Crochet to Go

Here's a quick and easy holiday project - a bulky ribbed scarf, or, if you're in a big hurry, a snug cowl.

Materials needed
• Crochet hook: 8 mm
• Yarn needle
For scarf:
• 2 skeins / 200 grams bulky weight yarn
For cowl:
• 3 buttons
• 1/2-3/4 skein / 50-75 grams bulky weight yarn

Gauge
In pattern, 6 sc and 5 rows = 2 inches

Directions
Ch 2, turn.

R1: 2 sc in second ch from hook (2 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R2 and all subsequent rows: work in back loops only.
R2: 2 sc in each st (4 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R3: 2 sc in second st from hook. Sc in each subsequent st. In final st, work 2 sc (6 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R4 - R10: repeat R3 until desired width. Repeating R3 through R10 = width of 5 inches.

Begin R11 (or your prefered width) on the tall side of the triangle:

R11: 2 sc in second st from hook. Sc in each subsequent st. In final 2 sts, work 1 st-dec. Ch 1, turn.

R12: 2 sc in second st from hook. Sc in each subsequent st. In final 2 sts, work 1 st-dec. Ch 1, turn.

R13: In first two sts, work 1 st-dec. Sc in each subsequent st. In final st, work 2 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat rows 12-13 until desired length.

Finishing (Cowl):
Work until the cowl wraps comfortably around your deck. The shorter side should be 19-20 inches. Fasten off, weave in loose ends. Sew buttons on each corner of the triangle end.

Finishing (Scarf):
Work until the longest side is 55-60 inches. Starting on the short side of the triangle:

R1: In first two sts, work 1 st-dec. Sc in each st across. Do not sc in final st of row. Ch 1, turn.

R2: Work 1 st-dec. Sc in each st across. In final 2 sts, work 1 st-dec. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat rows 1-2 until all two sts remain. St-dec together, fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

This was a ravelry find - a quick, short-sleeved baby cardigan. My version is a bit wider and denser than the original. I don't love the look of it draped flat like this, but I think it will be cute on. It's a very fast pattern to make, and the instructions include a broad range of sizes (from newborn to 4 years).

I am so far behind on crochet this year. I think the crochet holiday gifts are going to be pretty limited, just a few small items. Here's a project I started nearly six months ago, and then had trouble finding enough yarn to complete it.

It's the "Cascade Scarf" by Rebecca Jackson (free pattern available here). This is my second attempt at the pattern - the first attempt went well, but the yarn used was much thicker. This is a very fine mohair (Sublime Yarns Kid Mohair Blend). It still makes for a wider scarf than the pattern pictures let on. The drape is quite nice.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Here's a quick pattern that's great for using up yarn scraps. I loved the result, and plan to make a few pairs to wear under jackets this winter. The pattern is available as a free ravelry download (search "morning fog mitts"). Sizing seems to be accurate (small is definitely small, not a one-size-fits-all size).

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Here's the finished adult ribbed hat, previously described in this post. My first pass at it was far too large, and had to wrap out most of the stitches and start over. It came out perfectly, eventually - very soft, thin, and warm. I'm happy with the trim color - the request was for blue with a red stripe, but I didn't want a bright, nautical look. The red is nearly pink, and much more subtle.

I've been traveling for the last month - Catalina, Oregon, and two great weeks in Italy. I have several projects partially completed, and am looking forward to having some down time to wrap them up. In the meantime, here are two pics from friends of their adorable children modeling recent gifts.

This is a popular pattern on ravelry right now (Easy Pleated Crochet Bag), and it lives up to the name - very easy to make. It's hard to judge the scale from the pictures, but it's much smaller than I expected. It's really too small to be useful for an adult (even as an evening bag, the scale doesn't look quite right), but it's perfect for a child. I plan to give mine to a seven year old for Christmas.

I'd like to revisit the pattern and make a larger (wider) version. Definite potential.

Another take on my bib pattern. I've used a second color for the edging, and limited the scalloped border to the neckline only.

I've been slaving away on two hats recently. I wanted to recreate Galen's favorite hat in adult and baby sizes, and have completely failed on prior attempts. It's a very fine weave, and the hat should be very soft and thin - the wrong yarn / hook combination can make for a stiff hat. Here's the baby version, which is worked in double crochet (back loops only) with a 3.25 mm hook.

