DIY Washable Nursing Pads

When I was pregnant I had dreams of making all sorts of things for baby and myself.  Nesting hit me hard but most of my time was spent in the kitchen.  One thing I was able to craft for after baby was nursing pads.  I made some from pretty green flannel and I made some from some old ratty t-shirts.  I thought the flannel ones would be so comfortable and soft and most importantly...a pretty green color.  As it turns out, the flannel would stick to tender spots and leave lint.  They were also a bit stiff  and generally were the last I reached for.  The old ratty t-shirts that had been washed countless times were perfectly soft, perfectly lint free, and perfectly flexible.  After more than a year, I still use them every single day.

I made them with four layers of fabric.  I found that it was the perfect thickness, thin enough to double up when needed, but substantial enough to stand on their own once things settled into a routine.  I do not include a waterproof layer in these pads.  I never found it was necessary and I have even read that it could be problematic by holding moisture close to the skin.  I simply change out the wet pad for a new dry one.

The t-shirts I used were 100% cotton and mostly old undershirt, plain white tees.  At first I was lamenting that I they weren't cute colors or prints but I found that the plain white and black worked best at staying hidden.  My nursing bras were plain black and white and a brightly colored pad would just love to peek out!

You may also be interested in a Nursing Necklace Crochet Pattern and Tutorial

Healthy Chocolate Avocado Mousse (Dairy Free and Delicious!)

Her first birthday was looming and I was fretting over what sort of cake I was to make.  I didn't want to feed her a ton of sugar but I wanted to make a special treat.  And most of all I didn't want to have to make a different cake for her and for the adults.

I tested out a cashew cream cheese recipe but it was a lot of work and without a Vitamix it didn't turn out as well as it could have.  My neighbor told me of a recipe made from roasted sweet potatoes and dates but I have neither in my pantry.  Then I stumbled upon a recipe for avocado chocolate frosting.  I tweaked it slightly and it turned out so delicious that I have made is a few times since just as a quick and nutritious treat.  It is vegan, gluten free, raw, paleo, and the best part... its CHOCOLATE!  :)

You can double or triple the recipe to make as much as you need.  Each avocado yields around 1 cup of finished mousse.

1 ripe avocado

1/4 cup cocoa powder

2-3 Tbsp pure maple syrup

Paw Patrol Crochet Skye

My niece requested a Skye doll from the show Paw Patrol.  There are some patterns available for purchase but none that seemed like they really looked like Skye so I free handed this project.  She ended up a little bigger (and top heavy) than I expected but I'm pretty pleased with how she turned out.  I did not create this character, but I did create this crocheted doll of the character.

Here are some in-progress pictures!

Thanks for taking a look!

You may also be interested in my Pangolin free hand project

This project was submitted to Hookin on Humpday at Moogly

Nursing Necklace Crochet Pattern and Tutorial

This pattern makes several components that can be combined in many ways to make nursing or teething necklaces.  These are worn by an adult and give baby something to grab and play.  They help minimize distractions and can help reduce pinching or scratching.  They can also be used when you are not nursing to give your little one something safe to grab other than your glasses or hair.  I like to loop them onto the shopping cart handle to occupy my babe while grocery shopping.  Omit the necklace and you can use some of the components to make a small toy.

I like to use bright colorful yarn but you could make more muted colors to better suit your wardrobe.  Younger babies are attracted to the high contrast of black and white.

I used cotton yarn, you can use any medium weight yarn but remember your baby will likely chew on it so avoid fuzzy yarns and be sure the yarn is washable.  You can use a size G or similar sized crochet hook.  As with all baby items, wash before use, periodically inspect the necklace, and supervise baby at play.



Necklace
Ch 125 or as long as you would like.  Remember this will need to be long enough to slip easily over your head.  After you thread your component onto the necklace you will close it by holding the 2 ends together and tie an overhand knot.  You can also use a ribbon or cord.

Ring
Ch 5
Sc in 5th ch from hook to form a ring, sc in the next 4 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.
It may be difficult at first but once the tube begins to grow it will become easier.
Continue sc around and around until the tube is as long as you like.
A 6.5" tube makes a 2.5" diameter ring
When your tube is as long as you like, finish off by sl st into the last st, fasten off leaving a tail.  Add mini rings if desired, then using the tail sew the tube into a ring.

Mini Ring
Ch 12
Sc in 12th ch from hook to form a ring, sc in next 11 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.  Continue spiraling around until the mini ring is about 1/2 - 1 inch wide or as wide as you like.
Finish off by sl st into the last st, fasten off, weave in ends.

Tube Bead
Ch 7
Sc in in 7th ch from hook to make a ring, sc in next 6 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.  Continue spiraling to make the tube is 1/2 -1 1/2 inch or as long as you want.
Finish by sl st in last st, fasten off, weave in ends.

Spiral Bead
(The spiral bead is worked with 2 colors attached at the same time, but working with one yarn at a time.)
With color A ch 7
Sc in the 7th ch from the hook to make a ring, sc in the next 3 ch, pull up a big loop of color A, do not fasten off.
Join on color B into the next ch, sc in the same ch and in the next 2 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.  You will be able to work 2-3 sc with the color B, then drop that color, (pull up a long loop to prevent your stitches from being pulled out) and pick up the other color again.
Work 1 sc in each st until you come up behind the other color, then drop that yarn and pick up the other yarn and continue around.  Continue in this fashion until your bead is as long as you like.

