I got to attend an amazing craft/DIY/lifestyle/food blogger and creative entrepreneur conference this past week - the SNAP Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah! I had a blast, learned a lot, and now I get to share it with all of you!
Hookin On Hump Day #117: Link Party for the Yarny Arts!
Time for the latest round of Hookin On Hump Day! Thank you for joining me, and my co-host Kara from Petals to Picots for another round of fantastic crochet and knitting links and patterns. We share the best crochet and knit projects from around the web twice a month. Hookin on Hump Day is hosted here on Moogly, as well as on Petals to Picots - and the featured projects from each round are featured on both our sites and social media shares! Here are the projects that your clicks and I put together this round!
Lion Brand Yarn Moroccan Market Tote Giveaway!
The Moroccan Market Tote is a gorgeous, luxurious tote bag that I designed a while back here on Moogly! And now, Lion Brand Yarn is giving away enough 24/7 Cotton to make it to one lucky winner!
Amelia Shawl
The Amelia Shawl was the 2016 Spring Mini Crochet Along project here on Moogly! But you don't have to "CAL" to make it - the whole pattern is right here, ready to be made any time!
#MooglyCAL2016: Afghan Block #8!
Happy April! We're now ⅓ of the way through the CAL - my, does time fly! It's been so much fun so far - I hope you've all been enjoying it too! Here's block #8!
How to Keep a Magic Circle Closed
I love starting projects in the round with the magic circle! No weird bumps from knots, and you can pull it as tight - or keep it as loose - as you like! But if you don't finish them off correctly, they can start to come undone! Here's how I make sure my magic circles always stay closed - and how to fix a magic circle that starts opening up later on!
Spring Mini Crochet Along: Amelia Shawl
It's time for a Mini Crochet Along here on Moogly! This time around, it's the Amelia Shawl!
"Crocheted Abode A La Mode" by Twinkie Chan - Giveaway on Moogly!
When I spend on Instagram, one of my very favorite accounts is the one by Twinkie Chan. Her designs reflect her lifestyle, and they are all eye-catching and adorable! I loved her first book - and now I'm super excited to be able to share her newest book, Crochet Abode À La Mode - and to give a copy away to one lucky winner!
Zodiac Crochet Appliques Set #4: Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius
Tada! With the 4th installment, the crochet Zodiac Applique set on Moogly is complete! Add these appliques to whatever you like - and even if astrology isn't your thing, they stand alone as a set justice or scales, scorpion, and bow and arrow applique! Get the links below for the previous 3 sets. Now, it's time for the Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius appliques!
Playtime Picnic Set: 3 Piece #Crochet Set for Baby!
The Playtime Picnic Set was originally published in I Like Crochet's August 2015 issue. And now I get to share it on it's own!
photo courtesy of I Like Crochet Magazine
[Read more...]
Make Lemons Into Lemonade: #StitchAwayStress with the #CYClemondrop
Are you stressed out right now? Odds are, if you're like many of us, the answer is a resounding YES! Crocheting and knitting are wonderful ways to de-stress though, and since it's National Stress Awareness Month, the Craft Yarn Council is doing its best to get the word out - and you can help!
Hookin On Hump Day #116: Link Party for the Yarny Arts!
April showers.... bring gorgeous crochet projects! At least that's the case in the latest round of Hookin On Hump Day! Thank you for joining me, and my cohost Kara from Petals to Picots for another round of fantastic crochet and knitting links and patterns. We share the best crochet and knit projects from around the web twice a month. Hookin on Hump Day is hosted here on Moogly, as well as on Petals to Picots - and the featured projects from each round are featured on both our sites and social media shares! Here are the projects that your clicks and Kara put together this round!
Crochet With Mamachee eBook Giveaway on Moogly!
My friend Tara at Mamachee has a brand spankin' new ebook out - Crochet With Mamachee, filled with fantastic crochet patterns. And I get to give away 5 of them here on Moogly!
Mesmerizing Mini Bag
The Leaping Stripes and Blocks stitch pattern is the star of the Mesmerizing Messenger Bag - which led to requests for a smaller handbag version! And it's so much fun, I had to make 3 just to show off all the looks you can get with the Mesmerizing Mini Bag - the latest free crochet purse pattern here on Moogly!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
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Prefer the free blog version? Keep scrolling!
This bag works up super fast - make one this afternoon and carry it out tonight! I haven't lined mine, but if you prefer a lining in your crochet bags, there's a great tutorial on how to do so on Pattern Paradise! And while it's mini compared to it's big sister the Messenger Bag, it's still got plenty of room for all your essentials!
