Pixie Down...

 Hello,
Things have slowed way down here at Pixie Central. We all caught a bug that has really done a number on us.
I haven't picked up a hook in days. My head spins at the thought of trying to concentrate.

Hubby is sick too. I love him so much. But he is a whiny fellow when he doesn't feel good. You know. Moaning. Groaning. And full on Felix Unger noises. Always fun to listen to when you are laying in bed surrounded by buckets and tissues and thinking "This is it. I'm dying.". And then hubby thoughtfully honks and reminds you that you are still here. Still alive. Or is this Hell? Ugh...

This morning I thought we may be turning the corner. Fingers crossed. Hubby even braved going to work. He was so sweet. He called me 7 times to check on me. Or was it to make those noises? My head was still spinning so I can't say for sure...

And then, just when you think you can't go on, you open your eyes and this sweet face is beside you. Looking at you like you are her whole world. So much love in those beautiful eyes. And she doesn't mind a bit when you honk into your tissues...

Maybe my poor hubby isn't the only moaning, groaning, honking one. Shhhh...

Anyway, miss you all more than you know. Hope all is well in your world...

Pixie's Pretty Pink Dress Pattern ~ FREE Pattern!

Hello,

I know most of you have seen my Pretty Pink Dress pattern in my Notes on the Pixie HeartStrings FB page. But now, through the generosity of Leslie from Buttercup Babies, I have the pattern to offer you FREE in PDF form. How nice is that? Thank you so much Leslie!
This is what I love most about the crochet & knit communities. The way they are willing to share their time and talent time and time again. It is so important to me to help keep the art of handmade alive. And this type of generosity is just another way of helping to do just that.
If you would like a copy of this pattern you can find it HERE. I hope you feel free to share it with anyone you like. It is meant to be a gift to you all because I think you are wonderful.
And I would love to see any dresses that you make with it! It is always so exciting to see one of my creations come to life through someone else's talents. Let's all inspire, Share, Teach, & Love one another...
And if you haven't already LIKED Buttercup Babies on FB please do. You can find her on Etsy and Ravelry too! She does some beautiful things with string...

Warmest Wishes,
Pixie

A Crocheted Dog Harness for Your Tiny Dog ~ FREE Pattern

                            

Hi there,

It has been so long since I have posted in my blog. Facebook has been working great for me with posting any Pixie HeartStrings news.

But lately, I have been posting more and more patterns that I have come up with for various things.Using my Notes for those patterns is quite limiting in as to how I can share them with you. So I have decided to dust off the blog and put it to good use...

The other day, after searching high and low (and wasting $) for a harness that would fit my Rosie, a tiny Chorkie (Chihuahua/Yorkie mix), I decided to just make her one. Actually, it was more like a "Duh, why don't you just make her one!" moment...

I posted the first one I made on the Pixie HeartStrings FB page and I received several requests for the pattern. I guess there are quite a few teeny dogs out there who need a suitable harness. Although I was OK with the first one, I knew I could do better. 

First let me discuss size and weight. Rosie is a fully grown Chorkie, She weighs in at less than 5 pounds. She has an 8" neck and a 13" chest. By making my own harness I was able to customize it to perfectly fit her. You will be able to do the same with this pattern. You may however have to add or take away rows depending on your little one's size. I put the harness on and off her several times while making it to ensure I had a good fit. I will tell you exactly how many stitches and rows I used and then you can adjust as needed for your harness.

So here we go...

Materials Needed

Small amount worsted weight cotton. I used Bernat "Handicrafter Cotton". 

G Hook

2 Small D Rings

Small Plastic Pet Collar Clasp (optional)

Ribbons, Buttons, Crochet or Silk Flowers (optional)

Directions

1) Start with a triangle. You want your triangle to fit perfectly up against your dogs chest area. I chained 15 for my foundation row. Then SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each CH to end.  CH 1 turn. 14SC

2) SC in each stitch across. CH 1 turn. 14SC.

3) SC first 2 stitches together. Then SC across to last 2 SC and SC them together. CH 1 turn. 12SC.

