Affordable Wonders Blog Has Moved back home

Hello Everyone
I have made a change to the blog. I have moved it back home to the Affordable Wonders Website I've decided to keep all of my pages on one website figuring that it just didn't make to much sense to bounce around to different web-pages to post different things and well most importantly I had already paid for the site and figured I may as well use everything the subscription has to offer.

Things that I've done while revamping the site is I've added a Video Tutorial Section which for right now only has The Basics of Crochet but I will add and Intermediate and advanced tab as I make the videos. I will also be doing a Basics of Knitting. All of my videos will be quick, short and to the point so you can go straight to crocheting/knitting.

I've also separated my into sections Affordable Wonders News which is pretty much a catchall for what is going on in my journey, Free Patterns for my members, Photo Tutorials, and Business or product reviews

Things that I still will be adding will include a written tutorial section for those that would like to print and keep in binder or on your ebook. More products in my commercial section that will include YARN! My favorite part I plan on actually keeping the yarn in stock and selling it at bundle rates. The yarns you will find are you favorite label brands that they don't keep instock at your local craft store. And priced to where you don't have to wait for a SALE! And for those of you that would like to purchase any of my handmade goods or patterns just visit my Etsy tab.

As usual if there is a product that you would like but don't see listed just contact me. I can get a hold of just about all crafting supplies I will happily give you a quote I just can't add them all it would take an army and I own run and operate Affordable Wonders by myself while being a mom and wife.

Well I think that is all that I have for now I sure do hope that you come on by to Affordable Wonders and check out the new layout!

WIP Wednesday! Moses Basket

Good Morning Everyone!

I am so excited! This is my 1st EVER WIP Wednesday Post!! I feel like I am more a part of a community now instead of just a SAHM that loves to crochet/knit. I don't have ANY friends that like to and my area I haven't gotten to know anyone that does. The LYS here isn't really a friendly place to people that like to "dress" as casual as I do (I swear when I walked in everyone stopped what they were doing to look at me)

So anyway I'm excited to meet everyone! If even in just a Cyber atmosphere I feel like I belong! So on to my WIP

What is this you ask? Well it's a Moses Basket. :) I have been working on this for months! Lots of frogging to get it to where it's at. I'm writing this pattern up as I go. It was inspired by My very good friend Jennifer. She is pregnant with her  3rd baby! A BOY finally. I knew that I wanted to make her this basket immediately. I normally write up patterns for photo props but I wanted it to be more than that for her. If all goes the way I have it envisioned in my head this basket will be used by her for at least the first 3 months of her babies life! I picture her going to her friends house to visit and breaking out her Moses Basket and having baby comfortably laying in it for the duration of her visits instead of having to sit in a car seat/carrier. I will also be adding a pillow and blanket I can't wait to finish this set. I just hope it turns out the way I see it in my head.

Have a great day all! Now I'm off to hop around and see everyone's WIPs!!!!

Mickey/ Minnie Mouse inspired Crocheted hat Pattern

Good Afternoon Everyone! Here is my Mickey/Minnie inspired Hat pattern. If you look thru my blog you will find matching diaper cover crochet pattern as well. Me posting these on a blog is so that people can enjoy my pattern for PERSONAL use only. Example of personal use Mom making set for her child. My only source of income is selling my patterns and my completed items so please if you plan on selling items made by any of my patterns do me the courtesy of purchasing it it is only $3.99 for the hat and diaper cover in sizes newborn thru 12 months or $5.99 for both Mickey and Minnie Patterns. Well enjoy and please leave comments I love to read them! and don't forget to make the matching Mickey Inspired Diaper cover! :) 

Designer: Cristina Barnes

Company: Affordable Wonders

Copyright, 2011, Cristina Barnes & Affordable Wonders

Size Newborn, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months More sizes to follow

You may not sell your finished items. Permission is not granted to copy or distribute this pattern in any manner. Please do not post the instructions for this pattern on any blogs or websites. Small alterations are still considered part of this pattern.  Photos may be posted providing my website where the pattern can be purchased is included. You can also send people to my blog on where they can view the pattern. Pattern on website is only for personal use. In order to sell items made by my pattern you must purchase my pattern. I believe that is fair. Thank you for respecting my wishes.

Crochet Hook Sizes:  J, G6

NOTE: CH 2 counts as HDC throughout the pattern

Gauge for Mickey Hat: 2”x2”=8 Rows 7 HDC

Size Newborn

1)      CH 3 SLST to join, CH2 make 7 HDC in ring SLST to of CH2 to join. (8 HDC)

2)      CH2  1 HDC in same stitch, 2 HDC in each HDC around, SLST to top of CH2 to join (16 HDC)

3)      Ch2  1 HDC in same stitch, *1 HDC in next ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (24 HDC)

4)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch, *1 HDC in next 2 ST, 2 HDC in next ST*  Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (32 HDC)

5)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch,  *1 HDC in next 3 ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from* around SLST to top of CH2 to join (40 HDC)

6)      CH 2 HDC in next ST and each Stitch around SLST to top of CH2 to join (40 HDC)

7)      Repeat Round 6,  Five(5) times.

