Purple Cowl

This has been slow in coming, but I have several new cowl patterns to share.  I'll start with this one:

Purple Cowl

By Erica Knudson


1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky yarn

Size N hook

Chain 22.
Next row, hdc in third stitch from hook and hdc across-20 Turn (turn after every row unless noted).
Next row,Ch3, dc.
Next, repeat dc row.
Next row,Ch2, hdc
Next row,Ch3, dc
Next, repeat 2 more dc rows.
Next row,Ch2, hdc
Repeat 5 more hdc rows.
Ch3, dc
Repeat 2 more dc rows.
Ch1, sc along long edge (2 in each dc and 1 in each hdc worked for me to make an even border.)
Carefully slip stitch the short ends together (to make a tube).
Sc in each st around opposite long edge as you did earlier but now to finish off the other. Bind off.

You can sell items made from this pattern, but please don't sell the pattern itself.  It would be great if you could link back to my site, too!

Projects Lately...

I found some ribbon on clearance (WAY on clearance), so I thought it would be fun to try and make some hair bows for my little girl.  It was fun!  A quick project is really nice sometimes. So, now I've bought actual clips, hot glue sticks, and a few more yards of ribbon.  After I look up how to make more bows online, I'll be making more!

 

 

After spinning a load of llama roving during the last year, I made this purse for a friend of mine who loves llamas.  It was the first time I sewed in a zipper, which was scary, but it turned out great!  I also put it a lining and was happy with the overall results...

 

This is sort of a side note, but for a long time, I've really wanted to prepare lobsters - starting with live ones!  It was a LOT of fun with some of our best friends. Here are the poor lobsters we proceeded to eat - yum!

 

In memory of the lobsters, I put a tribute on top of the apple pie I made for dessert.

 

 

I'm working on some crocheted cowls right now and hope to share a pattern or two soon.  Think - one skein...chunky yarn...big hook...fast project for Christmas gifts!

36 Weeks and Counting

36 Weeks Along Now

Leaves, More Fun than Ever

Pumpkin Beanies for Volunteer Project
(Pattern Here)

Anja's Baby Hat

By Erica Knudson


This pattern is for babies 0-3 months. ** I've edited this page to add notes for making larger sizes -  at the bottom!

Materials used: Size H hook, worsted weight yarn, and a stitch marker to mark the start of each new row (if desired).

Anja's Baby Hat
By Erica Knudson

1. Chain 7 + 2 = 9 for base chain.

2. Dc in third ch from hook and across – 7

3. Turn, sl st across – 7

4. Turn, ch 2, dc in back loops across – 7


Rows 5 – 42: Repeat rows 3 & 4 until 13 inches long (21 dc rows total).


43. Sl st both ends of band together with RS facing out.

44. Sc 42 sts around edge of brim (in the same color as the brim). Sl st to join. – 42

45. Ch 2, dc around, sl st to join the round. Sl st to join. – 42

46. Repeat row 45 – 42

47. Repeat row 45 – 42

48. Ch 2, (dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog) around. Sl st to join. – 36

49. Ch 2, dc around. Sl st to join. – 36

50. Ch2, (dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog) around. Sl st to join. – 30

51. Ch2, (dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog) around. Sl st to join. – 24

52. Ch2, (dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog) around. Sl st to join. – 18

53. Ch2, (dc in next st, dc2tog) around. Sl st to join. – 12

54. (dc2tog) around Sl st to join. – 60

55. Dc2tog around until satisfied with the closure, between 3 and 5 times.

56. Fasten off. Weave in ends.


Key:

ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
RS = right side
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together, a method of decreasing


**Please do not sell this pattern.

**If you wish to make a larger size,  you'll find this link helpful:  

http://anniespictureperfect.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-properly-size-crochet-hats-chart.html?m=1 

For example,  if you'd want a 3-6 month size,  you'd  make your band 15 inches long.  You'd seam it according to the pattern and then pick up about 49 single crochet stitches  around for the body of the hat.  For this size,  the height of the hat would need to be at least 6 inches finished to cover those little ears.  When you can see you'd reach that height including the decreases,  just decrease evenly  until you reach the tip. I liked this hat just a little longer and pointier,  but you'll see what you like when you're making it.   

Toddler Striped Shrug

Toddler Striped Shrug
Erica Knudson

The example in the photo was made with worsted weight yarn and a size I crochet hook. (I changed yarn color for each stripe and used a single color for the border.)

Chain 70 + 2 for base chain – 72

1. Dc in third ch from hook and each st across – 70

2. Turn, ch 2, dc in each st across – 70

3. Repeat row 2 twelve (12) more times for a total of fourteen (14) rows or stripes.

4. Border:

Continue, as in last rows, with a ch 2 and dc across, but continue on around the entire border of the shrug. *I crocheted dc along the long edges and hdc along the short edges, which will be the arm holes. So, in each corner, I used 3 hdc to make it smooth.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

5. Seams:

Bring together long sides of rectangle with the “right side” facing out. One side at a time, on the long edges you brought together, sc 12 sts in from the end towards the middle. (Do this on the other side, also.)

Sl st, fasten off, and weave in ends. *I recommend using the same color to seam that you used in the border.


Key:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
st = stitch
sl st = silp stitch


**This pattern is for personal use only.

It's Been a While

I just realized I haven't made a post in almost a month. Sorry!

In early February, I discovered that I'm expecting.  Yipee! The first few weeks of pregnancy have found me pretty tired, and I haven't really crocheted or knit in weeks. I do have a couple of projects I'd like to wrap up, though, including making some Chemo Caps for a volunteer project I found on Ravelry: http://www.skrapyram.com/2012/01/please-join-me-for-special-project.html. The photo here is one of the hats I finished for the project.






Since I don't have any new patterns to share, I thought I'd post some recent photos:

By Erica Knudson

By Erica Knudson

By Erica Knudson

(Mississippi River)
By Erica Knudson

Pattern: Bulky Yarn Baby Hat



Bulky Yarn Baby Hat
Erica Knudson

I'm really happy with how this one turned out.  The little "brim" is the perfect accent to take this from a plain hat to a unique one.

It's also great for using up some of that soft, bulky yarn that many of us have laying around.

Hope you enjoy!


Bulky Yarn Baby Hat
By Erica Knudson

This pattern is a simple hat for babies 6-12 months and can be made for a boy or girl. It is crocheted in the round.

Materials used: Size K hook, bulky weight yarn (3.5 oz skein is more than enough), and stitch markers. Optional: buttons, sewing needle and thread.

Hat:
Start with an adjustable ring.

1. Hdc 8 into loop. – 8

Place st marker and move up with each round.

2. (2hdc) in each st across – 16

3. (2hdc in next st, hdc in next st) repeat around – 24

4. (2hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) repeat around – 32

5. (2hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts) repeat around – 40

6. (2hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts) repeat around – 48

7. Hdc around – 48

8. Hdc around (Same as Row 7) – 48

9. Hdc around (Same as Row 7) – 48

10. Hdc around (Same as Row 7) – 48

11. Hdc around (Same as Row 7) – 48

12. In front loops only, sc around – 48

Place st marker at stitch 24, halfway across the hat. The two stitch markers you now have in place will mark each end of the “brim”.

13. In both loops, 4 sc, 2 hdc, 12 dc, 2 hdc, 4 sc

14. Accent: Sl st in next st, ch 1, turn (so that the “right side” or outside of the hat is facing you and the top of the hat is downward), sc across loops that were left from row 12 (when you worked in the front loops only) which is about 24 sts across), ch 1, sl st to edge of hat to make it look like the other side.

15. Fasten off and eave in ends.

16. Optional: Attach buttons using sewing needle and thread.



Key:

ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
sc = single crochet

**Please do not sell this pattern.

In Case it's a Girl... Attach a Flower

Making a gift for someone who doesn't know what they're having?  This is a spin-off of an idea I saw called, "In case of girl, attach bow." I can't seem to find that pattern again, but if I do, I'll come back and link it.

Anyway, the trick here is to make something that could work for a boy

...and then making a nice flower that the mom-to-be can attach easily if she finds she's had a girl.

This is a fun way to get out of the normal colors we sometimes feel stuck with when we don't know whether it's a boy or girl - not that I have anything against those colors.  It's just nice to have choices! It also makes the piece a little more unique because it is given in pieces and you can make a neat little card if you want (see pattern below).

In Case it’s a Girl… Attach a Flower
By Erica Knudson

Materials Used: The example flower in the photo was made with worsted weight yarn, size J crochet hook and a blunt needle.

Larger Flower:

1. Ch 4, sl st in first ch to make ring.

2. 12 sc in ring, sl st to join.

