Crochet Christmas Ornament Stars

I made the kids' ornaments this year using a simple crocheted star pattern.  The original pattern is here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Ornaments/Star-Ornament-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn

The only change I made was to add the loop by adding a chain of 10, slip stitched back into the same space, at very the end.

Infinity Scarf #2

This was my attempt two at the infinity scarf.  This one was a bit fatter and shorter than the white one.  I used some chunky yarn and used the entire skein, using a N hook.  It was a simple V-stitch that just took a couple of hours during a movie to whip up.

(I pulled the pattern off the internet somewhere, but didn't write down the source, so apologies to the original poster.)

Infinity Scarf Crochet Instructions:

Chain 19

Foundation Chain:
In the 4th chain from the hook dc, ch 1, dc (all in the same ch.)  *Skip two chains and in the next chain work dc, ch 1, dc (all in the same ch.)  Repeat 3 more times from * to end.  In the last ch, work 1 dc.

Row 1:
Turn.  Ch 3. Work dc, ch 1, dc in each of the ch 1 spaces. (The center of each "V".)  At the end of each row do a dc in the last space (the ch 3 turning sp.)

Repeat until desired length.

Hold edges together and whipstitch ends together to form a loop.  Weave in ends.

Infinity scarf

This was my first try at an infinity scarf, as modeled by Abigail.  I used "brick" crochet stitch, using a K hook, and an entire skein of soft, white yarn.  (I tossed the label, but it was just regular worsted weight yarn.)  The brick stitch reminds me of a granny square, and is super quick to put together.  I did this entire scarf while barely watching Madagascar 3 with my kids. :)

I found the "brick" pattern in a book called "Crochet Stitches: Visual Encyclopedia."



Infinity scarf directions:

Chain 18

Foundation row:
SC in 2nd ch from hook. *Ch 3, sk 3 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * to end

Row 1:
Ch 3 (counts as dc), 3 dc in each ch-3 sp across, dc in last sc, turn.

Row 2:
Ch 1, sc in 1st dc, ch 3, sk 3 dc, *sc between prev and next dc, ch 3, sk 3 dc; rep from * across to turning chain, sc in top of turning chain, turn.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until desired length (or near end of the skein.)

Place ends together and slip stitch across.  Tie off and weave in ends.

Sampler Afghan

Another project I can pronounce finally done! I started it 5 months ago..... The squares came together quite quickly. Then we moved, and it sat. Finally I stitched the squares together, which only took a few sittings. Then it sat. And then today I finally did the dreaded weaving in of the strings and gave it a final single crochet around the edge.
 
Lessons learned for a sampler afghan:
Choose either to do lots of colors, or lots of patterns, but not both. I was doing this to use up scraps, but also picked almost all different patterns. I wish I had stuck with one or two.  But it will still keep toes warm, and help the lid fit back onto my yarn bin again, so I call it a success!

Front

Back

X-Stitch Afghan

Yoda says "Do or do not.  There is no try."  This should be my new craft project motto.  As in DO FINISH!

I've been working on this afghan since October, I think.  I did some here and there, but then it got set aside for other projects.  Chloe was quite helpful along the way.

Today I finally finished!  And then I immediately hopped online to find a new project.  I'm hoping for something to burn through yarn scraps so I can get the lid on my bin again.

Seth loved to help me crochet, too, but sitting on one side of me and then the other as the blanket moved back and forth with each row crocheted.

I found the pattern for this afghan in the book 7 Day Afghans.  I really like this book, it is the second project I've made from it, and I intend to use it more.  Plus it is fun to just flip though.  I do argue with the 7 day title on this one, though.  I know I was a bit distracted, but even working 24 hours a day I don't think it could be done in 7.  Anyways...

The pattern is basically one row of single crochet, and then the next row double crochet, but you cross the double crochets into little x's.  She named the afghan "Plum Pretty" since she used more purple and dark blues.  I think I'll name mine "done at last!"  Or maybe "Seth's eyes."  It matches him well!

My new scarf

I have made lots of scarves, hats, and blankets.  But I don't have any that I kept!  So when Jenny gave me some beautiful wool yarn for Christmas, I knew that it would be for a scarf for me.  No sharing.  :)  Jenny also gave me a new book, called Crochet Stitches: Visual Encyclopedia.  I used a stitch called "double crochet group" to make the scarf.

Directions:
Chain an odd number of stitches.  (I did 11, for a skinny scarf, using an H hook.)

Row 1: Dc in 5th ch from hook.  (The skipped chains count as dc.)  Dc in same ch.  *sk 1 ch, 2 dc in next ch; rep from * across to last 2 ch, sk 1 ch, dc in last ch, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc between next 2 dc group across, dc in top of turning chain, turn.

Repeat row 2 until desired length.

