be done in the other color (Beige). I need a couple of buttons for the neck opening so I heading over to Joann Fabrics. I was able to find buttons that worked well with the body color, but they weren’t exactly what I was looking for. I was kind of hoping for some cute little themed buttons to use on the sweater. But they didn’t have many in the size that I needed. So, I went with blue ones with a little marbling to them.

When it came time to starting on the project, I decided to work on the 0-3 month sized sweater instead of the newborn sized. I just don’t like taking chances on the size of the babies when they come out. I’ve made some hats in newborn sizes and they turned out to not fit their babies very long because the baby was born much bigger then the “normal” newborn size. It does hurt a little knowing that you put all of that time into something that wasn’t used because the baby grew out of it too quickly.

When I finished up the little sweater I wrapped it up and sent it to my SIL. She absolutely loved it! I was so proud of the work that I had done, being that it was my first sweater. I look forward to the next one that I get to work up.

Please let me know what you think of this itty-bitty sweater. Would you make one using this pattern? How about the colors? Did Mama pick a good color scheme?

Here is the Ravelry link to Melody’s Makings pattern! Be sure to share your finished piece if you make one!

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/21-days-to-sweater-success–crochet

Fall Mystery Create-a-long

This project has been done for awhile now but I still had to share the process with everyone!

For this project I use Vanna’s Choice… it’s a yarn that I have never used before but Melody said that she recommended it. So, I just had to give it a try.

I loved the colors that they have available and it was actually hard to decided on what two colors that I wanted to use. I ended up picking a nice neutral earthy color called Linen and I paired it with a deep Burgundy color. These two colors totally made me think of fall.

Aren’t they just beautiful?!

The first Segment that was sent out was a rather quick one. A simple little flower. Hmm what could it be for?

I chose to do it in the burgundy color. This will be used for all of the accent parts of the project. So, that means I will be using the linen color for the bulk of the project.

The 3rd segment added the main color to the flower. Yup! I can say that I like this color combination.

Back to the accent color for the 3rd segment. This is looking pretty cute! I just love the added border. Still not sure what we might be making, what do you think?

Segment 4 she had us go back to the main color. This was a little tricky since we were working behind the “border” that we created in the last segment.

I bet you guessed what segment 5 was… had to add the trapezoid shape to the other side of the piece. It kind of reminds me of the top of a bib maybe….

With Segment 6 we added the “body” part. Now it’s starting to look like something. It’s definitely something that a little girl wears around their chest area!

Wonder what we will be adding for Segment 7…

Looks like the start of a little skirt!

The rest of the segment just had you add more length to the piece. I had decided to change it up a little and added in some color. For the bottom row, Melody had us add the same border that we added to the flower piece at the start of the Mystery Create-a-long.

Here is the picture of my finished piece! I just love how it looks as I am sure you can tell by the strings.

You can buy this dress pattern in either crochet or knit by clicking the links below!

Autumn Lovin’ Dress – Crochet | Knit

You can check out all that Melody has to offer here:
Facebook | Ravelry | Blog | Etsy

Breaking in the New Year!

Hello everyone! I don’t know about you, but this year has started off pretty good for me so far! We had our 3rd little girl in August so everyday is awesome with her. It’s so fun getting to see her grow, learn new things, meet milestones and just do day to day things. So now we have Miss M, Miss S and another Miss S. But I will be referring to her as Baby S.

I agreed to be an Assistant Admin for Melody’s Makings Facebook Group. I am helping out with her Mystery Create-A-Longs. Her first one of the new year just started this past Tuesday. She has sent out the first segment and will be sending out the second one tomorrow. Everyone’s projects have been coming out very well! I love seeing everyone’s projects and seeing all of their guess as to what it is they are making.

Here is a link to her Facebook page so you can sign up for it and join a long if you want. She offers it in both a knit and crochet version. This months is free to join! She has gotten a lot of new people to sign up for it… and everyone seems to be having fun.

Melody’s Makings Facebook

I have a few projects that I am working on; two blankets, a dress and a pattern test for Sweet Potato 3. I will be sure to share them with you when I have everything finished. What a great start so far!

How has everyone else been doing so far to start?

