Easy springtime crochet washcloth pattern

Hi everyone! I am excited to put together a sort of mini tutorial on how to make an easy crochet dishcloth.
This pattern includes alternating double and single crochet, which works out into a kind of lacy basketweave look.
Isn't it pretty?:

To make one of your own, you will need a ball of worsted weight cotton yarn and a size H crochet hook.

To start, loosely chain an odd number of rows. I made 21.

Single crochet into the second chain from the hook.
Double crochet into the next chain.
Keep alternating single and double crochet down the row. If you started with an odd number of chains, you should have an even number of stitches. I ended up with 20.





Chain one and turn.
Now, if you are following along, you should have just made a double crochet as the last stitch in the previous row. Great! Single crochet into that stitch, like this (which is in the middle of the row, but you get the idea):



Next, double crochet into the next stitch, which should be a single crochet. Here's a photo of that in action:




Then just keep trucking along, alternating stitches so that you have a single crochet in each double and a double in each single. It's going to look like this after a while:





By the way, here's the beauty of starting with an odd number of chains and therefore an even number of stitches --as long as you have an even number of stitches, you'll always end each row with a double crochet, which means you'll also always start each row with a single crochet.
I like this because it takes the thought out of which stitch I'm starting with, whether I need to start a row with one chain or two, etc. , etc., and let's me focus on other things, like reading, watching a show or just crocheting away and losing track of time.
Gotta love multitasking!


So, once you have it to the size you want, just finish off and weave in your ends.


After about 30 minutes or so, here's what I ended up with:

And here is my new little beauty waiting to be put into service.

Thanks for stopping by.

Moving means finding new craft stores, seeking out the yarn

Hello yarn-loving blog readers! I am getting settled in a new home in a new state and figured it was time to fire up the old blog. I sort of forgot about it, but am going to give it another go.
I am now living in Virginia, where the skies are mostly sunny when the forecast says partly cloudy vs. Ohio, where partly cloudy means you will see the sun for approximately 10 minutes all day. Maybe.
So, what do I do when blessed with all this extra Vitamin D from the lovely sunlight? Yes, I hunker down inside and crochet. At least I see it through the windows. :)
On the minus side of the equation, moving has meant some changes in yarn availability.
I crochet mostly toy nets for stuffed animal storage, so I need to buy the sturdy acrylic stuff -- Red Heart Super Saver, Caron One Pound and Bernat Super Value.
I am used to having dozens of colors at my fingertips for my shopping convenience. Northeast Ohio has the BEST Jo-Ann stores. The North Olmsted location has aisles upon aisles of yarn. It's a wonderland! The new Elyria location is no slouch in the yarn department, either, and features many brands, styles and colors. Jo-Ann is headquartered in Ohio, so I guess it only makes sense the Buckeye state gets the primo superstores.
Well, I never knew how spoiled I was. The Jo-Ann at my new home has one teeny tiny shorted aisle with yarn on just one side. Plus an end cap. Very sad. I wilted when I saw it.
Fortunately, AC Moore has a very nice selection of yarn. I haven't tried their Nicole brand, but it comes in all weights, colors and varieties. Looks nice. The Super Saver selection is pretty super!
Also along to the rescue is another venue new to me -- Hobby Lobby. Aside from their gobs of home décor, they have a nice little yarn section of about three or four aisles filled with mainly their brands. I've had good success with I Love This Yarn. Pretty colors and nice quality. It is soft and would work up into a great afghan, scarf or hat.
I shouldn't forget Michael's and Wal-Mart, which sometimes fill in the gap for colors I can't find elsewhere. But, oh, Michael's! Why did you have to stop carrying Sherbet Print?! Online shopping is great, too, but not always convenient if I need a color pronto.
If anyone is out there reading this, let me know where you buy your yarn. I'd love to hear! Maybe there's a fabulous store or online location I need to know about! Thanks for stopping by.

Half off sale at justyarning.etsy.com

I'm in promotion mode! My Etsy shop is celebrating its 1-year debut today. Woo hoo!
It's been fun and I've actually sold a few things. In my first year I had 55 sales, which works out to about one item a week. Not too shabby!
I know some shops sell 55 items a day, but at least it's a start. I've learned a lot and still have much to discover.
Well, back to that promotion...
I am going all out and offering everything in the shop for half price with coupon code JUST50. Find my shop at justyarning.etsy.com
I currently have a few pairs of fingerless gloves, scarves, hats, bags, washcloths, stroller handle covers, hand sanitizer holders and patterns, water bottle carriers and some other assorted stuff like mug cozies, boot toppers and egg hats. Custom orders welcome!

