Thursday, June 27, 2013

Crochet Canada & Independence Day 'Baby Legs'


I am a sucker for holiday apparel; dressing up and being festive is one of my favourite things to do, so with July 4th just around the corner, I knew I needed to make something patriotic. Also, being a born and bred Canadian, I knew I couldn't leave out Canada Day, which falls on July 1st. So much partying, so little time... ;-) So, I had to get my gears turning as to what I could make that would satisfy the two holidays. ***Thinking, thinking, thinking... GOT IT!***

In my opinion. one of the cutest things you can put on a baby, are baby leg warmers (also known as baby legs). Now, we live in Texas so the use of baby legs is relegated to about 2 months of the year, but for any of you Northerners', they are a great addition to any baby wardrobe. I decided that two insanely cute and patriotic pairs of baby legs were the perfect creation for me to make. And, since I'm the resident crocheter over here at Huckleberry Love, I got my hooks and yarn out and went to work!!

I also decided that because all of you out there are so darn awesome, I would include the patterns to  both of these sets. :)

Can't Get Started Without:
~Worsted Weight Yarn in Red, White, and Blue ( I love the Yarn Bee 'Soft Secret' yarn; it's amazingly soft)
~Size H/8 (5.00mm) Crochet Hook
~Tapestry Needle
~Piece of dark red felt
~Glue Gun w/ glue sticks
~Scissors

Need to Knows Before Starting:
~Half Double Crochet (HDC)
~How to HDC in back loop of stitch
~Front Post Half Double Crochet (FPHDC)
~Back Post Half Double Crochet (BPHDC)
~Slip Stitch (SLST)
~Chain (CH)

Canada Day Leg Warmers:

(Make 2)

Ch35, join to the first stitch with a slst.

Round 2-6: Ch2, hdc in back loop only of join st and in each stitch around. Join to first hdc with a slst.
Change to white;

Round 7-18: Ch2, hdc (back loop only) of join st and in each stitch around. Join to first hdc with a slst.
Change to red;

Round 19: Ch2, hdc (back loop only) of join stitch and in each stitch around. Join to first hdc with a slst.

Round 20-26: ch2, *fphdc in first stitch, bphdc in next stitch* continue from * in each stitch around. Join to first hdc with a sl st. Fasten off.
 
Once both of your leg warmers are complete, it is time to add the Maple Leaf applique to them. I played around with trying to crochet a nice maple leaf, but I just couldn't get the perfection in the leaf that I wanted. I then decided that for my own sanity a piece of felt would give me the best finished look. I just grabbed an image that I liked off of the computer, traced it onto my felt, cut it out and then hot glued one on to the front of each leg warmer.

Voila!!

 Independence Day Leg Warmers:
(Make 2)

 Ch25,
Row 2: HDC in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain across, ch1, turn

Row 3: HDC in next stitch and in each stitch across, ch1, turn
Change to white;

Row 4-7: HDC in next stitch and in each stitch across, ch1, turn
Change to red;

Row 8-11: HDC in next stitch and in each stitch across, ch1, turn
Change to white;

Row 12-15: HDC in next stitch and in each stitch across, ch1, turn
Change to red;

Row 16: HDC in next stitch and in each stitch across, ch1, turn
Row 17: HDC in next stitch and in each stitch across. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Now, using the blue, hdc into the top of  the striped piece you just made (with lines pointing down) all the way across, ch2, turn
Row 2: *FPHDC in first stitch, BPHDC in next stich* continue from * in each stitch across, turn

Row 3-7: *FPHDC in first stitch, BPHDC in next stitch* continue from * all way across. Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing.
 
Once your piece is finished; with back side facing out sew your two red edges together. Then sew your two blue edges together.


You should now have a tube.


Turn your tube right side out and your leg warmer is done! :)


All that's left to do now, is add some stars to these babies. They don't call it the 'Star Spangled Banner' for nothing. ;-) So, using some of my white yarn and my tapestry needle I hand sewed some little stars into the blue part of the leg warmer.

Make sure when you are sewing your stars on, that you sew into the stitches and not beside them to keep your stars tight.
 
You are done!!


I really enjoyed making these cuties, and my little lady loved wearing them. It's almost too bad that it is almost 100 degrees here... Oh well, who says you can't be patriotic in January, eh?

Please feel free to ask me if you have any questions about this pattern. I always look forward to helping a fellow crocheter out. :) Also, if you love these baby legs as much as I do, but either don't know how to crochet or don't have the time to make them yourselves, you can find them in my Etsy shop Eimajinations.

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns, but if you do, I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***

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2 comments:

  1. So cute! And adorable kids, too! I love the stars on the Independence Day leg warmers!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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