Rainbow Pony Hat!

So many of you have requested this hat and here it is, finally! I hope it lives up to your expectations. You can always change things up a little if you are not satisfied with the pattern. I just look at a picture of the character and try my best to get it close to what the character looks like. There are a lot of versions of this pony out there, however, I usually enjoy designing my own. The process is fun and I always look forward to the finished product. This particular pony requires a lot of colors. If you don't already have a stash that you can use, you are going to have to get a lot of yarn. The good thing is that the
 yarn can always be used in other projects. I panicked just a little when I thought I was going to run out of orange before I was finished. But, I found a little remnant and it was just enough to finish it off.

The pictures do not show true color. Keep in mind that this is a brightly colored pony when choosing your yarn colors. Here is the link to buy a PDF version of this pattern.

Rainbow Pony Hat

This was a really fun pattern to make because as I added more color, the pony just came alive. There is a trick to doing the mane. For the front part of the mane, I sewed it on at an angle with part of it going over the top of the hat and onto the top part of the back of the hat. It is easier to see the eyes this way. Otherwise it will be straight down, in front of the face and the eyes won't be seen very well.

 

The back part of the mane is also sewn on at an angle so that it meet up with the part of the front mane that is on the back of the hat. You can see what I mean in the picture below. Of course you can always sew the pieces on however you would like. That's the great thing about making your own hat instead of buying one already made. You can always change it to make it suit you. 

The eyes on this one are also a little different. I tried to go off of a picture to make them the right shape and to be sure the color was in the right place. When embroidering the highlights in the eyes, I like to imagine a light coming from a certain direction and put the highlights in accordingly. If you forget to put the highlights in before sewing the eyes on the hat, no worries, you can still put them in after the eyes have been sewn on. Just slide the needle under the eye and back up through the eye. Try not to go through the hat because your yarn will be noticeable on the inside of the hat. A clean, finished look on the inside is always nice if you plan on selling your creations.

 

 

In order to be sure the muzzle doesn't look like a pig snout, embroider the nostrils on the corners and slightly to the outside instead of on the front of the muzzle as seen in the picture above and below. 

 

When sewing on the back part of the main, make sure you tack it down about 3/4 of the way down before you get to the front of the hat. This will help the mane stay in place and keep it from falling behind the hat and flopping around when someone is wearing it. 

I hope you all like it. Now off to more designing. Happy crochet!

Pinkie Pony!

 Pinkie Pony Beanie!

 

 

Here is another pony hat. The first few patterns I'm putting up are ponies because I have had more requests for these patterns than any others. This one is a lot of fun and a little less labor intensive than the Rare Pony Hat. If you want a PDF copy of the pattern,  you can buy it here.

 

I know some of you may think this is basically the same pattern as the other ponies but each pony is a little different. Their eyes are not always the same and their manes are quite different.

 

This pattern can be tricky if you're not used to applique and embroidery. I definitely would not suggest this patter for beginners. There are many ways you can do the mane. You don't necessarily have to follow the pattern. Some feel that they should do a few long ringlets and some short. I just form them around the back as I sew them on. You should do whatever you are comfortable with.

If you do have any problems with the pattern, please email me at yarneemarmee@gmail.com  or leave a comment. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible. If there are any mistakes in the pattern, I will fix them and email you the revised version.

 

 I know some of you have been to my blog and Ravelry store in the past and a lot of my patterns were free. I have been designing for a while but I was just starting to write patterns and wanted to test them out until I knew I could create a good pattern that was worth buying. I want to thank those of you who have given me feed back, you have made me a better designer and pattern writer. I hope you will continue to use my patterns.

 

 

Watch this blog. On occasion you will find free patterns and also some tips and tricks to using my patterns and others'. I will also, on occasion review yarns and wools and give you my honest opinion.

 

 

Happy crochet!

 

 

 

 

 

Pesky, Ugly Seams!

I am in a few yarn groups and have noticed that a lot of people have a really hard time with seams when crocheting a hat that requires joining at the end of each round. The biggest complaint is that it spirals around the hat.

There are several ways to remedy those ugly seams. Of course, there is always crocheting in a continuous round. I do some of my projects that way but my stitches are not as straight as I would like. You can also join, ch and then turn your work and crochet going the other direction. I don't think the seam is as flat with that one, but it does hide it fairly well and it is straight.

I'm going to share the technique I use most. First, I never count the ch as a stitch. When starting the hat, whether using the magic circle or chaining first, never count the chain as a stitch. If you pattern requires 12 sts in the circle or in a chain st, only count the actual stitches, pretend that the ch isn't even there. Then, when you come to the end of the round and you are ready to join with a slip stitch, be sure to slip stitch in the first actual stitch of the round, skipping the ch. Make sure you pull it snug each time and your seams will be flat, and almost invisible. They won't be perfectly straight but they will be close and they won't spiral around the hat. I have also noticed that seams are not as noticable if they are placed in the back and to the left or right.

When I crochet a hat with ear flaps, I put my seam right where one of the ear flaps begin at the back of the hat. The seam is harder to see when this is done. The eye is not drawn to that area of the hat.

If you need a visual, here are two videos that might help. One is for double crochet and the other is for single crochet. You can also do this with half double crochet. The concept is the same.

Hopefully this helps you. I know there are probably better ways of hiding a seam, this is just one I like to use.

Rare Pony Hat

Here it is! The Rare Pony Hat! Of my seven children, six of them are girls, so My Little Pony is very much apart of our family. I have made several different pony hats but this is my first written pattern. I hope to have more in the near future. The Rare Pony Hat was inspired by Rarity Pony. She is a very glamorous pony and was a lot of fun to design. You can buy the written pattern here. If you find any mistakes in it, please feel free to send me an email at yarneemarmee@gmail.com  or leave a comment.  I will do my best to fix it and send you the revised version. The pictures in the pattern are not the best. I had very poor lighting and my camera is not the best. I hope to change that in the future. 

I am going to warn you, pony hats have a lot more work involved than a lot of hats. The eyes have many steps and some may think the time it takes to applique everything onto the hat is a bit too much. I think the finished product is well worth all the work. 

 

The most confusing part of the pattern will be the eyes, especially when adding the eye shadow. Please let me know if you need help. 

Happy Crochet!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new crochet blog.  I am the mother of seven, all of whom I homeschool. I knit and crochet but I prefer crochet. I enjoying designing my own work but I also enjoy using other designer's patterns. My life is usually pretty crazy which is why I have been hesitant in doing a crochet blog but after many requests for patterns and tutorials, I decided it was time. I will always let you know where I found a pattern and share a link to the designers page. I will also share my own creations and patterns. Please, when sharing my creations and patterns with others, include a link to my blog. You cannot sell my patterns but you are, of course, more than welcome to sell the finished product. I hope you enjoy this blog and feel free to make requests and comments. I would love feedback on what you liked and didn't like from my patterns and tutorials.