Exclusive Early Valentine's Sale in the Shop!

Don't you just LOVE a sale!?
 

I'm celebrating Valentine's Day early with an exclusive SALE just for my newsletter subscribers on February 7, 2018 only! But it's not too late to get in on the action!

Sign up for my newsletter today! [be the first to hear about new designs and get exclusive access to discounts like this one!] and once your 30% off coupon code is delivered head on over to Blue Corduroy and pick out your favorite bonnets, beanies, and sun hats!!!

I'm making a new collection of spring bonnets and sun hats, so this is your last chance to get a lot of the designs in my shop before they're gone for good.  Have fun shopping!

And don't worry if you're late to the party and you missed this sale.  Every new subscriber to my newsletter gets 15% off their first purchase, and once you're on the list, you surely won't miss the next SALE!

xo Emily

Knit Baby Bonnet Pattern:: A Chunky Checkerboard

I've got a new Baby Bonnet pattern for you! 

I've been knitting baby bonnets for decades. And I'm thrilled to be releasing my very first knit baby bonnet pattern so that you can make your own! If you crochet, you may be interested in one of my crochet baby bonnet patterns.

Baby bonnets are such quick and satisfying knits, and this one is even quicker because it's made with a bulky weight yarn. It's perfect for that last minute gift for baby or expecting mama.

This knit baby bonnet pattern provides material list and step by step instructions with photos to guide you through making your own knit baby bonnet in newborn to toddler size range. The pattern starts off with a ribbing stitch. The main body is knit in a checkerboard pattern using knits and purls. You will knit in the round for the final portion of the pattern. The ties and finishing bottom edge is worked with a crochet hook. 

If you want to skip knitting, and buy one already made, I'm happy to knit it for you! Check out my shop for tons of cozy baby bonnets!

It’s such a pleasure to be able to share the fun of knitting baby bonnets with you! I’d love to see your finished product, you can email a photo to me at emily.bluecorduroy@gmail.com or tag me on instagram @emily_bluecorduroy. 

If you want to hear about new patterns as they become available be sure to sign up for my Newsletter!

xo Emily

*This pattern is for personal use only, not for use in resale.

A Pretty Pink Rose Knit Beanie

A pretty blush pink rose on a pretty knit hat just makes you feel extra pretty.  And we like that.

Hand knit acrylic/wool blend yarn that's super soft, and the color of the sun-bleached seaside.  Wears well in a garden, at the beach, climbing a mountain, or shopping downtown. Especially with a Thicket Clothing sweater on.

Find this pretty hat in the Blue Corduroy shop along with other hand knit beanies for all ages.

xo Emily

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Make Your Own Crochet Baby Pixie Bonnet

I love pixie bonnets, they're so whimsical!!!

I've just released a pattern so you can now make your own crochet baby pixie bonnet!  The main stitch is a crochet shell stitch which adds a sweet feminine texture.  The pattern uses a bulky weight yarn so this bonnet can be made up quick and easy for a fun evening project or a last minute gift.

The crochet pattern provides a materials list, directions and photos to guide you through making your own crochet baby pixie bonnet from sizes newborn to child.

It's written for an intermediate skill level; someone who is able to read patterns, and has a knowledge of basic stitches.  I've set up a Crochet Lessons Series to make it easier to practice those basic skills that you may need a little help with. And I've just added the Shell Stitch Lesson to help walk you through the main stitch of this new pattern with a a bonus Shell Stitch Blanket pattern, which means you could make a Pixie Bonnet and Crochet Baby Blanket matching set!!!

For more knitting inspiration, visit my “How to Crochet” Pinterest Board!

Every new subscriber to my newsletter gets 15% off their first purchase, and once you're on the list, you’ll be the first to know when new bonnets are added to the shop!

If you end up making this hat, or the blanket, or just starting out with the basic lessons, I'd love to hear how your progress is going and see what you've been making! You can find me on Instagram @emily_bluecorduroy or shoot me an email at emily.bluecorduroy@gmail.com.

xo Emily

Mustard Yellow Winter Baby Bonnets

Yellow, mustard, goldenrod, dijon, sunflower, amber.... Whatever you choose, there's a yellow baby bonnet in your shade of choice to keep those sweet heads cozy and warm this season.

