Even tough big boys need some special attention when they become big brothers. Put some bath crayons in a bag just for him, toss in a washcloth, and bath time will be a celebration of big brotherhood!

Gone Wild Washcloth

• Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton yarn (2½ oz/70g per 120yd/109m), one ball each of (A) Red, (B) Bright Navy, (C) Yellow, and (D) Dark Pine, or colors of your choice
• Size H (5.00 mm) hook
• Yarn needle to weave in ends

Mini Messenger Bag

• Lily Sugar’n Cream (2 ½ oz/70 g per 120 yd/109 m), one ball of Dark Pine
• Size H (5.00 mm)
• Stitch marker (optional)
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Optional Velcro or button for closure

One size.

Gauge is unimportant in this pattern.

US Pattern Notations UsedUS Pattern Notations Used
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet two together (decrease)
sk = skip
st(s) = stitch(es)  

The bag body is made in a spiral. If you would like, mark the first stitch of the row with a stitch marker to keep track of your row counts.

Begin Washcloth

With A, ch 30

Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each st across (29 sts)

A washcloth and bag with a touch of spring make new big sisters feel special, too.

• Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton yarn (2 ½ oz/70 g per 120 yd/109 m), one ball each of (A) White, (B) Sunshine, and (C) Soft Violet.
• Size H (5.00 mm) hook
• Yarn needle to weave in ends

One size.

Gauge is unimportant in this pattern.

US Pattern Notations Used
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sk = skip
st(s) = stitch(es)

Special Instructions:
When changing colors at the end of the row, drop the first color and do not cut. You will pick it up on the appropriate row/color change throughout the pattern. The edging will cover the excess yarn.

Begin

With A, ch 31

This pattern can be whipped up quickly, probably in a couple of hours or so. If you have a date on the slopes, start early and you'll have a GREAT FUNKY hat by the time you have to go. Be creative and change the yarn you use for rows where you add the ribbon and eyelash yarn... make it your own! Most importantly, have fun!

• 4 ply yarn, I used white Bernat Nice N' Soft
• 7 different colors of 1/8" ribbon (I had mostly 12-yard spools from the dollar store and got 2 rows out of some of them), and I used Lion Brand yarn Confetti
• Size J/6mm hook
• Yarn needle for weaving in those dreaded ends

In this pattern, ch2 before a hdc row and ch1 before a sc row -- these do not count as a st.

Always sl st into the first sc or hdc in at the end of a round to join.

When using eyelash yarn, hold one strand together with regular yarn.

My mom gave me a velour apple with a worm poking out of it to sell at my yard sale last weekend, but it was so dang cute I decided to keep it instead. Then I (like all obsessive yarnfolk) decided to crochet it, and I did so in the car on the way to Los Angeles (passenger, yes). Trying to write that pattern in a little book while we drove along hitting potholes and speed bumps was an adventure, but that apple was desperate to be made. So here ya go.

• 2 skeins of Caron Simply Soft (one Deep Crimson, one Limelight)
• a yardlong scrap of any brown or tan yarn
• something to stuff the apple with (fiberfill, cotton balls, shredded plastic bag, whatever you want)
• Hook size: G (4.25mm)
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle

Mark each round/row (MR) religiously. Marking rounds makes counting so much easier. Sometimes I'll tell you to MR just for the helluvit (annoying, ya?)

One of my favorite things about December is pulling out all of the old Christmas movies I loved as a child. It’s tradition! Every year, among many others, our Christmas movie list included Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. You remember -- the 1960s stop-motion version, complete with reindeer, Santa, an elf who wants to be a dentist (a dentist?), and my personal favorite, the abominable snowmonster.

These whimsical slippers are inspired by the abominable snowmonster, but sized for little feet, from baby to small child. They’re perfect for all the little monsters on your list!

• Caron Simply Soft, 3/4 (1, 1 ½) oz. Grey Heather, 1 (1 ½, 2 ¼) oz. Off-White (amounts given are amounts required for two slippers, or one pair.)
• 5.00mm (size H/8) hook
• Yarn needle

Small (newborn – 3 months), Medium (6 – 12 months), Large (18 – 24 months)

Finished Measurements (toe to heel of sole) – Small: 3 ½ in, Medium: 4 ½ in, Large: 5 ¼ in

4 sts x 4 rows in sc = 1”

Loops in sample are approximately 1” long.

Instructions are given for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parenthesis. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes except where indicated.

Special Technique: Bouclé Loop Stitch

In this pattern, the bouclé loop stitch will be formed with the aid of no special equipment but your own fingers. The lengths of the loops can vary widely, requiring more or less yarn than specified, but it is important to make the size of your loops consistent throughout the piece.

To make the loop stitch, *Insert hook in next stitch and before catching it with the hook, loop yarn over your left index finger, then catch yarn with hook and draw a loop through the stitch, yarn over, draw through two loops, and slip your finger out of the loop.

Repeat from asterisk across the row.

Only a little practice will make you a loop-stitch pro! Also, see our in-depth loop stitch tutorial.

Pattern (make 2)

Sole

Designer Tiffany whipped up this scarf for her daughter Laura (see her over there, modeling?). Isn't she adorable? Aren't you inspired to make one up for someone pink you love? Or for someone you love who loves pink?

• One 5 oz. skein Bernat Softee Baby in “Baby Pink Marl” (color 30301), or color of your choice (A)
• One 1 oz. skein Bernat Eyelash in “Kiss”, or color of your choice (B)
• “J” (6.0 mm) crochet hook
• “P” ( 9.0 mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

One size.

Gauge is unimportant for this pattern.

With “J” (6.0mm) hook and one strand each of colors (A) and (B) held together, ch 17.

This cheery, cuddly pillow is sure to brighten even the dullest day. It's a fabulous project for beginners, so come on all you newbies out there, show us what you got.

• Sport Weight Baby Yarn, 2 colors A & B (pick your favorites!)
• Size I hook
• Polyester Fiberfill for pillow stuffing
• Small piece of yarn, stitch marker, or safety pin to mark rounds

I used 2 colors for the front of the flower and one single color for the back.

Oh, how these complete your Springtime wardrobe! Hook up some coordinating sets of this bracelet/hair tie duo*, give some as gifts, and use up your scraps stash. Can't get any better than that, eh?

* If you're on the Crochet me mailing list, you've already received a third member of the set. Isn't being on the mailing list, like, the coolest thing ever?

Bracelet:

• A small amount of worsted weight variegated yarn in two different colors
• A small amount of Lion Brand Microspun yarn in color Mango
• Size F (4.0mm) crochet hook

Hair Tie:

• One large ponytail holder
• A small amount of worsted weight variegated yarn
• A small amount of Lion Brand Microspun yarn in color Mango
• Size F (4.0mm) hook

Bracelet: To adjust the size of the bracelet, make a chain long enough to wrap around your wrist and add 8 chains.