288. Alaskan Gulf Shores Hat (crochet)

Crochet, project 288. Completed 8-Feb-2011

A Gulf Shores hat...made with Alaskan yarn

PATTERN
Hat adapted from the Gulf Shores pattern by Melissa Rotert — great pattern, have made it several times.
Flower adapted from a detail for a sweater pattern in Interweave Crochet, Fall 2010 (page 72).

MADE FOR
A friend’s birthday

SIZE: Adult Med, 19-inch head
GAUGE: Top down construction; gauge is not important. Worked until 6.5” diameter

MATERIALS
Yarn: 2 oz, 137.5 yds worsted weight yarn

• 1 ball Raven Frog Fiber Arts (100% merino wool), 8 oz / 550 yds. Color: Dark Winter Nights.

Crochet Hook: US Size G-7 (4.5 mm)

NOTES
The yarn is hand-dyed in Alaska and has generous yardage. Leftover Yarn: 6 oz, 412.5 yds yarn

287. Felted Bucket Hat (crochet)

Crochet, project 287. Completed 6-Feb-2011

After felting, on a 22-inch head

PATTERN
Adapted from a free pattern by the Purl Bee

MADE FOR Myself

SIZE
Hat circumference: 24 inches. TO FIT: Adult XL.
GAUGE: 1.5 single crochet sts = 1 inch (unfelted)

MATERIALS
The original pattern called for Cascade Eco+ (100% Wool), 8.8 oz/ 250 g, 478 yds.
Yarn: 7.5 oz, 333 yds worsted weight yarn held double

• 3 balls Stitch Nation Full O’ Sheep (100% Peruvian Wool) 3.5 oz / 100 g, 155 yds / 142 m. Color: 2012, Black Sheep
  Leftover Yarn: 3 oz, 132 yds (0.85 ball) yarn

Crochet Hook: US Size Q-19 (15.75 mm or 16 mm). Adjust hook size as needed to get gauge.
Tools: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and scissors

NOTES
From the original pattern: “We decided to send the Bucket Hat to the Laundromat! The result is a beautifully felted topper, good for protection from rain, sun and snow and for increasing general well being.” Now, who wouldn’t like a hat that increases your “general well-being”? Also, I needed a warm hat to wear in the snow, and this one was perfect.

The yarn is doubled throughout this pattern. I used two full balls to start, with the yarn strands held together. I finished the hat with two ends of the last ball held together.

Before felting, 22" across bottom (44" around)

Before felting: Hat is about 22” across the bottom (shown here draped over the 22-inch glass head). Felting instructions in the original pattern were brief. Here’s what I did:

Felting the Hat
Place the hat in a zippered pillow case to control the fuzz. Toss the pillow case into a top loading washing machine with some soap and a tennis ball. Set the water for HOT and the smallest amount of water. Check progress after 10 minutes, and then every 5 minutes until felted to the right size. Do not let it spin out.

Remove the hat from the zipped case and gently rinse it in cold water. Roll the wet hat in a towel and gently pat to remove water. Unroll the towel, smooth out any creases in the hat, and place on a glass head to dry.

Let dry for about 3 days, until all the water is gone.

After felting, on a 19-inch head

283. Eco Duo Scarf (crochet)

Crochet, project 282. Completed 12/25/2010

Buttons keep the looped scarf in place

PATTERN
Adapted from a Lion Brand pattern for a light DK weight cashmere yarn (82 yds/ball). “Easy Tweed Scarf“, Pattern #80779AD.
(Site registration is required to get the pattern. The Lion Brand scarf is sized about 4 x 66 inches and looped around the model’s neck.)

MADE FOR
Myself

SIZE
4″ wide x 50″ long

Gauge: Not important

MATERIALS
Yarn: 1 ball Cascade Yarns – Eco Duo (70% undyed baby alpaca; 30% undyed merino wool). 3.5 oz / 100 g. 197 yds / 180 m. Color: 1701.

