From My Loving Home

I saw this cute scarf on a blog and realized I had the same yarn sitting at home with no purpose as of yet.  New to crocheting, I thought it would be a nice project to work on while watching tv since I didn't have to concentrate too hard. The free pattern (Estelle button cowl)  was not only simple but the finished product turned out as promised notwithstanding my novice skill level.  I used one skein of Red Heart Boutique yarn for this the project.  I bought a set of metallic buttons at Michael's to finish it off.   I like the versatility the buttons add.  You can either wear it as a simple double-wrap cowl by fastening it end to end or you can fasten the buttons anywhere along the scarf for a variety of different looks.  From my loving home, Monika

Having a little boy, I always wanted to knit a newsboy hat for him as they are so wonderfully adorable.  When searching for free patterns, I only ever seemed to come across crochet patterns so didn't actually attempt making one until taking up crocheting this year.  After making the newsboy hat, I decided to also make a lady's hat from the same yarn (Red Heart Super Saver - Aran Fleck).  I found a very cute pattern on Pinterest (link to website below). Once the hat was done and ready for finishing, I decided to have an angled brim instead of the straight folded back brim and it ended up looking a bit flapper which I think is also cute. The pattern can be found http://www.crochetaddictuk.com  and I would consider it a beginner level pattern.  There are numerous other free hat patterns to be found on the same site.  The child-size newsboy hat pattern I used can be found at http://vallieskids.blogspot.ca (linked directly to pattern page) and is also a beginner-level