Crochet Dreamy Dreamcatcher Pattern

***You can find the PDF version of this pattern in my shop by clicking here. Great for easy printing!***

I'm oh so pumped to bring you this dreamy dreamcatcher pattern I've whipped up here recently! I've been inspired by the doily dreamcatchers for quite some time, and thought to myself- I should create one of those things from scratch.

Not going to lie, this was my first time working with crochet thread, I've just always avoided it for some reason. Probably the fact that its just so small and time-consuming! But in reality, it's truly not bad at all. It did take a bit for me to get the hang of it, and since I was new to this area of crochet, it took me awhile to write up a pattern for it. But I got er done!

dc13.jpg

The thing with dreamcatchers is, it's so easy to customize them and make them your own. I chose to wrap my metal ring with jute cord, but you could totally use suede cord, yarn, material-- really the possibilities are endless! 

I also chose to hot glue on some super pretty artificial flowers and tie on random lace pieces I had laying around to add to the dreamy effect. You could even add feathers or beads. :)

I love the dreaminess of this piece! I will say that I personally don't believe dreamcatchers have any special powers of any sort, but I sure do admire the look of them. 

What you'll need:
Size 9 (1.4 mm) hook (a set like this would be perfect for a beginner)
Cotton crochet thread, size 10 (I used Red Heart Classic Crochet Thread in Natural)
Tapestry needle
7-inch metal ring (I got this set)
jute cord or other material to wrap around metal ring
lace, ribbons, flowers, feathers or whatever you prefer to decorate

Dimensions:

Approximately 5 inches in diameter unstretched

Abbreviations:
ch=chain, st(s)=stitch(es), sc=single crochet, dc=double crochet, tr=treble, sl=slip, sp=space, 2dcl=two double crochet cluster (explained below), yo=yarn over, sk=skip

Stitch explanation:
2dcl= yo, insert hook into designated st, yo, bring back through st, yo, draw through first two loops on hook, leave 2 loops on hook, yo, insert hook into same st you were already working in, yo, bring back through st, yo, draw through first two loops on hook, yo, draw through remaining three loops on hook

Pattern:

ch 8, join to 1st ch with sl st
1) ch 3, (counts as dc, ch 1) [dc, ch1] 11 times, join to 2nd ch with sl st(total 12 dc, 12 ch-1 spaces)
2) sl st into ch 1 sp, ch 2, dc in same sp (counts as one 2dcl), ch 2, [in the next ch 1 sp, 2dcl, ch 2] repeat [] around, join to 2nd ch with sl st (total 12 clusters)
3) sl st into ch 2 sp, ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 4), [dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 4] repeat [] around, join to 2nd ch with sl st (total 12 dc, 12 "ch 4")
4) sl st into ch 4 sp, ch 10 (counts as tr, ch 7) [tr in next dc from previous row, ch 7] repeat [] around, join to 3rd ch with sl st (total 12 tr, 12 "ch 7")
5) sl st into ch 7 sp, ch 2, dc into ch 7 sp, ch 2 (counts as one 2dcl) [working in same ch 7 sp--{2dcl, ch 2} 2 times 2dcl], [in next ch 7 sp- 2dcl {ch 2, 2dcl} 3 times] **4 total clusters in each ch 7 sp** repeat [] around, join to 2nd ch with sl st (total 48 clusters, 36 "ch 2")
6) ch 12 (counts as tr, ch 9), [tr in sp between the 2 2dcl without a "ch 2" in between them, ch 9], repeat [] around, join to 3rd ch with sl st (total 12 tr, 12 "ch 9")
7) sl st into ch 9 sp, ch 6, sk 4 ch, sc (in 5th ch), ch 3, sc in 5th ch again, ch 5, sc in tr, [ch 5, sk 4 ch, sc in 5th ch, ch 3, sc in 5th ch again, ch 5, sc in tr] repeat [] around
8) ch 16 (counts as sc, ch 15), [sc in sc from previous row that was worked into the tr st, ch 15] repeat [] around, join to 1st ch with sl st {total 12 sc, 12 "ch 15")
9) ch 6 (counts as sc, ch 5) [{ch 5, sk 3 ch, sc in next st} 3 times, ch 5, sk 3 ch, sc in sc from previous row] repeat [] around, join to 1st ch with sl st (total 48 sc, 48 "ch 5")

Fasten off, weave in ends.

To finish, I "blocked" my piece by ironing it flat. 

Next, using a small amount of hot glue, I attached the jute cord by wrapping it tightly around the metal ring. I glued every few inches as well.

Then lay your crochet piece in the center of your wrapped ring. 

