Bermuda Pearl Mermaid Tail Photography Prop

MNE Crafts is officially releasing the Bermuda Pearl Mermaid Photography Prop! This beautiful pattern was entered into the Battle of the Stitches to compete against 11 other AMAZING designers! While we didn't win, it was a great opportunity that taught me so much and pushed me to new levels of creativity! 

Purchase the pattern via the eMag (which will also include the other designers patterns), via Ravelry or Etsy at the links below. 

eMag - TooYarnCute - look for the Fun in the Sun (currently the 2nd block listed with the first being a subscribe and save!)  

Ravelry
Etsy 

Photography Props Round Up - 18 Free Patterns

This round up is a little bit different then my others as, instead of only 10 free patterns, it has 18!!! Crazy right? But in just the right way! We have several different patterns here by the same designers but they were just to cute not to include!! Talent is abundant in this round up!

1) 

This pattern was designed by Wichecraft and can be found: HERE. You can see just how much work went into this unique pattern that the designer is giving for free! Talent and giving. Two very beautiful qualities. 

2)

Next we head on over to Stitch 11 where you can find this turtle pattern HERE. The colors are wonderful, the shell is the perfect size and the hat fits it perfectly!!

3)

Also from Stitch 11 is this unique Yoda hat that you can find HERE. This is the perfect find for any Star Wars fans! I've personally started falling into Star Trek (the new movies and Voyager only which probably makes me a horrid fan) but Star Wars will always be a favorite of mine!

4)





















If you enjoy downloading your free patterns, this is the one for you because it is a free Ravelry download that can be found HERE


5)

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These next few patterns can all be found at Repeat Crafter Me. I'm never surprised when one of her images pops up in my search because she is so darn talanted!! And creative at that. This pattern can be found HERE.

6)

And this one can be found HERE.


7)

And this last one can be found HERE.



8)

Next we have a pattern from ME! Yay lol I designed this pattern quite a while ago and I still love it today! It's easy and effective! It can be found HERE.


9)

Also from me is this simple but adorable mermaid tail! It's a great way of achieving a mermaid tail with minimal work and is great for beginners! It can be found HERE.


10)

When I saw these hats I HAD to include them. Like... I really had to. First reason is because everyone forgets about Anna! It's all about Elsa. I keep seeing her but never Anna but this talented designer (found at Rick-A-Bam-Boo) was like No! They both rock. So she designed a hat for both! Find them HERE.


11)

When I saw these little head bands I instantly thought of my own little girl and the birthday party she will be having in a few months to celebrate her fourth year (I can't believe it). They would work up quick, cost of matierals would be low and they would be a great party favor! These can be found HERE.


12)

Over at Knot Your Nana's Crochet we find another talented designer who believes that Anna is not to be neglected! Here is a pattern for her cape!! It can be found HERE.


13)

So often I see the Monster Inc. inspired beanies but not often is it a full on prop! This is incredible and can be found HERE.


14)

This beautiful (and free) pattern is perfect if you have a family member in the military and want your little baby to do photos to honor him/her! It can be found HERE.


15)

This pattern is precious! It's a bunny photography prop with a little bit of fluff. Just perfect! It can be found HERE.


16)

This pattern is cute and dainty and let me tell you, those lady bug buttons are the perfect touch! It can be found HERE.


17)

It's a KOALA!!! Enough said ;) It can be found HERE.


18)





















This little party has requires a couple of links to get to. The link I give you will take you to the images of this hat and then you will find a link there that will take you to the pattern. I did this so you can get the pattern for FREE as well as a few different ideas of things you can do with it! It can be found HERE.

10 Free Patterns - Sandals

As a mother of two wonderful children, I learned several years ago just how much I love baby feet. They are so tiny! When my daughter was born (she was my first) I would hold my thumb up against her tiny little foot and marvel at how her thumb was barely any larger then my thumb! And I have some small hands. Prior to her birth, when we got baby socks, my husband would obsessively stick them on his own thumb amazed that they would fit. We just couldn't believe feet could be so little! But they can be and size plays no role in how large of an impact those tiny little feet can make on your heart! 

Enjoy these free sandal patterns (don't worry, I threw in some patterns for mom too!)

1) Mary Jane Shoes by Lisa Auch - When I found these I knew they had to be in this round-up. The swirly little flower is so darn adorable and I could just picture my own daughter wearing them! They are absolutely adorable! 

2) Crochet Baby Sandal by Everything's Crochet - These little daisy looking sandals are so cute and so perfect for tiny female feet. What I like most about this pattern is that it achieves fashion without complicated stitches. Sometimes, simple is perfect! 

3) Crochet Baby Sandals by Ashlee Marie - Crochet shoes for little girls are typically an easy find so when I discovered these my first thought was how perfect they would be for my little man! They are cuter then anything I've found in the store and can be made in whatever color/material I choose. That is perfection! 

