Crochet Hooked

This Little Piggy

Stephanie Carroll — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:05:50 +0000

My mom had a good idea a few weeks back that I should crochet puppets for Caleb. I got really excited about this little project and dove in to find puppet patterns. And let me tell you! Puppet patterns are not easy to find. In fact, there are only a few free ones out there. And most of them just aren’t all that cute.

So, anyway, I found a few patterns that I liked and then went and bought yarn. My first puppet was a pig since it looked like the easiest one to make.

So, here is the pig! Caleb has been so excited about this, and he can’t wait for me to make him a tiger next!

Free Crochet Patterns

Stephanie Carroll — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:07:09 +0000

Ok, I know I am way behind the times on this, but when I went in to buy yarn at a store the other day I realized that there are lots of free patterns hanging on the shelves free for the taking. So, I loaded up on them. Then I went to another store yesterday, and there were tons more! I can’t tell you how excited I am about these free patterns!

I am going to feature some of these patterns over the next few days.

The first pattern is one I am extremely excited about. When I saw it, I knew this was going to be my next project. So, I bought the yarn/thread, and started it last night. I will post pictures when I get finished with it, but here is the picture of what I am making.

Instructions coming later!

Hard to Find Yarn

Stephanie Carroll — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:05:13 +0000

I have noticed more and more over the years that a good yarn selection in stores is hard to find. I used to get all my yarn from Walmart. They had tons of great options. But a few years ago, Walmart drastically reduced the amount of yarn and fabric that they carry…at least in certain areas (mainly large cities).

I have a project that I am working on, and I ran out of yarn. I went to Michael’s, but they do not have great yarn selection themselves. I have not gone to Walmart yet, but I am hoping that they have the yarn I need. Otherwise I will have to order it online.

The other sad thing is the absence of fancy yarns at Michael’s or Walmart these days. Last year, I looked everywhere for really nice, fancy yarn to make gifts for family but could not find any. When I was in college, I could find just about anything I wanted at the local Michael’s or Walmart. It’s sad that that is not the case anymore.

Does anyone have a good place to buy yarn?

The Basics: Buying Yarn

Stephanie Carroll — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:14:03 +0000

So, there is an art to buying yarn. There are not many things you need to know, but the few things you do are pretty important. The first time I bought yarn, I was a little intimidated. So, I had a friend go with me to teach me the fine art of yarn shopping.

First things first. A deal of yarn is called a skein (pronounced skeen). So, you are looking for the perfect skein of yarn.

Rule #1: There are two ends to any string. When buying yarn, you are looking for a skein that has an end sticking out of one end and the other end should be stuck into the other side. Now, over the past few years I have noticed more and more that yarn is not following this rule like it should. I have had to buy way too many skeins that have been incorrect causing me to work from the outside end. This is no fun. Trust me! So, save yourself some time and a headache by trying to find a skein where the yarn ends are correct.

Rule #2: Check to see if the yarn has a lot number. If it does, you need to make sure all yarn you buy for your project is from the same lot number. Many yarn companies do not have lot numbers, so you are safe if you buy the same color of yarn. But if there is a lot number, you will want to take my advice. I’ve never been burned by this, but I wouldn’t want to be either.

Really, that’s it. Pretty simple. So, keep these things in mind and you will have a successful yarn purchasing experience!

The Basics: What You Need

Stephanie Carroll — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:50:06 +0000

So, what do you need to crochet? The answer: Really not a lot.

To get you started you will need:

A crochet hook (I like the packs the include many different sizes, but hey, you really only need one crochet hook! So, if you’re not sure if crocheting is for you…just get one. But my guess is that you’ll get hooked and need more!)
Yarn – more about this in the next post. There is a fine art to buying yarn!
A pattern to follow
Possibly a book with instructions.

That’s it! Crocheting is great because it’s a hobby that doesn’t require much, and it’s pretty darn cheap! So why not crochet!

Funky Hats

Stephanie Carroll — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:00:25 +0000

There’s nothing better than a funky crocheted hat! They’re easy. They’re cheap. They’re warm. Hey, they’re funky!

Here are a few I have made over the years. The brown one I made in college. It’s a bit stretched out these days, but I still love it. The other hat is one I made last week while on vacation. It was perfect for the chilly Colorado weather.

East Crocheted Baby Hat

Stephanie Carroll — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:00:14 +0000

(Open Shell Baby Hat on left, Easy Crocheted Baby Hat on right)

Size F or G Hook
3-ply sport weight yarn
Use different size hoods to make different sizes.

This hat is made in rounds with no seam.
Beginning ch 3 of each round counts as a dc.

Chain 5, sl st in fist ch to form ring. Turn.

Row 1: Ch 3, 11 dc in ring, join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around.
Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn

Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc.
*Dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * around.
Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc.
*Dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * around.
Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc.
               *Dc in next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * around.
               End with 2 dc in last st.
               Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn.

Row 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: Ch 3, dc in each dc around.
Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn.

Rows 11, 12, 13: Ch 2, hdc in each st around.
Join with sl st in top of ch 2. Turn.

Row 14: Ch 2, hdc in each st around.
Join with sl st in top of ch 2.
Finish off and weave yarn end into stitches on right side of hdc rows.

Finishing: Fold last 4 rows to right side for cuff.

Open Shell Baby Hat

Stephanie Carroll — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:46:10 +0000

(Open Shell on left, Easy Crocheted Baby Hat on right)

Size G Hook
3-ply sport weight yarn

Ch 5, sl st to join

Row 1: *work 1 sc around chain, ch 4, rep from * around, making 10 ch-4 loops for newborn size or 9 ch-4 loops for preemie size. End row with sl st in first sc to join. TURN.

Row 2: Sl st around ch-4 loop, ch 3, 1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc around the same ch-4 loop. *work 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc around the next ch-4 loop, rep from * around, ending with sl st in top of ch 3 to join. TURN.

Row 3: sl st in next 2 st, * work 2 sc around the next ch-2, ch 4, rep from * around, ending row with sl st in first sc to join. TURN

Row 4-14: Repeat rows 2 and 3 for pattern, ending with row 2 for scalloped edge. (Seven scallop rows made.) End off and weave in yarn tail. Fold back to form brim.

Crochet Lingo

Stephanie Carroll — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:13:34 +0000

When I finally get around to it, there will be a series of posts teaching the basics of crochet complete with pictures. In the mean time, here is a quick explanation of what some of those weird symbols mean.

ch: chain
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet

There’s way more than this, but this will at least help you through the Granny Afghan that I previously posted.

My Crochet Bag

Stephanie Carroll — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:34:59 +0000

Get a load of my crochet bag (sorry for the crummy pictures. I really need a better camera…don’t you think?). I found it a few years ago while walking through Michael’s. I saw it, stopped in the middle of the aisle and just knew it was going to be mine. I called my husband to tell him about it and to test his reaction in case I bought it. He thought it would be a great idea, so I made my purchase.

I love this thing! It gives me a great place to keep projects I am working on. Gives me pockets to keep things organized. AND! The best part are the six pockets for yarn. You can string your yarn through the small holes in order to have it thread through the bag so you can store your projects.

Really, whoever thought of it is brilliant!

The only downside (and really this just comes from my husband) is that it is a little bulky.

But all in all, I have to give this bag two thumbs up!