Guidelines for success:

Baby Version: Ch 2, work 8 dc into second chain from hook. Next row work 2 dc in every stitch, following row 2 dc, 1 dc; following row 2 dc, 1 dc, 1dc; etc. Work until desired size (or increase until row 8), them work in dc to desired length.

Adult: same, but start with 12 dc in second chain from hook.

In either case, you'll need a hook between 3.25 and 3.75 for a fingering yarn. You may need to try all three to achieve the right texture.

A custom gift for a Datsun fanatic (and his new baby). Close enough?

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

My new favorite pattern - I made the pair in under three hours with a few scraps of worsted weight yarn I had leftover from a prior project. So cute, and a very simple pattern. There's an adult-sized version as well. Both available from Sylver Designs: http://www.sylverdesigns.com/pattern/booties/maryjaneskimmers.html

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Another long work in progress. The pattern is a bit complicated (you make a hat, and then work chains of sc around each row to create the "fur"), but it's quite adorable and very warm. I was tempted to turn the hat inside out and make it a really cozy lined hat. I may try the technique as a neck cozy. The pattern runs a little big, but baby will grow into it.

The pattern is available on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6020708). Lots of other very cute projects in the same shop.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

This is a repeat of the very first sweater I ever made. It's the "Lazy Days Daisies Sweater" from a Coats & Clark booklet. It's very simple - almost entirely worked in sc - which was great for the rather loud coral yarn I had on hand.

As it turns out, I was one ball of yarn short, and went through a three month process of trying to find another skein. It was only distributed in England, and discontinued several years ago. How I ended up with 4 skeins is anyone's guess. But I found some finally on ebay.co.uk, and am very pleased with the results.

it still fits! (thanks Alicia!)
Originally uploaded by dubteka.

Here's baby Fabian in his hat. I should make more of these - it has a rolled brim when he was smaller, but is adapting well as he gets older.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Here's my finished pinwheel bowl, a case for the Springtime Coasters I recently completed (shown upside down). This was made in Red Heart Super Saver. I made a cotton version as well (which I prefer), but it's a bit slimed from my stiffening project. I'll try felting it and see if the ribs are still visible.

The bowl itself is quite stiff and would easily work as a holder for change or keys.

Pattern:
Materials needed
• 1 skein / 1 oz cotton or acrylic worsted weight yarn (I prefer the results with cotton)
• Crochet hook: 3.25 mm
• Yarn needle

Special Stitch:
Front Post Double Crochet [fpdc]: yo (yarn over) your hook; starting from the front, hook around post of the row below by inserting hook to the right of the stitch and back around the front on the left side*, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through last 2 loops.
* Reverse if you’re a lefty

Directions
Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc).

R1: 11 dc in 4th ch from hook. Join will sl st to top of beginning ch 4 (12 dc). Do not turn.

R2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), fpdc in same st, (dc, fpdc) in each st around. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3 (24 sts). Do not turn.

R3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, fpdc in next st, *2 dc in next st, fpdc around post of next fpdc, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 (36 sts). Do not turn.

R4: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, dc in next st, fpdc around post of next fpdc. *2 dc in next st, dc in next st, fpdc around post of next fpdc, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 (48 sts). Do not turn.

R5: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, fpdc around post of next fpdc. *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, fpdc around post of next fpdc, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 (60 sts). Do not turn.

R6: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Working in front loops only, dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 (60 sts). Do not turn.

R7: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in next st. *dc in next 4 sts, fpdc in next st [fpdc will be aligned over fpdc of base], repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 (60 sts). Do not turn.

R8-9: Repeat R7.

R10: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), st-dec over next 2 sts, dc in next st, fpdc in next st. *dc in next st, st-dec over next 2 sts, dc in next st, fpdc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 (48 sts). Do not turn.

R11: Ch 3, *st-dec over next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Lid:
Repeat rnds 1-7.

R8: Sc in each st around (60 sc). Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

I finally got around to "stiffening" a few of my projects. I tried this awhile ago using spray starch, which just doesn't work at that well. My local craft store had one product - Paverpol - that is billed as:

The textile hardener and craft product par excellence - but also so much more than fabric-hardeners. Dip natural materials, such as textiles, in Paverpol. Drape or wrap the material around a wire figure, sculpting it to your desired shape and leave it to dry. Paverpol dries fast.

The package doesn't have instructions. The website doesn't provide additional information beyond that description above. So I dipped my bowl and vase in, draped them over a can and glass respectively, and waited.