4) Crochet Baby Sandals by This Lovely Life - When doing my search for free sandal patterns, I right-clicked this pattern to open it in a new tab at least three times. These little shoes were everywhere and they caught my eye every single time they showed up. The conclusion was easy to come to. They must have a spot in this round up! They are simple, they are high in fashion and they are adorable. Plus pink. They are also pink. ;) 

5) Baby Button Gladiator Sandals by Whistle & Ivy - The unique name that goes along with these sandals is absolutely perfect because they are absolutely unique! And the name is gender neutral because if not for the pink, these sandals could easily adorn the feet of a mighty little warrior boy! I'm thinking brown with grey buttons for a little man, perhaps? 

6) The Granny Triangle Flip Flop by The Oxford Family - After all of the patterns involving baby feet, I had to break it up with something for mom. I don't want to give everyone baby fever, after all ;) These flip flops are perfect and practical. Take the soles of some cheapie flip flops from Wal-Mart and turn them into so much more! 

7) Stripes Boy Sandals by Emi Herrington - These little shoes come in sizes from baby all the way to adult. There is a perfect fit for everyone in the family! These shoes are practical, can be made color specific or in colors that will match any outfit! They are what you can call "perfect". hehe Oh and they come as a FREE ravelry download!

8) Baby Crochet Sandals by "the difference is in the details" - These little shoes remind me of the beach, water and sand. I can only assume because of the brilliant use of colors in this image. These little shoes look so "ocean" and "sand" like, it isn't funny. Like, I wish I lived near a beach (that had water) just so I could make some and put them on my child! I specify a beach with water because for most of my life I lived near the largest beach ever and it had absolutely no water. Well, on the surface. Check out the White Sands and your mind will be blown by the beauty! 

9) Flower Power Baby Sandals by - Lovely Little Life - What make me so happy about these sandals is just how much they scream "spring" and "summer" at the same time. We have the green, the red and the adorable baby foot. Again, perfection! Gosh, just look at those little toes!! 

10) Baby Rainbow Sandals by is it a toy - I love bright colors that are also simple. It gives this complicated look that is actually super easy. The criss-cross pattern these shoes have are unique and fun!

Annnnd just because I feel that I left the adults out to much... enjoy this wonderful antique shoe design for mom! 

All I'm going to say is BEAUTIFUL! - Evening Shoes 

Sharks, Sharks, Sharks!!!

My adorable son, Christian at 11 months! (Oh how time flies.)

(click to enlarge)

This pattern is for the matching shark beanie ONLY. I created the beanie specifically to match these slippers. The pattern for these slippers can be found at Stacie71's etsy shop. Link: https://www.etsy.com/transaction/175486602?ref=fb2_tnx_title

The pattern for the hat (which will fit from 1 year to 3T - I know because it also fit my 3 year old) is below.

Shark Beanie

Size: 12 months to 3T (very stretchy hat)
Hook: I & J
Gauge: 2 rows of DC = 1”
Material: Grey, White, 2 black buttons

Special stitches:

-          Magic circle – wrap yarn around your first two fingers so that you form an X over the index finger, inster hook into circle, pull working strand into circle and ch however many are needed

-          Invisible join – take hook out of last loop, insert it into both loops of the first st, grab up the last loop again and pull it through; proceed to next round (ch 2 in this design).

-          Picot stitch – ch 3, join with sl st into 3^rd ch from hook (so the first ch you make)

Round 1) Using Magic Circle, ch 2, 12 dc in circle, pull tight, join to first dc (ch 2 does not count as dc here and throughout), join to first st with invisible join (at the end of every roung) – 12 dc

Round 2) Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as joining and in every st around – 24 dc

Round 3) Ch 2, 1 dc in same st as joining, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st* around – 36 dc

Round 4) Ch 2, 1 dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st* around – 48 dc

Round 5 -11) Ch 2, 1 dc in every st around – 48 dc

Round 12) Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in every st around 48 sc

Earflap 1

Row 1) Sl st in next 6 st, ch 1, hdc in next same st as ch 1, hdc in next 10 – 11 hdc

Row 2) Ch 1, hdc dec in first 2 st, hdc to last 2 hdc, hdc dec in last 2 – 9 hdc

Row 3 – 5)  repeat round 2 

Row 6) Ch 1, hdc dec in next 3 st – 1 hdc  tie off

Earflap 2

Row 1) Join in 16^th st from tie off of round 11 with sl st, ch 1, hdc in same st as joining, hdc in next 10 st – 11 hdc

Row 2) Ch 1, hdc dec in first 2 st, hdc to last 2 hdc, hdc dec in last 2 st – 9 hdc

Row 3 - 5) repeat round 2

Row 6) Ch 1, hdc dec in next 3 st – 1 hdc tie off

Trimming

Join in st of tie off from round 11 with sl st, sc in same st as joining, sc in every st to ear flap except for the st right next to flap (skip it), sc up flap, 3 sc at top of ear flap (in same st) and then sc down ear flap working stitches evenly, sc in every st across to next ear flap (except the sc right next to flap – skip it) and then repeat instructions until you reach the first sc and join. There doesn’t need to be a specific number of stitches here, just make them as even as possible when doing the ear flaps.

