Light Up the Holidays!

December 14, 2023December 15, 2023Leave a comment

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Add a little (or a lot!) of sparkle to your festive decor with decorative lanterns inside and out. Or make some last-minute gifts for family, friends, and teachers. These lanterns are awesome because they are so quick to make. It takes me less than 2 hours to make one!

The filet crochet designs shown below of a Christmas star, tree, and snowflake are fun to make and are included in the pattern download. You can even share your creativity by designing your own chart! The instructions for making your own design are also in the pattern.

I love Christmas presents. Can I give you a Christmas present?? Below you can find the pattern for the Peppermint Stripe Lantern shown at the top left. I will leave it here for a limited time through Christmas. You can purchase the entire pattern including the filet crochet designs by visiting the Quart Jar Lantern page. And don’t forget to pop onto the Patterns page to find a pattern to gift a friend or yourself! Merry Christmas!!

Peppermint Stripe Lantern

Difficulty
Advanced Beginner

Finished Measurements
Lantern sleeve covers a 1 quart canning jar

Materials
Worsted weight mercerized cotton
(Fundamental Cotton in Lipstick Red by
Yarn Bee: 3.52 oz/164 yds), approx. 80-100 yds
US Size F/5 (3.75mm) hook
Tapestry needle
1 Quart canning jar
LED Puck light

Gauge
18 dc/9 rnds = 4×4”/10x10cm

Notes

Pattern is written in US terms and
Imperial measurements.
Gauge is very tight to create a dense
fabric that will block light. To make
the design show up and contrast well,
work chs a little looser compared to
gauge.
Beginning ch 2 does not count as a
stitch throughout.
The first st of every row is worked in
the same st as the join.

Base

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 8 sc in the second ch
from the hook, join with a sl st to the
first sc.
8 sc

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a
st), work 3 dc in each st around, join
with a sl st to the first dc.
24 dc

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [2 dc, dc in the next st]
around, join.
36 dc

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [2 dc, dc in the next 3
sts] around, join.
45 dc

Rnd 5: Ch 2, working in the blo
around, [2 dc, dc in the next 8 sts]
around, join.
50 dc

Peppermint Stripe

Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in the first st, dc in
the next 6 sts, [ch 2, dc in the next st,
sk 2 sts, dc in the next 7 sts] 4 times,
ch 2, dc in the next st, sk the last 2
sts, join with a sl st to the first dc.
40 dc, 5 ch-2 sp, (each repeat has 7
dc, 1 ch-2 sp, 1 diagonal dc)

Rnds 7-15: Sl st in the next 2 sts, ch
2, starting in the same st as the last
sl st [dc in the next 5 sts, 2 dc in the
ch-2 sp, ch 2, fptr around the post of
the diagonal st on the rnd below (that
is the st right after the ch-2 sp), sk 2
sts] 5 times, join to the first dc.
35 dc, 5 ch-2 sp, 5 tr (each repeat has
7 dc, 1 ch-2 sp, 1 tr)

Rnd 16: Ch 2, [dc2tog 3 times; work-
ing in the next st and the ch-2 sp,
dc2tog; working in the same ch-2 sp
and the top of the tr, dc2tog] around,
finish off with an invisible join.
25 dc

Finishing

Weave in ends.

If desired block as follows. Soak for
at least 20 minutes and press excess
water out with a towel. Stretch over a
1 quart canning jar and allow to dry.
I don’t recommend using a real flame
in this lantern because the cover is
flammable. I recommend using a bat-
tery operated LED light.

Get the full version!

Agape Love Shawl Crochet Version and 9 Tips for working with Mohair

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021Leave a comment

Happy Valentine’s Day! Treat your Valentine or yourself to this soft, luxurious scarf designed by Judy Busby at Jems Luxe Fibers and translated to crochet by me, Katie Clark.

Agape Love is an unconditional love that transcends and persists regardless of the circumstance. Agape is the Greek term for Love – the highest expression of love – a pure and selfless thing.

This shawl is a fun and quick crochet using minis and mohair. Every row begins with decreases that shapes this colorful shawl. Have fun with your colors and let it reflect the love you’ve experienced, how it has shaped and reshaped you. God’s love for you and me is passionate, pure and beyond anything we’ve ever experienced, accepting us as we are. He reminds us of our worth and beauty as His daughters. He loves us with unconditional Agape Love. God is Love!
Judy Busby, Jems Luxe Fibers

If you’ve never used mohair, you’ll find it takes some patience to work with. So before we get into the pattern, let me give you a few tips for working with mohair.

