Knitted Ripple Afghan

Hi everyone!  Hope that everyone had a wonderful summer.  Time for me to get back to being organized and efficient and back into blogging.

The last two days here in SC have been cool.  Finally!  I'm sitting here this morning by an open window and have a shawl around my shoulders.  It's so nice to have the windows open and not have to listen to the air conditioner humming away.

So, the cooler weather has put me in the frame of mind of afghans, as I can only work on these during the cooler months.  I want to share with you a ripple afghan pattern that is knit.  My mother made a number of these blankets; three are pictured below.  This pattern is very easy, but just a word of warning, it is time-consuming.  It is well worth it, though.  And, I don't like saying this, but it is also an easy project to set aside for a while (or a year...LOL) and pick back up as the pattern is not complicated.  This pattern was passed onto her by one of her friends and I have her copy, written on a recipe card, my favorite!

First some pictures....

These three afghans were knit by my mom.  The blue and green one is my son's, the pink and yellow one is my daughter's, and the rose one is mine.  She knit mine while I was in college (many years ago).  These blankets are well-loved and used every winter so they hold up very well.  In addition to these three, she made two others; one for each of my sisters.

Now for the pattern:

This beautiful and simple afghan pattern allows you to showcase a combination of solid yarns or a variegated yarn with solid yarns, in bold blocks of color.  It is a simple knit pattern, requiring only basic knitting skills.  It is knit on circular needles in order to hold the number of stitches for the pattern, but is knit back and forth on the needles, not in the round.  Enjoy!

A pdf version of the pattern is available HERE.

Pattern Rating: Easy.  Basic knitting skills required.

Stitches Used:  knit (k), knit 2 together (k2tog), increase (inc)

Finished size:  Approximately 45 inches wide x 90  inches long.

Gauge:  not important

Materials: 

·         Size 8 circular knitting needles, at least 29 inches long

·         Stitch markers

·         13 Skeins of worsted weight (No. 4) yarn:  4 skeins Color A, 4 skeins Color B, and 5 skeins Color C.  See the color layouts below for variations using a mix of solid and variegated yarns.  I recommend Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  This is a durable, washable yarn that is available in many colors and has been used in all of the blankets that are shown in the picture above.  It is easy to find and it is very easy to work with, especially if this is you first blanket or afghan.

Pattern: 

Cast on 266 stitches. 

Row 1:  K across. Turn.  Do not join.  Circular needles are used for this pattern only to easily hold the number of stitches cast on. 

Row 2:  K1, K2 tog.  *K8, increase in the next st, place marker, inc in the next st, K8, K2 together twice*.  Repeat from * to * across to the last 3 stitches.  K2 tog, K1.  Turn.

Row 3:  K across. Turn.

Row 4:  K1, K2 tog.  *K8, increase in the next st, slip marker, inc in the next st, K8, K2 together twice*.  Repeat from * to * across to the last 3 stitches.  K2 tog, K1.  Turn.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 for the pattern.  This repeat will make a total of 12 points to the ripple across the afghan.

Each skein of yarn should be used completely, joining the next color in the pattern at the end of the row. 

Bind off and weave in yarn ends. 

Pattern note:  Some yarn colors do not contain the same yardage as others, even by the same manufacturer.  If you would like the color section to be the same width, you will need to count rows.  Note, however, that variegated yarns tend to have less yardage than the solid yarns and the pattern does start with a solid color.  The narrower bands of variegated yarn do add a bit of variety to the pattern and overall, do not matter in the completed project.  I have never worried about the color band widths so I just knit until the yarn runs out.  Just a thought!

Color Pattern Suggestions

             

There are many different color combinations that can be used to make this afghan uniquely yours.  In the picture above, two of the blankets are made using 2 solid and 1 variegated colors of yarn while the other uses all solid colors.

Call the yarn colors Solid A (A), Solid B (B), and Variegated or Solid C (C).

Color Pattern 1:  A - C - B - A - C - B - C - B - C - A - B - C - A

Color Pattern 2:  A - C - B - A - C - B - A - B - C - A - B - C - A

The letter in BOLD is the center of the pattern.  Basically, the color design steps out from the center toward each end.

These are just suggestions.  I would love to someday make this as a scrappy yarn quilt, using up random skeins and partial skeins of yarn.

I would love to see your selections for yarn and your finished projects!

Just two more pictures....this is the afghan I have been working on for, say we say, awhile.  Still love the colors, but I want you to see the needles I am using.  These are the needles my mom used to make all of the afghans I mentioned.  Worn with love!

This pattern may be used for articles to sell.  Please credit auraverdecrafts.blogspot.com for the pattern.  Thanks!

Happy Crafting...and Knitting!

Kathy

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

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

Our Garden

I never would have thought that I would enjoy gardening.  Or working outside in the yard.  Or any of that getting my hands dirty kind of stuff.  But while living in Virginia and only renting a house I realized how much I missed it.  So when we moved back to our home in South Carolina, getting into yard work was no longer a big deal for me.  I actually feel like I haven't accomplished anything unless I go outside at least once a day and do something.  Even when it is in the 90's.  Crazy....

We have a beautiful garden this year, thanks to the efforts of my husband George.  He is the true green thumb in the family (although our son runs a close second!)  He is constantly tending to something outside, whether it is our compost, or the yard, or especially the garden.  We planted a lot of things in containers this year.  We have new neighbors and they did a lot landscaping and had a lot of large pots that trees and such had come in.  They graciously let us have them and we have used them for most of our tomato plants, cucumbers, zucchini, spaghetti squash, watermelon, honeydew melon, and peppers.  We even have corn growing in one!  (George likes to experiment!)  

As we live in South Carolina the growing season begins a lot earlier and lasts much longer.  Although I've lived here for over 20 years, I still have a hard time adjusting to the earlier start to the season as in New Hampshire we usually couldn't start planting until Memorial Day.  Since we are able to plant earlier we also start harvesting earlier.  So far I have picked zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, and even a couple of tomatoes.  I've also picked and hung to dry quite a bit of mint as my son loves hot mint tea and I have been adding it fresh to cold green tea.  I'm looking forward to canning tomatoes this year and hope to buy a half bushel of peaches to can.  Our peach tree is still little and not bearing fruit yet. 

Here are a few pictures from the garden I wanted to share with you.  How is your garden growing?

Harvest from Sunday, June 7.  The herbs are mint and chocolate mint.

View of the backyard

Raised bed with zinnias and marigolds.  Those are strawberries in the pot in the front.

Tomato plants in the foreground and cucumber plants in the background.

Happy Crafting and Gardening!

Kathy

Dreaming of Christmas...already!

This is a felt brooch that I have been working on for a while trying to perfect the design.  I think it would also look cute as a barrette for a little girl.  Who doesn't love Santa?  I had it listed in my Etsy shop last year, but was not happy with it.  So time to re-vamp and re-make!  Enjoy!

Another item I had listed in my Etsy shop was this Santa pot.  I originally found a similar design in a magazine many years ago whose name I cannot recall.  These are a lot of fun to paint and make great Secret Santa gifts.  They could also be filled with little goodies for a cute teacher's gift.  I don't have any listed back in my shop yet (it really is too early to think about Christmas shopping, isn't it?) but I'm going to start working on these soon for my shop and to put in my friend's shop on consignment.

Happy Crafting!

Kathy