Crochet: Triple-Strand Earflap Hats for the Family (New Pattern)

Aren't the seasons the perfect length? Each one lasts just long enough for us to savor it while not taking it for granted and then the next one is peeking around the corner. I love the changes. Especially the transition to Fall. 

I'm ready to start thinking about getting cozy with rich colors and textures and some extra layers. Which is why I'm releasing this crochet hat pattern now. So there is plenty of time to make some comfy earflap hats for cooler weather. 

This Triple-Strand Earflap Hat was designed to be an instant gratification project. It's worked with three strands of yarn at once and a big fat crochet hook (Q 15.75mm!) so it goes really quickly. And I've designed it to be worked as one continual piece--no annoying (to me anyway) fastening off and re-attaching your yarn for the earflaps. No seaming in the end! In a few evenings you could have hats for your whole family! Or all of your friends.

These crochet earflap hats are great for siblings. There are so many ways to make them unique: different yarn combinations, contrast edging, embellishments. The possibilities are endless.

They work for babies too. Everybody's ears will stay warm from Fall to Spring.

The Triple-Strand Earflap Hat Crochet Pattern includes nine different sizes for heads measuring 14" to 24":

• Baby sizes small, medium and large
• Child sizes small, medium and large
• Adult sizes small, medium and large

Of course heads come in all shapes and sizes so while it's best to start with head circumference, the height of the head will affect the fit too. I've provided circumference measurements for every size as well as hat height to help you find the best fit. This hat will certainly stretch too, especially if you have a little one like mine who enjoys tugging on the earflaps. I think it's cute fitted as well as a bit oversized. 

I've also included several options for embellishing these hats. You can make a basic earflap hat or add:

• contrasting edging
• tassels
• pom-poms
• braids
• a flower embellishment such as a felted crochet flower or a Ruffled Rose (pictured above), which is included in the pattern.

Pair it with an Arm Knit Infinity Cowl, or a matching crochet scarf. You could gift it as a set with an Easy Baby Afghan too. (The afghan calls for a bulky yarn but you could substitute the yarn you used for the hat and follow the same instructions.)

To make an earflap hat you'll need:

• 3 skeins of worsted weight (category 4/medium) yarn. (I like to use a mix of different fibers because I love the texture it creates and the mix of hues.)
• A size "Q" 15.74 mm crochet hook
• An evening!

The pattern has concise instructions to print for each size as well as full-color photo tutorials for the construction techniques and embellishments.

Lots of gift ideas coming your way. This could be the year you and I are ahead of schedule. For once!

You can purchase the Triple-Strand Earflap Hat Pattern in my Etsy Shop.

Crochet: Easy Baby Afghan Again

Crochet? I can hardly believe it. It seems like forever since I've managed to finish a yarn project and post about. But it's been on the brain. I've been working on this blanket for some time. That's the nice thing about crochet for me--I can roll up the project and drop it into a bag and pull it out again when I have a few minutes. It's forgiving that way.

I started this blanket when I heard a new nephew was on his way and finished it for him to practice sitting on. I guess that's not too late. This Easy Baby Afghan is too heavy for swaddling. It's exaggerated stitches make it perfect as a stroller blanket, play mat, or nap blanket. Not to mention nursery accessory!

I made a couple blankets for this boy's older brother when he was born (this one and this one) and I wanted little brother to have a handmade one of his own. Since the weather is now chilly I decided to add a little something extra to this gift: a coordinating ear flap hat.

I made some of these in adult sizes for my entire family a few years ago for Christmas but can't find my notes. Hmpf. But I'm starting with an infant size with plans to go all the way up. A family of ear flap hats. Pattern soon. Hopefully in time for the holidays. Fingers crossed.

This blanket and hat were made with Berroco Comfort Chunky (Cadet, Dusk and Barley), just like the original. I love this yarn. I just stocked up on some for two more blankets for my girls. It's a bit of an investment, but hopefully these blankets will be around a long time.

You can find the tutorial for this Easy Baby Afghan here.