4) SC across all stitches to end of row. CH 1 turn. 12SC.

5) SC Repeat row 3. CH 1 turn. 10SC.

6) Repeat row 4. CH 1 turn. 10SC.

7) Continue in this manner until you have 1SC on your hook. DO NOT finish off. 

8) Working down side, across bottom and up other side, make a row of SC. DO NOT finish off.

Triangle

9) SC in first 3 stitches down side as shown in photo below. CH 1 turn. 3SC.
10) SC in each stitch. CH1 turn. 3SC.
11) This will become the neck (collar) strap of the harness. Repeat row 10 until the strap is the length you need to fit your dog's neck. I made mine 29 rows long.

SC in first 3 stitches down side from top of triangle.

Repeat Row 10 until your strap will fit around your dog's neck. 

12) Slip stitch or whip stitch this strap to the other side of the triangle being careful not to twist it. Keep in mind, this need to be able to slip over your dog's head. It does not need to be too snug on the neck. Comfort is the key. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Your harness should now look like this.

13) Now insert hook in the 3rd stitch away from the collar on the side of the triangle (see pic below). Attach your chain and make a SC in that stitch and the next 2. CH 1 turn.

Insert hook here to begin new strap.

 14) Make this leg opening strap as long as needed to reach the top of your dog's leg. By the shoulder area. I made mine 12 rows long. Fasten off.

First leg opening strap made.

15) Insert hook in first stitch at the base of the triangle (see pic below). Attach yarn and make a SC in that stitch and in next 2 stitches up side of triangle. CH 1 turn. 3SC.
16) Continue as in first strap only make it 1 row longer than the first one. DO NOT fasten off.

Insert hook here for next strap. 

You now have 2 straps.

 17) Insert your hook into the first SC of other strap (see pic below) and make an SC in that stitch and in next 2 SC. You have now connected the 2 straps. Be careful not to twist them. CH1 turn. 6SC.

Insert hook here to connect both straps.

Continue to SC across other strap.

18) SC across all 6 stitches. CH1 turn. 6SC
19) SC the first 2 stitches together. SC in each of the next 2 SC. SC the last 2 stitches together. CH1 turn. 4SC
20) At this point you need to fit this on your dog to see how long this strap needs to be to make it reach the center of your dog's back. I made mine 4 rows long. So I had 4 rows of 4SC. Fasten off.

21) Repeat your leg openings on the other side, The only difference is you need to make the strap closest to the base first and the one by the collar last. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

22) Make an edge of SC on the entire outside & inside of the harness to give it a nice clean edge and more stability. 

23) Your harness should now look like this. 

24) Attach D rings to the end of each strap with a whip stitch. I went over it several times to ensure it would not come loose.
You can embellish the top of the collar part of the harness any way you like. In this case I made a simple crochet flower and will attach with the little button. On the white one Rosie is wearing at top, I made a ribbon bow with a floral accent and sewed that to the top of the collar using dental floss.  

25) This part is optional. I had a little collar that no longer fit Rosie and I used the plastic clip from that to keep the harness clipped onto her when not in use. If you want to do this step fine. If not, when you clip the leash onto both D rings, the harness will stay on. 

You can see how the harness fits up against Rosie's chest perfectly here. 

So there you have it! A harness that finally fits your little dog! I hope you find this pictorial helpful. If you like it, please let me know here so I can decide whether to make more in the future or not. 

And feel free to share pics of your sweet baby wearing their harness on my Pixie HeartStrings FB page! We LOVE to see...

Have a fabulous weekend!

Pixie

A Great Week...

Hi Pixie Pals!
What a great week this has been! It has been very productive for me...
I heard of a newborn baby boy who will be going to live with his Gramma. My heart went out to her. It is not easy to take on a newborn later in life. I pray she will have the support of others to help her. But I also know that he will bring her great joy...
To welcome him into his new, loving home I sent over this little hat & diaper cover set. Simple & Sweet.

I love the over-sized button on the front of the diaper cover. I used snaps to actually close it... 

