Just in time for the holidays. Children LOVE this cute little reindeer hat.

Tan (warm brown), brown, white, black, red - 4 ply yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver)
Size G hook
Darning Needle
Small amount of polyester batting

This will fit children from about 2-6 years.

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Suitable for beginners- Single crochet

HAT -using tan
Rnd 1- Ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch (8 sc)
Rnd 2- Work 2 sc in each sc around (16 sc)
Rnd 3- *sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc, repeat from * around, (24 sc)

Okay, I'm like Ebenezer Scrooge (I'd rather be like Scrooge McDuck and have a walk-in safe full of gold coins, but I don't). I think the holiday season is naff. I protest it every year by ignoring it completely, scowling at any holiday cards I receive in the mail, and getting grumpier and grumpier as the year comes to a close. This year, however, I decided to embrace my inner cheese-ball and make the corniest, cheesiest, and most naff piece of winter jewelry I could think of. I present to you, 'Ice Princess,' because everyone needs a snowflake necklace, even here in Scotland during the rainy season.

1. J. & P. Coats Royale Metallic Crochet Thread (88% mercerized cotton, 12% metallic; 100 yds [91 m]/Size 10;):  226G Natural/Gold, 1 ball. Yarn distributed by Coats & Clark.  
2. 1.50 mm crochet hook.  (Some say this is a size 7 hook, but I have a Boye USA hook that says it's a size 8. So there.)
3. Tapestry needle
4. Sewing needle
5. Sewing thread
6. Stitch marker
7. Button (I use the 3/8 - 1/2" diameter spares that come with dress shirts)

Finished necklace is about 14" across.

34 sc = 4 inches

Stitch height is not important and will not adversely affect the finished design.

Special stitches: 

sc2tog (decrease) – insert hook in st, yo and draw loop through st (2 loops on hook), yo, insert hook in next st, yo and draw loop through st (3 loops on hook), yo and draw loop through all loops on hook.

Necklace

With MC, ch 115 (counts as 114 + turning ch).  

Row 1:  Starting in second ch from hook, sc in each of next 55 ch, sc2tog over next 2 ch, ch 3, sc2tog over next 2 ch, sc in each ch to end, turn.  (112 sc)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in each of first 56 sc, [2 sc, ch 7, 2 sc] all in ch-3 sp, sc in each sc to end, turn.  (116 sc)

Row 3:  Ch 1, sc in each of next 31 sts, *ch 5, sk 3 sts, sc in each of next 2 sts, * rep from * to * 4 more times, sc2tog, work 9 sc into ch-7 sp, sc2tog, **sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 5, sk 3 sts, ** rep from ** to ** 4 more times, sc in each st to end. (93 sc)

Do not fasten off - do not pass go - do not collect 200 dollars: we are making a loop at the end of this row and then finishing up the last row of the necklace.

Button Loop: Ch 12, sl st in first ch to form ring, work 18 sc into ring, sl st in first sc to close round.  

Last row: Starting in last sc of Row 3 (not the loop), sc in each of next 31 sts, *work [3 sc, ch 3, 3 sc] all into next ch-5 sp, sc in each of next 2 sts, * rep from * to * 4 more times, sc2tog, sc in each of next 3 sts, work [sc, ch 5, sc] all in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, sc2tog, **sc in each of next 2 sts, work [3 sc, ch 3, 3 sc] all into next ch-5 sp, ** rep from ** to ** 4 more times, sc in each st to end, fasten off. (152 sc)

Snowflake Motif

Ch 16, sl st in first ch to form ring.  

Rnd 1:  Work 24 sc into ring, sl st in first sc to close round.  (24 sc)

Rnd 2:  *Ch 9, sk next 3 sts, sc in next st,* rep from * to * 4 more times, ch 9, sk next 3 sts, sl st in sl st of prev. round.  (6 ch-9 spaces)

Rnd 3:  *Work 6 sc into first ch-9 sp, [ch 9, starting in 6th ch from hook, sl st into each of the 4 rem ch sts], work 6 sc into same ch-9 sp, [ch 4, starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st into each of 3 ch sts], * rep from * to * for each ch-9 sp around, sl st in sl st of prev row, fasten off, weave in end.  

Finishing

Weave in all ends.  

Block pieces (this should make the knitters that read cme happy) by pinning it, spritzing it with water and/or steaming it, pressing it gently with a warm iron, and letting it sit overnight.  Before anyone mentions that this might melt the metallic-bit of the yarn, if you are careful and use a low setting, you should be fine (I was).  

Starching the snowflake is a good way to stiffen it up.  

Sew snowflake to ch-5-sp at top of necklace.  

To fasten the necklace, sew a small button (I find the spares that come with dress shirts work well for this) onto the non-looped end of the necklace and button it into the loop end.

