More Crayons and a Bright Knight

While I was working on the first crayon blanket, I had a friend at work happen to see it. She told me she was hosting a baby shower in September, and wanted to know if I could make a crayon blanket for her gift to her friend. I was thrilled because I think the crayon pattern is just so damn cute.

This one I made on traditional crayon colors, unlike the last one which was fun pastels. I am in love with the way the standard colors came through. I think I might be making another one as a gift for a teacher friend...but we'll see. I hate making too many of a particular pattern one after the other.

To go with her blanket, my friend also asked if I could make her one of the knight helmets that I made for Happy Hats at work. She was a part of that event and loooooved the way the hate came out. She asked that it be made to match the blanket instead of in traditional colors (like grey to simulate armor). I was fine with that, and I think it came out adorable.

 Here is another pic with the visor up on the forehead. I didn't make this one with a button, and instead just sewed the visor on at the corner. I think it looks fine that way. Also, the little baby is going to outgrow it quickly, so I didn't think that the buttons made a ton of sense.

Had a lot of fun with this project. Both the blanket and the knight's helm are some of my favorite patterns, and I enjoy getting to make them for friends and little babies.

Crayons & Hippos and a pattern review

One of my mom's employees is having a baby, and she asked me to make a baby blanket to give to her. I had, just that day, stumbled across this pattern on pinterest, and I knew I *had* to make it for the new baby.

As you can see, I chose pastel colors instead of traditional basic crayon colors (although I have an order for another crayon blanket, which I very well may make in standard crayon colors...stay tuned for pics in September or October). I love the way this one came out. The crayons were simple to make, and I sewed them attachment style with 2 rows of sc around each piece. After it was finished I added another row of sc all the way around (doubling back on the bottom for a total of 3 sc rows along that edge). Otherwise, I used the pattern as written. No modifications.

US Instructions

Row 1: In red, ch 27, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next 24 ch, turn. (25 sts)
Rows 2-8: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Black.
Rows 9/10: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Red.
Rows 11/12: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Black.
Rows 13/14: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Red.
Rows 15-30: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 31: Ch 2, hdc in next 9 hdc, hdc2tog, change to black, drop red, 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, change to red, drop black, hdc2tog, hdc in next 9 hdc, turn.
Row 32: Ch 2, hdc in next 8 hdc, hdc2tog, change to black, drop red, 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 3 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, change to red, drop black, hdc2tog, hdc in next 8 hdc, turn.
Rows 33-58: Ch 2, hdc in next 9 hdc, change to black, drop red, hdc in next 7 hdc, change to red, drop black, hdc in next 9 hdc, turn.
Row 59: Ch 2, hdc in next 8 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, change to black, drop red, hdc2tog, hdc in next 3 hdc, hdc2tog, change to red, drop black, 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 8 hdc, turn.
Row 60: Ch 2, hdc in next 9 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, change to black, drop red, hdc2tog, hdc in next hdc, hdc2tog, change to red, drop black, 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 9 hdc, turn.
Rows 61-70: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Black.
Rows 71/72: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Red.
Rows 73/74: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Black.
Rows 75/76: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Change to Red.
Rows 77-80: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 81: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 21 hdc, hdc2tog, turn. (23 sts)
Row 82: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 83: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 19 hdc, hdc2tog, turn. (21 sts)
Row 84: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 85: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 17 hdc, hdc2tog, turn. (19 sts)
Row 86: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 87: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 15 hdc, hdc2tog, turn. (17 sts)
Row 88: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 89: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 13 hdc, hdc2tog, turn. (15 sts)
Row 90: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 91: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 11 hdc, hdc2tog, turn. (13 sts)
Row 92: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn.
Row 93: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 9 hdc, hdc2tog, fasten off and sew in ends. (11 sts)
Work 2 Rows of sc in black evenly around the edge.
Make 5 more “crayons” in different colours and sew them together.

I had a little bit of yarn left over from the blanket, and I decided to make somethign else with the scraps. Sorry about the crop on his nose. But this is Happypotamus (as the pattern calls him). I actually purchased this pattern  from ravelry. It was only $6.50, and worth EVERY penny!! The instructions are marvelous, with pictures for every step. Not one thing about it is confusing. I highly recommend that if you're interested you purchase this one. I will say, though, that Mr. Happy came out HUGE! I was expecting maybe a 1 foot hippo. Using a "g" hook, this guy in the photo came out to a whopping 25" long, or just over 2 feet! I think he's a little big for a baby, lol. But hopefully mom likes him any way.

All in all, though, I couldn't be happier. The hippo came out great and matches the blanket very well. I think it is a successful gift :-)