Crochet Summer Hat (Free Tutorial)

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 26, 2017

When it’s hot and sunny outside and you want to soak up some sun without worrying about getting wrinkles on your face, you grab a big, floppy hat. If you don’t yet have a floppy hat, never fear – you can make yourself one with this free crochet summer hat tutorial. Whether you prefer to watch a video tutorial on YouTube or read up on the written instructions, InterUnet has you covered.

While the project may look a bit intimidating, this summer hat pattern is easy, and while it does require shaping, the effect is easy to recreate using a fabric stiffener. The rest of the materials you will need are yarn (the pattern suggests using Aunt Lydia’s crochet thread, Fashion 3, weight 1, super fine, and you’ll need about 2 1/2 skeins, whether you decide to use one color, two, or more), and a crochet hook (the pattern suggests using a 2.75mm, but it will depend on whether you use the yarn suggested or decide to try something more hardy).

If you care about gauge, the pattern gives the following guide: 21 double crochet stitches should equal about 4 inches, or 10 centimeters. Of course, you may want to do a little extra math and measure your head and then try out your own gauge. If you decide to go with a different fiber for the floppy hat, you could try using bamboo, cord, or even plastic. When going your own route, however, you will want to keep checking the fit and stiffness of the hat as you go to ensure that it will work for you.

The stitches used in the pattern include a foundation chain, slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), increase (inc), and chain (ch). All of these should be familiar to crocheters whether they’re beginners or more advanced, but if you feel the need to brush up on your stitch repertoire, there are plenty of places to do so online.

The hat begins with an increase in each round and is only 32 rounds total, making this a project that will work up quickly – you can also decrease the time spent on the hat if you use thicker yarn and a larger crochet hook. To that end you can simply use one color of yarn and forego the embellishments, such as the flower (If you do want some type of addition you can always use buttons, ribbon, lace, or fake flowers to adorn your summer hat).

If this looks like the hat for you, you can choose how you want to access the pattern, whether you prefer a chart, written instructions, or a video tutorial. All of them are available through the Interunet site. Also, if you find yourself stuck on a part of the pattern, you can comment on the page and the author will answer (there are already a few such question-and-answer entries in the comment section so be sure to read those before posting your own question). If you like Interunet, you can visit their website for other patterns – there’s an “Explore” button and a search engine specific to the site that will allow you to look for other patterns.

1578 total views, 4 today

Easy Free Knit Bracelet Patterns

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 26, 2017

Do you ever see jewelry items at a market, bazaar, or antique store and think, “I could make that”? Oftentimes, artists borrow from what they see and use it to make their own creations. If you’ve ever taken inspiration from elsewhere to further your creative endeavors, you might want to take a look at these crochet bracelets and see how you can modify them to match your style. Easily customized, simple and quick to make, these bracelets are sure to be your new favorite accessory.

Let’s Yarnify! Is a site dedicated to original crochet and amigurumi patterns – if this is the type of project you love, be sure and follow Let’s Yarnify! on social media (BlogLovin’, YouTube, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Facebook), or purchase one of their books (there are four advertised on the website, three of which are specifically for amigurumi patterns – the other is for things like gloves, hats, and scarves).

Whether you’ve done cable knit patterns before or you’re interested in starting a cable knit project, this bracelet is a good fit for everyone. It’s small enough to avoid being frustrating to the beginner, and interesting enough to keep a more advanced knitter interested.

To make the cable knit bracelet, you’ll need 5mm knitting needles, a cable needle, a sewing needle, scissors, and yarn (the pattern suggests using something like Creative Cotton or Double Thread Catania). You’ll also need to decide which bracelet you want to make – or at least which one you plan on making first. There are four options available, the Small Cable Bracelet, the Large Cable Bracelet, the Ring Cable Bracelet, and the Braided Cable Bracelet (if you’re a beginner, the best option would be the Large Cable Bracelet – and if you’re more advanced, try the Ring Cable Bracelet).