Trim loose ends.

Fin

Row 1) Ch 11, sc in 2^nd ch from hook and across – 10 sc

Row 2) Ch 1, sc in every st across  - 10 sc

Row 3) Repeat row 2

Row 4) Ch 1, sc dec in first 2 st , sc in next 6, sc dec over last 2 – 8 sc

Row 5) Ch 1, sc in ever st across – 8 sc

Row 6) Ch 1, sc in next 6 sc, sc dec in last 2 sc – 7 sc

Row 7) Ch 1, sc dec in first 2 sc, sc to end – 6 sc

Row 8) Ch 1, sc in next 4 sc, sc dec  - 5 sc

Row 9) Ch 1, sc dec in first 2 sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in last st  – 5 sc

Row 10) Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sc, sc dec in last 2 – 5 sc

Row 11) Ch 1, sc dec in first 2 st and in second 2 st, 2 sc in last st – 4 sc

Row 12) Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc dec in next 3 st – 3 sc

Row 13) Ch 1, 1 sc across – 3 sc

Make 2, sew together. Leave a long tail on the second one to use to tie it together. Leave an inch and a half open so you can tuck the fin inside out and finish sewing it closed. Then sew it on to the top of hat.

Eyes

Using black and the magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc in circle – tie off with long tail for sewing eye on.

Teeth

Use a J hook and two strands of white. You are going to join on the stitch nearest the fin. You want the slip stitch fronts to be facing you. Join with sl st and make a picot stitch, *sk next st and sl st into next st and do another picot* until you reach the second fin and then tie off.

Special notes: If you want it to be sized more specifically for a 12 month old, lose one row of dc. This will shorten a bit. 

Mermaid Photography Prop

The set... 

What the tail looks like on :)

Hook: I & G
Size: 0-3 months
Material: weight 4 & 3

Tail (use I)

*Round 1) 43 chainless hdc, join to first hdc with sl st

Round 2) Ch 2, hdc in same ch as joining, hdc in every st around, join to first hdc with sl st – 43 hdc

Round 3-4)  Repeat round 2.

Round 5) Ch 3, dc in back loop of next hdc and every hdc around, join to top of ch 3 with sl st – 43 dc

Round 6) Ch 3, dc in both loops of next dc and every dc around, join to top of ch 3 with sl st – 43 dc

Round 7 – 14) Repeat round 6

Round 15 - 22) Ch 3, dc dec in next 2 st, dc to last 2 dc, dc dec in last two dc, join to top of ch 3 with sl st – 27 dc

Round 23 - 25) Ch 3, dc in next st around to end, join to top of ch 3 with sl st – 27 dc

Tie off.

Flipper

Row 1) Hold tail closed with the decreases directly in the back – Join at edge of tail, sl st in both stitches (one on each side), ch 1, hdc in same st as joining, hdc to end – 16 hdc

Row 2- 13) Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in same st as ch 1, hdc across to last hdc, 2 hdc in last hdc – 28 hdc

Decoration (use G)

Row 1) Join to front of flipper (same as front of tail), with sl st, *ch 1, sl st in next st* to end, ch 1

Row 2) turn, sl st in first sl st from previous row, ch 2, sl st in next ch 1 sp, *ch 2, sl st in next ch 1 sp* to end.

Tie off.

Round 1) Starting in the back of where you dc in the back loop only, join with sl st, ch 1, 2 sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st to end, join to first sc with sl st.

Tie off.

Round 1) Starting at the top of the tail on the opposite side of the chainless hdc, join in the back with a sl st, ch 1, 2sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in every st around to end, join to first sc with sl st.

Tie off.

Headband

Do a strand of chainless double crochets consisting of 44 dc – 44 dc

Ch 3, fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st to last dc, dc in last dc – 44 dc

Repeat row 2

Ch 1, sc in end of dc (along the side), ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 2, sc in ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch 1 sp (repeat this process until you have reached the length you need (I did about 4-5 rows of the sc and ch 1 spaces) sl st to connect ends together.