Now you start attaching the piece to the ring. I cut an extra long piece of the thread, then thread it through my needle (I did this so I wouldn't have to keep threading my needle). I first put the needle through the crocheted piece in the center of each of the 12 big sections (in the sc between the 2nd and 3rd "ch 5" loops). See below. 

I pulled the thread all the way through, leaving about a 4-5 inch tail. Then I went over the metal ring with the needle, back around into the same space I inserted the needle first, pulling it through and leaving another 4-5 inch tail. 

Then I tied a single knot-- not too tightly to secure the piece. Repeat that process with the opposite sides of the crochet piece.

Keep single knotting opposite sides of the piece until you've attached 12 sides of the piece.

As you can see its a nice little mess of strings. ha! Then I tightened them all so the piece was nice and stretched. Making sure they were all even. Next I double knotted them and then with much patience, weaved in the ends.

Ah, so much better without all those strings! This is just such a pretty piece!

Then you knot on your lace or material, and adorn the dreamcatcher with whatever your heart desires! 

Sweet dreams! ;)

Meg

Crochet Baby Suspenders

***Find the PDF version of this pattern in my shop here. Perfect for easy printing!***

Hi there! 

This chilly and overcast Saturday here in Kansas has me inside creating this post for these ADORABLE baby suspenders you need in your life. I was thinking I really needed a pair for Sawyer, so I whipped some up not too long ago, and created the pattern while I was at it!

These things are just so dang cute. He looks like a little old man, ha!!

Once I got them on him, I couldn't stop taking pictures. I just wish the kid would smile for the camera, sheesh.

I had a big bouncy ball to get him to look at the camera, and then he gave me this look...

Like uh, mom, I'm not buying into your lame tricks. Get me off this grass. 

So for this pattern, I used a worsted weight cotton yarn (Peaches & Creme in Dark Taupe to be exact) but looking back, I think I'd rather just use good ol' acrylic for the extra stretch. But if you're in the market for suspenders with not too much stretch, turn to cotton!

What you'll need:
Size H (5 mm) hook (this set would be perfect for a beginner)
Worsted weight yarn (I used Peaches & Creme in Dark Taupe)
Tapestry needle
measuring tape
4 suspender clips like these

Abbreviations:
ch=chain, st(s)=stitch(es), sc=single crochet, sl=slip 

Notes:
*ch 1 at beginning of rounds do not count as st

So for this pattern, I chose to give you a formula for how big you need to make the suspenders.. Mostly because its hard to say what the average would be for each age. You'll need a measuring tape to measure your baby from the front of his pant, over his shoulder, crossing in the back to the other side of his pant line on his back. 

So for Sawyer, who is almost 10 months old, his measurement was 19 inches. Then you take into consideration the length of your suspender clips. Mine were 1.5 inches, so that would add 3 inches total.

If you use cotton, the pattern will not stretch very much, so I subtracted half an inch for stretch. If you use acrylic, subtract another inch to account for stretch.

So in shorter terms, measurement minus length of clips and minus .5 inch (1 inch for acrylic) for stretch

Sawyer's: 19 - 3 - .5 = 15.5

 

Pattern (make 2):
**see notes for sizing before starting**
*start with a long tail before starting your chain, this will be used to sew later*
Take your number you received after subtracting length of clips and stretch, then you will multiply it by 4.
(So Sawyer's number was 15.5, multiplied by 4 equals 62)
This number is what your starting chain will be.
1) after you complete your chain, work sc into 2nd ch from hook, and across
2) ch 1, turn sc across
3) ch 1, work 2 sc into the end spaces of rows 1 & 2 (see photo below)

4) ch 1, sc into the space below where you usually insert your hook to crochet (sc spike st) (see photo below) and across row

5) repeat row 3
6) repeat row 4 -- you are working in the same spaces you worked in row 4, join to ch 1 with sl st

finish off, and leave long tail for sewing

Next you're going to sew the crocheted piece to your suspender clips. Grab one of your clips, and needle.

Put the short end of the crocheted piece through the clip slot, just enough to reach over the slot (seen below).

Sew with the tail of your crocheted piece and your needle, using a running stitch. Go back and forth a couple of times to make sure it's secure. Then you will repeat that for the rest of the clips. IMPORTANT: don't forget to check that you're sewing the clips facing the same way. If not, the suspenders will twist if you want to clip them on pants!

Then you'll have two straps for your suspenders..

Next you're going to sew what will be the back of the suspenders. Lay the suspenders out on a flat surface, just like they would be worn, and cross the back side 3 inches from the bottom (you could always cross them higher up, personal preference). Then using a piece of yarn and needle, sew along where you crossed the straps (see below).

After that, you've got some freakin' adorable suspenders to clip on your baby's pants! Whew! Hope that was easy for you to follow along. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and I will get with you asap. 

Have a beautiful spring day!

Love,
Meg