Meet the Blog Stalkers

Blog Stalkers!! What are we? Stalkers... the fun kind! 

Yes, we stalk blogs and a variety of kinds! There are three of us and we each have our own interests, though crochet is what brought us together. We decided to share with you the things we love, crochet and more! Each of us will feature a post or article written by a blogger we love and then we'll be sharing it with you! These blog stalking posts will be shared with you on a monthly basis on all of our blogs!
So now, without further ado, here's our blog stalkers and a small peek at what they might share with you!





Hello! I'm Crystal, founder and designer behind Crystalized Designs. I'm happy to be a part of the Blog Stalkers! You'll mainly find I follow crochet related blogs but I can't turn my back on blogs with great recipes. Other blog I follow relate to doing fun activities and crafts with children. I love doing fun small things with them, keepsakes to remember the younger years by! I'm looking forward to sharing with you some amazing posts from others!







Hello! I'm Lisa, the person behind Pink Snail Boutique. When I was asked to be part of Blog Stalkers I was honored and excited to be on the team. I have a bit of the crafting ADD bug so my tastes are all over the place when it comes to reading blogs. I will admit most of my blog following has come from searches and pins I have found on Pinterest. From crochet to homeschooling to planning parties. As a mother of 3, all of which are crafters themselves, I am sure I will have something for everyone. Little Lisa factoid- My ribbon and bead stash are almost as out of control as my yarn stash. I can't wait to stalk some blogs to share with you.







Hello there!!! I am Stephanie with Smalltown Dreamz. I am so thrilled to be part of the Blog Stalker Team. When it comes to overall crafting I like to dip my hands in everything. I love to learn new things. I follow many types of blogs because you never know where your next inspiration can come from. I have been blessed to have a crafty husband so we have been able to teach our oldest son how to build and create things for himself. I am looking forward to sharing all the inspiration that I find.



You can also find Blog Stalkers on Facebook!!!

Stay tuned for next month to see who we have been stalking!!!!

If you have been stalked and would like to add our button to your page please feel free

Before the Final Crunch

Are you feeling the last minute crunch to get those last minute gifts bought or finish up the last of your handmade gifts. I know I am. haha...... I am not sure why I do this but I always manage to procrastinate Christmas. I mean I know when its coming every year. I know that it will be on time every year but every year I manage to fall literally to the last minute. Last year I was wrapping gifts when we got to the house we were supposed to exchange at. How sad is that......... Having a new little one I am sure this year will be much like the year before.

A few weeks ago I was at Michael's and picked up a beautiful skein of  Isaac Mizrahi Sutton the color was West End. Super Bulky and an acrylic/wool mix.  I knew I wanted to save it for myself but seeing as it was only 62 yards and I only had one skein I wasn't sure what I was going to make with it. into the stash it went. lol ( we have all been there)

So anyway I have had a few late nights lately as I am sure every mom does with a newborn. The other night was one of those nights. I sat there staring at my lovely new yarn from across the room and decided I just wanted to at least touch it lmao (yes we have all been there too haha) I grabbed it and a hook and things just started flowing. Next thing I knew I had a cover for my hook jar.

I LOVE the way it laid out!!!!!

I used a long half double crochet around the body of it.

Even though it is something small I still feel awesome cause I took the time to make something for myself.

Now back to the chaos

Happy Crafting

Sizing Formula for Crochet Hats

Recently over the holidays I ran into a fellow crocheter who had some awesome knowledge to share. I for one LOVE math which is why I think crochet designing is so much fun for me. However I was INTRIGUED when she told me that there is a math formula to figure out hat sizes. Seeing how this is something that I am really interested in and was finding it difficult to determine sizes, I started taking notes.

After I got home I started crunching numbers and comparing the results with other sizing charts and I was floored that the formulas were pretty accurate. I will for sure be keeping this in mind for the rest of my crocheting life. HAHA.

So this is how she broke it down for me.

Crochet Circle

Formulas for finding crochet hat sizes. 

Circumference (divided by) 3.14 = Size of Crochet Circle

Circumference (divided by) 10 = ? (multiplied by) 4 = Hat Height

Circumference (divided by) 2 = Hat width

*** These formulas will work with Most hat patterns but not all depending on the pattern type***

  

 For example......

