'Tis the Season - Winter Projects~

Soo I'm back after a long break...and what better way to start off than posting some winter projects! I know I love those... It's cold... Snowing... Let's do some crochet by the fireplace!

I'll keep adding to this as I find things.


1. First off. Check out this awesome snowflake throw from redheart.com 

Dusty Snowflake Throw Crochet Pattern

LW2020

Skill Level: Easy

Designed By: Tammy Hildebrand

Supplies:
RED HEART® “Super Saver®”: 2 skeins 311 White A and 5 skeins 984 Shaded Dusk B.Crochet Hook: 5.5mm [US I-9].
Yarn needle.

Size: Throw measures 45” x 52½”.

GAUGE: Motif = 7½” diameter. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

NOTE: After the first motif, all others are joined while working Rnd 7. Motifs are joined in 6 rows of 7 motifs.

MOTIF
With A ch 5; join with a slip st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 15 dc in ring; join with a slip st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, ch 7, skip next dc, [sc in next dc, ch 7, skip next dc] 7 times; join in first sc. Fasten off.
Rnd 3: Working in skipped dc of Rnd 1, behind ch-7 spaces, join B in any skipped dc; ch 3, 2 dc in same dc, [3 dc in next skipped dc] 7 times; join.
Rnd 4: Ch 3, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc **, dc in next 2 dc; repeat from * to last dc, end at **; dc in last dc; join. Fasten off.
Rnd 5: Working in ch-1 spaces of Rnd 4 and ch-7 spaces of Rnd 2 at the same time, join A in any space; ch 3, 4 dc in same space, * ch 1, skip next 2 dc, slip st in space between sts, ch 1, skip next 2 dc **, 5 dc in next space; repeat from * around, end at **; join. Fasten off.
Rnd 6: Join B with a sc in back loop of center dc of any 5-dc group of Rnd 5, * working over slip st of previous rnd (tr, ch 1, tr, ch 2, tr, ch 1, tr) all in next space **, sc in back loop of center dc of next 5-dc group; repeat from * around, end at **; join in first sc.

FIRST MOTIF ONLY-Rnd 7: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same st as joining, * sc in next ch-1 space, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) all in next ch-2 space, sc in next ch-1 space **, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next sc; repeat from * around, end at **; join. Fasten off.

Joining Rnd 7: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same st as joining, sc in next ch-1 space, * 2 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 1, slip st in corresponding ch-3 space of previous motif, ch 1, 2 dc in same space on current motif, sc in next ch-1 space, 2 dc in next sc, slip st in corresponding ch-1 space on previous motif, 2 dc in same space on current motif, sc in next ch-1 space **; repeat from * to ** for each corresponding join, ***(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next sc, sc in next ch-1 space, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next ch-2 space, sc in next ch-1 space; repeat from *** around; join. Fasten off.

NOTE: First 7 large motifs will have 3 joins. Beginning large motif of the next 5 rows will have 7 joins. Remaining large motifs will have 9 joins. After first row of 7 large motifs join 6 filler motifs between rows.

FILLER MOTIF
With A ch 4; join with a slip st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 4, [dc in ring, ch 1] 7 times; join in 3rd ch of ch-4. Fasten off.
Rnd 2: Join B with a sc in any dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 space, [sc in next dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 space] 7 times; join.
Joining Rnd 3: Slip st to next ch-1 space; ch 3, dc in same space, ch 1, slip st in corresponding ch-3 space of large motif, ch 1, 2 dc in same space on filler motif, * 2 dc in next space, slip st in next ch-1 space of large motif, 2 dc in same space on filler motif, 2 dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, slip st in next ch-3 space of large motif, ch 1, 2 dc in same space on filler motif **; repeat from * to ** one time; (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 space, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next ch-1 space, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 space; join.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Border
Rnd 1: Join A in ch 5 space at top right corner, ch 1, 5 sc in same space, *[skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, 3 sc in next ch space, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, 5 sc in next ch space] 3 times, **5 sc in next ch space; rep from * across ending at **(left corner), rep from * to ** 2 times, 5 sc in next ch space; rep from * around.
Rnd 2:Join with slip stitch to beg sc, fasten off.

