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Showing posts with label crochet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crochet. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Orange "Orange" Coasters Crochet Pattern

The Orange "Orange" Coaster
Nope, not a typo.  It is an orange orange coaster!  As I promised a few days ago, here is the pattern for the coasters that I designed.  If you aren't up for trying them yourself, I have them  for sale in my Etsy shop.

This is the first crochet pattern I have ever written.  Please let me know if you find errors or have any questions.  I am not including instructions for the various stitches (in US terms) as I know there are many tutorials available for basic stitches.  Enjoy!

Orange "Orange" Coasters
Materials for 4 Coasters:  
  • Lily Sugar 'n Cream 100% cotton yarn.  I purchased a 14 ounce skein of white as I dyed my coasters.  If you prefer to skip the dying step, I would suggest purchasing 2 skeins of Lily Sugar 'n Cream solids in Hot Orange.
  • Size G crochet hook
  • 1 sheet (9x12) each of orange and green felt
  • matching thread
  • Rit Dye in Tangerine.  I used the powdered dye, but the liquid can also be used.
  • Equipment necessary for dying as stated on the dye package
Abbreviations used in this pattern (US terms):

ch - chain
rnd - round
sc - single crochet
ss - slip stitch
hdc - half double crochet
st - stitch

Round 1:  Make a magic circle.  Ch 1. Crochet 6 sc in the magic circle.  Pull circle together using the end of the yarn.  Not too tight though!  Wait until you have crocheted another round to close the circle.  Join with a ss to the ch 1 from the beginning of the round.  

Round 2:  Ch 1.  2 hdc in each sc from round 1. Join with a ss to the beginning ch 1. - 12 hdc  made.

Round 3:  Ch 1.  *1 hdc in first hdc from rnd 2.  2 hdc in next st.*  Repeat from * to * around.  Join with ss to the beginning ch 1, - 18 hdc made.

Round 4:  Ch 1.  *1 hdc in each of the first 2 hdc from rnd 3.  2 hdc in the next st.*  Repeat from * to  * around.  Join with ss to the beginning ch 1 - 24 hdc made.

Round 5:  Ch 1.  *1 hdc in the first hdc from rnd 4.  2 hdc in the next st.*  Repeat from * to * around.  Join with ss to the beginning ch 1 - 36 hdc made.

Round 6:  Ch 1.  *1 hdc in each of the first 2 hdc from rnd 5.  2 hdc in the next st.*  Repeat from * to * around,  Join with ss to the beginning ch 1 - 48 hdc made.  

Round 7:  Ch 1.  sc in each st from previous row.  Join with ss to beginning ch1.  Fasten off.  Weave in lose ends.

After I completed 8 coasters, I set up my dye bath following the instructions provided on the Rit Dye package.  I only used about half of the dry powder package since this was not going to be a large dye bath.  I dyed mine in a plastic bucket that I have set aside specifically for small dye batches.  Once the coasters are completely dyed and rinse following the manufacturer's instructions, I laid them flat to dry on an old towel.  I did notice some bleeding of the dye so a second rinse may be necessary.  It also prompted the next step.

Felt backing:  Cut a circle of felt for each coaster made.  The felt circle should be slightly smaller than the coaster.  I cut mine about 1/2 inch less in diameter than the coaster.  Using matching thread I slip stitched the felt backing to the back of the coaster.  This will provide extra protection against moisture on a wooden table.  Next I free hand cut 2 leaves for each coaster from the green felt. Basically I cut an oval shape that is tapered on both ends. I slip stitched these to the front of the coaster, stitching the outer edges of the leaves to the coaster where touching and the overlapping edge of the upper leaf to the bottom leaf.  

And there you have it!  These could also be dyed red for pretty fall apples or even tomatoes.  I hope that you enjoy my first crochet pattern and, again, please let me know if you like it or if there are any errors!  

This pattern is for personal use only.  I strive to make my designs simple and unique and appreciate your cooperation.  Thanks!

Happy Crafting and Crocheting!

Kathy

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Crocheting Craziness!

About six months ago I was fortunate to find a group of ladies here that get together and knit and crochet two nights a week.  I usually keep a knitting or crocheting project on hand but this group made me crazy about it!  Especially crocheting!  I think I like crocheting better, even though I learned to knit as a little girl, because if you make a mistake it doesn't mean you have to go searching for a stitch or drop a stitch or lose count.  I am knitting a tank top right now (that I have had to re-start FOUR times!!!).  It has a lace pattern at the bottom of it and I kept forgetting to either yarn over or knit two together or something because the first three times I either had more stitches or less stitches than I needed.  Then I wised up and added stitch markers so that I can verify my count after each set of 50 stitches.  Made life so much easier!

I titled this post Crocheting Craziness and here I am prattling on about knitting. Watching other ladies crochet and seeing the beautiful things they were making gave me the bug.  Not to mention all of the beautiful yarn that is available in all price ranges.  So I started searching Ravelry and Pinterest and found all kinds of beautiful free patterns.  Then I started modifying the patterns as I became more confident.  Here are some of the goodies that I have made and have listed in my Etsy shop.  I will share patterns for a few of them next week if you would like to try your hand at them!

Sweet little pink clutch.  The flower and leaves are made using embroidery thread.
Another version in spring green.  Each clutch is lined in a coordinating fabric.
  
And finally the white clutch.
Next I  moved onto coasters....



I love this one!  This is my own design.  I crocheted it using white cotton yarn and then dyed it orange.  I decided to buy white yarn as I have plans to make a number of different fruits and veggies and didn't want a bunch of half-used hanks of yarn lying about.  I used Rit Dye and then backed the coaster with orange felt to give it a bit more substance.  I was very happy that it turned out the way that it did (and that I wrote the pattern down!)

This coaster is an adaptation of a dishcloth pattern that I had in my files.  I got it from one of the ladies in my knitting group and modified it.  I love the way that the yarn stripes!


Hope you enjoy these and stay tuned for a pattern!

Happy Crafting and Crocheting!

Kathy

Friday, May 1, 2015

Where has the time gone?

It has been forever and a day since I last posted.  My apologies to anyone who has continued to check for new posts and hasn't found any.  I just became discouraged and didn't know what direction to head in regarding my blog and my craft business.  I'm still a bit up in the air, but I have found a wonderful group of women who knit and crochet and do all sorts of interesting things (like raise chickens and goats!) and they have been both inspiring and supportive.  So it is time to get moving in a positive direction!

I haven't stopped crafting.  (I can't stop crafting...LOL!)  So here a some of the things I've made over the last year.  If there is interest I will post a tutorial.  Thanks for your patience and welcome back!

Broomstick Lace

Crocheted Clutch

Crocheted Cowl Scarf

Felt Flower Brooch

Felt Owl Brooch

Crocheted Fingerless Gloves

Felt Heart Brooch

Crocheted Necklace

Decorative Pillow with Felt Flower
There will be more to come once I get myself back into a blogging routine.  Thanks

Happy Crafting!
Kathy