Monday, May 5, 2014

FlashDance: A Modern Twist ~ FREE SWEATER PATTERN


There are so many ways to make and wear this fun lil sweater…. you could make short sleeves, a
tighter neck, a longer length, could be a swim cover, or worn over a tank….. It flatters all body types and works up quickly….. in short, or not so short, its the perfect go to cute crochet sweater for all ages.
I would recommend using a light worsted weight for this one. I used 2 strands of Caron Simply Soft, but feel free to use what makes you smile :) You are going to need very few things to make this look…….
Materials:
2 skeins of Caron Simply Soft either in the same color or complimenting colors (you will be holding the two strands together)
A large eyed needle for weaving in ends
Scissors
A giant size Q crochet hook
A tape measure
A swatch of paper and a pen for jotting a few lil numbers after you measure
Lets get started!
With your tape measure hold your arms out straight and measure across from one point of where you would like your sleeves to end, across the upper chest to the end to the other end sleeve point. Write this number down. *My measurement was 38 inches, this came to about 1.5 to 2 inches below the elbow….. when on it shrinks up a bit for fit*
With your two strands held together as one and your Q hook, chain the length of the number you wrote down. *My chain was 44 + 2 (46 total)*
Row 1: DC in 3rd ch from the hook and in each across (45 st total)
Row 2:Chain 3 and turn….. DC in each st across (45 total)
Continue row 2 for a total of 5 rows and fasten off. Repeat the steps for the other side.
IMPORTANT: The top of the sweater, where the neck opening is, has the starting chain line. This must be next to the neck on both sleeves before joining. This makes it nice and easy to blend the join on the body :)
Section of 15, 15, 15 (this is in my case….. you can have your sleeves and head opening as large or small as you like) I like the open sleeve look although you can close it as well for a full sleeve sweater. If you are doing the open sleeve tie each section and weave in the ends at the appropriate points. 1 at the beginning of the sleeve, skip 15 dc and then tie in that space weaving in the ends. Skip 15 dc and tie in the space weaving in ends and then the last tie and weave at the end of the sleeve.
(remember these are my numbers, yours may be different)
Under the arm tie your first section (stitch if its not left open)….. skip 10 from the end and tie in the space and weave in ends. do the same to the other side. ( you may want to go deeper in before beginning the body…. I wanted a wider look to try maybe some different tie ups with the bottom, experiment and have fun <3 )
Body:
Join yarn again and working in the round begin to create the body. **Chain 2, DC in each stitch around and join with a slip stitch to the chain 2**. Continue **this** for as long as you would like your sweater. Fasten off weave in ends and………….
ROCK your new look ;)
Dont forget to come join me on my Facebook page …. Strings and Things :) and join in the conversation and the fun in our Facebook group called Crochet Supernova :) See you there I hope :)
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Roll of the Dice Afghan ~FREE PATTERN

We’ve been having a hard time finding spring here in the northern part of Minnesota. Just dark and snowy and rainy and blech. This weekend blessed us in a beautiful way with sunshine (before the clouds rolled right back in, but ohhhh it was kinda pretty) and the ice coming out on the lake …. but I needed some color. Some bright touch of happy that would make me smile. And sometimes I just wanna to shake it up a bit. We as crocheters can get caught up in the “pattern” rut and it can keep us from doing larger more monotonous projects.
Here’s a way I’ve found to shake it up a bit. I literally roll the dice. Pick your colors ~ I like to go with odd numbers and 5 seems to be the magic one for me. Get yourself a single die and lets get rollin’!
Materials:
Sport, dk worsted its up to you….. for the example shown I used I Love This Yarn! in worsted weight (10ply) in the colors Black, Key Lime, Tropical Pink, Amethyst and Turquoise.
Size I hook
A yarn needle
A scissors
A 6 sided die (dice)
Totally optional but encouraged chocolate and a smile :)
I started out and my project grew and grew quickly ….. I think it brought out the sun even to take a peek :)) I had a wonderful time on the deck in the spring sunshine sippin’ tea and soaking up the warmth. It’s a great stitch you dont have think much about, but with the color changes and vertical stripe it makes for a fun project. Lets round up our materials and get hookin’!

