Archive | January, 2017

Crochet a Knit Stitch and Fair Isle Hearts Hat

Fair Isle Hearts Hat

Today I will share my newest hat;  a hat using the knit stitch and Fair Isle Stitches.  It was inspired by a knit hat that was released by Caron yarns a few years ago.  It was on a little handout that you get from the yarn aisles.   I used the Simply Soft by Caron yarns by Yarnspirations.  The yarn is so soft and silky.  You can choose your own color combinations.  I think a white and red or pink and red would make a great Valentine’s Day hat.   I have included the free written pattern along with the free YouTube video tutorials.  You will find them on the following pages.

Crochet fair isle

Crochet – Fair Isle and Knit stitch

 

To purchase an Ad-Free PDF written pattern please click on the link below:

PDF Heart Hat pattern 

 

 

 

 

 

This hat should fit most women and older children.

Materials:

2 Skeins of Simply Soft yarn by Caron in the color of your choice.   1 will be the main color and the other the contrasting color.

4 Stitch markers

scissors

yarn needle

measuring tape

row counter

Crochet Hook (5.5mm)  I hook

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Learn to Knit – Learn the Garter Stitch

Do you want to learn to knit the garter stitch?

Did you put “Learn to knit” on your 2017 list of goals?  The garter stitch is one of the easiest stitches to use for making blankets, scarfs, and lots of other fun projects.  The garter stitch is made using the basic knit stitch.  Aside from learning to cast on the knit stitch is usually the second stitch knitters learn.  The garter stitch is made by knitting every row.  It is perfect for watching TV while knitting.  You don’t have to worry about counting stitches or getting lost.  In these photos below I will try to explain how the stitch is made.     I used a bulky yarn and a size US 10 1/2 knitting needle ( 6.5mm) below.  Using this size needle and yarn weight I later went on to cast on 35 stitches and made a nice scarf.     *Please note:  I am knitting in the continental style below.  I find this style to be easier for those who crochet (right handed) and want to learn to knit. I think this is because the yarn is held in the left hand.  Since crocheters have already learned to hold the yarn in their left hand and control the tension this is a natural transition.  That of course, is just my own opinion.

 

Garter stitch

Knit Gart Stitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garter Stitch

After you have cast on the stitches called for in your pattern you are ready to begin.

  1. Just as in the knit stitch the yarn will be coming from behind your needle (photo 1)
  2.  Insert your empty needle from the left to right  (Photo 2)
  3.  Pull yarn thru with needle  (photo 3 and 4)
  4. Slip off your needle   (Photo 5)
  5. Repeat for all stitches on your needle  (photo 6)
  6. Turn work
  7. Repeat 1- 6

That’s it!  You are knitting the garter stitch

Photo 1:

Knitting needle

Yarn behind knitting needle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 2:

Knit stitch needle position

Inserting needle to work knit stitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 3:

knit stitch

Getting ready to pull yarn thru needle to knit stitch    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 4:

Knitting

Knitting stitch – pulling yarn out thru front 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 5:

slipping stitch off needle

slipping stitch off knitting needle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 6:

knit garter stitches

working garter stitches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to see a video tutorial I have uploaded one to my YouTube Channel  the “All Crafts Channel”  Click below to enjoy it.  Please share this post with others who enjoy knitting or want to learn to knit.   Please leave any questions or comments below.  Enjoy!

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Easy Crochet Cowl – Super Chunky Yarn project

Easy Crochet Cowl using Super Chunky Yarn

I’m always looking for fast, and easy project and this easy crochet cowl fills the spot.   I know it’s hard to believe but it’s actually been a little cold here in what is usually a very sunny San Diego.  One of the things that I do miss about living in our beautiful city is the opportunity to wear a lot of things items that I enjoy making.  It just doesn’t get cold enough.   Oh sure on very rare occasions it gets cold enough to wear a hat.  We even get snow at times in the mountains east of our city so today when the temperature dipped below 60 Fahrenheit  I had a field day.  Purchase an Ad-Free PDF Written pattern here:   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chunky-cowl-26

Easy Crochet Cowl

Easy Crochet Cowl

I whipped up this quick cowl using a Super Chunky weight 7 yarn. I used RedHeart Grande yarn in the color Foggy. This cowl worked up so quickly. It only took 3 balls. It’s hard to believe but the whole is just 7 rounds.

Using the super chunky yarn makes this one of the fastest projects I have made in a long time. The cowl is wide enough to even cover my head or to be folded and worn lower on my neck and chest. Either way, it’s super warm and the yarn feels very warm.

I hope you enjoy this project. I’m going to have to keep it in a file and remember to make some of these for Christmas gifts next year.

Supplies needed for your Easy Crochet Cowl:

3 balls of RedHeart Grande –  I used 3 balls (5.20 oz / 150g )

scissors

yarn needle with large eye

Crochet Hook Size Q/19  (15mm)

To begin:  

Chain 41, being careful not to twist chain slip stitch into the 1st chain.

Row 1:  chain 3 (counts as double crochet here and thru out),  double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch into 3rd turning chain

Row 2:  chain 3, *leave next stitch unworked, double crochet in next stitch, double crochet back into the skipped stitch,*  repeat from * to *  for entire row, slip stitch into 3rd turning chain

Continues on next page

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Princess Leia inspired Amigurumi Doll

I love Star Wars and Princess Leia has always been one of my favorite characters.  She is tough, fearless, smart and a courageous leader but she still has a sense of humor.  Plus she could rock those Inter-Galatic fashions.  You can imagine how sad I was to hear that Carrie Fisher the actress who played Princess Leia passed away this past month, December 2016.  It seems like 2016 was a tough year for celebrities we love.  So many of them were taken away from us.   I wanted to find a way to pay tribute to Carrie Fisher.  This little Princess Leia inspired Ami doll seemed a good way to do that.   I had originally planned on sharing this project in February 2017.  However, now might be a more fitting time.  I hope you enjoy crocheting her.   I have also uploaded a series of YouTube video tutorials for those of you who prefer a more visual approach.  I broke them down into 4 videos.   I have included that link in the last page of this post.  You can also go to my YouTube channel to find lots of other fun projects.   All Crafts Channel

Crochet Princess Leia

Crochet Princess Leia inspired Amigurumi doll.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The full written pattern appears on the next page.

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