The only stitches you’ll need to know are knit, purl, and various combinations of cable stitches, which are explained in detail on the side of the pattern (Cable 4 Front, Cable 4 Back, Cable 6 Front, and Cable 6 Back). There are also notes about how to close the bracelets, but of course you can choose how you close each of them up depending on the look you’re going for, whether you decide to tie it, sew it, or attach some jewelry endings. The pattern recommends doing the kitchener stitch, which you can find tutorials for online (both written and video instructions).

If you find you enjoy making these bracelets, you are allowed to sell the finished products, but be sure and give the creator credit for the pattern. You are not allowed to share the pattern unless linking back to the original page. Please also take your own pictures if you are posting about your results with the pattern.

Want to make your own set of cozy bracelets for the fall? You can find the pattern at Sascha’s Let’s Yarnify! site – it’s a PDF you can print out or save to your computer for your convenience (While the original pattern on the site is not in English, the PDF pattern is available in English). Be sure to check out Sascha’s shop, free patterns, and tutorials – there might be other projects on there that you want to try!

497 total views, 2 today

This cuff bracelet is crochet, but could easily be converted to knit

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 26, 2017

One of the most frustrating things about fiber arts is that often, you find a project you want to do and then realize that it’s in another discipline – for example, that scarf you would love to knit? It’s a crochet pattern. The slippers you want to crochet? They’re from a knitting pattern. The good news is, more and more people are learning how to switch back and forth between crochet and knit (and other fiber arts) and have learned how to re-write patterns to suit their own particular specifications.

Take this pattern for example – the crochet bracelet cuffs available on Craftsy from Yarn Baby – they’re all variations on a theme, but they can be easily translated to knitted bracelet cuffs by using a crochet to knit pattern converter (and yes, there are several knit to crochet pattern converters as well). Whether you want to watch someone walk you through it, or you want to do the math yourself and figure it out based on written instructions, the internet has a wealth of options. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube and on craft sites such as Knitting Paradise, and even places like EHow.

Wherever you decide to convert, you can take inspiration from anywhere to make the projects you’ve always wanted in the way you’re most comfortable with, whether knit or crochet.

For the bracelets, you will need to know how to chain (ch), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), and half double crochet (hdc). It’s recommended to use a 100% cotton yarn, such as Lily’s Sugar ‘N Cream. While gauge is not as important to this project (you can measure as you go along and find a comfortable size), the pattern does call for both a 4.25mm crochet hook and a 6.00mm crochet hook.

These crochet craft bracelets are available as a package, so if you “purchase” (they’re free but must be downloaded) them you can then take the measurements and have them all translated. There are several different stitches and styles to choose from, easy to advanced, though they are all small enough to be relatively simple for beginner or advanced crafter alike. You’ll also get pattern updates when you sign up.

The pattern comes with three standard patterns and then four variations on the original three. The Camden Cuff, Brecken Bracelet, and Woven Wrist Wrap make up the starter patterns. If you want to purchase some hand-dyed yarn to make these projects, you can do so directly from the pattern maker, at her website Yarn Baby Biz.

Just remember – if you want to share this pattern, you will need permission to do so. Contact the pattern maker if you want to reproduce the pattern in any way, as it is for personal use only. It is allowed, however, to sell the finished items you made from this pattern. Be sure and link back to it, however, as this helps the designer. You can find her on Facebook, Craftsy, Ravelry, or her personal site.

If you like this project, you may also want to peruse Craftsy – there are literally hundreds of similar patterns, some of which show up at the bottom of this pattern page.

1011 total views, 4 today

Macrame Stone Necklaces and Bracelets (Free Tutorials)

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 26, 2017

There are always those trends that seem to be stuck in the past – no matter how many times they resurface under another guise, they don’t appear to travel well into future decades. There are those things, however, that do end up coming around again because there’s a timeless quality about them that draws us to them. The general consensus is that macrame is one of those things that has become popular again, albeit through various other forms than its original intended use for plant holders and the like.

