Crochet Short Poncho

Here's my latest crochet project that I just finished last night: a short poncho (pattern courtesy of the inside of the Red Heart Yarn label). I literally decided to make this short poncho based on the picture and free pattern on the yarn itself! (Red Heart calls this a short poncho, but I'm going to call mine a short pink asymmetrical poncho). I used Red Heart yarn, Light and Lofty in Antique Rose 9372 (2 balls) with a "P" crochet hook.

The thing about this poncho is that it is wicked warm and soft! This is the first time I've worked with this type of yarn. The yarn itself looks pilly and scraggly when you buy it and it's a little tricky to work with (it gets tangled and hard to pull through the stitches sometimes), but when you crochet it into a pattern, it comes out just looking thick, textured and soft. Also, I noticed that if you want a snugger fitting poncho, then you only need to crochet until it's about 45" from the beginning, instead of the indicated 48", but use your own judgement when measuring for yourself (it all depends on how tightly you crochet). I made mine according to the 48" suggestion and it came out a little big because the yarn itself has a lot of give and stretches out quite a bit. They don't warn you about the stretch factor when you are making it, though. With this poncho, you can turn it to any side and that will change the whole look of how it fits and where the corner point falls when you wear it. I turned mine to the side so it has more of a diagonal look.  It's a fairly quick project (it took me a few nights) and once you get used to the cross-over stitches (row 2), it's easy. (At first, I had a hard time figuring out what they meant in that section, but I fiddled with it and eventually got it. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. It's one of those stitches that's easier to understand if someone shows you, but since I didn't have anyone to show me, I had to figure it out myself).

RED HEART® "Light & Lofty®": 12 Ounces No. 9617 Pheasant.

Crochet Hook: 11.5mm [US P-16]. Yarn needle.

GAUGE: 7 sts = 4"; 8 rows = 7" in pattern. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Ch 25. Row 1 (Right Side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across; turn – 24 sc.

Row 2: Ch 3, skip first sc, * skip next sc, dc in next sc, dc in skipped sc (this dc encloses the last dc made); rep from * to last sc; dc in last sc; turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each dc across and in top of ch-3; turn. Rep Rows 2 and 3 until 48" from beginning, end by working

Row 3. Fasten off.

FINISHING: Sew the short (beginning) edge to the last 14" of left hand side of the long edge.

Neck/Outside Edging: With right side facing, attach yarn at neck/outside edge; ch 1, work (sc, ch 1) evenly around neck/entire outside edge; join with a sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

Designed by Michele Thompson.

ABBREVIATIONS: ch = chain; dc = double crochet; mm = millimeters; rem = remaining; rep = repeat; sc = single crochet; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.

Yellow Bucket Hat

This is my latest crochet experiment, a yellow bucket hat. I think I'll try my next hat with some nice, warm merino wool yarn or a 100% cotton yarn and see how it turns out. I used Red Heart Super Saver gold colored yarn with an "I" crochet hook. The trickiest part of this pattern is that you have to keep track of the rows and the number of stitches carefully. I think I lost track of where I was at several points (I couldn't make this in one sitting, it was a stop and go project) and had to start the row over, and at another point, I missed a stitch--hopefully it's not too visible! It was a good learning experience, nevertheless. Maybe the next one will turn out better.



Materials:
Small amount WW yarn (Baby or Sport weight will make a smaller hat)
size "I" crochet hook
Size: Will fit average female head



Gauge:
Gauge is not important for this project.



Hat
(note: ch 2 in round 1 do not count as dc, do not slip stitch into it)
Ch 3
Rnd 1: 10 dc in 3rd ch from hook, join with sl st to first dc. (10dc)
Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in same st as join, 2 dc in each dc around, join with sl st to first dc. (20dc)
Rnd 3: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (30dc)
Rnd 4: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (40dc)
Rnd 5: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (50dc)
Rnd 6: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (60dc)
Rnd 7: *Working in Back Loop Only* ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in each st around, join with sl st to first dc. (60dc)
Rnd 8-11: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in each st around, join with sl st to first dc. (60dc)
Rnd 12: *Working in Front Loop Only* ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 5 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (70dc)
Rnd 13: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 5 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 6 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (80dc)
Rnd 14: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 6 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 7 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (90dc)
Rnd 15: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 7 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 8 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc. (100dc)
Finish off, weave in ends.


(Basic bucket hat crochet pattern is copyright Angel's Crochet and is courtesy of angelscrochet.com)

Support Our Troops Scarflet

I was looking for a scarf pattern with a slit to pull one end through the other so the scarf would stay together by itself without any fancy winding or wrapping. Today, I just finished making a short scarflet with one skein of Lion Brand Yarn, Hometown USA in Pittsburgh Yellow, since I could not find Berroco Chinchila yarn at Beverly's (this is a super bulky yarn, so it works up quickly for projects). I used an "N" crochet hook to complete this project, even though the Berroco website recommended a "J" hook. I decided to pin a small flower embellishment at the cross through point in the center, but I like this scarf just plain too. 

Now that I have the hang of this super easy pattern, I'm going to experiment with different types of yarn to see what happens to the look and shape of the scarf. What I like about this pattern is that it's a simple, short scarf that you can wear in the house as an added neck warmer of sorts and you don't have to deal with a long cumbersome scarf just to stay warm!