Blue Seas Throw

I made this afghan for my mom for Christmas.  The pattern came out of a book called 7 Day Afghans.  (As a side note, I really enjoy this book.  It was fun to read and get ideas.  I finished this throw, and have started another out of the book.  I can't say that they get done in 7 days, but they are all simple patterns to follow.)

Bulky Weight Yarn.  (I forgot to see the brand of yarn, but it came in these giant skeins, bigger than a football.  I used all of 5 and a little of the 6th.)

Size N Crochet Hook

Instructions:

Chain 122

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch: 121 sc.  Ch 3 (counts as first dc of following row), turn.

Row 2: Dc in each sc, ch 3, turn.

Row 3: Dc in each dc, ch 3, turn.

Repeat row 3 until piece measures 34" long.  At end of last row ch 1, turn.

Last Row: Sc in each dc. Finish off.

FRINGE:
Work across each short side edge of afghan as follows: On right side of work, attach yarn at corner, sc in first sc row, *ch 10, sc over post of end dc on next row, ch 5, sc over post of next dc; rep from * across side edge, ending with sc in last sc row.  Finish off.

Slippers

I crocheted my first pair of slippers. Well, actually I made another single, ugly slipper, which didn't deserve to get a match. So I found a second pattern I liked better. The directions were honestly intimidating at first, but once I saw how it was coming together it seemed quite simple.  I did use the H hook, as recommended, and they turned out a little small on my feet (size 10), but they were for my mom, who has smaller feet.  I haven't heard a report, yet, if they fit well.

Here is the original pattern link at a site called "Around the Crochet Table."

And the directions in full:

Materials:
3 oz. Worsted Weight Yarn
Size H* crochet hook (for small adult/large child slippers)
 

Gauge:
7 dc = 2"; 2 dc rows = 1"
*To obtain a larger slipper, increase your hook size and gauge. 
For smaller slippers, use a size F crochet hook and sport-weight yarn.

Pattern Stitches:
2-tr cluster: keeping last loop of each stitch on hook, tr in next 2 sts; YO and pull through all 3 lps on hook.

3-tr cluster: keeping last loop of each stitch on hook, tr in next 3 sts; YO and pull through all 4 lps on hook.

Dc dec: keeping last loop of each stitch on hook, dc in next 2 sts; YO and pull through all 3 lps on hook.

Directions:

Slipper (make 2)

Ch 21; do not join in a ring.

Rnd 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 10 ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 7 ch, 7 dc in last ch; working in remaining lps from opposite side of beg ch, dc in next 7 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next 10 ch, 2 sc in last ch; join to first sc. (47 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 11 sts, hdc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, hdc in next 9 sts, sc in next 11 sts, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc; join to first sc. (53 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 22 sts, hdc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, hdc in next dc, sc in next 22 sts, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc; join to first sc. (59 sts)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 25 sts, 2 sc in next dc, sc in next dc, 3 sc in next dc, sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc, sc in next 25 sts, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc; join to BLO (Back Loop Only) of first sc. (65 sts)

Rnd 5: Ch 1; working in BLO, sc in same st and in each sc around; join to both lps of first sc.

Rnd 6: Ch 2 (does not count as a st here and throughout), dc in same st as joining and in next 26 sc, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sc) twice, 3-tr cluster over next 3 sc, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sc) twice, dc in next 27 sc; skip beg ch-2, join to first dc. (59 sts)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc dec over same st as joining and next st, dc in next 22 sts, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sts) twice, 3-tr cluster over next 3 sts, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sts) twice, dc in next 22 sts, dc dec over last 2 sts; skip beg ch-2, join to first dc. (51 sts)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc dec over same st as joining and next st, dc in next 18 sts, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sts) twice, 3-tr cluster over next 3 sts, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sts) twice, dc in next 18 sts, dc dec over last 2 sts; skip beg ch-2, join to first dc. (43 sts)

Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc dec over same st as joining and next st, dc in next 14 sts, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sts) twice, 3-tr cluster over next 3 sts, (2-tr cluster over next 2 sts) twice, dc in next 14 sts, dc dec over last 2 sts; skip beg ch-2, join to first dc. (35 sts).

Rnd 10: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around; join with sl st to first dc.

 

Rnd 11: Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st around; join with sl st to first hdc.

Finish off and weave in all ends.

Stars and hats

I've been avoiding the yarn aisle when I shop recently, and instead have been trying to use up some scraps.  This kids are helpful in this endeavor, requesting hats and scarves.  Pictured are two hats for Zachary and Abigail.  I also made a similar one for Seth.  Plus two new scarves, one for me (finally) and one for Seth (which tends to live around Curious George's neck.)

Yesterday I pulled out the white and started a garland of snowflakes from THIS PATTERN on the Red Heart Yarn site.  I ended up connecting them all together to make a doily.   I started crocheting about two years ago, with the help of a few books, so the fact that more complicated instructions not only make sense to me, but can transfer from page to brain to a project is pretty cool to me!

