Infinity Scarf Pattern

This infinity scarf pattern is awesome.  I love the stitch and found it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kviC5g1AHgs&t=309s

I start with 260 chains, then do the same stitch as she shows.  I also do about 15 rows.  It makes a nice fluffy scarf that is a bit longer when you double it up.  This way it isn't right around your neck tight.

Cute Granny Round Dish Cloth - Free Pattern

I found this cute little dish cloth and I had some cotton that I just got from Michaels on sale for a dollar a skein.  When I saw this pattern I had to make me one. I love this blog for so many reasons but I find that often the patterns are not quite correct.

I have corrected her pattern and am posting it for you.

Granny Round Dish Cloth

Size: 8 ½ inch diameter

Materials: Worsted weight cotton yarn, Size G crochet hook

Row 1: Ch 4. Join with sl st to form ring. Ch 2 (counts as first sc). Make 13 sc in ring. Join with sl st to top of chain 2. (14 sc) 

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch 1). Dc in next sc. Ch 1. (Dc, ch 1) in each sc stitch around. Join with sl st in third chain of beginning stitch.  Turn work.

Row 3: Ch 3. Dc in space below. Ch 1. (2 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3. Sl st in next stitch and in the ch 1 space. Turn work.

Row 4:  Ch 3. 2 dc in space below chain. Ch 1. (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3. Turn work.

Row 5: Ch 3. Dc in next 2 dc. Ch 1. Dc in ch 1 space. *Dc in next 3 dc. Ch 1. Dc in ch 1 space.* Repeat between ** around. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. Turn work.

Row 6: Ch 3. Dc in same stitch as joining. Ch 1. Make 2 dc in next ch 1 space. Ch 1. *skip next 2 stitches. 2 dc in next stitch. Ch 1. 2 dc in next space. Ch 1.* Repeat between ** around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3. Sl st in next stitch and in space.  Turn work.

Row 7: Ch 3. 2 dc in space below. Ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 space.* Repeat between ** around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3.  Turn work.

Row 8: Sl st in next stitch. *5 dc in ch 1 space. Skip next dc. Sl stitch in next dc.* Repeat between ** around. Join with a sl st in beginning sl st. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

I have to say that when I am starting a new row and are making a chain to become my first DC I never need 3 chains.  2 chains work better for me.  So in the beginning of row 2 I only chain 3.  At the beginning of rows 3, 4, 5,6, and 7, I only chain 2.

Also, the lady's pattern (Miss Abigail's mom) works well for her and makes a flat dishcloth as you can see in her photo.  Mine was flat until I added the last row (row 8).  This shell pattern edging made mine wrinkly or wavy.  I am going to redo the edging on the next dishcloth I make to see if it will lay flat.  I am also going to wash this one and see what happens too.

Jacob's Ladder Prayer Shawl - Free Pattern

Prayer shawls are an awesome gift for someone who has recently been ill, lost a love one, or is struggling with something.  It is like a big hug.  Made a bit larger than a normal shawl, it is half blanket, half shawl.  The idea of a prayer shawl is that the person who made it prayed as they were making it.  They prayed over it, or with each stitch or row.  They thought of the recipient, prayed for them and those prayers and thoughts transcend into the shawl.

I named this shawl "Jacob's Ladder" because I love the story in the Bible.  The story, in short, is about Jacob who is traveling. He dreams one night that he saw a ladder or "stairs" coming down from Heaven.  On these stairs the angels were going up and down. God was at the top of the ladder. The Bible tells us that this dream was a sign of God's promise to us. His promise is to be with us and keep us where ever we should go and bring us back to Him.  I named it "Jacob's Ladder" because I think that this shawl is a symbol of God's promise to us.  The person who receives this shawl will be wrapped in God's promise to be with us and keep us, no matter what-- a perfect meaning for this shawl.

I crocheted this pattern using two similar hues of dark red. The ladders go width-wise.  This is an easy pattern and works up quickly.

The Pattern:

Jacob’s Ladder Prayer Shawl

worsted weight yarn 3 skeins

Size I hook

Start with 275 Foundationless Half Double Crochets.

Row 2: Chain 3, DC in third HDC from bottom row. *Ch 1, Skip one HDC and DC in next*, repeat from * to * to end of row. Ch 2 and turn.

