3 Crochet Patterns Ordered

Our oldest child just finished high school and feels the weight of the world lifted off her shoulders...for now anyway! Reality will hit soon enough, but I'll let her enjoy this short time of freedom! She has made a list of things she wants to accomplish this summer, before she begins nursing school in the fall. One of the items on her list is to crochet an afghan of squares, as opposed to the very large and heavy zig-zag afghan she has been working on during the cooler months.

I made the mistake of showing her the Babette Blanket that has been popping up on so many different websites lately and she Fell In Love. I tried my hardest to find a copy of the Crochet magazine from Spring of 2006 where this pattern was first published, but with no success. So I broke down and ordered it online from Interweave Crochet. You can see a picture of it, and order the pattern in PDF form, by clicking HERE if you like. It really is a very creative and colorful piece of work, and I'm sure Elizabeth will enjoy this project to make, and to use and treasure for years to come.

While I was browsing around the crochet patterns on Interweave's website, I came across two other patterns I just couldn't pass up. They are both crochet patterns for children's sweaters and I've never really found any crochet sweater patterns that looked very cute or comfortable until now.

The first is the Come-and-Play Cardigan which I am planning to make for my two younger children, although I'm not so sure my son would wear it unless I do it in Camo colors or put a Truck or Space Ship on it! The second is the Yo-Yo Cardigan which I think is just so different and so cute. I'll probably save this one for my little 4 yr old Gracie and use lots of pinks and purples.

Do you tend to save crocheting for items like afghans, and knitting for clothing items? This is what I've always done, but perhaps these patterns will change my mind.

Happy Stitching!

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Crochet Cords Tutorial Link

I was browsing around in the Crochet section of Knittinghelp.com just recently and came across a question regarding crocheted cording. Someone was interested in crocheting a cord to use in the waist of her knitted shorts. One of the responses included a link to Daphne's Tutorial Page on Crochet Know How. On this page Daphne had a little picture tutorial for three different types of crocheted cording: Slip Stitch Cord, Parallel Chain Cord and Lobster Stitch Cord.

I thought I would share that with you in case you are in need of some crocheted cord options on one of your projects. These could be used as drawstrings for purses, straps for a child's dress or shirt, embellishments for pillows or bags or other crocheted or knitted items.

I would like to do a video tutorial on each of these cords so I have put that on my list of things to do for Hooked On Needles. But today I don't think there will be any of that. Instead I will be taking my oldest to urgent care to have her finger examined. She closed the cash register drawer on it last night while working at our local grocery store, and my husband and I both are of the opinion that it is most likely broken. Being the dedicated student that she is, she went to school this morning and will be dismissed after the time necessary to be marked present for the day!

I've been cranking out these cotton dishcloths though, and will share pictures of my finished stack tomorrow. Some of them will be used as part of my Pay It Forward gifts to Myra, Jane, Leah and Mrs. Bubba. So, ladies, if you see any design or yarn color that strikes your fancy, please let me know so I can make you some that you will like. A variety of them will be going to the high school PTO for an upcoming fundraiser.

What kind of fun projects are you working on in between all of life's little curve balls?

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Changing Colors on Solid Granny Square Video Tutorial

Here's another video tutorial to help you expand your horizons when it comes to the very versatile Crocheted Granny Square. We've already covered the Traditional One-color Granny Square, the Traditional Multi-color Granny Square, and the Solid Granny Square. In this video I'll show you how to change yarn color on the solid granny square so that you can make each round a different color, or use more than one color on a round.



Spend some time browsing through FiddLeSticks and see the clever and creative ways that Dawn uses color changes in her granny squares. Don't miss this post and her other granny square posts if you want to see some truly gorgeous and inspiring work. I am not sure if Dawn uses the same method to change colors as I showed in the video, because I am sure there are many ways to accomplish the same thing, but her results are stunning. Check them out and let me know if you agree.

Happy Stitching!

