December 31, 2008

Crochet Tutorial: Dropping and Picking Up Colors

Crochet Tutorial: Dropping and Picking Up of Colors.

In my patterns that require color changes I will write: Pick up Black, drop White, half double crochet (hdc) next 4 stitches (sts), pick up White, drop Black, hdc next 12 sts...
To help explain what I mean;
We will begin with the basics: Adding in another color.
Here is my base of two rows hdc in white. I have begun the next row and have three of the loops (lps) needed to complete my next hdc.

Instead of completing the hdc in White, I drop the White I was using and holding the end of my new color-Black-I yarn over (yo) and pull through completing the st.
I am now using the Black.



Here it shows me carrying the dropped White behind the sts I work with Black so that I can access the White when I need it later.
This would be: Carry White, pick up Black, hdc next # of sts.


Here I am doing the reverse and am going from Black to White or Dropping White, Pick up Black.





Here is the st completed so I am now working in White again.






This shows that instead of working the dropped Black behind the White sts as I make them, I have completely dropped the Black to the wrong side of my piece and will pick it back up in the next row.
This is: Drop Black, Pick up White, hdc next # sts.





Here shows the completed row, with the dropped Black showing on the wrong side of the piece. I am still working in White to begin the next row.





Here I am Picking up Black from the wrong side and completing the last hdc made in White with the Black.







Again this shows my progress with the piece in that I am carrying the White after Picking up the Black.




Making more sts carry the White behind.



Now I am Dropping the Black, Picking up the White I have carried to complete the st.


The st is complete and I would work the rest of the row with White.



Here is an unusual example in that the instructions tell me to Hdc next 3 sts, carry Black next 3 sts so that I can do the color change later in the row from where I had Dropped the Black previously.
You simply do 3 sts in White, pick up Black to carry it behind the next 3 sts you work.




At the end of the 3 sts you change to Black, (Pick up Black) and carry White (behind sts as you work)
Here is the piece after the row is completed. Note how the White has been carried across 3 more Black sts than the previous row and seamlessly change colors.
In the picture, the row is completed with the Black Dropped and row ending working White.


This picture shows 3 sts done in White, White carried, Black picked up, hdc next 3 sts and instead of crocheting the next sts in Black, White is picked up, Black will be carried behind sts part way and then dropped




Here the row is completed showing the Black Carried 5 sts behind the white and then dropped to wrong side of piece.



In this picture I have hdc the # of required White sts, pick up the Black from the Wrong side, and will complete that st so I will be working in Black again.



Required # of Black sts made, 3 loops of last hdc on hook...


Picking up the Carried White to complete the row.



Here is the front of the piece so far showing the White at the end of the row and Black trailing from behind.



Wrong side of piece, again with the White at the end of the row and the Black on the wrong side where is has been dropped.
I know these instructions are generalized, but I feel you can figure out my meaning when I say: Hdc next 4 sts, pick up Black, carry White, hdc next 2 sts, pick up White, drop Black, hdc last 12 sts, ch-1, turn.
If you need more of an explanation on one or more of the photos just comment the blog and I will answer you the best I can.
Also if you would like to see a tutorial on any crochet stitch or technique just let me know.




What Makes A Toy Interactive?

Question of the Week:


I recently took a pole about crochet toys. The question was which you you perfer, the cuties sit around toy or one that was interactive.


Interactive won hands down.




Now here is my qestion:


What makes a crochet toy be considered as interactive? The addition of magnets so that you can mover-exchange body parts?



Bendable Arms and Legs?A play set?



Something where each leg squeeks, music plays, etc?



Wheels that actuall roll?




Something with a purpose? Like this ring stacker?



Or ring toss game?


I can wait to read your responses!












December 16, 2008

Ribbon Candy Garland Free Crochet Pattern







RIBBON & PEPPERMINT CANDY GARLAND FREE CROCHET PATTERN

MATERIALS:

Red Heart TLC Amore yarn in White and Red Velvet, size H hook or hook to obtain gauge, needle and invisible (clear) sewing thread.

