Tag Archives: double crochet

August 6, 2011 · 9:55 am

Sage Lattice Prayer Shawl

I’ve been working on several different prayer shawls and the patterns for them lately, both because we’re in need of them in the Prayer Shawl group we have at church, and because I’ve got a lot of different yarn left over from other projects that I need to get used up.  I figured this was the perfect way!

Being the middle of summer I wanted to design something that could be used to keep warm in the air conditioning, but still be delicate and light to match the time of year.  This yarn is very light weight and would work perfect for that.  I combined it with the very simple, open lattice-work stitching which is just double crochets and chains, and it turned out very nicely.

To add just a little bit of weight and definition to the piece I did a reverse single crochet, otherwise known as the lobster claw, edging.  It put a nice rolled-hem like finish on the shawl and really defined the edges.  I’ve used the revers single crochet on some dishcloths before, but I’ve never used it on a full sized project and I really like it.

So this shawl is ready to go to our Prayer Shawl Group’s monthly meeting on Thursday to be prayed over and then given to someone in our congregation in need of it.  I can’t wait!

2 Comments

Filed under Designs, Gifts, Prayer Shawls

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 27, 2011 · 11:12 am

Ripple Baby Afghan

Alright everyone.  Here is a project I have made probably more than a dozen times for so many friends and family when they were expecting a baby.  I’ll of course be making one for myself now – as soon as we figure out if we have a little boy or a little girl.

If I have made one of these for you, PLEASE send me an email with a picture of it.  If you have one with your child using it that’s even better!  I would love to do a post with pictures of several of these gifts!

I taught myself to crochet from this pattern book.  Some of the patterns in this leaflet are rather dated as it was originally published in 1989.  Certainly not new anymore, but it still works for beginners.  I even wore out my first copy and bought another.  You can still order this leaflet on the Leisure Arts website for just $6.95.  Click on the picture for the link to the listing.

The ripple baby afghan was one of the first afghans I’d ever done, and has been one of my favorite patterns for a long  time.  It is made with double crochet stitches and shells, skipping stitches to make the ripple effect.  I like to use Caron Simply Soft yarn to make this, although I have been very disappointed to find that they have discontinued the very pretty Victorian Rose color that I like to use for the pink.

I hope to see many emails here shortly of your pictures!

1 Comment

Filed under Afghans, Baby, Gifts, Pattern Book Recommendations

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 12, 2011 · 8:45 am

Star Motif Pattern

You can use this pattern for so many different things.  You can connect them to make a scarf by single crocheting along the edging, or you can use the join-as-you-go method to create an afghan!  I was looking for a star motif pattern and just could not find anything that I liked, so I did it myself.

Materials:

  • 2  colors worsted weight yarn
  • Size I Crochet hook.

Gauge:  Not critical, but you can increase or decrease the hook size if you want a larger or smaller star.  This one measures about 7 inches from the tip of the left arm to the tip of the right arm.

Round 1: With first color,  ch 5, join with sl st in first ch to form a loop,  ch 1, 25 sc in loop, join with sl st to first sc.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, hdc in next sc, [dc, ch1, dc] in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, * sc in next sc, hdc in next sc, [dc, ch 1, dc] in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, repeat from* three times more, join with sl st to first sc, finish off.

Round 3: Join next color with sc in first hdc of any section, hdc in next st, [2dc, ch2, 2 dc] in ch 1 sp, hdc in next st, sc in next st, skip next 2 sc, * sc in next st, hdc in next st [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in ch 1 sp, hdc in next st, sc in next st, skip next 2 sc, repeat from * 3 times more, join with sl st to first sc.

Round 4: Sl st in next st, ch1, sc in same st, hdc in each of next 2 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch 2 sp, hdc in each of next 2 sts, sc in next st, skip next 2 sts, * sc in next st, hdc in each of  next 2 sts [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch 2 sp, hdc in each of next 2 sts, sc in next sc, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * 3 times more, finish off.

Round 5: Join next color with sc in second st of any section, hdc in each of next 3 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch 2 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts,  sc in next st, skip next 2 sts, *sc in next st, hdc in each of next 3 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch 2 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next st, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * 3 times more, join with sl st to first sc.

Round 6: Sl st in next st, ch 2, dc in each of next 4 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, hdc in next st, skip next 2 sts, *hdc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, hdc in next st, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * 3 times more, join with sl st to first ch 2, finish off.

Weave all yarn ends.

5 Comments

Filed under Patterns

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 8, 2011 · 8:02 am

The First Lacy Afghan

I finally found this picture.  I knew I had it somewhere.  This was the first time I made the “Timeless Lace” afghan mentioned in my previous Lacy Afghan post.

This is my Aunt Becky on the left at Christmas oh…what, 10 or 11 years ago I guess?  Gosh I don’t remember.  Maybe more than that.   The Timeless Lace afghan was her present that year.

This picture was taken in my Grandma and Grandpa Showers’ living room.  I can just feel the bustle of activity at the big family Christmas get-together when I look at this picture.  {Insert warm fuzzy here.}

Grandma is gone now, but see the ribbon goldfish mobile hanging in front of the window in the background?  That was hers, and Grandpa was nice enough to let me have that after she passed.  It’s hanging in front of the window in my livingroom now.  I just love it, and I think of her every time I look at it!

Anyway.  Sorry, I digress.  Back to the afghan.  I remember Aunt Becky being very excited when I gave this to her that year and I hope that she has enjoyed it!

I believe I’ve made two more of these afghans using this pattern.  If you received one of them, please send me a picture and I’ll post it!

Leave a comment

Filed under Afghans, Gifts

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,