Sunday, May 22, 2011

Petal Perfection


Sage & Cream Petal Stitch Afghan Pattern

Since I don't have the pattern to say what the name of the stitch is, I will just call it the petal stitch.  I'm not sure how else to describe it, but it reminds me of how rose petals poke out.  Here are the directions I was able to come up with tonight based on the purple afghan I just made.  The original has fringe on both ends and I have used it on some of the blankets, but not everyone likes fringe.  If you want it, just cut 6 (12") strands per chain space on top and bottom of afghan and knot around chain.

Petal Stitch Afghan


Finished size: 44" wide x 56" tall
Hook size: F
Gauge: 4 DC & 2 Rows = 1"
Materials: 6 Skeins Red Heat Super Saver Yarn


Chain 153
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook
            Ch 3, DC within sc just made 
            Skip 2 ch sp, SC in next ch sp
            This completes the first Petal Stitch
          

This completes your first petal
***Ch 3, DC within sc just made, sk 2 ch sp, sc in next ch sp *** 
Repeat from  *** across ending in sc in last ch sp.
Ch 1; turn

Row 2: ***Sc in sc space, Ch 3, DC within sc just made, SC in next sc space.***
Repeat accross ending in sc, ch 1; turn

Repeat row 2 until desired height.  I worked 195 rows for 56" in height.





How to's

I am going to start posting directions on how to do different stitches.  As soon as I get a my camera charged, one will be posted.  I have had several people tell me they want to learn to crochet, so I thought I would help them out.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Free Pattern






This is a pattern I have used for quite a few years.  All of these afghans were made with this pattern.  Though they have changed the name from what I have, the pattern is still the same.  It is easy to use and fun to do.  Click on this link for the free pattern:  Country Cozy Afghan Pattern

#98 Afghan

This is my #98 - Wooo Hooo!!! The color pattern didn't turn out like I had imagined it, but it will be great for the person it was made for. 

Thursday, May 19, 2011

2 toned Pink & Blue Shell Brook Afghan

I have finally completed this afghan and am going to try and sell it in my etsy shop.  Not bad for left over yarn :) http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatesCraftsnMore

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Light & Lacy Afghan

Light & Lacy Afghan


     Size: 50" x 66"
     Materials: 31 oz any 4ww yarn
     Hook Size: J
     Gauge: In pat: 1 rep of 10 sts = 3"
                           6 rows = 3"

Instructions:
     Ch 167
     Row 1 (Right Side): Dc in 4th ch from hook and next 3 ch,
     *ch 2, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 2 ch, dc in next 5 ch;*
     rep from * across; turn
     Row 2: Ch 3, skip first dc, dc in next 4 dc,
     *ch 3 sl st in sc, ch 3, dc in next 5 dc;
     rep from * across, working last dc in top of ch-3; turn
     Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first 5 dc,
     *ch 5, sc in next 5 dc;
     rep from * across, working last sc in top of ch-3; turn
     Row 4: Ch 3, skip first sc, dc in next 4 sc,
     *ch 2, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 2, dc in next 5 sc;
     rep from * across; turn

     Rep  Rows 2-4 for pat until approx. 66" from beg, ending with Row 2 instructions
     Fasten off.

     Fringe: Knot two 12" strands in each dc across top and bottom edges; trim

     Care Instructions:
          Machine wash 2 min.  Spin dry thoroughly.  Tumble dry at low heat about 5 min.
          Do Not bleach.  Do not stretch or hang to dry.  Do not dry in direct sunlight.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

April 2011 Drawing Afghan


Vaylene Perry was the winner of the April drawing.  She wanted a red and white baby afghan.  I think it turned out great and hope she will enjoy it. I completed this blanket in just over a week...not to bad :)

Saturday, May 7, 2011

April Drawing Afgan

So, the winner of my April drawing was Vaylene Perry.  She was able to choose the colors and pattern of her afghan.  This is what she decided on.  I did not like this pattern the first time I used it, but after 2 or 3, it's alot easier to do now.  I will post pictures when it is complete.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Small Butterfly

As I was making the Flowered headbands for my teenage daughter, I wanted to do something different and cute for my little toddlers.  I love butterflies, so this is what I came up with.  I just left a chain on the back, so it can slide on a headband, or I can use a clip.  My other idea for them is to hang some sheer material from the ceiling above their beds to make a canopy and then pin a few butterflies to the material.  I haven't gotten all the materials to complete this project, but that is something I want to accomplish this summer. 

Materials: yarn and pipe cleaner

Directions:
Chain 6 and slip stich in the first chain to form a ring. 
Chain 3, 4 DC, Chain 3, slipstitch in ring (1st inner wing)
Chain 3, 4 DC, Chain 3, slipstitch in ring (2nd inner wing)
Chain 3, 2 Tr, Chain 3, slipstitch in top of last Tr (to form point)

2 Tr, Chain 3, slipstitch in ring
Chain 3, 2 Tr, Chain 3, sl st in top of last Tr, 2 Tr, Chain 3
Slip stitch in ring
2 sl st in original ch 3
12 DC in between 2nd & 3rd DC of wing



Sl st in space between wings


2 Sl st in Ch 3 sp, 12 DC in between 2nd & 3rd DC of next wing
Sl st in space between wings
Chain 3, turn butterfly over and sl st directly accross between wings. 
Fasten off
Insert Pipe cleaner and shape



Large Butterflies

A friend and I made these butterflies 22 years ago.  We put a treat with them and gave them to kids in the hospital.  I don't know where the original pattern came from, but here is the pattern I have used this last month.  These are cute to hang on the wall as decor, or glue a magnet to the back to put on your fridge for a springtime touch.  My toddlers also like to play with them.





Materials: yarn and 1 pipe cleaner
Size: 3" tall x 4" wide
Note: (*ch 2 counts as 1 DC)

Directions:
Round 1:
     Chain 8 and join together with a slip stich,
     Chain 2,
     2 DC in ring, chain 1,
     * 3 DC, ch 1 (in ring)* Repeat *to* until you have 8 clusters total
     slip stitch in first ch 2 to connect.
Round 2:
     Chain 2 and turn
     2 DC, CH 1, 3 DC in first ch1 space
     3DC, CH 1, 3Dc in each of the next CH1 spaces
     slip stitch to the beginning ch 2 to connect
Round 3:
     CH 1, turn
     SC in CH1 space
     **10 DC in next CH1 space then
     SC in next CH1 space ** repeat **to** around
     End with sl st in beginning CH1 space. Fasten off and weave in ends.
     Fold in half and insert pipe cleaner in hole of butterfly as shown in photos below.