Everyone loves SOCK MONKEYS!!!

PATTERN RELEASE!!!
I'm really excited about this latest crochet pattern of mine. It took me a bit longer than I hoped to finish it but I wanted to do a good job. This is so far my most original pattern design. So here it is:

Sock Monkey Baby Bottle Covers

This pattern is for sale in my ravelry shop and in my etsy shop.

(I hope to come up with a sock monkey design for a cover that will fit wide bottles such as Avent brand sometime this summer. I have a baby due in less than 6 weeks so there's no telling when I will get around to designing the next pattern.)

Sock monkeys have become so popular that I was inspired to design a sock monkey pattern for baby bottle covers. I love giving bottles with my own handmade bottle covers as baby shower gifts. It’s something you will not find in any store. While this is not a difficult pattern I would say it is not exactly a beginner level. Intermediate and up.
This pattern includes instructions for making a bottle cover for both 4 oz size and 8 oz size. It will fit standard size baby bottles (not wide bottles). I have them pictured on evenflo classic glass bottles. They will also fit the plastic bottles even if the shape is a little different, as long as they are the same size bottle.
Materials:
D hook (3.25 MM)
#7 hook (1.5 MM)
Size 10 crochet thread
I am in no way associated with any manufacturer or distributor of any brand of baby bottles.

I also have a few new additions to my etsy shop that are ready to ship:

Bear hat with clutch blankie for newborn

Homespun newborn cocoon and hat

The Very Hungry Caterpillar hat (can be made in any size)

COMING SOON:

Purple and pink chunky brimmed hat (newborn)

Pink and purple chunky brimmed hat (newborn)

What's up with ME!

I know I haven't updated my blog in over a month. I'm not great at the computer/tech part of my hobby/business. I'd rather crochet. haha Anyhoo, I'm slowly working on some minor changes in how I do things. Most things in my etsy shop are ready to ship. These ready to ship items get to taking up a lot of room in my house so some of my popular items are being turned into 'made to order' listings. I crochet fast so I am still able to fill orders within 2 business days. I keep it small scale so I don't get swamped with more orders than I can get done in that amount of time.

I am working on slowly phasing out items that are not popular. If it has been listed for sale forever & is still sitting around here, once it finally is clearanced out, that's it. It's gone unless someone specially requests it.

Meanwhile I will be trying to have a larger variety of finished items from my own patterns. I have one new item I will be adding to my shop shortly. It's a new hat that I think is awesome but I'll let the customers decide it's awesomeness.
I am expecting my 4th baby in August. With 3 young children (ages 7 and under) and another on the way, life can be hectic around here. I am able to crochet plenty right now but come August I will be scaling back, resting, nursing the new baby & whatnot.

At this time I do NOT plan to close or 'vacation' my etsy shop when the baby is due. I don't get a whole lot of orders so I should be able to manage, even with a new baby & 3 more hanging on my legs. I am woman, hear me roar, haha.

I am considering having a destash sale for some of these ready to ship items I still have sitting here that just never sold on etsy. When I get around to that it will most likely be done on my facebook page. www.facebook.com/LonghornPrairie

And finally; I DO accept custom order requests. If you find something or think of something you want me to make just say the word, send me a link, whatever. If I don't already have a pattern for it, I will find one or design one. That's how I roll.

Until next time, happy blogging, happy crocheting, don't forget about me. Keep checking my etsy shop because I keep changing and adding new things. Gotta keep up with an ever changing market.
www.longhornprairie.etsy.com

New Addition

Introducing this precious new addition to my inventory. It's a mermaid newborn photo prop. The set includes the tail, bikini top and headband. This set is green and pink but can be made in any color. 

Steppin' it up a notch.

I've finally gone ahead and made a deal with a photographer for some professional photos of some of my newborn props. I'm really excited to see how the pictures turn out. I will post them on my blog when I get them. Finally I'll have pictures that will allow me to compete better with the other crochet ninjas out there. Now all I need is for my hubby to join me and do all this internet stuff so I can spend all my time making things, lol.
One day I would like to be able to call this a business but at the moment I like to think of it as a wonderful hobby with potential.
TaTa for now,
April

www.longhornprairie.etsy.com

My Newborn Baby Bonnets

www.longhornprairie.etsy.com