Do you hear Christmas music in the air? It's that jolly time of the year!

I'm excited to share with you 6 FREE Sweet Softies crochet patterns that are perfect projects for a handmade winter season!

It features two cowls (both infinity/circle scarves with lovely texture and snugglability), two amigurumis (excellent stocking stuffers or even as decor/ornaments!) and two beanies (to keep heads warm)!

All of these free patterns are QUICK, EASY, and BEGINNER-FRIENDLY!

They are wonderful as unique, handmade gifts for your loved ones or to sell at craft fairs!  They can also be easily customized with different yarn colors or embellishments, such as buttons, appliques, and more.

Click below to navigate to the pattern link!

1. Cotton Candy Cowl
2. Kana the Wanderer's Cowl
3. Tiny Baby Snowman
4. Peyton the Polar Bear
5. Super Simple Beginner's Beanie
6. The Heath Beanie

This video shows you how to crochet in the back loops only (BLO).  I'm using the half double crochet (hdc) stitch in the video tutorial but you can crochet in the BLO with any stitch you'd like!  It's commonly done in single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), and double crochet (dc).

Please take a look at the video tutorial below to learn how to do this technique!  I break down the steps and walk through it with a few repetitions, so that it's hopefully easy to understand and master. 
Hope this video is helpful to you!

If you'd like to try out this technique on a quick, easy, and lovely scarf pattern, please try my FREE Cotton Candy Cowl pattern:


Happy crafting!

A chainless foundation, such as the chainless foundation half double crochet (HDC), is an alternative to creating a foundation chain.  This technique creates your stitch and chain at the same time!  It produces a foundation row that is sized similarly to a regular row.  Because this method eliminates the chain altogether, it's like a "shortcut" strategy that also makes your foundation row and the rest of the rows and stitches in your project more evenly aligned.  Another benefit of this technique is that it helps to maintain even tension from the very first stitch to the last.

(Note: Click here to learn the double crochet version!)

This type of stitch is ideal for projects with a long foundation row and brings a great-looking finish when compared to the traditional foundation chain!

Please take a look at the video tutorial below to learn how to do this technique!  I break down the steps and walk through it with a few repetitions, so that it's hopefully easy to understand and master.  After you learn it, you won't be going back to making foundation chains any longer! ;)
Hope this video is helpful to you!

If you'd like to try out this technique on a quick, easy, and lovely scarf pattern, please try my FREE Cotton Candy Cowl pattern:


Happy crafting!

Scroll down for the free, written crochet pattern.  If you would like to make a donation to support my work, please click here!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!


Copyright Notice -- © 2018 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website, Etsy shop, and/or Facebook page. You may not copy, alter, or sell this pattern in any way. You may sell finished items made with this pattern if you credit Sweet Softies as the designer and link to my website, Etsy shop, or Facebook page. No wholesale.

 

~ CROCHET DIRECTIONS ~

1. Make 30 hdc using the Chainless Foundation HDC technique.
   
   
   
   
2. Ch 2 (this counts as your first hdc), turn. Hdc across each stitch in BLO. (30 hdc)
   
   
    
3. Repeat 'Step 2' until the piece measures 28 inches in length, or however long you'd like for it to wrap around your neck.
   
   
   
    
4. Fasten off with a very long yarn tail (~3 times the length of the cowl) for sewing.
5. Fold the cowl in half using the hot-dog fold (the long way). Using a yarn needle and the yarn tail to sew the long edge closed.
   
   
   
6. Next, bring the left and right ends together to meet in the middle of the cowl.
   
   
   
7. Sew those open ends together. Finally, weave in the ends.
   
   
   

If you enjoyed this free project and would like to make a donation to support my work, please click here!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!

If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see!  Here are links for sharing your finished creation:

• Sweet Softies Facebook Page
• Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
• Instagram, @SweetSofties
• Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
• Or, feel free to share in the comments below! :)

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day! 


Best wishes,

This is an embarrassing post.


I'm just literally cramming photos from my "shoot" for my newest free pattern, the Cotton Candy Cowl, into this post. 

Yeah, not awkward at all!

Hi fellow crocheters,

If you're looking for a quick and easy project to crochet as a gift or Christmas tree ornament this holiday season, don't forget to check out my free pattern, the Tiny Baby Snowman!

Click here for the pattern!  If you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), click here to purchase it for a small fee in my shop. Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!

Click here to get the PDF pattern, complete with photo references!

For more FREE Fall & Winter themed crochet patterns, check out these lovely handmade projects!



Or, if you'd like to see my complete, year-round collection of free patterns and designs...



Hope you enjoy my designs!  I'd love to see photos of your finished work if you'd like to share them with me! 

Here are links for sharing your finished creation:

• Sweet Softies Facebook Page
• Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
• Instagram, @SweetSofties
• Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
• Or, feel free to share in the comments below! :)

Best wishes,

Scroll down for the free, written crochet pattern.  If you would like to make a donation to support my work, please click here!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!

Copyright Notice -- © 2018 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website, Etsy shop, and/or Facebook page. You may not copy, alter, or sell this pattern in any way. You may sell finished items made with this pattern if you credit Sweet Softies as the designer and link to my website, Etsy shop, or Facebook page. No wholesale.

