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snappy tots

My snappy self

Heidi Yates ~ Snappy Tots
Heidi Yates ~ Snappy Tots

I guess you can say I wear many hats 🙂
I grew up in a very crafty house. My mom is the crafty queen and best business owner you could ever meet…seriously. She has a natural talent for selling and making things come to life. For years, my main “craft” was tole painting. I started selling things in mom’s large gift shop and then started teaching classes. I had a tole painting book and several magazine articles published (this was before “online” was even a thing), and then traded my brushes for hooks. Crocheting is much more portable. Have you ever tried to paint while riding in a car? Ya, doesn’t really work unless you are going for a “i’m outta my mind” look.

I also love to work in my yard, basketweave, read, and anything to do with my family.

Crochet and Knit Hat
I started selling finished hats through a local shop after my youngest son was born in 2006. The more patterns I bought, the more I was frustrated with 2 things: patterns which were expensive and offered a very limited project; patterns that seemed to be designed for tiny little gnomes. The kicker was when I spent several hours making a crocheted ruffle skirt for a newborn…the waist band was so tiny I had to cut the back so I could slip it on a small newborn for photos. YIKES! Hence, the pattern writing began.

Designer Hat
Patterns for knit hats and baby cocoons were my first. I LOVE to knit and wish I was a guru knitter. Unfortunately, overtime, knitting decided it doesn’t like my wrists. I switched to crochet and opened “Snappy Tots” in May 2011.

Over the years my designs have evolved and I like to think my patterns have improved greatly. I am slowly working through all of my patterns to bring them up to my current format.

Most important things I aim for when designing:

  • Create patterns for all levels when possible.
  • Includes LOTS of variations and sizes so the pattern can be used many times.
  • Make it a fun adventure for everyone. We crochet because we like to…no fun when the pattern is a pain in the you-know-what.

Blogger Hat (aka Rambler Hat)
Many eons ago I designed business websites under the name “the doodle pad”. I loved learning and writing code. Nowadays pretty much anyone can build a site with all of the online products available. My goal now  is to utilize my blog more by sharing free patterns, biz tips and other ramblings.

Wife Hat

I have been married for 15+ years to the love of my life, Mr. Snappy (aka Brandon). He is a Sgt with our local Sheriff’s office. I am very proud to be a married to a LEO ( law enforcement officer). 

Big-Gap-Mom Hat
My number one part of life is being a mom to three amazing “kids”. Two are very successful, wonderful adults and then…the big gap (due to a divorce and remarrying)…and our youngest. It has been an experience and one that surprises me almost daily.

My oldest, Nicolas, has been in the U.S. Army for 12+ years and deployed five times. He is married to a wonderful young lady, Kayleigh, who recently graduated with her masters! They have 2 children, Leland and Granger.
It is because of Nicolas that I started “Beanies For Bravery”. This project is very important to me and because of hundreds of wonderful people we have sent thousands of handmade beanies to soldiers and those in need around the world.

My daughter, Hillary, just completed her second masters! She has an extreme love of books and writing (you can follow her writing adventure… which she adds to occasionally… at “The Riveting Raven”). She is in charge of the curriculum for a local school district… the perfect job for her. Hillary is married to an artist young man, Peter who also was in the Army and is now a full time college student. They have one child, Lucy.

Our youngest son, Hayden, is a teenager and the one many of you have watched grow up modeling my hats. 

Grandma Hat
In 2015, our first grandchild, Leland, was born. In winter, 2018, our second grandchild, Lucy, was born. Our third grandson, Granger, was born in 2020.

It has been a lot of fun watching my kids become amazing parents and even more fun loving those cutie patootie kids!

Furbaby Mom Hat

I have two furbabies, Brookie (Brooklyn the New Yorkie) a nine year old yorkie and Oila (oy-lah) a five year old black lab. 

Thank you Hat!
I appreciate you reading this and supporting me. With gazillions of blogs, pages, shops, sites and forums out there, each second you spend on my behalf means a lot to me!

Nicolas, Kayleigh, Leland, and Granger
Hillary, Peter, and Lucy
Hayden with my parents
Brookie
Brookie and Oila

Comments

  1. Diana says

    at

    I have a question….

    Does “HDC 3, HDC in next stitch “ mean to do 3 HDCTOG??? Or 3 HDC in the 3rd loop and then a reg HDC in next stitch??

    TY!!!

    Reply
  2. Patty Hardesty says

    at

    What is a hdc2 I’m on the snappy socks pattern

    Reply
  3. laurie struck says

    at

    i purchased your spring towels pattern and didnt reciecve the download

    Reply
  4. Camille Rehborg says

    at

    Hi Heidi! Thanks for your content!! Im having trouble with the sonic beanie pattern. I don’t see a size chart for the hat. I finished the increase and unsure how far to go on the body. It says a size chart is at the end of the pattern but I don’t see it. Thanks Heidi

    Reply
  5. Dee says

    at

    Wow. Your mom sounds just like mine. She did tole painting and was very crafty. I learned everything from her. She had a craft store for several years in Washington, PA. Ruthie’s Gifts and Crafts. She taught all kinds of classes, crocheting, decoupage, painting, macrame… You name it, she could do it. What would we have done without our moms?!

    Reply
  6. Chappy Chapman says

    at

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent and knowledge with us!

