I recently was asked if I could make an outfit a friend found on Etsy. As it turned out, it was a pattern I could purchase from Etsy, so the answer was yes!
I downloaded the Minnie Mouse Inspired Diaper Cover Crochet Pattern, busted out my crochet hooks & started this the Sunday after Christmas. This was a quick project & it was delivered by Friday. Despite some of the comments I saw on Ravelry, I didn’t find any glaring errors in this pattern (which could be because I’m not as experienced with crochet patterns as I am with knitting patterns). Also, the pattern is very reasonably priced at $3.99, when for-purchase patterns on Ravelry average $6.00, AND the pattern author generously allows you to make unlimited numbers of this project for sale, provided that you credit her design.
Here is my FO:
I made one change to the pattern – regarding the spots on Minnie’s skirt. I made them according to the pattern directions once, but they left a huge hole in the center – I’ve never been able to start with a few chain stitches, then crochet in the round without a huge hole, so it could be user error. Instead, I used the Crochet Magic Loop cast on, chained 1, single crocheted 6 into the magic loop, did not join in the round, pulled the loop tight, and finally half-double crocheted 2 in each stitch (12 st). I then joined with a slip stitch & sewed onto the skirt with the long tail. This eliminated the gap in the center of the spot & resulted in a spot very close to the size the pattern called for.
I also opted for the drawstring waist option of connecting the skirt to the diaper cover so it could be cinched & worn any time after the baby was born. I made the 3-6 mos size, as some babies are born not fitting into the newborn sized-clothing & wanted to be sure that they were able to get pictures of Baby Minnie in her outfit!
Being as this was for a baby & most likely will need to be washed frequently, I used Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice yarn for this one. I was happy with how it worked up.
And so was Minnie’s momma, Amy! Below is the ‘before’ shot. I’ll update with ‘after’ photos when Minnie arrives.
Also finished this Friday – my newly improvised pattern, Chevron Sleep Sacks.
Amy had requested some pea pods for baby Minnie, with chevrons, in pink or purple & gray. After a few minutes at Jo-Ann’s, I had selected a few skeins of Bernat Satin & thought I would be good to go. Until I got home & found nothing on Ravelry that resembled a sleep sack with chevrons or zig-zags. There were waves and ripples, but nothing pointed enough to qualify as a chevron. Zig-zags are close enough to chevrons, as long as you adjust the length adequately. After a hot minute of swatching, I had an idea of how many stitches I would need to get an appropriately sized sleep sack.
Here’s the final result:
I was happy with the way they turned out, and so was Amy!
I have written out the pattern & will share here as soon as I have a friend finish test-crocheting it!
Donita Westman 