Flower

In magic loop (with first color) ch 2 (doesn’t count as first hdc), 12 hdc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st to first hdc while changing colors (to first layer of flower) – 12 hdc

*With second color, ch 1, sc in same space as joining, *ch 3, sk next hdc, sc in next hdc* around, join with sl st to first sc – 6 ch 3 spaces, 6 sc

With second color, sl st into first ch 3 space, ch 1, *sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc all in ch 3 space* repeat *-* in every ch 3 space to first sc, do not join, bpsc around first sc from round 2, ch 5, *bpsc around sc from round 1, ch 5* around, change color with sl st into first sc – 6 petals, 6 ch 5 spaces, 6 bpsc

Sl st into first ch 5 sp, ch 1, *sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc all in ch 5 space* repeat *-* in every chain 5 space to first sc, do not join, change color to color 2 with sl st behind previous sc from the bpsc, ch 7, *bpsc, ch 7* repeat *-* around, do not join – 6 petals, 6 ch 7 spaces, 5 bpsc (only 5 because the first one was done with a sl st)

Sl st into first ch 7 sp, ch 1, *sc, hdc, 7 dc, hdc, sc all in ch 7 space* repeat from *-*, join to first sc and tie off – 6 petals

Sew into the flat part where you joined the two ends of the headband and tie off.

*(You do not have to change colors.)

Chest piece

Repeat the steps for the flower of the headband with or without the third layer (I did not do a third layer on the flower). Ch until you have the length you need to tie around the chest (around 120), turn, sl st down ch, tie off.

Sew flowers to strand in the proper place (near the center). 

Newborn Headband

(click to enlarge) 

Size: 0-3 months
Yarn: 3 (fine)
Hook: f  

                                         

*Do a strand of chain less double crochets consisting of 44 dc – 44 dc 

Ch 3, fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st to last dc, dc in last dc – 44 dc

Repeat row 2

Ch 1, sc in end of dc (along the side), ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 2, sc in ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch 1 sp (repeat this process until you have reached the length you need (I did about 4-5 rows of the sc and ch 1 spaces) sl st to connect ends together.

Flower:

In magic loop (with first color) ch 2 (doesn’t count as first hdc), 12 hdc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st to first hdc while changing colors (to first layer of flower) – 12 hdc

With second color, ch 1, sc in same space as joining, *ch 3, sk next hdc, sc in next hdc* around, join with sl st to first sc – 6 ch 3 spaces, 6 sc

With second color, sl st into first ch 3 space, ch 1, *sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc all in ch 3 space* repeat *-* in every ch 3 space to first sc, do not join, bpsc around first sc from round 2, ch 5, *bpsc around sc from round 1, ch 5* around, change color with sl st into first sc – 6 petals, 6 ch 5 spaces, 6 bpsc

Sl st into first ch 5 sp, ch 1, *sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc all in ch 5 space* repeat *-* in every chain 5 space to first sc, do not join, change color to color 2 with sl st behind previous sc from the bpsc, ch 7, *bpsc, ch 7* repeat *-* around, do not join – 6 petals, 6 ch 7 spaces, 5 bpsc (only 5 because the first one was done with a sl st)

Sl st into first ch 7 sp, ch 1, *sc, hdc, 7 dc, hdc, sc all in ch 7 space* repeat from *-*, join to first sc and tie off – 6 petals

Sew into the flat part where you joined the two ends of the headband and tie off.

(You do not have to change colors.)

*Let me know if you don't know how to do this and can't find a tutorial and I will make one.

Bumble Bee Photography Prop

Click to enlarge

Size: Newborn 

Size I hook

*Change colors during sl st before you start next round*

Beanie:

Round 1) In magic circle, ch 2 (does not count as dc here and through-out), 12 dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st to first dc – 12 dc

Round 2) Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as joining, 2 dc in every dc around, join with sl st to first dc – 24 dc

Round 3) Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in next dc, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc* around, join with sl st to first dc  - 36 dc

Round 4) Ch 2, dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in every dc around, join with sl st to first dc – 36 dc

Round 5 – 9) repeat round 4

Round 10) Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in every st around, join with sl st to first sc, tie off – 36 dc

Antennae:
Make 2

Ch 11, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook and in every chain down, tie off.

Stinger Piece:

Round 1) In magic circle, ch 2 (does not count as dc here and through-out), 12 dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st to first dc – 12 dc

Round 2) Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as joining, 2 dc in every dc around, join with sl st to first dc – 24 dc

Round 3) Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in next dc, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc* around, join with sl st to first dc  - 36 dc

Round 4) Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in next 2 dc, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next 2 dc* around, join with sl st to first dc – 48 dc

Round 5) Ch 2, dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in every dc around, join with sl st to first dc – 48 dc

Round 6 – 10) Repeat round 5

Round 11) Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in every st around, join with sl st to first sc, tie off – 48 dc

Stinger:

Ch 12, join to first ch with sl st to form ring, ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc around, join to top of ch 2 with sl st.

From here you are going to continue going up the stinger doing a hdc decrease twice every row until you have just one at the top. It will narrow into a point.