Starry, Starry Night

I am making this one now for a friend (almost finished, but the pic is of a finished blanket)

Starry, Starry Night

I designed this beautiful and unusual afghan while I was waiting for the birth of my second child. It was very pleasing to work on as the due date drew nearer and nearer - then passed! I began to worry that he wasn’t coming until his blanket was ready, but he proved he was just taking his own sweet time by waiting an entire week after I’d finished it to grace us with his presence. Years later it is still cherished by my dear little boy, and I hope you’ll love it, too.

IMPORTANT: To complete this design, you will need to reference the pattern for Beth’s Little Star Afghan (which is not my pattern) and the Gapless Star Applique (which is mine, but has been posted on another page).

Difficulty: Advanced Intermediate for shaping and assembly

Materials
*Red Heart Soft Baby - (575 yd/525 m per 7 oz/198 g skein) 1 skein White, 1 skein Sky Blue, 1/2 skein Powder Yellow
*F/5 (3.75 mm) hook
*Yarn Needle

Finished Size: From tip of one point to the dent directly opposite, this afghan measures approximately 34″ across.

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease
rnd(s) = round(s)
sk = skip
sl st = slip st
st(s) = stitch(es)
US pattern conventions used.

Directions:

Note - The pattern for Beth’s Little Star directs you to chain 3 stitches after joining each round. I recommend chaining 2 to avoid an obvious extra gap.

Rnds 1-10: With yellow, begin by following pattern for Beth’s Little star and work as directed.
Rnd 11: Make the sl st with the yellow, but switch to blue for the ch-2 (or ch-3, if you are working the pattern as written). Finish off yellow, continue rnd in blue as directed.
Rnds 12-23: Work as directed.
Cloud Border
Edit: Because several people have asked this question, I will answer it here: you are supposed to use both versions of the cloud border, they are intended to go on different sections of the star.
Do not finish off blue: blue will remain unworked until after border is completed. There are two separate designs for the cloudy border, one is worked from the center of the star outwards to the tip, and the other is worked from the tip towards the center dent.

Center to Tip:
Row 1: With white, join in first dc after center (the bottom of the “V” formed by the points of the star). Working in the front loop only, dc across until 4 dc remain on that leg of the star. [Dc dec] twice, ch 2 and turn.
Row 2: (Now working through both loops,) sk the first st, dc dec, dc in next st, dc dec. Dc across until 4 dc remain, [dc dec] twice. Do not ch, turn.
Rows 3-4: Sk first 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st. Ch 2, dc dec across next 2 sts. Dc across to last 4 sts, [dc dec] twice. Do not ch, turn.
Row 5: [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, ch 2. Dc dec across next 2 sts, dc across until 4 sts remain. [Dc dec] twice, do not ch, turn.
Row 6: [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, finish off.

Tip to Center:
Row 1: With white, join in first dc after ch-2 at the tip of a point. Ch 2, and working through front loops only, dc across until 4 dc remain in leg. [Dc dec] twice, do not ch, turn.
Row 2: (Now working through both loops,) sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st.Ch 2, dc across until 4 sts remain. [Dc dc] twice, ch 3, turn.
Row 3: Sk 3 sts, sl st in next st. Ch 2, dc dec across next 2 sts. Dc across until 4 sts remain, [dc dec] twice. Do not ch, turn.
Row 4: [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, ch 2, dc dec across next 2 sts. Dc across to within 4 sts of end, [dc dec] twice. Ch 2, turn.
Row 5: Dc dec, sl st in next st. [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, finish off.

Repeat cloud motifs around until each leg of the star has a cloudy border. Fold clouds forward (onto the right side of the afghan) and sew down flat. Weave in ends. Now, go back to working around!

Rnd 24: Make sl st with blue, and switch to white for the ch-2. Finish off blue. Continue rnd as directed, being sure to work through both loops of rnd 23 (Yes, that does mean the loops you already used to attach the clouds).
Rnds 25 - 31: Work as directed.
Finish off, weave in ends. To complete afghan, make some star appliques and distribute as desired. (Example shown used 5 small stars, 5 medium stars, and 2 large stars.)

Baby Boy Tux

I made this about two years ago, I haven't made the pants yet, but the jacket is just too adorable to not post!

size 0-3 months

Materials:
8 oz 4 ply yarn
2 buttons for jacket
rose bud
yarn needle
Elastic for pants