Knit pattern testers wanted for small project

Hi fellow knitters!
I am planning to sell my pattern for a knitted hand sanitizer cozy and need a little help making sure the pattern is good to go. I've made it with sock yarn on -- I think -- No. 2 dpns, and with worsted weight yarn on about size 8 dpns.
It will fit a 2-ounce bottle of Purell.
I might tweak it to fit the smaller 1 ounce bottles or Bath and Body Works bottles as well, but that will probably come later.
Anyone out there want to test the pattern for me? I'm sorry that I cannot pay you, but you can make items with the pattern and sell them. Just please don't sell my pattern or post it as your own!
I hope to get this out in my Etsy shop, JustYarning, soon, so if anyone is interested, please respond in the comments section and I'll get right back to you.
Thanks!

Fleece yarn

Hello fellow yarn lovers! I have a new discovery!
I found this interesting yarn a while ago, but have yet to buy any. It's actually made of printed polyester fleece. Has anyone tried it? It's called Deborah Norville Cuddle Fleece and it comes in either dots or mosaics. Premier is selling it for $6.99 on their site. I don't know if it's available at craft stores yet.
Here's a link from the Premier Yarns Web site:
http://www.premieryarns.com/product.aspx?pid=166412

And here's a pic from their site of the mosaics version in the color called Building Blocks:

I think it might be nice for a kids scarf. You need an S hook or size 15 needles to knit. An S hook is huge! 15s are big, but not THAT big. Not sure why the discrepancy.
Premier also has 12 free patterns for this yarn, including a hat, scarf, baby blanket, pillow and bag.
I would love to hear from anyone who has used this yarn. How did your project turn out? Would you recommend this yarn to a friend?
By the way, I am not linked to this yarn company in any way. I'm just a yarn enthusiast looking for some advice before I buy even more yarn for my stash. :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Washcloths on sale now!

I am having a sale over at justyarning.etsy.com on washcloths, dishcloths, dishrags or whatever you like to call them. Just two bucks! Stock up until the end of the year, after which time the prices will go back to normal.
My cloths are 100 percent cotton and are about 7 inches square. They have lots of texture and can be used to wash your dishes or yourself. I use mine for dishes and love them.

Here's a photo of one little set. The bowl is a separate listing:

 

I also make a dog bone design, like the one below, which is a bit smaller. I made one for cats, too -- with a fish bone design -- which I will list as soon as I can take some new photos.

 

Here are a few links:

JustYarning Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/justyarning?ref=si_shop

 

Aqua and cream dishcloth set of two:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/116200486/on-sale-crochet-cotton-dish-cloths-with

 

Black and white dog bone set of two:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/105575309/on-sale-dog-bone-design-crochet

 

Thanks for looking!

 

 

Cyber Monday sale still going

I am offering free shipping in my Etsy shop today, Monday November 26, 2012. It will probably extend into Tuesday morning at the latest. Please stop by and check out my knitted and crochet items. I'm making more and can always make a custom order.
Find the shop at justyarning.etsy.com

Crochet icicles

Check out my new Etsy badge up there! Love it!

I have a few Christmas items in the shop now, including icicle ornaments that are made to order. Here are a few photos:

 

This is what I've come up with so far, but I think any color scheme would work.

 

 



 

 

If anyone is interested in seeing these in my shop, here are the links:

Plain icicle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115433512/icicle-ornament-in-natural-off-white

Red and cream icicle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115434035/icicle-ornament-in-natural-off-white

Gold icicle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115432761/icicle-ornament-in-white-with-gold-trim

Thanks for stopping by!



Pumpkin bucket handle covers

Hi all.
I was just sitting here looking at the abandoned pumpkin trick or trick bucket my daughter left on my bed and realized another use for those handy umbrella stroller handle covers.
Pumpkin bucket handle covers!
Like this:

Probably five or six years ago I made our bucket handle covers out of glow-in-the-dark yarn. I don't think it's available anymore, unless you find it on Ebay or somewhere. Still, you can use any yarn you want. Mine was by Bernat and really does glow in the dark. So cool.
I wanted something to protect my kids' hands, because when those buckets get heavy with candy, the handle really starts to dig in.
The cover solves that.
Or, you can just do as my oldest did this year and carry around a pillowcase, hopeful to fill it. (Not even close, by the way.)
Anyway, here's a refresher on the handle covers. Make one per bucket. When you're done, all you have to do is unhook the handle, slide on the cover and rehook it. Then you're all ready to trick or treat.
Make them now and you'll be all ready for next year!

