Autumn Harvest Basket

Happy September and almost autumn!  This is one of my favorite month’s for so many reasons (mentioned in a previous blog post), and definitely my favorite season!  I already have created 2 more new patterns within a week’s time, so I think it might be one of my more inspiring times of the year too. 😉  One of the new patterns will be for this month, and the other I will post in November, since I have an original pattern for October already in mind.

 

I’d like to say thank you to a few folks who said they’d test this month’s pattern for me.  I thought it might be a bit more complicated, when typing up the instructions so asked if anyone would be willing to pattern test for me.  4 sweet ladies did offer, but I only heard back from 2 of them.  I’d like to thank all 4, but didn’t get permission from 2 of them to include their names here, since I didn’t hear back from them.  In any case I would like to thank them as well as the 2 ladies I do have permission to share their names.  So thanks to:

 

Jessica W. and Becky D.

 

I have a blog address for Jessica, but do not for Becky, sorry.  If Becky happens to read this, I will most definitely edit this post with her blog address, if she has one, and is willing to share it here.  If you’d like to check out Jessica’s blog post go to:

 

http://ilovetocrochetbyjessica.blogspot.com:80/

 

Also thanks to Jessica and Becky for helping with the pattern corrections that needed to be made.

 

I have one more favor to ask.  Ever since Word Press made changes and updates, I can no longer view my stats…which means I have no idea if anyone is reading my blog posts anymore.  If you read, would you please be so kind as to leave a comment, to let me know that you read, or like the pattern, or any thoughts at all?  I do have it set to approve comments, just so you know…but it’s only to keep spammers from posting anything they like, and also to keep those who might not use family friendly words from just being able to say anything they like.  I am all about family friendly in every area of my life, and want to keep it that way on my blog too…I hope you understand.

 

I haven’t been the greatest about replying to comments on my blog posts in the past, but will do my best to reply from now on, if comments are left.  Thanks so much for your cooperation!  And hope you have been and will continue to enjoy my patterns this year.

 

Here is your pattern for this month…

 

Autumn Harvest Basket

©September 3, 2012

 

Materials Needed:

4 Ply WW Yarn in any autumn color you like.  I used Red Heart Woodsy for the one I made.

Honestly if you wanted to make this basket for other times of the year, I am sure it would work with whatever coordinating color you choose for the season. 🙂

Hook Size:  G

 

Abbreviations and Stitches Used:

CH = Chain

DC = Double Crochet

DNT = Do Not Turn

FLO = Front Loops Only

HDC = Half Double Crochet

REP = Repeat

RND = Round

SC = Scingle Crochet

SK = Skip

SL ST = Slip Stitch

SP = Space

ST = Stitch

 

Pattern Instructions:

Bottom:

RND 1:  CH 3 (Counts as first HDC and CH 1 that you’ll be working into), 11 HDC in third CH from hook, Join with SL ST in top of CH 3, CH 1, Turn (12 HDC).

 

RND 2:  1 SC in each ST around, Join with SL St into first SC, CH 2 (Counts as first HDC on next RND), Turn (12 SC).

 

RND 3:  1 HDC in same ST as CH 2 ST, 2 HDC in each ST around, Join with SL ST into top of CH 2, CH 1, Turn (24 HDC).

 

RND 4:  REP RND 2, (24 SC).

 

RND 5:  REP RND 3, (48 HDC).

 

RND 6:  REP RND 2, (48 SC).

 

Sides:

For RNDS 7-14 DNT.

RND 7:  (Working in FLO this RND only) 1 HDC in each ST around, Join with a SL ST in top of CH 2, (48 HDC).

 

RND 8:  CH 1, 1 SC in same ST as joining ST, CH 5, SK 3 HDC, *1 SC in next HDC, CH 5, SK next 3 HDC, REP from * around 10 times, SC in next ST, CH 5, SL ST into first SC, ( 12 SC, 12 CH 5 SP).