Baby Bonnets from left to right: Mustard Chunky Knit Baby Bonnet, Vintage Polyester Floral with Sherpa Lining Winter Bonnet, Yellow Scallop Edged Crochet Bonnet, Mustard Corduroy Bonnet with Visor and Sherpa Lining.

xo Emily

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Fall Baby Style :: Knit Pixie Bonnet

all photos by talented mama Krista Stooksbury

pix-ie (noun): a supernatural being in folklore and children's stories, typically portrayed as small and humanlike in form, with pointed ears and a pointed hat, and mischievous in character.

...incase you weren't sure if you should get a pixie bonnet or a regular bonnet.  

The shop is full of handmade baby bonnets of all types! Pixies, knits, fabric, fleece lined, sun visors, ruffles, neutrals, florals, corduroy, denim, cozy, and cute, time to stock up!

Didn't see what your looking for? Let me know in the comments below...  xo Emily

Sign up for my newsletter and get 15% off your first purchase! 

Winter Baby Bonnets with a Cozy Feminine Touch

One of the exciting things about the weather getting cooler is that it's time to put on those bonnets! These sweet crocheted baby bonnets have a feminine touch and are oh so cozy! Hand made from an Alpaca blend yarn makes them extremely soft.  

Available in three of my most favorite fall colors, mustard yellow, dusty rose, and forest green. Edged with a creamy white.  As usual I can't decide which color I like best of all, how about you?

P.S I think we're finally over our heatwave here, cooler temps are on the horizon. Are you stocked up on bonnets for your babe?
xo Emily

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Simple Crochet Baby Bonnet Pattern

Alysia and I have been so encouraged by the great response to our Heirloom Crochet Bonnet Kit, available at Magnolia and Oak Fibers on Etsy.  We're so thankful to everyone cheering us on with this new project!  And a few of you have asked if you could buy just the pattern. Well, now you CAN! The pattern for this sweet crochet bonnet is now available in my shop!

The baby bonnet pattern is designed for beginners ready to take their crochet skills to the next level, and an equally fun and rewarding project for a crocheter with more advanced skills. 

You'll find the perfect mini-skeins of hand-dyed fine alpaca yarn at Magnolia and Oak Fibers in the prettiest pastels, they're the perfect amount of yarn to make one of these bonnets.

This bonnet works up pretty quickly, using a magic circle, single crochet, double crochet and a front/back post double crochet stitch that is fully explained in the pattern.  The pattern gives you a list of materials needed, step by step instructions to make a bonnet for sizes newborn to 24 months and photos to help show the process. 

Grab your Heirloom Bonnet Crochet Pattern Here!

Brush up on your crochet skills with my Crochet Lessons Series.

And practice your skills with this Free Crochet Dishcloth Pattern!

xo Emily

In the Garden with a Baby and her Bonnet

Fall outfits can be so complicated! You want to be all cozy in a sweater and boots, but the sun is shinning too bright, so you wear that t-shirt, but then later in the afternoon you wonder why you're so chilly! Where's that sweater? Where's that bonnet?  Little Addie here has is all figured out, onesie and bloomers on the bottom, cozy knit bonnet on the top, the perfect compromise!

Outfit details:  Bonnet from Blue Corduroy // Bloomers from Rhinestones and Tutus // Onesie from Mini and Meep // Rattle from Banner Toys // Lovey from Moon Child Co. 

Photos by the talented Sarah Reed of Two Three or Not Two Three 

Be the first to know when new products are released! Sign up for the Blue Corduroy Newsletter and get 15% off your next purchase!

xo Emily

Fall Style :: Cotton Baby Bonnets

Fall is here, and that means new fall baby bonnets are a must!

These bonnets are pumpkin patch, apple pickin' , leaf stompin', ready!  Choose from solids or prints in the perfect shades for fall, for boys and girls, babies and toddlers.

Be the first to know when new products are released! Sign up for the Blue Corduroy Newsletter and get 15% off your next purchase!

xo Emily

Heirloom Crochet Baby Bonnet Kit

I am so excited about this project Alysia of Magnolia and Oak Fibers and I have been working on over the past few months. A crochet baby bonnet kit where you can make your very own heirloom worthy baby bonnet! The timeless design of this bonnet paired with the luxury of this yarn makes it something that you would truly want to put on your little one.