Mesmerizing Mini Bag
Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites
US – I, 5.5mm Hook - Furls Fiberarts
150 yards Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (100% acrylic; Aran/10 ply; 170 yds/155 m; 3.53 oz)
Color A - 80 yds
Color B - 35 yds
Color C - 35 yds
Gauge: 14 sts = 4" in hdc
Finished size: 10" wide x 7.5" tall laid flat
Helpful Links and Video Tutorials
Leaping Stripes and Blocks Stitch Pattern
NOTE: You can carry the yarn along the inside of the bag rather than cutting it after each row, if desired.
INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1: With Color A, ch 33, hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in each remaining ch to end; turn. (32 sts)
Row 2 – 4: Ch 1, hdc in each st across; turn. (32 sts)
Rnd 5: (See Bag Bottoms tutorial linked above) Ch 1, hdc in 32 sts across, hdc 4 along the side, hdc 32 across the foundation chain, hdc 4 up the last side; join with Color B with a sl st in first hdc of round, do not turn. (72 sts)
Rnd 6: Continuing with Color B, ch 2 (does not count as a st, here and throughout pattern), dc in the 1st 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts, *dc in the next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in the 1st dc. (36 dc)
Rnd 7: Ch 4 (counts as a ch 2 to begin the round, and a ch 2 to work over the skipped sts), skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts of Round 5, enclosing the ch-2 from Round 6, *ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts of Round 5 (enclosing the ch-2); repeat from * to end, use Color C to join with a sl st in the ch 4 sp. (36 dc)
Rnd 8: Continuing with Color C, ch 1, dc in the 1st 2 skipped sts (enclosing the ch-2), ch 2, skip 2, *dc in the next 2 sts (enclosing the ch-2), ch 2, skip 2 sts; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in the 1st dc. (36 dc)
Rnd 9: Ch 4, skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts, *ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts; repeat from * to end, use Color A to join with a sl st in the ch 4 sp. (36 dc)
Rnds 10 and 11: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color A, finishing with Color B.
Rnds 12 and 13: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color B, finishing with Color C.
Rnds 14 and 15: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color C, finishing with Color A.
Rnds 16 and 17: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color A, finishing with Color B.
Rnds 18 and 19: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color B, finishing with Color C, break Color B.
Rnds 20 and 21: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color C, finishing with Color A, break Color C.
Rnd 22: Continuing with Color A, ch 1, dc in the 1st 2 skipped sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, *dc in the next 2 skipped sts, hdc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in the 1st dc. (72 sts)
Rnd 23: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with a sl st in 1st sc. (72 sts)
Begin Handles
NOTE: (Individual tension may mean you need to adjust starting and end points as needed to make the handles centered and matched. The following worked for me, use the stitch counts as a guide for your own bag.)
Rnd 24: Ch 1, sc in the 1st 9 sts, ch 14, skip 14 sts, sc in the next 22 sts, ch 14, skip 14 sts, sc in the last 13 sts; join with a sl st in the 1st sc of the round. (72 sts inc chs)
Rnd 25: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch around; join with a sl st in the 1st sc of the round. (72 sts)
Rnds 26 and 27: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with a sl st in the 1st sc of the round. (72 sts)
Rnd 28: Sl st in each st around; break yarn and finish off. (See Seamless Join tutorial linked above)
Quick and easy once you have the stitch pattern down - I made 3 in just a couple of evenings! I hope you enjoy this free crochet bag pattern - let me know what color scheme you choose!
The Fine Print
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern. Please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!
#MooglyCAL2016: Afghan Block #7!
It's the end of March - did it go out like a lamb for you? Well, it's time for block 7 of the 2016 Afghan Crochet-Along here on Moogly - and I'd be "lion" if I said it isn't fantastic!
Fantastic Finishes with Edie Eckman, on Craftsy!
I love making Craftsy classes - almost as much as I love watching them! So when I get a spare afternoon, I love to turn on a class and learn something new. And the latest one I've watched is "Fantastic Finishes: Edges and Borders" with the incomparable Edie Eckman!
Stephanie Lau of All About Ami: Designer Showcase!
It’s time for March's Designer Showcase! I like to wrap up each month by having one of my favorite designers share a bit about themselves, and then I follow it up by sharing my 5 favorite free patterns that they've designed! This month I’m excited to share some of the crazy cute things from the lovely Stephanie Lau - the blogger and designer behind All About Ami!
Weekend Weather Afghan
Fall and spring weather can be so changeable - warm one minute, cool the next, and then a thunderstorm, hail, snow, and throw in a couple of tornadoes just to keep things interesting... all in a weekend. And that's what inspired the Weekend Weather Afghan!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
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Prefer the free blog version? Keep scrolling!
Changing from gray, to green, to bright sunny blue, the Weekend Weather Afghan reflects the ever changing skies of Spring and Autumn - and you can make it in just one weekend! This is the fastest afghan I've ever made, and it's stretchy, soft and cozy - and I already have two kids fighting over it. Good thing it's so fast!
