A year ago, when one of my son’s was home for Thanksgiving, he showed me a picture of a quilted trench coat and asked if I could make something similar. The coat was made by a Japanese designer and would have cost nearly $2K to purchase.
So, while he was home, we found a Burda pattern that he thought would best match how he wanted the trench coat to fit and quarter yard of several cotton fabrics as well as some lining fabric.
After taking his measurements, I used some scrap fabric to make a mock up of the coat for him to try on when he came home at Christmas – no lining, no pockets, just the basic coat.
With some adjustments to the pattern, I got to work. This quilted part included 3″ squares arranged alternating print fabric with a shade of blue, 16 squares x 37 squares, quilted in a corner to corner straight line pattern.
The coat was then cut out and sewn together, using my serger machine on the seams to keep them from raveling.
I even added pockets that were matched to the patchwork so that they are somewhat hidden on the front of the coat.
The coat turned out nice and I entered in the MN State Fair this past August, where it received a blue ribbon and medallion.
I kept the ribbon, but the coat was shipped to New York for my son to enjoy when the weather dips this winter.
I also entered a few other items in the MN State Fair this year. I received a second place ribbon for a Pine Needle Woven Dream Catcher, a third place ribbon for a Woven V Shawl and a fourth place ribbon for a Crocheted Child’s Jumper.
A couple years ago, one of my son’s friends gave me a DMC Hug This Kitten Kit. The kit included a fluffy plush grey cat toy hugging a skein of size 2 fine weight yarn in variegated blue, pink and white. The size of the skein was just right for making a baby blanket which when finished could be rolled up and tucked into the arms of the kitten.
Most of the patterns associated with the kit were knitting patterns. Preferring crochet, I checked the website for other patterns associated with the kit. There was one crochet pattern that was based upon the Cross Stitch crochet stitch.
There were five other kits in the Hug This group. In addition to the kitten, these kits included a monkey, a dog, a rabbit, a lamb and a teddy bear.
About a year ago, I received an email about the kits being discontinued and each kit was available for $5 each, with free shipping for orders over $25. Since I thought they were so cute, and the price was right, I decided to purchase the five animals that I did not have and have since made additional baby blankets.
In a Minnesota winter, a hat is a necessary piece of clothing. But that doesn’t mean that it needs to be dull and boring. A hat can be a fashion accessory that helps define your personality. Adding a scarf also helps for warmth and is another way to accessorize your outerwear.
Over the past couple months, I have been busy making several hat and scarf sets. Some of these are listed for sale on this site. But, most have been donated to Minnesota Hats & Mittens organization. I use my own ideas for most of these projects. If you would like to duplicate them, I have included my patterns below each item.
Gradation Hat and Scarf Sets
Hat Pattern: Fingering weight yarn, E crochet hook. R1 – MR, ch2, HDC x9 in ring, join with SS (10 st). R2 – work 2 HDC in each stitch around (20). R3 – DC in first stitch, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (30). R4 – DC in first 2 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (40). R5 – DC in first 3 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (50). R6 – DC in first 4 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (60). R7 – DC in first 5 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (70). R8 – DC in first 6 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (80). R9 – DC in first 7 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (90). R10 – DC in first 8 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (100). R11 – DC in first 9 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (110). R12 – DC in first 10 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (120). R13 – c1, *SC in first stitch, skip 2 stitches, work 5 shell in next stitch, skip 2 stitches*, repeat * around, SS to first stitch (20 shells). R14 – SS over 3 stitches to top of shell, *SC, skip 2 DC (of shell), work 5 shell in next SC, skip 2 DC (of shell)*, repeat * around, SS to first stitch (20 shells). R15-32 – Repeat rows 13 and 14 nine more times. R33 – SS over 3 stitches to top of shell, *SC, skip 2 DC (of shell), work 7 shell in next SC, skip 2 DC (of shell)*, repeat * around, SS to first stitch (20 shells). Finish off.
Hat Pattern: Fingering weight yarn, Size 8 circular knitting needle (20″ length). Using one strand Hygge yarn and one strand white cotton yarn together, Cast on 80 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the first row. Work in K1 P1 rib stitch for ten rows. Cut Hygge yarn and join with apricot cotton yarn. Knit around until hat measures 6″. Decrease row 1: K8, K2tog, around. Decrease row 2: K7, K2tog, around. Decrease row 3: K6, K2tog, around. Decrease row 4: K5, K2tog, around. Decrease row 5: K4, K2tog, around. Decrease row 6: K3, K2tog, around. Decrease row 7: K2, K2tog, around. Decrease row 8: K1, K2tog, around. Decrease row 9: K2tog, around. Finish off and draw end through last stitches, tighten to close ring. Bury threads.