Gauge: 4 sc = 1”, 4 rows sc = 1”




PEPERMINT CANDY (1” DIAMETER):


Carry unused yarns behind sts as you work.

With white yarn and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, sc in ring, join red, drop white, sc in ring, (drop red, pick up white, sc in ring, drop white, pick up red, sc in ring) 3 times, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (8 sts)

RIBBON CANDY:

ROW 1: With White yarn and H hook ch-21, sc 2nd ch from hook, sc ea ch across, join red, fasten off white, ch-1, turn. (20 sts)

ROW 2: Sc ea st across, join white, fasten off red, ch-1, turn.

ROW 3: Sc ea st across, join red, fasten off white, ch-1, turn.

ROW 4: Rep row 3.

ROW 5: Sc ea st across, fasten off.

You can also vary the look of the ribbon candy piece by using red yarn for rows 1, 3 &5 and white yarn for rows 2 & 4.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER:

Make two of peppermint candy and 3 ribbon candy with white as row 1, 3 & 5 and 3 ribbon candy with red as row 1, 3 & 5. Fold the ribbon candy pieces into according folds and with thread and invisible thread tack to hold. Sew one circle to the tack together ribbon leaving about a 3” space between ea one. Then sew another circle to that one and a red ribbon, rep alternating ribbon colors ending with a circle.





PEPPERMINT AND RIBBON ORNAMENT:


Make a large and a small peppermint circle and one ribbon. According fold the ribbon as you did above and tack to hold. Sew large circle, ribbon, small circle tog with thread leaving 1\2” space between ea piece. Then make a loop to hang it with and sew it to the top.
Make two small peppermint circles and one ribbon. Rep as you did for the other ornament.

Pepermint Candy Ornament Free Crochet Pattern


PEPERMINT CANDY ORNAMENT FREE CROCHET PATTERN

MATERIALS:


Red Heart TLC Amore yarn in White and Red Velvet, size H hook or hook to obtain gauge, needle and invisible (clear) sewing thread.


Gauge: 4 sc = 1”, 4 rows sc = 1”


LARGE PEPERMINT CANDY (2” DIAMETER):


Carry unused yarns behind sts as you work.


With white yarn and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.


RND 1: Ch-1, sc in ring, join red, drop white, sc in ring, (drop red, pick up white, sc in ring, drop white, pick up red, sc in ring) 3 times, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)


RND 2: Sc next st, drop red, pick up white, sc sa st, (sc next st, drop white, pick up red, sc sa st, sc next st, drop red, pick up white, sc sa st) twice, sc next st, drop white, pick up red, sc sa st, drop red, pick up white, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (16 sts)


RND 3: Sc next 2 sts, (drop white, pick up red, sc next 2 sts, drop red, pick up white, sc next 2 sts) around ending, drop white, pick up red, sc last 2 sts, sl st top beg sc, fasten off.


MEDIUM PEPERMINT CANDY (1-1\2” DIAMETER):


Carry unused yarns behind sts as you work.


With white yarn and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.


RND 1: Ch-1, sc in ring, join red, drop white, sc in ring, (drop red, pick up white, sc in ring, drop white, pick up red, sc in ring) 3 times, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)


RND 2: Sc next st, drop red, pick up white, sc sa st, (sc next st, drop white, pick up red, sc sa st, sc next st, drop red, pick up white, sc sa st) twice, sc next st, drop white, pick up red, sc sa st, drop red, pick up white, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (16 sts)


SMALL PEPERMINT CANDY (1” DIAMETER):


Carry unused yarns behind sts as you work.


With white yarn and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.


RND 1: Ch-1, sc in ring, join red, drop white, sc in ring, (drop red, pick up white, sc in ring, drop white, pick up red, sc in ring) 3 times, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (8 sts)


PUTTING IT TOGETHER:


Make one of each size of peppermint candy. With thread and invisible thread sew the three circles together leaving about a 1\2” space between ea one. Make a loop of thread for the hanger and attach it to the top of the ornament.

