My First Giveaway!

The Prize: Crochet Garden

Hey Rockers! 

I am hosting my first giveaway in honor of reaching 1000+ fans on Facebook. I passed the 1000 mark on January 2nd, a good omen for 2014. Then I took a little impromptu survey on Friday to see what you all wanted me to give away. A fun crochet book won out! 

I chose Crochet Garden by Suzann Thompson. It's a sweet book with lots of fun patterns for flowers, leaves and other fun floral pieces. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do. I wanted to be sure I offered a prize that I knew was tested and found to be delightful! 

Enter my giveaway here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Or purchase a copy of the book here: Crochet Garden 
(I don't get any kickbacks from recommending this book. I just really like it.)

Rock the hook. And the book!

xx

Don't forget to rock with me over at Facebook, Pinterest and on Ravelry.

Happy New Year!

Entwine Magazine January Cover

Happy New Year Rockers!

2013 was a great year for me personally and for Crochet Rochelle too. My passion for crochet grows daily, as does my idea list for new patterns and projects. There are not enough hours in a day for me to pursue all that I want to accomplish in my crochet work...not if my family wants dinner and clean clothes anyway.

In 2013 I tried new techniques, followed other crochet designers' progress and sites, made some new crochet friends on Ravelry and Facebook, and grew my little blog and Facebook page little bit by little bit. Yesterday, I crossed the 1,000+ fans mark on Facebook and that was very cool.

In October, I received an email from the owner and editor of Entwine Magazine (then called Inspired) asking if I would like to submit a pattern for publication in one of their 2014 issues. I was stunned. And delighted! I did a little dance. Made a little noise. My hubby rolled his eyes, in a supportive way.

I had just finished creating a new hat pattern called the Amelia Cloche that I planned to publish on my blog, inspired by my great-grandma and the style of the 1920's and 30's. So I thought, "hey, why not submit and see what happens?" I called my dearest friend and personal photographer Lisa (Hey Girl!) and begged for help photographing the new hat.

The divine Miss M.

Lucky for me, she also has an adorable 5 year old daughter who was perfect as our model. (And extremely patient.) One thing led to another and the pattern was ready, photos were taken and the whole thing sent off to Entwine Magazine.

Long story short - I landed a spot in the January 2014 issue. Then as icing on my cupcake, the editor emailed me right before New Year's and asked if they could use one of Lisa's images for their cover! Sweetness. That is all. So yeah, I have a pattern published in a digital crochet magazine that other people can purchase and subscribe to. I'm in crochet heaven. Want the pattern?

You can purchase a copy of Entwine Magazine's January issue here -> http://entwinemagazine.com/

Or like them on Facebook here -> https://www.facebook.com/entwinecrochetmagazine

[Come February, I'll have the pattern available for purchase on Ravelry. I'll keep you posted on that too.]

2014 is shaping up to be a fabulous year for me. And I expect it to be wonderful for you too! Here's to crochet, rocking the hook and trying new things this year! Thank you so much for sticking with me, following my blog, my Facebook page, Pinterest boards and Twitter feed. It's very humbling to have such a fabulous fan base and people who look forward to what I come up with next. I love sharing crochet with you!


Rock the hook.

xx

Don't forget to rock with me over at Facebook, Pinterest and on Ravelry.

Pretty Girl Beanie

Hey Crochet Rockers!

I love a great beanie. And really, who doesn’t? For me a great beanie is easy to crochet, versatile and wearable. Since I have two active little boys and an outdoorsy husband, we go through the beanies like crazy. But I don’t often get the chance to make pretty beanies since I am the only girl in the house – and we crocheters seldom make stuff for ourselves. Am I right?

After I posted the Pretty Baby Beanie, I received lots of positive feedback and plenty of oohs and ahhs on Facebook and a few on Ravelry too! Upon special request from a child hood friend who saw the baby version on Facebook, I created a larger version of the original pattern with instructions for making sizes 6 months to Adult!  I also included two alternate ways to finish off the band and scallop edging of the beanie. The 1st one creates a looser fit and larger scallops. The 2nd version creates a tighter fit and smaller scallops – both are easy and adorable!

(I also made her one too and sent it off to its new beanie home. A SHOUT-OUT to my friend Rachelle N. for the request and inspiration!)

Here’s my version of a simple beanie that is easy to crochet and so pretty to wear or share! I hope you enjoy it. As always, should you have any questions about this pattern (or find any errors) – please email me, message me on Ravelry or comment on this post.

If you like this beanie, you can find the Pretty Baby Beanie here. It's for size 0 - 3 months.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue.

Size: 6 months to Adult

Skill Level: Easy

Materials:
Caron Simply Soft yarn (any two colors) or Red Heart Soft (any two colors)
Yarn/tapestry needle
Hook size: H/5.00mm
(If you use Red Heart, you may want to change to an I/5.50mm hook.)

