Crochet to Go

I've spent the day proofing a pattern for the 2009 edition of the Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar. The deadline is swiftly approaching - get your patterns in now! I'm definitely sending in my easy arm warmer pattern (picture shown), and hope to get organized enough to finish another 1 or 2 patterns in the next week.

Speaking of which, I just received my copy of the 2008 calendar. I have two patterns included - a mesh-weave scarf, and a pretty little clutch. The overall calendar is a bit hit and miss, but I did find several patterns in the 2007 edition worth making. If nothing else, it makes for fun browsing.

IMG_1538.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I've been working on a "simple" pattern for arm warmers: something suitable for worsted weight yarns of all kinds, fast to make, comfortable to wear, and not overly precious - basically, something for everyday. If you live in a climate like mine, they're perfect for office mornings - just enough to take the edge off while the heater is struggling to warm the place. They work well if you're typing, too.

Materials needed
- 3.5 oz worsted weight yarn (Lion Brand Wool)
- Crochet hook size H
- Yarn needle

Gauge
In pattern, 15 dc and 9 rows = 4 inches
Pattern is sized for an average-size woman.

To make a Popcorn st (yo, insert hook into st and draw up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times all in the same st, yo and draw through 4 loops, yo and draw through remaining 2 loops.

Directions

Side A
Using peach, ch 32. Without twisting ch, sl st to first ch to form a circle.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in next ch and in each ch around (32 dc). Sl st to top of tch at start of row. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 2: Work 1 popcorn st into first dc of previous row, *dc in next st, popcorn st in next. Repeat from * to end of round. Sl st to tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 3: Dc into each st around. Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 4: Dc in each of first 10 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 10 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (30 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 5–10: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 11: Dc in each of first 5 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 15 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (28 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 12-14: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 15: Dc in each of first 5 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 10 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (26 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 16: Repeat rnd 15.

Rnd 17-20: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 21: Dc in each of first 7 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 7 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (22 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 22-23: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 24: Dc in each of first 3 sts. Ch 4, skip 4 sts—thumbhole created. Dc in each remaining st. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 25: Dc in each st and ch of row. Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 26-27: Repeat row 3. At end of row 27, do not ch 3. Fasten off.

Side B
Follow directions from Side A through row 22.

Rnd 23: Repeat row 3. At end of row, do not ch 3. Fasten off.

Rnd 24: Attach yarn at opposite side of row just worked. Dc in each of first 3 sts. Ch 4, skip 4 sts—thumbhole created. Dc in each remaining st. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 25: Dc in each st and ch of row. Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 26-27: Repeat row 4. At end of row 40, do not ch 3. Fasten off.

Reinforce thumb
1: Attach yarn to one of the unworked dc of thumbhole. Sc in same st. Sc into each unworked dc, the side post of adjacent dc on either side, and base of row above (10 [XX] sc). Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Weave in any loose ends.

Finished dimensions
12 inches long; width at widest point (row 1) is roughly 10 inches, although the weave will stretch to fit a slightly larger width.

I've finished 4 hats and 2 pairs of arm warmers since the last post. Here's a sneak preview - more to come this weekend.

Alicia of Posie Gets Cosy recently wrote a post that includes a great popcorn-stitch purse. It's quite sophisticated - much more so than this playful sweater I made for Charlotte last year. I also used a popcorn stitch trim on these arm warmers, which are featured in the Crochet to Go Deck.

What else can be made? I like this purse I found on flickr. I'm thinking scarfs, obviously, but there's something else...

Maybe a lamp shade? Very retro-looking. I'll have to give that some thought.