Assembling
Bead and spiral bead are threaded onto the necklace.  Hold the ends of the necklace and tie an overhand knot to close the necklace.  Find the center of the necklace and insert the loop through the center of the ring, reach through the loop the necklace makes and pull the necklace through the loop. Tighten and adjust.

You may also be interested in:
Baby Teether Toys
Spiral Baby Mittens
Flower Band
Mini Woven Basket

This project was submitted to Hookin On Humpday at Moogly

Patriotic Top Hat

This hat was designed for a stuffed animal that will be in a Independence Day celebration but as I was making it, I considered all the alternative uses for a little hat like this.  It can be used as a centerpiece on your picnic table, it can be used for an Uncle Sam doll or teddy bears hat, it can be attached to a headband for a fun accessory.

My first draft of this pattern was a lot less polished than this.  Traditional color changes on such a small project left the hat looking messy.  By working stitches on the surface of the fabric, you achieve a much cleaner color change.  If this is your first time doing surface crochet, be sure to watch the video tutorial for best results.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.  I love to see your FO (finished objects), if you make this or any of my projects or recipe, you can post pictures on my Facebook page.

Materials

Scraps of worsted weight acrylic yarn in Red, White and Blue.  

Size G crochet hook

yarn needle

scissors

Patriotic Top Hat

Red and white striped section (body of hat)

With red, ch 11

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: sc across, on the last st you will begin the stitch as normal but finish the stitch with white, ch 1 turn

Row 3: front post sc (fpsc) across, to be sure you don't miss a stitch its a good idea to count your stitches, you should have 10 fpsc, ch 1 turn.

Row 4: sc across, changing color on the last st, ch 1 turn

Row 5- 24: repeat rows 3 & 4. Your piece should have 6 red bands and 6 white bands. Fasten off leaving a tail to sew your seam.

Roll your work into a tube with the right sides facing out, sew the seam to close the tube.

Blue Band

Attach the blue yarn and work sc on the surface along the bottom edge. You will be working the stitches around the rows and the stitches will lay on the surface of the red and white striped section. Row 1: Work sc around to the beginning, sl st into the first st to join the round.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st into the beginning ch 1 to join the round

Row 3: Repeat row 2. Fasten off.

Embroider white stars onto the blue band, alternately you can glue felt stars on or leave it plain

Top:

Round 1: Make a magic ring, ch 2, 7 hdc into the ring, sl st to top of beginning ch to join.

Round 2: ch 1, sc in the same place, 2 sc in each st around, sl st into beginning ch 1 to join.

Round 3: ch 1, sc in the same place, sc in the next st, *2 sc in the next st, 1 sc in the next st, repeat from * around, sl st into the beginning ch 1 to join. Fasten off and leaving a tail to attach the top to the hat. Sew the top onto the end of the tube opposite the blue band.

Brim:

Row 1: Attach the red yarn around the post of any blue stitch, fpsc around, sl st into the first st to join the round.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the same place, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to beginning ch 1 to join the round.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st into the beginning ch 1 to join the round. Fasten off.

This pattern and tutorial is my own creation, made with love for you to use for yourself or to give as a gift.  Do not sell this pattern or projects made from this pattern.  Please credit me as creator and link back to this post when sharing.  Thanks.

Check out some of my other patterns
Slouchy Summer Hat
Basket Weave Beverage Cozy
Baby Teether Toy
Daisy Bonnet
Baseball Coaster

Coconut Macaroons

These are a favorite in my house.  I always make them at Christmas time to add to cookie platters because they are quick, easy, and budget friendly.  If you like coconut, you will love these cookies.


You only need 4 ingredients
8 ounces sweetened flake coconut (about 2 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 egg whites
pinch of salt

Slouchy Summer Hat

A comfortable cotton slouch hat for warm summer days.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.

This project was made with Sugar 'n Cream worsted weight cotton yarn in color Ecru and a size H crochet hook.  This hat can easily be adapted to smaller or larger sizes, it can be made slouchier or more form fitting, however you would like.  The size I made uses about 3 ounces of yarn.

Summer Slouchy Hat

Foundation: Ch 8, sl st in 8th ch from hook to form a ring

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc though out), 19 dc into the ring, sl st into top of the beginning ch 3 to join

Round 2: Ch 6 (counts as beginning dc + ch 3), *skip a st, dc in next st, ch 3, repeat from * around, sl st into 3rd ch of the beginning ch 6 to join.

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the same space, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *2 dc in the next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch , repeat from * around, sl st into beginning ch 3 to join.

Round 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, repeat from * around, sl st into beginning ch 3 to join.

Round 5: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, repeat from * around, sl st in top of beginning ch 3 to join.

Round 6: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in the next 2 dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc, repeat from * around, sl st in top of beginning ch 3 to join.

(if you would like a larger or slouchier hat, continue adding rounds, increase by 1 extra dc in each solid section for each additional row. Once the round is as large as you like, add 10 or more rows without increasing for the sides.)

Sides: Ch 3, *dc in each dc of the solid section, ch 3, skip 3 ch, repeat from * around, sl st in top of beginning ch 3 to join. Repeat this round 9 or more times until the hat is as long as you like.

Band: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to ch 1 to join. Repeat this row of sc two or more times to make the band as wide as you like. If you made the hat larger you may want to make a wider band, and you may want to decrease by sc2tog evenly around so that the band fit your head without being too large.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

This is my design, be sure to link back to this blog post or the video when sharing.

Check out some of my other patterns

Simple Polka Dot Headband
Flower Band
Rainbow Swirl Hat
Starburst Motif
Coaster

This pattern was submitted to Hookin on Humpday on Moogly