Crochet Spot

Crochet Holidays for Your Summer 2013!

Caissa "Cami" McClinton — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:05:11 +0000

Let’s get geared up for summer and motivate to crochet some fun and fabulous creations during the next two months. It’s been a while since we’ve looked at crochet holidays, so let’s mark our calendars for June and July’s projects!

JUNE

National Ice Tea Month – When the sun beats down, nothing is more refreshing than cold iced tea. I love to keep my hands dry by using a crocheted cotton glass cozy similar to this water bottle cover. It’s like a coaster and cup sleeve in one!

National Leave the Office Early Day: 3 “You can’t fire me, I quit!” Well, maybe you shouldn’t say this at work today, but maybe you could take a couple of personal hours and leave early to crochet at your favorite cafe!
Worldwide Knit and Crochet in Public Day: 8 Need I say more, people? This is the day to proudly let your hook be seen. Make sure you do at least a few stitches out in the open today!
World Juggling Day: 15 Make some juggling balls by using this pattern and stuffing your creations with beans.
National Flip Flop Day: 21 Woo hoo! Make your tootsies sparkle with these beauties! Or dress down your summer cocktails with these cuties.

JULY

National Ice Cream Month Um, yes please. I love any and all manner of ice cream. Let’s crochet an ice cream sandwich this month!
National Independent Retailers Month Join the ranks of independent retailers everywhere by selling your crochet! Here are some tips.

Canada Day: 1 O, Canada! We love you so! Salute the great white north by crocheting only in red and white today.
Independence Day (USA): 4 It’s a national holiday and also a great excuse to barbeque! If you don’t want to crochet an American flag, then try these hamburger coasters.
Rabbit Week: 15-21 Crochet with luxurious angora this week.
Gorgeous Grandma Day: 23 Step out on the town, gorgeous grandmothers! Don your crochet finery and work it in your favorite colors! If you’re not a grandmother, call your grandma and tell her how gorgeous she is!

Crochet Pattern: Pencil Case

Candace — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:15 +0000

This cute pencil case is a great companion to your crayon case. It is long enough to hold most standard-sized pencils and pens. This is a great project for beginners to try their hands at colorwork with its four total color changes. Have fun crocheting this case for yourself or for children!

Skill Level:

Finished Size: Base measures 7 1/2″ (19 cm) tall, 1 1/4″ (3 cm) diameter

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 15 yards of yellow, 5 yards of pink, 2 yards of green, beige, and black)
Crochet Hook H (5.0 mm)

Gauge:
Rounds 1 – 6 in pattern measure 3″ (7.5 cm) tall and 1 1/4″ (3 cm) in diameter

Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.

Crochet Pattern: Pencil Case

Base:
Round 1: With pink yarn, make adjustable ring, ch 3, 10 dc in ring, sl st in top of beginning ch-3 to: 10 dc
Round 2 – 3: ch 3, dc in each dc around sl st in top of beginning ch-3
Round 4: change to green, ch 2, hdc in each dc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-2: 10 hdc
Round 5: ch 2, hdc in each hdc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-2: 10 hdc
Round 6: change to yellow, ch 3, dc in each hdc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 10 dc
Rounds 7- 17: ch 3, dc in each dc around sl st in top of beginning ch-3
Finish off.

Top:
Round 1: With yellow, ch 10, sl st in first ch, ch 3, dc in each ch, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 10 dc
Round 2: ch 3, dc in each dc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 10 dc
Round 3: change to beige, ch 3, dc2tog around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 5 dc
Round 4: ch 2, hdc in each dc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-2: 5 hdc
Round 5: change to black, ch 1, sc in each hdc around, s1-st in beginning ch-1: 5 sc
Finish off, and weave top shut.

Need help while crocheting? Feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll help you out!

Crochet Pattern: Watermelon Hat (5 Sizes)

Rachel Choi — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:47 +0000

There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! Here is a fun and cute hat for babies, kids, and adults! Celebrate the spring season with this fun watermelon styled hat. The hat is crocheted in the round from the top down. It’s crocheted with an openwork stitch pattern so it’s comfy to wear in the warmer weather. The hat is constructed with black beads throughout to resemble the seeds of a watermelon. Experience crocheting with beads is a plus, but isn’t necessary.