Macrame is a popular craft because it’s inexpensive, easy to do (both at home and while traveling) can be used for a myriad of projects, and the material comes in a bunch of different colors allowing for customization, coordination, and in conjunction with other craft projects. Whether you remember it from when you were a child or have yet to try it, macrame is fun for everyone.

If you want to revisit (or join the club) macrame, you can start small with something like these wrapped stone necklaces and bracelets. There are a wide array of tutorials available, from for-purchase patterns available on Etsy, to YouTube video tutorials, to blogs such as Curly Made, and EcoCrafta, ranging from easy beginner patterns to more advanced projects that will test newbies but be welcome challenges for those more acquainted with the craft.

When purchasing or gathering macrame materials, it can be fun to try out different products or see what you can re-use from craft supplies you may already have. I’ve done macrame with embroidery thread, hemp, and cord, but you could try it with yarn, rope, ribbon, or leather. There are also many ways to add to macrame projects, such as buttons, jewelry charms, beads, sequins, paint (splatter, dots, stripes), washi tape, feathers, felt, and paper beads. It’s up to you to make these unique to you.

When choosing what to enclose in the macrame, the same thing applies – you don’t have to follow the pattern. If you want to include stones, you can think about what quality you want to carry with you – if you want protection, a hematite stone works, but if you want self-love, try a rose quartz stone. Do some research on various gems and precious stones and see what fits your personality. If you’d rather include something else, you can use a favorite bead, or trinkets gathered from various old outfits or memorabilia that aren’t wearable anymore, along with marbles, small plastic animals, bits of old jewelry, or something you found outdoors.

If this sounds right up your alley, you can find patterns in a variety of places, as previously mentioned. If a for-purchase pattern is your style, you can find a great one on Etsy, but if you’d rather watch a video tutorial, this one from YouTube is excellent. Of course, there are several tutorials with written instructions available, including one from Curly Made and at the links posted below from EcoCrafta and the Lune blog.

1316 total views, 5 today

Knit Cuff Bracelet (Free Patterns)

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 25, 2017

With fall arriving soon, it’s time to get back into warm, cozy clothes. It’s still warm, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fall in our outfit, especially if it’s something like these cute knit cuff bracelets. Whether you’re sipping a hot mug of tea in the evening, curling up on the couch waiting for it to be cool enough to snuggle into a blanket, or you’re running early in the morning when it’s cool, these cuffs are sure to bring a bright spot to your day.

These also make great gifts for friends, family, and colleagues, especially when everyone’s going back to school or ending their summer schedule and vacations. These also make great stocking stuffers. You can customize these pretty easily, with color schemes, buttons, and bits of ribbon and lace. It’s a great stash-busting project too.

The pattern suggests using fingering weight yarn, though of course if you want thicker cuffs you might want to upgrade to a bulkier yarn. You could use cotton to make them appropriate for exercise (easier to wash and they won’t felt!), and softer yarn for smaller children or older people.

There are three patterns available here, each complete with pictures and pattern notes so as not to confuse the process. They each have a little unique design, but can of course be adjusted to fit your taste. There are also three different sizes, Small, Medium, and Large, though they were all designed with women in mind (this doesn’t mean they’re exclusively for women, however – anybody can wear them for any occasion – like cosplay, cooler weather, or simply a fashion statement).

The patterns are Cuffed, Retro, and Framed – each is listed in the pattern along with gauge, color(s) used, and finished size. You’ll need yarn, buttons, knitting needles, a crochet hook, sewing needle, thread, and scissors to put together these projects (the pattern is very specific about the brand and coloring of each item so if you want to make an exact replica you are able to do so – but don’t feel like you have to – feel free to explore, use what you have, or try something completely different).The materials suggested are merino wool and hemp yarn, though of course you could use bamboo or some other type of fine yarn.

You will need to know how to make an I-cord, knit, purl, and cast on and bind off. While the knit, purl, cast on and bind off stitches should be familiar to everyone who knits, the I-cord can present a bit of a challenge. If you’ve never made an I-cord, it would be worth your time to become familiar with it – there are, of course, plenty of places online that share how this is made, whether you want to watch someone before you try it or read up on the instructions before you begin.