Color, smell, and texture-wise, it's EXACTLY like Elmer's glue. In fact, I'm pretty sure it is Elmer's glue with a different name. And a $26.00 price tag. Both of my projects were white and very gloppy. 8 hours later, I scraped them off the can and glass. They were still white, damp, and sticky.

These photos were taken at the end of a full 24 hour period. I actually rinsed out the bowl to get most of the goop off. Not exactly a success.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

My boyfriend and I drove to Santa Barbara two weekends ago for an outrigger race. I brought along an assortment of worsted weight yarns and Doni Speigle's Springtime Coasters pattern (a free download on ravelry).

It's a very quick pattern. Blocking is necessary to get a nice, flat result, but I like the curled edges that wrap up around the edge of your glass. They're also very thick (and thus good coasters).

I'm working on a new pattern for a matching storage case for the coaster set.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I've been working on this project for quite some time now. It's a vintage baby pattern (1959) from a Coats & Clark collection. My color selection is definitely loud, but I like the finished result. It's silly, but in a good way.

The "skirt" is worked in the Solomon stitch (aka Lover's Knot).

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

A quick little hat project. I'm quite happy with the yarn recommended - Berroco Suede. It's soft and easy to work with.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

This pattern was inspired by Andrea’s (gibsongirl @ Ravelry) “Modern Baby Bib” Knit pattern. I worked up a crocheted variant with a simple scalloped edge. I've made a few versions - any machine washable worsted weight yarn will do.

Materials needed
• 1/2 skein / 25 grams cotton or acrylic worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook: 3.75 mm (F)
• Yarn needle
• 1 button

Gauge
In pattern, 8 sc and 10 rows = 2 inches

Directions
Ch 26, turn.

R1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across (25 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R2-28: Sc in each st across (25 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R29: Sc in each st across (25 sc). Ch 48, turn. [Start of neck strap.]

R30: Sc in second ch from hook and each subsequent ch. Continue working sc along side edge of bib. At lower edge, turn.

R31: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), skip first sc, dc into next sc, *ch 1, skip first sc, dc into each of next 2 sc; repeat from * until 2 sc remain. [Note: work dec-dc if needed to ensure that you end on a 2 dc-group.] Ch 3, ss into final sc. Ch 1, turn.

R32: Sc in sl and first 3 ch, sc in first dc, *skip dc, work 5 dc into ch 1 space, skip 2 dc, work 1 sc into next ch 1 space, skip dc; repeat from * to end. Fasten off, weave in loose ends.

Finishing
Sew on button, block if needed.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

My crochet projects have been on hold for the past few weeks. We moved on March 1st, and are finally unpacked (well, almost). I've started a few crochet projects for the house, including a series of crocheted doorstops to protect against the ocean breeze.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Here's a great gender-neutral project (that also uses up your yarn stash). These are worked in sc, with a sc border stitching each square together.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I drove to Oregon with my parents this past weekend. Portland is really, really far - far enough to get through two sweaters. Both are long sleeve, button variants of Rima Aranha's "Bombay Love" pattern (free download on ravelry). I ran out of yarn at the end and improvised the sleeve shape on the blue version. I think it works, though. Both are newborn size.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Here's another project gone amiss that I'm very pleased with. I started with the shoulder shaping and stripe pattern from “Bringing Up Baby”, in the Make It Yourself Library, Volume 5. The pattern had a picture of the yarn weight - apparently my choice wasn't close to their yarn at all. Rather than making a very large cardigan, I improvised a button-front cape with buttoned arm holes. Perfect for cold days and layering!

It's a quick pattern and would work with a variety of fibers (I used cotton: Bernat Princess and Lily Sugar and Cream, 75 grams each).

Baby Cape Pattern:

Materials needed
• 75 gm / 3 oz. cotton worsted weight each for Color A and B (150 gm / 6 oz total)
• Crochet hook: 3.75 mm
• Yarn needle
• 2 buttons

Gauge
In pattern, 16 sc and 13 rows = 4 inches
Size
6-12 months

Directions
Note: color pattern is as follows: R1-2 A, 3-6 B, 7-8 A, then alternating B and A.

Using Color A, ch 45, turn.

R1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across (44 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R2: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * across (52 sc), switching to Color B at end of row. Ch 1, turn.