Click here to see full pattern details!

All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated! Please log in or create a new account at the Crochet Spot Store to purchase this pattern. Premium Pattern Members may log into the store and download the pattern for free.

How to Crochet: Increasing in Foundation Rows

Candace — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:28 +0000

Using Foundation rows is a great technique, because they can create the foundation chain and the first row of stitches at the same time. But if you are a fan of foundation rows (foundation single crochet, foundation double crochet, etc.), you may have run into problems dealing with patterns that require increases to be worked in the foundation chain. It’s tempting to simply create the final number of stitches, but since increases affect shaping, it is better to follow the pattern as written and make the increases.

To follow this tutorial, you should be comfortable with making a foundation row. This technique is adaptable to other foundation stitches, but single crochet will be used to demonstrate.

To see a left-handed view, hover your cursor over the pictures.

Start your foundation row as you normally would. A stitch marker or scrap of contrasting yarn will come in handy here if you have trouble reading your crochet. Mark the last stitch before the increase through the loops where you will be placing your next stitch.

Create your next foundation stitch as you normally would, inserting your hook into the marked loops.

Insert your hook into the same marked loops and complete another stitch.

You can do this for as many stitches as you need to increase then continue across the row as usual.

If you need further help, feel free to leave a comment for clarification.

Crochet Pattern: Lovely Little Hearts

Amy Lynn Yarbrough — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:11 +0000

After seeing something like this on Pinterest I thought, “That would be a wonderful pattern to make!” So I sat down with a whole box full of different yarns and set to work on my design. I ended up making at least 19 different colors/styles. They are so cute and fun to make!

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 2″ (5cm) long, 2.25″ (5.5cm) wide

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn or yarn of choice (6 yards per hearts)
Crochet Hook I (5.50mm) or size recommended for yarn
Yarn Needle
Scissors

Gauge:
3 sts = 1” (2.5cm)
3 rows = 1″ (2.5cm)
Guage Swatch: 1″w x 1″h (2.5 cm x 2.5 cm) ch 4,
Row 1: turn, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across: 3 sc
Row 2-3: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across: 3 sc
Fasten off.

Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.

Crochet Pattern: Lovely Little Hearts
Make adjustable ring, (for instructions on how to make this, visit How to Crochet: The Magic Adjustable Ring)
Round 1: (sc, dc, 2 tr, 3 dc, tr, 3 dc, 2 tr, dc) in ring, sl st in first sc: 14 sts
Round 2: (do not ch 1) skip first sc, sc in next st, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next sl st: 19 sc
Finish off. Weave in ends and tug most recently cut yarn tail down to give the heart more indention.

Try using baby yarns or thread for a more delicate heart. Any type of yarn will do. These are adorable and easy to make. But if you have any problems, questions or suggestions, leave me a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Crocheting with a Peruvian Loom (Wood Block)

Caissa "Cami" McClinton — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:47 +0000

In my last post, Focus on Fiber: Silk, I mentioned recycled sari silk as a fiber that is fun to crochet with. This week I’d like to share a unique pattern that looks great with sari silk, but would also work with many different types of fiber. This pattern will use a technique that involves crocheting with a Peruvian loom, which I will demonstrate in this tutorial.

A skein of recycled sari silk

I first learned about Peruvian looms at a consumer trade show in Mexico City. While at first glance it’s hard to know what to do with them, the neat thing is that the technique is actually quite easy. Using a Peruvian loom is great when you really have a knockout yarn that you want to showcase. The resulting stitch displays the yarn beautifully.

A scarf crocheted of the above sari silk using the technique in this tutorial.

The loom I am working with is just a block of wood. The dimensions are approximately 8″ x 4 1/2″ x 3/8″. While I haven’t personally tried it, I am going to guess you could substitute almost anything similar that would retain its shape, like strong cardboard or even a hardcover story book. If there’s interest, I can do a future tutorial on how to make a Peruvian loom. Let me know in the comments if you are interested!

Once you get started with this technique, the possibilities are endless. For now, I am going to show you the very basic stitch. Anyone who has worked with broomstick lace will see this technique is familiar.

For the purpose of this tutorial I am using a basic yarn that is easy to see. My photo above shows the same pattern done in gorgeous sari silk!

