Thursday, November 16, 2017

10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event Day 5. Nature is AMAZING!

I'm so happy you're following our  10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event!  I hope that you've been able to get to know us a little more through our Thanksgiving posts.  We have enjoyed reading all the things you are thankful for too so thank you for interacting and letting us get to know you!



If you're seeing this event for the first time, here's what what we're up to...
Each day, we're sharing with you a different theme of things we're thankful for AND we'll have different patterns for just $1 for 48 hours. 

Simply click on the photo for the pattern you'd like, add the pattern to your cart, click on "use a coupon code", enter code 10THANKS and select "apply".  Verify that your total for that pattern is just $1 prior to checking out. 
Refunds will not be given so please make sure your total is correct before you check out

Today, I get to share with you my love of nature and some fun crochet patterns and a new pattern release. 


10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event Day 4 Happy Holidays!

Day 4 of our 10 Days of Crochet Event is brought to you by Snappy Tots
Take some time to enjoy her post and find out how you can get some holiday crochet patterns for just $1 each.
http://snappy-tots.com/10-days-thanksgiving-day-4-holidays/


Today, we're thankful for holidays.  I love the Thanksgiving and Christmas season!  I love the change of weather, I love that people are thinking of others more than usual and I love the family time that we get to spend together.  

One of our family traditions is old fashioned homemade candy during the holidays.  It's one of those things where the recipe is more of "a little of this and a dash of that" and you just learn it and make it until you get it right.  My aunt always made fudge, penuche and Boston cream candy every holiday season.  It would take HOURS for 1 small batch to be made and you could eat it all in a few minutes.  I coaxed her into walking me through the recipes and it took a while to get them down but I'm thankful that I get to carry on with that tradition.  

I wish each of you a wonderful holiday season and hope that it is overflowing with love and kindness 💗

For more Christmas Decor options, click HERE

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event Day 3 - Don't miss this one!!!

It's Day 3 of the 10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event and I think you're going to LOVE today's crochet pattern sale!

Yesterday was all about Service and we offered these fun patterns for just $1 and let you know about some wonderful charities that we've been (or plan on being) involved with.  You can read all about it HERE and get a direct link to each of the pattern offers.  (Day 2 offer expires today 11/15 @ 11:59pm)


10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event Day 2 offer

Don't forget to take advantage of the special FREE pattern offer in my post from yesterday!  
http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/11/10-days-of-thanksgiving-crochet-event_14.html

Today is all about health  💓
Sweet Potato 3 Patterns is spot-lighting today's theme AND it's her Birthday.  YAY!!!  So hop on over to her post HERE to find out more about what she's thankful for, get a quick link to each pattern offer and to celebrate with her.

Here is a sneak peek of today's $1 patterns

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event Day 2

Thank you so much for joining us for the 10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event!  It is so amazing to see all of you commenting and we sincerely are thankful for you.

If you missed day 1, be sure to check out the first post to find out how you can get these crochet patterns for just $1.  This offer expires today 11/14/17 at 11:59pm so hurry and take advantage of it while you can!
http://ambassadorcrochet.com/2017/11/13/thanksgiving-family/


 Day 1 (11/13/17)

Day 2 is all about Service.  There are SO many wonderful opportunities to offer service through our love of crochet.  We've pulled together a few that we support and would love to hear of other service projects that you have worked on or are working on. 

Click HERE to be taken to the DAY 2 post where you can find out which patterns are offered for just $1 today AND maybe find some new service projects that you'd love to join. 

Here's a sneak peek of the patterns

AND......

A special off JUST for you!  

Monday, November 13, 2017

10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event Day 1

Good morning everyone and happy Monday!
Today we're kicking off the 10 Days of Thanksgiving Crochet Event and I'd love for you to join us.




Day 1 is hosted by Ambassador Crochet so hop on over to her blog for ALL the details. Click HERE

If you're not already following me on Facebook, be sure to check out my Pinned  post so I can learn what you're thankful for too!  I'll be having a live chat with you there each day to choose 1 winner from your thankful comments to receive a pattern of choice from my shop.

I Truly and thankful for all of you!


Saturday, November 11, 2017

Fantastic Thanksgiving Crochet Event you won't want to miss!

10 Days of Thanksgiving

Special Crochet Event

Hello everyone,
I'm so excited to be able to give you a heads up on a fun event that I'll be part of over the next 2 weeks.  I've teamed up with some fun and fabulous designers to bring you the 10 Days of Thanksgiving crochet event and I think you'll love it!

Who is joining me (Kate)?  


Well, the ever so creative Heidi from Snappy Tots

the one and only Kristine from Ambassador Crochet 


and the amazing Christine from Sweet Potato 3

We're sharing the things we're thankful for and will have some fabulous crochet patterns & offers for you during this event.  Make sure to follow us so you don't miss out on all the fun!  


November 13-22

Day 1: http://ambassadorcrochet.com/2017/11/13/thanksgiving-family/

Day 2: http://ambassadorcrochet.com/2017/11/14/thanksgiving-service/

Day 3: http://sweetpotato3.com/10-days-thanksgiving-day-3-health/

Day 4: http://snappy-tots.com/10-days-thanksgiving-day-4-holidays/


Day 5: https://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/11/10-days-of-thanksgiving-crochet-event_55.html


Day 6: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/11/its-about-time-for-day-6-of-10-days-of.html

Day 7: http://snappy-tots.com/10-days-thanksgiving-day-7-seasons/


Day 8: 
http://ambassadorcrochet.com/2017/11/20/thanksgiving-rainbows/


Day 9:  http://sweetpotato3.com/10-days-thanksgiving-day-9-warmth/


Day 10:  
https://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/11/10-days-of-thanksgiving-crochet-event_21.html

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Baby Tay Infant Dress Pattern Update and Re-Release

Baby Tay Infant Dress

In the beginning...