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Election Day Project -- Special Olympics Scarf #3 Complete

We all know that this past Tuesday in the United States was election day, but you might not know this little detail of my professional life. Whenever we have an election here in my precinct, whether it is The Big One like we just had or a local election, I get to spend the day at my local polling place as an Election Inspector. It is actually a fun day with lots of socializing since the precinct is really just a big neighborhood, so I get to visit with lots of people I know and spend the day doing something other than the usual. Not what I'd like to do every day of my life, that is for sure! But once or twice a year, it's different and fun.

It's a long day, from 6:30 in the morning until about 8:30 at night, and it is not always busy so I make sure I bring my own form of entertainment. Take a look at the project I worked on this time around...


This is another scarf for the Special Olympics which I have mentioned here a few times in recent months. I used a fun stitch that makes a wave pattern, the same stitch I demonstrated for Merryknitter from Knittinghelp.com.

I started out with the Red Heart Delft Blue and worked a chain of 230 stitches which was exactly double what Merryknitter's pattern called for. Since it was for a scarf, it had to be much wider than the baby blanket that the pattern was written for. Then I worked the first pattern row in blue, the second in white, and continued alternating until I had worked seven pattern rows.

I didn't even weave in the ends. Instead, I pulled them into the same color fringe at each end of the scarf. Now that's what I call an easy project!

This pattern is very easy to work once you get the first pattern row complete, but as with most crochet projects, the first row is the hardest. I have a hard time holding on to the chain while trying to follow a pattern and count stitches and work multiple stitches into one chain. But once that is done and I have verified that I did it correctly, then the subsequent rows are easy and fun to work.

Is anyone else out there making scarves for the Special Olympics? There is still time! The deadline for sending them in isn't until January 15th and what a nice thing to do for a special someone you don't even know!

Happy Stitching!

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Crochet Stitch Height Comparison

I seem to be on a Crochet Kick lately, so I think I'll just continue a little longer and share this sample piece with you. It shows how the different crochet stitches compare to each other in height so you can have an easy reference when deciding what stitch you might want to use in a project.

Take a look...



Starting at the bottom, I crocheted 2 rows of single crochet, then 2 rows of half double, 2 rows of double, and ended at the top with 2 rows of triple crochet. You can click on the picture to see it bigger.

As the piece progresses upwards, the stitches get taller and looser. Single crochet is very compact and firm whereas triple crochet is very hole-y and loose. Depending on what you are making and what effect you want to achieve, one stitch might be a better choice than another.

For items like baby blankets or afghans, I much prefer a tighter, firmer stitch like single or half double, or a stitch pattern such as the Ripple Stitch or the Basketweave Stitch. I like afghans and blankets to be solid and not have holes in them where fingers and toes can get stuck.

For something like a scarf where you might want it loose and drape-y, triple crochet would work great.

Coming up this week, I will bring you a chart for working all the different basic crochet stitches that will also be an easy reference when working a project. In addition to that on my List of Things To Do are some new knit videos, an update on my Angel Swap projects, what I received from Connecting Threads, and a review of a neat new tool I recently acquired.

Happy Stitching!

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Berroco Site Recommendation for Great Knit and Crochet Patterns

I have been subscribing to the Berroco KnitBits Newsletter for quite some time now, and every issue has at least one pattern in it that I keep for future use, but usually more!

They have a section where new yarns, patterns and booklets are previewed for the upcoming season. I love this section because it gives me lots of neat things to look forward to, even if I never actually make them!

Their section of free patterns is extensive with over 15 different categories of patterns to choose from, and in each category you'll find pictures of all the patterns available to print or save on your own computer.

Under their Quick Links tab they have a very nice stitch glossary that is an excellent reference when working a new stitch or pattern.

Check out their website and subscribe to their newsletter if it's something that looks interesting to you.

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Filet Crochet -- Pretty in Pink

Filet Crochet has always been one of my favorite decorative crochet methods. The origins of this method are unclear, but historians say they date back to the Pima Indians, early sailors, and Middle Eastern, Scottish and Scandinavian shepherds among others. I don't know much about any of that, but I am certain that Filet Crochet has provided me with many satisfactory hours of creative enjoyment.