You may mouse over images for left-handed views.

Materials
Yarn (any size)
Hook to correspond with yarn
Peruvian loom or substitute

Abbreviations
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet

Foundation: ch 13

The photo below shows this in progress.

Row 1: Working into the back ridge only, hdc into third ch from hook (first 2 ch from hook count as 1 hdc), and in each ch across, turn: 12 hdc

The photo below shows this in progress. The arrow points to the back ridge.

Row 2: extend loop on hook over Peruvian loom.

The photos below show this in progress.

*remove hook from work, insert hook under both loops of next hdc,

The photo below shows this done.

Pull up a loop and extend it over Peruvian loom, tighten the loop around the loom to secure it,

The photos below show this in progress and then done.

Repeat from * across 10 more times: 12 Peruvian Loops

The photos below show this in progress and then done.

Row 3: With yarn behind work, and keeping Peruvian loops taught, ch 2 in the following manner: Insert hook through the top of first Peruvian loop. Extending yarn to the height of Peruvian loops, draw up loop. Yarn over hook.

The photo below shows this done.

Pull through loop (chain 1 made).

The photo below shows this done and next ch 1 in progress.

Ch 1 again.

The photo below shows this completed.

Turn work, (ch 2 counts as first hdc), pull completed loop off of loom, *Hdc into next Peruvian loop in the following manner: yarn over hook.

The photo below shows this done.

Insert hook under next Peruvian loop,

The photo below shows this done

Draw up loop and pull through (three loops on hook),

The photos below show this in progress and then done.

Yarn over and pull through all three loops (hdc made)

The photo below shows this in progress.

Pull completed loop off of loom, repeat from * across: 12 hdc

The photo below shows this done.

Row 4: ch 2, turn work

The photo below shows this done.

hdc in each hdc across: 12 hdc

The photos below show this in progress and then done.

To finish project, repeat rows 2-4 until the project is the length you desire.

The photo below shows 2 repeats of pattern.

Add fringe if you desire!

Me wearing my sari silk scarf with fringe!

Have fun practicing with this tutorial! If you need help along the way, just let me know in the comments section below.

Crochet Pattern: Round Flower Pillow Cover

Rachel Choi — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:59:57 +0000

There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! Crochet this pillow cover to cover up a 14″ round pillow. This is the round version of the original Flower Pillow Cover. You can cover an old pillow that needs a new look, or a plain white pillow insert. The pillow cover can be used as a permanent cover, or as a removable cover with a zipper, Velcro, or buttons – your choice! The large flower is crocheted all in one piece to create the front of the cover, and then sew together with a solid back piece.

Click here to see full pattern details!

Crochet Pattern: Flame Applique

Candace — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:05:34 +0000

Here’s an embellishment that can turn up the heat on an otherwise plain project. This applique is great for adding extra flair to accessories such as small purses, cuffs, headbands and hats. Get creative with this flame and turn your next project into something hot!

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 2″ (5 cm) tall, 1 3/4″ (4.5 cm) wide

Materials:
Fine Weight Yarn (approximately 4 yards of yellow, 2 yards of orange)
Crochet Hook E (3.5 mm)

Gauge:
Rounds 1 – 4 in pattern measure 2″ (5 cm) tall by 1 3/4″ (4.5 cm) wide

Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.

Crochet Pattern: Flame Applique
Round 1: With yellow, make an adjustable ring, ch 2, 8 hdc in ring, sl st in top of beg ch-2: 8 hdc

Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each of next 3 hdc, (sc, ch 2, dc) in next hdc, (dc, ch 2, sc) in next hdc, 2 sc in each of next 3 hdc, sl st in beg ch-1: 20 sts

Round 3: ch 1, (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 3 times, sc in next sc, sl st in next ch, ch 3, dc in next ch, ch 2, sc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next ch, ch 3, sl st in next ch, sc in next sc, (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) 3 times, sl st in beg ch-1: 36 sts

Round 4: switch colors, ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 2 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, sc3tog, sl st in next 2 ch, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in next 2 ch, ch 3, dc2tog, ch 3, sl st in next 2 ch, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in next 2 ch, sc3tog, sc in next 2 sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 2 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc: 49 sts
Finish off.

Need help while crocheting? Feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll help you out!