If these knit cuffs look like they’d make a great addition to your fall wardrobe, you can find the free patterns at the Knitty website – the designer, Cat Wong, lives in British Columbia on a hazelnut farm. You can find her on Ravelry as FarmerCath. If you want to share her pattern, please contact her (the information is available at the bottom of the page).

380 total views, 1 today

Southwest Sunburst C2C Crochet Afghan

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 8, 2017

Ever wanted to try making an afghan but felt it was too large a project to take on? How about crocheting an afghan that’s a smaller size, but with a more interesting design than is usually given in a crochet pattern? If this sounds like a project you want to put in your queue, then say hello to the Southwest Sunburst Corner to Corner Crochet Afghan from One Dog Woof.

Crocheting corner to corner might be a new concept for some, but don’t despair, because One Dog Woof has a tutorial specifically for those who are new to the corner to corner technique. There’s a link available in the pattern and you can try it out before you start on the blanket, whether you want a written tutorial, a step-by-step photo process, or a video to watch.

To make the Southwest Sunburst afghan, you’ll need plenty of yarn – the pattern recommends using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice or something similar. You can pick whatever colors you like, of course, but the original pattern calls for grey, blue, pink, yellow, and white (about 12 skeins). The recommended crochet hook size is a “J”, though of course this makes larger, looser, stitches. If you prefer a tighter stitch, you might want to consider a smaller hook size. The nice thing about bigger stitches is that it leaves plenty of air in the blanket – instead of being constricting, the larger stitches allow the blanket to breathe.

Whatever hook size you intend to use, you’ll also need the following materials: a stitch marker or safety pin, scissors, a tapestry needle, bobbin holders, and clothespins, though of course the bobbin holders and clothespins are optional. They do make things easier, however.

The stitches required for the afghan are simple (the pattern is categorized as “Easy”): chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), double crochet (dc), increase (inc) and decrease (dec). The afghan will measure about 3 feet by 4 feet when done, not including the fringe. The fringe is optional, of course, but it’s a fun accessory and easy to add.

Want to make a little side money by crocheting a couple afghans? One Dog Woof has given permission to sell what you’ve made using the pattern as long as you link back to her original blog post. You may, of course, also share the pattern on your social media, using the original blog post link. If you’d like to translate the pattern, you can send a message to One Dog Woof via the website.

If the Southwest Sunburst Corner to Corner Crochet Afghan needs to be in your home, you can whip one up following the instructions, graph, photo tutorial and videos provided by One Dog Woof. If you enjoy this one and want to try another corner to corner pattern, One Dog Woof also has a pattern called the “Zoodiacs Afghan” and another, the “Chevron Baby Blanket”. You can share photos of your finished projects with One Dog Woof via Facebook or Instagram. Make sure to tag your pictures with #1dogwoof. You can also browse through PDF patterns and more from One Dog Woof on Etsy and Craftsy.

973 total views, 3 today

Crochet Amigurumi Eeyore The Donkey (Free Pattern)

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 8, 2017

“It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily. “So it is.” “And freezing.” “Is it?” “Yes,” said Eeyore, “however,” he said brightening, “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.”

-A.A. Milne

What would the Winnie the Pooh stories be without the melancholy and irony of Eeyore? Despite his gloomy outlook, his loyalty and kindness have won over thousands of hearts throughout the years. Who wouldn’t want him as a companion?

Well, now you can have your own Eeyore with the free Eeyore crochet pattern from aphid777 and Skestes on DeviantArt. There are plenty of pictures from aphid777 if you want to figure it out yourself, but Skestes took up the challenge and figured out a pattern that the rest of us can follow.

Before you begin you’ll need to collect a few materials: yarn (in blue, black, and tan), eyes (buttons could also be used), felt (purple, pink), faux fur (black), black embroidery thread, a tapestry needle, and scissors. The pink felt is for the insides of the ears, and the purple felt goes on Eeyore’s tummy. Of course, the felt is optional and does not need to be added. You could also use pink or purple yarn to create the same effect. Also, Eeyore’s tail and mane do not have to be made with faux fur, they can be made with black yarn. And you can keep or lose the button that joins Eeyore’s tail to his body, as well as the bow that adorns it (whether you crochet the bow or use a ribbon is up to you).

