Jump into your Holiday Projects NOW and finish them in time!

Crochet for the Holidays

Take advantage of this Awesome 

Makers' Black Friday sale from Craftsy!  

This weekend only 8/18 - 8/20 2017

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Diamond Christmas Tree Skirt

I know, I know...you aren't ready to think about the holidays just yet.  It does seem early and for some small projects, you have plenty of time.  What about the larger projects?  Every year, it happens!  Every year people start to crochet their own personal Christmas tree skirt late in the season and then get frustrated because they don't get them finished in time to use around their tree. It's happened to me!  Has it happened to you?

Let's kick it in gear and get ahead of the game this year by starting now!
I've recently had the pleasure of working with Craftsy on a couple of crochet kits and I think you'll love working with their Sprightly yarn.  The kits include the pattern and the materials needed to make it which is fantastic!  They have a beautiful selection of colors and the Acrylic is nice and soft.  You can find my Diamond Christmas Tree Skirt and my Classic Cable Star Christmas Tree Skirt patterns in their kit section now.

Diamond Christmas Tree Skirt crochet pattern by Crafting Friends Designs

If you're ready for a great deal, be sure to take advantage of their Makers' Black Friday Lowest Prices of the Year this weekend only.  They have so many amazing classes and beautiful products that you're sure to find several you like. 

Classic Cable Star Christmas Tree Skirt by Crafting Friends Designs

I crochet at a pretty decent speed and on average, I can make a tree skirt in about 16 hours. If you have time to sit down and whip one up in a weekend then you have no need to worry.  If you only have a little bit of time each day/week to crochet, don't stress - start now and pace yourself to even working 1 row each day until the tree skirt is complete.  You'll be so happy and relieved that you did.


If you like Christmas tree skirts, you may also like:

TriSquare Swirl Christmas Tree Skirt

Christmas Pine Tree Skirt

Christmas Pine Tree Skirt

Peppermint Swirl Christmas Tree Skirt

Beautifully Textured Christmas Tree Skirt

Beautifully Textured Christmas Tree Skirt

CAL Section 9: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL

Section 9: Pebbles

Hello everyone.  For those who are following this CAL through email, I apologize for being a little late with this weeks section.  We were camping for a family reunion and I didn't have any type of service.  I hope you were able to enjoy your weekend too and get through section 8!

This week, we're working the pebbles section again to add a little more texture.  Your afghan should be a pretty decent size by now and it's sure coming in handy as I like to crochet at night and the nights are getting cooler here in northern Utah.  

Let's get going on Section 9!

If you're just finding this CAL and would like to join, you can find all the details HERE in the very first post: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

CAL Section 8: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL

Section 8: Zig Zag Double String

Welcome to section 8!  This week, we're going to work the Zig Zag Double String stitch again so you should be able to complete this in a jiffy. 

If you're just seeing this post and want to join, you can find the details & schedule on the first post found HERE: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

(c) 2017 Copyright by Kate Wagstaff of Crafting Friends Designs

Stitches:

ch - chain
st(s) - stitch(es)

sc - single crochet

hdc - half double crochet

dc - double crochet

Continue with White

Rows 57-58: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across (205 hdc)

With Color (Shocking Pink)

Row 59: (RS) Ch 1, turn, sc in very first st, *ch 5, skip next 5 sts, sc in next st,* repeat from *to* across (34 ch-5, 35 sc)

Row 60: Ch 1, turn, sc in very first st, *ch 5, skip next ch-5, sc in next sc,* repeat from *to* across (34 ch-5, 35 sc)

Row 61: Ch 1, turn, sc in very first st, *ch 7, skip next ch-5, sc in next sc,* repeat from *to* across (34 ch-7, 35 sc)

CAL Section 7: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL

Section 7: Zig Zag stitch

If you're working this afghan in the size that I did, this section is your 1/2 way point.  It is always a great feeling to bet here and know that you're so much closer to completing your project!

We are just working the Zig Zag stitch again though I chose to keep this center section my neutral color to keep the blanket equal.  I know you're a pro at this stitch so let's jump right into it!

Stitches:

ch - chain

st(s) - stitch(es)

sc - single crochet

hdc - half double crochet

dtr - double treble crochet

Special Stitches: 3-dtr Cluster & Double 3-dtr Cluster

(If you need a refresher on how to work the stitches, you can find the photo tutorial here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/cal-section-one-zig-and-zag-afghan.html)

Continue with White

Rows 53-54: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across (205 hdc)

Rows 55: Ch 5 (counts as dtr so you will skip the very first st), turn, skip next 2 sts, work 3-dtr Cluster in next st, ch 4, *work double 3-dtr Cluster, ch 4,* repeat from *to* across to last 3 sts, work 3-dtr Cluster in same st as last st made, skip next 2 sts, dtr in end st

Row 56: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dtr, 5 sc around next ch-4, *sc in next double 3-dtr Cluster, 5 sc around next ch-4,* repeat from *to* across to last 2 sts, skip next 3-dtr Cluster, sc in last dtr (205 sc) 

Section 8 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/08/cal-section-8-zig-and-zag-afghan.html 

If you'd like to work at your own pace, the ad free pdf of this afghan is available to purchase HERE on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-zig-and-a-zag-afghan-cal

You can follow me on these sites:

Craftsy: www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/17685

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/CraftingFriendsDesig

Email: craftingfriends4you@yahoo.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftingFriendsDesigns

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/531832953690041/

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kate-wagstaff

Website: www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com

CAL Section 6: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL

Section 6: Zig Zag Double String

Wow!  Is your summer flying by fast like mine?  Can you believe that you're just about 1/2 way finished with a full sized afghan?  I am so glad you decided to join me!

