One month down...

So, today is February 1, 2017.  January seemed to fly by.  I've had a lot going on in all aspects of my life.  It seems that I've just stayed busy all month.  Yesterday and today are days where we get to stay at home all day.  This is much needed!
I wanted to show you how my temperature blanket is looking after 1 month.  We have had some unusually warm weather for January and 4 days is the longest streak of consistent temps.  I guess crazy weather is just what we should expect in Louisville.  If crochet, its not too late to catch up and make your own temperature blanket.  To find out more about it, you can go to my post about it for more info.
http://yarndesignsbyaleica.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-new-year-with-new-projects.html

 I am excited to see how it looks after another month has come and gone.

I have also been working on orders for Valentine's Day.  I've done a lot of hats.
Here are my most popular styles.  I have a basic beanie pattern that is my go to pattern for most of my hats (http://www.crochetrochelle.com/2014/05/basic-hdc-beanie-pattern.html?m=1).  I use a "H" hook instead of the "I" hook that it calls for because the hats were coming out just way too big.  Once I changed to the "H", every hat has been the perfect size.  For this first picture, I used this pattern for the hats in the first picture.  I also used my awesome PomPom Maker (http://www.joann.com/clover-pom-pom-maker-extra-large-1-pkg-4-1-2in/9713116.html?gclid=CL-em-ST79ECFdgKgQodKZ4liA) for the big fluffy PomPoms.  I highly recommend getting this ( and the other sizes).  It really saves time and makes it easier to keep them the same size.  The hearts I used a pattern that has 3 different sizes and is very easy.  (http://www.sewrella.com/2016/03/easy-crochet-hearts-3-sizes.htm).  I also added the red band (which is just a chain and a row of single crochet) and wove it through the hat.
I really love how it came out. If you would like to order (2/2/17 is the last day to order and receive your hat in time for Valentine's Day) then click here (www.facebook.com/YarnDesignsByAleica)and send me a PM on my Facebook Page.

The Messy Bun Hat has been a very popular hat this year!  I haven't seen anything like it.  It just exploded.  I was getting requests before Christmas, but was very busy with orders and gifts.  After receiving several requests, I decided to buy a pattern and try it.  The pattern I bought ended up not being what I wanted, so I made my own.  It has parts of the basic beanie pattern above (the number of stitches needed for the different sizes).  I made the rest up, and it has worked wonderfully.  

 This picture is of a Mommy and Me set of Messy Bun Hats.  For these hats, I added elastic to the top and big bows to the back.  The bow I made up as well.  Like the Valentine's Day Hats, if you would like to place an order, just send me a message on my Facebook page.  (www.facebook.com/YarnDesignsByAleica)
I also love to crochet book characters.  As a home school Mom I think that having a character to snuggle while kids are reading, helps bring the book and the child's love for reading to life.  I've done several over the years, but here is a set that I did in January.  I see lots of reading fun with this set.

Like I said before, I've been busy.  I have several other things I'm working on and very excited about.  I will have to wait until next time to tell you about those.
I hope you have a wonderful week, and crochet away!!