Craft A Week #26 Owl Will Always Love You Crochet Blanket

Several weeks ago I found a post on Pinterest of some really cute crocheted baby blankets that have a stuffed animal head attached.  In my family, we call these "woobies". A woobie is like a favored blanket or snuggly toy.  Here's the picture I found. Aren't they cute?!

I so loved the idea, but when I clicked on the link, the pattern was written in Swedish. I tried Google translate but the terms didn't really translate completely so I was creative in my creation. (If you are interested, the original posting can be found here:  http://brittasami.blogspot.se/search/label/Snuttefiltar%20%28gratis%29.

I thought they were all cute but I decided to try my hand at the Owl - and gave him the title of "Owl Will Always Love You". Here's how Owly came out:

Isn't he sweet?  I like how his wings look like little hands.

Since he was a pilot project, I used the yarn I had on hand. It is all acrylic yarn (not my favorite but easy to work with). The varigated is some vintage yarn that Shana got me a few years ago. (See, I knew I kept it for a reason). 

I tried to follow the directions for the owl head, which I was able to loosely comprehend. I did so much modification though that I wasn't able to write down all the changes I made. I was a little frustrated but then had an epiphony!

It occured to me that all I had done was make a large granny square and put a stuffed animal head onto it.  I then realized that I could make a woobie of any kind....all I have to do is find a cute animal head and put on a blanket. See what I mean?

The next one I make, I will write up the pattern. But seriously, you can make a woobie of any kind based on what animal you like. I trolled Crochet Pattern Central and found lots of possibilities.  I want to make my new grandson Marcus Robert a sleeping kitty in honor of our family cat Bailey. 

UPDATE 3/28/12: Owlie is now posted on my etsy store for purchase. Check back often because I'm making a series of these woobies.

Happy Crafting!

Craft A Week #25 Crocheted Monster Hats

One of the beauties of having small children in your life is the ability to dress them up in fun ways. You only have a short window of time to influence their clothing choices and I take great delight in playing with that. (David Sedaris, in Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim writes a very funny story about how they dressed up his little brother when he was an infant. If you aren't familar with David's work, I highly recommend you exploring it. I listen to his books on cd while driving - guaranteed to make me laugh out loud).

I had a request from Breanna, my youngest, to make this hat for her yet to be created babies. (Bre is 23, not married, not pregnant, and not planning it anytime soon). She just loveed this hat and wanted one to tuck away for future use. I must admit, they are really cute and funny.  It was easy to fill her request.

This is the toddler hat without flaps. Isn't it cute?!

I think this red and brown hat will be the perfect compliment to the red Ugg-like slippers I made last week. This hat is said to fit a 9-12 month old.

I found this idea on Pinterest (of course).  The link for all the instructions can be found at Repeat Crafter Me. I took Sarah's advice and used the basic ear flap hat instructions located on Alli Crafts. This pattern is really straightforward and works up quick.

This is my favorite. I love the brown and green combo. Reminds me of a chocolate mint cookie (monster).  Bre says these hats remind her of the one eyed monster from Monsters, Inc.

In absence of any little people, I enlisted Pooh Bear to be a model.  These hats are so cute and simple to make. They are a great way to use up stash yarn.  Another Super Simple craft!

UPDATE:  Here's the monster hat on a real live (and adorable baby). Thanks little man for being my hat model!  I plan to post these on my etsy shop later this week. I haven't had time to create the write up.

Update: Here's more cuteness for your day....puppy in a hat! Isn't she adorable?  This is a puppy, named Penelope, that my daughter Breanna is fostering. Bre works at an animal rescue organization and fosters puppies til they are ready to be adopted. Such a great cause.

Happy Crafting!