Archives for September 2015

Reflective Wristers – Free Crochet Pattern

September 25, 2015 By: Sharon Frazier

Free Pattern

As the days are getting shorter and Trick-or-Treat is coming up, I thought I’d make something for the kids in my life out of Red Heart Reflective yarn.

I took a look on Ravelry and found a ton of really cute projects, but there was one problem with them. It’s not that cold in Virginia Beach! This yarn is thick and warm. So if I made a hat, scarf or fingerless gloves out of it, the kids wouldn’t be able to really wear them until December or January.

The solution…15 minute Wristers! These work up super fast.

Here’s a picture without a flash…

Reflective Wristers without a flash

And here’s what it looks like when light hits the yarn! Wow!

Reflective Wristers using flash

If you’re a beginner, you also get to learn 2 new skills: the foundation single crochet and front-post double crochet!

My favorite Youtube video for foundation single crochet is here.

And here’s one on front-post double crochet.

Don’t worry…they’re both easy!

What You’ll Need:

1 Skein of Red Heart Reflective yarn (You’ll only use about ¼ of a skein on each set)
Crochet Hook Size I (5.5)
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Gauge

In double crochet, 4” = 11 stitches & 6 rows

Sizes

Children’s = 7” wide to fit 14” wrist & get over hand
Women’s & older kids = 7 ½” wide
Men’s = 16% wide

Abbreviations

fsc = foundation single crochet
dc = double crochet
fpdc = front-post double crochet
st = stich
sc = single crochet
ss = slip stitch

Pattern – In kids’ size with women’s and men’s following

Row 1 – 16 (18, 20) fsc. Ss to top of 1^st st being careful not to twist
Round 2 – ch 3 (counts as DC here and throughout). DC in next st and each st around. Join with ss to top of ch3. (16 (18, 20) DC)
Round 3 – ch 1, sc in same st. FPDC in next st. *sc in next st, FPDC in next st* Repeat around. Join with ss to 1^st
Round 4 & 5 – Repeat round 3
Round 6 – ch 1, sc in same st and each st around. ss to 1^st (16 (18, 20) sc)

Finish off. Weave in ends.

As always, please post your baby blankets on Ravelry and link to the pattern so I can see what you’ve done!

CGOA Masters Program

September 25, 2015 By: Sharon Frazier

When I decided to start blogging about crocheting, I was concerned that I would pass on inaccurate information because I had never taken a formal crochet class. My Grandmother originally taught me, and I’ve expanding my skills by reading and watching Youtube videos. I’ve found drastically different ways to do the same thing. Which way is right? Are they all acceptable?

So I decided to remedy this by attending the Crochet Guild of America’s Conference and by entering their Masters Program. The conference was held in July, and it was terrific! I met designers and took classes like Crochet Pattern Writing School, Design Your Own Crochet Stitch Pattern, and Creative Crochet Lace Shawl. I loved the conference and learned so much!

But the Masters Program was even better! I enrolled in CGOA’s Masters of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques program in January. They sent me detailed instructions to create swatches, which once completed, were reviewed by two Masters. The material covered a wide variety of crochet techniques including starting chains, gauge, special stitches, motifs and edgings. The feedback that I received was fabulous! I learned so much!!!!

I recently was notified that I passed, and I have received the CGOA Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques Certification!!! I am thrilled to have completed the program, and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to expand their crochet skills!

Click here if you’d like to learn more.

Cluster & Shell Baby Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

September 20, 2015 By: Sharon Frazier

Cluster & Shell baby blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

My niece gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, and I wanted to make something special for her. I decided to create a blanket with a nice texture using easy 3-stitch clusters. Then I finished it off with a few rows of single crochet using the back loop only so the edge really stands out. Finally, I made an open row to weave a pretty ribbon through and soft shells around the edge. I really like it because you can remove the ribbon and wash it easily or change the ribbon for a whole new look!

Cluster & Shell baby blanket

When I start on the edge, I like to use stitch markers to marker the corners. Then I move them when I finish each side. This helps me keep track of where the corners are so my blanket is nice and square. It also helps to ensure that I have the right number of stitches so the shells are uniform around the edge.