What happened when I tried to pull one end of the scarf through the slit was that the neck portion was so wide that it naturally folded over on itself and created a nice double collar for this scarf. I wasn't expecting this, but I think it was a nice surprise! I don't think it was intended to be like this according to the pattern, but I like it, and now it's like my own version of Berroco's pattern. The shape that was created reminds me of the yellow support our troops ribbon, so I think that's what I'll call it: "Support Our Troops Scarflet." 

Tony, we can't wait for you to come home! 

Size: One size fits most

MATERIALS

BERROCO CHINCHILLA (50 grs), 1 ball #5344 Pink Champagne for Cap, 1 ball for Scarf.

Crochet Hook, size 6.00 mm (J).

1 small safety pin for marker.

GAUGE

10 hdc’s = 4”; 8 rows = 4”.

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

Scarflet pattern is a free pattern courtesy of berroco.com: 

With crochet hook, ch 14. Work 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across – 12 hdc’s.

Row 1: Ch 2, work 1 hdc in each hdc across. Rep this row until piece measures 3” from beg.

Slit: Next Row: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 4 hdc’s, ch 4, skip 4 hdc’s, 1 hdc in next 4 hdc’s.

Following Row: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc and ch across – 12 hdc’s. Rep Row 1 until piece measures approximately 26” from beg or until yarn is gone. Fasten off.

To wear, wrap scarflet around neck, tucking long end through slit from WS to RS.

Purple Capelet with Flower Embellishment

So, here's my first prototype for a simple mini capelet with a small flower embellishment. I used purple Simply Soft Yarn and an "N" crochet hook for the capelet and a smaller "F" hook for the flower. 

Here's a close up of the flower embellishment. (For some odd reason, this photo makes the capelet look more blue-ish but it's really a deep eggplant purple color). 

Here's a close up of some more flowers I experimented with just to see how the hook size affected the size of the completed flower. The flower on the right was made with the "N" hook and the flower on the left was made with a "J" hook. These flowers are so cute and easy! (With these little flowers, I can jazz up hats and scarves and make anything appear more Anthro-esque without the Anthro price tag!)

Crochet Small flower

Ch 6, sl st into 1st ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 15 sc into ring, sl st in 1st sc.
Round 2: *Ch 3, work dc2tog over next 2 stitches, ch 3, sl st in next sc*, rep from * to * for a total of 5 times, placing last sl st in sl st from previous round.
Fasten off.

NOTE: Dc2tog = yo, insert hook in next st, yo and pull yarn through st (3 loops on hook), yo and pull yarn through first 2 loops on hook, yo, insert hook in next st, yo and pull yarn through st (4 loops on hook), yo and pull yarn through first 2 loops on hook, yo and pull yarn through 3 loops on hook.

Teensey Capelet

I just picked up my crochet hook this past week and I am feeling nostalgic for the days when I could just crochet for hours while watching my favorite movies. Fortunately, now that Josh is going to bed earlier, I have time to crochet again! YIPEE! 

I love the internet because there are a million free patterns to choose from--gone are the days of buying crochet pattern books at the craft store! These are so convenient easy to print out for home use. I decided to try my hand at making a capelet. I've been wanting a wrap of sorts and I love capelets because they are in between a scarf and a cape and wrap. Capelets can just add a little bit of extra warmth during the chilly months and I just adore them! So, this is my first attempt in years at following a crochet pattern. Since I didn't have an "N" crochet hook, I used a bigger one; I think it was a "P" or a "Q" (I'm not sure because it wasn't marked on the hook. It was one of those jumbo plastic hooks though). Consequently, this pattern came out with bigger, looser stitches, which I actually ended up liking. This, after all, was an experiment to see how the pattern would turn out. I just used Red Heart Yarn in Camo. I am currently making more with an "N" hook that I picked up at Beverly's and I switched to Simply Soft Yarn because I wanted the capelet to be softer. I'm going to experiment with different yarns to see which one comes out the best. This is such a simple pattern and I can complete it in one day if I work on it at night time before I go to bed. It's so fun and rewarding to see a crafty creation come to life! Try it out! If you have any questions, just let me know and I'll help you through the steps. 

Here's the pattern:

TEENSEY CAPELET

Materials:

2 Balls Lionbrand Jiffy. Color: Grass Green.

Size US N Crochet Hook

Size:

One Size

Gauge

6 1/2 sts= 4" in trc

Finished Measurements:

38" (at widest point) x 11" long

Abbreviations:

ch= chain

hdc= half double crochet

dc= double crochet

st= stitch

sl st= slip stitch

trc= triple crochet

rnd= round

Directions

Ch 55 and join with a sl st (be careful not to twist ch). PM to indicate end of rnd. Round 1: Ch 2. Beginning in next st from ch, hdc in all stitches. Join rnd with a sl st.

Round 2: Ch 3. Dc in next st. Dc to end of rnd. Join with a sl st.

Round 3: Repeat rnd 2.

Round 4: Ch 4. Trc in next 13 sts. Increase by trc TWICE in next st. Trc in

next 27 sts. Increase in next st. Trc to end. Join rnd with a sl st.

Round 5: Ch 4. Trc in next 14 sts. Increase by trc TWICE in next st. Trc in next 28 sts. Increase in next st. Trc to end. Join rnd with a sl st.

Round 6: Ch 4. Trc in next 15 sts. Increase by trc TWICE in next st. Trc in next 29 sts. Inc in next st. Trc to end. Join with a sl st.

Round 7: Ch4. Trc in every st to end. Tie off. Weave in ends.

NOTE: FOR LONGER VERSION, REPEAT ROW 7 UNTIL DESIRED LENGTH.

Crochet pattern is courtesy of http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com