Free Crochet Pattern: Tiny Graduation Cap

By Claire Golden – July 27th, 2020 Be the first to comment

It’s graduation season! I just graduated college myself, and I wanted to celebrate the occasion with crochet, as always. This little graduation cap is what I came up with. You could make this hat in your grad’s school colors and include it with a graduation card, or stick it on a hair clip for a photo prop. Use your imagination and I bet you’ll come up with all sorts of awesome uses. It’s the perfect size for Barbies, so my helper Adele is modeling it for you. But it’s also the perfect size to perch atop a guinea pig or bunny. My sister just got an adorable bunny and I’ve been making lots of hats for it, so stay tuned for more miniature hats in the future if this is something you like. What sort of hat should I design next?

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How to Make a Tassel

By Claire Golden – July 15th, 2020 Be the first to comment

You’ve probably seen tutorials on how to make pom-poms. They’re one of my favorite things to decorate with. But have you ever tried making a tassel? Lots of companies sell “tassel-makers,” but unlike pom-poms, you can make a completely respectable tassel without any fancy tools. All you need is some yarn, scissors, a yarn needle, and something to wrap the yarn around. Today I’m going to show you how to make a basic tassel that you can add to the end of scarves, bookmarks, gifts, or anything you can think up.


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Free Crochet Pattern: Cotton Sunflower Garland

By Amy Yarbrough – June 29th, 2020 3 Comments

Here I am again, with another garland design! As I hung my Strawberry Patch Garland I realized that I would not be changing it until it was time to put up my Stars & Stripes Pennant Bunting for Independence Day. Perhaps this isn’t a big deal to everyone but as a crochet fanatic, I had to do something about it.

Using cotton yarn in lovely, earthy tones I designed a quick and easy sunflower. I mixed it up by changing the color of the center from traditional brown to green to represent a younger sunflower. Then it was just a matter of making them into garland.

Do you need a touch of the outdoors inside? Crochet your own Sunflower Garland!

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Free Crochet Pattern: Rainbow Pencil Case

By Claire Golden – June 15th, 2020 Be the first to comment

I was inspired by the delightful rainbow creations of many other crafters this time of year and wanted to make something to celebrate Pride month. This rainbow pencil case is easy to create and I love how bright the colors are. You don’t have to make it in rainbow colors, though…you can pick any color combination you desire. How about making it in college colors, or in the colors of your favorite sports team? I use this for holding pencils, but you could add a zipper at the top and use it to hold coins, beads, buttons, whatever you can think up. How about a crochet hook case? Or add a strap and use it as a mini purse. The possibilities are endless. Whatever you choose to do with it, I hope you have fun making!

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Free Crochet Pattern: Textured, Ombre Pot Cover

By Amy Yarbrough – June 3rd, 2020 2 Comments

Do you like to garden? If you crochet as well then there’s a high chance you’ve considered accessorizing your pots. I absolutely adore macrame pot hangers and have even designed some smaller versions in crochet for tiny pimiento jars. Today I am sharing with you a uniquely textured crochet pot cover in warm ombre colors.

The cover is not difficult to crochet and works up fairly quickly. I crocheted mine in cotton yarn for a more natural appearance but feel free to pick from any medium weight yarn.

The texture is created by alternating between single crochet in the front and back loops. About every fourth round is an increase round making up for the pots gradually expanding size.

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Free Crochet Pattern: Basic Bunholder

By Claire Golden – May 19th, 2020 Be the first to comment

When I was a teenager I did intensive ballet. This involved dancing several hours a day, six days a week. For ballet, you need to have your hair away from your face, so I got really good at whipping my hair into a bun. However, it got boring wearing my hair the same way every day, so when I learned to crochet I started crocheting bunholders for myself. I designed this basic pattern when I was 14 years old and thought it should see the light of day. Make a few for the dancers in your life, or just for people who like wearing buns. It’s a great hairstyle for when you don’t want your hair in your face, and putting a bunholder on means that nobody can see if your bun is messy.

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Free Crochet Pattern: Easy Crochet Scrunchies

By Amy Yarbrough – May 4th, 2020 7 Comments

If case you haven’t already noticed, scrunchies are making a comeback. And why not? Who doesn’t like a simple ponytail covered in material with an endless variety of patterns and colors?

After doing a bit of research I found that there are at least two ways to make a crocheted scrunchie. One method is by crocheting over the elastic ponytail and then working generous increases into each stitch until you have a remarkable ruffle. You can find a pattern right here by fellow designer, Claire, that is positively adorable. It is called the Sea Anemone Scrunchie.

The other method is to crochet a long, flat rectangle and then sew it over the ponytail. This is the method I will show you how to do today.

Does it sound a little daunting? I thought so too at first, but it’s not by far. Just give it a try and I’ll bet you won’t be making only one.

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Free Crochet Pattern: Little Striped Hen

By Claire Golden – April 20th, 2020 2 Comments

I used to have a pet chicken named Harriet who was such a wonderful companion I wanted to make something in her honor. So here is a miniature version of my special bird. Harriet was a Plymouth Barred Rock, which are known for their striking black-and-white stripes. I chose a yarn that was black-and-white variegated to mimic her stripes, and I really like how the result turned out. This chicken is the perfect size to fit in your hand and would make a great keychain or fidget toy. You can use little safety eyes or small black buttons like I did. And you could use different colors of yarn to make different breeds of chickens. Try white yarn for a Plymouth White Rock (the classic chicken), tan yarn for a Buff Orpington, or black yarn for an Australorp. You can make your very own flock!

For those unfamiliar with chicken anatomy, the comb sticks up on the top of the head, and the wattles hang down from the beak. All chickens – both hens and roosters – have combs and wattles, but they look different depending on what breed. They are also bigger on roosters.

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Free Crochet Pattern: Easy Striped Hat (3 Sizes)

By Amy Yarbrough – April 6th, 2020 2 Comments

The Easy Striped Hat is a great basic crochet pattern, versatile enough for all ages. It’s worked in a rectangle and then sewn up on one side.

The hat features some excellent striped ribbing, which is accomplished by working a modified double crochet in the back loop. It’s easy and I’ll tell you how below.

But before you let the color changes scare you away, let me tell you there is minimal ends to weave in. What you do is drop the yarn and pick up the other. All color changes happen on one side so when you are done the side with all the “loops” will be the side you sew up. A great way to hide the loops and minimize weaving in ends!

Instructions are given for 3 sizes, toddler, child, and adult. If you want a size not included just follow the same method, chaining 10 more and working 4 more rows for the next size up, and decreasing the same for the next size down.

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How to Crochet: Modified Back (or Front) Loop Only

By Amy Yarbrough – March 23rd, 2020 4 Comments

Have you ever made a project with the back or front loop only method and been disappointed in how the stitches pull apart? There are ways to adjust the stitch, such as changing the size of your hook, but did you know, you can also reinforce the stitch so that this doesn’t happen? Let me show you how!
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