Crochet Challenge: Join a crochet group

Week 30 (09-24-14):  Fall is a great time to meet up with hookers.  Join a crochet group, local or online.  Check out the CGOA Chapter list or find a group on Ravelry.

Sadly there are no CGOA chapters anywhere close, but happily, there are lots of groups online!  Ravelry, of course, is the best there is.  Within Ravelry, there are groups for everyone, as long as it's related to knit, crochet, yarn, thread, etc.  It's amazing!

I belong to 15 groups within Ravelry (there are probably hundreds of them - like is said there are groups for EVERYONE) --- some CALs (crochet alongs), designer groups, even an organization group for all that yarn, works-in-progress, patterns, hooks/needles, etc.

And last but not least..... the 52 Week Crochet Challenge group that spurs this post (which I also found on Ravelry)!

You can see the groups I belong to HERE.  They're on the left hand side; just click their icon to find out more about them.

So, don't be alone!  Let's crochet together!

Until next time!
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It's never too late to join the 52 Week Crochet Challenge by Julie at Red Berry Crochet!

Free Crochet Pattern: Quick Cozy Scoodie

Designed for a friend moving to chilly Pennsylvania, this pattern is an easy, quick, warm, thick, cozy, scoodie (combined scarf and hood).

There is a nice neck piece to tuck in or out, and long scarves to wrap around and tie or cover the face and keep the nose from turning into a popsicle.

The pattern is for an adult size, but smaller sizes are easy to make by using a smaller hook, fewer strands of yarn, or leaving off rows.  Photos showing measurements and illustrating pattern instructions are provided.

It is made using a large hook and 3 strands of yarn for the hood, and 2 strands of yarn for the scarf. It has the pretty, cushy texture of the easy aligned cobble stitch, and lots of customization possibilities.

If another worsted / aran yarn is used instead of Caron Simply Soft, you will probably need to use smaller hooks, or else sub 2 strands of yarn for the hood and 1 strand for the scarf.

Hooks: Size N (10.00 mm) and Size P (11.50 mm)

Stitches used: ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr

DOWNLOAD PATTERN HERE, or copy and paste this link:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paulas-quick-cozy-scoodie
(Scroll down to notes and click "free Ravelry download")

I'd love to see a pic of your scoodie!

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Until next time!

Free crochet pattern - Yip Yip Martian Alien

Yip Yips - The Aliens from Mars on Sesame Street

Cute and adorable free crochet pattern for my favorite Sesame Street characters - the Martians - AKA Yip Yips!  Almost 60 and I still laugh when I see them.  If you haven't had the pleasure - take a look at this short video for yourself:

So I made one.  I played with him, pretending he was looking around at things, saying, "yip yip yip yip yip".  My daughter rolled her eyes and said I didn't have much of a life.  It was grand fun!

This is Yip Yip #1.  He got in his flying saucer and flew to live with a friend that makes afghans for charities.  He sits on her chair while she crochets.

So I made another one.  But Yip Yip #2 flew away to stay with my 3 yr old grandson so fast I didn't get a picture of him!  3 yr old grandson wouldn't turn loose of him after he watched the video!

 Soooo.....I'm making another one.  But he's going to go with my daughter - you know, the one that rolled her eyes.  So she can roll her eyes some more.  Yip Yips are fascinated by rolling eyes.

Then I'll make another one for ME.  Hopefully he'll stay with me a while.  He will be my "yarn end monster" mascot, to cheer me on when I have a bazillion yarn ends to weave in.  He looks like he'd be good for that, doesn't he?

Here's the link to the free crochet pattern where you can make one too.

I'd love to see a pic of yours!  

Yip Yip Alien by Writers of wikiHow

(Click "free Ravelry download" toward the bottom).

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Until next time!

Challenge: Crochet to music & celebrate the first day of fall

Week 28 (09-10-14):  Do you listen to audio books or music when you crochet?  If yes, tell us what or who you've enjoyed the most.  If not, give it a try.
Week 29 (09-17-14):  Celebrate the First Day of Fall (Sept 22) crocheting some leaves, or by using Fall colors in a project..

I combined two weeks and listened to music while I crocheted a fall project.  Instead of fall colored leaves, I chose the flower I love seeing in the fall - the pansy, along with the pansy leaves.

The pansy pattern is Pretty Pansies
by Terry Kimbrough
from Leisure Arts #100318, Afghans for All Seasons, Book 1.

The pansy leaf pattern is free and can be found here:  Pansy Leaf - Crocheted Leaf Pattern.  I modified it just a bit so the tips would come to a slight point.  (Click the pic for my notes on what I did).


As for the music part of the challenge:

I don't listen to audio books when I crochet.  I'd be too distracted with audio books, following the story, so I watch old movies on TV instead.  The only time I crochet to music is when riding in the car.

In trying to decide what music to listen to, I saw a post by Kathryn from Crochet Concupiscence discussing "crochet music" on her blog.  You could knock me over with a feather - oh my gosh, who knew there were songs that had crochet in them!

So instead of just listening to music as I crocheted, I listened to music about crochet while I crocheted!

Please go and listen and watch the music videos!  Absolutely fascinating.  Warning:  put your "music judgement" on the back burner and understand that while you may not like punk or some of the other genres, that this is a modern history lesson on crochet in songs!

Listen to the music and watch the music videos:  Songs About Crochet and Other Music for Crafting

Be sure to stop and watch the music videos.  I'll never look at a thrift shop the same again!

Until next time!
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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 while you're having fun! 

See more challenges

#crochet #pansy #leaves

Free crochet pattern: Perfect Hot Pads

If you want to crochet a pot holder / hot pad that is going to be the most used one in the house, this may be it.

This is the work horse --- the potholder reached for when you're doing serious, no- nonsense cooking.  There is a reason generations have made potholders with this stitch.

The Stitch

The stitch used is called the single crochet thermal stitch; also called the “potholder stitch”, honeycomb stitch (from the early 1900’s), Helena’s potholder stitch, double thick stitch, Siberian stitch, and waffle weave technique.

The Tips

This is a very easy stitch to learn.  All it is, is single crochet - you just put the hook in different loops.

The first 3 rows are hardest, only as far as knowing the beginning and end stitches to work into - they can get kind of hidden.  Just put a stitch marker in those stitches right when you make them and it will save headaches and let you see right where they are. Otherwise, your potholder may take on a pyramid or slanted square shape!  After row 5 it’s no problem, but keep using the markers if you need to.

This stitch is not very speedy, but remember that is because it is making a double thickness.  It is what you want for a potholder or hot pad and the end result is worth it.

The pattern calls for an H-8 (5 mm) hook.  I used a G-6 (4 mm) hook for a closer weave, but don't believe that it was necessary.

The Lowdown

 This is a very nice, thick, well-shaped, sturdy potholder that will last a LONG time and one I would be proud to give as a gift to anyone.

The Pattern

Pattern with photos:  The Best Crocheted Potholder, by Heather Tucker  (Has link to a video for more help, if needed).

Crochet Challenge: National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Week 27 (09-03-14):  September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month.  Sign up for a library card this week and/or check out a crochet book and tell us what you think.

Answer:  I live in a rural area and so do not have access to a free public library.  They charge a fee to use it.  Kind of aggravating, actually.  What about all the kids in the country that want to use a library?  grrr!

Anyway, here are a few from my mini-library of crochet books, and I do peruse them all the time for inspiration or instruction.  Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned book!

Until next time!
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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 while you're having fun! 

See more challenges

#crochet #library #books