Ode to Winter

Fabulous 4-Hour Cloche - Pre-Teen to Adult

Here is a lovely hat for winter which I designed recently. It is hot and humid here, but I hear many in the USA and Canada are enjoying blizzards, so I thought I'd post something winter-related. :) Stay warm!!

Amigurumi Butterfly

Let me introduce you to a new little friend...
Holland's new toy was the result of a custom design request to make a butterfly based on the print on some bedding being used in a nursery. He turned out pretty cute and Holland just loves him. :)

Amigurumi Butterfly

My First Handbag

Knit-Look Crocheted Handbag

Here is my very 1st handbag design! That being said, I don't know if there will be a 2nd handbag design, but there may be, as I am quite pleased with how this one turned out! Bag measures 18" wide at the bottom, 10" wide at the top and 10.25" tall.

Summer's Coming

Triangle Pocket Tank Top

...to the southern hemisphere anyhow. :) Here is a look at a new tank top I designed for Holland. The pattern will be available in a few days and will include sizes up to 4 years.

My Two Girls

Pleated Halter Top

Lace Confection Dress & Hat

Here are a couple photos of some new and recent designs, modeled by Miss Holland (age 2.5) and Miss Madison (almost 3 months).

Now Available from Annie's Attic

I was excited to see my latest published designs up on Annie's Attic today! Check it out. :)

$5.95 - PDF DOWNLOAD

View on Annie's Attic

Back to Business

Holland at Beachcomber Island, Nadi, Fiji

We arrived home from Fiji on Monday afternoon after a very lovely 2 weeks away. What a wonderful time we had and what a great place to visit! I definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn't been there...assuming you like hot weather, sun, blue water and sandy beaches. :)
Holland enjoyed lots of swimming and playing at the beach. And Madison learned to smile while in Fiji! :) We had such a lovely time, we are happily anticipating our next weekend getaway.

Beachcomber Island, Nadi, Fiji

Tivua Island, Nadi, Fiji

Fiji Time

The Holland Designs and Crochetbury Etsy shops are closing for 2 weeks while we're on holiday in Fiji. For anyone who needs a pattern in my absence, you can access easy instant pattern downloads via my Ravelry store.

Shortie Sweater - Baby to Adult

I just finished this little sweater for Holland to wear on our trip. I plan to have the pattern written up and available after we return. It should includes sizes newborn to adult.
See you when we get back! :)

New Crochet Creations

Don't ask how I've been able to get all this done with a newborn to take care of! Our little Madison is now 5 weeks old and has inspired a few new designs in her short crochet-modelling career. Here's a look at some of the newest patterns available from Holland Designs. 

New Model

Newborn Ribbed Diaper Cover

Lace Confection Hat

For anyone who didn't already know...we now have a new model at Holland Designs! Madison Isabel was born August 9. She is such an easy baby, mommy wonders at her amazing luck! :)
Here are a few of my new or recent designs, modeled by Miss Madison...

Horray! 7,000 Sales!

Holland Designs reached a new milestone today! Thanks to all my customers for making the past 2 years on Etsy so successful and enjoyable!

In other news...
2 additional patterns will soon be added to e-PatternsCentral:

Child's Cabled Neck Warmer

Baby Morepork Owl

Pajama Bear

I made this new teddy bear for Holland yesterday, based on the bear on her favorite pair of pajamas. As Holland says, "He's SO special." :)

Knit-Look Amigurumi

Here is a completely new twist on amigurumi design: "knit-look" crocheted amigurumi. I hope to design other animals, but here are my very first creations: my knit-look crocheted elephant & bunny. The patterns are currently available in my crochetbury shop and on Ravelry.

Slouchy Picot Hat

Here is a new hat  - a custom design made by request for a fellow Etsian. Pattern includes sizes newborn to adult. Features openwork lacy pattern, slouchy-style fit and picot edging on the brim.

Holland enjoyed modeling her new hat...she has way too many hats, as you may imagine. :)

New Knit-Look Designs

Here are a couple new knit-look designs I've been working on...

Knit-Look Crocheted Mary Janes - Pattern includes sizes 0-12 mos
Toddler and Ladies sizes coming soon...

Knit-Look Pullover 
 - Pattern will include sizes newborn to 3 years, once I finish editing it.

Argyle Style

With our new baby due in about 9 weeks, I've been designing some newborn outfits for our (we're guessing!) son.
The patterns for both the hat and vest are currently available in my Etsy shop. The hat pattern includes sizes newborn to adult - the vest pattern includes sizes newborn to 12 yrs.

Mens 3-Stripe Tennis Shoes

My husband has been asking me recently to make him a pair of slippers. I'm pretty picky when it comes to "crochet for men"...it has to be very masculine for me to approve of it. :) And generally crochet is not masculine. But I am very pleased with the look of these new slippers. I think they look super cool on hubby's feet and he loves them! :) Pattern is now available on Ravelry or in my Etsy shop.

Twirly Scarf

My neighbor-girl back home in Wisconsin, who I have known since she was 5 months old, has just graduated from high school! She won several scholarships and awards and is heading off to college in the fall. As part of her graduation gift, I decided to design this scarf for her. She has lovely red hair and I think this color will suit her nicely. :)
Thanks to my husband's coworker for modeling this new design for me! I might have modeled it myself, but being 7 months pregnant, I didn't think that'd be a good look! :)

All Positive

Beautiful Baby Shoes seems to be selling very well on the DRG Wholesale website. It has been ranking among the top 3 sellers and is currently at #1. I have my own author's page now on Amazon.com. And 4 more Holland Designs patterns will soon be added to the e-patternscentral website!

