Today is the first day of the Jems Luxe Fibers Sock Knit and Crochet Along! We are going live on Zoom tonight, March 22nd, and every Tuesday night at 7pm c to learn together how to make the perfect socks. Contact Jems Luxe Fibers on Instagram for the Zoom link.
I have the perfect crochet pattern for the event. Let your favorite hand dyed DK yarn from Jems Luxe Fibers shine with the Vanilla Crocheted Socks. Cozy socks constructed with a traditional gusset and heel turn make a perfect fit. The pattern is free during the KCAL. Download it here!
Knitters can join in as well. You can download Crazy Sock Lady’sDK Weight Vanilla Socks here, also free! Or choose your own pattern. We always have a good time with Judy and Emily on Zoom.
February 13th is Galentine’s Day and it’s the day to honor the girls that stand beside you through thick and thin! Celebrate your Bestie on Galentine’s Day with the Claddagh Crochet Hat.
The Claddagh is one of Ireland’s most recognized and precious images. Two hands embracing a heart adorned with a crown symbolize the purity of a cherished relationship. Little hearts adorn this hat to remind you of that cherished love. Choose a single skein of Monstrous Bulky from Jems Luxe Fibers or use one of their Monstrous Minis curated color collections like Aphrodite shown here in reds and pinks. Create this hat for your favorite lady or girl-it comes in two sizes!
Don’t you love a new year? New beginnings, a fresh slate…new projects! I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I make a new WIPs (works in progress) box. Everything from last year gets sorted and prioritized. And then I can start making room for the new projects in the coming year.
I hope you are having fun dreaming of what your next next project is! That’s always the best part, isn’t it? And I’ve got some super cute patterns coming your way in the next few weeks for you to drool over. The first patterns are from a collaboration with Forbidden Fiber to spread Random Acts of Kindness. Bookmark this page, because I’ll release a new pattern from the collection every few days until all five have been revealed. Then make available the Random Acts of Kindness Ebook featuring all five patterns at a discounted price. I hope you love them as much as I had fun designing them. Please take the opportunity to spread a little love this year!
Precious mitts for a precious child, inspired by the book The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. The “kiss” can be emblazoned on the back of the hand or hidden in the palm.
Tell your Best Friend they are a Winner with this cup cozy, then make a complimentary version for yourself! The fun motif is reminiscent of early TV game shows.
If this is your first time swatching, here are a few of tips.
Use your size 6 needles because you want to use the needles you’re going to use for the body of the sweater.
Cast on more than 20 stitches. The edges tend to warp a little bit, so you won’t get an accurate measurement if you count the stitches on the edge.
Your swatch should be a little more than 4″ x 4″ of stockinette stitch (k on one side, p on the other). There’s no “right” way to do it other than that. But if you like specific directions, I’ll post row by row directions below.
Notice the gauge says the swatch should be “blocked.” For the most accurate gauge, wash your block the same way you’ll wash your finished piece. When you wash different fibers, they may grow or shrink, so you’ll definitely want to take that into account for your sweater.
Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy swatching!
This is your Olive Knits Fireworks Sweater Headquarters! Here, you can find links to everything you need to participate in the Fireworks Knitalong throughout the month of July. Let us know you are knitting with us by signing up here. If this is your first sweater, great! I’ll also have a variety of resources available to you to make it fun and easy.
A huge thanks to Olive Knits for organizing this worldwide KAL, and to Jems Luxe Fibers for hosting our small group KAL! First, bookmark these websites for easy access:
July ALL MONTH: Weekly livestreams and prize drawings with Marie on Facebook
July 30th: Official end of KAL and Virtual Bind Off Party – Livestream
What You May Have Missed
• Order your pattern and yarn ASAP! The pattern is discounted for a limited time only. Order your yarn soon so you will receive your order in time to cast on with us!
2020 has been something else, hasn’t it?! I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to the end of the year! There has to be a light at the end of this tunnel. And it should have something to do with Christmas. And yarn. How about a crochet along?