Weekend Weather Afghan
Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites
US - S, 19.00 mm hook
850 yds Lion Brand Color Clouds or Jumbo yarn of your choice
(Jumbo; 100% acrylic; 55 yds/50 m; 3.53 oz)
Color A: Smoky Grey - 6 balls
Color B: Fortune Tellers Teal - 5 balls
Color C: Alchemists Aqua - 5 balls
This yarn is discontinued. Recommended substitute: Bernat Blanket Extra
Gauge: 4 stitch repeats x 7 rows = 8"
Finished Size: approximately 50" x 60" (very stretchy!)
Want to change the size? Start with any multiple of 2 sts
Special Stitches:
Hhdc (Herringbone Half Double Crochet): Click here for a video tutorial
Yarn over and insert hook in indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, then pull this loop through the next loop on the hook (2 loops remain on hook), yo and pull through the last 2 loops on the hook.
Twisted sc (Twisted Single Crochet): Click here for a video tutorial
Insert hook in indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, with 2 loops on hook spin hook 1 complete turn (counterclockwise if right handed, clockwise if left handed), yo and pull through both loops.
Instructions
Row 1: With Color A, ch 50, skip the ch closest to the hook, hhdc in next ch, *ch 1, skip next ch, hhdc in next ch; repeat from * to end, turn. (25 hhdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, hhdc in 1st st, hhdc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, skip next st, hhdc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 1 st remains, hhdc in last st, turn. (26 hhdc)
Row 3: Ch 1, hhdc in 1st st, *ch 1, skip next st, hhdc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * to end, turn. (25 hhdc)
Rows 4 and 5: Repeat Rows 2 and 3.
Row 6: Repeat Row 2, break yarn and finish off.
Row 7: With Color B, join to 1st st and Repeat Row 3.
Rows 8 - 11: Repeat Rows 2 and 3.
Row 12: Repeat Row 2, break yarn and finish off.
Rows 13 - 18: With Color C, repeat Rows 7 - 12.
Rows 19 - 54: Cycling through Colors A, B, and C, repeat Rows 7 - 12 six times. At the end of Row 54, there will be 3 stripes of each color.
Edging:
Edging Round 1: With Color A, join to any stitch of the blanket, ch 1, sc evenly around, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner; break yarn and finish off.
Round 2: With Color B, join to any stitch of the blanket, ch 1, sc in each st around, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp; break yarn and finish off.
Round 3: With Color C, join to any stitch of the blanket, ch 1, twisted sc in each st around, working (twisted sc, ch 2, twisted sc) in each corner ch-2 sp; break yarn and finish off.
And that's a blanket! I made it in a weekend, and that's including design time, so I know you can too! The Weekend Weather Afghan is perfect for a quick gift with big impact. It's a great pattern to zone out with, and a cozy blanket to cuddle up with. I hope you enjoy this free speedy crochet blanket pattern!
The Fine Print
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern. Please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!
Super Shawl in a Ball Yarn Giveaway on Moogly!
It's National Crochet Month, and that means I've GOT to give away some yarn! Okay, so I do that most months... what can I say, it's always crochet month here on Moogly! But this giveaway is special, because there will be FIVE winners!
Twisted Double Crochet (and More Twisted Stitches!)
Recently I shared how to crochet Twisted Single Crochet Stitches - and that led to lots of people asking me if the twisted technique could be done with other stitches as well! And the answer is a resounding YES - here's how!
OttLite Ultimate 3-in-1 Craft Floor Lamp: Giveaway on Moogly!
Happy National Crochet Month... and National Craft Month! No matter what your favorite crafty hobbies are, I'm super excited to share a lamp that will help - the OttLite Ultimate 3-in-1 Craft Floor Lamp!
Fortune's Hat
Spring has surely sprung, and it's time to switch to lighter crochet wearables - so with a warm breeze and your requests, I bring you Fortune's Hat!
#MooglyCAL2016: Afghan Block #6!
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a brand new block! It's time for block 6 of the 2016 Afghan Crochet-Along here on Moogly! This week's square is fun and easy!
Lion Brand Yarn on YouTube: Tea, Yarn, and Fun!
I love making YouTube videos for the Moogly channel - recently we passed 50,000 subscribers! But I also love watching other YouTube channels while I crochet, and one of my favorites is the Lion Brand Yarn channel!
Hookin On Hump Day #115: Link Party for the Yarny Arts!
March is such a changeable month, and we've got a great variety of projects to feature in the latest round of Hookin On Hump Day! Thank you for joining me, and my cohost Kara from Petals to Picots for another round of fantastic crochet and knitting links and patterns. We share the best crochet and knit projects from around the web twice a month. Hookin on Hump Day is hosted here on Moogly, as well as on Petals to Picots - and the featured projects from each round are featured on both our sites and social media shares! Here are the projects that your clicks and I put together this round!