8)      CH1 SC in each stitch around. SLST to join (40 SC)

9)      Repeat round 9 one time and fasten off. Weave in ends

Size 3-6 Months

1)      CH 3 SLST to join, CH2 make 7 HDC in ring SLST to of CH2 to join. (8 HDC)

2)      CH2  1 HDC in same stitch, 2 HDC in each HDC around, SLST to top of CH2 to join (16 HDC)

3)      Ch2  1 HDC in same stitch, *1 HDC in next ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (24 HDC)

4)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch, *1 HDC in next 2 ST, 2 HDC in next ST*  Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (32 HDC)

5)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch,  *1 HDC in next 3 ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from* around SLST to top of CH2 to join (40 HDC)

6)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch, * 1 HDC in next 4 ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (48 HDC)

7)      CH 2 HDC in next ST and each Stitch around SLST to top of CH2 to join (48 HDC)

8)      Repeat Round 7, six(6) times.

9)      CH1 SC in each stitch around. SLST to join (48 SC)

10)   Repeat round 9 one time and fasten off. Weave in ends

Size 6 – 12 Months

1)      CH 3 SLST to join, CH2 make 7 HDC in ring SLST to of CH2 to join. (8 HDC)

2)      CH2  1 HDC in same stitch, 2 HDC in each HDC around, SLST to top of CH2 to join (16 HDC)

3)      Ch2  1 HDC in same stitch, *1 HDC in next ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (24 HDC)

4)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch, *1 HDC in next 2 ST, 2 HDC in next ST*  Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (32 HDC)

5)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch,  *1 HDC in next 3 ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from* around SLST to top of CH2 to join (40 HDC)

6)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch, * 1 HDC in next 4 ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from * around SLST to top of CH2 to join (48 HDC)

7)      CH 2 1 HDC in same stitch, *1 HDC in next 5 ST, 2 HDC in next ST* Repeat from* around SLST to join (56 HDC)

8)      CH 2 1 HDC in next ST and each Stitch around SLST to top of CH2 to join (56 HDC)

9)      Repeat round 8 6 times (56 HDC)

10)   CH 1 SC in each ST around SLST to join (56 SC)

11)   Repeat round 10 one more time and fasten off. Weave in ends

EARS

Hook: G6 and Black Yarn, Stitch Marker would be very helpful here J

1)      CH 3 SLST to join CH 2 9 HDC in loop do not join

2)      *2 HDC in each ST* repeat  around

3)      *2 HDC in next ST, 1 HDC in next* repeat around

4)      *2 HDC in next ST,  1 HDC in next 2 ST* repeat around

5)      * 2 HDC in next ST, 1 HDC in next 3 ST* repeat around

6)      *2 HDC in next ST, 1 HDC in next 4 ST* repeat around

7)      *2 HDC in next ST, 1 HDC in next 4 ST* repeat around SLST to join Fasten off with long tail for sewing. Repeat for other ear.

Minnie Mouse Bow:

Hook: G6             Yarn: Red (or color of choice) Gauge 1”x1”= 5 HDC x 4 Rows

Measures approx 5” x 2 ¾”

1)      CH 12 HDC 2^ND CH from hook and each ST across

2)      CH 2 turn HDC across

3)      Repeat row 2 for 16 rows (should measure approx 5” x 2 ¾”)

4)      Optional SC around the entire piece SLST to join and fasten off. Weave in ends.

With a long piece of yarn (approx 12”) wrap yarn around the middle of the rectangle and tie off. Then fan out the two sides to shape bow. You can then either sew bow to top of hat or put a snap barrette on bottom  to make bow removable.

Extra tips and Note!! Don’t forget to read J

Thank you for purchasing my pattern. I am attaching two PDF's the Mickey Diaper cover and  Mickey Hat pattern to complete your set. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email. Also to make the hat firmer you can make the hat using two strands of yarn held together throughout and J hook Increasing until the diameter measures Newborn: 4", 3-6 Months:5", and 6-12 months 6" then work downward until hat measures Newborn: 4.5", 3-6 Months 5.5" and 6-12 Months 6.5" and for the ears also holding two strands of yarn throughout and H hook 5mm work increasing until diameter measures 3" then add one last round to give the ears depth and bind off. This set of instructions is just to make the hat a lot more firm. Now my photos are using just one strand so it will look cute either way. Well I hope this made sense to you and again if you have questions or need me to clarify it more please just contact me.