Sewing: Corduroy Rose Bloomers

Have I mentioned that I am a finisher? I am. I can't wait to finish whatever it is I am working on so I can move on to the next thing on my list. This is not to say that I don't enjoy what I'm doing at a given moment--it's more about the excitement I feel about the other things waiting for me. So I love Elsie Marley's KCWC. It's so tempting to see if I can buckle down and get some clothing sewn.

It's Tuesday and I have something to show for it. Yippee!

I took some of the corduroy I purchased a few weeks ago (I bought this floral from this Etsy shop) when I was in a Fall mood and made Tess a pair of Fall bloomers. These are from my Summer Set pattern and I've been wanting to make them in a cozier version. I think Bloomers with tights or leggings are great on kids when it's cooler, don't you? Some women can pull this off too, but I'm not among them, so I'll stick with enjoying this look on my girls.

I love the idea of quickly sewing some things to add to my girls' closets for Fall, so I'm going to try and keep up with the blogland momentum this week. More corduroy pants and some velvet something.... If only I could be knitting or crocheting at the same time. It would be so fun to have a little cardigan to go with these shorts. Maybe I'll get there. But the Sedge Stitch Cowl works for now. And Tess likes it too.

Aren't these gold Fall flowers the greatest? I picked some of them--they literally grow like weeds--for Scarlett's birthday party last Fall. I can't get enough of being outdoors! Especially the since it's warmed again just a bit. Even Tess jumps up and down when she hears me say, "hike." "Hike?! Hike?!" she says? Such the adventurer.

 I hope you're happily sewing or doing something else to celebrate Fall this week!

Party: Coral Chevron Dot Birthday for Tess

Seems like we just celebrated Tess's first birthday, but here we are: she is two already! And quite the advanced two at that. I think she is trying to keep up with her sisters so our days involve a lot of acrobatics!

To celebrate, we had family over for a summer evening dinner, which I set up with a Chevron Dot theme. This was the feminine version of the theme I put together for a baby boy shower last year and it was so much fun to indulge a new palette of coral, pink, orange, grey, yellow and white.

Along with some new colors, I added a few new ideas, such as the yarn pom pom bouquets on the dining tables and felted wool bead bracelets as party favors.

I redid the chevron paper-covered mini composition books as party favors too because I think they are too cute and work for any guest! Found coordinating mechanical pencils at Target. I love lining trays and wrapping vessels with the chevron patterned paper. It's such an easy way to add some extra color.

Speaking of color, that is really the point of large vases filled with gumballs though my nephews and nieces enjoyed filling their cheeks with them too.

Tess wore a wool bead necklace to match the polka dot bunting I stitched on her Dirndl Skirt apron. It turned out to be a great and practical party outfit. The apron stayed tied (because it is integrated), the necklace was comfortable and fun for her to wear, and I didn't mind if she stained the basic white t-shirt! I love this super-full skirt on her short little legs!

For dinner we served a romaine salad with yellow and red cherry tomatoes, feta and a lemon-garlic dressing; chicken tenderloins marinated in coconut milk, peanut butter and jalapeno; couscous; grilled asparagus; peaches, raspberries and blueberries; Izze sodas (mostly because they are so fun to look at!), and water.

Oh, and of course: birthday cake! I wasn't sure what kind I was making until a day or two before, but I fell back to one of my favorite lemon buttermilk cake recipes but made the buttercream frosting vanilla flavored. I had been thinking about some ways to use the Chevron Dot theme on the cake but decided to let those go instead of trying to learn some new skills. So I piped dots of sorts using a pastry tube with no tip.

It was a perfect evening despite a summer storm, which drove us indoors. The storm was a nice little finale for our celebration. There is nothing better than a party with family and friends and a good reason to celebrate! I think it's important to enjoy these high points, store them up, so I tried to soak it all up.

Happy birthday to Tess!

(If you are interested in some party printables with this theme you can find them here in my Etsy shop. I've included materials for a baby shower or a birthday with multiple versions of the edit-able invitation.)