If you’ve never done amigurumi before, it can be a bit fussy and tedious. There are several parts crocheted separately and then they will be joined together. If this intimidates you, sometimes watching tutorials online can help when you see the pieces coming together, or starting on something smaller before you attempt a bigger project can ease you into it.

The trick with amigurumi is to go slowly, concentrating on one piece at a time. It’s easier to focus on one part than to look at the whole. It’s easy to get overwhelmed but the payoff is well worth it if you can stick it out. Once you’ve done something small it gets easier and you can go onto more complicated things (like dragons!).

You’ll also need to be familiar with the following stitches:  the magic ring (if you haven’t done a magic ring before, there are several video tutorials available on YouTube that can help get you started), single crochet (sc), increase (inc), decrease (dec), and turn work (TW).

If you’re not sure how to increase or decrease, it’s worth your time to look up some photo or video tutorials because these are common enough stitches that they will be in dozens of patterns that you may want to try out after learning these techniques (Also remember to turn your work and keep track of which side is which).

If this project intrigues you and you want to work on bringing your own Eeyore to life, you can find the inspiration photos at aphid777’s DeviantArt page, and you can find the fully written, free pattern on Skestes‘ DeviantArt account.

 

5215 total views, 12 today

Crochet Willow Square Blanket

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 8, 2017

If you’ve ever made a blanket before, you know how intimidating it can seem. You also know how big the payoff is when you finish that last stitch and spread out the blanket to see it all together. Folding it up and putting it in someone’s arms as a gift is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world. A lot of love goes into a blanket, and many times, those blankets become comfort objects for the receiver. To that end, if you’re curious about blankets and are thinking of trying one out for yourself but don’t want to get caught in a boring crochet loop, not to worry – the Willow Square Blanket is the perfect fit for you.

Kirsteen’s blog “Life In My Houseful of Boys” details her account of the blanket-making process. She chose a square design (resembling a granny square) from the book “200 Crochet Blocks” and then joined them together with single crochet. Then she chose a border from the book “Around the Corner” to finish the blanket off. The finished Queen-size blanket was crocheted using DK Stylecraft Special, using the colors “Storm Blue”, “Duck Egg”, “Silver”, and “Sherbet”.

When planning blankets like these, with multiple colors, it is useful to have an online generator to get an idea of the big picture before starting on the project. If you want to try out the granny square generator that Kirsteen used to put together the Willow Square Blanket, you can visit it at granny-squares-color.com and plug in your own color combinations. Try using colors that coordinate with the room it will spend most of its time in, or if you’re making a picnic blanket, try combining the family’s favorite colors. Whichever colors you choose, the blanket pattern and color choices will be beautiful.

If you want to be organized with this project and resist getting overwhelmed by it, you can do what Kirsteen did and make each row of squares separately, then bundle up each row so it’s ready to go when it’s time to join the blanket together. With just a little time spent on organizing, it will be less of a headache to make your own Willow Crochet Blanket. You can also put separate rows in Ziploc bags, and take one bag at a time with you when you’re running errands. When you have a little time, pull out the squares and start joining (just make sure you have scissors and extra yarn with you).

Joining the squares together will create a smooth finish on one side, and a raised seam on the other. You can choose which side to display, but either side is fine. And don’t feel like you have to crochet an edge for the blanket either. You can leave it as is, you can make a simple edge, or you can go as fancy as you like with picot, shells, or your favorite crochet stitch. The Willow Square Blanket is easily customized and makes for a great gift for family members and friends.

If you’d like to look at pictures for inspiration before you get started on the Willow Square Blanket, you can do so at Kirsteen’s site. You can purchase both the books she mentions (there’s a link on the page), or see if they’re available at your local library.