Crochet Hook – US Size M-13 (9 mm)

Other: 2 buttons, sewing needle and thread, large-eye yarn needle, and scissors

NOTES
Scarf is made with one ball of yarn, held double throughout (Wind into a ball, pull the tail from the center, and hold the two ends together). This easy scarf was completed in a day.

Sew two buttons on the end. Wind the scarf around your neck and button it closed.

Variation: Use 100 yds each of two colors held together to make a tweed scarf.

282. Mochi Plus Team Wristlets (crochet)

Crochet, project 281. Completed 12/25/2010

One size fits most

PATTERN
Adapted from instructions in the free pattern “Team Color Crocheted Wristlets” by Kim Werker, originally published in Interweave Crochet, Winter 2008. Download the pattern from Knitting Daily.

MADE FOR A colleague
SIZE: One size fits most

Gauge: Not important

MATERIALS
1.35 oz, 73.3 yds yarn: 1 ball Crystal Palace Mochi Plus (80% merino, 20% nylon). 50 g / 1.75 oz, 95 yds. Color: 558 (“Neptune Rainbow”).

Crochet Hook – US Size H-8 (5mm)

Tools: large-eye yarn needle; scissors

NOTES
Great pattern, and it uses less than 75 yds of yarn! I’ve used this lovely pattern at least twice. From Kim Werker: these “wristlets are worked mostly in single crochet through the back loop for a close-fitting ribbing … double crochet at one end provides the flair needed for them to fit comfortably over the lower hand to the thumb.”

240. Seed-Stitch Baby Cloth

Crochet, project 240. Completed 4/15/2010
FREE PATTERN
Instructions by CD Cooper, based on a stitch guide.

MADE FOR
An adorable baby I met while traveling

FINISHED SIZE
About 5.88 inches wide x 15.25 inches long

MATERIALS
Yarn: Cotton worsted weight (any brand). Shown above:
1 ball — Jarbo Garn super Soft Cotton (100% cotton), 50 g / 1.75 oz, 80 m / 87.4 yds. Color #8865 (purple/green mix)

Crochet Hook: US Size G-7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook

GAUGE
Not important

NOTES
American crochet terms are used in this pattern. Work the stitch pattern, which is called “Granite Stitch (Seed Stitch)” with a 2-sc border, until piece is desired length.

1 ball is enough to make 2 square washcloths in this same stitch pattern instead.

Work the pattern over an even number of stitches. Start and finish every row with 2 sc (rows end with a sc in each of the last two stitches).

INSTRUCTIONS
Foundation Single Crochet 26 sts.

Row 1: Ch 1, turn. Sc into first 2 sts. *ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in following st;* repeat from * to last 2 sts. Finish with 1 sc each in last 2 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc into first 2 sts. *sc in chain-1 space, ch 1, skip 1 sc;* repeat from * to end. Finish with 1 sc each in last 2 sts.

Repeat row 2 until you are almost out of yarn. Fasten off.

229. Felted “Swedish” Hat

Crochet, project 229. Completed 2/20/2010

Felted snugly

I became obsessed with the crocheted hat worn by the Swedish team during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Here’s my version, in different colors and felted for extra warmth. Be sure to use 100% wool yarn — superwash won’t felt at all.

PATTERN
Adapted from instructions at Crafty Peach (link) and Tofu Crafts (link)

SIZE
Felted to fit 19-inch head

MATERIALS
Yarn: Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian highland wool), 100 g/3.5 oz, 220 yds, in 4 colors
•    Color A (yellow) – substitute #9478, Cotton Candy
•    Color B (white) – substitute #8509, Gray
•    Color C (black): #8555
•    Color D (blue) – substitute #7802, Cerise (dark pink)

Crochet Hooks:
US Size J-10 (6 mm) hook and I-9 (5.5 mm) hook)

GAUGE
About 3 DC = 1″; 1 round DC = .75″ tall

NOTES
All rounds begin with a ch 3 as the first dc, and end with the last dc joined to the first dc/ch 3 with a slip stitch.

Join the last stitch in each round to the first with a slip stitch. The first ch-3 or ch-2 always acts as a stitch — so, for example, in the first round, where 12 DC are needed in the first stitch, the first ch-3 acts as a stitch and only 11 more need to be made.

