Candy Corn Love

Hiya Crochet Rockers!

Wonder what I've been up to lately? Oh you know, just getting my sugar on with some candy corn love! I really can't help it. I even tried to join CCLA (Candy Corn Lovers Anonymous). They said I was too far gone and would need medical help. Tell me something I don't know.

Kids Candy Corn Beanie

For those of you who don't know, I do have a day job. I am the content manager for a cute little company, who happens to own some cute little websites, one of which I am addicted to. It's probably a good thing I work for the site, otherwise my boss would wonder why I spend so much time there.

Baby Candy Corn Hat

One of the coolest parts of my job: my boss asked me to start creating original crochet patterns for the site back in May of this year. So when I am not managing content, I am crocheting - and they pay me to do this! Can you believe that? What a sweet gig right? 

Adult Candy Corn Slippers

Anyhow, I figured you might want to know what I do when I am not lurking on Facebook or spinning on Pinterest. If you are interested in making these patterns, they are published free over at Craftown. Just click on the title below the picture to take you to the pattern.

As always, I would love your feedback and comments. Also, if you run into a pattern glitch or whoopsie, just shoot me an email via the contact me form or email me at crochetrochelle@gmail.com.

xx

My First Attempt At Knitting

I did it. I finally attempted to knit a small hat for my youngest son. I have to say, honestly, it felt so foreign! I was literally all thumbs.

It was as if someone replaced my nimble crochet fingers with gigantic bulbous appendages. My hands would not obey me or even meet me half way.

My efforts weren't a complete waste of time as the hat turned out "okay." And it fit the intended head.

Will I be knitting anytime soon? Probably not. I am buried in special orders...which is a delightful problem to have!

I may attempt knitting again after the first of the year. Ah well, I did try. Enjoy the picture and my adorable model.

xx

Kids Pirate Beanie

Last week, my oldest son requested I crochet him a pirate beanie. Really? A pirate beanie? Yikes! I wasn’t sure my skills were quite up to that level yet, but I figured “Arrrr!, why not?” 

So in the spirit of pillaging and plundering, I began my quest to design a simple beanie pattern that was quick and easy. I also had to figure out how to crochet a skull and cross bones applique. The pattern below is what I came up with!

I think my favorite part of this pattern (besides the toothy skull) is the simplicity of this beanie. It works up easy and the result is a nice snug beanie for chilly autumn mornings.

Here in Idaho, Halloween night is usually pretty cold, so we do a lot of our trick or treating in and out of cars, creeping along the edge of sidewalks in our favorite neighborhoods.

The other option is to dress like the abominable snowman or Eskimos every year, and that gets old fast. It’s just too chilly for the little ones to walk around outdoors in the cold night air. So my other thought is: you could add some earflaps to this and use it in a pirate costume for Halloween, and keep little heads and ears toasty warm. I hope you like the pattern.

This beanie will fit kids, ages 4 – 10 years (about 21" circumference). See my note at the bottom to make this pattern smaller or larger.

Difficulty: Easy

Materials: Red Heart Yarn; Black, White

Hook size: H/5.00mm

Key:

CH = chain

SC = single crochet

HDC = half double crochet

DC = double crochet

TC = triple crochet

SL ST = slip stitch

SP = space

CC = change color

Instructions:

Rnd 1: Magic Ring, Ch 2 (does not count as stitch here and throughout pattern), hdc 10, sl st to join. (10 hdc) DO NOT TURN.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around, sl st to join. (20 hdc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next st] repeat around, sl st to join. (30 hdc)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (40 hdc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (50 hdc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (60 hdc)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (70 hdc)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st to join. (70 hdc)

Rnd 9 – 20: Repeat Rnd 8. Finish, weave in ends.

CC = White

Skull

Ch 12.

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, ch1, [skip next sp, dc, ch1] 2 times, dc 2 to end.

Row 2: Ch 3, turn. [skip next sp, dc, ch1] 3 times, dc 2 to end.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc 3, ch 4, skip 3 sp, sc 3 in last 3 sp to end.

Row 4: Ch 8, turn. Dc 2 in ch 4 sp from previous row, ch 8, sl st to last sp of previous row.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. [Sc 2, hdc, dc 8] in ch 8 sp from previous row, hdc 2 in dc sp from previous row, [dc 8, hdc, sc 2] in ch 8 sp from previous row, sl st to last sp of previous row to finish.

Finish, leave about 16” tail to sew skull on to hat.

Cross Bones (make 2)

Ch 19, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook (same space as first sl st),

Row 1: sl st in each ch across (should be 15). Ch 3, sl st in 3^rd sp from hook, ch 3, sl st in 3^rd sp from hook (same sp as first sl st).

Finish, leave a 12” tail to sew bones on to hat.

Sew Applique

Decide on placement for skull and cross bones. I use quilting pins to hold my applique in place until I have it sewed; otherwise I find it shifts on me while I am trying to sew it on. Using a yarn needle and the tails, sew skull and cross bones to the hat. (See image for placement.)

Notes:

For a longer length or to add a little slouch, continue repeating Rnd 8 to desired length.

To make a smaller hat, stop increasing pattern at Rnd 5 or 6 and skip to Rnd 8, continuing with the number of stitches you created in previous round.

To make a larger hat, continue increasing pattern after Rnd 7 a few more rounds until desired circumference is achieved. Then continue from Rnd 8 (with the same number of stitches as last increase round) until desired length is achieved.

You are all done! Enjoy.

xx