Free Pattern Green Dragon / Dinosaur Crochet Hat

To start, crochet a beanie hat to the desired size that you want with the light green yarn.  Once you have crocheted the components as described, assemble the hat according to the picture and sew the pieces together

Eyes

Row 1: Chain 12, turn and sc into the second sc on chain from hook.

Row 2:  Sc one into the next 4 stitches, skip a sc and then 1 sc into the next four sc. 

Row 3: Chain 2 and sc into first sc on other side of chain. Sc into next nine stitches. Then put 2 sc into the next 2 stitches.   

Row 4: Sc next 4 stitches, skip a stitch and 1 sc in next 3 stitches, then put 2 sc in next 2 st,

Row 5:  sc in next 9 and then join with sl st in next stitch. The end shape should resemble a bean or a heart without a point. 

For the pupil make a magic ring with six dc. For me this is a very hard technique to describe how to do. There are many you tube videos available that will show you step by step instructions that are much easier in my opinion to follow than written instructions could ever be. 

Ears

Do this for both the dark and light color green yarn

Chain 4, then sc into 2 cs from hook and sc into the next 2 stitches, chain 2 and sc into first chain stitch and sc into next 3 stitches, sl st to next stitch. 

When it comes time construct the ear, put both a lighter color and darker color piece together and slip stitch them together using the lighter green yarn.  Finish off and leave enough yarn that you can sew the ear to the finished hat. 

Horns

Chain 5, turn and dc into the first cs from hook and then dc next 3 stitches. Ch 1 and slip stitch into first on other side.  Do two of these for each horn and then sl st the two pieces together to form one horn.  Again leave enough yarn after finishing sewing the horn onto the finished hat.

Snout

Row 1: Chain 8, turn and dc into the second cs from hook.

Row 2: One dc in the next seven stitches, cs 1 and dc into the first stitch on opposite side.  Continue to put one dc into each stitch for five more loops to make a rounded cone shape.

With a light pink thread cs 15 and sew onto bottom half of snout the make the mouth.  When stitching the snout onto the beaning, don’t forget to stuff it before you finish it off.  The amount of stuffing that you use is determined by how big and full you wish the snout to be. 

Braided Pigtails 

To make ear flap, first choose where you want the ear flap to be. For me I like to put them more towards the back but some people like to put them exactly in the middle. It is really up to you and where you wish to have them. It is your hat after all.

Row 1: SC into 11 stitches

Row 2: Turn Ch 1, and sc into the next 10 stitches

Row 3: Turn Ch 1, and sc into the next 9 stitches

Row 4: Turn Ch 1, and sc into the next 8 stitches

Repeat this process till you are at 1 sc and have a nice triangle ear flap.

If choosing to do the ear flap with braided pigtails as shown, make ear flaps.  Cut (6) 1 yard length pieces of the light green, dark green and the blue. On each ear flap, latch hook at the bottom 3 pieces of each color and braid to desired length. I chose to separate the colors for braiding but it would also be cute to just have the colors mixed up.  

Harvest Wreath

Fall is here what better way to get into the season than gather a few girlfriends, some wine and craft material. I had the pleasure of an evening spent in the company of some very talented ladies.  I should also mention that is was also a child free evening which is a rarity for me. We spent the evening designing our very own fall inspired door wreath.  This is the beautiful wreath that I spent the evening designing. 

I decided early on that I wanted to do a burlap wreath and this orange was a beautiful fall harvest color.  Instead of the rolls of burlap, I ended up purchasing two yards of burlap and then cut it into 8 in wide stripes.  It was much more economical for me than the expensive precut rolls.  I then looped the burlap through the wire wreath which was much easier than I thought it would be. The biggest concern is making sure that you keep the loops even and consistent as you go so that your wreath does not become lump sided. Once the burlap was finished, I started to place my decorative items with the leaf stems on the bottom and then laid down the bow with the sunflower on top and randomly placed the green and purple flowers where I saw fit. 

All and all I am very pleased with my new door wreath. A wreath is an important decoration. It is often times one of the first thing someone sees when they come to visit.  I am very proud to have this wreath welcome my guest during the season that is geared towards having people over and enjoying the company of the people you love the most.

Refurbished TV Trays

When my husband and I got married in 2007, we got a set of four tv trays.  6 years later, these trays are no longer in good shape. They are in fact quite dinged up.  I am embarrassed by the shape that they are in, but me being me I don't just want to get rid of them so what do I do, I give them a face lift. Now I don't have to embarrassed by them and I also have one of a kind tv trays that my husband, daughter and I can use.  I wish that I would have taken a picture of what they looked like before I sanded them and took some paint to them but I'm new at this whole blogging thing.  The process consisted of sanding, putting down a basic midnight blue paint and then a lighter ocean blue stencil job.  I then of course had to do some simple touch up job.  I eventually had to walk away from the touch up job. I feel like I could have always found something wrong with it as long as I kept looking. I have to eventually tell the perfectionist in me just to be happy so I can go on to my next project, especially with Christmas coming up. The final end result is picture below and I am qutie happy with it even though my daughter photo bombed the picture.