Guest Blogger Week 59 Crochet N' Crafts

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Rhelena

 from CrochetN’Crafts

Sue, Thank you for having me on your blog. 
This is my first time ever for guest posting, so I'm really excited about it.
I’m known as Rhelena and I love to crochet. Since writing isn't exactly my specialty, 
I decided to design a free crochet pattern. 
This is a very simple single crochet beanie suitable for a beginner. 
The only stitches used in this pattern are the single crochet and one round of the crossed double crochet. 
The beanie is easy to adjust in size and can be worn by men or women.
Hope you enjoy.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Materials Required:

Yarn: Red Heart Comfort, or any similar yarn – (2 colors)

Crochet Hook: I/9-5.50mm

Other: 1 Stitch Marker

Gauge: 2.5" over 8 sts and 10 rows

Finished Size: Suitable for Men or Women. When lying flat it measures 11" across and 8" from top to bottom. The hat is quite roomy on a 20" head. For a smaller size, use a smaller hook or do fewer repeats of the increase rounds.

Abbreviations:

MC = Main Color

CC = Contrasting Color.

Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains

Dc = Double Crochet

FO = Fasten Off

Hk = Hook

Rep = Repeat

Rnd/Rnds = Round/Rounds

Sc = Single Crochet

Sk = Skip

Sl St = Slip Stitch

St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches

YO = Yarn Over

Special Stitch Instructions:

Crossed DC Stitch: Skip a st and dc into next st, then backtrack and dc into skipped st. When working into the skipped st, yo and insert your hk from the front as normal, yarn over at back and finish the dc as normal.

Pattern Instructions:

Rnd 1: With MC, Ch 2, work 6 sc into 2nd ch from hk; do not join but continue to work in a continuous rnd. Place st marker in last st made of each rnd in order to keep track. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 2 sts. (30 sts)

Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (36 sts)

Rnd 7: Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 3 sts. (42 sts)

Rnd 8: (Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (48 sts)

Rnd 9: Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 4 sts. (54 sts)

Rnd 10: (Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (60 sts)

Rnd 11: Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (66 sts)

Rnd 12: (Sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st) rep from * around. (72 sts) 

Note: For a larger size continue with the increase rounds as established making 6 increases in each round. For a smaller size, do fewer increase rounds.

Rnds 13-24: Sc in each st around; place st marker in last st of each rnd to keep track. Continue with this round until you are 1.5" away from desired length. 

Rnd 25: Sl st into next st, ch 1, sc in same st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. 

Rnd 28: Join CC in first st, ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc into next st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. 

Rnd 29: Sk first st where sl st was made, Join MC in next st, ch 2 (does not count as stitch), dc in same st, backtrack and dc in skipped st where sl st was made (first crossed dc made), *sk next st, dc in next st, dc in skipped st; rep from * around; join with sl st to first dc. 

Rnd 30: Join CC in first st, ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc into next st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. 

Rnd 31: Join MC in first st, ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc into next st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. FO.

You can find more of my free patterns at my website CrochetN’Crafts. 

I am also the owner of Crochet Pattern Bonanza, a free crochet pattern directory.

Thank you Rhelena

What a fantastic pattern!

I hope you will all thank Rhelena for kindly sharing her pattern.

Please visit her sites as she has other fantastic patterns for you to see.

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Free Easter Egg & Mug Cozy Pattern

Easter Egg for Mug Cozy

Can now be found at:
http://www.crochetaddictuk.com/2013/03/free-easter-egg-mug-cozy-pattern.html

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Flower for Mug Cozy

Can now be found at:

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Can now be found at:
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Guest Blogger Week 52 Art Like Bread

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Cami

 from Art Like Bread

Spring Flowers Hairband
by Caissa "Cami" McClinton
artlikebread.com


This simple hair accessory can help us to remember that spring is just around the corner!  Crochet them up in every color of scrap yarn and turn regular hair elastics into something fun and fabulous. 

Materials:  Hair elastic, crochet hook (I used 5.5 mm), and spring-colored yarn (I used Omega Karen in Turquoise)

Instructions

Foundation:  Insert hook into middle of hair elastic.  Drape yarn over hook and "pull up loop" through elastic.  With yarn tail hanging, chain two.  