Hat Pattern: Worsted weight yarn, G crochet hook. R1 – MR, ch2, HDC x7 in ring, join with SS (8 st). R2 – work 2 HDC in each stitch around (16). R3 – DC in first stitch, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (24). R4 – DC in first 2 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (32). R5 – DC in first 3 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (40). R6 – DC in first 4 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (48). R7 – DC in first 5 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (56). R8 – DC in first 6 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (64). R9 – DC in first 7 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (72). R10 – DC in first 8 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (80). R11 – DC in first 9 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (88). R12 – DC in first 10 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch, repeat around (96). R13 – c1, *SC in first stitch, skip 2 stitches, work 5 shell in next stitch, skip 2 stitches*, repeat * around, SS to first stitch (16 shells). R14 – SS over 3 stitches to top of shell, *SC, skip 2 DC (of shell), work 5 shell in next SC, skip 2 DC (of shell)*, repeat * around, SS to first stitch (16 shells). R15-22 – Repeat rows 13 and 14 four more times. R23 – SC in each stitch (96 SC). R24 – HDC in each stitch. R25 – *SC, skip 2 stitches, work 7 shell in next HDC, skip 2 DC*, repeat * around, SS to first stitch (16 shells). R26 – SS over 4 stitches to top of shell, *SC, skip 3 DC (of shell), work 7 shell in next SC, skip 3 DC (of shell)*, repeat * around, SS to first stitch (16 shells). R27 – Repeat row 26 one time. Finish off. R28 – attach eyelash yarn, SC in each stitch. Finish off.
Hat Pattern: Worsted weight yarn, Size 6 and 8 circular knitting needles (20″ length). Cast on 100 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the first row. Work in K1 P1 rib stitch for 2″. Change to size 8 needles and knit around until hat measures 9″. Transfer half of stitches to a separate needle. Seam by knitting one stitch from each needle together with cast off stitch. Tack down the tips of the hat to create the box pleat. Bury threads.
Varied Stitch Knit Hat and Scarf Set
Hat Pattern: Worsted weight yarn, Size 8 circular knitting needles (20″ length). Cast on 80 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the first row. Work in K2 P2 rib stitch for 16 rows. *Knit 2 rows. Purl 8 rows. Knit 2 rows. K2 P2 for 8 rows.* Repeat * * once. Decrease row 1: K8, K2tog, around. Decrease row 2: K7, K2tog, around. Decrease row 3: K6, K2tog, around. Decrease row 4: K5, K2tog, around. Decrease row 5: K4, K2tog, around. Decrease row 6: K3, K2tog, around. Decrease row 7: K2, K2tog, around. Decrease row 8: K1, K2tog, around. Decrease row 9: K2tog, around. Finish off and draw end through last stitches, tighten to close ring. Bury threads.
This Saturday, October 16th, I will be selling some bed quilts, seasonal table runners, hat/scarf sets and various other crafts at the Project Explore Craft Fair on Saturday. The craft fair supports District 196 programs for special needs adults. Please come by and see what crafts are available.
I will also be participating in the Maple Grove Women of Today Fall Craft Show on Saturday, October 23, 2021. It will be held at Osseo Middle School.
All profits from my sales will go to support various non-profit organizations (Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Hats & Mittens Minnesota, Project Explore and World Vision).
Each year, I enjoy going the the Minnesota State Fair, viewing the artistry of the creative activities entries, as well as entering a couple quilts in the competition. In 2020, I was disappointed when the fair was cancelled.
This year, I had originally thought that I would not be able to enter any quilts in the competition. Having a trip to Colorado scheduled during the drop off days for the creative activities, I was at first unsure how I would be able to enter. About a week prior to our trip, I learned that I could drop off entries at the fair office during early drop off days before leaving on our trip.
After entering, I was still hesitant to attend the fair due to the increase in Covid cases. However, with the attendance numbers on previous days being down, I decided to go this morning. Being there from 8 to 11am, the number of people that were there was pretty small. The weather was cool and it was an enjoyable morning.
Things that I did not do:
Utilize a Park & Ride bus – to avoid the crowds of people on the buses, I left home early morning and was able to find parking in a lots across the street from one of the fair entrances.
Eat Fair Food – I usually avoid the fair food, so this was nothing new for me.
Ride any amusement in the Mighty Midway
Do any shopping in the Market areas.