Melody’s Makings has announced her Fall 2015 Mystery Create-a-long!

Photo Credit: From Melody’s Makings

My friend Melody over at Melody’s Makings has announce that she is doing another Mystery Create-a-Long and I could not be more excited!! I have done a couple of the Create-a-Longs that she has offered and they have all been super fun!

Your probably wondering why it’s a Create-a-Long instead of a Crochet or Knit a-Long. Well, that is because her Mystery projects are offered in BOTH Crochet and Knit! Isn’t that awesome?!

I feel that this allows the participants to really learn from the project while they have fun with it. You can ask for help if you are not sure on how to work up one of the sections that she posted. If she isn’t available at the exact moment that the question is asked, you still have plenty of help from all of the people that are also working it up with you! How awesome is that? So, why not take advantage of this time and try to expand your skills as either a crocheter or a knitter.

She breaks down the project into very easy sections to complete in the time frame that she assigns to each section. But it’s okay if you fall behind, because it’s easy to catch up… just try not to peek at what everyone else is posting… Or you might find out what you are working up before you want to. It is a Mystery, so you wont know what the project is until you are finished!

She was nice enough to post some sneak peaks so, you can start your guessing right away!

Melody’s Makings – Crochet Mystery Create-A-Long Fall 2015

To go to the Crochet version of this Mystery Create-a-Long click here.

Melody’s Makings – Knit Mystery Create-A-Long Fall 2015

To go to the Knit version of this Mystery Create-a-Long click here.

You can find all of the information for this awesome event hosted by Melody’s Makings below!

Melody’s Makings
Facebook / Blog / Ravelry / Etsy / Craftsy

Giveaway: Melody’s Makings New August Pattern Release Giveaway!

Click image to go to Melody’s Makings Facebook page to enter the contest!

Melody’s Makings has put up a fun little giveaway! The winner will get a free copy of all of her newly released patterns for the rest of August!

All you have to do is click on the image about to be taken to her Facebook Fan page. Look for her post with the same image and make a comment! If you know anyone else that is a lover of yarn, make sure you tag them in separate posts on that same image! Each name you add will get an entry and if your friend wins, you will win also because you suggested them!

Giveaway: Melody’s Makings

My wonderful friend Melody over at Melody’s Makings has put up another awesome Giveaway on her Facebook Fan Page!

You really need to head over there if you love making cute and adorable knit/crochet items for little ones!!! You Bet that I entered!! All you have to do is go to her Fan Page and look for the image above in her comments!

Melody’s Makings:
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/MelodysMakings
Blog: http://melodys-makings.com

Pattern Test for Melody’s Makings – 02

I just recently finished one of the cutest little animal projects that I have ever done! Melody’s Makings – Rustic Raccoon Hooded Cowl! This is her first hooded cowl pattern and you can clearly see that she hit the ball out of the park with this one! Can’t you just imagine a whole family of Rustic Raccoon Hooded children (and adults) walking around?! If I lived in a colder climate I would definitely make one for each of my kids and myself since the pattern is sized to fit a newborn all the way to an adult.

I love how Melody used bulky yarn for this pattern because I had the perfect Bernat Alpaca yarn to use for one of the projects colors! I also feel that using a thicker yarn means the projects go faster. So, I can easily see making more then one of these at a time (which is good since I want one for each of us)!

Another thing that I love about this pattern, is that Melody offers it in both knit and crochet! As I am sure you can tell, I did the crochet version… I have only done one knitting project so I wouldn’t feel to confident to try the knit pattern right now. But I really hope to be able to feel more comfortable with knitting so that I can take advantage of both versions of her patterns. Most of her patterns are available in both versions too!

Want the info on where to get this pattern? I am sure you do!

Knit Version: Website / Ravelry

Crochet Version: Website / Ravelry

Don’t forget to head over to her Facebook page and show her some love! She puts up a lot of great content and giveaways!

Giveaway over at Melody’s Makings! 10 Free Patterns of Your Choice!!

Melody over at Melody’s Makings is having an awesome giveaway right now! It ends on Friday December 5th!

She is offering 10 Free Patterns of Your Choice! I mean who doesn’t need some more patterns right?! I don’t think I have ever heard a knitter/crocheter say that they had too many patterns and didn’t want anymore.