All color changes are made by finishing the last dc of the round with the old color, and slip-stitching the round closed with the new color. Ch 3 and continue round with new color.

INSTRUCTIONS
COLOR A (COTTON CANDY / LT PINK)
Start with J-10 (6 mm) hook.
1.    Ch 3. Join round. Work 11 DC in ring for a total of 12 DC. Join. (12 DC)
2.    Ch 3. DC in same stitch (2DC). *2DC in next stitch; repeat from * around. (24 DC)
3.    Ch 3. DC in same stitch (2DC). *DC in next stitch. 2DC in next stitch; repeat from * around (36 DC)
4.    Ch 3. DC in same stitch (2DC). *DC in next 2 stitches. 2DC in next stitch; repeat from * around (48 DC)
5.    Ch 3. DC in same stitch (2DC). *DC in next 3 stitches. 2DC in next stitch; repeat from * around (60 DC) — about 6.5″ across
6.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)

COLOR B (GRAY)
7.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
8.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)

COLOR C (BLACK)
9.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)

COLOR D (CERISE / DK PINK)
10.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
11.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
12.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
13.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)

COLOR A (COTTON CANDY)
Change to I-9 (5.5 mm) hook.
14.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
15.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
16.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)

COLOR C (BLACK)
17.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)

COLOR B (GRAY)
18.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)

COLOR D (CERISE / DK PINK)
19.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
20.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
21.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
22.    Ch 3. *DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. (60 DC)
23.    Last rd: Ch 1. *sc in next stitch; repeat from * around. (60 sc)

Finishing
Cut yarn, leaving about a 6″ tail. Fasten off and weave in ends. Sew hole shut.

Place hat in a zippered pillowcase and felt to desired size in a machine washer.

Before felting (left, 22-inch head) and final version (right)

228. Denim Baby Blanket

Crochet, project 227. Completed 2/18/2010

FREE PATTERN

On the blocking board

PATTERN
Adapted from instructions by Lisa Lately (link) and Lazy T Crochet (link)

SIZE
20″ across by 26″ long. This is about stroller size: 18″ across

MATERIALS
Yarn:

• Main color (280 yds / 5.8 oz): 2 skeins — Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Worsted (100% premium acrylic), 85 g / 3 oz, 145 yds. Color: 860-300, Denim Mist.
• Border (46 yds / 0.8 oz): 1 skein — Plymouth Encore Worsted (75% Acrylic, 25% Wool), 100g / 3.5 oz, 200 yds. Color: 194, Gray.

Crochet Hook: US Size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook

GAUGE
Not important. Gauge doesn’t matter, and you can use any type of yarn and whichever hook you like.

NOTES
326 yds total for project.
I edited Row 2 so it works better.

INSTRUCTIONS
It starts with a foundationless double crochet (also called Triple Base Chain Stitch).
The pattern is basically groups of two DC’s, with a single DC at the beginning and end of the row. The single DC’s will be used in the border round.
Note: Ch 2 counts as first DC in the DC rows.

Start with main color yarn. Work in rows.
First Row: 1.    Foundationless double crochet (FDC) the width you want, ending with an even number of DC’s: Ch 1, turn.
Note: I used 54 DC.

Pattern Rows:
2.    Work 1 sc in 1st DC. *ch 2, skip 2 DC, sc in space before next DC; repeat from * across, sc in top of turning chain. Ch 2, turn.
3.    Work 2 DC in each ch-2 loop across. DC in last sc. Ch 1; turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you reach the desired length. End with row 3, but ch 2, turn.

Last Row: DC in each stitch across, DC in top of turning chain. Ch 2 (or 3), turn.

Border:
The border is worked in rounds.
1.    Round 1: Join new yarn (border color). Ch 2, turn, work DC in each stitch across top. Work 3 DC in top of turning chain for corner.

Side edge: Work 2 DC around each DC post and 1 DC in the end of each sc row, ending with 3 DC in last stitch for corner.

Repeat from * for bottom edge and side edge. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first turning chain. Ch 1. Do not turn.