R3: *Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * across (60 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R4: *Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * across (68 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R5: *Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * across (76 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R6: *Sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * across (84 sc), switching to Color A at end of row. Ch 1, turn.

R7: *Sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * across (92 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R8: *Sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * across (100 sc), switching to Color A at end of row. Ch 2, turn.

Rows 9-21 are worked in hdc, alternating colors for each row. To avoid cutting the string at the end of each row, always work 2 rows from the right side, and then two rows from the wrong side.

R9-21: Hdc in each stitch across, switching to opposite color at end of row. Ch 2, turn.

R22: Hdc in first 16 sts. Skipping next 15 sts, ch 11, sc in 6th ch from hook (forming button loop), ch 6. Hdc in next 22 sts. Skipping next 17 sts, ch 11, sc in 6th ch from hook (forming button loop), ch 6. Hdc in each st to end, switching to opposite color at end of row. Ch 2, turn.

R23: Hdc in each stitch and ch across , switching to opposite color at end of row. Ch 2, turn.

R24-31: Hdc in each stitch across, switching to opposite color at end of row. Ch 2, turn.

Edging
Working along nearest front edge (not the bottom), evenly space sc. Ch 1, turn, sc along front edge, bottom edge, and opposite front edge (working 2 sc in each corner). Ch 1, turn, sc along front edge, evenly spacing 4 buttonholes (to make a button hole, ch 2, skip 2sc). Ch 1, turn, sc along same edge. Ch 1, turn, work 1 more row of sc on same edge, bottom edge, and opposite front edge.

Fasten off, weave in loose ends. Sew 4 buttons to front edge, 2 buttons to arm openings.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Digital photography is so pivotal to my crafting experience (documenting, cataloging, organizing) that I often forget that my earliest crafting predates owning a digital camera. It's hard for me to pinpoint when exactly I started, but I think it was roughly Fall 2000, potentially 2001. It was definitely Fall, and I bought my first ball of yarn at Skein Lane in Berkeley (now defunct).

I keep very few things I make. At this point, my boyfriend has more hats than I do. I have 3 scarfs, 3 or 4 pieces from the Crochet to Go Deck I can't bear to part with, and a handful of odds and ends. Everything else (probably 25 projects a year) is immediately gifted or goes into the gift bin.

I ran across a photo album with actual film photographs of my first projects the other day. They're terrible - out of focus, dark, badly framed. I'm going to try to reshoot them, where possible, and remake the projects if needed. Here's the first - a star coaster, my first ever project crocheted in the round.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I'm starting to stockpile baby gifts. I have 5 pregnant friends right now - 2 baby girls, and 3 unknowns. This pattern was too cute to pass up. It's very quick (less than 3 hours for a pair) and works well with different yarn weights and textures.

The pattern is a $2 download; you can find it on ravelry.com: #86 Fancy Crocheted Baby Booties by SweaterBabe.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I made this on the way to and from Tahoe - a bit of wishful thinking. Although given the weather - 77 degrees in San Francisco yesterday - I may wear it sometime soon. The pattern is from my favorite craft collection, the Make It Your Self library (12 volumes, 1976). The patterns include a picture of a suggested yarn type but no recommendations. I used Patons Grace (less than one skein per color) and a 3.75 mm hook. The sizing is accurate and it's very cute on.

This project was almost a failure - but I absolutely love it.

I have one New Year's Resolution - I absolutely cannot buy new yarn for every project. Every other project at best, and ideally less than that. My stash has reached unmanageable proportions. This project was one of my "treats" - I ordered the 4 skeins of the recommended yarn (the pattern, "Seduction", is available on ravelry.com).

It unfortunately was not nearly enough to complete the scarf - only 9 inches per skein. At $10/skein, well - you can do the math. Really hard to justify. It's also a fairly stiff yarn to use for a scarf. Which led to the gater! Stiffness is a wonderful quality in a gater. I used nearly 2 skeins to finish it. I incorporated one button hole at the top (for cold ski days), and am using a clip-on earring to secure it in the center. Adding a button in the center would work well too, but I liked the look of the earring.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

This is a much delayed post - it was a gift for my boyfriend, and I suspect he checks this blog once in a while. "Pass the Piggies" is one of his favorite games. It's essentially a dice game - you toss the piggies and score based on the way they fall.

Pattern courtesy of Bridget Reed of Roman Sock. I found the writing a little confusing, but once you understand the style the pigs work up quite quickly.