Kicking off National Crochet Month

"Crocheted Room" 

origin unknown

It's been nearly a year since I moved out of my daughter's house into my own apartment. It had been a while since I lived in my own place. I have to admit it's quite nice to finally feel "at home" again. I've spent the past several years bouncing between family members' homes. In these types of situations space is always a commodity, so out of necessity (and keeping peace) I've given away, donated, or otherwise disposed of a lot of my old furniture and decorative items.

With all of my moving and shuffling things around, I did hold firm on keeping the necessities such as kitchen items, bath supplies, bed linens, etc., knowing someday I would have my own place again. I also managed, through it all, to hold on to the majority of my yarn and crafting stash. I'm still amazed I actually managed to pull that one off. There were times I was sure the family had had enough of constantly bumping into and tripping over my storage totes!

But we muddled through somehow and now I'm back to looking at a blank canvas. So with almost no budget, but with a closet full to the brim with crafty "stuff", I'm taking on the task of beautifying my new home with yarn, thread, and any other fun supplies I happen to have on hand. The rules are simple. Well, not rules really, more like arbitrary guidelines...

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
2. Spend little or no money.
3. Enjoy the process.

I'm not entirely sure where I'm headed with this project. I have a few ideas, small projects here and there--maybe a few larger ones as well (think filet tablecloth and maybe even mural??)--little bits of colorful and creative accessories to liven up the bland ecru walls. It will be a relatively slow process. Never-ending really. Continually growing and evolving. And I'm inviting you all along for the ride!

I've started a Flickr group so we can share our creativity and inspire others to enhance their living spaces as well. So come show us how you have used crochet or other DIY projects to decorate your home?

Did you know?

As you already know, I love to design original crochet patterns and I've shared many of those designs with you over the past several years. I've so enjoyed seeing the projects you've created with them and how you personalize those patterns with your own ingenuity and color sense.

I will always continue to offer free patterns for all to enjoy, but lately I have ventured into the realm of Self Publishing. I currently have three patterns offered in my Ravelry store (see below) and am working on plans for many more in the near future. Future patterns include some fun and quirky kitchen items, some adorable little amigumi, a mile a minute design, and a light and airy wrap called "Ocean Breezes."

These are my current designs for sale. I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed designing them!

Tic Tac Tote

This bag is sized just right for everyday use. Fill it with your daily essentials for a stylish purse, or add your latest WIP for grab-n-go convenience. Pattern includes both a handle option and a strap option for your carrying preference. 

*Finished size is 15 x 12.5 inches, (not including straps).

 

$3.50

 

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Li'l Punkin Bear

No one will be able to resist this little cutie! Li'l Punkin Bear is all dressed up and ready to bring fun to your fall decor and festivities. Make several to use as place markers at the holiday table, to give guests as favors, or just to brighten someone's day.

*Li'l Punkin Bear is 4 inches tall.

$3.00

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Bagels with Lox and Cream Cheese

Whip up a few to display as part of a whimsical tablescape, or make some for the kids to serve up in the play kitchen. Either way, this breakfast staple is sure to be a hit with everyone! 

*Finished size for the Bagel is 3.75 inches diameter. 

*Finished size for the Lox is 2.75 x 1.5 inches.

$3.00

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CAL Patterns Added

Just a quick note to let you know that I have added 2 new patterns to the Charity CAL. Hope You enjoy!

12" Sailing Along

6" Sailing Along

12" Orange Blossom

6" Orange Blossom

She's Ba-ack

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted. I don't have much to say other than things are starting to look a little brighter for me. I recently bought myself a new computer to replace the one that died early last fall in what I call "the great carpet cleaning fiasco of 2011." I can joke about it now only because no data was actually lost. All of my patterns were safely backed up, plus the hard drive itself was not damaged. Phew! I have to admit though, it was pretty hard living without a computer for all those months!!

You may have noticed I just posted a couple of new free patterns. First is a washcloth that I made using "I Love This Cotton," hence the name "I Love This Washcloth".

And next is a pear shaped hotpad/trivet. The Pear Trivet is very similar to the Apple Trivet I posted in 2010. In fact they are almost identical. I changed the last row to make it a little more flat to give the pear the right shape. You could also use this for the apple to give it a flatter bottom. I also changed the leaf a little bit for the pear.

