Crocheted Baby Blankets

I'm so excited to show the latest listings in my and my mom's Etsy shop! We've been wanting to add more baby items for awhile and we have now added baby blankets to our shop, Sunshine Makings. 

They are all crocheted using the v-stitch and double strands of yarn. I love how the double strands make the blankets warm enough for a baby and the v-stitch allows breathability (is that a word?). 

They are all so soft and cuddly, it makes me wish my kids were still small enough to use these baby blankets. If you've got a baby or know someone who does, here are your choices of colors: blue, blue & white, pink & grey, or the softest yellow.

If you do decide to visit our shop and make a purchase, please enjoy a 10% discount by using this coupon code: SSBLOG

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I'm linking up to some of these fabulous parties.

Mayfair

I know I've been silent for the last week or so and here is why...

I've been busy stocking up for Mayfair! I had a vendor stall at my first ever craft fair! Mayfair is one of the largest and most enjoyable events at our school. It's mostly fun and games for the kids, but there is always shopping for the ladies. This year, after gaining confidence in selling through my Etsy shop (Sunshine Makings), I took a leap and reserved a spot at Mayfair.

It's one of the best things I've done. I had such a great time chatting with the people who stopped at my table...and I sold stuff! I made enough to cover the cost of my table (which was my main goal), to donate over £40 to IJM, and also some to keep.

I had barely finished setting up when I made my first sale and then snapped these pictures really quickly before making a second sale (hence the knocked over sign and fallen cup sleeve and Starbucks cup missing it's sold sleeve :-)). 

I made sure to have a variety of items because I had no idea what people would buy. I was surprised to find out that I had a perfect selection and sold a little bit of everything. A few of the items were made by my mom (Kay from Jerry&Kay) like the scarves and wrist warmers above (all sold!).

My favorite new items I made especially for the fair were the baby hats. They are made of the softest Bernat bamboo yarn. I sold one and took orders for about five in larger baby sizes...that was exciting! Stay posted or follow my blog in any possible way (options in sidebar) to find out when these will be available in my Etsy shop.

 

After looking at my booth, I see a few display improvements to be made for the next fair, but I was really pleased with it on the day, and overall, this was the best first craft fair experience I could have had! Thanks to everyone who encouraged me, and to everyone who bought something, and to King Damascus who gave me pep talks during the week leading up to the sale when I was stressing myself out!

Blue Ripple Crochet Mug Cozy - Free Pattern

One of my obsessions this year have been mug and cup cozies. If you follow along, you've seen quite a few, including my recycled denim mug cozy and the variety of cup sleeves that my mom (Kay from Jerry and Kay) and I sell in our Etsy shop. Well, today, I'd like to share with you one of my latest creations - a crochet pattern for this lovely blue ripple crochet mug cozy. It is a great project for crocheters of all levels and if you don't crochet, you can find one here in my Etsy shop. I love wrapping it around my mug in the morning, knowing it will keep my coffee warm for those few minutes more.

Blue Ripple Crochet Mug Cozy

Materials:

·     Yarn: Worsted Weight/Aran – 400g / 840m / 920y (I used LionBrand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton)

·     Crochet Hook – US - J / 10 (6.00mm)

·     Button

·     Large-Eye Blunt Needle

Stitches Used: SC – single crochet and DC – double crochet

Ripple Stitch: Mult. of 3 stitches + 1 (add 2 for foundation ch)

Directions:

Ch 30 (or enough equal to the circumference of mug minus width of mug handle)

R1: 2 DC in 3^rd ch from hook, * skip 2 ch, [1SC, 2DC] in next ch, repeat from * to last 2 ch, skip 2 ch, 1 SC in last ch, turn.

R2: 2 CH, 2 DC in first sc, * skip 2 dc, [1SC, 2DC] in next sc, repeat from *, ending skip 2 dc, 1 SC in 2^nd of 2 ch, turn.

R3-7: Repeat row 2.

SC around entire edge of cozy.

CH 28, attach end of ch to sc at beginning of ch,

SC along short edge to bottom corner.

CH 28, attach end of ch to sc at beginning of ch.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Sew button and you are finished.

If you're interested in learning how I covered my button with crochet, please visit my blog soon as I'm going to have a short tutorial about it soon!

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I'm linking up to some of these fabulous parties.

I'm participating in The Crochet Challenge on JJCrochet. This mug cozy is my second accomplishment for the challenge. Have a look at her blog for more info...and a free pattern!

Headband Giveaway Winner!

As part of Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, we had to do something a little bit different on one of the days. I chose to have a giveaway, which I've never done before. The giveaway was for three lovely crochet headbands of the winner's color choice. 

I used Rafflecopter to run the giveaway and was very pleased with it. It was easy to set up and easy to get the results with the click of a button! If I have another giveaway (perhaps during my birthday week at the end of May), I'll run it longer so that more people can have a chance to participate. Four days just didn't seem long enough.

I'd like to thank everyone who entered and showed an interest in my blog and headbands by entering the giveaway! It is a great compliment that there were actually people who wanted to win! :-)

And the winner is...BETH F.!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you entered the giveaway and didn't win, OR if you didn't have a chance to enter, you can still find these crochet headbands in my and my mom's Etsy shop, Sunshine Makings, individually or as a set of three. Hope to see you there!

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