Archive for 2009

Free Crochet Pattern: Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on October 28th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 17 Comments
If you are looking to spread awareness about breast cancer, here is a very fast and easy ribbon that you can crochet. You can use it as a pin or sew it to clothing or blankets as you desire.

Skill Level: beginner crochet skill level

Finished Size: 4″ (10 cm) tall

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

Gauge: not very important

crochet breast cancer ribbon

Crochet Pattern: Ribbon
Row 1: ch 37, dc in the back ridge only in third ch from hook and in each ch across, finish off.
Using the photo as a guide, sew or pin the ribbon together.

If you need help crocheting the breast cancer awareness ribbon, let me know and I’ll be sure to help!

Watch Knit and Crochet Today Online

Posted in Fun Ramblings, News on October 27th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 12 Comments
PBS has a show called “Knit and Crochet Today” where they do fun crochet and knit projects. Each episode is about a half hour long and is filled with tips and tricks from people in the crochet and knit industry. I was never able to catch it on my PBS station, but now I realize that it’s available to watch online for FREE.

I’m so excited to start watching it! It feels like I’ve been missing out on a great show and now I have some catching up to do.

Here is the link if you would like to catch up on the old episodes too: Watch Knit and Crochet Today Online

knit and crochet today

Crochet Pattern: Easy Adjustable Mittens

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on October 26th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 4 Comments
The Easy Adjustable Mittens can be made in every size (toddler, child and adult) using this one pattern, with absolutely no sewing required! This tutorial provides 10 step by step photos to walk you through crocheting the mittens and altering them to the size of your choice.

You can download this pattern at the Crochet Spot Store. Also, if you are a Premium Pattern Member, you may download this pattern for free.

crochet mittens
Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 9” (23 cm) tall, 3 1/2” (9 cm) wide, fits a woman’s small
This pattern can be made to fit any size(s). Instructions include guidelines for taking measurements which are used in the place of conventional sizing guidelines, allowing for the item to be customized for the intended hand size.

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 200 yards)
Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm)
crochet yarn size 4

By purchasing this pattern, you will be supporting Crochet Spot in creating the tutorials and patterns you love on this site. Visit the Crochet Spot Store to download this pattern and to check out other patterns that you may enjoy!

If you need help crocheting these mittens, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

How Many Crochet Hooks Do You Need?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on October 23rd, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 49 Comments

I used to think that I only needed one crochet hook of each size. So I started out with one of those sets with about 6 hooks in it. But then I learned my lesson when I:

  1. Lost some – Some how things magically disappear, if you know what I mean. It’s a pain when you need a specific hook for a pattern, and you just don’t have it. When I want to crochet something, I want to crochet it then and there, not a day later after I go to the store to get the right hook.
  2. Broke one – Argh! I hate this. It’s one thing to not start a project because you don’t have the hook, but it’s another thing to end in the middle of a project because the hook broke!
  3. Needed a plastic one to go on the plane – Just to be on the safe side, plastic or wood hooks are preferred on airplanes compared to metals hooks. I sure don’t want my crochet hook confiscated because someone thinks it’s a weapon.

crochet hooks

Now I’ve learned to have “back up” hooks. One set of hooks is aluminum, the material I like to crochet with, and the other set is plastic, great for traveling with on a plane. Then there are the tiny hooks I use for thread and the giant hook I use with bulky yarn. To date, I have about 20 crochet hooks.

How many crochet hooks do you have?

Crochet Pattern: Absolutely Simple Drawstring Bag

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on October 22nd, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 35 Comments
The Absolutely Simple Drawstring Bag is great to use as a gift bag! This pattern is fast and super easy to crochet. It’s made with double crochets and a chain that creates the drawstring. You can embellish the bag if you desire. I used the rose bud pattern from my Flower Appliques Crochet Pattern Set.

Skill Level: beginner crochet skill level

Finished Size: 3 1/2″ (9 cm) in diameter, 5″ (13 cm) tall when flat

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 50 yards)
Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm)
crochet yarn size 4
crochet drawsting bag with flower

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

Crochet Pattern: Drawstring Bag
Round 1: ch 4, 12 dc in forth ch from hook, sl st in beginning ch-3: 12 dc
Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in beginning ch-3: 24 dc
Round 3: ch 3, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around, sl st in beginning ch-3: 36 dc
Round 4 – 12: ch 3, dc in each dc around, sl st in beginning ch-3: 36 dc
Finish off.

String
Row 1: ch 50, finish off.

Weave the string between the double crochets in the second to last round of the bag.

Embellish the bag as you desire. The rose bud pattern in the photo can be found in the Flower Appliques Crochet Pattern Set.

If you need help crocheting the drawstring bag, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

Reminder: Crochet Spot Store Patterns are NOT Mailed

Posted in News on October 21st, 2009 by Rachel Choi – Be the first to comment

Just as friendly reminder, if you purchased patterns in the Crochet Spot Store they will not be mailed to you. Instead, you can download them immediately after you purchased them. No waiting needed!

If you paid per pattern, just log into your store account and there will be a “My Purchased Patterns” tab at the top of the page. Click on the tab and it will show you all the patterns that you purchased and links for you to download them. Simple as that!