I made this cute Crown & Diaper cover for my Etsy Shop! So adorable and I think they would make for the cutest photos ever! The pattern for the Crown came from here. The diaper cover is just a simple pattern I have been making for many years...

Crown & Diaper Cover Set

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/little-prince-hat

Diaper Cover with Crown Applique

I have a dear friend who is raising her beautiful granddaughter. The little Pixie just turned 4 years old recently. She is so sweet. 

Sadly, her Mom could not find her way out of her depression and addictions and took her own life, forever altering the lives of those who loved her most. My heart breaks for them. 

I made this little dress for her to take on her vacation that is coming up soon. Just a little something she can slip on when she goes out for the day or to dinner with her "Gwammy". I added all the flowers to the bodice because she loves to help her Gwammy in the garden. So precious...

Floral Bodice...

I hope this brings a smile to this sweet little girl! May she only know love & happiness for the rest of her life...

I also made this sailor hat for the shop. I LOVE a sailor hat on babies! My youngest son had golden curls & chubby cheeks when he was a baby. When he wore his sailor hat the curls would pop out from the bottom and he looked like an angel. Making this hat reminded me of those early years. So long ago, but still a wonderful memory...

So this has been a great week! I feel like I really accomplished a few things...

I hope that your week has been great too!  

Be sure to visit me on my Pixie HeartStrings Facebook page and let me know what is on the other end of your hook! 

XOXOX,

Susie

P.S.

Today, was my birthday. I had a nice quiet day at home with my dear hubby and my not so little anymore Pixie. We had a late brunch and then celebrated with this pretty cake they got for me...

I am grateful they didn't risk a fire hazard and kept the candles to only four...

Like I said, It was a great week!

Winner!

Good Morning Pixie Pals!

Well, WE HAVE A WINNER!

It was a small group and I wish I could give you each a hat! I really do!

As you can see, I wrote all the names on a piece of paper... 

Then I added them to my favorite milk glass bowl for luck!

And the winner was drawn! Drum roll please.............

Congratulations Jean Sain (Little Red)!

Jean chose one of my "City Mice" hats as her prize! I love these hats!!!



Would you like the girl mouse?

I love the rhinestone flower button accent...

Or would you prefer the very dapper boy mouse?

Jean Sain, if you would email (pixieheartstrings@gmail.com) me your mailing address I will send your choice of hat right out!

Thank you so much to you all for helping me reach my first goal on my Pixie HeartStrings Facebook page! My next goal is 500! How awesome will that be to have 500 people/pages who can help get the word out about Pixie HeartStrings and my mission to provide hats and other items to Pixies who have been displaced from their homes and are in need of a smile!

And make sure to check out my Etsy Shop for new & exciting items! The items I sell here help make it possible for me to be able to give to those sweet Pixies and to donate to other great causes as well...

I hope you all have a fabulous, creative Tuesday!

XOXO,

Susie



Confetti & Giraffes...

Hi Pixie Pals!

We had an overnight visit from the Grands last night! Always the best way to spend a Saturday night. Movies, laughter & junk food... ;)
This morning I made them confetti pancakes...a fun way to start off the day!

 

Then my 12 year old Grandy Girl showed me a picture on her phone of a hat she liked and asked me if I knew how to make it. It was the cutest giraffe hat! How could I say "no"?

Picture from her phone. I did not capture the source. Apologies if this cutie is yours!


Luckily, I had the perfect shade of cotton and I gave it a shot. After a couple of hours this is what I came up with...

 

Not too bad without a pattern to go by. And I love how big a smile it gave her...

 

 

I was asked on my Pixie HeartStrings FaceBook page for the pattern...I didn't have one, but I can try to explain how I made the ears & antlers. The hat is a basic double crochet beanie that I added a little contrasting color stripe to...