This crochet bonnet kit includes everything you'll need to make this simple and sweet bonnet in sizes newborn to 24 mos.  Your choice of four colors of Alysia's hand dyed baby alpaca yarn, a birchwood crochet hook, a pattern designed by myself with beginning crocheters in mind and links to handy crochet tutorials, and a muslin drawstring project bag.  

The kit is available in four different color options.  The softest baby alpaca yarn hand dyed with natural dyes by Magnolia and Oak Fibers. You can pick from Camellia, Manzanita, Larkspur, and Goldenrod.  

The pattern uses simple crochet stitches like a chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet and the magic circle.  A front and back post double crochet stitch is used for the ribbing effect at the brim of the bonnet, which is fully explained in the pattern.

Emily of Blue Corduroy and Alysia of Magnolia and Oak Fibers, in our happy place, hand crafting at the beach!

These crochet baby bonnet kits are available now in Magnolia and Oak Fibers etsy shop.  Let us know if you grab one, we'd love to see your finished project!  

You can find Alysia on Instagram @magnolia.and.oak and Emily @emily_bluecorduroy, come follow us and see what new projects we're working on!

Fall Baby Outfit Inspiration: What to wear in a Sunflower Garden

Motherly Wisdom: Never pass up a trip to visit a field full of sunflowers.  And for a bonus, plant your own sunflower seeds next summer, you won't regret it! Here's some outfit inspiration to help get your babe in the mood.

Outfit details: Mustard Corduroy, Sherpa lined Bonnet by Blue Corduroy // Flower Frock by Sister Moth Shop // Leather Baby Shoes by Starry Knight Designs // Cable Knit Hand-dyed tights by Sawyer and Halle

For more fall baby style inspiration check out my Pinterest Board "Fall Baby Style".

Chunky Knit Baby Bonnets in ALL the Best Fall Colors

I don't know what makes me more excited, the colors of these cozy baby bonnets or the fun things you get to do while your baby is wearing these cozy bonnets!  Picking apples at the orchard, walks to the park, playing at the beach, decorating pumpkins...

photos by Ruby Waechtler of Thicket Clothing

...the hard part is choosing which color! Which bonnet would you choose for your baby?

xo Emily

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New Baby Bonnets with Sherpa Fleece Lining for Fall

photos by Thicket

New bonnets are here for Fall!  These are every bit as comfy as they look.  The sherpa lining is soft as a cloud keeping their ears warm and cozy.  Available in an assortment of the best colors of fall in either Rust, Mustard, or Kelp Corduroy, Blue Denim or Pale Pink linen fabrics.  Handmade to last through many seasons of fall fun!  

p.s. these bonnets are also machine washable, so don't be shy on taking them on all your outdoor adventures!

Find me on Pinterest for some great Fall inspired crafts and adventures for little ones!

Baby Bonnets for Baby Nature Lovers

Bonnets for little adventurers, nature lovers, and flower pickers.  Handmade from quality materials, I hope that these bonnets will be passed down to siblings and cousins and grandkids, gathering memories and experiences with each sweet baby who wears it.

Outfit details:  Sunbonnet by Blue Corduroy// Onesie and Bloomers by Sawyer and Halle// Blanket by Lou Lou and Company// Paci-clip by Templeton Silver

Photos by the lovely Sarah Reed of Two Three or Not Two Three

Sunshine, Sun Hats, and Poetry

{lovely images by Joyeful Journey}

If you're planning on spending an afternoon in a beautiful spot down by the lake, wouldn't it be fun to wear your favorite shirt and a pretty sun hat?  You could make daisy chains and read poetry.  Bring a picnic lunch and watch the birds.  You may even want to tell the Sun "I'm Happy".

I told the Sun that I was glad

I'm sure I don't know why;

Somehow the pleasant way he had

Of shining in the sky,

Just put a notion in my head

That wouldn't it be fun

If, walking on the hill, I said

"I'm happy" to the Sun

by John Drinkwater from Favorite Poems Old and New

For more sunshine inspiration come find me on Instagram @emily_bluecorduroy.  And be the first to know about new sun hats hitting the shop by getting on my mailing list!