Round 1:  Holding yarn tail next to elastic and working over yarn tail, sc 9 times into elastic to secure tail.  Continuing to work over elastic, but leaving tail dangling, sc around until you meet your first ch 2.  When the whole elastic is covered, slst to join into first sc.

Round 2:  *ch 10, slst into next sc.  rep from * around.  

Finishing:  Fasten off.  Weave in Ends.

Variations:  Vary the number of chains between slsts for a different look.  Add beads to your ch 10 loops for some sparkle.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

I would like to say a huge thank you to Cami

What a fantastic pattern and what brilliant

variations to make the pattern your own!

Please visit Cami's sites

and thank her for her wonderful post!

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Valentine Mug Cozy Free Pattern

Valentine Mug Cosy

Can now be found at:

http://www.crochetaddictuk.com/2013/02/valentine-mug-cozy-free-pattern.html

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Guest Blogger Week 49 Busy Mom Designs

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Tricia

 from Busy Mom Designs

Hi, my name is Tricia Roberts and I'm a Canadian crochet addict!  
I am the busy mom behind Busy Mom Designs. 
I live in Ontario Canada with my husband and our 4 children. 
I am delighted to be a guest blogger here today!  
I have my own blog, but haven't been doing a very good job of keeping up with it.  
I hope to blog more regularly in 2013.

I learned to crochet as a young girl, but really got into it shortly after I was married while my husband and I worked a job that had us travelling the country for a year.  Crocheting is my favorite vehicle pastime – well, when I'm a passenger anyway (don't hook and drive!).  However, my hooks got set aside in favor of a sewing machine after my first son was born.  Fast forward a few years.  Two more sons were born and we had several big moves in a short amount of time (we even lived in Mexico for 2 years!).  We finally settled in Ontario just before the birth of my daughter in 2009.  Suddenly I was seeing adorable crochet everywhere I looked!  I started making hats for her tiny little head and I was “hooked” again!  I was soon making accessories for every baby I knew and started getting requests for my patterns so I decided to try my hand at the wonderful world of design.  I opened my little Etsy shop and haven't looked back!

As a family our theme has always been one of social responsibility.  We wish to use our blessings and talents for the good of others.  My husband runs a charity so our children have grown up with daily conversations about counting their blessings and helping those less fortunate.  As a crafter, I am always looking for ways to give back.  Right now I am working on a large package of tiny hats to donate to a NICU/PICU nearby.  I encourage all who crochet to find a way to help others with their talents.  Something seemingly small, like a teeny hat (which can often be worked up in minutes) can be a huge blessing to the family of a little struggling life in a hospital.  There are many ways you can use crochet to benefit others.  There are countless charities that are always happy to accept warm items for the homeless, caps for chemo patients, shawls and/or lap blankets for the elderly, hats for preemies, newborns or sick babies, hats, scarves, blankets or amigurumi for sick children, blankets for trauma victims, and the list goes on and on. 

Today I want to share a pattern with you for a simple preemie hat.  I hope this pattern will be used to bless many little ones and their families!  For more free patterns, see my blog.  And if you're in the market for more preemie patterns, visit me onRavelry.  Most of my patterns include a full range of sizes from preemie to adults.

Designed by Tricia Roberts (Busy Mom Designs)

http://www.BusyMomDesigns.com

 _________________________________________________________________

Terms:

ch: chain

st: stitch

hdc: half-double crochet 

fphdc: front post half-double crochet

sl st: slip stitch

FO: fasten off

(): the number of stitches worked 

in a row/round

*__*: stitches between asterisks are to be repeated

Skill Level:

Easy 

 

Size: 

Preemie – 10-12” circumference

Stitch Gauge:

10 hdc sts and rows = 3”

Completed Measurements:

5.5” w x 13.5” h (measured flat from first to last round prior to knotting)

Materials Required:

ñ Sport weight yarn in desired color

ñ 4.5mm (7) crochet hook

ñ Yarn needle

ñ Optional: button, ribbon or other trim/accessory

 ___________________________________________________________________________

Notes

ñ If pattern says "hdc 2", hdc one time in the next 2 stitches. If pattern says "2hdc",complete 2 hdc stitches in one stitch.