Things that I did do:
Wore a mask and avoided crowds
Arriving early, I walked through several of the animal and 4H exhibits prior to the other buildings opening
Enjoyed the artistry in the Creative Activities building, including quilting, weaving, crochet and woodworking
Enjoyed the flora of the fair, a much overlooked aspect of the fairgrounds
Animals:
Creative Activities – My entries:
My hexagon quilt received a third place ribbon. The quality of the entries this year was amazing. So, I am pleased with a third place finish. My miniature doll quilt, made with hand dyed fabrics received a second place ribbon. This was a huge surprise to me. I only entered this quilt as a whim at the last minute, the quilt was never intended to be entered into a competition. The Twin Cities Skyline wall quilt that I made for a friend did not place. However, it is displayed in a very prominent location at the entrance to the Creative Activities Building. I will be interested to read the comments from the judge when I pick it up next week.
Creative Activities – Noah’s Ark: My absolute favorite of all of the creative activities entries that I saw today!
Each year, my dental office works with a local charity to collect and donate items to children in need. Whether it be “Toys for Tots” or “Hats and Mittens”, our doctors, staff and patient families actively participate.
This year, I decided to combine my love for crafts with this donation opportunity. Having knit and crocheted several scarves earlier in the year, I decided to make some hats to go with the scarves. I have tried making mittens and gloves but without much success. So, I purchased a pair of waterproof gloves to go with each set.
Queen Anne’s Lace Scarf, Crochet hat
Variegated Yarn Infinity Scarf and Headband
Lace Knit Infinity Scarf and Hat
Islet Crochet Scarf and Rib Knit Hat
Swirl Knit Scarf and Crocheted Hat
Ripple Crochet Scarf and Wavy Knit Hat
I hope these are enjoyed by the person who receives them.
Several years ago, my mother made a lovely swirl scarf for me. The scarf was one that she made without using a written pattern. At the time, I asked her to describe the pattern. It’s fairly simple, just remember to relax to keep your yarn tension very loose.
Knit Swirl Scarf
Materials:
Color A: Tan Worsted Weight Yarn, 100 yards
Color B: Variegated Worsted Weight Yarn, 50 yards
Color C: Fur style Yarn, 50 yards
US Size 9 circular knitting needle
US Size H crochet hook Pattern:
Using color A, cast on 100 stitches.
Row 1: Knit across, keeping tension very loose.
Row 2: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (200 stitches).
Row 3: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (400 stitches).
Row 4: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (800 stitches).
Row 5: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (1600 stitches).
Row 6: Attach color B and knit across (1600 stitches). Cast off all stitches.
Edging: Attach color C with slip stitch. Sc in each stitch along edges of the scarf. Weave in all yarn ends.
Yesterday, I decided to make a hat to match the scarf. The pattern I used was one I have had in my pattern collection for a while. However, I revised the pattern by removing two of the 5Shell rows in the white section of the pattern and completing the the final SC row with fur style yarn.
The Minnesota State Fair is currently taking place. If you are not from MN, you may not realize how big our state fair is. While MN only ranks 12th in size and 21st in population, it ranks second in state fair attendance, with over 2 million people attending each year. This is just behind Texas at 2.25 million visitors. However, Texas is second in land mass, second in population, and their state fair runs for 24 days (twice the length of the MN fair). Thus, I would say that the Minnesota State Fair outranks even Texas.
The fair is so popular that, even on a rainy morning like today, there were lots of people in attendance. What do people like to do at the fair? When I asked some of my friends, they replied: eat the food, attend a concert, eat the food, see the animals, eat the food….
I think you get the picture – there is lots of food to eat if that is what you are interested in.
For me, the State Fair is a place to go to see the craftsmanship and creativity in the Arts and Crafts Building. Today was no exception. After getting very wet walking from the transit center to the A&C building, I spent a couple hours walking around taking pictures.
Here are my quilts:
Me (with my wet hair) in front of “Burst Doll Quilt”, which received a first place in the child quilt category.
“Burst” bed quilt received a second place in the pieced bed quilt category.
My reversible tree quilt “Childhood Memories” received a second place in the mixed techniques category. Unfortunately, you can only see one side of the quilt and none of the shadow painting.
“Window on My World” placed fourth in the wall quilt category. I re-entered it this year because I was surprised that it did not place last year and knew that there was a different judge this year.
Living in Minnesota, the thought of hopping a plane on the weekend to go someplace warm is very inviting. This year, I planned two trips to get away to warmer weather. These trips, one to Clearwater Beach, Florida and one the San Francisco, were on two consecutive weekends. Then a few days after the planned second trip, I had to make an unexpected trip to Houston. So, that meant that in fifteen days I had three trips, including seven flights (totaling almost 2,000 miles) and numerous hours in airplanes and airports.
For me, this was a bit more travel than I would prefer. To pass the time, I brought along some knitting and crocheting. As a result, I was able to completed four scarves to donate.
Scarf One – Queen Anne’s Lace Crochet Scarf
Trip One – Clearwater Beach, Florida
Scarf Two – Eyelash Yarn Knit Scarf
Trip Two – San Francisco
Scarf Three – Cashmere Knit Scarf
Trip Three – Houston
Scarf Four – Varigated Yarn Knit Scarf
I am looking forward to a few weeks with no need to travel!