Candy Pom-Pom Ornaments Free Crochet Pattern

CANDY POM-POM ORNAMENT FREE CROCHET PATTERN


MATERIALS:

Lion Brand Fun Fur yarns in any colors, small amount of stuffing, size F hook, needle and invisible (clear) sewing thread.

GAUGE: large is 2” diameter, medium is 1-1\2” diameter and small is 1” diameter.

LARGE POM-POM:

With fun fur and F hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 8 hdc in ring, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)

RND 2-3: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)(18 sts)

RND 4: Hdc ea st around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.

RND 5-6: (Hdc dec next 2 sts, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)(9 sts)

RND 7: Lightly stuff, hdc 1st st, (hdc dec next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg hdc, fasten off. (5 sts)

-make one.

MEDIUM POM-POM:

With fun fur and F hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 8 sc in ring, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)

RND 2: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)

RND 3: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn.

RND 4: (Sk next st, sc next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (9 sts)

RND 5: Lightly stuff, sc 1st st, (sk next st, sc next st) around, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (5 sts)

-make one

SMALL POM-POM:

With fun fur and F hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 8 sc in ring, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)

RND 2: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn.

RND 3: Lightly stuff, sc 1st st, (sk next st, sc next st) around, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (5 sts)

-make one

PUTTING IT TOGETHER:

With needle and invisible sewing thread sew large pom-pom to medium pom-pom leaving 1” of thread in-between. Sew the medium pom-pom to the small pom-pom leaving 1” of thread in-between. Make a loop of thread for hanging the ornament and sew to the top of the large pom-pom. I found that they stay better if you knot the thread on each end of each pom-pom as you sew them.

Works well as a single ornament, or string together to make a garland!

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RickRack or Zig-Zag Garland Free Crochet Pattern

RickRack or Zig-Zag Garland Free Crochet Pattern

MATERIALS:

Bernat Baby Softee yarn in Baby Blue worls weel with any yarn and size F hook.

FINISHED SIZE: 1\2” wide X 68-1\2” long

RICKRACK:

ROW 1: With yarn and F hook ch-495, 2 sc 2nd ch from hook, * sc next 4 ch, sk 2 ch, sc next 4 ch, 3 sc next ch, * rep bet ** across ending with 2 sc last ch instead of 3 sc, turn.

ROW 2: Ch-1, 2 sc 1st st, * sc next 4 sts, sk 2 sts, sc next 4 sts, 3 sc next st, * rep bet ** across ending with 2 sc in last st instead of 3 sc, fasten off.

Supper Easy, very fast to make.
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6 Inch Caroler Dolls Free Crochet Pattern


6 Inch Caroler Dolls Free Crochet Pattern

MATERIALS:

1” doll head with hands for ea Caroler, Red Heart TLC yarn in Scarlet and Celery, Lion Brand Fun Fur in White, E and H hooks, small amount of stuffing, small amount of cardboard, craft glue, needle and thread.

FINISHED SIZE: 6” tall

Gauge: 4 sc sts = 1”, 4 rows sc = 1”

BODY:

With yarn and H hook ch-3, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 6 sc in ring, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (6 sts)

RND 2: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn.

RND 3: (2 sc next st, sc next st) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (9 sts)

RND 4: (2 sc next st, sc next st) 4 times, 2 sc last st, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (14 sts)

RND 5: Rep rnd 2.

RND 6: (Sk next st, sc next 6 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)

RND 7: (Sk next st, sc next 3 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (9 sts)

RND 8: Rep rnd 2.

RND 9: 2 sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (18 sts)

RND 10: Rep rnd 3. (27 sts)

RND 11-20: Rep rnd 2. End rnd 20 fasten off.

