Granny Square Throw - Strawberry Fields

This was my first "big" crochet project.  Still my biggest one to date.  Granny Square Throw (lap blanket), I call it Strawberry Fields.  I used 5 different yarn colors in each square.  2 of the colors were multicolored yarns.  Lots of fun color changes going on.  I have always been a fan of the brown and pink combination.  This pattern is called Granny Square Throw by Susan McCreary and is posted in the Crochet Today! All-Time Best Blankets 2010 Magazine.

Baby Hats

Here is 2 different designs worked up for hospital donations. Very simple double crochet with single crochet rows plus added ruffle or flower for embellishment. I personally always use Bernat Baby Sport Solid yarn when doing any baby project.

Basic Crochet Pattern: Newborn Baby Hat, use Size G hook
CH 5; slip stitch in first ch to form ring
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 dc in ring, join with sl st in top of ch 3 (ch 3 counts as first dc throughout)
Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around - 24 dc; join; turn on each round
Round 3: Ch 3, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc)  12 times - total 36 dc
Round 4: Ch 3 (dc in next 2, 2 dc in next dc) 12 times - total 48 dc
Round 5-14: Ch 3, dc in each dc around

You can alternate colors of yarn every few rows to create a striped hat.  To create a different texture you  replace any row or rows in round 7-14 with sc all the way around.  I did this in the pink and white hat below.
You can then add ruffle or flower for embellishment.  

To add a ruffle:
Row 15: Ch3, 4 dc in each stitch around and join.

My 1st Hat

Well my first hat might not have been pretty but I did it.  When looking at a completed crochet hat it looks so much more complicated than it is.  I believe starting the ring and keeping track of what row you are on is the hardest part. 

I picked a really simple pattern for my first hat, Double Crochet Hat Pattern, you can find the pattern here.  I don't think it gets any simpler than this.  I used Red Heart Ltd Eco-Cotton blend.  75% recycled cotton and 25% acrylic.  My mom loved it so much when I was done with it I gifted it to her.  The cool thing is she didn't just put on her shelf, she actually uses it.