Pumpkin bucket handle covers

Use whatever yarn you like and an appropriate hook. I used worsted weight yarn and most likely an H hook.
Also, if you are having trouble with just nine stitches around, or it's too tight, start with 10 or 12 chains. Start with fewer chains if you're using bulky yarn and your cover is coming out too big.

Handle covers:
Ch 9
Round 1: Sc in beginning ch and next 8 ch for a total of 9 ch, place marker in last st made
Rounds 2-20: Sc in each sc around, place marker in last st made
Round 21: Sc around, slip stitch in next stitch and fasten off
Weave in ends

If you don't mind it potentially being lopsided, you can just keep crocheting around and around without marking your last stitch, then finish when you think it's long enough. This is probably what I did!

Love of boot toppers

I have been on a boot-cuff making spree. I knitted some pairs and crocheted others and have more planned. I should be finishing my pineapple baby blanket, but this requires a visit to the craft store to buy more yarn, and we all know how dangerous that is. (Just one ball of yarn? But, but... Look at all those great colors that I just have to have!)

Has anyone else found the joy of boot toppers? They're like short legwarmers that cover just the part of your calf that sticks out of the top of your boot, and a bit below. Mine are only about 4 inches long or so. I think some people make them big enough to fold over the boot, but mine are just for the legs.

Here are some pics of one of my crocheted pairs:

I made a few pairs for my girls and they are really loving them. My 5-year-old loved hers so much she wore them to bed one night! They're really cozy.

I tried out a pair, too, and they really did add a lot of warmth. If you live in a cool climate, these are a perfect alternative to full length leg warmers or heavy socks. Of course, I did have on my handknit socks Saturday, and I must say my feet were nice and toasty while the rest of me froze at the morning soccer games. Maybe I can make a bigger pair of boot cuffs and wear them with my handknit socks, boots and jeans. Yeah!

If anyone is interested in checking out my boot toppers for sale on Etsy, here are the links:
Knitted pair girls and women sizes:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111913345/boot-toppers-or-boot-cuffs-short
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111912892/boot-toppers-or-boot-cuffs-short
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111912667/boot-toppers-or-boot-cuffs-short

And the crochet pair for women:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111671331/boot-toppers-short-crochet-legwarmers-in

And the crochet pair for girls:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111973378/little-girl-boot-toppers-short-crochet

I'd love to know what other knitters and crocheters out there have to say about boot toppers. Please comment!

Free pattern for knitted umbrella stroller handle covers

Here's a nice easy pattern for making knitted handle covers for your umbrella stroller. You will need to know how to knit in the round on double pointed needles. This is a pretty forgiving project if you want to try working in the round, but aren't sure of your skills yet.

I make my covers out of worsted weight cotton yarn, like Lily's Sugar N Cream or Bernat Handicrafter. I have never tried acrylic yarn, so I can't say how that will hold up. I have also used a wool and soy blend worsted weight yarn, like this:

I also make handle coveres out of sock yarn, which is great for warm cozy handles in the winter. Maybe I'll post that pattern another day!

This pattern hasn't been tested by anyone other than me, so let me know if it works or if you need any assistance.

Here's what you need:
*A small ball of worsted weight cotton yarn, or a small amount of different colors if you're making stripes
*Size 8 dpns

Abbreviations:
CO = cast on
K = knit
P = purl
BO = bind off

My gauge is about 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch

PATTERN

CO 12

Round 1: K1 P1 to end of round

Rounds 2-10: Continue in K1P1 ribbing (working in the round, knit the knits and purl the purls)

Rounds 11-50: K

Rounds 51- 60: K1P1 to end of round

BO

I like to use self-striping yarn or make my own stripes, like these:

If you like what you see, but would rather buy them instead of make them, both the covers shown, plus a variety of crocheted stroller handle covers, are available in my shop, justyarning.etsy.com

Let me know how your projects turn out!

Pineapple baby blanket

I spent the weekend making loads of toy nets and the constant crocheting seemed to clear my head and allowed me to focus on what I wanted to make next.
And the winner is....
Pineapples!
Sneak peek!:

 

This is so awesome. I've never made crocheted pineapples before, but this was super easy. This was one of my mom's favorite type of stitches.
I found this pattern for a pineapple square in my handy dandy Harmony Guide to Crochet Stitches. It has 17 rounds, but I figured out how to just keep making the shells (called V-stitches in the book) to enlarge the square.
So far it's looks a bit like an oversized white doily, but I plan to correct that with some special touches. Here's a wider shot:

Not sure if I'm sticking with white or adding in some pink, but I'll probably try to figure out a way to work a ribbon in there somewhere. I can see this as a perfect blanket to wrap around baby at a baptism. I actually made my youngest's christening gown out of filet crochet. It took me forever, but it was gorgeous. This is a much faster project, but I think it still evokes an elegant feel ideal for a church ceremony.

