.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Paddle Wheel Dishcloth Pattern

Paddle Wheel Dishcloth

by Elizabeth Mareno





Materials:
1 oz Worsted Weight Cotton
H hook
Large Eye Needle for weaving ends

Pattern:
Row 1: ch4, join to make a circle. ch4 (cts as dc + ch1), (dc, ch1) 11 times, sl st to 3rd ch of ch4. (12 dc, 12 ch1)

Text Box: 3Row 2: (ch4, sk 2 ch1 sp and next dc, sl st in next dc) 6 times, sl st in first ch of row. (6 ch4 sp)

Row 3: ch2 (cts as hdc), working behind ch4’s from Row 2, [2hdc in ch1 sp, 1hdc in dc, 2hdc in ch1 sp, 1hdc in back bars of sl st from Row 2] around, sl st to first hdc. (36 hdc)

Row 4: ch1, fpdc around ch2 from Row 3, [ch2, sk 1 hdc, dc in next, ch1, sk 1 hdc, dc in next, ch2, sk 1 hdc, fpdc ar next hdc] around, sl st to 1st fpdc. (12 dc, 6fpdc)

Row 5: [ch4, sk ch2 sp and dc, sl st in next ch1 sp, ch4, sk dc and ch2 sp, sl st in fpdc] around. Sl st to 1st ch of Row 5. (12 ch4 spaces)

Note for Row 6- Be careful not to skip over the single double crochet stitches. They can sometimes get lost while your working the row. Make sure your row count is correct before moving on.

Row 6: ch2 (cts as hdc), working behind ch4’s from Row 5, [3hdc in ch2, hdc in dc, hdc in bars of sl st, hdc in dc, 3hdc in ch2, hdc in bars of sl st] around. Sl st to ch2. (60hdc)

Row 7: ch1, fpdc ar ch2 from Row 6, [ *ch2, sk 1 hdc, dc in next, (ch1, sk1, dc in next) 3x, ch2, sk 1 hdc,* fpdc around next hdc] 5x, repeat * to * once. Sl st to first fpdc to finish. (30 ch sp)

Row 8: [*ch4, sk ch2 and dc, sl st in next ch1 sp, ch4, sk 2 dc and ch1 sp, sl st in next ch1 sp, ch4, sk dc and ch2 sp,* sl st in fpdc] 5x , repeat * to * once, sl st to 1st ch of row 8. (18 ch4 spaces)

Row 9: ch2 (cts as hdc) , working behind ch4’s from Row 8,  [*(2hdc in ch sp, hdc in dc, hdc in bars of sl st, hdc in dc) twice, 2hdc in ch sp*, hdc in bars of sl st] 5x, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st to first ch2. (76 hdc)

Thursday, April 10, 2014

NEW FREE Pattern! Rastafari Slouch Hybrid Hat- Knit/Crochet Combo!

I came up with this hat close to Christmas and I am just now getting it put up for everyone. It uses both knit and crochet- so you will need to know how to do both to make this pattern. Otherwise, it's very simple and beginner friendly. 



The pattern is available on Ravelry!



Chutes & Ladders Infinity Scarf Pattern coming soon!!

Comparing Cottons

I looked up Knit Picks cotton yarn today because I got an email about something-something...cotton yarn...something-something. I know, specific right? 



But, they have a fantastic color selection, so I went to look. The first balls of cotton yarn I saw were the Comfy pictured above. They are only 50g for $2.99. That seemed somewhat expensive for me considering I can get super soft "I Love This Cotton" (approx 85g to 99g depending on the color)  from Hobby Lobby for $3.29/skein, pictured below. 



To my $ sensibilities it looked pretty no-win for the Knit Picks. However, I noticed they had a yarn called Dishie, picture below. 



From a distance, the shape of the ball gives the illusion that it is the same scratchy cotton as Sugar n Cream. However, upon closer inspection of the picture, you can see that it has the same silky texture that the "I Love This Cotton" has. It is also a much bigger skein of yarn than the Comfy at 100g, and very close in size, if not a tiny bit bigger than the ILTC. It costs $3.99...$.70 more a skein than Hobby Lobby's brand...but, the color palette is so bright (even thought there are only 28 colors between the solids and variegated's). I'm going to have to give some serious thought to purchasing some Knit Picks cotton. I have been slobbering over Knit Picks for about 7 years now, and the only thing I have gotten from them is my ball winder. (The one and only time my husband bought me a birthday present that was a complete surprise and something I really, really, really wanted.) Besides, I think I would really like to start custom dying some yarns for my own uses. I hate it when people have very specific color requests and you can't find anything like what they want without having to use two separate yarns together. 