1138 total views, 1 today

Urban Gypsy Boho Bag – Free Crochet Pattern

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 8, 2017

Have a Boho beauty in your life? Are you, yourself a Bohemian? Then how about show that side of you off with this free crochet pattern for an Urban Gypsy Boho Bag? The Make & Do Crew provides this pattern free of charge, or – if you’d rather have a printable PDF without the ads – you can purchase the seven page pattern with accompanying step-by-step photos for a small fee. This is the perfect bag for the summer, whether you’re attending a music night at the park, going on a road trip to a boho mecca, or simply shopping at the local farmer’s market.

The Urban Gypsy Boho Bag is just one of a collection of patterns from the Make & Do Crew inspired by the 1970’s hippie generation. It features granny squares as well as plenty of fringe accents. You can crochet a strap for the bag if you wish, but if you want to go full-on retro, you can attach a vintage belt instead (there are instructions for both so pick your favorite) If you want an accompanying accessory or clothing item for the bag, you can try their other patterns, like the crochet moccasins, the hooded cowl, DIY boots, and cardigan. There are links to each of these patterns on the bag pattern page.

To make your own boho bag, you’ll need the following materials:

• 5 skeins of yarn (the pattern calls for Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton in “Vanilla”)
• Size “K” crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• 30″ x 24″ piece of muslin fabric (optional for the inside of the bag)
• Sewing needle and thread to match muslin fabric (again, this is optional)
• Toggle button
• Leather belt or strap (optional)
• D-rings and rivets (optional – these are for use with the leather belt or strap)

While gauge is not as important in this particular project, if you want to make sure you’re staying within the pattern’s parameters, each square should measure 8.5 inches. There are also some stitches you should be familiar with in order to complete this project: magic ring, single crochet (sc), skip (sk), slip stitch (sl st), chain (ch), double crochet (dc), right side (RS), treble crochet (tr), space (sp). There are also a few special stitches: two double crochet cluster (2DcCl), three double crochet cluster (3DcCl), and four double crochet cluster (4DcCl), all of which are explained in the pattern. The bag is crocheted by holding two strands of yarn together at a time, and the pattern is basically two squares and two triangles worked together with the later inclusion of a strap and plenty of fringe.

Most of these should be known to beginner crocheters, which means this pattern is a good fit for most everyone. It might be a new challenge for those who have not made granny squares in the past, but it won’t be so difficult that it can’t be mastered.

If you would like to add this Urban Gypsy Boho Bag to your collection, you can find the list of materials, pattern notes, complete pattern, and photo tutorial for free at the Make & Do Crew’s website. Be sure and sign up to receive their weekly newsletter – it comes with free patterns.

2272 total views, 6 today

Crochet Block Blanket (Free Tutorial)

Kaitlin Cone Crochet August 8, 2017

Whether you’ve never done a blanket before or you’ve done so many you’re looking for a new challenge, there’s one blanket you need to try: the 3-D block blanket. It’s a fun project whether you’re an artsy person, a math whiz, or both. With just three colors, a crochet hook, a tapestry needle and a pair of scissors, you can make your own unique, interesting blanket to show off your skills. When you cozy up in your cuddly new blanket, you can be proud of your new ability.

The video tutorial is available on YouTube in both English and Spanish (there are two different videos so make sure you pick the right one for you), walking you through each step clearly and concisely. The pattern calls for three colors (the original uses navy, light blue and white but you can mix it up and use primary colors, pastel colors, or an ombre effect if you’d prefer) and there are a variety of yarns you can use for this project, but make sure it isn’t scratchy.

Feel a hankering to try this 3-D blanket for yourself? You can do so by watching the Crochet Diamond Blanket Tutorial with Lanas Y Ovillos on YouTube – the video tutorial is only thirteen minutes long, and once you’ve mastered that, you can find other patterns on the channel for a myriad of crochet projects. Be sure and subscribe so that you never miss a video – they release new videos every Tuesday. There are plenty of projects to suit everyone, including clothes, amigurumi, kitchen accessories, and household items.

Here’s a gallery of what this looks like when you’re working on it and when its done.

1570 total views, 1 today