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.

Fascinator Headwrap

I was recently inspired by some gorgeous knit headwraps I saw for sale online, so decided to create my own "knit-look" crocheted version. It's so awesome to be able to use this crochet-technique to create a completely convincing knit-look design! Well, I love it anyhow. :)
I created a pretty "fascinator" flower to accent it and sewed a metallic button in the middle. It will keep Holland's ears warm as it's getting a little chilly here in New Zealand.

My Book!

Holland looked at me a bit funny this morning when I was doing a little "happy dance" - but it is a happy day. :) My baby shoe book is now up on Annie's Attic, though not currently in stock. This was my 1st time seeing the cover. A few friends have asked for signed copies already. Can't wait to get a copy myself!

See it online

March

Holland Designs is nearing 5,000 sales. :) I suggested to my husband that we'll need to celebrate this milestone in some way, but then again, it seems we are always celebrating something. Gil just took me out on Saturday night to see Harry Connick Jr. perform live in concert here in Auckland - in celebration of our 3rd wedding anniversary. We really enjoyed the show and how personable & humorous Mr. Connick was!

Late last week I designed these new baby shoes - after someone requested this style. They use a small piece of elastic as a strap. I think it is really nice (and functional) to be able to combine some aspects of fabric shoes with crocheted ones.

Peep Toe Baby Shoes 

Pattern includes size 0-18 mos

Ladies Cabled Ballet Flats

I found my favorite crochet hook and enough yarn to design these new ladies slippers today. I have been intending to make these for a while, but hadn't...until I was prompted yesterday by someone requesting the pattern.
I'm quite pleased with how the cables turned out in this lovely shade of red.

A Moving Experience

I haven't posted on my blog in a while because we've been busy moving to our new house. We found a very spacious 3-bdrm house out in a rural setting, just a couple miles from my husband's work. It's so ideal for us and we need the extra space with the new baby on the way. We have a huge backyard and even horses grazing in the field next door. I have a nice walk-in pantry off my kitchen which I am going to use for my craft storage.

We're still unpacking and getting settled in, but I'll be back to designing once I find all my yarn and crochet hooks amid all the boxes. :)

Elsewhere on the Web

Several of my patterns are currently selling elsewhere on the web. My knit-look cloche is in February's top 10 for crochet on E-patternscentral.

I also have two patterns up on the Annie's Attic website...with a couple more to be added soon.

Knit-Look Cardigan

Today I finally felt inspired & motivated to finish typing up my Knit-Look Cardigan pattern. I made this sweater for Holland back in December and she wore it several times while we were visiting family in the States. I received so many compliments and comments on her gorgeous sweater, which was an extra compliment because I had made it, of course! :)
So, now you too can add this sweater to your little girl's wardrobe. Pattern includes sizes newborn to 12 years. I've put the skill level at advanced, because it is a bit more complicated. It helps if you've made a sweater before.