A while ago I put together a quick beginner's course, featuring Moogly tutorial videos "in order" - just the right order to watch and learn to crochet! But all the videos were right-handed, and thanks to your comments I realized that a left-handed version was sorely needed. So here it is - how to crochet left-handed!
Welcome to the first Hookin On Hump Day for 2015! Starting a whole new year of sharing fantastic crochet and knit projects with my c0-hostess, the lovely Kara from Petals to Picots! If this is the first time you've been here and you'd like to link up, be sure to check out the "simple rules" section below. For everyone else - let's enjoy some fresh new projects! Here are the projects that Kara put together for us this round - and bonus, they're all FREE!
Last year was fantastic for me, but I had one big secret I had to keep for several months - and the cat is finally out of the bag! I am now a Craftsy Instructor! I've filmed one fantastic class, and I get to give away the class to one very lucky Moogly reader!
Though I don't knit as much (or as well!) as I crochet, I do love being bi-stitchual, and mixing it up from time to time! And I got a great opportunity to try my hand at more advanced knitting recently with the book Dress-to-Impress Knitted Scarves by Pam Powers. And now I'm giving away a copy to one lucky reader!
I get lots of requests for "X" to match the "Y" patterns here on Moogly, and I'm always happy to oblige when I can! In that vein, the Luscious One Skein Cowl pattern inspired a hat, fingerless mitts... and now, a matching pair of boot toppers! Introducing the Luscious One Skein Boot Cuffs!
Happy New Year everybody! I've got a fantastic line up of posts coming for you in 2015 - more giveaways, tutorials, CALs (yes, more than one!), and of course lots more free crochet patterns! Thank you all so much for reading along, and I hope you find 2015 to be even better than 2014!
Decreases are pretty basic stuff, integral to shaping your crochet items. Some time ago I covered sc decreasing and dc decreasing, as well as a nifty trick for doing those as invisible decreases. But half double crochet decreases can trip people up - and even when it's done perfectly the standard way, it can cause a little puff to appear where you might not want one. So today I'll share the standard hdc decrease method - as well as my own trick for making it look even better!
One of the most common email and private message requests I get is, "How do I find the pattern for what's in this photo I found online?" While the first thing you should look for is a watermark or logo, these photos too often have neither. So what's the next step? Google Reverse Image Search!
It’s time for December’s Designer Showcase! Once a month I have 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 amazing and enterprising Marly Bird - the brilliance behind The Yarn Thing Podcast, MarlyBird.com, and so much more, I'll have to let her tell you all about it!
I hope you all have a wonderful day! I'll be back Monday with new posts!
The Moogly Afghan Crochet-a-long for 2014 was a huge success, and I've loved seeing everyone's projects all year! But the one question everyone has been asking for the past month.... what's the plan for 2015? Well, I'll tell you!
This year has been super amazing and so fun, and so busy! So when it was time for crochet teacher gifts, I fell back on an old standby - the Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf! But I wanted a pretty way to package them - and created the Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf Gift Wrapper!
Welcome back to Hookin On Hump Day - for the last round of 2014! Once again I'm co-hosting with the lovely Kara from Petals to Picots! If this is the first time you've been here and you'd like to link up, be sure to check out the "simple rules" section below. For everyone else - let's enjoy some fantastic projects! When I looked at the clicks for last week, it was a very tight race - with a bit of a theme! Here are the 5 most popular projects:
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Congrats to the winner, Julie Steele! Thank you all for entering, and have a happy and healthy 2015!
It's time for the very last giveaway on Moogly for 2014. It's been an amazing year filled with free crochet patterns, tutorials, a CAL, and more giveaways than I ever expected or could've wished for! So I wanted to end with one of my favorite handcrafted businesses - Furls Fiberarts!
Earlier this year I reviewed Shauna-Lee Graham's book Blooming Crochet Hats - and got to give away a copy to one lucky reader. Well now Shauna is back with her second book, Blooming Crochet Creations - and a giveaway that's bigger and better than ever!
The Eloise Baby Sweater has been such a popular pattern, I wanted to design a hat to go with! When I asked what sort of hat people were looking for, the resounding answer was a bonnet! And so.. introducing the Eloise Bonnet!
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The Eloise Bonnet is available in 3 sizes, ending around 19", which should fit even most 2-3 year olds. This is a baby style bonnet, so it's sized for babies! If there's interest in a larger hat for girls/adults, let me know and I'll design something a little more grown up.
