Beer Koozies

Did you know that there are at least a dozen different spellings for the sleeve that you put around your ice-cold beer? :)
Listen HERE 

Materials

- I/9 (5.5mm) hook
- Yarn: medium worsted weight – 4, Caron Simply Soft (2 colors)
- Yarn needle

Start with color #1Circle 1: Magic loop 10 dc, join to first dc with slip stitch
Circle 2: 2 hdc in each hdc around, join to first hdc with slip stitch (20 hdc)
Circle 3: *1 hdc in first hdc, 2 dc in second hdc, repeat from * around, join to first hdc with slip stitch (30 hdc)
Circle 4 - 8: 1 hdc in each hdc around, join to first hdc with slip stitch (30 hdc)
Switch to color #2Circle 9 – 12: 1 hdc in each hdc around, join to first hdc with slip stitch (30 hdc)
Switch to color #1Circle 13 – 16: 1 hdc in each hdc around, join to first hdc with slip stitch (30 hdc)

Tie off and weave in ends
Add your favorite team logo or any other design!

Knitting Therapy

I love perusing the archives of the Psychology Today website for interesting articles and yesterday I came across one called Should You Knit? by Temma Ehrenfeld. Some days I cannot wait to curl up on the couch and knit or crochet. Scott always cringes when I'm working on designing a pattern and after getting so far I decide to rip it all out and start again. Crocheting is probably the only thing that I can say I enjoy the process more than reaching the goal.

The rhythmic repetitive movements seem to put us in the present moment, distracting us from mulling over the past or fear of the future.

With crocheting being my number 1 hobby, worrying is number 2. I normally don't think about much while crocheting and that can be a wonderful reprieve.

Research by Dr. Barry Jacobs of Princeton University has found that repetitive movements in animals enhance the release of serotonin, associated with calm good spirits.

Thankfully crocheting is a "constructive addiction" that has great health benefits - and you get to make something pretty :)

Read the entire article HERE.

Cabled Beanie Pattern

The last few days I have been working on a new hat design. I recently started knitting a pillow cover with cables on it. I'm not amazing at knitting and although I love how cables look, I thought that they would be incredibly difficult and advanced for a beginning knitter. I was so surprised to learn just how easy and fun they are! This inspired me to make this crocheted cabled hat.

This pattern is by far one of my favorites!

The hat is designed for an adult and you must know how to front and back post double crochet comfortably. It uses a J/10 6mm sized hook and I recommend using Caron Simply Soft or Lion Brand Heartland yarn. Both of these yarns are super soft and make great hats! :)

Hooray! The cabled beanie pattern made it into the top 20 on Ravelry after being released on November 12th, 2013  :)

Basic Slouch Hat Pattern

The basic slouch pattern is ready to be downloaded!

This pattern requires a size J/10 (6mm) crochet hook and you should be able to comfortably use the double crochet, front post double crochet, and back post double crochet stitches. You should also know how to make a magic loop but if not there are many YouTube tutorials! :)

This is by far my favorite hat to make and a best seller on my Etsy store! When you use the recommended Caron Simply Soft yarn it makes a super comfortable and soft hat for crisp days.

50 Sales

As of April 16, 2013 Jennifer Bennett Designs has reached 50 sales!

Striped Baby Blanket Pattern

Now available is this super soft, striped baby blanket! I used my new favorite baby yarn (Bernat Softee Baby Solids) in these fun pink colors but you could also substitute with their soft fern and fresh green for a little boy. The finished blanket measures approximately 32" by 36".

Summer Drink Coaster Crochet Pattern

Summer is officially here in Las Vegas! My little fur-baby Benji has his summer haircut and has been spending time learning to enjoy the water. We recently got solar screens put on the windows in order to save money that usually would be spent on AC. They definitely make a huge difference and I hope we see it reflected on our bill! School is wrapping up and in a week and a half of these two teachers will be on summer vacation! :) Enjoy this summer drink coaster pattern!

Summer Coasters

Magic Loop 12 dc, join in first dc with slip stitch
ch 2, *2dc in first dc, ch 2, skip 1 dc, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch
ch 2, *1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in second dc, 3 dc in ch 2 space, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch
ch 2, dc in first dc, *ch 1, skip 1 dc, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch
Tie off and weave ends in!

Basic Beanie Pattern

While working on the shell-stitch baby girl pattern I realized that I needed a little boy beanie to sell at the market. Of course you can definitely make it for a little girl too :) Here is a preview of the pattern for the 3-6 months size. Also, I would suggest using Caron Simply Soft yarn for the best results! (Substitute any Medium (4 ply) weight yarn.)

In the full pattern you will find preemie, newborn, 3-6 month, 6-12 month, toddler, child, and adult sizes.

3-6 Months

Approximately 15” Circumference, 6” Length

Using an I/9 (5.50mm) hook

Magic loop 12 dc OR ch 3 and 12 dc in second ch from hook

Row 1: ch 2, 2dc in each dc around, join with slip stitch in first dc

Row 2: ch 2, *1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in second, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch in first dc

Row 3: ch 2, *1 dc in first dc, 1 dc in second dc, 2 dc in third dc, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch in first dc

Rows 4-10: ch 2, *1 dc in dc, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch in first dc (48 stitches around, 7 rows)

Row 11-14: ch 1, *fpostdc in first 2 dcs, back post dc in next 2 dcs, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch in first fpostdc (4 rows)

Tie off and weave in all ends.

Sophia Hat Pattern

Lately I have been working on some simple little boy hats and a baby girl hat pattern using the shell stitch. Here is a little preview of the pattern written for a 3-6 month old. You can also purchase the full pattern which includes sizes preemie to adult. 

I love this hat, mostly because of the beautiful lacy texture and scalloped edges. I recommend using Caron Simply Soft yarn because - of course- it makes a very soft and wearable hat! Add a flower, ribbon, or creative appliqué to personalize your hat as well :)

Flower is not included in pattern - but there are many wonderful flower patterns out there that you can make to add to your hat!

Everyone around me seems to be popping out babies and the one thing I love about knitting and crocheting for babies is soft and snuggly yarn! The only problem I have with baby yarn is how horrible the colors are - I'm not a big fan of pastels and I don't like colorful yarn that isn't soft.

I was very excited about making this little Hangbaby by Brittmarie Rosendahl but unfortunately the pattern is not in English! How cute is he though?

Baby Girl Shell Stitch Hat - 3-6 Months

Recommended: Caron Simply Soft or any worsted (Medium 4) yarn.

Using an I/9 (5.50mm) hook

Approximately 16" Circumference, 6" Height

Magic loop 12 dc OR ch 3 and 12 dc in second ch from hook, join with slip stitch in top of first dc.

Row 1: ch 2, 2dc in each dc around, join with slip stitch in first dc (24 stitches)

Row 2: ch 2, *1 dc in first, 2 dc in second dc, repeat from * and join with slip stitch in first dc (36 stitches)

Row 3: ch 3, *5 dc in first dc, skip 2 dc, repeat from *, join with slip stitch in first dc (12 shells)

Rows 4-12: ch 3, 5 dc in first dc, skip 4, *5 dc in next dc, skip 4, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch in first dc

Row 13: ch 1, slip stitch in each dc around, join with slip stitch in first, tie off

(10 rows of shells)

Weave ends into hat with a yarn needle needle.

Enjoy!

Ruffled Clutch Pattern

I have just posted my pattern for creating this ruffled bag! You can adjust the measurements of the bag easily depending on if you want a little coin purse or a larger clutch. I have also created an easy-to-follow tutorial for lining and installing a zipper to finish it off!

Enjoy!