Row 3: HCD in each DC and chain space.  In last chain space make 2 HDC. Chain 3 and turn. (275 HDCs)

Row 4: DC in third HDC from the row below.  *Ch 1, skip one HDC and DC in the next hdc*. repeat from * to * to end of row. Chain 2 and turn.

Row 5: HDC in each DC and chain space.  In last chain space make 2 HDC. Chain 3 and turn.

Change colors.

Row 6: HCD in each HDC. (275 HDCs). Chain 3 and turn.

Repeat rows 2-5 with this color.

Repeat color change 5 more times. Bind off.

Add fringe if you like.

This is my own pattern that I made up in my own head. Please see my note on the side bar about patterns and my intellectual material, rights, and permissions.

Box Stitch Blanket - Gambling With a Side of Fixes

I stumbled across this pattern the other day and wanted to give it a try.  This pattern has a picture with it and the blanket looked so cozy and cuddly.  I was a bit chilly that day and thought it would be nice to have a cozy, cuddly blanket to snuggle up with.  So I decided to give the pattern a try.

The pattern is written for a preemie baby blanket.  Well, I am not "preemie" sized so I needed to increase this blanket considerably.  I chose to strive for a lap blanket. Something about 45 inches by 60 inches would be good.

The pattern also calls for DK weight yarn doubled.  This means that you knit with two strands together. The yarn they actually used was a baby weight or sport weight.   I had some medium weight but not enough to double so I decided not to double it. I also chose a size smaller needle because I wasn't doubling.  The pattern calls for a size 10 knitting needle.  I went with a size 9.

Currently, I have not measured the blanket yet.  I have about 22 rows on it.  I really should have started on circular needles but I didn't have any the same size.  So I went with straight needles.  I casted on as many stitches as I could.  I have 160 stitches.

I also decided NOT to add the border on the blanket that they called for in this preemie blanket.  I decided I wanted to crochet a border around it later.

I had a bunch of Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn laying around in various colors so I chose to use that for my blanket.

That is it so far.  Once I get a bit further I will change colors and make stripes of color for the blanket.  My thought is that if it is not quite as wide as I would like it then I will add a thicker border on it to make it wider.

The moral of this story?  If you see a pattern that you like the looks of but it doesn't quite fit your needs, make it fit!  You can use the basic pattern or stitch and make it work for you.  Use the gauge and it will help you figure out how many extra stitches you need to make it the length or width you need.  Also use the pattern to help you.  In this case the pattern repeats every 4 stitches.  Knit 2, Purl 2, then you repeat.  So you need 4 stitches to complete the pattern.  Therefore, I multiplied by 4.

If you choose to add a border to it while you are knitting then add the border stitches to the total multiples of your pattern stitch.  For example if you want a border of 5 stitches on each side then add 5+5=10. So your total would be 10 + the number of multiples of 4 you want.  Easy???

So for my blanket with 160 stitches I expect the blanket to be a bit over 42 inches wide.  The gauge for this pattern is 15 stitches = 4 inches.  I divide my 160 by 15 then multiply by 4.  Now I know that my needles will make the gauge a bit smaller and if I were a precise knitter I would have knitted up a swatch to create my own gauge to figure out exactly how many stitches I would need for a 45 inch wide blanket.  But I am more of a gambling with a side of fixes kind of girl, so I gambled with the number of stitches and used their gauge and will opt for a crochet border to make it a bit wider when I am done.

Where Crocheting and Sewing Come Together!

I have been interested in crochet edgings for the past couple months.  I wanted also to start making seasonal kitchen towels.  I love the change of seasons and it makes me happy to have pretty things that change with the seasons too.

I made the edgings one day with some cotton thread I had on hand.  I made up the pattern as I went.  I chained a bunch of chains, then single crocheted in all of the chains.  Then I double crocheted 3 times in one SC then chained 1 (I think), skipped two SCs and did 3DCs in the next SC, chained 1 and skipped 2 SC and did 3DC in the next SC.  I did that all the way to the end.  Then I chained 2 and turned.  I did 3 DCs in each space on the row below,  chaining 1 before moving to the next hole. 

I made the towels myself with some homespun cotton fabric.  Then I sewed the edging on the bottom of the towel with a zig zag stitch.

They are so pretty.  I might not have the courage to use them.