 

Ears:

G Hook

Country Yellow Cotton Yarn (I used Sugar & Cream)

1. Chain 10. SC in 2nd chain from hook and across. 8 SC.
2. 2 SC in 1st stitch. SC across to last. 2 SC in last stitch. 10 SC.
3. SC across.
4. Repeat row 2. 12 SC
5. Repeat row 3.
6. Repeat row 2. 14 SC
7. Repeat row 3.
8. Repeat row 2. 16 SC
9. Repeat row 3.
10. Skip 1st SC. SC across. Do not SC in last stitch. 14 SC
11. Skip 1st SC. SC across. Do not SC in last stitch. 12 SC
12. Continue decreasing this way til there are only 2 stitches left.
13. SC down left side of ear. When you reach the bottom row (starting chain), SS into every other stitch tightly across. This gives the ear that cupped shape. Then SC up right side of ear. Fasten off.
14. With contrasting color (I used brown cotton), starting at bottom right, SS in each SC up the right side of ear. When you reach the last row at the tip of the ear CH 3 and then SS in each SC down left side of ear. This forms a nice tip to the top of the ear. Fasten off.
15. Make second ear exactly the same. Attach to side of hat.



Back of Hat

Antlers:
 
G Hook
Brown Cotton Yarn
Country Yellow Cotton Yarn

1. With Brown. Chain 2. Six SC in 1st chain. Do not connect with SS.
2. 2 SC in each SC. 12 SC
3. 2 SC in each SC. 24 SC
4. SC in each SC. 24 SC.
5. *SC 2 SC together. SC 1.* around.
6. Attach Yellow. SC around each stitch for 5 rows. Fasten off leaving long tail to sew onto hat.
7. Stuff the antler with fiberfill or cotton firmly.
8. Attach to top of hat.

Hair:

Optional

With Brown Cotton make a tassel and attached to top of hat between antlers. Trim to desired length.

Hair...



This was so much fun to make & it made my Grandy Girl smile...that is worth everything in the world to me!

 

As always, if you have any questions, let me know. Always happy to help!

 

Have a great Sunday night!

 

Blessings,

Susie

Sea Glass Inspiration...

 

 

Hi Pixie Pals!

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the sweet comments on my Pixie HeartStrings FaceBook page! It means so much to be complimented by such wonderfully talented women! Seriously...there are some awesome crochet artists & crafters out there!

 

I was asked to share the pattern for my Sea Glass Inspired Baby Blanket. So I thought..."I don't even know what it is called. Sure. Why not?"...ha ha! So here you go...

 

 

Sea Glass Inspired Baby Blanket

 

Materials:

 

Worsted Weight Yarn (size you choose to make will determine how much you need).

Main Color (MC) you will need at least twice as much of this.

Contrasting Color (CC)

J Hook

 

Directions:

1. Decide how wide you want your blanket to be. Make a base chain with your MC. End with an uneven # of chains.
2. SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Fasten off. This is your Right Side (RS). 
3. With RS facing you and with CC, *SC in 1st SC, chain 1, skip next SC, SC in next SC* across ending with a SC in last SC. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
4. With RS facing you and with MC, attach MC with a SS and chain 3 in 1st SC. In chain 1 space make a cluster with 3 DC (YO, insert hook in ch 1 space, [pull up a loop and pull through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, YO and pull through all 4 loops on hook. Cluster made. *Chain 1, skip next SC, make cluster in next ch 1 space* across. End with DC in last SC on row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
5. Picking up CC loop from previous row pull through loop on hook. Drop MC. With CC work SC in top of 1st DC, CH1, *now working in between next 2 clusters on previous row, SC, CH 1* across to end. SC in top of chain 3 from previous row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
6. Go back to beginning of this row &Pick up MC and make chain 3 in 1st SC, work clusters in each chain 1 space across. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
7. Work rows 5 & 6 in pattern until you have reached desired length. End with a row of SC in MC with RS facing you.

As I do not know what this is called, only how to do it (thanks to my Great Grandmother), I have no formal pattern. But it is really simple & if you do run into any issues let me know & I will be happy to help.

One other thing. You can get creative with this by changing contrasting colors and making a pattern. Rainbow effects are nice. Bright, bright colors with a black MC are very striking.

Anyway, it's yours now. Be creative. Make it your own. Have fun. AND Share!

 

Have a wonderful weekend Pals...

XOXOX,

Susie