 

~ CROCHET DIRECTIONS ~

Note: The beginning Ch-2 does not count as a stitch.

R1: Ch 2, then insert 12 dc in a MR. (12 sts)
R2: Ch 2, dc-inc around. (24 sts)
R3: Ch 2, (dc, dc-inc) around. (36 sts)
R4: Ch 2, (dc 2, dc-inc) around. (48 sts)
R5: Ch 2, (dc 3, dc-inc) around. (60 sts)
R6: Ch 2, (dc 4, dc-inc) around. (72 sts)
R7-R12: Ch 2, dc around. (72 sts)
R13: Ch 2, dc around in BLO. (72 sts)
R14-R15: Ch 2, (fpdc, dc) around. (72 sts)
R16: Ch 1, sc around in BLO. (72 sts)

Fasten off and weave in the ends. 


If you enjoyed this free project and would like to make a donation to support my work, please click here!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!

If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see!  Here are links for sharing your finished creation:

• Sweet Softies Facebook Page
• Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
• Instagram, @SweetSofties
• Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
• Or, feel free to share in the comments below! :)

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day! 


Best wishes,

Hi fellow crocheters,

I recently made these two beanies for a couple wonderful Mamas who are expecting their babies next month!  These hats were so much fun to make, and I hope it will keep the little heads warm in December when the world gets to meet them!!


If anyone's looking for a beginner-friendly project to crochet for a precious little one, as a baby shower gift, or as a donation gift to the NICU or Children's Hospital, you can try your hand at this Baby's Lacy Beanie pattern!

It requires knowledge of basic crochet stitches and is quick to work up.  You can also embellish them with buttons, flower appliques (such as the 'puff stitch flower', included in the pattern link), ribbons, bows, and more!

If you'd like to check out some additional baby items to crochet, I invite you to try out these other free patterns!

• Bunny Lovey
• Puppy Lovey 
• Baby's Soft Shoes
• Baby's Star Blanket

As always, happy crocheting!  💝

Best wishes,

Scroll down for the free, written crochet pattern.  If you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), click here to purchase it for a small fee in my shop.  Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!


Copyright Notice -- © 2018 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website, Etsy shop, and/or Facebook page. You may not copy, alter, or sell this pattern in any way. You may sell finished items made with this pattern if you credit Sweet Softies as the designer and link to my website, Etsy shop, or Facebook page. No wholesale.

 

~ CROCHET DIRECTIONS ~

Head

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: Inc around. (12 sts)
R3: (Sc, inc) x 6. (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30 sts)
R6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36 sts)
R7-R9: Sc around. (36 sts)
R10: (Sc 5, inc) x 6. (42 sts)
R11: Sc around. (42 sts)
R12: (Sc 5, dec) x 6. (36 sts)
R13: (Sc 4, dec) x 6. (30 sts)
R14: (Sc 3, dec) x 6. (24 sts)
R15: (Sc 2, dec) x 6. (18 sts)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Ears (x2)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: Inc around. (12 sts)
R3: Sc around. (12 sts)
Fasten off with a long tail for sewing to the head later. 

Muzzle

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Fasten off with a long tail for sewing to the head later.

Body

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: Inc around. (12 sts)
R3: (Sc, inc) x 6. (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 6, dec) x 3. (21 sts)
R6: Sc around. (21 sts)
R7: (Sc 5, dec) x 3. (18 sts)
R8: Sc around. (18 sts)
Fasten off with a long tail for sewing to the head later.

Arms (x2)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
R2-R6: Sc around. (6 sts)
Fasten off with a long tail for sewing to the body later.

Legs (x2)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: Inc around. (12 sts)
R3: Sc around. (12 sts)
R4: Sc 2, dec 4, sc 2. (8 sts)
R5: Sc around. (8 sts)
Fasten off with a long tail for sewing to the body later.

~ FINISHING DIRECTIONS ~

1. Gather all the crocheted pieces: head, ears (x2), muzzle, body, arms (x2), legs (x2).  
2. You can position the parts together first, using sewing pins to hold them together.  This will help you visualize how the bear looks as a whole.
3. Using a yarn needle and black yarn scraps, sew a triangle nose onto the bear’s muzzle.  You can also sew a line for the mouth.
4. Using a yarn needle, sew the muzzle to the bear’s head.  Then, sew the ears to the bear’s head.
5. Attach plastic safety eyes to the bear’s head. (I used 20mm eyes.)
6. Stuff the legs firmly, but be careful not to stretch the stitches.
7. Sew the arms and legs to the body.
8. Stuff the body and head firmly, but be careful not to stretch the stitches.
9. Sew the body to the head. 

If you enjoyed this free project and would like to make a donation to support my work, please click here!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!

Also, if you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), click here to purchase it for a small fee in my shop.  Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!



If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see!  Here are links for sharing your finished creation:

• Sweet Softies Facebook Page
• Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
• Instagram, @SweetSofties
• Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
• Or, feel free to share in the comments below! :)

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day! 


Best wishes,