Everybody starts somewhere, right?  Back in 2012, I created 6 different Basic infant dresses for my little girls to wear and hoped I would be able to sell some at local craft fairs.  I shared a photo of them online and was bombarded with requests for the patterns.  It was crazy!  I rounded up a great group of ladies to help me test the patterns to make sure they were easy to understand and actually work.  Back then, I didn't dare just grade a pattern so I actually worked up Every..Single..Size in Every..Single..Pattern.  Oh My Goodness!  It was so much work but honestly, I loved it.

As the years have passed, I look back on my oldest patterns and I've grown so much in pattern writing, designing and experience and sometimes cringe at the original patterns.  I decided a couple of years ago to update the Basic dress patterns to a new format.  As I updated, I needed to change the design on a few of them slightly and the skirt sections ended up a little more full than the originals.  Both are very cute!                   
                                      

 

Earlier this year, I was asked by some customers if they could have the original style pattern.  It's taken some time but have finally been able to update this pattern again and it now includes instructions for both styles. 
Baby Tay Infant Dress Front
Baby Tay Infant Dress Back
 This is such a great pattern to work up!  The texture is fun and changing colors in different rows can give you a straight edge for the top or a ripple style for the skirt.  It includes instructions for the belt and flower also. 

I love how they turned out and hope that you'll enjoy the changes!
I've set up a special offer JUST for blog and email followers on my website.  You can get this pattern for just $1.95 through Saturday 10/28 herehttps://www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com/store/p114/Baby_Tay_Infant_Dress_Crochet_Pattern.html

Caron® Simply Soft® Persimmon
If you would like to save this to your Ravelry library, please email me at craftingfriends4you@yahoo.com with your purchase email and I'll be able to send it over for you there.  

Monday, September 25, 2017

CAL Border and Fringe: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL

Border & Fringe


We made it!  We have finally hit the border section and we'll soon be able to enjoy our afghan just in time for fall to set in. I wanted to keep the border on this simple to show off the stitches  so I chose to keep it simple.  I thought the fringe would be fun to add to the length of this afghan.  If fringe is not for you, simply skip the ch-2's on round 2 of the border and work a solid hdc round.  

Let's get started and finish this baby!

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

Stitches/Abbreviations:
st(s) - stitch(es),    sl st - slip stitch, ch - chain,     sc - single crochet, hdc - half double crochet

**This post contains affiliate links**
Diamond Christmas Tree Skirt Crochet Kit
 Diamond Christmas Tree Skirt crochet kit

Border Section
Continue with White
Round 1: Ch 1, rotate to work down first side of afghan, work 2 sc around first st, sc evenly down side of afghan to bottom corner, work 3 sc around corner st, rotate to work across bottom of afghan, sc between each of the foundation sts across to next corner, work 2 sc around corner st, rotate to work up next side of afghan, sc evenly up to top corner, work 3 sc around corner st, rotate to work across top of afghan, sc in each st across ending with 1 more sc in the same st as beginning 2 sc, sl st to beginning sc to connect

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

New Champagne Blush Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern Release

Champagne Blush Chevron Afghan Release


It's time for a new afghan release, don't you think?  I have always loved the combination of Pink, Gray and White.  There is just something calming and comforting about those 3 colors together and I've wanted to create a design with them for quite a while.


**This post contains Affiliate Links**
 Champagne Blush Chevron Afghan with Sprightly yarn

from: Craftsy
This past summer, I was able to work with Craftsy on creating a few Christmas tree skirt and afghan crochet pattern kits using their Sprightly yarn line.  I had never worked with it before and was excited to try it out.  When it comes to yarn shopping, I like being hands on.  I like to see it in person and touch it and squeeze it and run my fingers through it to see what it's going to feel like as an afghan.  I don't want to order a bunch of yarn only to have it be scratchy and stiff.  I'm here to tell you - Sprightly Acrylic is wonderful!  It has a good thickness to it but it's soft and flexible to work with.  If you haven't tried it yet, you really should!  



I've been designing a bunch of afghans with texture lately and really wanted this color combo to be light and have a good drape to it. You all know how I love chevrons so that was my first instinct.  However, sometimes it's nice to have the chevron look but have a solid, squared off border so you don't have all those ups and downs on the ends.  With the Champagne Blush Chevron Afghan crochet pattern, you get the best of both worlds!
I loved how this turned out and my daughter instantly asked if she could give this one to her teacher for Christmas.  I hope she likes it!

I hope you love it too.  I've set up a special offer just for my blog and email subscribers.  Use code CFDBLUSH at checkout on Ravelry to receive 60% off this pattern through Sunday 9/17/17.  While you're there, be sure to add it to your favorites!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/773902

You can also find this pattern in my other shops

Etsy



Thanks to Amber and Krista for testing the pattern and to Ash & Co for some amazing photos!


Pattern test by Amber Bunker

Pattern test by Krista Sibert
(c) 2017 Copyright by Ash & Co



     

Monday, September 11, 2017

CAL Section 13: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL

Section 13: Zig Zag stitch

Hooray!!! This is our LAST section before we start the border of your amazing projects.  I seriously am so excited to see photos of all your hard work!  This week, we are working the fun Zig Zag stitch and you'll be done in a jiffy.  This stitch would be pretty leaves when working in fall colors or fairy wings in pastels.  I can even picture them in green and adding an apple applique underneath them for a fun accent.  Imagine the possibilities!

A Zig and A Zag Afghan by Crafting Friends Designs


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

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

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, YO and pull through all 4 loops on hook

Felici Self Striping Yarn from Knit Picks


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, YO and pull through all 7 loops on hook