 

RND 9:  SL ST in first CH 5 SP, CH 1, 1 SC, CH 5, *1 SC in next CH 5 SP, CH 5, REP from * 10 times, 1 SC in next CH 5 SP, CH 5, SL ST in first SC, (12 SC, 12 CH 5 SP).

 

RNDS 10-13:  REP RND 9, (12 SC, 12 CH 5 SP).

 

RND 14:  SL ST in first CH 5 SP, {CH 3 (Counts as first DC), 1 DC, CH 4, 2 DC all in that same first CH 5 SP}, *CH 3, SL ST in next CH 5 SP, CH 3, {2 DC, CH 4, 2 DC all in next CH 5 SP}, REP from * around, CH 3, SL ST in first CH 3, (6 Shell STS, 12 CH 3 SP), Fasten off.

 

Handle:

ROW 1:  Pulling RND 14 forward, and working between 2 Shell STS and on RND 13, SL ST into CH 5 SP on one side of the SL ST on RND 14, CH 1, SC in same SP, then work 1 SC on other side of the SL ST, CH 1, Turn (2 SC).

 

ROW 2:  1 SC in SC, CH 5, 1 SC in next SC, Ch 1, Turn (2 SC and 1 CH 5 SP).

 

ROW 3:  1 SC in SC, {SL ST, CH 5, SL ST} all in CH 5 SP, 1 SC in SC, CH 1, Turn, (2 SC, 2 SL ST, 1 CH 5 SP).

 

ROWS 4-23:  REP ROW 3.

 

ROW 24:  {SL ST, CH 1, 2 SC} all in CH 5 SP, SL ST into SC, CH 1, Turn, (2 SL ST, 2 SC).  Then do a SL ST into first SC and CH 1.

 

Attaching to other side:

Count 3 Shell STS around, and working between the third and fourth Shell SP, and pulling RND 14 away from you and working in CH 5 SP on RND 13, SL ST into one side of the SL ST of RND 13, then work an SL ST in SC on handle, then work another SL ST on same side as you attached, and do another SL ST into same SC on handle, then work a SL ST on other side of the SL ST, and work a SL ST into the other SC on handle, and work one more SL ST into RND 13, and again into the second SC on handle, then one more on RND 13, fasten off, and weave in ends.

 

Decorate as you like, or leave as is.  Fill with anything you like, and enjoy!

 

Stay creative and be blessed! 🙂

Crochet Shell Wave Washcloth

Happy August Everyone!

 

Hope you are having a great summer so far.

 

Well it’s the 12th of yet another month, so time for another one of my original patterns for you.  I created this a few years back for a friend who had moved into a new home, and had an ocean theme for their bathroom.

 

I thought it would be a great pattern to share during what I consider the hottest month of the year.  Hope it makes you think of the beach, with the shells and waves found in this pattern.  Hope you are trying to stay cool during this last stretch of summer.  I personally can’t wait for autumn…it is my favorite season.  What is your favorite season?  And what have you been working on?  How are you liking my patterns?  I’d love to hear from you! 🙂

 

Here is the pattern as promised. 🙂

 

Crochet Shell Wave Washcloth

©July 21, 2008

Pattern Correction made on August 10, 2012.

 

Materials Needed:

4 ply worsted weight cotton yarn

Hook Size:  G

 

Stitches Used:

CH=Chain

SL ST = Slip Stitch

DC=Double Crochet

SK=Skip

REP=Repeat

ST=Stitch

 

Pattern Instructions:

Foundation Chain:  CH 46, SL ST in 2nd CH from hook, CH 3 (Counts as first DC now and throughout), 3 DC in same ST as SL ST made (First Shell Made), * SK next 3 CH’s, SL ST in next CH, CH 3, 3 DC in same ST, REP from * to end, CH 1 Turn. (12 Shells Made)

 

ROW 1:  *SL ST in ST between second and third DC on shell, CH 3, 3 DC in same ST as SL ST, REP from * across, CH 1, Turn. (12 Shells Made)

 

ROWS 2-19:  REP ROW 1, CH 1, Turn. (12 Shells Made)

 

ROW 20:  SL ST in ST between second and third DC on shell, *CH 3, SL ST in second and third DC on next shell, REP from * across, Fasten off. (12 SL ST and 11 CH 3 Made) Weave in ends.