Granny Square baby blanket

I have made three of these Granny Square blankets, and enjoy doing the simple pattern. The directions (below) seem daunting until you are a few rounds in, and then you just go round and round and round until the blanket is done. I copied and pasted these directions off something way back when, but can't remember where it originated. The Granny Square is a pretty basic crochet design, though.

Ch 4; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 1, (3 dc in ring, ch 1) 3 times; join with sl st in top of beg ch - 12 dc and 4 ch-1 sps.
Rnd 2: Sl st in each of next 2 dc, (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first ch-1 sp (first corner made), *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp (corner made); rep from * 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beg ch.
Rnd 3: Sl st in each of next 2 dc, (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first ch-1 sp, *3 dc in sp between next 2 dc-groups, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp; rep from * 2 more times, 3 dc in sp between next 2 dc-groups; join with sl st in top of beg ch.
Rnd 4: Sl st in each of next 2 dc, (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first ch-1 sp, *(3 dc in sp between next 2 dc-groups) twice, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp; rep from * 2 more times, (3 dc in sp between next 2 dc-groups) twice; join with sl st in top of beg ch.
Rnd 5: Sl st in each of next 2 dc, (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first ch-1 sp, *(3 dc in sp between next 2 dc-groups) across to next ch-1 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp; rep from * 2 more times, (3 dc in sp between next 2 dc-groups) around; join with sl st in top of beg ch.
Rep Rnd 5 until piece measures desired size. Fasten off.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.

Crocheted Hats

I've been having fun crocheting hats recently. It is a good use of scraps, and I can sit down and make one in under and hour. It is a fun way to snuggle up with kids and cartoons without having to just watch cartoons.

I made one for Beatrix using extra yarn from her lovey blankie, and she has been wearing it everywhere.

I tried a few different patterns, but my favorite was a pattern called "Bev's Easy Round Baby Hat." Here is the link to her site. She recommends hook F for preemie, G or H for newborn.

Top of hat
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Make 15 dc into the 2nd ch from the hook, join with sl st into top of first dc.
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as a dc), dc into same st, *dc, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around, including in the very first stitch base, and join with sl st in the top of the first stitch. (23 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc into next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * around and join with sl st. (30 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc into next st, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around and join with sl st. (37 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2. Dc in each st and join with sl st. Rnd 6-9: Repeat rnd 5.
Final Round for Brim: Ch 2, dc into front post of the dc below, then dc into back post of the next dc below. Keep alternatiion fp and bp around. Join.

I made the one for Beatrix by adapting the pattern a little bit to make it more toddler sized. I used an H hook. I followed round 1. Did round 2 three times. Then did 11 rounds of double crochet. Then I added little loops by ch 4, skip a stitch and sc into next, repeating all the way around.

V Stitch baby blanket

This was the first time I have used a V Stitch to make a blanket, and really liked it.  The blanket came together so quickly, and except for the first row, you don't have to pay much attention to what you are doing at all.  I found this pattern on the Lion Brand Website.  The yarn was Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, which was baby soft, but still pretty chunky, and I needed 4 skeins.  I used a K hook.

DIRECTIONS: Ch 85. Row 1: (Dc, ch 1, dc) in 5th ch from hook (V-st made), *sk next 2 ch, V-st in next ch; rep from * across to last 2 ch, sk next ch, dc in last ch – 27 V-sts at end of this row. Rows 2-40: Ch 3, turn, V-st in each ch-1 sp across, dc in top of turning ch.         (Honestly, I didn't count the rows, but just went until it looked big enough to me.) Border: Single crochet at even intervals around all four sides.  (Original directions called for a picot border, but I don't like making them or how they look.)

Ruffle scarf

I made a few variations of this scarf in the last few months.  The pattern came from the Lionbrand Yarn website.  I used their Homespun Yarn, which is really soft.  The downside to the fluffy yarn is that you really can't see what you are doing, at least between the chain row and row 1.  But the upside is that no one else can tell if you've made mistakes, either!  I used a J-10 hook.  Here are the directions, straight from the link above at Lionbrand Yarn.  (This is my favorite pattern site so far for crochet.)

SCARF
Ch 143.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – 142 sc at the end of this row.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc here and throughout), turn, 2 dc in first sc, *dc in next sc, 2 dc in next sc; rep from * across to last sc, dc in last sc – 214 dc at the end of this row.
Row 3: Ch 2, turn, 2 dc in first dc, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * across to last dc, dc in last dc – 322 dc at the end of this row.
Row 4: Ch 2, 2 dc in first dc, *dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * across – 431 dc at end of this row. Fasten off.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.

I just started crocheting about a year and a half ago.  I picked up Crocheting For Dummies from the library, and it really did teach me everything I needed to know, at least to get started on basic patterns.  I also grabbed the I Taught Myself Crochet Beginners Kit from the craft store, mostly because it was a good deal on the different hooks, but the book also had good reference points for all the stitches.