Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Christmas Tree Skirt CAL coming soon

Have you ever gone into stores looking for a beautiful Christmas Tree Skirt only to find they don't have the colors or style you want?  I love having my own personalized tree skirt under my tree every year!  Now is the time to start if you're wanting to make your own.  I'm almost finished designing a new tree skirt and will be hosting a CAL so that you can easily work up one for your home this year too. 

I will post details and a photo soon so that you can choose your colors and know how much to buy. I am using Pine Green and Snow White in Deborah Norville Every Day yarn.  You're welcome to  use any 4ww yarn of your choice though.  




 Diamond Christmas Tree SkirtA few years ago, I designed the Diamond Christmas Tree Skirt with one of my favorite crochet stitches - the Brick Stitch.  It's also the stitch known for c2c afghans though this obviously is not worked c2c.  For this one, I used Caron Simply Soft yarn.  This is one of my best selling crochet patterns and I've enjoyed seeing photos customers have posted on my Facebook page with their tree skirt under their tree. 


Shades of Teal and Red have been big colors for Christmas for a couple of years now and I knew I had to design a new tree skirt for my mom last year using those colors.  I wanted a fun style and great texture and came up with the TriSquare Swirl Christmas Tree Skirt just for her.  This  skirt also uses Caron Simply Soft yarn which shows the stitch well.
 TriSquare Christmas Tree Skirt


I've seen many simple start tree skirts and thought it would be fun to design one with some braided cables to add some texture.  The Classic Cable Star Christmas Tree Skirt was fun in basic Christmas colors, but it would also be pretty in 1 solid neutral color too!
This one also uses Deborah Norville Everyday yarn.



If you're ready for another fun, new Christmas Tree Skirt crochet pattern,  be sure you follow my blog, Facebook page or have signed up to receive my newsletters (top left of the blog).

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Special offer for Email Subscribers only! Trellis Waves Round Afghan Crochet Pattern

One of the great things about running the Battle of the Stitches crochet challenge is that I get to design alongside a great group of ladies!  In April, 14 of us (10 challengers and 4 admin) designed something using the Trellis Waves crochet stitch.  
Trellis Waves crochet pattern by Crafting Friends Designs

Typically, I like working more solid stitches because they're easier to hold.  However, lately, I've tried to design things for spring and summer use which means light weight and more open stitches in the patterns.

Trellis Waves crochet pattern by Crafting Friends DesignsWhen we decided to use the Trellis Waves stitch, I knew I wanted to design something fun with multiple purposes.  It had to be something that the others in the challenge probably wouldn't design.  I came up with the Trellis Waves Round Afghan and love the results.

What I like about round designs is that you can use thread and turn them into doilies, a sturdy yarn and use it as a rug, a soft thinner yarn and use it for a table cover or 4ww yarn for an afghan.  How great is that!

Check out these photos from testers Lisa and Rebecca - BEAUTIFUL!!!


Trellis Waves crochet pattern by Crafting Friends Designs

Trellis Waves crochet pattern by Crafting Friends Designs

I released the pattern last week, but wanted to give those of you who follow my blog or through email a special discount.  I know many of you don't use Facebook, so you miss a lot.
So,  through Saturday 5/21/16, you can grab your copy of the Trellis Waves Round Afghan crochet pattern for only $1.95 in my Ravelry shop with code EmailWaves



http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trellis-waves-round-afghan



If you like this crochet pattern, you may be interested in the following:

Snap Dragon crochet pattern by Crafting Friends Designs
Snap Dragon Round Afghan

Round Afghan crochet pattern by Crafting Friends Designs
A Round the Flower Garden Afghan

Loop the Loop crochet pattern by Crafting Friends Designs
Loop the Loop Round Afghan


Friday, May 6, 2016

New Spring Mardi Gras Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern

Spring is here and the days are getting warmer, so I've been working on several new designs that are light weight and fun.
Of course, Chevron is still one of my obsessions.  I love the challenge of getting different crochet stitches to work well in a chevron shape.  


I posted a photo of this new design on my Facebook page and asked fans to help give it a name.  Thank you to everyone who commeted!  I have chosen a few random comments on that post to give a free copy of the pattern to today.  Angie Shaver-Gillis suggested "Mardi Gras" as the name and with the colors, I thought that was a great fit.  She will receive this pattern and 2 more of her choice for free for helping me out.

The "Spring Mardi Gras Chevron Afghan" crochet pattern is now available in my Ravelry shop and is on sale for only $2.95 (regular $5.95) through Sunday May 8th with code...

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Flash Freebie just to make you smile

Bubble Towel Top crochet pattern
It's been a crazy week!   My hubby had surgery on his entire right arm on Monday and it's been a V E R Y    L    O     N    G   few days.  He's been in a lot of pain and neither of us have been able to sleep much at all.  So I want to do something for you just to spread some smiles.  

With the weather warming up, my girls like to go for walks to pick wild asparagus and cook it on the grill.  When I'm cooking, I don't like having towels on the counter, so I have several hanging towels around me for convenience.