Tip #1

Use a larger hook or needle to retain loftiness. The wonderful thing about mohair is the silky halo of fiber that surrounds the core. Using a hook or needle that is too small will compact the fibers, negating the effect.

Tip #2

Work loosely. For the same reason as above, use a gentle hand. Or if you have a tendency to stitch tightly, go up another size or two.

Tip #3

Hold with another yarn to add softness, halo & warmth. The fibers aren’t just beautiful. They are very useful for insulating. Used alone, mohair is surprisingly warm. So adding it to another yarn will make your finished piece that much warmer.

Tip #4

Ask your LYS to wind your yarn. Especially if you’ve never used mohair before, because it is so clingy. You don’t want to be frustrated with your yarn before you even begin your project. If you must wind it yourself, try loosening fibers before winding by gently spreading the strands apart to keep them from matting together as you wind.

Tip #5

Do not work cake or ball from inside. I’m a work-the-ball-from-the-inside kind of girl. I do it even when it’s not recommended. Except for mohair. Ever. The fibers pull on each other and you end up with a big mess. Ask me how I know.

Tip #6

Use excellent lighting. This is always important, but especially when using mohair. The halo can make the core strand difficult to see. Good lighting can help and if you really can’t make out your stitches, try holding it up to the light.

Tip #7

Don’t worry so much about mistakes. The halo hides a lot. But if necessary, hold your work up to light to check.

Tip #8

Be patient when taking out stitches. It’s inevitable that you will have to take some out eventually. But try not to get frustrated. Don’t pull so hard that you rip the core, but don’t be afraid to tear fuzz to separate the strands.

Tip #8

Most of all, be patient! It’s is different than any other fiber. But the soft luxurious mohair is worth it!

Now on to the Agape Love Shawl Crochet Version!

Agape Love Shawl

Difficulty
Beginner

Finished Measurements
Approx. 90 inches by 6 inches

Materials
Agape Love Minis and Nimbus Set

1 skein Jems Luxe Fibers Nimbus in Ruby Red MC
1 mini skein Jems Luxe Fibers Luxe Sock in each of these colors
Aphrodite CC1
Rubellite CC2
Agape CC3
Ruby Red CC4
Apple of Discord CC5

US Size N (9mm) hook

Tapestry needle

Gauge
3 sc = 1 inch
Gauge not critical

Begin Shawl
Holding MC and CC1 together, ch 270 loosely.

Row 1: Working in back loop of ch, sk first ch, sc3tog, sc across to last 3 chs, sc3tog. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc3tog, sc across to last 3 sts, sc3tog. Turn.

Rows 3 & 4: Rpt row 2.

*Break CC1. Pick up CC2 and hold it together with MC.
Rpt row 2 five times (or as many times as desired if you have extra yarn).

Rpt from * for each mini skein. Finish off both strands. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

Terms and Conditions

Patriotism during Hard Times

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021Leave a comment

During this hard time, I want to give some encouragement! Look to your neighbors, friends, and even your social media friends. Together, we are Americans. Whether you look to the future with optimism or hesitancy, remember God is sovereign and America is sustained by His blessing! ❤

Colossians 1:16

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

I wanted to give you this free pattern to support and encourage my fellow Americans. Just so you know, I felt it important to release is as soon as possible, so it hasn’t been tested. Please email me if you have comments or suggestions for this pattern. If you would like to support me to allow me to continue to write patterns, the Patriotic Beanie is also available for purchase as a PDF download.

Difficulty
Advanced Beginner

Finished Measurements
Head Circumference in inches
Baby (Toddler, Child): 14 (16, 18)
Adult S (L): 20 (22)

Materials
1 ball each Knit Picks Stroll (50g/231 yds)
in these colors:
Cobblestone Heather (Gray)
Sapphire Heather (Blue)
Strawberry (Red)
White (White)

10 or more White Star buttons (not recommended for baby or toddler hat)

US Size F (4mm)hook

Tapestry needle

Gauge
22 dc = 4 inches
14 rows = 4 inches

Notes

• For sizing, measure your head and choose the size that is the next size smaller than your measurement.

• Before beginning, I reccommend highlighting the instructions for the size you will be making.

• Ch 2 at beginning of rnd does not count as a stitch throughout.