I’m so happy to be in Montana where little sheep are running free and being chased by wolves.  No, really! Except instead of wolves it is more like coyotes or mountain lions. The yarn I’ve used for this skirt is certified ‘predator friendly’ meaning that the farm is run with respect for all living things, not just the cute ones. You can read more about it at www.lambandwool.com. It’s certified organic too! I hope you’ll try ordering from them or poke around for a local homespun in your neck of the woods.

I’ve had a bit of culture (and temperature) shock since leaving Japan and I was bemoaning the nippy winds that prevent me from wearing my summer skirt collection during winter.  Cozy yarn to the rescue!  This overskirt is like putting on a sweater, just lower down.  Of a rather chunky weight, it is quick to work up on big hooks and just a little bit delicate with a Kid Silk Haze trim and a nice bell shape.  You can wear it over skirts or pants, depending on how weird you want to look.  Either way, you’ll be warm.  Plus the rhythm of crochet might help you realize where you are and that it is okay (at least it does for me).

• Thirteen Mile Yarn (A) 2 skeins at ~110yds/skein. The color is a natural chocolate brown that comes straight off the sheep. This is a ‘chunky’ weight yarn usually used with size 11 knitting needles.
• 1 ball of Rowan’s Kid Silk Haze (B) in Villian (25g per 229yds). You could substitute another lightweight yarn easily, in either a tonal or contrast color. The gauge isn’t crucial for the trim.  
• Hook sizes F/5 (4mm), and L/11 (8mm), M (9mm), N (10mm), and P (11.5mm)
• ¾”- to 2”-wide ribbon or other belting material, long enough to go around your low waist and tie in a friendly bow. The picture shows a 3/4"-wide knit belt that is 56" long.

Pattern as written has a 36-inch dropped waist that stretches to 42 inches and can be tightened to 32 inches without looking odd.  You can add or remove a pattern repeat to change size 3 inches at a time (details included in pattern).

10 stitches = 4in, 10cm; 10 rows = 4in, 10cm in single crochet with yarn A and 8mm hook.

• The turning chain does not count as a stitch unless indicated.
• Be sure to read the pattern all the way through before beginning.

Waistband

With 8mm hook and thick yarn (A), chain 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd chain and in each chain across.  Ch 1and turn.

This friendly character flits about in striped tights, a sheer skirt with bells (of course), a cozy sweater, and a little flower cup hat. She is worked entirely in single crochet in the round in the style of Japanese amigurumi. You can play with her shaping, colors, accessories and trimmings to create any little imp you might want to have visiting this winter. I’ve used easily accessible worsted weight yarns, but I encourage you to try to make your own Sprite with stash yarns and fabric scraps you might have about. Also, she doesn’t take much, so if you do buy yarn, you’ll be able to make friends for everyone on your list.

• One ball each of the following:
• Red Heart TLC Essentials (Acrylic, 6oz) in Claret (dark red), Dk Thyme (dark green), and Med. Thyme (sage green)
• Caron Wintuk (Acrylic 3oz, 150yards/137meters) in Fisherman (cream)
• Sensations Beautiful (49% Acrylic, 51% Nylon 1-3/4oz, 71 yards/65 meters) in Off White (fuzzy white)
• A tiny piece of bright red yarn for the mouth.
  (All of these are worsted weight and you can substitute as you like.)
• 5.0mm (size H/8) crochet hook
• Tapestry or yarn needle
• Sewing needle
• Sewing pins
• Scissors
• A candle
• Green, light brown, and light pink sewing thread
• Felt scraps in light pink and forest green
• 12” (30cm) square of light green organza
• 20” (50cm) square of green tulle
• 4 3/8” gold bells
• 2/3 yard gold trim
• Pair of 3/8” animal or doll eyes
• Polyester fiberfill for stuffing

Head measures 4” (10cm) long.

Doll measures 18” (35cm) tall.

Don’t worry about your gauge, but your stitches should be tight enough to provide a stiff fabric that won’t leak stuffing!

Inc – Increase: work 2 stitches into the same space

Dec – Decrease: work 2 stitches from previous round together

Important: Crocheted dolls and animals make great gifts for kids. Think of all the fun textures and colors you could incorporate! This sprite isn’t for kids though, due to her delicate decorations. If you want to make a kid-friendly version, please consider the following: Don’t include anything that can be swallowed. Details should be embroidered or sewn on securely, and they should be flat (like felt cheeks). Clothing should be durable and fun to put on and take off or sewn on completely. Do use color changes to create clothing or details rather than adding them after.  You can add squeakers or music players inside too! Do sew arms and legs on with several passes. Be especially careful with items for kids under 3 years old, because they are the most likely to chew and pull and swallow!

The Pattern

Head and Body

Beginning at the top of the head with your skin color (mine is the Wintuk Fisherman)  make a yarn loop over two fingers twice and pull up a loop i