Key:
CC = change color
CH = chain
SC = single crochet
HDC = half double crochet
DC = double crochet
JOIN = slip stitch to first st of round
Magic Ring = tutorial here
RND = round
SL ST = slip stitch
SK = skip

Gauge:
5 DC = 1" (length)
2 Rows = 1" (height)

Notes:
Chains do not count as stitches in this pattern.
Join your round to the first DC, not your chain.
Start your first stitch of each round in the same space as your chain/s.
If your beanie is too short, add a few extra rows of “dc around” to add height. (ex: Rnd 6 in 6 mos. pattern)

Instructions:

6 months
Rnd 1: Magic Ring, dc 10, join.
Rnd 2: Ch2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (20 DC)
Rnd 3: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 1], repeat around, join. (30 DC)
Rnd 4: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 2], repeat around, join. (40 DC)
Rnd 5: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 3], repeat around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 7 – 8: Repeat Rnd 6.
Proceed to desired finish version.

12 months – 2T
Rnd 1: Magic Ring, dc 10, join.
Rnd 2: Ch2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (20 DC)
Rnd 3: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 1], repeat around, join. (30 DC)
Rnd 4: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 2], repeat around, join. (40 DC)
Rnd 5: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 3], repeat around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 6: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 9], repeat around, join. (55 DC)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc around, join. (55 DC)
Rnd 8 – 9: Repeat Rnd 7.
Proceed to desired finish version.

Toddler – Preschool (3T – 4T)
Rnd 1: Magic Ring, dc 10, join.
Rnd 2: Ch2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (20 DC)
Rnd 3: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 1], repeat around, join. (30 DC)
Rnd 4: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 2], repeat around, join. (40 DC)
Rnd 5: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 3], repeat around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 6: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 4], repeat around, join. (60 DC)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc around, join. (60 DC)
Rnd 8 – 10: Repeat Rnd 7.
Proceed to desired finish version.

Child
Rnd 1: Magic Ring, dc 10, join.
Rnd 2: Ch2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (20 DC)
Rnd 3: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 1], repeat around, join. (30 DC)
Rnd 4: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 2], repeat around, join. (40 DC)
Rnd 5: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 3], repeat around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 6: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 4], repeat around, join. (60 DC)
Rnd 7: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 11], repeat around, join. (65 DC)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc around, join. (65 DC)
Rnd 9 – 12: Repeat Rnd 8.
Proceed to desired finish version.

Teen (Small Adult)
Rnd 1: Magic Ring, dc 10, join.
Rnd 2: Ch2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (20 DC)
Rnd 3: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 1], repeat around, join. (30 DC)
Rnd 4: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 2], repeat around, join. (40 DC)
Rnd 5: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 3], repeat around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 6: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 4], repeat around, join. (60 DC)
Rnd 7: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 5], repeat around, join. (70 DC)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc around, join. (70 DC)
Rnd 9 – 13: Repeat Rnd 8.
Proceed to desired finish version.

Adult (Medium Adult)
Rnd 1: Magic Ring, dc 10, join.
Rnd 2: Ch2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (20 DC)
Rnd 3: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 1], repeat around, join. (30 DC)
Rnd 4: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 2], repeat around, join. (40 DC)
Rnd 5: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 3], repeat around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 6: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 4], repeat around, join. (60 DC)
Rnd 7: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 5], repeat around, join. (70 DC)
Rnd 8: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 13], repeat around, join. (75 DC)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc around, join. (75 DC)
Rnd 10 – 14: Repeat Rnd 9.
Proceed to desired finish version.

Adult (Large/X-Large)
Rnd 1: Magic Ring, dc 10, join.
Rnd 2: Ch2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (20 DC)
Rnd 3: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 1], repeat around, join. (30 DC)
Rnd 4: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 2], repeat around, join. (40 DC)
Rnd 5: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 3], repeat around, join. (50 DC)
Rnd 6: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 4], repeat around, join. (60 DC)
Rnd 7: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 5], repeat around, join. (70 DC)
Rnd 8: Ch2, [2 dc in next stitch, dc 6], repeat around, join. (80 DC)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc around, join. (80 DC)
Rnd 10 – 15: Repeat Rnd 9.
Proceed to desired finish version.

 Version 1:
This version creates a looser band fit around the forehead and a larger scallop.
CC = alternate color
3 Rnds of: Ch 2, HDC around, join.
CC = primary color
1 Rnd of: Ch 1, skip next 2 sts, 7 DC in next st, skip next 2 sts, [sl st in next, skip 2, 7 DC in next, skip 2] repeat around. SC in last sp, join.
Finish, weave ends.

Version 2:
This version creates a tighter band fit around the forehead and a smaller scallop.
CC = alternate color
4 Rnds of: Ch 1, SC around, join.
CC = primary color
1 Rnd of: Ch 1, skip next st, 5 DC in next st, skip next st, [sl st in next, skip 1, 5 DC in next, skip 1] repeat around. SC in last sp, join.
Finish, weave ends.

 
Optional Embellishment:

I crocheted flowers to add to my beanies using the following free pattern:
Crocodile Stitch Flower, Free Pattern from B.hooked Crochet

You could also use buttons, silk flowers, fabric flowers, ribbons or other fun accents to adorn this sweet beanie. Be creative!

And here I am modeling the Pretty Girl Beanie!

Rock the hook.

xx

Don't forget to rock with me over at Facebook, Pinterest and on Ravelry.