Forbidden Fiber Company is introducing this year’s advent calendar, and it’s gonna be so fun! It’s a White Elephant Advent Calendar! Have you played a White Elephant or Dirty Santa gift exchange? It’s like that. You choose a squishy present out of the box and see what you get. If you like it, you keep it to use in your pattern today. If you don’t, put it back and choose another! The catch is, you eventually get to keep them all!
The White Elephant Advent Calendar comes with everything you need to complete a surprise pattern by the end of the month: 18 coordinating hand-dyed mini-skeins, A MKAL (knit) pattern designed by Afifa Knits OR MCAL (crochet) pattern designed by me, Katie Clark, and a few extra goodies throughout the month.
If you choose the crochet option, find me on Facebook along the way for help, tips, and a good time! Are you ready to get started? Find the MCAL pattern here.
It’s Fri-yay! AND…it’s my day for the Summer Blog Hop! Here is today’s free pattern, the Espartina Scarf, a light beachy wrap that features a crochet “drop stitch” motif. It’s available free today, June 26th, 2020, only. But if you missed the promotion, don’t worry! It’s available for purchase all the time on my Patterns page.
Have you been productive during the Shelter-In-Place? Did you start to tackle projects or to-do lists you’ve been putting off? Or have you perfected your procrastination skills by avoiding chores when you can’t even leave your home?
I’m the eternal procrastinator! I have projects and tasks that “I’ll get to one of these days.” Some are fun, like getting around to that design that’s been floating around in my head. (Hopefully, you’ll see the product of some of those soon!) Some are working through yarn in my stash. Some are just chores I don’t want to do so I avoid them like the Coronavirus! Ha!
Well, the last two things just came together! I had a bag of various scrubby yarns I’d been waiting to work up and try out. I finally found some time to make kitchen scrubbies. Now, I hate housework, but it’s a little bit better when you have good tools that do the job. I love my handmade dish cloths, and I expect I’ll love these scrubbies as well.
So, here are a few patterns for your scrubby yarns that are good for your kitchen or your bath. Plus, I’ve added a few options you may want to try out for yourself!
Scrubby Square
Scrubby Square with Eyelet Edging
Scrubby Pouf
Materials
Scrubby yarn (one ball will make 2-3 scrubbies) or cotton dish yarn US I Hook or hook for Basic Crochet Supplies Tapestry Needle
Scrubby Square
Ch 4, 4 dc in 4th ch from hook. Turn. -4 dc
Ch 3 (does not count as dc), 3 dc in 1st st, dc to last st, 3 dc in last st. Turn. -8 dc
Rpt last row until you have 24 sts. Begin decrease rows as follows.
Ch 3, dc3tog, dc to last 3 sts, dc3tog. Turn. -20 dc
Rpt last row until you have 4 sts left.
Last row: Ch 2, dc3tog. Finish off. Weave in ends.
Option: Replace the double crochets with front and back post double crochets for more scrubby ridges. Work bpdc on the right side and fpdc on the back side.
Scrubby Square with Eyelet Edging
Ch 5 (counts as dc & ch-1 sp), dc in 5th ch from hook. Turn. -2 dc, 1 ch-1 sp
Ch 4 (counts as dc & ch-1 sp throughout), dc in first st, dc in ch-1 sp, [dc, ch 1, dc] in top of turning ch. Turn. -5 dc, 2 ch-1 sp
Ch 4, dc in first st, dc in ch-1 sp, dc in each st across to ch-1 sp, dc in ch-1 sp, [dc, ch 1, dc] in top of turning ch. Turn. -9 dc, 2 ch-1 sp
Rpt last row until you have 25 dc. Begin decrease rows as follows.
Ch 2, sk ch-1 sp, dc in each dc across to 1 st before ch-1 sp, dc2tog the next st and the last st skipping ch-1 sp. Turn. -23 dc
Ch 2, sk first 2 dc, dc across to last 3 sts, dc2tog the next st and the last st skipping 1 dc. Turn. -19 dc
Rpt last row until you have 3 sts left.