Crochet Pattern: Watery Ripples Dishcloth

Amy Lynn Yarbrough — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:54 +0000

Handmade dishcloths are perfect for customizing to fit your own kitchen style, but not only that, they last longer and are thicker than any you can buy in the store. Using a good cotton yarn, this dishcloth can be made with two colors like I did, or you could even work it in three colors. Get creative!

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 9 1/2” (24cm) x 10 1/4” (26cm)

Materials:
Worsted Weight Cotton yarn (approximately 54 yards of color A and 56 yards of color B)
Crochet Hook F (3.75 mm)

Gauge:
Rows 1-2 = 1” (2.5cm)
4 sts = 1” (2.5cm)

Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.

Crochet Pattern: Watery Ripples Dishcloth
Row 1: with color A, ch 35, sc second ch from hook and in each ch across: 34 sc

Row 2 – 3: with color B, ch 1, turn, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, *ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, tr in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next st, sc in next st, repeat from * until 6 sts remain, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in last 2 sts

Row 4: with color A, ch 1, turn, sc in next 4 sts, *sc in next 2 sc of 2nd row down (between ch-2 spaces in skipped sts), sc in next 10 sts, repeat from * across, sc in last 4 sts: 34 sts

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across: 34 sc

Row 6 – 7: with color B, ch 1, turn, *sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next 2 sc, tr in next 2 sc, dc in next 2 sc, hdc in next st, sc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, repeat from * until 10 sts remain, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, tr in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next st, sc in next st

Row 8: with color A, ch 1, turn, *sc in next 10 sts, sc in next 2 sc of 2nd row down (between ch-2 spaces in skipped sts), repeat from * across: 34 sts

Row 9-28: repeat rows 1-8, ending with row 4

Edging: with color A, ch 1, turn, sc in each st across until 1 st remains, 3 sc in last st for corner, *sc evenly down side of piece, 3 sc in corner, repeat from * 1 more time, sc evenly down next side, 2 sc in same st as first sc, sl st to in first sc: 130 sc
Finish off.

Note: If needed, please see the Crochet Finish Technique: “Crochet Evenly Around” tutorial for addition help with the edging.

I hope you like this dishcloth pattern. If you run into any problems just let me know in the comments below and I’ll get back with you as soon as possible.

Focus on Fiber: Silk

Caissa "Cami" McClinton — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:40 +0000

Silk is a warm and luxurious fiber. It’s fabulous for making crocheted garments and accessories. Undyed silk ranges in color from a bright white to a honey brown color. Because it takes dye well, silk can be found for sale in many bold and vibrant colors. It’s possible to crochet in pure silk, but perhaps more common to find yarns for purchase that are a silk blend. I love silk’s softness and shine. It’s a bonus that silk is also a very strong fiber.

Silk fiber is animal-based, and like many fibers used for crocheting, it can be harvested humanely. The main source of silk fiber is the silkworm’s cocoon. The fiber the silkworm creates to form its cocoon is made of one continuous and smooth thread called a filament. If the pupa inside is not allowed to escape during the harvesting of the silkworm’s cocoon, the pupa inside dies. Sometimes harvesters kill the pupa in order to preserve the continuity of the valuable filament. Typically, however, this continuous filament is woven into fabric. Crocheters would use spun silk, which is made of shorter fibers that need not be continuous.

Crocheting with slippery silk can be a worthy challenge. Although it has some stretch, it’s not a springy yarn, so opt for silk blends if you need something with more bounce. If you choose to crochet with it, you’ll notice silk’s fabulous drape and beautiful shine, but it can have a tendency to snag, so be careful. Using a bamboo or wooden hook might help reduce the slipping. Paying close attention while inserting and pulling through loops might help the splitting.

One interesting source of silk yarn is the Indian sari. Saris are beautiful and often brightly colored garments worn by women on the Indian subcontinent. Sari silk has been reclaimed and spun into yarn or wound into balls for fiber crafting. If you’re lucky enough to find a skein of recycled sari silk, grab it for a beautiful and fun fiber experience. Soon I’ll blog about my own experience crocheting with sari silk!

Have you ever crocheted with silk? Would you like to crochet with silk? Please share your experiences, questions, and musings in the comments below! I love hearing from you!

Reference: The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes