Taking a Holiday Break

Dear Readers and fellow Bloggers,

I have to take a break from blogging till next year.

I am forced to because my computer broke down. My husband ordered the necessary parts to fix it, but unfortunately they won't arrive until January. It is a bit upsetting, but I'm trying to keep a positive attitude. Perhaps staying offline during the Holiday Season will do me some good.

I won't be able to answer comments during this time, but if you have an urgent question about any of the patterns, you can send me an e-mail (I can check it and reply from my iphone).

I wish you all a heartwarming Holiday Season with your families. And may we all have lots of crochet inspiration and projects to keep our hands busy in New Year 2014!

Love and peace on earth,

Olga

Twinkle Crochet Stitch

One of the readers of my blog wrote to me asking help with this particular stitch. She would like to make a baby blanket similar to this one (click here), but doesn’t know how to go about it.

From what I can see in the picture, the blanket was made using double crochets and “twinkles”.

So I came up with my variation of "twinkles". 

I believe once you master making “twinkles” using my pattern below, you can measure your swatch, do some simple calculations, and start your Twinkle blanket.  

Good luck!

Ch 30.

Row 1: dc in 5^th ch from hook, dc in each ch across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: dc in each dc across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: dc in next 11 dc, ch 4, skip next 3 dc, dc in next 11 dc, dc in turning ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 4: dc in next 8 dc, ch 5, sc in ch-4 space, ch 5, skip next 3 dc, dc in next 8 dc, dc in turning ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 5: dc in next 8 dc, dc in next 3 ch, ch 3, dc in last 3 ch of next ch-5, dc in next 8 dc, dc in turning ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 6: dc in next 11 dc, dc in next 3 ch, dc in next 11 dc, dc in turning ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 7: dc in each dc across.

Newborn Hat to Match the Dress

I made a newborn hat to match the dress from my previous post. I used the same shells as the ones used in the dress. The hat turned out stretchy and very soft. Now if made a pair of baby booties, I would have a lovely baby girl gift set.

This pattern is my original design. It cannot be posted on other sites or distributed in any other form. If you would like to share this pattern, you can post ONE image on your site with the link to my original post. You can use this pattern to make items for personal use or for sale. If you sell finished items from this pattern, you must give design credit to Lacy Crochet blog (lacycrochet.blogspot.com). Please, respect my work. Thank you!

Measurements: 13 inches in circumference, 5 inches in height

Materials:

Bernat Softee Baby yarn

US hook G/6

Gauge: 3 first rounds measure 3.75 inches

Shell: (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) worked all in same space.

V-stitch: (dc, ch 1, dc) worked all in same space or stitch.

Ch 5, join with sl st into ring.

Round 1: Ch 4, *dc in ring, ch 1* 11 times. Join with sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

Round 2: Sl st into next ch-1 space, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 space, V-st in each ch-1 space around. Join with sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

Round 3:  Sl st into next ch-1 space, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 space, V-st into next space between two V-st of previous round, *V-st into next 2 V-st, V-st into next space between two V-st of previous round* 5 times, V-st into next V-st. Join with sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

Round 4: Sl st into next ch-1 space, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 space, V-st in each V-st around. Join with sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

Round 5: Sl st into next ch-1 space, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in same ch-1 space, skip next V-st, *shell in next V-st, skip next V-st* around. Join with sl st into 3^rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 6: Sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in same ch-2 space, ch 1, *shell over next shell, ch 1* around. Join with sl st into 3^rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Rounds 7-9 same as Round 6.

Round 10: Sl st to next ch-2 space, ch 3, 4 dc in same space, sc in next ch-1 space, *5 dc in next shell, sc in next ch-1 space* around. Join with sl st into 3^rd ch of beginning ch-3. 

Fasten off.

More baby beanie patterns from my shop:

Angel Wings Pinafore Newborn Dress

Isn’t this baby dress adorable? It was designed by Maxine Gonser, and the pattern is available for free. Click here for the pattern.

I so much enjoyed crocheting this dress. For me there is always something very special and touching about crocheting for little ones.

My husband and I have friends who are expecting their second child some time around Thanksgiving. They don’t know the gender of the baby as they want it to be a surprise. Their first child is a boy, so they have all the needed baby clothing for another boy. However, if they have a baby girl, a girl’s attire will be appreciated. 

So I secretly hope for a baby girl. I’d love to give this lovely dress to her (as well as a few other crocheted goodies).

More baby dress patterns from my shop:

Fancy Shells Baby Afghan Free Pattern

This must be the 10^th or 11^th baby blanket that I made this year! I already lost the count, though I haven’t lost the interest in making/designing new ones.

 

The stitch for this baby afghan looks fancy and intricate, but it’s not that complicated. The pattern consists of only four repeating rows, which are easy to remember; after you’ve made a few pattern repeats, you won’t even need the written instructions.

I think it’s a cute blanket, though one thing is lacking. If you look carefully at the picture or read the instructions, you’ll see that this blanket has no trim. I tried different ones, but simply couldn’t find the one that would work.

My free pattern is below. You can definetly experiment and try to come up with the edging/trim of your liking.

