Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Upcycled Jean Messenger Bag

I have such a hard time keeping secrets. I feel like I have been keeping this one forever. I have a new pattern that is appearing in the Crochet! Magazine spring issue. The digital version goes live today so I can finally share it with you.As always they did a great job photographing it.

 Here is the picture that I used to submit it:

I can't wait to get my magazine in the mail. If you would like to see the other patterns that they have in this issue go to this site here.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Poinsettia Christmas Pattern


A Free Crochet Pattern


I am behind on the times. Last week I had a pattern that came out in Crochetvolution. You can find it here!
*Edit as of Nov. 2017* It is now also available on Designs by Diligence Here and it is available for purchase through my Ravelry Store. 



 Isn't it beautiful! I decided to watercolor it to make the design really pop. I was not disappointed. When I was done I thought that it would also make a really great Christmas ornament, so I got to work. 




The pattern is very close to the original, I only changed the chs, to make it more rounded. I'm also pretty
happy with it too.


Where Can I Get This Pattern

This is a free Pattern on the blog. Keep scrolling down to see this pattern. If you would like an ads free printer friendly version you can purchase one through my Ravelry Store for $3.00.
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 Materials

  • Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet (Size 10); [100% Cotton, 400 yds/336m per ball] less than 1 ball.
  • Size 6 steel hook
  • starch
  • balloon

Notes:
Make 2 sides, do not finish off on the second side.

Round 1: Ch 5, sl st in beginning ch to form a loop, ch 1, 12 sc in loop, sl st in first sc. (12 sc)

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), (dc, ch 3(also counts at a dc here and throughout this row), sl st) in same st, {sl st in next two st, (ch 3, dc, ch 3, sl st) in same st,} repeat { to} 4 more times. (6 groups of 3 dc), sl st in next 2 sp and up the first dc.

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same sp, 2 dc in each of the next 2 st, ch 1, {2 dc in each of the next 3 st, ch 1} Repeat {to} 5 more times, sl st into beg. dc. (6- 6 dc groups)

Round 4: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made), dc in next 2 st, dc2tog in next two st, ch 1, dc in ch 1 sp, ch 1 {dc2tog, dc in the next 2 st, dc2tog, ch 1,  dc in ch sp, ch 1} Repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 leaves and 6 dc)

Round 5: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made), dc2tog in next st, ch 1, 3 dc in next dc, ch 1, {2 dc2tog in the next 4 st, ch 1, 3 dc in the next dc, ch 1} repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 groups of 4 and 6 groups of 3 dc)

Round 6: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made), ch 2, 2 dc in each of  the next 3 dc, ch 2, {dc2tog, ch 2, 2 dc in the next 3 dc, ch 2} repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc.  (6 groups of 2 and 6 groups of 6 dc)

Round 7: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), sc in next sp, ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2, {dc in dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in sp, ch 2 } repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st in beg dc.

Round 8: Sl st into sp, ch 1, {(sc in sp, ch 2) twice, 2 dc2tog, (ch 2, sc in next sp) two times, ch 2} repeat {to} 5 more times, sl st into beg st.

Round 9: Sl st into sp, ch 1, { (sc in sp, ch 2) twice, dc2tog in dc, (ch 2, sc in next sp) 3 times, ch 3} repeat {to} 5 more times, sl st into beg. St. Finish off. Weave in ends.

Joining the two sides
After round 9 of the second side, Ch 2, sc in a ch 2 sp of the first side, ch 2, sc in the next ch 2 sp of the second side, keep repeating till you come to the last ch 2 on each side, ch 2 and sl st into the beginning sc, finish off. Weave in your end.

To starch it
 I like to use a sugar starch. It is one part water and 2 parts sugar that is heated up on the stove till all the sugar is dissolved. With 1 cup water, 2 cups sugar I can get about 10 ornaments starched. When the mixture is heated though I will take it off the heat and dip my ornaments in the starch till it is completely saturated.

Then I will insert a balloon, blow the balloon up and tie it. Then I just hang the ornament to dry. It usually takes about 3 days. When the starch is dry I just pop the balloon and take it out. For this ornament I made some fabric bows and tied them with ribbon to hang on the tree.

More Free Crochet Patterns You Will Love 

Super Chunky Twisty Neck Warmer

Always Pointing North Blanket

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Color Options for the Always Pointing North blanket

I have been getting ready for Christmas, actually that is probably an understatement. I finished my first Christmas present back in March, and I have slowly been making things since. One of the things I have been making are blankets. I have mostly been using the Always Pointing North pattern. I fall in love with each blanket that I make and I want to keep them, so hopefully that means that the people receiving them with love them too. 

Here are the pictures of the new colors!
 The first one I wanted it to have fall colors, and the blue that is showing up so much in the picture is a lot more muted in real life. I also put a different border on it.

 With second one I wanted to make a spring/summer colored blanket. I really loved how the colors came together for this one.

I have another picture somewhere of another one I made, but I can not find it. I made a blanket for my Granny that had tans, blues and greens in it with a splash of Burgundy, all the colors that I think about when I think about my Granny. Maybe another time I will find it and add it.