Archive for 2009

Crochet Pattern: Easiest Coaster Ever

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on November 10th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 28 Comments
Coasters don’t have to be complicated to look good! After all they’re just circles you put your drinks on so that you don’t mess up your table. In this crochet pattern, there isn’t anything complicated or fancy, just the easiest coaster pattern you will ever come across.

Skill Level: beginner crochet skill level

Finished Size: 3 1/2″ (9 cm) in diameter

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (small amount)
Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm)
crochet yarn size 4
crochet easiest coaster ever

Gauge: rounds 1 – 3 in pattern measure 3 1/2″ in diameter.

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

Crochet Pattern: Coaster
Round 1: ch 4, 12 dc in forth ch from hook, sl st in top of beginning ch-3 joining to beginning of round: 12 dc
Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 24 dc
Round 3: ch 3, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3, finish off: 36 dc

You may also like to check out the Crochet Pattern: Amigurumi Animal Coasters for the cutest coasters ever!

If you need help crocheting your coaster, no worries! Just leave a comment and I’ll be sure to help!

crochet animal coasters

Thanks for Your Patience

Posted in Fun Ramblings, News on November 9th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – Be the first to comment

You may have noticed that Crochet Spot was temporarily unavailable today and you may have gotten a page with some funny error message. But no worries, because if you’re reading this on the site right now everything is working again!!!

So thanks for being so patient, I know it was hard for me to do! The people that hosts Crochet Spot on their server had to work out a few kinks. Whatever they were doing is beyond me. I’m just glad that it’s all fixed.

Now that everything is back to normal how about enjoying some…

Crochet Pattern: Checkered Loop Scarf

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on November 8th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 1 Comment
Accent your outfit with this simple Checkered Loop Scarf. You can drape it around your neck as a long loop, loop it twice for a good length or three times to keep extra warm. The loop scarf can conveniently be warn in many different styles.

To download this pattern, visit the Crochet Spot Store.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 68” (172.5 cm) circumference, 5 1/2” (14 cm) wide

Main Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 350 yards)
Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm)
crochet yarn size 4
crochet loop scarf

To download this pattern, visit: www.crochetspot.com/store
By purchasing this pattern or becoming a Premium Pattern Member, you will be supporting Crochet Spot in creating the tutorials and patterns you love on this site. Thanks in advance for all the support, as it is much appreciated!

If help crocheting your scarf, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

Crochet Pattern: Wishing Well

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on November 6th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 6 Comments
The wishing well is a fun yet beautiful home decorative piece! Use it to show off your crochet skills or to store small items. The well is also large enough to fit a small potted plant inside!

To download this pattern, visit the Crochet Spot Store.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 13 1/2″ (34 cm) tall, 12 1/2″ (32 cm) wide, 7″ (18 cm) deep

crochet wishing well
Main Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn
500 yards of main color
100 yards of contrasting color
Small amount of bucket, vine and flower colors
Crochet hook E (3.25 mm)
Polyester fiberfill
Small amount of 17 gauge wire (or higher)
crochet yarn size 4

To download this pattern, visit: www.crochetspot.com/store
By purchasing this pattern or becoming a Premium Pattern Member, you will be supporting Crochet Spot in creating the tutorials and patterns you love on this site. Thanks in advance for all the support, as it is much appreciated!

If help crocheting the wishing well, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

Caron Country Yarn Giveaway

Posted in News on November 5th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 5 Comments

Caron is giving away a free full skein sample of their new Country yarn (while supplies last). So if you would like to test out the new Caron Country yarn for free, here is your chance! Personally, I haven’t tired it yet, but I am a huge fan of the Caron Simply Soft Yarn.

To receive your free skein of Caron Country yarn, you must send 3 labels of any Caron Simply Soft Yarn, along with your receipt and a 3 x 5 card with your address on it to them. You can find out more information about the giveaway by clicking here.

