There's a new free pattern in town

And it's the perfect summer project!

Get all the details and the story behind the design on the free pattern page at the top of the page.

ENJOY!!



play hard ... play hooky

Bunny Slope Teether for Babies - Free Crochet Pattern

Here's the story of my latest free crochet pattern. Scroll down to the Print Friendly button for the pattern.

My neighbor had a baby 6 months ago - just about 6 months after I had my baby girl. Even before he was born, I started thinking about what I could make for him.

Everyone loves babies. Well even more so if you are good with a hook, chances are you love crocheting for babies. That means the internet is chock full of ideas... some good, some, well, you know what I mean. I found myself cruising patterns for hats, diaper covers, photo props, loveys, Amish puzzle balls, booties, blankets (but let's face it, we all know I have too much hooky ADD to finish a blanket), rattles, mobiles... you name it and someone has probably tried to crochet it.

I eventually settled on a crocheted ring rattle-type thing. I planned to make the ring around a set of gorgeous customized wooden rings I found on Cake in the Morn on Etsy (I'll wait while you go check out her shop... seriously go... I'll be here when you get back). I even had the baby's name burned into a ring to make it even more special. 

All that was left was to make the ring. Here's how that went down: I'm so excited about giving them this gift!... He's still to little to use it though... Ugh, I still need to make that ring... I don't feel like making the ring today... I'll try to make it now, but I have so many orders... Ok, the holidays are over and the baby is getting big enough to play with it so I need to sit here until it's done... Sitting here trying to make it... I don't like this... It's twisting weird... Why is my colorwork shifting so bad?.. This will never hold the weight of those wooden rings... I give up.

So there my pretty little wooden rings sat, alone and naked - they looked so sad and kept reminding me of my shame. By this point I felt like a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad neighbor for never giving them a present to celebrate their baby boy. (This is the same neighbor who saved my coffee that day so you can imagine how guilty I felt.)

And then it happened. True inspiration struck. I had it. I'm going to make a ribbon teether! It's perfect. It's removable, washable, quick to make, and baby safe. YAAASSSSS!! I was so excited that I had three made by the end of the next day.

My fans on Facebook asked if I would write the pattern, and of course I agreed. Needless to say I couldn't repeat that whole agonizing process the next time one of my friends had a baby so I knew I needed to write it out anyway. I gave it the name Bunny Slope because I think it looks like cute little bunny ears and I had to give a nod to my local ski culture.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "This is a small project and it's a free pattern. It can't be that good." Well, you're wrong. Just WRONG. This isn't your average free pattern... you know what I'm talking about. This is a meticulously written pattern with every detail including a full page of new photo tutorials, specific materials needed, stitch explanations... everything you've come to expect from my patterns. Just because it's free doesn't mean I skimped on you.

So scroll down and click the print-friendly page to access this fun pattern. You can also find it on my Ravelry page! You'll want to make several so you can wash one when it gets dirty. As always, send me an email if you have any questions or problems. And don't forget to add yours to the Ravelry projects page so we can all revel in the cuteness.

play hard ... play hooky

Baby Top Hat - Free Crochet Pattern

Halloween. It's one of my favorite holidays. Not in a dark way, but in an I'm-so-excited-it's-Fall-and-the-holidays-are-about-to-start sort of way. Also, candy.

This year I've been getting some really fun costume requests from my friends. I'm up for a challenge and for making something new so I can't help but say yes.

One of my friends just had a baby and they're doing a Thomas the Train family costume theme. The baby gets to be Sir Toppem Hat, so naturally she needed his namesake accessory. That's where I came in.

I made it up as I went and decided to write it down for you. This is an easily adaptable pattern. Feel free to play with it, make it bigger, smaller, shorter, taller, add a hat band, a flower, or a button... whatever! Just make it yours. Upload it to my Ravelry page so we can all see. And be sure to give it heart so you can find it later.

Yes, that's a lot of single crocheting... but look how cute!

Click the "PRINT FRIENDLY" button at the top of the page to download and print the full pattern. Or find it on my Ravelry page. Here's some quick info for you:

MATERIALS:

• Worsted weight yarn (10 ply/8 wpi): 1.8 - 2.5 oz
• US G-6 / 4.00 mm crochet hook

FINISHED SIZE:

• Newborn - 12” around
• Bigger babies - up to 18” around (9-12 months)

play hard ... play hooky

Brace Yourself for the Winner

I always try to bring you something just a little different during Playin' Hooky tee and hoodie week. I used all of my Photoshop "skills" to put a Playin' Hooky tee on Ned Stark and asked you to finish this meme. The comment with the most likes on Facebook wins a free Playin' Hooky tee.

I couldn't resist giving a little something special to my personal favorite captions. These commenters get to pick a free pattern from my shop. If you're a winner, send me an email to claim your prize.

Designer's Picks

• Kiley Jones... They just called you a Knitter!
• Jennifer Bibb (and Alyssa Willey)... It's time to weave in the ends!
• Jackie Fenwick... Last minute gift requests are coming. 
• Steff Walker... You made her lose her stitch count

And the Grand Prize winner of the free Playin' Hooky tee is...

Chellsea Hernandez

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you so much to everyone who played along. I hope we all got a smile out of it.