ABBREVIATIONS: A, B = color A, B; ch = chain; dc = double crochet; mm = millimeters; rnd = round; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); tr = treble crochet; yo = yarn over; * or ** = repeat whatever follows the * or ** as indicated; [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified.

2. Make some snowflakes! This is a Lanukas Design. Check out the website it has a great ideas especially for keeping the shape of the snowflakes by soaking the snowflakes in liquid starch and pinning them when they dry in place! http://www.lanukas.com/2013/12/patron-de-copo-de-nieve-ganchillo.html#eng

3. Free Winter Dolls Pattern from Annabooshouse. Here is the link to the pattern http://media.blacksheepwools.com/media/wysiwyg/winterdolls_crochet_nat.pdf

4. Snowman Hat by Micahmakes.com  http://www.micahmakes.com/category/free-patterns

5. Crochet Snowflake Table Runner from Favecrafts.com http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-for-Christmas/Crocheted-Snowflake-Table-Runner-from-Red-Heart-Yarn/ct/1

Materials:

• 2 skeins Red Heart Holiday Yarn in Aran with Gold Metallic
• 5.5 mm [US I-9] crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Diagram

Gauge:

• Snowflake measures 5½” x 5½” measured point to point. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Instructions:
Runner measures 57" long x 14" wide.

Center Strip

1. Ch 4, join with slip st to form a ring.
    
2. Round 1 (right side): Ch 5 (counts as hdc, ch 3), [hdc,ch 3] 5 times in ring; join with slip st in 2nd ch of beginning ch-5—6 ch-3 spaces.
    
3. Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, (2 sc, ch 5, 2 sc) in next ch-3 space, *sc in next hdc, (2 sc, ch 5, 2 sc) in next ch-3 space; repeat from * around; join with slip st in first sc—6 ch-5 spaces.
    
4. Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, [sc, ch 5, sc, ch 7 (point), sc, ch 5, sc] in 3rd ch of next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next 2 sc**, sc in next sc; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join with slip st in first sc—6 ch-7 points. Fasten off.

Second Snowflake (2 points joined)

1. Rounds 1-2: Repeat rounds 1-2 of first snowflake.
    
2. Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc, ch 3) in 3rd ch of next ch-5 space, with wrong sides together, slip st in corresponding ch-7 point on previous snowflake, ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc) in same ch of ch-5 space on current snowflake, ch 3, skip next 2 sc, sc in next sc, repeat * once; **ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc, ch 7, sc, ch 5, sc) in 3rd ch of next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next 2 sc***, sc in next sc; repeat from ** around, ending last repeat at ***, join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

Third through Twelfth Snowflake

1. Work 10 more snowflakes same as second snowflake, joining in a strip, skipping 1 point on each side of snowflakes.

First Side Strip

1. First Snowflake (3 points joined):  Rounds 1-2: Repeat rounds 1-2 of first snowflake.
    
2. Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc, ch 3) in 3rd ch of next ch-5 space, with wrong sides together, slip st in first ch-7 space on top snowflake on center strip to the right of joining, ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc) in same ch of ch-5 space on current snowflake, ch 3, skip next 2 sc, sc in next sc, repeat * twice, joining with slip st to junction between 2 snowflakes, then joining to next ch-7 point; **ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc, ch 7, sc, ch 5, sc) in 3rd ch of next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next 2 sc***, sc in next sc; repeat from ** around, ending last repeat at ***, join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

Second Snowflake (4 points joined)

1. Rounds 1-2: Repeat rounds 1-2 of first snowflake.
    
2. Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc, ch 3) in 3rd ch of next ch-5 space, with wrong sides together, slip st in corresponding ch-7 space on previous snowflake on same strip, ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc) in same ch of ch-5 space on current snowflake, ch 3, skip next 2 sc, sc in next sc, repeat * 3 times, joining with slip st to next 2 junctions between 2 snowflakes, then joining to next ch-7 point; **ch 3, (sc, ch 5, sc, ch 7, sc, ch 5, sc) in 3rd ch of next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next 2 sc***, sc in next sc; repeat from ** around, ending last repeat at ***, join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

Third through Eleventh Snowflake

1. Work 9 more snowflakes same as second snowflake, joining in a strip across side of center strip, following assembly diagram for placement.