This pattern is a multiple of 3 stitches + 2
The stripes in this blanket run vertical instead of the traditional horizontal.
Choose the order you would like your yarn to appear in…. meaning what sequence as this wont change.
Next with your beginning color chain 164
Now roll your dice (die)! What ever the number says is however many rows you do of your first stripe…..
Row 1: In the 5th chain from the hook, **work 1 sc, ch 2 and 2 dc in the same st… skip 2 chains** and repeat across to the last 3 chains ….. skip 2 and work 1 dc in the last.
(if you rolled a 1 you would change colors here and roll the dice again, if not continue to work your color in the pattern)
Row 2: Chain 3 and turn. Work 1 sc, ch 2 and 2 dc in the first ch-2 space from the previous row. Repeat this in all of the ch-2 spaces across. Work 1 dc in the chain 3 space at the end of the row.
If you need to roll, do it now. if you need to join a new color, do it :)
Repeat row 2 until desired width. Keep changing colors and rolling the dice until you cant get back across the complete row.
******Weaving in the ends as you go will save a ton of headaches in the end******

Finishing
On this afghan I decided to use all of the ends I had left over to do a multi colored single chain all the way around the blanket, making sure to put 3 sc in each corner for ease. I then used my left over black to do a round of half double crochet.
I havent decided yet, but I do have some pink….. I may even go ’round again and give the edge a nice picot. What do ya think? To picot, or not to picot?
Come join me over on my Facebook page Strings and Things….. its a place where I post ideas and pictures and projects and patterns that are coming up next. And I would love to hear some ideas from you :) And our Facebook group where you can share with other wonderful crafters and artists called Crochet Supernova :) see you there :)
Thanks for stoppin’ by….. <3






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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Whats coming up........



You may have noticed the blog was unable to be accessed for a bit and I apologize. Maintenance needed to be made and well, being new to the whole digital thing it proved to be more daunting than I could have guessed….
I havent put down the yarn, in fact this lil gem was born today. I LOVE this piece and I am working up the pattern in the next few days so stay tuned. But for now this is just a sneak peek.
Ive made some decisions in the last few days…. made some growth and come to some realizations after in depth talks with my hubs…. I havent sold my hand mades for quite some time…. and my patterns will always be free yet Im ready to part with some of the goods I whip up while creating patterns. The lil number I made today is the first lil bit of yum on the block.
I just LOVE this totally functional corset…..
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Friday, April 11, 2014