Filet Crochet is easy to do because it only uses a few very basic crochet stitches. It is relatively inexpensive to do because it uses crochet cotton which can be purchased in balls of several hundred yards for a reasonable price at your favorite craft store or website. Or if the project is large like a bedspread or large curtain or tablecloth, it can be purchased more economically on cones of several thousand yards.

The project I am working on now is a simple dresser scarf for my younger daughter's dresser. I purchased an old handmade dresser at a yard sale, fixed it up a little with a coat of oil based primer and then several coats of shiny white paint. Some new knobs for the drawers and it was good as new and pretty as a picture. It was just begging for a girly pink crocheted dresser scarf!

I went through my patterns and rediscovered one that I had made many years ago as a matched set of two single designs for our night stands and one long dresser scarf for my husband's chest of drawers. I had planned to do an extra long dresser scarf for my triple dresser but never got around to it. Anyway, it's a pretty design with hearts in it which I found in the Number 29 issue of Annie's Crochet Newsletter from all the way back in 1987!

This is how you get started with this Filet Crochet pattern:

First you crochet a chain the length required for the project and then do a foundation row of double crochet stitches. For the second row, start off with a beginning block consisting of the chain three turning chain and then a double crochet in each of the next three stitches. This is how each row begins and you will see that this makes a nice border around the piece.

Filet Crochet is characterized by its open mesh blocks and filled blocks which make the picture. The second row in the picture above shows the beginning block which is filled, then a whole row of open mesh blocks which are made by simply working two chain stitches, skipping the next two stitches and working a double crochet into the next stitch. The row ends with a filled block of four double crochets.



The next row starts with the beginning block, then four open mesh blocks are worked, then a filled block which is the first part of the design that will be created with subsequent filled blocks in the next few rows.


This is the middle of the same row showing the first filled block for the little design that will be in the middle on each end of the piece.



This shows the piece with three complete rows. Notice how the beginning and end of each row is filled in with double crochet stitches and the main part of the piece so far is made up of open mesh blocks.



This is one of the night stand pieces I did so many years ago which is still used on the night stand today. The piece I am working on for my daughter's dresser will look just like this, only it will be pink and not so old and worn looking!

Isn't it pretty how the filled blocks make up a design that shows up so nicely against the wood furniture? Working in Filet Crochet is sort of like creating a picture with thread. I just love it.


This is the dresser scarf that my husband still uses. It has four repeats of the design. This pattern was worked from the short end so it could be made with any number of repeats depending on the size desired.

If you are interested in learning more about Filet Crochet and trying some beautiful designs for doilies, edgings, curtains, tablecloths, pillows, panels, nursery accessories and more, I can recommend The Filet Crochet Book by Chris Rankin. I refer to it often when working on projects and love just browsing through the book for inspiration. The informational and instructional sections of the book are very thorough and there are beautiful color pictures of every pattern and charts to go along with them.



I'll post pictures of my finished project once it has taken its proper place atop the shiny white dresser. I'm thinking it won't take me too long since I have a very excited girl waiting for the newest pink addition to her room!

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Time to Get Organized -- Crochet

It's time to do a little administrative organization for this site, so I'm starting off with links to crochet projects and information.

I'll update this list as necessary and a link to it will be available on the sidebar for easy access.


Learn to Crochet Video Tutorials:

• Slip Knot and Chain Stitch Video Tutorial
• Joining Blocks using single crochet
• Reverse Single Crochet
• Single Crochet Stitch
• Half Double Crochet Stitch
• Double Crochet Stitch
• Triple Crochet Stitch
• Close Scallops Stitch
• Double Crochet Decrease from 3 to 1
• How to Crochet a Border around a Knitted Piece
• Small and Big Scallops Border from Jersey Devil Oddball Blanket
• Scallop Border on Tutti Frutti Preemie Oddball Blanket
• Bobble Stitch Border on Cherry Berry Preemie Oddball Blanket
• Tunisian Crochet - Basic, Knit or Afghan Stitch
• Tunisian Crochet - Stockinette Stitch
• Tunisian Crochet - Purl Stitch
• Tunisian Crochet - Crossed Stitch
• Tunisian Crochet - Double Stitch
• Tunisian Crochet - Rib
• Tunisian Crochet - Honeycomb Stitch
  