If you are a Premium Pattern Member, just log into your account and all the patterns in the store will be listed as FREE with links for you to download each one.

You can also learn more about shopping in the store by reading the post: What You Ought to Know About Shopping in the Store

As always, you can ask me for help anytime!

Scrap Yarn for Bird Nests

Posted in Tutorials and Help on October 20th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 30 Comments

There are many things you can do with your scrap yarn, but if you’re like me, you feel guilty for throwing it out (even if it is just a really small scrap). Here is an idea that I’ve heard lots of people talk about!

Some people put out bird feeders for the birds, but why not put out materials for the birds to build their nests with too? You can create a “bird nest kit”. To do so, use a small netted bag (like the plastic ones you get oranges or onions in), and place your scraps of yarn inside. You can also use other containers that have large enough holes for the birds to peck through. Hang it on a tree so that the birds can take materials as they need it.

Here are some pictures of bird nest kits:

scrap yarn bird nest kit scrap yarn bird nest kit scrap yarn bird nest kit

The first 2 pictures are from funinthemaking.net. The last picture is from a seller on Etsy.com: “Maddy & Me”

As you can see, you can get very creative in creating a bird nest kit with your scrap yarn!
I was also wondering if these bird nest kits would be safe for birds and the environment. What do you think and have you tried it?

Crochet Pattern: Convertible Lace Shrug

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on October 18th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 8 Comments

Using size 10 thread, the Convertible Lace Shrug is designed to be a light and airy cover up for the warmer days. The shrug can also be worn as an elegant, lacy scarf! Crochet this convertible shrug in any size by following the directions within the tutorial.

Download this pattern at the Crochet Spot Store. Free for all Premium Pattern Members.

crochet shrug and scarf

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 54” (137 cm) wide, 12” (30.5 cm) tall, fits an adult small / medium size
This pattern can be made to fit any size(s). Instructions include guidelines for taking measurements which are used in the place of conventional sizing guidelines, allowing for the item to be customized for the intended body shape or size.

Materials:
Size 10 thread (approximately 1500 yards)
Crochet hook US 0 (2.55 mm)
Sewing needle

By purchasing this pattern or by becoming a Premium Pattern Member, you will be supporting Crochet Spot in creating the tutorials and patterns on this site. Visit the Crochet Spot Store to download this pattern and check out other patterns that you may enjoy.

If you ever need any help with crocheting the Convertible Lace Shrug, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

Too Cold to Crochet?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on October 17th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 9 Comments

I’ve heard the excuse that it’s too hot to crochet, but never that it’s too cold. But this week felt like it for me. Although the weather isn’t freezing here in PA, with the heater not working, it sure seems like it.

When I go to pick up my crochet hook, I wished it wasn’t metal, knowing how cold metal is when it’s left sitting in a cold room. Perhaps that’s why plastic hooks can be great. Even as I work with the hook, it does warm up, but my hands don’t! I thought about wearing gloves, but they just get in the way.

Instead of crocheting, I should have ran around the house to keep warm. Or if I’m brave enough, I could have crocheted while running…but I’ll save that challenge for a different day.

Have you ever felt that it was too cold to crochet?

Crochet Pattern: Absolutely Easy Neck Warmer

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on October 16th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 54 Comments
For the blistering cold winters, crochet an absolutely easy neck warmer to wear! This neck warmer pattern uses super bulky weight yarn and a large crochet hook to make your project fast to complete. You can also adjust the size of the neck warmer by following the instructions within the pattern.

Skill Level: beginner crochet skill level

Finished Size: 12″ (30.5 cm) wide, 6 1/2″ (16.5 cm) tall

crochet easy neck warmer
Materials:
Super Bulky Weight Yarn (approximately 50 yards)
Crochet Hook N (10.00 mm)
super bulky

Gauge: not really important, be sure to measure the neck warmer to create the size you desire.

Crochet Pattern: Neck Warmer
Round 1: ch 40 (or a chain that can fit over your head), sl st in first ch made forming a loop, be sure not to twist chain: 40 ch
Round 2: ch 3, dc in each ch around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 40 dc
Round 3: ch 3, dc in each dc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 40 dc

Repeat round 3, five times or until the neck warmer is as tall as you desire.

If you need help crocheting this neck warmer, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

How to Wear the Neck Warmer: This simple neck warmer can be worn in different ways! The pattern makes a loose cylindrical like shape that should fit over your head. If you would like to wear it the way it is photographed in the picture, simply fold part of your neck warmer over so that it lays flat and snug around your neck. You don’t need anything to hold it together when you fold it.

Looking for another pattern? The Easy Slip-On Neck Warmer is designed so that no buttons and no sewing is required! The neck warmer is able to slide over your head, and still fit snugly around your neck. It is a great addition to your fall or winter accessories that will keep you toasty warm. Although the neck warmer will fit most adults, the instructions are written so that you can adjust the size if you see fit. You can even make it into a child sized neck warmer. Feel free to make it taller, shorter, looser or tighter if you prefer. Click here to see this pattern! crochet easy slip on neck warmer