Today only (4/21/16), I'm offering the Bubble Towel Top crochet pattern for free in my Ravelry shop.  The code for this is


Saturday, March 19, 2016

Starlight Chevron release and the new Love my Garden Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern Collection

I'm excited to finally release the Starlight Chevron Afghan crochet pattern!  This is another fun textured design that will make wonderful Baby Shower gifts!  Like the others, the stars in this are worked right into the pattern so you don't have to worry about stitching them all on later.  Worked in Blues and Yellows for a night time gaze at the stars or in Red, White and Blue for a fun patriotic version, this blanket is great for nurseries and even photography props.  

I chose to use Vanna's Choice yarn for this design because it holds the shape of the stars well and had the perfect colors for the night sky.  

The Starlight Chevron Afghan crochet pattern is now available on my website and is on sale through 3/22/16.http://www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com/store/p259/Starlight_Chevron_Afghan_crochet_pattern.html


With each new release, I've been asked by many of you if I would release them in a collection.  Now that the 4th design is complete, I've set up the Love my Garden collection for you.  This is a great way to get all 4 stunning designs for one great price!  Each pattern is listed for $5.95 individually or you can enjoy the full collection for only $12.95.  

I have some more ideas in the works to continue this collection but it is going to take some time to get them JUST right :)

Thank you all so much for your many wonderful compliments as these 4 patterns have been released.  I appreciate your love and support and look forward to working with you more!
Kate 


Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Enjoy a Day of Relaxation with the New Sea Breeze Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern

Ready or not, spring is on it's way! We've enjoyed some nice spring weather here in Utah this past week.  It's been mostly sunny with a few spring rain showers and has been wonderful.  When flowers start popping up in our yard, we all get excited to spend time outside.  

With the change of seasons comes a change in afghan designs.  I am a HUGE afghan fan and love to have them around.  It could be the middle of summer and I will still wrap up in a blanket at night while sitting out under the stars. 

I hope you'll enjoy my new Sea Breeze Chevron Afghan crochet pattern.  It was worked with Red Heart Super Saver yarn that I had in my stash and came together quite nicely.  I love the colors Real Teal and Jade together!  Such a relaxing combination.


Free Sea Breeze Chevron pattern by Crafting Friends


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Stop and enjoy the flowers with the new Flower Garden Chevron Afghan crochet pattern

Heartbeat Chevron Afghan
I Love to crochet and I Love gardening!  You would think that those 2 things would show through together more often in my work than they have, right?  Well, as I mentioned in my post releasing the Heartbeat Chevron crochet pattern, I have never been a fan of flowers on afghans.  I also have never really been a fan of Granny Squares and I think that's where my dislike began.  When I was little, that's where you saw all the flowers in crochet work - granny flower squares.  They were big, they were bulky and I just didn't like them.
Flower Garden Chevron Afghan

It's funny how we change as we grow older!  There are still some flower patterns that I don't care for and I'm really picky about granny square blankets, however, this new Flower Garden Chevron Afghan crochet pattern I designed is among my favorite! This is the 3rd design in my new "Love My Garden" Chevron collection.  There are still a few more to come, but for now, let's stop and enjoy the flowers with a special release offer!





Thursday, February 11, 2016

Rainbow, Chevron and Butterflies, OH My! The 2nd Crochet Pattern in a fun, new and unique collection

I'm so thrilled to bring you the 2nd design in my new chevron crochet pattern collection.  It has been so fun to create some cute and unique chevron afghans and there are many more to come, so be sure to follow me on Facebook so you don't miss out.

Each new design will have different aspects to the chevron  so you are aren't just getting a fun new shape to work, but also a good variety of stitch patterns to mix it up.   

Heartbeat Chevron
Last week, I released the Heartbeat Chevron with cute little hearts and it was SO exciting seeing it shared everywhere.  The response was amazing and I appreciate all of your help in spreading the word about it and giving it a "heart" on Ravelry.  


Rainbow Butterfly Chevron Afghan
This week, I'm bringing you a bit of summer with the new Rainbow Butterfly Chevron Afghan. This one is on the lighter side and perfect for spring and the cooler days of summer.   Enjoy a special release price through Valentines Day Sunday (2/14/16)

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Heartbeat Chevron Afghan - The first in a fun new Crochet Pattern Collection

 Reversible Textured Chevron
Reversible Textured Chevron

I am thrilled to bring you a new, unique and fun Chevron crochet pattern collection! 

 Chevrons have just ruled my creative expression over the past year and this set takes a slightly different twist from my others.  






 Classic Cable Chevron
Classic Cable Chevron

Last year, I focused a lot on textured chevron using stitches that you normally wouldn't see in any other shape than square or rectangle.  Reversible Textured, Cables, Basketweave and Trisquare were really fun stitches to turn into chevron and I enjoyed each one.




Basketweave Chevron

Diamond Burst Chevron

Now,  I have to admit, I really despised flowers and things on afghans in the past  lol.  This new collection surprisingly came together and are among my favorites now!
Without further blah, blah, blah from me, I bring to you the Heartbeat Chevron Afghan and special release offer... 

Heartbreat Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern

Friday, January 29, 2016

Peaked Shell Afghan Crochet Pattern

Peake Shell crochet patternIt's been a busy January!  I have so many fun new designs in the works, but it will be a while before I can share them with you.  To help fill in the gap of releases, I've worked up this pretty Peaked Shell Afghan crochet pattern for you.  It's simple, quick and has a fun little texture!