Halloween Costumes 2014: Pattern Hacks

The Pattern Revolution blog had a series at the beginning of October called the Halloween Extravaganza showcasing various Halloween costumes made from everyday patterns.  I loved this idea because it meant I could make a costume with something I already had.  My daughter decided she wanted to be a cat.  First she told me "a black and grey cat".  So I dug some black and grey fabric out of my stash.  For some reason before I started cutting I showed her the fabric.  I got told "No, Mommmy, not THOSE colours!  I want orange and white!"  So I pointed to a pumpkin and said "Orange like this pumpkin?'  "Yes"   "and white like the sleeves on your shirt?"  "No, Mommy!  White like that" (pointing back to the original black fabric).  So toddler translation on colours = orange and black cat. 

I decided to use the Urban Unisex Hoodie from Heidi and Finn .  I haven't made one of these yet for my daughter but I made one for my 7 year  old nephew for his birthday.  I like the pattern because with a quick modification it is fully reversible.  I used orange and black fabric on the outside and added furry little pockets and ears on the hoodie.  I made a size 4 so my daughter can layer underneath it (Halloween in Canada can sometimes mean winter jackets are needed!)

The mitts are self-drafted.  I just took a pair of mittens I had that fit and made a tube.  I stitched the paw pieces on before I stitched the side seam, leaving an opening for the hole.  The paws are made of minky so I didn't bother finishing the edges at all.

A Tutu skirt tail! I just tied pieces of tulle to an elastic.   The tail I made by braiding together some novelty yarn I had in my knitting stash.

 The leggings are a  pattern from Ruby and Jack: Simple Seaside Shorties and Capris.  I made a size 4 and extended the leg length so they would be full length. I made the version with pockets and a ruffle bottom. My daughter will be able to wear these with anything once Halloween is finished.

 And onto Pumpkin Boy!!  He isn't in his full costume but he found this silk play scarf and was wrapping it around himself so I tied it on like a cape and he loved it.  The hat I made for my daughter when she was 6 months old.  The next year I added a couple of rows of crochet around the bottom to make it longer so it would still fit.  And this year my son gets to wear it.  For Halloween he will have on a green fleece outfit that was given to him.

Hat Pattern: Free link through Ravelry: Newborn Pumpkin Beanie   Now that I look at it again I obviously modified it as I made it the first time since my daughter was 6 months old.  I don't remember how I did it at all.

 Ready to Trick or Treat!!

Thanks to everyone else who has been posting their handmade Halloween costumes.  I love seeing all the variety of ideas.    Are you making a costume for your little ones?  Happy Halloween!

I Heart Cardigan Finished

Pattern:  I Heart Cardigan  by Tanis Lavallee
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Yarn - Green Aran Weight - Colour: Plum
Modifications: sleeve length 19" otherwise knit according to the pattern.

I finished this just before the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and I wore it all weekend.  I wore it on the beach, for a hike, to supper.  It is just so comfortable to wear.

My photographer on our beach walk

Back cable detail

Looks a bit short here but I'm wearing a tunic length blouse.

Great Blue Heron on the beach in front of my parent's house.

I absolutely love this sweater!  The pattern is written perfectly for me.  The yarn from TFA is so nice to knit with.  The colour is incredible.  I can see myself making this pattern again . . .maybe with a different cable pattern on it!  

Hats

I had a hat sewing week at the beginning of September.  I made reversible newsboy hats for myself and my kids.

Pattern: Reversible Unisex Newsboy Hat   by Butterfly Tree

I purchased both the adult version and child version. The PDF has 1 pattern page to print out.  The sizing is generous.  I made a small for my son and a medium for my daughter.  I made a medium for myelf.  I had to add extra elastic into all the hats to make them tight enough but I think that's great because the kids will get more than one season of use out of them and for my the hat fits nicely with my hair down or in a ponytail. Now I need to start making more for my family who've asked for one.  What's your favourite hat pattern to make?