What Every Baby Needs to Fall in Love with Butterflies

This collection is bound to spark a love for butterflies!  

There's nothing more peaceful than sitting on a blanket on a warm day watching the butterflies, reading a book, and if you're lucky, taking a nap.  

The new Butterfly print baby bucket hat is the perfect accessory for the butterfly hunter! Available in the shop now in sizes newborn to age 10.

1/ Butterfly print baby bucket hat 2/ butterfly net 3/ wooden butterfly teether 4/ The Butterfly Garden by Laura Weston

Baby's who love butterflies grow up to be kids who love butterflies.  If your interested in watching your own butterfly come to life, you may want to check out the post

Have fun butterfly hunting!

15 Favorite Baby Safe Sunscreens and How to Pick the Best One

You guys go play outside often.  You have babies and kids of all ages.  And you're very conscientious of the food you eat and the products you use on your precious family.  That's why I asked YOU for your sunscreen recommendations!  

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) says the safest way to prevent skin cancer is to stay covered up! Wear a sun hat, sunglasses, shirt, and find some shade.  But we all know getting in the direct sun can't be avoided all together, and heck, I crave getting those rays directly on my skin (for short periods of time) it just feels so good!

Three things to look for in a Sunscreen

1. Look for sunscreens that have Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Oxide as the active ingredient. These are MINERAL SUNSCREENS and they rate high in the EWG ratings. "They are stable in sunlight, offer a good balance between protection from the two types of ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) and don’t often contain potentially harmful additives."

2. Spf 30-50 offers adequate protection, even for those people most sensitive to sunburns.  EWG research has found that an SPF rating higher than 50 can be misleading.

3. You want a sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB sun rays.

Three things we should be avoiding in a Sunscreen 

1. As handy as SPRAY SUNSCREENS can be with squirmy little bodies, they are actually not as effective as lotions.  Most people don't get enough actually on the skin, and there is a risk of inhaling the sunscreen which is harmful for your lungs.

2. Similarly, the experts say that people who use STICK SUNSCREENS are often not getting enough of the sunscreen onto the skin to adequately protect against burning. 

3. Harmful ingredients. Here are 3 ingredients you want to avoid:

Retinyl Palmitate is a form of Vitamin A and can harm your skin.

Oxybenzone is a hormone disruptor and allergen.

Methyliosthiazolinones (MI) was named skin allergen of the year in 2013 by the The American Contact Dermatitis Society.

Your 15 Favorite Sunscreens 

 BADGER spf 30, mineral based, pediatrician approved. Water resistant.

HONEST spf 50, mineral based, ideal for babies and sensitive skin. Water resistant.

ALBA spf 30, mineral based, fragrance free. Water resistant.

BEAUTY COUNTER spf 30, mineral based, good for the whole family. Water resistant.

BABYGANICS spf 50, mineral based, oraganic ingredients.  Water resistant.

SUNBUM spf 30, mineral based, naturally sourced ingredients.  Water resistant.

THINKBABY spf 50, mineral based, passes Whole Foods premium care requirements. Water resistant.

SURFACE PRODUCTS spf 30, mineral based, hypoallergenic. Water resistant.

BLUE LIZARD BABY spf 30, mineral based, Australian made. Bottle changes color in the sun!

AIRBONNE spf 30, mineral based, made with vitamins and botanicals. Water resistant.

CALIFORNIA BABY spf 30, mineral based, award winning. Water resistant.

NO-AD spf 50, mineral based, Skin Cancer Foundation Recommended. Water resistant.

NEUTRAGENA BABY spf 60, mineral based, won't sting eyes. Water resistant.

ALL GOOD PRODUCTS spf 30, mineral based, made with organic chamomile. Water resistant.

COCO BEE NATURALS  spf 30, mineral based, only 3 ingredients. Water resistant.

I was so surprised and pleased to see the numerous readers who use strictly oils with or without mixing them with zinc oxide as a natural sun protection.  There were so many variations that I plan on doing a bit of research and sharing a list of these options soon!

If this subject interests you and you like to get all the scientific details, I highly suggest browsing the  Environmental Working Group website.  It is so informative and quite interesting.  You can also download their 2017 Guide to Safer Sunscreens.

For those days you accidentally stay out longer in the sun than you intended, or forgot a spot with your sunscreen you may want to try out one of these soothing Natural Sunburn Relief Rememdies.