Sweet Lil Summer Halter ~FREE PATTERN~


I received this yarn in the mail the other day. I had never used it before but have been looking at cottons for some projects I have planned for summer. If you havent checked out Lion Brand Cotton Ease ooooohhhhhh I beg you to do so. It has give, and beauty and texture that made me swoon and wish I had ordered more…. and so I did, but I digress :)) It seems to be THE PERFECT YARN for this project. And this project seems to be a gateway pattern to soooooo many other beautiful possibilities …..
This polka dot fabric I picked up at Walmart. It was the last lil sneeblit on the end of a bolt…. cost me $2.00
The beautiful snake skin like knit fabric I got from one of my favorite, ok strike that, definitely my favorite online fabric store….. www.fabric.com ….. you can find the exact fabric here…..
The beads I just bought at walmart and the whole look I think cost less than $10.00. My teen daughters love this look and I have to say I think even this plus sized mama of seven is gonna get in on this. I think a maxi dress with a  nice shrug and summer time here I come va-va-voom :P
I made the first of 3 videos and you can find it HERE….. Im still really soooooo not very good at them sigh….. practice practice practice. Also come say hi over on myFacebook page Strings and Things :)
Grab your stuff and lets get started!
Made a correction/adjustment to the back strap…. my older daughter wanted it tighter and she is a 36C so after fitting her these are the numbers I came up with. Please measure on yourself as each persons crochet tension and measurements are different for correct fit*
Materials:
Lion Brand Cotton Ease (1 skein) A scrap of color yarn for tie in the front
Size H hook
Beads (optional)
Scissors
Blunt eye needle
Large eye embroidery needle that can pass through beads on the ends of the ties like in the picture (optional)
This Pattern fits a 36-38 C comfortably
Chain 11
Row 1: SC in each stitch across (10 stitches)ch 1 turn
Row 2: SC in each st across (10 st)ch 1 turn
Row 3: SC in each st across (10 sc)ch 1 turn
Row 4: SC in each st across (10 st)ch 1 turn
Row 5: SC in each st across (10 st)ch 1 turn
Row 6: SC in each st across (10 st)ch 1 turn
Row 7: SC in each st across (10 st)ch 1 turn
Row 8: SC in each st across (10 st)ch 1 turn
Row 9: SC in each st across (10 st)ch 1 turn
Row 10: SC in next 9 st, 3 sc in last st, pivot work on its side and begin working down the edge of the crochet without turning. (21 st)
Row 11: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st around (21 st)
Row 12: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 13 Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 14: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 15: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 16: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 17: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 18: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 19: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Row 20: Ch 1 turn. SC in each st across (21)
Fasten off.
Repeat for second cup of halter and do NOT fasten off on last row.
Joining the cups and the back strap…. please measure yourself….. you may be different than these measurements. See below on how to find your size.
Row 21: Ch 1 and turn. SC in each of the next 20 stitches. SC through BOTH end stitches joining the two cups. (41 stitches across the front) Next chain 55 stitches and join with a slip stitch to end of first cup. Ch 1.  This begins working in the round.
Rnd 1: SC in each stitch around.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st. Ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st….. all the way around. SC in last st before first ch 1 space.
Rnd 3: 2 sc in each ch 1 space around. Sc in next 2 stitches
Rnd 4: SC in each stitch around.
Rnd 5: Sc in each stitch around Slip st into next 2 stitches and fasten off leaving a tail for weaving in.
Across the back and up the sides of cup….
Beginning on the top of the band where the left cup and band join with right side of halter facing you, join new yarn in first band stitch. Sc in each stitch across top of back band and then in each stitch up the side of the right cup to the top. I like very long ties for decorative purposes so I chained 80 st…. but feel free to make them shorter or longer. Just make a note of the number of chains so you can repeat that same number on the other cup strap. fasten off leaving a 10 inch or so tail if you are going to have beads at the ends, if not cut tail short.
At the top of the right cup join new yarn in space made from last sc made at the top of the cup (where your chains for your long tie begin) and sc in each stitch down the inside of right cup to the V where it joins with the left cup. Sc all the way up the inside of left cup and at the top chain your tie. Again I chained 80 st because I like a long tie for decorative purposes but put the same amount of chains you chose for your first cup.
At the top of the left cup join new yarn in space made from last sc made at the top of the cup (where your chains for your long tie begin) and sc in each stitch down the outside of the left cup. Sl st into first 2 sc of the back band and tie off.  Weave in all ends, except the ends on the ties if you are beading them.
Halter is finished except for embellishments :)
Band Tie * I made my tie very long for decorative reasons, you can make yours what ever length makes you smile *
If you are beading the end leave a 10 inch tail and using a contrasting color chain 190 and fasten off leaving a 10 inch tail.
Beginning at the front center ch 1 open spaces (the 2 center ch 1 spaces, one left, one right) begin weaving by going into the ch 1 left space and weaving in and out all the way around coming out back at the front right ch 1 space. Tie.
The only thing left to do to the halter is put beads on the ties if you choose to do that, if not thats ok too :)
Attaching the bottom fabric……
For the polka dot top I used a very thing silky light weight rayon fabric. I used my sewing machine to turn the ends as this type of fabric can fray awful but is way too pretty to pass up. For the grey snake skin dress I used a light weight knit fabric as knit doesnt fray and so finishing isnt needed like in other materials. Kinda like when you cut a tee shirt…. no hemming needed. Of course you can hem for a more finished look, but I wanted to show a very basic version just to give those who do not ave machines or the desire to sew a great alternative also :)
Measure the fabric 1.5 times bigger around that the band measurement of halter. With right sides together and a sewing machine or needle and thread in matching color to fabric, sew a simple running stitch up the length of the fabric (bottom edge to top edge) forming a “tube”.
With a large eyed embroidery needle thread same yarn as halter and make as many running stitches around the top of the tube as you have all the way around the bottom of the halter about 1/2 to 1 inch from the top edge of the fabric…..eg…. if you have 120 st on the bottom of the halter, evenly space 120 running stitches around the fabric edge. You should have visible to you 120 st on the right side of the fabrics edge *this was just and example*
For this pattern I will do 106 running stitches visible to me on the right side of the fabric.
If you dont know how to do a running stitch please go here and check this video out :)
After you have completed your running stitches take the left over yarn off the needle and use it to join with the beginning edge stitch on the bottom of your halter where you previously fastened off. Drawing up the yarn with your hook that was on the needle used to make your stitches. Begin to sc in each of the halter stitches and each corresponding run stitch space on the fabric. This will draw them up close under the halters edge and secure them beautifully and gather your fabric at the same time evenly …. Join with a slip stitch to beginning stitch and fasten off…..
weave in all the ends and you are done :)
Note on changing sizes…..
You want this measurement for the cup to be “tight”:
Measure across the fullest part of one cup (1 breast) and devide in half. In my pattern the cup size was 7.25 inches. I divided that in half and came up with 3.5 inches. Chain as many stitches that will equal that length +1 for turning. So mine was 10 Stitches +1.
Another example…. say your cup measurement at its fullest was a 9 inches. Divide that in half, so 4.5 inches. Chain enough stitches to measure 4.5 inches and then +1 for turning.
Do as many rows high as you have stitches long. For me this was 10 rows for 10 sc stitches. This makes he square. On the LAST row you want to put 3 stitches in the very last st and pivot just like in the above directions working down the side.  Say you had 12 rows, you would place 3 stitches in the last stitch of row 12, pivot and continue to stitch down the side for 11 more stitches and then continue on for the pattern.
Changing back halter strap measurement:
Measure with a soft tape measure around the back from outer edge of breast, around the back, to outer edge of breast. Now when you get to that section in above directions chain as many stitches as YOU need to obtain YOUR measurement. Continue on in pattern.
Please note I am NOT a professional pattern writer, just  agurl who likes to play with yarn :P If you do see something that you have a question on, please feel free to let me know so I can help and/or make a correction.
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