Crochet (and Quilt) Post Dishcloths # 303 - 306 & 307-310

Hmmmm.... what kind of crafting have I been doing lately?    Mostly playing with fabric, I admit!    I worked on a summer table runner:

My personal challenge?  2 fabrics in here screamed SUMMER to me - the sandy-colored one with big shells and the bright blue gingham one with the bright watermelon slices.  Not much in the way of shared colors, the FUN for me is to dig through my scraps and find colors that tie them together.  I'm pretty proud of this one.

And then there was a tutorial on burp cloths....  These are simply diapers covered with a fabric that my daughter (aka MOM) likes.  These fabric scraps were in my stash from the table covers at my girl's wedding.... (that is how I knew she liked it :-)  Anyway, she promised to test how they work so I know whether to make more or not... it IS a pretty and an easy gift to work up!  I'm not sure you ever have enough burp cloths.

Hope you are having some happy crafting days!  Below are this week's dishcloth selections to share:

#303 Shells Galore Crochet Dishcloth - pictured on the upper right. This pattern is a little unusual in its construction but was fun to figure out.  It's a basic shell pattern that morphs into a granny type square.  I like the edging too... I am not sure I like it enough to do it again but it was a fun project!

#304  Easy as ...<<hdc>> Crochet Dishcloth - on the upper left. This pretty little sturdy dishcloth is simply half-double crochet, just like the name!  With a simple edging, it is a nice addition to a dishcloth collection

#305 - Marjorie Crochet Dishcloth pictured above on the lower left.  This dishcloth with the pink ribbon was named in honor of the designer's mother.  Simple double crochet with the ribbon worked separately and stitched on.  This one is a keeper for me :-) Especially with my personal goal of walking as many of the Breast Cancer 3Day locations as I am able!

#306 - Pink Piggy Crochet Dishcloth - this is another of the ADORABLE ones!  There are several in this dishcloth challenge that begin with a round base and then you crochet and add features to it.  Love this one :-)

The next 4 dishcloths are featured below:

#307 Ruffle Granny Crochet Dishcloth - below on the bottom left.  This one is exactly what it says it is - a granny square with a ruffled edging.  Quick to work up, a good size and texture AND pretty.  A winner, in my book!

#308 Scarecrow Crochet Dishcloth - Another adorable one! His hat is a little off - but that was me, not the pattern... I love the way this little guy works up and he is as sturdy as he is cute!

#309 Star Spangled Crochet Dishcloth - the small one above on the upper right.  This one works up like a granny square - only a pentagon shape instead.  I think it is a little small.. but could probably be enlarged by adding another round!

#310  Lacy Blue Crochet Dishcloth - Pictured above on the upper left.  Very pretty - not too difficult but a little time-consuming - this is made of thread instead of the usual cotton worsted used for most of the cloths.  It seems much more like a decorative doily to me than a cloth for washing.  I am glad I tried it but I don't think I'll do a repeat!

All of these patterns are from Maggie Weldon's 2011 Dishcloth Challenge - FREE at www.bestfreecrochet.com!

Diaper Cake

I promised to show some photos of a diaper cake I recently made for a friend who was expecting!

Diaper cakes are fun gifts to make and very practical for new parents.  I really enjoy making the small gifts to decorate the cake with and then putting it all together.  The end result is always SO much better than you can imagine it would be!

You need something to cover the bottom two layers of the cake - usually receiving blankets and/or a larger fleece blanket.  I usually start by finding out what patterns the new parents have chosen (if I can).  Sometimes I just have to wing it - but usually I have something to go on.  In this case, I used some hooded bath towels the parents had on their registry.  Also, I knew the baby would be a girl and that mom was not a fan of too much pink!

Then I go to my yarn stash to see what colors I already have that will work with the pattern.  I use cottons for washcloths, a bib and bottle covers.  I use either baby yarns or very soft 4-ply yarn for the other items - in this case I made a sweater, hat and bootie set and a ball.  

I also look for coordinating ribbons in 2 widths: 1/4-inch (to adorn the bottle covers) and 1-1/2 to 2 inches to go around the 'cake layers'.

Most of my ideas and a few of the patterns come from a pattern you can purchase on www.gourmetcrochet.com.  Carolyn Christmas does a superb job of creating beautiful items..... mine is cute but in no way compares with her things!  If you want to make a diaper cake, her book is the best I have found and relatively inexpensive!

 
I get free online patterns for many baby items I make from www.bevscountrycottage.com.  Bev runs a fantastic site to encourage people to sew, knit and crochet for charity.  Her patterns are tried and true and relatively quick and easy to make.

The hooded towels from my new parents' registry that I used to provide the color choices and the bottle covers (without the ribbon trim)

The little crocheted roses always take me the longest though they are not difficult to make.  They really look like icing roses on the cake and make a beautiful finishing touch.  They can be saved and added to a blanket or something later on!

The diaper rolling and building is when it starts getting exciting!  Sometimes you can add small tokens like little lotions or gifts for MOM inside!

I usually use blankets to cover the layers but tried something new this time :-)  I think it worked fairly well.  I fasten the blankets with diaper pins. 

Handmade items are attached with both diaper pins and pearl headed straight pins.  You have to warn about the pins - but you want the cake to be easily dismantled so the items can be used!  It would also be easy to create with all store bought gifts :-)

I had to finish it up in the car because I was doing this with my daughter and she had purchased the bottles that were on the registry!  We purchased a rattle in the right colors to use as a cake topper just for fun.  The icing roses make this an 'official' cake and are fastened on with straight pins.

...and so.... voila!  A pretty gift to give - that also makes a super centerpiece for a shower!

Let me know if you try any of the patterns!