BOTTOM:

With yarn and H hook ch-3, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 6 sc in ring, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (6 sts)

RND 2: 2 sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)

RND 3: (2 sc next st, sc next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (16 sts)

RND 4: (2 sc next st, sc next 3 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (20 sts)

Using bottom as a pattern cut one of cardboard. Stuff body, sew bottom to opening inserting cardboard as you sew.

TRIM:

ROW 1: With White Fun Fur and E hook ch-3, hdc 3rd ch from hook, ch-1, turn. (1 st)

ROW 2: Hdc only st, ch-1, turn.

Rep row 2 until piece measures 17-1\2”.

Find center of trim. With needle and thread sew center of trim to back of body’s neck, over waist and then around bottom of skirt.

SLEEVES (MAKE TWO):

With yarn and H hook ch-3, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 6 sc in ring, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (6 sts)

RND 2-6: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. End rnd 6 fasten off.

Sew one sleeve to ea side of body at shoulders. Glue hand in bottom ea sleeve.

HAT:

RND 1: With yarn and H hook ch-8, sl st to form a ring, ch-1, sc in ea ch around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)

RND 2: Sc next st, hdc next, 2 dc next 2, hdc next, sc next, 2 dc last 2 sts, join white fun fur, sl st top beg sc, turn, fasten off other yarn. (12 sts)

RND 3: (ch-3, sl st next st) around, fasten off.

Slide doll’s ponytail through opening in rnd 1 of hat. Slide hat onto head. Glue head onto neck of body. Cut a small piece of cardboard and fold in half to be the songbook. Glue book into hands.

December 09, 2008

Sunflower Rug Free Crochet Pattern

Sunflower Rug Free Crochet Pattern

This an easy pattern, great for the beginner. Basically you are just crocheting shapes and then sewing them to the rug.

MATERIALS:

Lion Brand Homespun yarns: 4 skein Waterfall, 2 skeins Colonial, 1 skein Sunshine State and small amounts of Black and Bridge Red, needle to take yarn and size N hook or hook to obtain gauge.

FINISHED SIZE: 26” X 40-1\2”

Gauge: 2 sc = 1”, 2 rows sc = 1”


RUG:

RND 1: With two strands Waterfall and N hook ch-47, sc 2nd ch from hook, sc ea ch across, ch-1, turn. (46 sts)

RND 2-75: Sc ea st across, ch-1, turn. End rnd 75 fasten off.

EDGING:

RND 1: With 2 strands Colonial and N hook join in any st on rug, ch-1, sc sa st as beg ch-1, even sc ea st and end of ea row around working (sc, ch-1, sc) in ea corner st, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (210 sts)

RND 2: Sc ea st around working (sc, ch-1, sc) in ea corner ch-1 sp, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (248 sts)

TRIANGLE EDGERS:

ROW 1: With 2 strands Colonial and N hook ch-5, sc 2nd ch from hook, sc ea ch across, ch-1, turn. (4 sts)

ROW 2: Sk 1st st, sc next 3 sts, ch-1, turn. (3 sts)

ROW 3: Sk 1st st, sc next 2 sts, ch-1, turn. (2 sts)

ROW 4: Sk 1st st, sc next st, ch-1, turn. (1 st)

ROW 5: Sc next st, fasten off.

Make 43 triangles. Keeping a 2” boarder around outer edge of rug sew on triangles alternating point up with point down.

PETAL:

ROW 1: With 2 strands Sunshine State and N hook, ch-2, sc 2nd ch from hook, ch-1, turn. (1 sts)

ROW 2: Sc, ch-1, turn.

ROW 3-4: 2 sc ea st across, ch-1, turn. (2 sts)(4 sts)

ROW 5: Sc ea st across, ch-1, turn.

ROW 6: Sk 1st st, sc next 2 sts, sl st last st, ch-1, turn. (2 sts + 1 sl st)

ROW 7: Sk sl st, sc next st, sl st next st, ch-1, turn. (1 st + 1 sl st)

ROW 8: Sk 1st sl st, sc next st, ch-1, turn. (1 st)

ROW 9: Sc, fasten off.