Second Side Strip

1. Make and join 11 more snowflakes joining to center strip same as first side strip, following Assembly Diagram (see link, above) for placement.
    
2. Weave in ends. 

6. Peppermint coasters. This is a nice easy one from Free-crochet.com http://www.free-crochet.com/detail.html?code=FC00502&source=pntrsta 

7. Elegant Ornaments. From freepatterns.com http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC00488&cat_id=324

8. Snowflake Pillow from Redheart  http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/snowflake-pillow

9. Winter Snowflakes Place Mat and Hot Pad from free-crochet.com http://www.free-crochet.com/detail.html?code=FC00913&source=fcbklka

10. Snowflake Granny Square from ravelry.com http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowflake-granny-square-afghan

more to come later~

Crochet Books Online - The Joy of Thread - Heirloom Stitches For Today~

The Joy of Thread - Heirloom Stitches For Today!
http://issuu.com/carlosbranchet/docs/crochet_world_-_the_joy_of_thread

 This book is really great from crochet world. There are tons of lace patterns for all sorts of things. Lots of tablecloths, doilies, even pajamas patterns and holiday patterns so it's worth a check if you like working with thread :)

Crochet Books Online - A Dozen Modern Motifs (Red Heart Grannys)

A Dozen Modern motifs from Red Heart

http://issuu.com/jocreasey/docs/redheartmotifebook

This ebook is really great. There are lots of granny squares of diffrent shapes and sizes (some not square ) so... i guess they are grannys? or Motifs? Anyways not only do you get the patterns for these motifs... you also can see what to do with them like make a scarf or pillow or purse and more! This is great if you like making granny squares because the designs are beautiful and the projects are inspiring!

Enjoy~

My Work - Progress on the Blanket~

Ok so... I have completely changed my mind about the blanket... decided the animals and leaves weren't giving me the look I wanted... also the colors are hard to work with when you are trying to do something springy... so I thought... mmmm... blue... white... leafless tree... WHY NOT MAKE IT WINTER! I mean I did the blanket in the winter so It's fitting ^^ and gives me room to change colors and make a spring, summer, and fall blanket too! muhahahahaha I smell yarn!!!

Note to people wanted to try something like this out... I'd add one more color to this... it is hard to work with 3 colors when you have already used a color for the sky or background so you only have 2 other colors to work on whatever you want to applique ontop... If I do another blanket I will definitely add another color... whether it is to border the squares only or to also be in the squares.


 so... the border has become semi snowflakes and I now have dear and birds around the leafless tree with some snowflake falling... also I made a snow pile at the bottom of the tree!

This picture is my inspiration for the blanket ^^

So here is what the center part of the blanket looks like now...

So I haven't sewn down the deer, snowflakes or the birds... but you can see how it will look... I have put off a bit on the snowflakes because the yarn is so big it is hard to make little snowflakes with 4ply yarn... so I came up with the idea of splitting the yarn into the 4 small strands and using one of those with a 2.25 m hook... So now I need to get that hook ^^ then there will be smaller snowflakes everywhere ^^ When I do it I'll post my pattern design for the snowflakes... It is strange no one is making tiny patterns of snowflakes... everyone wants big ones to hang on the tree ^^

Oh and I also have been adding on the border around the whole blanket you can see the brown I added I still need to add white and the semi snowflakes...here is a picture of it below the next picture... there will be a snowflake for every square around the blanket ^^ This snowflake actually came from the mypicot website free patterns for edging... I just had to change it a big because I felt it was too big especially since it is for lace... imagine using yarn 4 times as thick :P ya you need to adjust the stitches a little I will probably post a video about how to adjust stitches for using lace patterns for yarn.

Oh and this is what the picture from the website looks like before I tried it in yarn. So Instead of doing the first 3 border... I'm doing just the snowflake pattern and will crochet the blanket and the semi-snowflake together ^^

Anyways this is what is happening with the blanket... just have to make more semi snowflakes and mini snowflakes for the applique center and sew everything in ^^ Fun fun project... crochet is so relaxing... love it ^^