This bonnet uses hdc stitches in place of the dc stitches found in the sweater. This allowed for more precise sizing, as well as a thicker, warmer hat! To make it truly weatherproof however, I would suggest a sewn fleece lining.
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US – J, 6.0mm - Furls
90-125 yds Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted (worsted weight) in 2-5 colors
2+ Buttons – ⅞″ (22mm)
Gauge: 9 sts x 5 rows = 3″ in dc
Sizes: 3 months (14-17"); 6 months (14 - 17"; shown); 12 months (16-19")
Pattern stitch counts in the pattern are written as 3mths(6mths, 12mths) – when only one number is shown, it applies to all sizes.
For tutorials, click on the linked stitches or visit the Crochet Abbreviations page
Matching Pattern: Click here for the Eloise Baby Sweater pattern.
Rnd 1: With Color A, make a magic circle and hdc 9 in the ring; join to first st with a sl st. (9 hdc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each st around; join to first st with a sl st. (18 hdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, hdc in the first st, 2 hdc in the next st, *hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st; repeat from * around; join to first st with a sl st. (27 hdc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 2 sts, *2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * around; join to first st with a sl st. (36 hdc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, hdc in the first 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, *hdc in the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; repeat from * around; join to first st with a sl st. (45 hdc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 4 sts, *2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 4 sts; repeat from * around; join to first st with a sl st. (54 hdc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, hdc in the first 5 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, *hdc in the next 5 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; repeat from * around; join to first st with a sl st. (63 hdc)
Row 1: Ch 1, hdc in first 39(48, 56) sts; turn. Leave remaining sts unworked. (39(48, 56) sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across; turn. Break yarn and finish off. (39(48, 56) sts)
Row 3: With Color B, join to BLO (back loop only) of first st, hdc in BLO of each st across; turn. (39(48, 56) sts)
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5 - 6: With Color A, repeat Rows 3 - 4.
Row 7 - 8: With Color C, repeat Rows 3 - 4.
Row 9 - 10: With Color A, repeat Rows 3 - 4.
Row 11 - 12: With Color D, repeat Rows 3 - 4.
Row 13 - 14: With Color A, repeat Rows 3 - 4.
Row 15 - 16: With Color E, repeat Rows 3 - 4.
Row 17 - 18: With Color A, repeat Rows 3 - 4.
Row 1: With Color A, ch 22(24, 26), sc in 5th ch from hook and each remaining ch across; turn. (18(20, 22) sts plus ch-4 loop)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc 18(20, 22), sc 5 in ch-4 loop space, sc 18(20, 22) across the bottom of Row 1, working into the foundation chain, sc 3 in the end of Row 1; join with a sl st in the first sc of this round. Break and finish off. (41(45, 49) sts)
Row 3: With other color of choice, sl st all around Row 2 (work as if surface crochet). Break yarn and finish off.
Assembly: Sew button and strap to one side of bonnet, as shown. On opposite side, sew the button on. Use the ch-4 loop as a button hole to button closed.
I hope you enjoy this pattern for the Eloise Bonnet!
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2014. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, please visit the About page for details.
I've been drooling over the OttLite lamps for years, but hadn't yet pulled the trigger on a purchase - it was so hard to decide which one! So when I was contacted by the OttLite company and asked if I'd like to do a review and giveaway for one of their lamps, I jumped at the chance! And I'm so glad I did!
Many of you have asked for an overview of how the Eloise Baby Sweater is made. It takes several hours (at least!) to make one, so today I have an overview for you, which I think will answer most of your questions!
The Yarnspirations Facebook page is always full of great inspiration, and I know many of us were swooning over the gorgeous projects in the Yarnspirations 2014 Fall Look Book - so many great new patterns and projects! One pattern that really caught my eye was the Graphic Stripes Pouf. I had to make one - and now Yarnspirations is giving away the yarn for one of you to make one too!
Only a couple more weeks to go until Christmas 2014! The stockings are hung, the tree is lit, and hooks are flying fast and furious! In the past I've created collections of Christmas Trees, Ornaments, Ornaments Again, Stockings, Garlands, and most recently Printables! So this time I've simply collected 10 fun free Christmas themed crochet patterns that have never before been featured on Moogly - and all work up nice and quick for last minute gifting and decorating!
I've always wanted to design a shrug - they're simple in concept and easy to make, but the little details can really make them stand out! This pattern has been months in the design - but takes only a few evenings to make! Introducing the Scarlett Shrug!
