New Crochet Pattern: Peppermint Bark and Hot Cocoa

Hi, everyone! I just wanted to give you a sneak peek of my latest pattern -- a box of 4 peppermint bark and two steaming mugs of cocoa. One hot cocoa has mini marshmallows and the other has a dollop of whipped cream!

I started this pattern last November and after 3 redesigns of the box, 2 redesigns of the mugs and 2 redesigns of the peppermint bark I am finally happy with the way it turned out :)

Crocheting for Charity: Project Linus

I recently learned about Project Linus, a wonderful charity that provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. I contacted my local chapter to see what size blankets they needed and they told me that they would appreciate any size blanket.

I used the patterns on Project Linus' web site and Lion Brand Pound of Love yarn to make 3 baby blankets. I think that they turned out beautifully! I have a couple of ideas for blankets for older children and teens once I find some spare time to work on them. Spare time is in short supply these days :)

Making these blankets was really fun for me, too. The repetitve nature of making a blanket was so relaxing compared to the crocheting I usually do, surrounded by several different colors of yarn and counting stitches in my head.

Pattern Update: Just Desserts

My Just Desserts pattern is one of my best selling patterns. But I thought that I could improve on the cake so that "stuffing" it was easier and so that the cake wasn't so tall. I also made the cupcakes a tad smaller than they were before. If you purchased this pattern from my shop prior to January 28, 2010 just send a convo to me through Etsy and I'll happily send the revised pattern to you for free. If you could please include your date of purchase in your convo that will help me locate you in my records. Thank you :)

Free Crochet Pattern: Heart Shaped Cookies

This adorable little pattern was available in my Etsy shop prior to Valentines Day. Now that Valentines Day has past, I decided to save $.20 and not relist this pattern on Etsy but share it on my blog instead.

These cookies work up quickly. I hope you enjoy them :)

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in beige, pink, white and red
Crochet hook size E
Crochet hook size H
Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
Double crochet (dc)
Half double crochet (hdc)
Single crochet (sc)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Triple crochet (tc)

Cookie:
Side 1:
With beige yarn and a size H hook
Rnd 1: 7 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (7).
Rnd 2: sc/hdc/dc in next sc, 2tc/dc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/2tc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/dc/tc in next sc, tc/dc/hdc in next sc (21).
Rnd 3: sc in next two stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next 14 stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, sl st in last stitch.
Finish off. Decorate Side 1 with frosting using the pattern below.
Side 2:
With beige yarn and a size H hook
Rnd 1: 7 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (7).
Rnd 2: sc/hdc/dc in next sc, 2tc/dc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/2tc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/dc/tc in next sc, tc/dc/hdc in next sc (21).
Rnd 3: sc in next two stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next 14 stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, sl st in last stitch.
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. With wrong sides facing, Sew Rnd 3 of Side 1 to Rnd 3 of Side 2. Weave in ends.

Icing:
With red, pink or white yarn and a size E hook
Rnd 1: 7 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (7).
Rnd 2: sc/hdc/dc in next sc, 2tc/dc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/2tc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/dc/tc in next sc, tc/dc/hdc in next sc (21).
Rnd 3: sc in next two stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next 14 stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, sl st in last stitch.
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. Sew icing to Side 1. Weave in ends.