The Dude Hat - A free crochet pattern!

It's finally here! The Dude Hat crochet pattern! 

Coordinates with The Dude Scarf free pattern, and is very easy, fast, customizable, and a great last minute gift for the dude (or dudette!) in your life. The stitch combination creates a wavy slouchy kind of look, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out! I hope you are too!

Materials: 
- 1/2 skein of worsted weight yarn (Color A), I used Woolite Cincinnati Green
- 1/3 skein worsted weight accent color (Color B) a Navy Blue of unknown origin :)
-  5.5 mm hook
- Yarn needle for sewing in ends

Notes/Abbreviations:
- DO NOT TURN, join at the end of each round with a slip stitch
- To begin each round, ch 1, then do your first stitch in the same (this creates a more seamless look), I will NOT write Ch 1 at the beginning of each round, please assume it and do it :)
- Pattern is in USA terms
-Finished measurement is 22-24" depending on yarn and tension (mine was 23", I tend to have medium tension)
- You can carry your yarn color changes, or cut and weave. I carried mine, just remember this is a slouchy-ish hat so leave some give on your carry "tails". I used the "invisible join" method.
- Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tc = triple crochet, st = stitch, sk = skip, * indicates repeat

PATTERN

1. Color B: Create a Magic Ring, dc 6 times into the ring (6)
2. 2 Hdc around (12)
3. Color A: 2 tc in each around (24)
4. *Hdc 2, hdc next 3* around (30)
5. *hdc next 2, 2 hdc* around (40)
6. Color B: *2 tc, tc next 3* around (50)
7. Color A: *hdc next 5, 2 hdc* around - hdc remaining stitches in round (58)
8. *2 tc, tc next 2* around (87)
9. Hdc around (87)
10. Color B: tc around (87)
11. Color A: hdc around (87)
12. Tc around (87)
13. Hdc around (87)r
14. Color B: hdc, sk 1 (to decrease), *hdc next 10, sk 1* around (78)
15. Dc around (78)
16. Color A: dc around (78)
17. Color B: *hdc 15, sk 1 (to decrease)* around, hdc remaining stitches (72)
18. Color A: sc around to finish/create border. You could keep going at this point to make the hat slouchier, or do whatever finishing border you like!

That's it! Please let me know if you find my stitch counts are off at all, I made two of these to double check, but would love the feed back!

THANKS DUDES! Happy hooking!
-Claire

 ~Patterns/Picture Copyright~ 
Feel free to use free crochet patterns for whatever purpose you like, but please link back to us. Please do not copy and post any patterns and claim as your own, but you may use links that direct to this blog post. You may share photos that include the Horizontal Designs text only, and use of photos or altering of photos without express permission is prohibited and copyright protected.  

Crochet Magazine Feature of Game of Thrones Stitch Marker Set!

WOW WOW WOW! I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!

My hand stamped (engraved) "Winter is Coming" Game of Thrones inspired stitch marker set is being featured in the upcoming issue of Interweave Crochet Magazine!

It comes out on Dec 14th, check out page 8! I won't spoil the surprise by posting here :)

Here is a picture of the set, which can be found in my ETSY SHOP:

The tag can be used as a project tracker - you can use Sharpie marker to write your row, stitch, pattern name, hook size, or anything else! Then it wipes clean with nail polish remover! Pretty brilliant if you ask me, I wish I could patent the idea, lol. They also come on a wire to attach to your project bag.

Have a great day!
Yipppeeeee!
-Claire

Free Men's Hat Crochet Pattern on Friday! (and more)

I'm back! Took a little hiatus, had some medical and personal stuff to take care of, will be blogging regularly again now.

Friday - The Dude Hat free crochet pattern launches! So excited to finally get this to you - just in time for last minute gifts for your dudes! Coordinates with the Dude Scarf! It's slouchy and soft and has a fun customizable pattern, sized to fit a man's head. 

What else have I been up to? Learning to make organic soap, and boy am I in trouble! It's incredible addictive - and so much fun! I'll be sharing a few recipes I came up with to give away as Holiday gifts.

More patterns are coming (see pics below of a few, I have 32 in the cue!). Some are free and some paid, but I can't wait!!!

Hope everyone is staying ahead of their yarn Christmas gift to-do list - I sure am not! 

