Crocheting during the Lockdown Times, Crochet Lacy Scarf Free Pattern and Video Tutorial

Hello blogging friends, 

How are you doing in these challenging times? It's hard to believe all these things are really happening! 

This is the end of the third week of the shelter-in-place order in my town. And it's been rough. All of my work outside of home was canceled. I'm grateful for the little crochet business that I've built for myself over the past several years as it keeps me floating financially and emotionally. 

I've been doing a lot of crocheting over the past three weeks. Way more than usual! 

I promised myself to take a better care of myself during these challenging times. It's important to stay healthy physically and emotionally. It's important to exercise and eat well, to stay positive and keep our spirits up. 

Now to my recent crochet project! I finished this scarf last week. It was an easy and quick project as there is only one repeating row in the pattern. 

I completed this scarf in couple of days, working on it mostly while home schooling my kids (our local schools are closed and parents temporarily became teachers). 

This stitch is nothing new, you probably have seen it before. It worked really nice with La Brebis yarn from Knitcrate March 2020 box. This yarn is 100% baby alpaca, and it's is category 1, fine, fingering yarn. I worked with a hook size E (3.5 mm), and my scarf came out 70 inches long, and 12 inches wide. It took about 800 yards of yarn. 

If you haven't heard of Knitcrate, it's a monthly subscription yarn box. In addition to yarn, you will find in this subscription box a booklet with crochet and knit patterns created designed specifically for the yarn of that month. And there's always a little extra surprise. For example, for the month of March it was cute colorful stitch markers and stitch stoppers for knitting. 

You can find out more information about Knitcrate Subscription Box from their website. And if you decide to subscribe (by the way, you can cancel your subscription at any time), you can use the coupon code OLGA20 to get 20% off your first month subscription. (Disclosure: Knitcrate will pay me a small commission at no cost to you). 

I created a very detailed video tutorial for this scarf pattern. 

And here is the written pattern:

Multiple of 10, plus 5. 

Row 1: tr in 5th ch from hook, tr in each of next 4 ch, skip next 4 ch, *tr in next ch, ch 4, tr in each of next 5 ch, skip next 4 ch* across, end with tr in next ch, ch 4, tr in last tr. 

Row 2: ch 4, turn, *5 tr in next ch-4 space, skip next 5 tr, tr in next tr (it's the last tr of tr-5 group), ch 4* across, end with tr in top of turning ch. 

Repeat Row 2 for the pattern. 

What is a Spider Stitch in Crochet? Explanation and Examples

Today I want to talk about the spider stitch! What exactly is it? How simple or difficult is it? What kind of crochet projects and what kind of crochet yarns is it good for? 

Beginner or even seasoned crocheters might ask these questions. So let’s dive into it and find out! 

Let’s start with the basic crochet stitches. Most crocheters will agree that the basic crochet stitches are: a chain, a slip stitch, a single crochet, a double crochet, and a half-double crochet. 

Then we have advanced stitches: such as treble, double treble, triple treble, also front post and back post stitches, puff stitches, clusters, single crochet decrease, and double crochet decrease, and many more. 

And then, we mix up a variety of basic and advanced stitches to create some intricate design, and what do we call that design? Well, we  also call it a stitch! 

You probably have heard of the granny stitch, shell stitch, chevron or ripple stitch, pineapple stitch, crocodile stitch, spider stitch and there are lots, and lots of others! 

Well, the spider stitch is not a single stitch, but a category of crochet designs made from basic stitches, and these designs share a particular look, that vaguely resembles - you guessed it - a spider! 

Most of the time, spider stitch is made of single crochets, double crochets, and chains. It can vary in size and complexity. Usually the body of a “spider” is created with single crochets, chains make up the legs, and double crochets surround the “spider”. But of course, there are ton’s of other variations. 

The yarns that work best for this stitch are solid color yarns. I would not recommend variegated yarns as the “spiders” will simply blend in with the rest of the crochet fabric. 

As for the projects that the spider stitch can be used for, there really are no limitations. I’ve used the spider stitch for shawls, blankets, scarves, bookmarks, doilies, and there are so many other things that can be created with a spider stitch. 

In this post I will show you photos of several variations of a spider stitch for the purpose of learning what a spider stitch design looks like. 

All of these photos are my own work, they are either from my blog, my website, or my pattern shop. Alright, let’s take a look! 

Lacy Shells Textured Shawl Crochet Video Tutorial

I recently discovered Alize Angora Gold Ombre Batik yarn, and it was such such fun working with it! I just love the ombre effect of the delicate transition from pale green to rich green! So pretty! 

This blog/website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

There are only two repeating rows in the pattern, which are quite easy to remember. I used front post double crochets to add some texture to my shawl. And it turned out super airy and light! 

I worked with a hook size F (3.75 mm). 

I hope you'll enjoy my video tutorial. And the written pattern is available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. 

Crochet Romantic Spring Scarf, Crochet Video Tutorial, Alize Bahar Cotton Yarn

A few years ago, I had a revelation - I suddenly realized how incredibly beautiful spring here in Northern California is! I was driving on a highway surrounded by lusciously green grasslands, and the sky was so blue and clear, and I remember thinking: "Wow, how come I haven't noticed all this beauty before? Where was I all these years? " 

Since then, each year I make sure to pause, to pay attention, to notice, and to celebrate spring! 

I crocheted myself a romantic spring scarf to bring along on my walks in the nature. It's light and airy, but surely can offer some protection from spring winds.

I used 100% mercerized cotton and a hook size E (3.5 mm).  There are four repeating rows in the the pattern. 

Exactly two skeins of Alize Bahar yarn (about 540 yards) were enough to complete my project. My scarf came out 55 inches long and 8.5 inches wide. 

This blog/website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

I created a detailed video tutorial for this scarf. 

And the written pattern is available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.