If anyone has any experience with Knit Picks, I would love some advice!

Friday, April 04, 2014

Fuzzy Warmers: Knit Leg Warmers Pattern

Fuzzy Warmers: Knit Leg Warmers

by Elizabeth Mareno

They are as soft as a sweater with a comfortable stretch up to XL.
Rich, thick cables worked in bulky yarn make these leg warmers the perfect cold-weather accessory!

You can purchase an ad-free version on ETSY or my website.



Materials:
6.5 oz Bulky yarn (more on the mohair side) (Yarn used Yarn Bee “Tender Touch” *)
Size 10 dpns
Cable needle
(if needed- I just use an extra dpn)
Large eye needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 10stitches x 10row of ribbing = 4”x4”
I used a long-tail cast on. Use any CO that has stretch.





Pattern: 
CO 40. Disperse on 3 needles.
Row 1-14: k2, p2 ribbing
Row 15: k, increasing 2 stitches evenly (42)

Row 16: k, p, (k4, p, k, p) repeat to last 5, k4, p.
Row 17: Repeat row 16
Row 18: k, p, (c4f, p, k, p, c4b, p, k, p) repeat to last 12, c4f, p, k, p, c4b, p.
Repeat rows 16-18 until you have 18 cable twists. Do rows 16 & 17 once more.
Repeat row 15 once, decreasing 2 stitches evenly (40)
Finish with 14 rows k2, p2 ribbing. Bind off in ribbing.
Work a four-stitch front cable when you come to the direction C4F in a pattern:
1)Slip the next 2 stitches on the left-hand needle to the cable needle and hold the cable needle to the front of the work.  2) Knit 2 stitches from the left-hand needle. 3) Knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
Work a four-stitch back cable when you come to the direction C4B in a pattern:
1)Slip the next 2 stitches on the left-hand needle to the cable needle and hold the cable needle to the back of the work. 2) Knit 2 stitches from the left-hand needle. 3)Knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
(Instructions from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-knit-a-fourstitch-cable.html)
© Bizzy Crochet and Design 2014
*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links. If you use one of my links to make a purchase it won't cost you any more, but the company will give me a small bit of money back which helps me pay for the free content on my blog. Thank you for your support!



Thursday, April 03, 2014

Works in Progress and Completed Projects

Today's post is all about my Works in Progress and a couple of completed projects. 

The Yellow Blanket is Done...and should actually be delivered in Minnesota today! 
Unless FedEx lied. The yellow blanket is for the youngest of my brother's kids. 


These next two afghans are next in the series I am making for my nieces and nephews. The ripple afghan pattern comes from the Crochet Club. It's called the Wavy Ripple


I am making this one in Orange, Pink, and Neon multi for my brother's second youngest child, Lizzie (my name's sake).  It is very bright and for some reason every picture I see of it online looks so bright it's almost fuzzy. I promise it is easier on the eyes in person. I am very close to finishing this one, but I needed a little boredom buster project, so I started on my nephew's blanket. 



I am winging it on Sam's blanket. He's 14 and I just wasn't sure of what he liked other than the color green and guitars...and drums. I wanted his blanket to be manly, but still fun. And I wanted it to have a "graphic" feel to it. I am also aiming for each child's blanket to be completely original and nothing like any of the blankets their siblings receive. Everyone assures me he's going to love it. To me, it resembles a turtle's shell. However, it could also have a bit of a drum set feel to it, too. This picture shows Phase One. I think Phase Two might change the look up quite a bit, and maybe it will lose some of it's turtleness. The hexagons are quite large at 10" from flat side to flat side. I'm not even sure what they are point to point. I'll write up and share the pattern when I finish it. 


Some other projects that I have completed are two sets of Minnie Mouse newborn photo props. Turns out I didn't really get any decent pictures of them completed. Here you see the full set, but the little Mary Jane shoes don't have their buttons yet. I purchased this set from Stephyscrochet on Etsy. I LOVE this pattern. She did a great job with it ( I especially love the shoe pattern!). There are lots of pictures to help you assemble things properly, and her instructions are complete. Unfortunately, you cannot say that about all indie designers, but kudos to you Stephany for putting out a great pattern! If you all have known me for any length of time, you know I don't like purchasing patterns if I can help it. This set is worth it, so give her a visit! 

Ok, y'all...that's my last two weeks in a nutshell. Tah for now! 

Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL

     Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL Oh my gosh!! It's the last week of the Memories CAL already!! I can't ...