Crochet Cancer Challenge 2020

This year is the 7th annual Crochet Cancer Challenge hosted by Christine of Sweet Potato 3. I’m honored to be a part of this wonderful event again this year. As October is almost to an end, I hope that you all have enjoyed participating in this challenge, found some new-to-you designers along with the hat patterns you have downloaded, and have started a nice stack of hats to donate to a local cancer center, patient, or survivor. 

Stay Gold Earwarmer-A Free Crochet Pattern

My Stay Gold Beanie was so much fun to design and work up that I knew I would have to design some matching patterns to go with it! My first matching pattern (or patterns) is the Stay Gold Earwarmer. I designed 2 different versions of this earwarmer (because who doesn’t like to mix things up?) You can find the round regular version here for FREE on my blog.

Stay Gold Beanie-SP3 Cancer Challenge 2019

Another year and another Cancer Challenge hosted by Christine of Sweet Potato 3!! This year, we’ve decided to change it up a bit and have each designer choose a certain ribbon color to represent with their hat patterns. I designed the Stay Gold Beanie for Day 25 of the SP3 Crochet Cancer Challenge.

Why I chose Gold

Gold represents Childhood Cancer. I know that there are many types of Cancer, but I believe the possibility of getting diagnosed with cancer while only a child hits me the hardest. Having 2 (almost 3) kids at home I can’t imagine as a parent how I would handle the situation, let alone how my child would handle it. Having to struggle through and understand something like this at such a young age when you have so little experience under your belt and a life you haven’t fully lived yet is crazy to think about.

Another reason is that I have a friend that I went to college with whose youngest son is only about a year younger than my own. A few years ago he was diagnosed with Leukemia and has been battling it on and off ever since. I see pictures of her family in my newsfeed every now and then and just think of how strong they are. Seriously, this kid is the epitome of strength and perseverance. He’s not letting the big C stop him any time soon. I wish that all kids that are diagnosed with cancer had the strength that this little boy does. It isn’t always the case but it is something that I can hope for. ❤

Why I chose the name Stay Gold Beanie

Besides the color of the ribbon that I chose, “stay gold” also alludes to a heart wrenching part in S.E Hinton’s book “The Outsiders.” In the story Ponyboy refers to a poem by Robert Frost (see below) that says that something gold is always the new beginning of something, something innocent, something young; however, it can never stay. It has to progress into the natural next step in life. While dying in the hospital, one of the characters, Johnny, tells Ponyboy to stay gold. Unlike the other Greasers, Ponyboy has a different perspective on life, has a sensitive nature, and can sympathize with others, even if they are from an opposing part of town. Johnny hopes that Ponyboy will keep these qualities and not get sucked into the Greaser mentality that the others have.

I thought that the phrase “stay gold” really resonated with the childhood part that the gold ribbon represents.

 

Nothing Gold Can Stay

By Robert Frost

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

 

 

The Stay Gold Beanie

 

How to Get This Pattern For Free:

As part of the 2019 Crochet Cancer Challenge you can get a copy of the Stay Gold Beanie pattern for FREE. However, if you download a copy of the pattern, it is your PLEDGE to make a hat to donate to a local Cancer Center and/or patient. Grab your copy of the Stay Gold Beanie pattern for FREE from 10/25 through 10/27 on Ravelry. You must use the code “CC2019” at checkout. Please be sure that the price comes up as free before you order. Remember your FREE download is your PLEDGE to donate a minimum of 1 hat from the pattern by the end of 2019. To make a Pledge, get your copy of the pattern, HERE.

Use #CrochetCancerChallenge

To help spread the word about the Crochet Cancer Challenge we need your help. Please make your hats from the designs and post to your social media outlets. Use #CrochetCancerChallenge when posting on facebook, instagram, pinterest, twitter or anything else. Also, tag the designers who gave you the pattern to use. We all love a little love on social media and may even share your project on our page.

 

MORE LINKS ABOUT THE CANCER CHALLENGE

1. Cancer Challenge Introduction, what is it, click HERE.
2. What type of hat should I make, what sizes and where should I get the patterns, click HERE
3. What type of yarn is recommended for the hats, click HERE
4. Where should I donate my hats, click HERE
5. A fun “start early” project you can add to your hats, click HERE
6. Challenge others to join and more fun information, click HERE

 

Valentine’s Day Countdown

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! Myself and 14 others designers have gotten together to bring you 15 free crochet patterns perfect for Valentine’s Day! From 1/28 through 2/11, you will find a code for a free pdf version of a pattern from one of the designers. Follow the link to Nicki’s Homemade Crafts’  Blog to find the code each day. She will be updating her blog every day at midnight with the code for the newest pattern!

Back to School Sale and Giveaway!

I’ve come to the point in my life where I’m at a crossroad with my emotions. My little boy is starting his first year of school. He has been staying home with me every day since he was born. Should I feel happy and excited for him making this huge step in his life or do I feel sad because I will miss him throughout the day? Can I be both?I I know it will be such a drastic change for all of us, but overall I think he will really enjoy it and love this new environment! I’m choosing to be happy! 

Aidan’s Sunhat Pattern Release!

Photo credit to Hollie Bobo, Betty Lewis, Shelia Claring, and Nondas Hensley

There was a time when my son absolutely hated wearing anything on his head. He would immediately yank any hat off his head within seconds of me putting it on him. Luckily, that time has passed and he now loves to wear hats. He has several that he will switch between for cooler weather, but he only had one sunhat. Being blonde, he has to wear something on his head or it will get burnt, especially with the amount of time he makes us spend at the park! Sadly, his super awesome snail sunhat that I made him last year was running a little small, so I asked him if he wanted a new one.

Twilight Horizon Infinity Scarf Pattern Release!

Photo credit to Shannon of CitrusSun Crochet, Emma of Cutie Patootie Booties ‘N More, and Janelle of Silly Lilly Bows and More. Photo credit to Sarah Collins for the featured image at the top.

If you haven’t noticed by now, I LOVE working with this stitch!! This is my newest pattern design using it, the Twilight Horizon Infinity Scarf, and I have to say that I’m super happy with it The detail and texture in this stitch is phenomenal and it is so fun to do!

Amelia Sundress Pattern Release and Sale

I am super excited to share this new pattern of mine with you all! This pattern was first designed for some friends of ours who are expecting a baby this July. I gifted them the original dress as a baby shower gift. They’ve tried very hard to be able to have this child after being unsuccessful several times, 

New pattern-Queen Carapace Cowl and Infinity Scarf

Photo credit to Krista of Evergreen Shore, Betty Lewis, and Darcy of Darcy’s Crochet Creations

If you liked my Queen and Princess Carapace Gloves, you will love this new pattern for a matching cowl and infinity scarf! This pattern has options for a cowl, short infinity, and long infinity, has instructions to make a thinner version of the scarf, and also has directions on how to customize the length of the scarf to your own liking.

New pattern releases: Princess and Queen Carapace Gloves

My business has been slowing down. Most people would probably get frustrated with this happening to them. However, I’ve been taking this time to put my creativity to good use, to sit down and actually bust some patterns out. I’ve had so many ideas in my head, and I simply cannot keep them all in there anymore.