Early life sunburns are worse in the skin cancer battle.  We really want to make sure we're protecting our kids and avoiding sunburns. So grab a hat and some sunscreen and go find your adventure!

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Ruffled Sunbonnets in a Field of Flowers

I'm so in love with these Ruffle Sunbonnets! They totally remind me of the prairie girl bonnets I used to make for my girls when they were little and pretending to be Laura Ingalls.  The big ruffle does a fabulous job of keeping the sun off their faces.

Just like with the Visor Sunbonnet, their ears stay covered as well.  This is great news if you have a baby like mine where their little ears can get sunburned, but it also keeps their ears protected if its a bit windy out.

Another bonus I've discovered with the bonnet style sun hat is that if you have a baby not yet sitting, or have a toddler riding in a stroller, there is no brim to have to figure out what to do with, the hat stays comfortably on their head without flipping forward or being an uncomfortable bulge in back.

These guys are available in three different color patterns, Golden, Black and White Stripes, and a Vintage Floral.

A Wildflower Nature Study

There's a spot just inland of us that boasts the most beautiful meadows of wildflowers.  We look forward to visiting it every year, and after such a wet winter we knew it would be amazing. This year the creek was flowing and full of tadpoles,  the fields were carpeted with yellow, purple, white, and blue flowers, and we were basically in wildflower heaven.

Bouquet of Tidy Tips, Lupine, Owl Clover, and Blue Eyes. A Wildflower Nature Study!

A Love of Nature and Learning

Visiting and interacting with beautiful places is the best way I know how to instill a love of learning in my girls.  I don't put any expectations on what they will take away from the experience, but rather provide what I can to make the most of it.  I do my part by equally being involved with the wonder around us.  

One of my daughters really enjoys capturing the beauty of the day with her camera.  My other daughter can sit and watch the flowers blow in the breeze for hours, listening to the bugs and observing things others may pass by.  I really love learning the names of the plants and flowers and birds, etc.  I feel like I've made a new friend when I learn the name of a flower.  And then I can introduce my new friend to my girls so they can now be friends too.  

We also all enjoy drawing and painting in our nature journals and enjoying the moment with each other and our nature loving friends, who always make our adventures that much richer.

A patch of Goldenfields and Tidy Tips.  Sunbonnet by Blue Corduroy.

To get the most our of our outdoor adventure, I like to follow up where I see more information would really round out our experience.  Since this particular adventure was mostly about admiring the wildflowers, we took some time the next day to study the parts of a flower.  We  might find poems about springtime, or be inspired to write a poem ourselves. Or we may find out a handy medicinal use for our flower, or that it is even edible.  

The books we used this particular day were a handful of local wildflower guides and a few nature book staples:

Chumash Ethnobotany by Jan Timbrook.

 How the Chumash People of Southern California used the local plants for medicine, food, etc.  I didn't know that Chia Seeds came from a Sage plant, and that they grow here and that the Native Indians used them as a quick and lasting energy source of protein.

California Spring Wildflowers by Philip A. Munz.

A large variety of plants, organized by color which I find very helpful.  Includes photographs and simple line drawings.

Central Coast Wildflowers by Mary Coffeen.

Mary has an intimate knowledge with the Central Coast and her love for it shows in her beautiful descriptions.  I would use this book for her memories alone!  Organized by habitat which I found very helpful.

Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman.

My go to nature book!  This book covers basically everything and is so simple, in a good way.  We always gain a concrete base of knowledge we can then build upon where interest leads.  The simple drawings are also always inspiring for our nature art journaling.

Drawing and Painting Plants by Christina Brode.  

Not only is this book filled with amazing tips on how to draw what we find.  It is also an incredible botany study book.  It teaches us how to identify plants by learning parts of a flower,  leaf and fruit identification, vein patterns and more.

Botanicum by Katie Scott and Kathy Willis.

 Talk about flower art inspiration!  This book is stunning!

I've added plant and flower names to my knowledge base, one or two at a time.  And as the years add up, I'm so happy to discover how many my girls and I have learned!  I also am finding that the more time we spend observing nature, the more we crave it.  And how wonderful it is that this is something my daughters and I can do and enjoy together!