If you didn't win the free tee, you still have until Wednesday, 9/24 to get your Playin' Hooky gear and represent. Did you know? Every Playin' Hooky tee & hoodie is ordered and hand screen printed by a local artist. The crochet stitch design was specially created for me by another local designer. No big box companies here! I personally quality control check each one as I package them to make sure your order is perfect.

play hard ... play hooky

Sunday Daily Deal

SUNDAY DAILY DEAL

Want to make your presents this year? When you buy a pattern on my website today, I'll send you my Santa Beanie Pattern free! No code needed.

http://www.playinhookydesigns.com/

WEEKEND SALE

Are you in search of my patterns?

Use the code HOOKYHOLIDAYS for 30% every individual pattern in my Ravelry shop through Sunday.

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/liz-mcqueen

play hard ~ play hooky

WHOA!! 9,000 FB Fans!!

Whoa! Sometime during the night I reached my 9,000th fan! To celebrate, try out some new patterns you've been eyeing. It's buy 2 get 1 free in my Ravelry shop until Sunday! Whooo hoooo!!!!

Thank you so much for all your support!

PLAY HARD ~ PLAY HOOKY

Design Wars Bribes... ehr I mean Giveaway!

That's right, I have stooped to bribing you for your votes. Well, actually it's just an incentive to keep coming back. If you haven't already heard, I'm involved in this round of Design Wars!! The final reveals have been announced and voting has begun. In fact, you can vote every 12 hours until voting closes!

Here's what you can win:

• 5 winners will get a FREE copy of my Eddyline Sunhat Pattern when it's published
• 1 winner will get to make their own Eddyline with a crochet kit! Includes a copy of the pattern plus up to 4 balls of Red Heart Creme de la Creme yarn (colors vary by availability)
• 1 winner can customize their own word disc, made by me! What would you say?
• NEW: 1 winner will get their own Playin' Hooky T-shirt - winner chooses between fitted/unisex, colors, & size!

Scroll through the pictures on the giveaway widget to the right to see what you can win. Don't forget this is all about Design Wars 3, so make sure you visit the blog to see the other amazing designs and vote for mine *cough* I mean your favorite! ;)

PLAY HARD ~ PLAY HOOKY

Brain Waves Beanie Video Tutorial

My Brain Waves Beanie video tutorial is finally LIVE!! It took me two filming sessions, cooperation from my kids, some of my sanity, and lots of hours to create (what I hope is) a helpful video tutorial for you. Find the pattern under "Free Pattern" above where you can view it directly on the page or download the PDF file to your computer or mobile device by clicking the link at the top.

I've also spent several days debating whether or not to charge a small fee for access to the video (I'm talking just $0.99). For some reason this decision didn't come lightly. I know I may get some grief over this and if it offends you I hope you'll forgive what I'm about to say. I have spent literally hundreds of hours creating and updating the pattern, personally responding to each question, and creating photo and now video tutorials for what always has been, and always will be a free pattern.

*gets on soapbox* I know there are some who believe that all crochet patterns and tutorials should be free. But seriously, who among you would go to work and willingly give up your paycheck? Yes, this is my job - I'm fortunate that it's also my passion. Even though I don't go to a traditional office everyday, I work extremely hard (with long, odd hours) creating patterns, responding to questions, taking and editing photos, promoting, web building and designing, balancing my accounts, and of course... crocheting. (Trust me, I'm not complaining. I absolutely love what I do and I'm grateful for what the crochet community has given me and my family) I figured that $0.99 would be a small price to pay for the video and help compensate for all the time and energy I've put into it. (PS - had I charged for the video, the pattern would have remained free.) *stepping off soapbox*

On the other hand, I gave you my word that the pattern would always be free. In the end I felt that my promise encompassed any and all tutorials and trumped my ego. IF you feel so inclined, I added a "Donate" button at the top of the pattern page and I would be honored by any contribution you deem worthy. But you can rest easy and feel free to enjoy the pattern and ask me questions without a donation.

So there you go... not sure if that was too much information, but it's been weighing on me lately and it feels good to say it. And don't forget... here's the long awaited video! ENJOY and I hope it helps!





PLAY HARD ~ PLAY HOOKY

Craftsy Trends

YAAAAYYYY!!!! I can't believe it, but I'm on the top of the Craftsy Top 20 Free Crochet Patterns Leaderboard! My Brain Waves Beanie moved from 20th to 1st on the trending leader board in less than a week! I'm also the featured seller!! What a cool thing to happen during National Crochet Month!

If you don't already have the pattern, check it out. It comes with a photo tutorial and detailed instructions to make your own beanie for guys & girls.

Thank you!!

PLAY HARD ~ PLAY HOOKY

A photo tutorial is worth a thousand questions

It's here! It's here! The updated Brain Waves Beanie pattern is finally here! I've offered my Brain Waves Beanie pattern as a free download from my website and Ravelry for over a year now and I've seen SO many great finished beanies with creative color combos made by you! But I've also had lots of questions by confused hookers. Trying to explain detailed crochet technique and which-stitch-goes-where without pictures has been taking up a lot of time lately. And the last thing I want to do is create confusion and frustration for my awesome fans!

So I decided to take a couple of days and create a new photo tutorial to accompany both the Kids and Adults versions!!! I really hope it helps! I focused mostly on the beginning and ends of the rounds as that seems to be the sore spot. I also included several pictures to help you check if your stitches are lining up like mine do. As always, if you're still having trouble with it, please send me an email and we can work through it!

Child's tutorial: beginning of a rnd

Adult's tutorial: end of a rnd

How to line up stitches

My new updates are also just in time for this pattern to be featured in a local mom's magazine, Momaha, from Omaha, NE (even though I live in CO)!! Check out the article below and the magazine's website! 

Thanks Momaha!

PLAY HARD ~ PLAY HOOKY