ñ This pattern is worked in the round (like a spiral) without joining.  When one round is completed, do not join with a sl st to the first st of that round, but rather begin your next round in that st.

Instructions 

 

Round 1: Begin with magic loop or ch 3, 

sl st to first ch to form loop, 4hdc in loop, 

tighten center of loop.(4)

Rounds 2-21: *Hdc* in each st. (4)

Round 22: *Hdc, 2hdc* twice. (6)

Round23: *Hdc* in each st. (6)

Round 24: *Hdc, 2hdc* three times. (9)

Round 25: *Hdc* in each. (9)

Round 26: *Hdc 2, 2hdc* around. (12)

Round 27: *Hdc* in each. (12)

Round 28: *Hdc 3, 2hdc* around. (15)

Round 29: *Hdc* in each. (15)

Round 30: *Hdc 4, 2hdc* around. (18)

Round 31: *Hdc 5, 2hdc* around. (21)

Round 32: *Hdc 6, 2hdc* around. (24)

Round 33: *Hdc 7, 2hdc* around. (27)

Round 34: *Hdc 8, 2hdc* around. (30)

Round 35: *Hdc 9, 2hdc* around. (33)

Round 36: *Hdc 10, 2hdc* around. (36)

Rounds 37-43: *Hdc* in each st. (36)

Rounds 44-45: *Fphdc* in each. (36) 

Sl st in next st.  FO and weave in ends.  

Tie the “tail” into a knot at the top of the hat.

©2013 – Busy Mom Designs – All Rights Reserved – Items made from this 

pattern may be sold for profit, but you are encouraged to consider donating.  

I would like to say a huge thank you to Tricia

I will be making one of those cute hats!

Please say thank you to Tricia and visit his sites!

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Guest Blogger Week 48 Dream Design Dude

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Ray

 from Dream Design Dude Ray Booth

These can be made in any crystal beads to match your favorite outfits. If you would like them longer, simply add another wreath. It only takes 40 minutes for a novice complete a set of these earrings, and then you get faster at it. so why wouldn't you have several pair.

To knock out a pair on Saturday afternoon, to wear tonight, with that new frock you bought this morning, is just the ticket !

After making your first pair, if you're feeling inspired and ambitious, make a bracelet of 5-6 wreaths with a ring & toggle clasp; or a necklace with 12 or so wreaths. Do the math to determine how many are needed to fit you. TIP: don't make more than 2 wreaths a day, or you'll have sore fingers.




Crochet Wreath & Pearl earrings
A photo tutorial
© Ray Booth 2012
You may make as many of these as you wish for yourself and as special gifts. However
this pattern may not be used for commercial purposes.
While the original design is for Pearls, it is not essential to use pearls.
On my website, these earrings are to be found in several media.

To see them for inspiration click here

Intermediate skill level. The pattern is simple, but this project can’t be classified as

easy. It’s not meant for beginners. As you will be working with wire, it is important to

work with high tension. To some extent the stiffness of the wire forces that.

Requirements:

· Ear safe hooks, locking back type

· 24 gauge Designer wire or Dead Soft Sterling Silver

· Jump rings (4)

· 12mm Pearls

· Seed beads, Size 12, 1.8mm diam. Mirrored glass

· 1.75mm Steel hook

Working directly from the spool of wire anchored by a axle see Pic 1.

Load the wire with 72 beads. This is enough for one earring.

Leaving a 2” tail, tie your starting knot see Pics 2 to 5.

Keep the beads to the back of your work, this later becomes the Front of the finished

piece. Pic 6 shows first stitch ready to be made.

Round 1; (* Slide 3 beads up to the hook; ch 1;) repeat from * 10 more times; Slide

3 beads up to the hook; and join the circle, working into the free loop of the first st, on

the inside of the circle. [12 sts]

Stitches of the second round need to be worked one loop at a time, not 2 loops

together, as it’s too hard to do that way. You’ll just make sore fingers.

Rnd 2; (Slide 3 beads to hook; Sl st, in next st;) repeat around. [12 sts]

As the very first stitch is worked into twice, the last stitch creates an obvious loop,

from which the wreath will be suspended. See Pic 8.

To finish off, enlarge loop on the hook after the last stitch, and cut it 2” from the

wreath. This becomes the second tail, with which the pearl must be securely attached.