 

Stay creative and be blessed!

Simple Things

It seems as the days get shorter, and the holidays draw closer, our days just are filling up with different things.  I don’t think I’ve seen the calendar getting so full in quite a while.  But that’s okay, full days are just fine, as long as there is some rest time.  So many folks, just seem to run around constantly, never having a moment to breathe, let alone, just rest and relax, and that is not good physically or mentally.  So please remember, as the days get crazier, take some time to just rest, and breathe.  You need it to refuel for the upcoming events. 🙂

 

I love simple things like spending time with family and friends, reading to my grandbabies, making homemade things, taking a walk, listening to music or watching TV or a movie, Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK), etc.  I love to give gifts or little things to folks randomly.  It makes me happy to see their reactions when they receive something unexpectedly.

 

Last week a friend of ours sent Matt and I an unexpected gift.  They wanted us to know that we are appreciated and loved, and it was so nice to receive a gift of love like that.  Our friend made us handwoven scarves.  Her handy work was incredible.  Folks around here were like they are so beautiful.  She made a blue one for me, and brown one for Matt. I know she reads this blog, so I am going to just simply say thanks so much once again…we appreciate the gifts and your friendship. 🙂

 

If you have never tried doing a Random Act of Kindness I’d like to encourage you to give it a try.  I promise it will bring you as much, if not more joy, than the recipient of your gift.

 

a Few of the projects I mentioned in my last post didn’t work out as I hoped.  I’ll start with the third project I was hoping to give to my friend who is expecting…I ran out of that particular yarn type and color, so I ended up giving what I was making to my granddaughter, who absolutely loves it. LOL  Also the second project I wasn’t sure if I’d be sending to that same friend found a home with my grandson…He just really loves it.  So, all I have to give her is the original gift I made, and I am trying to think of something else I can give her along with it.

 

The wreath I said I was trying to make, really wasn’t coming out as I had hoped, so I ripped back, and salvaged the yarn to be used on other projects.  I used it to make a pillow, and 2 toilet paper covers.  All these things I am going to keep.  I usually sell or give things away, but I really loved this color of yarn and wanted to make some things for our home with it.  It was an autumn multi-colored yarn, and I love autumn, as you all know, so I just had to make some things for the house with it. 😉

 

My favorite pattern for a toilet paper cover so far, and for many years now can be found here:

 

http://www.crochetnmore.com/toilettissuecover.htm

 

 I should mention that depending on the size of the roll of toilet paper you might need to add a few more rows of the HDC.  I usually do through row 19 (instead of 15) of it, then do that TR row as row 20, instead of row 16.  Hope this helps, but if not, please feel free to ask me what I mean.  Or you could write the designer, if you prefer.  Lisa Hamblin, is very nice (I’ve written her myself a few times), and she might take a bit to get back to you, but she has always gotten back to me…so I’m sure she’ll do the same for you.

 

I did not follow a pattern for the pillow I made.  I am not claiming this as my original design either, as it is just another simple little pattern that any crocheter could do.  I just CH41, then SC in the second CH from the hook, and across ending up with 40 SC.  Then, I CH 1 turn and just did 48 rows of SC, always CH1 at the end of each row, except the last one, I fastened off.  I made another one, then I SLST the pieces together, and filled with fiber fill.  It came out pretty nice. 🙂

 

I also made another knitted waffle washcloth, and have another one on the needles.  So busily busily crafting, and loving it!

 

I’d love to hear what you are working on.  Any special things for the holidays?

 

Stay creative and be blessed!