3. *Ch 3, skip one st, sl st in next st* around. At end, join with sl st.

4. Ch 1, *7 sc in ch-3 space* around. At end, join with sl st.

5. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Smaller Flower:

6. Ch 4, sl st in first ch to make ring.

7. 12 sc in ring, sl st to join.

8. *Ch 3, skip one st, sl st in next st* around. At end, join with sl st.

9. Fasten off and weave in ends

Finishing:

10. Fasten flowers together with coordinating yarn and blunt needle.

11. Attach 10-12 inch piece of coordinating yarn to back of flower piece.

12. Include a note or tag – “In Case it’s a Girl… Attach a Flower”

Key:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
*…* = repeat

**Please don’t sell this pattern.

Ocean Shrug

Ocean Shrug
By Erica Knudson

This is a simple but elegant shrug that is great for a beginner. This pattern is for an adult size medium but there is a lot of flexibility with stitches and sizing if you’d need it in another size. The Ocean Shrug here was made with a half double crochet herringbone stitch from the book, Basic Crochet Stitches by Harmony Guides. If you aren’t familiar with the herringbone part of the stitch, you can use a standard half double crochet.


Ocean Shrug

Erica Knudson

 

Materials needed: 3 medium-sized skeins DK weight yarn and a size P (11.50mm) hook.

Chain 80

1. Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across. Ch 2, turn (will be about 29 inches “wide”).

2. Herringbone hdc or hdc across row. Ch 2, turn.

3. Now, repeat row 2 until piece measures 24½ inches “tall”.

4. Sc around entire edge and join with sl st (placing 3 stitches in each corner will help the work lay flat).

5. Repeat Row 3, and again join with a sl st.

6. Fasten off.

Now you should have a rectangle that is about 29 inches “wide” and 24½ inches “tall”.

7. Fold the work in half one time from left to right, so it measures 14½ inches by 24½ inches.

8. Next, on each side, sl stitch up short edges join the halves only about 7½ inches from the corner. The hole left will be for the arms (so the rows of stitches will actually appear to run vertically when you wear the shrug).

9. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Work is folded in half and seamed part way
up the side. Space is left for arm hole.

Key:
hdc = half double crochet
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
*…* = repeat

**Please don’t sell this pattern.

FRONT LOOP SPIRAL HAT

Front Loop Spiral Hat
Erica Knudson



Front Loop Spiral Hat

Materials Used: Size I Hook, 2 strands of sport weight yarn in light blue and one strand of sport or DK yarn in dark blue, and stitch markers

This hat is made in the round, so joining rows is not necessary. Stitch markers are used to keep track of the end of each row. Hat is crocheted from the top down. Starting with Row 2, sts are made in the front loop only. This creates the spiral texture on the outside of the hat.

Start with adjustable ring.

1. Sc 6 into ring – 6 Place st marker (and move it up with each round).
**Starting with Row 2, sts are made in the front loop only. This creates the spiral texture on the outside of the hat.
  2. 2 sc in each st around
3. (2 sc in next, sc in next) around
4. (2 sc in next, sc in next 2) around
5. (2 sc in next, sc in next 3) around
6. (2 sc in next, sc in next 4) around
7. (2 sc in next, sc in next 5) around
8. (2 sc in next, sc in next 6) around
9. (2 sc in next, sc in next 7) around
10. (2 sc in next, sc in next 8) around
11. (2 sc in next, sc in next 9) around
12. (2 sc in next, sc in next 10) around
13. (2 sc in next, sc in next 11) around
14. (2 sc in next, sc in next 12) around
15. (2 sc in next, sc in next 13) around
16. (2 sc in next, sc in next 14) around
17. (2 sc in next, sc in next 15) around
18. (2 sc in next, sc in next 16) around
Change to dark blue.19. (2 sc in next, sc in next 17) around
20. (2 sc in next, sc in next 18) around
21. Sc around
22. Sc around
23. Sc around
24. (sc2tog, sc in next 18) around
25. (sc2tog, sc in next 17) around
26. (sc2tog, sc in next 16) around
Change to light blue.
27. Sc around
28. (sc2tog, sc in next 17) around
29. Sc around
30. Sc around
31. (sc2tog, sc in next 15)
32. Sc around
Change to dark blue.
33. (sc2tog, sc in next 12) around until last 3 sts. Sc2tog, sc.
34. Sc around
Change to light blue.
35. (sc2tog, sc in next 12) around until last 9 sts. Sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts.
36. (sc2tog, sc in next 12) around until last 3 sts. Sc2tog, sc.
Change to dark blue.
37. Sc around
38. Sc around



Key:

st = stitch
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = insert hook, yarn over & draw loop, insert hook into next st, yarn over & draw through all 3 loops (a method of decreasing)

**Please do not sell this pattern.

The Hats Are... Still Coming!