• Tunisian Short Row Dishcloth
• 3 Dimensional Crochet - Ruffled Rose
  
• Traditional Multi-Color Granny Square
• Traditional One-Color Granny Square
• Solid Granny Square
• Changing Colors on Solid Granny Square
  
• Solomon's Knot
• Hawaiian Granny Square
• Slip Stitch Cord
• Dish Scrubbie
• Chain 3 Scallop Border on Butterfly Kisses Oddball Blanket
• Crocheting Beads into Your Work
• Single Crochet Shells - Tiramisu Baby Blanket
• Adding Colorful Bits to your work
• Forked Cluster
• Jacob's Ladder
• Half Granny Shawl like what Ma Ingalls wore on Little House on the Prairie
• Broomstick Lace basics
• Broomstick Lace decrease
• Broomstick Lace increase
• Woven Stitch
• Basket Weave Stitch
  

Learn to Crochet articles:

• Woven Stitch
• Basket Weave Stitch
• Ripple Stitch
• Square Block
• Pastel Squares Baby Blanket Finishing techniques
  
• Carrying yarn from row to row
• Changing yarn color
• Learn to Crochet pointers
• Crochet Stitch Height Comparison
• Stitch Chart for Crochet
• Crochet Scarves for Special Olympics -- pattern ideas and fringe how-to
• Oddball Baby Blanket - crocheted border on Jersey Devil red knitted blanket
• Easy Crocheted Oddball Afghan - crocheted in a spiral, uses up leftover yarn
• Two Short Stacks of Cotton Dishcloths
• Magic number for Tunisian Short Dishcloths - Denim Blue pictures
• Crocheted Oddball Blanket - Rainbow Connection

Crochet Patterns:

• Woven Stitch
• Basket Weave Stitch
• Vintage Shade Pull #1
• Vintage Shade Pull #2
• Vintage Shade Pull #3
• Ripple Stitch
• Baby Hat - long version
• Baby Hat - take along version
• Mitered Squares Baby Blanket
• Itty Bitty Anything Bag- my original pattern
• Crochet for Charity
• Easy Crocheted Striped Baby Blanket
• Pretty Points Crocheted Border on Forest Greens Oddball Baby Blanket
• Cotton Candy Points Crocheted Border on Cotton Candy Oddball Baby Blanket
• Traditional Granny Square
• Tunisian Crochet Duck Pattern
• Tunisian Crochet Mystery Project
• Tunisian Crochet Shamrock Pattern
• Tunisian Crochet Apple Pattern
• Tunisian Crochet Sun Pattern
  
• Woven Hotpad
• Wavy Border Pattern on Circus Circus Oddball Baby Blanket
• Sunny Plaid Dishcloth
• Beaded Rosary Case
• Pretty Border on Sherbet Oddball Blanket
• Crocheted Pin Cushion - English Version
  

Crochet Pictures:

• Some afghan and baby blanket pictures
• Doily, Irish Lace Collar and afghan pictures
• Filet Crochet - Pretty in Pink
• Filet Crochet - Pretty in Pink Dresser Scarf Finished
• Woven Stitch afghan and baby blanket pictures
• A Crochet Mistake - Mitered Square Baby Blanket
• Mitered Square Baby Blanket Finished
• Crocheted Angels for Christmas Ornament Swap
• Close Scallops Wedding Gift Crocheted Afghan in progress
• Wedding Gift Afghan Reappears
  