Pear Trivet

Pear Trivet as an apple

I do have some more free designs coming up soon, including the final installments for the Charity 'gahn CAL, as well as some new patterns for my Ravelry Shop. Everything is worked up, just need to write them up and test them!

Stay Tuned!

Pear Trivet

Finished size: Approximately 9 x 7 inches

Materials: (US) size G hook, Worsted Weight Cotton: 2 oz main color, 2 yards brown. (Example was made using Sugar‘n Cream in Country Green and Warm Brown), tapestry needle

NOTE: Row 3 is now corrected. It was missing the "ch 1" before the last shell. Thank you Micheline for catching that error!

Weave in ends as work progresses

PEAR (make 2)

ch 6, join with sl st to form loop

Row 1: (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in loop, turn.

Row 2: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, 6 dc in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 3: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 dc, 2 dc in each of next 6 sts, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 4: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 11 sts, (sc, ch 1) in next st, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 5: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 10 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 6: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 9 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 7: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 8 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 8: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 7 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 9: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 6 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 10: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 5 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 11: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same , ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 4 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 12: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 3 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 13: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in each of next 2 ch-2 sps, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 14: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, (sc, ch 2) in next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Row 15: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp, dc in next ch-2 sp, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, turn, sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3 (see photos below), fasten off.

Left Handed (click for close up view)

Right Handed (click for close up view)

 LEAF

leaving 10-12 inch tail for sewing, ch 9

Row 1: sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, ch 1, sl st in next ch, ch 1, (working along opposite side of starting ch) hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, fasten off.

STEM (hanging loop)

ch 8, join with sl st to form loop

Round 1: ch 1, 12 sc in loop, fasten off leaving 10-12 inch tail for sewing.


ASSEMBLY

1. Using green yarn and holding the 2 pear pieces wrong sides together, sew around the outer edge to join.

2. Using long tail, sew stem/hanging loop into place at top of trivet (see photo for example).

3. Using long tail, sew leaf to side of stem as desired (see photo for example).

Turn it around and you have an Apple! :)

 Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2012 All rights reserved

I Love This Washcloth

Finished size: Approximately 7 x 7 inches

Materials: (US) size I hook, 3 ounces I Love This Cotton* (available from Hobby Lobby), tapestry needle

*Colors shown above, from left to right: Carousel Ombre, Amethyst, Buttercup, Aqua
*One skein will make 2 cloths

NOTES
ch 1 does not count as a stitch at beginning of row
ch 3 counts as dc at the beginning of row
Weave in ends as work progresses

ch 22 loosely

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, [dc in next ch, sc in next ch] 10 times, ch 3, turn. (21 sts)

Row 2: [sc in next st, dc in next st] 10 times, ch 1, turn. (21 sts)

Row 3: sc in same st, [dc in next st, sc in next st] 10 times, ch 3, turn. (21 sts)

Rows 4 - 17: Repeat rows 2 - 3 seven times (ending row 17 with ch 1, turn) for a total of 17 rows. Do not fasten off.


Border:

Round 1: 3 sc in same st, sc in each of next 19 sts, 3 sc in next st, *working in ends of rows- evenly space 19 sc along side**, working along opposite side of starting chain- 3 sc in first st, sc in each of next 19 sts, 3 sc in next st, repeat between * and **, join with sl st in beg sc. (88 sc)

Round 2: ch 1, (sc, ch 1, dc) in same st, skip next st, [(sc, ch 1, dc) in next st, skip next st] 43 times, join with sl st in beg sc, fasten off. (44 scallops)

 Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2012 All rights reserved

Exciting News and a Sneak Preview!!

I am just beside myself with excitement. I've been sitting on pins and needles for several months now wanting desperately to spill the beans. It was very hard, but I was a good girl and kept quiet. And now the time is here, I can finally say it out loud...

I'm going to be Published!!

Yes, published! My first professional pattern in a real honest to goodness, buy it at your local news-stand, popular crochet magazine. The October 2011 issue of Crochet World magazine to be exact.

Here's the sneak preview on Ravelry of what you will see in the magazine:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/crochet-world-magazine-october-2011/patterns

I can't believe my afghan was chosen for the front cover! It truly is an honor!