Crown Shaping

Note: As you work the crown shaping, change to Blue as noted for each size.

Rnd 1: Using Gray and working in magic lp, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 10 sc. Join w sl st to first sc.
-10 sc

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join.
-20 dc

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-30 dc

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-40 dc

Rnd 5: Ch 2, [dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-50 dc

Rnd 6: Ch 2, [dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-60 dc

Rnd 7: Ch 2, [dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-70 dc

For Baby (Toddler) 14 (16), finish off Gray. Join Blue and work next 1(2) rnds in pattern using Blue. Then continue to next section.
-80 (90) dc

Rnd 8: Ch 2, [dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in

next st] around. Join.
-80 dc

For Child (18), finish off Gray. Join Blue and work next 2 rnds in pattern using Blue. Then continue to next section.
-100 dc

Rnd 9: Ch 2, [dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-90 dc

Rnd 10: Ch 2, [dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-100 dc

For Adult S (20), finish off Gray. Join Blue and work next rnd in pattern using Blue. Then continue to next section.
-110 dc

Rnd 11: Ch 2, [dc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-110 dc

For Adult L (22), finish off Gray. Join Blue and work next rnd in pattern using blue. Then continue to next section.
-120 dc

Rnd 12: Ch 2, [dc in next 10 sts, 2 dc in next st] around. Join.
-120 dc

Continue Blue Field

Continuing working in Blue, work even until you have a total of 3 (4, 4) 5 (6) rnds of Blue complete. Finish off Blue.

Red and White Stripes

Note: To change colors, complete last stitch in old color to the last yo. Instead of working yo in old color, draw up the last lp in new color. Do not finish off old color. Instead, run the strand up loosely to the next row.

Rnd 1: Using Red, ch 2, fpdc in first st, dc in next 4 sts, [fpdc in next st, dc in next 4 sts] around, changing to White at the end of last st.

Rnd 2: Using White, rpt rnd 1, changing to Red at the end of last st.

Rpt rnds 1 & 2 until you have 4 (6, 8) 8 (10) rnds of stripes. Rpt rnd 1 once more. Finish off Red and White.

Ribbing

Rnd 1: Using Gray, ch 2, dc in each st around. Join.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, fpdc in first st, bpdc in next st, [fpdc, bpdc] around. Join.

Rpt rnd 2: 2 (2, 2) 3 (3) more times. Join.

Finish off.

Sew buttons in Blue Field as desired. Do not use buttons for Baby or Toddler hat. Instead, use White to embroider lazy daisy stars to Blue Field as illustrated below.

Weave in ends.

Abbreviations

beg = beginning
ch(s) = chain(s)
dc = double crochet
fpdc = front post double crochet
lp(s) = loop(s)
rnd = round
rpt = repeat
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

New Patterns! Kirithra Cowl and Scarf

December 1, 2020Leave a comment

Here is the Kirithra Cowl and Scarf! One pattern, two styles! “Kirithra” means “honeycomb” in Greek and it’s the same honeycomb pattern as the Kirithra Shawlette. I am so proud of the Kirithra Shawlette, but there are so many things I love about the cowl version.

First, it’s a perfect use of a pack of mini skeins from JemsLuxe Fibers! Do you have a mini skein set waiting for a project or 5 random minis you can put together? You can use that, or even left over sock yarn from your last few pairs. You just need 20 grams or 90 yards each in 5 different colors. You can even use a couple of full size handdyed skeins if you want.

Another thing is how fast it is. The cowl only takes a few hours to make, so it’s a great last minute Christmas present. The scarf, of course, takes a little longer, but it’s only December 1st. You still have time!

It’s easy too! If you were hesitant about the Intermediate skill level of the Kirithra Shawlette, this is a fun Beginner alternative.

If you like a challenge, or math (ha!), the cowl and scarf patterns are adjustable. The stitch count is included so you can alter the width and length.

I hope you enjoy this cowl as much as I have had designing and wearing it!

Introducing the Kirithra Shawlette

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020Leave a comment

The Kirithra Shawlette is available now! Choose a kit curated by Jems Luxe Fibers to crochet a stunning version of your own. The pattern is included free with the purchase of a kit. Or you can purchase the pattern here.

Once you have your kit or pattern, you can join the Kirithra Shawlette Crochet Along! Starting November 9th, gather with other crocheters in a private Facebook group to share progress, hints and tips, and some much needed community. Look for your invitation to join after you complete your purchase!