Pages

Free crochet patterns: Baby’s Gone’a Hunting Set

You’ll surely want to check out the free patterns for this crocheted baby hunter set, made up of the Jacket, Hat / Cap, Ugg Booties, and Mitts!
10-14-2014 edit:  Since I made this project in 2011, the designer started charging for the hat.  It's worth it!  But here is a free pattern that is almost identical - it just has a band of shell stitch on it, but it would be simple to just keep working the hdc instead of the shells:  Earflap hat - Friendly Skies 
This was posted before but not very well, with all the pics, so here it is again - it's too cute to miss out on!

Free crochet patterns - Baby's Hunting Set
Free crochet pattern - Baby Hunting set - Ugg Boot
Free crochet pattern - Baby Hunting Hat
This too-adorable-for-words set was made for my grandson.  But I was a brand-NEW grandma, and so confused on sizes!.  The jacket will fit 6 mos.  The mitts 3 mos.  The booties newborn, but needed to be bigger – he had big feet!  The hat needed to be bigger!  What a fiasco!  Well, live and learn.
And I did! Smile
Free crochet pattern - Baby Hunting Mitts

But if you know the right sizes, this is a FUN, easy set to make!  Just click the pics to find the free patterns, and be sure to look at my notes there.

If you make any of these, please show me;  I'd love to see!

Until next time!

#free #crochet #patterns #baby #hunting

Free crochet granny square patterns: August 2014BAMCAL #1

As usual, the free crochet patterns via the 2014 BAM CAL group on Ravelry for this month made me smile!  (Said it before, but, yes, they really do)!  I learn something new with every one of them, and the variety of designs is so interesting.

It's already the middle of August (where does time GO?)!  Here are three granny squares crocheted for my afghan.

Free Crochet Pattern - Eve's Coverlet Granny Square
Eve's Coverlet Granny Square
Main 12"

Each month in this CAL there are three free crochet patterns:  (2) 12" and (1) 6" granny squares. 

One 12" square is chosen by the moderator; it is called the Main 12" square.  For the other two squares, anyone that wants to, nominates their favorites, and then they are voted on by the group. The 12" square voted on by the group is called the Filler 12" square.  The 6" is just called the 6" square.

Of course, anyone can do more or less - or other blocks.  There are no crochet police here!

Free Crochet Pattern - Thoughts of Spring Granny Square
Thoughts of Spring Granny Square
Filler 12"
Above and to the left are the two 12" squares, but using Simply Soft yarn and a G hook, I make 9" blocks.  Even then sometimes I still need to add rows.  (SS yarn is such a thin worsted, and looks best - to me, anyway - with a G hook, which is often smaller than what the pattern calls for).
Free Crochet Pattern - Eve's Coverlet Granny Square
Eve's Coverlet Close-up



(Click on the pics for info, including the link to the patterns & notes)


This is the 6" square. It was fun to do, and the pattern instructions were very clear.  I added 3 more rows to make 6".  (You won't have to add rows if you don't use Simply Soft yarn, and use the hook the pattern called for).  But, info for the extra rounds is in my notes if you need them!  


Until next time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~

#crochet #free #patterns #granny

Free crochet granny square patterns: July 2014BAMCAL

The month of July came and went, and two more granny squares  have been crocheted for my afghan.  The free crochet patterns for these blocks via the 2014BAMCAL group on Ravelry every month always make me smile!  (Yes, they really do).  So fun to do, I learn something new with every one of them, and the variety of designs is so interesting.
(Click on the pics for info, including the link to the patterns) 
The free crochet patterns are for 12" squares. (Each month also has a 6" square but I skipped that one this month).

Free Crochet Pattern - Whimsical Block Granny Square
Free Crochet Pattern - Posie Field Granny Square
Whimsical Block by 
Black Sheep Creations
Posie Field by Melissa Green
I make 9" squares by using Caron Simply Soft yarn and a size G hook.  (SS yarn is such a thin worsted, and looks best - to me, anyway - with a G hook, which is often a smaller hook than what the pattern calls for).  It's rare that a 12" pattern is designed with SS yarn, so it works out well.  Even then, occasionally I still need to add rows, which I always put in my notes on my project page on Ravelry; it helps the next time the square is made!