This pattern is my original design. It cannot be posted on other sites or distributed in any other form. If you would like to share this pattern, you can post ONE image on your site with the link to my original post. You can use this pattern to make items for personal use or for sale. If you sell finished items from this pattern, you must give design credit to Lacy Crochet blog (lacycrochet.blogspot.com). Please, respect my work. Thank you!

Finished size: 38 by 25.5 inches

Materials:

Snuggly Wuggly Big by Loops and Threads (1263 yards)

US size E/4 hook

Shell in this pattern: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all in same space.

In this pattern, I refer to turning chain as last double crochet.

Ch 143 loosely.

Row 1: shell in 6^th ch from hook, *ch 3, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch, ch 5, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch, ch 3, skip 4 ch, shell in next ch* across; dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: shell over next shell, *ch 2, sc in next ch-3 space, 7 dc in next ch-5 space, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 2, shell over next shell* across; dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: shell over next shell, *dc in next dc, (ch 1, dc in next dc) 6 times, shell over next shell* across; dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 4: shell over next shell, *skip next ch-1 space, dc3tog in next ch-1 space, (ch 3, dc3tog in next ch-1 space) 3 times, shell over next shell* across; dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 5: shell over next shell, *ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 5, skip next ch-3 space, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, shell over next shell* across; dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-5 (ending with Row 5) until your blanket measures about 38 inches. Fasten off.

More baby blanket patterns from my shop:

 

Alternating Shells Crochet Stitch

These are the same shells that I used for my Lovely Shells Baby blanket, but here they are arranged in an alternating manner creating an open and airy stitch. 

Multiple of 10.

In this pattern, I refer to turning chains as last dc.

Row 1: (dc, ch 3, dc) all in 7^th ch from hook, *skip 4 ch, 5 dc in next ch, skip 4 ch, (dc, ch 3, dc) all in next ch* across; dc in lst ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: 5 dc in next ch-3 space, *skip 2 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) all in next dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 space* across; dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: skip 2 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) all in next dc, *5 dc in next ch-3 space, skip 2 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) all in next dc* across; dc in last dc.

Repeat Rows 2 – 3.

I'm linking this post to 

Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,

Crochet Scalloped Trim Tutorial

In this tutorial I will show you how to make the scalloped trim that I used for my Easy Blocks Baby Blanket shown bellow. One of the readers asked for help, but perhaps this tutorial will be useful to other readers as well as it can be used for many different crochet projects (you can easily adjust the amount of dc in each scallop to fit your project).

So here I made a small sample version of my Easy Blocks Baby Blanket. Now I will use a contrasting color yarn to demonstrate how the trim is made.

The pattern reads: Working in last row: *sl st into next ch-5 space, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-5 space* across.

So let’s begin.

Sl st into next ch-5 space.

Ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-5 space.

Sl st into next ch-5 space.

And again, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-5 space. From this point we just repeat in the same manner.

When we get to the corner, we continue working into the end of the rows. The pattern reads:

Working in end of rows: *sl st into next dc-space, ch 3, 2 dc in same space* across.

Because our “blocks” have a rectangular shape (not a perfect square), we are using only 2 dc for each scallop on this side.

Ch 3, 2 dc in same space.

Sl st into next dc-space.

And again, ch 3, 2 dc in same dc-space. We continue in same manner across.

Next, working in original chain: *sl st into next ch-space, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-space* across.

And finally, working in end of rows: *sl st into next dc-space, ch 3, 2 dc in same space* across. 

Sl st into corner to join the round. Fasten off.

In the picture above you can see that I didn’t cut the white and pink yarn tails. That’s because I’m going to unravel this piece. I solely made it for the demonstration purpose for this trim.

However, I think if it was made in cotton yarn instead of acrylic, it would’ve made a cute washcloth or a dishcloth. 

New Pineapple Skirt in Progress

Back in September I made myself a purple pineapple skirt, and now I finally started working on another one.

This time I’m taking detailed notes along the way, so that I can write the pattern. Even though I’m using the pineapple stitch for this skirt as well, the design of this skirt will be different.

I chose bright red color, which I belive will look great with white or black.

I’m using Bernat Handicrafter crochet acrylic thread that I bought online from Joann. I purchased a ball of 1,746 yards, which should be enough for my skirt. Joann has a great selection of colors, and I actually bought three additional balls of this thread in pink, linen, and robust red. I am quite stocked up for the future projects!

I’ve completed 12 rounds so far, but the “pineapples” are not showing yet.

This is my second attempt. I had made about a fourth of the skirt but had to unravel it all because it wasn’t coming out the way I wanted it. But it seems much better now.

I’m very excited about this project and I can’t wait to finish it. I think it will turn out even better than the purple one.

The Holidays Are Coming

The beginning of the Holiday Season is only one month away. Many crocheters have started working on Christmas crochet projects and handmade gifts.

As for me, I haven’t. Somehow I don’t have any ideas yet. But I hope insprition  will visit me when more Christmas decorations appear on the streets of my city and in the stores. 

For now I want to reshare a few Christmas projects that I made in the past two years (see links to each post under the photos). 

And what about you? Are you crocheting any Christmas decorations yet?

Crochet Angels 

Snowflakes 

Mini Christmas Wreath 

Reindeer Filet Crochet Doily