Tag Archive | Crochet

Crochet Scarf and Beret

Dec11

Completed the Tunisian crochet scarf and had a little yarn left (used 2 skeins for both items) so I came up my version of a little beret style beanie to make a nice gift set.SONY DSC

I just crochet the beanie (using a Size K hook) following the directions in my pattern.  Because I was using a chunky (5) weight yarn, I only completed 4 increase rows and then did 3 rows only of the double crochet (dc) stitches with no increases for a total of 7 rows.

Changed yarn, did 1 row of single crochet (sc), then did 1 row of : * 3 SC in next 3 stitches,   then in next stitch 2 SC Tog,  4 SC in next 4 stitches,  then 2 SC Tog, repeat from * around ending with 2 SC Tog.   This might not end perfectly even, last couple of stitches might be 2 SC then 2 SC Tog.  Made this last night and, unfortunately, was not writing all my instructions down.  🙁   Really doesn’t have to be exact, just want to have some decreases scattered around to create a somewhat puffy look.  SONY DSC

Now I just finished off with 3 more rows of SC and last row of just slip stitches (SL) and then fastened off.

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This crochet set was made for a 3-year-old and I know she will look soooo very cute when wearing everything!!  Hope you will give it a try.  🙂

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Tunisian Crochet

Nov26

I have just rediscovered this crochet technique and am making some very nice warm scarves using the Tunisian simple stitch or the Crochet Afghan stitch.  I had made a baby blanket many moons ago for a friend of mine when we were all in that stage of our lives.  I remember it turning out really, really cute but never found another pattern and the hook just went to the bottom of my crochet bag never to see the light of day until recently.

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I read a blog about how to do the Tunisian simple stitch on one of my favorite sites, Miss Abigail’s Hope Chest, and remembered the blanket and thought it might be a good stitch to create some warm scarves to give as Christmas gifts.   The one thing that I really like about the stitch is that it is like a waffle/woven design and you kind of get a double thickness with your finished project.

You just have to learn to hold your hook a little differently.  I did find my original size J hook after much rummaging around.  It is about 10″ long with a built-in stopper at one end and the crochet hook at the other end.  I use an overhand grip with my right hand, hold the work with my left, and when making my stitches I hold the hook sort of loosely so that I can rotate it within the palm of my hand.  It was a little awkward at first but within a couple of rows a rhythm of slightly spinning the hook as you make your stitches came naturally.

The pattern is basically yarning over through vertical stitches, keeping all your stitches on the needle, DO NOT TURN, and then coming back through those stitches by yarning over and going through 2 loops on the needle so at the end of that row you only have one loop on the hook.  Then repeat those two rows again and again.

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I want to explore more about this technique and learn different stitches but for now I am really liking how my scarves are turning out crocheting the Tunisian simple stitch.  In my examples, I have used a chunky weight yarn, bulky 5, and I will probably use about 150 yards of yarn to get the length that I want.  I always like to be able to double my scarf to form a loop and pull the other end through.

If you haven’t tried this stitch, give it a whirl and share your projects!!  Love to see what everyone is doing out there in that great big Crochet world  🙂

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Crochet Pumpkin Explosion!!

Nov17

Been busy crocheting pumpkins for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and here is what I have created!!  Check out my cute leaf pattern and curly Q design 🙂

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Have thoroughly enjoyed making these little squashes and crocheting my own pumpkin patch.

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Crochet Pumpkin with Leaf Tutorial

Nov9

I found this fantastic free pattern on Knit Picks by Hannah Maier, I believe it can be found also on Ravelry.  It is actually two patterns – one for knitting and one for crocheting.

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I created the crochet version, which was called the Clove Pumpkin.  The yarn that I chose was Lily, The Original Sugar ‘n Cream cotton.  I crocheted one using a Size H hook and the other one I used a Size E.  I didn’t vary from the directions given but wanted to add a leaf to my pumpkin as well as that little curly Q feature you sometimes see on a real pumpkin.  So I spent an evening designing this little leaf that I really like.

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Here are the directions for the leaf:  I used the same yarn type as I did for the pumpkin and made my leaf with a Size H crochet hook.  In the smaller version, I used a Size E hook for my leaf.

Chain 22, skip first two chains then SL (slip stitch) in next 9 chains.  In next chain complete 1 HDC, 1 DC, 1 TRB, in next chain – 2 TRB, next chain – 2 TRB, next chain – 2 HTRB, next chain – 2 HTRB, next chain – 2 DC, next chain – 2 DC, next chain – 1 HDC, next chain – 1 HDC, next chain – 1 HDC, last chain – 3 SC.

Now you want to basically reverse that stitch pattern on the back side of the chain stitches.  1 HDC, 1 HDC,  1 HDC, 2 DC, 2 DC, 2 HTRB, 2 HTRB, 2 TRB, 2 TRB, last chain 1TRB, 1DC, and 1 HDC.  Viola, you end up with this really cute leaf.  I just stitched it to the center of the pumpkin along with the stem.  SONY DSC

Also, in my smaller version, I created 8 pumpkin ridges just for some variations.  I have been placing them around my house and will use some for a table centerpiece for Thanksgiving!!

Thank you Hannah Maier so much for sharing such a cute pumpkin pattern.  Love it 🙂

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Crochet Bowls

Sep26

SONY DSC I really “love” making these little crochet bowls or as I like to refer to them as my crochet pottery!!   You have lots of creativity to give your finished bowl its own personality.

My yarn of choice is Lily Sugar ‘n Cream but any 100% cotton yarn will work.  To give some added durability, I crochet with two strands of cotton yarn.  Either two different colors or two strands of the same color depending on the look I want.  And sometimes when using two different colors, I end up with a combo totally unexpected!!  I like to crochet with a size H or I hook when making these little gems.

Because of the thickness of the yarn, I begin by crocheting 2 chains and in the 2nd chain from the hook, I will make 6 SC stitches.  Then I continue with the circle pattern (2 SC in each stitch, next row – 1 SC in next stitch, 2 SC in next stitch; next row – 1 SC, 1 SC, 2 SC continue increasing in this format) until my circle is to the finished diameter that I want for my bowl.

Once I have my diameter, I no longer make any increases, just SC around the diameter until I reach my desired height, your work will begin to curl up.  If you want a little separation between the bottom and the bowl sides, then the first crochet row of no increases, make your stitches in the back loop only.  This will give you a slight ridge that you can use to shape the bottom of your bowl.  Then continue making your stitches in both loops for the rest of your bowl.

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After you have reached the desired height of your bowl, on the last row use a one size larger hook and do SL stitches all around the edge and then fasten off.   Weave in your ends.  You might need to turn your bowl right side out.  You want the thread ends from your beginning 2 chains to be on the inside of your bowl.  Anyways, that is the look I like so that my outside bottom is smooth.

Now the fun begins!!  You can decorate your bowl with buttons, ribbons, lace, crochet leaves and flower appliques, etc.  Also, you can be creative in using different stitches within your bowl itself.

These are super little gift items too.  Great for keys, cell phones, coasters, potpourri, paper clips, cotton balls, hair barrettes, yarn ball holder, etc.  SONY DSC

It is really a super easy pattern and perfect for a beginner.  Hope you will share some pictures as I would love to see some of your “crochet pottery”!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

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