This week, I'm introducing you to the last new stitch in our A Zig and A Zag crochet - a - long.  This is the Zig Zag Double String stitch and it's another quick one to work.  I chose to work my section in a single color.  It would be great in different colors too, so have fun with it and be creative!  After this section, you are welcome to complete your project on your own with the stitches we've learned to make it completely your own OR you can continue to join me each week as we work the sections back to the beginning to have a balanced afghan.  

If you're just joining us and would like to start your own project, you can find all the details in the beginning post HERE: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

Give yourself a pat on the back for all your hard work to this point, grab your yarn and crochet hook and let's enjoy this new stitch together.  

Stitches/Abbreviations

ch - chain
st(s) - stitch(es)
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
RS - right side
WS - wrong side

CAL Section 5: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag Afghan CAL

Section 5: Pebbles crochet stitch

Can you believe that we're already on week 5?  I hope you have enjoyed the crochet stitches so far!  This week, we're going to add some texture to our afghans by using a simple combination of treble and single crochets. 

Pebbles 

If you are just joining us, you can find the beginning of this CAL HERE:  http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

Stitches/Abbreviations:

ch - chain

st(s) - stitch(es)

sc - single crochet

hdc - half double crochet

dc - double crochet

tr - treble crochet

WS - Wrong Side

RS - Right Side

CAL Section 4: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag Afghan Crochet-A-Long

Section 4: Triangle Mesh crochet stitch

A Zig and A Zag Afghan  

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful week filled with lots of yarn and crochet time.  This week we will be adding the Triangle Mesh crochet stitch to our afghan. This stitch is a quick one to work up since it's more open than the others we've worked.

If you are just joining us, you can find the beginning of this CAL HERE:  http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

Stitches/Abbreviations:

ch - chain

st(s) - stitch(es)

sc - single crochet

hdc - half double crochet

dc - double crochet

tr - treble crochet

WS - Wrong Side

RS - Right Side

CAL Section 3: Wave and Chevron Crochet Stitch

Wave & Chevron Crochet Stitch

A Zig and A Zag CAL week #3

Welcome to week 3 everyone!  I hope you had as much fun with the Brick Stitch as I do when working it.  It's kind of an addicting stitch!  Thank you to all those who are sharing your progress photos with me on Facebook and in projects on Ravelry.  The colors you've chosen are all looking great!

A Zig and A Zag CAL Section #3 - Wave & Chevron stitch

This week, we'll learn the Wave & Chevron stitch.  This stitch can form a couple of different looks when switching colors on different rows.  I wanted to show a simple chevron by using a darker color on the smaller stitch rows.  If you were to continue working more rows of this stitch on a different project, you could have a really fun wavy pattern by switching colors on different rows.  

Let's get started hooking!If you're just finding this CAL and would like to join, you can find all the details HERE in the very first post: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

CAL Section Two: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

Welcome to week 2 of the "A Zig and A Zag" Afghan CAL.  I hope you had fun learning and working the Zig Zag stitch from section. If you're just finding this CAL and would like to join, you can find all the details HERE in the very first post: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html


This week, we're going to work one of my favorite stitches to work.  I learned this as the "Brick Stitch" when I was young though I've seen it called by other names.  Because of the slant of this stitch, it makes a fun ziggy zaggy design when working multiple colors. 
This is also the stitch used for C2C afghans so you may have already worked this stitch but we are going to work it in straight rows for this design.  

Are you ready to have some fun with more color?  Grab your hook and yarn and let's get stitching!!!

CAL Section One: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL Section One

Welcome to the "A Zig and A Zag" Afghan CAL and thanks for joining me!  This week (June 19-24, 2017) we will be working on the first section of our afghan.  This section is 7 rows and we use the "Zig Zag" crochet stitch.  

If you're just seeing this post and want to join, you can find the details & schedule on the first post found HERE: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

(c) 2017 Copyright by Kate Wagstaff of Crafting Friends Designs

Notes:

1. Beginning ch 2 does not count as a hdc
2. Photos showing stitch placement are referenced as P1, P2, P3 etc.
3. When changing colors, do so in the last step of the last stitch of the row before the color change
4. This afghan is set up as a stitch sampler style and sections can be worked in any order to create your own personal style.  If switching up the sections, be sure to start the color sections as noted for Right Side and Wrong sides for best results.  This means you may need to add an extra row of hdc in order to keep the colorwork on the correct side.

Stitches/Abbreviations:
st(s) - stitch(es),    ch - chain,     YO - yarn over,  sc - single crochet, hdc - half double crochet, dc - double crochet,  tr - treble crochet,  dtr - double treble crochet, RS - right side, WS - wrong side   

Foundation Chain: If you’re unfamiliar with how to work foundation chains, this photo tutorial may help http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2014/12/hdc-chainless-foundation.html

Double Treble (dtr): YO 3x, insert hook in indicated st, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)4x

3-dtr Cluster (uses 1 st): *YO 3x, insert hook in indicated st, YO and pull up a loop, (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)3x* repeat from *to* 2x (see P1), YO and pull through all 4 loops on hook

P1. 3-dtr Cluster

Double 3-dtr Cluster(uses 6 sts): *[YO 3x, insert hook in same st as last st made, YO and pull up a loop, (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)3x], repeat from [to] 2 x, (4 loops on hook), YO 3x, skip next 5 sts, insert hook in next st, YO and pull up a loop, (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)3x (5 loops on hook), repeat from [to] 2x (see P2), YO and pull through all 7 loops on hook (see P3)

P2. double 3-dtr Cluster

P3. double 3-dtr Cluster complete