Have a great day hookers and crafters :) 

-Claire

Only 4 Days Left! Crochet Lounge Giveaway!

Have you entered this MASSIVE giveaway yet? If not - DO IT!!!!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win your choice of paid patterns from us, and a ton of other amazing prizes! 

PS - have been in the process of moving into my new home and setting up my new studio - will be back blogging and publishing the 32 (FREE and paid) patterns waiting to be formatted/finalized in the next few weeks! 

Happy hooking!

Claire

Crochet Therapy

I have been home from the hospital after surgery to have another port placed (a plastic disc in my chest with tubing that runs into my heart) so I can get IV fluids and meds and blood work done without having to deal with yucky veins. After 3 1/2 years of intensive damage to my veins, they are just plain shot, and no one can access them anymore. So I agreed to try to port again, and pray for no clots or nerve damage like the last time.

My Etsy shops have been closed (except for ready to ship easy stuff), and I have been in bed recovering. I'm not good at being in bed doing nothing. So I've been hookin! It really is like therapy, so here are a few pics of things I've made, I hope you enjoy.

First up is a free form cotton sunhat for my daughter. I made a flat spiral on top, some shells on the side, a space for some elastic and then ruffles. She loved this yarn and picked it out of my stash.

 

Of course a big pink bow was in order!

I've also been working on my hexagon design, I have no clue what I'm going to make with them! I spent a gift card on bright cotton yarn, and really like the way they are turning out. Any idea what to make them into? I love that they are 3D and have a raised puffy enter and flower petals!

And lastly, I have been finishing this romper pattern, as the lacy flapper style baby rompers are very popular, and quite frankly adorable! I got stuck after the second round of ruffles, I can't decide how many more to add. Or just to add a ruffle butt. Who doesn't love a cute ruffle butt?

And now I just need an extra cute baby to model!
Have a great day!!!
--Claire

Ravelry Crochet Pattern Sale!

All crochet pattern are 50% off through Mother's Day as a big thank you to all you amazing Mommy's out there!

Code: MDHDS2014
Ravelry Link: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/horizontal-designs

Enjoy!!!!

The Gabriella Blanket is now a FREE crochet pattern!

In light of all the new patterns I have coming out - and just because - I'm making The Gabriella Blanket a FREE PATTERN!

Named for my daughter, it's made with soft Red Heart Baby Clouds yarn (but you could use any chunky yarn) and can be customized to basically any size!I love the soft vintage tones and color combo.


Step by step instructions and suggestions for customizing when making your squares...

 And detailed instructions on joining and finishing the edging....

This makes a super soft, very durable blanket that my whole family loves. It has held up over the past year as well, even with toddler wear and tear, no frayed ends after lots of washing!

 

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do! You can download the pattern from Ravelry HERE.

Happy hooking! Please share pictures of squares/blankets and I'll post them on Facebook!
--Claire

It's Done! My First c2c Afghan

Am so excited to have finally finished this corner to corner (aka c2c) afghan - it's definitely the biggest project I've done - and I love the way the colors turned out!I attempted to create a Moroccan jewel tone style - the jury is out on if that worked!

It started with this color palate:

...but ended up frogging the yellow and leaving it out.....

Crochet Pattern Launch Giveaway! The Posey Pixie Hood!

It's that time again! While my amazing testers are helping finalize the crochet pattern, which happens to be one of my favorites to date, it's time for a contest!






This is the Posey Pixie Hood, designed with my daughter in mind, inspired both by fairy tales and vintage charm. It comes in two sizes, and the smaller size will fit toddler - adult, but in case you wanted it bigger, I included a larger size as well. All pictures feature the toddler-adult size.

There are so many ways to customize this! And it includes loads of picture tutorials, a stand alone pattern for the large flower, and a bonus pattern for the coordinating headband.

 It's puffy and soft, and has interesting texture, and is made with under 1 skein of Homespun yarn!  Enter to win a copy below! There is a chance for a bonus prize of any two patterns as well!

GOOD LUCK! Contest runs through next Tuesday at midnight, and you can share and enter every day! Winner announced Wednesday, 3/19/14.
---Claire

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FREE PATTERN TUTORIAL: How to use fabric flowers with crochet and knit items!