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The Scarlett Shrug features a simple stitch pattern that I came up with while playing with a stitch dictionary - mine is more simplified and much easier to make, and still gives great texture! And because I know too well the pain of sizing issues, it goes all the way from XS to 5X. I would say when in doubt, go with the larger size. You can always seem up more of the front for longer sleeves and a snugger fit if needed!
The Scarlett Shrug is easy to make - even for beginners! It's a simple rectangle, seamed at the sides and then edged at the sleeves. And in LB Collection Superwash Merino in Cayenne it's so delicious - and spicy! Definitely a "scarlet" shrug any lady can flaunt!
Alas, the seasonal ick got hold of my model, so all I could get of the shrug being worn by an actual human was the photo above. But I didn't want to make you wait either... and so... Also, just to note, the color of this gorgeous yarn is closer to the deep red shown in the indoor photo. Again, better photos when our health returns...
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US - I, 5.5mm hook (Furls Fiberarts Cocobolo used)
330 - 820 yds DK weight yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino in Cayenne shown (100 % Merino; 306 yds/280 m); 100 g/ 3.53 oz)
yarn needle (Susan Bates Finishing needles used)
Click on the linked stitches within the pattern to go to their video tutorials, or go to the Crochet Abbreviations page for other stitch info
Sizes: (bust measurement) XS (28-30"); S (32-24"); M (36-38"); L (40-42"); XL (44-46"); 2X (48-50); 3X (52-54); 4X (56-58"); 5X (60-62")
The stitch counts are written in the pattern as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X).
Gauge: 18 sts (6 repeats) x 8 rows = 4" in pattern
Special Stitch: dc cluster - yo, insert hook in indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain on hook), yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (3 loops remain on hook), yo and pull through all 3 loops.
Row 1: Ch 83 (89, 98, 104, 107, 113, 116, 122, 125), dc cluster in 5th ch from hook (the 4 skipped chs count as a dc and ch 1), skip 2 chs, *(dc, ch 1, dc cluster) in next ch, skip 2 chs; repeat from * until 1 ch remains, dc in last chain, turn.
Row 2: Ch 4 (count as a dc and ch 1), dc cluster in 1st st, skip next st and ch sp, *(dc, ch 1, dc cluster) in next st, skip next st and ch sp; repeat from * until end of row, finishing with a dc in the top of the 3rd ch skipped at the beginning of Row 1.
Row 3: Ch 4 (count as a dc and ch 1), dc cluster in 1st st, skip next st and ch sp, *(dc, ch 1, dc cluster) in next st, skip next st and ch sp; repeat from * until end of row, finishing with a dc in the top of the 3rd ch.
Repeat Row 3 until you have 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) rows, or until desired back depth measurement is reached. Break yarn and finish off, leaving a 12" tail.
Fold the edges of the rectangle as shown above, to create the armholes. Sew a seam on each side (use the tail on one side, and join new yarn on the other side) - each seam should be 1 (1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3, 3.5, 3.5, 4) inches long. Try the shrug on, and see if you need to adjust the seams for a custom fit! I used the mattress stitch, but you could whip stitch them if preferred.
(Note - I found it worked best for Round 1 to work 2 hdc around each dc or ch 3, so that the stitch count would be the number of rows times 2 - so 56 (60, 64, etc) sts. However, exact stitch count here isn't important, so you can work it however you like for best results.)
Round 1: Join to sleeve opening in any stitch, from right side of shrug. Ch 1, hdc evenly around opening, join with a sl st in 1st st.
Round 2 - 3: Ch 1, hdc in the 3rd loop of each st around, join with a sl st in 1st st.
Round 4: Ch 2, sc in 3rd loop of each st around, join and finish off. Repeat for other sleeve opening.
Join to opening in any stitch, from right side of shrug. Ch 1, hdc evenly around opening, join with a sl st in 1st st. (Again, final stitch count here doesn't matter.)
And that's that! The Scarlett Shrug is a very simple garment to make, but I just love that stitch pattern! It's perfect all dressed up with a sleeveless frock, or with a tshirt and jeans! I'm already thinking of more items I want to make with this stitch pattern too, so I'm sure you can look forward to that. I hope you enjoy making this pattern, and wearing it as well!
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2014. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, please visit the About page for details.
I know it's a symptom of getting older, but I still can't believe we're at the end of 2014 already! Deciding to lead a big crochet-along this year was a relatively spur of the moment decision for me, but I'm so so glad I did - and even happier that you all joined me! It had it's bumps along the road for sure, but I think over all it's been a success - and I know I've learned a lot! For instance, how tricky it is to take a picture of a whole blanket...
