First Friday Free Pattern and BIG surprise!

Happy birthday to my husband! It's a milestone birthday, and a big deal, so this post is dedicated to him. Did you know it was his idea to start writing my patterns? He's the one that suggested I make a Conan! I owe him a lot, and he's given me a precious little family along the way. So happy birthday, Paul! I love you and you are an amazing husband and father.





In other news, it's Free Pattern Friday again! I'll tell you the truth: I've had this pattern and little book made for weeks, just itching to post it, but I want to stick to my schedule, so here she is!

This is no ordinary little crocheted book. She has a face, super cute lining, and even  little pages inside. You can personalize your little stitch-a-book however you want. Is it someone's birthday? Stitch, "Happy Birthday, Paul!" Someone get a new job? "Congratulations, Kendra! You're awesome!" Tired of waiting on your boyfriend to pop the question? "Marry me already, won't ya?!"

Whatever you make and whatever message you put inside, could you PUH-LEEEEZE post it on the CraftyisCool facebook page? I'd love to see them and I'm sure others would too!

My own? My Stitch-a-book has a special message for you all...

Yes, I'm writing a book! Since I started writing patterns it has been my long term goal, and now it's happening! I can't give you too many details, but it is going to be amigurumi (duh), it is being published by Lark Crafts (hi Thom!) and it won't be out until Fall of 2013. That seems so far away, huh? That's the way things work in this business, apparently, and I can't complain. I will have plenty of time to make sure it's the best book we (Kate and Thom and I) can come up with! I'll still be putting out new stuff all the time, free patterns and tutorials, designing and blogging. I can't wait! Thank you all for your support and helping me get where I am now. Totes 'preciate it. ;)

Now here's that pattern...

Stitch-a-Book

Here's what you'll need:

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Baby in Aqua
White, black and red felt
Coordinating fabric for lining and matching thread
Black embroidery floss

Tools:
Size E crochet hook (or your favorite size)
Yarn needle
Embroidery needle
Craft glue

Key:
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
sl st: slip stitch
FLO: crochet into front loops only
BLO: crochet into back loops only

Book Cover:
R1: With E hook and yarn, ch 15. Sc into 2nd ch from hook and next 13 ch (14)
R2-13: Ch 1, turn. Sc into next 14 st (14)
R14: Ch 1, turn. Sc into FLO of each st (14)
R15: Ch 1, turn. Sc into BLO of each st (14)
R16-27: Ch 1, turn. Sc into both loops of each st (14)
* You will now crochet along the outside of the book cover to make a clean rounded edge.
R28: Work 2 more sc into the last st of 27, turning. Sc into next 26 st along edge, work 3 sc into last st, turning. Sc into next 13 st along edge, work 3 sc into last st, turning. Sc into next 26 st along edge, work 3 sc into last st, turn. Sl st into next 12 st, fastening off at last st. Weave in ends.

Lining:
Lay book cover out flat. Cut a piece of fabric a little smaller than the cover, rounding the corners. Pin to inside of cover and stitch or glue around edge.

Pages:
Cut two long rectangles slightly smaller than the book lining. These are the pages of the book. After embroidering your message you will glue or stitch them together to hide thread ends.

With a pencil or very faint pen markings, write your message on the inside pages or the outside of the bottom piece of felt. Use black embroidery floss to straight stitch your message.

Glue or stitch the layers of white felt together. Using the thread that matches your fabric, stitch the pages together at the center fold, then stitch them into the cover of the book along the inside spine.

Cut two small circles from black felt and glue to the front cover. Cut one half-circle from red felt. Glue to front cover. Ta da!

Hope you like this one! It's very dear to my heart ;)