Well, I did make a couple of new hat patterns this week, but, as you can see, none are posted.

One, I didn't particularly like. 
The next is a really cute baby hat, but I gave it as a shower gift without taking a photo - doh!
This weekend I'll finish a textured slouchy hat, but a pattern won't be up until the week after Thanksgiving.   Also, I'm hoping to work on vintage style toddler hat for my Girl for our vacation. Things rarely turn out as I imagine them in my head, so we'll see what happens.

The moral of the story is, I'm a little behind.  Sorry. 

Please check back for patterns the week after Thanksgiving - and Happy Thanksgiving, by the way!

The Hats Are Coming!

I've been in "hat mode" lately, so I thought I'd share that I'll have a couple new hat pattens next week.

Don't you like how fast you can get a hat finished?

TODDLER COWL



Toddler Cowl
By Erica Knudson

This toddler-sized cowl is an attempt to avoid a bulky scarf while still keeping my girl's neck warm this winter. **Please see safety note in row 12.

Toddler Cowl
By Erica Knudson

The example in the photo was made with worsted weight yarn and a size N (9mm) crochet hook.

(In the photo, I changed yarn color for stripes on rows 3, 6, and 9.)



Chain 63

1. Dc in fourth ch from hook and each st across. Turn – 60

2. Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in next and in each st across until 2 sts remain. Dc2tog. Turn – 58

3. Ch 3, dc2tog two times, dc in next and in each st across until 4 sts remain. Dc2tog two times.

Turn – 54

4. Ch 3, dc2tog four times, dc in next and in each st across until 8 sts remain. Dc2tog four times.

Turn – 46

5. Repeat row 4 – 38

6. Ch 3, dc in each st across. Turn – 38

7. Repeat row 6 – 38

8. Repear row 6 – 38

9. Ch 3, dc twice in the next 2 sts, dc in next and in each st across until 2 sts remain, dc in next two sts. Turn – 42

10. Repeat row 9 – 46

11. Ch 3, dc in next st and in each st across – 46

12. Bring seam together with “wrong sides” facing. Sl st across seam.
**For safety reasons and for quick removal in case of an emergency, you may choose to forego this step and; create a tie at the ends, use a button, or simply leave the ends and wrap it - whatever would work best in your case.

13. Fasten off. Weave in ends.





Key:
ch = chain

dc = double crochet

st = stitch

dc2tog = (yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over and pull over loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops) 2 times, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook. A method of decreasing by 1 stitch.

sl st = silp stitch



**Please don’t sell this pattern.

Making Posts...

The Baby Flower Headband has been my most popular pattern by far.

Happy Sober Mama mentioned my Baby Flower Headband pattern in a post, so I thought I'd share it here: http://happysobermama.blogspot.com/2011/10/quick-baby-crochet-headband.html

If you'd like to make it, too, you can find the Baby Flower Headband pattern here:
http://handmadebyerica.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-flower-headband.html

TRUFFLE COWL

This is a nice project to show off chunky handspun yarn. The weight of this yarn is sometimes quite variegated. It lends itself to natural, artsy feel in this project, though, so I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Truffle Cowl (Handspun)
By Erica Knudson

Truffle Cowl
By Erica Knudson

The example in the photos was made with bulky yarn (handspun, variegated in weight) and a size N crochet hook.

Chain 127.

1. Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across – 126 Starting ch of row counts as 1 st.

Join this row and each row with a sl st at the top of the chain across.

2. Ch 3, skip 1 st, hdc in next st. (Ch 1, skip 1 st, hdc in next) throughout row, join – 63

3. Ch 2, hdc in next and throughout row (including ch sts), join – 126

4. Repeat row 2 – 63

5. through 9. Repeat row 3 – 126
If you'd like your cowl even wider, you can continue repeating row 3 until the desired width is achieved.