The Polka Dot Border is a nice, solid edging pattern that I came up with while finishing up my afghan for the Moogly 2014 Afghan Crochet-a-long! It works really well as a final round after joining squares with the Tight Braid Join, which is how I used it. However, with one extra round, it should work as an attractive crochet edging pattern on any blanket!
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The name Edie Eckman should be familiar to you - not only is she the author of several great crochet books, including The Crochet Answer Book, she's also the author of Christmas Crochet - which I featured here on Moogly! And now she's also taught a class on Craftsy - Improve Your Crochet: Essential Techniques! So you can learn right from Edie herself! Bonus... right now you can enroll in Improve Your Crochet on Craftsy for 57% off! But read on to see what all is included...
Welcome back to Hookin On Hump Day! I'm delighted to once again be here with my co-host, Kara from Petals to Picots! If this is the first time you've been here since Kara came on board, be sure to check out all the details of the newest version of Hookin On Hump Day in the "simple rules" section below - they've been simplified and streamlined, much like the look of the party itself! Now let's see what Kara put together for us this month - and be sure to enter your links for the one I put together 2 weeks from now!
Many of you know the amazing site FreshStitches, and the lovely crochet master behind it, Stacey Trock. And if you don't, you will now - because she's got a great holiday giveaway for Moogly readers, with TWO winners!! We're giving away FreshStitches Brown Owl Starter Kit and a copy of her fab book Crocheted Softies!
There are so many wonderful opportunities to use your crochet to help others this time of year, that I wanted to take just a moment to make sure you all knew about this one! Yarnspirations is calling on knitters and crocheters to create the World's Biggest Stocking - to help the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation!
sThe Ups and Downs Slouchy Beanie and Fingerless Gloves inspired the Ups and Downs Crochet Cowl - and to round out the set, it's time for boot cuffs! Introducing the Ups and Downs Boot Cuffs!
The Ups and Downs Slouchy Beanie and Fingerless Gloves Set were super fun to make - and many of you agreed! And then you asked for a matching cowl... and I was more than happy to oblige. I changed out the yarn and the closure for a slightly different look - but I think you'll like it!
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This is the end... (cue 1970's thunder...) ... of the 2014 Moogly Afghan CAL! Except not, because while this IS the last square for the year, we've got joining and borders and showing off left to do! So I'm giving you this square a day early, so you can have the long holiday weekend to work on it. (And because I'm taking tomorrow off to cook for 25 people!) But if this is the first you've heard of the 2014 Moogly Afghan Crochet-a-Long, then start HERE to read how it works - and plan on joining in next year! I'll be announcing the plans for the 2015 CAL in December so we all have time to plan!
Well okay, you could label your knitting too... and your sewing... and every other fabric you like! Because Name Tapes and Labels is giving away $50 gift cards to 3 winners - right here on Moogly!
It’s time for November’s Designer Showcase! Once a month I have 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 inspiring and colorful Susan Carlson - the genius behind Felted Button!
This morning's post is a very special one - a guest post by Bonnie of Sunset Family Living. She has asked me to share some info on an incredible project she is leading - crocheting for the NICU! So I'll let her get to it...
To help kick off the holiday season, Italian yarn company Adriafil is giving away a Hita Hat kit to one lucky Moogly reader!
Bulky yarns are so fun to crochet with - and super bulky is super fun! Gotta love a crochet pattern that whips up in a flash and looks this good! The Buffi Crochet Beanie uses puff stitches and post stitches for a ton of fun and texture - and it's a free crochet pattern right here on Moogly!
You guys!! AHHH! I am so excited! Okay, so I get excited about crochet pretty much every day, but this is something very special to me, and I'm so excited to be able to finally share it with all of you! I have a new original pattern in the latest issue of Country Woman magazine! And it only gets better!
Recently I showed you how to find the free crochet patterns on Craftsy, and there are so many great ones! So I've been working with Craftsy to put together a special page right on their site, with all the patterns in one place, featuring 20 Free Crochet Patterns for Holiday Gift Giving on Craftsy - hand picked by Moogly, just for you!
Welcome back to Hookin On Hump Day! I'm super happy to be here with my co-host, Kara from Petals to Picots! If this is the first time you've been here since Kara came on board, be sure to check out all the details of the newest version of Hookin On Hump Day in the "simple rules" section below - they really are simpler now!
Congratulations to Elsa Jordan! Thanks to all who entered, and thank you to Interweave for providing a copy of this book for me to giveaway! Get your own copy at these Amazon affiliate links!
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1ulcsuB
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1vdf9Qb