Make 24 petals. Arrange petals in three groups of eight on rug in a circle and sew to secure.

FLOWER CENTER:

With 2 strands Black and N hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 6 sc in ring, join Bridge Red, sl st top beg sc, do not turn, fasten off black. (6 sts)

RND 2: 2 sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (12 sts)

Make three centers. Sew one in ea center of flowers on rug.

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Snowman Faces Ornaments Free Crochet Pattern

Snowman Faces Ornaments Free Crochet Pattern
This a super easy to make pattern. It is so versatile that I even made a gift bag with them.
There are so many possibilities. I'd love to hear from anyone that comes up with something different!





MATERIALS:



4 ply yarn in Soft White, TLC Amore yarn in Scarlet and Celery, H crochet hook or hook needed to obtain gauge, 1\2” white pom-poms, Two 6mm gold jingle bells, craft glue, black and orange fabric paint, and various chenille stems.



Gauge: 4 ply yarn: 4 hdc sts = 1”, 3 rows hdc = 1”; TLC yarn: 4 hdc = 1”, 3 rows hdc = 1”.



SNOWMAN HEAD (2” DIAMETER):



With White and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.



RND 1: Ch-1, work 10 hdc in ring, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (10 sts)



RND 2: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, fasten off.



FLAT ROUND BACKING:



With TLC yarn and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.



RND 1: Ch-1, work 10 hdc in ring, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (10 sts)



RND 2: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (15 sts)



RND 3: (2 hdc next st, hdc next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn. (20 sts)



RND 4: Rep rnd 2. (30 sts)



RND 5: Rep rnd 3. End rnd 3 fasten off. (40 sts)



RUFFLED EDGED BACKING:



Rep rnd 1-3 of flat round backing.



RND 4: Ch-3, (2 dc next st, 3 dc next st) around, sl st top beg ch-3, turn. (50 sts)



RND 5: (Ch-3, sl st next st, ch-4, sl st next st) around, fasten off.



To make contrasting edging fasten off rnd 4. Join new color and work rnd 5.



MAKING THE ORNAMENTS:



Round backed: Glue one made snowman face in the center of the flat round backing and the ruffled round backing. Add a loop for hanging.






Tree: Sew or glue 3 snowmen faces tog in a row. On top of that sew or glue two snowmen faces. On top of that sew or glue one snowman face. If you like sew or glue a miniature star ornament to the top snowman face. Sew or glue the stem to the bottom row of faces.





To make stem you neede brown 4 ply yarn and H hook.


Row 1: Ch-5, hdc 3rd ch from hook, hdc next 2 ch, ch-1, turn. (3 sts) Row 2-3: 2 hdc next st, hdc ea st across, ch-1, turn. End row 3 fasten off. (4 sts)(5 sts)




Bow Tie: Cut one chenille stem in half. Twist into a bow. Add small bells to ea end and glue to front of snowman face. Add a loop for hanging.






Squiggle Star: Cut 3 chenille stems in half. Fan fold leaving a straight tail at the top and bottom. Make five of these. Glue to the back of snowman face. Glue white pom-poms to ea end. Add a loop for hanging.











Star: Cut chenille stems into five 5” pieces. Fold the cut pieces in half. Arrange into a star and glue snowman face to front. Add a loop for hanging. You can also layer the finished star onto a plain crochet round for yet another look.











Curly-Q: Fold two of 2 different colored stems in half. Wrap around a pencil to coil. Arrange on a flat surface and glue snowman face to center. Add a loop for hanging. You can also layer the finished ornament onto a plain crochet round for yet another look.












Three in a Row: Twist tog two different colored chenille stems. Loop one end for the hanger. Glue three snowman faces down the length of the twisted stems.



I hope you have a wonderful Holiday!

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