By the way, I have no affiliation with Caron yarn. I just thought you might like to know about the giveaway they are having.

caron country yarn

Free Crochet Pattern: Christmas Ball Ornament

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on November 4th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 23 Comments
Crochet these quick and easy Christmas ball ornaments! You don’t have to worry about these ornaments breaking if you drop them. You can even make them in fun colors and crochet stripes onto them, by changing the color of your yarn after each round in the pattern. You can learn more about: How to Change Colors in Crochet. By the way, these ornaments can also make great pet toys! crochet christmas ball ornaments
Skill Level: beginner crochet skill level

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How to Crochet on Opposite Side of Chain

Posted in Tutorials and Help on November 3rd, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 70 Comments

Crocheting in the round is a very useful technique when you want to make bags, hats and other round objects. In this tutorial I will show you how you can crochet around a foundation chain. This method is used a lot in my crochet patterns to prevent having to sew your project together.

This tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you.

Start by crocheting a foundation chain. If you are working with a pattern, it will tell you how long to make this chain.




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What Are You Crocheting for the Holidays?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on November 1st, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 18 Comments
I love the holidays, the time of the year for family, food, and giving! No matter what you celebrate you are bound to be crocheting something for the holidays. Maybe you are making gifts for the family and friends, new table cloths for the special dinner, or extra hats and scarfs to donate.

If you are having trouble think up great gifts for your family and friends, check out the list of Fast Crochet Gift Ideas for the Holidays.

Or if you are still on the fence about giving crocheted gifts, see what others have answered to the infamous questions “Do You Give Crocheted Gifts?

christmas tree

So what are you crocheting for the holidays?

Crochet Pattern: Santa Claus Hat – 5 Sizes

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on October 31st, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 3 Comments
Celebrate the holidays by crocheting a Santa Claus Hat for everyone in the family! This easy to follow pattern contains 5 different sizes: baby, toddler, child, woman and man.

To download this pattern, visit the Crochet Spot Store.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Sizes: baby, toddler, child, woman and man. (exact measurements and instructions for measuring are included within pattern)

crochet santa hat
Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 150 yards of main color, amount varies based on hat size)
Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm)
crochet yarn size 4

To download this pattern, visit: www.crochetspot.com/store
By purchasing this pattern or becoming a Premium Pattern Member, you will be supporting Crochet Spot in creating the tutorials and patterns you love on this site. Thanks in advance for all the support, as it is much appreciated!

If you ever need any help crocheting your Santa Claus Hat, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

5 Tips to Prevent Yarn from Splitting While You Crochet

Posted in Tutorials and Help on October 29th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 5 Comments

It is really annoying when you crochet and your yarn splits! You end up with only part of the strand of yarn on your hook instead of the entire strand. Here are some tips to help you prevent your yarn from splitting while you crochet:

  1. Use a bigger hook – The bigger your hook, the less chance that your hook will split your yarn. Smaller hooks are more pointy and tend to “stab” your yarn in half. While bigger hooks obviously have a larger hook to grab you strand of yarn without splitting it.
  2. Take your time – If you take your time, and move extra slow when you crochet, there is no way you can split your yarn. Try working in slow motion for a few stitches and be sure that your yarn is properly under your hook before you pull it. You can speed up, once you get the hang of it.
  3. Work with the opposite end of the yarn – Yarn is made with a bunch of plies of yarn twisted together. Sometimes your yarn splits because you are working against the direction that the yarn is twisted in, so you are basically untwisting it. By working with the opposite end of the yarn you can work into the same direction that the yarn is twisted in, so that it doesn’t split.
  4. Use a different brand – Different hooks made by different companies are shaped differently. There isn’t one hook that is great for everyone, so try out different types of hooks to see which one works best for you. Be sure to try out different brands of yarn as well.
  5. Practice – Practice makes perfect, as the old saying goes, and it is so true. I remember when I first started crocheting, my yarn would split all the time. But now, using the exact same hook and brand of yarn, it doesn’t split anymore because I have practice crocheting. So just be patience and practice, you can do it!

Do you have a tip to prevent yarn from splitting that you would like to share?