Crochet Coasters, Free Pattern by Anabelia

Hello crafty friends, what are you up to this week?

We have beautiful summer days here in California and it’s pleasant to sit outside in the late afternoon, when the sun is not as hot, and sip lemonade or iced tea.

I decided to make a bunch of cute coasters to enhance this relaxing pastime.

I have made three so far, and I hope to make the complete set by the end of this week. The free pattern was from Anabelia Craft Accessories blog. It’s a symbol chart that is very easy to follow. Huge thanks to the author for sharing the pattern!

I’m using the same colors as the ones that were used in the original pattern. I just love how my coasters are turning out. I think they have a romantic shabby chic look.

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my previous post. I hope you are enjoying your week!

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Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,

Natural Girl Simple Baby Blanket in Variegated Yarn

This baby blanket is very simple to make, and someone who knows how to crochet dc, sc, and ch could probably make it without a pattern. 

Despite its plainness, this blanket looks delicate and is very nice to touch. The yarn that I used (Beehive Baby Sport by Patons, Natural Girl) worked very well for this project. For one thing, it’s a blend of acrylic and nylon, which is super soft. In addition to that, the variegated yarn gave this simple pattern a finer look.

Finished size: 33 by 27 inches

Patons’ Beehive Baby Sport, Natural Girl, about 1400 yards

Hook E/4 (though the recommended hook for this yarn is F/5, but I prefer smaller size hooks for tighter and neater looking stitches)

I started with ch 141.

Row 1: dc in 4^th ch from hook, dc in each ch across.

Row 2: ch 3, turn, dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc* across, dc in turning ch.

Row 3: ch 3, turn, dc in next dc, *dc in next ch, dc in next dc* across, dc in turning ch.

Repeat Row 2 – Row 3 until the blanket is about 32 inches long.

Trim is quite simple, it’s only one round of double crochets: 4 dc in corner spaces, and 2 dc in ends of rows.

More blanket patterns from my shop:

 

Pineapple Shawl, Free Pattern from Cascade Yarns

This pineapple shawl is a gift for my sister-in-law. She lives in Norway, the chilly, rainy, snowy Norway! So I hope this shawl will keep her warm and cozy!

The free pattern is from the Cascade Yarns website. You can see it in PDF format here.

I loved this pattern. In addition to written instructions it has good-quality symbol charts (even though I no longer have trouble following most written patterns, symbol charts still would be my preferred option).

In the original pattern, Pima cotton was used, but I went with a wool blend yarn. I used Wool-Ease by Lion Brand Yarns. My finished shawl is about the same size as the one in the pattern; however, I did not complete all the rows as my gauge was bigger.

I really like that instead of traditional fringe, this shawl has cute round “coins” hanging from chains. They make such an interesting and unusual look.

Notice the sweet little cushion made of burlap and lace. It was made by a blogging friend Stephanie, who writes The Enchanting Rose. Stephanie also has an Etsy shop, where she sells her beautiful creations.  

My lovely wicker chair modeled the shawl for you today. That chair was a left-over furniture piece that our previous home owners left for us. How sweet of them!

Ahhh, such a cozy little place to read a book or do some needlework.

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And here are some shawl patterns from my shop: 

Doily Love

I can’t really explain why I love doilies so much. It is somewhat old-fashioned, won’t you agree? But then I am myself a rather old-fashioned gal.

I have a big collection of doilies that I have made over several years, and today I want to show you my favorite ones. I don’t have pattern links for all of them, but I do for some.

Sorry, no pattern

Sorry, no pattern

Rosette Doily, free pattern

Sorry, no pattern

Small Cream Doily, my free pattern

Ferris Wheel Doily, free pattern

Autumn Reflections Doily, free pattern

Sorry, no pattern

Sorry, no pattern

I love this last photo. I took it a few years ago. It reminds me how I used the lavender to make potpourri and sachets. Unfortunately, my lavender plant died last year. I certainly need to get a new one!

Thank you so much for your comments and compliments on my crochet skirt in the previous post!

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