Every bed runner needs a nice decorative pillow to complement the design. Usually, for me, this means making a pieced and quilted pillow to match. This time, however, I thought it would be nice to try something different. So, I settled on
crocheting a pillow.
The nice thing about crochet is that I can take it with me to work or when running errands. That way if I am stuck waiting, I can work on my project.
When I first learned the crocodile stitch (February 9, 2016 posting) , I really liked the way it looked. And, this stitch seemed to me that it would match my daisy runner very well. Using some yarn in my stash, I started working on this. When it was done, I thought it was a nice complement to my quilt.
But, what to put on the back?
Well, it’s a daisy bed runner. So, why not try some crocheted daisies. I did an on-line search for a daisy pattern but was unable to find one with leaves behind the petals. So, why not make up my own pattern. With a little trial and error, using some features of the crocodile stitch, this is what I came up with.
And, here is my pattern:
Supplies:
E hook (smaller hook and thread yarn if you want this flower smaller)
Yellow, white, green and blue worsted weight yarn
Abbreviations:
sc=single crochet
sl st=slip stitch
ch=chain
hdc=half double crochet
dc=double crochet With yellow yarn ch 4, sl st to form ring Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 15 dc in ring, sl st = 16 dc Rnd 2: ch 2 (counts as first sc and first ch1 space), *sc ch 1 in dc* repeat 15 times, sl st to first sc = 16 (sc ch1) Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as first sc and first ch2 space), *sc ch 2 in dc* repeat 15 times, sl st to first sc. Cut and weave in end = 16 (sc ch2) Slip stitch in with White yarn for the petals Rnd 4: *sc, chain 9, sc in first ch2 space, hdc in the next ch2 space*. Repeat * to* 7 times, sl st to first sc = 8 (sc, ch9 loop, sc, hdc)
Rnd 5: ch 4 (counts as first dc and first ch1 space), *dc between scs keeping yard behind ch9, ch 1, dc in hdc, ch 1*. Repeat * to* 7 times, sl st to first sc. Cut and weave in end = 16 (dc, ch1)
Slip stitch in with Blue yarn to a ch 1 space after the dc behind the ch9 loop for background Rnd 6: ch 4 (counts as first dc, ch1), *dc in dc between loops, ch1, dc on ch 1 space, ch1, dc in dc behind loop, ch1* repeat 7 times, sl st to third ch = 16 (dc, ch1) Rnd 7: ch 1 (counts as first sc), *sc in ch 1, sc in dc, sc in ch1, (sc, ch6, sc in dc), * repeat 4 times, sl st to first sc = 4 (5sc, ch6 loop, 1 sc)
Rnd 8: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 5 sc, *ch3 behind loop, dc in 6 sc*, repeat two times, ch 3 behind loop, sl st to first ch3 = 4 (6dc, ch3)
Rnd 9: ch 1 (counts as first sc), sc in next 5 dc, sc, hdc, dc, ch2, dc, hdc, sc in loop, *sc in 6 dc, sc, hdc, dc, ch2, dc, hdc, sc in loop*, repeat two times, sl st to first ch1 = 4 (7sc, hdc, dc, ch2, dc, hdc)
Rnd 10: ch 1 (counts as first sc), sc in next 8 stitches, sc, hdc, dc, ch2, dc, hdc, sc in loop, *sc in 12 st, sc, hdc, dc, ch2, dc, hdc, sc in loop*, repeat two times, sl st to first ch1. Cut and weave in end = 4 (14sc, hdc, dc, ch2, dc, hdc).
Slip stitch to chain 6 loop in Rnd 7 with Green yarn for the leaves
Rnd 11: 4 dc, ch 1, sl st to sc of background, 4 dc. Cut and weave in end. Repeat in each chain 6 of rnd 7 = 4 leaves
Slip stitch to chain 9 loop in Rnd 4 with White yarn for the petals
Rnd 11: 4 dc, sl st to sc of background to side of leaf, 4 dc, sl st to sc of background on other side of leaf, 4 dc. Repeat 7 times. Cut and weave in end = 8 petals
Knit Swirl Scarf
The Minnesota State Fair is currently taking place. If you are not from MN, you may not realize how big our state fair is. While MN only ranks 12th in size and 21st in population, it ranks second in state fair attendance, with over 2 million people attending each year. This is just behind Texas at 2.25 million visitors. However, Texas is second in land mass, second in population, and their state fair runs for 24 days (twice the length of the MN fair). Thus, I would say that the Minnesota State Fair outranks even Texas.
Erickson's Heirlooms 