    Reply

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HI! I am Heidi and I am so glad you are here. I hope you will enjoy my crochet and crafty creations, plus the quirky things I share.

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Heidi’s Top Crafty and Life Picks

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snappytots

Crochet 🧶 DIY Crafty Life and 2 fur babies
🌟FREE patterns @ link below🌟
#snappytots

Snappy Tots ~ Crochet ~ DIY
It's almost here! The best season of the year star It's almost here! The best season of the year starts Saturday. I have 2 awesome freebies for you to celebrate. My Beach Comber Beanie and Mitts make a great set for all ages. 
You can download them for free until Saturday night, 9/23/23.

They can be made in everyday, with pumpkins, for the holidays, and more.
https://snappy-tots.com/counting-down-to-fall-2/

#freecrochet #crochetpatterns #crochetbeanie #craftfairitems
I made Ducke a hoodie to wear for the first Bronco I made Ducke a hoodie to wear for the first Broncos game of the season. Isn't he adorable?! He has such a cute expression in this pic.

The pattern is now available! It is free to follow along on my blog or you can get the pdf for 40% off through 9/24/23 with coupon code: fall40 
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/goose-hoodie

 #freecrochet #redheartyarns #freecrochetpatterns #yarnspirations #crochetlove #crochetaddict #gooseclothes #porchgoose
Add some Halloween into your life with this quick Add some Halloween into your life with this quick and easy spider headband. There are sizes for kids and adults.
The pattern is free to follow along on my blog. 
https://snappy-tots.com/free-patterns-irenes-spider-headbands/ 

#freecrochet #freecrochetpatterns #halloweencrochet #yarnspirations #redheartyarns
Tomorrow is the LAST day to save 75% off almost al Tomorrow is the LAST day to save 75% off almost all of my patterns this year. I won't be doing another discount this big until January so grab your patterns for gifts and decor through the holidays. 

Like this guy...he is SUPER cute and can be made out of almost any yarn. The pattern is only $1.50 (reg $6). The discount is applied in the cart. No coupon needed. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monster-pillow-shams

Please share with your friends so they can save big too... and it helps me a lot.

Full shop: click the link in my bio > pattern shops 

*mini goose, duck, and seasonal event flags not included in the sale.

 #crochetaddict #crochetlove #halloweencrochet #crochetsale #halloweendecor
Day 3 freebie is one of my favorites. Please come Day 3 freebie is one of my favorites. Please come get the pattern for free until Tuesday, 9/12/23. I hope you will love making this and please share pix of your creations. 
Click the link in my bio > blog or visit https://snappy-tots.com/counting-down-to-fall-2/

Made from Red Heart Super Saver yarns.

 #falliscoming #freecrochetpatterns #freepatterns #crochetaddict #crochetpattern #yarnspirations #freecrochet
Fall is coming and freebie #1 is now available to Fall is coming and freebie #1 is now available to download until noon mt, 9/10/23.
This is one of my early designs, but still in my top 10 personal favorites! I hope you will love it too! 

Click the link to visit my blog or visit: https://snappy-tots.com/counting-down-to-fall-2/
 #freepatterns #freecrochetpatterns #crochetlove #crochetaddict #falliscoming
🌻I’m loving sunflowers and counting down the 🌻I’m loving sunflowers and counting down the days til fall! 
This is one of my most favorite scrubbies. I hope you’ll like it too 😁
The pattern is free to follow along on my blog: https://snappy-tots.com/free-pattern-sunflower-scrubbies/

#freecrochetpattern #crochetscrubbies
Make Ahead Mondays are back! There are four patter Make Ahead Mondays are back! There are four patterns, one for each monday in August, available to download for free until 10/1/23. Watch for another freebie each Monday til the end of the year.
https://snappy-tots.com/happy-new-year-lets-rock-2023/

#freecrochetpatterns #freepatterns #crochetaddict #crochetlove
I finished a blanket yarn “mop top” for a spec I finished a blanket yarn “mop top” for a special gift. He makes me giggle and is super cute next to the original one 😊 

Get the pattern here: https://snappy-tots.com/free-pattern-mop-tops/

If you make one please tag me so I can see too 😊

These are simple little guys that make great bean bags too! 
These whip up quickly and are perfect for using up scraps.

Don't forget to enter the end-of-CAL giveaway by this Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 11:59 pm Eastern: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2023/03/20/2023-softie-crochet-along/

#freecrochetpattern #calcentralcrochet #crochet
Which one would you pick? A friend of mine asked i Which one would you pick? A friend of mine asked if I had a LARGE, cute bag she could borrow for the weekend. As I was looking I found these two and forgot how much I love them! 😊 which one do you think she picked?

These patterns are just $1.25 and $1 each this weekend (reg $4-5). They both have alter egos too 🤪

Large cream tote (14” wide x 16” tall (without handle) x 3” deep) : https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trick-or-treat-bags-and-flags

Ladybug bag (17” across x 15” tall (measured flat, not including handle): https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggy-totes

Everything is on sale this weekend (ends 6/25/23): https://snappy-tots.com/everythings-on-sale/

#crochetcommunity #crochetedwithlove
#crocheters #crochetersofinstagram #crocheteveryday 
#ilovecrochet 
#crochetfun
#crochetallthethings
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