Cute Crochet Roses - Free Pattern

It has been sleeting, freezing rain and last night we had some snow.  It is chilly outside.  So to warm things up a bit I searched the internet for some fun flowers to crochet.

I came across this pattern but as I worked it up I realized it was wrong. Here is my corrected pattern.

Crochet Rose

Need:
worsted weight yarn
hook that corresponds with the weight of the yarn
yarn needle

Pattern:

Leaving a 6 inch tail, make a slip knot and chain 52.

In second chain from hook make a single crochet.  Chain 2, skip next chain, SC in next chain. *chain 2, skip next chain, SC in next chain. (basically you are single crocheting in every other chain with a chain 2 in between.) Continue SC, chain 2, skip next chain, SC in next to the end. Chain one and turn.

Row 2: SC in first two chain space.  Then 3 HDC in same space, ch 1 and slip stitch in same chain 2 space. Slip stitch in next chain 2 space, ch 1, 3 HDC, ch 1, slip stitch in same chain 2 space. Slip stitch in next chain 2 space, ch 1, 3 HDC, ch 1, and slip stitch in same chain 2 space. Slip stitch in next chain, ch 1, 4 HDC, ch 1, and slip stitch in same chain 2 space. Slip stitch in next chain 2 space, ch1, 5 HDC, ch 1, and slip stitch in same chain 2 space. Slip stitch in next chain 2 space,  From here to end alternate between 4 HDC and 5 HDC in each chain 2 space.  (in each you will slip stitch to next chain 2 space, ch 1, do 4 or 5 HDCs, ch 1 and slip stitch in same space. then move to the next space with a slip stitch)

When you finish Row 2, bind off with a 10 inch tail.  When you finish Row 2, your flower will look like this, a spiral.

Now, starting with the 3HDC side begin twisting the spiral around so the 3 HDCs are the center of your flower.  Twist the rest around to make the flower. 

Thread your needle with the 10 inch tail and begin sewing the flower together.  You will see the edges on the back and just whip stitch them together making sure you have all the layers attached. Then using the 6 inch tail from the beginning, tie the two ends together.  You may now cut these tails off or use them to attach the rose to another project.

This is what mine looks like from the back side complete.

Aren't they cute???

These are so easy to make and super quick.  You can use them for headbands, hat embellishments, or put them on a wreath.  You can add them to all sorts of things.

Let me know how your's turns out.

Cute Crochet Coasters

These are so cute and fun to make.  They whip up in no time flat.  I can make one in about 35-45 minutes time and I am a slow crocheter.

I got the pattern off someone else's blog.  I can't seem to find it again unfortunately.

I am an intuitive crocheter when it comes to making things I look at a bunch of patterns and then put a couple together to make what I am looking to create.

My pattern may not be exact nor might it be exactly what you are looking for.  I will try to explain it as best I can though.

Coaster Pattern:

1 skein of 100% cotton base color (you will be able to make several coasters with just one skein)

1 skein of edging color (100% cotton)

Chain 14.

Single crochet in 2nd loop and each loop after.  (13 SC) ch 2 and turn.

Next row: SC in first SC. *Skip next sc, dc and sc in next sc* to end.  Ch 2 and turn.

Next row: sc in first sc. skip dc, dc and sc in next sc. Ch 2 and turn. You will be doing a dc and sc in every sc in previous row. 

Continue until it looks like a square, about 10 or 11 rows. 

Change colors and sc all the way around the square, with three sc's in each corner. Then slip stitch around the entire thing again to finish it off.

And there you have it.

Tried and True Knit Washcloth Pattern

This is a tried and true knit washcloth pattern. It has been handed down through the ages and makes a great washcloth for the bath or kitchen.

Step 1:

Cast on 3 stitches. Rows 1-3: Knit 3.
Step 2:
Row 4: Knit 2, yarn-over(YO), K 1.Row 5: Knit 2, YO, Knit to end. Continue with Knit 2, YO, and Knit to end until you have 44 stitches on your needles.
Step 3:
Next row: Knit 1, Knit 2 together, YO, Knit 2 together, knit to end. Continue Knit 1, Knit 2 together, YO, Knit 2 together, and knit to end until you have 5 stitches on your needles.
Step 4:
Next row (with 5 stitches): Knit 1, knit 2 together, YO, Knit 2 together. Next row (with 4 stitches): Knit 1, Knit 2 together, knit 1. Next three rows: knit 3, Cast off and weave in yarn.