2.    Round 2: Work sc around, working 3 sc in center DC of each corner. Join with a slip st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Border detail

227. XL Kippah

Crochet, project 227. Completed 2/5/2010

Made for a friend with a 24-inch head (Adult XL). Shown here on the 22-inch glass head.

Made with Patons Grace mercerized cotton yarn in Snow and a G-6 (4.00 mm) hook.

This project taught me to stagger increases in each round to make a circle shape.

PATTERN
Adapted from an archived pattern from Priscilla’s Crochet (link)

SIZE
8.5″ diameter, to fit a 24-inch head

MATERIALS
Yarn: 0.75 oz, 0.42 skein / 58.2 yds mercerized cotton
•    1 skein Patons Grace (100% mercerized cotton), 50g /1.75 oz, 136 yds. Color: Snow.

Crochet Hook: US Size G-6 (4.00 mm)

GAUGE
About 5 HDC and 3 rounds per inch.
1st two rounds: 1.75″ across

NOTES
Offset increases prevent the hexagon shape that happens when you increase in the same spot each round.

Work to desired diameter less 2″, then work even (For the XL size, this is a 7.5 to 8″ diameter; increase until about 6″ diameter).
To compare, a size Large kippah for a 19-inch head would be 6″ across (work to 4″ across, then work even for 2″).

Alternate method: While working the shaping, work sc for first 2 inches of diameter, work in DC, and then work sc for final 1/2 to 3/4 inches.

INSTRUCTIONS
1.    Ch 5, slip st to form a ring. Chain 2, make 12 half to double crochet (HDC) in ring, slip st in top of ch 2 to complete round.
NOTE: Ch 2 at beginning does NOT count as a stitch.

2.    Ch 2, 2 HDC in each stitch around, slip st in top of ch 2. (24 HDC) — 1.75″ across.

3.    Ch 2, *2 HDC in first st, HDC in next 2 HDC* around. (32 HDC)

4.    Ch 2, 1 HDC in join. *1 HDC in next 3 HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC* around. End with 1 HDC in last 3 sts. Join: 40 HDC.
Offset suggestion: *2 HDC, inc, 1 HDC*

5.    Ch 2, 1 HDC in join. *1 HDC in next 4 HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC* around. End with 1 HDC in last 4 sts. Join: 48 HDC.
Offset suggestion: *2 HDC, inc, 2 HDC*

6.    Ch 2, 1 HDC in join. *1 HDC in next 5 HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC* around. End with 1 HDC in last 5 sts. Join: 56 HDC.
Offset suggestion: *4 HDC, inc, 1 HDC*

7.    Ch 2, 1 HDC in join. *1 HDC in next 6 HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC* around. End with 1 HDC in last 6 sts. Join: 64 HDC
Offset suggestion: *3 HDC, inc, 3 HDC* (4.75″ across)

8.    Ch 2, 1 HDC in join. *1 HDC in next 7 HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC* around. End with 1 HDC in last 7 sts. Join: 72 HDC
Offset suggestion: Work as written

9.    Ch 2, 1 HDC in join. *1 HDC in next 8 HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC* around. End with 1 HDC in last 8 sts. Join: 80 HDC
Offset suggestion: *4 HDC, inc, 4 HDC*

10.    Increase 4 times: Ch 2, 1 HDC in join. *1 HDC in next 19 HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC* around. Join: 84 HDC. 6.25″ across.
11.    Work even: Ch 2, 1 HDC in each HDC around. Join: 84 HDC.  7.25″ across
12.    Work even: Ch 2, 1 HDC in each HDC around. Join: 84 HDC.

Finish with 3 rounds of single crochet:
13.    Work even in sc: Ch 1, 1 sc in each HDC. Join: 84 sc
14.    Work even in sc: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc. Join: 84 sc
15.    Work even in sc: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc. Join: 84 sc. 8.5″ across.

Lightly mist kippah with water and block it on glass head (or bowl). Let dry.

