basic double crochet hat with optional ribbing

With WW yarn and G hook:
1. ch 3. 12 DC in last ch from hook, join to first dc. (12 dc)
2. Ch 3, dc in same sp, 2 dc in each dc around, join (24 dc)
3. Ch 3, (2 dc, dc in next) 11 times, 2 dc in last st, join (36 dc)
4. Ch 3, dc in next st, (2 dc, dc in next 2) 11 times, 2 dc in last st, join (48 dc)
5. Ch 3, dc in next 2 st, (2 dc, dc in next 3)( 11 times, 2 dc in last st, join (60)
6-13 ch 3, dc in each dc around (60 dc) join (if doing ribbing, do not fasten off, but proceed. If not doing ribbing, fasten off.)

ribbing (optional)
1. Ch 6. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch (5 sc)
2. sl st in next 2 dc of hat.
3. turn. sc in next 5 sc (skipping the 2 sl st just made)
4. ch 1 turn. sc in next 4.
(repeat rows 2-4 around hat
sl st last row of ribbing to first row (the first 5 chains made to start ribbing)
fasten off
Congratulations, you're done!

lacy flower applique

Level: Experienced.
G hook and worsted weight yarn, ch 4. (dc, ch 1 in 4th ch from hook) 5 times. Join in 2nd ch of beginning ch 4 (6 dc, 6 ch 1)
2. ch 4. (yo, pull up loop in 4th ch from hook, ch 1 leaving 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo pull through 2 loops-Foundation double crochet (fdc) made.) Ch 1 (fdc ch 1) 3 more times. ch 3 more, sl st 3rd ch from hook (picot made)ch 1, (dc in base of fdc, ch 1)4 times.
3. sk dc ch 1 from previous row, sl st, repeat row 2until 4 petal are made.
4. *sk (dc, ch 1), sl st.sc in 3rd ch from previous row's ch 4. sc front loop only (flo) in each dc and ch 1 of petal, up one side, around picot(at point of picot, sc, picot (ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook), sc), down the other side. sc in sl st at base of petal, repeat from * around all 4 petals. If changing colors, end with sl st after last sc in sl st and fasten off. attach new color in sc. If not changing colors, proceed without sl st . 
5. ch 5, (tr, ch1 in same sp) 8 times. working behind petal, sc in ch 1 sp of first row.working behind petal, *(tr, ch 1 in same sp) 9 times in sc between petals. working behind petal, sc in dc of first row repeat from * 2 more times. Join to 4th ch of beginning ch 5. If changing colors, fasten off and attach new color. If not changing colors, proceed. 
6.ch 30. sl st in 2nd ch froom hook and next 10 ch. ch 18. (dc, ch 1)4th ch from hook, 3 times, dc. sk 2 ch, sc in next, sk 2 ch *(dc, ch 1) 4 times, dc* in next, sk 2 ch, sc in next,*(dc, ch 1) 4 times, dc*, sk last 2 ch of this offshoot, sl st in next ch of stem.sl in next 10, ch 20. (dc, ch 1) in 4th ch from hook. (dc, ch 1, dc ch 1 dc) in same sp. sk 2, sc, sk 3, *(tr, ch 1) 4 times, tr* sk 3, sc. sk 2, *(dc ch 1) 4 times, dc* in next sp sk last 2 ch, sl st in next ch of stem.sl st in last 7 ch, fasten off.

Christmas hat

This can be made without the pom pom on top. If making the pom pom, follow these instructions. I like to make the pom pom first so I know I have enough yarn for it. The remaining yarn determines how long the hat is. With Worsted weight Christmas yarn or color of choice and G hook, 6 sc in magic circle, pull tight. Do not join or turn throughout. If you prefer not to use the magic circle, ch 4, join with sl st. ch 1 (counts as 1st stitch) 5 sc in ring. 2. *sc in back loop, sc in front loop around (12 sc) 3.*sc in back loop, (sc in front loop, sc in back loop of same stitch) sc in front loop, (sc in back loop, sc in front loop of same stitch) 3 times (18 sc) 4. *sc in back loop, sc in front loop (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch)6 times (24 sc 5. *sc back loop, sc front loop, sc back loop (sc front loop, sc back loop same stitch) sc front loop, sc back loop, sc front loop (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch) 3 times (30 sc) 6. *sc back loop, sc front loop (2 times), (sc back loop, sc front loop in same stitch) 6 times (36 sc) 7. * (sc back loop, sc front loop) 2 times, sc back loop ( sc front loop, sc back loop in same stitch), (sc front loop, sc back loop) 2 times, sc front loop (sc back loop, sc front loop in same stitch) 3 times ( 42 sc 8. *(sc back loop, sc front loop)3 times (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch) 6 times (48 sc 9. * (sc back loop, sc front loop) 3 times sc back loop, (sc front loop, sc back loop same stitch) (sc front loop, sc back loop)( 3 times, sc front loop, (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch) 3 tiems (54 sc) 10. * (sc back loop, sc front loop) 4 times (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch) 6 times ( 60 sc) 11. *(sc back loop, sc front loop) 4 times, sc back loop (sc front loop, sc back loop same stitch), (sc front loop, sc back loop) 4 times, sc front loop, (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch) 3 times (66 sc) 12. *(sc back loop, sc front loop) 5 times (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch) 6 times (72 sc) 13. *(sc back loop, sc front loop) 5 times, sc back loop (sc front loop, sc back loop same stitch), (sc front loop, sc back loop) 5 times, sc front loop, (sc back loop, sc front loop same stitch) 3 times (78 sc) repeat back loop, front loop alternations till hat is desired length. sl st next 2 stitches, fasten off. I used a 3 oz skein and used the whole thing. I thought about making it a slouchy hat instead of a regular fitting one, but put the fuzzy ball on top.

Sock monkey ski mask

What a fun project to design. Sorry, no pattern and I have no immediate plans to write one up, but these ski masks are very popular! I made this as a gag gift for my brother (pictured below with my son)

and when I posted a picture to my Facebook page I had requests to make them from about 5 different people! This can be made in any color, as sock monkeys are becoming very versatile colorwise. They always make a statement.

x-stitch scarf

skip one before dc in next

It's autumn time in Michigan and it puts me in mind of hats, scarves, and warm, cozy afghans. I decided to make another scarf. This is a simple repeat and a simple stitch using only dc and chains(at the beginning of the row) Using Teal WW yarn and an I hook, 21 FDC(If you prefer a thinner scarf, use less fdc, but make sure there is an odd number of stitches. The "x"s will be staggered, not stacked on top of each other. If you use an even number of base stitches, they will be stacked and have a different look) To do this, watch the youTube video or see text with pictures. *Alternatively, you could Ch 23, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each across (21 dc)
Row 2: Ch3, sk 1st dc, dc in next dc, dc in 1st dc skipped (working over top of dc just made) 10 times, turn.  Repeat Row 2 till scarf is desired length.

*One issue I have with this stitch is the tendency of the yarn to misbehave during the second part of the dc. As I complete a row I notice extra stitches in the previous row due to the tendency of the yarn to pull off. Instead of having a dc, I end up with a "hdc, ch1" in places. Please watch your yarn carefully. Of course, If I watched my yarn at all instead of watching tv, this wouldn't be a problem! It's only an issue when I do this x stitch so I believe it's the pull of the yarn during the crossing stage.

Now what I'm going to do is give it a twist and sew the ends together to make an infinity scarf! I hate to say it, but I'm not going to post a pic of the final product here because I've had so many issues posting pics from my phone and rearranging them on the computer to make sense. If you have any questions about the pattern, please contact me and I'll try my best to clarify.