My only question is how to make it lay flat. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? I used acrylic yarn. Pretty much the shell parts lays flat, but the pineapples and surrounding area want to puff up, as you can see in this pic:

 

Cheetah yarn!

Get ready for this: I have found a yarn that works up in cheetah print!
It is called Stylecraft Safari Chunky and I found it in the Herrschners catalog, which conveniently landed in my mailbox for the first time a few days ago. Lucky me!
Everyone knows about self-striping yarn that works up into a fake fair isle or rosebuds, but this makes a cheetah animal print pattern. Well, actually it's called leopard, but it's cheetah to me.
I will totally buy this if I can come up with a suitable pattern to make for my 5-year-old, who loves all things cheetah print. It doesn't even have to be pink or purple. She loves regular cheetah color. And zebra, of course. (Note to Stylecraft -- please make this yarn in zebra!)
Here's a link to the yarn: http://www.herrschners.com/Product/Stylecraft+Safari+Chunky.aspx
I'm new to blogging, so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to copy and paste a photo of the yarn on here (copyright??), but the link takes you right to it. Very cool. The catalog shows a pic of a sweater made with this yarn, but the Web site just shows a swatch.

After spending many enjoyable minutes looking at patterns and cool yarn in the Herrschners catalog, I made another discovery. I have all my mom's old knitting and crochet books and magazines and while rooting through a crate that had been hiding in my closet I found The New Knitting Dictionary by Rhoda Ochser Goldberg, which is now not so new since it was published in 1984.

This book is a treasure trove of 1,000 stitch patterns. That's ONE THOUSAND!!! I'm in heaven! There are all sorts of cables and lace patterns and just everything in there. What I think of as the owl cable is actually called the reverse horseshoe cable. Who knew? I have no idea if this book is still in print, but it would make a great reference for any knitter. I am at a loss where to begin, though. I want to crochet another baby afghan, but I also want to knit some fingerless gloves or mittens with one of the stitches from the book. Oooh -- and maybe a lacy baby blanket. Or socks, boot toppers, a cowl, a scarf or maybe a scarf. I could go on.
While deciding, I've been making toy nets and striped boot toppers. Although, I think the pineapple centered baby blanket is next on the list...

New crochet baby blanket

Yay! It's done!
I have been working on this new baby blanket for a while now and spent the last two days on the edging alone. The five rounds of edging took almost an entire ball of yarn. Wow.
The edging is the same as my previous blanket, but the body is made with the strawberry lace stitch instead of shells and v-stitches. Plus, this one is longer.
Here's another view of the stitch, which I found in the book, The Harmony Guide to Crochet Stitches:

I am so pleased with it and listed it in my Etsy shop today. Now, of course, I'm ready to start on the next project. So many ideas, where to start?
I am either going to:
a. Make a big pineapple square with rounds and rounds of pretty edging
b. Crochet a big block with a script initial in the center, also with rounds of pretty edging
c. Replicate this gorgeous blanket, but in solid pink

Ugh. They all sound perfect.
Of course, these are all fancy baby girl styles.
I'm taking a break from baby boy blankets as a result of the blue, white and green wavy striped blanket I have listed. I like it, but it is getting no love. I need to rethink the boy blanket thing. Maybe something without pastels??

Anyway, if anyone out there sees this and knows of a great crochet edging book, please pass the name along. I would love some more options. Thanks!

Oh, if anyone is interested in this blanket, here's the link to my Etsy shop and the listing for the blanket: https://www.etsy.com/listing/111152107/handmade-crochet-baby-blanket-with-lacy

Hand sanitizer pattern for sale on Etsy

Well, I listed my hand sanitizer pattern on my Etsy shop, justyarning, but there have been no takers so far. If anyone is interested, it's really easy if you know how to crochet in the round and it's just $2. Make a bunch and sell them if you want because permission to sell your item is included. Yay! Germaphobes will love having a cute way to carry about their trusty sanitizer.
Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/justyarning

If you like them, but don't crochet, good news. I sell the finished product in the shop, too!