Row 1: ch 51, hdc in 3rd ch from hook & in each ch across, ch 2, turn (50 sts)
Rows 2-8: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (50sts)
Right Front:
Row 9: hdc in next 11 sts, ch 2 turn (12 sts)
Row 10: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (12 sts)
Row 11: hdc in next 10 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (11 sts)
Row 12: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (11 sts)
Row 13: hdc in next 9 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (10 sts)
Row 14: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (10 sts)
Row 15: hdc in next 8 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (9 sts)
Row 16: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (9 sts)
Row 17:hdc in next 7 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (8 sts)
Row 18: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (8 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail to sew shoulder seam.
Back Center:
Row 9: Attach yarn in next open st beside right front, ch 2, hdc in next 25 sts, ch 2, turn (26 sts)
Rows 10-18: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (26 sts)
Fasten off at end of row 18
Left Front:
Row 9: Attach yarn in first open st beside bottom back piece, ch 2, hdc in next 11 sts, ch 2, turn (12 sts)
Row 10: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (12 sts)
Row 11: hdc in next 10 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (11 sts)
Row 12: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (11 sts)
Row 13: hdc in next 9 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (10 sts)
Row 14: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (10 sts)
Row 15: hdc in next 8 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (9 sts)
Row 16: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (9 sts)
Row 17:hdc in next 7 sts leaving ch 2 st unworked, ch 2, turn (8 sts)
Row 18: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (8 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail to sew shoulder seam
First tail:
with wrong side facing & jacket up side down working in free loops of beginning ch, attach yarn in 13th st, ch 2, hdc in next 11 sts, ch 2, turn (12 sts)
Rows 2-10: hdc across in each st leaving last st unworked, ch 2 turn
Row 11: hdc across in each st leaving last st unworked, ch 1 turn
Row 12: sc in last st, fasten off
Second Tail:
Row 1: attaching yarn in first open st beside first tail, ch 2, hdc in next 11 sts, ch 2, turn, (12 sts)
Rows 2-10: hdc across in each st leaving last st unworked, ch 2 turn
Row 11: hdc across in each st leaving last st unworked, ch 1 turn
Row 12: sc in last st, fasten off
Sleeves:
Row 1: Attach yarn at bottom center st of arm hole, ch 2, work 20 hdc evenly around opening, join to top of ch 2, ch 2, turn (21 sts)
Row 2-10: hdc in each st around, join, ch 2, turn (21 sts)
Row 11: hdc in each st around, join, ch 1, *do not turn* (21 sts)
Row 12: rsc in each st around, join fasten off,
Repeat for second sleeve.
Jacket Trim:
attach yarn at bottom left corner of jacket opening, ch 1, work 27 sc up left side of jacket, sc in each st across neck edge, work 27 sc down right side of jacket, ch 1 working in free loops of beginning ch, sc in each st to first tail, work 16 sc down side of tail, hdc in tip of tail, work 16 sc up side of tail, sl st in center st between two tails, work 16 sc down side of tail, hdc in tip of tail, work 16 sc up side of tail, sc in remaining free loops , ch 1, join to first sc at jacket corner, Fasten off.
Collar:
Row 1: Working in back loops for this row only, attach yarn in 5th st from top of jacket front, ch 2, hdc in same sp as ch 2, hdc around neck and in first 4 sts of jacket front, 2 hdc in 5th st of jacket front, ch 2, turn
Row 2-5: hdc in base of ch 2, hdc in each st around to last st, 2 hdc in last st, ch 2 turn
Fasten off at end of row 5.
Left Breast Collar:
Work in back loops of jacket edge only
Row 1: Attach yarn in 3rd st down fron collar edge, ch 6, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across, hdc in joining st, sl st in back loops of next 2 sts of jacket edge, turn
Row 2: hdc in each st across leaving last st unworked, ch 2, turn
Row 3: hdc in each st across, sl st in back loops of next 2 sts of jacket edge, turn
Rows 4-11: Rep row 2 & 3
Row 12: hdc in each st across leaving last st unworked, ch 1, turn
Row 13: sc in last st of breast collar, sl st in jacket edge, Fasten off
Right breast Collar:
Work in front loops of jacket edge only
Row 1: Attach yarn in 3rd st down fron collar edge, ch 6, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across, hdc in joining st, sl st in front loops of next 2 sts of jacket edge, turn
Row 2: hdc in each st across leaving last st unworked, ch 2, turn
Row 3: hdc in each st across, sl st in front loops of next 2 sts of jacket edge, turn
Rows 4-11: Rep row 2 & 3
Row 12: hdc in each st across leaving last st unworked, ch 1, turn
Row 13: sc in last st of breast collar, sl st in jacket edge, Fasten off
Finishing:
Weave in all loose ends.
Tack down all collar corners.
Sew rose bud to left breast collar.
Sew buttons to right side of jacket below the breast collar.

Pants:
Row 1: ch 50, sl st to first ch to form a ring being careful not to twist chain, ch 2, hdc in each st around, join, ch 2, turn
Rows 2-15: hdc in each st around, ch 2, turn
First Leg:
Row 1: hdc in next 24 sts, join to top of ch 2, ch 2 turn
Rows 2-13: hdc in each st around, join, ch 2, turn
Row 14: hdc in each st around, join, ch 1, *do not turn*
Row 15: rsc in each st around, join, fasten off
Second Leg:
Row 1: attach yarn at crotch beside first leg, ch 2, hdc in each st around, join, ch 2, turn
Rows 2-13: hdc in each st around, join, ch 2, turn
Row 14: hdc in each st around, join, ch 1, *do not turn*
Row 15: rsc in each st around, join, fasten off
place elastic at top of waist and fold waist over elastis, whip stitch around,
adjust elastic to fit baby and sew elastic together, trim off excess and stretch waist to get elastic to go inside of waist
Weave in all loose ends.

Scrubbies for Dishes!

I use this for my dishes, it cleans out cups soooo well, but I've also seen them used as loofas in the shower. However you want to use them, have at it!

materials:

2 – 2 0z. Balls of Lily Sugar’n Cream

Size “J” hook

notes:

- This pattern takes a surprisingly large amount of yarn.

- As you increase, the stitches will begin to fold in on themselves and the puff will form and become more and more dense.

- If you find that the puff is getting more solid than you would like, you might consider using only 5 dc in ea dc in Rnd 3.

pattern:

Ch 40, sl st in first ch

Rnd 1: ch 3, work as many dc in 1^st ch as possibly (try for at least 20), join w/ sl st to 3^rd beg ch

Rnd 2-3: ch 3, 5 dc in same st, 6 dc in ea dc around, join w/ sl st to 3^rd beg ch

Finish off and weave in ends.