Cluster & Shell baby blanket

What You’ll Need:

1000 yards of Worsted weight yarn. I used Berroco Weekend in White
Crochet Hook Size H (5.0)
7 yards of Ribbon – 5/8 inch wide
Fray Check – If you’re not familiar with this product, click Here to learn more
Stitch markers

Gauge

Not important for this project

Abbreviations

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half-double crochet
dc = double crochet
st = stich
sp = space
pm = place marker
sk = skip
ss = slip stitch
blo = back loop only

Special Stiches

3-Stitch Cluster = (sc, hdc, dc) in indicated stitch

Pattern

Ch 102

Row 1 – 1 sc in 2^nd ch from hook and each ch across (101 stitches)
Row 2 – Ch 2 & turn. 1 hdc in 1^st st. *3-Stitch Cluster in next st. Sk 2 sts* Repeat across. Hdc in last st. (33 3-Sitch Clusters + 1 hdc at beginning & end)
Rows 3 -70 – Repeat row 2

At this point, my blanket measured 26” wide by 28” long

Pm in 3 corners that are not where you are currently working. You’ll place the marker in the corner where you’re working in just a minute!

Border Round 1 – Ch 1 & turn. 2 sc in hdc. Pm in 1^st sc. 1 sc in each st to marker. 3 sc in st with marker. PM in center st of 3-sc group you just made. (101 sts between markers)

Do not turn – continue down side. Sc 103 st evenly along edge, ending with 3 sc in st with marker. PM in center st of 3-sc group you just made. (105 sts between markers)

Continue down 1^st row – sc in each st to marker. 3 sc in st with marker. Pm in center st of 3-sc group you just made. (101 sts between markers)

Continue up last side – sc 103 st evenly along edge, ending with 1 sc in first corner. Ss to st with marker in it. (105 sts between markers)

Border Round 2 – WORK ALL ST IN THIS ROUND IN BLO (BACK LOOP ONLY) Ch 1. 3 sc in BLO of st with marker. Move marker to center st. SC in each st around with 3 sc in each corner. Move markers as you go. You will end up with 103 sts between markers on the top & bottom and 107 sts between markers on the sides). Ss to 1^st

Border Round 3 – ss into marked corner. (ch 5, tc, ch 1, tc) into corner. *sk 1 st; ch 1, tc* across to marked corner. In corner st – (ch 1, tc, ch 1, tc, ch 1, tc). Continue *sk 1, ch 1, tc* around with (ch 1, tc, ch 1, tc, ch 1, tc) in each corner. Ss to 4^th ch of beginning ch 5. PM in center TC in each corner. (3 TC in each corner. 51 TC across top & bottom. 53 TC across side)

Border Round 4 – ch 1, sc in 1^st Sc in ch-1 sp. *sc in tc, sc in ch 1 sp* Repeat to marked corner. 3 sc in st with marker. Repeat pattern around, ending with ss to 1^st sc. PM in center sc in each 3-sc group you just made. (109 sts between markers on top & bottom and 113 sts between markers on sides)

Border Round 5 – WORK ALL ST IN THIS ROUND IN BLO (BACK LOOP ONLY) ss into next 3 sts ending in marked corner. Ch 1, 3 sc in BLO of marked st. sc in BLO of each st across putting 3 in each corner and moving markers to center st as you go. Ss to 1^st sc (111 sts between markers on top & bottom and 115 sts between markers on sides)

Border Round 6 (Shells)– ss into corner st with marker. (Ch 3, 4 DC) into same st. *Sk 1 st, sc into next st, sk 1 st, 5 dc into next st* all the way around. You should have a shell in each marked corner st. ss to top of ch 3.

Finish off. Weave in ends.

Weave ribbon through open spaces. Paint ends of ribbon with fray check.

As always, please post your baby blankets on Ravelry and link to the pattern so I can see what you’ve done!

Clusters & Shells baby blanket

It’s Crochet Time! Mandala Clock or Hotplate

September 13, 2015 By: Sharon Frazier

Crochet Time – Mandala Clock

I’m lucky enough to have a whole room dedicated to crafts! Okay…my treadmill is also in there, and it’s a small room, but I LOVE it!!! I used a couple of old cupboards to hold all my stuff, and when I’m ready to start a new project I just go in and take a look until I get inspiration. My bulletin board helps me organize ideas and things I want to try.

I wanted a clock for the room because time definitely gets away from me when I’m. . . working, but I wanted the clock to be reflective of my crafts so I decided to crochet it!

I created a Mandala design. This pattern can also be used for a doily or hotplate or even a wall hanging.

It’s Crochet Time – Mandala Hotplate

A Mandala is a geometric figure that represents the universe. It’s meaning is “circle”, and it often has a certain balance that symbolizes harmony and unity. Many people use a mandala as a meditation aid so that it serves as a tool for a spiritual journey. The design is meant to be visually appealing so the analytical mind quiets and the creative mind soars! So imagine not just looking at a mandala, but meditating while you create it in crochet!