In other news, I started on a new baby blanket. I'm using this pretty peachy yarn that is actually a combination of white, pink, peach and yellow with a shimmery strand built it.
It looks a lot like this one:

I am using a different stitch for the body of the blanket, though. It's called the strawberry lace stitch and it has v-stitches mixed in with the "strawberries" which look to me like mini pineapples. It's coming along nicely. I had an edging in mind, but realized it's the kind you make, then sew on. Going to veto that. I might use the same edging as the one above. It's so sweet and feminine and really a showstopper, I think.

Here's a close up of the edging:

Hopefully I'll get this done and listed soon. I also have been thinking of making a baby girl blanket with different colored lacy pineapple squares. Or maybe just one square with an elaborate edging. Really, I need another crochet book just on edgings. (Hint, hint, hubby!)

I'm hoping to get another free pattern up soon. I have some egg cozies (wrong season, I know) but maybe someone might want to get started early for Easter!

Too much yarn... is there such a thing?

I have been buying yarn lately. A lot.
Too much?
Is there such a thing?
Well, maybe.
In my defense, I do buy with actual projects in mind, although I think it would take me a few years to get to them all.

Instead of seeing balls of yarn, I see possibilities. There are sweet little baby blankets and wooly mittens, animal ear hats and a cozy autumn afghan in a shade that reminds me of gingerbread.

It's like the yarn is calling to me. "I would look so cute in a baby blanket with that green, pink and white you already have," said a ball of orchid recently. OK. It didn't. But it would look perfect with those colors and I did buy it.

Also, I broke down and bought some pompom yarn. It was on clearance. It was hot pink. It was just calling out to be made into a plush round rug for the girls' room and so it shall.

I've been trying to avoid the craft stores, but I've had to go to pick up supplies for my Etsy shop, justyarning, where I sell the products of some of my yarn binges. Of course, the yarn is there in the stores. So much of it I resist, but who can say no to it all? I have not the fortitude.

Nevertheless, I carry on.

I'm just about finished with a really pretty cowl I plan to list in my shop. It is this great blue and beige color scheme with eyelets all around. I already made the gloves, so now I have a set. Yay! I bought the yarn a few months ago without a project in mind, but I'm glad I got it. It works up so beautifully.

Here's a photo of the gloves. I love these colors. So soft and warm.

Of course, there are those unfinished projects laying around. I usually do finish projects, but sometimes I get a fantastic idea and will drop everything to figure it out. Like the gingerbread afghan. Eh. I think I'm ripping it apart and starting new with something else. Shrug.

Crochet compulsion

It's been busy around here getting ready for the new school year to start.
I have bought all the supplies, labeled them, sharpened something like 48 pencils and packed the bags up for the first day. I bought new shoes, jeans and reusable sandwich bags from a great shop on Etsy called johnsonfamilyzoo.
I am ready!

There's something else that seems to be taking up a lot of my time lately.
Crochet.
I have been on a tear, making afghans! I have no idea why I am making afghans all of a sudden. I made a ton a few years ago and really like to make them, but now I am just obsessed!
My green one is almost done. Yay! Then I can start on the next one.
I plan to crochet two baby blankets -- one for boys in blue, green and white, and one for girls in a pinky peach. I have the patterns all picked out and ready to go. I also found a pattern for a knit afghan that looks gorgeous! It's just a simple lace repeat, but so sweet for a baby girl. I have pink yarn for that one, plus an antique white to edge it. I've already picked out the crochet edging, too.
Does anyone else get this excited about yarn and projects?

Call for pattern testers

Looking for pattern testers. Possibly knit or crochet, not sure yet.

I would be using English abbreviations and these would be fairly simple patterns.

You would be using your own supplies, but I will supply the pattern.

Anyone interested?

Apple slice coasters revised

I finally got the apple slice coasters the way I want them. Check it out!

And here they are in their coordinating basket:

The only problem is the embroidery. Does anyone out there know a method of embroidering on the seeds without making the back messy? Here's a pic of the back:

If worse comes to worse I guess I could always make a second apple slice and sew the two back to back so the wrong sides are hidden. At that point they'd be thick enough to be potholders. Hmmmmm... getting another project idea!

Until then, this set is available in my shop at justyarning.etsy.com in case anyone is interested!

Apple basket with coasters

Today I've been working on a small crochet basket that looks like an apple and some "apple slices" for the inside. These are going to be the coasters. I think it's looking pretty good. I just need to remember how I made the slices so I can make more of them. Have a look:

The consensus around here is that the seeds and stem were necessary to really make the coasters look like apples. Otherwise my sample was mistaken for a heart. Not so bad, really. Maybe I'll make a set of heart coasters, too!

I think the coasters still need a little work, but hopefully I'll get a good design and be able to list them in the shop soon.