The Craft Show this Weekend

I am ready, I think for the craft show this weekend. I haven't done this one at the church right up the street from me, so I still feel like I am a newbie to all this. I am not sure how it is run and I haven't been to it in years past myself so I am really really new. I bought a table (6 feet, I think) and I am sure I will end up needing or at least wanting more space. I know I am rambling but I need to get the nerves out.

So this afternoon I am to go set up my space. I have all my supplies and my merchandise. I am taking fleece scarves, fleece dog toys, dog biscuits, hairbows, and some cards I had left over from previous craft shows. I am also taking the pencil toppers too. I decided against apple butter since I only was able to can 8 small jars and I am going to give them as gifts this year. But that is a lot on one table of only 6 feet.

I have a stand for the hairbows so that will get them off the table but the scarves take a lot of room and then the cards. Well, I will figure it out when I get there. I need to remember my camera so I can take some pictures for all of my two readers out there. Thanks guys for reading when I blog.

Whew, okay I had a goal to sell at least $150 of merchandise but I will really be happy with $100. I want to make some money for Christmas.

In honor of the giving season I am posting my instructions for making a fleece Boa Scarf! So here it is: I will post a picture of it later for you to see the finished project.

What you need:

2 pieces of fleece patterned, coordinating, or matching colors, 9 inches wide by 48-60 inches long. The bolts of fleece come usually in 56-60 inches long so just purchase 19 inches of fleece and cut in half. I like to buy a bit extra so I can even it up.

a cutting mat and rotary cutter (or plain ole scissors will work)

coordinating thread.

Here is the hard part, sew the two pieces of fleece right down the middle together. Put one on top of the other and sew right down the middle, you know in the middle. Then take your roatry cutter and cut fringe about 1 inch wide into the sewed part leaving about an inch before you hit the stitching. Then cut the other side in fringe. Shake out and there you have it. Very easy!! Don't worry I will take some pictures and post this weekend for you to get a visual on this.

Okay wish me luck!

Two Scarves Pictures and Pattern

This is a super easy pattern for new knitters and uses both the knit and purl. It is called the seed stitch because it gives you a bumpy texture like little seeds.

Pattern:

With Thick and Quick Lionbrand Wool-Ease and size 15 needles, cast on 15 stitches.

Row 1: K1, P1 across.

Row 2: K1, P1 across. (you are knitting the purls and purling the knits from the row before)

Continue until length is 52" or longer as desired. It usually takes me 1 1/2 skeins of yarn.

Shown in the picture is the navy and black wool-ease.

One down, One to go.

I have one gift done and now only one to go. The first one turned out GREAT. So great that I really want to do one for me now. My husband and I were out last night shopping for last minute people and we were working on an idea for his grandmother. We always get her a gift certificate to a supermarket and she really appreciates it because she is on a tight budget and she usually spends her food money on gifts this time of year. But I also wanted to get something else for her. So we are sitting there and I came up with the idea of making her a shawl to wrap around her. We happen to be in a restaurant next to Michaels Craft Store and so we went straight from the restaurant to the store and my husband helped me pick out the yarn. I am making the shawl that is featured on the front of the Prayer Shawl Ministry booklet. It is a popular pattern made in Lionbrand Homespun yarn. In fact the Lionbrand website gives it away as a free pattern online. So we came home and after the kids went to bed I sat down to work on it. Wow does it work up easily and quickly. In about an hour I had done about 10 inches on it. I should have it done in no time. Now I understand why they use this as a common pattern. It is crocheted in a V-stitch pattern.

51 chains to start and then starting with the 6th chain (dc, ch2, dc) in the same chain. Skip two chains and (dc, ch2, dc) in the next chain. Do this to the last chain and dc in that one. Ch3, turn and *(dc,ch2,dc) in each 2 chain space to the end and dc in ch after last dc. Ch3, turn and do follow from * until it reaches 36 inches in length. Then start again on the original starting chain and do the same for another 36 inches.

I will post a picture of the shawl when it is done. We chose to do it in Homespun Prairie color. I can't post a picture of the first gift because it will be given to someone who reads this blog and I don't want to give it away.