Last row: Ch 2, sk next st, dc in last st. Finish off. Weave in ends.
Option: Red Heart’s Sparkly Scrubby yarn isn’t very absorbent. To make a more cloth-like scrubby, hold it together with an all cotton yarn. Be sure to go up at least 2 hook sizes.
Scrubby Pouf
Work in rounds.
Ch 4, 24 dc in 4th ch from hook. Join w sl st to first dc.
Ch 3 (does not count as dc), 3 dc in each st around. Join w sl st to first dc. -72 dc
Ch 3, dc3tog around. Join w sl st to first dc. -24 dc
Rpt last rnd once. -8 dc
Finish off. Use a tapestry needle to stitch last 8 sts closed. Tie firmly. Thread end into center of pouf.
Option: For a soap saver, work the first round of double crochets around a small elastic hairband. When you are done, insert a sample size soap into the center through the elastic.
I know these times are stressful. We are dealing with work and kids and dishes…the DISHES! (Does your family want to eat every day like mine?)
And everybody deals with stress differently. Some bake bread, filling the house with that delicious aroma. You might escape the circumstances by binge watching a show or getting lost in a book.
I’m the kind that deals with stress by making irreverent fun. So here’s the result of my stress crocheting….
The Coronavirus Amish Puzzle Ball!
Start with the virus. Discover how to destroy the virus. Then discover a cure!
Fight the virus!
Wash your hands to destroy the virus!
Discover a cure!
Finished Size: Approx. 5 inches Materials: Worsted weight yarn (#4) 1 ball red, 1 ball gray, 1 ball any color for the cure side (CC) US G hook Polyester fiber fill Basic Crochet supplies (scissors, tapestry needle, etc.)
Gauge: not critical
Abbreviations:
beg – beginning ch – chain lp – loop m – marker ML – magic loop rnd – round rpt – repeat sc – single crochet sc2tog – single crochet 2 together sl st – slip stitch st – stitch
Cure Side
Using CC, beg w ML.
Rnd 1: In ML, ch 1, sc 4 in lp. Do not turn. 4 sc
Note: Do not ch 1 at the beginning of rnd here and throughout. Work in a spiral. Use an open m to mark your beg of rnd.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. 8 sc
Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 4 times. 12 sc
Rnd 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st] 4 times. 16 sc
Rnd 5: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] 4 times. 20 sc
Rnd 6: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st] 4 times. 24 sc
Stop here or continue in pattern for a larger finished project. Finish off. Hide ends.
Make 12 pieces.
Virus side
Note: The beginning of this piece is very fidgety. If it’s too frustrating, use Gray to make pieces just like the Cure Side. Then use a lark’s head or other knot to attach short pieces of red yarn to the centers of each gray piece.
Using Red, ch 8, sl st in bottom lp of beg ch to form a lp.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc2tog around. 4 sc
Rnds 2 & 3: Sc around. Finish off changing to gray in last st.
Continue as for Cure Side starting with rnd 2.
Make 12 pieces.
Assembly
Using gray, hold 1 virus side and 1 cure side with wrong sides together making sure the cure side is closest to you. Working through both layers, join with a sl st. Ch 1, sc in same st and next 12 sts.
*Hold another pair of virus and cure sides together with the cure side closest to you, and working through both layers and beg in any st, sc in 13 sts. Rpt from * until 4 sections are attached. Join to beg sc being careful not to twist work.
Rotate work to continue around the other half making sure the cure side is still closest to you. * Sl st in top of first sc of next section. Working through both layers, sc in same st as last sc, sc in next 11 sts stopping halfway to stuff section, sc in same st as next sc. Rpt from * around. Join sl st to beg st. Finish off weave in ends.
Rpt 2 more times to make 3 rings with 4 sections in each ring.