Until next time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~

#free #crochet #patterns #granny

Crochet Challenge: Try a new technique

One simple task per week and your skills, style and knowledge will evolve while you're having fun!  Just click the "Are you Ready?!" button on the sidebar to get started.

Week 22 challenge (07-30-14):   Try a new crochet technique this week. It's your choice: felting, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, tunisian, thread crochet, etc.

Years (and years) ago, I worked on an afghan made with the tunisian afghan knit stitch using a long solid afghan hook.  Dear daughter #2 has put in a request for an afghan done in the same stitch, with a butterfly design x-stitched on it.

 Butterflies in Flight Tunisian Stitch Afghan(This is not my afghan).  It is a pic on the cover of the pattern.  It is what I hope mine will look like!  (Click the pic for more info).

Actually this will be two new techniques:  (1) X-stitching on crochet fabric, and, (2) because of the number of years ago and needing to use a flexible hook (with the cable on the end), I'm calling doing the tunisian a new technique.

The pattern in the book says I'll do the "afghan knit stitch".  However, the instructions given are for the "afghan" or "simple" stitch.   When looking online for information, the knit stitch was also being referred to as the "afghan" or "simple" stitch, or used to be, so it is confusing, because the two are actually different.  To find out which is what, the following examples are from About.com (the one I'm doing is the one on the right):

Tunisian:  The Test and the Tantrum

Here are four practice rows.  There are 187 stitches on the hook.  It was harder than I remember!  It's not hard mentally.  What's hard is getting used to the "new" physically.

Image - Beginning rows of Tunisian Simple Stitch on Flexible HookIt is different using a flexible hook instead of a solid one.  At least as far as my feeble memory recalls.  Yarn covers the entire hook, so it can't be twisted or maneuvered, because it slips underneath the yarn.  The cable has a mind of it's own and wants to flop in the direction it was packaged in.  And getting used to the different hold makes the fingers and hands cramp.  Waah.
Pic of Susan Bates Flexible Afghan Crochet Hook
I bought a Susan Bates 22" flexible hook, but the cable's stiff and wants to do it's own thing.  I was a bit disappointed that it did not have the in-line style of their regular hooks.


Knitter's Pride Flexible Tunisian Afghan Crochet hookKnitter's Pride cable for flexible Tunisian afghan hookThis Knitter's Pride hook is on order and may be a bit better.  A single hook can be ordered, along with the cable. According to reviews the cable isn't as stiff.   We'll see!

Caron Tulip Carry T Flexible Tunisian Afghan Hook SetComments from a few on A Ravelry Tunisian Crochet group (link below) say the Caron Tulip Carry T hooks that have a swivel on the cable end are ideal (on the right in the pink case).  But the whole set has to be ordered, which is too much of an investment right now.  (I'm still drooling, though)!

Taming Tunisian

Ravelry - Tunisian Crochet group is a good source to ask questions.  There, and a number of other sources, confirmed the obvious, and offered info on the not-so-obvious (as far as learning to work the tunisian stitch and hook).

Obvious:  Patience and practice will get the hands in shape.  (But mommy, I want it to be easy)!
Not-so-obvious:  A lot of it is actually mental.  Being new and awkward makes muscles tense and tighten up without even realizing it.  Stopping and saying "relax your hands" - and then doing it - actually helps a lot.  Another "newbie" verified he was doing the same thing.  And BREATHE!  That last one may sound silly, but it's amazing how much I was holding my breath!
Not-so-obvious:  I hold the hook like a "knife". Fortunately (I found out), holding the hook like a knife instead of a pencil is a good thing because only minor adjustments with moving the hook, and throwing the yarn on the hook are needed.  I read comments from people that hold regular hooks like a pencil have had to learn to hold tunisian hooks with the knife grip.

Have you done Tunisian Crochet?  
I'd love to hear your experience, tips and see some pics!

Until next time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's never too late to join the 52 Week Crochet Challenge by Julie at Red Berry Crochet!
One simple task per week - your skills, style & knowledge will evolve by just having fun! 


#crochet #tunisian