See Pic 7.

Weave these two wires in opposite directions through 3 stitches ending with them

projecting from the Front of the wreath. See Pic 7. These wires must be centered and

directly opposite each other.

Straighten out any kinks in wires and impale the pearl on one of them.

From here on, take care not to scratch your pearl.

     Bend the wire projecting above the pearl at a 90° angle toward the other wire. Then

bend it at the base under the pearl, so that it can be pushed down through the wreath

immediately beside the standing wire.

     Now pass the standing wire through the pearl, and the wreath, in a similar way.

Tighten these wires adjusting the position of the pearl so the drill holes are obscured

and gently work the wreath up around the pearl so that it nestles within the wreath.

Weave the wire ends through the wreath to the front and finish at the Back. Flush cut

these ends to be invisible and see that they won’t catch on anything or stab a finger.

Then simply attach the jump rings to the wreaths and add the ear wires.

You will now have a fine pair of earrings with a classical look.

Pics 9 and 10 show these ready to be assembed and the finished earrings.

As my sister says; “What Girl doesn’t like Pearls ?”
Enjoy your new earrings !


Website

Ravelry

I would like to say a huge thank you to Ray!

The earrings are beautiful

and I am sure you'll be wanting to make a pair!

Please say thank you to Ray and visit his sites!

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Guest Blogger Week 47 Lou's Labors

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Louanne

 from Lou’s Labors

Accessory Round-Up

               First, I want to thank Susan of CrochetAddictUK for asking me to write a guest blog! 

Hi everyone, I am Lou, from Lou’s Labors. 

I am a junior high orchestra teacher by day, avid crocheter and crafter by night. 

I have been crocheting since my mom taught me about 17 years ago (yikes!). 

I love making amigurumi, small crocheted stuffed animals, as well as scarves, blankets, hats, and other accessories.

This is my shop’s mascot – a lamb, for the wool, and of course because she is super cute!

Here is a picture of a giraffe ami I just finished as part of a special order - he will have a monkey, an elephant and a lion for his buddies soon! Can’t wait until I have them all finished.

Most recently, I have been mildly obsessed with two things in the world of crochet – broomstick lace and accessories. I am bringing the two together in a scarf I am making for my mom to wear to work.

Here is a pattern for a pair of fingerless gloves I made as well.

Simple and Chic Fingerless Gloves

 

Supplies:

Vickie Howell Stitch. Rock. Love. Yarn in Robin Egg

Size H Crochet Hook

Notes- pattern is written in US terminology. I give two ways to make the foundation row. If you are not familiar with the chainless foundation, I highly recommend it, as it gives a more polished look to the finished work, as well as a bit more flexibility in that row than you get with a chain foundation. Either one will work however J

Glove Pattern (make two):

Chain foundation row  - Ch 32, Dc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across (30 st), ch 1, turn

**OR**

30 FDc (foundation double crochet), ch 1, turn

Row 1-18: *Sc, dc* across. Ch. 1, turn.

Row 19: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 20: *Ch 4, sk next 4 st, sc in next st,* across. Ch 1 turn.

Row 21: *6 sc in each ch group* across

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Fold the glove in half and sew a seam up the side, using a whip stitch, making sure to leave a hole large enough for your thumb.  I usually just whip stitch on one side for the thumb.

Finishing the thumb hole: You can leave the thumb hole as is if you like it, and I have done that for some of my fingerless gloves. However, I find that finishing it gives the gloves a more polished look. If you choose to finish it, here is my method:

Insert crochet hook in the st at the base of the thumb and attach a new thread. Sc around the thumb hole for a couple of rows. I usually decrease the stitches around the bottom of the hole to give it an angle, but I have done it without as well and it looks fine too! 2-3 rows are usually good. In the picture, I did 3 rows.

I enjoyed meeting you all and hope you have a chance to make yourself a pair of these lovely and warm gloves! Thanks again to Susan for having me! J Please come and visit me again soon:

www.louslabors.wordpress.com

www.louslabors.etsy.com

www.facebook.com/louslabors

I would like to say a huge thank you to Lou!

What a fantastic post &

a fantastic pattern!

The fingerless gloves are beautiful!

I love the sheep!!!

Please say thank you to Lou and visit her sites!

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