0-3 month old - Circumference = 12 - 14 inches

Circle Size

 12 / 3.14 = 3.8 (round nearest whole number or .5)  

14/ 3.14 = 4.4 (round nearest whole number or .5)

so your circle size would be 4 inches to 4.5 inches

Hat Height

12 / 10 = 1.2 * 4 = 4.8 (round nearest whole number or .5)

14 / 10 = 1.4 * 4 = 5.6 (round nearest whole number or .5)

So your hat height would be 5 inches to 5.5 inches

Hat Width

12 / 2 = 6

14 / 2 = 7

So your hat width would be 6 inches to 7 inches

Neat huh?!?!?!?!

For those that don't enjoy math like I do I have it all broken down for you below. I hope you enjoy!!!!

Newborn - Circumference = 12 inches

Circle Size

 12 / 3.14 = 3.8 (round to the nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

so your circle size would be 4 inches to 

Hat Height

12 / 10 = 1.2 * 4 = 4.8 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

So your hat height would be 5 inches 

Hat Width

12 / 2 = 6

So your hat width would be 6 inches to 

0-3 month old - Circumference = 12 - 14 inches

Circle Size

 12 / 3.14 = 3.8 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

14/ 3.14 = 4.4 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

so your circle size would be 4 inches to 4.5 inches

Hat Height

12 / 10 = 1.2 * 4 = 4.8 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

14 / 10 = 1.4 * 4 = 5.6 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

So your hat height would be 5 inches to 5.5 inches

Hat Width

12 / 2 = 6

14 / 2 = 7

So your hat width would be 6 inches to 7 inches

3-6 month old - Circumference = 14 - 16 inches

Circle Size

14/ 3.14 = 4.4 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

16/ 3.14 = 5.0 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

so your circle size would be 4.5 inches to 5 inches 

Hat Height

14 / 10 = 1.4 * 4 = 5.6 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

16 / 10 = 1.6 * 4 = 6.4 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

So your hat height would be 5.5 inches to 6.5 inches

Hat Width

14 / 2 = 7

16 / 2 = 8

So your hat width would be 7 inches to  8 inches

6-12 month old - Circumference =  16 - 18 inches

Circle Size

16/ 3.14 = 5.0 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

18/ 3.14 = 5.7 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

so your circle size would be 5 inches to 6 inches

Hat Height

16 / 10 = 1.6 * 4 = 6.4 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

18 / 10 = 1.8 * 4 = 7.2 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

So your hat height would be 6.5 inches to 7.25 inches

Hat Width

16 / 2 = 8

18 / 2 = 9

So your hat width would be 8 inches to 9 inches

1-3 year old - Circumference = 18 - 20 inches

Circle Size

18/ 3.14 = 5.7 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

20/ 3.14 = 6.36 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

so your circle size would be   6 inches to 6.5 inches

Hat Height

18 / 10 = 1.8 * 4 = 7.2 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

20 / 10 = 2.0 * 4 = 8.0 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

So your hat height would be 7.25 inches to 8 inches

Hat Width

18 / 2 = 9

20 / 2 = 10

So your hat width would be 9 inches  to 10 inches

3-10 year old - Circumference =  20 - 22 inches

Circle Size

20 / 3.14 = 6.3 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

22 / 3.14 = 7.0 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

so your circle size would be 6.5 inches to 7 inches 

Hat Height

20 / 10 = 2.0 * 4 = 8.0 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

22 / 10 = 2.2 * 4 = 8.8 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

So your hat height would be 8 inches  to 9 inches

Hat Width

20 / 2 = 10

22 / 2 = 11

So your hat width would be 10 inches to 11 inches

Teen to Adult - Circumference =   22 - 24  inches

Circle Size

22 / 3.14 = 7.0 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

24 / 3.14 = 7.6 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

so your circle size would be 7 inches  to  7.75 inches

Hat Height

22 / 10 = 1.8 * 4 = 8.8 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

24 / 10 = 2.4 * 4 = 9.6 (round nearest whole number, .75, .50 or .25)

So your hat height would be 9 inches to 9.5 inches

Hat Width

22 / 2 = 11

24 / 2 = 12

So your hat width would be 11 inches to 12 inches

I hope that all makes sense and I hope this helps with sizing your hats in the future!!!

In the mean time Here is a hat I made for my oldest son recently to match his new winter jacket. The pattern is the Griffin Hat by Sincerely Pam

I look forward to finding more tips and tricks to share with you this next year along with a few other fun things. Until then...................