10. Fasten off. Weave in ends.


Key:
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch

**Please don’t sell this pattern.

CASUAL HAT & MITTIES



Casual Hat
By Erica Knudson



Casual Hat & Mitties

By Erica Knudson

This pattern includes a toddler-size (age 2) hat & fingerless mitties.  One could replace the picot edging with a simple single crochet border for a less-frilly look.

Materials Used for both hat & mitties: Size K Hook, Bulky Weight Yarn

Hat:

1.  Ch 5    Sl st in the first ch to make a ring.

2.  Ch 2 (counts as 1 here and throughout), 9 hdc in circle – 10    Sl st to join this row and each row after.

3.  Ch 2, hdc in same st    2 hdc in each st around – 20

4.  Ch 2, hdc in same st,  (2 hdc in next, hdc in next) around – 30

5.  Ch 2, hdc in same st,  (2 hdc in next, hdc in next 2) around – 40

6.  Ch 2, hdc in same st,  (2 hdc in next, hdc in next 3) around – 50

7.  Ch 2, hdc in same st,  (2 hdc in next, hdc in next 4) around – 60

8.  Ch 2, hdc in next and around – 60

9.  through 17. Repeat Row 8 – 60

10. Ch 2, sc in next, (ch 1, sc in next) around – 60

Casual Mitties
By Erica Knudson

11. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Mitties (each is made in one piece)

1.  Ch 12 (for base) + 2 = 14

2.  Hdc in 3^rd ch from hook and across – 12

3.  Ch 2, hdc in each st across – 12

4.  through 13. Repeat Row 3 – 12

5.  Without fastening off, Join long sides of rectangle and sl st across seam (makes a tube shape).

6.  Ch 1, (sc, ch1) around cuff until the last st.
    At the last st, ch 2 (loosely) and sl st to join across (making a toddler-sized thumb hole).

7.  Fasten off and weave in ends.
8.  Repeat for 2^nd mitt.

Key:

ch = chain

hdc = half double crochet

sl st = slip stitch

st = stitch

sc = single crochet

**Please do not sell this pattern.








Casual Hat & Mitties
By Erica Knudson



"The Sharp Crochet Hook"

This is a great idea for those of us who like to give handmade gifts...
http://www.sharpcrochethook.com/

Off the Hook ...and On the Hook

I've been busy working on all sorts of projects lately;

• A shawlette for the "Shawl for the Fall" group that a friend and I started on Ravelry,
• Some hats for our nieces,
• ...and I'm learning to knit!  The last photo is of a scarf I've started - my first time following a pattern.



A "Shawl for the Fall"
Erica Knudson



Ella's Hat



Annika's Hat



Erica Knudson

Upcoming Projects; a cowl for my sister-in-law, hats for my nephews, a hat & mitt set for myself using my handspun yarn, a set for my Girl, and maybe something for my Man...

Liesl's Flower Headband

Liesl’s Flower Headband

Liesl's Flower Headband
Erica Knudson

By Erica Knudson

The example in the photo was made with bulky yarn (multi-color), worsted weight yarn (purple) and a size G crochet hook. It is a child’s size.

Headband

1.       Chain 90. Join new yarn.

2.       In the 2^nd ch from the hook: *sl st, (ch 1, sl st in next).  Repeat ( to ) 7 times – (in total covering 10 sts)*

3.       Sc in next 20.

4.       Hdc in next 30.

5.       Sc in next 20.

6.       Repeat * to *

7.       Fasten off, sew in ends.

Liesl's Flower Headband
Erica Knudson

Flower

1.       Leave 4-inch tail. Chain 5. Sl st in first ch to make ring.

2.       10 sc in ring.

3.       (sc in next, ch 3).  Repeat ( to ) 9 times. Sl st in last st.

4.       Leaving another 4 inch tail, fasten off.  Attach to headband with tails and sew in/trim off ends.

Key:ch = chain

sl st = slip stitch

sts = stitches

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

**Please don’t sell this pattern.

CHAIN 225 HEADBAND



 This is just an extremely simple headband you can make in a jiffy - to match an outfit or just when you're in the mood for a little accesorizing.

Chain 225 Headband
Erica Knudson

Chain 225 Headband

By Erica Knudson

The example in the photo was made with aran (light) weight yarn and a size J crochet hook.

1.       Chain 225.

2.       Fasten off, trim tails.

Key:ch = chain

**Please don’t sell this pattern.