Toopy

I don't normally spend much time making amigurumi, but over the past 2 days I have been busy creating my version of Toopy from "Toopy & Binoo." (No, I haven't made Binoo yet.) He measures approx. 12" tall standing. The pattern is now available on Ravelry or in my Crochetbury pattern shop on Etsy.

Holland's New Shoes

I made Holland some new slippers today. These are the toddler version of my Boutique Mary Janes baby shoes. For this pattern, I added a little leaf to accent the flower. I get so much joy from seeing my little sweetie wearing something I've made. :) Next on the to-do list: Slippers for Daddy

Top Seller

After a few weeks at #2, Beautiful Baby Shoes has now moved up to be the top seller in the crochet category on Annie's Attic. Thanks to all those who have purchased a copy. :)
The book is also now available on Amazon.com.

Toddler 3-Stripe Tennis Shoes

I'm very excited about how cool this new pattern turned out.
These are the toddler version of my baby 3-stripe tennis shoes. Pattern includes sizes:
· 4.5 - (4.5" long - shoe size 4)
· 5 - (5" long - shoe size 5)
· 5.5 - (5.5" long - shoe size 7)
· 6 - (6" long - shoe size 8)
I hope to design the youth size in the next week or two.

Chocolate Brown Merino

What to do with some leftover chocolate brown merino wool? Why, design some new baby shoes of course! :) I recently made a custom "smarty pants" diaper cover for Cathie of Phunkey Photos in exchange for a cute listing photo for my shop. Today with the leftover merino, I designed these new Boutique Mary Janes. Pattern includes sizes newborn, 3-6 and 6-12 mos.

Getting Ready for Baby

With a new baby expected in about 12 weeks time, I'm very happy to have finally completed this little blanket! This is another of my "knit-look" designs...which may some day end up in a knit-look book, if my craft publisher decides to go ahead with it. In the meantime, the pattern is available in my Etsy shop and the sample will soon be keeping our new baby snug and warm! :)

Second Best

Today I hit 6,000 sales in my Etsy shop and celebrated by giving away a free pattern to 6 winners - all fans on my facebook page. I do pattern and designer sample giveaways from time to time, so become a fan if you'd like to enter future giveaways! :)

My baby shoe book, Beautiful Baby Shoes, has been sitting at #2 on the Annie's Attic top-selling crochet pattern list for a couple weeks. It'd be nice to get to the #1 spot, but I'm enjoying being second best for the time being. :)

Ladies Cabled Cuff Boots

The adult version of my cabled cuff baby booties is now available on Holland Designs...

I realize it's May and in the Northern Hemisphere no one is thinking of making or wearing crocheted boots and slippers...but "down under" these look really appealing with winter on the way. :)

New Knit-Look Designs

I've been working on a few new designs recently - with the aim of possibly having them published in a future "knit-look" pattern book.
View these projects on Raverly:
Cabled Cuff Booties 
- pattern now available on Holland Designs - includes sizes newborn, 3-6 and 6-12 mos. Adult sizes in the works too. :)
Knit-Look Baby Blanket 
- pattern soon to be added to Holland Designs.

More Patterns now on Annie's Attic

After signing a few more contracts, several additional Holland Designs patterns have now been added to the Annie's Attic website as PDF downloads. Some are single patterns; others are pattern combos. Here are the links:
Fascinator Headwrap & Hat Pattern Combo
Rose Garden Mary Janes Pattern Combo
Little Cupcake Booties & Hat Pattern Combo
Vintage Lace Beanie Pattern
Victorian Shrug Baby & Adult Pattern
Seamless Cardigan Pattern

Blog Carnival

I had never heard of a "blog carnival" until last week...but it sure does sound fun, doesn't it? If you're interested in a wide variety of craft-related activities and projects, check out this website.

Almost Mother's Day

Mother's day is just a week away! This year I decided that among the other little goodies I'd send, I'd also make my mom a pair of slippers. So, today I designed these new cute summery slipper sandals. 
I hope Mom will like them. :)

Professional Shots

I want to show off a couple of my latest designs, shot by multi-award winning New Zealand photographer, Jane Trevathan of Photography by Jane.
She was kind enough to do a casting call for a sweet little newborn and photograph these cocoons for me so I have professional pics to use in my pattern listings.
Both these patterns, the Newborn Egg Cocoon (in cream) and the Knit-Look Egg Cocoon (in gray) are now available on Holland Designs.

Today's Project

I'm taking a break from designing to complete some custom projects. Today I made this rosebud baby set for a lady here in Auckland and took the chance to create some new listing photos for this pattern. The beanie is a modified version of my fascinator beanie - with accent stitching on the brim and a sweet little rosebud. :)
Next on the custom item "to do" list are a couple seamless cardis and a victorian shrug.

New This Week

New to Holland Designs this week are a couple of patterns:
Firstly, I've added the Seamless Cardigan. Pattern includes sizes newborn to 2-3 years.
Secondly, this new Vintage Lace Beanie. Pattern includes sizes baby to adult.

Fascinator Beanie

A friend recently asked me to make some beanies for her girls, so I am taking the opportunity to design some new hat patterns for my Etsy shop. Here is my Fascinator Beanie, which uses the same flower as the fascinator headwrap. Stay tuned for the next beanie design...coming soon. :)

Pattern includes sizes newborn up to 10 years.
Crocheted using 4-ply fingering weight yarn.