I love crochet flowers, don't get me wrong, but I have absolutely fallen in love with the shabby/vintage style flowers that are so popular. When you combine the two, and add them to a hat, a create a clip for a scarf, shawl, or headband, they are luscious! In my opinion, they take your designs up a notch, add an extra touch of chic, and stand out from the "standard" adornments on handmade yarn items.


Are they appropriate for everything? NO. But they have their place. So here is a little tutorial with a simple free crochet flower pattern, and how to add layers of fabric flowers and rhinestones to finish the look.



Now - I'm not referring to the yucky fake kind of flowers that are trying to hard to look real, mind you, made of vinyl and fake silk looking junk. I'm talking the chiffon, the real satin, and the various prints and textures you just can't do with yarn.

Yes, these are all available in both The Gimpy Hooker for smaller quantities and mixes, and the Shabby Peacock Shack for bulk orders at a discount. The reason I started supplying these is because I love them so much, and my clients do to!

Gimpy Hooker with a Twist of Lyme

Cute "Lyme" pic from Neen Crochet

Just a quick update - we may have found what's causing (or at least exacerbating) my gimpy-ness. I'm putting this out there to both hopefully inform anyone who also struggles with a mystery disease, and account for any big lapses in posting.

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with both Lyme Disease and Bartonella (another tick born disease). This is after having my first POTS episode 11 years ago, and a slew of chronic syndrome diagnosis and no answers. I wrote about my current health situation and the diagnosis journey in detail on my other blog HERE for anyone that wants more detail.

It's going to be an interesting ride from here on out - and to cope, I'll only be selling things that are ready to ship, no more "made to order" crochet, jewelry, or stitch markers. Everything in my shops is ready to go and already made. I'll be focusing on patterns and creating things for fun while I start this long treatment process. I hope to post lots of pretty pictures of new crochet creations, and fun free (and paid) patterns.

Next pattern in the Que!

I urge anyone that has mystery illness stuff going on to get tested! I have been misdiagnosed and left to get progressively worse for over a decade, and I was bitten by my first tick (that we know of) at the age of 12 - so who really knows how long this has been going on?

Cheers and healthy well wishes!
---Claire



 

Flowers and Rhinestone and Buttons, Oh my!

Wooden buttons in fun prints!

I'm so excited to have all this sparkly and colorful stuff stocked for The Gimpy Hooker shop! 

Here are some pictures of what just came in:

Super sparkly pearl rhinestones

HUGE polka dot chiffon flowers *swoon*

Bold Rosette rhinestones, 8 colors

LAUNCH CONTEST - Yarn, Stitch Marker, Fabric Flowers, Necklace & More!

Starts at midnight tonight! 

To celebrate the launch of The Gimpy Hooker Shop on Etsy, we are have a BIG giveaway!!! Two winners, two prizes! And since Valentine's Days is fast approaching, it is love themed!

(contest closed, winners announced!)
 

ERASABLE Stitch Markers and Sets - Preview!

Erasable backside, "Accio Hook" on the font!

THE OFFICIAL GIMPY HOOKER SHOP LAUNCHES ON ETSY NEXT WEEK!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - these are so fun to make!

In our new Gimpy Hooker Shop on Etsy, there will be a line of custom themed and beaded stitch markers for both crochet and (gasp!) knitting. The clasps are big enough, so work for both.

Plus - I developed a line of ERASABLE stitch/project markers that are not on the market anywhere. Using household stuff, you can record hook size, row, pattern name, whatever will fit - and then wipe it clean over and over! Guaranteed to work or money back! SO EXCITED! Did I mention I'm excited????  Here are a few samples of what's coming...

Winter Is Coming/Game of Thrones Set

The Men's Crochet Scarf Blues & Holiday Gifts

Overlay sc striping! Made for my Dad. Used Homespun and Caron Simply Soft.

I had tons of fun this Christmas creating scarves for the guys in my life (and a few clients!) and other random crochet stuff for family, friends, and clients.





Everything for the guys ended up blue! Not on purpose, just ended up that way. I "made" (or, rather he played along) my husband model this scarf created for my brother. This is what happened:

 He was a good sport (kind of), and after about 30 pictures I finally got a decent one: