About Me

-------CHECK US OUT AT FACEBOOK.COM/LITTLEHCROCHET ------- My darling daughter, Little h, has inspired many projects. I design and make custom crochet and paper products for babies and children. I also do some for adults, you just have to ask. Because all of my items are custom made, I have no stock inventory. When you request an item from Little h, it is made lovingly with you in mind. Each item is a work of its own, and while there may be others like it, nothing will ever be exactly the same. Check out my Just Photos page. To request an item, simply email me at littlehcustomdesigns@gmail.com and ask about it or see my Order Form page. You can be as specific or as vague as you like. Don't be afraid to request something you don't see on my blog; I love to try out new things and I can most likely make whatever you want. If I can't, I can point you in the direction of someone who can. I also share my projects with other crafters- I publish some of my original patterns here (check out my Patterns page) as well as on ravelry.com. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Check out my pages for additional info.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Baby/Toddler V-Strap Shoes- The tutorial!

This is my first ever public tutorial. Please give it a try and send me some feedback!!! Email me at littlehcustomdesigns@gmail.com with questions or feedback. Do what you wish with your creations- you may sell them, but please give credit in person or online. Link to this blog- littlehcustomdesigns.blogspot.com. Thanks and enjoy!
The finished pair.

Cuuuuuuute!

They fit!



BABY/TODDLER V-STRAP SHOES

H Hook
Vanna's Choice Yarn- Color A (Co. A)
Vanna's Choise Yarn- Color B (Co. B)
2 Buttons (Size not specified- Can make button hole to fit)
Yarn Needle

Stitches Used:
ch
sl st
sc
sc decrease
hdc
dc decrease

I've seen a few versions of this type of shoe, but I couldn't find a free pattern. I wasn't going to pay for it- and neither should you! This is what I came up with. Hope you like them!

I made these for my 10 month old. She wears a size 4 toddler shoe (big for her age), so this pattern is written to that size. To make different sizes, see the end notes. If you have any questions along the way, let me know! And if you do make these, PLEASE send me pics! I'd love to see. Contact me at littlehcustomdesigns@gmail.com

SHOE: Worked in one piece (except the strap) and worked from sole up. JOIN always means join with sl st to beginning st of that round, ch 1. Ch 1 does not count as a st. First st of each round is done in same st as joining. Do not turn unless specified. IEN: means “in each of next.”

SOLE
With Co. A, ch 11 tightly.

R1: 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc IEN 8 chs. 6 sc in last ch. Now, turn and work around the opposite side of original ch (see picture). 1 sc IEN 8 chs; join. (26 sts)
18 sts completed- turning around to work opposite side of ch.

R2: 2 sc IEN 4 sc. 1 sc IEN 8 sc, 2 sc IEN 6 sc, 1 sc IEN 8 sc; join. (36 sts)
R3: *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc*, repeat a total of 4 times, 1 sc IEN 8 sc, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc*, repeat a total of 2 times *2 hdc in next sc, 1 hdc in next sc*, repeat a total of 2 times, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc*, repeat a total of 2 times, 1 sc IEN 8 sc; join. (46 sts)
R4: *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc IEN 2 sc*, repeat total of 4 times, 1 sc IEN 8 sc, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc IEN 2 sc*, repeat total of 2 times, *2 hdc in next, 1 hdc IEN 2*, repeat total of 2 times, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc IEN 2 sc*, repeat total of 2 times,1 sc IEN 8 sc; join. (56 sts)
R5: 1 sc in each st around; join and CH 2 with Co. B (56 sts)
Finished sole with Co. B joined in.

SHOE

R6: 1 hdc in each st around IN BACK LOOPS ONLY; join and turn. (56 sts)
R7: 1 sc in each st around; join and turn. (56 sts)
R8: 1 sc IEN 27 sc, dc decrease 10 times/ in next 20 scs, 1 sc IEN 11 sc; join and turn. (46 sts)
R9: 1 sc in each st around; join and turn. (46 sts)
R10: *1 sc IEN 2 sc, sc decrease*, repeat a total of 4 times, sc IEN 11 sc, sc decrease, 1 sc IEN 6 sc, sc decrease, 1 sc IEN 9 sc; join and fasten off. (40 sts)
Finished shoe.

STRAP

First, you will need to figure out how large a button hole you need. Ch about 15 and then wrap this ch around the middle of your button (see picture). Count how many chs it takes, then subtract one. For me, it took 7 chs, so I subtracted one to get 6. This is the number you will add into [this space] below.
Measuring the button.

Join Co. B with sl st to top of the first (or second for right shoe) sc decrease you made on the toe of the last row of the shoe. Ch 20, then [6] more for a ch of 20 + [your number] total. Being careful not to wind the ch, sl st in 20th ch from joining and in each ch across. You will end up with 20 sl sts with a circle of chs at the top (see picture). Sl st in the sc to the left of joining and fasten off.
The whole strap and button hole- it's a little oddly shaped from being yanked and chewed. But it still works!

Counting clockwise (or counter-clockwise for right shoe) around the toe, go 12 sts up the side from the st where you joined in your strap. Pull strap through the top of the next (or 13th) st from inside to outside.
Strap placement- left shoe.

BUTTON

Sew on button so that the top of it is just below the top of your shoe. It should be sewn on 10 sts to the right (or counter-clockwise) from where you joined your strap. Mine took up the 11th and 12th sts. For right shoe, just reverse directions.
\Side view of button- left shoe.

END NOTES:

Sew in all ends. To make a slightly bigger or smaller size, use a bigger or smaller hook. To make size 3-12 months, start with a ch of 9 instead of 11, skip R4 of the sole, skip R7 of the shoe, and subtract 2 sts from both of the sides of the shoe on Rows 8, 9, and 10. To make size 3-4T (size 5 or 6 shoe), start with a ch of 13, continue in increasing pattern for one more row after R4, do Rows 7 and 9 twice each, and add 2 sts to both sides of the shoe on Rows 8, 9, and 10. You will have to adjust the strap placement accordingly. Contact me at littlehcustomdesigns@gmail.com with any questions!

HATS!

I know August is a little early to be doing hats, but hey. They're fun and cute. Plus, if I get like 5 million orders, I can get them done in time for cold weather ;-) Keep in mind these can be made in any size and color. Hats with ears are soon to come!

Here are some old ones and some new ones...

H's First Hat! Hard to see, but it's a little beanie with scalloped edging. She was so tiny, no hats would fit her!

My favorite H hat.
Big E and his blue hat!

Star stitch hat- I didn't make that flower- FYI.
Butterfly Hat!

Original pattern from http://vallieskids.blogspot.com/.
Baby Butterfly Hat


And one more in a size too big... Guess who that one's for...
The Cool Kid Hat.

Modeling for a little boy...


And lastly, a teeny weeny cool kid hat.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Gifts for the kiddos

We welcomed a new little boy to the family recently and (of course) this warranted a few new gifts for him and his big brother and sister. Congrats, A and A!

For the new little guy...

A zig-zag puff stitch blanket.

The hubs picked out the yarn colors for this project :-)

For the new big brother.... An octagon ball!

(Guaranteed to not cause excessive damage when thrown against a table, wall, or baby's head.)

And for the fearless leader- a purse as cute and sassy as she is.
Original pattern from: http://www.tangledhappy.com