Mandalas have some meaning, but that can differ dramatically from person to person. For this one, I think of it as ripples on the water. As we go through life, we learn more and our understanding expands. We become a very different person than where we began. Most importantly, the beauty is in the journey! Discovering something new gives me the same feeling of giddy anticipation as that of a child opening a present. Each of our lives is a beautiful journey!

Below are the instructions for the design. If you want to make it into a clock, you’ll also need:

Clock movement set
Poster board – approximately 12” square
Compass for drawing a circle
Glue

What You’ll Need:

Worsted weight yarn in up to 9 colors. You’ll use much less than a skein in each color, making this project a great stash-buster
- I used Valley Yarns – Goshen – A = Bermuda Blue, B = Waterfall, C = Lake, D = Green Apple, E = Lemon Drop, F = Ginger, G = Red, H = Purple Haze, I = Violet,
Crochet Hook size G
Gauge
- Not important for this project
- My finished project measured approximately 10” in diameter
Notes: Weave in ends as you go.

Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- mr = magic ring
- ss = slip stitch
- sp = space
- st = stich
- hdd = half-double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- tc = triple crochet
- dc = double crochet
- yo – yarn over
Special Stiches
- DC Cluster = *YO insert into st, pull up a loop, yo & pull thru 2 loops*, repeat 2 more times (4 loops on hook), YO, pull thru all 4 loops
- V Stitch = (DC, Ch4, DC) into the indicated st
- Petal = (SC, HDC, DC, TC, DC, HDC, SC) into the indicated st
Pattern

With A, Ch 6. Form ring with a ss into 1^st ch (If not making a clock, you can use a MR instead of ch 6.)
- Round 1 – Ch 1,12 SC in ring, join with SS to 1^st Mark 1^st st with marker. (Stitch marker may not be necessary. I find it difficult to locate this stitch in the first few rows, so I use a marker to tell me where to ss)
- Round 2 – Join B with SS in any SC. Ch2. *DC cluster, Ch1 into each stitch. Join with SS to top of ch2. (12 clusters)
- Round 3 – Join C with SS into any ch1 space. Ch2, 2HDC in same sp.(Ch2 counts as a HDC) Sk Cluster. *3 HDC into each ch1 sp. Join with SS to top of ch2. (36 HDC)
- Round 4 – Join D with SS between any 2 HDC groups. Ch1, sc in same sp. SC in each HDC and in space between each HDC group. SS to 1^st (48 SC)
- Round 5 – Stay with D. Ch 3. *Sk 1, DC in next st, Ch 1, DC in next st, Ch1, Sk 1, DC in next st, ch1* to end. SS to 2^nd ch in beg ch3. (29 DC with ch1 sp between. Be sure to count the stitches, because this is the most confusing round)
- Round 6 – Join E with SS into any DC. Ch 1. (SC, HDC, DC) into each DC. Sk ch’s. SS into 1^st (29 3 stich groups)
- Round 7 – Join F with SS into BLO of any st. Ch1. SC in BLO to end. SS to 1^st (87 SC)
- Round 8 – Join G with SS into any SC. Ch6, DC in same st. *Sk 3 st. V stitch into next st.* Repeat to end. SS into 2^nd ch of beg ch 6. (22 ch 4 spaces)
- Round 9 – Join H with SS into any ch4 sp. Ch 1. Petal into each ch 4 sp around. SS to 1^st (22 pedals)
- Round 10 – Join I with SS into 1^st sc of any petal. (Ch 4, DC, Ch 1, DC) in same st. Ch 1, SS to TC in Round 9, Ch 1. * (DC, Ch 1, DC, Ch 1, DC) in 1^st st of next petal. Ch1, SS to TC in Round 9, Ch1* Repeat around. SS to 3^rd ch of beg ch4.
- Round 11 – Join A with SS into any SC, ch1.. SC into each st and ch1 around. SS to 1^st
- Bind off. Weave in ends.
When I made my clock, I first tried using nylon hat wire to stretch the outside of the rim so I could hang it on the wall. This didn’t work well. The clock tilted on the nail that held it to the wall. I finally found the solution. I used poster board cut in a circle the same size as the mandala with a hole in the middle. Then I painted it the same color as the wall. Then I glued the mandala to the poster board and inserted it in the clock movement set. The result is that it looks like the mandala clock floats on the wall. I love it!