To enter all you have to do is click the image above to leave a comment on her post! Then for extra enteries head over to her facebook page and link some of your crafty friends who would love this deal as much as you do! Then if you win they will too! How awesome is that!!??

To get your extra entries follow this link!

https://www.facebook.com/MelodysMakings/photos/a.166904303368142.38508.164711616920744/812584068800159/?type=1&theater

 

Melody has also been doing some extra deals on her facebook page every day until Christmas. Today was $3 off one of her Ravelry patterns! There are 23 days left until Christmas so that offer was only good for the first 23 customers! Tomorrow’s deal will only be available to the first 22 customers and so on! So, be sure to keep checking her page! She is posting them at random times during the day so everyone has a chance to get in on the fun!

Pattern Test for Petal Knits – 01

Well, I am very happy to announce that I have tested a knitting pattern and it came out great! I have been working on teaching myself to knit for some time now and I just couldn’t get it figured out… I volunteered to do this pattern test so that I was forced to learn how to knit faster.

With the help of Melody’s Makings’ – How to Knit series, I was able to cast on, knit and purl. And let me tell you how much I love how she shows you how to cast on! Since she uses a crochet hook to cast on, I totally got that down the first time that I tried. The knit stitch was easy for me to get as well, but the purl stitch was a little bit of a pain. It took awhile to really get that one going. But I kept plugging at it and I figured it out.

I wont lie, it was challenging for me to hold two knitting needles instead of one crochet hook. That will probably take me awhile before I feel more fluid with holding and working with them. It’s part of the fun right?!

I was super happy with the pattern from Petal Knits. It was really easy for a green knitter like me to follow along and read through. She has a bunch of super cute patterns that I just can’t wait to buy and try out!

My Caleb Bonnet looks a little different then the one that she shows in her pattern. I had a hard time figuring out what stitch I left off with… she has you do a stockinette stitch which is a knit row followed by a purled row, then repeating until the end of your project. My mistakes are the ridges that you see down the side of the bonnet. I do have to say they are a happy mistake though… some how I managed to evenly space them out.

I totally did not mean to do that on purpose but it worked out very well.

I can’t wait until I can start my next knitted project!

You can find the pattern for the Caleb Bonnet by following these links!

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/PETALKNITS

Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/173911

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/tracie-taggart

 

Make sure to check her out on Facebook too!

 

Pattern Test for Melody’s Makings – 01

I am happy to share this pattern test with you all. It’s for a designer that I know that I have mentioned before but haven’t I haven’t shared a pattern test with you all yet. So, here is the first one for my friend Melody and Melody’s Makings! I have done pattern tests for her before and I have also done a couple of her Create-a-Longs that she hosts. She is a designer that does both crochet and knit. She has an awesome How-to-Knitting series on her blog that I have been following and plan on sharing my creation with with you soon so, keep your eyes out for this soon!

Anyways when she posted that she needed some testers for this little hat, I just had to do it! It’s so adorable with it’s puff balls and the diamond pattern going around the crown of the hat. I don’t usually do pieces that have that kind of detail on them, so this was a fun thing for me.

One thing that I love about her patterns is that she does a crochet and a knit version for a lot of her patterns! When I was first introduced to her work she had a larger portion of knitted patterns then crochet. At that time I hadn’t even picked up a set of knitting needles but it didn’t stop me from getting some of her knitting patterns.

Then when she revamped her website and added her How-to Knit series on her blog I was really excited! I have been working with that series and can’t wait to test/work on one of her knitted patterns!

Make sure to check out all of her awesome stuff on the following sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelodysMakings

Website: http://melodys-makings.com/

Website – Crochet: http://melodys-makings.com/shop/double-puff-earflap-hat-crochet-pattern/
Website – Knit: http://melodys-makings.com/shop/double-puff-earflap-hat-knit-pattern/

Ravelry – Crochet: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-puff-earflap-hat-crochet-pattern
Ravelry – Knit: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-puff-earflap-hat-knit-pattern

Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter if you haven’t already! As a bonus to getting her awesome emails you will also get some pretty fun patterns for Free!