Happy Crafting

Twas the Night Before Saturday

Twas the night before Saturday and all through our homes,
Pam, Lisa, Crystal and Stephanie were working on this poem.
Our Stocking patterns were designed with lots of love and care.
In hopes that you’d make them so your mantels would be less bare.

With patterns listed on Ravelry, and coupon codes ready,
Yarn and hooks all picked out, crochet fast, hands steady!
Papers flying, hooks wielding, the final product in sight!
Oh no! Weaving ends! Always gives us a fright!!

With our beautiful stockings hung up for all to see,
We can be so proud knowing they were “Made By Me”.
Staring out the window on this cold and blustery nigh,
We hold our hooks tight and give out a cry.

"Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
Hung by the chimmeny! Hung up on the wall!
Now hook away! Hook away! Hook away all!!

And guess what RUDOLPH has joined in on the Reindeer Games...... 

The 4 winners from our Santa and His Reindeer Stocking Pattern Giveaway are.............

1. Viola P

2. Darlene M

3. Marjorie M

4. Patty K

Congratulations!!!!!!

Please contact one of the shops to receive your patterns. Each winner will receive a copy of each pattern For a total of 10 stocking patterns!!!! 

All the patterns are now available for purchase in our shops. You can find them list below

Twas the Night Before Saturday Sale -  40% off each  stocking pattern using

coupon code: STOCKING

(This code is good in our Ravelry Shops only)

in each store through this Sunday, November 23rd.

Sincerely Pam

Doner (Dylan Christmas Stocking)

Vixen (Victoria Christmas Stocking)

Smalltown Dreamz

Santa Stocking

Dancer (Snowflake Stocking)

Rudolph (Mini Me Stocking)

Crystalized Designs

Comet Stocking

Prancer Stocking

Blitzen Stocking

Pink Snail Boutique

Dasher Christmas Stocking

Cupid Christmas Stocking

Santa and His Reindeer Stocking Collaboration

It's that time of year again! Decorating, shopping, cooking, more shopping.... but most of all, it's the season of giving! Sincerely Pam, Pink Snail Boutique, Smalltown Dreams and Crystalized Designs have collaborated in bringing YOU Santa and his 8 reindeer stockings!  And we're giving away a set of these patterns to FOUR people!! Yes, you read that right! Four people will get the Santa Stocking, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen... are you singing along yet?? Want to meet them??

 

 

The Santa Stocking by Smalltown Dreamz

Dasher Stocking by Pink Snail Boutique

(Dancer) Snowflake Stocking by Smalltown Dreamz

Prancer Stocking Bunting by Crystalized Designs

(Vixen) Victoria Stocking by Sincerely Pam

Comet Stocking by Crystalized Designs

 

Cupid Stocking by Pink Snail Boutique

(Donner) Dylan Stocking by Sincerely Pam

Blitzen Stocking by Crystalized Designs

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A New Chapter

I know I have been a on and off this past year. It still feels like yesterday when I had a regular dr appt at the end of January this past year. That is when we found out I was pregnant.
I was able to manage my cyclic vomiting syndrome and all though I may not have gained a whole lot we delivered a very healthy little boy on Oct 3rd 2014.

A big thank you to Crystal from Crystalized Designs for taking my maternity photos

My first son who turned 7 this year has been an amazing big brother. He is always wanting to help where he can.
He even changed his first diaper this week. (of course I was sitting right there to supervise) but I could not be more proud of him. It is amazing to see the boys interact together. He loves to read to his brother all the time. And when the baby is crying he will sing to him. I have been so blessed.

This was the first time he held his brother when we were in the hospital

He was super excited!!

On the crafty side of things. I have been super busy testing things for other designers and making things for boys. I have also been designing a few things myself lately and can't wait to show you what I have been up to. I made him his first handmade hat as soon as we got home ( photo on the left)



Here is a hat I tested for Sincerely Pam called the Snowflake Beanie

Here is a hat I did from Thomasina Cummings Designs called the Newsboy Hat

I have tons of new things planned with a few of my crafty friends and I can't wait to start rolling out the carpet on them. For now I will leave you with a sneak peek of 2 of my new patterns that are set to release at the end of the week with a collection of other patterns from some of my fellow designers. Sincerely Pam, Crystalized Designs, Pink Snail Boutique and I collaborated together for a fun and exciting mulit pattern release. Stay tuned for more details on the release.  

Can you guess what they might be?

Happy Crafting

Stephanie