• Special Olympics Scarf #3
• Merryknitter's Crocheted Noah's Ark Baby Blanket
• Reverse Single Crochet border on Citrus Sunshine Oddball Baby Blanket
• Wedding Gift Afghan Finished - Finally!
• Traditional Granny Square Afghan
• Reader Show & Tell - Close Scallops Capelet
• Here Comes The Sun - Oddball Baby Blanket with crocheted scallop border
• Hawaiian Granny Square
• Basket Weave Afghan Finished!
• Basket Weave Butter Cream Dishcloth
• Fiesta Tunisian Short Row Dishcloth
• Dishcloths and Woven Hotpads for PTO fundraiser
• More Tunisian Short Row dishcloths
• Seaside Park Oddball Baby Blanket - reverse single crochet border
• Babette Yarn Purchase
• First Babette Update
• Babette Update #2
• Babette is finally finished!
  
• Pink Bag PIF Gift #3
• Merry's ABC Blanket
• Sneak Peek at Sweet Liberty Afghan for Jonathan Roberge Memorial Golf Tournament
• Sweet Liberty blocks complete
  
• Sweet Liberty almost finished
  
• Sweet Liberty is complete!
  
• Sweet Liberty needs a label
  
• Label on Sweet Liberty Afghan
  
• Crocheted Mini Duffel
• Crocheted Bag for my little bag lady
• Red, white and blue Tunisian Short Row dishcloth
• Crocheted Pin Cushion
• Floor Duster Covers
• Crocheted Slippers made with Bernat Sox yarn
  
• Woven Stitch Extra Wide Scarf aka The Big Black Scarf!
  

Other Tutorials and helpful hints

• How to Make a Pom Pom
• Make your patterns easy to read
  

Crochet Websites:

• Berroco
• Lion Brand Yarn

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Knit and Crochet links

Are you looking for some good resources for your knitting or crocheting? Perhaps some new inspiring patterns, or some fun and funky yarns? Maybe it's a new notion you need to make your handwork easier. Here are a few of my favorites to get you started, but I'll be updating this page as I find new and interesting sites to share, so check back often.

Patternworks not only has a wonderful website with all the latest knit and crochet patterns, kits and yarns and a very nice selection of notions and gifts, but they also have a beautiful and inspiring paper catalog which you can request. It's one of my favorite things to find in my mailbox! I have been to their shop in breathtaking Center Harbor, New Hampshire many times and I can tell you with confidence that it is one of the most pleasant places to spend time talking to the ladies and checking out all the new yarns and patterns and inspecting the various finished samples found around the shop.

Mary Maxim is a family owned needlework and crafts mail order company that has been in business for over 50 years. Some of my favorite sweater patterns and kits have come from them. They carry brand name yarns such as Bernat, Patons, Vanna's Choice and Lily, but they also have their own exclusive line of yarns from sportweight to bulky. Their kits always have excellent directions and a generous supply of yarns included. They also have a nice selection of free patterns available on their website. Their customer service is top notch too. The Mary Maxim paper catalog is another one I love to see in my mailbox!

Herrschner's is a great resource for knit and crochet projects and ideas as well as any other craft you can imagine. One of my favorite parts of their site is the weekly sales pages, especially the yarn sale page. They are updated every Wednesday evening, so that's when I check in! I have found some great bargains there over the years. They also have a paper catalog which is a pleasure to thumb through.

Halcyon Yarn is located in Bath, Maine and their company history is fascinating. They have all kinds of supplies for knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving and other fiber arts. Their selection of brand name yarns as well as their own signature yarns is extensive. You can subscribe to their newsletter to keep up with their sales and other news.

Knitting Warehouse is a great site to browse through if you're looking for what's new in the yarn world. They carry many of the name brands of yarn and crochet thread, kits, notions, embellishments, books and patterns. They also have lots of free patterns available from Bernat, Patons, Lion Brand, Red Heart and others.

Lion Brand Yarn has a fabulous website which I raved about here. You can sign up for their email newsletter to keep up to date on all the yarn, tips and free patterns they have available. I love getting their newsletter and saving patterns I just know I'll use some day!

What are some of your favorite sites for knitting and crocheting? Post a comment and share!

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