As always, please post your clocks or mandalas on Ravelry so I can see what you’ve done!

1-1 Cowl – One Skein. One afternoon. Wonderful Cowl!

September 6, 2015 By: Sharon Frazier

Free Crochet Pattern.

Make it today, give it tomorrow. These cowls range from less than $7 to $35 depending on the yarn. I’m sure you can make a version that’s even cheaper, but go ahead and splurge…it’s only 1 skein!

I saw this beautiful Sweaterkits Silk Jewel yarn and had to have it! It’s 100% silk, incredibly soft and lightweight, and has a thread with beads wrapped around the strand. It looks like the Caribbean with jewels floating on top of the water!

At $35 a skein, I wanted to make something that would highlight the yarn and only use 1 skein. This pattern definitely makes the yarn the star of the show!

Then I wanted to see how this pattern would look with a different yarn. Off to my LYS! I found this Berroco Weekend DK yarn for $6.50 and decided to give it a try.

It’s 75% acrylic and 25% cotton, and I’m kind of a yarn snob, so I almost went for a 100% cotton yarn, but the owner talked me into giving this a try. “It creates beautiful stitch definition,” she said. And she was right!

Same pattern, but now the stitches are the star of the show with beautiful texture!

That’s when I realized that I love this pattern! It takes only 260-280 yards of DK yarn and just a few hours to complete. This is the perfect gift! It’s easy enough for an adventurous beginner, it’s a quick project, and you can choose the yarn that best fits your budget. Sign me up!

This project works up so quickly because once you get to row 2, you’re always crocheting into chain spaces. This enables your hook to really zoom!

A couple of notes on the pattern

On row 1, you’re crocheting several stitches into a single chain. This makes that chain stretch, and the ones next to it can disappear. This makes it difficult to count the chains! If you’re having this problem, just grab some stitch markers and put them in every 3^rd stitch before you start stretching them out. This will slow you down on the first row, but it’s only 1 row, so go for it!

On row 2, and all subsequent rows, the slip stiches are just to get your hook into the chain spaces neatly. Just slip stitch each stitch until you get there.

Also, you’re crocheting the (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into each ch 3 from the (sc, ch 3, sc) group. And each (sc, ch 3, sc) into the ch 2 from the (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) group.

Finishing – I don’t like the stretched starting-chain showing on the top of this cowl. So that’s what the directions for Top Edge are all about!

Just mirror the pattern using the unused loop from the starting chain to create a nice scalloped edge.

So quick and easy! Ready to give complete with cleaning instructions.

Yarn

260 – 280 yards of DK yarn
I used 1 skein of Berroco Weekend DK ($6.50) in Rhubarb for the pink one and Sweaterkits Silk Jewel – Beaded Mulberry Silk for the blue one.

Hooks

H (5.00 mm) & J (6.00 mm)

Gauge

Not important for this project. My scarves measure 13-17” wide X 12” long.
If you’d like to make it larger or smaller, adjust by chaining any multiple of 6.

Abbreviations

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sp = space
ss = slip stitch
sk = skip

Pattern

With H hook, ch 90. Join to 1st ch with a ss being careful not to twist

Row 1: ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) into same ch as ss. *sk 2 ch, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into next ch. Sk 2 ch, (sc, ch 3,sc) into next ch. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to first sc, once again being careful not to twist. {15 (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) groups & 15 (sc, ch 3, sc) groups.

Row 2: ss into ch 3 sp. (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into ch 3 sp. * (sc, ch 3, sc) into next ch 2 sp. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into next ch 3 sp. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to top of ch 3.

Row 3: ss into next dc. Ss into ch 2 sp. Ch 1. *(sc, ch 3, sc) into ch 2 sp. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into next ch 3 sp. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to first sc.

Repeat rows 2 & 3 until piece measures 5”. (About 12 rows)

Change to J hook. Continue repeating rows 2 & 3 until piece measures 10-12” or desired length. (If using an entire skein, be sure to save enough yarn for 1 more row as the edging) Fasten off.

Top Edge – Working in unused loops of starting ch, switch back to H hook. Join with ss into any (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) space. (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into same space. * (sc, ch 3, sc) into next sp that contains sc, ch 3, sc. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into next sp that contains 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc. Repeat across mirroring stitches in row 1 of cowl in the unused loop of the stitch. Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Please post your project to Ravelry and link it to the pattern so I can see what you’ve done!

Here’s one I made for friends in Paris!

Beautiful!