Need a hint to put it together? Coming soon! Try it yourself first!
Thanksgiving is over, and the Christmas season has started. Disney has blessed us this season by introducing us to an adorable Baby Yoda. Of course, I had to have one, so I made my own Baby Yoda!
And you can have one, too! Here’s the crochet pattern to bring home your own Baby Yoda. Merry Christmas!
Baby Yoda
Materials • Small amounts of worsted weight yarn in green and tan • Stuffing • 12mm safety eyes (I used the brown colored eyes) • Tapestry needle Abbreviations
ch(s) – chain(s) dec – decrease flo – front loop only lp(s) – loop(s) ml – magic loop rev sc – reverse single crochet rnd(s) – round(s) rpt – repeat sc – single crochet sc2tog – single crochet two together st(s) – stitch(es) yo – yarn over
Notes on Amigurumi
• When working in rounds, do not join. Just continue crocheting in the next stitch creating a spiral. Use an open stitch marker to keep up with beginning of round.
• Decrease: (Insert hook in flo of next stitch, yo, pull up a lp) twice, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook.
• Invisible Finish Off: Pull the last lp up until tail comes through st. Using tapestry needle, sew tail under next st and then through the center of the previous st. Draw yarn to back and secure. Weave in end.
Instructions for Baby Yoda with attached coat
Head (green)
Rnd 1: Starting with a ml, ch 1, sc 6 times. 6 sc
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around. 12 sc
Rnd 3: (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) around 18 sc
Rnd 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts) around 24 sc
Rnd 5: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts) around 30 sc
Rnds 6-8: Work 3 rnds even.
Rnd 9: (Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts) around 24 sc
Rnd 10: (Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts) around 18 sc
Rnd 11: (Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next st) around 12 sc
Add eyes in center of ball about 6 sts apart. Stuff firmly.
Rnd 12: Dec over next 2 sts around. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing. 6 sc
Sew 1 long st each for top eye lid and bottom eyelid.
Ears (green)
Right Ear
Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd st from hook. Turn. 1 sc, 2 chs
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in sc. Turn. 1 sc
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in sc. Turn. 2 sc
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each sc. Turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc. Turn. 3 sc
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each sc. Turn.
Rpt last row twice more.
Ch 1. Rev sc in end of each row along long edge of ear. Reverse sc in first ch, 3 rev sc in second ch, rotate ear and rev sc in remaining loop of first ch. Continue rev sc in end of each row along edge of ear. Finish off leaving long tail for sewing.
Left Ear
Work rows 1-4 same as first ear.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next sc. Turn. 3 sc
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each sc. Turn.
Rpt last row twice more. Turn.
Sl st across 3 sts on end of ear. Finish the same as the other ear. Turn.
Sew on ears onto head in a slight curve.
Body (tan)
Rnd 1: Starting with a ml, ch 1, sc 6 times. 6 sc
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around. 12 sc
Rnd 3: (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) around 18 sc
Rnd 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts) around 24 sc
Rnd 5: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts) around 30 sc
Rnd 6: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts) around 36 sc
Rnds 7-12: Work 6 rnds even.
Rnd 13: (Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts) around 30 sc
Rnd 14: (Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts) around 24 sc
Rnd 15: (Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts) around 18 sc
Rnd 16: (Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next st) around 12 sc
Stuff.
Rnd 17: Dec over next 2 sts around. 6 sc
Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing. Whip st in each st around and cinch hole closed. Sew yarn through opposite end, pull tight and secure end.
Sew body to head.
Collar (tan)
Leaving a long tail for sewing, ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in second st and next 3 sts. Turn. 4 sc
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st. Turn.
Rpt row 2 until you have 37 rows or collar is long enough to wrap around the widest part of body with 3 extra rows overlapping.
Last row: Ch 1, sc 2 together twice. Invisible finish off.
Sew ends together with rounded end overlapping square end by a few rows. Slip collar around coat and sew in place.
Katie Clark Crochet 