V is for Victory Tote!
I originally designed this beautiful crochet bag for "I Like Crochet" Magazine - the June 2015 issue. And now I get to share it on it's own!
Zodiac Crochet Appliques Set #3: Cancer, Leo, and Virgo
Whether you believe in astrology or not, this applique set can be fun to make! Add these appliques to whatever you like - and even if astrology isn't your bag, they stand alone as a crab applique, lion applique, and girl applique! In 2016 I’m creating applique patterns for the entire zodiac – 3 at a time. The first set, including Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces can be found by clicking HERE, and the second set, featuring Aries, Taurus, and Gemini can be found by clicking HERE. Now, it's time for the Cancer, Leo, and Virgo appliques!
Long Starting Chains Made Easy!
Or at least easier! There are many gorgeous patterns out there that start off with a long, long... long chain. We're talking 100, 200, 300 chains or more! There are strategies to keep track (stitch markers are #1!), but mistakes in counting happen. And is there anything worse than getting to the end of the first row and finding out you're just 1 or 2 chains short? This method is one quick and easy solution!
Crochet Crocodile Stitch - My Newest Craftsy Class is Go!
I'm so excited that my latest Craftsy Class has launched - Crochet Crocodile Stitch with Lion Brand Yarn!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. [Read more...]
Snood: Guest Crochet Pattern
I recently received the book Learn to Crochet Love to Crochet by Anna Wilkinson - full of fantastic instructions. as well as 20+ patterns! It's a fab book, and they have graciously allowed me to share one of the patterns here on Moogly - the Snood! The giveaway is over, but you can get the free pattern, and find links to purchase the book below!
Loopy Love Scarf
The Loopy Love stitch pattern has inspired lots of patterns here on Moogly. But there was one more thing I wanted to try with it - a scarf that suits both men and women! Introducing the Loopy Love Scarf!
#MooglyCAL2016: Afghan Block #5!
Chugging right along... it's time for block 5 of the 2016 Afghan Crochet-Along here on Moogly! This week's square is absolutely lovely!
CAKS: Designer Shoelaces For a Cause Giveaway!
I love working with Kreinik threads - they add the perfect bit of sparkle, make projects glow in the dark, and more! And the people at Kreinik are super nice too, which always makes it even better! But recently, the founding family suffered a horrible tragedy, one that touches far too many lives, when they lost their son to suicide. C.A.K.S. was founded in response, and this giveaway is to help spread the word!
Hookin On Hump Day #114: Link Party for the Yarny Arts!
Roaring in like a lion, it's the latest round of Hookin On Hump Day! Thank you for joining me, and my cohost Kara from Petals to Picots for another round of fantastic crochet and knitting links and patterns. We share the best crochet and knit projects from around the web twice a month. Hookin on Hump Day is hosted here on Moogly, as well as on Petals to Picots - and the featured projects from each round are featured on both our sites and social media shares! Here are the projects that your clicks and Kara put together this round!
Carolyn Christmas of Pink Mambo: Designer Showcase!
It’s time for February's Designer Showcase! I like to wrap up each month by having one of my favorite designers share a bit about themselves, and then I follow it up by sharing my 5 favorite free patterns that they've designed! This month I’m excited to share some things from the ultra talented Carolyn Christmas - the blogger and designer behind Pink Mambo!
Madly In Love Mitts
After the designing the Madly In Love Cowl/Infinity Scarf and Madly In Love Hat, I kept getting one more request - fingerless mitts to match!
Fair Isle Tunisian Crochet: Review and Giveaway!
Fair Isle Tunisian Crochet by Brenda Bourg is a fab new book featuring step-by-step instructions and 16 patterns - for cowls, boot cuffs, sweaters, blankets, a bag, and more! And I'm giving away a copy here on Moogly - but first, my review!
Twisted Single Crochet
If you like the look of Reverse Single Crochet (aka the Crab Stitch), then you'll love the Twisted Single Crochet! Here's how it's made!
The Burlap Kitchen - Blocking Board Review!
I recently debuted the Fates Square - a free 6" crochet square pattern. It's fun to crochet, but like most squares, benefits from some blocking. So I was excited to give The Burlap Kitchen's Blocking Board a try!
"Cold Weather Crochet" by Marly Bird: Review & Giveaway!
Beloved “The Yarn Thing Podcast” host and well-known crochet and knitwear designer extraordinaire Marlaina “Marly” Bird offers an exciting, modern assortment of afghans and accessories, along with more than 20 wooly projects in her new book Cold Weather Crochet: 21 Cozy Garments, Accessories and Afghans to Keep You Warm! And I got my hands on 2 copies - one for me, and another for one of you!