213. Fluffy Garter Scarf

Knit, project 213. Completed 12/22/2009

A quick project made with novelty yarn and 15 stitches on US Size 15 (10 mm) knitting needles. Finished size: about 5.5 inches wide and 41 inches long.

PATTERN
Basic garter stitch scarf

MADE FOR
Charity

SIZE
5.5″ wide x 41″ long

MATERIALS
Yarn:
2 skeins of yarn, 1 novelty fun fur/eyelash and 1 smooth worsted
•    1 skein eyelash — Bernat Bling Bling (100% Nylon), 50g / 1.75 oz, 90 yds. Color: 65208, Sassy
•    1.4 oz, about 65.2 yards from 1 skein worsted — Bernat Satin (100% Acrylic), 50g / 1.75 oz, 163 yds. Color 04201: Aqua

Knitting Needles: US Size N-15 (10 mm) needles

GAUGE
Not important. 15 sts about 5.5″ wide.

NOTES
Very easy scarf done in garter stitch on big needles (15 sts on #15 needles).

INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 15 stitches.

Repeat this row until you have about 36 inches of the novelty yarn left:
•    Slip 1 purlwise, knit across.

Finishing: Bind off all stitches very loosely in K1, P1 ribbing. Cut yarn, leaving about a 6″ tail.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Purple Striped Baby Blanket (Chunky Yarn)

Free Patterns Copyright Statement: Non-Commercial, Share-Alike

It is my pleasure to share these patterns with the craft community. If you make one of these items, I would love to see a picture of it. This free pattern is not in the public domain. You may not use this pattern for commercial purposes. You may not receive compensation or charge a fee for this pattern or sell items made from this pattern. You may donate items you make from this pattern to charity. You may use items you make from these patterns for charity fundraisers, only if 100% of the money raised from the sale is donated to the charity.

Crochet, project #154. Completed 5/4/2008. Shown below, rotated vertically.

One more Chunky Yarn Baby Blanket in the same stripe pattern as the Neopolitan Baby Blanket, but with cool colors: lime, turquoise, and dark purple. You basically make broad horizontal stripes in this proportion: 1/4 the height in color A (1 ball of chunky yarn), 1/4 the height in B, and 1/2 the height in C. After making this project three times in different colors, I would have to say this is my go-to baby shower present. Parents love that is handmade in their favorite colors and machine-washable. I like that the shells are interesting enough while you make, like a million of them, yet mindless enough to be soothing. There is a nice rhythm to the rows as you crochet the pattern.

Yarn – About 545 yds chunky yarn: 4 balls Plymouth Yarn, Encore Colorspun (75% acrylic, 25% wool), 143 yds, 3.5 oz (100 g).
A: Color 3335, Lime – 1 ball
B: Color 235, Turquoise – 1 ball
C: Color 1384, Dark Purple – 2 balls

Hook: Size J-10 (6 mm) hook
Gauge: 3.5 DC = 1″ on gauge swatch

Finished size: 27″ wide x 27″ long. Close to stroller size, 24″ x 24″

Pattern: Based on crochet prayer shawl information by Kathy Knox, but cast on 92 sts.

Instructions:

With A, chain 92 sts. You will be working across 88 sts (24 shell-like motifs) per row
Row 1: (DC, ch 2, sc) in 4th chain from hook.
Repeat across: *Skip 2 chains, (2DC, ch 2, sc) in next chain*
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. (DC, ch 2, sc) in first chain-2 space.
Repeat across: *(2DC, ch 2, sc) in each chain-2 space*
Repeat row 2 throughout the project.

Change colors as follows:
A (Lime): Work in pattern until you have 6 side shells (section is about 6.5″ tall); change to color B (Turquoise)
B (Turquoise): Work in pattern for 6 side shells (section is about 6.5″ tall); change to color C (Dark Purple)
C (Dark Purple): Work in pattern for 12 side shells (section is about 13″ tall). Work last row.

Last row: Ch 2, turn, *sc in first chain-2 space, chain 2*. End with sc. Finish off last st; trim yarn, leaving about a 6-inch tail. Weave in all ends.

Folded on a rocker, ready for Baby.